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

Chapter 370, Cao Cao was very excited.

Liu Xie watched the scene before him with great interest, occasionally chatting with everyone.

Before long, the first batch of roasted meat was ready. The guards carefully presented the meat to the emperor. Liu Xie took a skewer, took a small bite, and the tender and juicy taste was mouthwatering.

As everyone enjoyed the delicious roasted meat, they shared anecdotes from the hunt. One warrior vividly recounted the thrilling moments of his pursuit of prey, eliciting gasps of amazement from the crowd.

Meanwhile, the civil officials discussed poetry and songs, adding a touch of elegance to the lively atmosphere.

Looking at the harmonious scene before him, Liu Xie was filled with emotion. "I hope that all the people of the world can enjoy peace and prosperity like we do today."

Thinking of the people, Liu Xie suddenly had a flash of inspiration and came up with a solution.

We can't just build up Cao Cao's infamy, we can't just make the powerful families hate him, we have to make many people like him, and many people be grateful to him.

With a plan in mind, Liu Xie's mood improved considerably. After returning to Chengdu that afternoon, he immediately wrote a letter to Cao Cao.

In Liu Xie's mind, this crackdown on the powerful clans was akin to "fighting the local tyrants and landlords."

By reforming the powerful clans and reclaiming their land and houses, the common people can truly benefit.

When Cao Cao received Liu Xie's personal letter, he stroked his beard and laughed after reading it.

"It seems Your Majesty still has a solution." Cao Cao smiled and read the letter again.

Cao Ren, puzzled, asked, "What good idea does Your Majesty have that can make our lord so happy?"

The title "Lord" made Cao Cao pause for a moment. People like Xun You and Dong Zhao were gradually drifting away from him, and at most they would only politely call him "Prime Minister" when they met.

Cao Cao knew that the relationship between them could never go back to what it used to be.

However, Cao Cao was still very pleased to have people like Cao Ren by his side.

"His Majesty has decided to lease the land that those powerful families illegally seized to the common people, so that while we are rectifying the situation, we can begin to promote the land redistribution movement."

The so-called land redistribution only granted the people the right to use the land; ultimately, the land still belonged to the imperial court.

However, it can be rented to the people at a very low price, which benefits the people and increases the government's tax revenue.

You should know that in the past, these aristocratic families did not have to pay taxes on their land.

Cao Cao explained the matter to Cao Ren and the others in detail. Everyone was very happy. Cao Ren laughed and said, "I thought His Majesty only knew how to order us around and leave all the troublesome things to us. Afterwards, if it caused public outrage, he would kick us aside. I didn't expect him to be so loyal. He is actually willing to give such a great favor to our lord."

Cao Cao glanced at Cao Ren and said sternly, "Zixiao, how could you say such a thing? I have never thought of it that way. His Majesty would never do something like discarding a donkey after it has served its purpose! At least I don't believe it!"

After careful consideration, Cao Cao formulated a detailed plan. To ensure the smooth implementation of this policy, Cao Cao ordered the establishment of a special agency for unified management.

The news of the land redistribution spread like a spring breeze, bringing hope to the desperate people.

Countless people spread the news, and their eyes were filled with renewed hope for life.

Cao Cao started in Yingchuan, where the land distribution site was bustling with people and extremely lively.

The people arrived early, eagerly awaiting their arrival. The officials meticulously registered the information of each person and allocated land reasonably according to family size and labor capacity.

An elderly man in tattered clothes, holding his young grandson's hand, was moved to tears after receiving his share of land. His hands trembled as he stroked the land deed bearing his name, murmuring to himself, "I've lived for decades, and finally I have my own land! Finally, I have land! From now on, my grandson and I will never have to suffer from hunger and cold again."

A young farmer, looking at the fertile land he had been allocated, was filled with joy and gratitude. He secretly vowed to work hard so that the land would bear abundant fruit and not let Cao Cao's kindness go to waste.

Many homeless migrants also rushed to the scene upon hearing the news. They were allocated land, which meant they had found a place to settle down.

Their nomadic life was finally over; they had their own land, and their lives were filled with new hope.

The people who had been allocated land knelt before Cao Cao with heartfelt gratitude. Their faces were filled with sincerity and respect, and their eyes revealed boundless gratitude towards Cao Cao.

The sunlight shone on them, outlining their simple yet touching figures.

