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

Chapter 218, How to Handle Letters
As for Lu Xun, Zhao Yun, and others, Liu Xie naturally valued them even more, intending to use them to help him contend for the throne and vie for control of the Central Plains.

What Liu Xie needs to pursue now is stability; he cannot yet drastically overthrow everything that Cao Cao originally had.

However, Liu Xie could immediately reorganize the Northern Army and the Imperial Guard, which Cao Cao had deliberately abandoned, thereby gaining control of the military power in Xuchang.

Wu Shuo and Wang Zifu immediately stepped forward to accept the order. Both of them were very excited. They had been idle and frustrated for four years, and today they could finally hold their heads high.

Kong Rong said, "Your Majesty, we brought 40,000 surrendered soldiers from Guandu to Xuchang. I suggest that we select the strongest and most capable men from among these surrendered soldiers to supplement the new army."

Dong Zhao glanced at Mao Jie, whose face was also grim. The two secretly lamented their misfortune, for these surrendered soldiers were all captured and brought to Xuchang by Cao Cao's men.

Cao Cao originally thought he could gradually select and add these surrendered soldiers to his own army after the war ended, as he intended to keep them to expand his strength. However, with the fall of Xuchang, these 40,000 surrendered soldiers were all rendered useless, benefiting the emperor for nothing.

Liu Xie nodded. "Wenju is right. Let's select from the surrendered soldiers first."

Many people in the hall, like Dong Zhao, hung their heads and sighed. With a single, casual remark from the emperor, Cao Cao suddenly lost 40,000 soldiers, while the emperor gained 40,000 more out of thin air.

Although they are only surrendered soldiers for the time being, given time and after reorganization, they will soon be able to exert their fighting power and become the emperor's troops.

We should never forget the well-digger when we drink water.

Liu Xie expressed his gratitude to Cao Cao, saying, "The reason why we were able to defeat Yuan Shao so smoothly this time is largely due to your contributions. I will reward you according to your merits in the future."

Next, Liu Xie turned his gaze to Jia Xu.

Jia Xu's appearance in the main hall filled many officials with both hatred and fear. Many already knew the truth and understood that it was Jia Xu who had directed last night's operation.

Liu Xie walked straight down the platform and came to Jia Xu, saying, "Wenhe, when I was in Chang'an, you helped and took care of me a lot. This time, I am also very grateful to you. Man Chong has been captured, so you will be appointed as the magistrate of Xudu."

Jia Xu quickly bowed and replied, "Your subject obeys."

The position of Magistrate of Xudu is neither particularly important nor insignificant.

It's considered a minor position because it's merely that of a county magistrate; it's considered a major position because Xuchang was the capital, and everyone there would be subject to Jia Xu's surveillance and scrutiny.

Even the highest-ranking officials could be imprisoned by the magistrate of Xudu if they violated any laws or regulations.

Jia Xu was well aware of the emperor's intentions. With the power shift, this was the most unstable time in Xuchang, and the vast majority of people were siding with Cao Cao.

Next, there are many things that Liu Xie needs to know: who is loyal and who is treacherous, who is good and who is bad. However, Liu Xie cannot do these things personally, and Jia Xu is obviously the most suitable candidate to be the magistrate of Xudu.

The magistrate of Xudu already had the function of supervising all officials, and with Jia Xu's strategic planning and keen insight, he could play his role to the fullest.

Sure enough, after appointing Jia Xu, Liu Xie noticed that many people's expressions had become very uncomfortable.

Liu Xie continued, "Chen Gong's official position will remain unchanged. Prince Chen is getting old, and I have no relatives by my side. The Han dynasty's connections are dwindling. From now on, Prince Chen will stay in Xudu and accompany me."

Although Chen Gong's official position remained unchanged, he was very happy. In the past, his position as Minister was just a figurehead, but things would be different from now on.

The court, which had been effectively controlled by Cao Cao, was restored.

Although no ceremony is needed to announce it, everyone understands in their hearts.

As for Prince Chen, he naturally hoped to stay by the emperor's side, follow in the emperor's footsteps, and witness the Han Dynasty gradually restore its former glory.

A moment later, Guan Yu strode over, carrying a heavy package in his hand. Everyone looked on curiously, wondering what was hidden inside.

Zhang Yu quickly took a few steps and took it from Guan Yu's hand. As soon as he held it, Zhang Yu cried out in pain, "It's so heavy!"

Liu Xie casually said, "Just open it and put it on the table."

Zhang Yu opened the package and took out the Imperial Seal and the letters one by one. Many of the letters were written on bamboo slips, and the rustling sound echoed continuously in the hall.

Liu Xie walked over and picked up the Imperial Seal of the State.

