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

Chapter 227, Cao Cao Returns to Xuchang
Xun You was immediately stunned. He knew all too well what the Imperial Censor did.

He subconsciously looked at Cao Cao, and his heart was immediately conflicted. Even if he was given power, could he supervise and impeach Cao Cao?

Obviously not. Even Cao Cao couldn't help but laugh. "Gongda, if I do anything wrong in the future, you are welcome to remind me."

Xun You nodded reluctantly, inwardly groaning.

Previously, he was just Cao Cao's strategist, only needing to offer advice and strategies. But now, as the Imperial Censor, it's like putting a shackle around Xun You's neck.

Those in positions of power must fulfill their responsibilities!
Even Cao Cao himself said that the primary function of establishing the Imperial Censor was to supervise the Chancellor, and that it was established to limit the Chancellor's excessive power.

Xun You was conflicted. Although his stance might not waver, he felt uneasy about everything.

Guo Jia glanced at him, said nothing, but sighed inwardly.

Cao Cao was pleased to appoint Xun You as Imperial Censor, and Guo Jia was also pleased, but it was clear that Xun You had caught the emperor's eye.

The emperor was a wise man; he wouldn't appoint Xun You as Imperial Censor without a good reason.

It was obvious that the plan was to make Xun You make a mistake, then find fault with him and punish him.

Unless Xun You immediately changes his stance and truly fulfills his supervisory duties.

With one of his own men appointed as Imperial Censor, Cao Cao no longer needed to worry about anyone finding fault with him or becoming a stumbling block.

Seeing Xun You's gloomy face and low spirits, Cao Cao smiled and comforted him, "Gongda, don't think too much about it. His Majesty is just doing me a favor. Does he really want to find someone to hinder me? He appointed you as the Imperial Censor just to give outsiders an explanation."

Xun You nodded. Regardless of the emperor's true intentions, he was now bound to Cao Cao and could only hope that Cao Cao could regain control in the struggle between Cao Cao and the emperor.

Xun Yu glanced at his nephew and sighed inwardly.

After comforting Xun You, Cao Cao said to Xun Yu, "Wenruo, go back and tell His Majesty that I have agreed to his conditions! I can relinquish Yu Province."

"My lord, won't you reconsider?" Xun Yu asked.

Cao Cao shook his head. "Since it's already been made clear, I naturally won't hide it anymore. I expected that His Majesty wouldn't agree so easily. I'll be the prime minister, and he'll get Yu Province. His conditions aren't unreasonable."

For every gain, there is a loss.

Cao Cao was quite magnanimous. If the emperor didn't offer any conditions, it would only make Cao Cao suspicious and uneasy.

Cao Cao looked at everyone and said, "With the New Year approaching, the matter of Bo Ning and Yuan Rang can no longer be delayed. I should take some time to return to Xuchang."

Xun Yu nodded. "Very well, I will go back and report to His Majesty immediately."

Before leaving, Xun Yu glanced at Xun You again, wanting to have a private talk with him.

However, Xun Yu couldn't speak in front of Cao Cao, so he had no choice but to take his leave.

He really wanted to advise Xun You to be more careful in the future, as you are in great danger right now.

Being targeted by the emperor is no laughing matter.

If one were to wholeheartedly assist Cao Cao and disregard the emperor, then things would become complicated.

Cao Cao acted very magnanimously, not mentioning the matter of joint guarantees or Xun Yu's appointment as Marquis of Ye in front of Xun Yu.

This topic will make both of us feel awkward.

Cao Cao escorted him for a long distance, and as they were about to part, Cao Cao asked, "Wenruo, what do you think of His Majesty?"

Xun Yu was taken aback and didn't know how to reply for a moment.

Cao Cao waved his hand and said, "We have known each other for many years. Don't you know my temper? I like to hear the truth, especially what's on your mind. Just speak your mind."

Xun Yu sighed and said earnestly, “Indeed, Your Excellency is a rare and outstanding ruler of our time, with great talent and ambition, and a vision for the world. However, His Majesty’s ambition and strategy are no less than Your Excellency’s. He acts with great discretion, is benevolent to the people, and tolerant to his ministers. His Majesty is diligent in governing and has a hidden talent. Although the Han Dynasty has declined, we can still see the spirit of Emperor Gaozu and Emperor Wu in His Majesty. Your Excellency, there is something I don’t know if I should say.”

Cao Cao nodded, signaling him to continue.

Xun Yu continued, "If you and His Majesty are in harmony and join forces, one being a wise and virtuous ruler and the other a peerless hero, who in the world can rival you? As long as you work together with one heart and one mind, I believe that within five years, the world will surely be at peace!"

Cao Cao was silent for a moment, then asked in return, "What if the situation is exactly the opposite of what you say? In the end, who do you think will prevail, me or His Majesty?"

