Chapter 6: Uniforming Cao Jie

"Guo Xi, go fetch the ink and brush, so that Cao Changshi can write you a letter of recommendation, allowing you to rest peacefully here," Liu Hong said, looking at the pale-faced Cao Jie, his tone calm.

As Guo Xi stood up, the soldiers outside Cao Jie’s tent were about to kneel, but Liu Hong waved his hand to stop them and simply walked straight into the tent

"Your Majesty, this humble servant is Guo Xi." The young eunuch, taken aback when asked for his name, quickly regained his composure.

In the residence of the Grand Master of Ceremonies, Liu Shu listened to the report from his trusted aide, pondering in silence: Cao Jie was a newly risen eunuch noble relying on the Empress Dowager, and the Emperor's actions were undoubtedly aimed at suppressing Cao Jie to establish his own authority. With this thought in mind, Liu Shu turned to his trusted aide and said, "Prepare the writing materials"

After the forty strikes, Cao Jie and his four trusted aides were both on the verge of collapse, their backs a bloody mess. "Send Cao Changshi back to the tent." Liu Hong stood up from the Hu stool, glanced at Cao Jie on the ground, and turned to leave, followed by a group of Feather Forest officials and eunuchs who looked at him with respect and fear. The Son of Heaven is not to be offended; this thought remained in their minds.

Your Majesty?" A young eunuch, newly assigned to serve, cautiously inquired as he observed the Emperor pausing and not advancing after the departure of Minister Sima.

Cao Jie knew that he had lost, and lost utterly. Having left Luoyang, he felt he had lost his foundation. How could he contend with the deeply scheming emperor? Now, he only hoped that the emperor would keep his word and spare his life

"What is your name?" Liu Hong suddenly spoke, observing the young eunuch recommended by the Grand Master of Ceremonies. His target was merely the political faction that had formed within the palace, not all eunuchs.

Sima Fang stood behind Liu Hong, his blood boiling with fervor. Coming from a family of scholars, he harbored no fondness for the eunuchs who held power and persecuted the loyal and upright. Meanwhile, in the tent of the Grand Master of Ceremonies, Liu Shu listened to the faint cries of Cao Jie while writing a letter to Chen Fan, feeling an indescribable sense of satisfaction in his heart

Your Majesty, I implore you to spare my family; otherwise, I would rather die. Cao Jie was not a fool; upon hearing that the Emperor intended to recommend the young eunuch Guo Xi, he realized that all hope was lost. Wang Fu, Hou Lan, Zhang Rang, and others were no match for the Emperor, and sparing his life was merely a pretense on the Emperor's part.

"Cao Changshi, you are injured, so there is no need for you to get up." Seeing Cao Jie struggling to get off the ground, Liu Hong spoke in a tone that was neither too harsh nor too gentle, and then waved away the eunuchs beside Cao Jie, leaving only Guo Xi by his side

The Son of Heaven has issued an order: those who obstruct the executioners shall be apprehended and punished together. Upon hearing this, several guards wielding staves paused to look at him, and the leading youth, with a fierce expression, spoke. At seventeen, he was the oldest among the twenty-eight orphans; his mother was a courtesan, available to any man. From the moment of his birth, he was the most despised bastard in the world. It was only after becoming an orphan and meeting Liu Hong that he came to understand the meaning of his existence. At seventeen, he was the oldest among the twenty-eight orphans; his mother was a courtesan, available to any man. From the moment of his birth, he was the most despised bastard in the world. It was only after becoming an orphan and meeting Liu Hong that he came to understand the meaning of his existence.

"You have read books." Seeing that Guo Xi's response was quite methodical, Liu Hong felt a stir in his heart. Before the Qin and Han dynasties, eunuchs who served in the palace were often well-versed in the classics, and there were not a few talented individuals among them. This Guo Xi is indeed worth supporting.

In front of the central tent of the imperial camp, the four eunuchs who had been brought down appeared pale. A few of the imperial guards nearby hesitated as they looked at the expressionless newly appointed Chief of the Imperial Guards. The sharp aura emanating from these coldly gazing youths sent a chill down their spines

Get up! Liu Hong glanced at the young eunuch kneeling on the ground and interrupted his words, saying, "What I value is action, not words"

"Jian Gong, you shall go to welcome him on my behalf." According to Han law, an elder over seventy years of age may be granted a royal staff, with a rank equivalent to six hundred stones. This rank is further subdivided. Given the Sima family's status in Henei, the elder coming over holds a significant position, and Liu Hong naturally must show him respect.

