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

Chapter 239, We Will Surely Conquer Jingxiang

Cao Cao's troops camped outside the city, and Liu Xie also had Lü Bu and others train their troops outside the city. A large area was specially set up near the Xutian hunting grounds, where tens of thousands of troops would drill every day.

Whenever he had free time, Liu Xie would ride a horse to the military camp. He preferred riding a horse to traveling by carriage.

The feeling of galloping at breakneck speed is both exhilarating and thrilling, and every moment feels full of challenges.

In the barracks, some soldiers were riding horses, some were practicing sparring in pairs, and others were carrying weights to build strength... The soldiers were working enthusiastically, and the training methods were varied and numerous.

Liu Xie initially thought he was a time traveler and knew more, so he wanted to teach everyone how to stand at attention. After observing for a few days, he gave up.

People like Gao Shun, Zhao Yun, and Lü Bu were all very skilled at training troops. They had their own methods, and they never neglected to practice military formations on a daily basis.

Don't think that the military formations of the ancients were just useless decorations. As early as the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, the famous Wei Wuzu were already renowned throughout the world, and their combat power was terrifying.

Lu Bu and Zhao Yun were skilled in cavalry training, while Gao Shun was more adept at infantry.

Upon seeing the emperor, the soldiers were even more motivated, shouting battle cries and charging forward with all their might.

The habit of wearing leg wraps has become widespread in the military; even during daily training, people will wrap their legs with leg wraps.

On the one hand, it avoids mosquito bites, and on the other hand, with leg wraps, the body can exert more strength. Without leg wraps, the clothes are loose and it feels awkward to walk.

"Your Majesty, someone outside is looking for Gao Shun."

Wang Kui ran over from outside to report.

"Who is looking for Gao Shun?" Liu Xie asked casually.

"It's Zhang Liao!"

"Oh, it's him." Liu Xie nodded, not taking it to heart.

Wang Kui received instructions and ran to Gao Shun to relay them.

Gao Shun was also a little puzzled. Ever since Zhang Liao followed Cao Cao, in order to avoid suspicion, Gao Shun and Lü Bu had hardly contacted Zhang Liao on a daily basis. Before they knew it, more than a year had passed.

Gao Shunchong instructed his soldiers, "Keep training, don't stop."

He then walked away. Liu Xie noticed that many of the soldiers trained by Gao Shun rolled their eyes, and some were even sighing helplessly.

Liu Xie strode over, and when everyone saw him, they quickly stood up straight and puffed out their chests.

Liu Xie waved his hand, "I was just taking a casual look. Come on, everyone stop and gather around."

Gao Shun strode away and soon left the barracks, unaware of what was happening behind him.

Liu Xie gathered these people around him, and they formed a circle, numbering about a thousand.

Everyone looked at him curiously. Liu Xie said kindly, "I have been observing for several days. General Gao's training is the most rigorous. You probably want to slack off and take a break, right?"

Everyone was stunned for a moment, but no one dared to nod in agreement.

Liu Xie smiled, pointed at someone, and asked, "Li Er, you answer this: are you feeling too tired and overworked?"

It wasn't surprising that Liu Xie was called by name, because he often met with people and could remember many people's names after hearing them only once.

Li Er stepped forward excitedly and nodded, "Your Majesty, I am really exhausted."

Liu Xie said, "It is indeed very tiring and arduous. I have seen it all. Other teams train for about three hours a day, but you train for four hours. Not only is the training time longer, but the intensity of your training is also the greatest."

Everyone was excited that the emperor's prediction had come true, and some couldn't help but hope that the emperor would be considerate of everyone and ask Gao Shun to reduce the intensity of the exercise.

Liu Xie continued, "You are very lucky because you were all carefully selected by General Gao. You are not ordinary soldiers. Have you heard of the Trapped Camp?"

Some shook their heads, some nodded; not many people had heard of this name.

Liu Xie gave a thumbs up and praised, "I think the Trapped Camp's fighting power is the strongest in the world among infantry fighting. Hebei has Zhang He's halberdiers and Ju Yi's Vanguard Death Squad. Many of you are from Hebei and probably know the fighting power of the halberdiers and Vanguard Death Squad. But I want to tell you today that the Trapped Camp is even stronger than them, much stronger!"

Many of the people were from Hebei. When they heard Liu Xie praise the Trapped Camp so highly, their expressions were a mix of excitement and doubt.

"I want to tell you that you will soon become members of the Trapped Camp, so you are very lucky. But at the same time, you will also have to undergo the most rigorous training. Suffering and hardship are inevitable. If you want to become the strongest elite in the world, you can't just lie around and sleep all day."

