Three Kingdoms: Fusion of Entries, Change of Destiny

Chapter 163 Paying Homage to the Emperor and Returning East to Yanzhou

Han Siam's White Wave cavalry were the first to collapse, retreating from the battlefield in a sorry state like stray dogs.

Immediately afterwards, Li Le's army was thrown into disarray, suffering heavy losses and fleeing in disarray.

Seeing that the situation was beyond saving, Yang Feng sighed and helplessly led his remaining troops in a hasty retreat.

The Wyvern Riders and the Trapped Battalion didn't even lose a single person...

Wyvern Riders are untouchable by others, while the Trapped Camp is completely impervious to their attacks.

The gap between the two sides in terms of equipment and training is simply too large.

Meanwhile, in a scenic spot behind them, Cai Yan and Cao Cao were enjoying the view.

Cai Yan, however, had no interest in appreciating the beautiful scenery. She frowned slightly and asked with some concern, "Mengde, aren't you going to the front lines to command the battle?"

Cao Cao smiled slightly, secretly took Cai Yan's hand, and said, "With you here, I don't need to worry."

Cai Yan tried to pull her hand away from Cao Cao's grasp, but failed several times. A blush crept onto her face, and she simply let Cao Cao lead her.

"His reputation wasn't very good in the past... I never expected that he would become a general now," Cai Yan said softly.

Cao Cao chuckled and replied, "Zian is just pretending. Once you come home with me, you'll see that he is not only well-versed in military strategy and skilled in warfare, but also capable of governing the country and ensuring its stability!"

"Is it really that powerful?" Cai Yan's beautiful eyes widened, filled with surprise.

"Of course, you don't even know whose brother he is."

"..."

The two were whispering to each other when a messenger suddenly arrived on horseback.

The messenger dismounted, knelt on one knee, and shouted, "Reporting, my lord! The enemy has been defeated by our army! We have won a great victory!"

"They won so quickly?!" Cai Yan exclaimed softly, her eyes filled with disbelief.

Cao Cao, his face full of pride, stood tall and proud, as if he had personally won the victory, and said, "Let's go see the Emperor!"

Cao Cao's vanguard quickly arrived at Anyi City.

Cao Cao, Cao Yan, and Zhao Yun were brought before Liu Xie by the eunuchs.

At the city gate, Cao Cao, Cao Yan, and Zhao Yun, led by a palace attendant, strode toward the government offices in the city.

Because Dian Wei looked too fierce, Cao Yan worried that he would frighten the emperor, so he left him in the camp to guard the prisoners.

The government offices in the city have now been used as the emperor's temporary palace.

Emperor Xian of Han, Liu Xie, sat in the main seat of the government office hall, wearing a slightly worn dragon robe.

After Cao Cao and his entourage entered the hall, Cao Yan subconsciously turned his head to look at both sides. He saw many ministers, dressed in rags, standing to the side with their faces full of exhaustion and vicissitudes.

The concubines and palace maids huddled in a corner, trembling, their eyes filled with fear and helplessness.

To be honest, they look no better than refugees now, and there's no trace of their former high-ranking officials and nobles.

Cao Cao walked at the front, with Cao Yan and Zhao Yun on his left and right respectively. The three of them knelt down and paid their respects.

Cao Cao announced loudly, "Your subject, Cao Cao, Governor of Yan Province and General of Valiant Might, along with Cao Yan, Prefect of Chenliu, and Zhao Yun, General of Valiant Cavalry, have come to pay homage!"

While Cao Yan and the others were secretly observing the emperor and his officials, the others were also observing the three of them.

Cao Yan changed into a scholar's attire, wearing a blue robe and a square scarf on his head. He had a handsome face and an elegant demeanor, which made him instantly likable.

Zhao Yun, clad in silver armor and with a long sword at his waist, is handsome, majestic, and exceptionally brave, inspiring admiration in all who behold him.

Looking at Cao Cao, he was short in stature and unremarkable in appearance...

Although Liu Xie was afraid, he still tried his best to straighten his back and maintain the posture that an emperor should have, and said, "You may rise!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" the three said in unison, then stood up.

Cao Cao said to Liu Xie, "Your Majesty, the drought in Hedong has resulted in a complete crop failure, and we cannot stay any longer."

"So, you intend to welcome His Majesty to Yanzhou, is that right?" Grand Commandant Yang Biao, who was standing next to Liu Xie, suddenly asked.

