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

Jia Xu watched quietly from the side. The emperor's explanation did indeed seem to be for Liu Bei's sake, to help him restore his reputation.

Actually, that's not the case. The main reason was that Liu Xie wanted to find someone who could subdue Liu Bei.

No one is more suitable than Mrs. Cai.

In this world, it's extremely difficult to find someone who can subdue Liu Bei.

Guan Yu was not qualified, nor was Cao Cao. Although Liu Xie was the emperor, Liu Bei had been "absconding" quite a bit over the years.

It wasn't until he met Lady Cai that Liu Xie's eyes lit up. Liu Xie no longer needed to worry about her betraying him.

The evidence of Lady Cai's murder is in Liu Xie's hands. Lady Cai hopes that Liu Cong will have a bright future and that the Cai family will be able to rise again. This also depends on the emperor's support.

Lady Cai willingly obeyed Liu Xie's arrangements and is now Liu Bei's nemesis. The death of Liu Qi alone has an effect that is definitely better than Liu Bei burying himself in planting vegetables at home for two years.

During their casual conversation, the topic of the Xianbei people inevitably came up. Guan Yu was the most enthusiastic, saying, "Your Majesty, let me go with you. The Xianbei people are so hateful; they must not be let off lightly."

Guan Yu had been following Liu Bei for many years, but in fact, he also longed to be by the emperor's side.

Liu Bei also volunteered, "Your Majesty, I am also willing to go!"

Liu Xie nodded. "Alright, then don't plant vegetables for now. You can plant them when you come back after we've pacified the Xianbei."

Liu Xie's words seemed like a joke, but Liu Bei understood that the emperor was using vegetable planting as a form of self-repentance, asking Liu Bei to continue planting vegetables after he finished fighting the war.

Previously, Liu Bei grew vegetables in Xuchang to conceal his talents and bide his time; now, however, he is repenting behind closed doors, which is a form of self-cultivation.

After chatting for a while, Liu Xie stood up and said, "Alright, it's getting late, you should all get some rest."

Lady Cai hurriedly said with a smile, "Uncle, please see His Majesty off. Your Majesty, I respectfully see you off."

Lady Cai was a very thorough person, and Liu Bei readily agreed, sending Liu Xie away.

Afterwards, Liu Xie went to Beisi Prison, where Fa Zheng and the other two are now being held.

Inside the North Temple prison, water droplets slowly slid down the walls and dripped onto the floor, which reeked of decay.

The dark, damp cell was filled with an atmosphere of despair and fear. Fa Zheng, Zhang Song, and Meng Da were imprisoned here in a state of constant anxiety.

Fa Zheng frowned, his eyes revealing anxiety and unease. His usual wisdom seemed to have lost its effectiveness in this confined space.

Zhang Song huddled in the corner, trembling. His once calculating mind was now consumed by endless fear.

Meng Da paced back and forth, muttering to himself, regret and fear intertwined in his heart.

A faint light filtered through the narrow window, but it couldn't dispel the gloom in the cell. The three men's breathing sounded particularly heavy in the silence; every second felt like an endless torment, and they didn't know what fate awaited them.

"What's going on? Why were we locked up as soon as we arrived in Luoyang?" Meng Da was both scared and felt wronged.

Fa Zheng leaned against the damp wall, his mind racing with thoughts.

He felt he hadn't given anything away and shouldn't be treated this way.

After a while, footsteps were heard, and Liu Xie appeared, accompanied by several jailers.

"You lot, why don't you kneel and pay your respects to His Majesty?"

This was the first time the three had ever seen the emperor. They hurriedly knelt on the ground and shouted in unison, "Your subjects pay their respects to Your Majesty."

Liu Xie looked at the three of them coldly. The three of them knelt on the ground, completely motionless, but Liu Xie did not speak for a long time. If he did not speak, the three of them could not get up.

After a while, Fazheng secretly raised his head and glanced at the emperor. He found that the emperor was looking at him coldly, and the two stared at each other for a moment.

Fa Zheng's brows revealed a resolute and decisive air. His face was thin, with sharp features, and his high, straight nose showed his strength.

His deep, bright, and sharp eyes, even in prison, revealed his stubbornness and pride through his tightly pursed lips.

Fa Zheng's aura was clearly superior to that of Meng Da and Zhang Song.

He knelt on the ground with Meng Da and Zhang Song, but only he had the courage to raise his head and meet Liu Xie's gaze. However, after a while, Fa Zheng wisely lowered his head.

Despite his slightly disheveled hair and somewhat rumpled clothes, his commanding presence remained undiminished in that direct gaze. It was as if, even in this difficult situation, he still firmly believed that he could break free from his constraints and achieve great things.

