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

Chapter 104, Dian Wei's Son
Even if he was recognized as the emperor by the people on the street, Liu Xie was very calm. After all, he had been in Xudu for a year and a half and had been going in and out many times, so he was used to being recognized.

Many people also knelt on the ground. Liu Xie smiled and waved to them, "Get up, all of you."

When Liu Xie reached Jia Xu, he merely nodded slightly as a perfunctory greeting before walking straight past him.

Neither Cao Ang nor Zhao Yun paid any attention to Jia Xu.

Jia Xu was suddenly surrounded by so many people, and even though he was usually calm, he felt a little embarrassed at this moment.

After a while, Jia Xu got up from the ground and looked back at the departing emperor's back. Jia Xu's face and heart were filled with bitterness.

Unlike other strategists, Jia Xu was always good at protecting himself, planning for himself first, then for the cause, and finally for the world.

The premise of everything is to protect yourself first.

But now, the emperor doesn't like him. If he were just a puppet emperor with no influence, that would be fine.

However, the fact that Cao Ang was chatting and laughing with the emperor was enough to show that the emperor held a very important position in Xuchang.

In no time, the crowd began to discuss it.

"Who is this person?"

"It seems like they just arrived in Xudu."

"Oh, it seems he was once Zhang Xiu's strategist, named Jia Xu."

After someone recognized Jia Xu, more and more people started talking about him, wondering why the emperor was so indifferent to him.

Public opinion is invisible and intangible!

If left unchecked, it could spread like wildfire.

Liu Xie didn't need to do anything; just giving Jia Xu a disapproving look was enough to make people think of many things.

"Your Majesty, my father greatly admires Jia Xu's abilities and often mentions him in the mansion," Cao Ang said after walking a considerable distance.

Having known Liu Xie for so long, Cao Ang greatly respected him. Sometimes he felt that Liu Xie was like a teacher who could teach him a lot, and other times he felt like a friend with whom he could speak freely and consider him a confidant.

Liu Xie shook his head. "Zixiu, Cao Cao is Cao Cao, and you are you. There are some things that Cao Cao can do, but you cannot."

"Because your personalities, minds, and strategies are all different. Cao Cao is exceptionally wise, has a great capacity for maneuver, and is skilled in managing people. But you are kind-hearted and approachable. You just need to do your own job well. If you try to imitate your father, you will only end up making a fool of yourself and it will be futile."

Cao Ang seemed to understand, but after a while, he nodded. "Sometimes, I don't understand my father either."

Not far ahead, there was a blacksmith shop. There, they encountered Dian Wei, who had a simple, honest smile on his face and ran towards Liu Xie from a distance.

"Your Majesty, the eldest son!"

Dian Wei smiled heartily and greeted him repeatedly.

Like Xu Chu, he usually had a fierce look and rarely smiled at people.

"Dian Wei, what are you doing?" Cao Ang asked curiously.

Dian Wei slapped his forehead and chuckled, "Young Master, I'm just forging a suitable weapon for my son, Dian Man."

Seeing that his son hadn't followed, Dian Wei glared and roared behind him, "You brat, why aren't you coming over to pay your respects to His Majesty and the eldest son?"

Dian Wei had a loud voice, like thunder. After a while, a smaller version of Dian Wei ran over.

The father and son looked like they were cut from the same mold, both tall and muscular with thick muscles.

Dian Man, who was only a teenager, was already taller than Liu Xie. His eyes were as big as copper bells, but his gaze was somewhat blank, and Liu Xie almost couldn't help but laugh out loud.

Dian Wei looks somewhat simple and honest, a trait that Dian Man inherited.

"Don't kneel down yet."

Seeing his son staring intently at Liu Xie, Dian Wei angrily roared again.

Just as Dian Man was about to kneel, Liu Xie waved his hand, "Never mind, how old are you?"

"She's fourteen years old."

Liu Xie looked him over carefully for a few moments, then said with satisfaction, "Not bad, like father, like son. Judging from his build, he'll definitely grow up to be just like his father, a mighty and powerful warrior."

After chatting for a while, Liu Xie, curious, followed Dian Wei to the blacksmith's shop. Inside, a bustling blacksmith was at work, with waves of heat emanating from the shop and the constant clanging of hammers.

Liu Xie leaned inside and took a look. In the middle was a large furnace standing upright, with the charcoal inside burning red-hot. Three blacksmiths were taking turns hammering a red-hot iron rod.

Forging iron is nothing unusual, but a small water pump that was constantly turning next to him caught Liu Xie's attention.

The water pump works on a similar principle to the tipping wheel, only smaller in size. On the other side of the water pump, a huge leather bag is pulled along. The bag opens and closes, continuously sending airflow into the furnace as the water pump rotates. It is completely different from the bellows that Liu Xie saw in later generations. Liu Xie only glanced at it a few times before leaving.

After parting ways with Cao Ang and his son Dian Wei, Zhao Yun said, "Your Majesty, Dian Wei respects you very much. Even if you can't openly win him over, I think Your Majesty can bring Dian Man to your side."

Liu Xie shook his head. "Doing that would be too obvious. Just maintain the status quo. Sometimes, you don't necessarily have to win them over."