"So it's Grand Commandant Yang. I'm sorry for my rudeness." Cao Cao bowed and smiled broadly. He continued, "The world is in chaos, and there is no peace in any place except Yanzhou. There is really no other place to settle Your Majesty."

Upon hearing this, Liu Xie felt a chill run down his spine. He had just escaped the clutches of Li Jue and Guo Si; was he about to fall into Cao Cao's hands again? Unexpectedly, Yang Biao suddenly changed the subject and said to Emperor Xian, "Chen Yuanfang, Sima Decao, and Bian Wenli have all praised Mengde's loyalty and righteousness. In my humble opinion, this journey to Yanzhou may be a turning point for Your Majesty."

"When Mengde assassinated Dong Zhuo, this old minister knew he was a loyal and righteous man!" Zhao Qi stroked his beard and gave Cao Cao a knowing look.

Cao Cao returned a grateful look.

"Yes, it has been nearly four months since the imperial edict was issued, and of all the lords in the land, only Cao Mengde has come to protect the emperor!"

The ministers began to discuss among themselves, and the atmosphere in the hall gradually eased.

Seeing that they had gained the trust of the emperor and his ministers, Cao Yan said to Cao Cao, "Brother, it's almost time to serve the food."

"Hmm, it should be about time." Cao Cao nodded upon hearing this, then turned to Zhao Yun and said, "Zilong, go and have someone bring the things up."

"Yes, sir!" Zhao Yun bowed to Cao Cao, then bowed to Emperor Xian, and then withdrew.

"Minister Cao, what's going on here..." Emperor Xian asked, looking puzzled.

Cao Cao looked at Cao Yan, indicating that it was his turn to explain his idea.

Cao Yan rolled his eyes at Cao Cao, secretly thinking to himself that Cao Cao always put him in the lead.

But this was not the time to argue. He could only cup his hands, smile, and say to Liu Xie, "Your Majesty, I specially asked the soldiers to cook meat porridge."

Meat congee!

Upon hearing this, a series of swallowing sounds filled the hall, and everyone's stomachs began to rumble.

They had been suffering from hunger these days, so how could they not be excited to hear that there was meat porridge?

"There's...there's meat to eat?" Liu Xie's eyes widened, filled with surprise and disbelief.

He never expected that Cao Cao and Cao Yan would be so thoughtful, thinking of preparing food for them during such a difficult time, and even providing them with meat!
It's sad that even the emperor, a man of great stature, can't afford to eat meat...

Cao Cao pointed at Cao Yan and said, "It was all Zi'an's idea."

He said that His Majesty had escaped danger and endured great hardship; at this moment, what he desired most was not gold and silver treasures, or beautiful women, but a bowl of hot meat porridge.

Cao Yan didn't know why Lao Cao always put him in the lead, but this wasn't the time to argue, so he could only accept it.

Helpless, Cao Yan could only cup his hands again, a warm smile on his face, and said, "Your Majesty, please fill your stomach first, and then we can discuss this further."

"Yes, yes!" Liu Xie nodded hurriedly, eagerly anticipating the meat porridge that was about to arrive.

Before long, an excited shout came from afar: "Your Majesty, the meat porridge is here!"

As the eunuch called out, a rich aroma of meat wafted over.

The fragrance instantly filled the entire hall, and everyone took a deep breath, their faces showing a look of rapture.

"smell good!"

"This smells like meat!"

"It really smells like meat! I haven't smelled meat in years!"

"So many! Do we get some too?!"

The ministers whispered amongst themselves, their eyes filled with longing.

Dozens of Cao's soldiers, each carrying two large bowls, entered the hall.

Seeing Emperor Xian staring intently at the large bowls of meat porridge in the soldiers' hands, Cao Cao smiled gently and said, "Your Majesty, drink this bowl of porridge, and then set off with us back to Yanzhou."

At this moment, Liu Xie was completely captivated by the aroma of the meat porridge, and had no other thoughts in his mind.

He nodded hastily in agreement, saying, "There is a food shortage in Hedong, and it is close to Li Jue and Guo Si, so it is not a place to stay for long... Let us follow Cao Qing's advice and move east to Yanzhou immediately!"

Although Emperor Xian Liu Xie was actually most looking forward to seeing Yuan Shao, Yuan Shao had not yet sent anyone to pay homage to him.

Cao Cao had a strong and well-equipped army, and Liu Xie really had no choice but to follow Cao Cao.

Seeing the emperor's approval, Cao Cao's smile widened. He raised his hand slightly and said loudly, "Present this to His Majesty and all the ministers and officials!"

(End of this chapter)