For Tian Zi, this was probably the most unforgettable night of his life.
He ate the best pork in the world and a bowl of steaming porridge.
At this moment, the highest ranking official by Liu Xie's side was the current Grand Commandant.
This person was called Yang Biao, and he was well-informed. He had been through all the positions of the three dukes and was unyielding under Dong Zhuo's authority. He had practically done his best to follow the emperor on his journey to the east.
He stood outside the door beside Cao Cao. After eating, he regained his scholarly bearing." Cao Gong now has Yanzhou and millions of people. He should think of a way to let His Majesty live in a spacious house.”
"Of course."
Throughout the entire process, Cao Cao did not know how to express his emotions. His expression was mixed with joy and worry, and there were also complicated expressions.
At this moment, Yang Biao cleared his throat and continued,"Duke Cao, we are all officials and ministers. We need a palace to deal with the chaos in the world. We will carry out our duties, implement the palace system, and establish the court system. This year, natural disasters have been happening continuously. There is a great drought every year, and locust plagues are everywhere. The people are in dire straits.”
"Oh?" Cao Cao raised his eyebrows and a smile slowly appeared on his face." Grand Commandant, you mean…I need to tell His Majesty what I have gained in Yanzhou and give him all my soldiers?”
"Naturally. Cao Cao, do you have a disloyal heart?”
When Yang Biao said this, the other old ministers immediately looked over.
There was still some fear in his expression, but after eating his fill, that fear was replaced by Confucian morality.
Moreover, Yang Biao and Cao Song were old friends. Although their friendship was not deep, he more or less believed that Cao Cao would not be too rude to him.
"I see. In that case, please stay in Chenliu County for the time being. I will immediately build the capital Xu County and complete it within a month. I will not let the emperor wait too long. As for reporting on my work, I will take the emperor to see my Yanzhou cavalry tomorrow! He also wanted to let everyone see what kind of person the current Han Dynasty was!”
Cao Cao's attitude immediately turned cold.
Yang Biao was one of the people present. There was also Zhang Xi, who was kneeling on the ground and eating. There were also many familiar Confucian scholars.
Cao Cao swept his eyes over them and memorized some names.
"Yixuan."
Cao Cao shouted.
Xu Zhen walked out of the room. He had accompanied Emperor Xian Liu Xie to finish his meal. When he walked out, he did not greet the officials.
He walked in front of Cao Cao.
This caused Yang Biao to have a strange expression.
"Lord Xu."
"This is…"
Xu Zhen did not recognize these old officials. After all, just an hour ago, he thought that these people were just a group of refugees from other provinces.
"I am Yang Biao, the current Grand Commandant.”
He is one of the three princes.
"Lord Xu, I am Zhang Xi, the current Sikong.”
"I am Dong Cheng, the general of the Great Han Guard.”
……
Xu Zhen greeted these old officials one by one. There was not much displeasure on his face. He treated them with a calm attitude.
Then, he walked in front of Cao Cao. The two of them looked at each other and roughly understood what they were thinking.
Cao Cao pulled Xu Zhen and continued forward. He sent Zhang Liao back to Chenliu to lead the troops and arranged for the guards of honor to be stationed outside Chenliu County. There were still dozens of miles of mountain roads from the city, so the carriage might be too bumpy. Therefore, the carriage was arranged to be five miles away from Chenliu County.
After taking a few steps, Cao Cao asked curiously,""Are you the uncle of the emperor, Liu Xie?"
"Bullsh * t! Wouldn't I be exhausted to death to have such a nephew? I'm not." Xu Zhen immediately leaned back tactically, feeling that Old Cao's words were not right...
As expected.
Cao Cao laughed and said,"No, if he says you are, then you are."”
"What do you mean…"
" There's no need to verify the birth mother of the emperor. I only know that he grew up in Empress Dowager Dong's palace. He's well-educated and has a good temperament. Now, it's said that he's your biological nephew..."
The corners of Cao Cao's mouth curled up slightly, making Xu Zhen smell trouble.
"You're not asking me to take care of this child, are you?”
With a bitter face, Xu Zhen lowered his voice and said,""I might as well be a big farmer here.”
"Hey, no, no, no!" Cao Cao hurriedly pulled him back," Yixuan, let me tell you. Now that the Emperor has arrived in Yanzhou, I naturally have to welcome him into the palace. If these Sikong, Taiwei, and General Wei are not intimidated, they will really think that they are the subjects of the Great Han Dynasty.”
When Xu Zhen heard this, he understood what Boss Cao meant.
This was to make him a bad guy to beat and suppress these officials.
To put it bluntly, it was just planting a tree in their hearts during Arbor Day. They were all so poor that they were going to become ghosts under the knife in troubled times.
Without military power, he couldn't even stand firm.
" Yixuan, I know you don't like fighting on the battlefield, but you also like to be in a relatively safe environment," Mr. Cao began his persuasion.
"Think about it. If you can enter and leave the palace freely, you will definitely stay in the rear in the future. Moreover, as a relative of the imperial family, even the officials will have to treat you with courtesy.”
"You don't need to go to the battlefield. Just help me stabilize the rear.”
Cao Cao winked and said.
