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

Chapter 7, Moving to Xudu

"Lord Cao, please sit down and speak."

After everyone left, Liu Xie pulled Cao Cao aside and sat down next to him on the high platform.

Cao Cao looked around again to make sure everyone had left, then his expression turned serious, and he was about to speak.

Liu Xie suddenly remembered something and said, "Lord Cao, I also have something I want to discuss with you. Why don't I speak first?"

Cao Cao nodded, "Your Majesty, please speak frankly."

Liu Xie pointed around and sighed, "Look, even my main palace is so dilapidated. You can imagine what the rest of Luoyang is like. It's in ruins, overgrown with thorns. The once magnificent capital has become a wasteland. I feel that Luoyang is no longer suitable as the capital. Even if we stay here, it will be difficult to restore its former glory. Besides, the other warlords are ambitious, and there will inevitably be disloyal people who come to harass us. Lord Cao, I think we should move the capital to your place. Only then can I rest easy!"

Upon hearing Liu Xie's words, Cao Cao was both surprised and overjoyed.

It's like suddenly drinking an ice-cold beverage on a sweltering summer day.

In one word, cool!

Your Majesty is truly insightful!

Cao Cao hurriedly nodded and seized the opportunity to advise, "Your Majesty is wise. I was just about to discuss this matter with you, and I did not expect that we, as ruler and subject, share the same view. In my opinion, Luoyang is not a place to stay for long, and we should set off as soon as possible. Yingchuan is a land of outstanding people and abundant resources, and Xuchang is only a hundred or so miles away. I intend to ask Your Majesty to move your journey to Xuchang!"

"Excellent, the sooner we leave, the better!" Liu Xie seemed even more anxious than Cao Cao.

Cao Cao smiled with narrowed eyes, thinking to himself: Once we get to Xuchang, you won't have the final say anymore.

Next, Cao Cao produced another list, saying, "This is the list of those to be rewarded. These are all loyal ministers and pillars of our Han Dynasty. Please grant them your favor, Your Majesty."

Having finally become a Grand General, Cao Cao was eager to exercise his power.

It wouldn't be right for the emperor to bestow titles and rewards on others, thus giving away favors for nothing. Cao Cao also needed to bestow titles and rewards to win over some of his own people.

Liu Xie took it and glanced at it casually. Good heavens, there were thirteen people in total, all of whom were to be granted the title of Marquis.

The list includes: General of the Guards Dong Cheng, General of the Auxiliary State Fu Wan, Attendant-in-Ordinary Ding Chong, Vice Minister of the Imperial Secretariat Zhong Yao, Minister Guo Pu, Censor-in-Chief Dong Fen, Chancellor of Pengcheng Liu Ai, and others.

Apart from Dong Cheng and Fu Wan, who were Liu Xie's fathers-in-law and thus considered his own people, the others were either Cao Cao's men or people Cao Cao wanted to win over.

Throughout history, bestowing honors and rewards upon others has been one of the most effective ways to win people's hearts.

Others might work their whole lives and never get a title, but now, Cao Cao did nothing and directly bestowed titles upon thirteen people.

Rewarding Dong Cheng and Fu Wan was a way of giving Liu Xie face and silencing him.

Rewarding others was Cao Cao's way of showing favor and beginning to build the Cao family faction.

Cao Cao kept his eyes on Liu Xie, and Liu Xie, knowing his thoughts, immediately nodded in agreement without any hesitation.

"Granted! I have complete confidence in the people that Cao Cao has admired and favored. With them helping me to restore the Han Dynasty, I can rest easy!"

A hint of joy flashed in Cao Cao's eyes.

He then said, “Your Majesty, Yang Feng and Han Xian are abusing their military power and manipulating the imperial artifacts to bully Your Majesty. I originally intended to lead the army to pursue the two traitors, but the relocation of the capital is a major matter, so I will spare them for now and make further plans after Your Majesty has safely arrived in Xuchang.”

Han Xian has left Luoyang and fled to Yang Feng's place. Now the two of them are stationed in Liang County.

Dong Zhao had just suggested to Cao Cao that he send someone to Yang Feng to appease him, and then use the excuse that there was no food in Luoyang to trick Yang Feng into thinking that the emperor would temporarily move to Luyang, while in reality he would secretly move the emperor to Xuchang.

