Mythical Three Kingdoms

When Liu Ba entered Cao Cao's courtyard, he instinctively adjusted his hairpin. Although his clothes were not as fine as the Shu brocade he wore in Sichuan and Shu, his confident demeanor made Cao Cao instantly realize Liu Ba's uniqueness.

The biggest difference between commoners and aristocratic families is temperament. The environment alters one's temperament, and nurturing alters one's physical state. For an ordinary family to cultivate a noble, it takes three generations of accumulation; otherwise, it's a far-fetched idea.

Due to birth, habits, and deportment, these qualities require three full generations of constant refinement to become deeply ingrained. A dragon gives birth to a dragon, a phoenix gives birth to a phoenix, the son of a rat knows how to dig a hole. This is inherently the imparting and teaching from one generation to the next.

The best form of education is thus, and the best method of refinement is through constant exposure. So when Cao Cao saw Liu Ba coming in, he clearly sensed the familiar demeanor in him, understanding he could not be a mere petty official.

"What is your intention in falsely claiming to be Guan Yunchang's envoy?" Cao Cao did not disguise his words. Even if the other indeed came from the relay station, it was impossible for him to be Guan Yu's envoy.

Cao Cao could guarantee this. Liu Ba was too dignified to be Guan Yu's envoy. This kind of gentle and confident aura, this temperament that showed no fear even facing someone who might control his fate, if Guan Yu's envoy were this prestigious, then Cao Cao might as well concede early.

"I hope Ming Gong will pardon me; the door is not open to me, and this was my only recourse." Liu Ba had already seen Cao Cao sitting at the head seat and was inexplicably disappointed; he was too ugly and too short, and that beard was too tangled, but the aura was indeed that of a personage.

"When did I, Cao Mengde, ever close the door to good counsel?" Cao Cao said sternly.

"However, the door is too small for a tall man to enter." Liu Ba smiled as he spoke.

Cao Cao raised an eyebrow, suddenly finding Liu Ba quite interesting, "Very well, let me hear what this tall man has to say, if it's too broad to pass the door, hengheng!"

Liu Ba smiled slightly, then glanced at the spot where he stood, his expression speaking volumes.

"Bring this gentleman a seat and serve tea." Cao Cao called to the attendant, curious about what Liu Ba would say, though more convinced that Liu Ba was arrogant and conceited.

Liu Ba didn't stand on ceremony. As the small table was moved over, he seated himself immediately, taking a deep breath to calm his mood. He was keenly aware that his forthcoming performance was critical, and the situation here with Cao Cao didn't depend on soldiers or the common folk.

"May I ask Lord Cao if there is a desire to pacify the world and support the Central Plains?" Liu Ba sipped his tea and smiled. Before Cao Cao could answer, Liu Ba continued, "May I ask what Lord Cao wants? To pacify the world, support the Central Plains, or restore the Han Dynasty? Then may I ask what Liu Xuande is currently doing?"

Cao Cao originally intended to respond to Liu Ba's childish question. However, before he could answer, Liu Ba interrupted and asked a series of questions, leaving Cao Cao momentarily dumbfounded.

Pacifying the world, supporting the Central Plains, and restoring the Han Dynasty, Cao Cao mused. These slogans were always his own. However, Liu Bei upheld the same slogans and achieved more success than he had. If he combined forces with Liu Bei, the world would be united, and all these goals would be fulfilled, wouldn't they?

Upon realizing this, Cao Cao felt a bit embarrassed but quickly calmed down. Liu Bei was Liu Bei, and Cao Cao was Cao Cao; they could not be conflated. Even if the slogans were the same, both were striving toward that direction; it wouldn't end like this.

"It seems Lord Cao understands that what you want isn't these. These are just processes. Even if your slogans align with Liu Xuande, it doesn't mean the objectives are the same," Liu Ba laughed heartily. "But Lord Cao, you are currently far weaker than Liu Xuande."

"The reason everyone can see why the war between Yuan and Liu stopped is because Liu Xuande wanted to consolidate internally. They have the power to unify the world, and whether it's Lord Cao or anyone else, no one can deny this," Liu Ba chuckled softly.

"Under Liu Xuande, the people are three times richer than those under Lord Cao, while Liu Xuande's populace is thrice as numerous as Lord Cao's. Yet, despite this, Liu Xuande holds back without sweeping the world, demonstrating restraint that is admirable." Liu Ba lavishly praised Liu Bei, for at present, Liu Bei indeed glowed so brightly that it was impossible to look directly at him.

Cao Cao remained silent. Liu Ba's words weren't incorrect, but they didn't explain anything. As long as he, Cao Cao, didn't fall, then Liu Bei shouldn't expect to easily take the Central Plains.

"Lord Cao's subordinates surely don't lack talented scholars. Surely, they understand the purpose of Liu Xuande's actions?" Liu Ba looked at Cao Cao with utmost calmness. The gap between Cao Cao and Liu Bei was vast now; Liu Bei already had the momentum to seize the throne, or rather, he already had.

"What he wants is a flourishing age, not a ravaged Central Plains. He aims to amass strength until he can easily crush Lord Cao." Liu Ba calmly answered his own question, making Cao Cao's face unspeakably ugly for that was the truth.

"May I ask what advice, sir, you have for me?" Cao Cao sneered. He knew all this, but just as Liu Bei was confident he could defeat him, he, Cao Cao, was also a mighty lord under the heavens. Xun Wenruo was also a capable minister in the realm. Even with Liu Bei's strength, Cao Cao wouldn't be Cao Cao without losing a few teeth!

"Lord Cao, could you be aware of how many of the aristocratic families under heaven have joined Liu Xuande's ranks?" Liu Ba was unfazed by Cao Cao's cold expression; he knew he had stirred Cao Cao's emotions.

"More than half of the aristocratic families under heaven have joined Liu Xuande," Cao Cao coldly replied.

"I fear not. In truth, only thirty percent of the aristocratic families have truly sided with Liu Xuande, and about thirty percent truly oppose Liu Xuande. The rest are swayed by the wind and motivated by profit," Liu Ba said with a smile. "Liu Xuande can win over the aristocratic families, so Lord Cao should find it even easier."

Cao Cao inwardly grimaced but then heard Liu Ba, as if speaking to himself, "The world is still in Lord Cao's hands, and so is the righteousness. Moreover, in this chaotic situation, the Emperor was given to Liu Xuande. Who truly commands whom? Liu Xuande's greatest card is his loyalty to the Han Dynasty."

Cao Cao instantly grasped Liu Ba's words, realizing that Liu Bei's and Liu Xie's banners were in fact highly overlapping; some were loyal to Liu Bei because of Liu Xie. If Liu Bei's grand banner was taken down, disturbances under his rule would be inevitable.

"Secondly, the aristocratic families are merely intimidated by Liu Xuande's power and have no choice but to acknowledge Liu Xuande. To be accurate, Liu Xuande has already harmed the interests of a whole family of aristocrats, yet Chen Zichuan's dual strategy of attack and suppression leaves the aristocrats forced to swallow their grievances." Liu Ba slowly revealed this truth.

By now, Cao Cao understood that Liu Ba indeed had some ability, though it was still far from Xun Yu. Xun Yu had said all this before. Except for disassociating Liu Xie when absolutely necessary, he had informed him of all else.

Similarly, Cao Cao also knew why Xun Yu didn't mention this point. Xun Yu was entirely different from the unscrupulous Liu Ba. Xun Yu's loyalty was to the Emperor; how could he possibly abandon the Emperor (to be continued)? If you like this work, feel free to vote for it at Qidian.com with recommendation and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.