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

Chapter 194, Liu Xie's Terrifying Nature

This problem suddenly put Liu Bei in a dilemma. It was an unexpected situation. Cao Cao was clearly trapped, but who could have imagined that he would suddenly attack the earthen slope?

Should I take action?
At this time, no one gave Liu Bei any advice. If Liu Xie had given him an order to immediately betray Cao Cao and help him deal with Yuan Shao, Liu Bei would have certainly obeyed.

But now, Liu Bei has to make his own decisions and take charge of things!

He has not received any orders yet, so Liu Bei does not want to reveal his identity as an undercover agent.

Besides, both publicly and privately, Liu Bei did not want Yuan Shao to fall into Cao Cao's hands.

To deal with Yuan Shao, Liu Bei felt that either Liu Xie (Liu Xie) would take action, or he himself would.

But if Cao Cao were to take action, then the credit and reputation would be entirely irrelevant to Liu Bei. Even if Liu Bei made way for Cao Cao, he didn't believe Cao Cao would be grateful to him.

Liu Bei was well aware that Cao Cao had always harbored hostility towards him, so he quickly made a decision.

It's choking!

Liu Bei decisively drew his twin swords and shouted to Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, "Protect Lord Yuan! Follow me to meet the enemy!"

Guan Yu and Zhang Fei naturally followed Liu Bei's lead and immediately stood in front of Yuan Shao to protect him.

Yuan Shao was still retreating, but he had already breathed a sigh of relief. Who in the world did not know the skills of Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei? Even Lü Bu had been defeated by the three of them.

"His Majesty……"

As Yuan Shao drew closer, Chen Gong's breathing became rapid, his voice revealing a mixture of tension and excitement.

Liu Xie looked down and saw that Yuan Shao was still tens of meters away from the top, a very dangerous distance.

If Yuan Shao moves any closer, he will most likely discover them.

But Liu Xie had no intention of avoiding Yuan Shao. A cold smile appeared on his lips as he said in a low voice, "If Yuan Shao comes charging at me, he's asking for death. If he doesn't come, he can live a little longer."

Lu Bu, somewhat eager to try, excitedly said, "Your Majesty, at this distance, I can kill him with one arrow. What do you think, should we make a move?"

Although Lü Bu was Liu Xie's father-in-law, Lü Bu always showed great respect to Liu Xie.

The father-in-law always addressed the emperor's son-in-law as "您" (nin) rather than "你" (ni).

This pleased Liu Xie, indicating that Lü Bu had a very strong sense of the sanctity of imperial power deep down.

Liu Xie waved his hand, "Fengxian, whatever you do, you must be mindful of timing! Don't be reckless! Now is not the time."

Just like cooking, you need to control the heat. If you mess around and do whatever you want, you'll disrupt your plans and won't get the best results.

Cao Cao had already spotted Liu Bei and his two companions, and his eyes showed both doubt and anger.

What's puzzling is that Liu Bei, who was clearly Liu Xie's spy, didn't voluntarily make way for him.

What's infuriating is that Liu Bei, in his most wretched way, blocked his path and ruined Cao Cao's grand plan.

But the arrow had already been released, and Cao Cao could not turn back halfway for Liu Bei; he had no other choice.

Cao Cao gritted his teeth and said, "Kill!"

At this point, Cao Cao still gave Liu Bei some face and did not directly expose Liu Bei's identity.

That would be pointless; even if Cao Cao revealed that Liu Bei was Liu Xie's man, it wouldn't do him any good.

Cao Cao charged straight at Liu Bei, with Dian Wei and Xiahou Yuan following closely on either side. Yue Jin, Cao Xiu, Zhang Liao, Xu Huang, and others were also moving at a fast pace. The group was like wolves and tigers, frantically sweeping forward and killing.

Where swords and spears passed, blood and flesh splattered everywhere.

Like a pack of fearless wolves, the group charged forward, tearing at their enemies with ferocity. Even though they had been fighting for a long time and their physical strength was nearing its limit, their astonishing fighting spirit was still terrifying.

Liu Bei quickly stopped Cao Cao, and the two engaged in a fierce battle, exchanging blows.

Dian Wei faced off against Guan Yu, and the two were evenly matched, neither giving an inch.

Xiahou Yuan faced off against Zhang Fei. Due to his severe injuries, Xiahou Yuan quickly fell into a disadvantageous position. Yue Jin stepped in to help, and the two of them joined forces to deal with Zhang Fei.

Cao Cao slashed fiercely, his eyes cold and his body filled with killing intent, staring intently at Liu Bei.

Although he didn't say anything, Liu Bei could understand his meaning from Cao Cao's eyes.

It's as if Cao Cao is saying, "Damn it, get out of my way! Who the hell are you on?"

