My father Liu Xuande

Chapter 271 Seeking This Son-in-Law
Cao Cao, as expected of one of the best military strategists of the time, pondered for a moment and then said, "Xuande can send a top general out of Qiao County and head south along the Huo River. As long as Longkang is captured, we can reach the walls of Shouchun City directly."

“Yuan Gonglu is a fierce man but cowardly. Although he has some strategies, he is too afraid of losing his life. As long as one of his troops can reach the outskirts of Shouchun, he will lose his composure and strike the enemy halfway. In this way, the battle of Runan can avoid the fortified city and instead be fought in the open field, which can achieve twice the result with half the effort.”

As soon as Cao Cao spoke, everyone in the hall fell into deep thought.

These people naturally included Liu Feng. After thinking about it carefully, he had to admit that Cao Cao was quite capable.

Based on his understanding of Yuan Shu, he had to admit that Cao Cao's plan had many merits.

However, Liu Bei didn't need to make any special adjustments, because in the original plan, Zhang Fei was already leading one route.

"Thank you for the teachings, General. I will convey your advice to my father."

Liu Feng made a polite remark, while also taking the opportunity to flatter Cao Cao.

After all, Cao Cao was a man who cared a lot about his reputation, and he was quite similar to Liu Bei in some ways. No wonder Cao Cao regarded Liu Bei as his only rival.

"Haha, it's not that Cao is arrogant, Xuande, but you still need more experience in military strategy."

Cao Cao laughed and stroked his beard, saying, "Besides this, is Xuande's preparation sufficient? If you need to borrow troops, there's no need to be polite; just speak frankly."

Upon hearing this, Liu Feng immediately felt that Cao Cao hadn't drunk enough and was actually trying to set a trap for him.

Are Cao Cao's troops so easy to borrow?
Moreover, Liu Feng brought out a lot of secrets during this trip south, including the counterweight catapult, which was a secret that was best revealed as late as possible.

Cao Cao's request to borrow troops was clearly a pretense; his real intention was to gather intelligence.

But since you've brought this up, don't blame me for being impolite.

"If we're talking about asking for help, I do have a request."

Upon hearing Liu Feng's words, not only did Cao Cao's expression change slightly, but even the others in the hall became somewhat nervous.

Seeing this, Liu Feng sighed inwardly, "They're not so easy to fool anymore."

Cao Cao quickly tried to cover up his mistake, saying, "My dear nephew, your troops are well-trained and your supplies are plentiful. You are also under imperial orders to suppress the rebellion. I cannot think of any other shortcomings you might have."

Now that Liu Feng had spoken, there was no way he would let him back down. He sighed with a bitter face and said, "General, you may not know this, but Xuzhou suffered several crushing defeats in the past, and our military equipment was in dire need. Although my father tried his best to replenish it, it was only a drop in the ocean. I have long heard that the Qingzhou army of the General is incredibly powerful and well-equipped. Therefore, I would like to borrow a thousand sets of iron armor."

At this point, Liu Feng thoughtfully added, "I am willing to offer grain as payment, and two hundred warhorses as collateral."

During this trip to the capital, Dong Zhao mentioned that Yang Feng and Zhang Yang had helped Liu Feng acquire more than two hundred warhorses in the Sanhe region. Most of these warhorses were second-class horses, which could be used as collateral.

Cao Cao was originally considering how to politely refuse the other party. Even if he couldn't refuse, his bottom line was to lend fifty to one hundred sets of iron armor as a small assistance.

At this time, Cao Cao's army did not have many iron armors. Even though he took over the Yanzhou armory and won three great victories in field battles against Tao Qian, capturing almost half of the Xuzhou army's weapons.

In addition to the wealth accumulated by the Yellow Turban Army during their rampage across the four provinces of Qing, Yan, Xu, and Ji, Cao Cao's army only had a little over a thousand sets of iron armor.

