Tap tap!
Solid, heavy footsteps echoed through Changle Palace...
Cao Cao entered with Xi Zhicai and Xun You.
The palace was still a ruin, yet... officials lined both sides, and Emperor Liu Xie sat on the dilapidated imperial throne, his eyes wide as he gazed at the savior.
Tap... tap!
A few more steps, and Cao Cao reached the center, kneeling and cupping his hands.
"Your subject, Cao Cao, Governor of Yan Province, pays respects to His Majesty!"
With one bow and three prostrations, Cao Cao demonstrated utmost deference as a subject. He wanted to show the Han court through his禮 (lǐ - ritual, courtesy) that he was different from Dong Zhuo, Li Jue, and Guo Si; he was a Han subject! He was a "loyal" minister!
Advancing a few steps, he bowed again, then prostrated three more times!
The atmosphere in the entire Changle Palace was one of profound silence and solemnity...
Rising, Cao Cao proceeded before the Emperor, finally bowing and prostrating three more times, completing the full three bows and nine prostrations!
Not only Cao Cao, but even Xi Zhicai and Xun You, who accompanied him, knelt in salute. Everyone in Cao's camp showed great respect to His Majesty.
"Cao... General Cao? Are you Cao Cao, Governor of Yan Province, invited by Uncle Dong?" Emperor Liu Xie, seeing Cao Cao's extreme courtesy, felt tears welling up in his eyes... "In times of trouble, one sees loyal ministers!"
Cao Cao remained silent, kneeling respectfully, solemnly, and gravely.
He was a born actor; the Emperor had not given the order, so he would not rise.
"My dear minister... my dear minister, rise."
"Long live His Majesty, long, long live!" Cao Cao cupped his hands, spoke one word, and then prostrated once more before finally rising.
He glanced back slightly, and Xi Zhicai, who was behind him, quickly handed the wooden chest he was holding to Cao Cao.
Cao Cao, head bowed, carried the wooden chest up the steps, step by step... With each stride, he felt his grand ambition drawing closer.
Finally, having ascended the steps, Cao Cao knelt and presented the wooden chest before the Emperor.
"Your Majesty, please!"
Was this a tribute?
Liu Xie was deeply moved. At such a time, still... still mindful of the court's rules, the rule that an external minister must present a tribute when meeting the Emperor. What a loyal minister, what a loyal minister!
"My dear minister, what is this?" Emperor Liu Xie's voice trembled.
"Please, Your Majesty, lift the lid and you will know!" Cao Cao's voice remained deep and resonant, yet tinged with a hint of reverence – reverence for the four hundred years of the Han dynasty, reverence for the supreme being that was the Emperor.
"Alright..."
Emperor Liu Xie slowly lifted the lid. He expected the imperial seal, a rare treasure, but what met his eyes was... was dough floating in water!
No, it wasn't just simple dough...
It was a bowl of soup, with dough shaped like ears floating within.
As Emperor Liu Xie remained puzzled, Cao Cao spoke.
"Your Majesty, please try them. These are freshly boiled Jiaozi!"
As he spoke...
A rich aroma of mutton and a fragrant medicinal scent wafted to his nostrils.
Emperor Liu Xie could no longer hold back. He picked up the soup spoon, scooped out a "Jiaozi," and with the broth, put it into his mouth.
As the Jiaozi went down, the fragrance of mutton and herbs not only warmed the Emperor's stomach but also his heart!
Tears streamed down his face...
Where was the imperial majesty? The Emperor's dignity vanished in that moment.
The great Emperor of Han, due to a bowl of soup, a single Jiaozi, wept uncontrollably. If he were not wearing the imperial robe, who would associate this young man before them with the tall, majestic Emperor?
He looked like a beggar who had come to the Central Plains from Sanfu!
"Minister Cao, I... I haven't eaten meat for a full year. I've almost forgotten what meat tastes like!"
As Emperor Liu Xie spoke...
Cao Cao let out a deep sigh. Had his heart not been stirred?
"Please, Your Majesty, enjoy slowly!"
Cao Cao placed the wooden box on the imperial desk, turned, and beckoned... Dozens of armored guards entered carrying wooden buckets and bowls and chopsticks...
They began to serve Jiaozi to these "weather-beaten" Han officials!
Everyone was already hungry... everyone's mouths were watering!
"Finally, something to eat..."
"Finally, we can eat..."
"Give me..."
"Come, come, serve me some more!"
At this moment... the Emperor ate ravenously, not even bothering to use the spoon to scoop out the Jiaozi. He grabbed them directly with his hands, the hot Jiaozi warm...
