Chapter 32: Rescue Xian Emperor!

  The next day, in front of the Chenliu governor's mansion, Xu Chu held a large flag with the words "Welcome to Your Majesty" and stood in the middle army. Cao Cao rode on his horse, wearing a purple gold armor and a red cloak, inspected the three armies, and then marched towards Luoyang with a grand procession.

  Lü Bu sat in the carriage and followed Cao to Luoyang to welcome Emperor Xian. As a noble, Lü Bu should also go to pay respects to the emperor. Since Cao's welcoming of Emperor Xian was not dangerous, he just went along with it. Who knows, maybe Emperor Xian would be so pleased that he would grant him higher office and title? It wasn't useful now, but after the Battle of Guandu, it would be!

  Thirty miles east of Luoyang, Emperor Xian of Han was retreating to a small stream under the protection of Yang Feng, while Li Jue's army was closely following behind, not far from Luoyang. The first contingent of Yang Feng's troops stationed in western Luoyang had already been defeated.

  "Report, General! Xu Huang has returned!"

  Yang heard that his general Xu Huang had returned? "Quickly summon Xu Huang to see me!"

  Soon, Xuhuang, covered in blood, arrived before Yang Feng and knelt down on one knee, saying: "General, the Western Liang army has defeated our first line of defense and is now resting for a while. They will soon advance here."

  So soon? Originally, Guo and Li were fighting fiercely in Chang'an, and only then did he have the opportunity to rescue Liu Xie and escape east to Luoyang. But he didn't expect the two of them to make up so quickly. If he was caught, that would be a terrible fate!

  Xu Huang saw that Yang Feng had no response, so he cupped his hands and said: "General, please make a quick decision. Our troops in Luoyang can't hold on for much longer and will be defeated by the Western Liang army!"

  Yang Feng looked at Xu Huang and said: "Don't worry, Cao has already decided to bring troops to rescue the emperor, our army is setting up a battle formation here, waiting for Cao's reinforcements!"

  Xu Huang clasped his fist and said: "Yes!" Then he began to lead his men in deploying the defenses.

  Cao Cao led the vanguard with his elite Tiger and Leopard Cavalry, while he himself brought up the rear with the main army, rushing at full speed thirty miles away from Yang Feng's formation, hoping to reach Liu Xie's location as soon as possible.

  "Hmph, Yang Feng thinks he can stop the mighty Western Liang army with just these simple abatis?"

  "Brothers, kill, charge, kill Yang Feng, capture His Majesty alive, and the palace's family will all be yours!"

  The Western Liang army heard Li's promise and were excited, rushing forward with their weapons. The Western Liang army was indeed fierce, and several infantrymen used large knives to split a wooden fence, displaying astonishing strength that left people in awe! Soon, the Western Liang army broke through Yang Feng's defensive line and engaged in close combat with his troops.

  Yang Feng's army was mostly made up of White Wave Yellow Turbans, and although their combat strength wasn't a match for the Western Liang army, they were still an elite Yellow Turban force that could go head-to-head with the Western Liang army. However, due to being outnumbered, Yang Feng's army was soon suppressed, leaving only Xu Huang alone, wielding his large axe and desperately holding off the enemy forces.

  Liu Xie watched the two armies clash outside the camp gate, his mood plummeting to an all-time low. Although Yang Feng's army could still hold on, the situation was already clear: Yang Feng's army was no match for the Western Liang army. Hearing the Western Liang army's battle cry, Liu Xie touched the dagger in his bosom, it seemed he would have to die for his country!

  Are the imperial family and concubines all going to be ravished by the Western Liang army? As the Son of Heaven, what authority do I have left? This is different from Dong Zhuo's tyranny; Dong Zhuo's actions were limited to within the palace, and even if he did indulge in palace women, one could still tolerate it. After all, it was difficult for such news to spread outside the palace, and even if it did, one could still cover it up. But now, the imperial family and concubines are basically my own clan members and beloved consorts; being humiliated in this desolate wilderness, where is my authority as the Son of Heaven? How can the whole world not know about it? How can I stop the gossiping mouths of the people?