After a while, Liu Xie said, "Get up, everyone."

After the three men stood up, Liu Xie asked, "Can anyone tell me why I have imprisoned you here?"

The three of them shook their heads, their faces filled with confusion and bewilderment.

"how?"

Liu Xie let out a cold laugh, "Do you all think you're innocent and wronged?"

Zhang Song mustered his courage and replied, "Your Majesty, I am truly innocent. My lord had previously sent me to Xuchang to meet Your Majesty and discuss presenting the 'Map of Western Sichuan'."

Liu Xie nodded. "I am aware of this matter, but what happened next? You presented the map to Zhou Yu."

Liu Xie's words were firm and resounding, and the imperial wrath he unleashed instantly made Zhang Song tremble. He could only explain, "Your Majesty, this cannot be entirely blamed on me. I went to Jiangdong with my uncle and fell into Zhou Yu's control. I had no choice."

Liu Xie shook his head. "Think about it carefully. This is not what I want to pursue. All three of you should think it through carefully."

The atmosphere was extremely oppressive. Meng Da and Zhang Song racked their brains, trying to figure out where they had gone wrong.

After waiting for a while, Liu Xie was somewhat disappointed. "Since you can't figure it out, just keep him locked up here."

Liu Xie turned to leave, but Fa Zheng spoke up, "Your Majesty is blaming us for not being loyal enough and for harboring disloyal thoughts."

Liu Xie stopped and turned to look at Fa Zheng.

Later generations held Fazheng in very high regard—how high exactly? At least three or four stories high.

After Guan Yu's death, Liu Bei wanted to mobilize the entire Shu Kingdom to attack Jiangdong. Some people said that if Fa Xiaozhi were still alive, he would definitely be able to stop Liu Bei.

No one else could do it. So many people, including Zhao Yun and Zhuge Liang, tried to persuade Liu Bei with all their heart and soul, but they couldn't convince him at all.

Only Fazheng could stop Liu Bei and calm him down.

This alone is enough to show Fa Zheng's importance! Liu Xie looked directly at Fa Zheng, "Then tell me, how exactly did you develop disloyal thoughts?"

Fa Zheng was quite frank, saying, "I think Your Majesty must be investigating the matter of the three of us plotting in secret. It is true that Liu Zhang, the governor of Yizhou, has treated us well. He is kind and benevolent, and we have lived a very comfortable life in Yizhou. But this is not what I want. To be honest, Your Majesty, I am a military advisor, and I dream of being able to fight on the battlefield and have the opportunity to use my skills."

Zhang Song and Meng Da frowned and sighed, thinking to themselves: Fa Zheng, you've been too frank. You've exposed all three of us at once. What if His Majesty gets angry and kills all three of us?
"Fa Zheng, based on what you just said, I should kill you without hesitation. Everyone else hopes that the world can be stable as soon as possible, but you are not satisfied. You only care about whether you have the opportunity to display your talents. What? Is it that the more chaotic the world is, the more it suits your taste?"

Fa Zheng did not refute Liu Xie's question.

Liu Xie snorted coldly, "However, if I were to kill you all like this, you would definitely be dissatisfied. So, the three of you will come with me to fight against the Xianbei."

"what?"

All three of them were stunned for a moment. They had all thought they were going to be beheaded, but unexpectedly, things took a turn for the better.

Jia Xu was also somewhat puzzled. He knew that the emperor was always very tolerant, but he never expected him to be so magnanimous.

In reality, it wasn't that Liu Xie wanted to be a good person. He knew these three people were of bad character, but some people still had to be used.

Throughout history, the principle of employing people according to their individual circumstances has always been emphasized.

Should we just kill people with bad character?

Hua Xin and Sima Yi were both of bad character, but now they've both been thoroughly subdued by Liu Xie.

Moreover, Liu Xie had already decided that he would form a special "evil legion".

Gathering people with problems together not only allows for centralized management but also enables them to showcase their talents to the fullest extent.

It is said that the three cobblers are the equal of Zhuge Liang.

If you were to bring together people with bad records like Sima Yi, Fa Zheng, Meng Da, and Zhang Song, their power would be considerable.

"From now on, you will be under my direct command. Three days from now, you will set off with me to Bingzhou."

…………

The day before the army set off, Liu Xie arrived at a quiet courtyard in the western city.

In this tranquil courtyard, Liu Xie's expression was solemn yet tinged with melancholy. He walked with steady steps, each step seemingly carrying memories of the past.

This is Guo Jia's home.

