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

Chapter 85, Cheng Yu's Heart Is Despicable

Cao Cao narrowed his eyes, frowned in deep thought, and Xun Yu's meaning was obvious.

Either take drastic measures against the emperor and completely control him, regardless of whether he abdicates or passes on the imperial seal, ignore it all and directly control him. It's simple, direct, and the effect is immediate!

Even with Dong Cheng and Zhao Yun protecting the emperor, Cao Cao could still wipe them out in the blink of an eye with just one order!

The fact that Xun Yu could make such a suggestion shows that he was still very loyal to Cao Cao!

Either take drastic measures against Cheng Yu and push him out as a scapegoat.

Because Liu Xie has mentioned Cheng Yu more than once!
Don't be fooled by Liu Xie's claims that Cheng Yu meant well. Even a fool can see that Liu Xie's current passive approach of doing nothing is clearly aimed at Cheng Yu!

"How could this be?"

Cao Cao was in a dilemma, his head throbbing badly. He glanced around warily, muttering to himself, "Everything was fine before, how did it suddenly lose control?"

After all, this was still in the palace. Cao Cao was afraid that Liu Xie would return, so he was on edge, ready to faint again at any moment!

Xun Yu sighed, "Not interfering in politics is His Majesty's concession, and probably his bottom line! We have pushed too far!"

The implication is that restricting the emperor's freedom has crossed a line and angered him!

"Let's go back first. Fortunately, His Majesty has left." Cao Cao looked around again, but just as he got up to leave, Liu Xie's figure reappeared.

Cao Cao was a step too slow to react. Before he could faint again, Liu Xie rushed over in delight.

He jogged along, laughing happily, "Lord Cao, you're awake! That's wonderful! You scared me half to death!"

Xun Yu gave Cao Cao a helpless look, and cold sweat broke out on Cao Cao's forehead again.

It seems that it's not going to be possible to go back and discuss things before making a decision, just like last time.

Liu Xie wouldn't let him leave without making his stance clear!
Liu Xie was quick and seemed genuinely concerned about Cao Cao. Cao Cao forced out a smile that looked more like a grimace. "Your Majesty, I have been worrying about too many things lately, so I was too exhausted and fainted just now. Your Majesty need not worry, I am much better now."

Liu Xie approached, took Cao Cao's hand, and examined him carefully again, still not entirely convinced. "Is he really much better?"

Cao Cao gritted his teeth and nodded, "Much better!"

"It's nothing, go home early."

Cao Cao breathed a sigh of relief, but before he could take a step, Liu Xie's voice rang out again, "Oh? Don't forget to bring the imperial seal as well."

"Pfft!"

Cao Cao was so startled that he quickly put his foot down again, and then knelt on the ground once more.

Xun Yu had no choice but to kneel next to Cao Cao, the two of them side by side.

"Your Majesty, this is impermissible! Absolutely not!"

Liu Xie shook his head. "Anyway, I've handed over all the government affairs to you. I can't help you much. Every time I issue an edict, you have to come to the palace to stamp the imperial seal. I completely trust you, absolutely trust you. So take the imperial seal. As for the envoy sent by Lü Bu, I will not see him!"

Cao Cao looked mournful and secretly glanced at Xun Yu, who gave him a wink.

It seems that we can't leave today without taking a stand.

Either take away the imperial seal and make the emperor stay obediently in the palace and do nothing.

Either admit that Cheng Yu was wrong!

Cao Cao was both frustrated and helpless. He wanted to leave but couldn't, and the situation once again reached a stalemate.

Xun Yu coughed lightly, reminding Cao Cao once again.

Cao Cao really wanted to roar to the heavens, "This is too much for me!"

After much deliberation, Cao Cao finally gritted his teeth, hardened his heart, and said sincerely, "I am deeply grateful for Your Majesty's high regard, but many things cannot be accomplished without Your Majesty. Whether it is sending envoys to pay homage, recruiting talents and appeasing the officials, or even accompanying the army on expeditions, with Your Majesty by our side, my soldiers and I feel as if we have divine assistance."

"Your Majesty, the Han Dynasty is in decline and the future is uncertain. Without Your Majesty's leadership, your ministers and officials have no backbone, and the soldiers in the army cannot do without Your Majesty either."

Xun Yu nodded inwardly. That was the way to do it. The emperor wanted to do nothing, so they had to coax him and tell him that everyone needed him.

As for trying to control His Majesty by force, who has the guts to do so now? And who can bear the consequences of doing so? Internal strife between the emperor and his ministers will result in mutual destruction. Liu Xie knows this, but does Cao Cao not know it?

Liu Xie looked at Cao Cao with suspicion, "Lord Cao, are you joking with me?"

Cao Cao rolled his eyes and shifted his knees slightly. He didn't kneel often, and kneeling for even a short while was quite uncomfortable.

And why is so much bluestone laid on the ground? It's so uncomfortable! Cao Cao even wanted to kill the person who laid the ground.

Cao Cao hurriedly shook his head, "Your Majesty is wise and benevolent, and the ministers support you. Without your intervention, there are many things that I would be unable to accomplish. For example, this time when I accompanied the army on the expedition, Your Majesty established a medical team and personally taught them how to use it. They saved so many soldiers. Your invention of the stretcher and horse bench is also praised by everyone. Your Majesty, everyone needs you."

