My Three Kingdoms is not right

Cao Cao's proposal to move the capital did not provoke much opposition in the court.

The once prosperous capital was burned to the ground by Dong Zhuo's fire, and it certainly doesn't seem suitable to be the capital now.

Not to mention the potential military threat from Western Liang leaders such as Li Jue, Guo Si, and Zhang Ji.

The palaces and government offices were in ruins, making it difficult for officials to live and work.

The city walls were severely damaged, allowing thieves to easily enter and exit.

Most importantly, the large-scale relocation of the population led to the decline of commerce, the abandonment of farmland, and the loss of the imperial court's source of funds and provisions. At present, the court is almost entirely dependent on Cao Cao for support.

Cao Cao stated that transporting grain to Luoyang was too costly and unsustainable.

If the imperial court moves its capital to Luyang, she can continuously contribute money and grain from Xu County to ensure the court's expenses.

"He who eats another's food is bound to him; he who takes another's money is bound to him." Nobody wants to go back to the days of drinking wild vegetable porridge every day.

Except for Liu Xun...

After the court session ended, Cao Cao had just stepped out of the palace when Liu Xun called him back. Looking closely, he saw that Grand Commandant Yang Biao was also standing beside Liu Xun.

Liu Xun cupped his hands in greeting: "Regarding the Imperial Guards, I have something I'd like to ask you two for help. Would you please stay and come with me to see my elder sister?"

The two naturally agreed.

Liu Xun did not tell the truth.

He knew in his heart that this relocation of the capital would mark the beginning of a rift between the imperial court and Cao Cao.

Although such a split was inevitable, he hoped it would happen later and its intensity controlled as much as possible. Only in this way could he achieve his goal of restoring the Han Dynasty by utilizing the imperial lineage and Cao Cao's power.

Moreover, he could not allow Cao Cao to habitually dominate the situation.

We need to seize this opportunity to give her a warning!

……

In the side hall, Liu Xie had just changed out of his court robes.

Seeing the three people who had arrived together, she smiled and asked, "Didn't the court session just end?"

After bowing, Liu Xun naturally sat down on the futon next to Liu Xie, then looked up and smiled, saying, "Your Majesty, there are some things that are not convenient to say in court."

Liu Xie nodded slightly, dismissed the attending eunuchs, and glanced at the three men: "Speak."

Liu Xun did not speak immediately, but first looked at Cao Cao:

"General Cao, you may speak now."

Cao Cao: ? ? ?

A rare hint of confusion flashed in his usually deep and aloof eyes.

"this……"

—What should I say? What should I say?

"If General Cao is worried that the Empress will be angry, then I will speak for myself." Liu Xun smiled slightly and began to speak on his own: "At the court meeting, Cao Cao said that he would move the capital to Luyang, but in reality he wanted to go to Xuchang."

A single, casual remark instantly created a tense atmosphere in the hall.

Cao Cao's pupils suddenly contracted, and he looked at Liu Xun with a mixture of shock and anger.

She didn't understand why the princess would suddenly expose her at this moment.

I'm afraid I've fallen into this girl's trap!

Liu Xie was taken aback at first, then abruptly stood up and turned to Cao Cao, his delicate brows furrowing slightly: "Minister Cao, why did you conceal this from the court?"

Although Yang Biao did not speak, he looked at Cao Cao with a serious expression, waiting for her to explain.

A fine layer of cold sweat beaded on Cao Cao's forehead as his mind raced.

The first reaction was to deny it.

But then he realized that since Liu Xun dared to speak so directly, he must have been confident. His sudden attack at this moment was probably well-prepared.

"Your Majesty, please don't misunderstand." Liu Xun's voice rang out at the right moment, still as relaxed and smiling as ever.

"Cao Cao asked me to bring her to an audience, precisely to explain the reasons behind this to my elder sister."

"Oh?" Now, everyone looked at Liu Xun with puzzled expressions.

Liu Xun counted on his fingers: "Before the court assembly, Cao Cao told me: Luoyang has no food, the city is in ruins, and transportation is cut off. There is no need to say more about these things."