These words…
Xu Zhen agreed.
However, this thing was a hot potato and extremely troublesome.
After pondering for a moment, Xu Zhen still shook his head.""I'm not going!"
"Why?" Cao Cao was stunned.
"Such an arrangement seems appropriate, but I am in great danger. If someone sets me up and puts me in an unjust position, saying that I have overstepped my duty as lord and conspired with the Han Dynasty to seize power and seize your troops, what should I do?”
Xu Zhen said resolutely,"If I always stay by the emperor's side, what should I do when he grows up and wants to take back the regime?" Yanzhou had 80,000 Qingzhou soldiers, 50,000 Yanzhou Tiger Leopard Cavalry, and 80,000 Xuzhou Danyang soldiers.”
"Then this…"
When Cao Cao heard this, he felt that it was indeed reasonable. If things really came to this, what should he do…
Do I have to hand over all the troops in my hands?
Tian Zi had grown up. How should she deal with his relationship?
If Xu Zhen was always by the emperor's side and was later framed for conspiring with the emperor to remove his military power and weaken the threat, how would he treat Xu Zhen then?
At the thought of this, Cao Cao's eyes widened and he stared at Xu Zhen." You don't even want the royal family?! Yixuan, I really admire you for being able to see so clearly.”
"Don't, don't…"
However, Cao Cao was in a dilemma.
How should he treat Tian Zi?
If he was like Dong Zhuo, then these officials would definitely not be willing. Not to mention them, Xun Yu would definitely criticize him in both words and writing. That guy was absolutely loyal to the Han Dynasty. If that was the case, it would be quite troublesome…
Xu Zhen said," Let's build the palace first. During this period of time, my lord will treat you with the courtesy of a monarch and his subjects. As for the other officials, return to their original positions and not move for the time being. Just treat them well."”
"And then?" Cao Cao blinked and asked.
" Welcome them into Xuchang and reward them according to their merits. Reward all the meritorious officials who followed the emperor here. Don't miss out on those who have made contributions and those who have made mistakes."In this way, my lord can take over the throne of the emperor and become that powerful minister.”
"Tsk…"
When Cao Cao heard this, a struggling expression appeared on his face.
He was still hesitating.
This was because this matter was of great importance. It was definitely not something that could be decided with just a few words.
"Yixuan, do you think I…am loyal or treacherous to the Han Dynasty?”
Cao Cao suddenly asked.
Xu Zhen was stunned for a moment. Tonight, the wind was cool and the moon was bright.
He never dreamed that Cao Cao would ask him such a question.
It was only at this moment that Xu Zhen truly understood that a person with real flesh and blood, even if he had already saved the world, would still doubt his own value.
Xu Zhen looked at Boss Cao seriously. The 39-year-old Cao Cao was no longer as heroic as when he was young. Instead, he had the heroic attitude left behind by the vicissitudes of power. His straight back and stalwart shoulders made him look extremely charming.
After reading for a long time, Xu Zhen was in no hurry to answer this question because he understood that this question was very important. It was so important that his answer might cause a slight change in the history of " serving the emperor to order the vassals "...
Cao Cao seemed to be very concerned about Xu Zhen's evaluation because he knew that this young man was different from any other strategist. He also had a unique temperament.
He didn't yearn for glory and wealth, and he didn't have the temperament of being bound by the secular world. Although he was a Confucian scholar, he didn't have the sour and rotten temperament of a Confucian scholar. He was a fierce warrior, but he had the temperament of a scholar that could be said to be true.
In short, it was very strange.
Xu Zhen had once read about it in a book. It was a speculation about Cao Cao in various historical records and unofficial records. It said that…in fact, he had originally wanted to be the Defender General! Defend the country gate and fight the foreign races.
Even if the burly man was weak, he wouldn't be bullied by any Outsiders.
However, because of the chaotic times, he could only move freely and sweep across the world, becoming a military strategist.
Thinking of this, Xu Zhen nodded solemnly." Our lord has done a great favor to the Han Dynasty and the people of the world. If we implement a benevolent policy and save the people, and you are also a Han Chinese, in this world…it doesn't matter whether your surname is Liu or not. It's still the Han Dynasty!”
"What I want to see is a strong man! And not the sickly so-called orthodox!!”
At this moment, Xu Zhen's blood suddenly surged.
Cao Cao's eyes trembled and his shoulders trembled. These words were truly…surprising.
He fell into an indescribable shock.
Since ancient times, which subject dared to say that?! Wasn't this treason? According to the law, Cao Cao could even kill Xu Zhen on the spot.
However, Xu Zhen's eyes and hot blood rushed towards him, causing Cao Cao to be infected by this heroic spirit.
At this moment, he could not help but hug Xu Zhen's shoulders excitedly and say,"Yixuan! With your words, I, Cao Cao, will be cursed by the people! It was worth it! Welcome the emperor into Xuchang!"
"Then, I will make you my Great General! Fight with me!"
Pa!
Xu Zhen slapped Cao Cao's hand away and quickly retreated.""Forget it, I knew you would say that! I'm not going! No, no…"
"Eh?" Cao Cao tilted his head and looked at Xu Zhen in confusion." Then why did you say it so passionately just now?!"”
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