Liu Bei returned his gaze with a sneer, "You bully the Emperor and try to control everything. Don't even think about making me step aside unless His Majesty gives the order!"

Cao Cao was truly fighting, but Liu Bei was not. Liu Bei's goal was simply to block Cao Cao from passing through.

Otherwise, Cao Cao and others would be under even greater pressure.

But the road was blocked, which frustrated Cao Cao greatly. This was his only hope of turning the tide. If he couldn't break through, he would be surrounded by Zhang He's army once again.

This was not the outcome Cao Cao desired.

As the saying goes, once you make great efforts, you will be exhausted again and again.

If Liu Bei manages to stop them this time, the morale of Cao Cao's army will be severely damaged.

Cao Cao was furious and attacked without mercy, wielding his sword left and right with dazzling light, each move sharp and deadly, as if he wanted to kill Liu Bei on the spot.

It's fucking in the way!

Yuan Shao retreated a short distance, and when he was only about thirty meters from the top, he finally stopped.

Ju Shou followed and breathed a long sigh of relief. "My lord, don't worry. Liu Bei has already blocked Cao Cao. As long as we can hold out until Zhang He arrives, Cao Cao's fate is sealed, and he will surely die!"

Yuan Shao said with lingering fear, "Fortunately, Liu Bei and the other two were with me. I still admire their bravery in the battle of Hulao Pass against Lü Bu. With them around, no one can get close to me."

Because they were so close, Lü Bu overheard these words and, lying in the grass, glared angrily.

Lu Bu gestured with his fingers at Yuan Shao a few times, probably considering how to kill him if he were to make a move—should he smash his head open or pierce his heart?
Fortunately, Yuan Shao's attention was focused on Cao Cao, and Ju Shou was unaware that someone was behind him.

The darkness provided Liu Xie and his men with the best cover; no one could have imagined that there were others present.

If there were any real people out there, seeing Cao Cao in such a perilous situation, they would have already taken action; this is something any normal person would understand.

However, the relationship between Liu Xie and Cao Cao cannot be considered in the conventional way.

They have a love-hate relationship.

They seem inseparable, yet they are constantly fighting each other, each trying to suppress the other.

Liu Xie's composure far exceeded Chen Gong's expectations. Yuan Shao was so close, and Cao Cao was also attacking the earthen slope. Logically, Cao Cao could have spotted Liu Xie, but Liu Xie showed no intention of avoiding him. This was because Liu Xie believed that Cao Cao couldn't reach this point, and Yuan Shao couldn't possibly retreat here.

Standing in front of the earthen mound, Yuan Shao could look down and enjoy the battle below. Even if he retreated, he would not retreat to the top.

Because behind the top, it was pitch black and overgrown with weeds and trees.

Yuan Shao, with his noble status and years of pampered life, would never stoop to the dark top.

Even if there's no one at the top and it's pitch black, no one would want to go near it.

After a while, footsteps sounded behind Liu Xie, and Gan Ning returned.

Gan Ning excitedly said, "Your Majesty, I have carefully checked. Yuan Shao is really cunning. He tampered with the haystacks and grain stacks in the first three rows. After that, they are all real. If Cao Cao had gritted his teeth and continued to charge forward for a while at the beginning, he would have found the real grain supplies very soon."

Liu Xie laughed, "Cao Cao didn't have time to think about all that back then."

Chen Gong nodded. "Yes, Cao Cao's attack was a surprise attack, so time was of the essence. Once he discovered that the supplies ahead were fake and that there were ambushes, Cao Cao had only one thought in his mind: to break out immediately. He dared not risk going any further into the camp."

However, Liu Xie now has enough time to allow Gan Ning to lead people to carefully inspect and repeatedly confirm.

As expected, Gan Ning discovered the truth.

Chen Gong asked, "Your Majesty, do you think we should send Gan Ning with men to burn Yuan Shao's grain supplies now?"

Lu Bu, Zhao Yun, and the others were all very interested in this suggestion and curiously looked at Liu Xie.

Liu Xie glanced at the battlefield and shook his head. "Wait a little longer."

"Are we still waiting?"

Chen Gong's lips twitched. Cao Cao's men were almost gone, about 1,500 men left.

Chen Gong thought to himself, "Is His Majesty trying to kill Cao Cao?"

Although Chen Gong was now serving Liu Xie and didn't have much affection for Cao Cao, Liu Xie's actions still greatly shocked him.

With this mindset and courage alone, Chen Gong was able to regard Liu Xie and Cao Cao as equals.

After a while, Liu Xie slowly said, "Just make sure Cao Cao doesn't die."

Chen Gong looked at Liu Xie in surprise, and Liu Xie closed his eyes again.

Guo Jia always believed that Liu Xie was more benevolent and kind-hearted than Cao Cao.