Cao Jie felt a chill in his heart, knowing that there must be spies around Zhao Nao reporting to the Emperor. He feared that his thoughts had long been seen through by the Emperor. With this in mind, even his usual arrogance could not prevent him from trembling in fear.

I have come here not to hear your words of loyalty, Cao Changshi. Liu Hong stepped in front of Cao Jie and said to the uncertain head of the eunuchs, "You should not have sought Zhao Nao, attempting to deceive me."

The Son of Heaven personally oversaw the punishment, and the feathered forest guards wielding the rods dared not be negligent, exerting all their strength. Cao Jie initially intended to act the hero, but after just five strikes, he began to wail in misery, causing the soldiers and eunuchs around to be filled with shock and fear.

I shall not say much; as long as you act according to my words, I will spare your life. Looking at Cao Jie, who had leaped down from the bed and was kneeling before him, repeatedly bowing his head, Liu Hong's gaze was as cold as that of a cat playing with a mouse

"I respectfully bid farewell to Your Majesty." Cao Jie, prostrating himself on the ground, hoarsely uttered. He had betrayed others, but so what? As long as he was alive, there remained a chance for a comeback. The Son of Heaven would not tolerate eunuchs meddling in politics, nor would he allow the imperial relatives to interfere in governance.

"Use torture." Upon seeing Cao Jie about to speak, Liu Hong decisively shouted, giving Cao Jie no opportunity to say anything flattering

After receiving the still-wet silk paper, Liu Hong examined it carefully before addressing Cao Jie, "You have shown some consideration; I shall spare your life, and it is no trouble. In the future, you may live as a commoner and properly educate the young members of your family." Having said this, he turned and left, leaving behind four personal guards and the Feathered Forest officials who had tortured Cao Jie, along with their subordinate soldiers.

Thank you, Your Majesty. Cao Jie bowed his head with a bitter smile, then took the wolf hair brush presented by Guo Xi beside him, and swiftly wrote on the unrolled silk paper. In just a moment, he completed the task, and without even glancing at it, he directly handed it to Guo Xi who was standing nearby

Cao Jie, having been released, looked at the young emperor with a mocking gaze, realizing that he had been outmaneuvered. However, he was no fool; he understood the principle of being adaptable. Thus, he ceased to struggle and quietly knelt in silence.

"Strip them of their clothes, each to receive forty strokes." The leading young man sheathed his sword and spoke in a deep voice. At this moment, he was extremely dissatisfied with those Imperial Guards, for the Emperor's command allowed no hesitation

The sound of screams echoed in the cool night breeze, and at this moment, everyone in the imperial residence was aware of the Emperor's order to punish four eunuchs. However, not many felt sympathy; instead, the Yulin and Huben guards felt a sense of satisfaction. Over the years, they had been ordered around by these eunuchs and had long been holding back their frustrations. After a few strikes from the executing Yulin guards, their blows became increasingly forceful. The Yulin and Huben guards felt a sense of satisfaction; over the years, they had been ordered around by these eunuchs and had long been holding back their frustrations. After a few strikes from the executing Yulin guards, their blows became increasingly forceful.

I agree to your request. Liu Hong looked somewhat surprised at the suddenly resolute Cao Jie, and after a long pause, he remarked that this Cao Jie was indeed the historical figure who instigated a coup, executed Dou Wu and Chen Fan, and ignited the second disaster of party stranglehold. It was just that he had gleaned his arrangements from a few sparse words.

Cao Jie was frightened by the fierce-looking youth in front of him, who resembled a wolf. However, he quickly regained his composure and, looking at the youth clad in the armor of the Chief of the Imperial Guards, exclaimed, "I want to see His Majesty. Who dares to stop me?"

Your Majesty... Looking at the cold and piercing gaze of the Emperor, Cao Jie felt a wave of unease in his heart. Although the Emperor was young, he was a formidable figure. Today's events made him realize that, with Dou Wu and Chen Fan lurking menacingly, eager to eliminate him and Wang Fu, Hou Lan, and others, the Empress Dowager could only protect them for a time, but not for a lifetime. In this world, the only one who could ensure their safety was the Emperor.