Upon arriving at the Imperial Study, Xun Yu was reviewing reports from various regions. He was engrossed in his work, so focused that he seemed to have become one with the desk, as if nothing around him could affect him.

Mao Jie saw Liu Xie and was about to bow when Liu Xie waved his hand and quietly walked in.

The Imperial Study is the busiest institution in the entire Xudu, bar none.

All reports from various places, matters large and small, including Cao Cao's decrees and personnel transfers... everything was handled here.

Elsewhere, there might be idle and lazy people taking advantage of the situation, but here, Liu Xie, who came often, was deeply impressed. Everyone was very busy, and Cao Cao had chosen only the pragmatic ones.

Liu Xie had to admit that he needed to learn a lot from Cao Cao.

Liu Xie stood to the side for a long time before Xun Yu looked up and saw him, which startled Xun Yu, who hurriedly stood up.

Liu Xie walked over, patted Xun Yu on the back, and said with concern, "Sitting for long periods of time is not good for the circulation of qi and blood. It would be best to get up and move around a bit."

As Liu Xie spoke, he bent over, waved, turned around, and demonstrated.

Looking at the others, Liu Xie said, "And you, all of you are important ministers in the court. No matter how busy you are, you should stretch your bodies, move your hands and feet, and rub your eyes. This will help you become healthier and more effective in your work."

Everyone looked at Liu Xie with curiosity. Mao Jie and Xun Yu were both composed men, and they felt that the emperor's shaking his head and turning around looked somewhat ridiculous.

After making a few gestures, Liu Xie clapped his hands and said, "Don't forget, I know medicine. I know better than any of you what's good for your health."

Seeing that their expressions still showed a lack of agreement, like a computer crashing with blank stares, Liu Xie wasn't angry.

Xun Yu brewed a cup of tea for Liu Xie and said, "Your Majesty, I did not expect you to be so proficient in military strategy. The reason we were able to capture Nanyang this time is largely thanks to Your Majesty."

Liu Xie waved his hand, "It's all thanks to Cao Cao and the generals; I didn't do anything."

Xun Yu, who rarely praised others, couldn't help but say, "I don't think it's a coincidence that Your Majesty was able to guess that Zhang Xiu would send troops to pursue you twice in a row. Your Majesty is too modest."

Liu Xie smiled and said, "Even so, do you think I should ask for a reward? My only wish is for the world to be at peace as soon as possible, so that the people can live and work in peace and contentment. I can reward the world, but no one can reward me, because this is what I should do!"

The simple statement, "This is what I should do," deeply moved Xun Yu.

"By the way, the reason I came here is to establish another Heavenly Treasures Pavilion."

"The Heavenly Treasures Pavilion? Your Majesty, isn't there already a Heavenly Treasures Pavilion?"

Xun Yu's current position is Cao Cao's Grand Steward.

You don't know the cost of firewood and rice until you're in charge of the household!

Xun Yu was afraid that the emperor would build some useless things again, because the treasury was indeed very tight, and Xun Yu did not want to spend money on meaningless things.

Liu Xie explained, "The items in Tianbao Pavilion are for me to bestow upon others, but for Tianwu Pavilion, I want to gather some outstanding craftsmen, bring them together, and work together to research and improve the existing equipment."

"To put it simply, it's like a research institution. For example, the water-powered blower I saw in the blacksmith's shop today, I wanted to improve it, but I can only offer some vague ideas at most. There has to be someone around me to help me with this, right?"

"Of course, I know the finances are tight. There's no need to build a separate one. Just set aside a decent place. We can rebuild it when we have more money later."

Xun Yu glanced at Mao Jie, who did not object and nodded at him.

Xun Yu agreed, "Your Majesty, I will make the arrangements immediately."

Liu Xie nodded and stood up. "You must hurry. Alright, you all get back now. I'll head back first."

After Liu Xie left, Xun Yu stood there for a while, stunned. Mao Jie came over and said, "Wenruo, I observed that His Majesty's expression just now was very serious. It was definitely not just to pass the time. His Majesty's thoughts are always imaginative and unexpected."

Xun Yu also sighed with emotion, "Yes, even after Ming Gong returned this time, he didn't hold back his words, praising His Majesty many times, saying that he also has unique insights into military strategy."

Mao Jie added, “Sometimes, it seems that His Majesty is idle all day long and doesn’t understand anything, but at other times, he often has amazing performances.”

"Take this land reclamation system for example. It has already shown remarkable results this year. The grain yield in Xuchang has doubled. And the stretchers, treadmills, and horseshoes that Your Majesty has made are truly impressive. It's as if Your Majesty can turn stone into gold. With just a few pointers, people can admire them greatly."

"And what His Majesty just said... Ding Yi, what are you doing?"

Mao Jie had only spoken half a sentence when Ding Yi stood up from his seat and started twisting and turning, just like Liu Xie had done earlier.

"Master Mao, I've been sitting here for almost an hour. Let me stretch a bit. And I must say, the exercises His Majesty taught me really work."

Ding Yi shook his head and twisted around a few times, and immediately felt refreshed and relaxed.

(End of this chapter)