"Xu County in Yingchuan has convenient transportation, fertile land, and has been developed by her for many years, making it an ideal place to move the capital."

Cao Cao quickly replied, "That's exactly right. Only when the court moves to Xuchang can I build palaces for Your Majesty, construct government offices and residences for the officials, and provide them with ample funds and provisions."

Yang Biao asked, "Then why did you mention going to Luyang in court?"

"It's not to hide it from the court," Liu Xun explained, "but to lull Yang Feng into a false sense of security."

"That's right!" Cao Cao now understood Liu Xun's intention, and feeling somewhat relieved, he added, following the lead:

"Yang Feng is stationed in Liang County, plundering the local people and disrespecting the emperor, yet he still wants to control the court for his own benefit. His intentions are despicable!"

"If Yang Feng knew that the court was going to move to Yingchuan and get out of her control, she would definitely send troops to stop it and offend the emperor."

Liu Xun and Yang Biao both nodded slightly upon hearing this.

Yang Feng was originally a rebel from the Yellow Turban Army.

When the imperial court fled to Chang'an, they had no choice but to rely on her. But deep down, she looked down on this bandit-like military leader.

"Yang Feng and Han Xian have many spies in the court, which is why Cao Cao deliberately mentioned moving the capital to Luyang during the court assembly." Liu Xun nodded to Cao Cao, a knowing look on his face.

"Luyang is close to Liang County, which is on the edge of Yang Feng's sphere of influence. Not only will she not stop it, she will be happy to see it happen."

Having said that, Cao Cao saw no need to hide anything any longer and said directly:

"Give her lavish gifts to lull her into a false sense of security; then suggest going to Luyang to reassure her. When she thinks she has everything under control, we'll change direction halfway, passing through Yanshi and Gongxian, and go directly into Yingchuan..."

"By the time Yang Feng realized what was happening, the imperial court had already made arrangements for him in Xu County."

As Liu Xie listened, his brows gradually relaxed.

"I see," Liu Xie finally spoke, his voice much calmer now. "Minister Cao is not trying to deceive me, but only to deceive Yang Feng."

Cao Cao immediately bowed and said, "Your Majesty is wise. I had no intention of deceiving you. Therefore, I expressed my intentions to the princess beforehand and asked her to be my witness. I came to apologize immediately after the court session."

Liu Xie nodded slightly, his brows gradually relaxing.

In her view, since Luoyang was indeed untenable, there was not much difference between moving the capital to Luyang or Xuchang.

Yang Feng was arrogant and domineering, and had no respect for the court. It was naturally a good thing to get rid of her control.

Upon closer examination, Cao Cao's arrangement was indeed a well-thought-out plan for the court.

She looked at Yang Biao: "What does Grand Commandant Yang think?"

Yang Biao's gaze lingered on Cao Cao's face for a moment, then he gave Liu Xun a meaningful look.

He finally nodded slowly: "If the court were to move to Yingchuan, and receive more support from General Cao, rebuilding the palaces and government offices, and restoring the court's prestige, this old minister believes it would not be a bad idea."

Seeing that his younger brother and Yang Biao both supported the move, Liu Xie felt relieved: "In that case, the matter of moving the capital shall be done as suggested by Minister Cao."

"Your subject obeys the decree." Cao Cao bowed again, "I will do my utmost to protect the court."

As she stood up, her gaze inadvertently swept over Liu Xun.

The young man stood in the center of the hall, a faint smile playing on his lips.

……

Outside the side hall, the setting sun cast a golden glow on the corridor.

Cao Cao was standing under the corridor, his back to the palace gate, his red court robes standing out conspicuously in the twilight.

Hearing footsteps, she turned around, her phoenix eyes fixed on Liu Xun.

The two stared at each other for a moment.

"Your Highness," Cao Cao spoke first, his voice revealing neither joy nor anger, "why did you suddenly bring up the matter of moving the capital in court just now?"