"Furthermore, you've entrusted everything to me. Those who know the truth will think I'm sharing Your Majesty's burdens, but those who don't will surely think I'm being domineering and abusive, and have mistreated Your Majesty. I beg Your Majesty to withdraw the imperial seal and not to further humiliate me!"

Cao Cao was extremely sincere and expressed his loyalty. Xun Yu also helped to persuade him: "Your Majesty, please rescind your order. The Imperial Seal is a national treasure and must remain by Your Majesty's side and be in Your Majesty's control. Many things in and around Xuchang cannot be done without Your Majesty."

Liu Xie said with great hesitation, "But...but Cheng Yu meant well. He just wants me to stay in the palace and do nothing."

Cao Cao lowered his head and rolled his eyes again.

Cheng Yu told you to obey, but he didn't tell you to hand over the imperial seal.

To persuade Liu Xie, Cao Cao had to say against his will, "Your Majesty, we have all been deceived by Cheng Yu. Cheng Yu wanted Your Majesty to stay in the palace, and at first I thought it was a good intention, but the more I think about it, the more I realize that Cheng Yu... he... he..."

Cao Cao became more and more agitated as he spoke. There was no other way; when it came to showing his courage, Cao Cao had to take a gamble.

Liu Xie seemed terrified, retreating several steps and staring blankly at Cao Cao, asking, "Lord Cao, what happened to Cheng Yu?"

"He... Cheng Yu is harming His Majesty, and he's harming me too! Cheng Yu wants His Majesty to do nothing, and wants me to bear the stigma of abusing my power and deceiving the emperor. Cheng Yu disregards the overall situation and is needlessly sowing discord between us, the emperor and his subject. He's putting me in a very difficult position... He..."

Liu Xie kept staring at him, and the more he looked at him, the more Cao Cao's tone became. He gritted his teeth and said, "Cheng Yu's intentions are despicable, and he should be severely punished!"

Liu Xie finally showed an expression of sudden realization, "After hearing what Cao Gong said, I finally understand a little. I thought I could leave everything to you and have a good time, but I didn't expect that I would almost let Cao Gong bear the blame and attract criticism."

"Alas... It's all my fault. I thought Cheng Yu meant well, so I readily agreed to Cao Cao's request. I never expected there to be so many hidden meanings. This... this Cheng Yu, Cao Cao is right, he must be severely punished. How dare he sow discord between us, the ruler and his ministers, and how dare he let Cao Cao bear such a bad reputation? This is unacceptable!"

Cao Cao was putting on an act, and Liu Xie was putting on an act too. There was no other way; everyone was just trying to make a living!
Liu Xie didn't want to be controlled, and Cao Cao didn't want to fall out with the emperor; they each had their own purposes.

In any negotiation, someone will inevitably have to make concessions!
Upon hearing Cao Cao's statement that he would severely punish Cheng Yu, Liu Xie was satisfied. The imperial seal remained untouched; neither Cao Cao nor Xun Yu dared to take it.

Liu Xie picked up the imperial seal and said, "Very well, I cannot let Cao Cao bear the infamy. I can still help in some way. Let the imperial seal stay in the palace. Cao Cao and Xun Yu, get up. You have been kneeling for so long, and I can't bear to see you kneeling. You should go back soon."

Cao Cao breathed a sigh of relief. The two men quickly stood up, bowed in farewell, and hurriedly left the palace.

Back at the Sikong Mansion, Cao Cao summoned Cheng Yu, Guo Jia, Xun Yu, Xun You, Man Chong, and others together.

Cao Cao briefly recounted the events, and Cheng Yu's expression immediately changed. "I didn't expect His Majesty to be so agitated, determined to target me?"

Guo Jia shook his head. "Zhongde, it's not that His Majesty is targeting you; quite the opposite, it's you who are deliberately targeting His Majesty!"

Cheng Yu immediately retorted, saying emotionally, "I'm doing this all for your sake, my lord. If His Majesty is allowed to travel around freely, many people will be won over by him, and in the long run, it will be detrimental to you, my lord."

Guo Jia nodded. “I know you have no selfish motives, but have you thought about why His Majesty took the initiative to abdicate last time? This shows that although His Majesty trusts you, he also has his bottom line. We can control him and limit him, but we must never provoke him.”

"We haven't even managed to eliminate a mere Zhang Xiu yet. What good would it do us to escalate the conflict between you and His Majesty?"

Guo Jia then spread his hands and said, "Just as Wenruo said, we now have to choose between two options: either control His Majesty or let His Majesty vent his anger. Which one do you think we should choose? Admittedly, His Majesty is powerless to resist, but he is, after all, the emperor. If we don't handle things properly, it will cause controversy."

Everyone looked at Cao Cao, waiting for him to make a decision.

Cao Cao did not expect the emperor to react so strongly; this was troublesome.

Besides, he has already made his stance clear, so he can't just go back on his word right away.

Cheng Yu was one of the earliest veterans to follow Cao Cao. When Lü Bu launched a surprise attack on Yan Province, Cheng Yu led his troops to defend it to the death, ensuring that Cao Cao had no worries about his rear.

But now, should we protect Cheng Yu or the emperor?
After a while, Cheng Yu sneered, "My lord, I still stand by what I said: the emperor should stay in the palace. Otherwise, it will be detrimental to you. Even if you punish me, my opinion will not change."

Xun Yu shook his head and sighed in disappointment, "Zhongde, do you know? Because of you, the harmonious atmosphere between the ruler and his ministers may never return to what it was before. No one can pretend that this never happened!"

(End of this chapter)