An elderly man with white hair, tears welling in his eyes, said in a trembling but firm voice, "Lord Cao, we will remember your great kindness for generations! If it weren't for you, we commoners would not know how long we would have struggled in hunger and hardship."

A middle-aged farmer beside him, his rough hands gripping a hoe tightly, said excitedly, "From now on, we will work hard and live up to your kindness." In the crowd, women held their children, whose innocent eyes seemed to express their gratitude as well.

Looking at these kind and simple people before him, Cao Cao felt a complex mix of emotions. He saw the expectation and trust in their eyes—a longing for the future and a heartfelt gratitude towards him.

This scene reminded Cao Cao of his ambitions in his youth.

He once harbored lofty ambitions, yearning to establish great achievements in this chaotic world, save the common people, and restore peace to the land.

He recalled his poem "The Ballad of Hao Li": "In the east of the pass, there were righteous men who raised an army to punish the villains. At first, they met at Mengjin, their hearts set on Xianyang. The armies were not of equal strength, hesitating and marching in disarray. Self-interest made people fight, and they turned on each other. The brother from Huainan claimed the title and carved the seal in the north. Lice infested the armor, and countless people died. White bones were exposed in the fields, and for a thousand miles, not a rooster crowed. Only one in a hundred survived; the thought of it breaks one's heart."

At that time, Cao Cao witnessed the devastation brought by war, and the suffering of the people pierced his heart like a knife. Now, the gratitude of these people before him made him even more aware of the responsibility he bore.

He was deeply moved, thinking, "I, Cao Cao, have come a long way through countless trials and tribulations. What I truly wanted was to let the people live in peace and prosperity, and no longer suffer from the ravages of war."

However, over the years, Cao Cao was blinded by power, his mind and eyes were clouded, he became filled with greed, and he no longer cared about the lives of the people.

At one time, he even wanted to ascend the highest throne and usurp the throne to become emperor.

But at this moment, looking at these simple people who were genuinely grateful to him, Cao Cao suddenly awoke to the realization that the man he once was was gradually being awakened.

The old him only wanted peace for the country and for the people to live in peace and prosperity. He only wanted to be a loyal minister and a general who conquered the west!
Cao Cao's gaze hardened and deepened. In his heart, he silently cried out, "Your Majesty, thank you for giving me a chance to be reborn, a chance to be redeemed!"

After a while, Cao Cao stepped forward and personally helped the elderly men to their feet. “Please rise, everyone! I, Cao Cao, am ashamed to receive such a great honor. This is my duty, and I only wish to bring some peace to the people.” His voice was loud and powerful, echoing across the fields.

The people rose to their feet, their eyes still filled with reverence. Cao Cao gazed at them, his resolve hardening. What did it matter if he offended all the powerful clans in the land? He would not betray the hearts of these people, nor would he fail His Majesty. Not everyone hated him; the people would support him, and the Emperor would support him!

Under this warm sunshine, Cao Cao's heart was closely connected with that of the people.

…………

Liu Xie, in Yizhou, had a long-term vision and was a man of profound wisdom.

He was well aware of the potential for rebellion in the southern region and decided to take precautions and strike first to ensure the long-term peace and tranquility of Yizhou.

Therefore, he decisively sent people to summon Yong Kai, Zhu Bao, the governor of Zangke, Gao Ding, the Yi leader of Yuexi, and Meng Huo, who was highly respected among the Yi and Han people, to Chengdu.

The news sent shockwaves through the entire southern region, plunging it into a state of tension and unease.

Despite their doubts after receiving the summons, Gao Ding and Zhu Bao decided to go to Chengdu. Accompanied by their entourage, they embarked on this uncertain journey.

Throughout the journey, Gao Ding was filled with unease, constantly speculating about Liu Xie's true intentions in summoning him. He gazed at the receding scenery, his mind racing with thoughts. Zhu Bao, on the other hand, appeared calm, but was equally filled with worry.

Finally, they arrived in Chengdu. The city's prosperity and vibrancy did not ease their anxieties; instead, they felt even heavier.

Because they had no idea why the emperor had suddenly summoned them.

Meanwhile, Yong Kai and Meng Huo keenly sensed the danger.

Yong Kai paced back and forth in his room, his brow furrowed.

Over the years, Yong Kai has been restless in Nanzhong. He felt guilty and therefore dared not go to Chengdu.

"The emperor's sudden summons must be part of a conspiracy," he muttered to himself after a while.

