After Jushu explained, Liu Xie finally understood that Yuan Xizhen only wanted to give the dead Qu Yi a name.
After hearing this, Liu Xie nodded and said: "This is easy to handle, it just takes a little effort."
"what else?"
After hearing this, Jushou said: "Young Master wants to avenge Qu Yi, so when the Tianjia fleet is settled, he will lead his troops to attack the Black Mountain Army again."
"If the Tian family can give you the title of rebel, I will be very grateful."
Liu Xie heard the implication.
Regardless of whether he has his own will or not, Yuan Xi will attack and destroy the Black Mountain Army.
But the Montenegrin Army was noncommittal, "I know, what else is there?"
Jushou replied honestly: "No."
Liu Xie was stunned and said in disbelief: "It's gone?"
Jushu sighed: "Master said, in fact, this matter is not that complicated. I hope the Tian family won't think it is as complicated as it is."
Liu Xie thought deeply. He certainly didn't believe that the other party had gone to great lengths just to ask for the title for the dead Qu Yi.
If according to what Jushu said, Qu Yi would not be dead yet when the enemy sent troops to save his chariot.
Liu Xie felt a little unhappy. For various purposes, everyone was always secretive and would not fully reveal their true feelings to him.
This is how they behave as ministers. Is this the loneliness that they must face as emperors?
He turned his face slightly, and seeing the different expressions of the ministers around him, he turned back and said to Jushu: "If there is nothing else, please step aside first."
When Jushou left, Liu Xie didn't look back and said, "You all tell me what Yuan Xi means."
Zhong Yao sneered and said: "This fierce tiger's move is actually to gain fame and reputation. As a Han official, it is extremely honorable to be rewarded by the heavenly family. However, this person is duplicitous and has other ideas. It can be said that he is extremely dishonest."
Several ministers also expressed similar views. Dong Cheng wanted to speak, but hesitated. Liu Xie waited for him for a while and found that he still did not dare to speak, so he simply ignored him.
When it was Yang Biao's turn, he only said, "He has not confessed his heart to Tianjia yet, so he must have some difficulties."
"I also hope that the Tianjia will carefully consider the relationship with the Yuan family."
Liu Xie heard this and said, "I understand."
He said to the guard: "Go to Yanzhou to see Cao Cao."
Not long after, Cao Cao walked in and bowed deeply: "I, Cao Cao, have met the Emperor."
Liu Xie raised his hand and said, "Come here, please give me a seat."
A guard had already brought some tables and seats. Cao Cao thanked him and sat down at the bottom. He then heard Liu Xie say: "Being able to defeat Li Jue and Guo Si and quell the civil strife makes you the most important person."
"I summoned you here to ask if you have any wishes."
Cao Cao hurriedly said: "Cao Cao tried his best for the Tian family, but he was always in a hurry and did not hesitate to do anything."
"Cao Cao has something to say. Today, the official position has not yet been decided. Liangzhou's army is defeated in the west, Yuan Shu's rebellion is in the south, wars are happening frequently in Heishan, and the situation in Jizhou is unclear. Returning to Luoyang at this time is to go deep into the dangerous area."
"Furthermore, Luoyang has withstood the flames of war and is in ruins and deserted. It is really not suitable to be a capital city. Therefore, Cao Cao asked the Tianjia to move it to Xu County. He will surely be able to protect the Tianjia."
After hearing this, Liu Xie turned to several ministers and said, "What do you think, sir?"
Several ministers, including Yang Biao, were stunned. They did not expect Liu Association to ask this question in front of Cao Cao. Wasn't this forcing people to express their stance on the spot?
If they openly oppose Cao Cao, they will definitely be resented and retaliated by him. Now that's it in Anyi. If they get to Xu County, won't they be at Cao Cao's mercy?
The ministers were still hesitating, but Zhong Yao had already stood up and vigorously advocated the benefits of moving to Xu County.
When everyone saw it, they thought, well, Zhong Yao was definitely Cao Cao's man and he didn't run away, and he was so undisguised that he obviously didn't think of any other way out.
What surprised everyone even more was that the second person to stand up in favor was Dong Cheng!
This is really outrageous. You must know that during the day, Cao Cao's generals were still chasing Dong Cheng!
Several more ministers came out and said a few ambiguous words, to the effect that Xu County was far away and Yuan Shu's territory was also very close, so there was still some danger.
Of course, the same words, said from different angles, have completely different effects. Some people implicitly agree to choose a safer place, while others implicitly imply that although Xu County is unsafe, other places are even less safe.
After listening to what everyone said, Liu Xie thought for a while and said, "I need to think about this again."
His goal has been achieved. He has a general understanding of the attitude and preference of his confidants towards Cao Cao from the words he just guessed.
He turned to Cao Cao and asked, "What do you think of Yuan's attack on the Black Mountain Army in Jizhou?"
Cao Cao had a sudden thought. He discovered that although Liu Xie was only fifteen or sixteen years old, he had a maturity and aura that was not commensurate with his age.
Also, Liu Xie's biological mother was killed when he was a child, and he has always been on thin ice. He has been suppressed, held hostage, or framed. Growing up in such an environment, it is extremely rare for him not to go crazy.
After hearing this, Cao Cao said in a deep voice: "The Black Mountain Army was personally entrusted by the late emperor."
After saying this, he said no more, this sentence was enough.
Before his death, Emperor Ling of the Han Dynasty ordered Liu Xie to be emperor. However, Empress Dowager Dong who supported Liu Xie was defeated and died in a fight. Empress He, with the support of her brother He Jin, made her own son Liu Bian emperor.
