Chapter 34: Yang Feng's Defeat, The Foundation Shatters!

  Only the steward of Yang Feng's house hastily walked past Guo Jia and Lü Rui, without noticing that they were in this tavern. Guo Jia gazed at the steward of Yang Feng's house with a profound gaze, and Lü Rui asked: "Master?"

  Guo Jia asked: "Rui'er, do you know who that person is?"

  Lü Rui nodded and said, "I know, he's the steward of Yang Feng's household!" Yang Feng was a famous figure in Xuchang at this time, having snatched Emperor Liu Xie back from the Western Liang army. How could he not be well-known?

  Guo Jia took a sip of wine from the gourd and said, "Let's go, Rui'er, something has happened!" After finishing speaking, he left the tavern with Lü Rui and arrived at an ordinary farmhouse.

  As we entered the farm, several soldiers came out. This was Cao's intelligence base, now under Guo Jia's command!

  After Guo Jia entered the house, a man in black clothes nodded his head and said: "Lord Guo!"

  Guo Jia nodded and said: "How is it going on Yang Feng's side?"

  The man in black said: "Yang Feng has been mobilizing his troops recently, I don't know what he's planning!"

  Guo Jia smiled and said: "I know his intention! Rui'er, return to the Sima Mansion!"

  Lv Rui followed Guo Jia out with a plop and asked: "Master? Does Yang Feng want to rebel?"

  Guo Jia shook his head and said: "It's not rebellion, it's a struggle for Your Majesty!"

  Lü Rui nodded and thought of seizing Emperor Xian of Han as a big chess piece!

  Lü Bu and Lü Fēng soon returned to the Sima Mansion. At this time, Cao Cao and his advisors were all in the study room. Guo Jia led Lü Fēng into the study room.

  Cao sat in the main seat, took a sip of tea, and looked at Guo Jia to ask: "Fengxiao, why are you so anxious to see Ben Cikong? What's the matter? Wenruo, Zhongde, Gongda have all arrived?"

  "Sir, Yang Feng is planning a rebellion! His troops are moving abnormally!" said Guo Jia with a bow.

  Everyone looked different after hearing this. Xun Yu thought for a moment and said, "My lord, judging from Yang Feng's recent actions, it seems that he has such a plan, and he may want to hold Your Majesty hostage again!"

  Xun Yu heard this and said, "Hmph! Yang Feng has gone too far. Since entering Xuchang, he has been seizing people's land and competing with them for profit, without respecting the law. This time, we must severely punish him!"

  Cao listened to everyone's opinions and asked: "Zhongde, what is your view?" In Cao's camp, Cheng Yu was the most steady.

  Cheng Yu nodded and said: "Your Excellency, Yang Feng must be eliminated. Otherwise, the national law will not be strict, and we can also take the opportunity to crack down on some people in the court!"

  Xun Yu listened and was taken aback for a moment, then immediately understood and said: "Zhongde, isn't this not quite right? After all, we are still the emperor's loyal ministers?"

  Cheng Yu looked at Xun Yu and said: "Wen Ruo, must he also be supported by the imperial court as a useless person?"

  Xun Yu was speechless and merely let out a sigh!

  Cao nodded, the imperial court should not raise idle people! Cao said: "Since that's the case, three days later, Your Majesty will go out to worship heaven, Yang Feng will definitely make a move, and we will take this opportunity to capture Yang Feng in one fell swoop!"

  Everyone nodded and said: "Alright!"

  Hehe, Little Lamb, you're going to be beheaded!

  Outside the city of Xuchang, Yang Feng sat in the main seat, looked at everyone and said: "Everyone, Cao has been promoted to Sikong since he led his troops to rescue Your Majesty, and even took away my title of General of Chariots and Cavalry. I have decided that three days later, on the day when Your Majesty will offer sacrifices to heaven, we will launch a surprise attack on Cao, control Your Majesty, and control Yan Province!"

  Xu Huang listened and cupped his hands, saying: "General? I'm afraid this is not advisable? Lord Cao has established Your Majesty and restored the Han dynasty. If we do this, I fear we will be sinners of the great Han."

  Yang Feng waved his hand and said: "Gongming, there's no need to say more. I'm confident that assisting Your Majesty won't be inferior to Cao. You just need to carry out the military orders!"

  Xu Huan saw that Yang Feng's mind was made up, and he didn't say anything. He just cupped his hands and retreated, then headed towards the city of Xudu. Yang Feng did not expect Xu Huan to betray him!

  After dinner, Lü Rui played chess with Cao at home again. Hehe, Liu Xie finally let Cao off for a day, and he could earn some small money again!

