When Wang Kai set off from Shunyang County to return to Chang'an, Cao Cao also returned to Xudu as a class teacher.

Liu Xie, the son of heaven, learned that Cao Cao had returned from begging for thieves, and he also personally went out of Xudu to greet Cao Cao.

When Cao Cao's class returned and saw the Son of Heaven greeting him, he immediately dismounted and rushed to the front of the Son of Heaven.

Then, Cao Cao saluted to the Son of Heaven and said, "Your Majesty, the minister is fortunate to have completely eradicated the traitor Yuan Shu. ”

"Cao Aiqing has worked hard!"

"It is the duty of a minister to serve His Majesty."

Hearing this, although Liu Xie smiled on the surface, he hated Cao Cao very much in his heart.

After Liu Xie and Cao Cao exchanged a few words, the Son of Heaven also invited Cao Cao and his party into the court.

As the ministers gathered, Cao Cao took the lead in reporting to Liu Xie on the process of exterminating Yuan Shu.

After hearing this, Liu Xie also spoke: "Cao Aiqing has worked hard and made great achievements, and I have named you a marquis to reward his merits." ”

Hearing this, Mao Jue immediately stood up and said: "Your Majesty, Cao Sikong has such a great achievement, the minister thinks that Cao Sikong should be promoted to the prime minister to lead a hundred officials. ”

Liu Xie was a little stunned when he heard this, because the prime minister is above 10,000 people under one person, if Cao Cao is named prime minister, then he will not have the opportunity to be pro-government.

When Dong Cheng saw Liu Xie's embarrassed face, he immediately stood up and said, "Lord Mao's words are wrong! Although Cao Sikong has made great contributions, the post of prime minister is an example of a hundred officials, and I think Cao Sikong does not have the prestige to lead a hundred officials. ”

When Liu Xie saw Dong Cheng come out to relieve the siege, he also breathed a sigh of relief in his heart.

At this time, Xun You stood up and said: "Uncle Dong's words and ministers dare not agree, Yuan Shu claims to be the emperor in vain, if it is not for Cao Sikong to lead the army to fight, I am afraid that the Han Dynasty will no longer exist, and the minister thinks that Cao Sikong should be promoted to the prime minister." ”

Dong Cheng was speechless after hearing this.

Seeing this, Cao Cao's courtiers also spoke one after another.

Seeing that most of the ministers agreed to let Cao Cao be promoted to prime minister, Liu Xie had to speak: "Since Cao Sikong is expected by everyone, then I will make Cao Aiqing the prime minister." ”

After hearing this, Cao Cao pretended to excuse himself.

Seeing this situation, Dong Cheng, Liu Xie and others understood what Cao Cao meant, but they were helpless about it.

After Cao Cao shirked twice in a row, he finally agreed to take up the post of prime minister on the third time.

Just when Liu Xie's heart was on fire, a eunuch sent a message to Liu Xie: "Your Majesty, Wang Zhenxi's envoy is asking to see you outside the palace. ”

When he suddenly heard the news, Liu Xie immediately announced Wang Kai's envoy.

As Wang Kai's envoy came to the court, he immediately saluted Liu Xie.

After Liu Xie replied with a waiver, he immediately asked: "I don't know why Wang Zhenxi sent you here?" ”

"Back to Your Majesty, I am hereby ordered by Wang Zhenxi to offer the head of the traitor Yuan Shu."

Hearing this, the ministers were all surprised, and even Cao Cao was quite surprised, because he didn't expect Yuan Shu to die at the hands of Wang Kai.

Besides, Liu Xie was also quite excited after listening to the envoy's words, because Wang Kaijin's contribution to the head of Yuan Shu was obviously greater than that of Cao Cao, so that Liu Xie could canonize Wang Kai in a righteous and bright way and let him fight against Cao Cao.

At this time, Mao Jue questioned: "Does Wang Zhenxi really have the head of Yuan Shu?" ”

Seeing that Mao Jue didn't believe it, the messenger immediately replied: "Your Majesty, the head of Yuan Shu is being placed at the door, if you don't believe it, I can go and get it now." ”

"No need, Grandpa Zhang, you go and get it."

With a promise, the eunuch beside Liu Xie went to the place where Yuan Shu's head was stored and fetched a brocade box.

