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

Chapter 54, Kong Rong recommends Mi Heng

"Cao Ying has met me..."

Princess Qinghe was about to kneel when Liu Xie waved his hand, "No need, did you sprain your ankle?"

Liu Xie waved to Wang Cai again, and Wang Cai hurriedly withdrew.

"Your Majesty, you're amazing! You sprained your ankle!"

Princess Qinghe had been gritting her teeth and enduring the pain, but in just a short while, her ankle swelled up.

"Sit down, let me take a look at you." Liu Xie walked over.

Zhao Yun wisely went outside and stood guard at the door.

Cao Ying hummed in agreement and obediently sat down. Liu Xie walked over, lifted her foot, and examined it carefully. "It's quite swollen, but it's nothing serious, just a sprain."

"It will be fine in a moment."

Liu Xie touched her lightly, and Cao Ying cried out in pain. She was already a little nervous with the man holding her foot, and the slightest touch hurt her terribly.

Liu Xie said with a gentle smile, "Don't be nervous. Let me tell you a joke."

Cao Ying, resting her chin on her hand, immediately became interested.
One day, a guest came to visit, and they talked until noon. The host then made an excuse to go into the inner room for lunch.

After they came out, they continued chatting and laughing as if nothing had happened. The guest knew what was going on, and secretly cursed the host for being stingy and refusing to treat him to a meal. Looking up at the roof beams, he suddenly said, "The roof beams above are badly eaten by insects."

The owner was puzzled and asked in confusion, "How come I can't see it?"

The guest replied, "Of course, it eats inside!"

Cao Ying chuckled. At home, she was required to play the zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting all day long. Cao Cao's family education was quite strict, and this was the first time she had heard such an interesting joke.

But after only two laughs, Liu Xie suddenly pushed her ankle hard, and Cao Ying cried out in pain.

Liu Xie immediately stood up. "Alright, stop shouting. Get up and walk around a bit!"

"Is this good?"

Cao Ying stood up with some skepticism, took a few steps around the room, and then smiled radiantly, "It's really healed, Your Majesty is truly amazing."

Cao Ying hurriedly bowed gracefully to express her gratitude, but Liu Xie waved his hand and said, "I am here to relax, just like you. The more formalities we have, the more boring it becomes. Well, it's getting late, you should go back now so that Lord Cao won't worry."

Cao Ying said earnestly, "Your Majesty, thank you for saving my brother. You are the benefactor of our whole family."

Liu Xie waved his hand, "They are all trivial matters."

Cao Ying said seriously, "But for us, it is a great event that we should remember. At noon, Mother went to the temple to fulfill her vow and prayed for His Majesty."

"Oh?" Liu Xie was deeply moved and said sincerely, "Your mother is so kind. Please thank her for me."

"Well then, this young lady will take her leave now." Cao Ying smiled and left with her maid.

As Cao Ying left the restaurant, she reluctantly turned back to look at the second floor one last time.

Even after walking quite a distance, my cheeks still felt burning hot.

Upon returning to the palace, Zhang Yu greeted him, saying, "Your Majesty, the Minister of Works arrived shortly after you left and has been waiting for a long time."

"Kong Rong?"

"Yes, he only recently came to Xuchang after receiving Cao Sikong's order. Today he also brought someone with him, whom he wants to recommend to His Majesty."

Liu Xie smiled and said, "Then let's meet." Normally, he would only go to Chengguang Hall for court assemblies. For matters that were not particularly important, Liu Xie would receive the guests in his own palace.

Kong Rong had been there for half a day. Upon seeing Liu Xie, after paying his respects, Kong Rong said with a worried expression, "Your Majesty, you are the emperor of the Han Dynasty, the supreme ruler. You should try to avoid going out of the palace and focus more on government affairs."

Kong Rong was an upright man and a 20th-generation descendant of Confucius. He previously served as the Chancellor of Beihai, but Beihai had fallen into Yuan Shao's hands because he was no match for him.

Liu Xie recalled the information about Kong Rong in his mind. In retrospect, Kong Rong was one of the few people who were loyal to the Han Dynasty. However, he was a bit emotional and would say a lot about things he didn't like.

Even in front of Cao Cao, he did not know how to restrain himself, which eventually brought disaster upon himself.

Liu Xie nodded. "You are absolutely right, my dear minister. I will keep it in mind."

When dealing with Kong Rong, Liu Xie adopted the attitude of a student towards a teacher.

No matter what the teacher says, listen obediently, be brave enough to admit your mistakes, and have a good attitude!

To put it bluntly, it's just playing games. You're right, you've said it well, and we should appreciate your kindness, but making any changes is not currently allowed.

Seeing that Liu Xie was very friendly, Kong Rong started talking and said a few more words.

Liu Xie was not impatient. After he had spoken for a while, he asked Zhang Yu with concern, "Minister Kong, you seem to be thirsty. Go and pour me a glass of water."

After a while, Kong Rong said again, "Your Majesty, I have come here today to recommend a virtuous minister to assist you."

"May I ask who you have recommended, my dear minister?"

While he asked with concern, Liu Xie secretly groaned in his heart, "What's the use of recommending so many capable people to me?"
Yang Biao, Dong Cheng, Wu Shuo, Wang Zifu and others are now doing nothing but complaining and being dissatisfied, which makes Liu Xie feel very sorry for them.

Still recommending?
No matter how many recommendations there were, Cao Cao would still have to screen them all again.

Anyone not recognized by Cao Cao, no matter how many recommendations were made, would only be sidelined, like birds in a cage, serving only to decorate the court's facade.

Kong Rong, however, was in high spirits and personally went out of his bedchamber. Soon after, he brought in a disheveled man.

“Your Majesty, this man is Mi Heng, also known as Mi Zhengping, a native of Pingyuan.”

Mi Heng?

Liu Xie looked at him with great interest. This madman, who was passed down to later generations for beating the drum and cursing Cao Cao, was indeed worthy of Liu Xie's appreciation.

Mi Heng wore a gray robe with wine stains on the front. He had a high nose bridge and regular features, and was not ugly. However, he had an unusually proud and stubborn demeanor, as if he disdained to associate with others.

With his head tilted and eyes slanted, he stood in front of Liu Xie, seemingly with no intention of restraining himself.

Most people wouldn't dare to make eye contact with Liu Xie, but Mi Heng wasn't intimidated at all, and he seemed to disdain to follow the etiquette of ordinary people.

Kong Rong coughed and solemnly reminded him, "Zhengping, do not be rash when you see His Majesty."

Mi Heng remained defiant, a provocative smile playing on his lips.

Liu Xie stood up with a smile, clapped his hands, and walked over.

Mi Heng was taken aback for a moment, then asked curiously, "Your Majesty, why are you clapping?"

Kong Rong also cast a puzzled look at him, but Liu Xie smiled meaningfully and said, "The Han Dynasty is declining, and people's hearts are in turmoil. Most people either go with the flow or swallow their anger. In this corrupt world, how many people can keep their original intentions unchanged?"

Kong Rong savored the taste, while Mi Heng's eyes lit up and he became much more serious.

(End of this chapter)