188. Cao Cao Hold's The Emperor

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Cao Cao's advisors, such as Xun Yu and Guo Jia persuaded Cao Cao to receive and 'retrieve' the Emperor from Luoyang to bring him here to Xuchang, as Luoyang was not safe from the attack of Li Jue and Guo Si who still allied with Zhang Ji in Hongnong.

Cao Cao felt that this was a promising venture for him, as he knew that having the Emperor might look like he relinquished his authority, but it was actually the opposite as the Emperor is just a paper Tiger.

The Emperor didn't have any authority or power which was recognized by all of the Warlords, except for the civilians and some loyal retainers, Emperor Xian was actually powerless and without any power.

Cao Cao was even more interested in holding Emperor Xian when Xun Yu and Guo Jia told him that holding The Emperor meant all the warlords even Lie Fan had to give him some face as the Han Dynasty still had some effect on the common people.

They can't break their face, as this means they will declare war on the entirety of the Han Dynasty, which means that Cao Cao can summon all of the Warlord to crusade against them.

Cao Cao slammed his hand in excitement, he agreed to this plan and told everyone to prepare as they would 'welcome' the Emperor to Xuchang, making it the new capital of the Han Dynasty, as Luoyang would need rebuilding to benefit as a capital which he doesn't have the resources.

So under Cao Cao's leadership, he brought his men numbering about 20,000 men as a grand escort for Emperor Xian, bringing all of his able generals and Guo Jia for the ultimate 'protection' for the Emperor.

At Luoyang, Emperor Xian under Yang Feng and Dong Cheng's protection received attacks from Li Jue and Guo Si who mounted up their last attack, trying to retrieve Emperor Xian back to their hand.

This can be said to be their last attempt, as they have wasted many resources they accumulated, which bleed their hearts, and only wish that they could end this battle early. Zhang Ji who was in Hongnong didn't send his army, just lent them some supplies.

The problem is, that Li Jue and Guo Si's men have been exhausted and have many new recruits to replace the soldiers they lost previously, which reduced the combat effectiveness of their army.

Unlike in the original history, the men under Yang Feng, Dong Cheng, and Yang Ding were well-fed, as Luoyang didn't lose their granaries from the fire, and Cao Cao stocked some rations there as an emergency food in case the supply at Luoyang wasn't enough.

Yang Feng's best general Xu Huang led the defense, this Xu Huang was the Xu Huang who would join Cao Cao and become one of the 5 Tigers generals of Wei, he was famous as Shu's Five Tiger general who served Liu Bei.

Yang Feng: "Xu Huang I don't know how our men will be if we don't have you on the front line! You are truly the greatest general under the Emperor's army right now!"

Xu Huang: "It's all because of Lord Yang Feng, now that my Lord has been promoted to General of Chariots and Cavalry, please don't forget me your loyal subordinate!"

Yang Feng: "Haha! I will never forget you! We are ordered to guard Liang Province, after repelling Li Jue and Guo Si we will go there!"

Yang Ding: "Haha General Yang Feng has the greatest contribution, so your promotions are the biggest among us! Without your help, I don't know if we could protect your majesty."

Dong Cheng: "Everyone let's focus on repelling Li Jue and Guo Si first, then we continue our conversation!"

Under Dong Cheng's words, Yang Feng and the others continue leading the defenses of Luoyang under Li Jue and Guo Si's attack.

Li Jue and Guo Si can see that their army began to feel exhausted, and this makes them truly regret their decision and listen to Zhang Ji's words allowing Emperor Xian to return to Luoyang.

Li Jue and Guo Si led the attack from the front, but the impeccable wall of Luoyang was too hard for their army to penetrate, and the western wall of Luoyang was still intact, unlike its eastern counterpart.

Li Jue and Guo Si together have around 100,000 men while Yang Feng and the others have around 80,000 men, so in terms of the defensive battle rule that was taught by Sun Tzu, Yang Feng, and the others win this battle as long as they don't be too overconfident.

The battle ensued between the two sides, Li Jue and Guo Si finally divided to retreat on the tenth day of the battle, as their supplies were already low and their army morale was at an all-time low.

They were also intimidated by Xu Huang's strength, they felt that they saw the weaker version of Lu Bu and Huang Zhong, knowing that the other side had such a powerful general they decided to retreat.

At the time when Li Jue and Guo Si retreat, Cao Cao and his entourage finally arrived at Luoyang. Seeing the aftermath of the battle outside of Luoyang Western Wall, Cao Cao knew that he could use this to his advantage.

Yang Feng and Dong Cheng were informed of the approaching army coming from east of Luoyang, and when they saw the banner that was raised with the name Cao, they instantly knew that it was Cao Cao who came and told the guards to open up the gate.

Cao Cao was received by Yang Feng and Dong Cheng at the eastern gate, there Yang Feng and Dong Cheng welcomed Cao Cao happily as they thought that Cao Cao come here to acknowledge Emperor Xian and swore his allegiance to the Han Dynasty once again.