Cao Cao later wrote in his military records: "Yuan Shao has 10,000 sets of armor, while I have 20 sets of heavy armor. Yuan Shao has 300 sets of horse armor, while I don't even have 10 sets."

Yuan Shao's "Ten Thousand Armored Soldiers" likely refers to ten thousand sets of iron armor (chainmail and lamellar armor), while Cao Cao's "Twenty Armored Soldiers" consisted of twenty sets of expensive and exquisite Mingguang armor; they are not the same thing at all.

Cao Cao was clearly being cunning here, making a ridiculous comparison.

Later, Cao Cao once gifted Cao Zhi a set of Mingguang armor. Cao Zhi even wrote a "Memorial on the Armor Bestowed by the Late Emperor" to show off this, which shows how precious Mingguang armor was. It was completely different from chainmail and lamellar armor.

Therefore, Cao Cao was able to produce quite a few iron armors (chainmail and lamellar armor) at this time.

However, this thing is also a consumable. Even if it is damaged and can be reforged, the labor cost is quite expensive.

Cao Cao only has less than two thousand sets of iron armor in total, so how could he be willing to lend more than half of them to Liu Feng?

Cao Cao instinctively felt something was amiss, not to mention the risk of Liu Feng defaulting on his debt.

But Liu Feng proposed to use grain as collateral and warhorses as collateral, which made things different.

Cao Cao swallowed back the polite refusal that was about to come out, while simultaneously giving Man Chong a meaningful look.

Upon receiving the message, Man Chong immediately stood up and asked, "At what price does Zheng Nan wish to rent the iron armor?"

"The lease term is one year. We are willing to pay one shi of millet for one jia per month. If there is a delay, the payment will be doubled for a one-month delay, and if it is less than one month, it will be calculated as one month. If there is any damage, we can compensate with one jia of twenty shi of grain at the original price."

Liu Feng was clearly prepared, and he quoted the price to the other party while counting on his fingers.

Xuzhou has no shortage of food now. If it can protect the lives and fighting strength of more veterans with armored vehicles, this deal is undoubtedly worthwhile.

Cao Cao's side was also secretly calculating in their hearts. At present, the price of millet in Luozhong has risen to six hundred coins per shi.

If we consider this price, Liu Feng's offer is clearly quite generous.

Putting everything else aside, if a complete set of armor were to be damaged, the compensation would be a whopping 12,000 coins. The purchase price of a set of armor is only 6,000 to 8,000 coins, and even if the price goes up now, it won't rise to 12,000.

After all, in chaotic times, armored vehicles no longer had the right to be freely sold and circulated; they had long been monopolized by local warlords.

If you calculate it this way, the profit margin is as high as 80% to 100%.

Most importantly, Cao Cao's situation is indeed much better this year than last year, but he is truly short of food.

Although Yanzhou is not as barren as Pengcheng, it has at least suffered serious damage. Otherwise, Cao Cao would not have entrusted the affairs of the province to Cheng Yu.

The people of Yanzhou today admire Cao Cao as much as Lü Bu was devoted to his adoptive father.

The only concern is whether the armor can be retrieved once it's lent out.

In fact, that's precisely the problem: Cao Cao and his men wanted to earn rent, but Liu Feng wanted to take their principal.

At worst, we can just compensate with more grain.
Cao Cao was also unable to make a decision for the time being, so he replied, "This matter is of great importance, my dear nephew, allow me to think it over carefully."

Liu Feng, being someone who only casts the bait even when there's no real chance, naturally had no objection to this.

If Cao Cao is willing to lend it, everyone will be happy. As for how many ironclad rafts there are, it depends on how much grain the widow Cao wants.

It doesn't matter if Cao Cao doesn't lend it. Anyway, we're not really going to fight with these armors. We can also make Cao Cao owe us a favor, since he's the one who wanted to ask if we needed any help.

If I ask and then don't help, how can I live with myself?

That evening, after the banquet ended, Liu Feng returned to his residence to rest.

