Matters in Xuchang!

Although the process was awkward, Cao Cao ultimately got what he wanted and obtained the Qichuan horse, which greatly surprised Guo Jia and Xi Zhicai, whom he met at Jieqiao.

Ever since hearing of Gongsun Zan's defeat and Cao Cao's capture of Yijing, Tian Feng immediately dispatched troops to take over a series of important locations, including Danyang and Baoqiu, from Guo Jia and Xi Zhicai. Guo Jia and Xi Zhicai had already transported the strategic materials mentioned by Jiang Zhe to the Jieqiao camp in batches, and now that Tian Feng had come to take over, it was a good opportunity for them to extricate themselves.

So Guo Jia and Xi Zhicai left amidst the praises of Tian Feng, Guo Tu, and others, departing along with the countless supplies.

Cao Jun first gathered at Jieqiao, and then set off again, slowly heading towards Kezhou. On the way, he happened to run into Ju Shou, who was in charge of Handan City. Looking at the carriages escorted by ten thousand warhorses, Ju Shou looked confused and uncertain, as if he was thinking about something.

Cao Cao and Jiang Zhe only chatted with Ju Shou for a few words before bidding him farewell and leaving, but Ju Shou did not leave immediately. He stood on high ground and continued to observe Cao Cao's army.

As the year drew to a close, Cao Cao was finally returning to Xuchang. Upon hearing this news, many people in the city felt uneasy.

Liu Ai, the Imperial Clan Minister, and Yang Feng, the Commandant of the Guards, were imprisoned. Emperor Liu Xie, in the Golden Mirror Hall, and his father-in-law Dong Cheng, were also present. None of them knew what Cao Cao would do after returning to Xuchang and learning of the events that had transpired. They had no idea!

"Alas, we were too hasty. We were so close, and it all fell apart at the last minute!" In the dimly lit prison, Liu Ai, the Imperial Clan Minister, sighed sadly. As a member of the royal family, Gou Yu had not mistreated Liu Ai in prison as a matter of courtesy. Unlike Yang Feng, who was next to Liu Ai, the prison guards followed Li Ru's advice and practiced with Yang Feng every few days. Now, looking at Yang Feng, he was covered in filth and disheveled. How could anyone tell that he was the general who once commanded five thousand imperial guards?

"Sigh!" Another soft sigh escaped Liu Ai's lips. He stood with his hands behind his back, gazing at the night outside the prison window. His deeply furrowed brows revealed his current displeasure.

Indeed, how could Liu Ai be in a good mood upon learning that Cao Cao would be returning to Xuchang within a few days? Because no matter what, he couldn't escape death this time. If he could die a quick and painless death, Liu Ai would be content, especially as he watched Yang Feng being dragged back to the next cell like a dead dog each day. Suddenly, a soft call came from behind him.

Liu Ai was startled and turned around abruptly, only to be surprised to see Liu Xie standing at the door, looking at him with pity. "Your Majesty!" Liu Ai quickly bowed and asked in surprise, "Why has Your Majesty come here? I remember Cheng Zhongde once ordered that no one should be allowed to break the shackles." "Because Your Majesty went to beg Xun Wenruo!" A person beside Liu Xie said calmly.

Liu Ai's face froze for a moment. She frowned and looked at the person who had appeared, saying, "It's you?"

The man beside Liu Xie bowed and said calmly, "Sima Boda greets Lord Zongzheng!"

"Oh!" Liu Ai nodded, sighing as he said, "Disobeying your advice has indeed led to a crushing defeat, Boda. After I leave, would you be willing to assist His Majesty in my stead?"

Sima Lang smiled slightly and said calmly, "This humble one is merely traveling and seeking knowledge. I am only passing through Xuchang and am afraid I will not stay here for long."

"I've long heard of Sima Jian's strict family discipline, and seeing it today, it's indeed true!" Liu Ai shook his head and chuckled, then cupped his hands to Liu Xie and said, "Your Majesty, I've heard that Cao Mengde will soon return to Xuchang. This old minister knows his days are numbered, and my only worry is for Your Majesty. Your Majesty, in this battle, our only loss was the hearts of the people. Unexpectedly, the hearts of the people in the city were all like those of Cao Cao and Jiang Zhe. As a result, we failed at the last hurdle, suffering a complete defeat." This old minister is ashamed before the Han Dynasty, ashamed before our ancestors!

