Mythical Three Kingdoms

Chapter 1516: Chapter 1459: A Place of Right and Wrong

In Chang’an, Qu Qi, who was lying on a bamboo mat fiddling with seeds, also received a large pile of reports about the northern situation. Of course, Qu Qi was able to receive these because after the summer harvest, he could come and go freely in Chang’an, even in the Grand Inner Palace, where few could stop him if he wanted to sneak in.

Naturally, Qu Qi, who had given up any pretense of dignity, snuck into the court sessions without anyone particularly stopping him. Usually, when he squeezed into the back row, those in the know would discreetly make room for him to sit there.

After the summer harvest, the huge disparity in tax revenue was so obvious that even if Liu Xie paid little attention to public welfare, he knew this level of tax revenue was abnormal.

After an outburst, Liu Xie’s scope of activities expanded significantly, allowing him to quickly learn about Qu Qi’s existence. However, by then, Qu Qi had already made a name for himself, so apart from ennobling him as Marquis Cang, Liu Xie didn’t have much else to reward him with. At Qu Qi’s level, as long as he didn’t rebel, the emperor was powerless against him.

If displeased, they might just let him leave to avoid trouble, but they couldn’t get rid of him, so after Qu Qi accepted the title of Marquis Cang and a feud of ten thousand households, he actually received two thousand in reality. There was no further reward as he was already a figure recognized within the temple, with nothing more to bestow.

Of course, Cao Cao also knew that people like Qu Qi shouldn’t be touched, not even if they were sabotaged. Qu Qi’s reputation had spread everywhere they didn’t want to take responsibility. Now, there were already temples dedicated to Qu Qi near Chang’an.

Qu Qi, upon learning this, even visited one such temple to draw a lot. Naturally, he received the best lot, and after a hearty laugh, he donated a hundred money to the temple’s keeper. As for more, it wasn’t possible; Qu Qi generally didn’t carry money when going out.

But when he returned a few days later, the temple was not only blessing with good weather and abundant harvest but also promised fertility. Qu Qi’s eyes twitched, unsure of what expression to use. He finally understood why Hua Tuo looked awkward upon seeing his own shrine.

”A ruler considers the people as the heavens, and the people consider food as the heavens; whoever can understand the heavens of the heavens is capable.” This sentence suddenly sounded from outside just as Qu Qi was turning over to choose better seeds.

Qu Qi bounced up from the mat, smiling and calling out to the outside, ”Boda, you actually have time to visit me.”

Sima Lang had a spiritual talent of getting along with anyone, so mingling with Qu Qi was naturally passed to Qu Qi by Cao Cao. However, Sima Lang also interacted with Chen Xi, so he never used tricks on Qu Qi. Over time, they became quite familiar with each other.

Sima Lang appeared smiling from around the corner and said to Qu Qi, ”I came with news for you, Marquis Cang! The increased yield from the summer grain has come in, Xu Zijiang said that Hanmou’s merit across the nation is indeed undeniable.”

”Xu Zijiang never said I, Qu Qi, had merit across the nation.” Qu Qi replied with a faint smile, ”Even without me, Zichuan would take a few years more at most. He’s indispensable, but there’s not enough time for him to free up his hands.”

Qu Qi picked up a seed, his eyes reflecting the process of this seed from germination to growth and then to fruition. This was his talent, and with the recognition from all people, he could see more and clearer, and the margin of error was getting smaller.

”But now, it’s you whose merit covers the universe, for whom the people build temples.” Sima Lang casually sat on Qu Qi’s bamboo mat, laughing and saying.

”Indeed, I couldn’t have imagined getting to this point myself.” Qu Qi placed the seeds aside and calmly said to Sima Lang, ”But it’s still not enough. I think I can do even better, and if I can produce one more bushel, then the world can support a million more people.”

”I really envy you, only having to do your own thing.” Sima Lang said with deep emotion, ”Lord Cao asked me to inform you, Marquis Cang can now travel freely on Central Plains land, but Lord Cao also asked me to remind you not to go to dangerous places.”

”Haha, I wouldn’t joke with my life.” Qu Qi replied with a faint smile, ”Yet for me now, I’m more interested in other matters.”

”Lord Cao has already given the order, sending envoys to Ye City for a truce with Lord Xuande. The Central Plains should wage no war this year.” Sima Lang calmly informed Qu Qi.

”That’s good to hear. Is Lord Cao planning to march north?” Qu Qi asked curiously.

”Naturally, His Majesty has ordered it; how could Lord Cao not personally lead the troops north?” Sima Lang said without hesitation, showing no concern that Qu Qi would relay this news to Liu Bei.

”Oh?” Qu Qi looked at Sima Lang with surprise, as he could naturally see that Sima Lang wasn’t lying and Cao Cao was indeed leading the army north!

”That’s the reality. But if Lord Cao is marching north, it seems Lord Xuande will have to follow suit.” Sima Lang said with a smile, as the reality was such that if Cao Cao went north against the Huns, then Liu Bei would have no choice but to follow.

A fleeting hint of a strange expression flashed in Qu Qi’s eyes as he suddenly understood Sima Lang’s implication. Cao Cao had such plans.

”It seems Marquis Cang has grasped Lord Cao’s intent.” Sima Lang observed Qu Qi’s expression and knew he had understood his meaning.

”No wonder I’m advised to leave this dangerous place, Cao Cao’s heart still remains with the Han Dynasty?” Qu Qi hesitated, finding it hard to believe as he spoke.

Truth be told, before coming to Chang’an, he had heard unsavory rumors, such as Cao Cao restraining Liu Xie or Cao Cao usurping power. But after arriving in Chang’an and seeing for himself, Qu Qi confirmed these matters were true but something Cao Cao had no choice but to do.

However, from Qu Qi’s outsider perspective, excluding Imperial Authority, what Cao Cao did wasn’t wrong; he was indeed striving to consolidate the Han Dynasty, at least for now, Cao Cao didn’t have substantial thoughts of overthrowing the Han.

Currently, Cao Cao was at most one of those radical Han Officials angry with Liu Xie’s lack of progress. But truly intending to harm Liu Xie, Cao Cao had yet to think about it, and perhaps he hoped for the Han Dynasty to rise again.

When Liu Xie ordered the execution of Wang Yun’s entire family, it wasn’t just Cao Cao who was furious; Liu Bei was too. But this was precisely because there were still positive feelings towards the Han that they were so angry. If there were intentions to usurp the Han, Cao Cao wouldn’t have been able to laugh at Liu Xie’s disheartenment of Han loyalists fast enough. How could he be angry?

At that time, both Cao Cao and Liu Bei were angry and even cursed, but due to the world’s situation, neither Cao Cao nor Liu Bei tread the path of a hero-villain. Though frustrated with Liu Xie, they wouldn’t do what Dong Zhuo did back then.

When the Northern Huns suddenly emerged, Liu Xie, with the sword pointing at Cao Cao, questioning the ministers, made Cao Cao nervous while sparking unusual thoughts. If Liu Xie kept this up, maybe the Han Dynasty could be supported.

It’s just that back then, Liu Xie hurt Cao Cao’s loyalty too deeply, leading him not to be a pure Han Official anymore. But Liu Xie’s displayed spirit at that time wavered Cao Cao’s otherwise rebellious heart. Perhaps Liu Xie just didn’t have the opportunity...