Cao Cao had indeed drunk quite a bit, and he staggered as he escorted Liu Feng to the entrance of the main hall before collapsing from exhaustion.

Liu Feng naturally wouldn't accept any further farewells, so he immediately took his leave and turned to leave with Xu Chu.

After returning to the main hall, Cao Cao remained silent. Xun Yu, Cheng Yu, Cao Ang, Xiahou Dun, and others all assumed that he was pondering the conditions proposed by Liu Feng.

After all, that's what they're thinking about right now.

Unexpectedly, a moment later, Cao Cao suddenly asked, "I wish to take this young man as my son-in-law. What do you all think?"

Everyone was stunned for a moment before they realized that Cao Cao had been thinking for a long time because he wanted to recruit Liu Feng as his son-in-law.

Cao Cao had a large number of sons by now, including the famous Ang Pi and Zhang Zhi, as well as other sons such as King Cao Biao of Chu. However, he only had one daughter, who would later become Princess Qinghe.

This woman was born to Cao Ang, who was Liu, Cao Cao's concubine.

Lady Liu had two sons and one daughter. She passed away after giving birth to Prince Cao Shuo.

This Cao Shuo is Cao Cao's true second son, and also his legitimate son; he should still be alive at this time.

Cao Pi was only the third son, so it can only be said that he was really lucky.

If Cao Ang had died, and Cao Shuo had not, Cao Pi would not have been able to succeed to the throne.

Because Cao Shuo was not only the legitimate son according to etiquette, but also raised by Cao Pi's birth mother, Lady Bian, he was Cao Pi's elder brother by right. At the same time, Cao Shuo was also deeply loved by Cao Cao.

Unfortunately, both Cao Ang and Cao Shuo died, which just goes to show how lucky Cao Pi was.

Princess Qinghe's elder brother was Cao Cao's designated successor, her younger brother was also deeply favored by Cao Cao, and she herself was raised by Cao Cao's principal wife, Lady Ding, which shows how much she was loved.

It turns out that Cao Cao intended to marry Princess Qinghe to Ding Yi, who was Ding Chong's eldest son, thus strengthening ties with the Ding family.

However, Cao Pi intervened and persuaded Cao Cao to marry his sister to Xiahou Dun's son, Xiahou Mao. The reason is self-evident: the Ding brothers were staunch supporters of Cao Zhi.

As soon as Cao Pi ascended the throne, he executed the Ding brothers to establish his authority. His previous actions seemed to have been specifically done to prevent his sister from becoming a widow.

While Cao Cao and Cao Pi treasured Princess Qinghe, Liu Feng politely declined her advances. This Princess Qinghe conspired with Xiahou Mao's brothers to murder her husband, nearly killing him, all because Xiahou Mao had a strained relationship with her and had taken multiple concubines.

Fortunately, Duan Mo, the Commandant of the Changshui School at the time, spoke up for Cao Rui, which saved Xiahou Mao from disaster.

How could Liu Feng dare to have a daughter-in-law like that?

Cao Cao was truly drunk, otherwise he wouldn't have asked such a question so abruptly.

Moreover, after asking his question, he actually collapsed drunk on the table, startling all the officials.

Cao Ang quickly got up and, together with his attendants, helped Cao Cao to the rear hall to rest.

Everyone in the hall breathed a sigh of relief. However, after Cao Cao's drunken revelry, everyone in the hall seemed to have gained some insights.

Liu Feng was completely unaware of all this.

The next morning, he bathed and changed his clothes before entering the palace to meet the emperor.

The emperor's impression of Liu Feng remained as good as ever, especially when he heard that Liu Bei was going to march south to attack Yuan Shu again, Liu Xie was quite happy.

However, when Dong Zhao pleaded with the emperor to issue an edict to remove Yuan Shu from his position as Left General and also strip him of his title of Marquis of Yangdi.

Emperor Liu Xie looked hesitant. If he issued this edict, he would truly offend Yuan Shu to the death.

