Chapter 9: Guo Jia Comes to Xu

"Your Majesty!"

Seeing the situation unfold, Cao Cao grew anxious.

He dared not hesitate, quickly mounting his horse to give chase.

"Lord Cao, I’ll listen to you—I'll go to your prison."

"Since you dislike me wandering about, fine, I'll grant your wish and head for your prison."

By the time Liu Xie rode into the bustling city center, he was galloping madly, shouting at the top of his lungs.

Hearing this, Cao Cao panicked.

This was no joke; although he wielded the emperor as a tool to command the lords, he preferred to turn a blind eye to such matters.

He could not allow others to learn of this. Otherwise, he would truly become a traitor to the Han.

Desperate, he hurried after Liu Xie, trying to stop him from shouting nonsense.

But Liu Xie rode too fast; it was difficult for Cao Cao to catch up.

The shouts drew the attention of the crowd, who watched Liu Xie dash by in confusion.

"What’s going on?"

"Is that really our Han emperor?"

"Yes, but why is he riding alone? And what he shouted just now...was about Cao Cao?"

Many people began to discuss the matter.

It only made Cao Cao more anxious.

Liu Xie paid them no mind, riding straight to the prison in Xuchang.

"Open the gates for me!" he shouted to the guards as he arrived.

The guards were baffled, unable to comprehend why the emperor had come here.

"Your...Your Majesty, what brings you—?"

"Enough nonsense! Open the gates, or I'll have your head!"

He scolded loudly.

The guards dared not delay, hastily unlocking the doors.

Without another word, Liu Xie strode inside.

He found an empty cell, kicked open the door, entered, and sat down upon a pile of straw.

His face was full of frustration and anger.

Soon, Cao Cao arrived as well.

"Your Majesty, what are you doing?"

Cao Cao had lost his earlier composure.

"Hmph! Lord Cao, isn’t this what you wanted—imprisoning me?"

"Fine, I’ll save you the trouble and enter myself."

"Guards, lock the doors, else Lord Cao will worry I might escape."

Having spoken, Liu Xie leaned against the wall, stubborn and unyielding.

Cao Cao was speechless.

Had he known Liu Xie was so troublesome, he would never have made things so difficult.

"Your Majesty, you misunderstand me. I was only concerned for your safety."

"The palace is full of chaos—if anything happened to you, what would we do?"

With the demeanor of a loyal minister, Cao Cao pleaded earnestly.

Liu Xie shot him a glance.

"Lord Cao, yes, I know you mean well."

"But the palace is such a small place—you can’t keep me locked up forever."

"Besides, what are you afraid of? Do you fear my men will behead you or something?"

"This Xuchang is your domain; wherever I go, I remain under your control."

"If you truly worry about my safety, then wherever I go, simply send someone to guard me."

"Don’t talk about assassins or bandits."

"I’ve said it already: this Xuchang is under your rule, Lord Cao. If bandits and assassins run rampant, doesn’t that mean you are incompetent?"

"You don’t go after them, but instead keep watch over me—what good does that do?"

With a gentle tone, Liu Xie gave Cao Cao a lesson.

Cao Cao clasped his hands in respect, nodding in agreement.

He did not fear Liu Xie, but he worried the emperor might stir up real trouble.

"Lord Cao, you already handle all affairs of state. I only wish to enjoy myself—why must it be so difficult?"

"Let’s do this: I will issue an edict, from this moment you are the Chancellor of the Han."

Historically, Cao Cao had bestowed this title upon himself.

Now, Liu Xie, with an air of generosity, granted it to him.

Of course, even if Liu Xie bestowed it, people would not believe it.

Nearly everyone knew that Cao Cao used the emperor as his puppet.

Even if an imperial decree were truly issued, few would believe it.

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

"Your Majesty, this is no place for you. Why don’t we return to the palace?"

Cao Cao spoke respectfully once more.

"Hmph, I won’t return. I’ll go back tonight."

"I want to find a tavern and drink."

"Though the palace wine is fine, I wish to experience the flavor of the common folk."

"Of course, Chancellor Cao, if you’re uneasy about my safety, just let your men follow me."

With that, Liu Xie strode out of the cell.

Cao Cao wished to stop him, but remembering the earlier ordeal, he refrained.

"Master, what should we do?" his subordinate asked, troubled.

Cao Cao sighed. He too was at a loss.

"Let him be. As long as we have the power, nothing else matters."

"As long as he doesn’t return, let him do as he pleases."

"And send someone to watch him, see who he meets. If nothing unusual happens, leave it be."

Cao Cao instructed, granting Liu Xie considerable freedom.

Leaving the prison, Liu Xie’s lips curled into a disdainful smile.

The Liu Xie of history would never have dared speak to Cao Cao like this.

But now, things were different. With Liu Xie here, change was inevitable.

Though Cao Cao wielded power, he still needed Liu Xie’s authority.

After all, if Liu Xie died, Cao Cao’s legitimacy would vanish.

Liu Xie understood this perfectly, which allowed him to act so boldly.

Afterwards, Liu Xie did not return to the palace. Instead, he changed his attire and wandered the streets alone.

Of course, not far behind him, Cao Cao’s men followed at a respectful distance.

Liu Xie ignored them, enjoying himself.

He found a tavern, sat by the window on the second floor, and ordered a pot of fine wine.

For the next few days, this became his routine.

He spent little time in the palace, wandering the streets nearly every day.

And so, another month passed.

Once more, he visited his favorite tavern for a drink.

Just then, a long procession of soldiers rode slowly down the street.

"Waiter, what’s going on?" Liu Xie casually asked the attendant.

"Oh, you mean the soldiers below?"

"I heard Cao Cao is heading out to welcome someone."

"Not sure who it is, but it must be important if Cao Cao himself rides out ten miles to greet them."

The attendant replied indifferently.

Liu Xie fell silent, for he had already guessed who was arriving.

By his calculations, the time was right.

Historically, it was around this period that Xun Yu recommended Guo Jia to Cao Cao’s camp.

Cao Cao held Guo Jia in great esteem.

He personally led his men ten miles beyond the city to welcome him.

From then on, Guo Jia joined Cao Cao’s camp and began his illustrious career.