Chapter 2: The Frustrated Cao Cao

The former Emperor Xie was always meek and submissive, never daring to speak to him in such a manner. But now, things had changed—he was actually questioning him, and with no small amount of presence, either.

Empress Fushou, standing nearby, was so frightened that she hurried to Liu Xie's side, clutching at his sleeve, her eyes full of worry as she looked at Cao Cao.

Yet Liu Xie wore an expression of utter disdain.

"What is it, Lord Cao? Do you wish to kill me?"

"Very well, why don't you strike me down with your sword right now?"

As he spoke, Liu Xie stepped forward as if to impale himself upon the blade.

This left Cao Cao flustered; he hastily withdrew his sword and took two steps back, his gaze toward Liu Xie now filled with barely suppressed rage.

"Lord Cao, the Empress merely misses her father dearly. Are you perhaps afraid of my uncle as well?" Liu Xie spoke again.

Cao Cao's face was taut with frustration, his inner anger visibly mounting. In the end, he said nothing, merely snorted coldly and stalked off.

"Your Majesty, were you not too impulsive? What if Cao Cao..." The Empress was flustered, her heart still pounding at the thought of what had just occurred.

Liu Xie smiled with confidence. "It's nothing to worry about. He wouldn't dare kill me. If he ever truly pushes me to the brink, I'll simply take my own life."

"Your Majesty, what are you saying? You must never think of such things," the Empress pleaded anxiously.

Liu Xie drew her into his arms. Now that a plan had formed in his mind, his mood had greatly improved, and at last, he found the leisure to admire his Empress's peerless beauty.

"Be at ease, my dear. Cao Cao would neither kill me nor let me die."

"He will ensure we are well cared for."

"Why is that?" Fushou asked, puzzled.

"It's simple. Why do you suppose he brought me to Xu City? Why does he seek to control me? It's because he wants the imperial court at his doorstep, so that in the future he can wield me as a tool to command the lords of the realm."

"Hmph, all my authority is his to take, but sometimes, when you give up power, you must get something in return, mustn't you?"

In this moment, Liu Xie exuded a newfound confidence, leaving Fushou feeling as if she were seeing a stranger. His mind and demeanor—both seemed utterly transformed.

"Ahem."

"There's no need for surprise, my dear. I've simply come to understand a few things," Liu Xie explained with a light cough, as best he could.

"By the way, tell my uncle to behave himself. As for restoring the Han Dynasty, I have my own plans. When the time comes, I'll let him know."

He was well aware that both Fushou and her father had come to tragic ends, all because they secretly aided him against Cao Cao, leading to the extermination of their entire family.

Now, Fushou and her father were his only resources, and he had no desire to see either come to harm.

A few days later.

His uncle, Fu Wan, arrived in Xu City by imperial command and met with Liu Xie in the palace.

Liu Xie even summoned Cao Cao to join their meeting.

"Lord Cao, I know you have your doubts, so why not stay and see for yourself what I and my uncle have to discuss?"

Yes, since Cao Cao was so suspicious, Liu Xie thought, he might as well let him listen in.

In the pavilion of the imperial garden, Liu Xie, the Empress, Fu Wan, and Cao Cao sat together.

"Uncle, how has your health been lately?" Liu Xie asked with a gentle smile.

"Thanks to Your Majesty's concern, I am well enough," Fu Wan replied.

"And how is your wife? Has she been well at home?" Liu Xie continued.

"She is well, all is peaceful," Fu Wan answered.

By now, even Fu Wan found it odd. After summoning him from afar, was this all he wished to ask?

The Empress too engaged Fu Wan in small talk, discussing family matters.

An hour passed in this way, until at last Cao Cao could bear it no longer.

"Your Majesty, as family matters are being discussed, it would be improper for this humble subject to intrude. I shall take my leave."

Having listened long enough to these trivialities, he was thoroughly bored. There were affairs of state awaiting him, and sitting here was a waste of precious time.

"Stay a while longer, Lord Cao," Liu Xie suggested, but Cao Cao had already vanished.

Liu Xie let out a cold laugh, a hint of triumph at the corner of his mouth.

"Your Majesty, did you have something to say to your humble servant?" Fu Wan soon realized that all the previous idle chatter had been mere pretense to get Cao Cao to leave. Now that only their own people remained, it was time for real business.

Liu Xie's expression turned serious. "Uncle, have you completed the task I assigned?"

Fu Wan nodded gravely. "At Your Majesty's command, I have brought twenty guards with me. Each has been handpicked from among ten thousand soldiers, men of great skill who can each fight ten at once. Their loyalty is beyond question; their ancestors were all heroes of the Han, and they hate the likes of Cao Cao and Dong Zhuo to the marrow."

"But, Your Majesty, what do you require of these men?"

Fu Wan was puzzled. After all, in Xu City, which was under Cao Cao's control, what could twenty men hope to accomplish?

Liu Xie smiled confidently. "To fight ten at once? Not enough—not nearly enough. I want them to be capable of challenging a thousand, even ten thousand."

Fu Wan and the Empress exchanged glances, both visibly perplexed.

"These twenty men are to remain in the palace. I shall train them in secret. As for you, Uncle, do nothing more when you return—focus solely on drilling your troops and make no moves. Should Cao Cao catch wind of anything, it would spell disaster."

"If the need arises, the Empress will relay my orders to you. For now, caution is paramount."

Liu Xie's words left Fu Wan bewildered, just as Fushou had been. Both felt that Liu Xie had changed beyond recognition.

"Your humble servant will obey the imperial command."

A few days later, Fu Wan left Xu City, but the twenty men he had brought remained by Liu Xie's side.

As Liu Xie had anticipated, it wasn't long before Cao Cao arrived with a contingent of soldiers, surrounding Liu Xie and his men without a word.

"Your Majesty, what is the meaning of this? Can your safety not be guaranteed by your humble servant?"

"Men, take them away and execute them!"

Cao Cao immediately ordered the execution of the twenty guards.

"Lord Cao, what are you doing? Is this an act of rebellion?" Liu Xie thundered, undaunted.

Then, in a flash, he drew his sword and placed it against his own neck.

"Lord Cao, if you wish for my death, say so. I'll do it myself and spare you the trouble."

"Wait, Your Majesty, please!" Cao Cao sputtered in panic.

He was hardly joking—after all, he still needed Liu Xie as a figurehead to command the realm in his name. If Liu Xie were dead, that plan would be ruined.

"Hmph! Lord Cao, you are far too cautious."

"Yes, you can guarantee my safety, but none of your men regard me as their emperor."

"Moreover, I find your men displeasing. I prefer to have a few attendants I can trust."

"Of course, you are right—having just moved the capital to Xu City, there is much I do not understand. Henceforth, I must trouble you with the affairs of state."