The revival of the Han Dynasty must start with Dong Zhuo

Chapter 287 Volume Am I...really a traitor to the Han Dynasty?

Cao Cao now controls Yanyu and commands the most prosperous and rich Central Plains. He is one of the most powerful people in the world.

But unlike Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu who built large-scale projects in Yecheng and Shouchun respectively, Xu County where Cao Cao was located still maintained its original appearance. In terms of prosperity, it was not even as prosperous as Yangdi, the seat of Yingchuan County, and could be described as simple.

This was where Cao Cao lived. It was just a renovated county government office, but it was just a small courtyard.

When Guo Jia arrived outside the courtyard, he saw that in addition to some personal soldiers guarding the place, Cao Cao's eldest son Cao Ang was also waiting there with a sword in hand.

"I've met the eldest son."

Cao Ang quickly returned the greeting.

Guo Jia was an aide to Cao Cao who had recently been recruited.

But Cao Ang knew that Cao Cao and Guo Jia hit it off right away and had a very pleasant conversation with each other, and Cao Ang even wanted to use Guo Jia as his "strategist", so he did not dare to neglect him.

Guo Jia tiptoed and glanced at the closed door: "Cao Gong has never come out?"

"No."

"The eldest son has also been guarding here for a day and a night?"

"..."

Although Cao Ang was a little tired, he still clasped his fists and said, "General Dian Wei, who was guarding my father, has died in battle. Naturally, I have to stay here to protect my father's safety."

The Battle of Wancheng may not have had a significant impact on the overall weakening of Cao Cao's forces, but it was a huge blow to Cao Cao himself.

A beloved general Dian Wei.

An arm of Xiahou Dun.

One was killed in battle, the other was captured.

As for Cao Anmin...

After knowing what he had done, Cao Ang felt that his cousin deserved to die! It was a pity for Cao Cao's mount Jueying.

Cao Ang knew that he was not as brave as Dian Wei, nor as steady as Xiahou Dun, but he still wanted to take on some responsibility and protect Cao Cao.

There was a look of praise in Guo Jia's eyes.

"With the eldest son being so capable, the Cao family can be guaranteed to prosper for another ten years."

Guo Jia had been in Hebei before.

None of Yuan Shao's three sons - Yuan Tan, Yuan Shang and Yuan Xi - could compare to Cao Ang.

If Cao Ang did not make any mistakes in the future, Cao Cao would truly have a successor.

"But you should go down and rest as soon as possible, Master. I have something to say to Lord Cao."

Cao Ang shook his head stubbornly: "Protecting my father is my duty as a son. How can I slack off just because I'm tired?"

By the way.

Cao Ang also reminded Guo Jia: "Father is not in a good mood. Even when my mother and I came to persuade him, he ignored us."

"Fengxiao should choose another day to come back, so as not to offend father."

Guo Jia glanced sideways at Cao Cao's closed door, then walked to the front, shaking his head.

"My Lord, you can't always be so strict with the rules when facing Lord Cao."

"Otherwise, how can we please Lord Cao?"

bang——

After saying this, while Cao Ang was stunned, Guo Jia kicked the door open and walked in with a swagger.

The layout of Cao Cao's house is also similar to that of an ordinary wealthy family.

Several ornamental flowers were dotted by the window. Two swords were hung on the wall, one called Yitian and the other called Qingguang. There was also a folding screen with a map of Kyushu painted on it, which blocked the figure of Cao Cao in front of the couch.

"Who?"

Cao Cao was extremely alert to the noise. When he heard the movement, he stood up vigilantly.

"Guo Jia has met Cao Gong."

If it were an ordinary person, Cao Cao would probably have been furious and dragged him away and beheaded him.

But after hearing Guo Jia's name, Cao Cao actually relaxed and was no longer nervous. He also did not pursue Guo Jia's breaking into the house.

Guo Jia came to Cao Cao and took advantage of the situation by sitting on his couch. He questioned him, "The world needs Cao Gong right now, why is he hiding from us?"

"Could it be that Lord Cao was frightened by Zhang Xiu and dared not show up?"

Cao Cao looked at Guo Jia sideways.

Although he knew that Guo Jia was trying to provoke him, he still felt a little angry: "How could a little Zhang Xiu be worthy of my attention? He was just careless for a moment, which caused me to suffer a small loss. How can I be frightened by him?"

"Then why is Cao Gong doing this?"

Guo Jia slapped the bed heavily in front of Cao Cao, looking as if he was disappointed with Cao Cao.

"Sun Ce rebelled, and Yuan Shu has already mobilized a large number of troops to the south to fight against Sun Ce, leaving Xuzhou empty!"

"Lord Cao would rather fight on two fronts than send General Xiahou Yuan to fight for Xuzhou. Why did he give up now when he has sufficient soldiers and food?"

Cao Cao also sat up at this moment, grabbed a piece of cloth and put it on his back.

"Why did Fengxiao provoke me? Can't you see that this is news deliberately released by the court?"

"As long as I take Xuzhou, Yuan Shao will surely be wary of me and the gap between me and Yuan Shao will be deepened!"

"To seek temporary benefits without considering the overall situation is not something I, Cao Mengde, would do!"

Outsiders, even Cao Cao's son Cao Ang, thought that the reason Cao Cao isolated himself was that he was still immersed in the defeat in the Battle of Wancheng and had not yet come to terms with it.

