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

Chapter 107, Assassination of Jia Xu
In just half a month, Jia Xu's reputation had become utterly infamous. How could Cao Cao not be anxious?

He was a little emotional and wanted to show off in front of Jia Xu, to let Jia Xu know how much he valued him.

Liu Xie also firmly refused to give in, and the two men's voices grew louder and louder, gradually creating a tense atmosphere.

Even Cao Ang, Cao Pi, and Lady Bian were drawn over by the sound of their argument.

Of course, despite the argument, it was clear to everyone that neither of them meant any harm; it was simply a disagreement.

Liu Xie pointed at Jia Xu and said, "Lord Cao, you may not care, but I cannot pretend that nothing happened. The danger at Wancheng still makes me feel lingering fear."

"Your Majesty, times have changed. The matter is in the past, why bring it up again?"

"Lord Cao, we have different opinions, but I do not object to you giving him an important position. Anyway, it is absolutely impossible for me to like this person."

Finally, Liu Xie shrugged, indicating that no one should try to persuade anyone else.

I don't care what you want, but don't expect me to change my attitude.

Cao Cao defended him so much that Jia Xu was deeply moved, but despite all his efforts, his situation remained unchanged.

Jia Xu was utterly perplexed!
The argument ended badly, and Liu Xie had no choice but to get up and leave.

Upon seeing Lady Bian in the courtyard, Lady Bian hurriedly bowed and gently advised, "Your Majesty, please do not be angry."

Liu Xie glanced at her, as if he had found a savior, "Madam, you be the judge. Jia Xu's scheme almost killed the eldest son, and Cao Cao barely escaped death. How could I possibly let this go unpunished?"

Bian smiled, but inwardly she felt some reproach towards Jia Xu.

Why wasn't he killed?
If Cao Ang had died that night, it would have been a happy ending for Lady Bian.

However, given the current situation, even Lady Bian has developed some aversion to Jia Xu.

Of course, Lady Bian also disliked Liu Xie, but she couldn't show it.

In the entire Xuchang, only Cao Cao likes Jia Xu!

As they were leaving, they saw Cao Chong and Cao Jie, who were brought by the maid. The two children were about the same age, only two years old.

With her rosy cheeks, she was incredibly cute. Liu Xie even took Cao Jie and gave her a hug. It's really hard to imagine what Cao Jie will look like when she grows up.

Historically, Cao Cao's entire family treated Liu Xie as a puppet, but only Cao Jie was willing to share his hardships. After Liu Xie abdicated, Cao Jie stayed by his side, helping him to save the people and growing old together.

Cao Jie blinked her watery eyes, looked at Liu Xie, and giggled, revealing a small dimple at the corner of her mouth.

Liu Xie cursed himself for overthinking things. How old is she? She's only two years old, and he's already wondering if she'll still marry him when she grows up.

Shaking his head to clear his mind, Liu Xie reached out and gently touched Cao Jie's face again before smiling and leaving.

Despite his anger, Cao Cao did not forget to turn the tables and continue to persuade Jia Xu.

"Wenhe, don't worry. There will be another opportunity in the future. I will help you persuade His Majesty again. As long as you perform well, His Majesty's anger will gradually subside over time."

Visiting each other's homes during the Lunar New Year is a custom that has continued from ancient times to the present.

Liu Xie visited all of Cao Cao's key ministers without missing a single one, but for many of them, he merely offered a perfunctory greeting.

On the contrary, Liu Xie felt a genuine sense of closeness to people like Dian Wei, Xu Huang, and Xiahou Lan, even though he didn't talk to them much.

Princess Qinghe had also met Liu Xie once. Although Liu Xie knew that she had feelings for him, he did not take things any further.

In fact, if Liu Xie had just said one word, Cao Cao might have sent his daughter to the palace. But Liu Xie was not in a hurry. He also knew that Cao Cao was not too willing to send his daughter to the palace at the moment.

Since Cao Cao doesn't seem to be interested in this for the time being, there's no need to force it.

"Your Majesty, you have visited almost everyone around Cao Cao. Will Cao Cao still be suspicious?"

Lying in bed at night, Fu Shou nestled gently in Liu Xie's arms. In the turbulent city of Xu Du, there was a touch of romantic tenderness.

Fu Shou was gentle and dignified, only revealing her long, slender neck, which was as graceful as an elegant swan, exuding a noble air. Her tender eyes were gazing at Liu Xie with deep affection.

Liu Xie smiled gently, "If I approached people based on my own preferences, Cao Cao would easily become suspicious. But now, I've cast a wide net and approached almost everyone I can. Even if Cao Cao becomes suspicious, what can he do? Besides, no one, no matter who they are, can refuse my goodwill!"

Fu Shou nodded. "Your Majesty used an open strategy. Even Cao Sikong himself could not distance himself from Your Majesty, let alone others."

Liu Xie reached out and pulled her into his arms. The two pressed close together, the temperature in the room gradually rose, and their heartbeats suddenly quickened.

Liu Xie's eyes shone with a firm and confident gaze. "Don't worry, one day, I will not allow anyone to bully me!"

…………

Taishi Ci had just gone out of the city and hunted a few roe deer, intending to go home and treat his mother to a better meal. It was the New Year, so he declined his colleagues' invitations and spent the next few days at home with his mother.

