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

Chapter 229, The New Prefect of Xiangyang

Jia Xu looked at Liu Xie and felt deep admiration.

Liu Xie's decision to have Cao Cao personally deal with Man Chong and Xiahou Dun was both a favor and an opportunity for Cao Cao to once again become the executioner, personally killing those loyal to him.

This move is not only clever, but also extremely ruthless!

It seems that Cao Cao had no say in how Man Chong was dealt with, and Liu Xie neither asked nor intervened.

But since the rebellion in Xudu had spread far and wide, Man Chong's death sentence was already a foregone conclusion.

Cao Cao wanted to protect him but couldn't. Now Man Chong had become a problem for him and he had to get rid of him as soon as possible.

Last time they killed Cheng Yu, this time they're going to kill Man Chong.

The more Cao Cao did this kind of thing, the more he would lose the hearts of the people.

Weren't those who followed Cao Cao worried or afraid?

What did everyone gain from following Cao Cao? The more loyal they were, the faster and more unjustly they died.

Moreover, their deaths were meaningless and undignified!
Cheng Yu is a case in point. Although his family survived, no one was willing to approach them, and Cao Cao would not give them any special treatment. At most, they would be provided with enough food and clothing. For Cheng Yu's descendants, the possibility of becoming officials or entering the officialdom was no longer possible.

Cao Cao's path was becoming increasingly narrow.

Chen Gong sneered inwardly. Should he pull back from the brink and honestly become a loyal minister, or continue to take risks and end up being betrayed and surrounded by enemies?

Cao Mengde, even if you are a hero, your opponent is the emperor.
As Liu Xie and his entourage talked, they gradually arrived at the Liuhe Bridge.

The Liuhe Bridge in late autumn exudes a sense of tranquility and elegance. Looking out from the bridge, a few yellow leaves float on the quietly flowing river, skimming across the shimmering surface, a truly delightful sight.

On the riverbank, young men and women from wealthy families, dressed in luxurious clothes, often lean against each other at the bridgehead, laughing and joking or chatting, just like always, enacting a sweet and ambiguous relationship.

On the wooden stakes of Liuhe Bridge, rows of small names are carved. Some names seem unfamiliar, while others are quite familiar.

Young men and women like to carve their names in places they visit, leaving their mark. This custom has been passed down from ancient times to the present.

Liu Xie stood at the bridgehead, casually looking around. Scenes from his previous visits to this place gradually flashed clearly in his mind.

No matter how he and Cao Cao fought and competed, no matter how chaotic the world was, for these young masters and ladies who had no worries about food and clothing, they seemed to be forever immersed in a romantic fairy tale world.

Chen Gong watched for a while, then found it uninteresting and sighed, "They're just a bunch of pampered young men, with no worries about food or clothing. They spend their days wandering around and indulging in pretentious behavior between men and women. It's really quite boring. Your Majesty should avoid such places in the future, lest you tarnish your discerning eyes and corrupt your mind."

Liu Xie smiled and said, "I came here just to wander around and relax. If Gongtai can treat everything that happens here as a story, it will be quite interesting."

After appreciating the beauty of nature for a while, Liu Xie immediately got to the point. "By the way, before the Battle of Guandu, I sent letters to Liu Biao of Jingzhou and Liu Zhang of Yizhou, requesting that each of them send 10,000 troops. However, they did not respond at all. Now, it is late autumn, and it is time to give those who disobey orders a warning."

Chen Gong nodded; it was time to settle scores later.

He immediately said angrily, "Your Majesty, Liu Biao is known as one of the Eight Steeds and prides himself on being a benevolent and wise gentleman. He has also expressed his loyalty to the court. However, his actions this time are truly disheartening and not the behavior of a loyal minister."

Jia Xu pointed out even more incisively: "Both Liu Biao and Liu Zhang are thinking of sitting on the sidelines and watching the tigers fight. In this Battle of Guandu, although the court has the moral high ground, Yuan Shao is still more powerful. Therefore, they did not rashly side with Your Majesty. Now is the time to settle accounts properly. Your Majesty may wish to start by dealing with Liu Biao."

Liu Xie nodded, a cold smile playing on his lips. "I intend to appoint Gan Ning as the Prefect of Xiangyang!"

Jia Xu and Chen Gong both nodded, and Jia Xu even gave a thumbs up.

The custom of giving a thumbs-up to express praise actually originated in the Han Dynasty.

To appoint Gan Ning, whom Liu Biao had previously looked down upon, as the governor of the most central position in the nine commanderies of Jingxiang.

Xiangyang was the capital of Jingzhou and a strategic location fought over by military strategists throughout history.

