Chapter 33: Fish and Water, Lord and Minister?

  "Your Highness, it's time to get up and pay respects to the Emperor!" Ling'er shook Rui awake, but Rui was still lying in bed like a dead pig, limbs splayed out in all directions, as if continuing his conversation with Duke Zhou from last night.

  Lü Rui opened one eye, nǎinǎi, the sky was still dark, did you know what month it is now? August. According to geographical knowledge, it's absolutely not 6 o'clock yet! Why get up so early? Lü Rui turned over and fell asleep again.

  Ling'er didn't let Lu Rui off, using a straw to tickle his nose nonstop. "Ah?" He sneezed, and Ling'er said: "Young master, your fortune has arrived! Lord Cao is looking for you with something!" (In ancient times, sneezing at this time meant that good fortune had arrived or someone was coming to consult with you.)

  Lü Rui helplessly rubbed his nose, what's going on here? Are you intentionally making me sneeze? I'm getting up now, and I still have to pay respects to Emperor Xian of Han. When will the county office be completed? And why is Emperor Xian living in Cao Cao's residence in Chenliu instead of his own palace? It's all because of Cao Cao that I have to get up early every day!

  Lü Rui, still drowsy, let Ling'er play with her for a long time before she finished bathing and dressing. With a lingering sleepiness, Lü Rui arrived at Liu Xie's residence, which was originally Cao Cao's inner courtyard.

  Lü Bu arrived at the main hall of Liu Xie's mansion. At this time, some members of the Cao family had not yet arrived, and the ceremony to pay respects had not officially begun. Lü Bu patted his own mouth and thought: "Ah, I should have slept in later!"

  What? Old Cao is actually here, in the side hall of the main hall. Cao and Emperor Xian of Han are discussing something behind the curtain. Liu Xie looks like a student, listening to Cao's lecture, while Cao is flying high, seemingly talking about grand theories.

  Cao Cao and Liu Bei still had a honeymoon period, at least in the few years before the Bloody Edict. The relationship between the two was not bad. However? Their behavior? Why does it look so much like they're gay friends? Sometimes their cheeks even stick together! Does Cao Cao have a thing for this? Isn't Old Cao a womanizer? Is he also into gay friends?

  Wait, during the Wei and Jin dynasties, men took pride in being beautiful? Just like the Han dynasty's emperor liked male beauty? Emperor Wu of Han had a fondness for male beauty, could this be an upper-class habit? Can Cao Cao also be considered having a fondness for male beauty?

  "Your Majesty has arrived!" Just as Lü Rui was lost in thought, a eunuch's loud shout brought him back to reality.

  Cao Cao had already retreated from the side hall and stood below, while Liu Xie had taken his seat in the main position. Everyone knelt down and shouted: "Your Majesty, long live, long live, forever long live!"

  Liu Xie nodded and said: "All of you, dear ministers, please rise. I reside here, disturbing all of you."

  Everyone hastily replied that they did not dare, Liu Xie looked at Lü Yi and said: "Lü Ai Qing, why are you standing there?"

  Lü Rui was stunned for a moment, what did Liu Xie mean? What's wrong with standing here? Wait, I'm in the wrong position. As the Marquis, my rank is even higher than Old Cao's now. I should be on an equal footing with him, but instead, I'm hiding behind!

  Lü Rui's mind moved, and he cupped his hands to say: "I report back to Your Majesty, this is the Cao family, Lü Rui is the adopted son of the Cao family, naturally I should stand in this position!"

  Liu Xie listened and was taken aback for a moment, then burst out laughing and said: "Lü Rui's filial piety is a model for our dynasty. Cao Ai has such a foster son, that's enough!"

  Cao heard this and bowed his hands saying: "Thank you for your undeserved praise, Your Majesty!"

  Liu Xie waved his hand and said, "You don't have to be modest, you are my trusted minister, with you by my side, it's like adding wings to a tiger, how can the Great Han not prosper?"

  Cao bowed and said, "Your Majesty has shown me great kindness, without Your Majesty, how could I serve the Great Han with loyalty? I will definitely assist Your Majesty in restoring the glory of Guangwu!"

