After binding Cao Cao, Lü Bu looked up at Qiu Liju and the group of Wuhuan cavalry.

Looking at Lü Bu's cold face and hawk-like eyes, Qiu Liju felt a chill run down his spine for no reason.

Qiu Liju cautiously stepped forward and bowed respectfully: "General, we...?"

"You shall set up camp outside the city and await His Majesty's instructions!"

After coldly uttering those words, Lü Bu turned and walked into the city.

"Uh... yes!"

Watching Lü Bu's retreating figure, Qiu Liju agreed and then led his cavalry to retreat.

On the other side, Cao Cao, who was bound hand and foot, walked closer to Dian Wei as he went.

Cao Cao gently nudged Dian Wei, then lowered his voice and asked, "Hey, old Dian, is His Majesty really angry?"

Dian Wei thought for a moment and said, "I don't know either, but His Majesty was all smiles as he told us to tie you up and take you back!"

"Smiling...?"

Cao Cao was slightly taken aback, then grinned, finally putting his mind at ease.

As one of the emperor's confidants, Cao Cao believed he understood the emperor quite well.

If the emperor is truly angry, he usually appears calm and indifferent; when he is furious, he is not very angry and is preparing to downplay the situation.

As for the smiling face, it means that although the emperor was not angry, he had the intention to teach him a lesson.

Huang Zhong, who was standing nearby, also leaned over and whispered, "Mengde, although His Majesty is not angry, you led your troops to His Majesty's residence without orders, which may cause controversy."

When you see His Majesty later, you must sincerely apologize.

Cao Cao nodded gratefully to Huang Zhong: "Thank you for the reminder, Brother Hansheng. I'll remember it!"

In fact, Cao Cao had already considered this issue before he arrived.

The reason he dared to come was not only because he really didn't want to miss this great battle, but also mainly because of his understanding of the emperor.

He knew that the emperor was not a suspicious and distrustful ruler.

Soon, Cao Cao was taken to the prefect's residence.

Upon seeing the emperor sitting in the hall, Cao Cao wanted to pay his respects, but because he was tightly bound, he could only bend over and look at the ground.

"The disgraced general Cao Cao pays his respects to Your Majesty!"

"Heh~, Minister Cao, what crime have you committed?"

Liu Hong chuckled, a hint of amusement creeping into his gaze as he looked at Cao Cao, wanting to see what he would say.

"Your Majesty, I have come without orders, disturbing Your Majesty's presence. My crime is grave, and I humbly beg Your Majesty to punish me!"

Cao Cao loudly admitted his mistake and voluntarily requested punishment, without offering any excuses.

"Hmph, good to know. If this had happened in the past, it would indeed have been a serious crime..."

Liu Hong snorted, glanced at Cao Cao, and continued, "However, the situation is different now. Seeing that your attitude is quite sincere, I will not punish you!"

Upon hearing this, Cao Cao's face lit up with joy. "Thank you for your mercy, Your Majesty!"

Immediately, Cao Cao turned his back to Dian Wei and said, "Old Dian, come and help me untie this, you're strangling me!"

"Okay!!"

Upon hearing this, Dian Wei, who was standing nearby, also hurriedly stepped forward to untie the ropes binding Cao Cao.

"Wait!"

Just as Dian Wei reached out his hand, Liu Hong stopped him.

"Well?"

Dian Wei paused for a moment, looking at Liu Hong with some confusion, while Cao Cao, who was beaming with joy, also looked bewildered.

"Although I will not question your crime, it does not mean that I will not punish you."

Liu Hong looked at the ropes binding Cao Cao with a playful expression. "Cao Mengde, I have decided to bind you for seven days as punishment!"

"ah??"

Upon hearing this, Cao Cao's expression changed drastically, and his mouth opened wide enough to fit two eggs.

Liu Hong raised his eyelids slightly: "Huh? What?"

"Your Majesty, you said you would bind me for seven days, but what if I want to take a bath, or relieve myself?"

"Not bathing for seven days won't kill you, as for defecating and urinating..."

Liu Hong paused slightly, then smiled and said calmly, "I can find two people to help you support yourself...!"

Cao Cao blushed: "Your Majesty, this..."

"Either I bind you for seven days, or you return to me immediately. You choose!"

Before Cao Cao could finish speaking, Liu Hong immediately interrupted him and offered two options.

Cao Cao's face fell, and he could only say with a wronged expression, "Your Majesty, I am willing to bind myself for seven days. Please do not send me back!!"

Compared to my ideals, being helped to urinate is nothing.

Liu Hong then waved his hand: "Alright, go down!"

"Uh... Your Majesty, could you perhaps arrange for two women to... help me support myself...?"

Upon seeing the emperor waving at him, Cao Cao not only didn't move, but instead fawned over him and offered his terms.

Upon hearing this, the entire hall fell silent.

No one could have imagined that Cao Cao would be so audacious.

The fact that the emperor did not punish him for leading troops without authorization is already a great favor.

Unexpectedly, Cao Cao actually took advantage of the situation and dared to ask the emperor for women to serve him.

His arrogant and spoiled personality was even more pronounced than that of his father, Cao Song.

Just as everyone was shocked by Cao Cao's audacity, Liu Hong laughed and said, "Two aren't enough? How about I arrange ten for you? What do you think?"

If the emperor were to utter such words, anyone who wasn't a fool would understand what the emperor meant and wouldn't dare to be presumptuous anymore.

But Cao Cao was someone who didn't follow the usual path.

"Hehe~, that would be best!!"

Cao Cao chuckled, then bowed deeply and said, "Your Majesty, I thank you for your divine grace!"

Upon seeing this, everyone in the hall was stunned once again. Even Dian Wei, the usually dull-witted fellow, looked at Cao Cao with a hint of admiration.

Seeing Cao Cao pretending to be stupid, Liu Hong waved his hand impatiently: "Alright, go down. I'll send someone over for you in a bit!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

Cao Cao bowed and then left happily.

Tao Qian, who was standing nearby, immediately stepped forward and bowed: "Your Majesty, it is true that you are tolerant and magnanimous, but this Cao Mengde is really ungrateful. Your favor is so great that I fear it will make him spoiled and ungrateful for the grace of Heaven!"

Liu Hong smiled slightly: "What Minister Tao says is true, I have my own way of dealing with him!"

As he spoke, Liu Hong turned to Dian Wei and said in a deep voice, "Minister Dian, go and take some men to Juyan City and search carefully for ten women for Mengde."

Dian Wei replied respectfully, "Yes, Your Majesty!"

"Remember this," Liu Hong said to Dian Wei with a smile, "The women you recruit should be as ugly as possible, as strong as possible, preferably with a build like yours!"

"Uh... I understand!"

Dian Wei nodded blankly, then bowed and withdrew.