Choose Liu Bei at the start, I am the only one who knows the plot of the Three Kingdoms.

Chapter 499: The Cunning Cao Cao, the Regent

Countless people had gathered around, crowding around, shoulder to shoulder, and stretching their necks to watch this scene they had never seen before. These common people had rarely even seen the officials in the palace, let alone the prime minister and emperor of the current court. They all wanted to catch a glimpse of the two people.

In front of so many people, if Cao Cao did not accept the imperial edict, endless insults would be waiting for him. As a subject, disobeying the imperial edict would mean death. However, if Cao Cao accepted the imperial edict, it would mean that he accepted the title of King Bingxiang, and he would be expelled from Xu Du.

It can be said that Liu Xie's move hit Cao Cao's weak spot. He was betting that Cao Cao would not dare to kill him in public. He was also betting that Cao Cao would lose the battle to Liu Bei, otherwise his move would be in vain.

Cao Cao looked at Liu Xie holding the imperial edict and suddenly laughed out loud.

"I thank your majesty for your kindness."

As he spoke, Cao Cao dismounted and walked towards Liu Xie. After seeing this, the three captains behind Liu Xie immediately clenched their spears. As long as Cao Cao made any unusual moves, they would take action immediately. After all, they had the support of the current emperor beside them.

These three captains did not join Cao Cao's army. In addition, they were often excluded by Cao Cao's subordinates. They had long been thinking about rebellion against Cao Cao. However, they had nothing. With only 1,500 people, they were not enough to fill the teeth of Cao Cao's generals. They could be solved by throwing anyone over. Therefore, they never showed it.

It was not until after the New Year that Liu Xie approached the three of them and swore in the name of the Han Dynasty that once the plan succeeded and he was in power, he would give them high positions and generous salaries, and promote them to the rank of third-rank generals. Only then did the three of them agree to follow Liu Xie in rebelling against Cao Cao.

Also dismounting along with Cao Cao was the first-rate general assigned by Xiahou Dun to be Cao Cao's personal bodyguard. His name was Deng Ai. At this moment, he was holding a three-foot-long sword as black as ink in his hand, and following behind Cao Cao. At this distance, no matter who wanted to harm Cao Cao, even if they were famous generals, he could block the first few attacks.

The three captains on the opposite side were just third-rate generals who had just entered the ranks, otherwise they would not have been unable to join Cao Cao's army. It was easy for Deng Ai to deal with them.

As Cao Cao got closer and closer to the old eunuch, those who knew the inside story at the scene held their breath and stared nervously, not daring to slack off in the slightest.

The old eunuch walked up to Cao Cao in small steps, bent his upper body, hunched over, raised the imperial edict in his hand and handed it to Cao Cao.

But Cao Cao turned a blind eye to this and walked straight towards Liu Xie.

"How can an old eunuch be qualified to receive an imperial edict from me? I know that Your Majesty values ​​me very much. I hope Your Majesty can draft a new imperial edict for me. It must not be passed through the hands of others. I want to treasure this imperial edict that represents the will of our monarch and ministers and pass it on to future generations."

Cao Cao's words were extremely clever. He neither disobeyed nor accepted the order. He was just saying it at the top of his voice. He also subtly belittled Liu Xie's personal eunuch. This move was also a deterrent to the three captains, telling them that their new master was nothing more than a puppet at his disposal.

Liu Xie was a man of insight and naturally knew what Cao Cao meant, but he did not back down at all. Not only were the only three captains and the imperial guards who supported him watching him, but the people in Xu Du were also watching him. He now represented the majesty of the royal family and would not allow anyone to desecrate him.

"What do you mean, Prime Minister? Han Diao Si is the most powerful eunuch in our palace. If Han Diao Si is not worthy, then I will have to issue this imperial edict myself. As for the Prime Minister's request for a replacement, I don't think it's necessary."

Seeing that Cao Cao still didn't stop advancing, Liu Xie was still a little panicked. Although he knew that Cao Cao would never kill him in public, Cao Cao's long-term oppression on him still made him tremble slightly.

The closer Cao Cao got to Liu Xie, the more nervous Liu Xie became, and time seemed to be passing slower and slower. Finally, Cao Cao walked in front of Liu Xie and bowed to him.

"Your Majesty, this is wrong. Not to mention the imperial edict, the conditions for enthroning the king and becoming a vassal have not yet been met."

"What else is not satisfied?"

