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

Luoyang City.

Large camps have sprung up all around the city.

Under the command of Xiao He, nearly 40,000 Chu troops arrived at the gates of Luoyang and began to set up camp, completing the siege of this former capital of the Han Dynasty.

Main business in the north of the city.

A seriously wounded man has been carried into the central command tent.

The seriously injured man was none other than the false emperor Liu Huan.

This cowherd was indeed exceptionally clever.

When Cao Pi threw a sword at him, he was so desperate that he pretended to be dead, thus deceiving not only Cao Pi but also Sima Yi.

After Sima Yi pushed him off the imperial carriage, he was captured by the pursuing Chu army. Seeing that he was still alive, they carried him back to Xiao He for disposal.

However, Liu Huan was indeed on the verge of death at this time, clinging to life with only a breath left.

"Are you the false emperor installed by that traitor Cao?"

Xiao He crouched down and leaned close to the dying man before him, asking him a question.

Liu Huan's gradually unfocused gaze swept over Xiao He, and he asked:

"Who...who are you?"

Xiao He had no need to hide anything and frankly said:

“I am Xiao He, the Grand Commandant of the State of Chu.”

Upon hearing Xiao He's name, Liu Huan felt as if he had been given a shot of adrenaline. His unfocused eyes suddenly sharpened, and he struggled to sit up.

"Are you the legendary immortal strategist under the King of Chu?"

Liu Huan asked excitedly, a hint of admiration even visible in his eyes.

Xiao He nodded and said calmly:

"The person you're talking about should be me, but I'm not some kind of immortal."

Liu Huan's eyes were filled with ecstatic joy, as if he had met his long-admired idol, and his spirits were suddenly lifted.

"That old scoundrel Cao Cao was so cunning, yet you outsmarted him and caused him to lose every battle, resulting in the deaths of his son and brothers. In the eyes of us common folk, you are a god!"

"No, you're not just a god, you're also our benefactor~~"

Liu Huan's face was full of admiration and gratitude, and he kept praising her.

A hint of confusion flashed in Xiao He's eyes.

Although Liu Huan was a false emperor, he was installed by Cao Cao, so theoretically he should be on the same side as Cao Cao.

But Liu Huan kept calling Cao Cao an "old thief," clearly showing that he hated Cao Cao to the core.

On the contrary, they admired and respected him greatly, and were full of gratitude.

Furthermore, Liu Huan even referred to himself as "one of us ordinary folks," which is even more outrageous.

Even if Cao Cao wanted to install a false emperor, he should at least have chosen a member of the imperial clan to be the emperor.

People from such backgrounds have absolutely no connection to ordinary people.

Considering all the suspicious points, Xiao He asked, "Who exactly are you?"

Liu Huan sighed, his face filled with helplessness, and said:

"My original name was Cao Huan, and I was a cowherd from Qiao County. One day, that scoundrel Cao forcibly abducted me to Xuchang, changed my name to Liu Huan, and forced me to become the emperor of the Han Dynasty..."

Cao Huan then recounted the whole story.

After a brief moment of lucidity, he was completely exhausted within a few words, and his breath gradually weakened again.

Xiao He smiled.

Cao Cao actually chose a cowherd to be the emperor of the Han Dynasty. It has to be said that Cao Cao's actions were truly bizarre and full of twisted humor.

Is this an attempt to mock or deliberately humiliate the Han Dynasty?

"I heard from the soldiers that you jumped off the chariot yourself, intending to defect to our King of Chu. Why is that?"

Xiao pulled his thoughts back to the present and continued to ask.

Cao Huan then truthfully recounted the events leading up to his stabbing of Cao Pi inside the carriage, his feigned death after being wounded, and his subsequent being pushed off the carriage by Sima Yi.

"Although I am a cowherd and have little education, I at least know what is good and what is evil, who is a good person and who is a bad person."

"I know Cao Cao is a treacherous and cruel villain, as ruthless as can be to the common people. I also know that the King of Chu is benevolent, never indiscriminately killing people, and even giving us land..."

"Over the years, although I was forced by Cao Cao to become a fake emperor, the one I admire most in my heart is the King of Chu."

“Now Cao Pi wants to kidnap me and take me to Hebei. If I go with them, I will die at the hands of the father and son sooner or later. That’s why I want to take a gamble, kill Cao Pi and go to the King of Chu.”

