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

Chapter 197, The credit goes to Liu Bei

Ju Shou continued to say to Guan Yu, "Zhang He has so many soldiers by his side. Even if he cannot repel the enemy, he can at least protect our lord and ensure his safe retreat."

Even Ju Shou himself found it extremely ironic that he called the emperor an enemy.

If the emperor is the enemy, then who is the good guy?

How dare he call His Majesty an enemy? Guan Yu closed his phoenix eyes slightly, looking at Ju Shou with great displeasure, really wanting to let him taste the power of the Green Dragon Crescent Blade.

Guan Yu was born arrogant, but his arrogance was different from others. He was arrogant towards those above him but not towards those below him. The more noble a person's status, the less respect he had for them.

Whether they were scholars or high-ranking officials, Guan Yu didn't care.

However, Guan Yu treated the poor and ordinary soldiers with great care and never insulted or bullied the weak.

No one noticed that Liu Bei secretly went around from behind the earthen slope to find Liu Xie.

As soon as Liu Bei approached, Zhao Yun spotted him and shouted, "Who goes there?"

The next moment, the silver spear, like a dragon emerging from the water, rapidly pointed at Liu Bei.

Liu Bei hurriedly dismounted and said repeatedly, "Zilong, it's me, don't misunderstand."

Liu Bei knew Zhao Yun's alert and responsible nature all too well, but unfortunately, he missed his chance.

Sometimes, Liu Bei would even think that he shouldn't have let Zilong leave after he went to Xuzhou to help Tao Qian.

It was around that time that His Majesty recruited Zhao Yun to his side.

Seeing that it was indeed Liu Bei, and that he was alone, Zhao Yun nodded and put his spear away.

As long as Zhao Yun was by Liu Xie's side, no one could easily get within three steps.

Liu Bei stood still and respectfully greeted, "Your Majesty."

Liu Bei was very cautious; he wanted Liu Xie to go over so that no one would discover him.

Liu Xie knew that he had come to ask for his instructions, so he went over, thus avoiding others seeing Liu Bei and Liu Xie meeting.

Time was of the essence, so Liu Bei cut to the chase and asked directly, "Your Majesty, do you really intend to kill Yuan Shao now?"

Liu Xie nodded. "Yuan Shao must die."

Liu Bei said, "If Your Majesty insists on killing Yuan Shao, I have no objection. I suggest that Your Majesty should do it personally. This will help Your Majesty build up your prestige and control Cao Cao."

Whoever kills Yuan Shao will have made the greatest contribution.

It is no exaggeration to say that this was the greatest achievement in pacifying the country, because Yuan Shao was the overlord of the north, and killing him foreshadowed the unification of the north.

Liu Xie looked at Liu Bei quietly, deep in thought.

Liu Bei avoided Lü Bu and Gan Ning, which shows that Liu Bei had some selfish motives, but this did not prevent Liu Xie from appreciating and trusting him.

In this world, who is without a trace of selfishness?

If Liu Bei willingly gave up the opportunity to Lü Bu and Gan Ning, it would be tantamount to helping others succeed.

Liu Bei was envious of the credit for killing Yuan Shao and also wanted to claim the same credit.

Liu Xie suddenly thought of something, and his eyes lit up. "Xuande, come closer."

Without any hesitation, Liu Bei respectfully moved closer.

Liu Xie whispered a few words of advice in his ear, and finally, Liu Xie said with full trust, "The credit for killing Yuan Shao is yours!"

Liu Bei was extremely excited. Killing Yuan Shao was such a great achievement, and His Majesty was willing to give it to him. Liu Bei was so happy that tears almost rolled down his cheeks.

Liu Bei stepped back, bowed deeply, and said, "Your Majesty, I thank you for your grace. I will never forget Your Majesty's kindness."

Liu Bei immediately took his leave and soon returned to Guan Yu and Zhang Fei's side.

Liu Xie also sent a messenger to Lü Bu and Gan Ning, instructing them to do everything in their power to hold off Zhang He.

"what?"

After hearing the messenger's words, Lü Bu was both angry and annoyed, his head was about to explode, and he really couldn't understand it.

Gan Ning didn't waste any words. He pointed his broadsword forward and charged towards Zhang He, shouting, "Brothers, kill them! Hold them off!"

Zhou Cang and Tian Kai led their men to continue pursuing Yuan Shao. Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, under Liu Bei's instructions, pretended to protect Yuan Shao and convincingly fended off the pursuers. Yuan Shao narrowly escaped danger several times, which made him feel fearful and also made him trust Liu Bei even more.

As for Ju Shou, he was not under Liu Bei's protection at all and was quickly caught up by Zhou Cang, who captured him alive in no time.