Liu Xie's subconscious question led him into Cao Cao's trap.

"Your Majesty, according to the laws of the court, to confer a title on a king requires not only the will of the current emperor, but also the creation of a royal seal for me, so that it can be considered in accordance with etiquette and law."

"My..."

Before Liu Xie could say anything, he met Cao Cao's eyes. He originally wanted to say that his seal had always been with Cao Cao, and even the imperial eunuch in the old eunuch's hand had no seal on it. Just as he was about to blurt out the words, he suddenly realized that if he really dared to say that, then what awaited him would most likely be execution on the spot.

Once this matter is exposed and the news that Cao Cao has seized his imperial seal comes out, and all the people know it, Cao Cao will no longer care about the bad reputation and will definitely kill Liu Xie and establish a new emperor.

In the end, he still didn't say this. As for giving Cao Cao a new royal seal, that was even more unrealistic. Conferring the title of King of the Same Character on Cao Cao was just a spur-of-the-moment idea he had in the court this morning. How could he prepare a seal for Cao Cao?

"What the Prime Minister said makes sense. Please wait in the city for a day. The new imperial edict and the royal seal will be delivered to the Prime Minister tomorrow."

Liu Xie no longer had the confidence to stop Cao Cao at this moment, because the expression on Cao Cao's face became more and more sinister, yet he was smiling. The last time Liu Xie saw this expression was when he was making him emperor and threatening him. This expression represented that Cao Cao was about to get really angry.

Cao Cao chuckled and gave instructions to Deng Ai behind him.

"Go and get the imperial edict from Daehan Diao Si."

The voice was very low and only a few people nearby could hear it. After Deng Ai received the order, he did not say anything more. He turned around and waved to the old eunuch. The old eunuch wanted to pretend that he did not see it, but when he saw Deng Ai slowly raising the black knife, the old eunuch still obediently walked towards him in small steps.

Deng Ai took the imperial edict and handed it to Cao Cao. Cao Cao didn't even look at it, but opened it directly. Then he put two fingers together and pointed to the place where the stamp should be.

"Your Majesty, why is there no seal of Your Majesty on this imperial edict? Could it be that this old eunuch swapped out the real imperial edict with a fake one?"

Everyone present, including the common people outside, could hear what Cao Cao said. They began to chatter and discuss, and most of the discussions were about how bold the old eunuch was, as he actually dared to replace the imperial edict from the emperor to the prime minister.

This time, it was Liu Xie's expression that became increasingly ugly, while Cao Cao showed a smug smile on his face. These people had no ability to judge right from wrong, they only believed what they saw and heard. What they saw was a fake imperial edict that didn't even have a seal, and what they heard was Cao Cao saying that the old eunuch was passing off a fake as the real thing.

Now, in their minds, the old eunuch replaced the original real imperial edict with a fake one. Cao Cao just waved his hand, and Deng Ai, who was standing by, immediately understood what Cao Cao meant. The black blade slashed across in an instant, and the old eunuch, who had been lowering his head, could never raise it again.

Liu Xie and the three captains behind him all looked pale. This knife strike was a show of force and a warning from Cao Cao to Liu Xie, but it was also a warning to the three of them.

"Your Majesty, this old Diao Si has a rebellious heart. I will help you deal with it. This is a heinous crime, and his entire clan must be killed. He is an old eunuch, and he must have no children. His parents should also be dead. Let's start with his father and brothers."

Cao Cao threw the imperial edict back to Liu Xie, folded his hands into his sleeves, and although there was still a smile on his face, there was an unconcealable coldness in his eyes.

Liu Xie was so angry that he was shaking all over.

"I forgot to stamp it. It has nothing to do with Diao Temple. There is no need to execute the entire clan."

Unexpectedly, it was Liu Xie's words that allowed Cao Cao to seize the opportunity again.

"If that's the case, then you've wrongly blamed Diao Si. I'm willing to compensate Diao Si with 100 taels of gold, which I'll give to his father and brothers. Your Majesty, you're still so young, how could this happen? It seems that Your Majesty is too busy with state affairs and is a little too worried. For the sake of Your Majesty's health, let me share your worries. Since Your Majesty has already made me the King of Wei, I'll follow the example of the sages of past dynasties, control the government for Your Majesty, temporarily take over the position of regent, and help Your Majesty share your worries and solve your problems!"

As soon as Cao Cao said this, the people around him who didn't know the truth applauded.

