Upon hearing Yuan Shao's words, Han Fu, the governor of Yi Province, blushed with shame. However, what Yuan Shao said was indeed true. Wang Han held the title of marquis, which meant he nominally had a fiefdom. For Han Fu, as the governor, to try to win over Wang Han would be suicidal. Even if Wang Han did not have his own power, fiefdom, or estate, Han Fu, who held considerable military power and real authority, would still be of a much higher status than Wang Han. Han Fu had to pay respects to Wang Han. If he were to actually recruit Wang Han, wouldn't things be chaotic? He couldn't possibly treat Wang Han like an ancestor, could he? Wang Han was not an emperor; treating him like an ancestor would be useless.
(Being granted a title of marquis was not easy. Guan Yu's title of Marquis of Hanshou (a military merit marquis) was the lowest rank of marquis, and it was still only after Cao Cao held the emperor hostage and demanded it from Emperor Xian of Han on Guan Yu's behalf. The title of Marquis of Han was a title that could only be granted to members of the Han imperial family (equivalent to a prince).)
However, Han Fu had some doubts. He knew that Yuan Shao had also come to recruit Wang Han, but Yuan Shao's status was also lower than Wang Han's. If he spoke up, he would only make a fool of himself, just like Han Fu. So how did Yuan Shao plan to recruit Wang Han?
Upon hearing Yuan Shao's words, Cao Cao remained calm and composed. Firstly, he was self-aware enough to know his current low status and had not yet tried to win over Wang Han, but had only inquired about whether he would have the opportunity in the future. Secondly, he was quite thick-skinned.
As for status, one can simply bestow a title upon oneself, just as Dong Zhuo did by appointing himself Chancellor. Although Wang Han's status is comparable to that of a member of the Han imperial family and he is also a marquis, thus requiring them to pay their respects, Wang Han only has the title and high status, without any official position, fief, or estate. As long as one's own official position is high enough and one's skin is thick enough, one can treat Wang Han as a particularly high-ranking military marquis, almost on par with being enfeoffed as a king, rather than a true vassal king. By bestowing upon Wang Han an official position slightly lower than one's own, one can then govern Wang Han. After all, Wang Han is not surnamed Liu; he is merely comparable to a member of the Han imperial family. Although he is enfeoffed as a marquis, possessing a status comparable to a vassal king, he is not a true member of the Han imperial family, nor is he truly enfeoffed as a king, which is plausible.
Just as General He Jin's position allowed him to govern almost all military officers, the title of Marquis of Military Merit was merely a peerage, not a title of king. As long as a military officer was not as high-ranking as General He Jin, he would still be under his jurisdiction, as long as it did not offend the imperial family.
"My lord, Lord Dingshan, Lord Alliance Leader." Xiahou Yuan came over, bowed in turn, and said, "Prefect Kong Rong of Beihai has come to pay his respects to Lord Dingshan."
"Quickly invite them in," Cao Cao ordered, then explained to Yuan Shao, "Lord Wang Han just said that he came to Sishui Pass this time to discuss something with the various lords, so I sent someone to invite the other lords to a gathering."
Yuan Shao's face was somewhat grim. He had deliberately concealed his visit to Wang Han, but Cao Cao had already invited various warlords to come shortly afterward.
"Ma Teng, the governor of Xiliang, has come to pay his respects to Marquis Dingshan with gifts."
"Gongsun Zan, the Prefect of Beiping, has come to pay his respects to Marquis Dingshan with gifts."
Yuan Shao said, "Since the Marquis of Dingshan has something to discuss with us, the various lords, why don't we wait in the main hall first?"
"Let's wait at the training ground," Wang Han said. Based solely on his status as the Marquis of Dingshan, the various warlords might not respect him, so Wang Han planned to establish his authority first.
Upon hearing this, Yuan Shao knew that Wang Han wanted to establish his authority before revealing his true intentions, so the matter must be significant. Furthermore, Yuan Shao also wanted to see Wang Han's abilities for himself. Therefore, he said, "That's fine."
Upon arriving at Cao Cao's military camp's drill ground, Cao Cao had low tables and seats brought out. Yuan Shao and Wang Han sat together in the two main seats facing forward, while Cao Cao and the other arriving warlords sat on either side, conversing quietly as they waited.
One after another, the feudal lords arrived, and after paying their respects to Wang Han and Yuan Shao, they sat down together and chatted quietly while waiting.
The three brothers, Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei, arrived early as well.
Looking at Wang Han, who was sitting in the main seat next to Yuan Shao, Zhang Fei couldn't help but say to Liu Bei, "Brother, is that the Marquis of Dingshan who is said to have killed thousands of Xiliang soldiers by himself and beheaded Dong Zhuo in the midst of a massive army? Why is he so thin and weak, more like a scholar? Could it be a fake?"
"Third brother," Liu Bei said, "you must know that you can't judge a book by its cover, and rumors are often exaggerated."
“But this is an exaggeration. This man is nowhere near the height of two canes as rumored. He’s only eight and a half feet tall at most, not even as tall as my second brother. Not to mention his forearm is thicker than a man’s waist. My arm is thicker than his calf.” Zhang Fei said with dissatisfaction, “Could he be a good-for-nothing?”
“Indeed.” Guan Yu nodded in agreement. “Judging from this man’s physique, he is far inferior to Hua Xiong. His hands have no calluses, so he must not have practiced martial arts. He probably does little housework at home.”
"Second brother, third brother," Liu Bei said softly upon hearing this, "After all, the Marquis of Dingshan is a marquis personally appointed by His Majesty. His status is comparable to that of a member of the Han imperial family. All the other warlords have to give him some face. Even if you don't believe it, you can't say it out loud."
“My elder brother is a true member of the Han imperial family,” Zhang Fei said in a low voice. “I think it would be better for my brother to be the Marquis of Dingshan.”
"Third brother, stop talking nonsense," Liu Bei said in a low voice. "We should just observe and see how things develop. The other warlords will surely test us."
......
With the arrival of the last vassal, Kong Rong, the Prefect of Beihai, bringing gifts, all the vassals were now gathered.
"Now that all the warlords have arrived," Yuan Shao said to Wang Han. "What brings Lord Dingshan to Sishui Pass? Now we can tell you."
"Gentlemen," Wang Han said, standing up. "I've come here today only to inform you of something."
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