Chapter 078: A Masterful Performance Unveiled Again

Although Chen Qun had no idea whom Cao Peng was referring to, he knew that following Cao Peng’s advice was never wrong.

Ever since he began serving under Cao Peng, he had come to admire this young general deeply. Without a doubt, Cao Peng was a man destined for great deeds; to follow him might well be the way to realize one’s own ambitions.

Originally, Chen Qun had been recruited into Cao Cao’s circle of advisors, only to be later poached by Cao Peng. While Cao Cao recognized Chen Qun’s talent, his advisory group was already overflowing with bright minds, and losing one Chen Qun would make little difference—especially since his favored nephew Cao Peng had requested him.

Thus, Cao Cao had not thought much of it and allowed Chen Qun to serve under Cao Peng.

“Changwen, I’ll leave these matters in your hands for now. I must go see my uncle,” said Cao Peng.

“Rest assured, General!” replied Chen Qun.

Leaving his residence, Cao Peng headed toward Cao Cao’s quarters. Unexpectedly, he encountered Liu Bei on the way.

“General Cao!”

Unable to pretend he hadn’t seen him, Liu Bei had to step forward and greet him.

Cao Peng smiled, “Lord Xuande, you look so pleased—where are you off to?”

Liu Bei’s heart skipped a beat. Indeed, he had been visibly excited, but upon seeing Cao Peng, he had quickly composed himself, not expecting his expression to be so easily read.

“The Emperor has summoned me unexpectedly, so I was a bit excited and lost control. Apologies for letting you see me in such a state,” Liu Bei replied, masking his feelings flawlessly.

Yet Cao Peng’s half-smiling expression made Liu Bei uneasy. What was this young man thinking? He truly couldn’t fathom him.

Seeing that Cao Peng only smiled without saying more, Liu Bei took his leave and continued toward the palace.

He’d barely walked a few steps before Cao Peng called out to him again.

“Lord Xuande, let me offer you some advice: accomplish only what your abilities allow. Don’t overreach, or you may find yourself in trouble.”

“Thank you for your guidance!” Liu Bei answered, picking up his pace.

Today, upon hearing that the Emperor wished to see him, Liu Bei had come in high spirits. Zhang Fei had tried to stop him, fearing for his safety. But Liu Bei assured him it was only a trip to the palace—surely Cao Cao wouldn’t dare act so brazenly there.

As it turned out, danger had not materialized, but he had run into the enigmatic Cao Peng.

Arriving at the palace gates, Liu Bei spotted Dong Cheng from afar.

“General Dong!”

“Royal Uncle, you’ve finally arrived. Come quickly; the Emperor has been waiting for you!”

Following Dong Cheng, Liu Bei was filled with doubts. Shouldn’t an audience with the Emperor be held inside the palace? Why were they heading away from it?

“General of the Chariots, where are we going?”

“No need to ask, Royal Uncle. Just follow me.”

Since Dong Cheng insisted, Liu Bei kept his questions to himself and went along.

To his astonishment, they arrived at the entrance of a latrine.

Dong Cheng opened the door for him, and Liu Bei was thoroughly perplexed. Though it was an imperial latrine, elegantly built, he had no need to relieve himself at the moment!

The answer soon revealed itself.

Upon entering, Liu Bei found the Emperor, Liu Xie, waiting inside.

“Your Majesty!”

Liu Bei was deeply shocked—Liu Xie wished to meet him in a latrine.

Dong Cheng spoke, “Your Majesty, I’ll stand outside to watch for Cao Cao’s spies.”

Liu Xie replied, “I leave it to you, General.”

The awkward scene left only Liu Bei and Liu Xie, uncle and nephew, together in silence.

Eventually, Liu Bei broke the quiet, “Majesty, why go to such lengths?”

Liu Xie’s face was full of grief, his voice trembling, “Royal Uncle, you do not know! Around us, everywhere, are Cao Cao’s spies. The only place I can speak freely is this latrine!”

Hearing this, Liu Bei felt as if struck by lightning. The Han dynasty, though weakened, was still sacred to him.

For the Emperor to be reduced to such a state—it was heartbreaking.

“Royal Uncle, Cao Cao is a hundred times more destructive to the realm than Dong Zhuo ever was. If this villain is not removed, the Han will fall. I care little for my own life, but the thought of our ancestors’ legacy ending with me fills my heart with anguish!” By the end, Liu Xie was weeping bitterly.

Perhaps it was hereditary, but Liu Bei was pleased to find his nephew had inherited some of his own legendary acting prowess.

Liu Bei’s expression was deeply sorrowful, his tone heavy, “I swear, I will personally slay Cao Cao and restore the Han!”

Seeing Liu Bei’s desperate resolve, Liu Xie secretly smiled.

This was exactly the attitude he sought—only thus could he bind this man firmly to his cause.

Knowing the importance of striking while the iron was hot, Liu Xie at once continued, “Royal Uncle, we have a perfect opportunity now to rid ourselves of Cao Cao. Are you willing?”

Liu Bei, maintaining his urgent demeanor, replied, “Speak, Your Majesty! I would risk life and limb, brave fire and water, if only you command it.”

Satisfied with Liu Bei’s response, Liu Xie smiled, “Everything you need to know is written on this silk. Take it with you and read it at your leisure.”

Liu Bei solemnly accepted the item and, with a heavy heart, took his leave.

Leaving the palace, his feelings were heavy and conflicted.

It seemed his attempts to play the gentleman, to act the sage, had been a bit too convincing—so much so that the Emperor had entrusted him with such a grave responsibility.

He certainly didn’t believe the Emperor’s tearful, heartfelt appeal.

What worried him was that calamity might soon find him.

The royalists, the Cao clan, the court officials—this was a vast and complicated maelstrom.

He would have to find a way to escape, to leave Xu Chang far behind.

While Liu Bei was weighed down by his thoughts, Cao Peng was earnestly persuading Cao Cao to postpone the hunt at Xu Field.

Cao Peng’s reasoning was that he had received reliable information that assassins would attempt an attack during the hunt.

At first, Cao Cao and Cao Ang said nothing, then burst into laughter.

“Anmin, you’re far too suspicious!”

Even Cao Ang was skeptical of his judgment now.

The Emperor was prone to tantrums, but for him to hatch such a grand conspiracy? Cao Ang could not believe it.

If even Cao Ang doubted it, Cao Cao was doubly unconvinced—despite all the dangers he’d faced.

But Cao Cao, ever reckless by nature, was hardly afraid of a puppet Emperor under his thumb in his own city of Xu Chang.

Seeing their disbelief, Cao Peng produced evidence.

“Uncle, one of my spies was killed in the street. The assassin was a formidable expert. I’ve already tasked Man Chong with investigating the details.”