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

Chapter 237, Rebellion Breaks Out in Jingzhou

Guo Jia looked up at Cao Cao, his gaze hardening. "My lord, as long as you do not wish to give up, I will stand with you!"

Cao Cao nodded; Guo Jia's attitude pleased him greatly.

However, a bitter smile quickly appeared on his face as he sighed, "Sometimes when I think about it, it feels like a dream. I still can't believe that His Majesty has actually reversed the situation."

In just a few short years, Cao Cao went from having complete control to having no choice but to abandon Xuchang. It all felt like a dream, and he found it hard to believe that it was real.

Guo Jia said, "My lord, the reason you are unwilling to believe it is true is simply because you have always looked down on His Majesty. Even if you value him, you would not treat him as equal to or more important than yourself."

The implication is that Cao Cao always felt that the emperor was inferior to him.

Even though the emperor demonstrated his skills and abilities, Cao Cao did not receive enough attention.

Cao Cao nodded. "Fengxiao, you are right. I have indeed underestimated His Majesty."

After getting up and taking a few steps, Cao Cao laughed again, "I haven't completely lost yet. Just watch, we still have a chance."

Guo Jia nodded. "That's right. As long as you can seize Hebei as soon as possible and take over Yuan Shao's forces, then you will only need to raise your arm and call for action, and half of the country will be in your hands."

What Guo Jia admired most about Cao Cao was that no matter what setbacks he suffered, he never gave in.

He will stand up again, muster his courage, and face new challenges with confidence.

…………

On this day, Cai Mao was playing with his newly acquired concubine in his room when suddenly the door was kicked open and a soldier stumbled in.

"General, this is bad."

The concubine screamed in fright, then burrowed into the covers and hid shyly.

Cai Mao was furious and cursed, "You scoundrel! How dare you barge into my room without knocking? Do you want to die?"

The soldier was startled and hurriedly said, "I was in a hurry and offended the general. Cai Zhongcai and the two generals were arrested by Gan Ning on the street."

"What did you say?"

Cai Mao suddenly sat up in bed, hurriedly put on his long robe and got out of bed, his face full of surprise.

"It's absolutely true. Today, the two generals were strolling on the street when they harassed a young woman, and Gan Ning and his men arrested them."

"This is outrageous! He dares to arrest my people! He's got a death wish!"

Cai Zhong and Cai He are Cai Mao's cousins, so their relationship is not very distant.

Enraged, Cai Mao led dozens of soldiers to the prefect's residence.

Meanwhile, Gan Ning was conducting a trial in court. Cai Zhongcai and another person were being held in custody, while a large number of onlookers stood outside the courtroom.

Everyone stood on tiptoe to look inside, and chattered amongst themselves.

Some people said, "In the past, the prefect's office never allowed us to come in and watch when it handled cases. This new prefect is really something else."

Some people shook their heads, not holding out much hope. "Cai Zhong and Cai He are members of the Cai family. The Cai family is deeply rooted and powerful, the largest family in Jingzhou. I'm afraid even the governor wouldn't dare to do anything to them. At most, he'd just give them a few words of reprimand and then have to release them."

There are seven major families in Jingzhou: the Cai family, the Kuai family, the Huang family, the Xi family, the Pang family, the Ma family, and the Yang family.

Because of their marriage alliance with Liu Biao, the Cai family suddenly rose to become the most powerful clan in Jingzhou.

Cai Zhong and Cai He stood there, necks stiff, glaring angrily at Gan Ning, each one resentful and indignant.

Cai Zhongdao said, "Gan Ning, you should know that we are from the Cai family."

Gan Ning nodded and stood up. "That's right, I know you're from the Cai family, but do you know whose side I work for?"

Cai Zhong and Cai He were both stunned.

Chen Gong sat to the side, watching quietly without making any comment.

Gan Ning looked towards Xudu, straightened his chest, and said proudly, "I have come by imperial decree; I am the Emperor's man!"

Chen Gong smiled approvingly. Gan Ning was rough around the edges but meticulous; he was quite resourceful in handling affairs.

"No matter how powerful the Cai family is, can they be more powerful than the emperor?" Gan Ning's words left Cai Zhong and Cai He speechless and unable to respond.

The two men were red-faced and their expressions were both angry and ferocious, but they were speechless for a moment.

Gan Ning continued, "I don't care who it is. Anyone who breaks the law will not be spared. Come on, give each person thirty strokes of the cane. Let's first put them down and teach them a lesson."

"Here!"

Amidst the gasps of the onlookers, several soldiers from the Jinfan Battalion came over and pinned Cai Zhongcai and the other two to the ground.

Cai Zhongcai and the other two hurriedly shouted, "How dare you! The Cai family will not let you get away with this!"

