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

Chapter 14, Cao Hong Makes a Huge Profit

Cao Hong laughed and said, "Your Majesty, you are too kind. You can just call me by my name from now on."

Now, Cao Hong's attitude towards Liu Xie has completely changed 180 degrees.

If anyone dared to call Cao Hong by his name, Cao Hong would be so angry that he would draw his sword. However, Liu Xie had no problem with it.

"Alright, then I won't stand on ceremony. You should be very busy lately, so why are you at the barracks?"

Cao Hong looked around and, seeing that they were all his trusted subordinates, said with relief, "Your Majesty, the lord is not very satisfied with me and has already reprimanded me, telling me not to be too blatant. However, thank you, Your Majesty. With your reminder, I have already made quite a bit of money."

"How much have you earned?" Liu Xie asked curiously.

Cao Hong held up five fingers, unable to hide his excitement, and exclaimed, "This number!"

"Fifty million coins?"

"Your Majesty, you are truly remarkable; you guessed it in no time."

Cao Hong is now extremely satisfied; he's so excited he can't sleep at night.

Every night when he got home, he would lock the door and spend a long time in the room where he kept his gold and silver treasures.

Cao Cao's father, Cao Song, had worked hard all his life and accumulated wealth, which Cao Hong almost caught up with in just one month.

Liu Xie was not surprised at all. "Cao Gong's reminder makes a lot of sense. As the saying goes, the taller the tree, the more the wind will blow. There are some things you don't need to do yourself. Otherwise, others will be envious and jealous of you!"

"I don't need to personally handle this? Is that really feasible? I'm not entirely comfortable leaving it to someone else."

Although Cao Hong was greedy and loved money, he was a bit narrow-minded and very stingy when it came to money.

Historically, it has been mentioned that even when Cao Pi asked him to borrow money, he refused, which later earned him Cao Pi's resentment.

Liu Xie's decision to give Cao Hong the opportunity to make a fortune was not entirely out of kindness.

Because in Xuchang, Liu Xie also needed freedom and space, and did not want everything to be suppressed and manipulated by Cao Cao.

Maintaining a good relationship with Cao Hong would at least be beneficial to Liu Xie.

Cao Hong made a fortune, so naturally he changed his attitude towards Liu Xie and was able to provide him with some conveniences.

For example, Cao Hong was in charge of guarding the barracks, and Liu Xie could come and go as he pleased without being questioned. Even if Liu Xie brought people in and out, nothing would happen!

For Cao Hong, money was very important!
For Liu Xie, freedom was more important!
Being under constant surveillance, unable to go anywhere or see anyone, and completely cut off from the outside world would be even more unbearable than killing Liu Xie.

“Cao Hong, you must know that you are a relative of Cao Cao and a general entrusted with important responsibilities by him. Therefore, you must learn to delegate business matters. You can entrust them to your family or people you trust. Besides, your business will grow bigger and bigger in the future. If you do everything yourself, you will be overwhelmed and simply won’t be able to handle it all.”

Faced with Liu Xie's reminder, Cao Hong blinked, thought for a long time, and said, "Your Majesty is indeed insightful. Thank you for the reminder. I will go back and start working on this matter."

Liu Xie patted him on the shoulder. At first, the person being patted would be taken aback by this gesture, but over time, everyone would understand that it meant that Liu Xie was very close to him and thought highly of him.

"A mere fifty million is just the beginning. The real show is yet to come. I guarantee that the money you earn in the future will at least increase fivefold or even tenfold."

Cao Hong almost couldn't help but scream in surprise.

He's already made a fortune since the capital was moved, earning almost as much as all the Cao family members combined.

There were five or even ten times more opportunities to come. If Liu Xie hadn't been the emperor, Cao Hong would have wanted to immediately kowtow to him and become sworn brothers.

"If you have any questions in the future, feel free to come to me." Liu Xie smiled and walked outside.

The soldiers on guard duty didn't dare to stop Cao Hong; even Cao Hong treated them with utmost respect, for Cao Hong was his benefactor. Liu Xie had given Cao Hong far too much!

It far exceeded what Cao Cao gave him!
Dian Wei was incredibly naive; he stood to the side, not bothering to listen to what the two were saying, showing absolutely no interest.

He is only interested in two things now: first, carrying out Cao Cao's orders, and second, drinking!

After a month, Xudu has changed a lot. The palace has been built in a decent way, there are more residents on the streets, and it has become more lively. Every day, you can see wealthy families who have moved here from other places.

Wherever a capital is established, it will attract people and become prosperous and bustling. This has been the case throughout history!
Outside the barracks, Liu Xie stopped and pretended to admire the street scene nearby. A short while later, Yang Biao came out of the barracks.

"Dian Wei, wait here for a moment. Lord Yang has been dismissed from his post. I will go and see him off."

Dian Wei didn't think much of it; at such close range, Liu Xie's safety was not a problem.

"Your Majesty, please make yourself at home."

Liu Xie strode over, and Yang Biao, seeing Liu Xie, also quickly walked a few steps in that direction.

"Master Yang, what are your plans next?"

"Your Majesty, I would like to return to Hongnong first to visit my family."

Liu Xie shook his head. "Lord Yang, do you remember what I told you before? Cao Cao will not let you leave Xuchang. As for your family, I'm afraid Cao Cao will send someone to bring them here soon."

"this?"

Yang Biao was somewhat skeptical, but Liu Xie's prediction had already come true once; Cao Cao indeed dismissed the Three Dukes.

"Your Majesty, does this mean that I will soon be unjustly imprisoned?"

Liu Xie sighed helplessly, "Cao Cao wants to establish his authority, this is inevitable, Lord Yang, please take good care of yourself!"

Yang Biao said indignantly, "Situ Zhao Wen and Sikong Zhang Xi have also been dismissed. Doesn't Your Majesty want to appease them? They are all important ministers of our Han Dynasty. Even if they have not made great contributions, they have still worked hard. How can Cao Cao be allowed to dismiss them at will?"

Even though he was barely able to protect himself, Yang Biao was still thinking about his colleagues. Liu Xie gently shook his head.

"Lord Yang, Xudu is a place of great turmoil. In this chaotic world, it's impossible to tell who is a loyal minister and who is a treacherous minister in just a few words. If anyone suffers injustice in the future, I will have to appease them. Before long, I'm afraid I won't even have the little freedom I have left."

Yang Biao was immediately jolted awake. He suddenly realized that, let alone the injustice they had suffered, even His Majesty was merely a figurehead.

What effect would it have if Liu Xie appeased the ministers?

Not only would it have little effect, but it would also incur Cao Cao's displeasure.

"Lord Yang, you must remember that you are a loyal subject whom I have recognized. I am aware of your grievances!"

Not far away, a group of Cao soldiers walked towards them. Liu Xie shook his head and parted ways with Yang Biao.

The leader was Cao Chun, who commanded the most elite Tiger and Leopard Cavalry.

Cao Chun was burly and had a face like a silver basin. When he passed by Liu Xie, he only bowed slightly before walking straight toward Yang Biao.

"Lord Yang, the lord has ordered that you are not to leave Xudu."

Cao Chun approached Yang Biao and, without any expression, announced the order that Cao Cao had just given.

Yang Biao glanced at Liu Xie as he walked away. Sure enough, His Majesty had guessed correctly!

(End of this chapter)