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

"You mean His Majesty summoned you?"

Cao Cao was very surprised. Lady Cai showed a charming and alluring smile that made one's heart flutter. If it were any other day, Cao Cao might have already eagerly embraced her.

"Yes, Prime Minister, I have told Your Majesty everything that should and should not be said."

Cao Cao glared at her fiercely. "No wonder your attitude changed so quickly, and you are no longer afraid of me. Then please leave, madam. I hope you will forgive my disturbance tonight!"

Madam Cai smiled, gave Xun You a grateful look, and then walked away.

Whether intentionally or not, Madam Cai swayed her waist and walked with light steps, perfectly showcasing her graceful figure and charming temperament.

At that moment, she was incredibly charming, making people itch with desire, but Cao Cao was completely powerless to resist her.

A cunning woman always knows how to use her advantages. Take Lady Cai for example; her biggest trump card right now is the emperor.

Madam Cai left satisfied, as if she had won a battle.

Cao Cao's troubles were not over yet. Xun You then questioned Cao Cao's conduct with sharp words for a long time, and finally said, "Prime Minister, I will report this matter to His Majesty as it is. I hope you will be more careful in the future and behave yourself."

After Xun You left, Cao Cao was furious. His face was gloomy, and his eyes flashed with a sharp light.

After a while, Cao Cao clenched his fist, his knuckles turning white from the excessive force.

Cao Cao gritted his teeth and said, "Damn it, I am the current prime minister, how dare you be so presumptuous in front of me."

Lady Cai and Xun You infuriated Cao Cao so much that he wanted to kill them right then and there.

But Cao Cao also understood that the reason they dared to act this way in front of him was simple: the emperor stood behind them.

Through his conversation with Lady Cai, Cao Cao knew that she had told the emperor the whole truth.

Even if Cao Cao was furious, he didn't dare to do anything to them. He could only suppress his anger and forcefully put down the raging fire in his heart.

After only two days in Xiangyang, Cao Cao hurriedly returned to Wulin. Upon his return, he immediately began to reorganize his army and issued orders to Cao Ren and Xiahou Dun, instructing them to intensify the training of the navy and continue to recruit troops from various places to Jingzhou.

Cao Cao knew very well that a campaign against Jiangdong was inevitable. He had no other choice but to fight a quick battle to minimize his losses.

In addition, Cao Cao was worried that if the troops from various places could not be mobilized as soon as possible, the emperor would take over them, especially the troops from Bingzhou and Jizhou, of which Cao Cao had mobilized almost half this time.

As a result, various regions responded one after another, and almost every once in a while, teams would arrive in Jingzhou. As the number of people increased, Cao Cao's confidence naturally grew stronger.

Now that they had come to Xiangyang, Liu Xie naturally had to meet Zhuge Liang in Longzhong. On this day, Liu Xie, accompanied by Zhao Yun and Zhuge Jun, arrived in Longzhong.

On the way, Zhuge Jun said, "Your Majesty, if you wish to see my elder brother, you do not need to go in person. You only need to send someone to deliver a message."

Zhuge Jun has now become a court attendant, and this time he was fortunate enough to come to Jingzhou with the emperor.

Liu Xie smiled and said, "Longzhong is a place of beautiful mountains and clear waters, a perfect place for me to relax and unwind."

Liu Xie had been to Longzhong once before. He always had a good memory and found the place quickly without Zhuge Jun pointing the way.

Zhuge Liang was admiring the scenery on the hillside when he saw Liu Xie and his two companions in the distance. The more he looked at them, the more familiar they seemed. When they got closer, Zhuge Liang was both surprised and delighted, and could hardly believe it.

Zhuge Liang hurried down the hillside to greet him, saying, "Your Majesty, I never expected you to come in person."

As Zhuge Liang spoke, he led Liu Xie to his home. Upon seeing his third brother, Zhuge Jun, Zhuge Liang could not hide his smile.

Hearing the conversation, Huang Yueying came out of the inner room. After bowing, she asked with a delighted expression, "Your Majesty, the waterwheel blueprints you sent last time have been completed. I really didn't expect that this waterwheel would have such a wonderful use, being able to draw water from low to high for irrigation, and so saving time and effort."

Huang Yueying has loved research since she was a child and often has some ingenious ideas. Not only does she have many ideas, but she is also particularly good at hands-on work. When she first got the blueprints for the overturned car, she became engrossed in them and spent her days studying them.

Liu Xie, this time traveler, actually didn't know much. Unlike others, he didn't go back to ancient times to make inventions and creations, such as papermaking, glassmaking, and even explosives.