Xun Yu's pupils suddenly dilated; as expected, Cao Cao was still unwilling to give up.

Although he might not actually rebel, the idea of ​​challenging His Majesty remained deep in his heart.

Xun Yu sighed and said, "His Majesty is no longer the same as before. Before, he had no power, only a name. Now, His Majesty is surrounded by civil and military officials, and there are many talented people around him. He will surely emerge from the abyss and soar into the sky. With the right time, place, and people, I'm afraid they will all be on His Majesty's side. My lord, you should think twice in the future."

Cao Cao laughed a few times and said, "Don't worry, I will never act impulsively. To be honest, I am also very happy to have such a wise and virtuous ruler."

Cao Cao wasn't flattering him; he enjoyed challenges. If the emperor was weak and incompetent, even if he could easily control everything, Cao Cao might not feel much sense of accomplishment.

After chatting for a while, seeing that Cao Cao's stance was firm, Xun Yu gave up trying to persuade him, mounted his horse and left. Cao Cao waved goodbye to him.

Cao Cao only turned back after Xun Yu's figure had completely disappeared into the distant wilderness.

His expression immediately turned serious. He sighed and muttered, "Your Majesty, you really are a difficult person to deal with!"

…………

On that day, Xiahou Lan rushed over to report.

He has now become a city gate captain.

"Your Majesty, Guan Yu just rode out of the city. I asked him, but he didn't say anything."

"Didn't Yun Chang say where he was going?" Liu Xie asked.

Xiahou Lan shook her head. "I asked him, but he wouldn't say anything. He rode his horse at breakneck speed, as if he was in a hurry to do something."

Liu Xie thought for a moment, then suddenly smiled, "I have a guess. He must have gone to Runan."

That's right, Guan Yu went to Runan.

Liu Bei has not shown up yet. In the past few days, many people in the city have learned about this, and Guan Yu has also heard people talking about Liu Bei in private.

Guan Yu was furious; he simply couldn't understand Liu Bei's actions.

Guan Yu would not allow anyone to slander Liu Bei, nor did he believe that Liu Bei would have any selfish motives towards the emperor, but recently there have been more and more voices that are unfavorable to Liu Bei.

Guan Yu couldn't sit still any longer. Liu Xie, however, remained calm and didn't mention it at all, as if Liu Bei could return whenever he wanted.

The more Liu Xie acted this way, the more distressed Guan Yu felt.

When Guan Yu arrived in Runan, Liu Bei was leading his army to attack a city.

It turns out that in Runan, not all the Yellow Turbans were willing to submit to the imperial court. There were several groups of people who were used to acting arrogantly and domineeringly and refused to obey the orders of Liu Pi and Gong Du, wanting to go it alone.

Therefore, Liu Bei had no choice but to send troops to attack while he was training his soldiers.

When Guan Yu arrived, Liu Bei and Zhang Fei were leading their troops to attack the city.

Guan Yu couldn't bear to stand idly by, so he had no choice but to take up his sword and join the battle.

By afternoon, the city had finally been captured. Liu Bei rushed to Guan Yu, grabbed his hand, and said happily, "Yun Chang, it's so good that you've come. The three of us brothers are reunited. How is your injury?"

Guan Yu was filled with resentment and dissatisfaction, but upon seeing Liu Bei, half of his anger dissipated.

Before long, Zhang Fei also ran over. When he saw Guan Yu, he was as happy as a child.

Guan Yu forced a smile. "My injuries have healed considerably. I'm sorry to have troubled you, brother."

Liu Bei said with great self-reproach, "I had wanted to go back to Xuchang to see you for a long time, but Liu Pi and Gong Du have just surrendered, and there are also Yuan Shao's old subordinates who need to be appeased. I was afraid that these people would become fickle and would jeopardize His Majesty's important affairs, so I couldn't leave for the time being."

"Afraid of delaying His Majesty's important affairs?" Guan Yu was taken aback.

Zhang Fei said in a loud voice, "Of course! My brother said he would hand Runan over to the court. Now that the Yellow Turbans have surrendered and Runan is stable, His Majesty will be very happy. My brother has done a great service."

Guan Yu nodded. "I've heard about what happened in Runan, but brother, don't you know about the recent changes in Xuchang?"

Liu Bei nodded, "As your elder brother, I am always concerned about His Majesty and Yun Chang. How could I not pay attention?"

Guan Yu then asked, "Since that's the case, why don't you take some time to return to Xuchang, brother? These past few days, Cao Cao has been making moves, sending several armies to surround Xuchang. You must know that, brother."

Liu Bei nodded and said, "I know all this. It's just Cao Cao bluffing and making a show of force. If I really need to send troops, I will naturally do my duty."

Seeing that Guan Yu still harbored some resentment, Liu Bei smiled and said, "Yun Chang, His Majesty is far more powerful than you and I can imagine. He will be fine."

