After listening to Yuan Xi's words, Liu Xie suddenly laughed, "I heard that the general has many concubines?"
Yuan Xi responded: "I have no other merits, I'm just lustful."
As soon as these words came out, everyone was even more stunned, and Liu Xie laughed even happier.
Kong Rong stood behind everyone, cursing in his heart, this guy is too courageous!
But he had to admit that if he were to deal with it, he might not be as effective as Yuan Xi.
He came all the way from Xuzhou to join the Han Dynasty and had been in contact with Liu Xie for some time. He found that this emperor actually had a lot of character.
In just a few years, he experienced turbulent times that perhaps no other emperor could match in his lifetime. This created Liu Xie's extremely peculiar temperament, and his close ministers often couldn't figure out his temper.
Liu Xie sighed, "My dear, I envy you very much."
Yuan Xi lowered his head and said, "I don't dare."
Liu Xie tapped the back of the chair with his hand and said, "I would like to issue an edict to Lord Ben Chu alone. Can the general pass the message on my behalf?"
Yuan Xi replied: "I sincerely comply with your Majesty's will."
He had a headache. If Yuan Shao heard that his official position was under Lu Bu's, he would definitely be extremely unhappy. Although he and Yuan Shao had a close relationship, it was still unknown how much the former father-son relationship would play a role in this matter.
But he couldn't raise any objection at this time. He was just a messenger. This matter still required direct dialogue between Yuan Shao and Han Ting, so he wouldn't be able to play much role.
Yuan Xi was very sure that Liu Xie did it on purpose.
He wanted to use this incident to test his relationship with Yuan Shao.
However, since he has been granted a title, he cannot avoid this kind of thing. Things in the world are always about people coming and going, and there is no reason to take advantage and do nothing.
What's more, Yuan Xi also needs to go back to Yecheng to explain his behavior and stance to Yuan Shao. Otherwise, it would be bad if Yuan Shao's officials criticized his behavior and Yuan Shao mistakenly thought that he was going to betray the Yuan family.
Liu Xie nodded and said, "Ai Qing, do you have anything else to say?"
Yuan Xi hesitated for a moment and replied: "I have nothing to say back to Your Majesty."
He only applied eye drops to Cao Cao to the end. If he continued, it would be too much and might arouse Liu Xie's rebellious mentality.
Moreover, in a short period of time, Cao Cao would not clean up Lu Bu and Dong Cheng's forces around Liu Xie. He would always find a legitimate reason, otherwise the matter would spread and Cao Cao would be unnamed and give other princes an excuse.
From Anyi to Huaicheng, except for the Baibo Army who couldn't see the situation clearly and was kicked out, the other forces were maintaining a delicate balance. Whoever made the first move would lose half the battle.
Now Yuan Xi will take advantage of this window period to persuade Yuan Shao to intervene in Huaicheng to check and balance Cao Cao. In this way, Cao Cao will lose his greatest support.
After hearing this, Liu Xie nodded and said: "Okay, general, please retreat first."
Yuan Xi saluted and walked out backwards. Jushou and Zhao Yun were waiting outside the door. They were about to leave with Yuan Xi when Fu De came out and said, "The emperor wants to see the Marquis of Guangyang."
Zhao Yun was startled and looked at Yuan Xi. Yuan Xi smiled and said, "My husband and I are going back first."
In Lu Bu's mansion, all the generals congratulated Lu Bu, and at the same time they could not hide the joy on their faces. Lu Bu was promoted to general, which was great news for them, because this position was equivalent to that of Dong Zhuo and Wang Yun. Full power is in hand!
And as Lu Bu's subordinates, they not only get a share of the pie, but also a big share. Promotion is no problem. How can they be unhappy?
While Lu Bu was very proud, there was a trace of unnoticeable worry on his face.
In terms of ability, all the generals in the hall, except Zhang Liao, are all mediocre.
As for Gao Shun, his relationship with him had already broken down. After a few congratulations to Lu Bu, he didn't even attend the celebratory banquet and left with an excuse.