"I think the King of Chu will not blame me and will surely give me a way out."

"But who would have thought that my strike only wounded Cao Pi, but failed to kill him..."

As Cao Huan spoke, he became increasingly weak and listless, his eyes growing more and more unfocused.

"Immortal Xiao, tell the King of Chu that he must destroy the traitor Cao Cao and become the true emperor of the Han Dynasty. Only when he becomes emperor can all the people of the world live a good life..."

After uttering these final words with all her remaining strength, Cao Ying stopped breathing and remained motionless.

This time, he was truly dead.

The generals on either side couldn't help but sigh with emotion, and showed a certain respect for the false emperor before them.

"I never imagined that a cowherd could be so sensible, knowing that Cao Cao was a tyrant and our King of Chu was a benevolent ruler..."

Behind her, Guan Yinping also sighed with regret.

"Justice resides in the hearts of the people; though they may be illiterate, they have a scale in their hearts..."

Xiao He sighed, reached out and closed Cao Huan's unclosed eyes, and ordered that Cao Huan be properly buried.

Although Cao Huan was a false emperor, he was forced to be installed as emperor by Cao Cao. Now that he is dead, I believe that with Liu Bei's magnanimity, he will surely forgive his crimes.

Moreover, Cao Huan had the heroic act of stabbing Cao Pi before his death and defecting to the Great Chu, which can be considered a meritorious deed.

His merits and demerits cancel each other out; he deserves to be laid to rest in peace.

“My lord, Cao Pi is truly despicable. It’s a pity that Cao Huan only wounded him and failed to kill him directly.”

"Should we send troops across the river to continue the pursuit?"

Guan Yinping was unwilling to accept that Cao Pi was not dead.

Xiao He gave a cold laugh, dismissing it as nothing:
"Cao Pi is a cunning strategist, but his talent and magnanimity are far inferior to Cao Cao's. Killing him would only encourage Cao Cao to make Cao Chong his heir."

"It's not a good thing for us that Cao Chong, this child prodigy, became the heir apparent of Cao Wei."

“If that’s the case, why not keep Cao Pi alive and let him continue to compete with Cao Chong for the throne, so that Cao Cao will repeat Yuan Shao’s mistakes? Wouldn’t that be even better?” Guan Yinping’s bright eyes darted around, and she immediately understood her husband’s intention.

At this moment, guards entered the tent one after another, and good news followed one after another.

"Reporting to the Grand Commandant, General Zhang has sent a report of victory from Hulao Pass. Our army has captured Hulao Pass ahead of Cao Ren's reinforcements."

"Reporting to the Grand Commandant, General Gan has just sent a report of victory, saying that he has successfully captured Hangu Pass!"

Xiao He's eyes lit up.

Zhang Liao and Gan Ning were incredibly efficient; they successfully captured two passes in just one day.

With the two passes closed, the passage for Wei troops to reinforce from the east and west was blocked.

The situation in Luoyang is now firmly in place, ready to trap and annihilate the enemy.

Now he can focus on besieging Luoyang without worry.

Xiao's confidence soared, and he happily waved his hand:

"Pass down the order: let the soldiers have a good meal tonight and get a good night's sleep."

"Tomorrow, the entire army will march out and raze Luoyang to the ground!"

...

Hanoi County, southwest of Wen County.

A carriage had already stopped outside the Sima family manor.

Sima Yi's younger brother, Sima Fu, was leading several dozen of his family soldiers, waiting beside the carriage.

Footsteps sounded, and a noblewoman helped a young girl out.

The noblewoman was Zhang Chunhua, the wife of Sima Yi.

That beautiful young girl was none other than his sworn sister, Guo Zhao.

"Sister, I think we shouldn't go to Luoyang."

Just before Guo Zhaolin boarded the carriage, he stopped, a hint of regret appearing on his face.

Zhang Chunhua frowned and said unhappily:
"Sister, I've already explained the reasons to you until I'm hoarse. Didn't you promise to go to Luoyang to serve the Second Young Master? Why are you going back on your word before you leave?"

Guo Zhao bit her lip, hesitated for a long time, and finally said:

"Although Zhao's parents died early and her family fell into decline, she was still from a respectable family and not a prostitute."

"It's not that I mind being a concubine, but even if I were to become a concubine, I should be married according to the proper etiquette, with a proper title and status."