Although Liu Xie was the emperor, he did not allow Guo Jia's wife and children to move into a magnificent mansion. Liu Xie respected Guo Jia and knew that Guo Jia hoped his wife and children could live a peaceful and happy life. Too much luxury was not as good as a simple and quiet life.

Guo Jia's wife was not from a prominent family. He believed in marrying a virtuous wife, and despite his reputation for being a womanizer, Guo Jia chose a capable and supportive wife.

The child, Guo Yi, was very cute, but Liu Xie cared a lot about him and often came to visit him because, according to historical records, Guo Yi died young.

Liu Xie himself was skilled in medicine, so he paid extra attention, and even when he was not around, he would instruct others to keep a close eye on things.

After playing with the child for a while and making sure there was nothing else needed at home, Liu Xie left with peace of mind.

Before we knew it, the day of departure had arrived!

With banners obscuring the sun and war drums thundering, Emperor Liu Xie personally led his army on a campaign. Their momentum was overwhelming, shaking heaven and earth, and the crowds of onlookers were so dense that they could not move an inch.

Liu Xie, dressed in brocade robes, rode a tall, magnificent horse, his gaze firm and dignified. Behind him stretched a densely packed elite army, their armor gleaming, their weapons gleaming, like a steel torrent, advancing relentlessly.

To Liu Xie's left is Lü Bu!
Lü Bu, this unparalleled warrior, rode the Red Hare and wielded his halberd, his heroic figure and imposing aura inspiring awe.

On the right is Guan Yu, his phoenix eyes slightly narrowed, his silkworm eyebrows raised, holding the Green Dragon Crescent Blade, his horse neighing beneath him, majestic and awe-inspiring, as if the god of war has descended.

Zhang Fei, with his leopard-like head and piercing eyes, roared like thunder. His eighteen-foot spear whistled through the air, exuding an imposing aura. Liu Bei, on the other hand, wore a somewhat grave expression, hoping to perform well and salvage his image.

Within the ranks of soldiers, their steps were perfectly synchronized, their shouts resounding. The sounds of horses' hooves, footsteps, and the clash of weapons mingled together, creating a stirring war symphony. The wind whipped the military flags, making them flutter loudly; the Han banners billowed in the wind, displaying the majesty and resolve of the imperial family.

Liu Xie surveyed his surroundings, gazing upon the imposing and powerful army, a surge of boundless pride welling up within him. While he was still young, he resolved to expand the territory as much as possible, to recreate the glory of Emperor Wu of Han.

Under the sunlight, the swords, spears, and halberds gleamed with dazzling light, reflecting on the soldiers' resolute faces.

Along both sides of the road, people lined the streets to bid farewell, cheering and jumping for joy as they saw off the army. They eagerly awaited the soldiers' triumphant return.

With Liu Xie's command, the army marched forward in a mighty wave, raising clouds of dust. They headed towards the unknown battlefield, filled with unwavering confidence, to write their own glorious chapter.

Of all the people who went on the expedition, the most excited one must be Lü Bu.

In the past two years, Lü Bu has almost become a good family man, staying in Xuchang and busy taking care of his health. Since Diao Chan became pregnant, Lü Bu has been inseparable from her.

Since Liu Xie had no shortage of manpower, he simply gave Lü Bu a long leave. Now that Diao Chan had given birth and both mother and child were safe, Lü Bu, who was overjoyed to become a father, naturally had his mind back on the battlefield.

Even after the procession had gone quite a distance, Lü Bu kept turning back to look at his wife and children who had come to see him off.

"Fengxian".

Liu Xie called out, but Lü Bu didn't hear him. Gao Shun coughed to remind him, and Lü Bu finally came to his senses. "Your Majesty, what do you need me for?"

"Do you know why I brought you here?" Liu Xie asked.

Lu Bu smiled honestly and replied, "Your Majesty is being considerate of me and wants to give me a chance to make a name for myself."

Liu Xie shook his head. "No, you are a hero who eliminated the traitor Dong Zhuo. What merit can compare to killing Dong Zhuo?"

Hearing this, Lü Bu was overjoyed and couldn't stop smiling.

Liu Xie understood Lü Bu; Lü Bu needed to be flattered and praised. Saying a few nice words was easy enough.

Some people need to be coaxed, while others need to be properly managed. With so many people, Liu Xie has been learning how to control people's hearts and minds, and he has gained quite a bit of experience.

After a while, Liu Xie said again, "You are from Bingzhou. Don't forget that you were once a mighty general who was famous beyond the Great Wall."

"The Flying General?"

Lu Bu's eyes suddenly welled up with tears. He murmured, "So many years have passed, I'd almost forgotten this title. No one has mentioned it in ages!" (End of Chapter)