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

Emperor Liu Xie personally led the expedition, while Cao Cao remained in Luoyang. He seemed to have nothing to do, but he was far from relaxed, because the task Emperor Liu Xie had assigned him was extremely difficult.

How should we treat aristocratic families?

To put it bluntly, what the emperor wanted was how to completely control the powerful families and minimize their threat to the state.

Cao Cao pondered for several days but couldn't figure it out. Feeling frustrated, he suddenly thought of returning to his hometown for a visit.

No matter the circumstances, Cao Cao always had a deep affection for Qiao County.

That's how people are. No matter how hard they work out there, whether they succeed or fail, their hometown will always be the place they miss most deep in their hearts.

Everyone has their own hometown. For example, you work hard in Shanghai, you buy a house in Shanghai, and settle down there.

But your roots, the place you cherish most, will always be the place that gave you birth and nurtured you.

For many people, their hometown is their root and their true home.

You buy a house in Shanghai. Shanghai is your child's home and hometown, but it's not yours!
As people get older, they become nostalgic and yearn to return to their roots, which is the place where they grew up.

After bidding farewell to Xun Yu, Cao Cao returned to Qiao County with Cao Ren, Cao Zhang, and others.

Upon hearing the news of Cao Cao's return, the entire Qiao Commandery was in an uproar, and the Prefect of Qiao Commandery, Cao Cheng, personally came out to welcome him.

Cao Cheng, all smiles, immediately helped Cao Cao lead his horse upon meeting him, uttering flattering words incessantly.

Cao Cao let him lead the horse. He hadn't been back for so long, and everywhere felt familiar. Even though his hometown had changed somewhat from what he remembered, it didn't dampen Cao Cao's good mood.

There were more houses in Qiao County, and they were all more luxurious. After entering the city, rows of mansions rose from the ground, with blue bricks and tiles, birds singing and flowers blooming. Cao Cao rode on his horse, looking down from a high place, and he couldn't take it all in.

How could Cao Cao not be happy to see his hometown people living a prosperous and good life?

Several familiar figures could be seen from time to time in the crowd. Cao Cao recognized a middle-aged man with a limp at a glance, "You...aren't you Er Gouzi?"

"Yes, Prime Minister, you still remember me? I am Er Gouzi, from the same hometown as you. We even played together when we were kids."

Cao Cao nodded, recalling the times they played together as children, and his smile widened.

Er Gouzi pointed ahead and said, "Prime Minister, that's my family's courtyard. I've changed my name too. I used to be called Cao Er Gou, but now I'm called Cao Wang."

Cao Cheng helped introduce, "Cao Wangguang has married three wives, and they live a very comfortable life."

Cao Cao was genuinely happy; the fact that his hometown people were doing well was the happiest thing for him upon returning.

After strolling around the city for a while, Cao Cao said, "The city has changed a lot, but I've seen everything I wanted to see. Aren't there any villagers in this city? Take me to see them."

In Cao Cao's memory, there were very few people living in large houses in Qiao County. The surrounding area was full of villages inhabited by ordinary people, and there were lush green fields everywhere.

The people used to work at sunrise and rest at sunset, with men plowing and women weaving, and the sounds of chickens and dogs could be heard from one another. They hadn't returned for so many years, and the true pastoral scenery was something Cao Cao also missed very much.

Cao Cheng hesitated, looking troubled. "Prime Minister, it's getting late. You should rest in the city for a while. I've already prepared a banquet."

Cao Cao looked up at the sky. The sun was setting and the sky was gradually darkening. After thinking for a moment, Cao Cao agreed.

Cao Cheng put a lot of effort into the banquet, providing everything that flies in the sky, runs on the ground, and swims in the water.

The lights were bright, and the room was packed with guests, creating a lively atmosphere.

Cao Cheng, all smiles, went to great lengths to flatter Cao Cao, praising his achievements in governing Qiao County at length.

His voice was particularly loud amidst the noisy banquet: "Prime Minister, since I began governing this place, I have devoted myself wholeheartedly and dared not slacken in the slightest. Now, Qiao County is a place where the people live in peace and contentment, and the market is prosperous and thriving."

When he got excited, Cao Cheng raised his voice: "Prime Minister, I have also spent a lot of money to build and renovate the tombs of Generals Cao Hong and Cao Chun. I have made sure they are solemn and magnificent to show the glory of the Cao family."

Cao Cao sat in the main seat, his eyes slightly narrowed, listening to Cao Cheng's boasting without showing any emotion, but he had his own thoughts in mind.

