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

Chapter 39, Zhao Yun pledges his loyalty

Since Xu Huang joined Liu Xie's side, Dian Wei returned to Cao Cao's side. However, Cao Cao did not relax his surveillance of Liu Xie. No matter where he went, there were always people watching him carefully.

The two entered the house, and as soon as Liu Xie turned around, Zhao Yun suddenly collapsed, knocking over a mountain of gold and a jade pillar, and the handsome man knelt straight on the ground.

Zhao Yun's voice choked with emotion, and his eyes immediately welled up with tears. "Your Majesty, if you trust Zhao Yun, I will escort you out of the city and away from Xuchang."

Liu Xie quickly helped him up. "Zilong, sit down and talk. The situation is not quite what you think."

Zhao Yun refused to sit down, looking at Liu Xie with a serious expression. "Since Cao Cao has humiliated Your Majesty and taken you hostage, why won't Your Majesty leave?"

Liu Xie had no need to hide anything from Zhao Yun, so he said, "Zilong, the warlords of the world are all the same, each with their own selfish motives, all vying to become kings and hegemons. Although Cao Cao holds absolute power and treats me as a puppet, the other warlords are not even as good as Cao Cao."

"Look at all these years, Dong Zhuo, Li Jue, Guo Si, Yang Feng... so many people have come and gone around me like a revolving lantern, and not one of them has ever truly treated me well. To put it bluntly, the Han Dynasty is declining, the people's hearts are in disarray, and there are hardly any warlords in the world who take me seriously anymore."

Zhao Yun suddenly thought of Liu Bei and immediately said, "Your Majesty, what do you think of Lord Liu? He is a descendant of Prince Jing of Zhongshan, and is of the same clan as Your Majesty. Lord Liu is benevolent, loves the people, has lofty ambitions, and is always thinking about serving the country and punishing evil..."

Before Zhao Yun could finish speaking, Liu Xie interrupted him.

"Zilong, Liu Bei is a good man, but he's already in dire straits himself. Isn't that why he's come to seek refuge with Cao Cao?"

Zhao Yun's face immediately darkened. "Isn't that right?"

Although Liu Bei was a good person, he lacked real power. He couldn't very well have the emperor wandering around with him, could he?
Liu Bei sometimes couldn't even take care of his own wife and children, and Liu Xie was unwilling to follow him through those turbulent times.

Liu Xie held Zhao Yun's hand and said earnestly, "Zilong, I am the Emperor of the Han Dynasty. I cannot only think about who is good and who is bad. I still bear the heavy responsibility of restoring the Han Dynasty. No matter how benevolent Liu Bei is, I cannot rely on him. I came to Xuchang of my own volition. Cao Cao chose me, and I also chose Cao Cao!"

In an instant, Zhao Yun sensed an extraordinary aura emanating from Liu Xie.

He exuded confidence and composure, and although he was only a teenager, his eyes shone with a calm and wise light.

Zhao Yun asked in confusion, "Your Majesty, I don't understand. Why did you voluntarily come to Xuchang knowing that Cao Cao had the intention to seize power?"

Liu Xie stood up and said, “Zilong, the world is in chaos, and heroes are vying for power. This is a time of bloody conquest. I have nothing. I cannot pacify the world on my own. Therefore, I need to choose someone who is capable of pacifying the world. Cao Cao is a rare talent with both literary and military prowess.”

"Cao Cao has gathered many wise ministers and fierce generals around him. I am not praising him, but to pacify the chaotic world, one needs talent, strategy, troops, money and supplies, the ambition to conquer the world and the perseverance to never give up. Cao Cao has all of these. Moreover, he still has some respect for the Han Dynasty. This is enough to ensure that Cao Cao will not threaten my throne before the world is pacified."

After hearing this, Zhao Yun gradually calmed down.

