"Understood!"

Xiao Chuan's Imperial Guards immediately vanished like ghosts.

Shen Lian glanced again at the hundred or so people who had been taken by Xue Rengui's men to a distant camp and let out a cold laugh.

......

Inside the main tent, Liu Wei, along with Yao Guangxiao and other officials, greeted the envoy.

Incense was burned and an altar was set up; the imperial edict was read aloud.

This time, Liu Wei did not kneel down to receive the imperial decree, but only bowed slightly.

Yao Guangxiao and Xue Rengui followed suit.

Seeing Liu Wei's state, Cai Yong did not press the matter, and directly took out the imperial edict and read it aloud:

"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Marquis Liu Wei of Yinshan has utterly defeated the barbarian tribes and recovered the three commanderies of Yunzhong, Wuyuan, and Shuofang!"

"Loyal to the country, meritorious and hardworking, hereby your royal title is restored and you are hereby granted the title of King of Yunzhong!"

"The Emperor has granted permission for his relatives to recruit troops and guard the four directions to jointly protect the Han Dynasty. He hereby grants Liu Wei permission to establish the Northern Protectorate, appoint him as the Grand Protector, and establish his own headquarters to forever protect the northern frontier!"

"Officials under his command are appointed and recruited independently, and their appointments are reported to the court for record-keeping."

"The Northern Protectorate is under the control of the General's Office, and all military affairs shall be carried out in accordance with the orders of the General's Office."

So be it!

He had indeed regained his throne.

Now that a new Protectorate General of the Northern Desert has been established, it seems they intend to keep Liu Wei in the northern frontier forever!

Since we can't kill him, then we won't let him go back!

Liu Wei immediately understood the intention behind the imperial edict.

This was likely the result of a compromise between Emperor Ling of Han (Liu Hong), the General's Office, and the Ten Attendants.

The Protectorate of the Northern Desert was under the control of the General's Mansion. If He Jin ordered him to go on an expedition to the Northern Desert or to cede the three counties of Yunzhong, wouldn't it be disobeying the imperial decree if he didn't comply?

It seems that restoring him to the throne, bestowing official titles, and even allowing him to establish a government office are all possible.

However, this has created a pitfall.

"Hehe, I accept the decree."

Liu Wei accepted the imperial edict without showing any emotion.

Cai Yong breathed a sigh of relief: "Congratulations, Your Highness! Congratulations!"

Everyone offered their congratulations.

Cai Yan was now able to see Liu Wei up close; this was indeed the prince!

He was handsome, exuding a heroic spirit, with sword-like eyebrows that reached his temples and piercing eyes.

He looks like a man of great talent and ambition, quite different from the rumors circulating in Luoyang!

At this moment, Chen Ji said from the side:

"Your Highness, the General's Mansion has another military order to be conveyed to the Protectorate of the Northern Desert."