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

Chapter 5, Liu Xie Praises Cao Cao Excessively

Cao Cao squinted, feigning ignorance, and asked, "Gongren, I've just arrived in Luoyang and am still unfamiliar with everything. What are your thoughts?"

Dong Zhao looked around warily and hurriedly said, "Lord Cao, Luoyang is not a place to stay for long. I hope you will make plans as soon as possible and take His Majesty to Yanzhou."

"Oh? Why do you say that, Gongren?"

Cao Cao was secretly delighted, but feigned surprise on his face.

In fact, Cao Cao never intended to stay in Luoyang for long, and Dong Zhao's words hit the nail on the head.

"My lord, you have come from afar with your army in disarray. Luoyang is a desolate and dilapidated place, not a suitable place to stand. Zhang Yang, Yang Feng, and others each have their own selfish motives and are trying to hold the emperor hostage. Yuan Shao and other warlords may also send troops at any time. If we fight in Luoyang, it will be very disadvantageous for you. I hope you will not hesitate and will quickly ask His Majesty to move the capital."

The fact that Dong Zhao could say these words shows that he was already demonstrating his loyalty to Cao Cao.

Mao Jie, Xun Yu, and the others all nodded in agreement.

Xun Yu said, "While Zhang Yang and the others haven't reacted yet, my lord, let's leave as soon as possible. In my opinion, moving the capital to Xuchang is the most suitable option. It's located in the heart of the Central Plains, making it extremely convenient for traveling north and south, east and west!"

Cao Cao nodded, then asked Dong Zhao, "Gongren, what do you think of the ministers' opinion on this matter? Are they willing to accompany me to Yanzhou?"

Dong Zhao said confidently, "The officials have been fleeing all the way here, and were already in a state of fear and anxiety. They were only fortunate to arrive in Luoyang. Your Excellency provided timely help, turning danger into safety and ensuring that we have food and clothing. Now everyone is grateful to you. If you just give us some kind words of persuasion, many people will surely respond. In addition, His Majesty trusts you so much. As long as His Majesty agrees to move the capital, even if some officials try to stop us, we don't need to worry about it."

Dong Zhao smiled and said, as if showing off a treasure, "My lord, do you know what His Majesty is doing right now?"

"Oh? What is he doing?" Cao Cao was immediately curious and leaned closer.

Dong Zhao replied, "His Majesty is praising your heroic deeds in supporting the Han Dynasty to his ministers. When I arrived, His Majesty was talking about your assassination attempt on Dong Zhuo. He may be discussing the warlords' campaign against Dong Zhuo now."

"Hmm? Your Majesty is recounting my deeds?" Cao Cao was both surprised and somewhat proud.

Unexpectedly, the emperor himself was a big fan of his own, and his act of saving the emperor unexpectedly gained him a devoted admirer.

Cao Cao wanted to go and see for himself, but after taking a few steps, he stopped.

It seems inappropriate for someone to suddenly appear when others are praising you.

What if His Majesty doesn't praise me after I go?
Cao Cao gave Cao Ren a wink, and Cao Ren understood immediately. "I'll go ask and see if His Majesty is lacking anything?"

Cao Cao waved his hand approvingly, and Cao Ren quickly left.

Before Cao Ren even entered Yang'an Hall, he heard a burst of applause coming from inside. The applause was thunderous, and many people were cheering. Cao Ren stepped into the hall and saw Liu Xie standing on the throne, surrounded by ministers. Liu Xie was waving a fan in his hand and speaking to everyone with great enthusiasm.

"When the feudal lords attacked Dong Zhuo, the eighteen feudal lords gathered at Suanzao. What a military might that was! It is said that their army numbered as many as 500,000. At this time, the feudal lords had to elect a supreme leader. Now everyone knows who the supreme leader is."

The Imperial Advisor Zhao Yan replied, "It is Yuan Shao!"

"Indeed, Yuan Shao's family has held high office for four generations, and his prestige is renowned throughout the land. He can indeed command a large following, but in my opinion, the one who should truly be the leader of the alliance is Cao Cao!"

With a whoosh, Liu Xie stomped a few steps in a huff, forcefully snapping his fan shut with a crisp sound.

It's like a storyteller striking his gavel.

Liu Xie said with heartache and dissatisfaction, "Yuan Shao became the leader of the alliance, but he hesitated and wavered, missing a great opportunity. Only Cao Cao truly cared about the country. His assassination attempt on Dong Zhuo was enough to show his loyalty. It wasn't that no one recommended Cao Cao as the leader. Bao Xin, the Chancellor of Jibei, was very prescient. He said that Cao Cao had the ability and courage, and was loyal to the Han Dynasty. If he became the leader, the great cause would surely succeed, and Dong Zhuo would have been wiped out long ago!"

After finishing his speech, Liu Xie looked at everyone and asked, "Gentlemen, what do you think? Cao Cao is so young, yet he has already achieved three great feats. He is a loyal minister of our Han Dynasty. Based on his achievements and abilities, he is comparable to General Huangfu Song."

"May I ask Your Majesty, what exactly are the three merits that Lord Cao has accomplished?" Cao Ren walked over with a smile and asked curiously.

"Minister Cao, your arrival is timely. Your first merit is your single-handed assassination attempt on Dong Zhuo. Although it failed, it demonstrates your loyalty. It was precisely because the assassination failed that you rallied everyone to raise an army to punish Dong Zhuo. Your second merit is that when Dong Zhuo was defeated and moved the capital to Chang'an, so many warlords from Guandong remained indifferent, but you risked your life to pursue him. Although you did not succeed, the whole world saw that only you have the Han dynasty in your heart and are utterly loyal to me. After hearing about this, I was so excited that I didn't sleep for three days. With such a loyal minister, how can the Han dynasty not prosper?"

"This third merit is my risking my life to save the emperor. My journey back east took a year and was a tragic and bloody one."

Liu Xie looked at his ministers and said with a heavy heart, "Am I wrong? The emperor's return east is worse than that of an ordinary refugee. Isn't that ridiculous? Along the way, Yang Biao fell into the water several times, Zhong Ji accidentally rolled down a hillside, Zhao Yan was almost bitten by wolves at night, and even my eunuch Zhang Yu was shot by an arrow by pursuers. How many times have we walked on the edge of death? What is this if not a history of blood and tears?"

Liu Xie recounted the events vividly, many of which were based on his personal experiences. When he spoke of the most moving parts, many ministers choked up and shed tears.

Cao Ren sighed inwardly; these people were truly pitiful.

Finally, Liu Xie raised his voice and said loudly, "It was Cao Cao who saved me, saved you, and saved the Han Dynasty. The journey back east took a whole year. I refuse to believe that the warlords of the world were unaware of this. No, they all knew, but none of them cared about me. But Cao Cao did. Cao Cao had the Han Dynasty in his heart. Cao Cao saved the Han Dynasty! So, none of you should be dissatisfied. I think there is absolutely no problem in making Cao Cao the Grand General. He deserves it. He is the most loyal minister of our Han Dynasty!"

Cao Ren was so excited that he ran out before Liu Xie could finish speaking.

When Cao Cao saw him, he was somewhat puzzled. "Zixiao, why are you back so soon?"

Cao Ren gave a thumbs up, unable to hide his excitement, and said, "My lord, His Majesty almost treats you like a god. I think there will be absolutely no problem with moving the capital!"

(End of this chapter)