Kong Rong recognized it at a glance and hurriedly exclaimed, "Congratulations! The Imperial Seal has finally returned to Xuchang today. This is a blessing for His Majesty and for the Han Dynasty!"

The crowd shouted in unison, "Long live! Long live!"

With the Imperial Seal of the State returned to its rightful owner and the emperor regaining power, it was a double blessing for Liu Xie.

Next, Liu Xie casually picked up a letter, waved it in his hand, smiled at everyone, and said, "I am truly puzzled. I hope you can help me understand why your letter ended up in Yuan Shao's camp."

"Cock!"

Many people's hearts stopped beating on the spot, they were so frightened that they trembled all over, and they were all dumbfounded.

When these letters were first sent out, the writers were all overjoyed, eagerly anticipating Yuan Shao's arrival.

It seemed that whoever wrote a letter that Yuan Shao saw sooner had an extra layer of protection and an extra opportunity for promotion and wealth.

But when the devastating news of Yuan Shao's death arrived, these people prayed silently, fearing that their letter would be discovered.

Whether these letters fell into the hands of Cao Cao or the emperor, it would have been a fatal matter.

Liu Xie's gaze swept across the hall, and whoever his gaze fell upon would quickly lower their head, daring not to meet the emperor's eyes.

Liu Xie squinted, a half-smile on his face, and said, "Gentlemen, how should this matter be handled?"

The ministers who wrote the letters were terrified, fearing that Liu Xiehui would read out their names, as this was a serious crime of treason.

If Yuan Shao wins, it will show that they are pragmatic and have foresight, and they might even be given important positions by Yuan Shao.

But now that Yuan Shao is dead, this is a capital offense of treason, and even the extermination of nine generations of his family would not be unjust!

Kong Rong saw this as an opportunity and hurriedly said with righteous indignation, "Your Majesty, the law is merciless. These people are eating the salary of the Han Dynasty, yet they betray the court and collude with Yuan Shao. They should be severely punished."

Dong Cheng glanced smugly at Dong Zhao and his men, wanting to kick them while they were down and give them a good thrashing. "Your Majesty, they have betrayed the court and deserve to die. The country is now in danger of collapse, and treacherous officials are in power. Your Majesty should severely punish these traitors, restore order to the court, and deter those who look down on Your Majesty."

Dong Cheng was much more excited than Kong Rong. He was a martial artist with a loud voice, and his shouts startled many people, who bury their heads even lower like ostriches.

Liu Xie looked at Xun Yu and asked in a consultative tone, "Lord Xun, what do you think of this matter?"

Xun Yu's lips twitched involuntarily. He hadn't expected this at all; he hadn't anticipated that so many people would be secretly colluding with Yuan Shao.

But if these people are to be accused of betrayal, it is their betrayal of Cao Cao.

Now that Liu Xie has taken control of Xuchang, these letters that betrayed Cao Cao have naturally become evidence of betrayal of the court.

The surrendered soldiers captured by Cao Cao were legitimately confiscated by the emperor.

The letters betraying Cao Cao also became powerful evidence for the emperor to control these ministers. Xun Yu sighed and said helplessly, "Your Majesty, this is a matter of great importance. You should make the decision yourself."

Xun Yu found it difficult to speak up for these traitors.

Xun Yu was a very upright person at heart. Apart from not resolutely supporting the emperor, he despised such acts of betraying his own people and colluding with foreign enemies.

Besides, the letters are now in the emperor's hands. If Xun Yu pleads for these people, they will only be grateful to the emperor in the end, because Liu Xie holds their lives in his hands.

Liu Xie looked at the assembled court officials and said sternly, "To betray the court is a crime punishable by death!"

This one sentence immediately put many people's hearts in their throats.

Dong Cheng and Kong Rong exchanged a few glances, both revealing the smiles of victors.

"And who is this?" Liu Xie turned to Hua Xin and asked.

Xun Yu quickly replied, "Your Majesty, this is Hua Xin, currently holding the official title of Consultant."

Because Hua Xin was recruited to Xuchang by Liu Xie after he went to war at Guandu, Liu Xie did not know her.

After Xun Yu finished speaking, a light sheen of sweat appeared on his forehead.

Because the Secretariat used to be in charge of everything, many recruited talents could be appointed or dismissed without even needing the emperor's approval.

Xun Yu would then recommend those who were exceptionally talented and renowned to Cao Cao for promotion.

But now, things are different; the emperor has regained power.

Hua Xin's presence here seems somewhat irregular, as he is a newcomer and the emperor is completely unaware of his appointment.

