My father-in-law Guan Yu, I persuaded Liu Bei to launch a surprise attack on Xiangyang at the beginn

Chapter 240 The Imperial Seal is in hand, and the last empress bows in gratitude! Xiao He: Old Cao, do not worry, I will take care of your wife and daughters!

"Ahem... Madam, let's not worry about what a eunuch is right now. Instead, let's focus on getting Father-in-law a grandson soon..."

Xiao He smiled with narrowed eyes and gently put his arm around Guan Yinping's slender waist.

Guan Yinping blushed, turned her head with a shy smile, and was embarrassed to meet her husband's ill-intentioned gaze.

When he turned his head, he saw that Bu Lianshi's face was also flushed and her ears were red.

"My husband, my sister is still here~~"

Guan Yinping lightly poked his shoulder with her fingertip, glanced at him with her bright eyes, and reminded him that Bu Lianshi was still there, so he should at least restrain himself a little.

Xiao He was already slightly tipsy, and under the influence of the alcohol, he suddenly became very interested.

So he freed one hand and wrapped it around Bu Lianshi's slender waist as well:
"Since we're already here, let's not leave. I think this bamboo couch is spacious enough, and as they say, good things come in pairs~~"

The two women's bright eyes sparkled, their expressions blank, momentarily unaware of the meaning behind Xiao He's words.

Bu Lianshi was a bit more astute; seeing Xiao He's ill-intentioned gaze, she immediately understood the unspoken meaning behind his words.

"How could that be? My husband is truly shameless, always thinking such absurd things~~"

Bu Lianshi, blushing and coquettish, gently pushed Xiao He away, but said:
"There is a proper order of rank and hierarchy, and a distinction between master and servant. With my elder sister here, how dare I act presumptuously?"

"This humble servant will take her leave now. Sister, please help your husband to rest early."

After saying this, Bu Lianshi bowed to the two of them, then lowered her head shyly and gracefully withdrew.

Watching that graceful figure depart, Xiao He felt a pang of regret, while also admiring Bu Lianshi's understanding and manners.

"Husband, what are you thinking about?"

"I just realized today that you're not only incredibly shrewd, but also full of mischief!"

At this moment, Guan Yinping finally came to her senses and understood what Xiao He meant by "good things come in pairs." She lightly poked his chest with her slender finger and began to complain.

As the saying goes, absence makes the heart grow fonder. Looking at his charming and beautiful wife, Xiao He couldn't help but feel his blood boil, and the little flame in his heart suddenly ignited.

"Since my wife says I'm full of wicked schemes, then I'll show you just how wicked I am..."

Xiao He chuckled and waved his hand to extinguish the candle flame.

...

The next day.

Xiao He was refreshed and in high spirits, so he led more than 14,000 troops from Dongwu City, heading north along the Wei River straight to Gaomi.

Two days later, the army advanced to Gaomi and joined forces with Zhang Liao and Su Fei.

Gaomi is located in the middle of the Wei River, which connects Qing and Xu prefectures and divides the Beihai Kingdom into eastern and western parts from south to north.

Xiao He predicted that if Cao Cao refused to give up the two eastern commanderies of Qingzhou, he would definitely lead his army straight to the Wei River, intending to recapture Gaomi.

Gaomi City was the key to victory or defeat in the Battle of Qingzhou.

Therefore, when Xiao He led his troops north, he ordered Su Fei to leave more than a thousand men to guard Xiami City, while he himself led his naval forces ashore and headed south to Gaomi.

The three armies joined forces at Gaomi, totaling approximately 20,000 infantry and cavalry.

Xiao He entered the city and went straight to the county government to visit Bian and her son.

"Zhi pays respects to Military Advisor Xiao!"

Cao Zhi was an old acquaintance, and Xiao He recognized him immediately upon entering. He hurriedly stood up, stepped forward, and bowed respectfully.

It was obvious to everyone that Cao Zhi's respect was not merely out of fear of Xiao He's status, but rather stemmed from heartfelt reverence.

That was a heartfelt admiration for Xiao Hezhi's "literary talent".

"Young Master Cao, you're too kind. Please don't stand on ceremony."

Xiao He quickly helped Cao Zhi up, offering a few polite words of concern and care.

