After everyone left, Cao Cao couldn't wait to take Dian Wei to the back hall.
"I've met Mr. Ming."
Seeing Cao Cao arriving, Yang Ling stood up and saluted.
"Sir, there is no need to be polite. Please sit down."
Cao Cao greeted with a smile.
After the two sat down, Yang Ling took the initiative and said before Cao Cao could speak,
"My subordinates came here today to talk to Duke Ming about welcoming the emperor."
Cao Cao was startled and then said with great joy,
"Sir, I came to think of it together. I also plan to tell you about it."
"What does Ming Gong mean?"
Yang Ling looked at Cao Cao and said softly.
"After all, I am a minister of the Han Dynasty. Now that the emperor is in trouble, how can I stand by and watch?"
Cao Cao sighed.
Although he is somewhat ambitious now that he is fighting for his own power, he still regards himself as a Han official in his heart.
Otherwise, in history, he would not have died without proclaiming himself emperor.
"The loyalty and righteousness of the public are admirable."
Yang Ling praised him and said slowly,
"In fact, I also suggest that Duke Ming go to welcome the emperor."
Cao Cao's eyes lit up,
"Sir, do you have the same idea as mine?"
Yang Ling shook his head gently,
"No, I want the Ming Lord to hold the Emperor in his hands and hold the Emperor hostage to command the princes!"
Cao Cao originally picked up the tea cup and was about to take a sip.
When he heard this, his body trembled, his hands trembled, and the tea suddenly spilled all over him.
But he didn't bother to wipe the water stains on his body, and looked at Yang Ling in confusion.
Yang Ling didn't seem to notice, and said to himself,
"Although the princes from all sides fought and separated themselves from each other, they were still nominally subjects of the Han just like Duke Ming."
"If you hold the emperor in your hands, you will have the reputation of righteousness, and you can use this to command the world and win over talents from all over!"
His remarks are indeed bold!
The emperor is the king of a country, and all subjects should be loyal to the emperor and respect him extremely.
However, Yang Ling actually suggested that Cao Cao kidnap the emperor!
If it were any other loyal person, he would have scolded Yang Ling long ago.
Cao Cao's breathing became slightly rapid,
"Sir, if this happens, I will be infamous..."
"What do you think, Duke Ming, is the great cause of the world, or the mere infamy?"
Yang Ling looked at Cao Cao deeply.
"...Of course the great cause of the world is important."
"Isn't that right? Besides, history is written by the victors. As long as Ming Gong wins, the history books will only record that it was Ming Gong who turned the tide in the crisis and saved the country of Han Dynasty!"
Yang Ling smiled lightly.
When Cao Cao heard this, his heart moved.
Indeed, as Yang Ling said, history is written by the victors.
Just like the conflict between Chu and Han, in the end Liu Bang, the great ancestor of the Han Dynasty, was born and single-handedly founded the Han Dynasty that continues to this day and is respected for generations.
On the other hand, Xiang Yu became self-willed, proud and complacent!
This is the winner and the loser!
Cao Cao's eyes became clear and he said solemnly,
"Thank you sir for your advice! As you said, I will make some preparations and go to welcome the emperor!"
"Ming Gong must act quickly! We must not let the emperor fall into Yuan Shao's hands."
Yang Ling warned.
Historically, Yuan Shao was indecisive and finally allowed Cao Cao to successfully serve the emperor.
But due to his own appearance, a lot of history has been changed.
If Yuan Shao suddenly decides to serve the emperor on a whim, he will be in trouble.
"I remember."
Cao Cao looked solemn.
The fourth and third prince of the Yuan family, Yuan Shao occupied Hebei and was very powerful, with the imperial seal in his hand.
If the emperor really falls into his hands, it will be troublesome!
Thinking of this, Cao Cao did not dare to hesitate at all and immediately asked Dian Wei to tell his men to make preparations.
Seeing this, Yang Ling nodded with satisfaction, cupped his hands and said,
"Then my subordinate will take his leave first."
"Sir, walk slowly."
Cao Cao took Yang Ling's arm and sent him out the door.
After Yang Ling left, Cao Cao couldn't wait to find Dian Wei.
"Go and invite all the gentlemen who are discussing this morning's affairs over here!"
"Here!"
Dian Wei bowed his hands and accepted the order.
Not long after, Xun Yu, Guo Jia, Xi Zhicai and others gathered in the lobby.
Everyone looked at each other.
Didn't the lord say that we would discuss matters after lunch? Why, he called everyone back before they had eaten.
At this moment, Cao Cao strode in from behind.
"I've met Zhou Mu!"
Everyone saluted.
"No gifts!"
After Cao Cao sat down, he said in a deep voice,
"Everyone, I have made up my mind to send troops to greet the emperor today!"
As soon as this statement came out, everyone was surprised.
Not long ago, Cao Cao was hesitant about whether he should welcome the emperor. How could he make up his mind so quickly?
Could it be that someone said something to Cao Cao in private?
Liu Ye and others who did not agree to welcome the emperor subconsciously looked at Xun Yu, Cheng Yu, and Mao Jie.
After all, there were only three of them insisting on welcoming the Emperor!
"Lord..."
Liu Ye just wanted to say something.
But Cao Cao waved his hand and said resolutely,
"As long as the emperor is welcomed here, we can follow the emperor to command the princes and carry orders to all directions! I have made up my mind, no need to say more!"
When Liu Ye and others saw this, they could only accept their orders helplessly.
"Okay, you all go down and get ready. We'll set off in the afternoon."
Cao Cao ordered.
Everyone walked out in twos and threes.
As soon as he walked out of the Prefectural Shepherd's Mansion, Liu Ye looked unhappy and said to Cheng Yu,
"Cheng Zhongde, if you want to persuade the lord and give him advice, you can do it openly, so why bother playing tricks behind the scenes!"
After hearing this, all the counselors who had not dispersed stood still and looked at Liu Ye and Cheng Yu curiously.
Cheng Yu was also very curious about Cao Cao's sudden change in attitude.
He was thinking about the discussion just now, when Liu Ye asked him this question, and he suddenly looked confused.
"What does Mr. Ziyang (Liu Ye) mean by this?"
"A gentleman is magnanimous, but a villain is always worried. Cheng Zhongde, why do you need to be secretive?"
Liu Ye snorted coldly.
Today's discussion, Cao Cao's counselors gathered together.
Only Mao Jie, Xun Yu and Cheng Yu had the most determined attitude and strongly demanded to serve the emperor.
Therefore, in Liu Ye's opinion, it must be one of them who went to secretly advise Cao Cao after the meeting.
Mao Jie was honest and upright, while Xun Yu was noble and upright.
Neither of them is likely.
And Cao Cao's so-called "serve the emperor to command the princes", to put it bluntly, he is holding the emperor hostage!
Only Cheng Yu, who has a strong personality, can come up with such a treasonous plan!
Cheng Yu's face darkened and he snorted coldly,
"I don't understand what you are talking about. If it's okay, I'll leave!"
After that, he ignored Liu Ye and others and left on his own!
"Humph, this Cheng Zhongde, relying on the trust of the lord, actually doesn't take us seriously!"
"He secretly went to advise the lord. Is it because he was afraid that we would be jealous of his talent?"
"Maybe it's because we think we have little belly."
Liu Ye and others were quite unhappy.