Liu Xie was witty and humorous, and when he was with his soldiers, he was always so approachable that it was easy for him to get close to everyone.

"I want to give you a piece of advice: If you want to wear the crown, you must bear the weight. If you want to be elite and respected by others, you must accept the most rigorous training and make the greatest effort."

When Gao Shun returned, he saw that all the soldiers had stopped. He was initially very angry, but when he got closer, he heard Liu Xie giving them a lecture.

"When you go to the battlefield in the future, you will be grateful for your efforts today and for General Gao's strict training. Because the harder you train, the stronger you will become, the more enemies you will kill, the more merits you will make, and the more chances you will have to survive the battlefield. Anyone who wants to be a coward or a weakling should just quit now."

Li Er hurriedly shook his head, "Your Majesty, we will not be cowards, we will be the strongest soldiers."

"Yes, we must be the strongest soldiers!" The others were also inspired and shouted loudly.

Liu Xie nodded with satisfaction. "Very good. Every drop of sweat you put in during training will mean one less drop of blood you bleed on the battlefield. Keep training."

The group immediately perked up and continued training, shouting slogans loudly.

A rare smile appeared on Gao Shun's resolute face as he strode towards Liu Xie.

"Your Majesty, what you just said was very well said." Gao Shun was usually a man of few words, but he was a true man of action.

Liu Xie nodded to him, "I was just saying a few words. You can continue training."

Liu Xie strode away into the distance. Gao Shun hesitated for a moment, then said, "Your Majesty, Zhang Liao came to see me just now."

Liu Xie didn't care much about such things. If Gao Shun was willing to tell him, he would; if he wasn't, Liu Xie wouldn't ask any further questions.

As a leader, you must have enough trust in your subordinates!
Don't think all day long that everyone has to tell you and report everything. Over time, everyone will get tired, and the relationship between ruler and subject will become distant and lose trust.

The more Liu Xie didn't ask, the more Gao Shun felt he should speak up. He continued, "It's like this: after the fall of Xiapi, General Lü's original troops were taken by Zhang Liao. He just came to discuss with me the idea of ​​returning the original Trapped Camp troops to me."

Zhang Liao did not have a pleasant year. When he was in Xiapi, he was very happy because he was appreciated by Cao Cao. Not only was he not killed, but he was also highly regarded.

If Lü Bu and Gao Shun had both died in Xiapi, Zhang Liao wouldn't have felt so much guilt. But, of course, both Lü Bu and Gao Shun survived, and not only that, they both followed the emperor and gained his favor.

This put Zhang Liao in a very awkward position.

First, there's his stance. Cao Cao valued him, but Cao Cao wasn't on the same side as the emperor, which made Zhang Liao often doubt himself.

In addition, the soldiers led by Zhang Liao gradually developed the idea of ​​returning to Lü Bu and Gao Shun's side.

For more than a year, the soldiers were unhappy, and Zhang Liao was also conflicted.

All of this was because Lü Bu and Gao Shun were saved by Liu Xie.

After listening, Liu Xie nodded in understanding. "What are your thoughts on this?"

Gao Shun replied, "Actually, sometimes I miss those soldiers, after all, we have fought side by side many times. However, I don't want to put Zhang Liao in a difficult position. If they come back, I'm worried that Cao Cao will be dissatisfied with Zhang Liao. Besides, even if those people don't come back, Your Majesty, rest assured, I can still train the Trapped Camp to be no worse than those people."

Liu Xie nodded. "Since Zhang Liao has come to you, you two can discuss how to resolve this privately. I'll talk to Cao Cao when I have some free time. Anyway, Cao Cao doesn't need any more people, so we can have Zhang Liao select some new ones to train."

Gao Shun said, "If that's the case, it would be best if His Majesty intervened."

Liu Xie nodded and kept the matter in mind.

Before long, someone else came to report, "Your Majesty, Kuai Yue from Jingzhou has arrived and wishes to pay his respects."

"Kuai Yue?"

Liu Xie smiled. Gan Ning had already sent word about the situation in Jingzhou.

Of course, Gan Ning's request for the court to prepare to send troops was merely for show.

Liu Xie's next target is Qingzhou. Lü Bu and his men have been training their troops non-stop for days in preparation for launching a military campaign against Qingzhou after the New Year.

Liu Xie was about to return to the palace to meet Kuai Yue, but then he changed his mind and said, "Let him come here."

Not long after, Kuai Yue arrived.

Kuai Yue was tall and slender, with a calm and composed demeanor and well-defined features. Every move he made exuded a sense of unhurried composure and experience.