Ironically, Gan Ning had previously served under Liu Biao for a long time, enduring much neglect.

Zhao Yun couldn't help but laugh, "His Majesty's move was indeed unexpected. It's unimaginable what kind of expressions Liu Biao and the others would have when Gan Ning becomes the governor of Xiangyang."

Jia Xu said, "Liu Biao will definitely try every means to obstruct this matter. Once Xiangyang is returned to the court, not only will Liu Biao lose face, but he will also be unable to protect Jingzhou."

Liu Xie sneered, "Liu Biao is both a member of the Han imperial family and a Han official. Even if he wants to stop me, he wouldn't dare to do it openly. Next, he will just try to bargain with me."

Jia Xu nodded repeatedly. It seemed that the emperor and Cao Cao had been fighting openly and covertly for so long that the emperor had mastered the essence of strategic maneuvering.

Even if Liu Biao opposed it, he wouldn't dare to openly oppose it. He would simply try to bargain with the emperor. In any case, in the end, Liu Xie would definitely make him bleed.

"Zilong, immediately issue an order to Gan Ning to lead a thousand soldiers of the Jinfan Battalion to Xiangyang to assume his post. I will issue the edict upon my return."

Zhao Yun nodded hastily; the emperor always acted swiftly and decisively.

Chen Gong couldn't help but laugh and said, "I really want to go to Xiangyang and see what it's like."

Liu Xie smiled and said, "If Gongtai wants to go, he can go with Gan Ning."

Chen Gong hurriedly cupped his hands in thanks, "Thank you for your permission, Your Majesty. I'll go back and pack my things now."

Liu Xie nodded. After Chen Gong left, Zhao Yun said with some concern, "Your Majesty, Gan Ning has a fiery temper, and Chen Gong is upright and incorruptible. Won't these two cause trouble together?"

Liu Xie laughed, "It's time to make some noise in Jingzhou, otherwise people will really think that everything is up to Liu Biao."

Jia Xu squinted, secretly admiring him. He had already figured out that the emperor wanted Gan Ning to cause a ruckus.

Let the whole world see that this is the emperor's appointment, and who dares to object?

Gan Ning is the Prefect of Xiangyang, so he should have the final say in matters concerning Xiangyang, while the imperial court should have the final say in matters concerning Jingzhou.

If Liu Biao wanted to remain the ruler of Jingzhou, he had to admit his mistakes and yield to the emperor.

Don't think that just because we're so far away, we can't touch you. With just one appointment, we can turn your Jingzhou upside down and make Liu Biao feel like he's being roasted on a fire.

After receiving the order, Gan Ning asked, "Did His Majesty give any instructions?"

Gan Ning was very self-aware; he knew he had a bit of a temper, and if there were any special instructions, he could control his temper.

The messenger shook his head. "His Majesty didn't say anything, he just told you to go to Xiangyang immediately and take up your post as soon as possible. Minister Chen will accompany you."

Gan Ning clapped his hands and laughed, "Good, I know what to do!"

Gan Ning became happier and happier as he thought about it. The thought of being neglected and ignored by Liu Biao made him furious.

He clenched his fist excitedly, truly grateful to the emperor for giving him this opportunity. If the emperor had sent him to take up a post elsewhere, it certainly wouldn't have been as satisfying or fulfilling for Gan Ning as going to Xiangyang.

"Your Majesty truly understands me!"

After a while, Gan Ning gritted his teeth and said, "You old Liu Biao, you just wait, I'm coming to find you right now."

After Chen Gong finished packing, the two of them received the imperial decree and left together.

Before they even left the city, Chen Gong was startled. Gan Ning had selected a thousand strong soldiers, each with a tall horse, bells hanging from their waists, and bright feathers adorning their heads.

Gan Ning laughed loudly, "Brothers, many of you came with me from Xiangyang two years ago. Now that we're back in Xiangyang, let's all cheer up and show those who looked down on us back then what we're made of."

The soldiers responded in unison, "Awooo!"

Everyone felt a surge of pride and joy; now that they were following the emperor, they felt especially open and happy.

When Gan Ning became the governor of Xiangyang, his subordinates were naturally overjoyed.

They traveled with great fanfare, and before they even left Xudu, the news had already spread.

Guo Jia had just returned home to visit his wife when he heard the noise. Curious, he went out onto the street and saw Gan Ning leading his men past his door.

After learning what had happened, Guo Jia shook his head and silently said to himself, "Liu Biao, you'd better pray for yourself from now on."

However, Guo Jia also noticed another signal: the emperor had already taken control of the entire Yu Province and was now extending his reach to Jing Province.

His rise will become increasingly rapid and difficult to control.

Therefore, Cao Cao really didn't have much time left.

