Tiger Guards

Chapter 417: Public Loyalty to the Country
"An old steed in its stall may still aspire to gallop a thousand miles; a hero in his twilight years may still cherish lofty ambitions."

In the General's headquarters, Lü Bu held a silk scroll and recited it softly, deeply moved.

He also wanted to lead troops out into the world, fight against rebels, and make a name for himself in history.

However, he did not have a trustworthy grandfather or a close confidant to guard the capital for him, and he dared not leave the emperor and his ministers.

Even when leading the emperor and high-ranking officials on a personal expedition... there was still the hidden danger of instability in the rear.

Zhao Ji was able to lead the emperor on a personal expedition because someone was there to guard his home. With the rear stable, the officers and soldiers at the front could maintain their cohesion and ensure their execution.

Lu Bu now felt that although he was in his prime, he was already old and listless, like an old horse sleeping in a stable, lazy and powerless.

As Lü Bu was grieving alone, Yang Jun strode in: "General, the Emperor has sent an envoy to invite you to the palace to discuss state affairs."

"Is it about Cao Cao?"

"That's exactly what it's about."

Yang Jun spoke lightly, his eyes brimming with barely suppressed laughter.

Infected by Yang Jun's emotions, Lü Bu couldn't help but smile as well: "Arrange a carriage."

"Here."

Yang Jun quickly left again. Lü Bu got up, straightened his robes, adjusted the sword at his left waist, and gently pressed down on his large crown. Perhaps only by maintaining proper posture could he keep a relatively serious expression.

At the Xu Du Imperial Palace, Chen Gong, the Grand Master of Ceremonies, was serving the emperor at the steps. Below the steps, Kong Rong recounted in detail what he had seen and experienced during the night.

Liu Xie sat in the main seat, with Grand Chamberlain Shi Qian standing behind him, and a dozen or so newly castrated eunuchs standing behind him.

It is said that the castration was newly performed, but it was mainly performed on scholars who were sentenced to castration for crimes in the autumn and winter seasons, mainly scholars from Ruying and Nanyang.

There were tables and seats on both sides below. The chief seat on the left was for General Fu Wan, followed by Minister Zhao Wen. The chief and second seats on the right were vacant, reserved for Lü Bu and Zhao Ji.

After Kong Rong finished his narration, he said, "Zang Ziyuan was a virtuous and loyal minister of the dynasty. He was attacked and seriously wounded by Cao Ren and died from his injuries. His former subordinates sought revenge and attacked and killed Cao Jiande, causing Cao Jiande to mistakenly believe that it was the Grand Marshal's doing, which caused the situation to get out of control. Now that Cao Jiande is dead, the difficult thing is how to deal with Zang Ziyuan's former subordinates."

Liu Xie felt awkward listening to this. Cao Cao was already dead, and there was no point in dwelling on his past misdeeds.

It also depends on the choice of Cao Cao's former subordinates. If most of them choose to submit to the imperial court, then it means that Cao Cao's death was indeed somewhat unjust.

Therefore, in giving a final verdict on Cao Cao, we should focus on explaining this accidental injury, giving Cao Cao a relatively dignified funeral, and extending kindness to his descendants.

If Cao Cao's former subordinates chose to oppose the court after Cao Cao's death, it shows that Zhao Ji's killing was very accurate; Cao Cao should have been killed long ago.

Liu Xie turned to look at Fu Wan and Zhao Wen. Fu Wan, the Assistant General of the State, was of equal rank to the Three Dukes.

Therefore, Zhao Wen, who was of relatively lower status, spoke first: "Your Majesty, I believe that the court should govern with the principles of justice and fairness. First, Cao Cao sent his brother Cao Ren to assassinate Zang Ziyuan, who was appointed by the state as the governor of Yanzhou. How is Cao Cao's action any different from treason? Later, Zang Ziyuan died from his injuries, and his former subordinates did not forget the injustice done to their former master and sought an opportunity to avenge him by killing Cao Cao. In this way, the feud between the two families has been settled, and a small punishment should serve as a warning to others."

