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

Chapter 280, You Be the Vanguard
Liu Xie nodded and said with emotion, "Back when Cao Cao was still the Northern Commandant of Luoyang, he beat Jian Shuo's uncle with a five-colored stick. Later, when he became the Chancellor of Jinan, he was still strict in his administration and never flattered his superiors. Anyone who dared to violate the law was not spared. Judging from this, Xue Ti may not necessarily welcome us."

Sima Yi said cautiously, "When Your Majesty arrives, everyone who passes by will line the streets to welcome you. Even if Xue Ti has the greatest courage, he would not dare to turn Your Majesty away."

Ju Shou laughed and said, "Your Majesty, even if Xue Ti wanted to do this, he has Zhang Liao by his side, and Zhang Liao might not necessarily comply."

Liu Xie nodded. He had always had a good impression of Zhang Liao, but due to unforeseen circumstances, he had not been able to bring Zhang Liao under his wing.

When Hua Xin arrived in Ji County, he met Xue Ti and truthfully explained the situation, instructing Xue Ti to prepare for receiving the emperor.

Xue Ti did not make things difficult for Hua Xin and readily agreed. He even warmly invited Hua Xin to stay in the city as a guest, but Hua Xin politely declined and hurriedly returned to report.

No sooner had Hua Xin left than Zhang Liao urged anxiously, "His Majesty will be arriving soon, we must hurry and prepare."

Zhang Liao's eyes lit up as he spoke, eager to get to work immediately, to sprinkle water on the streets and gather all the officials, big and small.

Li Dian glared at him, his face showing displeasure. "Zhang Liao, you've been far too reckless. Didn't I tell you? We can't repeat Che Zhou's mistakes. If we really lose Youzhou, how will we face the Prime Minister?"

Xue Ti stroked his beard in deep thought, his shrewd eyes darting back and forth several times. Suddenly, he stopped, his eyes lighting up. "I've got it!"

Li Dian and Zhang Liao hurriedly looked at him, and Li Dian asked, "What's the plan?"

Xue Ti said confidently, "We cannot avoid the matter of receiving the emperor, otherwise it would be considered insubordination and disrespect to the monarch. But we must not allow His Majesty to lead troops into the city."

When Liu Xie led his army to the city, tents had already been set up outside the city, row upon row, in an orderly and magnificent manner.

Xue Ti personally directed the construction of the resting camp with remarkable efficiency. Upon seeing the emperor arrive with his troops, Xue Ti hurriedly came to greet him.

Not only did Xue Ti arrive, but local civil and military officials were also summoned early to await his arrival.

"Your Majesty, I, Xue Ti, Chief Secretary to the Chancellor, along with all the civil and military officials of the city, pay our respects!"

Xue Ti took the lead in bowing, and dozens of civil and military officials followed suit.

"We pay our respects to Your Majesty!"

Liu Xie calmly waved his hand and stepped towards Xue Ti, saying, "My dear ministers, please rise."

After Xue Ti stood up, he pointed to the tents and said, "When I learned that Your Majesty's army was coming, I ordered people to hurry up and finish the work. Now all the tents have been set up, enough for 40,000 troops."

Liu Xie couldn't help but express his admiration that the matter was resolved in such a short time.

Ju Shou stood behind Liu Xie, quietly watching Xue Ti. After a while, Ju Shou understood.

Liu Xie waved to the soldiers behind him, "You must be tired from the journey. You should go to the camp to rest first."

Zhang He immediately began to direct the work, settling the people on the spot.

Xue Ti led the way and enthusiastically introduced the camp outside the city.

Ju Shou seized an opportunity to sidle up to Liu Xie and whispered, "Your Majesty, Xue Ti set up the camp for us ahead of time. This means he doesn't intend to give the troops an excuse to enter the city. It seems like he's well-prepared, but in reality, he's guarding against us!"

Xue Ti was indeed very hospitable; in just a short while, he brought in a lot more grain and fodder from the city.

Xue Ti generously provided support in terms of food and daily necessities.

As Liu Xie casually surveyed the area outside the city, he secretly pondered that Xue Ti was indeed very clever. Knowing that he had brought 40,000 soldiers, he had prepared camps for 40,000 men in advance, and now he had even provided food.

Under these circumstances, Liu Xie had no reason to lead his troops into the city.

You can't even find fault with Xue Ti, because he has already done a very good job.

As for Liu Xie's intention to enter the city, Xue Ti never considered stopping him.

The emperor wanted to enter the city, and no one had any reason to stop him.

Che Zhou was tricked out of the city, then beaten up, and only then did he hand over Xuzhou.

Xue Ti took this as a lesson and did everything he was supposed to do perfectly. As long as the emperor didn't find fault with him, Youzhou would be safe and sound.

