With Cao Cao by my side, what do I have to fear from the world?

Chapter 153, Lü Bu intercepts Yuan Shu

The secret room has everything you need for food, clothing and daily necessities, so you don't have to worry about anything. If you are missing anything, there is a secret passage connecting to the outside, so you can get replenished at any time!
Like Jia Xu, if he got tired of staying inside, he could take some time to wander around and roam freely in the underground of Xudu.

If one day the secret passage leading to the Sikong Mansion is finally dug, perhaps Jia Xu will be passing under Cao Cao's bed when Cao Cao kills someone in his dream.

Liu Xie drank quite a bit tonight. After the wedding banquet ended, accompanied by Zhao Yun and Wang Yue, Liu Xie went to Wenxiu Palace.

Cao Ying, dressed in a magnificent brocade gown, sat on the edge of the bed with her hands clasped together.

Beneath the veil, she was dignified and beautiful, with unparalleled elegance, comparable to a celestial being. Yet, beneath her exquisite makeup, a restless heart could not be concealed.

Hearing footsteps approaching, Cao Ying's heart immediately started pounding.

Liu Xie stepped over and helped her lift the red veil from her head.

Cao Ying blushed shyly, her face flushed, and dared not look at Liu Xie. Under the lamplight, the beauty appeared even more radiant and captivating.

Cao Ying looks beautiful tonight, but she's also very nervous.

She seemed to be standing at a crossroads in her life. She was the Princess of Qinghe, the eldest daughter of the warlord Cao Cao, but after tonight, she would belong only to the emperor and become his woman.

Liu Xie smiled and gently comforted him, "Don't be so nervous, I won't eat people."

There was wine on the table. Liu Xie went over, poured two glasses, and handed one to Cao Ying.

To ease the tension, Liu Xie asked, "Do you know why women wear red veils on their wedding night?"

Cao Ying shook her head, blushing, and replied, "Your Majesty, I do not know."

Liu Xie chuckled softly, “The history of the veil is long and rich. Legend has it that it existed when Hongmeng was born. At the beginning of the world, there were only Nuwa and her brother on this earth. In order to reproduce, the two siblings decided to get married. However, since they were siblings, it was inevitably awkward. So they came up with a solution.”

"On her wedding day, Nuwa picked grass to make a fan and covered her face. This was the earliest form of the veil. At that time, there were no clothes or knitting, so grass could be used instead. From then on, it was passed down from generation to generation and gradually evolved into the red veil. Red represents joy and also brings good fortune and wards off evil."

Liu Xie's soft voice and humorous manner gradually calmed Cao Ying down.

"Your Majesty, my brother has already told me that Father..."

Cao Ying had barely spoken, about to apologize on behalf of her father, when Liu Xie stopped her with his hand, saying, "There's no need to say anything more. It's all in the past. From now on, I and Lord Cao are family!"

Liu Xie's tone was firm and powerful. Cao Ying looked at Liu Xie with deep affection, her eyes reddening, and nodded obediently.

"No one is perfect, and everyone makes mistakes. Cao Cao has done so much for the Han Dynasty, and he was only tempted for a moment. It's nothing. I believe that Cao Cao will be able to sincerely repent and be loyal to me in the future!"

Cao Cao was clearly wrong, but Liu Xie repeatedly spoke up for him, which moved Cao Ying deeply.

Liu Xie not only cultivated the image of a loyal minister of Cao Cao in the hearts of the people, but also in the hearts of his children.

Even if Cao Cao wanted to usurp the throne in the future, the pressure he would face would be beyond imagination.

If the people approve of you, the ministers approve of you, and your children approve of you, and everyone regards you as a loyal subject, then it won't be easy for you to rebel.

Princess Qinghe did not drink alcohol, but she still mustered up the courage to drink the nuptial wine between the two of them.

Liu Xie smiled. "Do you know what kind of wine this is?"

Cao Ying blushed, her lips moistened by the wine, looking luscious and tempting. She gently shook her head.

Liu Xie said, "This is strong-fragrant liquor, the imperial wine personally selected by Emperor Guangwu. Emperor Guangwu drank it when he was in Hebei to punish Wang Chang. It is also said to be the wedding wine that Emperor Guangwu drank when he married Empress Guo!"

Liu Xie spoke eloquently, indicating he had some knowledge of Emperor Guangwu, Liu Xiu. "Emperor Guangwu even composed a poem to praise this wine."

We enjoy a sumptuous feast in this fine land, and with the help of outstanding men, we can revitalize our Han dynasty.
Fine wine aids me, and my ambition will be fulfilled forever.

I swear by this generous reward; may Heaven bear witness.

Cao Ying listened with rapt attention, somewhat mesmerized, and couldn't help but say, "Your Majesty will surely be able to restore the land and restore the Han Dynasty in the future!"

