With Cao Cao by my side, what do I have to fear from the world?

Chapter 103, Neglecting Jia Xu

"My lord, what should we do with Zhang Xiu? Should we kill him?" Cao Ren shoved Zhang Xiu and brought him in front of Cao Cao.

Cao Cao snapped out of his grief, turned to look at Zhang Xiu, raised his eyebrows menacingly, but quickly loosened his clenched fist.

Seeing that Zhang Xiu was also injured and bleeding a lot, Cao Cao waved his hand and said, "Find someone to cover him up immediately."

Then, Cao Cao held Cao Hong's body and wept bitterly. Guo Jia and others watched from the side. The soldiers were also deeply moved by Cao Cao's grief.

After a while, Guo Jia stepped forward to comfort him, "My lord, the dead cannot be brought back to life, please accept my condolences."

Cao Cao wiped away his tears, recalled the past, and said with a sob, "Since Zilian followed me, he has been brave in battle and always loyal. Back then on the banks of the Bian River, when we were surrounded, he risked his life to carry me across the river. He once said that the world could do without Cao Hong, but it could not do without me, Cao Cao. This time, he once again risked his life to cover the rear and resist the pursuers. Now we are separated by life and death. It is truly heartbreaking."

Guo Jia probably understood Cao Cao's true thoughts at this moment, and the reason why he cried so bitterly was half true and half false.

Half of the reason was that Cao Cao regretted his decision because of Cao Hong's performance; the other half was that Cao Cao wanted to use Cao Hong as an example to inspire other generals and soldiers.

Even though it was Zhang Xiu who killed Cao Hong, Cao Cao insisted that Cao Hong died fighting off pursuers. Cao Cao didn't mention Zhang Xiu's name at all, clearly intending to erase everyone's hatred for Zhang Xiu so that he could be more easily recruited.

It was just a crying scene, but it was full of profound meaning. As Cao Cao's most trusted strategist, Guo Jia naturally saw through it but would not say it!

As for Jia Xu, upon learning that Zhang Xiu had been ambushed and captured alive, he immediately ordered his men to return to Wancheng.

Cao Cao then ordered his men to collect Cao Hong's body and send it back to Xuchang, since Cao Hong still had a wife and children there, and he couldn't just bury him somewhere else in a muddled way.

Upon seeing the wounded Zhang Xiu, Liu Xie was not surprised. He even personally helped Zhang Xiu treat his wounds and took the opportunity to inquire about the course of the battle.

Zhang Xiu was quite straightforward and did not hide anything.

Zhang Xiu felt quite awkward upon seeing Liu Xie, after all, he had rebelled once before.

Zhao Yun, who was standing to the side, heard that Cao Hong was dead, but no one noticed that a smile flashed across his eyes.

First it was Cheng Yu, then Cao Hong.

Everyone in Cao Cao's camp was kept in the dark, but Zhao Yun knew that it was all part of His Majesty's scheme.

Whether Cao Cao or the emperor would prevail, the East Wind or the West Wind, remained unclear, but Zhao Yun was already filled with hope and confidence.

He believed that as His Majesty continued to intervene, the scales of victory would gradually tip in His Majesty's favor.

Cao Cao arrived shortly afterward, his eyes still brimming with tears and his eyes red-rimmed. Upon seeing Zhang Xiu, he hurriedly inquired with concern, "Your Majesty, how is Zhang Xiu's injury?"

Even though Zhang Xiu had just killed Cao Hong, Cao Cao was very concerned about Zhang Xiu's injuries, something Liu Xie knew he couldn't match.

Zhang Xiu was also somewhat moved and looked at Cao Cao with excitement.

Cao Cao patted him lightly and said, "General Zhang Xiu, as long as you sincerely surrender, I can forgive and forget what happened in the past."

Cao Cao's magnanimity was indeed beyond that of ordinary people.

Zhang Xiu stared at him for a while, as if to confirm the credibility of Cao Cao's words.

Liu Xie also chimed in, saying, "General Zhang, Cao Cao is concerned about the country and has the world in his heart. Don't worry, he genuinely wants to recruit you."

Zhang Xiu was impulsive and couldn't make up his mind. Liu Xie gave Cao Cao a wink and advised, "General Zhang is badly injured. It's not too late to discuss this matter in a few days."

Cao Cao did not press him, nodded understandingly, and told him to take good care of his injuries.

As they stepped out of the tent, Guo Jia approached and said, “My lord, now that Zhang Xiu has been captured, why don’t we take this opportunity to turn around and attack Wancheng? Perhaps we can capture Wancheng without a fight.”

Cao Cao nodded, "Excellent, return with your troops immediately!"

The soldiers of Wancheng thought that Jia Xu, who had returned to the city ahead of time, would defend the city and teach Cao Cao a lesson when he returned to attack.

Unexpectedly, after two days of stalemate, Jia Xu surrendered on his own initiative.

Upon seeing Jia Xu, Cao Cao immediately grabbed his hand and said, "This time, I am not pleased with the capture of Wancheng, but rather with the acquisition of Wenhe!"

Jia Xu surrendered the city, and Liu Xie naturally revisited the place, entering Wancheng surrounded by Zhao Yun and others.

From afar, they could see Cao Cao holding Jia Xu's hand, the two chatting animatedly, seemingly without end.

Guo Jia approached and, seeing Liu Xie's expressionless face, asked, "Your Majesty, Wancheng surrendered without a fight, which should bring joy to everyone. Why are you not happy?"

Liu Xie snorted, "I have said before that Jia Xu almost harmed Cao Cao, and the eldest son and Dian Wei almost lost their lives. This time, General Cao Hong has also lost his life. How can I swallow this insult?"