After Gonggong Zhang came to the court with the brocade box, he immediately put down the brocade box and said to Liu Xie: "Your Majesty, the brocade box containing the head of the traitor has been brought, do you need to open it?" ”

At this time, Cao Cao stood up and said, "Your Majesty, let the ministers come to verify the authenticity!" ”

Liu Xie thought about it for a while and agreed to Cao Cao's request.

Immediately, Gonggong Zhang returned to Liu Xie's side to make way for Cao Cao.

Cao Cao also brewed before coming to the brocade box, and then opened the brocade box.

When Cao Cao saw that the brocade box was indeed the head of Yuan Shu, he immediately reported to Liu Xieyu: "Your Majesty, the box is indeed the head of Yuan Shu. ”

Liu Xie glanced at Yuan Shu's head and then turned his head away and stopped looking.

Immediately after, Liu Xie spoke: "Since Prime Minister Cao Cheng has experienced and understood his true body, then I will no longer check it." ”

"Wang Zhenxi has a merit in killing the traitor, I intend to make him a lieutenant and give him the Marquis of Yong, I don't know what everyone Aiqing wants?"

Suddenly hearing Liu Xie say this, the ministers were shocked, they didn't expect Liu Xie to raise Wang Kai's official position so high.

Immediately, Cao Cao's courtiers persuaded Liu Xie to withdraw his order.

Liu Xie didn't admit it after seeing this, he didn't want to give up his last hope.

Just when Liu Xie and the ministers were at a stalemate, Cao Cao spoke.

"Your Majesty, the minister thinks that it is feasible to reward Wang Xinhao, but I am afraid that it will be difficult to convince the public if he only rewards him, after all, Liu Biao of Jingzhou and Sun Ce of Jiangdong have both contributed to the destruction of Yuan Thief."

"What does Prime Minister Cao mean?"

"Your Majesty, the minister suggested that Sun Ce of Jiangdong be named the Marquis of Wu and lead the southern general."

"At the same time, Liu Biao was canonized as the Marquis of Wan, and he led the expedition to the west."

Hearing Cao Cao say this, Liu Xie also thought about it.

In the end, in order to improve Wang Kai's identity, Liu Xie also agreed to Cao Cao's request.

Immediately, Liu Xie began to write an edict to convey it.

After Liu Xie finished writing the three edicts, he immediately asked Wang Kai's envoy to receive one.

Wang Kai's envoy took the edict and asked Liu Xie to resign.

Then, Liu Xie also sent two other ministers to send an edict to Sun Ce and Liu Biao.

A few days passed.

When the Son of Heaven learned that Jingzhou Mu Liu Biao had died of illness, he sent someone to recover the edict.

Besides, after the envoy of the Son of Heaven arrived in Jiangdong, the envoy also immediately announced the decree to Sun Ce.

When Sun Ce learned that the Son of Heaven had named himself the Marquis of Wu and led the southern general, he also immediately thanked the Son of Heaven.

At the same time, Wang Kai's envoy also traveled all the way back to Chang'an.

At this time, Kuai Liang and Huang Zhong also rushed to Chang'an to see Wang Kai.

When Wang Kai learned that Kuai Liang and Huang Zhong asked to see him, he immediately summoned them.

As Kuai Liang and Huang Zhong saw Wang Kai, they also saluted Wang Kai.

Wang Kai replied with a waiver and immediately asked: "Lord Kuai, General Huang, why did you come to Chang'an?" ”

At this time, Kuai Liang replied: "Wang Zhenxi, I came here this time to offer Wang Zhenxi a plan to seize the land of Jingzhou. ”

Suddenly hearing this, Wang Kai was also stunned.

Immediately after, Wang Kai continued: "Why did Lord Kuai say this? ”

"Back to Wang Zhenxi, Jingzhou Mu Liu Biao was murdered by Cai Mao, a traitor, and I was really desperate to come to Wang Zhenxi."

"What? Liu Jingsheng is dead? When did this happen? ”

"Back to Wang Zhenxi, Liu Jingzhou has been dead for a long time, and now Jingzhou has been controlled by Cai Mao."

Hearing this, Wang Kai also slowed down for a long time before coming back to his senses, after all, Liu Biao died too suddenly.

Immediately, Wang Kai spoke: "Lord Kuai, General Huang, you two stay for the time being, let me think again." ”

Kuai Liang and Huang Zhong also agreed after hearing this.

Immediately afterwards, Wang Kai also sent someone to arrange a residence for Huang Zhong and Kuai Yue.