Yes, Liu Xie was indeed a bit soft-hearted, but his decisiveness was still terrifying.

"Don't let Cao Cao die?"

Chen Gong repeated this sentence to himself over and over again. The information revealed by this sentence was truly terrifying.

As long as Cao Cao doesn't die, it doesn't matter how many others die or are injured.

The premise for Cao Cao's survival is that it wouldn't matter if he himself was seriously injured.

This demonstrates Liu Xie's boldness; he directly wagered all his resources on Cao Cao's few thousand men and Yuan Shao's forces, even though the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry were among the most elite troops in the land, and even though he had so many fierce generals, Liu Xie was willing to gamble everything.

Many of the soldiers involved were innocent, and Liu Xie admired many of them, but he still did it without hesitation.

As long as Cao Cao doesn't die, nothing else matters!
Although the fighting below was still intense, Chen Gong and his men held their breath.

Chen Gong looked back at the battlefield. Zhang He had already charged over and forced Cao Cao back down the earthen slope.

The encirclement was tightened once again, and the number of people around Cao Cao was visibly decreasing.

Chen Gong couldn't help but wonder, what was Liu Xie's purpose in choosing to make his move when Cao Cao was about to die?
Clearly, the first purpose was for Liu Xie to give Cao Cao an irresistible favor: saving his life!
This is very important; if we act prematurely, Liu Xie's importance will be greatly diminished.

When Liu Xie intervened when Cao Cao was on the verge of death, regardless of Liu Xie's motives, Cao Cao owed him a tremendous favor.

During the Battle of Wancheng, Liu Xie had Zhao Yun save Cao Cao once, and on that occasion, Cao Cao's situation was not very dangerous.

But this time, it was the second time Liu Xie had come to Cao Cao's rescue, and this time it was clearly of greater significance!
Liu Xie's second objective was definitely to allow Cao Cao to deplete Yuan Shao's forces as much as possible, thereby completing the plan to burn the grain supplies.

Now, Yuan Jun's attention is all on Cao Cao, and the rear camp is empty. Gan Ning can lead his men to set it on fire at any time.

Chen Gong's gaze finally fell on Yuan Shao. Clearly, Liu Xie would not let Yuan Shao go unscathed.

Therefore, Liu Xie's scheme this time is even more terrifying.

First weaken Cao Cao, then rescue Cao Cao, then burn the grain and eliminate Yuan Shao—killing four birds with one stone, and it's highly likely that all these goals will be achieved. The more Chen Gong thought about it, the more he admired him.

Chen Gong glanced at Lü Bu again, but Lü Bu was still in a daze and hadn't come to his senses for a long time.

Liu Xie's words, "Don't let Cao Cao die," deeply shocked Lü Bu.

Previously, Lü Bu thought Liu Xie was a very approachable person who was polite to everyone, willing to chat with ordinary soldiers and civilians, and even defended Cao Cao on several occasions.

But now, Liu Xie calmly watched Cao Cao being surrounded, and showed no intention of making a move.

Liu Xie didn't even keep an eye on the battlefield. He didn't care about the process or how many people died or were injured.

Liu Xie only wanted one outcome: for Cao Cao to save his life.

Is this still the same emperor who always joked around and was so approachable?
Forced back down the slope by Zhang He, Cao Cao was now in a desperate situation.

The failure of the plan to capture Yuan Shao alive severely dampened morale. As casualties mounted, the exhaustion accumulated from the fierce battles spread rapidly like a flood, affecting everyone.

"Kill them! They're in dire straits!"

Zhang He raised his arm and shouted, then thrust his spear with all his might, piercing Cao Xiu and sending him flying into the air.

Cao Xiu had already been injured in the previous fierce battle with Gao Lan, and the fact that he had managed to hold on until now meant that he was at his last gasp.

Even so, Cao Xiu did not scream. He stared at Zhang He with angry eyes.

With a thud, he fell to the ground, but Cao Xiu gritted his teeth and stood up again.

However, Zhang He spurred his horse and charged forward, and before Cao Xiu could react, his chest was pierced through.

After killing Cao Xiu, Zhang He did not hesitate at all and continued to charge forward, his spear rising and falling, sending Cao soldiers flying one after another.

Dian Wei and his men were completely bloodthirsty, desperately resisting and doing their best to protect Cao Cao. Although Yuan Shao's army was in full swing with blood and flesh flying everywhere and many falling, Cao Cao's army was also dwindling in strength.

From 1,500 men, the number gradually decreased to 1,000, and if it continued to decrease, it was only a matter of time before the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry were completely wiped out.

The battle raged on, and large swaths of the earthen slope were stained crimson with blood. The stench of blood wafted through the air, suffocating everyone present!
(End of this chapter)