Just as Emperor Liu Xie hesitated, Zhong Yao advised, "Yuan Shu, relying on his family's wealth and power, has long harbored rebellious intentions and has yet to send anyone to Luozhong to pay homage to the Emperor. If the Emperor can punish him, it will both enhance the Emperor's authority and demonstrate the loyalty of his subjects."

Liu Xie's face clearly showed a hint of interest, obviously persuaded by Zhong Yao.

Seeing this situation, Liu Feng prepared to make a final decision and stepped forward to say, "Your Majesty, Yuan Shu has one more crime, a crime that is unforgivable."

"What crime?"

Emperor Liu Xie looked over in surprise and asked in confusion.

Liu Feng looked up and replied, "Yuan Gonglu has secretly possessed the Imperial Seal of the State, and his rebellious and disloyal intentions are obvious. If Your Majesty does not punish him as soon as possible, he will rebel sooner or later!"

"What!?"

Emperor Liu Xie suddenly sat up straight, his expression a mixture of surprise and panic as he looked at Liu Feng: "The Imperial Seal is on the left... with Yuan Shu?"

"Exactly!"

Liu Feng replied solemnly, "According to the information I have received, the Imperial Seal of the State was found by Sun Polu after he defeated Dong Zhuo and entered Luoyang. He searched for it during a fire. Later, the secret was leaked to Yuan Shu, who then used Sun Polu's wife and children as hostages to force Sun Polu to hand over the Imperial Seal of the State to him."

Finally, Liu Feng added, "As far as I know, the Imperial Seal of the State has been in Yuan Shu's hands for six years now."

The emperor's face showed excitement, but he forced himself to remain calm.

Just then, a memorial from General Cao Cao was delivered.

Emperor Liu Xie hurriedly read it. Cao Cao also supported Liu Bei's campaign to march south and attack Yuan Shu in his memorial.

Liu Xie recalled the news that Zhong Yao had brought to the palace the previous night: Liu Bei was even willing to support the court in levying taxes on Hebei.

After much hesitation, Liu Xie finally made up his mind and granted Liu Bei and Liu Feng's request.

With Emperor Liu Xie's permission, Zhong Yao immediately drafted the edict.

Liu Feng was overjoyed, but outwardly he respectfully addressed Emperor Liu Xie, saying, "I have already sent someone to Shouchun to order Yuan Shu to hand over the Imperial Seal as soon as possible and enter Luozhong to personally plead guilty to Your Majesty. If he still has any loyalty left in his heart, he will certainly not refuse. If he still dares to refuse, then there is no need to persuade him with kind words."

"good!"

The emperor was deeply moved. Liu Feng's restraint and respect for the emperor touched and pleased Liu Xie greatly.

So Emperor Liu Xie said to Zhong Yao, "My dear minister, you may add a sentence to the edict, ordering General Liu to oversee all affairs of the three southeastern provinces, and that all officials from the governors down may make their own decisions."

Liu Feng immediately kowtowed to express his gratitude for the emperor's grace.

Even without the title of "Son of Heaven," Liu Bei was still able to decide all matters in the three southeastern provinces.

Adding this sentence would make it seem like an intervention by imperial decree, and even if they directly took down Liu Yao, the governor of Yangzhou, it wouldn't cause any ripples.

It is clear that the emperor was genuinely moved.

Liu Feng pressed his advantage, saying, "Your Majesty, please remain seated in Luozhong. Whether it takes a year or several years, as long as the Imperial Seal is truly in Yuan Shu's hands, your humble servant and I will certainly return it intact to Your Majesty."

Liu Xie was overjoyed and nodded repeatedly, "Good, good! Excellent!"

It's no wonder Liu Xiehui was so excited; in reality, his imperial throne was not very prestigious.

Leaving aside the fact that his father, Emperor Ling, caused widespread anger and resentment, the true heir to the throne was actually his elder brother, Liu Bian.

