Chapter 5: What if I were an Emperor?

  Cao Cao has been doing quite well these days, especially since he gained the emperor's favor and became one of the eight western garden imperial guards, with military power in his hands, giving him a voice in this increasingly chaotic situation.

  However, it was not particularly smooth sailing either. The establishment of the eight western garden imperial guards was due to the emperor's dissatisfaction with General-in-Chief He Jin's monopolization of power and his attempt to divide authority as a last resort. This can be seen from the fact that the western garden eight imperial guards were under the control of Zhongliang - everyone knew that the current emperor trusted no one, only those few eunuchs who were closest to him.

  Even Cao Cao could become one of the eight school lieutenants, it was because he was a eunuch's adopted son with such an identity, the emperor thought that people with this background could wholeheartedly do things for him.

  But in fact? Not to mention Cao Cao himself had no good feelings towards Zhang Rang and other eunuchs, plus he was also a famous scholar at the time, his hard-won reputation couldn't be ruined because of this matter. Therefore, Cao Cao firmly stood on the opposing side of the eunuch group.

  What's more important is that although the eight colonels of the Western Garden were under the command of Jian Shuo, none of them were willing to listen to a eunuch. Within the Western Garden army, Yuan Shao was respected - and Yuan Shao was even closer to General-in-Chief He Jin. As a result, the Western Garden army that the Emperor had painstakingly established ultimately ended up in He Jin's hands after all the fuss.

  Cao Cao understood the situation clearly, he didn't think that He Jin would let go of the Western Garden Army which was already in his grasp, so it's even more impossible for him to jump out at this time and express something like: I am willing to be loyal to the Emperor!

  Unfortunately, despite having made his position clear, he was born into an awkward situation. He Ping was not very welcoming to him either. In daily conversations and discussions, although he had a seat, Cao Cao's words almost never entered the ears of the great general - it was truly as if he was invisible and unheard.

  "Perhaps seeking external release is a way out?"

  Although standing on the stage watching the soldiers train, what he was thinking about in his mind was his own career. Cao Cao is now in his thirties, which is the age to achieve something. It's not a big deal to stay here and waste time. Rather than being humiliated here, it's better to go out and make a name for himself.

  "At the beginning of the year, Liu Yizhou suggested restoring the state's pastoral system. Local officials outside the province would thus hold great power. If one could sit as the master of a state in a local area, it would also be an achievement!"

  He thought for a while and finally sighed helplessly. His original intention was not here, but things in the world are like this, where can you fully achieve your own wishes?

  Just as he was thinking about it, a soldier rushed over, saluted and reported: "Someone claiming to be a relative of Cao Zhen's family is waiting outside the main gate of the camp!"

  "Are you a relative of mine?"

  Cao Cao thought for a moment, and for the time being, he really couldn't think of who it was. The Cao family was also considered a big clan, with many relatives in the family, but they didn't move around frequently on ordinary days. Moreover, although Cao Cao had some reputation, he was far from being famous throughout the world, so naturally, various distant relatives wouldn't come to seek refuge with him.

  But it's not necessarily the case, after all Cao Cao is now mixed and not at the top, but compared to many ordinary people, I don't know how strong he is.

  Cao Cao thought that he was just some distant relative who had learned his name and wanted to come to seek benefits!

  "See you later!"

  Since they claimed to be relatives, they had to meet no matter what. If they were really seeking help, it wouldn't be good to drive them away directly. At most, they would give some grain and cloth to send them off - in these years, the emperor's reckless minting of coins had almost collapsed the entire country's currency system, and grains and cloth gradually replaced the function of money, so Cao Cao thought of giving out grains and cloth instead of directly giving them money.

  The soldiers led the way, and as they exited from the drill ground, before they had even left the main gate, Cao Cao saw the two men standing outside the camp gate from a distance - Liu Xuan's physique was indeed not easy to ignore, plus his demeanor was extraordinary, and he was dressed in an unusual manner, so Cao Cao noticed him at once.

  Just one glance, Cao Cao was taken aback at once.

  "Is it him?"

  But then a fog of confusion: "What did he come to me for? Is there some secret instruction?" The more I thought, the uglier my face became, and my footsteps slowed down involuntarily.

  The soldier next to him saw it and curiously asked, "Commander Cao, don't you think there's something strange?" The soldier didn't think much of it either, assuming the two people outside were not Commander Cao's relatives. If so, they could just drive them away on his behalf.

  He asked this, and Cao Cao was immediately startled on the other side. He quickly recovered: "Nothing, it's just my relatives coming to see me, I wonder what's going on, maybe there's something urgent!" Then he ordered his personal soldiers behind him: "Go back and take care of military affairs first, I may come back later today!"

  In a moment, Cao Cao had figured it out. Although he knew the man's identity, that identity couldn't be spoken of casually. Moreover, at this time, who knows what might happen, it's better not to spread rumors wildly, and he could also come and go as he pleased.

  If you turn around and leave at this time, it would be even harder to come back.

  As for what exactly happened, he couldn't guess it even if he wanted to, having a few ideas in his mind, but they were just speculations after all, and only by talking face-to-face could he find out.

