My Three Kingdoms is not right

Dong Cheng is currently in an awkward position in the court, unwanted by both his maternal and paternal relatives.

The literati and scholars in the imperial court despised her for being vulgar, and Cao Cao's civil and military officials didn't consider her one of their own. Apart from the empty title of "General of the Guards," she was nothing.

"Your Majesty," Dong Cheng said with difficulty, regaining his composure, "Cao Cao knows of my loyalty. In order to weaken Your Majesty's influence, she is using her power as the Grand Commandant and Minister of Works to press forward step by step."

"My former subordinates have long been disbanded and reorganized into various camps."

Liu Xie shook his head helplessly: "Cao Cao is really..."

Before he could finish speaking, he swallowed the words back. A deep sense of powerlessness welled up inside him.

Two hours earlier, during the court assembly, she heard news from Shouchun.

Sun Ce captured Princess Liu Xun, a secret envoy of the imperial court, in Jiangdong and escorted her to Shouchun to present her to Yuan Shu as a token of loyalty. Yuan Shu greatly praised her.

Ah Xun has fallen into Yuan Shu's hands?!

Liu Xie almost lost his balance at that moment.

She forced herself not to lose her composure in front of the court officials, but after the court session ended, she sat blankly for a long time, not even eating lunch.

Only one thought kept running through his mind—how to save Ah Xun?

After much deliberation, it turned out that Dong Cheng was the only military general who could be of use.

Only then did he hastily order someone to secretly summon her to the palace.

But now even Dong Cheng has no troops to mobilize.

What should we do then?

After Liu Xun persuaded Lü Bu to pledge allegiance to the court and kill Yuan Shu's envoy, Yuan Shu was furious and sent his general Zhang Xun to lead an army of tens of thousands, allied with Han Xian and Yang Feng who were roaming Huainan, to attack Lü Bu in seven routes.

Cao Cao was overjoyed. Taking advantage of their infighting, he decided to send troops to Wancheng to remove Zhang Xiu, a thorn in the side of Xuchang.

She took almost all of the main force with her, so now Liu Xie wants to send troops to rescue his brother, but he has no way to do so.

Liu Xie sought out Xun Yu, who was left to guard Xudu.

Xun Yu offered some gentle words of comfort, and finally said, "Your Majesty, please rest assured, I will immediately send an urgent letter to Cao Cao and ask her to make a decision."

Ask her to make the decision?

By the time the urgent letter reached Wancheng, by the time Cao Cao finished his battle, and by the time he made his decision, Ah Xun's body would probably be cold by then!

Thinking of this, Liu Xie suddenly raised his head, a resolute glint in his eyes: "Minister Dong, you are the only person by my side who understands military affairs and is skilled in battle."

"If I were to place the Imperial Guards under your command, and you were to try and gather some of your former troops, could you possibly rescue Ah Xun?"

Dong Cheng's heart skipped a beat.

She had just recounted her situation of having her military power stripped away; though there was resentment in her words, it was just talk.

But she never expected that this young emperor would be in such a hurry.

My situation might just take a turn for the better!

Dong Chengqiang suppressed his overwhelming joy, but his face remained solemn: "I am deeply grateful for Your Majesty's trust."

"Whether it will succeed or not, I dare not say for sure. But if I have military power, I can contact my former subordinates in Liangzhou and try to make some moves. Perhaps there is still a chance."

This statement was watertight, leaving ample room for maneuver.

It both acknowledged the difficulties and offered hope.

The key lies in the phrase "having military power in hand".

Liu Xie looked anxious: "Even so, it's not certain we'll make it in time..."

Dong Cheng said in a deep voice, "Your Majesty, there is always a glimmer of hope if we do it."

"Moreover, the reason Cao Cao dared to be so disrespectful to the court is ultimately because military power was entirely in her hands, wasn't it?"

"Even if we don't consider this time, what about next time? And the time after that? If Your Majesty doesn't relinquish Cao Cao's military power, you will never have the opportunity to make decisions."

These words struck a chord with Liu Xie.

