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

Chapter 42, Zhang Xiu surrenders voluntarily (Please continue reading)
The two were from the same hometown of Changshan. Xiahou Lan had joined Cao Cao's army early on and was now under Xiahou Dun's command.

After a while, Zhao Yun brought Xiahou Lan to Liu Xie and introduced him, saying, "Your Majesty, this is my fellow townsman, Xiahou Lan!"

Xiahou Lan was taken aback to find that the emperor was dining with his soldiers. He was about to bow and pay his respects when he was surprised.

Liu Xie waved his hand, "No need for formalities. This isn't the palace. If everyone had to kneel before me, it would be too much trouble."

Even his clothing was very casual, so as not to attract too much attention.

Liu Xie did not act overly affectionately; he simply greeted Xiahou Lan briefly before continuing his meal.

Not long after, Cao Ang arrived with Cao Pi and Cao Anmin, the three brothers.

"Your Majesty, my father sent me to check on you. Are you alright?" Cao Ang dismounted and walked over with a smile.

Cao Pi was still young, only eleven years old, but he had already learned to ride a horse. He refused help from others and dismounted on his own.

Cao Ang was very polite. Seeing that Liu Xie was eating the same food as ordinary soldiers, he hurriedly advised, "Your Majesty, my father repeatedly instructed that you must not be neglected. How can you be allowed to eat such coarse food?"

Cao Pi, however, couldn't stop laughing to himself. The emperor was eating so poorly; Cao Pi was very pleased with himself.

Cao Anmin, who was a few years older than Cao Pi, also had an expression of watching the show with amusement.

Cao Ang stepped forward to take the food from Liu Xie's hand, saying, "Your Majesty, I will have someone make you a fresh one immediately. Your Majesty is of noble birth, and if we neglect you, Father will punish us."

Liu Xie didn't care, and before long, he had eaten half a bowl of soup noodles.

Cao Ang stamped his feet in frustration, while Cao Pi leaned closer, peered suspiciously into Liu Xie's bowl, and said in bewilderment, "Why is Your Majesty eating such ordinary food with such relish? I thought there was a chicken leg hidden in it!"

Liu Xie smiled and said to Cao Ang, "Zixiu, you're taking this too seriously. When you're out on a military expedition, there aren't so many rules. We're here to fight, not to travel and enjoy the scenery. Just like your father, who holds the high position of Minister of Works, he still fights alongside his soldiers and shares their joys and sorrows."

Seeing that he could not persuade Liu Xie, Cao Ang sighed and had no choice but to give up.

"Your Majesty, I have good news to tell you!"

Cao Ang took out a handkerchief from his person and handed it to Liu Xie, telling him to wipe his mouth. Then he took the bowl and chopsticks and handed them to the soldiers next to him.

It's clear that Cao Ang is very meticulous.

"What's wrong? Did Zhang Xiu surrender without even a fight?" Liu Xie asked casually with a smile.

Cao Pi's eyes widened in surprise as he asked, "Your Majesty, how did you know?"

Cao Ang and Cao Anmin also looked at Liu Xie in surprise.

"It's not hard to guess. Cao Cao's army is strong and well-equipped, so he has raised an army to attack. Zhang Xiu was originally a military general from Xiliang. He was not able to establish a firm foothold in Nanyang and probably did not have the confidence to fight against the court. Surrendering was a wise move."

Cao Ang nodded and praised, "Even Guo Jijiu couldn't guess it, but His Majesty hit the nail on the head. You're right. Now, many checkpoints along the way have been cleared by the Xiliang troops, and our army is advancing unimpeded. Father's vanguard is almost at Wancheng."

"I didn't expect this expedition to go so smoothly. It's probably thanks to His Majesty's influence. With the Emperor leading the expedition, Zhang Xiu doesn't dare to oppose the court at all."

Cao Pi was somewhat disappointed and muttered, "I originally thought I would be able to witness the scene of the two armies fighting. Anmin and I even made a bet to see whether the Xiliang soldiers or the Central Plains soldiers were stronger. Unfortunately, we can't have that wish."

