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

Chapter 17, Liu Xie's letter to Xu Huang
Liu Xie traveled eastward from Chang'an, enduring many twists and turns and constant dangers, to the point that neither the emperor nor the ministers behaved like subjects, and they often ended up spending time together.

Xu Huang even sat down with Liu Xie to eat wild vegetables. At that time, the two were standing right next to each other, only about a meter apart.

During his year-long escape, Liu Xie had many opportunities to speak and communicate with Xu Huang alone.

It was only after arriving in Luoyang that Xu Huang separated from Liu Xie because he was with Yang Feng.

Xu Huang had a very good impression of Liu Xie. The emperor was very approachable and never put on airs. He treated every minister and soldier kindly.

Xu Huang stepped out of the tent, looked around, and then returned. The emperor had written him a letter, which was no small matter.

Continue reading:

Liu Xie wrote: Everyone has their own ambitions, and we cannot force them. I presume that Yang Feng has treated you well, and you have lived a good life by his side. However, I still want to point out a few clear paths for the general.

First, he could stay by Yang Feng's side. Even if Yang Feng couldn't defeat Cao Cao, he would still find an opportunity to join Yuan Shu. With the general's martial prowess, he wouldn't be overlooked by Yuan Shu.

Secondly, Cao Cao is currently in need of capable people. When Cao Cao sends troops to attack Yang Feng, you can cooperate from within and without to achieve military merit. Cao Cao greatly appreciates talent, and you, General, will surely have great fortune in the future, and being ennobled and appointed as a general is not out of the question.

Third, I wonder if the general would be willing to serve as my personal guard. I am in dire need of capable protectors as I travel from Chang'an to Xuchang.

Liu Xie even put himself in Xu Huang's shoes and compared the options. He said that if Xu Huang wanted to be valued and promoted in the shortest time, the second option was most suitable for him: as long as he abandoned the darkness and surrendered to Cao Cao, he would definitely be valued.

Although Liu Xie and Xu Huang had met before, he was not absolutely certain that he could completely trust Xu Huang.

Everyone needs to continue to learn and observe.

Even though Cao Cao and Liu Xie were together, Xu Huang fell into deep thought after reading the letter.

If Cao Cao and Liu Xie are of one mind, wouldn't it be the same to assist either of them? Why did Your Majesty point out two different paths for yourself?

One chose to submit to Cao Cao, while the other went to Xuchang to become the emperor's personal guard.

By surrendering to Cao Cao, he at least became a general, while serving as Liu Xie's personal guard seemed to be a position of little importance.

Liu Xie was also testing Xu Huang to see if he wanted to become a general and pursue a promising future, or if he wanted to prove his loyalty to him.

I'm afraid many people would choose to become a general.

The middle-aged man waited quietly by his side without urging him. Xu Huang glanced at him and understood that he was waiting for his reply.

Xu Huang waved his hand, "I need to think about this matter some more. You should go back first."

But a few days later, the messenger came again, and every few days Xu Huang would receive a letter from Liu Xie.

The ancients valued sincerity, and Liu Xie, for his own safety and for his own country, had no shortage of sincerity.

If he's not sincere, no one will help him! Because he's just a puppet emperor!
The performance of Wang Cai and others truly exceeded Cao Cao's expectations. In just a few days, Cao Cao received ten million coins.

Even Cao Cao himself was astonished, never expecting that these businessmen earned so much and were so generous.

Cao Cao had no choice but to show his sincerity, praising Wang Cai and his men and instructing his subordinates to ensure their safety.

Cao Cao couldn't possibly repay kindness with enmity when others took the lead in donating money to him.

This was Liu Xie's intention: to both help Cao Cao and ensure the safety of these businessmen.

Throughout history, people have particularly abhorred collusion between officials and businessmen. But if you're doing business, can you really succeed without the protection of officials?
Liu Xie saw this very clearly, so he directly asked Wang Cai and his men to find Cao Cao to act as their protector.

Of course, the master of these businessmen was not Cao Cao, but Liu Xie, who bestowed wealth upon them!
It was a good thing that someone donated money to help Cao Cao alleviate his burdens, but Cao Hong, the richest man in the city, was incredibly stingy, barely managing to give Cao Cao three million coins. This three million was thanks to Liu Xie, who had finally seen through Cao Hong's stinginess; it was ingrained in his very being and could not be changed.

No matter how much they tried to persuade Cao Hong, he refused to pay any more.

Cao Cao couldn't do anything about him, but his dissatisfaction only grew.

Cao Cao thought to himself, "I'm so short of money, and you're so rich, why don't you help me share the burden?"

A few days later, people noticed a sign posted in front of the Hongyun Restaurant.

"Anyone who is loyal and righteous will have their meal free at this shop!"

This became big news, and even Cao Cao heard about it and praised Wang Cai.

Who doesn't like a loyal and righteous person?

When Guo Jia heard about this, he took it seriously and personally went to Hongyun Restaurant to investigate. He suspected that Liu Xiehui might be secretly trying to win over and cultivate his own confidants.

As a result, Liu Xie was not seen for several days. During these days, Liu Xie often went to Tianxiang Pavilion, where it was said that a beautiful woman from the Western Regions had come.

Moreover, Guo Jia observed for several days and found nothing unusual.

These loyal and righteous men were mostly chivalrous wanderers who stood up for justice. Each of them would come here to eat, and at most, they would express their gratitude to Wang Cai after finishing their meal. They did nothing else; they didn't even know Liu Xie.

Many others also pretended to be loyal and chivalrous, but were quickly exposed by others and inevitably beaten up and kicked out of the restaurant.

Liu Xie wanted to build the best reputation for Wang Cai's restaurant, but he didn't need to secretly cultivate power for the time being.

Eat your food one bite at a time, and think things through carefully before taking any action!
After several visits, Guo Jia felt relieved.

However, the food here is indeed quite good, and it suits Guo Jia's taste perfectly!
Upon returning and meeting Cao Cao, Guo Jia shook his head. "It seems I was overthinking it. His Majesty has been staying at Tianxiang Pavilion these past few days and hasn't been to any restaurants."

Cao Cao smiled and said, "Fengxiao, really, if His Majesty wants to cultivate confidants, aren't there already some right under his nose? Dong Cheng is appointed General of Chariots and Cavalry, and Fu Wan is appointed General of the Auxiliary State. Both of them are his confidants. They have soldiers and men. Why bother to befriend a few wandering knights?"

Cao Cao had always had a great fondness for chivalrous knights-errant because in his youth he also liked to stand up for the weak and had befriended some of them.

Especially after getting to know Yuan Shao, he was greatly influenced. When Yuan Shao was an official in Luoyang, wandering knights often visited his residence. These people were bold and unrestrained, and they were always ready to fight injustice. Cao Cao sincerely admired them.

Cao Cao continued, "I have already learned about Wang Cai's restaurant. The business is indeed doing well. This man is honest and kind. He was the first to donate money to me and often helps the poor. How could such a person have any ill intentions?"

Even Cao Cao spoke well of Wang Cai.

"Besides, he is at most a merchant. If Your Majesty wants to make connections, you should contact the feudal lords in various regions."

"Lord."

Just as the two were talking, someone reported, "General Cao Hong has arrived."

"Him? Hmph, what is he doing here?" Cao Cao snorted in dissatisfaction.

He waved his hand, "Let him in."

Even if Cao Hong is stingy, Cao Cao can't do anything to him for the time being.

Because Cao Hong had saved his life, he was a person he relied on very much.

(End of this chapter)