Even for simple things, Liu Xie could only provide a rough blueprint. He still needed to rely on the wisdom of the ancients and constantly study and experiment in order to achieve something.

Inventing things like the curved plow, bellows, and tippler all inevitably involved a lot of experimentation.

Huang Yueying and Zhuge Liang were an exceptionally intelligent young couple. What was even more commendable was their strong practical skills. Whenever Liu Xie had free time, he would send them blueprints that could improve people's livelihoods.

Huang Yueying designed a small tipping cart in the backyard, which piqued Liu Xie's interest, and the group went to the backyard together.

Upon arriving at the backyard, one immediately sees the waterwheel that Huang Yueying built, which is about two meters tall. Huang Yueying has cultivated several vegetable plots in the backyard, which are lush and green. She has also transplanted many precious flowers and plants from the mountains.

Huang Yueying took the initiative to introduce, "There is a stream right below the courtyard. Although it is very close, without the tipper, we would have to carry water in buckets to irrigate it. With this tipper, I can transport the water to higher ground, which is much more convenient. Kongming and I have already discussed it. If this thing can be popularized, all the people in the world will benefit."

As Huang Yueying spoke, she also gave a live demonstration. The tipper was a huge wheel with many water tanks on it. As the tipper slowly turned, the water in the tanks was carried to a higher place.

Although it was just a small accident, Liu Xie felt gratified to see the water being transported to higher ground.

Zhao Yun and Zhuge Jun were also captivated by the sight and praised it highly.

Liu Xie smiled and said, "Very good, let's start the pilot program in Jingzhou first."

"Pilot program?"

Upon hearing this novel term, Zhuge Liang's eyes lit up, and he understood its meaning without needing anyone to explain it.

"Your Majesty is indeed very thoughtful. Besides, the abacus is quite simple to make, but the formula for it is rather interesting." Fearing that Zhuge Liang would continue to ask questions, Liu Xie quickly said, "I obtained the formula for the abacus by chance. I once met a wandering old man with white hair, and I heard it from him."

A mnemonic is just a mnemonic; if Zhuge Liang, being so clever, were to really press Liu Xie for answers, he would easily stump him.

Liu Xie not only taught Zhuge Liang the abacus formulas, but also wrote down the multiplication tables from memory after entering the house.

With Zhuge Liang's intelligence, he learned everything very quickly, but after he mastered it, he was even more surprised.

"Kongming, with this set of formulas, I believe that no matter how difficult the numerical calculations are, they will not be difficult for you."

Zhuge Liang suddenly laughed, "Your Majesty, could this be another chance encounter with that white-haired old man, and a result of accidental gain?"

Liu Xie laughed too, too lazy to explain. Zhuge Liang always felt that all these things were done by the emperor himself.

"Kongming, what is your opinion on the impending war between Cao Cao and Sun Quan?"

Zhuge Liang also put away his smile, his expression becoming much more serious. He was silent for a moment, then looked at Liu Xie and said, "Your Majesty, I must first confirm whether Your Majesty will send anyone else to participate in this battle besides Cao Cao?"

"How so?" Liu Xie asked.

"If Your Majesty sends someone to participate in the war, Sun Quan will undoubtedly be defeated. If you do not send someone to participate, Cao Cao will have the advantage in military strength, while Sun Quan will rely on natural defenses. Both sides have their own advantages and their strengths are evenly matched. Therefore, a fierce battle is inevitable. In the end, no matter who wins or loses, both sides will pay a huge price."

"Give your opinion."

Liu Xie accepted the tea offered by Huang Yueying and nodded his thanks.

Zhuge Liang glanced at Liu Xie and said something startling: "I believe that only a victory for Sun Quan would be the best outcome for Your Majesty!"

Liu Xie was surprised. "Why is that? Kongming, it's fortunate that you said these words to me. If they had been spread, it would have caused a lot of controversy!"

Cao Cao represented the imperial court after all, yet Zhuge Liang did not actually hope for his victory.

Zhuge Liang explained, “I deeply admire Your Majesty’s recent methods. I believe that this campaign against Jiangdong is the best opportunity for Your Majesty to completely control the situation. Although Cao Cao represents the court, he is not the court after all. Even if Sun Quan is to be defeated, he must lose to Your Majesty.”

"It is now common knowledge that Jiangdong is the biggest threat to the court. If Sun Quan is defeated by Cao Cao, it will only embolden Cao Cao and make him continue to harbor ambitions to oppose Your Majesty. It would be better to take advantage of this battle to completely subdue Cao Cao and also eliminate those who are loyal to Cao Cao."

