Mythical Three Kingdoms-Chapter 1517 - 1460: Heart-to-Heart Conversation

Cao Cao pondered this thought and consulted with his confidant Xun Yu. This time, he did not seek out anyone else, only Xun Yu.

As for Xun Yu, there’s no need to elaborate. He was a Han official. Cao Cao came to ask Xun Yu something, which surprised Xun Yu, but what Cao Cao said was both shocking and seemed fitting.

"Wen Ruo, I have something I wish to do, and I want you to help me think it over." After being publicly chastised by Liu Xie that day, Cao Cao not only felt no shame, but was slightly excited. However, he found this feeling somewhat disgraceful, so he summoned Xun Yu after the meeting.

"My lord, feel free to speak your mind; Yu is obliged to help." When Xun Yu arrived, he heard Cao Cao’s words, thinking perhaps Cao Cao was finding it hard to take after being publicly reprimanded by Liu Xie, and was planning to ease Cao Cao’s mind.

"Wen Ruo, when I speak in a while, don’t say I spoke out of line. This time, you really must try to understand me and help me analyze." Cao Cao was silent for a moment and decided to be frank with Xun Yu. He needed someone to advise him, and Xun Yu, although not good at fighting, excelled at everything else. His planning was no worse than that of Xun Youi or Cheng Yu.

"Yu will listen intently and will not interrupt my lord." Xun Yu nodded, considering it a gentleman’s necessary quality not to interrupt others while they speak.

"Let me put it this way. Before today, I couldn’t bear the sight of the Emperor, and after the incident with Minister Wang before, my attitude towards the Emperor wasn’t exactly the same as yours. In my view, a timorous person has no right to sit on that throne!" Cao Cao spoke his mind directly.

It was fortunate that Liu Xie’s bearing caused Cao Cao’s unease, and after his original disloyalty wavered, he really wanted to confide in someone, and since Cheng Yu wasn’t around, he turned to Xun Yu.

Xun Yu’s expression changed dramatically upon hearing this, but he held back from speaking. Cao Cao, seemingly oblivious to Xun Yu’s change in expression, continued to speak on his own, "Anyone from the imperial clan could do the position of Son of Heaven of Han; before this, I thought he was completely unqualified..."

Cao Cao babbled out all the troublesome issues that had been on his mind since Liu Xie ascended the throne. By the time he finished, Xun Yu was about to explode, barely refraining from flipping over a few scrolls in Cao Cao’s face. But as agreed with Cao Cao beforehand, he got to wait until Cao Cao finished speaking.

Therefore, with the gentlemanly demeanor he had maintained over the years, Xun Yu eventually tolerated until Cao Cao spoke about the current situation.

"However, previously, when the Emperor stood on the chariot and pointed his sword at everyone, questioning me, I suddenly felt that the momentum of the Great Han was still salvageable, and perhaps the Emperor merely lacks an opportunity." Cao Cao slowly voiced his thoughts, and Xun Yu’s expression returned to calmness.

Xun Yu prided himself on his ability to judge people and could tell that Cao Cao hadn’t uttered a single falsehood from beginning to end. It was a complete recount of his mental journey, though admittedly there were some excessive remarks. Back then, it wasn’t just Cao Cao who was troubled, Xun Yu had felt extremely troubled too!

"Wen Ruo, what do you think I should do?" After voicing his grievances, Cao Cao tossed the ball to Xun Yu, leaving him at a loss for words.

"And what extent does my lord wish to achieve?" Xun Yu asked after a moment of silence.

"If the Emperor can rejuvenate the Han Dynasty, there’s nothing that cannot be done." Cao Cao hesitated for a moment before saying this with determination.

"Then we shall personally lead an army north to campaign against the Huns." Xun Yu considered this quickly as he massaged his temple.

Cao Cao did not quite understand Xun Yu’s words. What did he mean by this?

"When we head north, Yongliang will be left empty. Without my lord there, it will free the Emperor’s hands. With such courage, the Emperor will naturally succeed in annexing Yongliang. Moreover, by heading north, Grand Commandant Liu will also need to head north." Xun Yu calmly looked at Cao Cao.

This time, Cao Cao understood. Indeed, if Liu Xie were exceptional enough, during the more than half a year of the vacuum period when he empties Yongliang by heading north, it would be enough for Liu Xie to take control of the entire Yongliang.

Furthermore, if Liu Xie possessed the capabilities of Qin Emperor and Han Martial Emperor, during the more than half a year duration when Cao Cao drags Liu Bei to the north to confront the Northern Huns, Liu Xie should be able to even take over Liu Bei’s territories. And even if he couldn’t accomplish that, with the imperial righteousness and the great banner Liu Bei constantly raises, revitalizing the Han Dynasty would be within reach for Liu Xie.

Cao Cao fell silent, and Xun Yu didn’t say much more. After all, Cao Cao had worked hard for so long. Moreover, even if Cao Cao assessed Liu Xie’s capabilities correctly and Liu Xie succeeded, Cao Cao’s fate might not be favorable.

"At least I’ll have Liu Xuande accompanying me; whether it’s real or fake, we will see." Cao Cao said with a hearty laugh.

Xun Yu lowered his head, avoiding looking at Cao Cao. Cao Cao was ready to walk the path of a hero, but with Xun Yu’s wisdom, how could he not see the vitality within?

[Having such a confiding lord is really nice.] Though Xun Yu maintained a calm demeanor, he felt a bit pleased inside. Cao Cao overlooked certain details, but since Cao Cao was willing to proceed to this point, how could Xun Yu not leave a way out for Cao Cao?

"In that case, let’s cease the battle with Liu Bei, recall Zhongde and Gong Da, and then head north to attack the Huns. Who does the lord plan to take with him?" Xun Yu first suggested, then asked Cao Cao again.

"Naturally, it will be me, you, Zhongde, and Gong Da. As for the generals, I will take most of the senior generals." Cao Cao looked at Xun Yu with great composure.

Xun Yu slowly stood, circled the desk, and bowed deeply to Cao Cao from a distance of five steps.

"But let’s agree, I’ll leave Ang’er in Chang’an." Cao Cao said to Xun Yu.

"Of course." Xun Yu nodded, thinking if even Cao Ang went north, the entire Chang’an would surely be thrown into chaos. Besides, with just Cao Ang, although he is considered excellent, given Liu Xie’s previously demonstrated resolve, it wouldn’t be difficult for him to take over.

[Probably the lord completely overlooks the fact that sometimes clearing one’s name only requires a letter.] Xun Yu looked calmly at Cao Cao.

After confiding his inner thoughts to Xun Yu, the relationship between lord and minister became even stronger, not only because of their aspirations and compatibility but also due to a deeper friendship.

However, when Xun Yu left, Cao Cao felt quite embarrassed, but since he had already spoken those words in a rush of enthusiasm, he didn’t plan to go back on them.

Subsequently, he wrote to Liu Xie expressing his intention to lead troops north to campaign against the Huns. Regarding this, there was nothing to say; Liu Xie surely allowed it.

Moreover, with Cao Cao’s preparations, Liu Xie seemed to have noticed something different, for example, the hope of reclaiming power.

Additionally, due to the reflexive actions triggered by that incident with the Northern Huns, Liu Xie’s apprehension towards Cao Cao and others has significantly diminished, at least the initial cleverness had begun to return.

The role of the Son of Heaven of Great Han entails many opportunities, and this time with Cao Cao personally leading a large army north, it further allowed Liu Xie to see the chance for the Han Dynasty to return into his hands. He wanted to seize this opportunity to reclaim the Han Dynasty’s authority and rejuvenate the Han Dynasty!