"But if that's the case, doesn't Your Majesty feel wronged? Moreover, Cao Cao is a fierce tiger. As his strength continues to grow, his attitude towards Your Majesty will become increasingly arrogant and domineering. It will become increasingly difficult for Your Majesty to counter him and take back the world from him. What Your Majesty is doing is no less than dancing on the edge of a knife and snatching food from a tiger's mouth."

Liu Xie understood Zhao Yun's concerns, but he had no other choice. He couldn't just find a place on his own, recruit soldiers, and conquer the world on his own, could he? Liu Xie sighed, "When I was in Xuchang, I also thought about leaving secretly, but the world is so vast, wherever I go, I will be fought over. Even local warlords like Yang Feng and Han Xian want to hold me in their hands and command the world."

"I'm afraid that before I can even find a foothold, it will be taken away by someone else. Therefore, I have chosen Cao Cao. Cao Cao can not only protect me, but also help me pacify the world. As for suffering some grievances, Zilong, if we can restore the Han Dynasty, what does it matter how many grievances we suffer?"

Zhao Yun remained silent for a long time, his heart becoming incredibly heavy.

They should have been loyal ministers and generals who stepped forward to relieve the emperor's worries and bring peace to the land.

But now, the emperor has actually risked his life and voluntarily come to Cao Cao's side. The emperor's situation is unimaginable. Zhao Yun felt a mix of emotions and his heart was breaking.

Liu Xie looked at Zhao Yun with sincerity, "Zilong, this game between me and Cao Cao has been extremely dangerous, which is why I summoned you. In the future, I will need more loyal ministers and righteous men to help me protect me. The stronger the forces around me, the less Cao Cao will dare to underestimate me."

"Of course, this is not something that can be accomplished in a day. It may take three or five years, or even decades. In fact, I may not even succeed in the end. Zilong, are you willing to lend me a hand?"

Without any hesitation, Zhao Yun knelt on the ground again, saying, "Thanks to Your Majesty's trust, even if there are countless difficulties and dangers, even if I am shattered to pieces, I am willing to go through fire and water for Your Majesty and serve you with my life!"

Liu Xie said excitedly, "With Zilong's help, there is hope for the restoration of the Han Dynasty. Zilong and I will work together with one heart and one mind in the future and never betray each other!"

With tears in his eyes, Zhao Yun said, "Your Majesty, there is a difference between ruler and subject. I cannot bear such a thing."

Zhao Yun clearly sensed that Liu Xie's words were almost on equal footing with him, as if they were sworn brothers.

Liu Xie, however, did not care. "In the eyes of loyal ministers and righteous men, I am the emperor. In the eyes of treacherous ministers and villains, I am just a figurehead. Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures. If I cannot work together with you, where is the hope for the Han Dynasty?"

Having said all that, Zhao Yun couldn't say anything more. He nodded heavily and said, "I will keep it in mind and will never let Your Majesty down!"

The two chatted for a while longer, and Zhao Yun said with some concern, "Your Majesty, Cao Cao has seen me before. In Xuzhou, Liu Bei and I fought against Cao Cao several times. If I go directly to Your Majesty's side, won't Cao Cao become suspicious?"

Liu Xie laughed and said, "No matter who is by my side, as long as they are not someone planted by Cao Cao, he will be suspicious. However, it doesn't matter. I just reprimanded Liu Bei and was frightened by the abdication, so Cao Cao won't think too much about it."

Soon after Liu Xie brought Zhao Yun back to the palace, Cao Cao received the news.

Cao Cao came in person, pretending to visit the palace to see what else needed to be purchased. Upon seeing Zhao Yun, Cao Cao casually asked, "Your Majesty, this man looks familiar. Who is he?"

"Oh? Cao Cao might recognize him. His name is Zhao Yun. He heard that I have come to Xuchang and came to seek refuge with me."

Zhao Yun stepped forward, bowed, and said to Cao Cao, "Zhao Yun greets Lord Cao. I heard that Your Majesty has come to Xuchang, so I came all the way from Changshan. I am honored that Your Majesty has taken me in as your bodyguard."

(End of this chapter)