Liu Bian was the true son of the Empress and the Crown Prince. His two maternal uncles were appointed as General-in-Chief and General of Chariots and Cavalry, respectively. His status and the process of his rise to power were flawless.

Liu Xie ascended the throne only after Liu Bian was deposed by Dong Zhuo, who was universally recognized as a treacherous minister who brought disaster to the country and its people. This shows how low the value of Liu Xie's throne was.

If Emperor Ling hadn't only had these two sons, Liu Bian would have been poisoned to death by Dong Zhuo's order.

If Liu Bian were still alive, given Wang Yun's reckless actions after succeeding, Liu Xie might have been forced to abdicate.

It was precisely because Liu Xie's legitimacy was relatively low and his legitimacy was not high that Yuan Shao considered replacing him with Liu Yu as emperor in Hebei.

Yuan Shu felt that destiny was on his side, and that the road to Dangtu was high.

If Liu Bei can retrieve the Imperial Seal, it will be a huge boon for Liu Xie, undoubtedly showing that Heaven is still favoring him.

Otherwise, why would the Imperial Seal, which had been missing for several years, be found during Liu Xie's reign?

However, this statement can be viewed from two sides. After all, if they were to actually retrieve the Imperial Seal during this campaign against Yuan Shu in the south...

The person who retrieved the Imperial Seal of the State also happened to be surnamed Liu.

At this moment, Liu Xie was far from thinking about this. He was filled with goodwill towards Liu Bei and Liu Feng. It was just a pity that he was still very poor. Otherwise, he would have really rewarded Liu Feng with some good things to show his leniency.

After receiving the imperial edict from the emperor dismissing Yuan Shu from all his official posts and titles, Liu Feng received another piece of good news.

Cao Cao was willing to lend five hundred sets of iron armor at the same price as Liu Feng, but Liu Feng would still need to pledge two hundred warhorses to the other party.

Liu Feng didn't care about this. Even if he took the two hundred horses back, they might not be of much use. If he gave them to Cao Cao, they would be eating Cao Cao's food anyway, so why not?

So Liu Feng immediately agreed.

Cao Cao directly took 500 sets of iron armor from the army in Luozhong and gave them to Liu Feng. Liu Feng then gave him 200 warhorses and left Luozhong with the imperial edict, the iron armor, and the remaining 40-odd warhorses.

Before leaving, I stopped by Gongxian County and had a meal with Yang Feng and Han Xian to maintain our friendship before continuing south to return to Xiangxian County.

Liu Feng left in such a hurry not only because he had obtained everything, but also for another reason.

That is the State of Chen.

When Liu Feng went to Cao Cao's banquet in Luozhong, he was quite worried that Cao Cao would bring up the matter of the State of Chen.

Although Liu Feng had prepared an excuse to at least delay until the end of the year, Cao Cao did not bring it up, perhaps because his recent conflict with Yuan Shao had taken up too much of his energy and attention.

Yuan Shao was under so much pressure that even though Cao Cao verbally looked down on him, his actions betrayed his true intentions.

However, from Cao Cao's perspective, the State of Chen was also a hot potato.

Now the State of Chen has begun to supply grain to the imperial court, although it is done through Liu Bei, who is the governor of Yu Province, so this is perfectly reasonable.

If Cao Cao wanted to occupy the State of Chen, the best way would actually be to win over King Liu Chong and Chancellor Luo Jun; forcibly replacing them would be the worst possible strategy.

Because Liu Chong and Luo Jun had too much prestige in the State of Chen.

He could either follow Yuan Shu's example and have Liu Chong and Luo Jun assassinated, leaving the Chen state leaderless, allowing him to seize control of the situation.

However, Liu Bei is currently maintaining a good relationship with Liu Chong and Luo Jun, so Cao Cao can no longer use underhanded tactics.

Therefore, Cao Cao might also be troubled by this matter.

Now that everyone is financially secure, many things will have to be negotiated.

(End of this chapter)