Chapter 6 The Emperor Leaves the Palace (2), Section 20

  Cao Cao nodded and asked: "Where are you going?"

  Li Chen scratched his head: "The emperor wanted me to go find Generalissimo, but instead you came!"

  Cao Cao nodded slightly and said to Li Chen: "You can go and report now!"

  Li Chen obeyed and rushed into the bedroom, only to see Song Jiu kneeling on the ground in fear, while Liu Xie had a furious expression. Seeing the eunuch he had just sent out suddenly return, he couldn't help but feel annoyed that even such a small eunuch dared to ignore his orders. Liu Xie's face sank even deeper: "Why have you come back?"

  Li Chen hastily bowed and said: "The great general is waiting outside the 'gate', awaiting the holy summons!"

  Liu Xie was startled and quickly understood that Cao Cao had come for a reason. He hastily said: "Pass on the message!"

  Cao Cao entered the palace, bowed down and shouted "Long live", Liu Xie helped Cao Cao up, and the two of them had thus gone through the formalities. Cao Cao said in a low voice: "Your Majesty, I heard quarreling outside the hall just now, what was it about?"

  Liu Xie let out a slight sigh, but his anger was still evident. He said in a hateful tone: "General, you've arrived just in time. This damned slave dared to block my way when I wanted to take the Empress Dowager out for some fresh air after her illness. Tell me, isn't this slave extremely disrespectful? Shouldn't he be beheaded?"

  Song Jiu was frightened by Liu Xie and hastily said: "General, save me! Save me!"

  Cao Cao saw that Emperor Xian was young and vigorous, with emotions expressed openly on his face. He felt a slight sense of relief in his heart, thinking that this young emperor would be easier to control compared to those ministers who hid their emotions behind a mask of calmness. He quickly forced a smile and said: "Your Majesty is right!" Then, his expression turned stern: "Guards, take him out and give him fifty strokes of the cane!"

  Two guards rushed out from outside the gate, one on the left and one on the right, ready to lift Song Jiu. Song Jiu's heart turned cold, and he hastily cried out: "Your Majesty spare my life, spare my life!"

  Liu Xie didn't want to, Cao Cao hadn't even asked a question, and Song Jiu was taken down and beaten. He was stunned for a moment, and the guards saw that the emperor had no instructions, so they dragged Song Jiu out of the palace, only to hear faint cries echoing in the distance.

  Cao Cao saw Liu Xie's brow slightly relaxed, and continued: "Your Majesty, please calm your anger, don't hurt the dragon body. Although that slave has made mistakes, I think 50 rods are enough. Please spare his dog life!"

  Liu Xie let out a soft sigh: "Since the general has spoken up for him, I will no longer pursue this matter!"

  "Your Majesty, I apologize!" Cao Cao bowed his hands and said: "In fact, that slave was also kind-hearted. Your Majesty is the supreme ruler of the nine-five, how noble and dignified you are! If there is any slight injury, who in this world can bear this responsibility?"