Gan Ning remained expressionless, coldly uttering a single word: "Fight!"

When Cai Mao arrived with his men, the onlookers were so frightened that they quickly made way for him. Cai Mao, with his hand on his sword, stormed into the main hall.

Cai Mao saw that Cai Zhong and Cai He were being beaten. The two of them were beaten until their skin was torn and their buttocks were bruised and bloody. They were lying on the ground and barking like dogs in pain.

Cai Mao's face turned ashen, and he hurriedly shouted, "Stop!"

Gan Ning glanced at him and said, "General Cai, we can talk later. Don't interfere with my official duties. Strike! Strike hard!"

The brothers of the Jinfan Battalion only listen to Gan Ning.

The sticks continued to strike Cai Zhongcai and the other two relentlessly, the blows whistling through the air.

"Ah...ah."

Cai Zhongcai and the other two screamed in agony, and Cai Mao was so angry that his mouth twitched. This was practically a slap in the face to him.

"Stop it."

Cai Mao couldn't stand it any longer, so he waved his hand, and the men he brought rushed into the main hall.

Chen Gong was watching from the side when Gan Ning flew into a rage, shouting, "How dare they lead men to storm the main hall! Seize them all!"

Cai Mao glared at Gan Ning, "How dare you!"

Cai Mao didn't believe Gan Ning would dare to do this at all, but suddenly, dozens of Jinfan Camp soldiers rushed in from outside the hall and charged directly at the soldiers Cai Mao had brought.

While Cai Mao was still in a daze, the Jinfan Battalion had already made their move.

The caning of Cai Zhong and Cai He continued, while Cai Mao's men and Gan Ning's men clashed in the main hall. Many onlookers were terrified by the sudden fight; the timid ran away, while those who enjoyed the spectacle remained to watch the excitement.

Chen Gong remained motionless, completely in a state of watching the spectacle.

Gan Ning himself had no intention of taking action. He trusted his brothers, and the thousand men in the Jinfan Battalion were all handpicked by him.

While I wouldn't say I could take on ten at once, I could certainly handle several.

The news of the Cai family's disturbance in court was spread by the people who had taken to the streets, and it spread at an astonishing speed.

Upon hearing the news, Pang Ji and Kuai Yue rushed over.

Neither of them ever dreamed that Gan Ning would dare to target the Cai family so readily; he was incredibly audacious.

When they arrived, more than a dozen of Cai Mao's men had already fallen, and one of them had been cleaved to the ground, bleeding from his chest.

Cai Mao snorted and angrily drew his weapon.

Gan Ning glared at him, "Cai Mao, you're so arrogant."

Cai Mao had been a tyrant in Jingzhou for many years, always acting with impunity and no one dared to contradict him. But today, he watched helplessly as Cai Zhong and Cai He were beaten, and Gan Ning showed him no respect whatsoever. Cai Mao was furious.

Cai Mao drew his sword, pointing the tip at Gan Ning. "Gan Ning, you are too presumptuous. How dare you disregard the Cai family?"

Gan Ning retorted, "I only have eyes for the emperor, not the Cai family."

Upon seeing this, Kuai Yue hurriedly shouted, "De Gui, stop!"

If they hadn't stopped him, even if Gan Ning had killed Cai Mao in the main hall, no one would have dared to say a word against it.

To make a scene in court, to put it bluntly, is tantamount to treason and rebellion.

Because the court represents the imperial court!

Cai Mao glanced at Kuai Yue and hesitated, while the soldiers he brought were quickly defeated one after another.

Kuai Yue shook his head repeatedly; he had really stirred up a huge mess today.

Looking at Chen Gong, and seeing him still quietly watching from the side, Kuai Yue became even more worried.

He had already found out that the man was Chen Gong, who had once served as Lü Bu's strategist and was now a high-ranking official.

Chen Gong's composure shows that he is not worried about what Gan Ning has done today. Even if Gan Ning causes a major disaster in Jingzhou, it is nothing because he has the support of the imperial court and the emperor.

Seeing that there were still many people gathered there, Kuai Yue hurriedly went over, waved to them, and tried to disperse them.

Chen Gong, however, said, "I don't think it's necessary. So many people have already seen what happened today, why should Yidu deliberately cover it up? Isn't that just burying one's head in the sand and deceiving oneself?"

Gan Ning also glanced at Kuai Yue, who immediately felt somewhat embarrassed.

He originally intended to disperse the people, downplay the seriousness of the matter, and suggest that everyone could discuss things behind closed doors.

However, judging from the situation, Gan Ning and Chen Gong had no intention of downplaying the matter.

Gan Ning pointed to the dozens of Cai Mao's men who had been captured and shouted sternly, "You guys are really bold. In broad daylight, on my very first day in office, you dare to cause a scene in the court. You should be sentenced to death, but I'll consider that you were acting under orders. Come on, push them all out of the court and give each of them fifty lashes."