When Guan Yu arrived, he was full of dissatisfaction and wanted to question Liu Bei, but unexpectedly, after a few words from Liu Bei, he didn't know what to say.

"When will you return to Xuchang, brother?" Guan Yu asked again.

Liu Bei thought for a moment and replied, "There is still a group of Yellow Turbans that have not been pacified. Let's wait a few more days. Once Runan is completely pacified, I can go back and report the good news to His Majesty."

Guan Yu had no choice but to nod, and so he stayed in Runan.

After Cao Cao and Liu Xie reached an agreement, they finally led their army back to Xuchang.

Cao Cao brought back an army of 30,000 this time.

Liu Xie was delighted to hear that Cao Cao was returning, but Chen Gong and others were quite dissatisfied.

Chen Gong said, "Your Majesty, did you see that? It's just returning to the city, yet he brought 30,000 troops and made such a grand display. What is his intention?"

After returning home these past few days, Lü Bu reunited with his wife and daughters, enjoying a rare moment of family warmth. However, upon hearing that Cao Cao was coming back, his good mood vanished instantly.

Lu Bu angrily said, "Your Majesty, when Cao Cao withdrew his troops from Ye City, he used tricks that caused many of our soldiers to die. We haven't settled that score with him yet."

Liu Xie laughed, "Why bother with the past? If we really wanted to settle accounts, could we even keep track?"

Zhao Yun pointed in the direction of the North Temple, "Your Majesty is right. Man Chong and Xiahou Dun are still imprisoned in the North Temple. How should we settle this score? We can't possibly hold Xiahou Dun accountable as well, can we?"

Lu Bu was still indignant, but as angry as he was, Liu Xie had gotten used to it.

Liu Xie said, "Cao Cao's return with his troops is not just for my benefit."

Chen Gong chimed in, "That's true. I'm afraid Cao Cao wouldn't dare to return to Xuchang easily. Firstly, he's afraid His Majesty will cause him trouble, and secondly, he needs to encourage Dong Zhao and his men."

Liu Xie smiled and walked straight toward the Imperial Secretariat, and the crowd hurriedly followed.

Upon arriving at the Ministry of Personnel, ignoring the surprised looks from Dong Zhao and the others, Liu Xie went straight to Xun Yu and said with a smile, "News has just come that Lord Cao is on his way back to Xuchang. In this Battle of Guandu, Lord Cao made great contributions, and all the generals and soldiers performed excellently. Wenruo, you should make preparations immediately, and we will go to greet him together later."

Seeing Liu Xie's amiable smile and sincerity, Xun Yu smiled and nodded, "Your Majesty, I will prepare immediately."

When Dong Zhao and the others saw Liu Xie looking at them, they all looked away and pretended to be engrossed in their work.

This amused Liu Xie, reminding him of when he was in school, everyone would put on an act when the teacher came.

No matter who the teacher looks at, that person immediately puts on the act of a good student.

Liu Xie smiled and said to everyone, "Lord Cao is coming back. I am just as happy as you are. You should all get ready."

Liu Xie smiled and walked up to Dong Zhao, stopping in his tracks. Dong Zhao smiled awkwardly and hurriedly bowed. Liu Xie waved his hand and said, "Gongren, you are the Prefect of Wei Commandery. It won't be long before you can follow Cao Cao to Hebei to take up your post."

Dong Zhao smiled awkwardly, "After taking office, I will definitely be diligent in my duties, reassure the people, and live up to Your Majesty's high expectations."

Liu Xie nodded. "Do a good job. I have high hopes for you."

Dong Zhao smiled, but he had a bad feeling about it.

Liu Xie then came to Chen Qun, took his hand, and said, "Changwen, I have been paying close attention to you lately, and you have done a very good job. How is your father's health these days?"

The emperor and his ministers were having the same casual conversation, but it was clear that Dong Zhao sensed the difference between the emperor's attitude towards him and that of Chen Qun.

Chen Qun nodded hurriedly, "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. My father is doing well."

Liu Xie said with concern, "You are from Yingchuan. Your whole family first moved to Xuzhou to avoid disaster, and then came to Xudu. Your father is getting old, so you must take good care of his health."

The next moment, Liu Xie patted him lightly on the shoulder, "The position of Prefect of Yingchuan is now vacant. Since Yingchuan is your hometown, you will temporarily serve as the Prefect there."

Xun Yu was the Minister of the Imperial Secretariat, Xun Yue was in charge of the Imperial Academy, and Xun You was the Grand Censor. Therefore, if the position of Prefect of Yingchuan were to be given to a member of the Xun family again, it would inevitably cause dissatisfaction among the people.

It seems like all the good things in the world have been given to the Xun family; Liu Xie can't be too biased.

Since Chen Qun chose to side with him, Liu Xie naturally had to reward him.

(End of this chapter)