  With a clear mind, his feet moved even faster, and in an instant he was out of the camp gate, then with a smile on his face, he rushed up to greet them.

  At this time, Liu Xuan had already seen Cao Cao walking towards him. He saw a general who was only about 1.6 meters tall, wearing armor and a cloak, striding towards him with big steps.

  Although he was not tall in stature, the aura and confidence on his face still made people aware of his extraordinary qualities. Liu Xuan knew that this was none other than the famous Han Dynasty warlord Cao Cao, also known as Cao Mengde.

  It was also the thorough burial of the Han Dynasty, the father of Cao Pi - but now Cao Cao is not the later heroic villain, at this time Cao Cao is still a hot-blooded person, and he also has the idea of being loyal to the Han Dynasty. His greatest wish is only to be the General of Conquering the West, to open up territory for the Han Dynasty, rather than the high position of Emperor.

  The two men drew closer, eyeing each other, and after a moment they stood face to face. Just as Liu Xuan was about to speak, Cao Cao said in a low voice: "Cao Cao, Duke of Yan, pays his respects to Your Imperial Highness!"

  As soon as this was said, Liu Xuan was stunned for a moment. Fortunately, he didn't forget his manners and bowed before asking: "Does Councilor Cao know me?"

  He's a bit strange, he rarely leaves the palace and focuses on cultivating and reading in the palace. Among the officials, he only knows Huangfu Song and Zhu Jun, and apart from that, he hardly knows anyone else among the officials, let alone those people knowing him. How could Cao Cao, who can't even enter the imperial court now, know him?

  At this time, he also noticed that Cao Cao came alone after leaving the big camp. This means that when he was in the camp, he saw and identified his identity. At this relatively sensitive moment, he still dared to come forward, which is indeed not something ordinary people can do - if it were Yuan Shao who saw through his identity, he might have turned around and left immediately.

  "Your Majesty established the Western Garden Army at the time, and the Crown Prince was present to observe the ceremony!"

  Cao Cao's explanation made Liu Xuan understand what was going on, but he didn't expect that even though he had been quietly observing from the side, Cao Cao would still remember his appearance. This awesome person is indeed not someone ordinary people can compare to.

  "So it was!"

  Now that Cao Cao knows his true identity, the original plan to use Cao Ang to build a relationship is no longer useful. As for now, it's crucial to find a quiet place to facilitate conversation.

  Cao Cao also knew that this was not a place for conversation, in such a crowded and public setting, there were no secrets to be shared, let alone with so many people around, he could recognize the imperial son Liu Xuan, but others might too, if they saw him, they would make wild guesses, and he would have more trouble on his hands.

  Now the Emperor is seriously ill, General He Jin and Empress Dowager He are both thinking of supporting Liu Bian to succeed. However, who in the capital does not know that the Emperor loves his youngest son Liu Xie? The eunuchs also support the Emperor, that is, they support the young emperor.

  These two are already annoying enough, if someone sees me and the Emperor's eldest son Liu Xuan, who has been quiet and almost ignored, getting together, who knows what kind of trouble will arise.

  "My humble abode is just nearby, please move your steps this way, Your Highness!"

  He immediately led the way in front, Liu Xuan didn't say much, just quietly followed behind. Cao Jie was not tall, but he was clever enough to walk at the back and check if anyone was following them. Fortunately, Cao Cao's residence was not far away, and they arrived quickly. This distance wouldn't attract attention from anyone - after all, Liu Xuan was indeed too low-key, even in the imperial palace, there were many people who didn't recognize him.

  He entered Cao Cao's mansion, then turned into the inner chamber. This place was not usually used to entertain guests, but Liu Xuan's identity was special, and Cao Cao did not dare to greet him outside, so he led him directly inside. Then he only called a few trusted attendants to bring in clear water, melons, and fruits, and after dismissing the others, he entertained Liu Xuan alone.

  Inside the room, only Cao Cao and Liu Xuan were seen kneeling opposite each other, while Cao Pi stood quietly behind them. The two sat for a long time before Cao Cao finally spoke: "The Crown Prince has come to the Western Garden to find me, could it be...?"

  Liu Xuan shook his head: "No!" After taking a sip of water, he was thinking about how to start the conversation and what topic could spark Cao Cao's interest. However, no matter how hard he thought, he couldn't come up with anything.

  As for Cao Cao's question, he knew that Cao Cao suspected himself of coming to find him, and the emperor had some secret orders. However, in fact, the emperor also knew that the move of the Western Garden Army was basically a waste of time, even if there were any secret orders, it would not be allowed to be implemented by the forces already controlled by He Jin.

  Upon hearing Liu Xuan's denial, Cao Cao's eyebrows furrowed into a knot. If it weren't for this reason, then the Crown Prince coming to seek him out would have only one possibility.

  But that seems too crazy, could it be that this young man who has not yet come of age really has such great ambition?

  Just then, Liu Xuan put down the water bowl in front of him and said with a serious face: "What does Cáo Yì Láng think? If I were to become emperor, how would it be?"