  Liu Xie smiled slightly at this thought. At this moment, it was probably the most relaxed moment when he became the master of Da Han, because he could do something according to his own will!

  The old eunuch saw Liu Xie's movement, was stunned for a moment, and immediately reacted, saying: "Your Majesty?"

  Seeing the eunuch's anxious appearance, Liu Xie signaled with his eyes that he should not move and that everything was fine. Finally, I, Liu Xie, the Son of Heaven of the Great Han, can do something I want to do!

  "Despicable thief! How dare you shoot a sneak attack!" Xu Huang roared, after driving back several Western Liang soldiers, he retreated and had his wound bandaged by his personal guards.

  As soon as Xu Huang left the battlefield, Yang Feng's army basically lost its pillar and began to retreat. Xu Huang gritted his teeth, enduring the pain to treat his wound, the arrow of the Xiliang Army was poisonous!

  Liu Xie watched the changes on the battlefield, had already lost hope, and his hand holding the dagger tightened a few more times. He prepared to kill the rebels when they came, say a few words to maintain the dignity of the Great Han, and then take his own life to apologize to the ancestors of the Han Dynasty!

  Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh! Four whistling arrows flew over, hitting the throats of four hundred men from the Western Liang army, and all four fell to the ground. Liu Xie's eyes lit up - had reinforcements arrived?

  In the distance, a well-equipped cavalry unit appeared, carrying long bows and holding long swords, wearing chain armor, steel helmets, and black scarves, exuding an aura of murder, Cao Jing's sharpness, Tiger Leopard Cavalry!

  The Western Liang army was stunned. What kind of army was this, with even the war horses wrapped in steel armor? Before the Western Liang army could react, the Tiger and Leopard Riders launched their first charge.

  Cao Chun wielded his large blade, slashing left and right, cutting down over a dozen Western Liang soldiers like chopping vegetables. Ha! Cao Hong deceived me? What's so formidable about these Western Liang soldiers? They're far inferior to Lü Bu's Pingzhou army!

  The current Xiliang army has already degenerated, only knowing how to rob and kill people, set fires, and insult women. Is this the mighty Xiliang army of old? The true Xiliang army now only consists of Ma Teng and Han Sui!

  "Good!" Liu Xie saw the bravery of the Hu Bao riders and couldn't help but applaud, with this army, he had hope!

  The long horn sounded, and the military horn of Cao's army came over. Xiahou Dun, Xiahou Yuan, Cao Ren, Cao Hong, Yue Jin, Li Dian, Yu Jin, led their respective troops to kill them. Cao led the central army to charge up.

  Li Jue saw Cao's large army and immediately ordered his men to resist, but Cao's army had just defeated Lü Bu's Pingzhou army and was in high spirits. The Western Liang army was no match for them and was quickly defeated. Seeing that the situation was hopeless, Li Jue angrily glanced at Cao's great banner and retreated, defending Chang'an, where he could still hold out in one corner of the empire!

  As the Western Cool Army's horn faded away, Lü Rui finally poked his head out of the carriage, heh heh, ran away? Indeed, there was no danger, it seemed that this time they had made a correct judgment.

  Liu Xie watched all this at the gate of the camp, has the Western Liang army gone far away? Is the danger eliminated? For the second time, for the second time, the army represented by Liu Xie defeated the Western Liang army. The first time was Wang Yun and Lü Bu, and this time it was Cao!

  Liu Xie's heart finally put down, death? Is no one willing to, the feeling of dying and rebirth is so wonderful? The dagger in his arms was already wet, and his palms were also sweating constantly, but he indeed felt very comfortable, relieved, safe!

  Liu Xie took a look at Cao's army, trying to find Cao's trace, unfortunately, Liu Xie couldn't find Cao, which is not surprising, after all, Cao was just an ordinary face in the crowd of thousands, and he didn't even look good, otherwise, he wouldn't have let someone else meet with the Wuhuan envoy on his behalf. The pathetic old Cao was ignored like this!

  Yang Biao saw the searching eyes of Emperor Xian of Han, and immediately understood that he was looking for Cao Cao. However, Yang Biao had never met Cao Cao before, as a eunuch's subordinate, he wasn't familiar with him, and might have even forgotten after having a few drinks!