If Cao Cao is surpassed and crushed by the emperor in every aspect in the future, what will he have to compete with?

Soon, it got dark. Today, the weather was not cooperating. Dark clouds began to gather in the afternoon, and by nightfall, it started to rain heavily.

Xu Huang returned home and did not go out again. He didn't have many friends and didn't like socializing much.

Having been away fighting for so long, it's rare for me to come home, and I just want to spend this short time with my family.

Xu Huang's son, Xu Gai, is already a teenager. Like Xu Huang, he has been physically strong since childhood and has a wild, unyielding spirit.

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door. Because of the heavy rain, the sound was mixed together and Xu Huang didn't hear it at first.

The person outside wasn't impatient; they knocked several times before Xu Huang finally heard them.

Xu Huang lived in an ordinary courtyard. He had two elderly servants, but on rainy days, he would send them to bed early.

Xu Huang put on a raincoat, braved the rain to come to the door, opened it, and saw two people standing outside.

Although they were holding umbrellas, the rain was so heavy that it was clear the person's clothes were already soaked.

Because of the umbrella, Xu Huang couldn't see the people's faces clearly for a moment, so he asked, "Who are you?"

A young man's voice then rang in his ears, "Gongming, an old friend has come to visit. I wonder if it is presumptuous of me to come."

"It's Your Majesty."

Despite the slight chill of the rain on his skin, Xu Huang felt a surge of warmth upon recognizing the emperor's voice, and was so excited he didn't know what to do.

The umbrella was then slowly raised, revealing Liu Xie's hearty smile.

"I apologize for disturbing you so late at night."

Xu Huang quickly stepped aside, "Your Majesty, what are you saying? Please come in, please come in."

Standing beside Liu Xie was Zhao Yun, who also smiled at Xu Huang.

Before entering, Zhao Yun did not forget to look around warily.

Although no one dared to boldly follow and monitor the emperor these past few days, Zhao Yun maintained his habit and never dared to relax.

Now, Jia Xu has taken on the role of magistrate of Xudu, working day and night to eliminate any troublesome minor figures, arresting them as soon as they are discovered.

Besides, the control of Xuchang had already fallen into the hands of the emperor, so Cao Cao would no longer openly send people to track and monitor it.

Upon entering the house, Xu Huang, without even taking off his raincoat, was about to perform a grand ceremony of worship, but Liu Xie hurriedly stopped him with his hand.

"Gongming, over the years, the person I have wronged the most is you. I have truly wronged you."

Xu Huang hurriedly shook his head, his eyes already a little red, "Your Majesty, what are you saying? I don't feel wronged at all."

Upon seeing Xu Huang's wife and children, Liu Xie greeted them with a smile and then said, "Alright, let's chat slowly. Take off your raincoat first; you're all wet, aren't you?"

A raincoat can keep you out of the rain, but its effectiveness is limited. If the rain is a little heavy, you will still get wet.

Xu Huang quickly took off his raincoat, put it away, and then gave a brief introduction to his wife and children.

Liu Xie liked children very much, and he affectionately pulled Xu Gai aside, asking him many questions.

After exchanging pleasantries, Xu Huang waved his hand, signaling his wife and children to go into the inner room.

Xu Huang brewed some tea and respectfully handed it to Liu Xie. "Your Majesty, your clothes are also wet. My humble abode is simple and I have no clothes for Your Majesty to change into. Please don't be offended. Please have some tea to warm yourself up."

Liu Xie smiled and accepted the tea. "Gongming, there's no need to be so polite. I've come here as if I were an outsider. Over the years, you've been by Cao Cao's side. Thinking about it, I regret it a little. Perhaps I shouldn't have let you go to Cao Cao's side back then."

Xu Huang hurriedly shook his head, "Your Majesty, I have never complained. Whatever I do, as long as it can help Your Majesty, I am willing."

Xu Huang was the first person personally recruited by Liu Xie, and Zhao Yun was the second.

But now, even newcomers like Lü Bu and Chen Gong can frequently meet and spend time with Liu Xie.

But what about Xu Huang? At least he couldn't be seen meeting Liu Xie in public.

Liu Xie wasn't thirsty, but he still took a sip and said from the bottom of his heart, "Gongming, why don't I transfer you back to my side? Even if you reveal your identity, Cao Cao won't do anything to you."

Xu Huang shook his head and said firmly, "Your Majesty, Cao Cao values ​​me highly, and I have grown accustomed to it over the years. Cao Cao has never doubted me. If I were to leave rashly, wouldn't all my efforts over the years be in vain? I should remain by his side; perhaps I will be of greater use to Your Majesty in the future."

(End of this chapter)