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

Chapter 108, Jia Xu's Choice
What would a person who is good at protecting himself do if he suddenly found that his peaceful life had been completely disrupted and his life was threatened?

In Liu Xie's view, Jia Xu's ability to protect himself was both his strength and his weakness!
Jia Xu wanted to protect himself, but Liu Xie deliberately prevented him from doing so.

After several days of public opinion fermentation, all sorts of unfavorable rumors have spread widely in Xuchang, creating the conditions for an assassination.

On New Year's Eve, the guards in Jia Xu's mansion were somewhat lax, and some even secretly drank a little wine.

It's Chinese New Year, everyone's in a good mood, everyone's celebrating, and some are even talking about having some fun with women after their shift ends.

Suddenly, two dark figures jumped over the wall from the backyard. The guards in the backyard were caught off guard and were instantly approached by the assassins.

Puff puff!
A flash of cold light, and one after another, Cao's soldiers and guards fell into pools of blood.

It was Wang Wu and Li Zhong who arrived. The two acted decisively and successfully dealt with the dozen or so guards in the backyard. Then they began to search for Jia Xu's exact residence.

The fighting sounds from the backyard, though brief, still alerted others, and some of the maids in the mansion screamed in alarm.

"No, there are assassins!"

Wang Wu and Li Zhong did not stop them from shouting, because the emperor had given instructions that the assassination tonight did not need to succeed.

The backyard was in chaos, with maids and servants running around in a panic, which attracted the attention of the guards in the front yard. Wang Wu and Li Zhong searched room by room and finally found Jia Xu.

Jia Xu's face turned pale. Standing on the pavilion, he mustered his courage and loudly questioned, "I have no grudge against you, why do you want to kill me?"

"Hmph, you know what you've done."

Without wasting words, Wang Wu charged forward with his sword.

The arriving guards quickly approached and blocked their way from both sides.

The two charged forward recklessly. Wang Zhong was struck in the back by a sword, but he was almost upon Jia Xu. With a shout, he leaped high into the air and slashed fiercely at Jia Xu.

Jia Xu was terrified and tumbled down the stairs without thinking, falling so hard he was dizzy and seeing stars.

Li Zhong picked up a steel knife and threw it over. The knife flew past Jia Xu's shoulder and landed with a thud in a pillar. The force of the blow caused the blade to shake violently.

A dozen guards desperately tried to intercept them, and the group attacked with swords and spears, finally capturing Wang Wu and Li Zhong.

"Caught, caught!"

The guards shouted excitedly, but Jia Xu was still in shock and felt no joy at all.

This matter quickly alarmed Cao Ren, who arrived at the scene and arrested Wang Wu and Li Zhong, taking them to the Sikong Mansion.

It was already past midnight, and Cao Cao was making out with Zou Shi. They had taken off their clothes and were rolling around together, extremely affectionate. It was a rare occasion for them to be in such a good mood during the New Year, and Cao Cao was somewhat displeased that his good time was suddenly interrupted.

Cao Cao hurriedly put on his clothes and went to the front hall.

Jia Xu and Cao Ren were both there, and Man Chong also arrived. As the magistrate of Xudu, Man Chong took the assassination attempt on a minister in the city very seriously.

"what happened?"

Cao Cao glanced coldly at everyone and asked in a deep voice.

Cao Ren stepped forward and said loudly, "My lord, we have captured two assassins. They actually tried to assassinate Jia Xu and killed more than a dozen guards."

Seeing the look of fear on Jia Xu's face, Cao Cao quickly came over and offered a few words of comfort.

Then, Cao Cao came to Wang Wu and Li Zhong and looked down at them for a long time.

The two showed no fear. Although they were forcibly pressed to the ground, they stubbornly straightened their chests and looked arrogant.

"Tell me, why did you attempt to assassinate a high-ranking official?"

Wang Wu snorted, "Everyone in Xudu knows that Jia Xu betrayed the court and the emperor, and almost killed Cao Sikong and his son. Such a traitor deserves to be killed by everyone!"

Li Zhong gritted his teeth and said, "We have no regrets about dying in Cao Sikong's hands. We only regret that we were unable to kill this villain with our own hands."

Their reasons were impeccable, and Cao Cao even felt a certain appreciation for their fearlessness.

However, he had to protect Jia Xu.

"Nonsense, utter nonsense! What do you know? The court has already pardoned Jia Xu. He is now a minister in the court, serving His Majesty and me. Your assassination attempt on him is tantamount to going against the court and is an act of rebellion."

Faced with Cao Cao's reprimand, the two remained unmoved. Wang Wu proudly replied, "Although we are just commoners, we know the meaning of loyalty and righteousness. His Majesty is benevolent, Cao Cao is benevolent, and the eldest son is also benevolent in treating the people. Yet this man defies the court and has rebelled repeatedly. Not only us, but many others want him dead. Even if Cao Sikong wants to kill us, we will not regret it. We only hope that Cao Sikong can listen to the voices of us common people."

Li Zhong also said, "Cao Sikong can protect him for a while, but he can't protect him forever. His Majesty hates this man, and we hate him too. It's just a pity that we couldn't kill him with our own hands."

