Chapter 1 The Crown Prince

  Liu Bei's every move was under Cao Cao's surveillance.

  Angels read out the decree, and then the big and small packages were taken out for sale. None of them escaped Cao Cao's eyes and ears.

  At this moment, Cao Cao is resting in the residence of the Minister of Works.

  It's supposed to be a rest, but it's actually just sitting around in a daze. Thinking about what happened today. The Son of Heaven suddenly swung his big knife at Liu Bei, which was beyond Cao Cao's expectations.

  But Liu Bei surprisingly did not completely loyal to the emperor, chose to retain Zhang Fei, which also made Cao Cao quite unexpected. Cao Cao has realized that this person Liu Bei may have very big ambitions.

  It needs to be eliminated as soon as possible, but on the other hand, Cao Cao is about to fight against Yuan Shao, and it's just when he needs fame. Liu Bei's kindness is all over the world, if he kills Liu Bei, he will lose the trust of the world.

  Although it's not as serious as Liu Xie's betrayal, it's still a very severe matter.

  Can this man be won over? Today, Liu Feng let Liu Xie and others see clearly that Liu Bei is disloyal to the Han dynasty. Cao Cao also saw it clearly.

  The result is either extremely ambitious or a wallflower.

  If we can win over Liu Bei and unite the local Han forces more closely, we can also use his name to strike at the prestige of the Han emperor.

  After all, in the whole world, Liu Bei's banner has already been erected. It won't be much smaller than Liu Xie's.

  Cao Cao was also a figure of this era, although he was extremely cunning, but he didn't know how badly Liu Bei had fallen. How infuriating.

  So, there was a slight mistake in direction. Unlike Liu Feng, who wanted Liu Bei to die with all his heart.

  Just as Cao Cao had made up his mind, a minor official came in to report: "Your Excellency, just now the Emperor sent an imperial envoy Chen Guang to read out an edict at Liu Bei's residence. Later, Mi Zhu personally took a batch of goods out to sell, including war horses, armor, silk and satin."

  Cao Cao's eyebrows immediately furrowed in confusion upon hearing this. Warhorses and armor were the symbols of a military general, and it should be the same for Liu Bei as well.

  Unexpectedly taken away and sold, what is the imperial decree?

  "Come in." Cao Cao meditated for a moment, still puzzled, and then raised his head to shout loudly towards the outside of the door.

  "Your Honor." Another minor official walked in from outside.

  "Go and find out what imperial decree has been issued." Cao Cao instructed.

  "Yes." The newly arrived little official responded with a "yes" and immediately went down.

  For Cao Cao, there was no secret that the Emperor could keep from him. Not to mention reading the records of imperial decrees, even just glancing at a memorial would be proper.

  After ordering the little official to go out, Cao Cao calmed down and remained motionless.

  Until the little official returned.

  "We respectfully inform Your Excellency that the imperial edict reads: 'We have heard that Zuo Jiangjun's subordinate, Zou Yizheng, is quite skilled in management. He has been appointed as the Taizi's wash horse and will be in charge of managing the Taizi's private treasury.'"

  The small official read out the contents of the imperial edict that Liu Bei had just received without missing a single word.

  "Matters outside the city, does the Son of Heaven still remember?" Cao Cao heard this and revealed a hint of a smile. He had already decided to win over Liu Bei in order to suppress the prestige of Han Emperor Xian.

  If he himself suppressed Liu Xie, he might have gained a reputation for being a powerful minister who deceived his lord, but if Liu Bei suppressed Liu Xie, it would absolutely not be the case.

  The Son of Heaven and the imperial clan set up a framework.

  Recalling the wonderful scene, Cao Cao's heart was moved. However, Cao Cao still had some doubts in his mind. Zou Jing was summoned to serve as the crown prince's charioteer, but why did he lead a team and sell goods?

  However, Cao Cao was also a shrewd person and soon inferred Liu Bei's intention from some details.