After strolling around outside the city, Xue Ti smiled and invited, "I know Your Majesty cares for the people and does not want to trouble them or waste resources, so I have temporarily vacated the governor's mansion to serve as Your Majesty's temporary residence. If Your Majesty is tired, you may come into the city to rest at any time."

Liu Xie nodded, leaving Lü Bu and Zhang He to guard outside the city, while he entered the city with only Zhao Yun and a few dozen others.

Hua Xin was filled with unease and was thinking of reminding the emperor, but Liu Xie remained calm and composed.

If anyone should be worried, it should be Xue Ti who was anxious, fearing that the emperor would seize Youzhou from Cao Cao.

Even if Xue Ti had ten times the courage, he wouldn't dare to be disrespectful to the emperor.

After successfully settling into the governor's mansion, Xue Ti left some servants to attend to him and symbolically dispatched several dozen guards to guard the perimeter.

After Xue Ti had settled everything, he said to Liu Xie, "If Your Majesty needs anything, or feels that anything has been neglected, please feel free to give the order."

Liu Xie waved his hand at him, "Minister Xue, you have done very well. Go and rest now."

"Wei Chen retire."

Xue Ti bowed respectfully again and then left.

After he left, Ju Shou said, "Your Majesty, Xue Ti has considered everything in detail. He is so meticulous that no one can find any fault with him."

“Yes, Cao Cao has always been exceptional in his use of people. Xue Ti prepared tents and provisions for the soldiers outside the city. Even if I brought a large number of troops, I could only leave them outside the city. Look at the governor’s mansion; there are only a few dozen guards on the outer perimeter, just so that I wouldn’t have any suspicions about him.”

Chen Gong nodded and said, "Yes, it's really impeccable. If too many people are sent, it will seem hostile. We have 40,000 troops outside the city, so there's no need for the governor to send a large number of troops to guard the governor's mansion."

“But then we’ll have no way to deal with him.” Chen Gong then sighed again.

Although Liu Xie's military expedition was ostensibly to attack the Wuhuan, his more important objective was to take over Youzhou.

Ju Shou stood up and paced back and forth in the room a few steps. Liu Xie did not mind his subject doing so.

Unlike Yuan Shao, he didn't flaunt his wealth or enjoy putting on a lot of empty gestures.

Liu Xie was more practical; as long as the people around him were capable, could use their strengths, and could help solve problems, that was enough.

Sima Yi was also seriously considering this issue. Since being imprisoned for ten days, Sima Yi had become more cautious in his actions, and he had even almost lost the ability to laugh.

Feigning illness to deceive others—that one time playing with fire taught Sima Yi a lesson he would never forget. How could he possibly laugh now? He was only thinking about performing well and making sure he didn't make another mistake. After a while, Ju Shou stopped and said, "Your Majesty, I do have a plan that might be worth a try."

"Speak directly if you have anything to say."

"Your Majesty, since we can't find any fault with him and don't know where to start, why don't we do the opposite? Your Majesty should simply praise Xue Ti well and then directly order him to lead the army as the vanguard!"

Liu Xie immediately nodded in agreement, "Excellent, this plan is brilliant, let's go with it!"

Liu Xie temporarily settled in Ji County and made some visits around the area. He praised Xue Ti's political achievements highly, but no matter how much he praised him, Liu Xie stuck to his bottom line and did not appoint him as the governor of Youzhou.

Because the governor of Youzhou had to be one of Liu Xie's own people.

After a brief three-day rest, on this day, Liu Xie summoned Xue Ti and the other two and announced the matter to them in person. "Minister Xue, I have lived in Xuchang for a long time and am not very familiar with the situation of the Wuhuan. But those who are not of our race will surely have different hearts. You are obviously more familiar with the border affairs than I am. Therefore, I have decided that you will be the vanguard officer and lead your troops to attack the Wuhuan tomorrow!"

"..."

Xue Ti never dreamed that the emperor would pull this stunt.

He always believed that since he was Cao Cao's man, the emperor would not give him any orders.

Not only was Xue Ti stunned, but Li Dian was also somewhat bewildered. He puffed out his cheeks, really wanting to refute him to his face, thinking to himself, "Your Majesty, didn't you come with 40,000 men?"

Seeing that Xue Ti was still hesitating and had not responded for a long time, Chen Gong urged, "Xue Ti, didn't you hear me clearly? His Majesty has appointed you as the vanguard commander, and we will start an army tomorrow to attack the Wuhuan!"

Xue Ti mustered his courage and looked up at the emperor.

Liu Xie, with an extremely amiable expression, asked with a smile, "Minister Xue, is there a problem?"

"But Your Majesty, if I lead the troops away, what will happen to the affairs of Youzhou?"

