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

Chapter 114, To whom are Chen Deng and his son loyal?

When the two armies clashed, Liu Xie really wanted to go to the front line to see for himself and admire the heroic figures of Lü Bu and Cao Cao's generals fighting. However, his status as emperor became a constraint at this moment.

Cao Cao advised Liu Xie to stay in Xuzhou for the time being, allowing him to remain in the rear until the situation at the front became clearer, and then he could be brought over.

Cao Cao's actions were entirely for safety reasons, and Liu Xie had no way to refute them.

Sending the emperor to war is inherently risky and conflicts with etiquette. Once war breaks out, the outcome and even life and death are uncertain. If the emperor stays on the front lines, the target will be too obvious.

No matter how many reasons Liu Xie had, he couldn't persuade Cao Cao with his influence at the moment, so he had no choice but to obey.

After entering Xuzhou, they soon met Chen Deng and his son.

After exchanging greetings, Liu Xie couldn't help but praise the two men a few times.

“Yuanlong, you performed exceptionally well this time, greatly assisting the court. If it weren’t for you and your father acting as inside agents, we don’t know when Xuzhou would have been pacified.”

Chen Deng smiled modestly and bowed, saying, "This is all my duty. It is an honor for my father and me to serve the court."

Chen Gui was already quite old, with a full head of white hair, thick eyebrows, large eyes, and deep-set features, giving him an extraordinary air. His face was etched with the marks of time, and although it was covered in wrinkles, his eyes were exceptionally bright, sparkling with wisdom.

Liu Xie smiled and stepped forward to Chen Gui, took Chen Gui's hand, and praised him, "If we're talking about how we were able to take Xuzhou this time, then Elder Chen should be credited with the greatest contribution."

Since Chen Gui held no official position, only a noble title, this form of address made him seem more approachable.

Chen Gui hurriedly bowed and kowtowed. As he spoke, Chen Gui was also carefully observing the young emperor.

Suddenly remembering something, Liu Xie asked, "By the way, where are Liu Bei's relatives?"

Chen Deng was taken aback for a moment, then quickly replied, "Your Majesty, we dared not neglect Liu Bei's relatives and have even issued a strict order forbidding the soldiers from harassing them."

Liu Xie ordered, "Take me there immediately, I want to visit them."

Chen Deng dared not delay and immediately led the way.

Liu Bei's family was settled in a quiet courtyard, where armored soldiers guarded the entrance. Liu Xie stepped inside.

When Lady Gan and Lady Mi heard that His Majesty had arrived, they hurriedly came out to greet him.

After exchanging greetings, Liu Xie looked her over and nodded slightly. Although Liu Bei's ambition was currently facing many obstacles, the woman beside him was quite beautiful.

Lady Mi was petite and graceful, while Lady Gan was equally charming with skin as smooth as jade.

Lady Mi was gentle on the outside but strong on the inside. Although she was delicate, she was poised and generous, and her eyes revealed a unique firmness.

Although Madam Gan was not born into a prestigious family, she was beautiful and charming, especially her snow-white skin, which was unique.

Liu Xie vaguely recalled a story: it is said that when Liu Bei slept at night, he liked to place a piece of beautiful jade next to Lady Gan and compare them to see which one was whiter and brighter.
These are all trivial matters of refined taste, and Liu Xie naturally wouldn't care about them.

Liu Xie asked, "Since the fall of Xiaopei, have the two ladies been mistreated by Lü Bu?"

Lady Mi hurriedly shook her head, "Your Majesty, General Lü has sent people to protect this place, and outsiders are not allowed to enter. All necessities are delivered by special people. General Lü has not neglected us sisters in any way."

Lady Gan also spoke truthfully, praising Lü Bu.

Liu Xie nodded with satisfaction, then asked, "And what about last time?"

"The same thing happened last time; there was no mistreatment."

Chen Deng watched quietly, feeling a pang of sympathy for Liu Bei. His wife and children had been captured by Lü Bu twice in a row, which was hardly a glorious thing for anyone.

Liu Xie looked at Chen Deng and sighed, "Everyone says that Lü Bu is heartless, fickle, and unfaithful, but I don't quite agree. Lü Bu and Liu Bei were clearly rivals, yet they treated each other's relatives so well, and twice in a row. There aren't many people in the world who can do that!"

Chen Deng was taken aback, thinking: Does His Majesty intend to clear Lü Bu's name?
Curious, he asked, "May I ask Your Majesty, what is your opinion of Lü Bu?"

Liu Xie looked down at Chen Deng, his calm expression naturally exuding an imperial majesty that no one dared to underestimate.

"I am probably more familiar with Lü Bu than anyone else. Yuanlong has rendered meritorious service to the court by taking Xuzhou for me, but Lü Bu's contributions to the Han Dynasty are no less than yours."

