Can I get to the other side?.

Chapter 175 Cao Cao enters the palace late at night to test the emperor's authenticity
Xu County, Cao Cao's official residence.

Xun Yu reported to Cao Cao the recent news about the strange phenomenon that occurred when the emperor of Yecheng offered sacrifices to heaven, and said:

"It is said that at that time, the sky was filled with rosy clouds, golden lotuses emerged from the ground, auspicious beasts such as Qilin and real dragons appeared, and purple air came from the east for three thousand miles and lingered over Yecheng for a long time."

"Now many people say that the emperor of Yecheng is the reincarnation of the Purple Star Emperor. He is a sage king rarely seen in a thousand years and will surely revive the Han Dynasty."

The news of the strange phenomenon at the Yecheng Heavenly Sacrifice Ceremony spread widely.

And it is getting more and more serious and more and more exaggerated.

Even in Xu County, many people were talking about it.

It was because seven days ago, the emperor of Xu County also held a grand ceremony to offer sacrifices to the sky, and auspicious signs occurred at that time. When slaughtering livestock and offering sacrifices to the sky with Tailao, a stone was found in the cow's stomach, with the four words "Heaven's Mandate" engraved on it.

This auspicious sign caused quite a stir, but compared with the strange phenomena at the Yecheng Heavenly Sacrifice Ceremony, this auspicious sign seemed insignificant.

"That's complete nonsense!"

After hearing what Xun Yu said, Cao Cao's face darkened. "Who knows what that fake emperor is up to! This method may be used to deceive those ignorant people, but how can it deceive me?"

"What did the spies in Yecheng report back?"

He didn't believe in any visions from heaven at all. Such things were completely man-made, because he had seen it happen during the ceremony of offering sacrifices to heaven a few days ago!

In his opinion, the fake emperor in Yecheng also used similar methods, but his methods were more sophisticated than his. All those things about strange phenomena falling from the sky, purple air coming from the east, and auspicious beasts appearing in the world were nonsense!

"no big difference."

Xun You smiled bitterly, and then said, "According to the information sent by the spy, he saw with his own eyes that after the emperor of Yecheng offered sacrifices to the Lord of Heaven and burned the sacrificial tablets, not long after, purple gas began to emerge from the incense burner."

"The purple air rushed up into the sky like a wolf smoke, hanging above the head of the emperor of Yecheng. The scene was very shocking... As for auspicious beasts, golden lotus and the like, there were none."

The people spread the story by word of mouth and kept exaggerating it. Various visions were described as being very detailed, but in fact most of them were false. Only the purple air rising into the sky was real, and the spies wrote it down in detail without any exaggeration.

These words left Cao Cao dumbfounded.

Although he did not believe in the belief in gods and ghosts and knew that it was just a means to fool the people, this strange phenomenon of purple air still made him feel suspicious.

The purple air coming out of the furnace is simply unheard of!

"Could it be that the emperor in my hands is really a fake one? The one in Yecheng is the descendant of Emperor Taizu Gao, so the heavens have sent down strange signs?"

Cao Cao had some self-doubt.

But he felt that something was wrong, because ever since he welcomed the emperor to Xu County, he had sent his trusted confidants to guard and monitor him every day. It was impossible for him to run away to Yecheng, so how could it be fake?
But if it is not false, how do we explain the vision?

Purple gas came out of the furnace. This was different from stuffing stones into a cow's stomach. It was beyond human power and could only be caused by the emperor's real sacrifice to the heavens.

"Gongda."

Cao Cao frowned, looked at Xun You, and asked uncertainly: "Do you think there is a possibility that the real emperor had been replaced before coming to Xu County, and the emperor in Xu County is actually a fake one?"

The emperor never ran away when he was in his hands.

But what if he left before coming?

If Fu Wan and Yang Biao found a fake replacement to protect the real emperor, how could he tell the difference? This would explain everything.

Xun You looked a little strange, and shook his head, saying, "Given their personalities, they wouldn't go to this extent. You are overthinking it."

"maybe."

A hint of deep suspicion flashed across Cao Cao's eyes.

At this time, Xun Yu said: "Mingsong, in addition to the strange vision, the emperor of Yecheng also issued an edict called 'Recruiting Talents'."

"The imperial edict said that the Han Dynasty was in danger and that extraordinary times called for extraordinary measures. The previous system of selecting filial and honest officials would no longer be used. Anyone with talent could apply."

"With the strange vision of the Heavenly Sacrifice Ceremony in front and this order to recruit talents behind, now there are famous people from all over the world planning to go to Yecheng to serve. If this continues, I am afraid that people will turn to Yecheng!"

Xun Yu was deeply worried about this.

The vision proved his orthodox identity, and the order to recruit talents opened a door for talented people from all over the world to realize their ambitions. The temptation was too great.

"Recruitment order?"

Cao Cao's face changed drastically when he heard this. He had always had similar ideas, to break the monopoly of the system of selecting filial and honest people and to recruit talents regardless of their background.

