With Cao Cao by my side, what do I have to fear from the world?

Chapter 10, Guo Jia's Advice
"what happened?"

Soon, Cao Hong arrived upon hearing the news and began shouting questions from his horse.

Cao Hong didn't even dismount his horse, showing such arrogance that Dong Cheng's face grew increasingly ugly, while Liu Xie remained unperturbed.

Liu Xie said, "General Cao Hong, Deng Zhan has been loyal to his duty and performed well. He should be rewarded."

Liu Xie turned around and walked back, without forcibly trying to leave the barracks.

Cao Hong watched Liu Xie's retreating figure, snorted disdainfully, turned around, and instructed Deng Zhan, "No one is allowed to leave without the lord's permission!"

Deng Zhan hurriedly nodded in agreement. However, after Cao Hong left, Deng Zhan touched the shoulder that Liu Xie had patted him on and secretly sighed, "I never expected His Majesty to be so approachable."

He was just an ordinary captain; the emperor was a figure far beyond his reach.

Deng Zhan never dreamed that he would have the opportunity to speak face to face with the emperor.

The feudal lords didn't care about the emperor, and Cao Cao's civil and military officials also didn't take Liu Xie seriously.

However, in the hearts of the soldiers and common people at the grassroots level, the emperor was still sacred and supreme!

Liu Xie walked around and tried all the gates in the east, west, south, and north.

As a result, they were all turned away.

Liu Xie was not angry, but Dong Cheng said with dissatisfaction, "Your Majesty, what do you think? I didn't say anything wrong. Your Majesty praised Cao Cao so much in Luoyang and regarded him as the most loyal minister of the Han Dynasty."

Liu Xie looked at Dong Cheng and shook his head in disappointment.

No wonder Dong Cheng was no match for Cao Cao; his emotions were all written on his face. While his loyalty was commendable, he lacked shrewdness.

If Liu Xie were Cao Cao, he would have added Dong Cheng to his blacklist of enemies much earlier.

“Imperial Uncle, I was not wrong. Cao Cao is a loyal minister of the Han Dynasty. If you don’t believe me, just wait and see. So many people have treated me like a puppet, but only Cao Cao is the best to me! We have only just arrived in Xuchang. Don’t be suspicious. Cao Cao’s military orders are strict, and this is also to protect us.”

Dong Cheng sneered, "Protect them? Hmph, I think it should be called guarding and monitoring them. They didn't even kneel down to pay their respects when they saw His Majesty, and they even dared to boldly obstruct His Majesty's journey. Your Majesty, you should wake up and not be deceived by Cao Cao."

Cao Cao, on the other hand, summoned several of his capable advisors together.

Cao Cao first briefly explained the matter of moving the capital. Guo Jia listened quietly to the explanation. After listening, he smiled and praised, "I did not expect Your Majesty to be so farsighted. The move of the capital was so successful. This is all thanks to Your Majesty."

Cao Cao smiled and said, "Yes, that's why the construction of the palace must be expedited. If His Majesty continues to stay in the barracks, he will inevitably become dissatisfied in the long run."

Cao Cao had mixed feelings about Liu Xie; he wanted to keep him under surveillance, but he also wanted to show him appropriate respect.

Guo Jia reminded him, "My lord, I have no objection to you keeping His Majesty in the barracks, but on the premise of ensuring His Majesty's safety, do not restrict him too much. Only by treating His Majesty well can we win people's hearts and have the opportunity to recruit talented people from all over the country to Xuchang."

Cao Cao nodded and called out towards the door, "Where is Dian Wei?"

"exist!"

A burly and imposing military general, whose voice boomed like thunder, entered and answered.

Dian Wei was Cao Cao's personal bodyguard commander, loyal to his duties and extremely powerful in martial arts.

Cao Cao instructed, "Go to the barracks and tell Cao Hong not to mistreat His Majesty." "Yes, sir!"

After meeting Cao Hong, Dian Wei encountered Liu Xie, who was strolling around the military camp, on his way back.

Liu Xie disliked staying in the main tent; he was naturally active and didn't like being bored in one place for too long.

Upon seeing Dian Wei, Liu Xie sized him up. He noticed that Dian Wei was as strong as a brown bear, tall and imposing, with eyes like copper bells and a fierce aura. He also carried two large iron halberds on his back. Liu Xie immediately guessed Dian Wei's identity.

"Are you General Dian Wei?"

Dian Wei was stunned for a moment, his eyes widened, and he stopped in his tracks.

Liu Xie laughed, "I've long heard that Cao Cao has a fierce general by his side, who is born with superhuman strength and can capture tigers and leopards with his bare hands. He is also invincible in battle and is known as the ancient evil one. It must be you."

Dian Wei chuckled sheepishly, shaking his forehead with a hint of smugness on his face. "I am indeed Dian Wei. I didn't expect Your Majesty to have heard of my name."

Dian Wei immediately felt a sense of goodwill, dusted off his clothes, and was about to bow.

Liu Xie quickly stopped him, "No need for formalities. I wish to leave the barracks and take a look around. Would General Dian Wei be willing to accompany me?"

Dian Wei felt troubled and advised, "Your Majesty, for your safety, you'd better stay in the barracks."

Liu Xie laughed, "Cao Cao's troops are everywhere here. Even if there are some villains, they are nothing to fear. If you are worried, come with me. With you here, what is there to worry about? I'm afraid there are few people in the whole world who can be a match for General Dian Wei."

Liu Xie's high praise made Dian Wei extremely proud.

Dian Wei scratched his head and hesitated for a moment before replying, "This humble general has not yet reported back to Lord Cao, and dares not presume to agree to Your Majesty's request."

Liu Xie replied, "Here's what we'll do: go back and ask Cao Cao for instructions. Tell him that I want you to accompany me as a guard. If Cao Cao doesn't agree, then forget it!"

Dian Wei nodded and returned to report to Cao Cao.

After hearing this, Cao Cao turned to Guo Jia and asked, "Fengxiao, what do you think?"

Guo Jia laughed and said, "My lord, His Majesty's humble attitude is both a good thing and a bad thing."

"Oh? How do you say this?"

Guo Jia explained, “His Majesty trusts you, sir, and willingly obeys your arrangements. His pragmatism will ensure a harmonious relationship between you and your subject. His Majesty will likely grant any requests you may have, which is advantageous to you. His Majesty's obedience is tantamount to him standing on your side, making it easier for you to control the emperor and command the feudal lords. Furthermore, the long-term bullying and manipulation of His Majesty by figures like Dong Zhuo and Guo Si has likely led His Majesty to adopt such a humble stance. If this becomes public knowledge, people will assume you are disrespecting and bullying His Majesty, which would be detrimental to your reputation.”

Cao Cao valued Guo Jia highly, and after hearing these words, Cao Cao nodded repeatedly, "That's right, I must treat him well and make him feel that I am different from the likes of Li Jue."

Guo Jia agreed, saying, "Now that the capital has just been moved, everyone in the world is watching your every move. Treating His Majesty well is the same as treating the Han Dynasty well. Your magnanimity will surely be praised by everyone, which will only enhance your reputation and bring you no harm."

Cao Cao turned to Dian Wei and instructed him, "It's not impossible for His Majesty to leave the camp, but you must stay by his side at all times. There's nothing else to do these next few days, so you can stay by His Majesty's side for now and protect his safety!"

"Yes, sir!" Dian Wei replied and strode out.

Dian Wei was straightforward and honest. He would do whatever Cao Cao asked him to do without thinking twice!

(End of this chapter)