  Yang Biao also looked at the crowd of Cao's army, didn't recognize Cao, but Xun Yu and Xun You were old Yang's good friends, find them then find Cao! Soon, Yang Biao's venomous eyes discovered Cao!

  Yang Biao cupped his hands and said: "Your Majesty, General Cao is waiting for your audience?"

  Liu Xie said: "No need, I'll go see Cao Qiang's family myself!"

  Yang Bi led the way in front, Liu Xie followed, and walked towards Cao Cao and his men.

  Cao saw Liu Xie arrive in front of him, and immediately knelt down on one knee: "Your Majesty, long live, long live, forever!" The rest of the people also began to pay their respects to Liu Xie, and Lü Yi followed suit.

  It's been a long time, long live the Emperor! When he was in the Western Liang army, had he ever received such respect? Liu Xie thought of this and couldn't help but shed tears. He quickly helped Cao up and said: "Cao Ai Qing, please dispense with the formalities. You have rendered great service by coming to my rescue, I will surely reward you heavily later!"

  Cao bowed and said: "Thank you, Your Majesty!"

  Liu Xie looked around at the people beside Cao, and recognized a few of them. There were Xun Yu and Xun You, whom he had met before and remembered clearly. The Xun family from Yingchuan was a well-known family in the Han Dynasty, how could Emperor Chen of Lu not know about it? And what's with the child beside Cao?

  Liu Xie looked at Lü Yi and asked: "Cao Ai Qing, who is this child? Why is he here?"

  Lü Bu saw Liu Xie, cupped his hands and bowed: "Qi Marquis Lü Bu followed the Governor of Yan Province Cao Cao to come and rescue Your Majesty. I pay my respects to Your Majesty, long live, long live, forever!"

  Liu Xie was overjoyed when he heard this, and it turned out to be Lü Rui. He had also come? This was a weathervane; even children were coming to save the emperor! Wasn't the Han Dynasty flourishing? Liu Xie helped Lü Rui up, saying: "So it's Lü Ai Qing, so young yet so brave and loyal!"

  Cao saw Liu Xie's appearance, what kind of emperor is this? He's simply a beggar! Cao bowed and said: "Please Your Majesty get on the carriage, we will escort you back to Yanzhou!"

  Liu Xie looked at himself and indeed could not stay here any longer, losing face, the emperor's dignity was gone. Liu Xie nodded and said: "Well, Cao Ai Qing, Lü Ai Qing, follow me to get on the carriage, together return to Yanzhou!" After finishing speaking, he pulled Cao Cao and Lü Bu's hands onto the horse-drawn carriage!

  A large army marched eastward, heading straight for Chenliu!

  On the carriage, Cao looked at Liu Xie and then took out some dry rations to hand over to him, saying: "Please Your Majesty eat!"

  Liu Xie wiped the corner of his mouth, licked his lips, and couldn't take it anymore. He was too hungry. Liu Xie took over the dry rations and started devouring them voraciously.

  The tragic emperor, others who lost their country were those who enjoyed the wealth and glory of the world before losing their country. However, Emperor Xian of Han did not enjoy any wealth or glory, and his later life was quite frugal, yet he still lost his country. How tragic! Others who lost their country at least got to enjoy the wealth and glory, but Emperor Xian was just a puppet!

  Liu Xie finished eating his dry rations, swallowed hard, wiped his mouth, and then grasped Cao Cao's hand saying: "Cao Ai Qing?"

  Cao Cao also looked at Emperor Xian and said: "Your Majesty?"

  What's going on? Your Majesty, are you guys doing this? Is this how ancient people used to interact with each other? Isn't this the scene of good buddies, hand in hand, traveling the world together? Are you guys going to have a homoerotic relationship?

  Liu Xie looked into Cao Cao's eyes and said: "Cao Ai Qing saved me in times of danger, I will not betray Ai Qing!"

  Cao was deeply moved and said: "Mengde will never betray Your Majesty's kindness!"

  It's all started with emotions, Old Cao didn't disappoint you, it's just that his son took away your throne!