"It has a deeper meaning? Why does it have a deeper meaning? My nephew is dull, please teach me."

"After Yang Biao returned to the court, the emperor had gradually taken control of the government power in his own hands, and he rebuilt the two guards. As long as the Cao thief did not rebel openly, the emperor would at least protect himself without worries. However, compared with the Cao thief, the emperor was still a crucial bargaining chip: military power."

Zhang Xiu nodded and said, "That's right, but military power is the foundation of the regime. The reason why Cao thief seemed to be suppressed by the emperor is actually because Cao thief still pretends to respect the emperor on the surface. Once the face is broken, the emperor who has no military power is no different from that in the hands of Li Jue and Guo Si."

"The emperor has no soldiers, but you have one!"

"What? Me? What does this mean by sir?"

"On the surface, the emperor said it to Cao Thief, but in fact it was to you General! He said that General, you are actually very loyal. Sooner or later, you are a general of the Han Dynasty. This is admonishing you to surrender!"

"What a joke, how could I surrender? I killed Cao Zhe's son and almost killed Cao Zhe himself!"

"You killed Cao Zhe's son. What does it have to do with the emperor?"

"This..." seems to make some sense.

"General, we are just a guest army in Wancheng. We also need Liu Biao to provide food, supplies and supplies. We are said to be a prince. In fact, everyone knows that we are guarding the northern gate for Liu Biao."

Zhang Xiu nodded when he heard this. The biggest advantage of this child is that he has self-knowledge, which is also the reason why Jia Xu abandoned Duan Wei and defected to him.

Listen to advice.

"Wancheng is the gateway to Jingzhou to the north. Since ancient times, it has been favorable to the north but not the south. This place is too close to the court and is destined to become a major trouble for the court. It is impossible for us Xiliang people to get the recognition of these Central Plains people, and it is difficult for our soldiers to be supplemented. If one dies, one will be missing. There are only two ways before us, either surrender to the court or surrender to Liu Biao."

Zhang Xiu nodded again.

He also understood this truth, otherwise he would not have surrendered immediately when Cao Cao conquers Zhang Xiu.

Zhang Xiu never thought of being independent, nor did he have the capital.

But the thief Cao was too bullying! The soldiers under his command were all left to him by his uncle Zhang Ji, and the soldiers in the army were also veterans brought by Zhang Ji. As a result, Cao Cao went to sleep with his aunt on the day he surrendered.

He could not agree if he did not rebel against the soldiers below. The Han Dynasty ruled the world with filial piety. His nephew inherited Zhang Ji's troops, so naturally it was no different from Zhang Ji's son. If he did not rebel, the orthodoxy of his general would be gone.

To be honest, even if Cao Cao slept with his own wife, Zhang Xiu could grit his teeth and endure it.

After sleeping, the two of them became a bloody feud.

"Liu Biao rode alone into Jing, and relied too much on the powerful thieves in Jingzhou, and did not even have decent direct troops in his hands. If it was a peaceful and prosperous era, he would be a talented man of the three princes. But now he was born in troubled times, he was just a dog guarding the household. Therefore, the general's future must be in the north."

"I understand what sir means. What you mean is to surrender to the court, but you do not surrender to the Cao thief. However, Cao thief now controls the court, and Cao thief and the court are actually one. How can you surrender to Han and not Cao? How can I express my feelings to the emperor?"

Jia Xu smiled mysteriously and said, "I also have some spies in Xudu City. You know that I have some prestige and kindness in the Xiliang army. The former general of the chariot and cavalry have my people. They told me that since Dong Cheng was seized from his post, they have been responsible for military intelligence and public opinion for the emperor. Now, they are personally commanded by the secretary-general Xun Yue. With such a relationship, it is naturally very easy for us to contact the emperor. Just wait for a proper opportunity, and the general can naturally return to the court without losing his position as a marquis."

Zhang Xiu's mouth grew up at this time and his head was buzzing.

Why is this related to Dong Cheng?

At that time, Jia Xu and Zhang Ji were both directly under Niu Fu, and Dong Cheng was Niu Fu's retainer. They knew each other and were quite familiar with each other, but he never expected that Jia Xu had even installed a spy next to Dong Cheng.

"Now it seems that the emperor has known about the connection they have with me for a long time, so he deliberately said such words that seem to be ridiculous of Cao's thief but actually express good intentions to us. The emperor's plan is far better than me."

"Oh~, ah, everything is left to the teacher."

These people are so tragic that they are playing with their pens, so they should just play with swords and guns.

……………………

On the other hand, Cao Cao was also planning a counterattack against Liu Xie.

At this time, Cao Cao did not dare to look down on the emperor at all. He only felt that the emperor's strategy was elusive and imaginative. At least in the field of political struggle, it was the most awesome existence that Cao Cao saw in his life.

If the Ling Emperor had the talent of being half the current son, the Han Empire would not have fallen to what it is today.

In order to continue to control the court, Cao Cao also had to make a choice.

"Your Majesty, Lord Sikong asks for your visit."

"Cao Cao is here? Please, please, please."

Liu Xie was overjoyed.

Beigong is now Liu Xie's own people. Cao Cao dares to come to the palace to see him at this time. What does this mean? This shows that Cao Cao is at least not worried that he would ambush him and the axe driver would click him. This shows that Cao Cao still trusts him. This shows that the gap between him and Cao Cao may be easy to remedy.

"My minister Cao Cao, pay homage to the emperor."

"Uncle Cao, Uncle Cao, I have said it many times. You and my uncle and nephew, you must not need such a big gift. Come on, Uncle Cao, please sit down."

"Thank you, the emperor."

"Uncle Cao is rare to come to find his nephew. He must stay for dinner and must try his nephew's craftsmanship."

"Does the emperor understand the way of cooking?"

"It's not just understanding, it's just proficient. Sikong helps me with major issues in the world. I feel so relieved. I have nothing to do in the harem every day, so I like to think about some cooking skills to pass the time. Well... it's too late to cook now. Sikong comes and taste the teppanyaki I made, Zhang Yu, take my teppan."

"yes."

Cao Cao didn't believe anything punctuated by Liu Xie, but when he heard this, he breathed a lot of relief.

What is not important is that he and the emperor can eat together, which can send a very clear political signal to the government and the public, and at the same time lay the groundwork for what he wants to say in a while.

He has a relationship with the emperor, two and one. At this critical moment, there are strong enemies around him. It is true that he urgently needs to have a good relationship with the emperor, but these strong enemies are not just Cao Cao's only strong enemies.

Smart people naturally understand when to fight and when to be harmonious.

If Liu Xie acted as mean and ungrateful, foolish and incompetent as before, Lao Cao would really not dare to come now.
Chapter completed!