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

Chapter 93, The Financial War Begins
"Lu Kang's clansmen should arrive in Xudu around tomorrow."

As Guo Jia spoke, he searched around for beautiful women on the street. If any woman noticed him and turned around, Guo Jia would give her a few more provocative glances.

When Guo Jia took out the Five-Stone Powder again, Liu Xie also took out a small bottle, saying, "Fengxiao, try this one."

"Your Majesty, what are you doing?"

Guo Jia looked at Liu Xie with suspicion. Seeing that the two bottles were similar, he took one, opened it, and smelled it. The smells were very similar.

This made Guo Jia even more suspicious.

Is His Majesty trying to harm me?
Liu Xie smiled and said, "Although I haven't attended court these days, I haven't been idle. This is a special Five-Stone Powder that I prepared for you. It's a new formula with new effects. Give it a try."

Seeing Guo Jia hesitate and clearly showing some unease, Liu Xie joked, "What, are you afraid I'll poison you?"

The two had known each other for a long time and would occasionally exchange a few jokes.

However, upon hearing Liu Xie's words, Guo Jia smiled instead, "Your Majesty is too kind. I thank Your Majesty for your kindness, but I will give it a try."

Liu Xie has only just begun researching the Five-Stone Powder, and the formula has not yet changed much. But precisely because of this, it is easier to dispel Guo Jia's concerns.

If the taste changes too drastically all at once, it becomes difficult to explain.

Guo Jia took a sip, closed his eyes to savor the taste, and after a while nodded. "Apart from a slightly stronger aroma, it's pretty much the same. However, since Your Majesty personally prepared it, I am quite honored. I will gladly accept this bottle."

When passing by Tianxiang Pavilion, Liu Xie did not want to go in, but Guo Jia extended his hand to invite him, saying, "Your Majesty has not come here to relax for more than half a month. How can you pass by without going in?"

Guo Jia wanted to verify a question: yesterday, Liu Xie officially appeared on Zhengyang Street as the emperor. With so many people watching, the emperor's appearance must have been remembered by many. Ma Kui of Tianxiang Pavilion was also present at the scene.

If Ma Kui still addresses Liu Gongzi as usual, it would be a bit of a cover-up, as if he were deliberately trying to hide something.

As usual, Guo Jia arrived at the third floor and, smiling, instructed the woman serving him, "Go and call Ma Kui, who is in charge of your affairs."

Liu Xie sat calmly to the side, drinking his wine while watching the women swaying their hips and walking the runway on the stage below.

The daily fashion show is the most exciting program for everyone.

Women on the streets at the end of the Han Dynasty were too conservative, but here, they were half-covered, and some even showed off their waists and beautiful legs. The different outfits and different visuals made it a feast for the eyes and a place people lingered.

Many drinkers, even if they do nothing, can spend the whole day just watching from below without getting bored.

Before long, Ma Kui walked in with a familiar smile typical of business people. Upon seeing Guo Jia, he quickly greeted him, "Young Master Guo, I've kept you waiting."

Guo Jia smiled and nodded slightly.

As soon as Ma Kui turned around, he saw Liu Xie, and Guo Jia's gaze also fixed on him.

Ma Kui's eyes widened in alarm, and then he hurriedly knelt on the ground.

"Greetings, Your Majesty. I am so blind that I only recognized Your Majesty today."

Liu Xie glared at Guo Jia, feigning anger, "Fengxiao, it's all your fault. Your identity has been recognized. Now it will be much less interesting for me to come here in the future."

"Get up. I am here, so don't make a fuss. Just act as usual."

Guo Jia was unaware that Liu Xie had already sent someone to inform Ma Kui, and he knew that the places he frequented would inevitably be under close surveillance.

Having spent so much time together, Wang Cai and Ma Kui have passed Liu Xie's test and are trustworthy. It would be better for them to openly reveal their identities to avoid trouble.

For an ordinary person like Ma Kui, the emperor's status was inherently imbued with a sacred aura. Furthermore, since such a large business was a reward from the emperor, Ma Kui naturally had no ulterior motives towards Liu Xie.

From the moment he appeared on the execution platform, Liu Xie was already prepared. Not to mention Ma Kui and Wang Cai, even if he were recognized by ordinary people on the street, he could accept it calmly.

Ma Kui was very excited. After standing up, he kept rubbing his hands together, unsure of what to do with them.

Liu Xie smiled and then dismissed him.

Guo Jia nodded inwardly. Anyone would be excited and uneasy upon seeing the emperor, so Ma Kui's behavior was perfectly reasonable.

After sitting down again, Guo Jia asked with a smile, "Your Majesty, you've known each other for a long time, haven't you?"

"Yes."

Liu Xie didn't shy away from the topic; he drank a glass of wine and seemed lost in memories.

Guo Jia waited quietly, his deep eyes fixed on Liu Xie, sparkling with starlight.

After a moment of silence, Liu Xie slowly said, "Ma Kui was originally a Yellow Turban rebel. He was later captured and made into a government slave. I redeemed him in the human market."

"Oh, I see." Guo Jia hadn't expected Liu Xie to be so frank. The buying and selling of slaves was rampant in the late Han Dynasty; the human market, to put it bluntly, was what Guan Yu often referred to as "selling heads with signs."

