Chapter 48: Settle in Chang'an! Scheme against Liu Xie!

  It's a thousand-year-old saying that an honest official can't handle family affairs. Cao, the wife of the governor, was bombarded by Ding Laohu every day in the government office and finally couldn't bear it anymore. She left the Governor's Office and went to a manor in Xudu where her family handled government affairs. Of course, the reason given to outsiders was that Cao was unwell and had gone to the manor for recuperation.

  Ding the tiger's reputation spread throughout Xudu instantly, and Lao Cao being afraid of his wife also became a popular topic among the people. Of course, this is now the Great Han Dynasty, not the Song Dynasty, so being afraid of one's wife doesn't have anything to be ashamed of; it just gave the common folk another topic to chat about over tea and after meals.

  Emperor Xian of Han heard about Ding Yuan's reputation and was very pleased. Cao Cao was also afraid!

  "Rui'er, it's your turn!" Old Cao was really not being kind. When they had good fortune, they should have shared it together, but when things got tough, he still wanted to drag down Lü Rui. Ever since Cao moved into the manor, every day he would invite Lü Rui to play chess in the manor until late at night before letting him return to the Cao residence.

  Does Cao like Lü Bu? That's not the point, Cao let Lü Bu be in charge of reconnaissance for the Fire Force of the Imperial City, to see if it is suitable for Cao to return to the Imperial City. After all, staying here for a long time is not a solution.

  "Rui'er? Is everything all right at the prefecture today? Has Eldest Madam calmed down?" Calm down, my foot! Cao Ang still hasn't come to, and Ding Laohu is crying his eyes out every day. If it weren't for Cao Ang's complexion gradually improving, Zhong Shifu, do you think you're safe here?

  Lv Rui shook his head and said: "Uncle Zhong, brother is still not awake, but his complexion has become rosy, and Auntie at home scolds Uncle Zhong every day."

  "Oh, in that case, I'll head back a bit later then!"

  "My lord, Rui'er!" Guo Jia entered the room and bowed his hands to Cao.

  Cao Cao saw Guo Jia and smiled, saying: "Has Lady Fu returned to her parents' home?"

  "Our master is wise and intelligent. The young master has gone back to his mother's hometown with the lady of the house!" Guo Jia took advantage of the situation, picked up the dried meat beside him and started eating.

  Go ahead and laugh, go ahead and laugh! Both master and servant are like tigers at home, rarely letting out a fart!

  Cao asked his son: "Rui, has your mother ever inquired about Zou's whereabouts?"

  Zou? "I asked, and the old lady had asked if Zou was in the manor."

  "How did Rui'er respond?"

  Rui'er answered truthfully, "I don't know where Zou Shi is. I've never seen him in the mansion!" It's not good to lie to Old Tiger Ding, or you'll get skinned!

  Cao heard this and clapped his hands in delight, exclaiming: "Wonderful! Just as I expected!"

  "Brother-in-law?" Lü Rui's heart skipped a beat as he wondered if he had been outmaneuvered by Cao.

  "Does Rui'er know where Zou's family is?" Cao looked at Lü Rui with ill intentions.

  That's this old man's gaze again! "What did Uncle say?"

  "Zou Shi was not here yesterday, but he is here today! Play the lute!"

  A moving qin melody came from behind the screen beside him. What? Zou Shi was actually here, and he hadn't sensed it? Although he wasn't a top-notch general, Wang Yue's martial arts skills weren't learned in vain, plus with his heavenly vein cultivating his origin, his five senses were much stronger than those of ordinary assassins, yet he hadn't detected anything?

  As the screen flickered with a bright light, Lü Rui saw a shadow, Cao's mysterious strategist? Could it be that he had suppressed Zou Shi's aura? Who is this person? A man of both literary and military talent? Why did Xiao Shou not have any records of this person?