"Being instructed by someone?"

Isn't it obvious that this refers to Cai Mao?

Cai Mao was furious. "Gan Ning, you've got some nerve! You dare to hit my men!"

Gan Ning sneered, "Everyone says that Liu, the governor of Jingzhou, has governed Jingzhou very well, and His Majesty has praised him many times. Today I realize that His Majesty has been deceived. The order in Jingzhou is truly disappointing. On the very first day, someone defied the court and roared in the courtroom. Cai Mao, I think you are the one who is truly audacious."

"What? Do you dare to hit me?" Cai Mao glared at Gan Ning and shouted defiantly.

Cai Mao was in charge of the troops in Jingzhou, and his word was law not only within the Cai family but also in Jingzhou.

Even Cao Cao was Cai Mao's childhood friend; the two were playmates who grew up together in Luoyang.

Gan Ning sneered, "What do I have to be afraid of? I only have eyes for the current emperor. Come on, take Cai Mao down and give him a hundred lashes."

The onlookers were all stunned; no one could believe it was true.

They even beat Cai Mao, and beat him the hardest and most severely, giving him a hundred lashes!
Kuai Yue hurriedly walked towards Gan Ning, and lowered his voice as he approached, saying, "Prefect, could you please grant me this favor and discuss it with Liu Jingzhou before making a decision?"

Gan Ning shook his head, his attitude resolute. "In the courtroom, how can one speak lightly? Yi Du, you are also a learned man. I came here on the Emperor's orders, and on my very first day, someone has already caused a disturbance in the courtroom, showing no respect for the Emperor. Jingzhou needs to be properly rectified."

The fight that broke out in the courtroom earlier scared away many people, but now, even more people have poured in, crowding the place to the brim.

Chen Gong suddenly said, "I think it would be better to send someone to inform Liu Bei in advance that his tens of thousands of troops are guarding Runan, in order to prevent anyone from deliberately causing trouble."

Kuai Yue was startled. Liu Bei was stationed in Runan, which was very close to Xiangyang. What did Chen Gong mean by this? Did he mean that someone in Jingzhou was plotting a rebellion?

Gan Ning shook his head. "I don't think so. Liu Jingzhou is a member of the Han imperial family and is related to His Majesty. Jingzhou should be fine."

Chen Gong glanced at Kuai Yue and Pang Ji, then said, "I think it would be better to inform Liu Huangshu, just in case."

Gan Ning directed his men to pin Cai Mao to the ground, then nodded to Chen Gong, "Gongtai's words make sense. Then send someone to Runan immediately to tell Generals Guan and Zhang to be ready at any time. If anyone in Jingzhou causes trouble, have them come to our aid immediately."

The two of them sang in unison right in front of Kuai Yue and Pang Ji, which terrified the two men.

Cai Mao, pinned to the ground, continued to struggle, cursing, "Gan Ning, if you dare hit me, you'll regret it! I'll never forgive you!"

Gan Ning glanced at him disdainfully, then feigned concern and said to Chen Gong, "It seems that simply informing Liu Bei is not enough. We also need to send someone to inform His Majesty, so that Lü Bu and Zhao Yun can also make preparations. What do you think..."

Gan Ning pointed at Cai Mao and said worriedly, "Jingzhou is really worrying. We must inform His Majesty as soon as possible that someone in Jingzhou may be plotting a rebellion."

Upon hearing this, both Kuai Yue and Pang Ji turned ashen-faced.

In just a short while, Gan Ning not only had to contact Liu Bei, but also the emperor.

What are they doing? Are they going to attack Jingzhou?

Gan Ning and Chen Gong were simply acting, but they acted so convincingly that Gan Ning called over a few soldiers, gave them some instructions, and then prepared to send them off to deliver the message.

Kuai Yue hurriedly advised, "Gentlemen, the matter is not that serious. How could anyone in Jingzhou cause trouble? Absolutely not."

Gan Ning shook his head. “Yidu, it’s always good to be prepared in advance. We are here on orders. Our lives are a small matter, but the face of the court is a big deal. If the court’s face is damaged, we must protect it with our lives. This is the duty of a subject. What do you think?”

Kuai Yue nodded awkwardly, “The governor is absolutely right. However, today’s matter is probably just a misunderstanding. There is no need to make a big fuss and disturb His Majesty.”

Gan Ning sneered, "You heard it just now too. Cai Mao not only led a group of people to cause a scene in the court, but also threatened me. This is no joke. Although I am not afraid, Jingzhou belongs to the imperial court, and I will not allow anyone to cause trouble here and shake the foundation of the imperial court!"

(End of this chapter)