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

Zhang Zhen was only six years old, with chubby cheeks, like a little silver doll. Zhang Zhao doted on this grandson the most.

His grandson was at the most adorable age, his life had just begun, but Zhang Zhao didn't know how to comfort him.

The matter of Zhang Zhao has already spread far and wide. Although Sun Quan sent troops to protect him, he could not clear Zhang Zhao's name.

The Dragon Guards were renowned throughout the land, equivalent to the Embroidered Uniform Guards of the Ming Dynasty. They were directly under the emperor's command. This was the Han Dynasty, and when the emperor ordered the execution of Zhang Zhao's clansmen, naturally no one criticized the emperor.

People will only say that Zhang Zhao did something wrong, which led to his death.

Many people have begun to doubt whether Sun Quan can protect Zhang Zhao's family.

With Zhang Zhao bedridden, the people of Jiangdong were filled with anxiety, so Sun Quan had no choice but to hand over Zhang Zhao's original political affairs to Zhang Hong.

When the news reached Xuchang, Zhuge Liang shook his head. "Alas, Zhang Zhao made one wrong step after another. I believe he regrets it now."

Liu Xie sneered, "But this is for the best. At least it serves as a warning to others that those who mock the court will not have a good end. Sun Quan wants to stabilize the people's hearts, but he can't even protect Zhang Zhao's clansmen. What can he use to stabilize the people's hearts?"

A moment later, Zhao Yun walked in from outside. "Your Majesty, Zhong Yao, Mao Jie, and Xu Yi have arrived and are waiting in the side hall."

"Very well, I will go see them now."

Liu Xie stood up with a smile and led Zhuge Liang and Zhao Yun to the side hall.

Zhong Yao, Mao Jie, and the others were all uneasy. Before coming to Xuchang, they had even exchanged letters with each other. They were all afraid of being purged by the emperor, because they all knew the truth.

They bear the label of Cao Cao; they are genuine members of Cao Cao's faction.

When Liu Xie appeared in the side hall, Zhong Yao was the first to bow, followed by Xu Yi, Mao Jie, Sima Lang, Dong Zhao, and others who bowed in greeting, saying, "We pay our respects to Your Majesty."

Liu Xie waved his hand and said politely with a smile, "My dear ministers, there's no need for formalities. Please rise."

"You must be tired from your long journey. Please, have a seat."

The group quickly thanked them and then sat down one by one.

Zhong Yao was in his fifties, with a dignified appearance and a prudent personality. He was best at two things: warfare and calligraphy.

Liu Xie asked him with a smile, "My dear minister, how old are you this year?"

"Your Majesty, this old minister is fifty-four years old this year."

"You don't look old at all. Your complexion is rosy and you are in very good health. By the way, how old is your son this year?"

Although Zhong Yao did not know the emperor's intention in summoning them to Xudu, he had no choice but to patiently reply, "Your Majesty, this old minister still has no heir."

Liu Xie was stunned for a moment. Zhuge Liang and Zhao Yun were also surprised. Zhong Yao was already fifty-four years old. Others might have already become grandfathers, but Zhong Yao didn't even have a hair.

Liu Xie quickly realized that he liked to chat with people about everyday things, which had become a habit of his, but Zhong Yao was indeed an exception.

He had a son late in life, and it was a very, very late time.

Liu Xie recalled the information about Zhong Hui in his mind. He seemed to remember that Zhong Hui was born in 225 AD. Zhong Hui's older brother, Zhong Yu, was more than ten years older than Zhong Hui and should have been born in 212 or 213 AD.

This year is only 204 AD. Although the end of the year is approaching, there is still a very long way to go before his son is born.

Liu Xie looked at Zhong Yao and clicked his tongue in amazement. It seemed that Zhong Yao was already sixty-two when he became a father, and he was over seventy when he gave birth to Zhong Hui.

Liu Xie had to admire Zhong Yao; he was indeed vigorous despite his old age.

After offering a few words of comfort, Liu Xie chatted with Mao Jie and the others for a while.

After the atmosphere gradually eased, Liu Xie finally got to the point, "Gentlemen, I like to be straightforward. I believe you have probably guessed some of it. That's right, the reason I summoned you here is probably related to Cao Cao."

Upon hearing Cao Cao's name, Zhong Yao and the others tensed up, staring wide-eyed at Liu Xie, instantly creating a tense atmosphere in the hall.

Liu Xie smiled and waved his hand, "Gentlemen, there's no need to be nervous. The reason I summoned you to Xuchang is to have a heart-to-heart talk with you all."

Dong Zhao glanced suspiciously outside the hall, but Liu Xie laughed and said, "Don't worry, there are no armored soldiers outside. I am the Emperor of the Han Dynasty, and I would not stoop to such despicable means against my own subjects."

Liu Xie stepped down from the platform and came to the center of the group. He said earnestly, "You are all intelligent people. You all know about my relationship with Cao Cao, and there's no need for me to hide anything from you. I don't want to bring up the past, nor will I pursue it. But from now on, I hope you will be wholeheartedly loyal to the country and to me. Is my request too much?"

