Having done away with Lu Bu, Cao Cao turns his army back toward Xuchang. As they pass through Xu, the people burn incense, block the road and beg that Liu Bei be left as governor of Xu. Cao Cao answers that Lord Liu’s merit is great, so he should first see the Emperor and receive his rank, and there will be time to return after. Then he lodges Liu Bei in a house close to the Chancellor’s residence.
The next day Cao Cao brings Liu Bei before the Emperor. Emperor Xian asks, who were your forebears? Liu Bei answers, I am a descendant of Prince Jing of Zhongshan and a great-great-grandson of Emperor Jing. The Emperor has the Director of the Imperial Clan read out the clan register. Starting from Liu Sheng, Prince Jing of Zhongshan, seventh son of Emperor Jing, the names come down one generation at a time to Liu Xiong, Liu Xiong fathers Liu Hong, and Liu Hong’s son is Liu Bei.
Counted out, Liu Bei stands one generation above the Emperor. The Emperor is overjoyed, calls him into a side hall to observe the courtesies between uncle and nephew, and thinks to himself. Cao Cao holds the power and nothing in the state goes as I wish, but now I have gained such a hero for an uncle, and I too have someone to help me. The Emperor makes Liu Bei General of the Left and Marquis of Yicheng. From that day people call Liu Bei Imperial Uncle Liu.