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

Chapter 61, Stay Calm, We Can Win
Yang Biao said with great remorse, "Indeed, what His Majesty said makes some sense, but this unfilial son has no backbone and has lost the integrity of a scholar. His words just now have truly shamed this old man."

Scholars value their reputation highly, and Liu Xie laughed self-deprecatingly, “I know that Yang Gong was upright and incorruptible, and he also hoped that his descendants would be as steadfast as you. But even I, in everyone’s eyes, have also lost my integrity.”

Yang Biao choked up and burst into tears, and Ji Ping felt as if his heart was being torn apart.

"It is all because we are useless that Your Majesty has been humiliated."

Yang Biao had only said a few words when Liu Xie interrupted him, saying, "Lord Yang, as long as you trust me, just focus on recovering from your injuries. Don't think about anything or do anything for now."

Liu Xie stood up and said earnestly, "On the way to Xuchang, I told you that it would be a big mistake to treat Cao Cao as an enemy. Doing so would result in a lose-lose situation. If we treat Cao Cao as an enemy, he will naturally retaliate and completely turn from a Han official into a traitor to the Han, be condemned by the world, and bear a bad name. As for me, it would be like throwing an egg against a rock, and the forces loyal to the Han Dynasty would be completely purged."

Liu Xie pointed at Yang Biao, then at Ji Ping, "With our abilities, what can we possibly use to fight Cao Cao? What chance do we have of winning?"

“But we can’t let Cao Cao monopolize the government and act recklessly,” Ji Ping said excitedly.

Liu Xie shook his head again, "Even if we win the battle and eliminate Cao Cao, what will happen next? The number of enemies will only increase. We will have to face Cao Cao's followers and other warlords across the land. What will I use to pacify the world?"

Liu Xie pointed to Ji Ping's medicine box, "Use this?"

He then pointed to the room full of books, "Still using these?"

This immediately stumped Ji Ping and Yang Biao.

The two remained silent for a long time, unable to respond.

Liu Xie continued, "Cao Cao is not my enemy. To treat him as an enemy would be tantamount to courting death. Even if Cao Cao is eliminated, there will be others. I am afraid I will return to the days of Chang'an."

Liu Xie stared intently at Yang Biao and the other man. "You two are different from Dong Cheng and his group. You are cautious and restrained in your actions, which is very good. I will reiterate once again: do not treat Cao Cao as an enemy. Otherwise, whoever targets Cao Cao will be my enemy!"

Yang Biao looked at Ji Ping. Both of them were a little confused. Cao Cao had clearly usurped the emperor's power, yet the emperor seemed to regard Cao Cao as his best ally.

Liu Xie changed the subject and began to recount past events, “Back then, Dong Zhuo was utterly wicked, and everyone wished they could get rid of him as soon as possible. And what was the result? Wang Yun and Lü Bu did manage to do it, but it led to chaos throughout the land and the fragmentation of the country by warlords. Now you all think that I have been wronged, and yes, I have been wronged, but what does this little bit of grievance matter? I only hope that the world will be at peace as soon as possible. Any sacrifice, any price, is worth it for me.”

"I have favored Cao Cao, saved him, and helped him solve many problems. My two beloved ministers, by helping him, am I not helping myself? If Cao Cao pacifies the world sooner, won't my wish be fulfilled sooner?"

Yang Biao suddenly asked, "But what if, in the end, Cao Cao pacifies the world, his ambition gets out of control, and he wants to replace Your Majesty?"

Liu Xie looked at Yang Biao and Ji Ping, "I haven't been idle either, have I? I still have you, haven't I? In the future, there will be even more people standing by my side. Cao Cao is getting stronger, and I am getting stronger too. Although Cao Cao and I are not enemies, in the end, one of us must step down. The game between Cao Cao and me has actually been going on for a long time!"

Liu Xie's expression remained calm, but his gaze grew increasingly resolute. "I have been making concessions all this time, but I know perfectly well that one day, I will take back tenfold or a hundredfold what I have given up!"