Ju Shou was indeed a bit of a hindrance to Liu Bei. Liu Xie had just given instructions to only let Liu Bei take Yuan Shao with him.

At this point, Yuan Shao could rely on no one; most of his guards were dead, and Zhang He was also blocked.

Yuan Shao was at a loss; he would listen to whatever Liu Bei said.

Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei protected Yuan Shao as he fled Wuchao. They ran a long way before Yuan Shao finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Yuan Shao said with lingering fear, "Xuande, it's all thanks to you. Don't worry, I will never treat you unfairly in the future."

Liu Bei said, "You flatter me, my lord. You took me in when I was in danger, and it is only right that I do these things for you."

Chen Gong never expected that Liu Xie would voluntarily give Liu Bei the credit for killing Yuan Shao.

Chen Gong couldn't help but ask, "Your Majesty, I really can't understand. If Yuan Shao dies at your hands, how could Cao Cao dare to look down on Your Majesty in the future?"

Liu Xie smiled and pointed in the direction of Cao Cao, "Gongtai, Cao Cao doesn't have time to think much now, but as soon as the war is over, he will suspect me and suspect that I planned all of this. Even without evidence, it will be difficult for him to dispel his suspicions about me."

Chen Gong nodded. "Yes, Your Majesty is right."

This is obvious; Cao Cao wasn't stupid.

When Cao Cao came to Wuchao, Liu Xie also appeared there, and just when Cao Cao's army was about to be wiped out, how could Cao Cao not be suspicious?
Even if Liu Xie saved him, Cao Cao would still suspect Liu Xie.

Liu Xie spread his hands and said, "If I kill Yuan Shao now, the greater my gain will be, the more suspicious Cao Cao will become, and the more convinced he will be that I was the one who planned this."

Chen Gong frowned. "However, no matter how much Cao Cao suspects, he has no real evidence, so he won't do anything to His Majesty."

Liu Xie said, "Gongtai, it's not that I'm afraid of him. As the emperor, I'm not afraid of anyone or anything. But what I want is stability and balance, not irreconcilable conflict."

Liu Xie sighed, "Whether I kill Yuan Shao or not, I am still the emperor. Why provoke Cao Cao further? Cao Cao has lost so much in this battle. I should know when to stop. One cannot be too greedy!"

Chen Gong continued, "However, Your Majesty's decision to give this credit to Liu Bei will inevitably further deepen the conflict between Cao Cao and Liu Bei." Cao Cao suffered so many casualties, yet Liu Bei reaped the benefits. How could Cao Cao feel at peace with that? How could he feel good about it?
Liu Xie calmly said, "Since I want to maintain a balance, someone has to stand against Cao Cao. Liu Bei is obviously a good candidate. Let him help me share some of the pressure."

Before long, Zhou Cang carried Ju Shou, like a little chick, and brought him to Liu Xie.

With a thud, Zhou Cang threw Ju Shou to the ground, causing Ju Shou to see stars and feel dizzy for a long time.

He was, after all, a scholar, and not so physically robust.

Liu Xie walked over and helped Ju Shou up from the ground. "This must be Ju Shou, Ju Gongyu, right?"

Liu Bei had just had a brief encounter with Liu Xie, and Liu Bei had already told him that Ju Shou was with Yuan Shao, so Liu Xie easily recognized him.

Ju Shou raised his neck, glanced at Liu Xie, and stubbornly snorted.

Liu Xie laughed self-deprecatingly and said to Chen Gong beside him, "Do you see? I am clearly the emperor, yet I am being treated like a rebel. Am I so despised by Mr. Ju? Who is the emperor, Yuan Shao or me?"

Ju Shou was immediately caught in a dilemma.

Liu Xie's self-deprecating humor left him speechless.

Liu Xie looked directly at Ju Shou, slowed his speech, and said slowly and deliberately, "The Great Han has only one emperor, and that is me. All loyal ministers and generals, all those who are loyal and righteous, should serve me and the Great Han!"

Chen Gong hurriedly replied, "Your Majesty is absolutely right. Mr. Ju is not a retainer of Yuan Shao, is he?"

Ju Shou could immediately retaliate against anyone, but when facing the emperor, he would involuntarily shrink back.

"If Mr. Ju is loyal to Yuan Shao, I will not force him. However, Yuan Shao's power is waning and his days are numbered. Does Mr. Ju still intend to aid the wicked and continue to oppose the court?"

Ju Shou finally spoke, “Your Majesty, Lord Yuan has successfully left Wuchao. Even though the grain supplies in Wuchao were burned this time, and the situation at Guandu will be passive, Lord Yuan still controls four provinces and has not been seriously injured.”

"Is that so? You have that much confidence in Yuan Shao? I'll make a bet with you: Yuan Shao's days are numbered, and Hebei will soon fall to the imperial court."