The officials also ate ravenously. Where was the dignity of the Han court in the entire Changle Palace?
Where was the image of the Great Han Dynasty court?
When these people... had endured hardships, eaten wild vegetables and tree bark for months along the way...
What did they yearn for most in their hearts, if not this meat?
"Everyone, please dine!" Cao Cao called out loudly... "Don't be shy, there's more in the back!"
Alas...
Cao Cao murmured to himself, truly pitiable!
But then again, if they were not pitiable, how would Cao Cao have had the opportunity to welcome the Emperor?
...
"A year, a whole year!" Emperor Liu Xie sighed, "I... I finally get to eat meat, and... and such delicious Jiaozi! Minister Cao, you are a loyal minister, a loyal minister!"
Like rain after a long drought...
Joy after hardship had come!
As bowl after bowl of Jiaozi was consumed, Liu Xie couldn't help but ponder...
Cao Cao, Governor of Cao Prefecture, General Cao? Could he be... could he be the turning point for the Han to overcome hardship and move towards revival?
He would be...
He definitely would be!
The warmer his stomach became, the stronger this thought grew, and he instantly developed an unparalleled trust in Cao Cao.
After all...
From Dong Zhuo to Li Jue and Guo Si... never had a warlord shown him such respect, nor had any warlord personally delivered these delicious Jiaozi to the Emperor's lips!
At this moment, Emperor Liu Xie's eyes were filled with tears, countless tears streaming down his face...
Soon...
In less than the time it takes for a cup of tea!
When the Han officials heard... when they heard that there was meat in Changle Palace!
The entire city of Luoyang was abuzz. They no longer cared for refinement or etiquette, flocking in like destitute beggars!
Heh heh...
In the face of gnawing hunger, loyalty, filial piety, benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and sincerity were all unimportant. At this moment, even for a bowl of Jiaozi, they would rub their faces on the ground.
In contrast, Cao Cao appeared exceptionally generous...
He was exceptionally polite to every court official.
He accepted Jiaozi without refusal, offering as much as was requested!
Of course... Cao Cao was also surprised. Yu'er was exceptional! The Dragon Griffin Battalion was exceptional! It turned out that... even before they marched, the Dragon Griffin Battalion had begun transporting mutton and herbs to Luoyang. As the saying goes, "An army on the move is preceded by its provisions."
Heh heh... Cao Cao never dreamed that his close engagement with the court this time would be because of these Jiaozi. It was truly ironic!
Phew...
Gazing at the court officials vying for Jiaozi, Cao Cao let out a long breath. It seemed... the upcoming task would be much simpler.
To escort the Emperor out of Luoyang City!
Of course, this would not be easy... as there were still three forces stationed near Luoyang: Yang Feng, Han Xian, and Zhang Yang.
Just then...
"Deputy Commander of the Dragon Griffin Battalion, Cao Xiu, pays respects to Lord Cao!"
A voice came from Cao Cao's side...
Cao Cao looked up, and indeed, it was his nephew, Cao Xiu.
Seeing Cao Xiu, Cao Cao's mood became exceptionally bright. He walked over to Cao Xiu, brushed the dust off his clothes, adjusted his sleeves, and then patted his shoulder.
"Wenlie, well done! This pot of Jiaozi was excellent, wonderfully done! This time... for welcoming and escorting the Emperor, your Dragon Griffin Battalion deserves the greatest credit!"
Cao Cao did not hesitate to praise him!
"Uncle, your nephew merely followed Young Master Lu's orders." Cao Xiu was honest and did not hide anything. "Young Master Lu said that after entering Luoyang, fighting would be left to Uncle, and victory would be assured. Our Dragon Griffin Battalion only needed to handle logistics, and escorting the Emperor would be foolproof!"
Ho...
Well said, logistics!
Cao Cao was slightly taken aback. Ten days to break Runan, five days to reach Luoyang. And this was merely logistics. Your Dragon Griffin Battalion was forging its own path, leaving no path for other legions!
"Hahaha..."
Cao Cao laughed heartily, then patted Cao Xiu's shoulder again.
"Next, we need to find a way to get the Emperor out of Luoyang City from the encirclement of those three warlords! Did your young master give any further instructions?"
As he spoke, Cao Cao's eyes narrowed slightly...
He was very curious about what other tasks Lu Yu had assigned to the Dragon Griffin Battalion.
Hearing this, Cao Xiu cupped his hands, "My young master did mention this, but... he also seemed to have mentioned to Lord Cao that these four warlords are not difficult to deal with!"
Cao Cao paused slightly...
The three warlords he mentioned were Han Xian, Yang Feng, and Zhang Yang!
