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

Chapter 122, How Does His Majesty Evaluate Cao Cao?
Next, Cao Cao ordered proclamations to be posted to reassure the people, continued to recruit Lü Bu's subordinates, and also provided appropriate relief to the people affected by the flood.

For two consecutive days, Guan Yu did not see Qin Yilu again. It was as if the man had suddenly vanished into thin air, and everything about him seemed unusual.

Guan Yu was unaware that Cao Cao had already sent Qin Yilu away long ago.

Qin Yilu could not be found, and Cao Cao did not summon him again. Instead, Cao Cao got up very late every morning.

Cao Cao didn't even offer an explanation.

If Boss Cao wants to play dumb and renege on his debts, what can anyone do to him?
Cao Cao knew that Guan Yu wouldn't dare to confront him directly, as he was too proud to do so.

As long as Guan Yu doesn't mention it and Cao Cao doesn't mention it either, this matter will just pass by!
Guan Yu was too embarrassed to say it, and Cao Cao didn't want to say it.

Anyway, Cao Cao just took Du Shi as his own, so what? Who can do anything about it?
When Liu Xie saw Guan Yu again, he asked with concern, "Yun Chang, how are you? Has Cao Cao bestowed Lady Du upon you?"

Guan Yu shook his head, then let out a cold laugh.

Liu Xie patted Guan Yu on the shoulder and comforted him, "Yun Chang, forget it. There are plenty of good women in the world. You can find another one later. Competing with Cao Cao for a woman will damage your reputation if word gets out."

Zhao Yun admired Liu Xie even more; he hadn't expected His Majesty to actually guess correctly.

It is said that Cao Cao admired Guan Yu and always wanted to bring him to his side, but he secretly kept the woman he had promised to reward him.

"To be frank, even if I personally intervened, Cao Cao might not have granted you the Du family."

Liu Xie also considered that if he had stepped forward from the beginning to ask Cao Cao for a favor, the matter might not have been 100% successful.

Besides, if things don't work out, Guan Yu will be able to see Cao Cao's true nature more clearly, so why should Liu Xie insist on bringing them together?

From Liu Xie's perspective, Cao Cao's seizure of Lady Du would not harm him, thus allowing Guan Yu to stand more firmly on Liu Xie's side.

Although Guan Yu didn't care too much, since he wasn't a womanizer, this incident was like swallowing a fly; it was still unpleasant to think about!
Cao Cao, one of the Three Dukes of the court and a powerful regional ruler, made a promise that seemed utterly worthless!
Liu Xie saw Guan Yu's doubt and laughed, "Yun Chang is a man of great righteousness and integrity, and naturally he values ​​his word. However, Cao Cao is not like you. He doesn't care at all what others think of him when he does things."

"For Cao Cao, worldly ethics and moral principles were not worth mentioning!"

The reason why Liu Xie was willing to go on the expedition was that he would be very free and less constrained after leaving Xuchang.

Unlike in Xudu, where you're always followed by a bunch of annoying little tails wherever you go.

Xudu was like a giant net, forcing Liu Xie to look around warily even when he wanted to take a breath.

After leaving Xudu, he could wander around freely, and even if there were surveillance, they wouldn't get too close.

Cao Cao had a lot of things to deal with, including appeasing the people and recruiting talent, so he couldn't possibly send people to keep an eye on Liu Xie all the time.

Besides, when he was leading troops abroad, Cao Cao had to consider the emperor's reputation and let outsiders know that he respected Liu Xie.

But once he returned to Xuchang, Cao Cao would have the time and energy to focus on Liu Xie and monitor his every move.

Liu Xie continued, "Do you know why Chen Gong has such a deep prejudice against Cao Cao? In fact, Chen Gong initially thought highly of Cao Cao and wholeheartedly wanted to assist Cao Cao in accomplishing great things."

Guan Yu and Zhao Yun were completely unaware of the inside story, Chen Gong never told anyone outside the matter, and Cao Cao would certainly not publicize his shameful deeds.

Liu Xie sighed and then quietly recounted how Cao Cao had killed Lü Boshe's entire family.

Finally, Liu Xie remarked with emotion, "What Cao Cao did is something that most people probably couldn't have done."

After hearing this, the two remained silent for a long time, completely stunned.

After a long while, Guan Yu said, "Your Majesty, is this true? If Cao Cao killed the wrong person at Lü Boshe's house, it was out of suspicion. But why did he insist on killing Lü Boshe on the way after leaving Lü's house?"

Guan Yu found it unbelievable and incomprehensible.

Zhao Yun remained silent, finding it unacceptable that Cao Cao had killed Lü Boshe's entire family.

Liu Xie said, "Cao Cao once said, 'I would rather betray the world than let the world betray me.' I think this statement is enough to answer your questions."

