After hearing Yuan Xi's words, Liu Xie suddenly laughed, "I heard that the general has many concubines?"
Yuan Xi replied: "I have no other strengths except lust."
After hearing this, everyone was dumbfounded and Liu Xie laughed even more happily.
Kong Rong stood behind the crowd and cursed in his heart, this kid is so bold!
But he had to admit that if it were him, he might not be able to handle it as well as Yuan Xi did.
He came all the way from Xuzhou to seek refuge in the Han court, and had been in contact with Liu Xie for some time. He discovered that the current emperor actually had a strong character.
In just a few years, he experienced more storms and waves than any other emperor in his entire life. This created Liu Xie's extremely peculiar character, and even his close ministers often could not figure out his temper.
Liu Xie sighed, "My dear, I envy you very much."
Yuan Xi bowed his head and said, "I dare not."
Liu Xie tapped the back of his chair. "I want to give an imperial edict to Lord Benchu alone. Can the general pass on the message for me?"
Yuan Xi replied: "I will obey your majesty's order."
He had a headache. If Yuan Shao heard that his official position was lower than Lu Bu, he would be very unhappy. Although he had a close relationship with Yuan Shao, it was still unknown how much role their former father-son relationship could play in such matters.
But he could not raise any objections at this time. He was just a messenger. This matter still required direct dialogue between Yuan Shao and the Han court, and he could not play much of a role.
Yuan Xi was very sure that Liu Xie did it on purpose.
He wanted to use this incident to test the relationship between himself and Yuan Shao.
But now that he has been granted the title, he cannot avoid such things. Things in this world are a matter of give and take, and there is no reason to take benefits and not do anything.
What's more, Yuan Xi also needed to go back to Yecheng to explain his actions and position to Yuan Shao. Otherwise, it would be bad if Yuan Shao's officials criticized his behavior and made Yuan Shao mistakenly think that he was going to betray the Yuan family.
Liu Xie nodded and said, "My dear, do you have anything else to say?"
Yuan Xi hesitated for a moment and replied, "Your Majesty, I have nothing else to say."
He could only try to flatter Cao Cao to a certain extent. If he continued, it would be excessive and might even provoke Liu Xie's rebellious psychology.
Moreover, in a short period of time, Cao Cao would not clean up the forces of Lu Bu and Dong Cheng around Liu Xie. He had to find a legitimate reason. Otherwise, if the matter got out, Cao Cao would have no reason to act, and it would give other princes an excuse.
From Anyi to Huaicheng, except for the Baibo Army that failed to see the situation clearly and was kicked out, the other forces were maintaining a delicate balance. Whoever took action first would lose half the battle.
Now Yuan Xi had to take advantage of this window of opportunity to persuade Yuan Shao to intervene in Huaicheng and check Cao Cao. In this way, Cao Cao would lose his greatest support.
Liu Xie listened and nodded, "Well, General, please leave first."
Yuan Xi bowed and walked out backwards. Ju Su and Zhao Yun, who were waiting outside the door, saw him and were about to follow Yuan Xi out, but Fu De came out and said, "The emperor wants to see the Marquis of Guangyang."
Zhao Yun was startled and looked at Yuan Xi. Yuan Xi smiled and said, "Mr. Gong and I will go back first."
In Lu Bu's residence, a group of generals congratulated Lu Bu one by one, unable to hide the joy on their faces. Lu Bu's promotion to general was great news to them, because this position was equivalent to that of Dong Zhuo and Wang Yun in the past, and they held absolute power!
As Lu Bu's subordinates, they can not only get a share of the profits, but a big share. Promotion and titles are not a problem. How can they not be happy?
While Lu Bu was feeling very proud, there was a barely perceptible hint of worry on his face.
In terms of ability, all the generals under the hall are mediocre except Zhang Liao.
As for Gao Shun, his relationship with him had already broken down. After congratulating Lu Bu with a few words, he did not even attend the celebratory banquet and left with an excuse.
As for Chen Gong, he did not show up at all.
As for Wei Xu, Song Xian and others who were imprisoned, they confessed to betraying Lu Bu, but Lu Bu did not kill them immediately.
Lu Bu felt a little depressed. The joy of being promoted to general was diluted a lot. He just drank cup after cup in silence.
Zhang Liao invited everyone to toast, and suddenly turned his head and found that Lu Bu looked strange. After thinking for a while, he said, "Marquis Wen, the emperor just entered the city today. If he drinks too much, there might be trouble in the city..."
Lu Bu was a little unhappy after hearing this, but then he reacted and said, "Everyone, just have a few drinks, go your separate ways, and go back to patrol and be alert!"
After hearing this, everyone toasted Lu Bu a few times and then left.
When Lu Bu saw that everyone had left, he slapped open a jar of wine and started drinking by himself.
After a few drinks, the guard came in and said, "Mr. Gongtai wants to see you."
After hearing this, Lu Bu sneered, "It seems that he has finally figured it out?"
"Well, let him in!"
When Chen Gong came in, Lu Bu was stunned. Chen Gong was not wearing official uniform, but cloth clothes. He had a calm look on his face. He couldn't help but ask, "What does this mean, Gongtai?"
Chen Gong bowed to Lü Bu and said, "I came here to bid farewell to Marquis Wen."
After hearing this, Lu Bu lost his composure and asked in a lost voice: "Sir, why are you like this?"
"Has Bu ever treated you badly, sir?"
Chen Gong shook his head and said, "Marquis Wen is very kind to me. That's why I feel bad."
Lu Bu said in a hoarse voice, "I am where I am today because of you, sir. Cao Xing's previous accusations were just nonsense. Why do you take it to heart, sir?"
Chen Gong heard this and bowed to Lü Bu, saying, "Marquis Wen is overthinking. I did this because I felt that I was not qualified to be a strategist."
