The "Tao Te Ching" has more than 5,000 words, which can be said to be a gem of every word. Different states of mind will bring different insights to read.

Wang Xiyao spent a few days reciting the "Tao Te Ching" word by word. After that, in the morning, noon and evening, everyone recited it loudly, without interruption every day.

One month later.

The entire "Tao Te Ching" seems to be engraved in the depths of Wang Xiyao's consciousness, and he can't forget it even if he wants to.

It's a pity.

Even if you can memorize the "Tao Te Ching" in a backward way, it will be useless.

It may be because of insufficient experience or insufficient wisdom. In short, Wang Xiyao's understanding of the "Tao Te Ching" is superficial and he has not understood the essence of it at all.

Wang Xiyao said in his heart: "I finally know why Confucius did not study the entire "Tao Te Ching" when he was a teacher, but instead chose only the part of "De". The part of "Tao" is impossible for people without any talent to truly get started in a short time."

Confucius chose the "De" chapter of "Tao Te Ching", with the word "benevolence" as the core and continuously extended it to form Confucianism.

Confucius only learned half of the Tao Te Ching and became a saint. It can be seen how great wisdom it contains in the Tao Te Ching.

Wang Xiyao focused on the part of "Tao". But it is precisely this part that is the most difficult to learn and understand.

...

In the hall of the court meeting, Liu Xie sat on the throne and looked at Cao Cao with a dark face.

Liu Xie was extremely angry.

Cao Mengde is forcing the palace!

Force me to make him king!

But.

When Liu Xie saw more than 80% of the civil and military officials kneeling on the ground and requested an order to enthrone Cao Cao as "King of Wei", he felt so helpless again.

A sense of powerlessness filled Liu Xie's heart.

More than 80% of the civil and military officials in the court were Cao Cao's followers.

Less than 20% of people support Liu Xie.

Even among the ministers who supported Liu Xie, Xun Yu and Jia Xu, were two wise advisers, but when facing Cao Mengde, they still felt powerless.

Cao Cao was named king, and the general trend was to come.

Even if Liu Xie was the emperor, he had to compromise.

Liu Xie took a deep breath and said in his anger, "Since all the civil and military ministers think that Grand Marshal Cao should be granted the title of king, then... I am sure. However, I want to ask Grand Marshal Cao here, when will the court quell the Jizhou and destroy Yuan Benchu's power?"

Cao Cao said firmly: "Half a year. Just give me half a year to destroy Yuan Shao."

Liu Xie said, "Okay. I will give you half a year. If you can't destroy Yuan Shao, come and see him. If there is no other report, then leave the court."

...

Cao Cao led his civil and military ministers to walk out of the hall.

When passing by Xun Yu, a great man from Guanglu, Cao Cao stopped.

"Xun Yu, you have seen the situation just now." Cao Cao said with a smile, "It's not that I, Cao Mengde, want the throne, but that the entire court has to make Cao the king. It's really unspeakable. Wen If you have the talent of a king and a master, you have been talking about the general trend with Cao before. What is the general trend? Where everyone wants, it is the general trend!"

Xun Yu has always positioned himself as a Han minister. The object of his loyalty was actually not Liu Xie, but the Han Dynasty.

After learning about Cao Cao's ambitions, Xun Yu stopped planning for Cao Cao and turned around to support Emperor Liu Xie.

Xun Yu and Cao Cao's ideas are inconsistent, and it is only a matter of time before they part ways. Cao Cao felt a little regretful when Xun Yu left, but did not do too much to keep him.

Xun Yu was wise, but there were not many wise people under Cao Cao's command, especially Sima Yi, whose power was more than Xun Yu.

Xun Yu is good at internal affairs and formulating military strategies, while Sima Yi is good at seeking power and insight into people's hearts.

The abilities of the two are actually not different, they are just different in their respective fields.

But if Xun Yu wants to fight Sima Yi, he will definitely lose.

Sima Yi would tolerate and was a top master in conspiracy. Xun Yu was a gentleman, and of course he could not fight against the insidious Sima Yi.

Xun Yu said, "Master Cao... No, now you should call him Your Highness, King of Wei. King of Wei, you did something that Dong Zhuo dared not do, but don't forget Dong Zhuo's fate."

Dong Zhuo was powerful back then, but he did not become a king.

Cao Cao laughed and said, "Xun Yu, it turns out that you have misread me, Cao Cao. It is really inappropriate that you compare me with a fool like Dong Zhuo. Dong Zhuo is cruel and unkind, like a pig or dog, and I, Cao Mengde, is a real hero!"

After Cao Cao finished speaking, he took the civil servants and military generals to leave.

Xun Yu looked at Cao Cao's back and sighed.

