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

Chapter 44, Cao Cao went to find a woman.
As footsteps sounded, a burly man walked in. His hair was loose, his chest was half-exposed, and his bronze skin revealed his well-defined muscles. He had deep-set eyes and a high nose bridge, and he didn't look like a man from the Central Plains at all.

Liu Xie nodded; he had already guessed that this person was Hu Che'er.

He was one of Zhang Xiu's most formidable men, not only possessing superhuman strength but also remarkable speed.

"That Hu Che'er could carry five hundred catties and travel seven hundred li a day; he was truly an extraordinary man." — *Romance of the Three Kingdoms*

Sure enough, Hu Che'er strode up to Dian Wei, glanced at him indifferently, then took the large iron halberd in his hand, and began to show off his skills in front of everyone.

The eighty-pound iron halberd was wielded skillfully and powerfully by Hu Che'er.

Cao Cao was increasingly pleased with the sight of him, and with a wave of his hand, he exclaimed, "What a valiant warrior! Come, reward him with a hundred gold pieces!"

Cao Cao even poured himself a cup of wine, stepped up to Hu Che'er, and handed him the wine with a smile, saying, "Throughout my life, I have respected brave and valiant men the most. Brave warrior, please drink this cup!"

As Liu Xie drank, he quietly observed that while everyone else was looking at Cao Cao, his gaze was fixed on Zhang Xiu's face.

In just a short while, Zhang Xiu's expression changed.

Zhang Xiu picked up a cup of wine and put his mouth to it to hide the anger on his face.

From the very beginning, Zhang Xiu could tell that Cao Cao's soldiers did not respect him and were constantly provoking him.

Now, even Cao Cao is trying to poach his men in public.

Zhang Xiu was furious, but he couldn't vent his anger. He suppressed his rage and watched coldly.

Liu Xie shook his head. He had won without a fight, taking Nanyang and subduing Zhang Xiu so easily. Cao Cao had become arrogant.

He doesn't take Zhang Xiu seriously at all now. Even if he wants to win over Hu Che'er, he can't do it so blatantly in front of Zhang Xiu.

Even after the banquet ended, Cao Cao was still in high spirits and strolled around the streets of Wancheng with his sons and nephews.

Cao Cao was always popular with women. Just then, a carriage came from the opposite direction, and Cao Cao smelled a faint fragrance from afar.

He stopped and looked on curiously, muttering to himself, "I wonder whose woman she is?"

As they were talking, the carriage curtain was gently lifted, and the woman inside glanced out.

With just one glance, Cao Cao was completely stunned.

I was stunned, completely absorbed. As the saying goes, when people are well-fed and clothed, they think of lustful desires!
Everything was going too smoothly, and he had drunk a lot of wine. At this moment, Cao Cao had completely forgotten about military and political affairs. Women, especially beautiful women, were the best seasoning for Cao Cao.

The woman in the carriage was in her early twenties, still wearing mourning clothes. Although he only glanced at her, her bright face and captivating eyes made Cao Cao's heart flutter, and he almost lost his soul.

To look good, wear mourning clothes!

Such a gentle and charming woman, and she was even wearing mourning clothes. The more Cao Cao looked at her, the more he was moved. Even after the carriage had passed by, Cao Cao was still standing there, motionless, lost in thought.

Liu Xie was playing chess with Guo Jia at the moment. The two had known each other for a long time, having met many times in brothels and entertainment districts in Xudu.

"Your Majesty, did you make this chess set? It's truly exquisite; the more you play, the more captivating it becomes."

Guo Jia has always been very interested in novel things. When Liu Xie took out a wooden chessboard, Guo Jia's eyes lit up. Liu Xie simply explained the rules, and Guo Jia understood them.

At first, he wasn't very familiar with the game, so he lost the first three games. But as Guo Jia became more and more proficient, he completely took the initiative and never lost again. Moreover, he played faster and faster, as if he already knew the next move, and the next ten or twenty moves ahead.

Liu Xie said with a smile, "Anyway, I'm bored anyway, so making such a little gadget is a pretty good way to pass the time."

Guo Jia nodded. "Your Majesty makes it sound so easy. This game of chess is truly all-encompassing. It is not only related to military campaigns but also contains hidden meanings about life. The more you play, the more captivating it becomes."

Guo Jia casually picked up a pawn and snapped it into Liu Xie's pawn, laughing, "Just like this pawn, it looks the smallest, but if used properly, a pawn that has crossed the river can still wreak havoc, its power is extraordinary."

"Furthermore, this horse can only travel on diagonal paths, just like a strategist offering advice. Some people always like to take unconventional approaches to achieve unexpected victories."

Liu Xie laughed, "From what I've observed, Fengxiao, you belong to the type who takes an unconventional approach."

Guo Jia laughed heartily, casually placed a chess piece on the chessboard, and captured another of Liu Xie's pieces.

"Your Majesty, you are indeed a remarkable person. If you were not the emperor, we could be close friends."

Liu Xie countered, "Aren't we already bosom friends?"

Guo Jia squinted, smiled, and nodded, but said nothing.

Guo Jia understood this very clearly: Cao Cao was his lord, and while he could be close to the emperor, he could never confide in him!

Looking out the window, Liu Xie asked with a smile, "Fengxiao, what do you think Cao Cao is busy with right now?"

Seeing that it was almost dark outside, with night falling and a gentle breeze blowing, Guo Jia shook his head. "At the victory celebration banquet, Lord Cao drank quite a bit. He's probably already asleep."

Liu Xie shook his head. "I'm afraid not."

"No? What does Your Majesty think?"

Liu Xie smiled and said, "Cao Cao, like you and me, is a hero in the boudoir. I imagine he is probably having a heart-to-heart talk with some charming woman by candlelight right now."

"Hehe, you never know. If I weren't playing chess with His Majesty, I would also like to go for a stroll in the city and see if there are any pretty women to pass the time."

Guo Jia was unrestrained and flamboyant, and he made no attempt to hide it even in front of Liu Xie.

Seeing that it was getting late, Guo Jia stood up. "Your Majesty, I shall take my leave now. I will play chess with Your Majesty another day."

"But this game isn't over yet!"

"Your Majesty, the game is over." Guo Jia smiled, waved his hand, and drifted away.

Liu Xie looked down and examined it carefully. Indeed, in just a short while, he had already been checkmated without anyone noticing, and it was a deadly trap that he could not escape!
Now that Cao Cao had moved into the city, Guo Jia returned to his residence, feeling curious, and wanted to come and see Cao Cao. Cao Ren told him that Cao Cao and Cao Anmin had just left not long ago.

"What did you do?"

Cao Ren said, "I'm not quite sure. It seems that he met a woman on the street this afternoon. After returning home at night, my lord couldn't sleep. He whispered a few words to Cao Anmin and then left."

Guo Jia clapped his hands, "As expected, it was because of a woman! Your Majesty actually guessed it right!"

Guo Jia shook his head, not taking it too seriously. Cao Cao held a high position, so even if he had more women, let alone one, Guo Jia wouldn't think much of it.

(End of this chapter)