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

Chapter 8, Loyal Minister Yang Biao

Liu Xie lifted the carriage curtain, looked at the vast mountains outside, and sighed, "As a regional lord, who would willingly submit to someone else? As long as Cao Cao acknowledges me as the Son of Heaven, acknowledges him as a Han subject, and is willing to assist me, that is already very rare."

Liu Xie turned to look at Yang Biao and sighed, “Lord Yang, the decline of the Han Dynasty is an undeniable fact. Cao Cao has already done quite well. I have been controlled by so many people. Don’t you know how they have treated me? Whether Cao Cao has selfish motives or acts arrogantly, in this chaotic world, it doesn’t matter.”

Seeing that Cao Cao had not yet arrived, Liu Xie suddenly lowered his voice and said to Yang Biao, "Lord Yang, I'm afraid that after we go to Xuchang, you, along with Minister Zhao Wen and Minister Zhang Xi, will all be dismissed from your posts. You'd better be prepared."

"Your Majesty, what makes you say such a thing? Does Cao Cao, having just become Grand General, dare to disregard imperial authority and openly abolish the Three Dukes?"

Yang Biao was quite agitated, his eyes wide open. Liu Xie quickly gestured to him with his eyes, signaling him to calm down.

Yang Biao gritted his teeth, knowing that everyone around him was Cao Cao's men, so he lowered his voice.

"Your Majesty, would Cao Cao really be so audacious as to act recklessly?"

Liu Xie pointed in the direction of Ji Province and said, "Although I have appointed Cao Cao as Grand General, he will soon hand over the position to Yuan Shao. Once he relinquishes the position, Cao Cao's prestige will be diminished with you three in office. Therefore, he will dismiss all three of you from your posts."

"Your Majesty, why did Cao Cao abdicate in favor of Yuan Shao?"

Yang Biao felt like he was falling behind Liu Xie's train of thought.

What Liu Xie said was all too shocking.

Liu Xie explained, "Cao Cao currently only controls Yan Province and is not very powerful. Yuan Shao has a strong army, and Cao Cao has been dependent on Yuan Shao for many years. Now that he has moved to Xuchang, Cao Cao has gained so many benefits. How can Yuan Shao be willing to accept this? He will definitely be dissatisfied. With his current strength, Cao Cao does not dare to turn against Yuan Shao. Therefore, he will give up the title of Grand General."

"Since His Majesty had already anticipated that he would relinquish the position of Grand General, why did you appoint him as Grand General in the first place?"

Yang Biao felt that sealing it off and then opening it again was a bit redundant.

Liu Xie looked at Yang Biao, his eyes filled with worry and guilt. "Whether or not Cao Cao relinquishes the position of Grand General is his own business, but how to reward him is not something to be taken lightly. I must win over Cao Cao to appease him and appoint him as Grand General, giving him supreme power. Only in this way can Cao Cao know my intentions, and only then will he treat me and the ministers well and be willing to be a Han subject!"

"Does Your Majesty intend to use Cao Cao to restore the Han Dynasty?" Yang Biao asked with concern, feeling it was too risky.

After a while, he said, "Whether or not I become one of the Three Dukes is not my concern. I only hope that the Han Dynasty can be restored and that Cao Cao can truly treat Your Majesty and the ministers well."

"Lord Yang has been loyal to me. I will remember your actions on the journey back east. However, I am afraid you will suffer some injustices and may even face imprisonment when you go to Xuchang."

"..."

Yang Biao was half-believing and half-doubting. After a moment of stunned silence, he said incredulously, "Your Majesty, Cao Cao wanted to dismiss this old minister from his post as Grand Commandant. I simply didn't argue with him. How could I possibly face imprisonment?"

Liu Xie sighed, “Things are not that simple. As you just said, Cao Cao is unwilling to be subordinate to anyone. I can only try my best to appease him, but it is difficult to control him. As for you, Cao Cao will naturally not take you seriously. Simply dismissing you from your post is not enough. Cao Cao also wants to establish his authority, and using your Hongnong Yang family, which has produced four generations of high-ranking officials, to establish his authority is naturally the most effective way.”

Yang Biao's face turned pale and then red, and he clenched his fists in anger.

Liu Xie looked at him with deep remorse, "Lord Yang, I'm sorry to have to trouble you. I'm the one who has wronged you!"

As he spoke, Liu Xie gripped Yang Biao's hand tightly.

He knew that once they arrived in Xuchang, it wouldn't be long before Cao Cao dealt with Yang Biao, not only throwing him into prison but also subjecting him to physical torture. Yang Biao remained silent for a long time. At first, he didn't believe it, but seeing Liu Xie's earnestness and deep remorse, Yang Biao was immediately moved.

“Your Majesty, I do not understand. According to you, Cao Cao is a ruthless and cunning minister. Even if he does not usurp the throne, he may not treat Your Majesty and the ministers well. Why do you value him so much? It is nothing for me to suffer some grievances, but if Your Majesty goes to Xuchang, won't you become a caged bird, unable to fly away?”

Liu Xie said with a deep gaze, "Because of Cao Cao, at least he acknowledged me as the Son of Heaven, at least he was willing to be a Han subject!"

Although Yang Biao was a civil official, he hated evil and was of unyielding integrity. Although he did not participate in any activities against Cao Cao, he never submitted to Cao Cao.

Even while imprisoned and tortured, Yang Biao never bowed his head.

Liu Xie gave him a heads-up so he could be mentally prepared, because being imprisoned and beaten was something most people couldn't handle.

On the other hand, Liu Xie also needed to protect and win over those who were truly loyal to the Han Dynasty.

Cao Cao wanted to build his own Cao family troupe, and Liu Xie also needed his own Liu family troupe.

At this moment, Cao Cao was supervising the march of his troops at the rear of the army. He had no doubt that Liu Xie was up to no good.

Because Liu Xie was too cooperative and too compliant, even more proactive than Cao Cao in the matter of moving the capital.

Therefore, Cao Cao is now quite satisfied with Liu Xie's attitude and does not stay by his side at all times.

Before long, the sound of hooves came from behind. Cao Hong led a troop of cavalry, kicking up a cloud of dust, and caught up.

Cao Cao hurriedly inquired with concern, "How is it? Has Yang Feng sent troops to pursue them?"

Cao Hong reined in his horse and said somewhat unwillingly, "You know what, His Majesty was right. However, Yang Feng has already been driven back by us."

"Oh?" Cao Cao had no doubt about Cao Hong's abilities.

Yang Feng was no match for Cao Hong.

However, Liu Xie had actually guessed this beforehand. Cao Cao lowered his head and thought for a while, then said with some doubt, "Could it be that Your Majesty just happened to guess by chance?"

Cao Hong laughed and said, "That must be it. His Majesty is only a teenager and doesn't understand military strategy. I think he's just used to being timid, which is why he's being so cautious in reminding us."

"timid?"

Cao Cao might believe Liu Xie to be cautious to some extent, but to say he was timid, given that he dared to look Cao Cao in the eye on their first meeting, Cao Cao thought Liu Xie had some courage.

Cao Cao didn't take this matter too seriously, and could only assume that Liu Xie was being more cautious.

In August of 196 AD, Cao Cao's life finally ushered in a new chapter!
The team arrived in Xuchang successfully, which meant that this small county would become the military and political center of the country for many years to come!
Cao Cao transformed himself from managing a small place in Yanzhou into managing the entire country!
That's right, it's about managing the world!
From the moment Liu Xie arrived in Xuchang, Cao Cao had the final say in the world!

(End of this chapter)