Liu Xie didn't care about the lives of Chen Rong and others; the key was Zhao Ji's attitude and the attitude of Cao Cao's former subordinates.

Although severely punishing Chen Rong and other assassins would demonstrate the court's impartiality to Cao Cao's former subordinates, if they were to rebel against the court shortly after, those who proposed the severe punishment of Chen Rong would lose face.

From a practical point of view, these people are Zang Hong's men. Zang Hong is a model of loyalty and virtue. If the righteous men who avenge Zang Hong are severely punished by the court, it will discourage scholars in various places who have the court's support!
To be more practical, wouldn't it be even more embarrassing if the Emperor's court made a decision to severely punish Zhao Ji but he didn't carry it out?
Zang Hong was from Guangling, Chen Rong was also from Guangling, and Zhao Ji and Fu Wan both had an obligation to protect their fellow villagers.

But Zhao Wen's opening remark was "a minor punishment as a warning," leaving Fu Wan with no choice but to defend himself. Should Fu Wan go further than Zhao Wen's minor punishment and instead reward and publicize Chen Rong and the others' righteous deeds?
As Fu Wan pondered, Liu Xie's gaze fell upon him. Fu Wan immediately cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, I believe that the righteous men like Chen Rong avenged their former lord, Zang Ziyuan, which is a matter of great righteousness in the Spring and Autumn Annals. Everyone knows that Cao Cao is utterly wicked and morally corrupt; the officials and people of the four provinces of Yan, Yu, Qing, and Xu have suffered greatly at Cao Cao's hands. The righteous men like Chen Rong are loyal to the country and respond to the cries of the people. In my opinion, they should be promoted and given important positions to show the court's favor towards the virtuous and keep away from the wicked."

Zhao Wen couldn't stand it anymore and immediately cupped his hands, saying, "Your Majesty, you mustn't do that. If we commend Chen Rong and the others for their righteous deeds, Cao Cao's former subordinates will surely rebel, just like Li Jue and Guo Si did back then. In my opinion, we should first detain them and transfer them to the Court of Justice for strict interrogation. After we have pacified Cao Cao's former subordinates, we can then decide on a more appropriate course of action."

Fu Wan turned his head and glared angrily at Zhao Wen, shouting, "What do you mean by this, Minister? You actually compare Cao Cao's former subordinates to the two traitors, Li and Guo!"

Liu Xie's expression was also not good. He didn't like to hear any news about Li Jue and Guo Si, nor did he want to hear any related remarks about that period.

Zhao Wen, unafraid of Fu Wan, leaned forward slightly, as if confronting a bull: "Today, all sides in the world are constantly vying for power, and deep-seated grudges have been formed. If we lavishly praise Chen Rong and others, then public and private grudges will only lead to mutual attacks and killings. When will this ever end?"

Chen Gong stood below the steps, but he felt neither relaxed nor joyful.

Cao Cao's head had been cleaned, and his hair had been combed and tied back into a braid. It was now quietly placed on a plate before the emperor's steps. Chen Gong could only see Cao Cao's profile, but that was enough.

That pent-up resentment was finally released, but it was a pity that he couldn't take revenge himself. Perhaps Cao Cao's death was too quick, or perhaps there were other reasons. Chen Gong felt uneasy and had a lingering sense of loss.

Listening to Fu Wan and Zhao Wen argue, Chen Gong felt even more irritated, feeling that Zhao Wen and Fu Wan were just going through the motions.

As one of the Three Dukes, if you truly care about the foundation of the nation, what should you be doing now?
We should immediately send envoys to appease Cao Cao's former subordinates, instead of arguing here about how to deal with Chen Rong and others.

Is arguing and bickering even useful?
Without Zhao Ji's approval, who can touch a hair on Chen Rong's head?

After Chen Rong and his men assassinated Cao Cao, they became famous throughout the land and were admired by all. Who would dare to harm these righteous men?
We must win over Cao Cao's old troops before Lü Bu and Zhao Ji do... Apart from some people from Liangpei and Yanyu, the vast majority of Cao Cao's old troops are from Yanzhou, and are his fellow townsmen, Chen Gong!

