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

Chapter 368, Let's start by taking action against Kong Rong's entire family.
Liu Xie nodded and then said to everyone, "Actually, when I first arrived at Yangping Pass, Zhang Lu already intended to surrender. However, there were always some people with ulterior motives who attempted to oppose the court, which inevitably led to some conflicts. Now everything is over. After I entered the city, I saw that the people here were living in peace and the treasury and grain were well preserved. I am very pleased. Everyone can rest assured that I will not only not punish Zhang Lu, but will also reward him handsomely."

"Really? That's great!" someone shouted excitedly.

Fa Zheng's mind raced, and he hurriedly shouted, "Long live Your Majesty! Long live Your Majesty!"

His shout moved everyone, and they, grateful that the emperor had spared Zhang Lu's life, joined in, shouting, "Long live the emperor! Long live the emperor!"

The shouts grew louder and louder, wave after wave.

After a while, Liu Xie gestured for everyone to quiet down again. "I have decided to bestow upon Zhang Lu the title of Protector of the Nation Celestial Master and to spend a large sum of money to build a Taoist temple in the city. Would you like to see Celestial Master Zhang more often?"

"Yes!" the crowd shouted in response.

Liu Xie nodded vigorously and said loudly, "I promise you, I will be able to see your respected Celestial Master Zhang every day from now on."

Zhang Lu sensed something was wrong, but for a moment, he couldn't quite put his finger on what it was.

When the people heard that they could see the Celestial Master often, they were naturally overjoyed. Liu Xie comforted them and then dismissed them.

Immediately, Liu Xie instructed Zhuge Liang: "Kongming, you must get to work on this matter immediately. Select an auspicious site and build a Taoist temple! Don't worry about the cost; the better it is built, the more I will like it!"

Zhuge Liang understood the emperor's intention and immediately nodded, "Yes, sir!"

Soon, the people of Nanzheng discovered that the emperor had not deceived them. Sure enough, construction began on a Taoist temple on a mountain in the east of the city. The temple was named Tianshi Temple.

Even before the Taoist temple was fully repaired, Liu Xie had Zhang Lu sent there so that he could receive the people every day, spread knowledge, and help them.

After several busy days, when Zhang Lu wanted to leave, he found that it was simply not possible.

The soldiers guarding him said, "His Majesty said that you are the Celestial Master, and this Taoist temple will be your place of residence from now on. You cannot leave without permission. Do not fail His Majesty's will. You must do your best to spread the teachings and save the world! If you need anything, just tell us and we will help you purchase it."

Zhang Lu suddenly realized that he couldn't go anywhere and could only stay here.

Although the place was bustling and lavishly decorated, Zhang Lu was imprisoned.

Zhang Lu was devastated but powerless to do anything about it.

Liu Xie gave him fame, but took away his freedom!

From then on, Zhang Lu remained as popular as ever, with a constant stream of worshippers every day. Just as Liu Xie had promised, the people of Hanzhong could see this Celestial Master whenever they wished!

…………

Two flowers bloom, but I'll only describe one branch.

Upon receiving the emperor's personal letter, Cao Cao immediately felt emboldened and was able to fully unleash his potential, launching a major overhaul of Yanzhou. While reorganizing, Cao Cao was also constantly thinking about how to improve the situation.

On this day, he summoned Cao Ren, Xiahou Dun, Cao Zhen and others together. Cao Cao said bluntly, "It is not wise to just carry out rectification. It will make many people wary and dissatisfied. In the future, all the powerful families will probably regard us as enemies."

"My lord, His Majesty has sent someone."

A soldier suddenly ran in, and a moment later, Sima Yi walked in.

Sima Yi cupped his hands in greeting and said to Cao Cao with great respect, "I am Sima Yi, and I greet the Prime Minister."

"Oh? Did His Majesty send you?"

Sima Yi nodded. "Yes, His Majesty has now taken Hanzhong and his main force has entered Yizhou, so he sent me here."

Cao Cao looked gratefully in the direction of Yizhou, "Your Majesty truly understands me!"

What Cao Cao lacks most right now is someone who can advise him. Because he has to deal with the powerful clans, people like Xu Yi and Dong Zhao, who were originally loyal to him, have also distanced themselves from him.

Furthermore, Cao Cao's task of reforming the powerful clans was inherently thankless and exhausting, and no one was willing to rush to help him.

Cao Cao sized up Sima Yi and suddenly laughed, "Sima Yi, you are also from a prominent family, why are you willing to come here to me?"

Sima Yi did not evade the question. He replied, "Indeed, the Sima family of Hedong is a powerful family. Powerful families can never be eliminated. Even if one is eliminated, another will emerge. But many powerful families now are neglecting the most crucial issue."