  Just as Lü Bu was deep in thought, Guo Jia clapped his hands and said: "Master, you are indeed brilliant! You truly understand the mind of Lady Ding. You knew that she would definitely ask Rui'er, and Rui'er would certainly answer truthfully. Master, you had previously hidden Zou Shi elsewhere, but now you have brought her back to this villa... Rui'er has fallen into your trap!"

  Cao laughed loudly and said: "Those who know me will offer filial piety! Rui'er? If Madam asks again about the whereabouts of Zou Shi, you can tell her it's in another estate. But if the lady finds out that Rui'er deceived her, Rui'er, do you know the consequences?"

  Dead man's wife Cao, the real is false, the false is true. This Sun Tzu's Art of War, unexpectedly you use it here to flirt with girls, flirting is one thing, but also dragging a young child into the water, do you know this is immoral?!

  Lü Rui shouted loudly: "Uncle Zhong, are you kidding me?"

  "Rui Er? In the military, can there be personal feelings? Everyone has their own strengths and weaknesses! Rui Er, remember that war is a matter of national importance, be cautious and defensive, do not let emotions cloud your judgment!"

  Originally, Cao's wife was a double-edged sword, not only did she drag herself down, but also took the opportunity to teach herself a lesson. Alas, there is still good intention! "Thank you, Uncle Zhong!" Done, dragged into the water, can only follow Old Cao all the way to darkness!

  "My lord, General Cheng is requesting an audience outside!" Just then, Cao and his son, as well as Guo Jia, were chatting idly when Cheng Yu arrived.

  "Hurry up and ask the military advisor to wait in the main hall, I'll be right there!" The three of them tidied up their clothes and arrived at the front hall.

  "Your subordinate has arrived to see Your Excellency!" Cheng Yu saw Cao and hastily bowed.

  "No need for excessive politeness, let's sit down and talk."

  "Thank you, sir!" Cheng Yu didn't stand on ceremony and sat down, after all this wasn't the main hall of the Prime Minister's estate.

  Cao handed a cup of wine to Cheng Yu and asked: "Has Zhongde come here for something important?"

  Cheng Yu nodded and said: "The adults have been absent from court for many days due to physical discomfort, but there are rumors that something is about to happen on the Emperor's side!"

  "Your Majesty won't really think that I, Cao Mengde, would become so disheartened because of a woman? Is there an opportunity to take advantage of the situation?"

  "My lord, Your Majesty is also a wise person and would not think this way, but any possible opportunity, he will absolutely not let go!" Guo Jia took a bite of dried meat and playfully looked at Cao.

  "If the Emperor had Your Majesty's wisdom, the Great Han might not have ended up like this!" Cao suddenly exclaimed, The Great Han's Northern Expedition General? That might just be a dream!

  Cao Cao was moved again and spoke out, Guo Jia asked: "My lord? Have you softened your heart?"

  "I, Cao Mengde, am not a soft-hearted person! For the sake of following me, I will also walk this road!"

  "Our lord is wise!" Guo Jia and Cheng Yu gave a thumbs up and praised Cao.

  Lü Rui smiled helplessly, the king is also lonely. Cao Cao definitely didn't have the heart to be a king at first, but once he joined this chaotic world, what hope did his subordinates have? What trust did the common people place in him? Becoming a king was an inevitable thing!

  "Alright, Zhong De, tell me what action His Majesty will take!"

  "My lord, I've heard that Your Majesty is preparing to send troops to quell the Western Liang army in Chang'an!"

  "Your Majesty is preparing to send whom?"

  "Pei Mao!"

  "Pei Mao?" Cao stroked his beard, recalling this person. Pei Mao was not a local official of Yan Province, but an official loyal to the Great Han, and also an official inclined towards Emperor Xian of Han. Sending this man to quell the rebellion, Your Majesty wants to regain control of the military power?

  "Zhong De, Feng Xiao, what are your opinions?"

  "My lord, this matter still requires discussion in court, but who are we to discuss it with now? I'm afraid there's still a risk!"