In other words, a petty person is no gentleman, and a man without ruthlessness is no true hero.

Since so many people have already been killed by mistake, one more won't make a difference, so there's no need to keep Lü Boshe alive any longer.

Only by completely annihilating them could Cao Cao be at ease.

Guan Yu remained silent for a long time, his face grim.

When Liu Xie parted ways with Guan Yu, he could clearly see that Guan Yu's steps had become much heavier.

Zhao Yun said, "Your Majesty, after spending so many days with Cao Cao, I find it increasingly difficult to understand him. What kind of person is Cao Cao really?"

"He was a man of great talent and strategy, skilled in warfare and military tactics, adept at recognizing and utilizing talent, and promoted capable individuals without being bound by convention. He possessed courage, magnanimity, and strategic acumen, making him a rare hero in a chaotic era. However, he was also greedy for women. In Wancheng, he disregarded Zhang Xiu's reputation for the sake of Lady Zou, and in Xiapi, he shamelessly cheated Guan Yu for the sake of Lady Du. Even Lü Boshe, an old friend of Cao Cao, could be slaughtered without hesitation. Cao Cao had previously killed a renowned scholar like Bian Rang, as if he dared to do any evil in the world."

Zhao Yun talked at length, but he found Cao Cao even more unfathomable.

Liu Xie laughed, "Do you still remember how I evaluated Lü Bu before?"

"Of course I remember. His Majesty said that while Lü Bu was good, he wasn't entirely good, and while he was bad, he wasn't entirely bad either!"

Liu Xie nodded. "Cao Cao is quite the opposite. He is an extremely complex and contradictory person. When he is good, he is better than anyone else. He is benevolent, magnanimous, knows how to use people well, respects the court, and treats the people kindly. He can greet others barefoot. He is always honest and incorruptible. His family does not use any luxury items and can sit and chat with poor people by the roadside. When he is bad, he can disregard all moral principles and ethics. There is no evil thing in this world that he would not dare to do. Murder, massacre, deception, shamelessness, cunning—he deserves any of these words!"

Zhao Yun nodded, "What Your Majesty said is truly apt. I have really broadened my horizons and gained a lot of knowledge."

"In short, as long as it benefits Cao Cao, he will do anything, and often to the extreme! Just like Lady Du and Lady Zou, once he sets his sights on them, he will definitely get them, and he doesn't care about the consequences at all!"

"Fortunately, I spared Lü Bu's life this time. Otherwise, with Diao Chan's beauty, she would most likely have fallen into Cao Cao's clutches!"

Just as I was about to return after strolling around the moat, Chen Gong arrived.

Upon meeting, Chen Gong bowed respectfully. Liu Xie smiled and said, "Gongtai, you and Cao Cao are old friends. Why don't you go and have a long chat with him? I think you should catch up."

Chen Gong smiled slightly, and when he got closer, he said, "Your Majesty should know that I originally had the will to die. The reason I agreed to surrender was not for Cao Cao, but for Your Majesty!"

As Chen Gong spoke, he looked at Liu Xie with a serious expression.

Liu Xie subconsciously looked around, and Chen Gong said, "Your Majesty, from the moment I agreed to surrender, whether we meet or not, it will arouse Cao Cao's dissatisfaction and vigilance."

"Your Majesty, now that Lü Bu and I are assisting you, Your Majesty only needs to wait for the right opportunity. When the time comes, act decisively, and the traitor Cao can be captured, and the Han Dynasty can be restored." Chen Gong's emotions became visibly agitated. The reason he agreed to submit was because he saw hope in Liu Xie.

Liu Xie did not show any excitement on his face; he had to pour some cold water on Chen Gong's enthusiasm to cool things down.

"Gongtai, are you trying to help me or harm me?"

Is this the time for excitement? It's as if Liu Xie could bring peace and prosperity to the world with just a wave of his hand.

In this respect, Chen Gong was far inferior to Jia Xu.

Chen Gong nodded and said apologetically with a smile, "Your Majesty is right to reprimand me. I was rash."

"I will give you four words: be cautious and keep a low profile! Gongtai, I certainly admire your abilities, but you must also know how to assess the situation."

Chen Gong's personality is somewhat like that of a straight man; he is resourceful but lacks patience.

Pointing towards the city, Liu Xie frowned. "Cao Cao is already giving me a lot of trouble. I should try not to add fuel to the fire."

"I understand."

Liu Xie turned to look at him again, and said seriously, "Gongtai, you must remember, I am not Lü Bu!"

Chen Gong was taken aback and quickly explained, "Your Majesty, what are you saying? I did not mean to belittle Your Majesty."

Liu Xie bluntly told him, "From now on, you can still offer advice and suggestions to me, but ultimately, I will make the final decision!"