"Oh? What is it?" Cao Cao's interest was immediately piqued.

Sima Yi replied earnestly, “The greatest interest of aristocratic families is survival, not preserving inanimate objects like land, houses, and wealth. Since Your Majesty is determined to reform, the Sima family must naturally stand on Your Majesty's side. Only in this way can the Sima family be preserved and continue to survive. Otherwise, the destruction of the Sima family is merely a matter of Your Majesty's decision!”

Cao Cao laughed loudly, "Ha ha ha, although you are young, you see things more clearly than many people. Now that you are here, do you have any brilliant ideas to share my worries?"

Sima Yi nodded and stepped closer. "As I said before, the most fundamental interest of aristocratic families is survival. Prime Minister, you might as well pick up the butcher's knife and target a few influential families. Just make some reforms and confiscate their property. Doing so will only provoke more opposition, but it won't make them feel afraid. When a disease is serious, you have to use strong medicine!"

"What a great saying: a serious illness requires drastic treatment!"

Cao Cao laughed even more heartily, tapping his fingers nimbly on the table a few times. "You're right, but a superficial rectification won't have much effect."

Cao Cao suddenly asked, "Who was the most vehemently opposed in the court that day?"

Sima Yi replied calmly, "Kong Rong, Xun Yu, Xun You..."

Upon hearing the names of Xun Yu and his nephew, Cao Cao's facial muscles twitched almost imperceptibly. He would never target the Xun family, no matter who he was going to make an example of.

After a while, Cao Cao said, "Let's start by targeting Kong Rong's family!"

Cao Cao was fearless and wouldn't even flinch at killing people and massacring cities. When he chose Kong Rong's name, a cold smile appeared on his face. "What family of sages? I'll make them vanish into thin air right now!"

Cao Cao summoned Cao Zhen to his side and, in front of Sima Yi, instructed him: "Take a group of men and hurry to the State of Lu, where Kong Rong's family is located. Remember, when you take action, you must disguise yourself and not give anyone any leverage. Even if they guess that I was the one who did it, they will not be able to produce any evidence!"

Cao Zhen was Cao Cao's adopted son and had never harbored any disloyalty, so he immediately agreed and left.

Sima Yi's face remained expressionless; his visit was at the emperor's behest.

Throughout history, politics has always been inseparable from bloody massacres!

Kong Rong was indeed loyal to the emperor back then, but that's all in the past. If anyone's to blame, it's that Kong Rong chose the wrong side. The emperor was going to declare war on the aristocratic families, and no one could stop that!
On a dark and windy night, Cao Zhen led a carefully selected group of assassins, stealthily heading towards the hometown of Kong Rong in the State of Lu. They were dressed in the tattered clothes of Yellow Turban rebels, their faces smeared with dust, wielding sharp blades, their eyes revealing coldness and resolve. Kong Rong's hometown was originally a peaceful and tranquil place. The people worked at sunrise and rested at sunset, living a peaceful life. However, they were unaware that a disaster was about to befall them.

As night completely enveloped the land, Cao Zhen's troops secretly entered the city. Without any warning.

Suddenly, shouts of battle shattered the tranquility of the night. Many people were awakened from their sleep, and Kong Rong's clansmen were thrown into extreme panic by this sudden attack.

Cao Zhen's men showed no mercy, hacking down anyone they saw, and the land was instantly stained red with blood.

Cao Zhen took the lead, brandishing his long sword, and charged into the mansion. The children cried loudly in fright, and the women screamed in terror.

"You bunch of villains, how dare you offend the Kong family!" Kong Rong's eldest son stepped forward, attempting to resist.

But Cao Zhen smiled coldly, "Today is your end!" With that, he thrust his sword at Kong Rong's eldest son, who instantly fell into a pool of blood.

Kong Rong's young son huddled in a corner, trembling. A woman desperately protected him, pleading, "Let him go, please!" Her pleas were so faint amidst the chaos.

However, Cao Zhen's men ignored them and rushed over, hacking wildly with their swords. In an instant, several bloody corpses appeared on the ground.

The vast mansion was set ablaze, flames shooting skyward and illuminating the bloody scene. Many things were reduced to ashes in the fire.

The servants and maids in the mansion fled in all directions, but Cao Zhen did not massacre these servants.

His goal was to kill all of Kong Rong's clansmen. The entire mansion was filled with the atmosphere of death, and screams and cries mingled together.

The massacre lasted for a full hour, with hundreds of people brutally slaughtered. Corpses and blood were everywhere, and the air was thick with the stench of blood.