Cao Cao is indeed a great hero.

No matter how great Cao Cao's ambition is, it is already very telling that there are so many civil and military officials who are willing to follow Cao Cao and recognize him as his lord.

Cao Cao's ability, prestige, and courage are not comparable to Dong Zhuo. Cao Cao is not tall, but his personal charm is enough to impress most people.

...

Liu Xie returned to the imperial study room and drew his sword angrily.

With a sword, the desk was split in half, and the cut surface was as smooth as a mirror.

It is not only as simple as the long sword is sharp, but also because Liu Xie's sword skills have reached the level of microscopicity, so he can achieve such an effect.

Wang Xiyao taught Liu Xie's martial arts and swordsmanship for ten years. Even though Liu Xie was not so serious in practicing swords, there were still some results in practicing swords.

After venting the anger in his heart, Liu Xie calmed down and said, "Transfer my will to let the eldest princess, Wang Taifu, Mr. Wenhe, and Mr. Xun Yu come to the imperial study."

The eunuch in the imperial study room received the order and immediately went to pass on oral orders.

Princess Wannian, Jia Xu and Xun Yu came very quickly.

Only Wang Xiyao came half an hour late.

It was not Wang Xiyao who deliberately delayed it, but he was in seclusion outside Luoyang City. The eunuch who sent the message went to Jiange and did not see Wang Xiyao, so he went to the place where Wang Xiyao was in seclusion outside Wang Xiyao, which delayed a little time.

Wang Xiyao walked into the imperial study room and said, "Your Majesty, I'm really sorry, I'm late."

Liu Xie said: "No obstacle. Taifu, you have always been addicted to practice and swordsmanship. It is actually my fault. But Cao ** forced me to confer him the title of King of Wei, so I can only ask the Taifu to discuss major events."

Has Cao Cao been crowned as king?

What a fast speed.

But it is in line with Cao Cao's style.

Cao Mengde has always been decisive in doing things.

Liu Xie said: "Cao Mengde is too bullying, and I can no longer tolerate him. Mr. Wenhe, can we formulate a plan to "snake swallow elephant"? Just like getting rid of Dong Zhuo, we will directly destroy Cao Mengde."

Jia Xu smiled bitterly and said, "Your Majesty, today is different from the past. Cao Mengde and Dong Zhuo are different. Cao Cao's advisers and generals are also different from the Xiliang army that year."

Cao Cao was one of the participants in the "Snake Swallows Elephant" plan.

Since Cao Cao has been crowned as king, how could he not beware of Liu Xie’s "beheading"?

It is impossible to succeed if you want to destroy Cao Cao like you did when you get rid of Dong Zhuo.

Jia Xu couldn't do it at all.

Liu Xie said: "Then you can only assassinate Cao Cao!"

Princess Wannian said, "Cao Cao is not that easy to assassinate. I asked Jiange to take action twice, but both failed. If I guessed correctly, Cao Mengde would be guarded by his side."

Wang Xiyao glanced at Princess Wannian. Jiange had formulated a plan to assassinate Cao Cao, and it also implemented it?

Why don't you know?

Wang Xiyao rarely manages the mundane affairs of Jiange. Princess Wannian is the head of the palace. It is indeed not necessary to obtain Wang Xiyao's consent if it is formulated.

But it was too reckless to directly assassinate Cao Cao.

Liu Xie sneered: "There is a master? How powerful can the masters around Cao Mengde be? I don't believe that he can be superior to the King's Grand Tutor."

Liu Xie's words are not compliments or praise. He really believes that Wang Xiyao is the strongest person in martial arts and swordsmanship.

In Liu Xie's swordsmanship, Wang Xiyao's swordsmanship realm is simply amazing.

Xun Yu said: "Your Majesty, assassinating Cao Mengde is not a good idea. Once you lose control, the court will inevitably be in chaos. At that time, Your Majesty may be in danger."

Assassination is like playing with fire.

Those who play with fire must burn themselves.

A gentleman like Xun Yu is very disgusted with assassination and other means.

Liu Xie said: "Mr. Xun Yu, if you don't kill Cao Cao, do you have any better ways and strategies to stop Cao Mengde?"

Where can Xun Yu have any solutions?

Any strategy will appear so pale and powerless in the face of absolute power.

Liu Xie looked at Wang Xiyao.

Wang Xiyao said, "I'll go and meet Cao Cao. If there are really experts around him, I might be able to sense it. However, I want to remind Your Majesty that my cultivation and swordsmanship are not invincible in the world. There are not many people who are better than me."

Wang Xiyao thought of the Taoist Nanhua mentioned by his senior brother Shi A. The murderer who killed his mentor, and I don’t know what level of cultivation he has reached.
To be continued...