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

Chapter 148, Cao Ang comes to admit his mistake.
"Imperial Brother-in-law, the struggle between me and Cao Cao is unlikely to be resolved in the short term, so please do not be too impatient. As you know, Cao Cao is very powerful, and he now controls both Xuchang and its surrounding areas, so you must be patient."

"Alright then, starting tomorrow, you will begin recruiting personal guards and training soldiers. The defense of the imperial city will be entrusted to you. I will announce this at the morning court session."

"This old minister obeys!" Dong Cheng was so moved that tears streamed down his face.

After waiting for so many years, Dong Cheng had been hoping for a promotion.

Although he was a General of Chariots and Cavalry, he had nothing to do on a daily basis and was even more leisurely than Liu Xie.

Liu Xie then said, "Since Consort Dong has been in the palace for so long, let her stay at home for a few more days. After a while, I will bring her back."

"In obedience to the will of the Holy Spirit."

Allowing his daughter to return home to visit her family was a great favor from the emperor. Since everyone was in Xuchang anyway, letting Consort Dong stay at home for a few more days was really nothing to Liu Xie.

Dong Cheng seemed to have been injected with chicken blood, like an old tree sprouting new buds. After Liu Xie's encouragement, he was full of energy.

Afterwards, the two chatted for a while, and Dong Cheng asked someone to serve tea. A clever servant boy came in carrying a tea tray.

The servant was clever, had a sweet tongue, and was quick and efficient.

Liu Xie glanced at him and casually asked, "What's your name?"

Liu Xie never expected that he would catch a small fish just by asking a casual question.

"Your Majesty, my name is Qin Qingtong."

"Qin Qingtong?" Liu Xie glanced at him, taking a few more looks.

This was Liu Xie's first time visiting Dong Cheng's place. Even though he knew about Qin Qingtong's affairs, it was their first meeting, and he had no evidence.

As the saying goes, you have to catch someone in the act to catch them cheating. If you accused him of having an affair the moment you met him, and that he was having an affair with Dong Cheng's concubine, probably no one would believe it.

However, the woman he was having an affair with was the concubine of the emperor's brother-in-law. Qin Qingtong was indeed born with a handsome face and had the potential to be a gigolo.

Qin Qingtong has a well-proportioned figure, nimble hands and feet, dignified features, fair skin, and always has a smile on his face. He is indeed very good at pleasing people.

Liu Xie had only caught a glimpse of Dong Cheng's concubine in the courtyard a few times earlier. She was around twenty years old, about the same age as Qin Qingtong.

Dong Cheng was older than her father and had limited energy, so it was inevitable that there were things he couldn't take care of. As time went on, it wasn't surprising that the woman, left alone in her empty room, would have other thoughts.

As Zhao Yun left the General of Chariots and Cavalry's residence, he noticed someone following him and whispered, "Your Majesty, the people Cao Cao has sent are truly ubiquitous."

Liu Xie smiled and said, "At most, Cao Cao only knows that I have met with the emperor's brother-in-law. As for my true intentions, he cannot guess them yet."

"Could it be that His Majesty's appointment of the Imperial Brother-in-Law is merely a smokescreen?"

Liu Xie nodded. "The relationship between the Imperial Brother-in-law and Prince Chen was deliberately made public by me from the very beginning."

Dong Cheng's objective was too obvious. Liu Xie's order for him to recruit and train soldiers was merely to attract Cao Cao's attention.

"After the hunting incident at Xutian, if I do nothing, Cao Cao will probably become even more suspicious."

Zhao Yun nodded. "That's true. Cao Cao has openly provoked Your Majesty in public. It's too blatant for Your Majesty to do something about it."

Upon arriving at the palace gate, one could see a person standing there in the distance, anxiously looking around as if waiting for someone.

As Liu Xie approached, he recognized him as Cao Ang.

Liu Xie and Cao Ang had always had a good relationship, as they were both teacher and friend, and Cao Ang respected him greatly.

Cao Ang hurried over and was about to kneel down when he saw Liu Xie, who quickly helped him up.

"Zixiu, skip the formalities. It's getting late, why are you here?"

Cao Ang mustered his courage and said, “Your Majesty, I am pleading guilty on behalf of my father. What my father did today was truly presumptuous, and I hope Your Majesty can forgive him.”

Liu Xie waved his hand, "Let's talk as we walk, Zixiu. Cao Cao has already confessed his guilt, and besides, he was misled. I will not pursue this matter any further."

Cao Ang said, "Your Majesty, do you really believe that my father was misled?"

Liu Xie looked at him in surprise, and even Zhao Yun was somewhat incredulous.

