Chapter 499: The Cunning Cao Cao, the Regent

Countless people have gathered around, swarming around, rubbing shoulders, stretching their necks, looking at this scene they have never seen before. These common people have never even seen the officials in the palace, let alone the officials in the palace. The prime ministers and emperors of the current imperial court all want to catch a glimpse of the two of them.

In front of so many people, if Cao Cao does not accept the imperial edict, then endless infamy will be waiting for him. As a minister, resisting the edict will only lead to death, but if Cao Cao accepts the imperial edict, it will represent him If you accept the title of King of Yizi, you will be expelled from Xudu.

It can be said that Liu Xie's move was to pinpoint Cao Cao's seven inches. He was betting that Cao Cao would not dare to kill him in public. He was also betting that Cao Cao would lose to Liu Bei in this battle, otherwise he would lose to Liu Bei in this battle. All the efforts were still in vain.

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

"My lord, thank you for your kindness."

With that said, Cao Cao got off his horse and walked towards Liu Xie alone. After seeing this scene, the three captains behind Liu Xie immediately tightened their grip on the spears in their hands. As long as Cao Cao made any move, they would immediately take action. After all, beside them, there is the current Emperor supporting them.

These three captains did not join Cao Cao's command. In addition, they were often squeezed out by Cao Cao's command. They had long been thinking of rebelling against Cao Cao. However, they had nothing. Just these 1,500 people were not enough for Cao Cao's generals. It was just a matter of time and space, just throw someone over and it would be solved, so I 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 when the plan was successful and he took full power, he would give them high-ranking officials and generous salaries, up to the rank of third-rank general. The three of them agreed. Follow Liu Xie to resist Cao Cao.

Dismounting with Cao Cao, there was also the first-rate general who was assigned by Xiahou Dun to serve as Cao Cao's personal bodyguard. His name was Deng Ai. He was holding a three-foot-long sword as black as ink in his hand at the moment, following Cao Cao at such a distance. Under this, no matter who wanted to harm Cao Cao, even a famous general, he could block the first few blows.

The three captains opposite were just third-rate military generals who had just joined the ranks. Otherwise, they would not have been able to join Cao Cao's army. Deng Ai dealt with them with ease.

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

After the old eunuch walked into Cao Cao with a small step, he leaned down with his whole 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 went straight to Liu Xie.

"How can an old eunuch be qualified to let me receive the edict? I know how much your majesty values ​​me, and I hope that your majesty can draft a new edict for me. It must not go through the hands of others. I want to represent our emperor and ministers with this edict." The imperial edict is treasured and passed on to future generations.”

Cao Cao's words were extremely subtle. He neither resisted nor accepted the order. He was just talking about it. He also belittled Liu Xie's personal old eunuch without any trace. This move also served as a shock to the three captains. , telling them that their new master is just a puppet at his disposal.

Liu Xie had a clear mind and naturally knew what Cao Cao meant, but he did not flinch. Not only were the three captains and the imperial guards who only supported him watching, but the people in Xudu were also watching. He now represented the majesty of the royal family. , no one is allowed to blaspheme.

"What does the Prime Minister mean by this? Han Diao Si is the number one eunuch in our palace. If Han Diao Si is not worthy, then only I can issue this edict myself. As for the replacement that the Prime Minister said, I don't think this is the case. 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 of him still made him a little intolerable. He shivered slightly.

The closer Cao Cao was to Liu Xie, the more nervous Liu Xie became, and it felt like time was passing slower and slower. Finally, Cao Cao walked up to Liu Xie and saluted Liu Xie.

"Your Majesty's words are wrong. He did not mention the imperial edict, but said that the conditions for the title of king and vassal have not been met yet."

"What's left unsatisfied?"

Liu Xie subconsciously asked him casually, letting him fall into Cao Cao's trap.

"Your Majesty, in accordance with the laws of the imperial court, conferring a king or a vassal requires not only your Majesty's will, but also your Majesty's forging a royal seal for the minister, in order to be considered to be in compliance 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 was always with Cao Cao. Even the imperial edict in the old eunuch's hand did not have a seal. Just as he was about to blurt out In an instant, he suddenly realized that if he really dared to say that, then what was waiting for him would most likely be beheading on the spot.

Once this matter is exposed, and it is spread that Cao Cao has occupied his imperial seal, and all the people know it, Cao Cao will no longer worry about the infamy, and will definitely kill Liu Xie and establish a new emperor.

This sentence was not uttered in the end. As for giving Cao Cao a new royal seal, that was even more impossible. Granting Cao Cao the title of "One Side by Side King" was his impromptu idea in the court this morning. How could he prepare a new seal for him? Cao Cao.

"What the Prime Minister said makes sense, then please wait in the city for a day. The new imperial edict and 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 Cao Cao's expression became more and more sinister, and he was smiling at the same time. The last time Liu Xie saw this expression was when he established him as emperor and threatened him. This expression represented that Cao Cao was about to get really angry.

Cao Cao snorted and ordered Deng Ai behind him.

"Go and get the imperial edict in the hands of Dahan Diao Si."

The voice was very low, and only a few people who were close 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 walked towards him obediently.

Deng Ai took the imperial edict and handed it to Cao Cao. Cao Cao did not even look at it, but opened it directly, then put his two fingers together and pointed to the place where there should be a stamp.