Emperor Guangwu (Liu Xiu) faced numerous hardships but ultimately achieved a remarkable turnaround. Although Liu Xie was the emperor, he was merely a figurehead, and the path he took was no less difficult than that of Liu Xiu.

The most crucial step in turning the tide is to control Cao Cao. As long as Cao Cao sincerely assists him, everything will be fine.

Next, naturally, we reached a certain point, and that night, for reasons unknown, it was incredibly crazy.

Was it because Liu Xie had been drinking?

Or is it because Cao Ying was Cao Cao's daughter?

In short, Liu Xie acted like a real man!
Since the court cannot be restored for the time being, let's restore the husband's authority first!

…………

On a small road leading to Xuzhou, several thousand soldiers were slowly marching. Their helmets were askew, their armor was askew, they didn't even have flags, and their ranks were disorganized, like a group of refugees fleeing a disaster.

This group of people was none other than Yuan Shu and his entourage. Their armor, which once shone with the light of glory, was now covered in dust and weariness.

Their faces, once brimming with ambition, are now etched with helplessness and the vicissitudes of life.

Yuan Shu rode on horseback, his body swaying back and forth with his mount. The beaded curtain of his crown kept hitting his face. Yuan Shu simply took off the crown and threw it to the attendant next to him, revealing a haggard and emaciated face.

Over the years, whether in Nanyang or Shouchun, Yuan Shu indulged in extravagance and debauchery, levied exorbitant taxes, and only knew how to crave pleasure. His body had long been hollowed out by lust.

He was originally traveling in a carriage, but a few days ago there was a heavy rain and a landslide occurred on a section of the mountain road. Fortunately, Yuan Shu managed to get out of the carriage in time, otherwise he would have fallen off the cliff with the carriage.

Yuan Shu hung his head, listless and extremely depressed.

The soldiers behind him also sighed and groaned, and a deathly resentment hung over the ranks.

Yuan Shu once enjoyed great power, but now he is no better off than a refugee.

"Alas, when will we be able to find a place to stay? My mouth is dry and I am parched with hunger and thirst," Yuan Shu sighed weakly after walking for a while.

Ji Ling hurriedly advised, "My lord, Xuzhou is now under Cao Cao's jurisdiction and is guarded by the great general Che Zhou. We dare not take the main road on this journey. If we seek out a town inn, we will inevitably reveal our whereabouts."

"Also, my lord, shouldn't you change the way you address me?"

The implication was clear: you're no longer the emperor, is it appropriate to keep calling yourself "I" all the time? Yuan Shu sighed helplessly, "So be it, a tiger fallen into the plains, times have changed."

Seeing Yuan Shu's unbearable thirst, Ji Ling felt very sad. Yuan Shu had been the chief grain officer of the eighteen warlords and had also been an emperor. He was the legitimate son of the prestigious Yuan family, which had produced four generations of high-ranking officials, and was respected by thousands of people. Yet he had fallen to such a state.

The team could only travel through desolate wilderness, and even basic needs like food and water could not be met.

After much difficulty, they managed to find some water for Yuan Shu from a roadside ditch. Yuan Shu reluctantly drank two mouthfuls, but immediately frowned in disgust and spat the water out.

"What is this? It smells like earth. I used to drink honey water every day when I was in the palace."

Whoosh!
Suddenly, a white light flashed by. Before Ji Ling could react, Yuan Shu's warhorse was struck in the neck with a thud. The warhorse let out a desperate neigh and crashed to the ground.

"what!"

Yuan Shu fell to the ground, cried out in pain, and instinctively hid behind Ji Ling, his face turning deathly pale with fright.

Yuan Shu's soldiers panicked and looked around blankly, not knowing which direction the arrow was coming from.

Whoosh!
Another arrow came flying, and one of Yuan Shu's guards fell down without warning, his neck pierced by the arrow.

Ji Ling finally realized where the arrow had come from and hurriedly shouted, "There's an ambush to the east! Prepare to engage!"

The soldiers raised their swords and spears, crouched down warily, and looked fearfully into the woods to the east.

A sudden silence fell over the surroundings, and no one dared to shout. After a long while, the sound of horses' hooves finally reached everyone's ears.

A man rode out of the woods on horseback. He was alone and not moving very fast, but when Ji Ling and Yuan Shu saw his face, they both stared in horror.

"It's Lu Bu!"

Yuan Shu's heart suddenly stopped beating!
He simply couldn't believe that Lü Bu would appear here.
Lu Bu, mounted on his horse and wielding a halberd, was clad in golden armor that shone brilliantly. His imposing aura seemed to place him above all others.

Every step closer carried an astonishing sense of oppression, making one afraid to meet his gaze, as if being watched by the Grim Reaper.

The grove behind Lü Bu remained silent. Neither Yuan Shu nor Ji Ling believed that Lü Bu was alone; perhaps an ambush had already been hidden there.