Looking at Jia Xu again, Li Zhong glared with bloodshot eyes and spat fiercely. Jia Xu's face grew even uglier. In the past, if others had only gossiped behind his back or thrown a few bricks randomly, he could barely tolerate it.

But now, the situation has escalated; someone wants him dead, and it seems there are many who do.

This matter also made Cao Cao feel very troubled, but at this moment he only wanted to protect Jia Xu. His face immediately darkened and he said coldly, "He attempted to assassinate a court official and still dares to talk nonsense and make excuses."

Enraged, Cao Cao drew his sword and, without saying a word, personally stabbed Wang Wu and Li Zhong to death.

Then Cao Cao turned around and comforted Jia Xu again, "Wenhe, don't worry, I will increase the number of guards in your residence and protect you strictly."

Jia Xu shook his head and knelt down on the ground with a thud.

Cao Cao was stunned, and so were the others. Cao Cao hurriedly asked, "Wenhe, what does this mean?"

"Please grant me permission to resign and return to my hometown."

Having only recently submitted to Cao Cao, Jia Xu found himself targeted for assassination. He felt that staying by Cao Cao's side was too dangerous, and his life was not at all safe.

However, Cao Cao was extremely reluctant and hurriedly advised, "Wenhe, they were just a few petty thieves. I have already executed them. Don't worry, your safety will be guaranteed from now on."

Cao Cao was extremely depressed that Jia Xu wanted to resign during the Lunar New Year. After much persuasion, he finally managed to dissuade Jia Xu from resigning.

However, a few days later, Jia Xu was assassinated again.

This time, Jia Xu insisted on resigning, saying that Xudu was too dangerous.

Guo Jia also advised Cao Cao, "My lord, His Majesty dislikes Jia Xu, and the people of Xudu are also very dissatisfied with him. Look, these wandering knights who attempted assassination all feel that they are eliminating a scourge for the court. The will of the people cannot be defied, nor can the will of Heaven. Why not let him resign and go back for the time being? It's not too late to recall him after things have calmed down."

Cao Cao sighed heavily, "Alas, so be it, let him leave first."

Cao Cao personally took Jia Xu's hand and escorted him all the way to the outside of the city. He also gave Jia Xu a lot of gold and silver jewelry and kept urging him to go home and stay for a while before returning.

Jia Xu was deeply moved, but despite his emotion, he still felt that his life was more important.

Leaving Xudu, the journey was smooth, but as they approached Woniu Mountain, a group of bandits suddenly appeared and intercepted Jia Xu's carriage.

Subsequently, Jia Xu was locked in a room, and for several days no one paid any attention to him except when it was mealtime, when someone would bring him food.

About three days later, the door suddenly opened, and a familiar figure appeared in front of Jia Xu.

Jia Xu stared in astonishment, his eyes widening. He remained stunned for a long time before finally letting out a cry of surprise.

"Your Majesty, so all of this was your arrangement!"

Liu Xie looked at him expressionlessly, and after a while, he said, "Jia Xu, I have gone to great lengths for you, and even lost the lives of two loyal and righteous men in vain."

Jia Xu smiled bitterly, “Your Majesty’s efforts have not been without reward. They have made me dare not stay in Xuchang any longer, and dare not serve Cao Sikong any longer. I never expected that all of this was Your Majesty’s scheme.”

Just by seeing Liu Xie here, Jia Xu understood everything.

"Your Majesty deliberately targeted me, causing me to suffer criticism and be assassinated, making me afraid to stay in Xudu any longer. Now Your Majesty has come to meet with me again. Could it be that Your Majesty wants me to switch allegiance to Your Majesty?"

Liu Xie nodded. "As expected of Jia Xu, your crimes deserve death several times over. Since Cao Cao has the magnanimity to accept you, I am not a petty person either. Besides, you have no other choice. Consider it as atonement for your past sins."

After hearing these words, Jia Xu felt much more at ease. It was all part of the emperor's plan, so he no longer needed to be worried.

In any case, if Liu Xie wanted to kill him, it would only take a word.

"Your Majesty, are you not afraid that Minister Cao will discover that I was robbed on the way?"

Liu Xie glanced at him and sneered, "Cao Cao gave you so much gold and silver jewelry before he left. There are often bandits in Woniu Mountain. It's perfectly normal for someone to be greedy and try to kill you. Besides, you won't be showing your face to the world for a long time, so it won't be long before Cao Cao stops caring about your life or death."

Jia Xu was taken aback and looked up at Liu Xie. "Your Majesty, are you not planning to let me go outside?"

"What do you think? You have no need to show your face until I have completely taken control of the situation. Of course, if you want to see the light of day again soon, then help me make some good plans."

Jia Xu remained silent; this kind of kidnapping had truly broadened his horizons.

Suddenly, he went from being Cao Cao's strategist to becoming the emperor's strategist, and one who couldn't even show his face in public.

Jia Xu calmed himself down, thought it over carefully, and then knelt before Liu Xie, saying, "Your subject is willing to assist a wise ruler and serve Your Majesty!"

Liu Xie nodded. "Alright, I believe in Wenhe's sincerity. I will not forget the help you gave me in Chang'an. If you help me turn the tide and reverse the situation in Xuchang, I will clear your name and restore your reputation in the future!"

(End of this chapter)