The emperor of Yecheng had the same idea as him!

"With the approval of the heavens and such means, he really doesn't seem like a fake emperor... Perhaps even Yuan Shao's escape from Yecheng was planned by the emperor behind the scenes!"

The more Cao Cao thought about it, the more frightened he became.

Because he remembered the news that had been sent back before that Lu Bu had sent an army of 10,000 to Yecheng. Everyone knew that Lu Bu was loyal to the emperor, so these 10,000 troops would naturally be under the command of the emperor of Yecheng.

Whoever controls the army controls the power.

Even if Yuan Shao wanted to go back, he couldn't!

From this perspective, the previous Yecheng Incident and Yuan Xi's murder of his brother and imprisonment of his father were not simple. In the end, Yuan Xi gained nothing, and the Emperor of Yecheng became the biggest beneficiary.

Combined with the recent strange phenomena from the sky and the call for talents... Cao Cao's intuition told him that all this could not be a coincidence and that there was a dark hand behind the scenes manipulating everything.

"Is it Yuan Shao who is plotting against the Emperor of Yecheng, or is it the Emperor of Yecheng who is plotting against Yuan Shao? Am I plotting against them? Or are they plotting against me? Am I also part of his plot?"

Cao Cao clenched his teeth, his mind in a mess.

He tried hard to make sense of it all, but it was all a mess. Finally, he felt a dull pain in his head and squatted on the ground, holding his head.

"Ming Gong! Ming Gong, what's wrong with you?"

Xun You and Xun Yu were shocked and hurried forward to ask.

"I, I'm fine."

Cao Cao's face turned pale and he was sweating profusely. He covered his head for a long time before the pain on his face slowly faded away. He said weakly, "I want to go to the palace to see the emperor. You continue to collect news from Yecheng."

After saying that, he struggled to get up and walked out of the hall.

Xun You and Xun Yu both sighed.

"Minggong's suspicious nature has come back again. He now believes that the emperor in the palace is a fake. But how is this possible?"

Xun Yu said somewhat helplessly.

Although he didn't know why the emperor of Yecheng's sacrifice to heaven would cause strange phenomena, the emperor of Xu County could not be a fake. He was sure that Yang Biao and Fu Wan would not dare to find a fake to replace him.

"Who knows."

Xun You smiled faintly, and then said meaningfully: "Even if the emperor of Yecheng is fake, after this incident, I'm afraid it will become true."

"Uncle, truth or falsehood is sometimes not that important."

Xun Yu was stunned for a moment, then instantly understood what Xun You meant. He fell into silence for a moment and couldn't help shaking his head.

……

Xu County Palace. The emperor also heard about the Heavenly Sacrifice Ceremony in Yecheng from Yang Biao and Fu Wan. He stood up in shock when he learned that the false emperor in Yecheng had caused strange phenomena in the Heavenly Sacrifice Ceremony.

"Impossible! Absolutely impossible!"

"How could a fake emperor like him possibly cause such a strange phenomenon? The previous emperors of the Han Dynasty are watching from the sky! They will surely look after me!"

"The sacred stone found in the cow's belly during the last heavenly sacrifice ceremony is proof of this!"

The emperor spoke excitedly and did not believe what the two said at all. In his opinion, such supernatural things would only happen to him, the orthodox emperor.

Who is that fake emperor?
Fu Wan hesitated to speak, but in the end he did not reveal the fact that the stone in the cow's belly was placed by Cao Cao. Instead, he said, "Your Majesty, now is not the time to worry about whether it is true or not."

"Ever since Yuan Shao left Yecheng and Lu Bu sent 10,000 troops to station there, the fake emperor has completely broken free from his control. Now, he is using the public opinion of the anomaly to issue a recruitment order to attract talented people from all over the world."

"If this continues, everyone will think he is the real one, and Your Majesty..."

Fu Wan didn't continue speaking.

But the emperor understood what he meant, and said with a pale face: "The father-in-law is saying that I have become a fake? But I am the real one, how can people in the world believe him?"

"He is pretending to be the emperor. He will definitely be punished by God. He will definitely be punished!"

The emperor was filled with anger, but helpless. He could only curse dryly to vent his injustice and jealousy.

Why should a fake emperor live better than him!
With Lu Bu's loyalty, he had broken free from Yuan Shao's control and was in control of Yecheng. He was also able to attract strange phenomena and recruit talented people. However, he, the true emperor, could only live in Xu County and act according to Cao Cao's wishes!

Why!
Yang Biao also shook his head and sighed. He originally thought that with the fake emperor around, he could fish in troubled waters and make Cao Cao dare not touch the emperor rashly, so that he could wait for an opportunity to develop his strength secretly.

But now, not only has he failed to develop any power, but the real emperor is about to be replaced by the fake emperor. How can such a ridiculous thing happen in the world?
"Your Majesty, the Grand Marshal requests an audience."

