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

Chapter 66, Eliminating Zhang Kai (Please continue reading)
But at that moment, something unexpected happened. Zhang Kai suddenly pulled out a short knife from his waist, and with a flash of cold light, he stabbed it fiercely into Luo Jun's chest.

Luo Jun was caught completely off guard and was about to be stabbed when suddenly a cold glint flashed in the crowd beside Zhang Kai, and someone shot out a crossbow bolt.

With a soft thud, the crossbow bolt struck Zhang Kai squarely in the left arm. Zhang Kai froze, and Luo Jun seized the opportunity to quickly retreat a few steps.

Seeing the situation was dire, Zhang Kai's killing intent intensified, and he shouted to the others, "Attack together! Kill Luo Jun and Prince Chen!"

Zhang Kai and his men drew their hidden weapons and lunged at Luo Jun and Chen Wang.

It was Liu Biao who fired the crossbow bolt. He immediately sneered, "With us here today, you won't succeed."

Liu Biao waved his hand, and more than a dozen people rushed over, and the two sides immediately engaged in a melee.

Liu Biao brought along highly skilled wandering knights. They were exceptionally skilled and decisive in their actions. In the blink of an eye, Zhang Kai's henchmen fell one after another into pools of blood.

Zhang Kai was also struck by Liu Biao's sword. He staggered, staring at Liu Biao with terror in his eyes. As he retreated, he asked in astonishment, "Who exactly are you people? What does this have to do with you?"

"People of the world should manage the affairs of the world. Prince Chen and Lord Luo are loyal and righteous to the people and are deeply respected by the people. I have no reputation, but I cannot stand to see you villains assassinating good people."

Liu Biao didn't bother to give his name. He immediately sneered, his swordsmanship suddenly quickened, and he closed in on Zhang Kai again. The others also came to help.

Zhang Kai was no match for Liu Biao and was quickly stabbed in the chest, dying on the spot.

Afterwards, Liu Biao pointed at Zhang Kai and said to Luo Jun and Prince Chen, "Lord Luo and Prince Chen, you need not be surprised. I am from Xudu. I have been entrusted by Young Master Liu to protect you two."

"Young Master Liu of Xudu?"

Liu Xie once mentioned in a letter that it would be easier to keep in touch in the future, and that if anyone mentioned Young Master Liu of Xudu, that would be him.

King Chen was deeply moved and thanked him repeatedly.

Liu Biao continued, “Prince Chen, the man who wants to assassinate you is Zhang Kai, who once killed Cao Sikong’s father. He was sent by Yuan Shu this time. We have been watching him for many days. As long as you take his head to Xuchang, Cao Sikong will surely be grateful, and Prince Chen will also be able to meet Young Master Liu in Xuchang.”

After saying that, Liu Biao led his men away, and Chen Wang called out to him several times, but Liu Biao did not stop.

Luo Jun leaned closer and said, "Your Majesty, haven't you always wanted to meet His Majesty? This is a perfect opportunity."

Because Prince Chen was a member of the Han imperial family and commanded tens of thousands of troops, he could not rashly meet with Liu Xie, as it would inevitably arouse Cao Cao's suspicion.

But now, it's a golden opportunity.

Prince Chen said, "That's right. Since these people were sent by His Majesty, then this opportunity to go to Xuchang was probably also arranged by His Majesty."

Luo Jun said, "I never imagined that Your Majesty, despite your young age, would be so shrewd and thoughtful."

King Chen then entrusted the affairs of the Chen Kingdom to Luo Jun, taking only a hundred or so close followers with him, and rode swiftly to Xudu.

Upon arriving in Xuchang, he naturally went to pay his respects to Cao Cao. Cao Cao greeted him with a smile. He both respected and feared the Prince of Chen, admiring his abilities but also fearing his military strength.

The State of Chen is right next to Xuchang, which is too close. Tens of thousands of troops is no small matter. If the spearhead suddenly points to Cao Cao, Cao Cao will not be able to sleep soundly.

Upon meeting, without bothering with formalities, King Chen waved his hand and his attendant dragged a wooden box to Cao Cao's side.