Meng Huo also summoned his confidants to discuss countermeasures.

Some people said, "This is clearly His Majesty's trap. If we go, we may never return."

Meng Huo immediately became wary, and in the end, both Meng Huo and Yong Kai remained in Nanzhong to observe the situation.

Liu Xie waited in Chengdu for Yong Kai and Meng Huo for a long time, but they did not arrive. He was furious. "These two dare to defy my imperial decree. They clearly do not respect me!" He slammed his fist on the table and stood up, his face ashen.

The ministers offered various suggestions, some advocating for leniency, while others strongly advocated sending troops to punish the enemy.

Liu Xie pondered for a moment, a resolute glint in his eyes: "They so blatantly disregard the imperial authority; if they are not punished, they will surely become a great threat in the future. I have decided to send troops to the south to restore order!"

Therefore, Liu Xie quickly summoned his generals and mobilized troops. Within Chengdu, troop movements were frequent, and supplies and provisions were prepared in full swing.

On the eve of the expedition, Liu Xie personally ascended the command platform to boost the morale of his troops. "Soldiers," Liu Xie's voice was loud and firm, echoing above the command platform, "Yong Kai and Meng Huo have defied my imperial decree and intend to rebel. I am sending troops to the south to uphold the dignity of the court and protect the people. I hope you will fight bravely and return victorious!"

The soldiers shouted in unison, "We are willing to serve Your Majesty!" Their voices were deafening and soared into the sky.

The massive army marched southwards in a grand procession. Along the way, banners blotted out the sun, and the thunderous hooves of horses thundered.

In fact, all of this was Liu Xie's doing, striking first and not giving Meng Huo and Yong Kai time to prepare.

Dealing with them now is much easier than waiting for them to grow stronger.

Meanwhile, in the south, Yong Kai and Meng De learned of Liu Xie's military campaign and were somewhat flustered, forced to begin preparations for war.

They rallied their followers, fortified the city's defenses, and prepared for the impending great battle.

Tensions immediately rose in the south, and the shadow of war loomed over the land. But Yong Kai and Meng Huo tried to incite the people to fight against Liu Xie's army.

Amidst intense preparations, the two armies drew closer. A fierce battle was about to erupt, and the fate of the South would be rewritten in this war.

Liu Xie's army marched forward with strict discipline, committing no offenses against anyone they encountered. This somewhat eased the resentment of the people who had initially feared them.

Yong Kai and Meng Huo's armies, however, appeared somewhat tense and flustered. They knew that facing the imperial army would be a difficult battle.

Zhu Bao and Gao Ding were left in Chengdu. Liu Xie gave no instructions, only telling Liu Zhang to take good care of them and make sure they had enough to eat and drink, but he did not allow them to leave.

Zhu Bao and Gao Ding weren't stupid either; they gathered together and secretly discussed it.

Zhu Bao said, “Did you see that? His Majesty summoned the four of us at the same time, but only the two of us came. Yong Kai and Meng Huo disobeyed the imperial decree, and His Majesty immediately sent troops to punish them. This shows that His Majesty has long been dissatisfied with us.”

Gao Ding clicked his tongue in surprise and said, "But His Majesty only just arrived in Yizhou, shouldn't he be completely unaware of the situation in the south? Why is he targeting us right away?"

Zhu Bao frowned and shook his head. "I don't know about that. In short, our emperor is no ordinary person. We've come to Chengdu in response to the imperial edict. I don't know if it's a blessing or a curse for us."

Gao Ding also felt apprehensive, and both of them fell into deep worry.

The officials and powerful clans of Yizhou also became alert. Liu Zhang was weak and incompetent, and for many years he had adopted a very lenient policy towards the country. Even if something went wrong, Liu Zhang would turn a blind eye.

This situation emboldened many officials and powerful clans to act with even greater impunity. However, due to Liu Zhang's inaction, Yizhou remained in a harmonious state, seemingly unaffected, like a paradise on earth.

However, the emperor had only just arrived in Yizhou when he suddenly pulled this stunt, which made many people uneasy.

Liu Xie's army marched with incredible speed, heading south with their sights set on Yizhou Commandery, where Yong Kai and Meng Huo were located.

Generals such as Zhao Yun, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei were all included, as were local generals from Yizhou, including Liu Xun, Zhang Ren, Li Hui, Ma Zhong, and Zhang Yi, who were also summoned to join the army.

(End of this chapter)