  This sounds a bit like Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang, doesn't it? Fish and water, ruler and minister? This shouldn't be happening to these two people!

  Liu Xie asked for a moment of peace, which was just shouting "Long live", Liu Xie casually asked a few questions, and then let everyone retreat. Lü Rui returned to his own room, rubbing his chin, so early to get up? What's good about it?

  Looking for a master to exorcise ghosts? Alas, that henpecked master, when his wife arrives, he doesn't dare come out. He even instructs himself to go to their home instead. Let's wait and see, until Guo Yao reaches the age of reading, Master's wife will settle down in Xudu. At that time, Guo Jia will follow Old Cao on military campaigns north and south, with plenty of opportunities!

  Heh heh, go find Old Cao, play a few rounds of chess, win some stuff. Thinking of this, Lü Rui ran towards Cao's residence. The original residence was given to Liu Xie to live in, now Cao lives in one of the gardens of the original Cao Fu.

  Lü Bu had just arrived at the garden gate when Xu Chu came out to block his way, saying: "My lord, please stop!"

  "What? You dare block me, Xu Chu? Lü Rui said: "Zhong Kang, I want to see Zhong Bo, let me through!"

  Xu Chu cupped his hands and said: "Your Lordship, the Emperor has ordered that no one is allowed to enter inside, whoever disobeys will be beheaded!"

  What? Liu Xie is actually here at Old Cao's place, let me think about the timing. I had breakfast and waited for a while in my room before arriving here, logically speaking, it should be just after the morning court session, how did Liu Xie arrive here so quickly? Could he really be a base friend?

  "Haha, Cao Ai indeed has a high vision, wonderful, wonderful!"

  "Thank you, Your Majesty!"

  Got it! Looks like I won't be able to get in myself, sigh, might as well find my little Jie Jie and take her to play with Xiao Pi Pi and Xiao Zang Zang. Old Cao won't bother me anymore, heh heh, now I can pinch Little Jie's face again!

  Lü Rui then found the Cao family children and went to play outside the city until lunchtime before returning to the Cao residence, rushing straight to the dining hall. It was time for a meal!

  "My goodness, these kids are really something else! Amazing, truly amazing! I'm getting exhausted just watching them. Children's energy is incredible! Has Old Cao arrived yet? Sigh... let's wait a bit longer and we can have dinner."

  "Wow!" The several kids in the Cao family all started to drool, especially Cao Zhen, who was about to go crazy. There were dishes covering the entire table, and just looking at them made you want to die from hunger. You could look but not eat - Old Cao wasn't being stingy!

  What's going on? Old Cao, where have you gone? It's been so long and we haven't even had dinner yet! My stomach is starving. Luckily, I told Ling to cook a small meal for me. Every time we eat at the Cao's house, it's like this - waiting for people, and then I slip away on some pretext!

  "Madam!"

  Mrs. Ding looked at the butler and asked: "Where is the master?"

  The housekeeper said: "Madam, the master has been detained by His Majesty for dinner, and the master ordered that you and the young ladies can have dinner!"

  No way! Old Cao is still with Liu Xie, isn't this a long-term affair? It seems that Old Cao and Liu Xie are meant to be together!

  Mrs. Ding nodded and said: "Okay, everyone has dinner!"

  Cao Zhang couldn't help it, and immediately picked up a leg of lamb to gnaw on. Lü Rui casually ate a bit and then took his leave. Hehe, there's a small stove in our courtyard!

  Two months passed quickly, Cao and Liu Bei were basically together every day to discuss state affairs. Of course, Lü Bu did not know the content, but it is certain that the relationship between Cao and Liu Bei was very good, at least not as tense as drawing a sword in the future. This should also be a matter for the future!

  The new capital of the Han Dynasty, Xuchang was built, and a new imperial palace was established. Emperor Xian also left Cao's mansion and entered the imperial palace. Today is Emperor Xian's first morning court in Xuchang. As Marquis Lü Bu, he naturally had to attend the court session. Hehe, there should be rewards today, and attending once would be enough. Anyway, he hadn't come of age yet and didn't need to attend every day. "The emperor has arrived!" Following the eunuchs' announcement, Emperor Xian slowly walked out from the side hall.