"It is truly a blessing for His Majesty to have such a prime minister."

"Yes, who says it isn't? With the Prime Minister, we will definitely live a good life in the future."

"The Prime Minister has been thinking about Your Majesty and helping Your Majesty handle state affairs. He is really working hard for Your Majesty."

In addition to the people around, most of them were the result of the encouragement of Cao Cao's followers who had just welcomed him at the city gate. They still had a strong guiding role for these people who knew nothing.

Listening to the conversations of the people around him, the stone in Liu Xie's heart fell to the ground completely. He knew that he had lost this battle again, and was defeated miserably. Cao Cao said in this occasion that he wanted to temporarily take over the position of regent, and the people applauded. This meant that his greatest reliance, these people, were no longer his reliance. Perhaps they could serve as his trump card to save his life, but they could no longer help him to restrain Cao Cao invisibly.

At this moment, an unwilling captain suddenly stood up.

"Your Majesty is still young, and you, Cao thief, are just trying to seize power. What high-sounding principles you are talking about! It's bullshit. Your Majesty, you don't have to be afraid of him, we are here to protect you!"

The captain raised his spear with both hands, and the blade of the spear was only a few feet away from Cao Cao. It could be said that this was the closest Cao Cao had ever faced death, but Cao Cao did not react at all. He just looked at him indifferently, as if he was looking at a dead man.

Liu Xie was also helpless. If he jumped out at this time, wouldn't he be seeking death? Liu Xie still wanted to save him, but when he met Cao Cao's eyes again, he completely gave up this plan.

"Okay, stop talking. King Wei, please enter the palace."

Liu Xie gave up resistance and chose not to fight Cao Gong at the last moment. Perhaps this way his life would be better from then on. Winter was not over yet, and February was the coldest period. If he did not have enough charcoal and cotton clothes, it would be difficult for him to survive the spring cold.

Cao Cao nodded with a forced smile. Deng Ai, who was following behind him, Xun Yu in the distance, and two hundred elite soldiers began to walk towards the palace. After the last person entered the palace, in front of the palace gate, there was only a headless corpse lying on the street. No one dared to collect the body, as no one wanted to have this bad luck.

Inside the palace, Cao Cao's expression changed as soon as he entered the palace.

"Your Majesty, it's only been a few hours since we last met, but it feels like I haven't seen you for a long time."

Liu Xie no longer sat down, but got down and walked behind Cao Cao, listening to Cao Cao's ridicule and ignoring it.

"Oh, by the way, Your Majesty has also become good at winning people's hearts. No, it should be said that he has become good at picking up rags. These 1,500 imperial guards and those three rag-tag captains have wanted to join my army many times, but they were rejected by my generals. These people are really too rotten."

Cao Cao's words ignited the last bit of anger in the three men's hearts. They all stood against Cao Cao, and one of them even drew his sword and pointed it at Cao Cao.

"Cao, you only have 200 men, but we have 1,500! If we really fight, we may not lose, but you have a greater chance of losing!"

However, after hearing his words, not only Cao Cao, but also the young general behind Cao Cao, the middle-aged strategist, and the two hundred cavalrymen all laughed, as if they had heard some huge joke.

"Do you two think so too?"

Cao Cao pointed at the other two men. The other two captains also knew that they must not retreat at this time, and immediately took another step forward.

"Cao Cao, we have 1,500 men charging at all costs. You, with only 200 men, can't stop us. Don't die in our hands. We will give you our lives in exchange for your rich and noble life as prime minister. We will not pay for it!"

"Your lives are indeed worthless, and the cheapest of all. However, if you want to exchange your 1,500 worthless lives for my life, then you are not worthy. So, if anyone of you can touch me, I will immediately draw my sword and commit suicide. A gentleman's word is as good as gold. How do you think? Hahahaha"

Cao Cao laughed wildly, and the three captains looked fierce. They stopped talking and immediately attacked Cao Cao. But at the moment they launched the attack, the general who had been behind Cao Cao holding a three-foot long sword also moved, and his speed was much faster than theirs, and he arrived in front of Cao Cao in an instant.

Then he slashed with his sword, killing one person with just one strike.

At the same time, the 200 elite soldiers behind Cao Cao also launched a charge, cavalry against infantry, and moreover, the elite cavalry under Cao Cao against ordinary imperial guards. Needless to say, the result was that their only casualty was that one of them dislocated his jaw while laughing at the other.

(End of this chapter)