Zhuge Liang was not only skilled in domestic affairs and military campaigns, but also quite talented in politics.

"Your Majesty, it is precisely because Cao Cao's prestige is too high that he has become so unscrupulous and poses a threat to Your Majesty. Under no circumstances should we allow him to further increase his prestige. What Your Majesty needs to do now is to improve your own achievements and prestige as soon as possible. The task of pacifying Jiangdong must be undertaken by Your Majesty personally. If Cao Cao is defeated, Your Majesty will have two choices."

"Which two options?" Liu Xie's interest had been piqued.

Zhuge Liang glanced at the emperor and replied decisively, "Your Majesty can either rescue him and lend a helping hand when he is most desperate, or find an opportunity to eliminate Cao Cao. Once Cao Cao is dead, those who support him will be no longer a threat."

Despite being only in his twenties, Zhuge Liang's words were concise, reasonable, and well-founded, hitting the nail on the head.

He has the potential to become a great politician. To be a politician, one must first and foremost not be too kind.

You must have keen analytical and judgment skills. When it is time to be decisive, you must not hesitate or be indecisive!

Liu Xie looked at him intently, making Zhuge Liang feel a little embarrassed.

Liu Xie thought of many things. He remembered that after Zhuge Liang followed Liu Bei, he once advised Liu Bei to take decisively take over Jingzhou while Liu Biao was seriously ill and entrusted with the care of his son. However, Liu Bei had many concerns and was afraid of damaging his reputation, so he missed the best opportunity to take over Jingzhou.

After Liu Biao's death, when Cao Cao's army was attacking and passed through Xiangyang, Zhuge Liang once again advised Liu Bei to take Xiangyang, but Liu Bei refused again.

After Liu Bei's death, Zhuge Liang's actions demonstrated his exceptional political acumen. He executed Ma Su with tears in his eyes, eliminated Li Yan and Wei Yan, and so on, firmly grasping power in his own hands and promptly identifying and eliminating threats.

A lenient ruler cannot command an army, nor can a righteous ruler manage finances. The worst thing a politician can do is to be soft-hearted and indecisive!

Zhuge Liang, believing that Liu Xie was reluctant to eliminate Cao Cao, advised, "Your Majesty, the main reason you have been so lenient with Cao Cao is that you cannot control everything, which is why you have repeatedly made concessions to him. This battle is of paramount importance, and Your Majesty must make a decision as soon as possible!"

Liu Xie thought for a moment and said, "Kongming, since you are truly dedicated to planning for me, then fine, I agree to let Cao Cao suffer a defeat. As for whether or not to eliminate him?"

Zhuge Liang, Zhao Yun, and Zhuge Jun all stared wide-eyed at Liu Xie.

Liu Xie casually said, "Then let's leave it to fate."

Zhuge Liang immediately followed up with, "It seems Your Majesty still has some reservations. Your Majesty is the Son of Heaven, and your will represents the will of Heaven!"

After chatting for a while, Zhuge Liang invited Liu Xie to stay for dinner at his home. It was a truly authentic farmhouse feast, featuring wild vegetables and game from the mountains. Liu Xie accepted the invitation without hesitation, and the group enjoyed the meal immensely.

After the meal, Liu Xie drank a few sips of tea and then formally invited Zhuge Liang, "Kongming, I didn't invite you before because you just got married. How about it? Would you like to come down the mountain with me and end this chaotic world together!"

Zhuge Liang was overjoyed to receive the emperor's invitation; to be honest, he had been looking forward to this day for a long time.

Zhuge Jun was also happy for Zhuge Liang and quickly advised, "Second brother, His Majesty has always remembered you. Why don't you come down the mountain with us? That way you can offer advice to His Majesty whenever you want. It's too much of a waste of time to keep writing letters back and forth like before."

Huang Yueying also came over, and Liu Xie smiled and said to her, "Madam, this time I not only invited Kongming down the mountain, but you should come too. Madam is very knowledgeable and has skillful hands. What you can do is no less than what men can do."

The emperor's invitation to even his own wife was a great surprise to Zhuge Liang. Before Zhuge Liang could reply, Liu Xie jokingly said, "I don't want to go back empty-handed this time. If Kongming doesn't agree, I'll have Zilong forcibly take you away."

Having said all that, Zhuge Liang hurriedly stepped forward, bowed, and said, "I am deeply grateful for Your Majesty's favor. I am willing to follow Your Majesty, to restore the Han Dynasty, and to recover the Central Plains!" (End of Chapter)