Cao Cao accompanied by Guo Jia, Cao Hong, and Xiahou Dun was escorted by both Dong Cheng and Yang Feng to the Imperial Palace, where Emperor Xian was sitting on the Imperial Throne with a sliver of eunuchs who were truly loyal to the the Han Dynasty.

Cao Cao seeing the young Emperor Xian, at the entrance to the Imperial Court, takes off his shoes and kowtows to the Emperor three times on his way to approach Emperor Xian.

Seeing such respect by Cao Cao touched all of the court officials, including Dong Cheng while Yang Feng was suspicious of Cao Cao's move as he thought this was too exaggerated.

Cao Cao: "Your Majesty Cao is sorry that he was too late! If only I come here faster, I could help Your Majesty in repelling the enemy who was attacking you!"

Emperor Xian: " It's okay Governor Cao, it's a happy thing to see that you visited Us, as Dong Cheng and told me that not many people are loyal to Our Han Dynasty."

Cao Cao: "Your Majesty is still young but has such great oratory skills, is very articulate, and has such confidence in the base! Looks like Your Majesty received much care and was taught perfectly."

Emperor Xian: "Thank You, Governor Cao, if it weren't for Lord Dong Cheng and the deceased Lord Wang Yun I will never become like this."

Dong Cheng: "Your Majesty is too kind, it's your talent that helped you a naive this, Your Majesty! By the way Governor Cao, what brings you here to Luoyang other than swearing your allegiance to Your Majesty."

Cao Cao sneered inwardly at what Dong Cheng said, this is the problem that plagues them which is that they ain't realize that the Han Dynasty end is near.

Cao Cao just smiled at Dong Cheng, he explained how when he heard that Emperor Xian returned to Luoyang, he immediately led his men to Luoyang, to swear his allegiance and protect Emperor Xian, escorting him to Xuchang.

Hearing this Yang Feng immediately protested Cao Cao's suggestion, as he felt that Emperor Xian better stay at Luoyang, as it was the seat of power of the Eastern Han Dynasty.

This protest was supported by some of the Court officials, as they felt that Xuchang was also not worthy to become the new or momentary Capital, these words caused some of Cao Cao's generals like Cao Hong angered but was stopped by Guo Jia.

Guo Jia stepped forward, explaining to them how dangerous it was for Emperor Xian to stay at Kuoyabg, as Luoyang was under siege from the west and north, at the west there was Li Jue, Guo Si, and Zhang Ji whole at the north there was Zhang Yang a bandit leader who turned into a Warlord.

This was proven by how Li Jue and Guo Si had just attacked Luoyang, so he implored that the reason Cao Cao suggested this was Cao Cao was afraid for Emperor Xian's safety.

Dong Cheng as the new leader of the Court Offcials, feels what Cao Cao and Guo Jia said made sense, as right now the only one who came and swore his allegiance was Cao Cao, even Lie Fan didn't come who he thought would be the first one to come.

He whispered to Emperor Xian to accept Cao Cao's suggestion, and momentarily relocate the Capitla to Xuchang, where they could govern the nation more safely and far from the threats of attack, he also told Emperor Xian that they should legitimize Cao Cao's position as the Governor of Yan.

Emperor Xian the 11-year-old boy nods his head and says to Cao Cao that he accepts his suggestion, and also that he is touched by Cao Cao's concern for him, in return he legitimizes his position as the governor of Yan Province.

Yang Feng hearing this gives a strong protest, trying to persuade Emperor Xian to reconsider his decision, but he is stopped by Dong Cheng and Yang Ding who supported Emperor Xian's decision.

Cao Cao sees this smile, as there's already a crack inside the Emperor's so-called 'loyalist'. Cao Cao bowed and praised Emperor Xian for his great decision, he promised to protect him safely and serve him loyally.

Yang Feng seeing this knew he had lost, so he requested to stay with 35,000 of his men and go to Liang Province, where he was stationed there by Emperor Xian.

Emperor Xian allowed this after conducting with Dong Cheng, so the freedom of Emperor Xian ended after not so long time and everyone doesn't know except for Cao Cao and his subjects.

Far away from Luoyang, Runan Yuan Shu is holding the Imperial Seal talking with Huo Zui, how he wanted to declare his intention to become Emperor in 2 months, and that the dynasty name he chose was Zhong, promising that Hou Zui would become his prime minister due to his contribution.

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Name: Lie Fan

Title: Three Heroes Who Defeat Lu Bu

Age: 25 (192 AD)

Level: 15

Next Level: 1.588.000

Renown:  605

Cultivation: Yin Yang Separation (level 9)

SP: 371.700

ATTRIBUTE POINTS

STR: 906 (+20)

VIT: 578 (+20)

AGI: 563 (+10)

INT: 567

CHR: 93

WIS: 489

WILL: 377

ATR Points: 0