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

Chapter 233, Cao Cao is furious.
Liu Biao was also tempted and couldn't help but ask, "Your Majesty, is it really possible? For example, if I see a bully harassing a respectable young lady, can I beat him up, hand him over to the authorities, and then swagger away?"

Liu Xie nodded. "That's right, this is the privilege of the Dragon Guards, because you are my personal guards."

Everyone was excited, as if they had received an imperial edict. Just thinking about it made them feel very powerful.

Joining them in the Dragon Guard was a sudden inspiration for Liu Xie, as he couldn't bear to see this force dissipate so easily.

These people don't like to be restrained and like to run around. They have made contributions, so Liu Xie can't just keep them by his side, can he?
But it would be such a waste to just let them leave and abandon this force.

“That would be wonderful, Your Majesty. I am willing to be added to the Dragon Guard.”

Liu Biao was the first to respond, and the others followed suit, saying, "I'm willing too."

"Count me in too."

"Me too."

Liu Xie said to Liu Biao, "From now on, the personnel on the outer perimeter of the Dragon Guard will be under your command. You can recruit new members, but they must be strictly vetted before joining. I will also send people to supervise them from time to time."

Liu Biao cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty is benevolent and loves the people. I will never tarnish Your Majesty's reputation. I will never allow those who are ruthless, cruel, bloodthirsty, or untrustworthy to join us."

Liu Xie nodded. "I have known you for four years. I trust you. From now on, go ahead and do your job. Those who are willing to leave will be under your command, and those who are unwilling to leave will be incorporated into the Dragon Guard and placed under Zilong's command."

Everyone was willing to accept this arrangement, because many people were leaving, so Liu Xie also drank quite a bit of wine tonight.

By the time Zhao Yun helped him leave, it was already midnight.

The next day, before noon, the execution ground was already crowded with people.

Although the scene of beheading and killing was extremely bloody, it did not dampen the public's enthusiasm for watching the spectacle.

Cao Cao personally oversaw the execution. Facing so many onlookers, Cao Cao's face was ashen. He sat there, serious as a cold-faced Yama, appearing majestic and terrifying, exuding an imposing aura.

Cao Cao knew very well that executing Man Chong in public would have both advantages and disadvantages.

The advantage is that it can stabilize people's hearts to the greatest extent, warn the public, and make everyone understand that whoever causes trouble will be severely punished.

The downside is that Cao Cao had to personally execute his own subordinates, which would discourage many people.

Cao Cao sometimes even wondered whether the emperor saw him as an ally or an executioner.

He felt more like an executioner, constantly raising his sword to clear obstacles for the emperor, and even those obstacles were his own subordinates.

Soon, Man Chong was escorted to the execution ground. Their eyes met, but neither of them spoke in front of so many people.

Even in front of onlookers, Cao Cao had to try his best to appear impartial and incorruptible.

Suddenly, a commotion arose outside the crowd, and someone excitedly shouted, "Uncle Liu is here!"

"Liu Bei?"

Cao Cao's eyebrows twitched suddenly. He looked in the direction of the sound, and soon the crowd automatically parted to make way for Liu Bei and his two companions.

The emperor did not come to the execution ground today, much to Cao Cao's surprise that Liu Bei would appear at this very moment.

Liu Bei, impeccably dressed and with a smile on his face, walked forward while waving warmly to the people around him.

He was always so approachable, drawing cheers from the crowd along the way.

Everyone consciously made way for Liu Bei, like a star surrounded by the moon, and let him go to the front.

Upon reaching the edge of the execution ground, Liu Bei stopped. Guan Yu and Zhang Fei stood on either side of him, like two iron towers, motionless and majestic behind him.

With his gaze falling on Cao Cao, Liu Bei gave him a faint smile as a greeting.

Cao Cao nodded in response.

Cao Cao thought to himself, "What a clever move by Liu Bei! He knows that many unfavorable rumors about him have been circulating in the past few days. His public appearance is simply an attempt to win people's hearts and dispel their criticisms."

In addition, it cannot be ruled out that Liu Bei wanted to see him make a fool of himself.

Cao Cao was right. Liu Bei had been in Runan for so long that there were more and more unfavorable rumors about him. Some even said that he was disregarding the emperor and wanted to hold military power in Runan.

Liu Bei was worried about how to explain himself to dispel everyone's suspicions when he heard that Cao Cao was going to publicly execute Man Chong as soon as he entered the city. Liu Bei's eyes lit up and he felt that this was a good opportunity.

The execution ground was packed with people and exceptionally lively. Liu Bei's appearance here was the best signal.

