Solid and heavy footsteps sounded in Changle Palace...
Cao Cao, Xi Zhicai and Xun You walked into it.
It was still a ruined palace, but... hundreds of officials were lined up on both sides. Emperor Liu Xie sat on the dilapidated dragon chair. He looked at the minister with wide eyes.
Tread...tread!
After a few more steps, Cao Cao walked to the middle, knelt down and held his hands.
"My lord, Cao Cao, the governor of Yanzhou, comes to see my emperor!"
With one kowtow and three bows, Cao Cao fulfilled the principle of being a minister. He wanted to show the Han Dynasty through his salute that he was different from Dong Zhuo, Li Jue, and Guo Si. He was a Han minister! He was a "loyal" minister!
Take a few steps forward, kowtow again, and pray again!
The atmosphere in the entire Changle Palace is exceptionally peaceful and solemn...
After getting up, Cao Cao marched in front of the Emperor, kowtowed at the end, and bowed again and again, a total of three kowtows and nine bows!
Not only Cao Cao, but also Xi Zhicai and Xun You who came with Cao Cao knelt down and saluted. Everyone in Cao Cao's camp was very respectful to His Majesty.
"Cao... General Cao? Are you the Yanzhou pastor Cao Cao invited by Dong Guozhang?" When the emperor Liu Xie saw Cao Cao being treated so politely, tears filled his eyes... "A trouble is... a loyal minister is seen in need!"
Cao Cao didn't say a word, he just knelt, kneeling respectfully and solemnly.
He is a born actor, and he will not get up without the emperor's order.
"I love you...I love your life."
"Long live my emperor, long live the emperor!" Cao Cao said with his hands in hand. Cao Cao kowtowed once more before standing up.
He turned back slightly, and Xi Zhicai behind him quickly handed the wooden box he was holding into Cao Cao's hands.
Cao Cao lowered his head, holding the wooden box and walking up the steps step by step, step by step. Every time he took a step, he felt that the great cause in his heart was one step closer.
Finally, after climbing the steps, Cao Cao half-knelt and presented the wooden box in front of the emperor.
"Your Majesty, please!"
Is this a tribute?
Liu Xie was very moved. At this time, he still... still cared about the rules of the Han Dynasty, the rules that foreign ministers must pay tribute to the emperor when they see the emperor, loyal ministers, loyal ministers!
"My dear, what is this?" Liu Xie's voice trembled.
"Your Majesty, please open the lid and you will know at a glance!" Cao Cao's voice was still strong, but there was also a bit of respect in the strong voice. This was the respect for the Han Dynasty for more than 400 years, and the respect for a supreme being like the Emperor.
"good…"
Emperor Liu Xie slowly opened the lid. He thought it was a jade seal, a rare treasure, but unexpectedly, what he saw was actually... dough floating in the water!
No, not just a dough…
Rather, it is a bowl of soup with dough similar to the shape of an ear.
Emperor Liu Xie was still confused when Cao Cao spoke.
"Your Majesty, try it, this is freshly cooked dumpling soup!"
The words came out of my mouth...
A mellow smell of mutton and fresh medicinal aroma hit your nostrils.
Emperor Liu Xie couldn't help it any longer. He couldn't help but pick up a spoon, scoop out a "dumpling", and put it into his mouth along with the soup.
After eating the dumplings, the fragrance of mutton and herbs not only warmed the emperor's stomach, but also warmed his heart!
Tears fell like rain...
Where is the majesty? The emperor's majesty was gone at this moment.
The majestic emperor burst into tears over a bowl of soup and a dumpling. If he hadn't been wearing a dragon robe, who would have associated the young man in front of him with the tall and majestic emperor?
This is obviously a beggar who came to the Central Plains from the land of Sanfu!
"Cao Aiqing, I...I haven't eaten meat for a year. I have almost forgotten what meat tastes like!"
Emperor Liu Xie blurted out these words...
Cao Cao exhaled deeply in his heart. How could his heart not be throbbing?
"Your Majesty, please taste it slowly!"
Cao Cao placed the wooden box on the dragon table, turned around, and waved... Dozens of soldiers outside the door came in carrying wooden buckets, bowls and chopsticks...
Start serving dumplings to this group of Han Dynasty ministers who have gone through many vicissitudes of life!
Everyone has been hungry for a long time... everyone is salivating!
"Finally something to eat..."
"I can finally eat..."
"Give me…"
"Come on, come on, give me some more!"
At this moment... the emperor devoured the dumplings so voraciously that he didn't even bother to use a spoon to scoop out the dumplings. He just grabbed them with his hands. The hot dumplings were warm...