Cao Cao was inherently suspicious. He was satisfied with what Cao Cheng did, but he was very dissatisfied with Cao Cheng's boastful talk and constant self-aggrandizement.

He likes people who get things done, but dislikes people who flatter and fawn.

However, despite some dissatisfaction, Cao Cao was too lazy to argue about it, as it was a rare opportunity to see his relatives from his hometown and so many familiar faces.

The next day, Cao Ren was still asleep when he felt someone touching him. Just as he was about to curse, he opened his eyes and saw Cao Cao standing by the bed. Cao Ren quickly sat up.

"My lord, what's going on?"

Cao Ren rubbed his eyes. It was way too early; it was barely dawn outside.

Cao Cao said, "Come on, get on your horse and come with me for a ride."

Seeing that Cao Cao's expression was very serious, Cao Ren quickly got out of bed, wiped his face hastily, and followed him out.

Riding his horse and whipping it along, Cao Cao's face was full of worry. Cao Ren didn't dare to ask any questions and could only follow closely.

Having followed Cao Cao for so many years, Cao Ren knew that Cao Cao's expression was very serious and earnest at this moment, which puzzled Cao Ren. He was perfectly fine last night.

Cao Cao wanted to see for himself what the real lives of the people of Qiao County were like.

The more Cao Cheng boasted and spoke eloquently, the more Cao Cao felt there must be a problem, and a big one at that!

The group rode through the city, and everywhere they looked were the luxurious mansions of the Cao family.

As far as the eye can see, there are countless grand mansions and luxurious residences.

The vermilion gate was tightly shut, with a magnificent plaque hanging high above the lintel, and imposing stone lions standing in front of it.

As the horse galloped away, they gradually moved further and further away from the city until they arrived at a remote and desolate place. The scene before him made Cao Cao's heart sink.

Groups of ragged people were struggling to survive in their simple thatched huts. Their faces were haggard, and their eyes were filled with despair and helplessness.

An elderly man with gray hair and a severely hunched back sat at the doorway, staring blankly into the distance.

Cao Cao dismounted, stepped forward, and asked softly, "Old man, what's going on?"

The old man looked up and saw Cao Cao. Seeing that he was dressed in fine clothes, the old man shook his head and said nothing.

Cao Cao smiled and asked, "Don't worry, I'm not a local official, you don't need to be afraid." Cao Cao squatted down with a friendly expression and asked, "Old man, I just came from the city. The people in the city are living very well. Why are you so poor?"

The old man glanced at him again and sighed, "These days, it's rare to see someone as wealthy and powerful as you riding a horse, someone who would squat down and talk to us poor folks."

The old man sighed again, “We used to live in the city, at least we had enough to eat and wear. Now it’s impossible. Only the Cao family can live in the city. Our fields and our houses have all been taken over by the Cao family. We were driven out and could only come to this desolate place to barely make a living!”

The old man spoke while sighing, his face revealing a deep sense of helplessness and sorrow.

As Cao Cao listened to the old man's lament, his anger reached its peak.

Suppressing his anger, Cao Cao asked, "Didn't you ever think of reporting this to the authorities?"

"Sue the authorities? How do I do that?"

The old man rolled his eyes. “All the local officials are Cao’s own people. Behind them is a high-ranking official who is the prime minister. Who would dare to complain to the officials? A few years ago, some young people in the village were not convinced and went to argue with the prefect. As a result, two of them were beaten to death.”

Cao Cao's anger continued to rise; this was hardly a glorious thing for him.

In the past, he hated those who bullied others by relying on their power, but he never expected that those Cao family members who depended on him would now all become wealthy and powerful people. Relying on Cao Cao's power, they acted recklessly and arbitrarily seized the fields and houses of poor people.

What were once vast farmlands have now been transformed into luxurious manors, while the people have been driven far away and are struggling to make ends meet.
Cao Cao originally thought that his rise in this chaotic world would bring prosperity and peace to his hometown, but he never expected that the changes here would make him feel deeply humiliated and be severely slapped in the face.

He continued walking and saw a thin child struggling to carry a bucket of water, which was almost the same size as his body.

Cao Cao rushed forward to help, asking, "Child, where are your parents?"

The child bit his lip, tears welling in his eyes: "My father was forced to do hard labor and died of illness. My mother is also sick, and we have no money for treatment..."

Cao Cao's mood worsened. He inquired about several more households and learned that these people had lost their land. Only a few were qualified to work for the Cao family during the busy farming season. Many had no income at all, and starvation and disease were rampant.

The poor die of poverty, and the rich die of wealth.