"Uncle!" Liu Xie sighed. He stepped forward and said, "It has nothing to do with you, Uncle. It's just that Yuan Gonglu is utterly useless! But... Uncle, why didn't you seek out Liu Jingsheng of Jingzhou that day, but instead went to that Yuan Gonglu who harbored national prestige?"

"Guowang?" Liu Ai, the Imperial Clan Secretary, looked surprised and said urgently, "Is this really true?" After a few thoughts raced through his mind, Liu Ai suddenly looked at Sima Lang.

"Lord Zongzheng is right, it was I who informed His Majesty!" Sima bowed and said in a deep voice, "I learned of this matter by chance when I passed through Nanyang during my studies. I then investigated it myself, and it is not hearsay. It is indeed true. Earlier, during the campaign against Dong Zhuo, Sun Jian secretly hid the Jade Fortress of our Han Dynasty. After his death, the Jade Fortress fell into the hands of Sun Jian's son, Sun Ce, who used it to exchange for three thousand elite soldiers from Yuan Shao!"

"What a fine Yuan Gonglu, what a fine Sun Wentai!" Liu Ai's face flushed with anger as he continued, "What have these two done with the divine weapon of my Han Dynasty?!"

"When the master is weak and the servant is strong, disaster is not far off!" Sima Lang shook his head dismissively and walked aside, saying calmly, "I heard that Lord Cao will arrive in Xuchang tomorrow or the day after. I wonder if Lord Zongzheng has come up with a plan?"

"Boda!" Liu Xie shouted again, his expression showing great displeasure.

"A countermeasure?" Liu Ai waved his hand at Liu Xie and smiled sadly. "What countermeasure is needed? It's our fault for betraying him." Now that things have failed, how can we face Cao Mengde again? Your Majesty, this old minister has bribed the prison cart. Have a servant bring these shackles." As he spoke, Liu Ai took out a small celadon bottle from his bosom, staring at Liu Xie with trepidation.

"Royal Uncle!" Liu Xie exclaimed in surprise, his eyes filled with reluctance. Sima Lang beside him also changed his expression, seemingly looking at Liu Ai with newfound respect.

"Your Majesty need not persuade me any further!" Liu Ai smiled slightly, turned around and said calmly, "I know Your Majesty is benevolent and righteous. You will surely come to the prison to visit this old minister. And this old minister also has some things that I have not yet said to Your Majesty."

"This old minister cannot be without,"

"I was young and ignorant, which led my uncle to take such a dangerous path. Now..."

Liu Ai, with a kind smile, patted Liu Xie's shoulder and said, "Your Majesty need not do this. Everything is of my own free will. Your Majesty, after this old minister leaves, I hope Your Majesty will temporarily back down and not further pressure Cao Mengde. If he becomes resentful in the moment..." Alas! When did our Great Han Dynasty fall to such a state!

Seeing Liu Ai's sorrowful expression, Liu Xie hurriedly said, "Uncle, please don't be like this. I will follow your advice!"

"As for Jiang Shouzhi," Liu Ai nodded. After a moment of deep thought, he said, "This man is indeed a genius, and he is now highly regarded in the three states of Chong, Yu, and Qing. However, I find him quite peculiar. He is a learned man, yet he often cherishes his own talents and does not easily display them. He also does not value power or fame, which makes it difficult for this old minister to deal with him."

Liu Xie shook his head and said lightly, "This is Jiang Qing. He was like this back in Luoyang, and he is still like this now. It's just that he is currently in a sorry state with Cao Mengde. Alas! It's a pity that he is now under Cao Mengde's command."

"Your Majesty, please do not worry!" Liu Ai smiled faintly and said, "The only thing we don't know is how Cao Mengde managed to get Jiang Zhe to work for him. In the future, Your Majesty might as well get closer to him and test him." This was the question Your Majesty had just asked. "Why didn't this old minister send Liu Jingsheng, a member of the Jingzhou royal family, to assist us? While Liu Jingsheng is indeed a member of the royal family and is indeed concerned about the royal family, there are many powerful and influential families in Jingzhou, and Liu Jingsheng cannot yet fully control Jingzhou. Otherwise, why would he have married a daughter of a powerful family in Jingzhou?"

This made Liu Xie feel deeply saddened; indeed, the servant was stronger than the master.

Sima Lang shook his head inwardly, standing at the prison gate and looking around, clearly thinking about something else.