Liu Xie shook his head. "My dear minister, the most important matter in Youzhou right now is to quell the threat of the Wuhuan. As for other matters, we can leave them to others for the time being."

Chen Gong interjected at the opportune moment, "Take Zhang He for example. He is now the governor of Qingzhou. After receiving the order, he immediately led his troops to provide support. Youzhou has already been pacified. Surely Chief Clerk Xue wouldn't be unable to spare the time?"

Sima Yi added, "The Emperor has spoken, and his subjects must obey without hesitation. Even Prime Minister Cao is no exception. Surely Chief Secretary Xue wouldn't want His Majesty to retract his decree?"

Xue Ti was so nervous that cold sweat beaded on his forehead. With no other choice, he could only bow and say, "Your subject obeys!"

Li Dian was so angry that he gritted his teeth, and his fists were so clenched that the veins bulged.

But when he looked up, he found Zhao Yun staring at him with an unfriendly gaze, Zhao Yun's right hand already on the hilt of his sword.

Zhang Liao did not react so strongly; he did not resist the emperor's orders.

Having served Cao Cao for so long, Zhang Liao has always been conflicted. He feels empty inside, even though he is only working for Cao Cao.

This time it was the emperor's order, and Zhang Liao couldn't help but feel excited. He finally had the opportunity to serve the emperor.

The next day, Xue Ti reluctantly led five thousand men away from Ji County. Liu Xie personally saw him off, and before his departure, Liu Xie even ordered people to prepare a farewell feast.

Liu Xie raised a bowl of wine first, looked around at everyone, and said loudly: "Soldiers, I am straightforward and do not speak unnecessary words. I believe that under the leadership of Chief Secretary Xue, you will all fight bravely against the enemy. I am waiting for your good news in Ji County."

After saying this, Liu Xie drank the wine in one gulp. These Cao soldiers, not understanding the intrigue behind it, excitedly shouted and followed suit, drinking the wine as well.

Xue Ti was heartbroken. Now, the emperor had turned the tables and was stationed in Ji County, while he himself had to lead his troops to fight to the death.

What is this thing called?
Xue Ti had a perfectly good plan: he would entertain the emperor well when he arrived, and then he would just hope they would leave as soon as possible, because once they left, it would be none of his business.

But now, the emperor isn't leaving; it's me who's gone.

Xue Ti was completely unprepared for the attack on the Wuhuan; he knew very little about them.

As soon as the team left Lulong, facing the winding and difficult mountain road, Xue Ti experienced a deep sense of despair.

The Lulong Tournament was almost abandoned. After the team left the Lulong Tournament, all they could see was a vast expanse of deep mountains, and the mountain roads were completely deserted.

The group felt as if they had entered a wild jungle, stumbling along, sometimes walking and sometimes crawling.

Xue Ti was caught off guard, and his soldiers suffered as a result. Xue Ti could only clear the roads while marching, while Hua Xin took charge of logistics and delivered supplies to them in a timely manner.

Upon returning and meeting the emperor, Hua Xin reported truthfully, "Your Majesty, Xue Ti and his troops are facing great difficulties on their march, suffering severe casualties, and many soldiers are unable to cope."

Liu Xie remained calm, simply nodding slightly. "I understand. You may leave."

When Cao Cao launched his northern expedition against the Wuhuan, he had to build roads and march with great difficulty, enduring many hardships. Even Guo Jia contracted a serious illness on this journey and died young.

Xue Ti was just a thin and weak civil official, so he naturally couldn't bear this hardship.

The journey from Lulongsai to Pinggang took Xue Ti a full month. He lost more than ten kilograms and fell ill.

But this was far from over. In Pinggang, they encountered a group of Xianbei people and a fierce battle broke out. Although they won, they suffered hundreds of casualties.

After a long journey and fierce battles, the team had already lost a thousand men before even reaching White Wolf Mountain.

One day, a herdsman came to the camp of Tadun, the leader of the Wuhuan.

Tadun was as burly as a bear, with a slightly brownish complexion, a full beard, and a fierce appearance that inspired fear.

Looking down at the herdsman, Tadun roared, "Who are you?"

"Reporting to the chief, my name is Wutu. I have something important to report to you. I have discovered a large number of Han soldiers heading towards Bailang Mountain. They are probably here to deal with you."

"What? You've discovered a Han Chinese army?"

Tadun was startled and suddenly stood up, his eyes wide open, radiating a terrifying murderous aura.

Tadun hurriedly sent people to inquire about the situation, and soon the news came that a Han army had indeed arrived.

"Chief, they only number a few thousand. Why don't we completely surround them and wipe them out in one fell swoop?"

The strategist, Quesang, chuckled, a cunning glint in his eyes.

(End of this chapter)