  Lü Ru and Cao had just finished playing a few rounds when the steward came to report: "Master, there is a school lieutenant outside the door who wants to see you. He says he is under General Yang Feng and his name is Xu Huang. He has an urgent matter to report to you!"

  Not at this time, Xu Huang, you're causing trouble? Cao heard this and waved his hand saying: "Let him come here to see me!" The housekeeper nodded and retreated.

  Soon, Xu Huan arrived at Cao's residence. He knelt down on one knee and said: "Greetings, Sir Sima!"

  What? Is there no sequel? Has Young Master Hou been neglected? Little Xu Xu, what's with your gaze?

  Cao nodded and said: "General Xu, please rise!"

  Xu Huan stood up and found Lü Rui, cupped his hands and said: "Young Master!"

  Grandma's, now you've finally noticed me? Are you looking for a fight?

  Cao Cao looked at Xu Huang and said: "General Xu, is there something on your mind? Or does General Yang Feng want to discuss some matter with me?"

  Xu Huang clasped his fists and said: "Sir Sima, I have an important matter to report to you, please dismiss the attendants!"

  Cao waved his hand, and the others retreated, leaving only Lü Rui. Cao said: "Rui doesn't need to retreat, General Xu has something to discuss!"

  Xu Huang nodded and said: "Sir, Yang Feng has decided that three days later, Your Majesty will go out to worship heaven, and Yang Feng has decided to ambush and kill him halfway. Please prepare well, Sir!"

  Cao blinked his eyes, was Xu Huan coming to spread rumors? Lü Rui also hesitated for a moment, no way, Xu Gongming? One of the five good generals, unexpectedly a traitor?

  "Cao asked: 'General Xu, Yang Feng is your master. Why are you telling me that Yang Feng has a hidden plan? Is this a trick to surrender?'"

  Xu Huang was certain, and he hastily made a fist and said: "Lord Cao, you are the hero of our time, restoring the Han dynasty with unrelenting effort. From the moment I met you, Lord Cao, I felt that you were the greatest talent of our generation, and I had long since wanted to serve under you. Why do you suspect me?" After finishing speaking, his face was completely red, just like Guan Yu's!

  Isn't it? Is Cao's charm so great? How can I not see it? It seems that Zhu Ling is also like this, sent by Yuan Shao to help Cao defeat Tao Qian. As soon as he saw Cao, he shouted: "You are indeed my wise lord!" He immediately abandoned his former allegiance and surrendered to Cao. Can they all see that Old Cao has a promising future? Unlikely! Xu Huan is one of the Five Elite Generals, yet after meeting Cao once, he wants to surrender to him? It seems that physiognomy is an art, I should learn it myself!

  Cao laughed loudly and helped Xuhuang up, saying: "General Xu is a man of loyalty and righteousness. How could Cao Mengde doubt you? Please rest assured, the Prime Minister already has a plan!"

  Xu Huang was taken aback for a moment, then immediately reacted and said: "Lord Cao is wise! I swear to die loyal to Lord Cao!"

  Cao grasped Xu Huang's hand and said: "With your support, Cao Mengde has no worries that great things will not be accomplished."

  Isn't that right? So one of the Five Elite Generals, Xu Huang, has defected? I don't see where Old Cao's charm is. Is it really that simple? No wonder there are brave generals like clouds and strategists like rain! Afterwards, Cao discussed some arrangements with Xu Huang, then had his steward escort Xu Huang out through the back door.

  After capturing Xu Huang, Cao Cao excitedly said to Lü Bu: "Come, Lü Bu, let's continue the game!"

  Haha, Old Cao is delighted, killing you a few times will earn some small change!

  Two hours passed, and Old Cao reluctantly handed over his last bet to Lü Rui. Lü Rui took the treasure and happily went back to his room to sleep!

  "Your Lordship, Your Lordship has risen. The Emperor has sent someone to deliver an imperial edict. You are to go with the Emperor today to worship Heaven. Hurry, the eunuch is waiting outside!"

  "Hasn't the sky brightened yet?" What? Liu Xie wants me to go with him to worship heaven? What's going on here? Yang Feng is about to take action, and we're worshipping heaven? Lü Rui immediately woke up from his dream!

  Lü Rui was covered in sweat, it was too hot last night, but Ling'er's words pierced Lü Rui's heart. What? Liu Xie wants to take me to worship the heavens? Lü Rui asked: "Ling'er, what's going on? Isn't worshipping the heavens something for high-ranking officials of the imperial court?"