  "It was originally a guess that this was Liu Feng's idea, and he planned to bribe him. However, looking at the ignorant child's appetite, I'm afraid that even if he sold all his war horses and armor, it would still be far from enough." Cao Cao's face revealed a hint of cold smile.

  That scene outside the city basically gave Cao Cao a very bad impression of Liu and Feng.

  Cao Cao had originally planned to win over Liu Bei and Liu Xie, and with a flash of inspiration, he naturally thought of presenting gold to Liu Bei to alleviate his difficulties.

  Cao Cao could have directly intervened and made Liu Xie's edict ineffective. However, doing so would have offended Liu Xie. Moreover, Liu Bei might not have been grateful either.

  It would be even better if it were a gift. The price would be much lower then.

  However, Cao Cao changed his mind and thought that doing so would be too direct. So he said to the two small officials in front of him: "One of you go to the accounting room to fetch 500 gold coins. The other one goes to find Zhang Wenyuan."

  "Yes." The two minor officials responded in unison and immediately turned around and left.

  To be diligent and not to leave any traces. The best way is to send someone to buy at a high price the goods that Cao Cao wants to sell, such as war horses, silk fabrics, but not armor.

  It's probably not going to sell well.

  Send Zhang Liao, on the one hand, Zhang Liao is a general, and it's normal to wear armor. On the other hand, Zhang Liao has a good private relationship with Guan Yu and others, which Cao Cao also knows.

  It's suitable.

  Finally, Zhang Liao gave the money, and Liu Bei accepted it. Everyone also knew in their hearts that this money was given by whom. This is called throwing an olive branch.

  Moreover, it's not an open gift, Liu Bei won't refuse it.

  The minor officials in the Imperial Chancellor's office were very efficient and soon Zhang Liao was brought before Cao Cao.

  "My lord." Upon seeing Cao Cao, Zhang Liao immediately paid his respects.

  Zhang Liao was heroic and powerful, with a strong and resolute character. He was an extremely rare emerging general. Cao Cao placed great importance on this general.

  Moreover, Cao Cao also appreciated this point.

  In Xudu, there were not a few generals who had some connections with Liu Bei and did not dare to communicate with him much. Only Zhang Liao dared. Compared with those who hide their heads and show their tails, isn't Zhang Liao more clear conscience?

  Calm and composed.

  This general is also a man who can be loyal.

  So when he saw Zhang Liao, Cao Cao couldn't help but reveal a hint of a smile and raised his hand saying: "Wenyuan please rise."

  "Thank you, sir."

  Zhang Liao respectfully said a word and stood up with the momentum.

  "This time I've come to find Wen Tuan, but it's actually for Liu Xuande." Cao Cao knew that Zhang Liao was a straightforward and open-minded person, so he also spoke directly.

  "Huh?" Zhang Liao's expression changed slightly, but he quickly calmed down. Personal relationships are personal relationships, and stances are stances - Zhang Liao understood this well.

  "We are far apart, but that doesn't mean I want to harm Xuande. On the contrary, I still want to help him." Cao Cao said with a smile.

  "Please instruct me clearly." Zhang Liao bowed again and said.

  "Zou is selling armor in the city, he might have encountered some difficulties. I gave Wen Yuan 500 gold, please trouble Wen Yuan to go buy those armors."

  Cao Cao said.

  "General Zuo is actually going to sell Jidu?" Zhang Liao was truly surprised this time, even more so than when he thought Cao Cao was going to take action against Liu Bei.

  Because Zhang Liao knew that Liu Bei and Cao Cao had different stances, they would clash at some point, even without a reason. Therefore, it was not unexpected, but what was unexpected was that Liu Bei sold his armor.

  This is something I never thought would happen.

  The illustrious General of the Left, renowned throughout the land, Liu Xuan De. He's actually selling his armor to make money. Is this really the way of the world? Are you kidding me?

  Zhang Liao was truly shocked.