But Liu Xie didn't bother with such details. He looked Hua Xin up and down, muttered Hua Xin's name, and then rummaged through the letters for a while before taking one out.

Liu Xie asked Hua Xin, "Minister Hua, I have a question for you. If you had also written a letter to Yuan Shao, what do you think I should do?"

Hua Xin hurriedly shook his head, "Your Majesty, I have not written a letter to Yuan Shao."

Liu Xie waved the bamboo slip in his hand and laughed, "I'm just assuming you wrote a letter to Yuan Shao. How would you like me to deal with you?"

Hua Xin denied writing a letter to Yuan Shao in front of so many people, but no one believed him.

Because of Liu Xie's expression and actions at this moment, Hua Xin seemed to be deliberately denying the truth, as if she were trying to cover it up.

The effect of these letters was not limited to the fear felt by the letter writers.

Even if he never wrote any letters, Liu Xie could make others believe that he had.

People would assume that the emperor was looking for letters written by Hua Xin because he had been mentioning Hua Xin's name and searching through the documents.

Despite Hua Xin's vehement denial, no one else would admit to something like this in public.

Who would admit to having an affair with Yuan Shao?
Whether Hua Xin wrote it or not, as long as everyone believes he did, then he did write it.

Who wrote a letter to Yuan Shao? Now Liu Xie is in charge!

Hua Xin was covered in cold sweat. She hadn't written anything, yet the emperor had questioned her in public and deliberately presented this hypothetical scenario.

Seeing the doubts and disdain in the eyes of her colleagues, Hua Xin complained bitterly.

He can't very well stand up and confront the emperor, can he?

Hua Xin may have been very capable, and may have done a good job in some areas, but Liu Xie simply couldn't feel any goodwill towards him.

Historically, after Cao Cao became the King of Wei, he deposed Empress Fu. This Hua Xin, the very person in front of us, forcibly dragged Empress Fu out from behind the wall by her hair.

In an attempt to curry favor with Cao Cao, Hua Xin was utterly shameless and had no bottom line. At the time, the person who participated in the deposition of the empress was the Imperial Censor Xi Lu.

Xi Lu still had some conscience and a sense of shame.

After being deposed, Xi Lu blamed herself day and night, filled with remorse, and soon fell ill and died.

Liu Xie stared intently at Hua Xin. "My dear minister, what's wrong? Speak frankly."

Hua Xin was caught in a dilemma. After thinking for a while, he could only reply, "I believe that the turmoil in Xuchang has just been quelled, and there is an urgent need to stabilize people's hearts. Your Majesty is benevolent and should show leniency and tolerance. I think those who secretly colluded with Yuan Shao will surely be grateful to Your Majesty and will definitely repent and serve Your Majesty with their lives."

Liu Xie nodded, quite approvingly, "That's right, I also dislike excessive killing."

However, many people believe that Hua Xin's response was precisely because he was also one of the letter writers that he did not want the emperor to investigate further and hoped to minimize the matter.

Looking at everyone again, Liu Xie sighed and said, "At the beginning of the war, Yuan Shao's forces were several times larger than ours. Many people did not think the court could win and had other ideas, wanting to leave themselves a way out. I can understand that."

After a pause, Liu Xie's voice became serious again, "This time, I will let it slide and not pursue the matter further. But have you considered this? You may leave yourselves a way out, but does the court have a way out? Does I have a way out?"

"Anyone who refuses to submit to the court and to me is a traitor! The court will never back down or yield to traitors. This time I will forgive and forget, but next time, you all should be careful."

Liu Xie glanced at Hua Xin again and asked, "Minister Hua, did you hear me clearly?"

This further confirms that Hua Xin was also one of the letter writers.

Hua Xin felt wronged and wanted to cry, but had no choice but to nod and reply, "Your Majesty, I understand."

Liu Xie then instructed Zhang Yu: "Alright, put all these letters away. No one is perfect. After the court session, all those who have written to Yuan Shao, come to me at your own expense. Although I have pardoned you, you still have to give me an answer. As for these letters, just leave them with me for now."

Although Liu Xie did not burn the letter, this was a relief to everyone.

At least his life is saved, and his family doesn't have to worry about being implicated.

But these letters will become like poisonous thorns, forever stuck in everyone's hearts, because they have fallen into the emperor's hands.

Although there were still many things to deal with, Liu Xie remained restrained.

You have to eat one bite at a time, and walk one step at a time.

Many things require more patience; at least we need to observe Cao Cao's reaction first.

As for the Secretariat, which was under Xun Yu's control, Liu Xie did not mention it in court.

But it is clear that everyone has realized that although the Ministry of Personnel has not been abolished, it can no longer make decisions on its own as before.

(End of this chapter)