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

Chapter 52, Xu Huang was poached.

Cao Anmin also jumped up and down onto the table. He was lucky; when Zhao Yun rescued Dian Wei and charged out to fight, Cao Anmin rushed out with him, thus catching a ride on the coattails of Zhao Yun's success.

"Your Majesty, come, this first cup of wine is offered to you on behalf of your sons and nephews."

Cao Cao was very polite, and Liu Xie smiled and said, "We are all family here, so I will drink this cup of wine."

Next, Cao Ang, Cao Anmin, and Cao Pi all stood up to offer a toast. Cao Pi and the others were still young, so after offering their toasts, Cao Pi left with Cao Zhang and Cao Zhi.

After chatting for a while, Cao Cao looked at Xu Huang and sincerely praised him, "Your Majesty, I have witnessed Xu Huang's abilities. He is truly a brave general. The court is in dire need of capable people right now. I wonder if Your Majesty would be willing to part with him?"

Liu Xie had long guessed that Cao Cao would one day lose his temper. Xu Huang and Zhao Yun were both rare talents among generals, and Cao Cao was the warlord who loved talent the most in the Three Kingdoms period.

Regardless of background, origin, or appearance, as long as someone is capable, Cao Cao will definitely give them an important position.

Liu Xie pretended to be reluctant, his expression showing great reluctance.

"Your Majesty, are you perhaps unwilling?" Cao Cao asked tentatively.

Cao Cao liked both Xu Huang and Zhao Yun, but he couldn't take both of them at once, so he had to recruit one of them first.

Liu Xie hesitated for a moment and said, "Lord Cao, I shouldn't refuse, but as you know, I really can't go to Wancheng without a reliable guard by my side."

Cao Cao nodded. "I know, but right now is a time when we need capable people. Doesn't Your Majesty still have Zhao Yun by your side? In that case, when you go on expeditions in the future, why don't you stay in Xuchang? Then you won't have to worry about it anymore."

Liu Xie shook his head. "Lord Cao, you promised me that you would allow me to accompany the army on the expedition. Well then, since you appreciate him, I will reluctantly and reluctantly give him up!"

Liu Xie grinned, looking at Cao Cao with a face full of reluctance, as if his beloved treasure had been taken away.

The more Xu Huang acted this way, the happier Cao Cao became, which shows that Xu Huang truly possessed real talent.

No matter how good Liu Xie was to Xu Huang, Cao Cao was absolutely confident that once Xu Huang was by his side, he could change Xu Huang's mind and make him loyal to him.

Xu Huang showed no dissatisfaction, bowing and stepping forward, "Everything is at Your Majesty's discretion!"

Liu Xie instructed, "Whether you are by my side or by Cao Cao's side, you are serving the Han Dynasty. From now on, Gongming, you must obey Cao Cao's orders, kill more enemies, and make more contributions!"

Xu Huang clasped his hands in a fist and bowed, nodding earnestly, "This subordinate obeys!"

Cao Cao smiled, but he had made up his mind that no matter how good the emperor had been to him in the past, he would give him even more in the future to ensure Xu Huang's complete loyalty.

After a while, Cao Cao turned his attention to Zhao Yun. Zhao Yun was handsome and skilled in archery and horsemanship. His performance this time was also amazing, and Cao Cao was also tempted.

However, it wouldn't make sense to poach all the guards around the emperor, so Cao Cao quickly abandoned the idea.

There will be plenty of time and opportunities in the future!

After chatting for a while, Liu Xie got up and left.

On the way back, Xu Huang was clearly in low spirits. Liu Xie comforted him, saying, "Gongming, in the current situation, Cao Cao controls everything. Even I have to endure and lie low. Don't worry, Cao Cao has always valued talent. He will treat you no worse than he treats me."

Xu Huang shook his head. "Your Majesty, that's not what I care about. Although my time with Your Majesty is short, I feel happy. I would die without regret serving Your Majesty, but serving Cao Cao feels somewhat stifling." Liu Xie smiled. "Even Cao Cao, under the guise of serving the Han Dynasty, how can you be serving him? Gongming, we will still keep in touch frequently in the future, but we should try to avoid meeting each other directly."

Xu Huang nodded. In fact, he had already been mentally prepared ever since Liu Xie first told him that he was going to Cao Cao's side.

That night, Liu Xie and Xu Huang talked for a long time, and Xu Huang didn't leave until late into the night.

Zhao Yun watched Xu Huang's departing figure and sighed, "Your Majesty, your concessions are far too great."

Liu Xie said, “Zilong, life is not easy. The Han Dynasty has come to this point, and no one is to blame. It’s not that Cao Cao doesn’t take me seriously, but the whole world is in this state. So, turning the situation around will not be achieved overnight. In the future, we don’t know how many people will lose their lives.”

"Will I one day end up working for Cao Cao?"

Zhao Yun was quick-witted. During the banquet today, Cao Cao looked at him more than once, his eyes revealing an undisguised intention to recruit him.

Liu Xie shook his head. "No, even if Cao Cao is domineering, I cannot give in all the time. I have my own bottom line."

Looking at Zhao Yun, Liu Xie said earnestly, "If one day I have no last protection by my side, then it will be time for Cao Cao and me to fight to the death!"

Zhao Yun gritted his teeth and said, "Your Majesty, rest assured, with me here, no one will dare to come within a step of Your Majesty!"

Although Liu Xie and Cao Cao appeared to be on good terms, Liu Xie's sense of urgency never diminished.

The next day, he arrived at Tianxiang Pavilion in plain clothes.

The interior renovations were entirely based on Liu Xie's instructions, and even during the day, the lighting is rather dim.

In the middle of the hall was a fashion show stage, where wealthy dignitaries surrounded the area, cheering and admiring one beautiful woman after another appearing on the runway.

Women of all kinds, plump and slender, quiet, elegant, charming and alluring... there's something for everyone.

The second and third floors are divided into a series of secluded private rooms. These rooms are enclosed by railings, allowing wealthy people to stand above and enjoy the fashion show below, making it convenient for them to select their desired prey.

Every time Liu Xie came, he would stay in the No. 1 private room on the third floor. Ma Kui was a dark-skinned, burly fat man who always had a smiling face.

"Young Master, it's been a while since you last visited." As soon as Liu Xie arrived at Tianxiang Pavilion, Ma Kui came running over excitedly.

"Yes, I was out busy for a while." Liu Xie took the wine glass that Ma Kui handed him, took a sip, and said to Ma Kui, "These private rooms are very particular. People who come to Tianxiang Pavilion are all wealthy. The wealthier they are, the more they like to compare themselves to others. You need to divide the prices into different tiers for them. For example, in the main hall, it's 100 coins per person, 500 coins for the first-floor private room, 1,000 coins for the second floor, and 3,000 coins for the third floor. Do you understand? You need to make them constantly compare themselves to others and willingly spend money."

Ma Kui's eyes lit up. "I understand. Young Master is indeed knowledgeable and insightful."

Zhao Yun stood to the side, silent. He was still somewhat unaccustomed to the alluring atmosphere of the place.

After a while, Ma Kui grinned and said, "Young master, you told me last time to invite more women from the Western Regions, but there are very few women from the Western Regions; they are rarely seen in the Central Plains."

I've traveled back in time to become Liu Zhang's son, starting with killing Liu Bei.

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(End of this chapter)