Cao Cao looked at Yuan Xi with murderous intent in his heart, but after thinking it over again and again, he temporarily gave up the idea. After all, the other party had the support of the Yuan family. If he acted rashly, it would likely alert Yuan Shao in advance, which would be a loss.
This ferocious tiger must be sure that Cao will not turn against Yuan Shao at the moment, so he is so fearless, right?
Cao Cao felt a headache coming on him. He suppressed his irritation and decided that what he had to do now was to gradually eliminate the opposition around the emperor, such as Dong Cheng, Lu Bu, Kong Rong and the remnants of Bai Bo.
After killing all these people and completely controlling the emperor, we can then deal with Yuan Xi. And the key to everything still lies with Yuan Shao.
Once the outcome between him and Yuan Shao is decided, Yuan Xi will no longer be a concern!
Before that, I will act low-key, endure and grow stronger, first defeat Yuan Shu and annex Yuzhou, then defeat Liu Biao and annex Jingzhou. Sooner or later, my strength will completely overwhelm Yuan Shao!
Thinking of this, Cao Cao closed his eyes slightly, hiding his murderous gaze and ignoring the quarrels in the court.
It's just a verbal dispute. The real victory or defeat will still be decided on the battlefield. Let these people jump around for a few more days. They will die in our hands sooner or later anyway!
Yuan Xi had been secretly observing Cao Cao's expression and found that he was indeed a little anxious at first, but after a while he regained his composure. He thought to himself that this was indeed unusual.
He could only take advantage of Yuan Shao's strength in recent years to attack him. There would be a war between Yuan and Cao sooner or later. Although he would try his best to intervene, Yuan Xi had no idea what the final outcome would be.
After all, this top dispute in the world is full of infinite variables, with dozens or even hundreds of heroes of the era fighting in it. Yuan Xi really doesn't think that killing Xu You or defending Wuchao can really change the final outcome.
Maybe the best way is to take action now?
In fact, Cao Cao didn't know that Yuan Xi had also wanted to kill him, and until this moment, he was still unwilling to give in.
Ever since Cao Cao entered the city, Yuan Xi had been thinking about turning the tables, but Cao Cao was staying in the military camp at night, and the court was protected by Cao's personal guards, so there was no chance to do it. Yuan Xi had to temporarily give up this idea.
As a result, the murderous intent between the two men once again hid beneath the water and lay dormant.
In the court, the ministers argued endlessly about Yuan Xi's suggestions. The reason for this was that Sun Jian did not have a very good reputation among the gentry. Although he had made great contributions several times during his lifetime, he also killed many gentry officials, so he offended many people, and even Sun Ce was implicated.
Moreover, in the few years since Sun Ce joined Yuan Shu, he has conquered large tracts of land in Yuzhou and Yangzhou, many of which were territories guarded by members of the Liu clan. Liu Yao, who is now being attacked by him, has an even better reputation among the clan members.
He had to alienate Yuan Shu and Sun Ce, and also persuade Sun Ce to stop attacking Liu Yao. Sun Ce was not stupid. How could he easily turn against Yuan Shu without favorable conditions?
Seeing that the ministers were still arguing about what conditions to offer, Yuan Xi stepped out and said, "Sun Ce is a powerful general from Jiangdong. If he were to join Yuan Shu, he would be a great threat to the Han court. I heard that there are several women in the royal family who are ready to marry. If so, we can betroth the best ones to Sun Ce, and that will help him make peace with the Han court."
After these words were spoken, Liu Xie looked strange and glanced at Zhao Yun unconsciously. The same was true for several attendants around him.
Yuan Xi was a little confused. What was going on?
Liu Xie listened to the ministers' arguments for a long time, and finally said, "Let's follow the advice of Marquis of Anguoting. If Sun Ce can accept the title bestowed by the Han court, I will arrange for a royal family girl to marry him."
Seeing that Liu Xie had made up his mind, everyone began to propose other things. After arguing for most of the day, Liu Xie finally made the final decision on each matter.
Yuan Shao was sent to Yecheng with the imperial edict to persuade Yuan Shao and the Black Mountain Army to stop the attack, and Qiao Rui was sent back to Sun Ce with the imperial edict.