Liu Bei's candid appearance itself demonstrates that he is innocent and has no ulterior motives.

The more people watch, the better the publicity effect for Liu Bei.

Upon seeing Man Chong, Zhang Fei couldn't help but laugh and said, "Brother, isn't Man Chong one of Cao Cao's men? How could he be so heartless as to try to cut off his head?"

Zhang Fei always had a loud voice, his words like thunder, deep and booming, so loud that not only the onlookers nearby could hear him, but Cao Cao could also hear him.

Cao Cao's eyelids twitched again, and he looked at Zhang Fei, his gaze noticeably colder.

Liu Bei quickly glared at Zhang Fei, annoyed that he had spoken out of turn.

Zhang Fei was still unconvinced and muttered, "That's right, I didn't say anything wrong."

Guan Yu remained silent, calmly observing the scene.

Liu Bei remained very calm, but inwardly he was inexplicably excited.

Cao Cao forced Liu Bei to leave Xuchang, leaving Liu Bei with nowhere to go, so he sought refuge with Yuan Shao.

If the emperor hadn't contacted him, and Guan Yu hadn't killed Yuan Shao, Liu Bei wouldn't even have felt comfortable returning to Xuchang.

Therefore, seeing that Cao Cao was going to personally execute Man Chong, Liu Bei's mood improved considerably.

Cao Cao's expression grew increasingly grim; he had never had a good impression of Liu Bei.

While he was fighting hard at Guandu, Liu Bei was reaping both fame and fortune. He not only gained tens of thousands of troops from Yuan Shao for nothing, but also acquired Runan for free.

Cao Cao looked up at the sky and, seeing that the time was about right, stood up, thinking he should finish this matter as soon as possible.

Cao Cao glanced at Man Chong again and asked symbolically, "Man Chong, you have committed treason and rebellion, and you cannot escape death. Is there anything you want to say before you die?"

Man Chong shook his head. Now that his family had left Xudu, he had no more worries.

Zhang Fei couldn't hold back any longer and said, "By the way, brother, didn't we run into Wang Bi on the way here? He was escorting some people and killed them on the road. I even asked him about it, and he said they were all death row inmates."

Cao Cao and Man Chong both heard this. Cao Cao's expression immediately changed, revealing a murderous glint in his eyes, and his fingers clenched tightly.

Then Cao Cao hurriedly waved his hand at the executioner and said sternly, "Execute him immediately!"

Just as Cao Cao feared, Wang Bi's actions were so careless that Liu Bei and his men stumbled upon them.

Man Chong's eyes widened in shock, and he suddenly seemed to go berserk, shoving aside the two soldiers escorting him and charging angrily towards Cao Cao. It wasn't so much that he ran, but rather that he crashed into Cao Cao at incredible speed.

"Stop him quickly!"

Cao Cao looked somewhat panicked, and while backing away, he loudly gave the order.

Man Chong shouted, "My lord, why did you lie to me?"

Man Chong's frail body seemed to contain boundless strength; despite his stumbling and falling, he almost crashed into Cao Cao.

But he was still stopped. Dian Wei stepped forward, his arm like a giant iron clamp, and locked Man Chong's neck in one go.

"Why?...Why?"

Man Chong was having trouble breathing, and his face turned purplish-red, but he still stared wide-eyed at Cao Cao.

He couldn't understand why Cao Cao treated him this way.

Man Chong worked tirelessly and conscientiously for Cao Cao, only to be discarded like trash and nearly die a foolish death.

After all, he was a colleague, and Dian Wei wanted to loosen his grip a little, but Cao Cao urged again, "Execute him immediately."

Dian Wei had no choice but to drag Man Chong along and stride quickly to the place where he was to be beheaded.

Dian Wei was strong and powerful. He dragged Man Chong with one hand as if he were dragging a chick, leaving two long tracks on the ground.

Man Chong's neck was tightly locked by Dian Wei's arm, making it almost impossible for him to breathe, let alone speak.

Dian Wei forcefully pushed him down, and the executioner hurriedly raised his broadsword high.

This sudden turn of events left all the onlookers stunned, wondering what had happened.

Anyway, everyone's just here to watch the show, and no one's going to investigate.

To behead Man Chong, Dian Wei would have to remove his arm from Man Chong's neck; otherwise, he would be the one to behead him.

Just as Dian Wei removed his arm, Man Chong mustered all his strength and shouted, "Cao Cao, you traitor..."

Before Man Chong could even utter the next words, the gleaming steel blade slashed down mercilessly.

The next moment, a bloody human head fell to the ground.