The four warlords Cao Xiu mentioned were these three plus Dong Cheng!
Now, with a bowl of Jiaozi, the weakest, Dong Cheng, had been dealt with...
The real challenge lay ahead.
Cao Cao frowned slightly. In an instant, he recalled that he had indeed discussed these four warlords with Lu Yu before coming, and Yu'er knew each of their weaknesses like the back of his hand!
Even... before this, Cao Cao had followed Lu Yu's plan to reach this point.
For example, Yang Feng...
Yu'er mentioned that this man was brave but simple-minded, acting entirely on impulse. Therefore, Cao Cao feigned respect, forming an alliance with him, making him feel elated!
Giving him the illusion that Yang Feng was the true boss, and Cao Cao was just a "worker, a worker's soul."
Only then could they smoothly reach Luoyang City, the center of power.
For example, Dong Cheng...
Dong Cheng was the weakest, but loyal to the Emperor. He desperately needed Cao Cao's help. Therefore... a bowl of Jiaozi could make him wholeheartedly agree.
Next, they had to deal with Han Xian and Zhang Yang.
Cao Cao remembered that Yu'er had mentioned Zhang Yang. This man had the ambition but not the courage, in simple terms, he was timid. Besides that...
He also had a weakness – kindness!
At that time... Yu'er even gave an example: Zhang Yang had taken in Lu Bu twice, yet let him leave twice, not only without anger but also gifting him provisions. This showed... his kindness was almost to the point of pedantry!
If his personality remained like this.
Haha...
Cao Cao grinned. He could use the Emperor's name to issue a decree to Zhang Yang, stating that the Emperor did not wish to see the suffering of war in Luoyang, and grant Zhang Yang a high official title to appease him...
This way, he would surely not obstruct the Emperor's southward journey!
Because of his kind nature, he would naturally not fight Cao Cao and make the Emperor and the people sad.
Then... finally... there was Han Xian!
Yu'er's evaluation of him was a remnant of the Yellow Turbans, fierce as a tiger against the wind, but like a white rabbit against the wind. As long as the other three forces sided with Cao Cao, they could defeat him in one fell swoop.
Moreover, Cao Cao also needed a victory to establish his authority among the four warlords and in the court.
Thinking of this...
"Miaocai..." Cao Cao immediately called out.
"Big Brother!" Xiahou Yuan stepped forward.
"I will immediately write a letter, and you will deliver it to General Yang Feng!"
Cao Cao's tone became stern. Dealing with Yang Feng was a tactic of "praise to kill" (捧杀 - peng sha).
"Yes!" Xiahou Yuan prepared to fetch brush and ink...
"Wait!" Cao Cao stopped him. "There's more. Miaocai, you can go after listening!"
...Xiahou Yuan stopped in his tracks.
Cao Cao's voice followed, "Furthermore, please invite General Dong Cheng to our Cao camp for a discussion..."
This was to appease Dong Cheng, and through Dong Cheng, to request an imperial decree from the Emperor to officially appoint Zhang Yang, stating the Emperor's unwillingness to see suffering.
This was a form of alliance.
"Oh..." Xiahou Yuan nodded.
Unexpectedly, Cao Cao had more to say. "Miaocai, this last task is the most important. You are always exceptionally fast on your marches. Now that our army has just arrived in Luoyang City, Han Xian will certainly not expect us to surprise him!"
"You march tonight, and at dawn tomorrow, launch a full assault on his encampment! Han Xian's background is with the Yellow Turbans, and many of his subordinate generals are Yellow Turban rebels. He is not difficult to deal with; a surprise attack is all it takes... half a day to break through!"
Ho... so the most important task was placed last!
"Hahahaha..."
Hearing this, Xiahou Yuan burst into laughter. He was already feeling a bit of embarrassment because Xiahou Dun's third battalion had repelled Li Jue, making his fourth battalion look less glorious. Now, with this task, how could he not be excited?
"Your subordinate accepts the order!" Xiahou Yuan cupped his hands and retreated!
"Lord Cao... the Dragon Griffin Battalion requests to fight!" Cao Xiu cupped his hands and requested to fight...
Hearing about the merit, Cao Xiu and the Dragon Griffin Battalion were also eager to try!
Moreover... although Xiahou Yuan was swift, was his "Thousand-Mile Steed" Cao Xiu merely a reputation?
"Haha..." Cao Cao smiled faintly, waving his hand. "Wenlie, do you know why your Young Master Lu did not arrange for the Dragon Griffin Battalion to attack Han Xian? Why did your young master specifically propose that your Dragon Griffin Battalion be responsible for logistics after entering Luoyang?"
