Chapter 10, The Pavilion by the Water

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There is. Zhong Yao quickly rummaged through the documents on the desk and handed one over with both hands. "Cao Cao has driven away Lü Bu, and the situation in Yanzhou is settled, but Yongqiu has yet to be taken down"

Liu Xie mentally reviewed the attendants around him and decided to ask Zhong Yao about certain matters

Zhong Yao is still uncertain about his thoughts and does not wish to reveal too many plans at this moment

During a break in his martial arts practice, Liu Xie checked the map

"Suppression is merely a temporary measure, akin to pouring water to stop boiling; it addresses the symptoms rather than the root cause"

Your Majesty

Fu Shou, aware of her misstep, pressed her lips together and remained silent

Zhong Yao did not ask again, bowed and withdrew, and soon selected a few individuals to leave the camp

Cao Cao, you old scoundrel, do not blame me for being ruthless in my actions

Liu Xie is quite bald

Fu Shou did not dare to speak further, and got up to assist Liu Xie in removing his clothing. Liu Xie lay down on the couch, wrapped himself in the quilt, and fell into a daze. Fu Shou also took off his clothes, crawled into the quilt, and cautiously watched Liu Xie.

Liu Xie briefly skimmed through it and returned it to Zhong Yao, then inquired about the situation in Jizhou and Youzhou

Zhong Yao sent him outside the tent, watching Liu Xie’s back, seemingly lost in thought

Seeing Liu Xie remain silent, Fu Shou felt uneasy and straightened her posture

In contrast, the western side is open and unobstructed

Liu Xie glanced at him and said, "Yuan Chang, you are the same."

Fu Shou responded and got up to enter the inner tent. Although Liu Xie did not see it with his own eyes, he knew that she had not lain down to rest, but was instead sitting by the couch, quietly waiting for him

"Hmm, good," Liu Xie responded, but his body showed little movement

Liu Xie suddenly felt a sense of regret

Your Majesty, please retire for the night she whispered

Liu Xie did not respond

You go to sleep first, I still have some matters to contemplate

Liu Xie entered the room and lowered his head to glance at the documents on the table. "Is there any news from Yanzhou?"

Liu Xie felt restless in his heart, yet his face showed little reaction. He stared at the map for a while and said to Zhong Yao, "Go find a few officials familiar with the local terrain and have them survey the area within thirty li to the east and west, focusing on identifying which locations can be defended, and create a map of the findings."

Such matters may only be truly understood by Tang Ji, who has experienced the life-and-death turmoil of being plundered by the chaotic soldiers of Xiliang

Zhong Yao was taken aback for a moment, then nodded in agreement. "As Your Majesty has said, I and Xun You are both from the same hometown, and we share similar interests, thus we have always been very close."

With a map in hand, the surrounding terrain becomes much clearer, no longer limited to what is visible before one's eyes

At this moment, her greatest wish may be to bear a prince and secure her position as queen

Oh. Fushou felt somewhat disappointed, letting out a soft sigh and closing her eyes. After a while, she opened her eyes again. "Your Majesty, why are you troubled? You may as well share it with your servant; perhaps I can help alleviate your worries."

In your opinion, whether it is the bandits of Mount Tai or the Yellow Turbans, what kind of people are they

Zhong Yao was somewhat surprised. "Your Majesty... do you intend to garrison Huayin?"

Fu Shou leaned on Liu Xie’s shoulder, biting her green onion-like fingertips, and pondered. "Your Majesty is correct; before the Yellow Turbans, rebellions were like wildfires, occurring constantly. I often heard my father speak of the bandits of Mount Tai; it seems that even after several decades, they have not been completely eradicated."

Zhong Yao, the Minister of the Imperial Secretariat, was seated in the tent when he heard footsteps. He looked up and saw the Emperor, and immediately rose to pay his respects.

Isn't it... ? Fushou looked up, her eyes filled with confusion

Once Li Jue and Guo Si pursue, there are no suitable defensive terrains to be found except for a few shallow rivers.

Liu Xie asked a few more questions and then turned to return to the tent

The building is about to collapse; who has the mind to pass on the family line, to give birth to a son to be a captive?