She clenched her fists in silence: Dong Cheng is right.

Cao Cao's arrogance, the court's helplessness, and Ah Xun's tireless work day and night all weighed heavily on her mind.

I can't keep running away like this anymore.

We cannot hide behind Ah Xun, pretending that everything is peaceful and serene, pretending not to see the crisis behind the so-called revival of the Han Dynasty...

Just as she was about to agree to Dong Cheng's request, a series of hurried footsteps suddenly came from outside the hall.

"Minister of the Imperial Secretariat, Xun Yu, requests an audience with Your Majesty!"

Liu Xie was slightly taken aback and exchanged a glance with Dong Cheng.

"Announce."

This usually composed and elegant Lord Xun entered the palace with an unusually cheerful smile:

"Congratulations, Your Majesty!"

Before Xun Yu had even stood firmly, he clasped his hands together and bowed deeply to Liu Xie, his voice filled with barely suppressed joy:

"Your Majesty, I have just received news that Her Highness has successfully persuaded Sun Ce to defect and is currently on her way back to Xuchang. She will be able to enter the city later today!"

"What?!"

Liu Xie looked delighted: "Really?!"

"Absolutely true." Xun Yu nodded with a smile. "I know that Your Majesty is concerned about Your Highness's safety day and night, and dared not delay for the slightest. I came immediately upon receiving the report."

"What's the story behind the news that Sun Ce captured him?" A huge weight lifted from Liu Xie's heart, and he felt weak all over, his voice trembling.

Xun Yu smiled and said, "I am not clear about the specific details yet. However, I heard from the messenger that it was a trap set by Your Highness and Sun Ce, deliberately done to show Yuan Shu."

"The intricacies of the matter can only be explained in detail when Your Highness returns."

"Okay, okay!"

Liu Xie could no longer contain his excitement, and his eyes even reddened with joy.

"Prepare the carriage!" She stood up and paced back and forth. "I'm going out of the city to fetch Ah Xun!"

Xun Yu was slightly taken aback and subconsciously wanted to dissuade her. But as the words were about to come out, his gaze fell on Liu Xie's pretty face, which was flushed, and seeing the faint tears in her eyes, his heart softened.

"Your Highness has rendered such a great service, persuading Lü Bu and turning Sun Ce against his cause, dismantling Yuan Shao's allies without losing a single soldier. Such merit deserves Your Majesty's personal welcome outside the city." Xun Yu bowed and said, "Please wait a moment, Your Majesty. I will go and inform the officials of the court to accompany Your Majesty to welcome him."

"Okay!" Liu Xie nodded vigorously.

Xun Yu accepted the order and left.

The palace suddenly became lively, with palace servants hurrying about and messengers riding out of the palace gates to deliver messages to various government offices.

The palace was filled with a joyous atmosphere.

No one noticed the fleeting regret that crossed Dong Cheng's eyes.

Just one step away.

Just now, she was truly only one step away from regaining control of the military.

Unfortunately, Xun Yu's good news came too quickly.

If it had been just a moment later, the Emperor would have entrusted the Imperial Guards to her, giving her another chance to recruit her old troops...

Even if they couldn't rival Cao Cao, at least they wouldn't be as pathetic as they are now.

Well, man proposes, God disposes.

Dong Cheng exhaled a breath of stale air, suppressing his turbulent thoughts. When he raised his head again, a polite smile had appeared on his face.

Looking at the blushing profile of the young female emperor beside the imperial desk, she seemed lost in thought.

Liu Xie was instructing the eunuchs on the details of arranging the welcome, including which ceremonial guards, which city gate, and what rituals to perform along the way... He spoke quickly, his brows and eyes brimming with barely suppressed joy and anticipation.

She had witnessed the emperor's doting affection for her younger brother countless times. But only today did she suddenly realize that this sibling bond was far deeper and more intense than she had imagined.

There are more opportunities to take advantage of this.

Dong Cheng calmly withdrew his gaze.

Although it was a little short this time, I found a feasible way.