Selling children and buying and selling slaves were not uncommon practices in the late Han Dynasty. Although Emperor Xie (Liu Xie) abhorred these practices, he was powerless to change the situation.

Liu Xie revealed Ma Kui's identity, which made Guo Jia no longer value Tianxiang Pavilion, seeing it as nothing more than a brothel.

As for providing intelligence, let alone Guo Jia, no one would place excessive importance on taverns and brothels.

After a while, Guo Jia tentatively asked, "Your Majesty, you gave Ma Kui his freedom and the opportunity to make money. He must be very loyal to you, right?"

"Fengxiao, are you not loyal to me?" Liu Xie suddenly stared at Guo Jia and asked in return.

"This... I am naturally loyal to Your Majesty as well," Guo Jia replied hesitantly, somewhat embarrassed.

Liu Xie's question, seemingly a joke, actually made it difficult for Guo Jia to answer.

If the answer is disloyal, then you might as well wait to die; being killed a thousand or ten thousand times wouldn't be unjust!
If asked to answer that he was loyal, Guo Jia wasn't really too willing.

Liu Xie didn't care about this matter and continued, "I only lent a little help and gave Ma Kui some pointers. Not only Ma Kui, but I have also given pointers to many merchants in this city."

"Xu Du is in dire need of reconstruction, and Cao Cao is worried about it every day. I see this and am anxious about it. Of course, I want to do what I can. Therefore, I have reminded Ma Kui and the others that no matter how much money they make, they should donate a portion of it to Cao Cao every month so that he can better use his power to pacify the world."

Ma Kui and his ilk did indeed donate money every month, which made Cao Hong seem even more stingy and petty in comparison.

Guo Jia nodded, then suddenly asked, "Your Majesty, I've always had a question: Did General Cao Hong receive any guidance from Your Majesty regarding his business dealings?"

This question had been on Guo Jia's mind for a long time. Based on Guo Jia's observation, Cao Hong was rough and impulsive. He was fine with drinking and fighting, but as for doing business? Guo Jia really had his doubts.

The more Guo Jia thought about it, the more unbelievable it seemed that a simple-minded warrior like Cao Hong could become so rich.

It's like a pig suddenly flying into the sky, which is unbelievable.

The two stared at each other for a while. Guo Jia raised an eyebrow. Liu Xie's silence, on the contrary, confirmed his guess.

Guo Jia then said with a hint of reproach, "Your Majesty, Cao Hong's business is booming right now. His money exchange and real estate business are doing incredibly well, making a fortune every day. But all the money goes into his own pocket. Is this what Your Majesty wants to see?"

Liu Xie shook his head. "Fengxiao, you have misunderstood me. Whether it's the money shop or the real estate, I feel at ease entrusting them to the Cao family. No one else has the qualifications or ability. I only gave Cao Hong some pointers and tried to persuade him to take out his money to help Cao Gong many times. But I really didn't expect that Cao Hong would be so stingy after making so much money. I really misjudged him."

Guo Jia was meticulous and insightful. Faced with such a top-notch strategist, Liu Xie simply and openly acknowledged his abilities.

In any case, Liu Xie already knew Cao Hong's true nature very well.

Guo Jia nodded again. It seemed that the emperor had indeed meant well.

However, Cao Hong was too greedy and too selfish.

After sitting for a while, the two left Tianxiang Pavilion. Afterwards, Guo Jia did not accompany Liu Xie to Liuhe Bridge to admire the beauties, but hurriedly went to the Sikong Mansion.

Upon meeting Cao Cao, Guo Jia mentioned their conversation. Cao Cao listened attentively and then said, "Just now, Ma Kui sent someone to deliver this month's wages."

Cao Cao was not happy at all, because every time he received this money, he couldn't help but think of Cao Hong.

The mere thought of Cao Hong caused Cao Cao to furrow his brow and look displeased.

Ma Kui and his ilk sent tributes and money every month, as if constantly reminding and provoking Cao Cao, making him more aware of how stingy Cao Hong was.

Cao Cao's tolerance for Cao Hong was nearing its limit. "Fengxiao, what do you think is the best way to get the money shop business back?"

Guo Jia had a plan in mind and immediately smiled and said, "My lord, this is actually very easy. The money shops in Xuchang will inevitably have to circulate with money shops in other places. You can leave this matter to me. I will make Cao Hong back down."

Cao Cao nodded, "As long as he can put aside his desire to make money and focus on military affairs, I can forgive and forget what happened in the past."

After returning, Guo Jia immediately made arrangements.

On the very day that Liu Xie received Lu Kang's clansmen, all five carts of money that Cao Hong was transporting from Xudu to Runan were robbed by the Yellow Turban rebels.

Of the fifty guards escorting the shipment, forty-nine died, and only one guard managed to escape back in a panic to deliver the message.

Upon hearing the devastating news, Cao Hong flew into a rage. He overturned the table laden with food and wine, leaving a mess of dishes and spilled soup all over the floor.

"Damn Yellow Turban rebels, if I catch them, I will skin them alive."

Cao Hong gritted his teeth and glared, making a vicious oath, but his anger was of no use.

He personally led a troop of soldiers to pursue them along the way, but the bandits had long since vanished without a trace. The land was vast, and Cao Hong had no way to find them.

Cao Hong vs. Cao Cao: A small financial war has begun...!
After killing Cheng Yu, who do you think will be the next one?
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(End of this chapter)