As for Chen Gong, he didn't show up at all.
As for the imprisoned Wei Xu, Song Xian and others, they also confessed to betraying Lu Bu, but Lu Bu did not kill them immediately.
Lu Bu felt a little depressed, and the joy of being promoted to general was diluted a lot, so he just drank glass after glass of boring wine.
Zhang Liao greeted everyone to toast, turned his head suddenly, and found that Lu Bu looked wrong. After thinking about it, he said: "Marquis Wen, the emperor has just entered the city today. If you drink too much, something may happen in the city..."
Lu Bu was a little displeased after hearing this, but he immediately reacted and said: "Let's all have a few drinks and disperse. Go back and patrol!"
After hearing this, everyone quickly toasted to Lu Bu and dispersed.
When Lu Bu saw that everyone was gone, he opened a jar of wine with his palm and poured himself a glass of wine.
After having a few drinks, the guard came in and said, "Mr. Gongtai, please see me."
Lu Bu listened and sneered, "It seems he has figured it out?"
"Forget it, let him in!"
When Chen Gong came in, Lu Bu was startled. Chen Gong was not wearing an official uniform, but a commoner, with a calm look on his face. He couldn't help but ask, "What does Gongtai mean?".
Chen Gong saluted Lu Bu and said, "I came here to say goodbye to Marquis Wen."
After hearing this, Lu Bu lost his composure and said in a voiceless voice: "Why are you doing this, sir?"
"Have you ever treated Mr. Bu badly?"
Chen Gong shook his head and said, "Marquis Wen is very kind to Gong. Because of this, Gong feels very sorry."
Lu Bu said in a hesitant voice, "It's all thanks to Sir that we are here today. Cao Xing's groundless accusations before were just nonsense. Why should Sir take it to heart?"
After Chen Gong heard this, he bowed to Lu Bu and said, "Marquis Wen has overthought things. Gong did this because he thought that he was not qualified to be the mastermind."
"Gong is a county magistrate. Fortunately, Marquis Wen appreciates him and considers him his vassal. However, from Yanzhou to Huaicheng, Gong is unable to help Marquis Wen win. Instead, he is at a disadvantage everywhere. I feel really ashamed."
"Now that Marquis Wen is the general, all the talented people in the world are loyal to him. His palace morals are not worthy of his position, so he really can't stay shamelessly."
"And the palace left Cao Cao that day, and has become like fire and water with him. Now Wen Hou and Cao Cao are officials in the same dynasty. If because of the palace, Wen Hou and Cao Cao are at odds with each other, it will be the palace's fault."
"The Forbidden City came here to bid farewell to Marquis Wen. From then on, he retired to the mountains and forests and did not care about worldly affairs."
After hearing this, Lu Bu stood up and said, "Cao Cao and I are at odds with each other. How can I fight against him without Gongtai?"
"Sir, you should understand that Cao Cao will never let me go. Now that the two sides are fighting to the death, can't you stay and help me?"
Chen Gong listened and sighed, "Marquis Wen, Gong is not afraid of life and death, but Gong alone cannot fight against Cao Cao who has so many advisers."
Lu Bu said loudly: "Now Bu needs your help even more!"
"Otherwise, Bu will be defeated by Cao Cao if things continue like this!"
After hearing this, Chen Gong's eyes became strange, "Marquis Wen, you also know that it is difficult for you to fight against Cao Cao?"
"Then why did you accept the position of general and become the target of public criticism?"
After hearing this, Lu Bu said in a deep voice, "I want to give it a try."
"My husband said that he was a county magistrate. Before I became successful, I was not as good as him."
"We are all barefoot, why are we afraid of those who wear shoes?"
"Now that we've reached this point, there's really no way out, right?"
Chen Gong said with a strange look in his eyes, "There is really no way out."
"It's really not easy for Marquis Wen to figure this out."
