"How dare you!" Ye Feng said loudly, slamming his palm heavily on the table. "Do you really think this king doesn't know!"
Cao Cao's eyes darted around, and after racking his brain seventy or eighty times, he couldn't find anything he had done wrong. However, since he was asking for a favor, he immediately knelt on the ground, tears welling up in his eyes. "I don't know what I did wrong to anger the Great King. Please, Great King, enlighten me!"
"If I were to reveal it, it wouldn't be so easily dismissed!" Ye Feng's eyes, like knives, swept over them, and Cao Cao immediately felt a chill, unable to help but shiver slightly.
Ye Feng sat on the cushion, continuously playing with a tiger tally in his hand, a cold smile on his face, neither explaining clearly nor explicitly.
Seeing Cao Cao being humiliated, Xiahou Dun was instantly enraged. "My lord came here with good intentions to pledge allegiance, and now the King of Chu is too overbearing. Give me your life!"
Cao Cao inwardly sighed at Xiahou Dun's recklessness, but he deliberately wanted to test Lu Bu's strength. He remained silent, watching Xiahou Dun charge forward. Their great sabers and Fangtian Huaji clashed heavily. Xiahou Dun was pushed back a few steps, while Lu Bu remained unmoved and swung his Fangtian Huaji again.
The difference in strength was immediately apparent. Cao Cao quickly shouted, "Yuan Rang, do not be rash. The King of Chu would not make groundless accusations. It is likely that someone has framed us. If you insist on going ahead, the King of Chu may find it difficult to deal with you!"
Ye Feng saw it all clearly and thought to himself that Cao Cao had achieved three goals with one action: he had proven his innocence, avoided a confrontation between Xiahou Dun and Lu Bu, and in any calculation, he would not lose!
Seeing Ye Feng still lowering his head, he casually found a reason. "I heard that Meng De rescued someone from Yuan Shao. Could it be that he is against this king!"
Seeing Ye Feng bring this up proactively, Cao Cao feigned tears. "Great King, you are truly wronged. It was because Zhang Miao wanted to defect to the Great King that I spoke on his behalf. I did not expect to be slandered by someone with ulterior motives. If I find out who it is, I will not let them off!"
"Even so, General, please be seated!" Ye Feng slightly raised his hand. "This was my misunderstanding of you, General. What do you want? I can also offer compensation!"
Ye Feng wanted to see if Cao Cao had the nerve to ask for the sky. As long as Jingzhou was in his hands, the rest of the matters were trivial. "General, please speak freely. If I can agree, I will certainly agree!"
They were both old foxes, playing with what. Cao Cao had weathered storms and waves; how could he capsize in a ditch? With a mournful expression, he said, "I truly have no other requests. To gain those territories through the Great King's hand is already a great kindness. How could I dare to expect more!"
They both understood clearly. Ye Feng occupied the north and was already exhausted. The best strategy was to recuperate. Even if he occupied more, he would have no energy, and internal chaos would be inevitable.
As for Jiangdong, they had long held grudges against Ye Feng. This left only one person, and Cao Cao was the most suitable, the only one.
"Good, you know when to advance and when to retreat. I was not wrong about you. Let's drink!" Ye Feng raised his wine cup and took a few sips. Cao Cao followed suit, and in an instant, the wine jars were emptied.
"Then, Great King, you have agreed to my request?" Cao Cao cautiously asked this question while taking advantage of the opportunity. Ye Feng waved his hand. "Agreed, why wouldn't I agree."
"All of you, retreat! This is my brother!" Ye Feng waved his hand, his breath reeking of alcohol. "Good brother, none of your subordinates are useful. Look at that Xiahou Dun, he is no match for Lu Bu!"
"General Lu Bu is indeed a dragon among men, few can match him. Great King, you jest!" Cao Cao remained vigilant and quickly cupped his hands in humility. Ye Feng pulled Cao Cao's hand down. "Why not let Lu Bu follow you, to protect you closely? If anything happens to you, as your brother, I would be truly distressed!"
Cao Cao was naturally suspicious. To him, Lu Bu's protection was surveillance. How could that be? He quickly pushed it aside. "General Lu Bu belongs to my brother; how can he be subordinate to me? I beg the Great King to withdraw your order!"
Ye Feng grabbed Cao Cao's hand and spoke in a hurry. "Brother, don't you trust me."
"Of course not!" Cao Cao replied through gritted teeth. "It's just that the matter is of great importance and cannot be decided lightly. I beg the Great King!"
Before he could finish speaking, Ye Feng slapped Cao Cao on the back, nearly making him vomit his internal organs. "Brother, don't you trust me!"
Ye Feng instantly distanced himself from Cao Cao and lowered his head to drink by himself. "I am the King of Chu. The time I have spent establishing myself in Liangzhou is neither long nor short. If the third legion were stationed there, it would take those lords three to five years to conquer it. Do you believe me?"
Cao Cao's heart skipped a beat. Ye Feng was not drunk at all; he was clearly speaking to him. After a long period of contemplation, Xiahou Dun softly reminded him, "General, if we don't return soon, Yuan Gong might become suspicious. Then things will be difficult!"
"This matter cannot be delayed!" Xiahou Dun looked back at the hillside, the retreating soldiers faintly visible, already prepared. He exchanged a glance with Cao Cao, who naturally understood!
He had to swallow his pride and endure. Cao Cao was no match for Ye Feng and could only let Ye Feng take what he wanted. Clenching his fist tightly, he said after a long pause, "The Great King's kindness is something I dare not refuse. However, I wonder if the General is willing to return to the lords with me and face danger!"
"Alas!" Ye Feng said, raising his hand, his voice drunken. "What does it matter? Wherever he goes, the General will be in charge. If he doesn't listen, just tell me, and I will deal with him!"
The next moment, Ye Feng straightened his expression and said coldly, "Lu Bu, his command is my command. If there is any mistake, I will severely punish you when you return!"
Cao Cao heard it clearly and slowly closed his eyes. This was clearly finding him another master. He absolutely could not afford to make any mistakes with Yuan Shao. To prevent the possibility of using a knife to kill, Cao Cao almost gnashed his teeth to pieces and could only agree softly.
Then, Ye Feng staggered to Lu Bu's side. While Cao Cao was not paying attention, he slipped a purse into Lu Bu's hand and gently patted Lu Bu's face. "Be careful in the future. Listen to the General. If anything happens, discuss it with him more!"
Lu Bu cupped his hands and strode off with Cao Cao. Along the way, he did not forget to tear a few holes in his own clothes. Cao Cao glanced sideways but remained silent.
Ye Feng watched the retreating figures and suddenly felt energized, standing upright. "Feng Xian, be careful. Do not let yourself get into trouble!"
"My Lord, rest assured. The General possesses unparalleled bravery, and with my stratagem, even if all the lords attack together, the General can handle it!" Zhuge Liang said confidently. "Does my Lord not wish to take this opportunity to unify the world in one fell swoop, and then issue commands?"
Facing Zhuge Liang's probing, Ye Feng smiled slightly, gently patted Zhuge Liang's shoulder, and left without hesitation!