All the officials were devouring it. In the entire Changle Palace, where could there be any majesty of the Han Dynasty?
Where is the image of the Han Dynasty?
When these people... slept in the open air and ate wild vegetables and tree bark for several months along the way...
Isn't it this meat that they long for most?
"My lords, please enjoy your meal!" Cao Cao said loudly... "You're welcome, and there will be more later!"
How pitiful...
Cao Cao couldn't help but murmur, how pitiful he is!
But having said that, if they were not pitiful, how would Cao Cao have the chance to welcome the emperor?
…
"It's been a year, it's been a whole year!" Emperor Liu Xie couldn't help but sigh: "I... I finally got some meat, and... it's still such delicious dumplings! Cao Aiqing, you are a loyal minister, you are a loyal minister
where!"
After a long drought comes dew...
The joy of suffering has come!
After eating bowls of dumplings, Liu Xie couldn't help but think about it...
Cao Cao, Cao Zhoumu, General Cao? Could it be him... Could it be the turning point for the great Han Dynasty to achieve rejuvenation after all the hardships?
Will...
Definitely!
The warmer his stomach became, the stronger this thought became. Suddenly...he had an unparalleled trust in Cao Cao.
after all…
From Dong Zhuo to Li Jue, Guo Si... there has never been a prince who respected him so much, let alone any prince who personally delivered this delicious dumpling to the emperor's mouth!
At this moment, Emperor Liu Xie's eyes were filled with tears, and countless tears had already filled his eyes...
soon…
Just time for a cup of tea!
Those Han Dynasty officials heard... when they heard that there was meat in Changle Palace!
The whole city of Luoyang was boiling. They didn't care about being polite or polite, and a beggar who seemed to be in trouble came swarming in!
hehe…
In the face of hunger, loyalty, filial piety, benevolence, righteousness, etiquette, wisdom, and faith are all unimportant. At this moment, even for a bowl of dumplings, they can press their faces to the ground and rub them hard.
On the other hand, Cao Cao seemed extremely generous...
He was extremely polite to every courtier.
These dumplings are welcome to anyone who comes, and they give them as many as they want!
Of course... Cao Cao was also surprised. Yu'er was dead, and Longxiao camp was dead. It turned out that... long before they sent out troops, Longxiao camp actually started transporting mutton and herbs to Luoyang. The so-called soldiers and horses were not moved.
Food and grass go first.
Haha...Cao Cao never dreamed that this time he got close to the court...it was actually because of these dumplings. Speaking of which, it is really ironic!
call…
Looking at the ministers asking for bowls of dumplings, Cao Cao let out a long breath, it seemed that... the next task would be much easier.
Take the Emperor out of Luoyang City!
Of course, this is not easy... because there are three forces stationed near Luoyang: Yang Feng, Han Xian, and Zhang Yang.
Just then...
"Cao Xiu, deputy commander of Longxiao Camp, pays homage to Duke Cao!"
A voice came from beside Cao Cao...
Cao Cao raised his eyes, but the person in front of him was not his nephew Cao Xiu, who else could he be.
When he saw Cao Xiu, Cao Cao was in a particularly good mood. He walked to Cao Xiu, dusted him off, straightened his sleeves, and then patted him on the shoulder.
"Well done, Wen Lie! This pot of dumplings is cooked well and wonderfully! This time... to welcome the Emperor, your Long Xiao Camp should be the first to take the lead!"
Cao Cao did not hesitate to praise him at all!
"Uncle, my nephew just obeyed Mr. Lu's military order." Cao Xiu was sincere and did not hide anything. "Mr. Lu said that after entering Luoyang, if the battle is left to my uncle, it will be invincible. Our Longxiao camp can only
Logistics support needs to be done well so that we can welcome the Emperor without any problems!"
Huo…
What a logistical support!
Cao Cao was slightly stunned. He defeated Runan in ten days and arrived in Luoyang in five days. That's it...it's just logistical support. You, Longxiao Battalion, are going your own way, leaving other legions with no way to go!
"Hahaha…"
Cao Cao laughed and patted Cao Xiu on the shoulder again.
"Next, we have to find a way to take the emperor out of Luoyang City from the three groups of warlords! Does your young master have anything else to explain?"
As he spoke, Cao Cao's eyes narrowed slightly...
He was very curious, what other tasks did Lu Yu give to Long Xiaoying?
Hearing this, Cao Xiu held up his hands and said, "My young master has mentioned this, but... he seems to have mentioned it to Mr. Cao that these four groups of warlords are not difficult to deal with!"
Cao Cao paused slightly...
