My Three Kingdoms is not right

Yang'an Hall is not spacious.

This is understandable. When the imperial court first arrived in Luoyang, there were piles of rubble and brambles everywhere, and not a single usable palace was available.

The emperor even had nowhere to stay for a time and could only temporarily reside in the old residence of the eunuch Zhao Zhong.

The palace in question was hastily renovated by Zhang Yang, the governor of Hanoi, in just half a month, so it was naturally not very elaborate.

However, because many high-ranking officials and ministers in the court had either died or fled, there were not many left, making the place seem rather empty.

Liu Xun was not seated with the ministers. As Princess Wannian, with the same rank as a marquis, he stood to the left of the emperor, observing everyone in the hall without making a sound.

Cao Cao's army was right outside the palace. The clear sound of horses' hooves and the soft clatter of armor could be faintly heard through the cracks in the palace doors, adding to the already tense atmosphere.

The courtiers whispered among themselves, their faces a mixture of anticipation and unease.

This army was far more disciplined than the bandit-like followers under Yang Feng and Han Xian, yet it still inspired instinctive fear in them.

The emperor's maternal uncle, Dong Cheng, smiled, clearly indicating that she had been in contact with Cao Cao for some time. Meanwhile, Han Xian, standing at the head of the military generals, had a somewhat pale face.

Previously, Yang Feng had stationed troops in Liang County, and Dong Cheng's forces in the city were weak. In the entire Luoyang, Han Xian was the most powerful, and could almost control the life and death of the court.

She originally thought Cao Cao was nothing more than Zhang Yang and didn't take him seriously.

However, having witnessed the elite of Cao Cao's army today, and recalling the mound of skulls outside the city, he felt a growing unease.

"Summon Cao Cao to an audience."

Liu Xie's voice rang out in the hall, more steady than expected.

Liu Xun glanced sideways at the girl sitting on the throne—

The fifteen-year-old emperor had specially changed into his most solemn black robe today, and his ink-black hair was combed up meticulously, making his still childish face look exceptionally fair.

At first glance, it does indeed possess a certain natural air of authority. However, the fingers gripping the armrest tightly, with slightly white knuckles, betray the owner's inner tension.

Liu Xun sighed softly to himself, and without making a sound, moved his position half a step to the side to ensure that he was always within her sight.

When Cao Cao's figure appeared at the palace gate, all the officials and ministers fell silent.

He was not wearing armor, nor carrying a sword.

She walked gracefully into the hall, dressed in a red court robe.

Then he straightened his clothes, lifted his robe, knelt down, and bowed deeply.

His forehead touched the ground, and he knelt three times and kowtowed nine times.

His movements were meticulous and extremely solemn.

"Your Majesty, I pay my respects."

The girl's voice was clear and bright, her words earnest: "Your Majesty is in distress outside the capital, and I was unable to come to protect you sooner, causing Your Majesty to suffer. This is my fault. I deserve death, I deserve death."

By the end, his voice had choked slightly.

The entire hall was astonished.

Liu Xun took in everyone's reactions and sighed inwardly.

No wonder.

Since Dong Zhuo's usurpation of power, the officials had become accustomed to arrogant and fierce soldiers.

Not to mention that Li Jue stood on horseback with his sword drawn when he entered the court, Guo Si even allowed his troops to plunder the inner palace.

Even the current General of Chariots and Cavalry Yang Feng and General Han Xian only bow slightly when they meet the emperor.

Cao Cao, a powerful warlord with a strong army, performed such a grand ceremony, even shedding tears. The contrast with them was indeed stark.

Liu Xie, seated on his throne, felt a barely perceptible tremor in his fingertips. He forcefully suppressed the urge to rise, striving to keep his voice steady:

"Minister Cao, you may rise and dispense with the formalities. Your presence here to protect me greatly pleases me."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Cao Cao raised his head, his gaze sweeping over the slender emperor on the throne, then over the pale and emaciated officials below, without uttering any more elaborate pleasantries:

"Your Majesty, I have already transported grain into the city, totaling 10,000 bushels of rice, 500 dan of dried meat, 100 jars of wine, and 500 bolts of cloth, along with a quantity of miscellaneous items such as sewing tents, silk thread, sweet pears, and jujubes, to supplement the court's needs."

