Chapter 49: Unification of the World
At the same time, Cao Cao's study was brightly lit, with Guo Jia and Xun Yu sitting at the lower end. Cao Cao carefully examined the letter in his hand by the light of the lamp. After finishing reading it, he handed the letter to Guo Jia and Xun Yu, took a sip of tea and said: "Today, Emperor Xian has handed over all military and administrative powers, which is beyond my expectation. However, this has saved me from having to think about it." Having said that, he narrowed his eyes and looked at the two men.
The two of them had hastily scanned the letter, and Xun Yu said: "At present, our lord has control over all the troops in Qingzhou, while the Emperor has no military power or authority. Even if he doesn't relinquish his power, who within Qingzhou can counterbalance our lord? I think the Emperor is using retreat as an advance, first granting favors to our lord so that our lord will have some scruples when taking action. This must be considered a superior strategy."
Cao Cao smiled and said, "You've also seen that letter. Liu Xie and Yang Wenxian (Yang Bing's courtesy name) have fallen out with each other. Among all the officials in the imperial court, if we talk about seniority and prestige, only Yang Wenxian can be considered number one. If he has a mind to seize power, he must win over Yang Wenxian. Now that the two of them have fallen out, how can he retreat and advance at the same time? He can only retreat again and again!"
Guo Jia saw Cao Cao's disdain for Emperor Xian and hastily said: "I'm afraid these two are plotting a desperate move, we must be on our guard!"
Cao Cao shook his head and said, "Feng Xiao, what's going on today? Judging from this letter, since Liu Xie entered Xuchang, he has only met with the Empress alone. How could he find Yang Wenshuan to perform this trick of self-inflicted suffering? Besides, I don't believe a young boy like him can stir up such big waves!"
Guo Jia and Xun Yu did not speak, Cao Cao's words were not unreasonable. The imperial palace was filled with Cao Cao's eyes and ears, and as soon as Emperor Xian made any unusual move, Cao Cao would be aware of it immediately. The possibility of seizing power was indeed too small, no wonder Cao Cao was so arrogant. Guo Jia said quietly: "I hope we are just being overly cautious!"
Cao Cao saw that the two of them were somewhat disheartened, and smiled slyly: "However, I won't be careless either. Tomorrow, I'll send twenty singing girls and dancing beauties into the palace, letting him indulge in music and beauty, with no time to think of anything else!"
The morning sunlight filled the ground, warm and gentle. Cao Cao's mood was bright and clear. He wore a light purple brocade robe, a dark grey cloth crown, and rode a snow-white horse, surrounded by dozens of guards, heading straight to the Han Emperor's palace, looking majestic.
In about a moment, he saw the majestic palace, with green tiles and red balustrades, and the buildings and pavilions inside were vaguely visible. Cao Cao narrowed his eyes, as if seeing the scene of civil and military officials shouting "Long live", but suddenly he saw someone standing under the palace wall, who was over ten years old, with disheveled white beard and red swollen cheeks, who else could it be if not Yang Piao?