Cao Cao asked in confusion, "What's in here?"

Chen Wang said, "This is what Cao Cao most wants to see!"

This immediately piqued Cao Cao's interest. He took the wooden box, opened it himself, and found a bloody human head inside. Cao Cao was used to life and death, and had handled many human heads before. He examined it carefully but did not recognize it.

"Prince Chen, whose head is this?"

Prince Chen slowly uttered two words, "Zhang Kai!"

Cao Cao was startled, his pupils dilating sharply. "Hmm? Could it be Zhang Kai, a subordinate of Tao Qian of Xuzhou?"

"It is indeed this person. However, he has been hiding for many years and is now attached to Yuan Shu. Previously, Yuan Shu sent someone to borrow grain from me, but I refused him to my face. Enraged, Yuan Shu sent Zhang Kai to assassinate me, but Zhang Kai was killed by my guards."

Liu Biao was a wandering knight-errant, and it was inconvenient for Prince Chen to mention them.

Cao Cao's face immediately darkened.

When Zhang Kai saw the money, he didn't kill all of Cao Song's group; some survivors managed to escape.

"Come here, go and fetch the steward, Cao Fu."

Before long, Cao Fu arrived, running all the way.

"Cao Fu, come and take a look. Do you recognize this man?" Cao Cao said, pointing to Zhang Kai's severed head.

Cao Fu was startled at first. Anyone would have been startled; to suddenly see a bloody head in broad daylight was quite creepy.

Mustering his courage, Cao Fu took a closer look and suddenly his eyes widened as he recalled that rainy night a few years ago. "It's him! It's him! He's Zhang Kai, the one who escorted the old master!"

Cao Cao gritted his teeth and nodded, "It really was that damned scoundrel. I've been looking for him for so many years, wishing I could kill him with my own hands. I never thought he would finally die. It's still too good for him."

Looking at Prince Chen again, Cao Cao clasped his hands in a respectful gesture, his attitude becoming much more polite. "Prince Chen, I owe you a great debt of gratitude this time. You have truly helped me a lot."

Cao Cao immediately took Zhang Kai's head and personally offered it as a sacrifice. Cao Cao's every move caused quite a stir, and Xun Yu, Cao Hong, and others rushed over after hearing the news.

Liu Xie also arrived with Zhao Yun.

Because the Cao family's burial grounds were all in Qiao County, Cao Cao only set up a mourning hall in his mansion and used Zhang Kai's head to comfort the souls of Cao Song and Cao De.

Cao Hong, Cao Ren, Cao Chun, Cao Ang, Cao Pi... dozens of members of the Cao family, big and small, were all heavy-hearted and had tears in their eyes.

"My lord, His Majesty has also arrived."

Cao Cao stopped his sobbing and personally came out to greet him. At this moment, Liu Xie also put away his usual smile and his expression became somewhat solemn.

Liu Xie couldn't bring himself to cry, unlike Zhuge Liang who cried so realistically when he went to pay respects to Zhou Yu.

But if you're serious, it's still fine.

Liu Xie said, "Lord Cao, I just heard the news myself. It has finally fulfilled one of your wishes. Now that your great revenge has been avenged, your grandfather's spirit in heaven can rest in peace."

After offering a few words of comfort, Liu Xie entered the courtyard. Seeing that everyone was there, Liu Xie nodded to them.

Arriving before Cao Song's memorial tablet, Liu Xie tried to make his voice sound somewhat low and solemn. He bowed deeply and said, "Grandfather Cao, you were also a pillar of our Han Dynasty. Today you can rest in peace. The treacherous Zhang Kai who harmed you has been eliminated. Lord Cao is now wholeheartedly helping me to restore the Han Dynasty. He is my pillar of strength. Having such a son is truly a blessing for the Cao family, a blessing for the Han Dynasty, and a blessing for me!"

Liu Xie would never miss an opportunity to praise Cao Cao!
We must continue to portray Cao Cao as the most loyal minister of the Han Dynasty!
(End of this chapter)