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

The next day, Liu Xie summoned Lu Su again and said frankly, "Zijing, Jiaozhi is a remote, desolate, and mountainous region that has been controlled by Shi Xie for many years. I would like to send a capable person there. I wonder if you are willing?"

Lu Su was taken aback. He raised his head and looked at the emperor with a puzzled expression.

Liu Xie said, "As you know, Sun Quan is currently building islands in Yizhou, and Yizhou is the closest to Jiaozhi. Therefore, I must send someone who is both capable and trustworthy to Jiaozhi."

Liu Xie's words were very insightful; by mentioning Sun Quan, he was essentially giving Lu Su a heads-up.

Lu Su had once been Sun Quan's subordinate, which gave Lu Su and Sun Quan more opportunities to contact each other in the future, and at the same time, it was also a test.

Liu Xie trusted him, which is why he sent him to Jiaozhi as governor.

It wasn't to send him to conspire with Sun Quan to rebel.

Lu Su quickly understood and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, I am willing to go to Jiaozhi to share Your Majesty's burdens."

Liu Xie gazed at Lu Su, a hint of admiration flashing in his eyes, and said, "Zijing, your loyalty and bravery are commendable, but Jiaozhi is remote and the task is arduous. Do you have the determination?"

Lu Su's expression was firm, and he cupped his hands again, saying, "Your Majesty, I will certainly not fail in my mission."

Liu Xie nodded slightly, then issued an edict appointing Lu Su as the governor of Jiaozhi. Lu Su accepted the edict and expressed his gratitude, his heart filled with emotion.

He knew that this appointment not only represented the emperor's trust in him, but also provided him with an opportunity to atone for his sins.

As for the new governor of Nan Commandery, Ma Liang will take over the position.

Liu Xie trusted those he employed and did not employ those he distrusted. After making the arrangements, he left Jiangling.

After seeing the emperor off, Lu Su was deeply troubled. He recalled his past actions, and no matter what, he had betrayed Sun Quan back then. Lu Su had always felt a sense of guilt towards Sun Quan.

Now, the emperor has sent him to Jiaozhi, which is very close to Yizhou. He understands that this is the emperor giving him a chance in a special way to do something for Sun Quan.

A few days later, Lu Su, accompanied by his family and trusted confidants, embarked on his journey to Jiaozhi. Along the way, he faced treacherous mountains and rivers, and braved wind and rain, but Lu Su's heart was filled with anticipation and hope.

Regardless, he hoped to ease tensions with Sun Quan as soon as possible.

As for Shi Xie's family, Liu Xie made arrangements for them on his way back and sent people to Jiaozhi to bring them to Luoyang.

In addition, Liu Xie instructed Zhao Yun, "Have Liu Biao send someone to Jiaozhi to keep an eye on things for me."

Zhao Yun nodded. The necessary surveillance was still necessary.

On the one hand, we need to keep an eye on Shi Xie's family to prevent them from causing trouble. On the other hand, while we trust Lu Su and Sun Quan, we still need to keep a close eye on them.

Liu Xie did not keep all of this a secret from Zhuge Liang.

After finishing all that, Liu Xie beckoned Zhuge Liang to sit down. "Kongming, there's something I've always wanted to talk to you about."

The two had been spending a lot of time together these days and had almost become inseparable. When they suddenly noticed that the emperor was so serious, Zhuge Liang was taken aback.

"Your Majesty, what do you want to say?"

"I would like to ask you for a favor."

Late at night, the candlelight flickered as the two sat facing each other.

Liu Xie took a deep breath, his expression somewhat serious: "Now, although the situation in various places is becoming more and more stable, I am still very worried about the rift between Cao Cao and Kongming."

Upon hearing this, a complex expression flashed across Zhuge Liang's eyes.

He hurriedly shook his head, "Your Majesty, I have no grudge against the Prime Minister."

Liu Xie said firmly, "No, you do! Perhaps Cao Cao doesn't remember, but I know you've always harbored resentment! When Cao Cao attacked Xuzhou, his massacre of the city caused people to be displaced and their families to be destroyed. It was at that time that your whole family fled, leaving your homeland behind."

Zhuge Liang fell silent. A scene immediately flashed before his eyes—a bloody scene: Cao Cao's soldiers were frantically slaughtering the city, and the people were running everywhere, only to be felled one after another by Cao Cao's soldiers' blades.

Zhuge Liang and his family barely escaped after going through countless life-threatening situations.

Zhuge Liang remained silent for a long time, his hands trembling slightly, his lips tightly clenched, as he tried his best to control his emotions.

