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

Liu Xie thought for a moment, then looked at Pang Tong and said, "Alright, I'll give you one chance. Remember, this is your only chance. If you do anything outrageous again in the future, you will be guilty of both crimes and will not be forgiven!"

Pang Tong nodded gratefully, then glanced at Cao Cao, a hint of envy creeping into his eyes.

Pang Tong's gaze greatly displeased Cao Cao. From the moment before, Pang Tong had been making veiled accusations and speaking with provocation, and Cao Cao really wanted to kill him.

Unfortunately, things are different now, and Cao Cao no longer has the final say on whether to kill or spare his life.

Where is Zhang Song?

Liu Xie remembered that Zhang Song had been with Liu Bei before, so he asked about it.

Liu Bei shook his head and quickly replied, "Your Majesty, the matter in Xichuan is over, and Zhang Song has stayed in Chengdu."

Liu Xie was somewhat disappointed, so he ordered, "Immediately send men to Xichuan to arrest Zhang Song, Fa Zheng, and Meng Da."

Although no one understood why, no one dared to delay and ordered that the item be sent to Xichuan as quickly as possible.

Pang Tong's eyes darted around a few times; he had only just submitted, yet he was already getting restless.

"Your Majesty, the people of Jiangdong must be in a state of panic and have different intentions. Back during the Battle of Red Cliffs, many people were vying to persuade Sun Quan to surrender. Whoever persuades him means whoever wants to surrender. This time, there will surely be even more people who want to surrender."

Liu Xie snorted, "What you say is true, but just now, Sun Quan killed one of my Dragon Guards, openly provoking me."

Liu Xie beckoned to Lu Su, "Zijing, recount the details of what happened."

Lu Su sighed and recounted what had happened.

Pang Tong sneered after hearing this, "Sun Quan is already at his limit, having suffered repeated heavy blows. He is only resentful. I suggest that Your Majesty appoint Zhang Hong as Governor of Yangzhou and Marquis of Wu, and strip Sun Quan of his official position and title. Since he wants to oppose the court, he should be completely isolated. Even the people of Jiangdong and those around him will no longer support him."

Zhuge Liang's eyes lit up, and he nodded to Pang Tong, "Your plan is indeed brilliant. I'm afraid Zhang Hong will be killed by Sun Quan very soon."

Pang Tong dismissed the idea, saying, "Anyway, they're our own people. Let them kill us. The more we kill, the less popular Sun Quan will become. Besides, he has no other choice but to kill Zhang Hong."

Liu Xie thought for a moment, "Alright, it's just a nominal post, I have nothing to be reluctant about."

Liu Xie turned to the people around him, "Who is willing to go to Jiangdong to convey this appointment on my behalf?"

Liu Xie reminded him, "You've all seen what happened to Wang Kui; he might never return from Jiangdong."

"Your Majesty, please let me go!"

The moment this person spoke, the entire audience was shocked, and even Liu Xie was stunned.

Everyone looked at Guo Jia. Yes, it was Guo Jia who stepped forward!

"Fengxiao, are you...are you insane?" Cao Cao roared.

Xun You looked at him with a puzzled expression, while Zhuge Liang racked his brains trying to figure out why he would willingly make such a decision.

Guo Jia remained calm and composed, with his usual carefree smile on his face.

Cao Cao reached out and grabbed him forcefully, "Fengxiao, are you perhaps drunk?"

Guo Jia replied, "Sun Quan may not necessarily kill me."

"That won't do either. Better safe than sorry." Cao Cao was getting anxious, wishing he could take Guo Jia away immediately.

“Your Majesty, please let me go.” Another person stepped forward; it was Mi Heng.

Although Mi Heng has not had any outstanding achievements in recent years, he is still a famous scholar and a friend of Kong Rong and Yang Xiu. Seeing that Jiangdong is about to be pacified, Mi Heng is also excited and wants to do his part.

Mi Heng said, "Your Majesty, let me go. I think that with my knowledge and reputation, Sun Quan might not dare to kill me."

Liu Xie stared at Guo Jia for a long time before looking away. He believed that Guo Jia's actions just now were not impulsive.

Liu Xie suddenly felt inexplicably lost. He discovered that Guo Jia actually wanted to commit suicide!
The brilliant strategist Guo Jia was only in his thirties, and his wife had just given birth. It was the prime of his life, the best time of his life, yet he wanted to die.

He and Pang Tong formed a stark contrast.

Pang Tong wanted to live, while Guo Jia wanted to die!

Guo Jia wanted to compete again, but Mi Heng said, "Over the years, I haven't done much for the Han Dynasty, and I've always felt guilty about it. Please give me this opportunity."