"Mother, little sister, this is the world-renowned Xiao Bowen. Why don't you come over and pay your respects?"

Cao Zhi turned around and introduced the two women behind him.

Xiao He glanced over and realized that the middle-aged woman must be Bian Shi, but he couldn't guess who the beautiful and bright-looking girl next to her was.

Judging from Cao Zhi's use of the word "little sister," she must be Bian's daughter, his younger sister.

"I have long admired the name of Military Advisor Xiao, and today I am finally fortunate enough to meet him."

“We are deeply grateful to Strategist Xiao for sending men to rescue my mother and children. We have no way to repay this kindness. Please accept our bow!”

As she spoke, Lady Bian curtsied and bowed deeply.

Xiao He had to admire Madam Bian's pragmatism.

As a former wife of Wei Gong, now fallen on hard times, she came to him in a state of disgrace, yet she was able to maintain her proper position, showing him the utmost respect and even humbling herself to perform this act of worship…

This ability to be flexible and adaptable is enough to ensure she has enough to eat and wear for the rest of her life and a peaceful end.

Xiao He quickly helped Bian up, and naturally offered words of comfort and greetings.

Madam Bian then turned around and gave her daughter a wink.

"This humble servant, Cao Jie, greets Military Advisor Xiao."

The bright and beautiful young woman stepped forward calmly and gave him a graceful curtsy.

Cao Jie.

The familiar name made Xiao He's eyes light up.

Looking at the bright and beautiful, yet composed young woman before him, Xiao He suddenly realized her identity.

In history, after killing Empress Fu, Cao Cao forced Liu Xie to marry his three daughters and made one of them empress.

Cao Cao's daughter eventually became the last empress of the Han Dynasty.

If he remembered correctly, the last empress's name was Cao Jie.

This must be the girl in front of me.

Historical records only state that she was Cao Cao's daughter, but do not record who her mother was.

Now it seems that she was the daughter of the Bian family.

Lady Bian was probably afraid that if Cao Jie stayed in Wei, she would incur Cao Cao's wrath, so she took her with her when they fled.

It must be said that as a mother, Bian was indeed a qualified and loving mother who spared no effort to protect her children.

Based on this alone, Xiao He felt a certain respect for Lady Bian. "This humble servant greets Military Advisor Xiao."

Seeing Xiao He staring at him absentmindedly, Cao Jie blushed slightly and curtsied again.

Xiao He then came to his senses and quickly helped Cao Jie up, offering the usual words of comfort and greetings.

"Madam Bian, Young Master Cao, I've heard that you've come south to join our Great Chu, and that you've even brought the Imperial Seal of the State?"

After the formalities were over, Xiao He finally turned the conversation to the matter he cared about most.

Lady Bian and Cao Zhi exchanged a glance, and Lady Bian nodded slightly.

Cao Zhi then returned to his inner room, took out a gold box, and carefully presented it to Lady Bian.

Bian took a deep breath and personally presented the golden box to Xiao He:
"The Imperial Seal of the State is here. Please take a look, Military Advisor Xiao."

Xiao He's expression involuntarily turned solemn.

After all, what they were about to witness was not an ordinary rare treasure, but the legendary Imperial Seal of the State.

The value of this item cannot be described as priceless.

This Imperial Seal of the State was a treasure that stood alongside the Nine Tripods of Yu the Great in later generations!

The Nine Tripods symbolize the vast land of China, its mountains and rivers, and the state.

The Imperial Seal of the State symbolizes the divine right of kings.

Possessing just one of them is enough to prove to the world that one is ordained by Heaven.

If both are present...

Xiao He stopped thinking about it and quickly brought his thoughts back to reality. He took a deep breath and slowly opened the golden box.

A four-inch square imperial seal came into view.

Xiao He carefully picked it up, examined it closely, and began to verify its authenticity.

Just as the rumors described, the jade seal was four inches square, with five dragons intertwined on the top knob. Looking at the front, it was indeed engraved with the eight characters "Received the Mandate of Heaven, May Your Life Be Long and Prosperous".

The only drawback is that one corner of this jade seal is inlaid with gold.

