Mythical Three Kingdoms

Chapter 1485: Chapter 1430: Interrogation

”Return to the palace?” Liu Xie trembled slightly as he rose from the carriage.

However, after Liu Xie got up and took a step, he steadied himself to the point where even Sima Yi suspected that he had been intimidated into an illusion by Liu Xie.

Liu Xie slowly pushed open the carriage door, then stood atop the carriage coldly staring at Cao Hong. The contrast from before was so great that even the less intelligent Cao Hong noticed something different and became a bit wary.

”Yes, Your Majesty, please return to the palace.” Cao Hong’s tone softened somewhat.

”I can return to the palace, but have Cao Sikong come to see Me!” Liu Xie said coldly. Compared to before, his voice was a bit less fluent, but only at the moment he began speaking.

Cao Hong was stunned. The formerly timid Liu Xie now dared to speak to him in such a tone, which surprised Cao Hong.

Fortunately, the news of Liu Xie’s forceful attempt to storm the palace gate had already been sent to Cao Cao by those imperial guards bribed by him. As Liu Xie spoke, another wave of dust appeared from the palace.

”Greetings, Your Majesty.” Cao Cao maintained the necessary respect for Liu Xie, bowing upon arrival. However, with his keen senses, he instantly noticed the difference in Liu Xie.

”Cao Sikong, is this how you wield military and political power?” Liu Xie made no effort to disguise his words, coldly staring at Cao Cao. Compared to Emperor Huan, Liu Xie was relatively more competent, but his timing was poor.

Cao Cao was taken aback and quickly replied, ”Please, Your Majesty, retract such words. I have never thought of, nor ever done such a thing. Please, Your Majesty, discern clearly.”

”No matter if you’ve thought of it or done it, give Me an explanation!” Liu Xie reprimanded, currently aroused with a bloodthirsty nature, showing no fear of Cao Cao. Standing atop the carriage, he looked down upon Cao Cao coldly.

In utter confusion, Cao Cao expressed that he had no idea what had happened, feeling as if Liu Xie had become a completely different person, which seemed unscientific.

”Your Majesty is concerned about the Northern Huns.” Sima Yi transmitted quietly to Cao Cao, who was shocked at the implication but realized it wasn’t the key issue. The important thing was Liu Xie’s current demeanor, which for a moment exuded an aura akin to the Emperor reigning over the world.

”Reporting to Your Majesty, we are discussing how to respond to the Northern Huns’ invasion...” Cao Cao could only temporarily set aside the issue of Liu Xie’s transformation and focus on addressing the Northern Huns instead. As for losing face in this scenario, Cao Cao didn’t really care; he simply wasn’t in the mindset of confronting the Emperor.

”Discuss? What is there to discuss? Huns invade, isn’t it a call-to-arms for the entire nation? Including you, and Me!” Liu Xie stated firmly, leaving Cao Cao speechless.

In the final stages of the Han-Hun battle, even the Chanyu joined on the front lines, and the Son of Heaven conscripted as a reservist—an absolute national war. Liu Xie’s words were not incorrect, but the issue was that while Cao Cao had no objections to war with the Northern Huns, neglecting domestic affairs entirely just for war placed enormous pressure on him.

At this moment, the Daijin hurried over, with Dong Cheng, Fuu Shou, and others fearing Cao Cao’s potential actions, hastily bringing private soldiers with them. Yet, they arrived to witness such a scene where Liu Xie’s momentum suppressed Cao Cao.

Liu Yu, witnessing this scene, was equally shocked. Despite having planned to return to Youzhou to stabilize morale upon learning of the Northern Huns’ invasion, he couldn’t understand Liu Xie’s transformation into a seemingly new person.

”Reporting to Your Majesty, Grand Commandant Liu has already dispatched generals Zhao Yun, Huang Zhong, Wei Yan, and Zang Ba, leading tens of thousands northward to annihilate the Huns. Moreover, our forces are mobilizing our soldiers, and after the summer harvest, we will also send troops northward.” Xun Yu stepped forward to speak.

To be honest, even though Xun Yu hadn’t received any intelligence from Liu Bei’s side, he already knew the outcome. If not for the Northern Huns, most of the remaining civil and military officials under Yuan Shao would defect to Cao Cao.

Unfortunately, fate was not on Cao’s side. With the Northern Huns’ arrival, righteousness and momentum sided with Liu Bei. Most of the remaining civil and military officers under Yuan Tan, unless they had deep-seated grudges against Liu Bei, would likely surrender willingly. This was the mandate of heaven.

Regarding the plan to annihilate the Huns to the north, it goes without saying: whoever stands in Liu Bei’s position would make the same choice, even at the risk of losing some strength, as dealing with the Northern Huns was simply too politically correct for this era.

Liu Xie nodded in satisfaction upon hearing this, ”The Grand Commandant and Minister of Works truly are the backbone of the Han Dynasty. This southern incursion by the Huns is the first war conducted on Han territory against them in two hundred years since Emperor Xuan of Former Han. If anyone dares to impede the front-line generals, the punishment shall be extermination of their clan!”

Having received a satisfactory response, Liu Xie didn’t stay longer and returned to the imperial palace in the carriage. However, at the moment of turning the carriage, aside from Sima Yi, who always followed Liu Xie, no one noticed that Liu Xie’s cold sweat had soaked through his back.

”Liu Xie is indeed intelligent. Before the first palace gate, he was probably stirred by the Northern Hun invasion, but by the time he passed through the second palace gate, he had already regained composure. Yet, who would have thought he’d stand firm afterward?” Sima Yi pondered silently with his head lowered.

”However, with this experience, given his intelligence, Liu Xie might discover some truths. This world still belongs to the Han Dynasty after all.” Sima Yi couldn’t help but glance eastwards, where the strongest yet foolish Feudal Lords resided.

When Cao Cao returned, he kept his head low, lost in thought. Although Liu Xie’s demeanor today was still immature, his questioning left Cao Cao unable to retort. If Liu Xie could indeed mature, Cao Cao’s thoughts began to wander.

Xun Yu had been observing Cao Cao, and upon seeing Cao Cao’s expression, he remained firm in mind yet couldn’t help but exhibit a bitter smile. Destiny did not favor Cao; the Northern Huns had arrived too coincidentally, allowing Liu Xuande to effortlessly capture Youzhou and Yuan Shao’s remaining elite!

”Never mind pondering further. The Northern Huns must be eradicated first. What the Emperor said is indeed true: since the Former Han, the Han-Hun battles occurring on our lands have been an unprecedented shame in two hundred years!” Xun Yu contemplated with a stern demeanor.

In Bingzhou Jiuyuan, Chen Gong, watching as the Faith Eagle delivered the message, was initially stunned, then revealed an ecstatic expression.

Recently, Chen Gong had been quite unsettled. With Lyu Bu stationed in the north, overpowering with brute force, he felt a loss of purpose, contemplating death.

However, after Lyu Bu’s ascent, Chen Gong found the prospect of participating in the Central Plains’ Feudal Lords war slightly disgraceful. Yet, the absence of Hun invasions in Jiuyuan left him idle, developing the people’s livelihood. Despite his decent intelligence and political strategy skills, he couldn’t surpass Hu Zhao’s excellent strategies. Yes, genuinely excellent.

With the arrival of the Faith Eagle’s message, Chen Gong suddenly realized how beautiful life was. As a strategist who could only prove his worth on the battlefield, there was nothing more fitting than confronting the Northern Huns. Without hesitation—join the battle!