  Ling'er shook her head and said: "This Ling'er doesn't know, it's just that the palace has been passing down orders like this!"

  Looking at Lv Rui's dazed appearance, Ling'er shook Lv Rui's hand and said: "Master Hou, hurry up and change your clothes, the eunuchs in the palace are still waiting outside!"

  Lü Bu's mind quickly spun around, what was this all about? Cao Cao's plan or Emperor Xian of Han's sudden whim? However, no matter what, he had to go, not going would be defying the imperial edict! Cao Cao wasn't the King of Wei yet, and defying the imperial edict would mean death! Thinking of this, Lü Bu immediately got up, changed his clothes, and then left with Dian Wei and Xu Shu. Luckily, with these two people, he could at least protect himself from being killed on the way out!

  Soon, Lü Bu brought the two to the outskirts of the city. Liu Bei's troops had not yet arrived, and only the civil and military officials were waiting on both sides. Lü Bu also joined their ranks.

  Lü Bu had just entered the ranks when Liu Xie, under Cao Cao's escort, led a large group of people to walk out of the city.

  "Your Majesty, ten thousand years, ten thousand years, forever and ever!"

  As Liu Xie stepped out of the carriage, all the officials knelt down and shouted "Long live!", Liu Xie looked at everyone and said: "All of you, please get up, today is a ceremony to worship heaven and pray for a good harvest for the great Han dynasty, it's not a court discussion, so don't be too formal!"

  "Thank you, Your Majesty!"

  Liu Xie nodded and asked: "Where is Lü Rui?"

  Lü Rui heard his name called and immediately stood up saying: "Your subordinate is here!"

  Liu Xie looked at Lü Rui and said: "I've heard that Lü Ai, you're not very old, but your chess skills are exceptional. You once won a game against Yuan Shao, the governor of Ji Province. Today, I'm going out to make an offering to heaven, so come with me in my carriage and play a game with me!"

  "I obey your order!" Nonsense! He's playing chess with the emperor, testing his skills!

  "Rui Er?" Cao looked at Lü Rui in surprise! His face changed slightly, but quickly disappeared.

  Liu Xie said to Cao: "Cao Ai Qing, I'm busy with national affairs and forgot to inform you. I also enjoy playing Weiqi, so today I specially asked Lü Ai Qing to accompany me."

  "I'm terrified, being able to play chess with Your Majesty is a blessing for me!"

  Lv Rui listened: What a good move, but not a clever chess move! This matter is small, but it contains a mysterious machine. Originally, the list of ministers who followed should have been determined on the court, but Liu Xie suddenly invited Lv Rui, on the surface to show respect for Cao Cao, inviting his adopted son to accompany him, in fact, it was a stick and a sugar at the same time. At the same time, Liu Xie told Cao Cao that the Han Emperor is Liu Xie, and he does not need to go through the court to exercise imperial power!

  Xun Yu listened to the conversation between the two, secretly sighing. Your Majesty, you must understand the situation! You are too young, after all, you are still too young!

  All the officials present began to make their own calculations in their hearts after hearing the conversation between the two.

  Lü Bu got on Liu Bei's carriage and started playing a game of Go with him, the whole army set off!

  The journey was only halfway through when suddenly a shout of "Kill!" rang out from all directions. The horse carriage came to an abrupt stop, causing the chessboard to fall to the ground!

  "What's going on?" Liu Xie was shocked.

  Cao opened the door curtain and said: "Your Majesty need not be alarmed, Yang Feng has rebelled, I have made preparations, please rest assured!"

  What is this? Yang Feng rebelling? Did you, Cao Cao, have prior knowledge of this? Then was I, Liu Xie, kept in the dark? You are quite bold, Cao Mengde! Liu Xie asked: "Did Minister Cao seem to know about it beforehand?"

  Cao heard that, and Liu Xie's tone was dissatisfied, wanting to ask for punishment? Cao bowed his hands and said: "Your Majesty is wise, I don't know, just guarding Your Majesty, must do my duty!" Old Cao's tone also had dissatisfaction!

  "So it is! Since Yang Feng has betrayed us, let's change the date of the ceremony and proceed with it upon our return to the palace!"

  "Yes, Your Majesty!"

  "Yuan Rang, you lead the troops to escort His Majesty back to the palace!"

  Liu Xie let down the curtain and returned to his carriage. The large group of people, led by Xiahou Dun, returned to Xu Du!

  Lü Rui saw all this and thought to himself: It's exploded, the friendship between Da Han and Ji You has broken down, from now on they will slowly become enemies!