I have told the Chief of the Imperial Guards that each of these four individuals shall receive forty strokes. If any soldiers use torture for personal gain or if anyone obstructs this, they shall be punished together. Liu Hong, sitting beside the Chief of the Imperial Guards on a wooden stool brought by a young attendant, surveyed the soldiers and eunuchs around him, finally fixing his gaze on Cao Jie.

"Go to Chancellor Cao." The Emperor's face showed no expression, and the young eunuch did not dare to speculate, merely hurrying ahead to lead the way, diligently adhering to his duties

The young minister had read some books in his childhood. Guo Xi, born into a middle-class family in Luoyang, was different from those eunuchs who were sent to the palace due to poverty; he was sent to the palace by his father, who had high hopes for him to bring glory to the family. At this moment, seeing the emperor inquiring, the ambitions that had long been dormant in his heart were once again invigorated.

"Take him down!" Seeing those imperial guards hesitating, the leading young man suddenly drew his sword, the gleaming blade instantly at Cao Jie’s face. A chilling aura forced Cao Jie to stagger back a few steps, nearly falling to the ground. At that moment, behind the leading young man, several fierce-looking youths had already advanced, drawing their swords to block the few eunuchs behind Cao Jie. The soldiers at the side of the central army were left dumbfounded.

On the bed, Cao Jie appeared pale and weak. The eunuch attending him, upon seeing the emperor enter, was so frightened that he hurriedly knelt on the ground and bowed his head, saying, "I pay my respects to Your Majesty." The recent punishment outside the central military tent had truly instilled fear in the hearts of these eunuchs.

You are bold!" Cao Jie was pressed to the ground, shouting sharply, filled with both anger and shock. He could never have imagined that these young men who followed the emperor to Luoyang would dare to treat him, a central palace attendant, in such a manner.

When Cao Jie arrived at the front of the central military tent, he couldn't help but take a deep breath, feeling a chill run down his spine. The executioner, a guard of the Feathered Forest, had removed his armor and was bare-chested, clearly intent on delivering a lethal blow. Seeing that his four trusted subordinates were barely clinging to life, their faces turning a shade of iron blue, he immediately shouted, "Stop!" No matter what, he was determined to save these four men.

Cao Jie listened to the increasingly close cries of despair, and his eyelids involuntarily twitched. As the saying goes, being close to a ruler is like being close to a tiger; these eunuchs who hold power are merely relying on the authority of others. The emperor only needs to utter a single word or issue an edict to bring them to utter ruin. Dou Wu and those from the clean stream faction, along with the party members, would be more than eager to use the emperor's name to take their lives.

"In the previous dynasty, eunuchs acted lawlessly; I do not wish for those around me to be the same." Listening to the words of the Emperor, Guo Xi's chest heaved violently, and he quickly knelt down, "Your Majesty, ... ..."

Your Majesty, outside the camp there is an elderly man claiming to be a relative of the Sima Shilang. Just now, a carriage stopped outside the encampment, and several attendants helped an old man holding a staff to request an audience at the camp gate. The sentry did not dare to be negligent and immediately reported this.

You are bold! Under the protection of Sima Fang and several young guards of the Imperial Guard, Liu Hong appeared before the central military tent. In almost an instant, the surrounding soldiers and the Feathered Forest officials hurried to welcome him.

"Yes," Sima Fang replied, quickly following the Feathered Forest Officer who had come to report, heading towards the camp's exit. In the clan, there was only one elder over eighty years old, who held the royal staff, and that was his grandfather, who had once served as the governor of Yuzhang.

After a moment of hesitation, the imperial guards, wielding their staffs, noticed a hint of impatience and malice on the faces of the youths. They all felt a chill run through them, and ultimately, the majesty of the emperor outweighed the accumulated power of the eunuchs. They faithfully executed the emperor's orders

As expected of the old fox who has served in the palace for many years, Liu Hong sneered inwardly. As long as Cao Jie spoke up, no matter what he said, he would fall into a passive position. Yet, at this moment, he chose to remain silent, retreating to advance, which was indeed a brilliant move.