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

Chapter 35, Liu Bei meets Liu Xie

Liu Xie's face turned much colder. "Still under trial? Then tell me, do you have any evidence? If you do, present it, and I will show no favoritism. If you don't, what is your intention in using such torture on a high-ranking official like this? If Lord Yang dies here, can you bear the consequences?"

Liu Xie knew they wanted to extract a confession through torture, so he used cruel torture on Yang Biao.

At his advanced age, Yang Biao had indeed endured torment that most people could hardly imagine.

Although Liu Xie did not have much say, he could not ignore it.

Man Chong said, "I have already reported all the evidence to the Minister of Works. I hope Your Majesty will not interfere in this matter."

Fearing that Liu Xie would investigate further, Man Chong had no choice but to bring up Cao Cao again.

Liu Xie wanted to say something more, but Yang Biao shook his head at him. "Your Majesty, the innocent will remain innocent, and the guilty will remain guilty. In the end, the truth will come out. Thank you for your concern and for coming to visit this old minister. This place is filthy and chaotic. Your Majesty should go back as soon as possible."

Liu Xie's every move was reported to Cao Cao at any time.

Yang Biao did not want Liu Xie to be targeted by Cao Cao, as this would harm His Majesty.

Liu Xie gritted his teeth and nodded, waving his hand to let Xu Huang bring in the wine and dishes.

"Lord Yang, I cannot interfere in the trial of this case. This is the wine and food I had prepared for you. You are too weak, so please eat more."

With tears in his eyes, Yang Biao nodded forcefully and managed to eat a few bites.

Liu Xie poured him another cup of wine, raised it and handed it to him, saying, "Lord Yang, I am waiting for your release from prison. You must take care of yourself. Come, please drink this cup to the brim."

Yang Biao sat up shakily, took the drink, looked at Liu Xie with excitement, and drank it all in one gulp.

Liu Xie nodded, "Then I'll head back now. I'll give you a welcome-back feast when you're released from prison!"

Man Chong personally escorted him out of the cell.

Liu Xie stopped and looked back at Man Chong, saying meaningfully, "Minister Man, I'll say it again: if you have evidence, you can do whatever you want. But if you don't have evidence, you'd better watch your step. If something really happens, even if I don't pursue it, the scholars of the world will hold you accountable."

Cao Cao's killing of Bian Rang alone caused widespread panic in Yanzhou, and even now, many scholars remain resentful of Cao Cao.

Yang Biao's status was in no way inferior to Bian Rang's.

Man Chong's heart skipped a beat; he was also weighing the matter.

Yang Biao was very firm, and continuing to use torture would probably be of no use. Faced with Liu Xie's reminder, Man Chong had no choice but to nod and say, "Please rest assured, Your Majesty, I will take this case seriously."

Cao Cao's attempt to frame Yang Biao for colluding with Yuan Shu seems to have backfired!

Not long after leaving the North Temple, Dian Wei rode up on horseback and called out from afar, "Your Majesty, Minister Cao requests Your Majesty's return to the palace."

Liu Xie nodded and immediately returned.

They saw Cao Cao from afar in front of the palace gate. Cao Cao was chatting with Liu Bei and his entourage.

Cao Cao wouldn't let this opportunity to promote himself slip by. When Liu Xie returned, he laughed and said to Liu Bei, "Xuande, some people are slandering and framing you, saying that Your Majesty is no different in Xuchang than in Chang'an. This is utterly ridiculous. Your Majesty is carefree in Xuchang and can do whatever you want. Today, you will be the perfect witness."

Liu Bei was also very curious about how the emperor was doing in Xuchang.

Liu Bei also hoped to meet the emperor as soon as possible, because he was a member of the Han imperial family.

Only by meeting the emperor and gaining his approval could Liu Bei's status as a member of the Han imperial family carry more weight.

People value tracing their ancestors and origins! They all long to be recognized by their family genealogy and clan records!
Liu Bei told everyone he met that he was a descendant of Prince Jing of Zhongshan. But if he only said it himself, the effect would be somewhat diminished. However, if the emperor recognized him, it would be a different story. From then on, not only would people not be able to question Liu Bei's identity, but they would also have to look up to him.

In terms of seniority, Liu Bei was a generation above the emperor, and the more Liu Bei thought about it, the more excited he became.

Once Liu Bei establishes a kinship with the emperor, his reputation is destined to rise, and the title of "Imperial Uncle" will undoubtedly bring him unexpected benefits.

Liu Bei was about to hurry over to greet him, but then he stopped, because Cao Cao was watching from the side.

Liu Bei had no choice but to suppress his excitement at seeing the emperor and stand respectfully behind Cao Cao.

Cao Cao nodded, thinking that Liu Bei was sensible and knew how to behave.

As Liu Xie approached, Cao Cao stepped forward and said with a smile, "Your Majesty, please slow down and watch your step."

Liu Xie waved his hand, "Lord Cao, it's nothing. I just came out for some exercise, it's good for my health. And who are these gentlemen?"

Liu Xie had already spotted Liu Bei and his two companions from afar. Their appearances were quite different from others, and standing together with Cao Cao and his group, they stood out like cranes among chickens.

He has both good looks and a dignified demeanor.

It wasn't that Liu Xie was deliberately trying to belittle Cao Cao; the people around Cao Cao, especially his military generals, were really not flattering in terms of appearance alone.

Even Cao Cao himself was short and unremarkable in appearance. Dian Wei and Xu Chu, on the other hand, had strange and grotesque faces, like two door gods. They were good for warding off evil spirits and protecting the house, but they were hardly handsome men.

Li Dian, Yue Jin, Cao Hong, Cao Ren, and others were all either short or round-faced, and none of them were particularly handsome.

Most of the people around Liu Bei were dignified and had impressive appearances.

Liu Bei had a handsome face and a dignified appearance. Although he was only a few years younger than Cao Cao, he was refined and gentle, and appeared very young.

Guan Yu was born with an air of arrogance, standing there as upright as a pine tree. Despite his humble origins, he possessed an extraordinary demeanor.

Although Zhang Fei was somewhat rough and reckless, he was tall, strong, and robust, with two large, bright eyes.

Although these three stood behind Cao Cao, they were hard to miss, instantly overshadowing Dian Wei and the others.

The people around Cao Cao were just like Cao Cao's way of employing people—they were unconventional and unconventional!
Although they were not particularly outstanding in appearance, it was precisely because of this that they were more down-to-earth and more in line with Cao Cao's style of employing people.

Cao Cao valued anything that was capable of being done. He was always practical and was one of the few pragmatists in the Three Kingdoms period!
Liu Bei, on the other hand, was far less capable in this respect. When he first met Pang Tong in history, he almost missed out on a great talent because of Pang Tong's appearance.

At the time, Pang Tong was only appointed as a minor county magistrate. Fortunately, Pang Tong had real talent and ability, and eventually regained Liu Bei's attention.

Cao Cao took a step back and introduced Liu Bei to Liu Xie with a smile, "Your Majesty, this is Liu Bei, Liu Xuande."

Liu Bei hurriedly stepped forward and knelt respectfully on the ground.

Guan Yu and Zhang Fei followed suit and knelt down together.

"Your subject Liu Bei kowtows to Your Majesty!"

"Your subject Guan Yu kowtows to Your Majesty!"

"Your subject Zhang Fei kowtows to Your Majesty!"

Even though the emperor was only a teenager, the three of them dared not show the slightest disrespect.

(End of this chapter)