He was Cao Cao's son, after all. By saying these words, Cao Ang was essentially taking a position of opposition to Cao Cao.

Cao Ang was somewhat agitated. “General Cao Chun is dead. He died for my father. But I don’t believe this was his idea. General Cao Chun only knew how to lead troops into battle and trained the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry. I really don’t want to believe that this was his idea.”

Cao Ang's performance surprised Liu Xie, but also brought him some relief.

After a long while, Liu Xie looked directly at him, his tone almost commanding, "Zixiu, even if you don't believe that this matter is related to Cao Chun, you must believe it!"

Cao Ang asked in confusion, "Why is that? Does His Majesty know that this is not the case, but still insist on going along with it?"

"Yes, even knowing it's wrong, we must persevere! Because I don't want Cao Cao to continue making mistakes, I'm willing to give him another chance!"

Cao Ang was stunned. Looking at Liu Xie, whose expression had suddenly turned stern, he took two steps back in astonishment.

Liu Xie raised his voice slightly, "Some people can make mistakes, and some mistakes don't need to be taken seriously. But Lord Cao is one of the Three Dukes of the court, and he is the person I trust most. Today's mistake can only be borne by someone else. I don't want your father to bear it, and he can't bear it either!"

Cao Ang had always been taught that right is right and wrong is wrong, but Liu Xie's words completely overturned his understanding.

Upon further reflection, Cao Ang understood: this hunting ground incident, at its worst, was treason. At its worst, it was usurpation!
In any case, no one can bear the consequences, because even if it is considered deceiving the emperor, the execution of nine generations of relatives would be justified.

Liu Xie certainly couldn't kill Cao Cao's entire family, but Cao Cao also dared not openly take responsibility for the matter.

Could Cao Cao admit that he wanted the emperor to be a puppet?

Everyone is playing a game, and the outcome of this game is that no one should cross the other's bottom line.

"Zixiu, your father cannot bear the consequences of what happened today, and I do not want him to suffer the infamy. It's that simple. Whether Cao Chun is innocent or not is not important. What is important is the stability of Xuchang, the stability of the world, and that Lord Cao can see the error of his ways and help me pacify the world."

The two walked and talked, eventually arriving at Lingyan Pavilion again. Cao Cao was efficient; Cao Chun's bloodstains had been cleaned up, as if nothing had ever happened.

Entering the Lingyan Pavilion, Liu Xie pointed to Cao Cao's portrait on the wall and said to Cao Ang, "Zixiu, one should know how to be grateful. Even though I am the current emperor, I know that today's achievements are hard-won, and all of this is thanks to Lord Cao."

Cao Ang stared at his father's portrait for a long time. He felt deeply proud of every event recorded in the portrait, from assassinating Dong Zhuo to risking his life to save the emperor. He was proud to have such a father.

Of course, Liu Xie's evaluation also contains some exaggeration, such as the claim that he risked his life to save the emperor.

Cao Cao went to Luoyang to seize an opportunity, and by bringing back an emperor, he completely turned the tables and reached the pinnacle of his power!
After a while, Cao Ang said dejectedly, as if talking to himself, or perhaps asking a question.

"I really can't understand what's wrong with Father today? Why is he being disrespectful to His Majesty?"

Liu Xie sat down and beckoned to Cao Ang, "Zixiu, sit down too, let's have a good chat."

"People change. As the environment changes, people's circumstances, thoughts, desires... everything changes."

Zhao Yun stood at the door, listening quietly. Liu Xie always had many thought-provoking insights, and Zhao Yun, having followed him for so long, had deeply felt this.

"Zixiu, what was Xudu like before, and what is it like now? In the past, we often saw refugees fleeing from disaster. Let me use refugees as an example. For instance, if someone is so poor that they can't even get enough to eat and are hungry every day, what will happen to them?"

"For a bite to eat, he might do anything, murder, arson, even sell his children, and I have heard of cases of exchanging children for food."

"But if he can have enough to eat, he might be a very well-behaved and kind person, willing to help others, and friendly and full of goodwill."

"If one day this person becomes rich and powerful, what will he become? Maybe he will indulge in debauchery, maybe he will bully others. People have seven emotions and six desires, and most people will change with their environment."

"Take me for example," Liu Xie said, pointing to himself with a self-deprecating smile. "After I escaped from Chang'an, I spent my days hiding from the pursuers sent by Li Jue and Guo Si. My life was uncertain, and I didn't even have food. My life was hanging by a thread. At that time, I had no intention of thinking about restoring the Han Dynasty. I only hoped to survive peacefully."

Cao Ang listened attentively and pondered deeply.