At this time, an eunuch came to report.

As soon as he finished speaking, before the emperor could react, Cao Cao walked in. His cold eyes swept across Yang Biao and Fu Wan, then fell on the emperor and bowed.

"See Your Majesty."

The emperor suppressed his panic and forced a smile, saying, "Grand Chancellor, please get up. It's so late. Why are you here?"

Cao Cao said calmly, "There are a few things I don't understand, and I would like to ask Your Majesty to clear up my confusion."

Hearing this, the emperor felt a little relieved.

"Please speak, Grand Minister."

Cao Cao raised his head and looked directly at the emperor, asking, "I heard that Your Majesty was raised by the Grand Empress Dowager in Weiyang Palace since you were a child. Do you still remember what the Grand Empress Dowager looked like?"

The emperor was stunned and replied, "Of course I remember... But the Grand Chancellor must have remembered it wrongly. The Empress Dowager originally lived in the Yongle Palace, not the Weiyang Palace. I grew up in the Yongle Palace."

"Why does the Grand Marshal ask this?"

Cao Cao had been observing the emperor's expression. Hearing this, he withdrew his gaze and said, "I was just asking casually. It seems that I remembered it wrong."

The emperor was confused and puzzled.

But Yang Biao and Fu Wan on the side were furious. Yang Biao could not help but said, "Cao Cao! How dare you question whether His Majesty's identity is fake? What is your intention!"

Just because the emperor was slow to react didn't mean they were slow too.

It seemed that Cao Cao was asking the emperor whether he remembered what Empress Dowager Dong looked like, but in fact he was hiding a trap in the first half of the sentence. He was clearly testing whether the emperor knew where he grew up!
And the purpose is self-evident!

Cao Cao said to Yang Biao calmly, "What are you talking about? I was just asking casually. How could I question the status of the emperor? You are overthinking."

The emperor also reacted at this time, and was so angry that his whole body was shaking and his hands were cold: "The Grand Chancellor doesn't believe me? When have I ever been to Yecheng? Doesn't the Grand Chancellor know it?"

The emperor felt so wronged that he wanted to cry!

Even Cao Cao questioned whether he was fake!
Is he really that unbearable?
Obviously he is the real one! He is the real one!

Just as Cao Cao was about to continue asking questions, he heard footsteps from behind him. Turning around, he saw a woman with an elegant temperament, beautiful appearance and gorgeous clothes. It was Empress Fu!
Empress Fu walked in and sat down beside the emperor. She took his arm and looked at Cao Cao: "I have a way to prove that your majesty is real."

"Oh?"

Cao Cao's eyes flickered and he raised his eyebrows slightly.

Empress Fu touched her belly and said calmly, "I am pregnant with your majesty's heir. Can this prove your majesty's identity?"

The emperor, Fu Wan, Yang Biao and Cao Cao were all shocked.

No one expected Empress Fu to say such a thing, and they were even more shocked that she was pregnant with the emperor's child!

"When did this happen?"

Tianzi widened his eyes and asked in disbelief.

Empress Fu smiled and said, "Not long ago, I was just about to come here to tell Your Majesty the good news."

After she finished speaking, Empress Fu looked at Cao Cao again, her eyes dim, "The Grand Chancellor is questioning your Majesty's identity, which means he is questioning me. Do you think the child in my belly is not the heir to the throne?"

Cao Cao frowned and thought.

Empress Fu would not dare and would not talk about something like pregnancy, because no matter whether the emperor was real or fake, the queen was definitely real.

Would a queen allow herself to be pregnant with a fake emperor's child?
It was impossible for Yang Biao to agree to Fu Wan's request, because Empress Fu was Fu Wan's daughter, and he could not tolerate such a thing happening.

"Does the Grand Marshal need to ask someone to come over and check the Queen's pulse?"

Yang Biao's face was extremely gloomy as he stared at Cao Cao.

Cao Cao questioned the emperor, forcing the queen to use the dragon heir in her belly to prove the emperor's identity. This was simply a huge insult!

"Of course I don't dare."

Cao Cao glanced at Yang Biao. He actually had this idea, but after Yang Biao said that, he felt it was difficult to do so.

"It is late at night. Your Majesty, please go to bed early and take care of yourself. I will take my leave now."

After saying this, Cao Cao turned and left.

The emperor watched him leave, feeling so sad that he almost cried. He choked up and asked Empress Fu beside him, "Am I really that unlike an emperor? Why, why don't you believe me?"

"I am truly the Son of Heaven!"

Fu Wan, Yang Biao and Empress Fu remained silent.

It's not that the emperor is fake, but that the emperor in Yecheng is too real. If they were not by the emperor's side every day, they would probably believe that the emperor in Yecheng is the real one.

If this is the case with them, what about the rest of the world?

……

At the same time, in Lecheng County, far away in Hejian County.

Yuan Shao also received news from Yecheng.

(End of this chapter)