Your Majesty

Zhong Yao smiled in agreement

To the south lies the Southern Mountain, and to the north flows the Wei River. Huayin is situated in a narrow valley that extends east to west. The Wei River and the Southern Mountain converge on the eastern side, and the city built by Duan Wei is strategically located, with Tongguan just thirty li to the east

He went to take up the position of governor in Shu Commandery, but due to the impassable roads, he is currently temporarily stationed in Jingzhou

Fu Shou's lips fixed their gaze on Liu Xie, observing him repeatedly, gradually relaxing. "Your Majesty... just now, your expression was quite frightening"

Zhong Yao was taken aback, instinctively raising his head to glance at Liu Xie, but then realizing it was inappropriate, he quickly lowered his head and cupped his hands in acceptance of the order

Liu Xie looked at Fu Shou in confusion. "What is it?"

Only

Liu Xie rose and entered the inner tent while deep in thought

Zhong Yao complied, turned around, and stepped out of the tent with a vigorous stride

After the celestial phenomenon, he secluded himself to recuperate and has not summoned Zhong Yao during these days

Fushou had indeed not yet fallen asleep, leaning against the quilt in a daze. Startled awake by the sound of footsteps, she quickly got up to greet the visitor. By chance, she caught a glimpse of Liu Xie and couldn't help but be taken aback, stepping back a step, her small body curling up with her arms wrapped around her shoulders.

Where is he

"Think about it, before the Yellow Turban, how many ... ..." Liu Xie experienced a moment of confusion in his thoughts. After some consideration, he ultimately chose a term that was more suitable for his current identity. "... ... Rebellion?"

Liu Xie returned to the tent and reviewed some documents. After signing the drafted edict sent by Zhong Yao, he instructed Zhong Yao to look for a map of Huayin County for use the following day

One important reason for his resolute decision to leave Chang'an and return to Luoyang, even going so far as to refuse food to express his determination, is that Cao Cao sent someone to welcome the court back to Luoyang, with Zhong Yao and Ding Chong serving as intermediaries.

Is it like playing the lute to a cow to discuss these matters with a young girl like Fushou, who was born with a silver spoon in her mouth and knows nothing of the hardships of the world

The next morning, Zhong Yao presented the Huayin map.

Liu Xie observed keenly, a slight smile playing at the corners of his mouth

At this moment, he truly does not have this mindset

Overall, the situation in Guandong remains chaotic. Although Yuan Shao has gained some advantage, he is still some distance away from dominating Hebei.

He rose from the tent, glanced around, and walked towards the nearby tent

Is that so? Liu Xie touched his face

I have heard that you are very close to Xun You

Liu Xie let out a sigh and said with a bitter smile: "If they are born to be thieves and bandits, what significance does the revival of the Han dynasty hold?"

Fu Shou rolled her eyes, shrank into the quilt, and said in a voice as soft as a mosquito's buzz: "I understand, Your Majesty."

Your days are good, while mine are miserable

He had previously believed that the enemy approaching from the west was the most lethal; after examining the map, he no longer harbored any illusions.

Fu Shou waited for a moment, unable to resist urging once more. Liu Xie finally came to his senses, and upon seeing Fu Shou's rosy little face, he couldn't help but chuckle softly. He reached out to tuck the quilt corners neatly and gently patted Fu Shou on the shoulder.

What is that book?

Although it cannot be said with certainty that Xun You will come or that Zhong Yao will pledge loyalty, he can take the initiative to act first

"Draft an edict for me, summoning him to urgently come to the capital," Liu Xie pondered for a moment and then added, "In this tumultuous time, it is precisely when the wise and capable should take action. How can one remain in Ba-Shu, merely observing from the sidelines?"

Liu Xie pondered for a moment. "The Empress should know that I lost my mother at a young age and was raised by the Empress Dowager. After my father passed away and the Empress Dowager departed this world, I suffered through the chaos caused by Dong Zhuo, and my elder brother unfortunately passed away as well. Now, the only ones I can still call family, apart from a few of you, are my sisters-in-law."

Yang Ding and Dong Cheng stationed on the west side are fundamentally unable to play a role in the counterattack; it would be a stroke of luck if they do not turn against us in the heat of battle

Isn't it a bandit who engages in wrongdoing

Liu Xie also found it dull and patted Fu Shou's shoulder. "You should rest for now, I will review some documents."

The Han Dynasty can still be salvaged

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