Liu Ai glanced indifferently at Sima Lang not far away, then walked to Liu Xie's side and whispered in his ear, "Your Majesty, Cao Mengde is currently powerful while Your Majesty is weak. Perhaps we should adopt a policy of appeasement. I have heard that Cao Mengde's lifelong ambition is to pacify the world. Regardless of whether this is true or not, Your Majesty should wait for the right opportunity."

"Hmm!" Liu Xie nodded.

"," Liu Xie looked deeply at his uncle Liu Ai, bowed deeply, and said in a deep voice, "Nephew Xie, I sincerely wish Your Majesty a safe journey!"

"Very well!" Liu Ai's face was a mixture of sorrow and joy as he accepted Liu Xie's bow.

Looking at Liu Ai, Liu Xie hesitated for a long time. Finally, he hardened his heart and said, "Boda, let's go!"

Sima Lang glanced back at Liu Ai, bowed respectfully, and followed Liu Xie away.

He took a deep breath and drank the watery substance inside in one gulp.

"Bang!" Liu Ai smashed the porcelain bottle to the ground, then staggered to the corner and sat down. With several violent coughs, a trickle of blood slowly flowed from the corner of his mouth. The night was deep, but Xun Yu, temporarily taking over Jiang Zhe's duties, was still awake. Accompanying him were the two men staring furiously at the "unspeakable" income listed in the accounts, their eyes wide with anger as they glared at the two officials before them, Cheng Yu and Li Ru.

"Absurd! Utterly absurd!" Xun Yu slammed his fist on the table, shouting angrily. "Why wasn't this matter informed of me beforehand?!"

Li Ru smiled slightly, continuing to process the documents as he casually asked, "If Wen Ruo had known about this beforehand, would he have objected?"

"Of course!" Xun Yu said, his face filled with rage.

"Then you definitely can't say!" Li Ru replied with a smile.

"..." Xun Yu was speechless for a moment, taking a deep breath to calm himself before speaking in a low voice, "Xianzhang, putting aside those rebellious aristocratic families for now, just consider the heads of the Guo and Fang families. Xianzhang, you've gone a bit too far in this matter?"

Li Ru put down his pen, looked at Xun Yu, and said, "This matter is of great importance. What if those two spread rumors in the future? It's better to kill them now and settle things once and for all. If Wen Ruo feels guilty towards these two, she can treat their families well in the future!"

"Alas, things have come to this, and there's nothing I can do," Xun Yu said, then suddenly his expression changed, and he pointed at Li Ru with a bitter smile, "Why is it that I am the one who feels guilty? Isn't it you who feels guilty?"

Li Ru said calmly, "It wasn't for my personal gain. Why should I feel guilty?"

"Haha!" Cheng Yu slapped the table and laughed loudly.

"Zhongde, and you too!" Xun Yu pointed at Cheng Yu and said in a deep voice, "You also bear some responsibility for the bloodshed caused by Xianzhang!"

"Wenruo, please don't say that!" Cheng Yu said ingratiatingly. "Didn't you say that day, 'Traitors and rebels should be killed by everyone,'?"

"You!" Xun Yu was speechless with anger.

"Report!" Just then, a report came from outside the door.

Xun Yu straightened his expression and said sternly, "Come in!"

"Yes, sir!" a soldier rushed in and reported, "Reporting to the three lords, Lord Liu, the Minister of the Imperial Clan in prison, has committed suicide out of fear of punishment!"

"Oh," Xun Yu sighed softly. He waved his hand and said, "I understand. You may all leave!"

"promise!"

Watching the Cao soldier leave the house, Cheng Yu glanced at Xun Yu's expression and said with a smile, "Wenruo seems to have foreseen this all along?"

"Hmm!" Xun Yu nodded, sighing, "Does Yu know who Lord Liu is waiting for? Hmm, since you two weren't here, His Majesty sent someone to Yu's place to inquire about visiting Lord Liu." Yu agreed. "Heh!" Cheng Yu shook his head, looking at the helplessness on Xun Yu's face, and stood up, saying, "That's fine then. The lord and Shouyi will return tomorrow or the day after. Liu Ai's survival would only make things worse. Hah! It's late. Let's return to the manor for now!"

Li Ru smiled slightly, put down his pen, and closed the memorial.

"You all go back first!" Xun Yu said, looking at the memorial in his hand. After a while, Cheng Yu looked at Xun Yu, exchanged a glance with Li Ru, and the two of them withdrew together.

In the empty house, Xun Yu hesitated for a long time before letting out a long, dejected sigh.

"My lord, Your Majesty!" (Alas!)

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