Legend has it that when Wang Mang usurped the Han throne, he demanded the Imperial Seal from Liu Ying, the last emperor of the Han dynasty. In her grief and anger, the Empress Dowager tried to smash the seal against him, but it broke off on the ground, leaving a corner missing.

Wang Mangfu had no choice but to order the craftsmen to patch it with gold, which is why it looks like this now.

"The Imperial Seal of the State is nothing more than this. If possessing this item could grant one control of the world, how could the Qin Dynasty have fallen, and how could Wang Mang have usurped the Han throne?"

"In the end, gaining the world still depends on strength."

"But for Lao Liu, this is icing on the cake; it's better to have something than nothing..."

After a moment of reflection, Xiao He, having satisfied his curiosity, put the jade seal back.

"My son and I wish to present this item to Duke Chu. Please ask Military Advisor Xiao to pass it on."

Bian handed the gold box to Xiao He.

Xiao He gently pushed her away and said calmly:
"Since this item was brought by Madam and Young Master Cao, it is only right that you present it to my Master Chu yourselves. I need not do it for you."

"Alright then, tomorrow I will arrange a team to escort you south to Xiapi to pay your respects to Duke Chu."

Lady Bian intentionally gave the credit for presenting the imperial seal to Xiao He in order to curry favor with him.

Xiao He had already made enough contributions and didn't need this one more, so he intended to return the credit to Bian Shi.

Bian understood Xiao He's intention and was deeply moved, a hint of gratitude flashing in her eyes.

Xiao He immediately ordered Deng Ai to select an elite team to escort Bian Shi and her two children south to Xiapi the next day, carrying the Imperial Seal of the State.

Xiao He then summoned Su Fei, Gan Ning, Zhang Liao, and other generals to discuss how to deal with Cao Cao.

Everything was as he expected.

He had barely arrived in Gaomi when his scouts reported that Cao Cao had led an army of 20,000 to Chang'an City on the west bank of the Wei River, where they were to join forces with Cao Zhen's troops.

Cao Cao's strategic intentions were all too clear: he wanted to cross the Wei River to the east and recapture Gaomi City.

...

Chang'an City, Central Military Tent.

"Reporting to Lord Wei, my spies have sent word that the Lady and Prince Zijian did not travel by sea from Xiami to Xuzhou, but instead went south and arrived at Gaomi City."

"Now Xiao He is leading more than 10,000 troops north to Gaomi to join forces with Zhang Liao's rebel troops."

"I surmise that Xiao He will send troops to escort the Lady and the others south to Xuzhou to seek refuge with that big-eared bandit."

"I believe this is an opportunity."

Cao Zhen reported with excitement, his words carrying a hint of ambiguity.

Cao Cao clenched his fists, a glint of light flashing in his eyes.

He thought his wife and son had already run away, and there was no chance of chasing them down or recovering the Imperial Seal.

Unexpectedly, the Bian family appeared in Gaomi, giving him new hope.

Cao Zhen's so-called opportunity was naturally to send troops to secretly cross the Wei River, intercept and kill Lady Bian and her son, and reclaim the Imperial Seal of the State.

"Xiao He will surely send elite troops to escort the lady and the others south. Moreover, the Chu army's spies and scouts must have already been densely deployed in Chang'an. If our army makes any troop movements, Xiao He will definitely be alerted, and I'm afraid we might alert him."

Jiang Ji, however, poured cold water on the idea.

The glint in Cao Cao's eyes faded, and his brows furrowed once more.

Jiang Ji's reminder was not without reason; to intercept and kill that wretched woman and her rebellious son, at least several thousand men would be needed.

Such a large troop movement could not possibly escape the notice of the Chu army.

Given Xiao He's intelligence, once he senses something, he will surely take corresponding countermeasures, causing his ambush to fail.

"Am I really going to just stand by and watch that wretched woman and her rebellious son slip away right under my nose with the Imperial Seal?"

"How hateful!"

Cao Cao slammed his fist on the table, his face burning with resentment.

At this time.

A swordsman standing before the tent stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said:
"Reporting to Lord Wei, I dare to volunteer. Without Lord Wei needing to mobilize a large force and alert the enemy, I can lead my hundred or so swordsmen to bring back the Lady and the Fourth Prince and retrieve the Imperial Seal for Lord Wei!"

(End of this chapter)