When the news broke, the world was shocked!

Kong Rong, a man once renowned for his benevolence, righteousness, and talent, saw his family wiped out overnight.

This was just the beginning of Cao Cao's declaration of war against powerful clans. Before the end of the year, several more powerful clans were brutally slaughtered, all of them wiped out!

A storm was brewing in Luoyang. Those with profound wisdom and strategy quickly noticed the problem. One day, several people gathered in Xun Yu's residence to secretly discuss the matter.

"Lord Xun, several prominent families have been wiped out one after another. This is definitely not just the work of a few Yellow Turban rebels. There must be a conspiracy, and this matter is very likely related to Cao Cao."

The one who spoke was Xun You, Xun Yu's nephew. He had followed Cao Cao for many years and knew Cao Cao's methods all too well.

Such a ruthless attack must have been done by Cao Cao.

Xu Yi also said, "After this incident, Kong Rong fell seriously ill and is likely to die soon. However, His Majesty is not in Luoyang. What should we do?"

"But at this crucial moment, His Majesty is not here."

Zhong Yao's eyes darted around, then he was suddenly startled, "Could it be..."

He had only said half a sentence when Zhong Yao shut his mouth.

Xun Yu glared at him, "Yuan Chang, you can't make wild guesses without any evidence!"

Zhong Yao shuddered, nodded, and thought, "To make wild guesses about His Majesty is no joke."

However, Zhong Yao still felt that Cao Cao's unbridled behavior must have been due to the emperor's tacit approval.

But he had no evidence! And nobody else had any evidence either!
Sima Yi's move to Cao Cao's side was kept very secret, and Cao Cao would never admit that the emperor had instructed him to do so.

Moreover, even if he killed these families, Cao Cao would never admit that he did it!

Cao Cao would not admit it. Many people present had followed Cao Cao and knew him very well.

Before the end of the year, Cao Cao suddenly returned to Luoyang. When he entered the city, he deliberately made a show of force, leading several thousand armored soldiers with a neat and orderly appearance, creating a solemn and murderous atmosphere.

Xun Yu and his men went out of the city to greet them, and upon seeing this, they understood everything.

Cao Cao is demonstrating his power to everyone and taking this opportunity to declare war on the powerful clans!
Cao Zhang, Cao Zhen, Xiahou Shang, Cao Ren, Xiahou Dun... all of Cao Cao's loyal generals surrounded him, and all of them looked at the officials who were welcoming them with disdain.

Cao Cao dismounted first, laughed heartily, and walked a few steps to Xun Yu. He grabbed Xun Yu's hand and said warmly, "Wenruo, it's been a long time. How have you been?"

Xun Yu nodded. "It's alright."

Has His Majesty returned?

Cao Cao asked the question knowing the answer already; he had already exchanged letters with Liu Xie before returning to Luoyang.

Xun Yu quickly shook his head. Cao Cao greeted everyone one by one and walked into the city. Cao Ren and the others also dismounted in unison, leaving the group outside the city.

"Oh, by the way, I heard Kong Rong is ill. How is he?" Cao Cao asked with concern after entering the city.

Xun Yu glanced at him expressionlessly. He knew Cao Cao too well, but even if Cao Cao were standing right in front of him, Xun Yu had no evidence whatsoever.

"He's very ill and can't get out of bed anymore," Xun Yu replied with a sigh after a while.

Cao Cao feigned anger and gritted his teeth, saying, "These despicable Yellow Turban rebels, if I don't capture them, I will kill them all. Rest assured, everyone, I have already sent men to the State of Lu, and they will certainly punish this matter severely. The rebels in the other places will not be tolerated either."

"No, I have to go visit Kong Rong. After all, he is a veteran official who has devoted himself to assisting His Majesty for so many years."

As Cao Cao spoke, he walked straight toward Kong Rong's residence. Xun Yu and the others exchanged glances and had no choice but to follow.

When Kong Rong learned that his family had been massacred by bandits, he was struck dumb, suffering a severe blow to his mind and body, and fell ill and never recovered.

At first, Kong Rong only looked haggard, his eyes had lost their former luster, and were dull and empty, as if his soul had been ripped away. He lay in bed all day, tossing and turning, unable to fall asleep, and images of his familiar relatives kept flashing through his mind.

But gradually, his condition worsened. His once healthy body rapidly became emaciated, his face turned as pale as paper, and his cheekbones protruded high, as if a thin layer of skin was barely covering his bony bones.

Every breath he takes now is extremely difficult, heavy and rapid, as if life is struggling to utter its final cry.

(End of this chapter)