Liu Xie looked him over and couldn't help but recall Cao Cao's words to Kuai Yue after he obtained Jingzhou: "I am not happy to have obtained Jingzhou, but happy to have obtained Yidu!"

As he stepped into the barracks, Kuai Yue felt somewhat uneasy, but his face remained calm.

Kuai Yue greatly admired any monarch who appeared in the military camp.

This at least shows that such a monarch attaches great importance to military affairs, and the more chaotic the times, the more important the army becomes.

What's more, the person in front of him is the current emperor.

Upon seeing the emperor in the barracks, Kuai Yue completely dispelled his doubts; at least for now, the emperor was probably the one in charge.

Otherwise, would Cao Cao have allowed the emperor to appear in the military camp? Wasn't he afraid that the emperor would lead troops to seize power?

"Your subject, Kuai Yue, Prefect of Zhangling, pays his respects to Your Majesty." Upon arriving before Liu Xie, Kuai Yue bowed deeply with utmost respect.

In fact, when a subject pays homage to the emperor, he does not need to kneel every time.

There are several situations in which people kneel. First, they feel guilty for doing something wrong. Second, they have a deep respect for the emperor. Third, ordinary people feel a sense of awe when they see the emperor.

"My dear minister, why are you here? Why didn't Liu Biao come?"

Liu Xie naturally had to support Gan Ning, and his face immediately darkened upon seeing Kuai Yue.

Kuai Yue replied awkwardly, "Your Majesty, Governor Liu originally intended to come to Xudu in person to apologize to Your Majesty, but recently he has been unwell and is ill, so he entrusted me to explain the reason to Your Majesty."

"Hmph! Why did you fall ill so suddenly when you were about to apologize? Is that what you mean, my dear minister?"

Kuai Yue opened his mouth. The emperor's words were so sharp; it was clear that he was very dissatisfied with Liu Biao.

Kuai Yue was helpless. He wanted Liu Biao to come in person, but Liu Biao refused.

However, he still had to plead for Liu Biao, saying, "Your Majesty has misunderstood. Governor Liu is truly ill. He did not intend to avoid seeing Your Majesty."

"My dear minister, I happen to be skilled in medicine. Since he cannot come to see me, how about I travel to Xiangyang to see him and examine his illness? What do you think?"

Kuai Yue was startled and hurriedly shook his head, "Your Majesty's status is so noble, and there are so many matters in the court that require Your Majesty's attention. I think it is unnecessary for you to go in person. I believe that Governor Liu will recover in a few days."

Liu Xie nodded. "Very well. Go back and tell him that if Jingzhou is unruly and someone causes trouble, I will go there personally. Gan Ning went to Xiangyang on my orders, and in just a few days, Cai Mao, who caused trouble, has appeared. How did Liu Biao govern? Someone actually dared to cause a scene in court, showing no respect for the court or for me!"

Kuai Yue's heart pounded wildly. After Liu Xie's words, he didn't know how to explain himself.

"Summon Fengxian and Zilong here," Liu Xie ordered the guards beside him, waving his hand.

Zhao Yun was not far away and walked over, while Lü Bu was training his cavalry and rode Red Hare at breakneck speed.

Because the horse was running too fast, and Lü Bu was still carrying his halberd, Kuai Yue was startled.

At first glance, it looked as if Lü Bu was charging straight at Kuai Yue. Only when he was right in front of Kuai Yue did Lü Bu stop his mount, leap off, and loudly ask, "Your Majesty, what do you need me for?"

Lu Bu thought something had happened and stared intently at Kuai Yue.

Kuai Yue looked Lü Bu up and down, and indeed he possessed a heroic aura, as if a god had descended to earth.

Lu Bu was dashing and heroic, clad in golden armor, wielding a halberd, his eyes gleaming with fierce light, like a lion's. Even the usually calm and composed Kuai Yue secretly groaned under his gaze, feeling as if he had become helpless prey in front of Lu Bu.

In front of Kuai Yue, Liu Xie asked them, "How is the soldiers' training going? There's some unrest in Jingzhou."

Lu Bu was taken aback for a moment, but Zhao Yun replied first, "Your Majesty, I am ready and can go into battle at any time."

As they spoke, Zhao Yun gave Lü Bu a wink, and Lü Bu finally understood. He quickly nodded and said, "Your Majesty, I have no problem on my side. Ten thousand elite cavalry are ready to go at any time. As long as Your Majesty gives the order, we will surely be able to conquer Jingzhou!"

Kuai Yue was so frightened that he broke out in a cold sweat. Was this for real?
Isn't it?

(End of this chapter)