The three warlords he mentioned were Han Xian, Yang Feng, and Zhang Yang!
Cao Xiu mentioned another Dong Cheng!
Now, a bowl of dumplings can defeat the weakest Dong Cheng...
What comes next is the real challenge.
Cao Cao frowned slightly, and in an instant, he recalled that it seemed that... he and Lu Yu had indeed discussed these four groups of warlords before coming here, and Yu'er also knew the weaknesses of each of them very well!
Even...previously, Cao Cao acted according to his plan and was able to reach this point.
For example, Yang Feng...
Yu'er mentioned that this man was brave but simple-minded and did things based on his preferences, so...Cao Cao pretended to flatter him and formed an alliance with him, making him feel elated!
Give him the illusion that Yang Feng is the real boss and Cao Cao is a "worker with a working soul".
Only in this way can we successfully reach Luoyang City, the center of power.
Another example is Dong Cheng...
Dong Cheng is the weakest, but loyal to the emperor. He needs Cao Cao's help so much, so...a bowl of dumplings can make him convinced.
The next ones to deal with are Han Xian and Zhang Yang.
Cao Cao remembered that Yu'er mentioned Zhang Yang. This person had a thief's heart but no courage. To put it bluntly, he was a coward. In addition...
He also has a weakness - mercy!
At that time... Yu'er also specifically gave an example. Zhang Yang took Lu Bu in twice, but let him go twice. Instead of being angry, he gave him food and grass. This shows... This man is so kind that he is almost pedantic!
If you follow this character trait.
Ha ha…
Cao Cao grinned. He could have sent Zhang Yang an edict in the name of the emperor. The emperor did not want to see the suffering of the war in Luoyang, so he gave Zhang Yang a very high official title to appease...
In this way, he will not stop the Holy Spirit from going south!
Because of his kind character, he would not fight with Cao Cao and make the emperor and the people sad.
So...finally...it's Han Siam!
Yu'er's evaluation of him is that he is a remnant of the Yellow Turban. The tailwind is as fierce as a tiger and the headwind is like a white rabbit. As long as the other three forces stand on Cao Cao's side, they can swallow him up in one go.
What's more, Cao Cao also needed a victory to establish his authority among the four warlords and the court.
Thinking of this...
"Wonderful talent..." Cao Cao shouted immediately.
"Brother!" Xia Houyuan took a step forward.
"I will revise a letter immediately, and you can send it to General Yang Feng for me!"
Cao Cao's tone became solemn. To deal with Yang Feng, this is to flatter him!
"Here!" Xia Houyuan was about to prepare his pen and ink...
"Wait!" Cao Cao called to stop him. "Also, it won't be too late for Miao Cai to do it after listening to it!"
…Xia Houyuan paused in his steps.
Cao Cao's voice came out one after another. "In addition, General Dong Cheng is invited to come to our camp to talk..."
This was to appease Dong Cheng, and also to request an edict from the emperor through Dong Cheng to seal Zhang Yang, showing that the emperor did not want to see people in ruins.
This is considered a combination of vertical and horizontal.
"Oh..." Xia Houyuan nodded.
Unexpectedly, Cao Cao had more to say later. "Miaocai, this last task is the most important. You have always marched very fast. Now that our army has just arrived in Luoyang City, Han Xian must not have thought that we would surprise him!"
"Send troops tonight and launch a general attack on his camp at dawn tomorrow! Han Xian is from the Yellow Turbans, and many of his subordinates are Yellow Turban bandits. It is not difficult to deal with him. All he needs is a surprise attack... he can be defeated in half a day!"
Huo... dare to leave the most important task for last!
"Ha ha ha ha…"
Hearing this, Xia Houyuan laughed out loud. He had originally lost face because of Xiahou Dun's third battalion's withdrawal of Li Jue, so his fourth battalion was disgraced. Now that he had such an additional task, how could he not be excited?
"General, take your orders!" Xia Houyuan bowed his hands and stepped back!
"Mr. Cao...Long Xiaoying invites you to fight!" Cao Xiu raised his hand and asked for battle...
Upon hearing about this meritorious service, Cao Xiu and Long Xiaoying were eager to give it a try.
What's more... Xia Houyuan is indeed very fast, but how can his reputation as Cao Xiu's "Thousand Mile Horse" be wasted?
"Haha..." Cao Cao smiled slightly and waved his hand gently. "Wen Lie, do you know why Mr. Lu didn't arrange for the Long Xiao camp to attack Han Xian? Why did your Mr. Lu specifically propose to let him go after entering Luoyang?
Your Longxiao battalion is responsible for logistics support?"