"This... why is that?" Cao Xiu asked in return...
"Haha, this westward march to Luoyang to welcome and escort the Emperor! Your Dragon Griffin Battalion has achieved outstanding merit. It is time to give some credit to the soldiers of the other battalions! As the saying goes, 'a tall tree attracts the wind.' You need to learn more about human relationships from your young master!"
"Hahahaha..."
Cao Cao laughed as he retreated!
Hmm... human relationships?
Cao Xiu was stunned. He still hadn't figured out why their Dragon Griffin Battalion had achieved such merit. Was it due to their skills?
They hadn't stolen or robbed anything. What did human relationships mean?
Could they snatch it? Why insist on giving it away?
...
...
West of Luoyang City, Cao's army camp.
Dong Cheng had just emerged from the camp. He was accompanied by his attendants, and at this moment... his mood was quite complex.
The reason was that Cao Cao had mentioned a matter to him: relocating the capital to Xuxian.
Speaking of which... Xuxian was not far from Luoyang. The current state of Luoyang was a scene of devastation, and the difficulty of rebuilding was immense... It was indeed not suitable to remain the imperial capital.
Choosing Xuxian nearby showed Cao Cao's thoughtfulness.
Besides that, Cao Cao had proactively proposed recommending Dong Cheng as "Grand General of All Military Forces...", even offering to hand over his own troops to Dong Cheng to restore the Han dynasty!
Dong Cheng naturally dared not accept, but... Cao Cao's attitude moved him greatly!
"Does the General support Cao Cao's proposal to relocate the capital?"
A staff officer asked.
"Why not?" Dong Cheng waved his hand... "Our forces are the weakest and cannot withstand conflict... Now that Cao Mengde has adopted such a humble posture, he is testing us!"
"If... if we do not unite with him, I fear the first to suffer will be us!"
"Moreover, from my conversation with Cao Cao, I can feel that Cao Cao is different from Dong Zhuo, Li Jue, and Guo Si. Perhaps the Emperor can live a good life by his side! Perhaps he can!"
At this point, Dong Cheng paused, "Moreover, Cao Cao promised me that he would help my daughter contend for the position of Empress. Haha..."
Stroking his beard, Dong Cheng suddenly straightened his back and put on airs.
"If my daughter succeeds in taking the throne, she will be the Empress of Han, and I, Dong Cheng, will be the true Uncle of the Emperor. As long as Cao Cao is restoring the Han dynasty, this Uncle of the Emperor has no need to oppose him!"
"Besides, I am old now. Fighting and killing are things for young people to do in the future!"
With those words, Dong Cheng raised his head slightly. At this moment, he began to envision the future glory of the Han Dynasty...
And, more importantly—
—the future glory of their Dong family!
...
...
Luoyang City, south of the city.
Yang Feng's army camp...
"Hahaha..." Yang Feng burst into hearty laughter. "Cao Cao knows his place! Look... he sent three letters a day, each one inviting me to preside over the court affairs! Hahaha..."
Yang Feng held a bamboo slip in his hand, a bamboo slip from Cao Cao.
The contents of the bamboo slip had elevated Yang Feng to the heavens.
Cao Cao repeatedly emphasized that the Han court was in disarray and that only General Yang could restore order and preside over the situation. Cao Cao and the Yan Province troops would follow General Yang's lead!
Cao Cao had even stated that he had submitted a memorial to the Emperor, requesting the Emperor to grant Yang Feng the title of "Grand General of All Military Forces!"
The position of Grand General, this was the former official title of He Jin, second only to the Emperor. Who would not be puffed up upon hearing this?
"Hahaha..."
Yang Feng repeatedly sighed in his heart. Having an ally like Cao Cao seemed not bad!
"Haha, Cao Mengde says that fellow named Han is not obeying the Emperor? Not obeying orders? Heh heh, this general discovered that long ago. If not for the lack of outside help, this general would have already made a move against him. Now is the perfect time!"
Yang Feng's eyes narrowed slightly, and instantly, a murderous intent arose within him against Han Xian...
"Where is General Xu?"
"Your subordinate is here!" A general with a blue cloth cap, looking imposing, stepped forward.
Yang Feng continued to command, "General Xu, Cao Cao will send someone to raid Han Xian's army camp tonight. You send troops to assist him!"
"Yes..." Xu Huang accepted the order and retreated.
Yang Feng's eyes flickered with a stern murderous intent.
He muttered to himself, now, I have strong reinforcements!
Han Xian, Zhang Yang, Dong Cheng...
Hmph, anyone who opposes me along the way will die!
...
...