Liu Xie nodded slightly and said with emotion, "I can completely understand Kongming's pain and hatred. If I had experienced such a tragedy, I would have felt the same way as you. The massacre of Xuzhou was truly a human tragedy. However, times have changed, and now you are all working for me and are people I value highly. I hope you can put the big picture first and let go of past grudges."

Zhuge Liang frowned slightly and said, "Your Majesty, I am not blind to Cao Cao's achievements. But how can we easily forget that deep-seated hatred?"

Liu Xie said earnestly, “I understand your resentment. But now, the country is in the process of being revived, and most of the powerful families will unite to oppose my reforms. Although Cao Cao has made mistakes, he is working hard to help me. I am speaking frankly with you today because I trust you very much.”

Zhuge Liang fell into deep thought, the candlelight casting flickering shadows on his face. After a long while, he sighed and said, "Your Majesty, I understand your good intentions. But the knot in my heart is truly difficult to untie in a short time."

Liu Xie stood up, gently patted Zhuge Liang on the shoulder, and said, "I completely understand."

Zhuge Liang suddenly asked, "May I ask, Your Majesty, have you truly let go of those past grudges, when Cao Cao was arrogant and domineering and bullied Your Majesty?"

Liu Xie nodded. "Put them all down! I'm not lying to you!"

Zhuge Liang looked at the emperor and was deeply shocked.

Liu Xie said, "You might think that since he treated me as a puppet and sidelined me, how could I possibly forgive him completely?"

Zhuge Liang nodded. "Yes, after all, you are the Emperor!"

Liu Xie waved his hand and pointed around, "Because from the very beginning, I knew that without Cao Cao, the world could not have been pacified so quickly. Compared with the greater good of the nation, the little grievances I suffered were nothing. Besides, Cao Cao later took the initiative to make concessions, allowing me to avoid internal strife with him. I am very grateful for Cao Cao's concessions for the sake of the country and the people. Of course, his massacre of the city back then was indeed wrong. Merits are merits, and faults are faults. I am not glorifying him, nor am I trying to sing his praises. I only hope that, Kongming, you can consider the overall situation. Even if you suffer some grievances, I hope you can put aside your past grievances with him and not hold a grudge against him!"

Zhuge Liang raised his head, looked at Liu Xie with a firm gaze, and said, "Your Majesty, I am deeply grateful for Your Majesty's kindness and I also know the greater good of the state. Since Your Majesty has said so, I agree to Your Majesty's request."

The two talked for a long time, from the state of the world to the hardships of the people, until dawn broke.

As they drew closer to Luoyang, Liu Xie was unconcerned about his own safety, but he was extremely worried about Cao Cao.

Once he returns to Luoyang, the powerful families will inevitably vie to see him, and Cao Cao's bloody purges of these families will certainly be met with fierce criticism.

After much deliberation, Liu Xie picked up his pen again and wrote another letter to Cao Cao, reminding him that he was about to return to Luoyang and that he should prepare accordingly.

What's meant to happen will happen eventually. Before the end of the year, Liu Xie and his entourage returned to Luoyang.

Xun Yu led a hundred officials to greet him, and upon meeting, Liu Xie noticed that many of them looked unwell. Cao Cao's comprehensive reorganization across the land was so severe that many people were affected, and some were even punished and beheaded.

Liu Xie finally understood what it meant to force a smile. He greeted everyone one by one, and the group entered the city.

Before Liu Xie could even step into the palace, someone couldn't help but speak up, "Your Majesty, I have something to report."

Liu Xie turned his head and was somewhat disappointed. It was Cui Jun, Cui Zhouping from Boling. He had been transferred back to Luoyang and appointed as an advisor. He was a good friend of Zhuge Liang.

Zhuge Liang glanced at him, somewhat surprised.

Liu Xie stopped in his tracks. "Minister Cui, if there's anything you need to report, you can do so at tomorrow's morning court session."

Liu Xie knew without guessing that it must be related to Cao Cao. He wasn't trying to avoid it; he just wanted to let them talk about it again at the morning court session.

Unexpectedly, Cui Jun suddenly knelt down on the ground with a thud.

"Your Majesty, this matter is of great importance. I dare to speak out at the risk of my life. I do not object to the Prime Minister's reform of officials in various places, but he has recklessly wielded the butcher's knife, frequently killing people in various places, causing the country to waver and the people to panic. How can Your Majesty tolerate such a brutal rule?"

With Cui Jun taking the lead, others stepped forward, saying, "I also second that proposal."

One after another, as if they had planned it together, a large number of them knelt down on the ground in no time.

Liu Xie's mood turned completely terrible. He never expected that they would do this to him before he even returned to the palace.

What is this? It's a coup, a showdown.

Liu Xie waved his sleeve and walked straight away. Zhao Yun and Zhuge Liang glanced at the group, shook their heads, and had no choice but to hurry after him.