"Why...why is this?" Cao Xiu asked...
"Haha, this time we march west to Luoyang to welcome the emperor! Your Longxiao battalion has made outstanding contributions, and it's time to give some of the credit to the soldiers of other battalions! As the saying goes, a big tree attracts the wind, and these people are so sophisticated, you need to show more kindness to your young master.
Study!”
"Ha ha ha ha…"
Cao Cao laughed and stepped back!
Hmm... Human nature?
Cao Xiu was startled. He still hadn't understood that the reason for their Long Xiao Camp's outstanding achievements was their ability?
Neither stealing nor robbing, being humane, what does it mean?
Can I grab it? Why do I have to give it up?
…
…
To the west of Luoyang City, Cao Jun's camp.
Dong Cheng had just walked out of the camp. He came with his entourage. At this moment... his mood was quite complicated.
As for the reason, Cao Cao mentioned something to him and moved the capital to Xu County.
Speaking of which... Xu County is not far from Luoyang. Nowadays, Luoyang is in a state of devastation and reconstruction is extremely difficult... It is indeed not suitable to be an imperial capital again.
Choosing the nearby Xu County can be regarded as Cao Cao's careful consideration.
In addition, Cao Cao took the initiative to recommend Dong Cheng as "the great general of the world's soldiers and horses..." and was even willing to hand over his own soldiers and horses to Dong Cheng to help the Han Dynasty!
Dong Cheng naturally didn't dare to accept it, but...Cao Cao's attitude moved him quite a bit!
"Does the general want to support Cao Cao's move to move the capital?"
one of the generals asked.
"What else?" Dong Cheng waved his hand... "Our power is the weakest and cannot withstand war... Now Cao Mengde has taken a very low profile again. He is testing us!"
"If so...if we don't unite with him, I'm afraid we will be the first to be unlucky!"
"What's more, during the conversation with Cao Cao, I can feel that Cao Cao is different from Dong Zhuo, Li Jue, Guo Si and others. Maybe the emperor can live a good life by his side! Maybe he can!"
At this point, Dong Cheng paused, "Besides, Cao Cao promised me to help my daughter fight for the position of queen, haha..."
With a wisp of beard, Dong Cheng suddenly straightened his back and started posing.
"If my daughter succeeds in ascending to the throne, she will be the Queen of the Han Dynasty, and then I, Dong Cheng, will be the real father-in-law of the country. As long as Cao Cao is supporting the Han Dynasty, there is no need for me, the father-in-law, to oppose him!"
"Besides, I'm getting old, so let's leave the fighting and killing matters to the young people in the future!"
In a word, Dong Cheng raised his head slightly, and at this moment... he began to imagine the situation of the big man in the future...
And, more importantly——
——The glory of their Dong family in the future!
…
…
Luoyang City, south of the city.
Yang Feng’s army is at...
"Hahaha..." Yang Feng laughed heartily. "Cao Cao is self-aware! Look...he writes three letters a day, and each one asks me to come to the court to preside over the overall situation! Hahaha..."
Yang Feng held a bamboo slip in his hand, a bamboo slip sent by Cao Cao.
The contents of the bamboo slips lifted Yang Feng to heaven.
Cao Cao repeatedly emphasized that after the collapse of the Han Dynasty, you, General Yang, must be the one in charge of the overall situation to help the government. Cao Cao and the Yanzhou troops only followed General Yang's lead!
Cao Cao even stated that he had already written to the emperor, asking him to confer General Yang the title of "General of the World's Soldiers and Horses"!
The position of general, this is an official title that has never been reached before. One person is inferior to ten thousand people. Who hears it and doesn't get carried away?
"Hahaha…"
Yang Feng sighed repeatedly in his heart, it seems good to have an ally like Cao Cao!
"Haha, Cao Mengde said that the man surnamed Han is disobedient to the emperor? He is disobedient to discipline. Haha, this general has discovered it a long time ago. If it were not for the lack of foreign aid, this general would have taken action against him. Now is the time!"
Yang Feng's eyes narrowed slightly, and for a moment, he had murderous intentions towards Han Xian...
"Where is General Xu?"
"The general is here!" A majestic general wearing a blue cloth hat stepped out.
Yang Feng continued to order: "General Xu, tonight Cao Cao will send people to raid Han Siam's army camp. You send troops to help him!"
"Here..." Xu Huang took the order and retreated.
Yang Feng's eyes flashed with a bit of awe-inspiring murderous intent.
He muttered to himself, now I have strong support!
Han Xian, Zhang Yang, Dong Cheng…
Humph, anyone who opposes me along the way will die!