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

Chapter 82, Cheng Yu's Advice
As the two walked, they arrived at the Willow River Bridge, where they unexpectedly encountered a girl named Yunzhu again. Guo Jia greeted her and then left.

Liu Xie turned around and saw that the woman was looking at Guo Jia with lingering affection. He teased her and said, "Fengxiao, you've really gotten her into trouble. She's probably fallen for you."

Guo Jia didn't refute, he just smiled.

"Fengxiao, you are still single. What kind of woman could possibly win your heart?"

Having known Guo Jia for so long, I've seen at least eight or ten women around him, but none of them lasted more than a month.

Guo Jia was just having fun!

Liu Xie said with concern, "Everyone needs a place to belong, a home. You're like a prodigal son, passing through a sea of ​​women without ever getting attached to them. Even I'm worried about you."

Guo Jia stopped and carefully pondered the verses Liu Xie had spoken. He nodded approvingly, “Your Majesty’s impromptu words are so elegant and profound. I do not intend to remain single forever; it is just that I have not yet met a woman I like.”

"How about this, I'll find one for you later, okay?"

Liu Xie meant well. Guo Jia glanced at Liu Xie and laughed, "If it's a woman from Tianxiang Pavilion, even if she sells her art but not her body, I advise Your Majesty not to bother."

Liu Xie shook his head and said, "Don't worry, I will definitely choose a good woman for you. She must be clean, beautiful, and intelligent."

Guo Jia smiled. He had extremely high standards and didn't take Liu Xie's words seriously, treating them merely as a joke.

With practiced ease, Guo Jia took out a small green bottle and began to take the powder in front of Liu Xie.

Liu Xie reached out, trying to snatch the medicine bottle away, but Guo Jia smiled and took a step back, knowing that Liu Xie meant well.

Liu Xie shook his head helplessly, watching as Guo Jia swallowed the powder.

After taking the powder, Guo Jia ran around again as usual, then lay half-reclined on a rock and closed his eyes to rest.

Liu Xie watched quietly from the side, truly puzzled as to why so many people were so fond of Wushi Powder.

He was thinking to himself, what kind of woman could possibly win Guo Jia's heart?

Some people don't necessarily need to be won over. People like Xun Yu, Dian Wei, and Guo Jia are good enough as long as they get along well with Liu Xie and have a good impression of him.

Guo Jia is not married yet, which is a good opportunity for Liu Xie to help him out.

Helping others is helping yourself!
The more people who approve of Liu Xie, the better his situation will be!

As the effects of the medicine gradually wore off, Liu Xie and Guo Jia returned together. When they passed by Guo Jia's residence, Liu Xie even stopped to go inside and take a look.

It was a very simple two-courtyard house. Besides Guo Jia, there was only one young and clever servant named Qingfeng.

Upon seeing Liu Xie come to his home in person, Qingfeng was greatly alarmed and hurriedly bowed.

Liu Xie waved his hand gently, looked around, and sighed, "Fengxiao, your home is really simple. Apart from a few flowers and plants in the yard, there isn't even a decent decoration. Look at other people's homes, they all have pavilions, waterside terraces, rockeries and towers, and the whole yard is filled with fragrance. They are incredibly grand."

Guo Jia shook his head. "Vulgar. There are real mountains and rivers outside, but artificial ones at home. If you want to appreciate the world, just step out of your house. Why stay at home?"

Liu Xie smiled and said, "Fengxiao is a man of great talent and ambition, with a broad vision and great spirit."

While the two were chatting, Cheng Yu was trying to persuade Cao Cao.

"My lord, I have been feeling very worried lately."

Cheng Yu's expression was serious. He was usually stern and rarely smiled, but now he frowned deeply.

Cao Cao was puzzled and asked, "Zhongde, why do you look so worried?"

Cheng Yu sighed, "My lord, we absolutely cannot continue to allow His Majesty to travel freely. If this continues, it will be extremely detrimental to you."

"Oh? Zhongde, tell me your opinion." Cao Cao leaned forward, looking like he was listening intently.

He was always good at listening to the advice of his advisors. As long as it made sense and was useful to Cao Cao's ambition, he would generally adopt it.

"His Majesty frequently travels around the city, sometimes going to taverns, sometimes to teahouses, or sometimes strolling on the streets. When you, my lord, are leading troops, His Majesty is not idle either, often interacting with the soldiers below."

“My lord, he is the emperor. His Majesty’s every word and action can easily draw others closer to him. If this is not controlled, over time, I fear that the number of people who will approve of His Majesty and be willing to be loyal to him will increase.”

After a pause, Cheng Yu looked at Cao Cao and said earnestly, "My lord, there should only be one voice in and around Xuchang, and that is your voice!"

“Zhongde, it’s not that serious. His Majesty is just acting on a whim. He has no interest in politics. He just wanders around and chats with others. As for accompanying the army on campaigns, His Majesty has indeed helped me a lot, as you know.”

Cheng Yu nodded. "I know His Majesty has helped you a lot, but the more he does, the more people will approve of His Majesty, isn't that right?"