Yuan Shu was plunged into deep despair. Lü Bu alone had almost made him give up all hope of escaping. If there were any more ambushes, he would surely die.

A person’s name is like a tree’s shadow!
Lu Bu rode in on horseback, taking in the fearful expressions on Yuan Shu's and the others' faces. Lu Bu enjoyed this moment.

Lu Bu had been feeling stifled for more than half a year, and this long-lost feeling was so intoxicating that he wished time could stand still at this moment.

"Lu Bu, how...did you get here?" Yuan Shu asked, trembling all over.

As he spoke, he backed away, afraid that Lü Bu might suddenly rush up.

Lu Bu glanced at him disdainfully and sneered, "Yuan Shu, you usurped the throne and committed an unforgivable crime. His Majesty has specifically sent me to take your life!"

Lu Bu glanced at the others again. Yuan Shu had brought only about three thousand soldiers, and there were quite a few women among them.

Yuan Shu's son, Yuan Yao, rode over on horseback. This was the first time Lü Bu had seen his son-in-law; he should be called his "former son-in-law."

Yuan Yao was also terrified and begged for mercy, saying, "General Lü, I hope you can show leniency and forgive us. My father and I are willing to give you all the treasures we have with us."

Lu Bu shook his head and refused, saying, "His Majesty has decreed that the entire family of the traitor Yuan Shu must not be spared and must be exterminated!"

As Lü Bu spoke, he grew impatient. With a flick of his wrist, Red Hare let out a long neigh and charged forward. Just as it was about to reach Yuan Shu, Ji Ling hurriedly stepped forward to block Lü Bu's path.

"Lu Bu, cease your arrogance! Ji Ling is here!"

Ji Ling held his sword horizontally, blocking Lü Bu. In the past, perhaps Lü Bu would have given Ji Ling a second glance.

But now, Lü Bu wants to prove himself and reclaim all the glory he lost in the past.

Lu Bu's eyes flashed with cold light as he raised his halberd high and brought it down on Ji Ling. Ji Ling only felt a black shadow flash past her eyes, which suddenly magnified in her pupils. Instinctively, Ji Ling raised her sword to block it.

With a clang, the two men's weapons clashed in mid-air, producing a dull thud.

Lu Bu, with his powerful and fierce manner, didn't even raise an eyelid, coldly staring at Ji Ling. Ji Ling, on the other hand, exerted force with both hands, and the veins on her arms and forehead bulged.

With a furious roar, Lü Bu deflected Ji Ling's broadsword and raised his halberd once more.

Lu Bu's gaze was sharp, and his attacks were extremely fierce and powerful. Ji Ling barely managed to block a few blows, and the impact made his hands go numb, as if he had been struck by lightning. Every exchange filled him with despair.

After several rounds of fighting, Lü Bu grew stronger with each battle, and with his last halberd, he pierced Ji Ling's heart.

Ji Ling, his face filled with terror, collapsed from his horse in front of Lü Bu and lost his life in the blink of an eye.

Lu Bu raised his blood-dripping halberd, coldly surveying his surroundings with an air of arrogance, his gaze seemingly announcing the return of the God of War!
Yuan Shu was so frightened that he wet his pants. He scrambled backward, shouting as he fled, "Stop him! Block Lü Bu!"

Lu Bu glanced disdainfully at the terrified Yuan soldiers and gave a cold snort.

He then loudly questioned, "How do you people compare to Ji Ling?"

Ji Ling was known as the fiercest general under Yuan Shu, but he couldn't even last ten rounds against Lü Bu.

Lu Bu was a man among men, and his reputation was well-deserved. Who would be willing to die with Yuan Shu?
Suddenly, shouts of men and neighing of horses came from the nearby woods, along with the sound of warhorses galloping. In no time, dust billowed up in the woods, creating a cloud of war dust.

Lu Xun was directing his three hundred men to gallop wildly through the woods, creating a diversion to bolster Lü Bu's morale.

This frightened most of Yuan Shu's soldiers, who dared not attack Lü Bu. Only a few hundred of his loyal guards managed to gather around Yuan Shu and his son.

Lu Bu glanced at these people with disdain and shouted, "You stubborn fools, today I will let you taste the power of my Fangtian Halberd!"

Grasping his halberd, Lü Bu charged boldly into the crowd, wildly swinging his weapon at the Yuan soldiers blocking his way. Lü Bu, riding his horse, was awe-inspiring and unstoppable; man, horse, and halberd seemed to become one, making him appear even more wild and untamed.

Under his unbridled attacks, Yuan's soldiers could not withstand him. Many tried their best to escape his killing range, but to no avail.

Lu Bu was incredibly agile, striking one enemy at a time, unstoppable in his path. His halberd was like a divine weapon; with each strike, heads fell to the ground, blood splattering everywhere. The bloody scene was gruesome, the atmosphere extremely tense.

(End of this chapter)