After a while, Cao Ang asked, "Then what does Your Majesty think is wrong with my father? Has he changed too?"

Liu Xie shook his head. "No, Cao Cao hasn't changed. He's just been tempted!"

Liu Xie insisted that Cao Cao had not changed his mind.

Liu Xie wanted to portray Cao Cao as a loyal minister of the Han Dynasty. Even if Cao Cao wasn't or didn't want to be a loyal minister, he still had to push him into that position.

Only in this way can it be most advantageous for Liu Xie!
Cao Cao's persona was predetermined by Liu Xie from the very beginning.

"Tempted?"

"Yes, it was a chaotic time. The warlords who participated in the campaign against Dong Zhuo back then all raised their own armies and became independent, each controlling their own territory. Yuan Shu even ambitiously declared himself emperor. These warlords were far less capable than Cao Cao, but they became regional overlords, holding the power of life and death in their respective areas. This kind of temptation naturally influenced Cao Cao to some extent."

"Other warlords can make their own decisions, are unrestrained, and dominate their own territories. I'm afraid Cao Cao must envy them."

Cao Ang said, "But His Majesty trusts my father completely, entrusting him with all military and political affairs. What an honor this is!"

Liu Xie laughed, "Lord Cao is not mired in trouble. He immediately apologized to me. No one is perfect. Even saints make mistakes. I owe everything to Lord Cao, so I don't blame him."

“Zixiu, now you understand, right? There’s no need to blame your father for today’s mistake. And don’t feel that Cao Chun was wronged. The Cao family’s glory didn’t come easily. Cao Chun did it willingly.”

After being persuaded by Liu Xie, Cao Ang finally understood. He sincerely bowed and thanked him, saying, "Your Majesty is magnanimous and did not pursue my father's case. I am truly grateful to Your Majesty."

Liu Xie smiled, but his smile was somewhat bitter.

Do I dare to pursue the matter against him?

Some things are better left unsaid; going too far not only makes others look bad, but it's also like courting disaster for yourself!

After Cao Ang left, Zhao Yun praised, "Your Majesty, it's unbelievable that Cao Cao, who is so cunning, has such a kind and sensible son."

Liu Xie remarked with emotion, "Cao Ang is a breath of fresh air in the Cao family. Besides him, there is another person who is also very sensible."

"Which one is Your Majesty referring to?"

"Cao Chong!"

"But Cao Chong is only four years old this year."

"Yes, he's already four years old. Time flies. Every time we go to the Sikong Mansion, Cao Chong is very polite. Zilong, even if Cao Cao is wicked, he is very strict with his children. All parents in the world are the same. Cao Ang is sensible, and Cao Chong is sensible too. This is enough to show that Cao Cao also hopes that his children will be good people, be kind and wise."

Just like those who cross the road without waiting for the green light, if they have children at home, they will also teach their children not to run red lights when they go out.

This is human nature!
Even bad people hope that their children will grow up to be good people!
"Your Majesty, Guan Yu has not been released yet. Should we send someone to fetch him?"

Liu Xie shook his head. "Cao Cao is definitely not willing to just release him like this. Anyway, he promised not to kill Guan Yu, so let's ignore him today."

Liu Xie probably guessed Cao Cao's intentions. He must have wanted to appease or even recruit Guan Yu, since Liu Bei's family was still in Xuchang, which Cao Cao could use as a bargaining chip to win over Guan Yu.

However, based on Guan Yu's decisive action of wielding his sword at the hunting grounds, Liu Xie felt that whatever Cao Cao did was meaningless.

Upon returning to the inner palace, Liu Xie went to Lü Lingqi's residence and saw that all the palace maids and eunuchs were required to stand in a line, while Lü Lingqi was giving them a lecture.

"At night, the guards will be on duty in two groups: one group of eunuchs and one group of palace maids. If anyone leaves without permission, I will not let them off lightly. If anyone needs to leave, they must report it immediately."

"Yes!" everyone responded.

Everyone was afraid of Lü Lingqi. Despite being a woman, she was unruly and wild, and she also knew martial arts. If she couldn't stand something, she would beat or scold it without any politeness.

Liu Xie watched for a while and nodded approvingly. This method was really good.

By gathering everyone together, if anyone tries to spy or eavesdrop, no one can leave on their own.

Among the women around Liu Xie, Fu Shou was too soft-hearted, and although Consort Dong was somewhat upright, she ultimately lacked a certain imposing presence.

The only exception is Lü Lingqi, who is Lü Bu's daughter. She is wild, has a temper, and is capable. She is indeed the best choice to discipline these palace maids and eunuchs.

(End of this chapter)