"Although His Majesty is not interested in military and political affairs now, given time, more and more people will recognize him. Aren't you worried, my lord? Once His Majesty wants to rule in his own right, perhaps he only needs to raise his arm and call, and many people will stand up to assist His Majesty."

Cheng Yu's words were clearly the result of careful consideration. "It is precisely because His Majesty is so approachable and often displays remarkable talent that I feel increasingly uneasy and feel compelled to remind Your Excellency!"

As Cheng Yu spoke, he stared intently at Cao Cao, who returned his gaze.

Cao Cao could see that Cheng Yu was acting entirely out of loyalty and was thinking of himself.

Cao Cao took a deep breath and fell silent. After a while, he waved his hand and said, "Zhongde, you go back first. Let me think about it."

Cao Cao had no appetite for dinner that night. Bian Shi noticed this and had someone prepare hot water for him beforehand. She personally helped him bathe and then massaged his muscles before gently asking him questions.

"My lord, what is troubling you?"

The couple had been together for many years and had nothing to hide, so Cao Cao told Bian Shi what Cheng Yu had said that afternoon.

Lady Bian listened with delight. She was worried about how to stop Liu Xie's relationship with Princess Qinghe, so she advised, "Husband, Cheng Yu is right. An emperor should act like an emperor. It is not proper for him to wander around all day. As the Minister of Works, you should take the time to persuade His Majesty to pay attention to his dignity. You should also find a respected teacher for His Majesty so that he can calm down, study more, listen to the advice of his ministers, and not leave the palace so often."

As long as the emperor did not leave the palace, the connection between the emperor and Princess Qinghe would be severed.

Princess Qinghe can't possibly go to the palace to see the emperor by herself, can she?
Cheng Yu's persuasion, coupled with Bian's influence through her pillow talk, made Cao Cao feel that he should try to control the emperor a little more.

The next day, Cao Cao went to the palace.

As soon as he entered the palace, he saw Dong Cheng. Although Cao Cao now had a large following, he felt somewhat uneasy every time he saw Dong Cheng.

Because he had wronged Dong Cheng, who was the first to write to him, asking him to go to Luoyang to protect the emperor.

Dong Cheng wanted to rule the world together with Cao Cao.

As a result, Cao Cao outsmarted Dong Cheng!

Secondly, Dong Cheng was the legitimate brother-in-law of the emperor and an absolute staunch royalist.

Others protected the emperor, but Cao Cao wanted to usurp the emperor's power, so Cao Cao felt guilty to some extent.

Cao Cao was polite on the surface, nodding to Dong Cheng as a greeting. Liu Xie had already practiced his sword early in the morning and was covered in sweat. When he saw Cao Cao, he walked over with a smile.

Cao Cao asked with concern, "Your Majesty, did you sleep well last night?"

"Good, very good. And you, Lord Cao?"

Cao Cao thought to himself: I almost didn't sleep all night because of you.

"I slept well, Your Majesty. I have an idea that I would like to share with you."

Liu Xie nodded. "Lord Cao, you are my right-hand man. Speak freely."

Liu Xie was used to it; he'd praise them as soon as they met. If a leader wants employees to work harder, they have to offer plenty of empty promises and motivational platitudes!
Cao Cao said, "Your Majesty is already seventeen years old this year. I think we should find a teacher for Your Majesty to study the classics. In the future, Your Majesty should try not to go out anymore. As the supreme ruler, Your Majesty should pay attention to your reputation."

Cao Cao spoke softly, observing the expressions on people's faces as he spoke.

Liu Xie showed no unusual behavior, but Zhao Yun, standing to the side, gradually narrowed his eyes, staring coldly at Cao Cao, his hand unconsciously reaching for the hilt of his sword at his waist.

Cao Cao did not notice the subtle change in Zhao Yun behind him.

Cao Cao spoke very politely, but Zhao Yun understood that Cao Cao wanted to put the emperor in a cage, and the palace was that cage!
"Lord Cao meant well, so alright!" Liu Xie smiled and readily agreed.

Cao Cao was surprised by the quick agreement and felt a little apologetic. He gave a few more instructions before taking his leave.

After Cao Cao left, Zhao Yun wanted to say something, but after glancing at the eunuchs standing not far away, he hesitated and then swallowed his words.

Liu Xie waved his hand, indicating that there was no need to worry.

He led Zhao Yun to Qingshui Lake, where a bustling scene unfolded as they prepared to dig an artificial lake several hundred meters wide.

Kong Rong had been sent here by Liu Xie to supervise the construction, and Mi Heng would occasionally come over to chat with him.

Liu Xie strolled along the lake, with several eunuchs following leisurely behind him. Liu Xie turned around and waved his hand, "I'm just taking a walk here to relax, you don't need to follow me."

Seeing Liu Xie's serious expression, they all stopped and watched from a distance.

After walking for a while, Zhao Yun couldn't help but say, "Cao Cao has ulterior motives and wants to control His Majesty. Why don't you refuse him to his face?"

Liu Xie's expression turned cold as he said, "I can indeed refuse, but Cao Cao is always suspicious. The more I refuse, the more he will try to control me!"

“But His Majesty’s freedom is restricted if he cannot leave the palace now!” Zhao Yun said worriedly.

(End of this chapter)