Lu Bu felt a little red on his face. He couldn't say that these were Yuan Xi's words and were conveyed to him through Lu Lingqi.
He said aloud: "Are my chances of winning not good?"
Chen Gong nodded: "Even if you add me, there won't be much chance of winning."
After hearing this, Lu Bu said, "Sir, if it's for your own safety, Bu will not force you to stay."
"Danbu has been wandering around for half his life, and has been in panic many times like a lost dog. Now I don't want to run away anymore!"
"If you stay here, you will be dragged down by the cloth. I will send you out of the city tomorrow!"
Chen Gong listened and smiled bitterly, "Marquis Wen said so, but Gong can't leave."
"When Gong defected to Cao Cao, he parted ways with him because of his reckless killing of Lu Boshe's family."
"Cao Cao's various unjust actions, including using human flesh as military rations, made Gong feel that his original choice was correct."
"Although Marquis Wen also robbed people, he was much stronger than him."
"Since Gong has chosen Marquis Wen, and Marquis Wen is willing to trust Gong, Gong will risk his life to accompany him!"
After hearing this, Lu Bu felt excited. He took a few steps forward, held Chen Gong's hand, and shouted, "Okay!"
"From now on, you and I will work together and do our best!"
"If sir is in danger, Bu will never abandon him!"
Chen Gong felt excited and nodded fiercely. He was tired now and didn't want to wander anymore.
That's all, just accompany Lu Bu for a while.
But Cao Cao is really difficult to deal with.
Seeing that Chen Gong was still worried, Lu Bu couldn't help but said: "Sir, do you think Cao Cao is really that difficult to deal with?"
After hearing this, Chen Gong said in a deep voice: "I understand him."
"His bottom line is unfathomable."
"Although Marquis Wen has done some things that have been criticized by the world, if Cao Cao puts aside his worries, he will definitely do much more terrible things than Marquis Wen."
"Has Marquis Wen heard about the concession?"
Lu Bu naturally knew that Bian Rang was a famous scholar in Yanzhou, but he was killed by Cao Cao for no reason, and even his wife and daughter were taken away by him!
Thinking of this, a sudden thought occurred in Lu Bu's heart. The thing he was most worried about was Lu Lingqi. If something happened to him...
Lü Bu and Chen Gong talked for a long time. Finally, Chen Gong took his leave. Lü Bu sent him out and then went back inside to rest.
As soon as he entered the room, he saw Mrs. Yan coming up to him with great joy. He helped Lu Bu take off his outer robe and said happily: "Congratulations, husband."
"Now that my husband has become a general, he can be said to be inferior to one person and superior to ten thousand people. It can be said that he has made the Lu family proud."
She then said sourly: "From now on, when a husband accepts a concubine, I will not dare to speak nonsense."
"But when the time comes, your husband should be careful and don't touch any random woman, lest he lose his identity."
Lu Bu's face stiffened, and he waved his hands and said, "Don't mention this kind of thing. I will have my own sense of discretion in the future."
After hearing this, Mrs. Yan knew it was hard to say anything anymore. She immediately changed her excuse and said with a smile: "It seems that my husband is now extremely powerful. From now on, all these officials, big and small, will all act based on my husband's face."
"My previous marriage with Yuan Gulu's family failed. I was still very confused at the time. Now it seems that I am not as far-sighted as my husband."
"But now that my husband has gained power, there should be many nobles and clans vying to make Ling'er their official wife, right?"
"It is too unfair to let Ling'er be the concubine of that fierce tiger. What's more, now that my husband has become a general, if Ling'er is allowed to follow him again, wouldn't it be making fun of the world?
"But fortunately, my husband didn't say anything to death. Why don't we reject Xihu tomorrow and find another good family for Ling'er?"
Yan Shi thought that Lu Bu would definitely agree, but Lu Bu shook his head and said, "I decided to let Ling'er follow the fierce tiger and leave Huaicheng."
"What!" Yan was stunned and said in a voiceless voice: "Why!"
(End of chapter)