But how could Cao Cao, a great hero of his time, take a victory or failure so seriously?
The reason for this is that Cao Cao could see at a glance that this was a conspiracy from the imperial court!

If I send troops to take Xuzhou, I will definitely offend Yuan Shao!

In fact, what Cao Cao has been struggling with these days is this matter!

But Guo Jia suddenly laughed.

"Why should Fengxiao laugh?"

"I am laughing because Cao Gong's lies are so funny!" "Ridiculous! When did I lie?"

Guo Jia looked at the dishonest Cao Cao and knew that Cao Cao was going to be stubborn to the end.

However, Guo Jia did not intend to expose Cao Cao directly.

He just hinted, "If Cao Gong really feared Yuan Shao so much, why did Cao Gong insist on attacking Nanyang and entering Guanzhong through Wuguan when Yuan Shao ordered him to retreat?"

"Lord Cao was not afraid of Yuan Shao even when he was at his peak, so how could he be afraid of Yuan Shao now that he is in decline?"

"Is it really Yuan Shao that Cao Gong is really worried about?"

……

……

Guo Jia was worthy of being regarded as a close friend by Cao Cao.

Others thought that Cao Cao was on the first floor, but in fact Cao Cao was on the third floor.

Even when Cao Cao himself thought he was on the third floor, only Guo Jia knew that Cao Cao was on the fifth floor.

If Cao Cao was really afraid of Yuan Shao, he would not be the "villain in troubled times".

Cao Cao was stunned for a while, and then a look of loneliness appeared in his eyes.

Guo Jia is right.

It was never Yuan Shao who made Cao Cao so anxious.

But the Son of Heaven.

Cao Cao always believed that he was right.

Even though he obeyed the Hebei court established by Yuan Shao, Cao Cao still believed that he was right.

Because Dong Zhuo was still the master of the Han court.

Therefore, when Cao Cao heard that Dong Zhuo had died, he immediately wanted to attack Guanzhong and seize the court before Yuan Shao.

But after the emperor defeated Yuan Shao in Anyi, Cao Cao was at a loss for the first time.

The reason why Cao Cao was hostile to the imperial court before was because he always believed that the imperial court was in the hands of Dong Zhuo.

But now?

Even a blind person knows that the power of the court is now concentrated in the hands of the emperor.

The emperor with the surname Liu and the bloodline of Emperor Ling!

A great emperor of the Han Dynasty.

An emperor with the surname Liu.

And a court completely controlled by such an emperor...

Isn't this the big man?
In other words, aren’t those who are enemies of the Han Dynasty traitors?

After Cao Cao figured out the logic, he was struck by lightning!

It was after Dong Zhuo's death that Cao Cao suddenly realized a problem -

Have I become a traitor to the Han people?

……

This conclusion is the root of Cao Cao's anxiety these days!

Before this, Cao Cao had never thought that he would be a traitor to the Han Dynasty!
But with Dong Zhuo gone, and the Han Dynasty still standing in Guanzhong and Chang'an, Cao Cao finally realized that -

I seem to have really become a thief?
That's why Cao Cao hid in the house and didn't want to talk to outsiders.

To put it simply, at this moment, Cao Cao's heart was already broken and he could not control himself.

Hearing Guo Jia's words, Cao Cao seemed to have grasped a life-saving straw and grabbed Guo Jia's arm: "Feng Xiao, what should I do?"

"Of course, Lord Cao can do whatever he wants!"

The trouble should end it.

Guo Jia said indifferently: "When Cao Gong was young, he forged five-colored sticks to beat the powerful and evil people! Why is it that now, he has so many concerns?"

"Whatever Cao Gong wanted to do then, Cao Gong should continue to do now."

"Today's work should be done today!"

"Life is all about being open-minded! If Cao Gong lives like Yuan Shao, who is indecisive, what fun would that be?"

Guo Jia had nothing more to say here. After coming in and talking to Cao Cao for a few words, he left in a leisurely manner.

After returning to his residence, Guo Jia called his wife and asked her to pack her luggage.

"Where are you going, my husband?"

"Mr. Cao has now become a boring person like Yuan Benchu. This is no longer a place for me to stay."

"I heard that Wen Ruo led his clansmen to Chang'an and became the Minister of the Imperial Court. I want to join him now!"

Guo Jia's wife didn't understand what her husband said. Although she complained, she still went into the house obediently to pack up and planned to go to Chang'an with Guo Jia.

But just after Guo Jia packed all his luggage, Cao Ang suddenly ran in excitedly from outside!

"Fengxiao! Father has come out! He has ordered us to hold a banquet to discuss the attack on Xuzhou!"

But Cao Ang was somewhat surprised when he saw Guo Jia's packed luggage: "Feng Xiao is going on a long journey?"

"I was going to publish it, but now I don't want to publish it anymore."

Guo Jia was very casual, and shouted to the lady inside: "Forget it! I'm not leaving! Madam, please move these luggage back!"

"Snapped!"

A feather duster was thrown out from the inner room, but unfortunately Guo Jia had already run away without a trace and the target was not hit.

At the banquet, Guo Jia saw the high-spirited Cao Cao again, smiled with satisfaction, and casually took out his treasured Wu Shi San and took a sip!
"If Cao Gong is like this, I will do my best to assist him, until my death!"

(End of this chapter)