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

Chapter 9, Under Guard and Surveillance
Cao Cao had his own reasons for choosing Xuchang in Yingchuan as the capital, since he previously only had Yanzhou as his territory.

Now that the emperor is in Yingchuan, which belongs to Yuzhou, it is only natural that Cao Cao could easily take Yuzhou into his possession.

Yingchuan was the center of the world, a place of outstanding people and beautiful scenery. However, after the Yellow Turban Rebellion and several natural disasters, Yingchuan lost its former prosperity, not to mention the small city of Xuchang.

After entering the city, Liu Xie lifted the carriage curtain and looked around, but he couldn't see a single decent tall building.

Even in its most dilapidated state, Luoyang, even in its burnt-down ruins, is still taller and more imposing than the buildings of Xuchang.

The area is mostly comprised of low-rise houses, with uneven roads, no bustling shops, few pedestrians, and relatively low city walls.

If someone were to attack the city now, Liu Xie estimated that even defending it would be very difficult.

Yang Biao glanced at it and sighed heavily. "Such a simple little town, without decent streets, without strong defenses, not even a palace. Your Majesty, is this really suitable as the capital of the Great Han Dynasty?"

Yang Biao was not particularly concerned about being dismissed from his post, or even facing imprisonment and physical suffering. He was more worried about the future of the Han Dynasty.

Liu Xie said half-jokingly, "From the moment I entered the city, I have handed over the entire empire to Cao Cao!"

Yang Biao looked at Liu Xie intently, feeling quite uncomfortable.

Although His Majesty is clearly intelligent and wise, possessing the demeanor of a wise ruler, and has a clear understanding of the current situation and people's hearts far beyond that of ordinary people, Liu Xie is now prepared to live under someone else's roof.

He was clearly the emperor, yet he willingly handed over the empire to Cao Cao!

The group eventually went directly to Cao Cao's camp.

Seeing that they were surrounded by Cao Cao's troops, Dong Cheng was very dissatisfied. He angrily approached Liu Xie and complained, "Your Majesty, what does Cao Cao mean by this? Even if there are no palaces in the city for the time being, he can't just put us in a barracks, can he? Does he think we are prisoners?"

Liu Xie smiled and comforted him, "Uncle, we have just arrived in Xuchang. How we are settled is entirely up to Cao Cao. You are overthinking it. Cao Cao has always been loyal to me, and I trust him."

After a while, Cao Cao also came over with his men. He didn't care about the fear, unease, or even anger and dissatisfaction on the faces of his ministers; he only cared about the emperor.

In Cao Cao's eyes, the others were not worth mentioning at all.

Seeing that Liu Xie was calm, Cao Cao approached him and said with a smile, "Your Majesty, Xuchang is a small place with simple city walls. I have temporarily placed Your Majesty in the military camp for Your Majesty's safety. I hope Your Majesty can understand my good intentions."

Cao Cao's words were half true and half false. On the one hand, he was considering safety, and on the other hand, he wanted to use the army to keep these people under control.

Now that we're here, no one's going to leave.

From now on, these people will be both Cao Cao's political asset and a tool for him to command the world.

Liu Xie waved his hand and laughed, "There are many people in the barracks, so it's both lively and safe. I understand Cao Cao's good intentions!"

Cao Cao summoned Cao Hong and said, "The safety of His Majesty and the court officials is entrusted to you. If you dare to be negligent, you will be held responsible."

Cao Hong nodded hurriedly, "Don't worry, I've got it covered!"

After the capital was moved, there were a lot of things to deal with. The most urgent task was to strengthen the city's defenses and build a decent palace.

Since this place is to be the capital, there must be a proper palace.

After Cao Cao took his leave, Cao Hong hurriedly made arrangements for Liu Xie and the others, and then led his men to inspect the area. Every now and then, Cao Hong would turn to Liu Xie's side.

On the surface, they were showing concern to see what was needed, but in reality, they were monitoring Liu Xie's every move.

"Your Majesty, as you can see, as soon as I arrived in Xuchang, I felt controlled. Cao Cao is far too audacious."

When Dong Cheng arrived at Liu Xun's residence and saw his daughter there, he was furious. In Dong Cheng's view, Cao Cao should have been his equal, and that Dong Cheng had played a part in getting Cao Cao to go to Luoyang.

But unexpectedly, now Cao Cao calls the shots, and all of them feel like prisoners being held captive.

Liu Xie said, "Imperial brother-in-law, you're overthinking it. Didn't Cao Cao say that it's safer to stay in the military camp? He's protecting us."

Because Dong Cheng held multiple identities, he was called the "Imperial Brother-in-Law" because he was the nephew of Empress Dowager Dong. From this perspective, the title of "Imperial Brother-in-Law" is most appropriate.

However, considering his status as Consort Dong's father, it is reasonable to address him as the Emperor's father-in-law.

If you address Fu Wan, you must address him as the Emperor's Father-in-Law.

But Liu Xie still felt that he was used to calling him "the emperor's brother-in-law" and it was easier to say it.

Consort Dong was straightforward and a bit willful; she shared the same opinion as Dong Cheng.

At this moment, she raised her eyebrows and said angrily, "Your Majesty, my father is absolutely right. Cao Cao is too tyrannical and domineering. We are here, and there are so many armored soldiers patrolling back and forth outside. The way they look at us makes us feel uneasy."

Liu Xie shrugged. "Stop making wild guesses. I'm going out for a walk to clear my head."

Dong Cheng followed, saying, "Your Majesty, this old minister will protect you!"

Dong Cheng was born in Xiliang and was a remnant of Dong Zhuo's faction. However, he was upright and loyal, and since his daughter had married Liu Xie, he could only stand firmly on Liu Xie's side.

Cao Cao had just defeated the Yellow Turban rebels in Yan Province. The soldiers he led were all brave and fierce warriors. Every move they made showed that the army was disciplined and well-trained.

Liu Xie strolled leisurely around the military camp, looking around. Cao Cao's soldiers were also curiously observing him, while remaining vigilant at all times.

Dong Cheng was indignant. "Your Majesty, I have led troops before, and I am not blind. They have clearly been assigned to guard us."

"It can't be that bad, can it?" Liu Xie shook his head and strode towards the gate.

Dong Cheng snorted, "Try it if you don't believe me, you'll be stopped in no time."

Sure enough, he was stopped by a junior officer as soon as he got near the gate.

"Your Majesty, this is a military camp, a place of great importance. The General has given instructions that no one is allowed to leave without permission."

The one who stopped him was a captain in his early twenties, with a straight nose and mouth, a resolute face, and a height of about eight feet. He had a very serious expression.

"Open your eyes wide and look carefully! This is His Majesty! How dare you stop him?" Dong Cheng roared in fury.

The captain, neither humble nor arrogant, showed no sign of backing down, saying, "I only obey the general's orders."

Dong Cheng gritted his teeth, about to explode, but Liu Xie waved his hand and said, "Forget it. Since it's Cao Cao's order, why make things difficult for him?"

Liu Xie reached out and gently patted the captain on the shoulder. The captain was startled and instinctively tried to back away.

After all, there was no custom of patting someone on the shoulder at that time.

"What's your name?"

"This humble general is Deng Zhan!"

Liu Xie nodded in praise, saying, "Deng Zhan, as a soldier, you must strictly follow orders from above. You have performed very well, and I am very pleased!"

(End of this chapter)