My mother is quite old, over sixty this year, and her hair at the temples is all white.

As soon as he got home, his mother told him, "Ziyi, another letter has arrived from Xudu." "Oh? Another letter?"

Taishi Ci couldn't help but mutter, "This is already the fifth one."

Taishi Ci hurriedly put down the roe deer, took the letter from his mother, opened it and saw, "Indeed, it was written by His Majesty."

Seeing his mother's serious expression, Taishi Ci quickly comforted her, "Mother, I'm not trying to refuse His Majesty's recruitment. Everyone knows that Cao Cao controls Xuchang, and His Majesty has only a nominal title and no real power. Even if I go to Xuchang, what can I do?"

“Ziyi, I have taught you since you were a child that you should be loyal and righteous. You have repeatedly refused His Majesty’s recruitment, which is not what a loyal and righteous person should do. Fortunately, His Majesty is kind and magnanimous and did not hold it against you.”

"Yes, His Majesty said in his letter that even if I don't go to Xuchang now, he won't blame me. His Majesty also said that if I continue to stay by Liu Yao's side, I will join Sun Ce's camp in the future."

At this time, although Sun Ce had some reputation, he had just broken away from Yuan Shu and had not yet attracted the attention of Taishi Ci.

…………

On New Year's Eve, Xuchang was bustling with activity. For the first time, the palace gates were opened all night. Drums and music resounded throughout the palace, and dancers in red dresses danced gracefully. Cao Cao also led his court officials to bid farewell to the old year and welcome the new year with Liu Xie, celebrating the festival together.

Everywhere was decorated with lanterns and colorful streamers, and everywhere was filled with laughter and joy.

Officials also presented congratulatory gifts, with different gifts for different ranks, all of which were carefully chosen.

Liu Xie joked, "If you all don't offer tribute, I won't be able to bestow gifts upon others in the future."

Dukes and marquises presented jade and jewels, officials with salaries of two thousand shi (a unit of grain) presented lambs, officials with salaries of one thousand to six hundred shi presented wild geese, and those with salaries of less than four hundred shi presented pheasants.

As everyone presented their gifts, they shouted "Long live the Emperor!" The emperor and his subjects rejoiced together, creating a rare and harmonious atmosphere.

However, when Liu Xie met Jia Xu, he did not give him a smile.

After the banquet ended, the ministers returned to their homes. Zhao Yun approached Liu Xie and whispered, "Your Majesty, the assassins have been found. Ma Kui sent word that the two assassins will make their move tonight."

"Alright, invite Xiahou Lan out for drinks tonight, and tell them that I thank them."

"Yes, sir!" Zhao Yun replied and turned to leave.

Wang Yue is usually on duty at night, so Liu Xie's safety is not a problem.

Xiahou Lan was Zhao Yun's fellow townsman. At Liu Xie's behest, Zhao Yun would arrange to meet with Xiahou Lan every now and then.

The two met simply to catch up, and Zhao Yun did not overly show any intention to win over Xiahou Lan.

Liu Xie once told Zhao Yun not to try too hard to win him over. He said it was better to let things happen naturally. If he revealed his purpose right away, it would backfire.

If they try to win Xiahou Lan over right away, will he agree or not? If he doesn't agree and instead reports Zhao Yun, that would be bad news.

After the two parted ways, Zhao Yun went to a quiet courtyard. After confirming that no one else was around, he quietly climbed over the high wall.

This courtyard was bought by Yang Biao in his own name. Yang Biao rarely came here, and only a few loyal servants looked after it. Even Yang Xiu was unaware of it.

Zhao Yun entered the backyard with ease. The room in the backyard, where miscellaneous items were piled up, led to a secret room. Zhao Yun pressed a few buttons lightly and then slipped inside.

The lights were on inside, and several people were talking, while others were playing chess to pass the time.

"General Zhao Yun." Upon seeing Zhao Yun, everyone greeted him.

Zhao Yun waved his hand, then, seeing Liu Biao, asked, "Where are Wang Wu and Li Zhong?"

Liu Biao hurriedly replied, "These two brothers just had a few drinks. I'll let them go and rest for a while. General Zhao Yun, please wait a moment, I'll call them over right away."

Liu Xie had Ma Kui and Wang Cai recruit many wandering knights, but few of them truly knew Liu Xie's identity; only the core members knew it.

A short while later, Wang Wu and Li Zhong came over.

Zhao Yun looked at them and said, "His Majesty asked me to thank you in person!"

Wang Wu and Li Zhong exchanged a glance, then knelt on the ground. "It is our honor to serve His Majesty. We have already received His Majesty's rewards, and our wives and children are being taken care of. We have no more worries."

"Remember, your mission is to assassinate Jia Xu. You must fail, not succeed. If you are captured by the guards, I have already given you instructions on what to say and what not to say."

The two nodded in unison, and Wang Wu said, "Don't worry, I've remembered everything."

Cao Cao valued Jia Xu highly and was afraid that someone would harass him or cause him harm, so he recently sent soldiers to protect him in his residence.

Zhao Yun gave a few more instructions and then left.

Wang Wu and Li Zhong waited until late into the night. They each drank a large bowl of wine, then bid farewell to Liu Biao and the others. Under the cover of night, carrying their steel swords, they headed straight for Jia Xu's residence.

On this journey, failure is the only option; success is not required!

(End of this chapter)