The emperor's return to the east is known all over the world. However, among the princes of the Guandong, few people take this matter to heart.
Gongsun Zan of Youzhou was busy vying for territory with Liu Yu's troops, and Yangzhou Inspector Liu Yao and Sun Ce were having a great time fighting. Liu Biao of Jingzhou recruited literati widely, gave lectures and preached the art of benevolence. Xuzhou Tao Qian was seriously ill, Yuan Shu was ready to move as if he had some plans of his own, Yuan Shao was busy exterminating the black bandits in his territory who did not obey orders.
As a result, no one greeted the emperor when he returned to Luoyang.
There was a ceremony early today. Cao Cao sat on the chief seat, and in front of him sat a group of counselors and subordinate officials. Cao Cao's expression was serious. Although he had already made up his mind, this matter should not be decided lightly.
Guo Jia sat in a seat on Cao Cao's right, with a smile on his face. He already had some guesses in his mind about what was going to be discussed this time.
But it hasn't started yet, and he didn't talk too much. This is the first time he participated in the discussion, so it's better to listen more.
However, why didn't Wen Ruo come? Guo Jia looked around, but he didn't see Xun yet.
This is different from the Xun in his impression. Xun wants to keep the time, and every time he makes an appointment for a trip, he will arrive early. Unexpectedly, he was here this time, and Xun hadn't arrived yet.
"Mr. Gu, Mr. Xun is here." The waiter outside the door walked into the hall and said to Cao Cao.
Hearing Mr. Gu's three words, Guo Jia's body froze unconsciously.
Cao Cao smiled slightly and waved his hands: "Let them in."
Mr. Gu always arrives on time. Originally, she was the only one, but now it's a good thing, and Mr. Xun has been taken away.
Xun walked into the door with a helpless face. He had already left the house, but he met Gu Nan on the road, and was dragged by Gu Nan to have breakfast together before coming.
Simply, it can be regarded as arriving on time, not too late.
Kong Rong, who was already sitting in his seat, saw the two of them, smiled and nodded slightly. The three of them were old friends.
Xun and Gu Nan paid homage to Cao Cao, went to their seats and sat down.
Gu Nan looked at the seat opposite, and happened to see a familiar face. It was only later that she found out that the person playing hooliganism in her house was Guo Jia.
She joked about proposing marriage face to face. Fortunately, she was not an ordinary woman, otherwise he would have been kicked out.
Guo Jia lowered his head to avoid Gu Nan's sight, and almost buried his head on the table. After Gu Nan looked away, he slowly raised his head and heaved a sigh of relief.
Cao Cao saw all of this, and couldn't help but smiled wryly. Feng Xiao didn't know what was wrong, he was usually fine, but every time he said that Mr. Gu was coming, he always avoided it, and it was rare to see the two of them meet today. , He still looked like a mouse seeing a cat.
Shaking his head, he thought to himself, if there is any misunderstanding between the two, he will be a middleman to help them make peace.
After the time for a cup of tea, the morning meeting officially began.
Cao Cao coughed lightly and said seriously.
"A few days ago, I heard that the Son of Heaven returned to the east, and he has already traveled to Anyi. I don't know what you think."
As soon as the words fell, the hall began to discuss softly, and a few people stood up to express their views, some who wanted to welcome the emperor, and some who were worried.
Hearing Cao Cao's words, Guo Jia smiled as he expected, and looked at Xun who was sitting opposite him. He knew about it, the man couldn't sit still.
In the end, he accidentally saw Gu Nan again, shrunk his neck, and moved his eyes resentfully.
He thought that he and this person should be incompatible, otherwise he wouldn't have a headache when he saw it.
But then I thought of the person I saw that day, and my mind was complicated for a while.
It's in vain that he thinks he's smart and scheming, but he can't figure out his own thoughts.
Forget it, Guo Jia sighed inwardly, thinking that he felt ashamed, and it would be fine if he came to the door to apologize next time.
Amidst the discussion, Xun finally stood up and bowed down to Cao Cao.
"General."
"Huh?" Seeing Xun get up, Cao Cao asked with a smile, "Wen Ruo, what do you want to say?"
"In the past, King Wen accepted King Xiang of Zhou, and the feudal lords obeyed. Emperor Gaozu of the Han Dynasty sent a mourning for Emperor Yi and the world returned to his heart. Today, Zi Mengchen, General Cheng is the first to advocate righteous soldiers at this time, and honor the emperor to follow the expectations of everyone."
Xun's voice was not heavy, but it was bright and clear, and everyone could hear clearly when he fell down.
The hall is quiet.
Cao Cao laughed while sitting at the table.
"Hahaha, good!"
In fact, he had some plans for this, but he was still short of a reason enough to convince him, and now Xun gave it to him.
Putting one hand on the table, he stood up and looked outside the hall.
"Then, welcome the emperor to the west."
The morning meeting was over, everyone left, but Gu Nan was still sitting in the hall.
Waiting for everyone to leave, when Cao Cao saw that Gu Nan hadn't left, he was stunned for a moment, then smiled knowingly.
"Mr. Gu, do you have something to say to your colleagues?"
Gu Nan got up and saluted, then paused and said: "General, have you thought about the gains and losses of the emperor?"
"Oh?" Cao Cao looked at Gu Nan and asked with a smile, "Can you talk to Cao, sir?"
"The emperor is dusty, and the general welcomes the emperor, and he can indeed follow the expectations of the public."
To put it another way, after Cao Cao welcomes the emperor, he can indeed use the edict of the emperor to order the princes. In order to expand the influence, it can benefit in all aspects. But with Cao Cao's current strength, serving the Son of Heaven cannot actually bring decisive help. After all, the world is now divided, and most of the princes only obey the Son of Heaven in name, and cannot really command the world. On the contrary, there will be many constraints, which is why Yuan Shao hesitated.
"But if the general's trip is wrong, I'm afraid he will be reprimanded by the world." Gu Nan continued.
During the time of the Three Kingdoms, there were many heroes who claimed to be emperors and kings. Why was Cao Cao the only one called a traitor? I think there is only this reason. To welcome the emperor is to be a self-appointed Hanchen. Now that you are a Hanchen, once you do something beyond the scope of the Hanchen, you will naturally be a traitor to the emperor.
At that time, he will bear the name of a traitor, and the princes will have an excuse to attack him.
Cao Cao left the table with a faint smile and walked to Gu Nan's side.
"Sir, in today's world, the ruler is not the ruler, and the minister is not the minister. The emperor is in such a difficult situation, and there is no one to welcome him. If I, Cao Cao, do not go, I am afraid that even the Han Dynasty will disappear."
"At Hulao Pass, I was the only one chasing him. Now, wouldn't it be just right for me to meet him alone?"
He turned his hands behind his back, turned his head and smiled at Gu Nan.
"As for infamy, why be afraid of infamy?"
"So." Cao Cao turned around, stood in front of Gu Nan and asked, "What do you think, sir?"
Gu Nan lowered his head, said for a while, and smiled slightly: "In this case, you should welcome the emperor."