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

Chapter 56, Prince Liu Chong of Chen

Cao Cao rushed to the palace. Upon seeing Liu Xie, Cao Cao smiled and looked him over. "Your Majesty, who taught you this art of divination?"

Liu Xie smiled modestly, "I've only learned a little bit, it's nothing."

Cao Cao shook his head, not believing it. "Your Majesty predicted such a big event as Yuan Shu declaring himself emperor so accurately. Your Majesty need not be modest. I dare to ask Your Majesty to perform a divination for me today."

"Lord Cao, look, you actually believed it. I just happened to meet a white-haired immortal on my way to escape. I chatted with him casually out of boredom. I don't know any divination techniques at all."

Cao Cao insisted, "Your Majesty, why don't you help me with the calculation? Whether it's accurate or not doesn't matter. Just consider it a way for us, ruler and subject, to pass the time when we have nothing else to do."

Liu Xie nodded. "Since Lord Cao is so persistent, then I will reluctantly grant you a divination."

Liu Xie got up and walked around the room a few steps, making a gesture of counting on his fingers with an air of importance. Then he squinted at Cao Cao and said, "It seems that Lord Cao has a lot of luck with women. He took in Lady Zou this year, and next year another beautiful young woman will come into the house."

"next year?"

Cao Cao smiled and said, "Your Majesty, what man in the world does not like beautiful women? I have been fighting on all sides and have taken in a few beautiful women. It is really nothing. I find it hard to believe Your Majesty's conclusion."

Liu Xie pointed eastward, "What if the woman I mentioned is in the east, in Xuzhou?"

Cao Cao's eyes darted around, half believing and half doubting, and he said, "If Your Majesty says so, then I shall wait and see."

Liu Xie smiled and said, "They're just making random guesses out of boredom. Whether they're right or wrong, it doesn't matter. If I want to bring peace to the world, I still need to rely on Cao Cao more."

Although Cao Cao was not entirely willing to believe it, he was still somewhat concerned.

…………

Shouchun!

Yuan Shu arbitrarily declared himself emperor, putting on a grand show, undertaking massive construction projects, and acquiring numerous beautiful women. Huainan, already impoverished, suffered the same fate as Yuan Shu in Nanyang, with its oppressive taxes and tyrannical rule, making life unbearable for the people.

The strategist Han Yin advised, "Your Majesty, the grain supplies are becoming increasingly scarce. We must come up with a feasible solution."

In recent years, droughts have been frequent, and various parts of the Central Plains are facing serious food shortages.

Yuan Shu's pair of cunning little eyes darted around a few times, then suddenly brightened considerably. "I've got it! Prince Chen, Liu Chong, is incredibly wealthy. I'll immediately write a letter of divorce and ask Prince Chen for grain. I doubt he'll dare refuse me."

Chen was a small country with only nine cities. Yuan Shu had a high opinion of himself, and his self-proclaimed emperorship had made him extremely arrogant.

But as soon as his letter arrived in Chen, Liu Chong's face darkened.
"Unexpectedly, His Majesty anticipated everything."

Liu Chong was the great-great-grandson of Emperor Ming of Han, Liu Zhuang, and inherited the title of Chen. In terms of lineage, he was two generations older than Liu Xie! He was Liu Xie's great-uncle!
The State of Chen belonged to Yuzhou, had nine cities, and its capital was Chen County. It had a population of 110,000 households.

Unlike other warlords at the end of the Han Dynasty, Liu Chong did not covet the throne or attempt to become king. Although he had a considerable number of troops, he remained in the State of Chen, keeping the territory safe and the people secure.

Faced with the Yellow Turban Rebellion, almost all parts of Yuzhou and Yanzhou were affected, but Liu Chong provided the Chen Kingdom with strong military support.

He was skilled in archery and horsemanship, commanded tens of thousands of troops within his territory, and possessed crossbowmen with astonishing combat power.

Liu Chong was over fifty years old, but he was still very robust, standing over eight feet tall. He had a stiff beard, eyes like copper bells, and a voice like a booming bell. Every move he made was very imposing.