Cao Ang smiled and said, "To win without fighting, thus avoiding bloodshed and loss of life, isn't that a good thing?"

Cao Pi pouted and said with dissatisfaction, "We finally got out of the city, but there was no fighting. What a disappointment."

Cao Anmin suddenly jumped up from the ground. "I wonder if there are any pretty beauties in Wancheng. We've won a battle, so we should celebrate properly. If there are any nice beauties later, I'll definitely find one for my uncle." Cao Ang glared at him. "You're not that old, but you've put all your thoughts on women. Your uncle is learned and strict in managing the family, but you only know how to fool around all day and love to hang out with women."

Cao Cao disliked reading from a young age, but his younger brother Cao De loved books. Unexpectedly, their son turned out to be a dissolute playboy who was obsessed with women.

Cao Anmin snorted and said smugly, "What do you know? My uncle never said anything to me. You don't understand the beauty of women. Although my uncle and I are much older than each other, we are close friends."

Cao Ang's face darkened. Cao Pi was still young and ignorant about matters between men and women.

Liu Xie smiled without saying a word. Cao Cao's nephew was really interesting, a real little silver worm.

…………

Cao Cao arrived safely outside Wancheng and saw Zhang Xiu personally leading troops out of the city to welcome him. Only then did he fully believe that Zhang Xiu was truly sincere in his intention to surrender.

Cao Cao was naturally suspicious. At first, when he saw the Xiliang soldiers clearing the way and removing their obstruction along the way, he was somewhat doubtful, fearing that this was a feigned surrender by Zhang Xiu.

However, from Ye County to Wuyin County, and then to Wancheng, the journey was unimpeded.

The gates of Wancheng were wide open, and Zhang Xiu had already led his troops outside the city early on.

Not far away, the Xiliang cavalry dismounted and stood together in a dense, imposing formation, a sea of ​​people.

Although they had all put away their weapons, Cao Cao could still tell that these men were well-trained, physically strong, and possessed the chilling aura of someone who had been through many battles.

If they truly intend to be our enemies, we would likely have the strength to put them to a fight.

But Zhang Xiu chose to surrender.

Cao Cao was overjoyed and strode towards Zhang Xiu. Zhang Xiu quickly came to greet him, cupped his hands in greeting from a distance, and then knelt on the ground. "The imperial army has come from afar. General Zhang Xiu is late in welcoming you. I hope Lord Cao will forgive me!"

Although Zhang Xiu was brave and skilled in battle, he lacked wisdom and strategy. Jia Xu repeatedly reminded him of this before he left the city.

When you meet Cao Cao, you must say that he is the royal army of the imperial court, not that you are surrendering, but that you are welcoming him.

They had to understand in their hearts that it was Cao Cao who surrendered, but they had to say that it was the imperial court that they were surrendering to.

It may seem a bit convoluted, but it actually has a lot of intricacies.

Because Cao Cao now represents the imperial court, surrendering to Cao Cao is tantamount to surrendering to the imperial court.

Cao Cao waved his hand, squinted and smiled, "General Zhang, you are too kind. Your understanding of righteousness and your submission to the court is truly a blessing for the country and a good thing for the Han Dynasty. Please rise!"

Cao Cao was also a man who appreciated talent. When he saw Zhang Xiu in full armor, with thick eyebrows and fierce eyes, and exuding a heroic spirit, he admired him even more.

Looking again at Wancheng behind Zhang Xiu, Cao Cao was filled with emotion. He was very familiar with Wancheng.

During the Yellow Turban Rebellion, Cao Cao was ordered to follow Zhu Jun and fight a long and fierce battle against Zhang Mancheng, Sun Xia, and others here. It took a lot of effort to barely break through Wancheng.

Wancheng is a fortified city, easy to defend and difficult to attack. Zhang Xiu also has so many fierce warriors. If Zhang Xiu is determined to hold the city, Cao Cao will probably have to pay a heavy price.

But now, without needing to use a single sword or spear, Cao Cao felt increasingly smug.

(End of this chapter)