Upon hearing this, the courtiers immediately became excited.

This is a timely help!

Finally, I don't have to drink wild vegetable porridge anymore!

Liu Xie stood up excitedly: "Minister Cao is loyal to the country, very good! Very good!"

Liu Xun, standing to the side, couldn't help but smile.

Finally, we can have meat to eat!

Given his status, he shouldn't be starving. But food without any oil or fat just makes him hungrier the more he eats...

Before the smile could fully bloom, a question suddenly occurred to me.

and many more.

Cao Cao brought grain, so the imperial court no longer needed to dig for wild vegetables.

What will I use to cut it in the future?

What do you use to gain experience?

How can you get combat power for free?

Okay, so the world where only I am injured has been achieved.

Inside the hall, Cao Cao bowed again, his expression even more submissive: "This is my duty, Your Majesty, please rest assured. I have another request, and I hope Your Majesty will grant it."

"Please speak freely, my dear minister."

"The palace here is simple and crude. I request that Your Majesty repair the palace to enhance the majesty of the court."

"Okay! Okay!" Liu Xie readily agreed.

"Furthermore," Cao Cao raised his eyes, "the security in and around Luoyang is not yet stable, and Your Majesty's guards may be insufficient. I wish to appoint elite troops from the army to serve as palace guards to ensure Your Majesty's safety."

Just as Liu Xie was about to nod in agreement, a clear and calm voice came from beside him:

"I hereby inform Your Majesty that Luoyang is now protected by Zhang Yang and Yang Feng outside, and by Han Xian, Dong Cheng, and Cao Cao inside, making it as impregnable as a fortress."

"The Imperial Guards, including the Tiger-Ben and Feathered Forest Guards, are more than capable of handling the task. Cao Cao has led his troops on a long and arduous journey, and the soldiers need rest. There's no need for them to trouble themselves with guard duties, is there?"

As soon as the words were spoken, all eyes instantly turned to the young man standing below the Emperor's steps. A hush fell over the hall.

The officials present were not fools. A few people were too excited to think it through, while most people realized the problem but pretended not to understand.

In short, no one spoke up.

Cao Cao's proposal may have been made out of loyalty, but it was indeed overstepping his bounds.

Right now, everyone is struggling to make ends meet and has almost no ability to protect themselves, so who has time to care about these things?

If the emperor refuses, he will appear to be ungrateful and heartless; if any minister raises an objection, he will be tantamount to offending Cao Cao to the death.

The one who spoke at this moment was neither a court official nor the emperor, but merely a member of the imperial family. Ironically, this became the perfect excuse.

Surely a high-ranking official of the imperial court shouldn't be too concerned about arguing with a mere teenager?

Cao Cao looked at the young man standing below the steps of the Emperor's palace.

There was still a hint of childishness in his features, but his tone of voice was unusually calm.

Moreover, even though it was a refusal, no one could find fault with it.

Her beautiful phoenix eyes narrowed slightly, a hint of amusement flashing in them.

interesting.

Liu Xie glanced at Liu Xun, then at Cao Cao, and spoke with slight hesitation: "Minister Cao, what the princess said... is indeed reasonable. Surely there's no need to trouble your soldiers with the escort duties?"

Cao Cao bowed deeply, his voice so calm it betrayed no emotion:

"Your Majesty, I obey your decree. Thank you for your consideration, Your Majesty and Princess."

The more open and honest she appeared, the more chills ran down Liu Xun's spine.

She's such a great actress.

At this moment, she had the entire court firmly under her control, and everyone considered her a great and loyal minister.

Unfortunately, they couldn't fool Liu Xun, who had traveled through time.

Don't worry!

Liu Xun clenched his fist inwardly:

With me here, the Cao Wei regime's usurpation of the Han dynasty could never have happened!

Just then, Cao Cao gave him a meaningful look, then smiled brightly and said:

"Your Majesty, I have long admired Princess Wannian's virtuous reputation, and having met her today, I am deeply captivated. If she were to marry a princess and serve the imperial family forever, it would truly be a blessing for our clan."

Marry the Princess?

Your Highness!

Liu Xun stared at the girl in red before him, and his mind went completely blank.

Cao Cao... wants to marry me?