However, many people heard the words "Cao the Traitor" very clearly.

Cao Cao didn't even glance at the severed head lying on the ground, and then coldly looked at Liu Bei and the other two.

Cao Cao's gaze was chillingly cold and utterly threatening.

Zhang Fei didn't take it seriously, and Guan Yu ignored it completely, but Liu Bei's heart trembled.

To be honest, Liu Bei disliked Cao Cao and hated his arrogance, but deep down he was also very afraid of him.

Being targeted by Cao Cao is no laughing matter.

Cao Cao stormed off, and the onlookers cheered excitedly. They didn't bother to investigate what had happened, since they were there to witness the execution.

Seeing that Liu Bei's expression had changed, Zhang Fei kindly asked, "Brother, what's wrong? You don't look well."

Liu Bei glared at him fiercely, intending to reprimand him, but in front of so many people, he could only suppress his dissatisfaction and said, "Alright, let's leave too."

Liu Bei turned and walked away. After the three of them had left the execution ground and walked a long way, Liu Bei said to Zhang Fei with some helplessness, "Third brother, you have just caused a great disaster."

"What trouble have you gotten into?"

Zhang Fei was completely bewildered and had no idea what was going on.

Guan Yu understood, stroked his beard, and sneered, "Brother, what my third brother said is true. Anyway, we've already fallen out with Cao Cao, so why should we be afraid of him?"

After Guan Yu killed Cao Cao at Xutian, Liu Bei and Cao Cao became enemies from that moment on.

"Ugh……"

Liu Bei sighed helplessly and said, "This time it's very serious. It seems that those people we encountered who were killed by Wang Bi must be Man Chong's family members. Cao Cao must have promised Man Chong that he would protect the lives of his family, but Yide revealed this in public. This matter will inevitably spread. How can Cao Cao not be angry?"

Zhang Fei snorted and said dismissively, "Anyway, he's already said he can do whatever he wants. We don't need to be afraid of him."

“Third brother is right. From now on, we just need to wholeheartedly support His Majesty. Why should we pay attention to Cao Cao? If he dares to cause us trouble, let him come if he wants.”

Guan Yu spoke with great arrogance, gripping his Green Dragon Crescent Blade tightly.

Cao Cao was furious, but as angry as he was, he was powerless to do anything about it.

He hurriedly returned to the Prime Minister's residence, his anger simmering with nowhere to go. Having not been intimate with a woman for many days, Cao Cao went to find Lady Du.

As Du was talking with her son Qin Lang, Cao Cao came in and waved to Qin Lang, telling him to go out and play.

Qin Lang was still young, but he was very handsome. He inherited his mother Du's good genes and looked like a porcelain doll from a young age. He was fair-skinned and cute. Even Cao Cao liked him very much and took him in as his stepson.

Qin Lang didn't know what Cao Cao was going to do, so he obediently left. Not long after he left, Cao Cao picked up Du Shi and went straight to the inner room.

Why insist on finding the Du family?

Cao Cao really wanted to take out his anger on Liu Bei's women, but he couldn't.

Gan Ning and his entourage, accompanied by gongs and drums and riding tall, fine horses, finally arrived in Xiangyang.

Gan Ning's entourage has grown much larger now, with many of the people joining along the way to watch the spectacle.

Cai Mao hurriedly came to see Liu Biao, "My lord, Gan Ning has arrived and will be entering the city soon."

Liu Biao sighed, "Since we've already arrived, let's go and greet them together."

Cai Mao exclaimed in disbelief as he looked at Liu Biao. “My lord, it’s one thing for you not to let me make my move on the road, but you even want to welcome me. Wouldn’t that make Gan Ning even more arrogant and disregard us? In my opinion, we should just shut him out immediately, block the city gates, and see how he handles it.”

Liu Biao hesitated, saying, "This is not appropriate. Gan Ning is, after all, here on the orders of the imperial court."

Cai Mao was somewhat dismissive, saying, "Even if we ignore the imperial decree, Xu Du can't do anything to us."

Cai Mao was impulsive and direct. He became the naval commander because of his marriage alliance with Liu Biao, and he was always arrogant and domineering.

Often, he didn't take Liu Biao's orders seriously.

But soon, Kuai Yue, Wen Ping and others also arrived. When they heard that Cai Mao wanted to forcibly keep Gan Ning outside the city, Kuai Yue hurriedly shook his head and advised, "Don't be rash. Gan Ning is here on behalf of the court. If we keep Gan Ning outside the city, it is as if we don't respect the court. We should welcome him into the city first and see how things go before making any plans."

(End of this chapter)