When talking to a smart person, you only need to make a point. Chen Gong understood that Liu Xie had his own opinions, which was the biggest difference between him and Lü Bu.

When giving advice to Lü Bu, Chen Gong acted as both father and mother, worrying himself sick and afraid that Lü Bu wouldn't take his advice.

But Liu Xie is the current emperor!

In his presence, Chen Gong was merely a strategist; he could not influence anything. Even if Liu Xie made a decision that differed from Chen Gong's, Chen Gong still had to follow it.

"Gongtai, since you are willing to assist me, and this matter is now out in the open, then from now on, you must follow my arrangements in everything."

Chen Gong nodded hurriedly; he had to adjust himself immediately and find his place.

"Your Majesty, I know the situation is dire and we must be cautious in everything we do from now on. However, I am somewhat worried about Lü Bu. Lü Bu is impulsive, outspoken, and lacks restraint. He likes to act on impulse, which may ruin our plans."

Liu Xie understood Chen Gong's meaning.

Should we use Lu Bu or not?

This was a difficult problem for Cao Cao as well.

If Liu Xie were to use Lü Bu now, Lü Bu would be like a man possessed, fighting Cao Cao with boundless enthusiasm and energy.

As the emperor's brother-in-law, Lü Bu certainly hoped to overthrow Cao Cao, and ideally, also to purge the court of corrupt officials.

Lu Bu might even fantasize about reliving the glorious moment when he eliminated Dong Zhuo in Chang'an.

However, if he doesn't use it, Lü Bu, who doesn't know how to be patient, will inevitably complain and grumble, which could ruin things.

Liu Xie said, "Lu Bu has already died once. I hope he can finally wake up. Besides, Gongtai, I don't care what you think of Lu Bu, whether he is a tiger or an eagle, it is not what I want."

"What does His Majesty mean?" Chen Gong asked, puzzled.

Liu Xie pointed to the Qinggang sword hanging at his waist. The next moment, a flash of cold light shot out from the scabbard.

Liu Xie raised his sword and said, "He only needs to be a sword in my hand, that's enough!"

Chen Gong suddenly realized and secretly praised him. Lü Bu had always lacked his own opinions, which made Chen Gong very worried. He would listen to this person one minute and that person the next. No one knew when Lü Bu would suddenly change his mind.

This was not what Liu Xie wanted; he only wanted Lü Bu to be a sword in his hand.

As long as you listen and obey orders, that's all that matters.

Chen Gong sincerely praised, "I have known Lü Bu for so long, but I feel that Your Majesty seems to understand him better and knows how to control him."

Liu Xie smiled and said, "Lu Bu lacks his own opinions. In this chaotic world, as a regional warlord, he couldn't even survive. This is not to say that Lu Bu is incompetent, but rather that the position of a warlord is not suitable for him."

"Some people are born to be kings, to rule the world and govern the people. Unfortunately, Lü Bu is not that kind of person. He is more suited to leading troops and conquering all directions!"

Chen Gong said with delight, "Your Majesty's words are insightful and to the point. I have learned a great deal!"

…………

These past few days, Cao Cao has been living like a fish in water, with beautiful women in his arms, enjoying himself like a god.

The pleasures that Du Shi brought him made Cao Cao feel much younger, and he seemed to temporarily forget that Liu Xie had produced formidable figures like Lü Bu and Chen Gong by his side.

Liu Xie did not take the initiative to see Lü Bu these past few days, which was a good opportunity to let Lü Bu calm down.

Lu Bu lay on the bed, and although he had been badly beaten, he was still very touched when he looked at the three women around him who cared about him.

Thinking about his daughter, Lü Bu became very curious and asked, "Daughter, are you and His Majesty really together?"

Both Lady Yan and Diao Chan looked over. Remembering Liu Xie's instructions, Lü Lingqi blushed and nodded, "Yes, His Majesty said he likes me and promised to take me back to Xuchang with him."

Lu Bu breathed a sigh of relief and said with emotion, "This time, thanks to His Majesty, otherwise, I would have been in grave danger. It feels like I've been given a second chance at life."

The events of that day were unforgettable for Lü Bu. As for Liu Xie ordering him to be beaten with a hundred lashes, Lü Bu didn't care at all. As long as he could survive, what did it matter?

Cao Cao then led his troops back to Xuzhou, where they stayed for five days before heading back to Xuchang.

Lu Bu's wife and daughters naturally accompanied him, with Lu Lingqi and Liu Xie riding in the same carriage.

Sitting in the carriage, so close to a strange man for the first time, Lü Lingqi was somewhat nervous.

Liu Xie, however, remained calm as he checked Lu Xun's homework.

(End of this chapter)