Liu Xie's gaze involuntarily turned towards the direction of Chang'an.

That day, that tall figure, with his hair tied up in a golden crown and holding a halberd, faced Dong Zhuo, raised his arm and shouted, "By imperial decree, I punish the traitor!" Then, he leaped forward and swung his halberd, piercing Dong Zhuo's heart!
Chen Deng was somewhat unconvinced, but he couldn't argue with it. If it really came down to comparing, no one could match Lü Bu's achievements.

The more wicked Dong Zhuo was, the greater Lü Bu's contribution was!
Cao Cao's assassination attempt on Dong Zhuo was merely a show, yet he became famous throughout the land. But Lü Bu's actions were not just a show; he personally sent Dong Zhuo to hell!

"I will never forget anyone who has rendered meritorious service to the Han Dynasty!" Liu Xie smiled meaningfully, then pointed to himself and said jokingly, "My memory is excellent!"

Chen Deng had to put aside his contempt, and even Chen Gui felt that the young emperor in front of him was already quite extraordinary, even though he had only said a few words.

The news of cutting off one's hair in place of one's head had already reached Xuzhou.

Despite appearing to be in a completely weak position, the emperor repeatedly outmaneuvered Cao Cao. Chen Gui saw this more clearly: what the emperor was showing now was merely the tip of the iceberg.

The fact that he could simply accompany the army on campaigns already indicates that, in some ways, Cao Cao had already compromised with him.

Otherwise, who would allow the emperor to go on a military expedition?

Liu Xie looked at Lady Mi and Lady Gan again and instructed them, "Lu Bu treated you well. Although he did not expect anything in return, I hope you will remember this and never forget the kindness you have received!"

The two nodded hurriedly, "Your Majesty, we will remember!"

"By the way, has Liu Bei ever come back to visit you?"

Lady Mi shook her head. "My husband is following Lord Cao, and he is concerned with the affairs of the state. He has not yet returned."

Liu Xie said, "Yes, the affairs of the state are of utmost importance. Don't worry, your family will be reunited soon."

Liu Bei was a man destined for great things; he would never care about matters of personal affection.

That night, Liu Xie stayed at the former general's mansion of Lü Bu. At this time, Cao Cao did not have time to send people to monitor him, but only let Xiahou Dun temporarily guard Xuzhou City.

Liu Xie found a piece of black cloth, drew a pattern on it, and instructed the maids in the mansion to make an eye patch. "Zilong, go and summon General Xiahou."

Zhao Yun didn't ask any more questions, turned around and walked out. Not long after, Xiahou Dun arrived.

Xiahou Dun is now somewhat afraid of people. The more people there are, the more uncomfortable he feels. He has just lost an eye and needs a transition period. People in ancient times still cared a lot about facial features and appearance.

"Your Majesty, what brings you here?"

Xiahou Dun stood at a distance, not daring to get too close.

Last time, Zhao Yun knocked him unconscious with a chop to the neck, and then Liu Xie slashed and cut him in the eye socket with his knife. Although the matter is over, it left Xiahou Dun with a bad shadow.

Liu Xie smiled and said kindly, "Yuan Rang, why are you standing so far away? I won't harm you."

Liu Xie picked up the eye mask on the table and shook it. "I have made an eye mask for you. Just put this over your eyes and I guarantee that from now on, everyone will have even greater respect for Yuan Rang."

Xiahou Dun's face was still wrapped in a strip of cloth. After glancing at it a few times, he walked over with some doubt and took it from Liu Xie's hands.

Liu Xie beckoned, and Lu Xun understood immediately, quickly taking over a bronze mirror.

Xiahou Dun only glanced at the bronze mirror briefly before being startled by his own frightening appearance and took a big step back.

Liu Xie quickly comforted him, saying, "Yuan Rang, I know what you're worried about. Why don't you try wearing the blindfold?"

Xiahou Dun hesitated for a long time before turning around, facing away from Liu Xie, removing the cloth strip from his face and putting on an eye mask.

After putting it on, Xiahou Dun turned around and looked back. Liu Xie immediately clapped his hands and praised, "Not bad, your imposing manner is immediately apparent. Look at yourself, isn't it very domineering?"

Lu Xun held the bronze mirror closer, and Xiahou Dun mustered his courage and turned to look at himself in the mirror. Suddenly, he froze, completely still!
The one eye that he himself dared not face before was now completely hidden by the black eye patch, which not only concealed his physical defect but also accentuated his more resolute and courageous temperament.

Xiahou Dun watched for a while and couldn't help but nod secretly.

Liu Xie asked with a smile, "How is it? Not bad, right? I meant well. From now on, no one will laugh at you anymore. Not only that, this eye patch will become your unique symbol, making you more authoritative in the army and more lethal on the battlefield!"