Cao Anmin chimed in, "Me too, I almost got killed by them last time."

Guo Jia was both amused and exasperated, glancing at Cao Anmin with displeasure. "Didn't you hear what Lord Cao said? Past events will be forgiven."

Guo Jia knew that Cao Cao greatly appreciated Jia Xu, even more than he did Zhang Xiu.

However, Guo Jia was helpless against Liu Xie's behavior.

But at least Liu Xie did not oppose Cao Cao's attempt to persuade Jia Xu to surrender, which Guo Jia found quite remarkable.

Guo Jia sighed, "Your Majesty, everything Cao Cao did was for Your Majesty, so that the world could be at peace as soon as possible." Liu Xie nodded.

Upon seeing Liu Xie, Jia Xu hurriedly knelt down and said, "Your Majesty, I, Jia Xu, pay my respects."

All eyes immediately focused on Liu Xie's face. Even Cao Cao smiled at him, giving Liu Xie a look that said not to take it to heart.

Liu Xie stared at Jia Xu for a long time without speaking.

Jia Xu didn't dare to raise his head and just knelt on the ground. Although he remained calm, he felt uneasy.

Cao Cao's willingness to accept him pleased Jia Xu, but the emperor's indifference made Jia Xu realize that his situation had become very precarious.

"Jia Xu, raise your head."

After a while, Liu Xie finally spoke, his voice devoid of any emotion.

Jia Xu looked up at Liu Xie and saw that he was still expressionless, and his heart skipped a beat again.

"I've come to ask you, was the ambush on Cao Cao at Wancheng your scheme?"

"Yes."

"Was it your idea again that Zhang Xiu pursued them this time?"

"Yes."

Jia Xu was quite frank; he knew he couldn't hide such a thing.

"Jia Xu, Jia Xu, when I last met you, I truly praised you. I hoped you would sincerely submit to the court. Back in Chang'an, you took good care of me many times. I am not one to forget old friendships. However, when Zhang Xiu rebelled, you not only failed to dissuade him, but also plotted to kill Cao Cao and his son, almost severing one of my arms. For your crimes alone, killing your entire family would not be an exaggeration."

Cao Cao sighed helplessly. The emperor was speaking up for him, and he really didn't know what to say.

Cao Pi looked at Jia Xu, a hint of hatred flashing in his eyes.

Last time, Cao Pi rode away on horseback alone and was severely reprimanded by Cao Cao.

Cao Pi felt this was a great humiliation for him, and all of this was thanks to Jia Xu.

Cao Pi was unaware that Jia Xu had almost helped him. If Cao Ang had died, Cao Pi would have become Cao Cao's first in line to succeed him.

However, due to Liu Xie's intervention, Cao Pi's life completely deviated from its original trajectory, and Jia Xu went from being Cao Pi's benefactor to someone Cao Pi resented.

Cao Ang also sided with Liu Xie, feeling that Jia Xu had gone too far.

Liu Xie continued, "Fortunately, Cao Cao and his son were lucky and escaped unharmed. But this time, it was because of you that I lost a great general. Although Cao Hong died at the hands of Zhang Xiu, you deserve half the credit for his death."

Jia Xu grew increasingly nervous and uneasy, unable to refute Liu Xie's reprimand.

After all, he couldn't expect everyone to be as magnanimous as Cao Cao. Cao Cao could forgive and forget, but it would be difficult for others.

Liu Xie glanced at Cao Cao, who then gave him a meaningful look. Liu Xie changed the subject and softened his tone.

"However, since Lord Cao appreciates you and is willing to accept you, I will give you a chance for the sake of Lord Cao. But you must understand that I not only know how to be grateful, but I also hold grudges. From now on, you should take care of yourself."

Based solely on the phrase "take care of yourself," Jia Xu felt that his future was completely shrouded in shadow.

At this time, Jia Xu was unaware of Liu Xie's importance, so although Liu Xie's words made him uneasy, he felt that he would be fine as long as Cao Cao valued him.

Anyway, after that, Liu Xie never spoke another word to Jia Xu, and even when they met, he pretended not to see him.

Over the next two weeks, the remaining resistance in Nanyang was completely quelled, and Zhang Xiu surrendered after his injuries healed.

Liu Xie appointed Cao Ren as the Prefect of Nanyang, and the army successfully returned to Xuchang before the end of the year.

Cao Cao was very pleased with the successful capture of Nanyang, a great achievement, and sent a message to Xun Yu in advance.

So as soon as I returned to Xudu, I saw a grand welcoming procession from afar.

After entering the city, Cao Cao first paid homage to Cao Hong, posthumously conferred upon him the title of Marquis Gong, and also made proper arrangements for Cao Hong's family.

Cao Cao may have felt some guilt towards Cao Hong, but it wasn't much. Compared to his ambition to dominate the world, that little bit of guilt really didn't amount to much.

After that, Cao Cao frequently hosted banquets for Jia Xu, while Zhang Xiu's standing in Cao Cao's heart was considerably lower.

Soon, Jia Xu moved his family to Xuchang. One day, he had a rare moment of free time and unexpectedly ran into Liu Xie on the street.

Jia Xu then realized that the emperor could freely enter and leave the palace, something that was unimaginable in Chang'an.

Liu Xie, accompanied by Zhao Yun and Cao Ang, walked towards Jia Xu, chatting and laughing. Jia Xu quickly quickened his pace to meet them.

"I pay my respects to Your Majesty!"

On the street, Jia Xu knelt down, startling the passersby nearby.

(End of this chapter)