Kong Rong was sent to Chenliu with an imperial edict, asking Zhang Miao and his brothers to leave the city, surrender, and join the Han court.
Wang Kuang, the governor of Henei, went to Heishan with an imperial edict and ordered Yuan Shang's Heishan army to temporarily stop fighting.
Yuan Xi thought that Wang Kuang's assignment would not please both sides. They were probably bullying him because he had no one behind him. But at least he was not Cao Cao's man.
Everything has been decided, it's time for me to set off.
It has been nearly half a year since the troops left Beixin City, and the plan to destroy the Black Mountain Army was shelved because Cao Cao took action ahead of time. However, the final result, with his best efforts to save the situation, seems to be quite good.
The only regret is that Qu Yi died. Once the matter in Yecheng is settled, I will return to Beixincheng to hold a funeral for him.
He looked at Lu Bu who remained silent throughout the whole process, and thought to himself that his father-in-law was really a worry. Even though he was a general, he didn't even bother to put a few more advisers and confidants in the court. If it came to a complicated situation, wouldn't he be at a loss?
It seems that I have to talk to Lu Bu before I leave, otherwise how can I defeat Cao Cao?
Thinking of this, Yuan Xi felt tired. With Cao Cao as his enemy, he had to be extremely alert all the time, which made it difficult for him to sleep well.
Kong Rong returned home and began to pack his bags. His wife saw him and asked in surprise, "Are you going out again, husband?"
Kong Rong said, "I am on a diplomatic mission to Chenliu on behalf of the emperor this time, and I am afraid it will take several months."
"Huaicheng may not be safe. You should not show up in public unless it is absolutely necessary."
Mrs. Kong Rong heard this and said, "If something really happens, how can we women escape?"
"We can only leave it to fate."
Kong Rong knew that what his wife said was the truth. If a fight really broke out in Huaicheng, it would be hard to say whether the ministers could be kept safe, let alone the female family members. It would be just like the last time he escaped from Beihai, when he could not even take care of his wife and daughter.
Thinking of this, Kong Rong also sighed, "The world is in chaos, human lives are worthless, the emperor can't even protect the people around him, let alone us?"
"It is so difficult to survive in troubled times."
Mrs. Kong Rong heard this and said, "My husband understands this principle, but why do you offend Cao Mengde so many times?"
"A gentleman is magnanimous, but a villain is difficult to deal with. What if he takes revenge on your husband?"
Kong Rong was furious when he heard this and said angrily, "Cao Cao is a villain. I will never reconcile with him!"
Mrs. Kong Rong shook her head and sighed, "It's up to you. I'm pregnant anyway. If something happens, it won't be a big deal. I'll just have one body and two lives."
"What!" Kong Rong was surprised and delighted, "Madam is pregnant?"
"How many months? Can you be sure?"
Mrs. Kong Rong showed a trace of embarrassment on her face. "It's been less than two months. I've been feeling quite tired recently, so I wanted to find someone to see me. Normal doctors can't tell the age of this month, but fortunately there is a famous doctor in Huaicheng who was able to diagnose it."
Kong Rong still didn't believe it, "What famous doctor is there in Huaicheng? I'm afraid he's a liar?"
Mrs. Kong Rong smiled and said, "It was Hua Tuo, the famous doctor who treated our daughter last time, Mr. Yuanhua."
"It's a coincidence that he went to seek refuge with Master Xianyi and followed him to Huaicheng. I asked him to come and see the patient to confirm that it was a pregnancy."
Kong Rong was very happy to hear this. Then he heard Mrs. Kong Rong say mysteriously, "I heard a lot about Master Xian Yi from Yuan Hua."
"I heard that he made great contributions in welcoming the emperor and was awarded the title of General of the Four Directions. It can be said that he is famous all over the world."
"I heard that even Marquis Wen wanted to marry his daughter to him as a concubine."
Kong Rong felt inexplicably upset after hearing this and said, "I admit that I looked down on that boy!"
"That guy is really good at both military formations and political strategies!"