Xiahou Dun hurriedly bowed and knelt, "Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Liu Xie nodded, chatted for a few more minutes, and then dismissed Xiahou Dun.

After Xiahou Dun left, Zhao Yun smiled and said, "Your Majesty, he is Cao Cao's most trusted general. I'm afraid he will be an enemy we have to eliminate in the future."

Liu Xie nodded. "Let's keep things separate. At least for now, he's not an enemy!"

As night deepened, candlelight was lit inside the room, the flames flickering and the faint light dancing up and down.

Xiahou Dun received the blindfold and had a very good impression of Liu Xie, so he naturally didn't send anyone to monitor him. Liu Xie had some free time, so he sat down and chatted with Zhao Yun and Lu Xun.

Liu Xie glanced at Lu Xun and asked, "Boyan, what do you think of Chen Deng and his son?"

Lu Xun pondered for a moment, his expression becoming very serious. He shook his head, "I see that they respect His Majesty, but that's all they show. As for Cao Cao, it's more of awe."

"And what about loyalty? Whom do you think they are loyal to? Cao Cao? The imperial court? Or me?"

This question stumped Lu Xun.

Zhao Yun said, "Your Majesty, do you also think they are unreliable?"

Liu Xie picked up a pen and paper and drew a circle on the paper. "See? When considering a problem, don't just think about the two of them, but also their families. Then the answer will be obvious."

Lu Xun was taken aback at first, then looked at the paper carefully for a few moments before suddenly realizing, "Your Majesty, do you mean that Chen Deng and his family are in Xuzhou, and no matter what they do, they are ultimately considering the interests of their families?"

Liu Xie nodded, his eyes revealing a look of appreciative joy. "This Xuzhou has changed hands several times. First it was Liu Bei, then Lü Bu, and now it has become Cao Cao. As for me, I don't hold any weight in the hearts of Chen Deng and his son for the time being. At most, I'm just someone who leaves an impression on them."

Liu Xie continued, "First, look at their attitude towards Liu Bei. Liu Bei is kind and benevolent, and has a good reputation. Chen Deng and his son are also quite close to Liu Bei. This time, Cao Cao seized Xuzhou. As Boyan said, they are full of awe towards Cao Cao. They respect him, but also have some fear. If Cao Cao continues to control Xuzhou in the future, then Chen Deng and his son will be completely loyal to Cao Cao."

Zhao Yun asked in confusion, "Does Your Majesty mean that if Xuzhou changes hands, they will be fickle and seek refuge with someone else?"

Liu Xie said decisively, "That's right. What they want is a powerful backer. Whoever can protect Xuzhou for them, they will side with. Therefore, Chen Deng and his son will not be loyal to anyone."

Zhao Yun thought for a moment and then said, "If that's the case, why didn't they show any kindness to Lü Bu after he arrived in Xuzhou? Instead, they conspired with Cao Cao and secretly communicated with him."

Liu Xie sighed, "Because they are from aristocratic families, they look down on Lü Bu. In their eyes, Lü Bu is nothing more than a rough and uncouth warrior. Since they look down on him, they naturally don't think he can hold Xuzhou."

This was Lü Bu's misfortune, and also Lü Bu's tragedy!

Lu Xun listened attentively, his little head racing with thoughts.

After a while, Lu Xun asked, "Your Majesty once saved Chen Deng's life, and Your Majesty represents the righteousness of the court. Will the Chen family father and son betray Cao Cao and pledge allegiance to Your Majesty in the future?"

Liu Xie let out a cold laugh, "Only ordinary people keep gratitude in their hearts. Boyan, you must remember that in the eyes of aristocratic families, the interests of the family are above all else."

Does that include the whole world?

"Yes, that includes the whole world!" Liu Xie gazed at the night sky outside, his eyes deep and somewhat cold.

Liu Xie said with a serious expression, "Therefore, even to control a small aristocratic family, it takes a lot of effort. Saving Chen Deng is just a matter of lifting a finger for me. If you want the Chen family to betray Cao Cao in the future, you will have to let them see my strength first."

As he spoke, Liu Xie looked at Zhao Yun and Lu Xun, "From now on, I will have to rely on you. Every step I take forward is fraught with thorns and obstacles!"

Zhao Yun immediately whispered, "Your Majesty, rest assured, I will serve you with my life!"

Although Lu Xun was still young, he clenched his fists. "Me too!"

Liu Xie nodded with satisfaction. "Although we can appropriately leverage the strength of some people, in my heart, I know clearly who is close to me, who is loyal and who is treacherous. People like Prince Chen, Guan Yu, Xu Huang, and Yang Biao are all trustworthy. As for the likes of Chen Deng, it would be best if we could leverage their strength, but if they cannot be used by me, they are nothing."

Regarding the update schedule, I will try to maintain a fixed time from now on. I plan to update at 8:00 AM and 8:00 PM.

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(End of this chapter)