  "Hmm!" Cao nodded, and many officials and warlords who were not loyal to the Han dynasty began to lean towards Xu Du. However, would they surrender to Cao's authority or follow Liu Xie's orders? This was a matter of debate. Some surrendered to Cao, while others remained loyal to Liu Xie, and most were opportunistic. Pei Mao was one of those who remained loyal to Liu Xie. There were too many opportunists, and this imperial court meeting may not necessarily succeed!

  "My lord? Why worry, Pei Mao wants to go and quell the rebellion, we can just support him in quelling the rebellion!"

  "Oh? What clever plan does Filial Piety have?"

  "My lord, before the three armies move, we should send Pei Mao to attack Chang'an. Firstly, it can consume the military strength loyal to Your Majesty; secondly, it can make them realize who is the master of Yan State and who truly controls the court!"

  Cao's face lit up with a smile as he said, "Is the meaning of 'Feng Xiao' to use their strategy against them? Let Pei Mao go and quell the rebellion, then cut off his supplies? Have our own people replace Pei Mao?"

  "Long live our great leader!"

  Lü Rui clapped his hands and said, "Master's wonderful plan! If Pei Mao's army runs out of food and grass, they will not be able to burn, kill, and loot like the Western Liang army. At that time, they will have no choice but to follow our arrangements. Master is really great, this is what it means to have a mother!"

  Three people heard Cao, haha laughed loudly, pointing at Lü Rui and said: "Rui'er, is indeed clever, what's the mother? This sentence is really amazing!"

  "Zhong De, just follow the plan of filial piety and let the people in the court know who their mother is!"

  "Yes, sir!"

  "Uncle, you lost again!" Lü Rui smiled and collected Cao's last bet. Cao was indeed interesting, knowing that his chess skills were not as good as Lü Rui's, yet he still wanted to continue betting, and the bets were quite large too! He was getting more and more courageous in defeat, unyielding and determined! This was something Lü Rui liked!

  "My lord, General Cheng requests an audience!"

  "We've lost again, let him come in!"

  "See the master!"

  "Zhong De? How is the imperial court's situation?"

  "My lord, today the Emperor has decided to send Pei Mao to lead an expedition against Chang'an. At the same time, Pei Mao has joined forces with Duan Huo and other Guanzhong generals to attack Li Xue together!"

  "Alright, very good, Zhong De, everything is going according to plan!"

  "Yes! My lord, apart from the plan of filial piety, I have a plan to offer to you, which will make all the officials tremble with fear."

  "Oh? Zhong De, you also have a good plan?"

  "My lord, Pei Mao's alliance with the Guanzhong generals is nothing but an attempt to expand your influence. Since the Yanzhou army lacks grain supplies, we can support Pei Mao's actions with the salaries of court officials. If you do so, my lord, the imperial palace will be squeezed to pieces!"

  "Haha, Zhong De is indeed a deep strategist, this matter will be left to him to handle!"

  "Yes, sir!"

  Cheng Yu? Indeed, ruthless and poisonous enough to plot against the imperial court officials? Loyal to Emperor Xian of Han? You're going to starve to death, this move is ruthless! Cao Cao's officials in Yan Province have Cao Cao to rely on, no fear. What about Emperor Xian? What do you give to the vassals? You only know how to issue empty checks!

  After Cheng Yu left, Cao looked at Lü Rui and said: "Rui'er, today Zhongfu also lost everything. You should go back to the mansion too. If Zixiu wakes up, send someone to inform Zhongfu."

  "Yes, Uncle!" Lü Rui nodded his hands and bowed.

  "Alright!" Cao stood up, adjusted his pants and headed towards the backyard. Ah, Cao's wife is at it again? Let me go back to the Cao residence for reconnaissance, you go flirt around! Uncle Zhong, you're being too unfair, too unfair!

  Pei Mao united the Guanzhong generals and quickly pacified Chang'an, sending Li Jue's head back to Xudu. Emperor Xian of Han led his ministers outside the city to await Li Jue's head, while Cao Cao was also present. Seeing Liu Xie's excited expression, Lü Bu shook his head in dismay: "Liu Xie, you've fallen into a great pit again!"