Cao Cao thought of Er Gouzi, a man with a limp, who lived a life of luxury simply because he was surnamed Cao, living in a big house and embracing beautiful women.

Ironically, people in his hometown were dying of hunger and disease every day.

Back then, Cao Cao witnessed too many tragedies of injustice in the world, which inspired him to vow to make a difference. He even wrote a poem, "The Ballad of Hao Li," to express his determination.

There are righteous men in Guandong who raise an army to fight against the villains.

The initial meeting was held in Mengjin, but his heart was in Xianyang.

The army was not united in strength and moved in a hesitant and disorganized manner.

Snobishness makes people fight, and then they kill each other.

The title of "Brother of Huainan" was bestowed upon him, and his seal was engraved in the north.

The armor is infested with lice, and thousands of people die from it.

The bones are exposed in the wild, and there is no cock crowing for thousands of miles.

One of the hundreds of things left behind by the living people will break people's hearts just thinking about it.

"White bones are exposed in the wilderness, and not a rooster crows for a thousand miles." Cao Cao gritted his teeth, and a murderous glint appeared in his eyes.

"Unbelievable! I really didn't expect this. No wonder His Majesty hates aristocratic families so much. Aren't my clansmen monopolizing the fields and houses here now?"

Even these people from their own clan are so domineering, inhumanely sucking the blood and eating the flesh of the poor.

It is easy to imagine that there are countless similar examples among other aristocratic families and powerful clans.

Cao Cao felt increasingly understanding of the emperor's hatred of powerful families.

Perhaps many aristocratic families are good; they do not oppress the kind-hearted or bully the poor. But who can guarantee that those who depend on them are also good?
Take Cao Cao himself as an example; what he hated most was bullying others by abusing his power.

However, his clansmen, as well as those Cao family members who were completely unrelated to him, could establish connections with Cao Cao simply by sharing the surname Cao, and thus act arrogantly and domineeringly in their respective areas.

Cao Cao turned, mounted his horse, and galloped towards the city. His heart was filled with guilt and anger; he had never imagined that his struggle would bring such a devastating disaster to his hometown.

Upon returning to the city, Cao Cao immediately summoned all members of his family. Those Cao family members who were usually arrogant and haughty were all terrified when they saw Cao Cao's angry face.

Cao Cao, a man of many military campaigns and decisive ruthlessness, possessed an astonishingly oppressive aura when enraged, making even Cao Cheng and his men feel suffocated.
Faced with Cao Cao's imposing presence, everyone trembled with fear and dared not raise their heads.

Cao Cao glared angrily and shouted, "You people, relying on my reputation and power, oppress the people and seize land. Do you know your crimes?"

The crowd was so frightened that they all knelt down and kowtowed, begging for mercy.

Cao Cao strode up to Cao Cheng and said coldly, "I've heard a lot about you over the years. His Majesty ignored you out of respect for me, but you've only gone further and shown no remorse, making me lose all face. If the world knew that people in my hometown were starving to death in the streets, how would they laugh at me?"

Cao Cheng was so frightened that he broke out in a cold sweat and almost collapsed.

Cao Cao grew angrier the more he thought about it. Suddenly, he drew his sword, Yitian, and gritted his teeth, saying, "You have committed numerous evils and brought calamity to this region. You must not be allowed to live!"

"Prime Minister, spare my life!" Cao Cheng was terrified and begged for mercy, but Cao Cao remained unmoved. With a flash of cold light, he cut off Cao Cheng's head without hesitation.

Cao Cao turned to the others and said coldly, "From this day forward, all the land you have seized must be returned to the people, and all manors and residences must be confiscated. I will give you three days to return everything that does not belong to you!"

In the days that followed, Cao Cao personally oversaw the return of all the seized land to the people. He also ordered the granaries to be opened to provide relief to the poor.

Cao Cao acted swiftly and decisively, personally overseeing the reorganization, arresting no fewer than several dozen people.

He truly understood what it meant for someone to achieve enlightenment and for their entire family to benefit.

By organizing his own clan, Cao Cao gained a clearer understanding of his future attitude towards powerful families.

We must not tolerate this, we must not condone it!
Because powerful families are too harmful; behind every powerful family are countless parasites.

Cao Cao knew this was a job that would offend people, but through his personal experience of returning to his hometown, he felt that if someone had to step forward and be the villain, Cao Cao was willing to be that villain!

Taking some time, Cao Cao also visited the graves of Cao Hong, Cao Chun, and Xiahou Yuan; their tombs were all in Qiao County. (End of Chapter)