Liu Xie spoke in a calm tone, with a smile on his face.

His gaze swept across the faces of Zhong Yao and the others, causing them all to tense up and their expressions to show signs of inner turmoil. Clearly, they were engaged in a fierce internal struggle: whether to remain loyal to Cao Cao or to the emperor—a decision that was far from easy.

Liu Xie smiled again, "Here's what we'll do. I'll give you five days. Give me your answer in five days."

Liu Xie did not make things difficult for them, but after they left the side hall, their heads all drooped.

Mao Jie shook his head with a wry smile, "His Majesty's methods are truly unexpected. It seems that he will forgive the past and not make things difficult for us, but His Majesty has made things clear. We have five days. By then, we must show our attitude and give His Majesty an answer."

Dong Zhao's lips twitched a few times, and his face showed an expression of constipation.

“It’s easy to say, to give His Majesty an answer, but how do we answer? There are only two possible answers: yes or no. But can we say no to His Majesty? Who has the guts to refuse His Majesty?”

They all sighed heavily; Dong Zhao's words were absolutely correct.

Mao Jie shook his head repeatedly. As he walked, his body became much more hunched, as if a huge rock was pressing down on him. Not to mention walking, even breathing became much more difficult.

After they left, Zhuge Liang couldn't help but smile. "Your Majesty, you solved a huge problem with just one sentence. I believe that in five days, they will give Your Majesty a satisfactory answer."

Liu Xie said, “Kongming, they are all intelligent and capable people. They will be able to think things through when they return. I was able to turn the tide against Cao Cao, so I will never allow power to be lost again. It would be a good thing for the country and the people to resolve the problem in the most peaceful way. Cao Cao loves talent, and so do I.”

Xu Yi, Mao Jie, Dong Zhao, Zhong Yao, and Sima Lang are all very capable people, and Liu Xie really can't bear to harm them.

Liu Xie felt no remorse for killing Zhang Zhao, because Zhang Zhao had never done anything for the court or for Liu Xie.

But over the years, Zhong Yao and his ilk have not only been working for Cao Cao, but they have also been working for the imperial court.

Zhuge Liang nodded. "Your Majesty, I believe they will understand your good intentions. Even Cao Cao will understand."

"His Majesty has asked them to make a statement, and the Zhang Zhao incident just happened. So once they make a statement, it means that they can only be loyal to His Majesty from now on. If they change their minds again, then they will become like Zhang Zhao."

Five days seemed like an eternity to Zhong Yao and his group.

Liu Xie did not send anyone to monitor them, and even if they went back to gather together to discuss matters or secretly wrote letters to Cao Cao, Liu Xie ignored them.

On this day, Lü Bu came running excitedly. Despite being several decades old, he strode wildly through the palace, leaving the officials and guards in the imperial city completely bewildered.

At that time, Liu Xie was discussing the production of sea salt with Zhuge Liang when Lü Bu rushed over. Upon seeing him, without even taking a breath, Lü Bu laughed and said, "Your Majesty, there is good news! There is good news!"

Without looking up, Liu Xie replied, "I already knew; your daughter is already four months pregnant."

Lu Bu hurriedly shook his head, "It's not my daughter, it's Diao Chan. Diao Chan is pregnant."

Lu Bu grinned widely, as happy as a child, his large hands gesturing wildly as he didn't know what to do with them.

Liu Xie stopped what he was doing, looked up at Lü Bu, and smiled, "Is this true?"

"It's absolutely true. Thanks to His Majesty's help in conditioning my husband's health, all our efforts have paid off. Just now, Diaochan suddenly felt unwell, so I asked the imperial physician to take a look at her, and it turns out she is two months pregnant."

Liu Xie stood up and laughed, "Good, I'm happy for you too, Fengxian. Today I'm going to your residence for a banquet. We must celebrate properly."

Lu Bu rubbed his hands excitedly, "I've come to invite His Majesty. Let's go now."

It's rare to see Lü Bu so happy.

Liu Xie simply nodded and followed Lü Bu to his house.

Lu Bu's residence has remained unchanged for many years. He doesn't care whether his residence is luxurious or not. In the past, he might have liked to compare himself with others, show off, and save face. But now, Lu Bu is much more down-to-earth and low-key.

Next to Lü Bu's house, Liu Xie stopped. This courtyard had been idle for a long time, and Liu Xie couldn't help but think of the time when Liu Bei planted vegetables here.

"Your Majesty, what are you thinking about?" Zhuge Liang asked curiously.

Lu Bu snorted, "Your Majesty is thinking of Liu Bei. This courtyard has been uninhabited for so many years, but Your Majesty must be hoping that Liu Bei will return one day."

Zhuge Liang was taken aback and couldn't help but look at the courtyard in front of him a few more times.

Liu Xie sighed, "If Liu Bei had stayed in Xuchang and stayed by my side, I could have seen Guan Yu every day."

Lu Bu suddenly realized that His Majesty's favorite person was Guan Yu!
Unfortunately, fate and destiny play a role; even for an emperor, many things cannot go as planned. (End of Chapter)