"Gong is a county magistrate. Fortunately, he was appreciated by Marquis Wen and was made an official. However, from Yanzhou to Huaicheng, Gong was not able to help Marquis Wen win. Instead, he was always at a disadvantage. I feel really ashamed."
"Marquis Wen is now the general, and all the talented people in the world are loyal to him. Gong De is not worthy of the position, and I really can't stay here."
"Moreover, Gong had been at odds with Cao Cao since she left him. Now, Marquis Wen and Cao Cao are both officials in the same court. If it is Gong's fault that Marquis Wen becomes enemies with Cao Cao."
"I have come to bid farewell to Lord Wen from the Palace. From now on, I will live in seclusion in the mountains and forests and not care about worldly affairs."
After hearing this, Lu Bu slammed the table and stood up, "Cao Cao and I cannot coexist. If I leave Gongtai, how can I fight him?"
"Sir, you should understand that Cao Cao will never let me go. Now the two sides are fighting to the death. Can't you stay and help me?"
Chen Gong heard this and sighed, "Wen Hou, Gong is not afraid of life or death, but it is difficult for Gong alone to fight against Cao Cao who has so many advisers."
Lu Bu shouted, "In this case, I need your help even more!"
"Otherwise, if this continues, Bu will surely be defeated by Cao Cao!"
Chen Gong looked at him strangely, "Wen Hou, do you also know that it is difficult for you to fight against Cao Cao?"
"Then why did you accept the position of general and become the target of public criticism?"
After hearing this, Lu Bu said in a deep voice: "I want to give it a try."
"Sir, you said you were born a county magistrate. Before I became successful, I was not as good as you."
"We are all barefoot, why are we afraid of those who wear shoes?"
"Now that we've come to this, there's actually no way back, right?"
Chen Gong said with a strange look in his eyes, "There is really no way out."
"It's really not easy for Wen Hou to figure this out."
Lu Bu felt his face turn red. He couldn't say that these were Yuan Xi's words, which were conveyed to him through Lu Lingqi.
He said aloud: "My chances of winning are not great, are they?"
Chen Gong nodded: "Even if I'm included, the chances of winning are slim."
After hearing this, Lu Bu said, "If it is for your own safety, I will not force you to stay."
"But I have been wandering for half my life, and have been as frightened as a stray dog many times. Now I don't want to run anymore!"
"Sir, if you stay here, you will be hindered by the cloth. I will send you out of the city tomorrow!"
Chen Gong listened and gave a bitter smile, "Since Lord Wen said so, I can't leave."
"Gong defected to Cao Cao, but parted ways with him because he killed Lü Bushe's family."
"Cao Cao's many unjust deeds, even using human flesh as military rations, made Gong feel that his original choice was not wrong."
"Although Wen Hou also robbed the people, he was much better than this."
"Since Gong has chosen Marquis Wen, and Marquis Wen is willing to trust Gong, then Gong will risk her life to accompany him!"
Lü Bu was excited when he heard this. He stepped forward, shook Chen Gong's hand, and shouted, "Okay!"
"From now on, you and I will work together and do our best!"
"If you are in danger, Bu will never abandon you!"
Chen Gong was excited and nodded vigorously. He was tired now and didn't want to wander anymore.
Forget it, I'll just accompany Lu Bu for a while.
But Cao Cao is really difficult to deal with.
Seeing that Chen Gong was still worried, Lu Bu couldn't help but ask, "Sir, do you think Cao Cao is really that difficult to deal with?"
After hearing this, Chen Gong said in a deep voice: "I know him."
"His bottom line is unfathomable."
"Although Wen Hou has done some things that have been criticized by the world, if Cao Cao puts aside his concerns, he will definitely do things much more terrifying than Wen Hou."
"Marquis Wen has heard about Bian Rang's incident, right?"
Lu Bu naturally knew that Bian Rang was a famous scholar in Yanzhou, who was killed by Cao Cao for no reason and even his wife and daughter were taken away!
Thinking of this, Lu Bu's heart skipped a beat. What he was most worried about was Lu Lingqi. What if something happened to him...
Lu Bu and Chen Gong talked for a long time. Finally, Chen Gong said goodbye. Lu Bu saw him out the door and then went back to the house to rest.
As soon as he entered the room, he saw Yan Shi coming up to him joyfully, helping Lu Bu take off his outer robe and saying happily, "Congratulations, husband."
"My husband is now a general. He is second only to the emperor and above all others. He has brought honor to the Lu family."
She then said sourly: "From now on, if my husband takes a concubine, I will not dare to speak rashly."
"But my husband should be careful when the time comes, and not touch any random woman, lest he lose his status."
Lu Bu's face froze, and he waved his hand, saying, "Don't mention this kind of thing. I will know my limits in the future."
After hearing this, Yan knew that it was not good to say anything more, so she changed the topic and said with a smile: "Speaking of which, my husband is now very powerful. From now on, all the officials, big and small, will act according to my husband's mood."
"I was very confused when the marriage between Yuan Gonglu and his family failed. Now it seems that I am not as far-sighted as my husband."
"But now that my husband has gained power, there must be many noble families vying to make Ling'er their legal wife, right?"
"It's really unfair to let Ling'er be the concubine of that fierce tiger. What's more, my husband has become a general now. If I let Ling'er follow him, wouldn't she be laughed at by the world?
"But fortunately my husband didn't say anything final. Why don't we reject Xionghu tomorrow and find another good family for Ling'er?"
Yan thought that Lu Bu would definitely agree, but Lu Bu shook his head and said, "I have decided to let Ling'er follow Xionghu and leave Huaicheng."
"What!" Yan was stunned and asked in a lost voice: "Why!"