"But don't think of making your daughter his concubine. What is Lü Bu's background? What is Kong's background?"
"The Kong family wants to save face!"
"Besides, our daughter has a terminal illness and she won't live for many years. Who would be willing to marry her?"
Mrs. Kong Rong heard this and sighed, "Of course I know."
"But our daughter's life is too hard."
Kong Rong was even more upset. "We have been traveling along the way, and many people have died on the roadside. Isn't that a hard life?"
"Who knows how many years we can live in this world?"
"Maybe I will die before my daughter!"
"Just rest assured and take care of your baby. Life and death will be determined by fate!"
Mrs. Kong Rong stared at his departing figure and muttered, "What an unlucky thing to say, cursing yourself like that."
Yuan Xi took Zhao Yun to the palace to visit the imprisoned Qiao Rui and said to him with a smile: "Mr. Qiao, congratulations."
He told him what happened in the court and said, "Tomorrow, Mr. Qiao can meet the emperor to receive the secret decree. After that, I will arrange for someone to take Mr. Qiao to Guangling and cross the river to meet Sun Bofu."
After hearing this, Qiao Rui was surprised and happy. He didn't expect that he could still save his life!
Although Yuan Xi had made a promise to him before, Qiao Rui did not hold out much hope. After all, Yuan Xi and Sun Ce were on bad terms, and as a surrendered general of Yuan Shu, how to deal with him was not something Yuan Xi could decide alone.
But now Yuan Xi has really gotten things done!
He quickly bowed to Yuan Xi and said, "Thank you for your kindness, General. When I return, I will do my best to mediate and reconcile the two parties. No matter what the result is, I will never be your enemy again!"
Yuan Xi was also relieved and said with a smile: "With what Mr. Qiao said, I feel relieved. Have a good rest today. Tomorrow I will let General Zilong take Mr. Qiao to meet the emperor."
Qiao Rui hurriedly thanked him again. Seeing Yuan Xi was about to turn around and leave, he could not help but say, "The general has given Rui a chance to live twice. Rui does not understand. I have little ability. Why does the general appreciate me so much?"
Yuan Xi thought for a moment and said with a smile: "Maybe it's because Mr. Qiao has two good daughters?"
Watching Yuan Xi leave, Qiao Rui thought to himself that Yuan Xi had never seen his own daughter, so wasn't he just making fun of me?
Thinking of some rumors, Qiao Rui felt puzzled. Could it be that the other party really knew astrology?
Yuan Xi and Zhao Yun were riding on the road. Seeing Zhao Yun hesitate to speak, Yuan Xi asked curiously, "Brother Zilong, what do you want to say?"
Zhao Yun sighed, "My lord, don't you want to know what the emperor said to me last night?"
After hearing this, Yuan Xi smiled and said, "So that's what happened."
"If Zilong doesn't tell me, why should I ask?"
Zhao Yun couldn't help but shake his head after hearing this and said, "Young Master, you are really generous."
"But it's meaningless to say it out loud. Will you blame me, sir?"
Yuan Xi smiled and said, "Since Zilong doesn't say anything, it must be something unimportant."
Zhao Yun said helplessly: "Young Master is really generous."
The two of them were walking back to the mansion when they saw the guard at the door come out and say, "Marquis Wen is here. He has been waiting for you, young master."
Yuan Xi thought to himself that this was strange. Perhaps the sun had risen from the west. With Lu Bu's temper, could he still wait for him?
Yuan Xi entered the room alone and saw Lü Bu sitting inside. He bowed and said, "Greetings to Lord Wen. I wonder what brings you here so late at night?"
Lu Bu asked bluntly: "When are you leaving?"
Yuan Xi answered honestly, "We will gather our troops and leave in the next two days."
Seeing that Lu Bu swallowed his words several times, as if he was very conflicted, he said, "If Marquis Wen has any order, I will do my best to carry it out."
Lu Bu said slowly: "I trusted many people wrongly, so now I dare not trust anyone completely."
"I don't know whether I should believe you."
Yuan Xi remained silent. Anything he said at this moment would be redundant.
Lu Bu sighed, "I want to take a gamble."
"Take her away."