He, such a prominent leader of the Yanzhou literati, stood there, yet neither Zhao Wen nor Fu Wan saw him.

Now, as long as he is allowed to go to Chenliu, Chen Gong is confident that he can bring back half of his men!
As the Grand Master of Ceremonies, he reorganized these people into the Emperor's Imperial Guard, and together with the Guards under General Dong Cheng, the Emperor's authority rose even faster with the cooperation of these two armies, and more people would come to attach themselves to the Emperor.

At this moment, Chen Gong fully understood Zhao Ji. He wished he could launch a military coup, personally take a hammer to break Zhao Wen and Fu Wan's legs, and smash their dog teeth.

Chen Gong gradually became numb and no longer expected the emperor to be excited and powerful, or to suddenly order him to rush to Chenliu.

As Chen Gong's mind gradually calmed down, Lü Bu led several Imperial Guardsmen to the palace courtyard.

Zhao Ji had the privilege of wearing a sword and shoes in the palace, and so did Lü Bu.

Today, Lü Bu wears a crimson robe, a loose leather armor over it, and a bright red Shu brocade battle robe with embroidered flowers, revealing his right shoulder.

A sword hangs from his left waist, and various jade ornaments hang from his right waist. When he walks, the jade ornaments clink together, making a crisp and pleasant sound.

"The Great General and Marquis Wen have arrived!"

As the imperial censor sang loudly, Lü Bu bypassed Chen Gong and ascended the steps from one side to his seat.

Without even taking off his boots, he knelt on the support cushion, turned his waist and bowed to Liu Xie, saying, "Your subject Bu greets Your Majesty."

"Lord Wen, you may dispense with the formalities."

Liu Xie pointed to Cao Cao's severed head below the steps: "Last night Cao Cao was attacked and killed. Does Marquis Wen know about this?"

"I have heard a little about it, but I do not know the specifics."

Lu Bu glanced back at Cao Cao's head and said, "For a man as disloyal and unfilial as Cao Cao, Marquis of Pingyang has shown too much weakness. If it weren't for Zang Ziyuan's righteous indignation in killing the villain Cao Cao, I would have sent troops to attack Cao Cao today."

Lü Bu immediately cupped his hands and looked at Liu Xie: "The former subordinates of Cao Cao will surely rebel upon hearing the news. I humbly request Your Majesty to send Chen Gong, the Grand Master of Ceremonies, with the imperial insignia to accompany the Marquis of Pingyang to lead troops north. In this way, the Marquis of Pingyang will be in charge of the campaign, while the Grand Master of Ceremonies will be in charge of pacification. The combination of pacification and suppression can achieve remarkable results."

Upon hearing this, Chen Gong's mind immediately cleared. He was quite surprised and turned to look at Lü Bu, never expecting that Lü Bu would lend him a hand.

Supporting Chen Gong to take over the people of Yanzhou would also facilitate Zhang Yang's takeover of Yanzhou Prefecture and its surrounding areas.

After a series of upheavals led and driven by Ru Ying and the people of Nanyang, Lü Bu can only trust Chen Gong and Yang Jun at present.

First support Chen Gong, then support Yang Jun. Once these two are firmly established, Lü Bu won't be in too much trouble.

Things cannot be done according to Zhao Ji's plan. Now, the only one who can cause trouble for Zhao Ji on the Yanzhou battlefield is Chen Gong.

Upon hearing this, Liu Xie looked at Chen Gong and asked, "What about the Grand Master of Ceremonies?"

"Your subject is willing to follow the Grand Marshal to unite the various armies of Yanzhou."

Chen Gong stepped forward and came to the steps of the emperor's palace. He stood beside Cao Cao's head and bowed deeply to Liu Xie.

The pungent smell of blood emanating from Cao Cao's severed head cleared Chen Gong's mind and calmed his wandering thoughts.

How many people in Yanzhou can be saved depends on him.

(End of this chapter)