He was approachable and lacked cunning; his joys and sorrows were always written on his face, and he was very straightforward. On his desk were two letters, one from Liu Xie and the other from Yuan Shu.

Beside Liu Chong stood a middle-aged scholar, with an elegant demeanor and a square face; he was none other than Luo Jun, the prime minister of the State of Chen.

"The news has spread all over Xuchang that His Majesty had foreseen Yuan Shu's declaration of himself as emperor. Xiaoyuan, I am truly delighted."

Luo Jun said, "The King is happy for His Majesty."

Liu Chong stood up and said excitedly, "Yes, Your Majesty has had a hard time these past years. You have been wandering and moved around many times. You have been bullied and controlled by treacherous villains such as Dong Zhuo, Li Jue and Guo Si. The reason why I call myself the General Who Assists the Han Dynasty is that I want to do something within my power. But I also know that only when the Emperor is invigorated can the Han Dynasty have any hope of restoration!"

Luo Jun nodded vigorously, "Your Majesty sees things very clearly!"

If the emperor cannot stand up for himself, it is tantamount to saying that the Han dynasty is finished!

"Liu Biao of Jingzhou and Liu Zhang of Yizhou are also members of the Han imperial family, but what use are they? Can they save the Han dynasty from decline? Although His Majesty has not yet assumed personal rule, at least we can see hope."

Liu Chong handed the letter written by Liu Xie to Luo Jun.

Liu Xie's words were full of sincerity.

King Chen, you are truly my closest relative, my great uncle, and the pillar of my great Han Dynasty!
I have escaped the clutches of Li Jue and Guo Si by sheer luck, and everything is well in Xuchang now. Prince Chen need not worry. I cannot wait to see you.

You are my family. Although I have never met you, I know perfectly well what Prince Chen has done.

Prince Chen, while protecting the territory and its people, should also help me accumulate strength. I will eventually pacify this land, and Prince Chen is my strong support.

I am in Xuchang, and you are in Chen. Although we cannot see each other for the time being, I feel at ease knowing that my family is by my side.

No matter what, you must take care of your health, protect the State of Chen, and retain your military power. Ignore any orders from anyone other than mine.

The prosperity of Chen is due to the efforts of King Chen and Chancellor Luo Aiqing. I am very pleased. Please thank Chancellor Luo Aiqing properly for me.

At the end of the letter, Yuan Shu was mentioned. The wealth of Chen State was well-known, and Liu Xie reminded Liu Chong and Luo Jun to be careful of Yuan Shu and to take care of their health.

Liu Chong laughed loudly, "Your Majesty's letter is a signal that Your Majesty trusts me and will need me in the future. Our Chen Kingdom is indeed wealthy, but I have now decided that everything in Chen Kingdom belongs to Your Majesty. Yuan Shu wants to borrow grain from me, which is simply wishful thinking. Let him dream on!"

Without a second thought, Liu Chong decisively rejected Yuan Shu and even gave the envoy sent by Yuan Shu a thorough dressing-down.

The envoy returned to report to Yuan Shu, who was furious. He stood up angrily and said, "This is outrageous! I wanted to promote him and give him a chance to get closer to me, but he didn't appreciate it. Fine, then don't blame me for being ruthless."

Yuan Shu suddenly thought of someone, "Come here, go and fetch Zhang Kai for me."

Not long after, a burly man walked in.

This man had broad shoulders and a thick back, a tiger-like physique and a wolf-like waist, and a pair of sinister triangular eyes that were always squinting. He was clearly not a good person.

Yuan Shu leaned forward, looked down at Zhang Kai, and laughed, "Zhang Kai, you should know that Cao Cao dreams of killing you. You have nowhere to go in the Central Plains. It was I who gave you a place to stay. Now, I am in trouble. I wonder if you would be willing to help me share the burden?"

Zhang Kai bowed and knelt on the ground. "Your Majesty, just tell me what you want me to do, and I will do it immediately!"

(End of this chapter)