Very true...but fighting for Liao from what it seems, that dated of a mech with that dated weaponry would be well out classed, ...
1) EMP-6A
Emperor is not a bad 'Mech. Its LBX-10 Autocannons and Large Lasers hit as hard as they have always done. (unless you meet some brand new enemy unit with some new fancy armor)
2) Considering that all factions use many vehicles, LBX Autocannons are still handy.
3) Critseeking weapons are still useful. THR-C4
Thunder opens enemy 'Mechs with its large Thunderbolt missile and
Emperor can critseek freely.
... especially if this really is the "emperor's" mech
4) MechWarriors from some elite units such as the Dragon's Claws has kept their old family 'Mechs, even though they were offered to switch to modern machines.
5) Perhaps Sun-Tzu Liao (if that's his 'Mech) likes his old ride. I believe that Coordinator Takashi Kurita piloted
Grand Dragon, even though his realm produced upgraded
Atlas.
6) The
Field Manual: Capellan Confederation explicitly says that the Warrior House Fujita uses copper-gold colour on their 'Mechs; on top of that it mentions that the
Emperor is one of their signature 'Mechs.