“Now my sister is sending me to Luoyang to serve that second young master, without any title or status. I’m afraid I’ll bring shame to the Guo family. How can I face my father’s spirit in heaven?”

Zhang Chunhua understood.

Although her family had declined, this girl still remembered that her father had once been a prefect of a prefecture. She did not want to serve Cao Pi casually, without any title or status, which would be a disgrace to the Guo family.

Sima Yi wrote that Cao Pi was too impatient and had not bothered to hold a ceremony for taking a concubine, so he urged Cao Pi to send Guo Zhao to Luoyang for his pleasure.

She clearly couldn't fulfill Guo Zhao's wishes.

"My dear sister, you should always be flexible and adaptable, and not be too rigid."

“If you were to marry an ordinary man, your brother-in-law and sister would make sure he married you in a grand and glorious way.”

“But the person you are about to marry is no ordinary man. He is the eldest son of the King of Wei, and he will become the heir apparent of the Great Wei and the King of Wei’s man.”

"If you are fortunate enough to serve him and win his favor, you may become the Crown Prince's wife or even the Queen in the future."

"We should seize this blessed opportunity and make it a reality first. As for titles and status, why should you care so much about them, sister?"

Zhang Chunhua grasped Guo Zhao's hand and patiently offered her words of comfort and guidance.

Guo Zhao's face, however, showed no joy at rising to prominence; instead, he sighed softly:
"I have heard that this second young master is known for murdering the emperor. It was also this second young master who suggested the plan for King Wei to flood Yanzhou. The people of Yanzhou hate him to the bone."

"Does Sister really think that someone like that can be made the heir apparent by the King of Wei?"

Zhang Chunhua's expression shifted slightly, clearly not expecting Guo Zhao to have such insight.

After rolling her eyes a few times, Zhang Chunhua sneered:
“Sister, you are worrying unnecessarily. Your brother-in-law said that whether or not one can become the heir has nothing to do with reputation, popular support, or talent.”

Whether the second young master can become the heir apparent depends entirely on the King of Wei's whim; it is entirely up to him.

"Do you think our king cares about reputation or whether people support him or not?"

Guo Zhao was startled.

Zhang Chunhua then smiled confidently and said:
"Don't worry, with your brother-in-law's assistance, the Second Young Master will be made the Crown Prince of Great Wei sooner or later."

"With your beauty and talent, little sister, you will surely bewitch that second young master, and all his affections will be given to you."

"If you become empress one day, your brother-in-law and I will still need your help."

Guo Zhao remained silent.

Sima Fu, who was waiting impatiently, urged Guo Zhao to get on the carriage as soon as possible so that they could arrive in Luoyang before nightfall.

Guo Zhao was helpless, knowing that what was done was done and there was no turning back.

With a soft sigh, he could only silently board the carriage.

Zhang Chunhua finally breathed a sigh of relief and murmured:
"Zhongda's honey trap is truly similar in effect to Wang Yun's honey trap back then."

"With Guo Zhao's connection, when Cao Pi inherits the throne, my husband's position will be unshakeable. It won't be long before our Sima family becomes a prominent clan like the Xun and Cui families..."

Zhang Chunhua became increasingly smug, and the corners of her mouth involuntarily turned up.

Sima Fu then mounted his horse, bid farewell to his sister-in-law, and prepared to escort Guo Zhao south.

Just as the carriages and horses were still stationary, a group of people came rushing towards them at breakneck speed.

The Hanoi Commandery was located in the heart of the Wei Kingdom. When troops suddenly arrived, Sima Fu was naturally not too vigilant. He only guessed that Cao Pi might be impatient and had personally sent troops to pick up Guo Zhao and take her to Luoyang.

Sima Fu immediately spurred his horse forward to meet him.

In the blink of an eye, a young general roared in and reined in his horse in front of Sima Fu.

"My name is Sima Fu. May I ask your honorable name, General? Are you perhaps here to receive someone on the orders of the Second Young Master?"

Sima Fu rode forward, smiling broadly as he cupped his hands in greeting and asked.

"Sima Fu? Sima Yi's brother...?"

A fierce glint flashed in the young soldier's eyes, and he sneered:
"I'm going to kill you!"

Before he finished speaking, the young general thrust out with his spear.

"puff!"

Sima Fu's heart was pierced through. (End of Chapter)