Ju Shou clearly did not believe it; Yuan Shao still had a lot of troops and territory, and he was not so easily defeated.

Liu Xie waved his hand, signaling Zhou Cang to step back.

Zhou Cang hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, he has not truly surrendered. Your Majesty must not be careless."

Liu Xie smiled and said, "It's alright. Let him stay by my side. I believe he will not harm me."

Liu Xie didn't expect to change Ju Shou's mind and make him assist him with just a few words, since he had plenty of time and patience.

No matter what kind of temper or personality the other person has, if you want to win them over, you must first have the capacity to tolerate others!

Zhou Cang had no choice but to step aside, while Ju Shou stood beside Liu Xie, somewhat at a loss for what to do.

Liu Xie turned his attention back to the battlefield, where the two sides were still locked in fierce fighting. Zhang He was struggling, despite having the advantage in troop numbers, he was now on the defensive.

Yuan Shao's whereabouts are unknown, and it is unclear whether he has escaped danger. Liu Bei left in a hurry without saying goodbye to Zhang He, who was very worried.

Zhang He had no time to worry about the raging fire in the camp; the more the battle raged, the more anxious he became.

They were worried about both the fire and Yuan Shao; the battle was simply unwinnable.

Lu Bu and Gan Ning fought with increasing ferocity and high morale, charging forward and forcing Zhang He to the bottom of the earthen slope.

Lu Bu's halberd was powerful and fierce. He clashed with Zhang He time and time again. The more Zhang He fought, the more he struggled. He was no match for Lu Bu, and his troops were quickly scattered by Lu Bu.

Lu Bu continued his charge forward, also scattering Gao Lan's forces who were besieging Cao Cao.

Zhang He and Gao Lan managed to hold off Cao Cao for a while longer, but seeing that Cao Cao had escaped danger and that they no longer had the chance to kill him, they decisively retreated.

It wasn't that Zhang He didn't want to put out the fire, but he simply didn't have the opportunity. He still had over 10,000 troops left, while Lü Bu's side had several thousand men.

If they stay any longer, not only will they fail to put out the fire, but all the soldiers may also perish here.

Just after Zhang He left, Cao Cao could no longer hold on. He had lost too much blood and his vision blurred. He collapsed heavily to the ground.

This terrified Dian Wei, who clung to Cao Cao, crying out repeatedly, "My lord! My lord!"

Liu Xie rushed over and quickly glanced at Cao Cao. There were only two hundred people left by Cao Cao's side, all of them covered in blood, and many of them had broken hands and feet. The only word to describe it was "tragic"!

Liu Xie immediately treated Cao Cao. The firelight was bright, and after a night of fierce fighting, the eastern sky was already showing the first light of dawn, and it was almost daytime.

When Cao Cao woke up again, it was already noon, and Dian Wei was carrying him across the river.

After reaching the other side, Cao Cao asked weakly, "Dian Wei, where am I?"

Dian Wei temporarily put Cao Cao down. "My lord, His Majesty sent men to escort us to the riverbank and then returned. We have just crossed the Guandu River and will soon be able to return to the camp."

Xu Huang also came over and said, "Don't worry, my lord. I have already sent someone to the camp ahead of time to deliver a message. Someone will come to meet us soon."

Cao Cao managed to sit up on the ground and noticed that his body was wrapped in bandages. He quickly asked, "Did Your Majesty treat me?"

Dian Wei replied excitedly, "Yes, His Majesty stayed by my lord's side for more than an hour, and my lord has finally escaped danger."

Dian Wei became more and more excited as he spoke, almost crying with joy, truly fearing that Cao Cao would suddenly die.

Cao Cao reached out and gently patted Dian Wei on the shoulder to comfort him.

But this subconscious action startled Dian Wei for a moment.

I don't know when it started, but my lord has also learned to pat people on the shoulder, just like His Majesty.

"Why didn't His Majesty come with us? Why did he go back?" Cao Cao asked, gradually calming down.

Xu Huang said, "His Majesty said that Yuan's army may send reinforcements to put out the fire at any time, so he must stay in Wuchao to block the enemy's reinforcements."

Setting fire to grain was an act that would incur the wrath of both heaven and man, and deep down, Liu Xie did not want to do it.

It would be a real shame to burn so much grain and fodder.

But if we don't burn it, we can't transport it away either; we can't leave it to the enemy, can we?

Since it's already on fire, let's just burn it completely, burn it all to ashes.

"His Majesty has gone back again?" Cao Cao repeated to himself, then turned around and looked in the direction of Wuchao.

Liu Xie continues to play his role in his own way.

Whether it was pacifying the world or restoring the Han dynasty, it was all the same to Liu Xie; it was his own business, because he was the emperor of the Han dynasty.

(End of this chapter)