Since Liu Xie had agreed to move the capital, Cao Cao told him about the plan.

Liu Xie nodded in approval, “This plan is excellent. However, Han Xian and Yang Feng are former White Wave bandits, and they are known for their cunning and treacherous nature. Cao Cao must be wary of them. I am worried that Yang Feng might intercept us on the way.” Cao Cao nodded, “Your Majesty, please rest assured. I will go back and make preparations immediately.”

After leaving the main hall, Cao Cao summoned Dong Zhao and the others again and explained the situation.

"Your Majesty said that Yang Feng would intercept us midway, but I don't think that's credible."

Cao Hong dismissed the idea.

"His Majesty has been staying in the palace. I think he's terrified and paranoid."

Xun Yu, with his keen eye and solemn expression, said, “Your Excellency has personally led your iron cavalry to Luoyang. Although your troops are well-trained and your generals are brave, we are still outnumbered. Once the emperor moves, we will have to escort him and his ministers. It is best to be cautious. Your Majesty’s caution is not a bad thing.”

Cao Cao nodded. "Wenruo's words coincide with my own. Since Yang Feng is stationed in Liang County, if he wants to intercept us, he will definitely send troops from Liang County to pursue us. We can set up an ambush on the road that Yang Feng is bound to take."

Cao Cao immediately ordered Dong Zhao to write a letter to Yang Feng. Yang Feng was indeed fooled, mistakenly believing that Cao Cao was really going to take the emperor to Luyang, and thus agreed.

However, after Cao Cao left Luoyang, Yang Feng, under the instigation of Han Xian, gradually became suspicious. Later, he sent out scouts to investigate and found that Cao Cao's marching direction was not towards Luyang.

Yang Feng was furious and immediately led his troops in pursuit.

Cao Hong ambushed Yang Feng on the way, catching him completely off guard and killing him without warning.

A procession of carriages and horses hurried along the rugged dirt road toward Yingchuan.

The procession was very disorganized; some rode horses, some traveled by carriage, and many ministers walked.

These ministers were disheveled and in a sorry state, looking no better than refugees fleeing the war.

From time to time, the soldiers would urge them to hurry on their way.

This was Liu Xie's procession. Cao Cao, riding a tall horse, patrolled the procession with a very anxious expression.

Who knows what might happen along the way? The team is moving slowly, and so many people need protection. How could Cao Cao not be anxious?

Liu Xie and Yang Biao rode in a carriage. Because Luoyang was in ruins and there weren't many vehicles available, many people had to squeeze together.

Yang Biao was old, fifty-five years old this year, and had difficulty walking. He had been injured while protecting Liu Xie during the escape, so Liu Xie let him ride in the same car with him.

Yang Biao lifted the carriage curtain and glanced outside. Seeing that Cao Cao had gone to the back of the group, he hurriedly said to Liu Xie, "Isn't Your Majesty placing too much importance on Cao Cao? Your Majesty trusts him so rashly. If Cao Cao disappoints Your Majesty, we will be like lambs to the slaughter once he goes to Xuchang."

Yang Biao was upright and loyal to the Han Dynasty. He stood up for Liu Xie on the way from Chang'an to Luoyang.

Instead of answering Yang Biao's question directly, Liu Xie asked in return, "In your opinion, Lord Yang, who in the world, besides Cao Cao, can help me restore the Han Dynasty?"

This question stumped Yang Biao. After a while, Yang Biao replied, "There are many people in the world who are loyal to the Han Dynasty. As long as Your Majesty works hard and raises your voice, they will surely flock to you and come to assist you."

Liu Xie shook his head. "Lord Yang, this is a chaotic world, with constant strife and warlords harboring their own ambitions. Restoring the Han Dynasty cannot be achieved by mere words."

Liu Xie pointed at Yang Biao, "You can't do it."

Then he pointed to himself, "Even I can't do it!"

"Because we have no soldiers! And no generals! The feudal lords who have soldiers and generals are all self-important and vain, trying to become kings and hegemons. They don't care about me at all!"

Yang Biao said with concern, "But Cao Cao is cunning by nature. I can tell from his expression that he is not willing to be subordinate to others."

(End of this chapter)