Chapter 366 Pu Jing Buying Times (2/2)

As Tong was in deep thought, Pu Jing read Tong's facial expression and could guess what Tong was thinking. He coughed, ”Your majesty, you should read a bit further into that scroll. We hid a classified intel in there. That's the proof of our sincerity.”

Tong stared into Pu Jing's eyes and paused for a minute. He glanced around the room, looking for any potential spies who might be listening to their conversation.

Then, he rolled the scroll in his hands to the end.

At the end of the scroll, small letters were there as Pu Jing had said.

[Yuan Shu has the Imperial Seal.]

[Cao Cao's next target is Yuan Shao.]

Tong had to glance at Pu Jing again to confirm what he read.

”Bad move, Premier. After you achieved your goal, your next target is obviously me. You are buying times from me, so you can strengthen yourselves.”

”Don't be pessimistic and base everything on your assumption, your majesty. Why do we have to risk our lives here if we truly want to be your enemy in the future? I'll repeat it, we're sincere, and we want peace.”

Tong groaned. He guessed that Pu Jing and Cao Cao would eventually betray him once Cao Cao obtained Xu Province from Yuan Shao. He wanted to kill Cao Cao and Pu Jing right here and now, but Tong might die if Pu Jing used a soul explosion, just like Jiang Man.

As Tong learned from past mistakes, he decided to be more patient.

”Fine. Cao Mengde, Putin, kneel and receive my mandate!”

Everyone in the hall knelt. Cao Cao and Pu Jing were also on their knees, receiving Tong's command ceremony.

”I'll give you two commands. One, Cao Cao will be the Marquis of Wei, and he will be in charge of Yan, Yu, and Xu Province. Xuchang, Runan, Chenliu, Puyang, Qiao, Jibei, Xiapi, Xiaopei, Pengcheng, and Langya will be under your responsibility. If any incident occurs within these territories, Cao Cao and Pu Jing will be held responsible for the matter.”

Cao Cao bowed. However, he frowned and clicked his tongue.

He only demanded the title, but he did not imagine that Tong would have specified his territories. By entrusting Xu Province to Cao Cao, Tong declared that Cao Cao was the owner of Yuan Shao's land in the open.

Though it gave Cao Cao a righteous reason to invade Xiapi and other cities, this emperor's mandate would irk Yuan Shao, and he would be wary of Cao Cao in the future.

In other words, this discord tactic forced Cao Cao to be at odd with Yuan Shao. Also, it would interfere with Guo Jia's swift overtaking plan.

Tong continued. He had a faint smile on his face, ”Cao Cao, I heard that you have talented sons, right?”

Cao Cao had a chill running down his spine, ”Y-Yes.”

”I heard about your eldest son, Cao Ang. It's a waste to let him grow up in a battlefield, and he deserves a proper education. While you are pacifying the territories, Cao Ang is going to live in Ye City and learn the way of my rules. That's my second mandate!”

Cao Cao was on the verge of screaming at Tong. This edict dictated that Cao Ang would become a hostage. Should Cao Cao betray Tong in the future, he had to give up his eldest son's life.

Cao Mengde glanced at Pu Jing as he dissatisfied with this negotiation.

”I'm sorry, my lord. We're not in the position to deny an emperor's edict.”

”I'll remember this, Putin. If Tong kills my son, I'll kill you.”

”I know.”

.

The meeting and negotiation ended without bloodshed.

Cao Cao gained his authority as he had hoped, but he would lose a portion of his tax income. Also, Cao Ang had to be transferred to Ye City and lived his life as a hostage.

On the other hand, Tong did not lose much in this deal. He might lose a reason to attack Cao Cao as he had just bestowed him the title and higher noble status, but Tong obtained times to improve his territories.

As for Cao Ang, Tong saw it as a potential double agent. With a bit of Lu Zhi's education and brainwashing, the teenage Cao Ang could become a thorn to Cao Cao in the future.

After the meeting, Xun Yu, Jia Xu, and Friday reprimanded Tong in the clan chat for being lenient and reckless. However, Xun You, Ju Shou, and Liu Ye approved of this move.

.

January, 189 A.D.

Cao Cao and Pu Jing returned to their home with a piece of good news and bad news.

The transfer order reached Xuchang within the same month. The 15-year-old Cao Ang left the city to Ye with dejected expression, knowing that his fate was sealed.

Cheng Yu and other officers could only comfort them with kind words before he departed.

In Qiao City, Cao Cao sent a letter to his friend, plotting his own move to get back on Tong.

Cao Cao's eyes did not hide his grudge and his anger when he watched the departing messenger.

”Since you interest in my family, I'll give you another gift. I'll make you regret messing with my family!”