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

Everyone present, including the people outside, could hear Cao Cao's words. They began to discuss, and most of the content of the discussion was that this old eunuch was really bold and dared to swap the imperial edict from the emperor to the prime minister.

This time, it was Liu Xie's expression that became more and more ugly, and Cao Cao's face showed a smug smile. These people had no ability to judge right and wrong. They only believed what they saw and heard. What they saw was that there was no seal, it was a fake imperial edict, and what they heard was Cao Cao saying that the old eunuch passed off the fake as the real one.

Now, in their hearts, it was the old eunuch who swapped the original real imperial edict with a fake one.

Cao Cao just waved his hand, and Deng Ai on the side immediately understood what Cao Cao meant. The black blade instantly passed, and the old eunuch's head, which had been lowered, could never be raised again.

Liu Xie, including the three lieutenants behind him, all looked pale. This knife was Cao Cao's way of showing off and warning Liu Xie, and 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 heinous crime must be punished by killing all nine clans. He is an old eunuch, and he must have no children. His parents should also be dead. Let's start from his father and brothers."

Cao Cao threw the imperial edict back to Liu Xie, holding his sleeves with both hands. Although he still had a smile on his face, his eyes could not hide the coldness.

Liu Xie was so angry that he trembled all over.

"I forgot to stamp it. It has nothing to do with Diao Si. There is no need to kill all nine clans."

Who knew that it was Liu Xie's words that gave Cao Cao another chance.

"If that's the case, then you've wrongly blamed Diao Si. I'm willing to compensate Diao Si with 100 taels of gold for his father and brothers. And 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 all ages, 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's really a blessing for our majesty to have such a prime minister."

"Yes, who says it's not? With a prime minister, we will definitely live a good life in the future."

"The prime minister has not thought about your majesty and helped your majesty deal with the government. He's really working hard for your majesty."

In addition to the people around, most of them were the result of the advocacy of Cao Cao's retainers who had just greeted him at the city gate. They still have a strong guiding role for these people who know nothing.

Listening to the conversations of the people around him, Liu Xie's heart was completely relieved. He knew that he had lost this battle again, and he was defeated completely. Cao Cao said that he would temporarily take over as regent on such an occasion, and the people all applauded. This meant that his greatest reliance, these people, were no longer his reliance. They might be his trump card to save his life, but they could no longer help him to restrain Cao Cao invisibly.

At this moment, an unwilling lieutenant suddenly stood up.

"Your Majesty is in his prime. You, Cao thief, just want to seize power. What high-sounding reason is this! It's bullshit. Your Majesty, you don't have to be afraid of him. We are here to protect you!"

The lieutenant raised his spear with both hands, and the blade was only a few feet away from Cao Cao. It can be said that this was the closest time Cao Cao 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 helpless. If he jumped out at this time, wouldn't he be courting death? Liu Xie 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 Cao at the last moment. Maybe his life would be better in the future. Winter is not over yet, and there is still a period of the coldest time in February. If he doesn't have enough charcoal and cotton clothes, it will be difficult for him to survive the spring cold.

Cao Cao nodded with a fake smile. Deng Ai, Xun Yu and two hundred elite soldiers followed him and began to walk into the palace. After the last person entered the palace, there was only a headless corpse lying on the street in front of the palace gate. No one dared to collect his body. No one wanted to touch this bad luck.

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

"Your Majesty, I haven't seen you for just a few hours, but it feels like I haven't seen you for a long time."

Liu Xie stopped sitting and walked down behind Cao Cao. He listened to Cao Cao's ridicule, but Liu Xie ignored it.

"Oh, by the way, Your Majesty is also good at winning people's hearts. No, it should be said that he is good at picking up rags. These 1,500 imperial guards and the three rag captains have wanted to join the original team many times. It's just that I was rejected by the generals under my command. These people are really bad. "

Cao Cao's words ignited the last bit of anger in the hearts of the three of them. The three of them stood on the opposite side of Cao Cao, and one of them directly drew his sword and pointed it at Cao Cao.

"Thief Cao, you only have 200 people, but we have 1,500 people! If we really fight, we may not lose. Your chances of losing will be greater!"

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

"Do you two think so too?"

Cao Cao pointed at the other two people. The other two captains also knew that they must not retreat at this time, so they immediately took a step forward again.

"Cao Cao, we, 1,500 people, are fighting with all our strength. You, a mere 200 people, can't stop us. Don't die in our hands when the time comes. Our lives are worthless, but in exchange for yours, the Prime Minister's life of wealth and honor." , No compensation!”

"Your lives are indeed despicable lives, and they are the despicable ones. However, if you want to exchange your fifteen hundred despicable lives for my life, then you are not worthy. So, as long as someone among you can touch me, As soon as he comes to me, I will draw my sword and kill myself. A gentleman's words are hard to catch. Hahahaha."

Cao Cao laughed wildly, and the three captains looked fierce. They stopped saying anything and immediately started to attack Cao Cao. But at the moment they launched the attack, the one who had been behind Cao Cao was holding a three-foot sword. The general with the long sword also moved, and his speed was much faster than them, and he was in front of Cao Cao in an instant.

Then he slashed out with his sword and killed one person with just one blow.

At the same time, the two hundred elite soldiers behind Cao Cao also launched a charge. The cavalry fought against the infantry, and it was Cao Cao's elite cavalry against the ordinary imperial guards. Needless to say, the result was that their only battle loss was when one of them was laughing at each other. My jaw dislocated laughing.