Dian Man and the others followed in turn, but the emperor actually left, leaving everyone outside. This caught the courtiers completely off guard.

The group looked at each other, exchanging glances, all somewhat bewildered.

What should we do? The emperor has left. Should we get up or continue kneeling?
Xun Yu sighed helplessly and advised, "Gentlemen, His Majesty has already said that we will discuss this further at tomorrow's morning court session. Please rise."

Cui Jun shook his head. "His Majesty is a wise and virtuous ruler. He has always been benevolent and loving towards the people. How could he allow Cao Cao to brutally kill people in various places? I will not get up. I will kneel until His Majesty is willing to receive me."

"I won't get up either."

Even though Cui Jun didn't get up, others responded. It wasn't that one person was targeting Cao Cao, but rather that many people had already discussed it beforehand.

Xun Yu shook his head, sighed helplessly, and stepped into the palace.

Empress Fu, dressed in magnificent robes, was dignified and beautiful, with tears glistening in her eyes, a mixture of joy and longing for her husband's long-awaited return.

Lü Qiling, on the other hand, appeared much more lively, with a bright smile on her beautiful face.
Cao Ying is gentle and quiet, her eyes full of tenderness and expectation.

As Liu Xie entered the palace, his wives and children immediately surrounded him. Empress Fu gently took Liu Xie's hand, her voice slightly choked with emotion: "Your Majesty, you have finally returned. I have been waiting for you day and night."

Liu Xie held Empress Fu's hand tightly, his eyes filled with deep affection: "Empress, you have suffered so much."

After a while, Lü Qiling also threw herself into Liu Xie's arms and said coquettishly, "Your Majesty, I have been thinking of you every single day this year!"

Liu Xie smiled and stroked her hair: "I missed you too."

She was Lü Bu's daughter, and was lively and outgoing. She threw herself into Liu Xie's arms in public, something that Empress Fu and the others would never do.

Cao Ying stood silently to the side, her eyes full of concern: "Your Majesty must be very tired after your long journey."

Liu Xie looked at Cao Ying and said with a smile, "With you all here, I don't feel tired."

At this moment, the children also ran over.

The eldest son, Liu Yi, was already ten years old, and the second son, Liu Miao, was six years old. Empress Fu had given birth to a son and a daughter for Liu Xie. The boy was named Liu Zhi, and the girl was named Liu Xiang.

Liu Yi, now a young man, bowed to Liu Xie and said, "Your subject greets Your Majesty."

Liu Xie picked him up and kissed his cheek: "My good child, you've grown quite a bit taller."

The other children also gathered around Liu Xie, chattering excitedly, "Father, Father, tell us stories about the outside world."

Liu Xie was touched by the children's innocence, and a happy smile spread across his face.

The family sat together, their laughter filling the air.

After a while, remembering his newly acquired woman Zhurong, he smiled and said to his wife and children, "I brought a woman with me on this trip back, and I would like to introduce her to you."

A hint of surprise flashed across the faces of his wife and children, but they quickly regained their composure.

Liu Xie beckoned, and Zhu Rong slowly walked in. Zhu Rong was dressed in the distinctive clothing of the South, beautiful and full of exotic charm.

She bowed to Empress Fu and the others, saying, "This humble servant is Zhu Rong, and I greet all of you elder sisters."

Empress Fu smiled and said, "Sister, there's no need for such formalities. From now on, we're all family."

Lü Qiling also said warmly, "Your Majesty is truly blessed to have such a beautiful sister."

Zhu Rong said gratefully, "Thank you for your concern, sisters. I am fortunate to have received Your Majesty's favor, and I will do my best to serve Your Majesty and all of you."

Seeing his wives and concubines getting along well, Liu Xie felt extremely gratified.

The family continued to enjoy this rare time together. The children played and frolicked nearby, while Liu Xie and his wives and concubines sat together, talking about trivial matters in the palace and sharing their longing and concerns for each other.

Looking at his wife and children, Liu Xie was filled with emotion. Over the past year, he had weathered countless storms, and now, being able to reunite with his family and enjoy this moment of peace and happiness filled him with immense satisfaction.

Xun Yu waited outside for a long time, shaking his head and sighing repeatedly. After a while, Zhuge Liang came out from inside, and Xun Yu hurriedly said, "Quickly tell His Majesty that the officials outside are still kneeling."

Zhuge Liang looked up at the sky and suddenly smiled, “Lord Xun, His Majesty is reunited with his wife and children, so you don’t need to worry. I think they will leave on their own soon.”

Because it's going to rain!
Xun Yu couldn't help but glance at Zhuge Liang again, somewhat puzzled. Although the weather was rather gloomy, Xun Yu wasn't sure what was going on. (End of Chapter)