During that time, although Liu Xie was first established as King of Bohai and then King of Chenliu, his situation was very unbearable.
No matter what Liu Xie thought at the time or what he thinks now, as the successor of Emperor Ling, in order to follow filial piety, he must continue the policies of Emperor Ling in many ways, even if this may be wrong.
Cao Cao's words actually imply very clearly. Emperor Ling already loves Liu Xie, and Emperor Ling approved of the Black Mountain Army incident. Cao Cao doesn't need to say anything more about what Liu Xie should do.
Liu Xie sat on it, looking at the short and tall Cao Cao, and thought it was a pity. If this man could be fully used by him, he would be able to do things much easier.
But now that the other party has become a prince, gained territory and soldiers, and tasted the sweetness of monopolizing one area, he is like a tiger that has tasted blood. He is afraid that he will never be completely loyal to him again.
Liu Xie bowed slightly and said to Cao Cao: "I have made a lot of contributions today. After I return, you can give me a detailed list of those who have made contributions, and I will reward them according to their merits."
After hearing this, Cao Cao quickly thanked him and then withdrew.
Liu Xie rubbed his brow, feeling a dull pain in the center of his brow. Dealing with these people was too exhausting. Even though he was young and strong, his brain felt a little numb.
He squinted his eyes and took a nap in his seat for a while. When everyone saw him, they didn't dare to disturb him.
After a while, Liu Xie opened his eyes, composed himself, and said, "Send Marquis Wen in."
Lü Bu strode in, cupped his hands to Liu Xie and said, "Your Majesty, Lü Bu, is here to bow to the Emperor."
When Liu Xie saw Lu Bu's appearance, he smiled and said, "Marquis Wen has changed a lot in the past two years."
"But his pride has not diminished at all."
Lu Bu said straightforwardly: "Bu abandoned your majesty and ran away. Didn't your majesty blame me?"
Liu Xie's tone was complicated, "Everyone could leave at that time, but I couldn't leave."
"If I leave the ministers and the people of the city behind, how can I be called a loner?"
"Wang Situ's loyalty is a lesson. Now that the Xiliang army has been defeated, I can finally rectify his name."
Lu Bu cupped his hands and said, "Budai Situ thanked Your Majesty."
"When Situ is under the Nine Springs, he will surely be able to rest his eyes in peace."
Liu Xie was also quite touched, "Marquis Wen, I still need a general."
"In the whole world, it is difficult for me to find anyone who is good at leading troops than Marquis Wen."
After hearing this, Lu Bu immediately bowed and said, "Bu is willing to lead the way for Your Majesty!"
He was so happy that he had finally reached this point!
Liu Xie asked Lu Bu to get up, but suddenly said: "What does Marquis Wen think of Cao Shijun?"
Lu Bu was startled. He didn't expect Liu Xie to say this. After all, he and Cao Cao were fighting to the death. If Liu Xie hadn't been in front of him, he would have fought to the death with Cao Cao.
He thought about it and said, "This person does things unscrupulously, and I don't like him."
After hearing this, Liu Xie smiled and said, "I will remember what Marquis Wen said."
After Lu Bu left, Liu Xie asked everyone around him to take their seats and said, "Okay."
"You have seen them just now and heard their words and deeds."
"What I want you to do now is to tell whether what those people just said is true or false, what is their purpose, who is trustworthy and who is not trustworthy."
"Based on their demands and ideas, I want you to come up with a compromise that is acceptable to them."
Dong Zhao, who had been silent all this time, had really grown a lot in his mind. He not only had to understand the thoughts of the princes, but also the thoughts of the ten people in the hall.
The real drama has just begun.
Qu'a, Wujun, Yangzhou.
In the city lord's mansion, Liu Yao was lying on the bed, coughing constantly.
Although he was sick, he defeated Zhe Rong, but was infected by the miasma. He struggled back and became bedridden.
In front of his couch, kneeling was a boy of fourteen or fifteen years old, with a very handsome appearance. This was Liu Yao's eldest son, Liu Ji.
Liu Ji carefully helped Liu Yao sit up and brought a bowl of medicine. Liu Yao tasted it, then raised his head and drank it.
He gasped a few times and said to Liu Ji: "How is the war going?"
Liu Ji replied: "It's very bad. I'm afraid I won't last ten days."
"Sun Ce's army suddenly stepped up its offensive, and his soldiers attacked by boat desperately. Our soldiers suffered heavy casualties."
"General Taishi said that nothing can be done, and suggested that we cross the river to Guangling to take refuge, and then plan to counterattack."
Liu Yao sighed after hearing this.
"Although this is good, the reputation of my Liu family will be damaged because I take refuge in someone with a different surname."
"Even if a member of our clan dies, we must not take refuge in someone with a foreign surname. We are not like Xuzhou Liu Bei with unknown origins, and we cannot afford to lose that person."
Liu Ji heard this and said, "Where are you going, father?"
Liu Yao said: "If Wu Jun is captured, I will go to Jingzhou to join Liu Biao."
Liu Ji nodded, "What about General Taishi?"
Liu Yao said: "He has done a lot for me. If I have any requests, I will try my best to satisfy them."
"Anyway, if Sun Ce attacks Wu County, it will destroy my foundation, but it's better to be a favor."
"Did he make any requests?"
Liu Ji replied: "General Taishi said that Guangling lacked officials and wanted some nobles to come over."
After hearing this, Liu Yao said: "This is not easy, just promise him."
"Otherwise, if Sun Ce comes, we still don't know whether the Yangzhou nobles are alive or not."