Yang Biao nodded vigorously. "Your Majesty, I will follow you with my life from now on. Please feel free to use my services if there is anything I need."

Ji Ping also knelt on the ground, choking with sobs. "Your Majesty, it seems that I have been misunderstanding you all along. I will do my best to serve Your Majesty with my life."

Liu Xie hurriedly helped him up from the ground, saying, "Alright, let's treat Yang Gong's injuries quickly."

Liu Xie sat quietly to the side, leisurely reading for a while, while Yang Biao and Ji Ping were unable to calm down for a long time.

They had always been indignant and treated Cao Cao as an enemy, wishing they could get rid of him as soon as possible, but now, they seemed to have understood.

If they treated Cao Cao as an enemy, the situation would likely be even worse; even if they eliminated Cao Cao, there would be others. Although they didn't quite understand how His Majesty would retaliate, both of them were determined to follow His Majesty steadfastly and do whatever he asked; that was enough.

"Lord Yang, from now on, let your son do whatever he wants, and you don't need to criticize him too much," Liu Xie instructed after a while.

Yang Biao nodded quickly, "Since Your Majesty has said so, I will do as you say."

"The contest between me and Cao Cao will not be decided overnight, so everyone must be patient."

Yang Biao said, "It's just that Your Majesty will have to continue to suffer injustice. How I wish that Your Majesty could take charge of the government as soon as possible and become a true emperor."

Liu Xie smiled and said, "I believe that day will come!"

As he was leaving, Liu Xie turned back to look at Yang Biao, about to give him some advice, but Yang Biao spoke first: "Your Majesty, I will keep what I just said to myself and will not tell anyone, not even my son."

"Good!" Liu Xie nodded with satisfaction. The more cautious we are, the safer we will be.

Ji Ping didn't need to be told anything; he quickly declared, "Once I leave this room, I will not tell anyone about what happened today."

Dong Cheng, Wu Shuo, and Wang Zifu are all big mouths who complain at the drop of a hat and are quite direct in their emotions, so Liu Xie tries his best not to consult with them.

On the way back, Ji Ping asked, "Your Majesty, when we went to visit Yang Biao today, Cao Cao didn't send anyone to spy on us, did he?"

Liu Xie said, "We went there openly and honestly. Xun Yu can testify for us. Yang Biao is a senior official in the court. Is there anything suspicious about my visit?"

"That's true."

"Besides, I didn't instruct Yang Biao to do anything. Since he's not doing anything, there's no need to worry. Even if Cao Cao wanted to investigate, he wouldn't find anything."

Ji Ping nodded. It seemed they had talked a lot that afternoon, but in fact, Liu Xie hadn't explained anything.

After buying a few desserts on the street, Liu Xie returned to the palace in a relaxed and leisurely manner.

As usual, Liu Xie practiced swordsmanship with Wang Yue for a while, then took a bath and changed his clothes. He then instructed Zhang Yu to deliver the pastries he had bought to Consort Dong and Empress Fu.

After a while, Zhang Yu returned and reported, "Your Majesty, Cao Hong has sent someone."

Liu Xie smiled, and soon after, he met Cao Hong's steward, who was carrying a food box.

"Your Majesty, this is a gift from General Cao Hong. Please eat it while it's hot."

Liu Xie handed the food box to Zhao Yun, smiled and nodded. After everyone left, Zhao Yun opened the food box but found that it contained not food, but Cao Hong's accounts.

"Although Cao Hong is stingy, he is also cautious in his work. If he were to send someone to the palace openly with the accounts, the truth would be exposed in less than a day."

Liu Xie arrived at Fu Shou's palace and first had a meal with her. When it was late at night, Liu Xie waved his hand and dismissed all the palace maids and eunuchs, leaving only two people outside: Zhao Yun and Wang Yue.

Wang Yue carried a long sword on his back, leaned against the door frame, and half-closed his eyes as if he were dozing off. However, he could not escape the perception of everything around him!
(End of this chapter)