Chen Xi's words left everyone present speechless; indeed, they couldn't prove anything, and neither could Cao Cao. But this had turned into a joke, a pretext for an attack!
"What are we afraid of? Do you think we can lose?" Chen Xi said, sneering.
"We wouldn't lose, but it would be pointless," Jia Xu sighed. "I advise against depleting our power too much on this matter. We should aim to take over Xuzhou smoothly, at minimal cost. Once Xuzhou is in our hands, only then, holding Mount Tai of Qing and Xu, can we call ourselves true overlords."
"Cao Mengde is too dangerous; after today, whether such an opportunity will come again, I can't be sure. So, let's vote. Those who don't wish to deal with Cao Mengde right now, raise your hands," said Chen Xi, glancing at the others. "Just to let you know, once Lord Xuande is certain of the truth behind Cao Mengde's slaughter, he will not rest until Cao Mengde is dead."