Zhuge Liang nodded to Liu Xie and advised, "Mi Heng is a renowned scholar. Even if Sun Quan wanted to oppose the court, he would never dare to harm him."

Liu Xie nodded. "In that case, I'll trouble you to make this trip."

After that, Liu Xie lost interest in drinking and summoned Guo Jia alone, saying, "Fengxiao, accompany me for a walk."

Guo Jia readily agreed, while Cao Cao stood there, staring blankly at Guo Jia's retreating figure.

He was Cao Cao, and he had a vague idea of ​​Guo Jia's thoughts.

The night was as still as water, with countless stars illuminating the banks of the Yangtze River. Liu Xie and Guo Jia strolled side by side along the riverbank, a gentle breeze ruffling their clothes.

The moonlight spilled onto the river, creating shimmering waves, like a flowing silver scroll.

Liu Xie's expression was slightly solemn, his gaze fixed intently on the river. Guo Jia, on the other hand, moved with ease and grace, his eyes revealing wisdom and a hint of a smile.

In the grass along the riverbank, the chirping of insects rose and fell, as if singing a unique melody for this tranquil night.

The distant mountains loomed in the night, resembling slumbering beasts. Liu Xie and Guo Jia's shadows were elongated in the moonlight.

After walking for a while, Liu Xie spoke first, "Fengxiao, are you doing this for Cao Cao's sake?"

Guo Jia did not deny it. He looked at Liu Xie with a smile and sincerely praised, "Your Majesty, you have really grown up!"

If anyone else had said this, Liu Xie would have been angry, but since it came from Guo Jia, who had witnessed Liu Xie's growth and transformation, he was fully qualified to say it.

"Fengxiao, are you worried that I might turn against Cao Cao in the future? Or that I might settle old scores?"

Guo Jia shook his head. "Your Majesty's magnanimity and breadth of mind are truly admirable. I believe you will not make things difficult for the Prime Minister." "Then...why did you do this? Don't you want to give me an explanation?"

Guo Jia bent down and picked up a pebble from the bank, casually tossing it into the river. “Your Majesty, do you see? I am but an insignificant pebble. Your Majesty has great ambitions and so many capable people around you to help you. I am truly happy for Your Majesty. However, I would like to offer Cao Cao one last piece of advice.”

Liu Xie stared intently at him, his emotions were very complicated, and his eyes were a little moist.

"Your Majesty, I know that Cao Cao has offended you in many ways before, and I was even involved in some of these incidents. I am grateful to Your Majesty for treating me well all these years. If Your Majesty wanted to kill me, it would have been easy, but you did not. Now that Cao Cao has submitted and no longer wants to fight with Your Majesty, it is still inevitable that some people will be suspicious of him. Perhaps some people around Cao Cao still have such thoughts. After all, Cao Cao can still gather many people with a single call."

Guo Jia's expression turned serious. He looked at Liu Xie and said, "That's why I want to help Cao Cao one more time."

Liu Xie fully understood his meaning and said, "You want to use your own death to warn Cao Cao, to warn the people around Cao Cao, and to warn others to believe that Cao Cao will not oppose me, because his most capable strategist is dead."

Guo Jia smiled and nodded, "Yes, my death will surely dispel many people's suspicions."

After a pause, Guo Jia added, "This also includes His Majesty."

Liu Xie reached out and patted Guo Jia on the shoulder like a friend, saying, "You did a great job, really. Cao Cao is lucky to have a strategist like you! Even I envy him a little."

"Your Majesty has not yet answered me?" Guo Jia pressed.

Liu Xie nodded. "You guessed right. It's impossible for me to have no suspicions at all. After all, I've kept all these years of experience in my heart. Besides, Cao Cao has so many loyal generals like Cao Ren and Xiahou Dun by his side. I admit, I have concerns."

Guo Jia nodded gratefully, "It has been a long time since I have had such a heart-to-heart talk with Your Majesty. I am very happy that Your Majesty can open up to me. Since Your Majesty has such thoughts, there are naturally many others who have the same thoughts. Take Pang Tong for example, his two casual words just now aroused the suspicion of many people. Therefore, for Cao Cao and for Your Majesty, I am willing to die. I believe that my death will dispel the concerns of many people!"

Liu Xie shook his head. "Actually, you didn't need to do this. I don't want you to die, and Cao Cao wants you to die even less."

Guo Jia smiled and said, "The Han Dynasty is about to be unified. Your Majesty has also shown us your ambition. I also want to follow Your Majesty to see the world and see how big it is, and watch Your Majesty lead the Han Dynasty to the top of the world."

