Chapter 30

Cao Cao ordered people to gather all the dignitaries and nobles in Chang'an overnight, and then, under the 'willing' contributions of these wealthy merchants and big households, he obtained a considerable amount of money and grain.

Yang Feng's Feathered Forest Guard already had low combat strength, and his Western Liang Army under his command was also taken by Cao's forces while they were asleep; from then on, Chang'an was considered to have fallen again into Cao Cao's hands.

Cao Cao's nephew Cao Anmin, while leading troops to loot the property at Zhang Ji's mansion, suddenly heard a woman's startled cry from the firewood shed; Cao Anmin, himself a lecher, was delighted and had people bring out the women of Zhang Ji's family from the shed.

Among them was a lady with fair skin and a face like hibiscus, graceful and charming—this was Zhang Ji's wife, Lady Zou. Lady Zou's voluptuous figure even stirred Cao Anmin, that old lecher, with an almost uncontrollable urge.

Thus Cao Anmin eagerly sought out Cao Cao, who had just entered the city, leaned close to the big-bearded Cao's ear and whispered a few words; Cao Cao's small, shifty eyes flashed with excitement, and his subordinates were already used to such situations.

"Everyone has worked hard today! Let's set up camp and rest. Cao Ren, you take charge of the city's military defenses; we'll make plans again at the next morning audience."

Afterward, Boss Cao, accompanied by Dian Wei and Xu Chu, eagerly went to Zhang Ji's mansion, and Cao Anmin then brought Lady Zou and the other women up.

Looking at the thirty-year-old young lady Lady Zou, Boss Cao could no longer restrain himself and exclaimed:

"How fortunate! To be able to see a lady of such national beauty, Zhang Ji truly has profound blessings."

Then the others tactfully withdrew, while Cao Cao took the opportunity to grab Lady Zou and pull her onto his lap, startling her into a startled cry.

……

The next day at the court assembly, the young emperor trembled, while the officials below fell silent like cold cicadas; everyone now realized that the court had changed hands again.

After Boss Cao finished a round of vigorous health exercises last night, he felt refreshed and brought several strategists and a troop of armored soldiers to the court.

Cao Cao spoke loudly to the young emperor:

"Your Majesty, Chang'an is no place to linger now; the rebel Zhang Ji, who led people in slaughtering the populace, has already been punished by me according to state law! You might consider coming with me to Xu Province, and I can ensure your safety at all times."

Is Cao Cao trying to be a second Dong Zhuo?

Yang Biao and the other three senior statesmen, although they inwardly wanted to resist, had their whole families in Chang'an and had to consider their clan; hearing that Zhang Ji's entire family, except for the women, had been massacred cleanly, they sighed…

Seeing everyone remain silent, and the Emperor Xian of Han nearly about to cry from fright, Boss Cao muttered to himself, "Am I really that scary?"

Just as Cao Aman was about to instruct the young emperor, Yang Feng appeared! He also brought several hundred of his Feathered Forest Guard to the upper hall.

The young emperor looked at Yang Feng with full confidence, and neither of them yet knew that Cao Cao had already taken complete control of the Western Liang Army's main camp; the troops Yang Feng could now mobilize were probably only the several hundred Feathered Forest Guard in the palace.

The young emperor couldn't help but feel hope rise in his heart, and his entire state went from empty to full vigor in an instant.

With General Yang's Western Liang Army comes confidence, comes a man's dignity! In that gaze, hope for life instantly appears.

Then Yang Feng strode onto the upper hall, imposing and fierce, and said to Cao Cao:

"Cao Cao, please remember: as long as I and Lord Liu are here, no one shall act wantonly in this hall!"

The officials inwardly praised, the Right General truly lives up to his reputation, his killing intent soaring! Indeed, he is the man who once made Guo Si shut his eyes and weep!

Seeing the admiring gazes of the crowd, Yang Feng also realized his forces were too few; fortunately he still had forty thousand Western Liang Army troops in the city. But if he knew that Cao Cao had already seized his Western Liang Army's main camp, he might not be able to remain so bold now.

Afterward, Cao Cao, somewhat bewildered, asked:

"Who are you, General?"

Little Fatty Yang's eyes were fierce as he spat out two words

"Yang Feng!!!"

Yang Feng felt that his reputation for eliminating Li Jue and Guo Si was enough to frighten any rebellious minister or traitor into losing control of their bladder; he did not take Cao Cao seriously, and immediately strode toward the young emperor.

Each step was full of positive energy, a confident and proud stride, and this was inevitable!

Then Yang Feng presented to the young emperor:

"Your Majesty, the chaos in this city is entirely caused by this Cao Cao; please issue an order for me to seize Cao Cao! With just your command, I can lead my elite troops straight into his lair and capture him in one fell swoop!"

The young emperor instantly froze, "Do we really need to be this brave, General Yang? Cao Cao is right here, and it's said he brought seventy or eighty thousand men!"

Seeing the stunned crowd, Yang Feng glanced contemptuously at Cao Cao's retinue and said:

"Do you dare to act recklessly? Surrender to the court early, and the Son of Heaven may spare your lives! Cao Cao's reputation is terrible; he actually dared to barge into the Palace of the General of Chariots and Cavalry to commit evil—utterly devoid of any positive energy!"

Finally, Xu Chu behind Cao Cao could bear it no longer, drew his waist sword, and instantly swung at Yang Feng's white neck.

"I'll fuck your mother! Anyone who insults my lord dies!"

Sss!

Fresh blood spurted from Yang Feng's throat, and he had no time to react before his neck was slit.

Then Yang Feng's Feathered Forest Guard clashed with the armored soldiers Cao Cao had brought; the emperor was tightly protected by several eunuchs, and the officials shrank in the corner, too frightened to move.

Soon, under the leadership of a few fierce generals, Cao's infantry slaughtered the Feathered Forest Guard to near annihilation, while Cao Cao and his strategists remained seated thereafter.

Only after the hall gradually fell silent did Cao Cao and the others open their eyes and speak slowly.

"Yang Feng, the rebel, maliciously framed the loyal; Your Majesty saw it with your own eyes, so Yang Feng got what he deserved, gentlemen, isn't that right?"

How could the officials dare to refute now? The young emperor had already burst into tears, his whole body trembling.

And at this moment, Cao Cao could be considered to have formally entered the political center of the late Han dynasty.