  Liu Xie wore a new black imperial robe, walked out with a radiant face, and had obviously gained weight compared to several months ago. He looked spirited and indeed had the demeanor of an ancient wise ruler!

  "Long live your majesty, long live, long live, forever and ever!" Everyone knelt down to pay homage when they saw Liu Xie, Liu Xie looked at the group of officials and finally had this feeling again, the feeling of being above all under heaven!

  Liu Xie patted his palm and said: "Everyone loves you, Ping!" Then Liu Xie looked at the eunuchs beside him, and the eunuchs stood up to reward them!

  "Caocao is listening!"

  Cao stepped forward and cupped his hands, "Cao has rendered meritorious service in saving the Emperor. He is hereby promoted to the position of Minister over the Masses and concurrently holds the post of General of Chariots and Cavalry, with overall authority over all officials!"

  Cao said: "Thank you, Your Majesty!"

  What's this? Colonel of the Chariots and Cavalry? It seems that Emperor Xian's political power has increased significantly, far surpassing his father. Colonel of the Chariots and Cavalry? This is a position without real authority, to put it bluntly, it's a useless job. In charge of palace guards? Does Emperor Xian have his own palace guards now? Aren't they still Cao Cao's men? Even if he does, aren't they just Emperor Xian's loyal followers who would listen to Cao Cao? Minister of Works? An even more useless position! Thinking about this, Lü Bu shook his head. If imperial power hadn't fallen into others' hands, Emperor Xian might have truly been a wise and illustrious ruler for the ages!

  "Lu Rui Ting Feng!"

  Haha, it's his turn now! Lü Rui stepped forward, cupped his hands together in respect, and waited for the eunuch to read out the decree.

  "Marquis of Qi, Lü Rui, although not yet of age, still followed the army to rescue the emperor, his loyalty and bravery are commendable. Now, Fan County is changed to Fan Prefecture, governing Fan County and Jibei two places, increasing Lü Rui's fief in Jibei by one thousand households!"

  "Thank you, Your Majesty!" Hehe, and added food fief, more places to manage, got Fan County and Jibei, the narrow and long plain area of the Yellow River in Shandong is now his own kingdom, not bad, not bad, this can be had!

  Later, when the officials were rewarded, Lü Rui didn't have the heart to listen anymore. It wasn't until the end of the court session that Cao went to see Liu Xie again. Now the two are indeed good friends of the great Han!

  "Your Majesty is indeed a wise person, now all officials have slowly changed their views on Your Majesty!" Guo Jia and Lü Yi were drinking tea in an inn at Chenliu, suddenly, the lady returned home, and the ghost let out the wind!

  "Ruì ér, from now on you must read more history books, in order to assist Master!"

  "Rui'er obeyed the order!" Liu Xie was indeed clever, and by adding to the seal of Lü Rui's food district as a brick head, he opened the door for loyal ministers who were loyal to the Great Han and loyal to themselves. Many of Liu Xie's old ministers came to offer their services, and some of the Han Dynasty's loyal and righteous scholars also flocked to Xu Du. As long as there was merit, even children would be rewarded! Lü Rui became a weathervane again!

  "Your Majesty is still too young and doesn't understand the situation, the contradiction between Your Majesty and the Lord will erupt soon!" Indeed, the 300,000 elite soldiers of the Han Dynasty have disappeared, Liu Xie's power is very small. The balance technique during Emperor Ling of Han's reign was based on the Han Dynasty's imperial guards, now it must be unified by force. Liu Xie's officials and Cao Cao's staff are already at odds over salary issues, how can one state support the hundred officials of the imperial court? A fuse is about to be lit!

  At this time, the steward of Yang's family hurriedly walked in front of Lv Rui and others, hehe, the fuse has arrived! Cao Liu, this pair of big Han brothers, are about to go their separate ways!