"Then don't die. I still have many things to rely on you for. Besides, you haven't even gone back to see your child since it was born."

Guo Jia's eyes also became a little moist. He turned his head to look in the direction of Xudu, his gaze full of affection and longing. "Yes, I really want to go back and see him one last time."

After much persuasion from Liu Xie, Guo Jia finally agreed with a smile.

When Guo Jia returned, it was already dark. As soon as he got back to his tent, he found someone sitting inside – it was Cao Cao!
"My lord, have you been waiting long?" Guo Jia walked over with a smile.

Cao Cao glared at him, feigning anger, then pointed to the person next to him, indicating that Guo Jia should sit down.

"Yes, I've been waiting for you here ever since His Majesty ordered you to leave."

"Fengxiao, what... what can I say to you? Cheng Yu and Man Chong are gone. There are only a few of my old subordinates left who followed me back then. Fengxiao, your actions today have really startled me."

Cao Cao felt both distressed and moved, and as he spoke, he punched Guo Jia.

“My lord, we are not strangers. I hope you can understand that from now on, you should relinquish the power you should relinquish and yield the power you should yield. His Majesty is a good emperor; he will not make things difficult for you, but…”

Guo Jia pointed around and earnestly advised, "Not everyone has the magnanimity of His Majesty. Your Lordship's ability to be on good terms with His Majesty is only the first step. It is not easy to dispel everyone's suspicions. Pang Tong dared to speak in public today, which shows his courage, but there are many who think the same way in their hearts."

Cao Cao snorted and said dismissively, "Let them say what they want, let them speculate however they want. I'm too lazy to argue with them, and I won't take it to heart."

Guo Jia suddenly raised his voice, "But it hurts me. When Pang Tong said those words, I wanted to kill him!"

Guo Jia was extremely agitated. His eyes were red as he looked at Cao Cao. "You are my lord. I don't want to see or hear anyone talking about you or slandering you!"

Cao Cao's heart melted, and he embraced Guo Jia tightly, saying, "Fengxiao, you are truly my confidant."

Having a confidant and strategist like Guo Jia made Cao Cao feel very lucky and content.

The two talked for a long time, with Cao Cao repeatedly giving instructions and confirming things until Guo Jia promised that he would not seek death, at which point Cao Cao was finally relieved.

Before leaving, Cao Cao took Guo Jia's hand and said to him, "I am old now, how many more years can I cause trouble? Let whoever wants to say what they want, I don't care. You must stay by my side, I can't live without you!"

However, to everyone's surprise, the very next day, as soon as Liu Xie woke up, Zhuge Liang rushed over with a heavy expression. "Your Majesty, Guo Jia, he's dead!"

"what?"

Liu Xie was taken aback. He hadn't expected that Guo Jia, who had clearly agreed, would still lie to him.

Liu Xie rushed over, but before he got close, he heard Cao Cao crying.

Guo Jia's departure struck Cao Cao like a heavy hammer blow, plunging him into deep grief.

When he learned of Guo Jia's death, he felt as if all his energy had been drained away, and tears streamed down his face uncontrollably. He rushed over immediately.

Cao Cao's usually sharp eyes were now empty and lifeless, and his face was contorted with pain and sorrow.

The generals around him stood silently to the side, and they too could feel the intense pain in Cao Cao's heart.

Cao Cao lay on Guo Jia's cold body, wailing and crying without regard for his image, tears streaming down his face and rolling onto the ground.

"Fengxiao, why do you have to do this? You clearly promised me..."

Cao Cao's voice choked with sobs, filled with endless grief and regret, "Alas, Guo Jia! What a tragedy for Guo Jia!"

He recalled the moments he shared with Guo Jia on the battlefield and the strategies they devised; those memories had become sharp blades piercing his heart.

Guo Jia's wisdom and strategy had brought him countless victories and glory, but now he had lost this capable strategist and close friend forever.

Cao Cao's cries echoed through the camp, his body trembling with grief. Cao Ren and Xiahou Dun rushed forward to comfort him, but Cao Cao could not escape his pain; at that moment, Cao Cao's heart was utterly broken.

Guo Jia passed away peacefully. Before he left, he changed his clothes, and there was a medicine bottle on his bedside table.

Lin Tong from the ambulance team came over and said to Liu Xie, "Your Majesty, he mixed poison into the Five-Stone Powder and swallowed almost the entire bottle."

PS: Guo Jia was absolutely loyal to Cao Cao. Even without Pang Tong, Guo Jia would have already considered suicide.

His death was Cao Cao's final act of strategy! (Thumbs up for Guo Jia!) (End of Chapter)