Can I get to the other side?

Xu County, outside the post house.

Although he had arrived in Xu County, Kong Rong did not follow the envoy directly into the city to meet the emperor, but came here first to settle down.

The envoy did not understand this and asked: "Why doesn't the Prime Minister enter the city with me? Your Majesty is very much looking forward to seeing you."

Xu County was in sight, but Kong Rong refused to enter the city.

This made him feel very embarrassed.

Kong Rong said: "To have an audience with the Emperor is a big event and should not be taken lightly. It is necessary to burn incense, bathe and change clothes. The envoy should go to the city first to report to His Majesty. I will wait for His Majesty to summon him before going to have an audience."

The messenger couldn't help but feel a headache after hearing this.

There is indeed such a process for meeting the emperor.

Visitors had to wait in the post house, burn incense, bathe, and tidy up their appearance. They could not enter the palace to have an audience until the emperor sent someone to summon him. The process was very cumbersome.

But this was all from the old almanac many years ago. With the decline of the Han Dynasty and the loss of the emperor's authority, who would care about such cumbersome etiquette now?

However, Kong Rong insisted on this. He had no choice but to sigh and said: "Then please wait in the post house first. I will go into the city to report to His Majesty."

After saying that, he boarded the carriage and left in a hurry.

Kong Rong and Taishi Ci walked into the post house together.

After being led to the room by the postman, Kong Rong asked Taishi Ci to close the doors and windows, and then said to him seriously: "Ziyi, I went to the palace to see the emperor today. If I haven't returned to the posthouse before sunset, you don't have to worry about me. He fled to Jizhou with the news."

Coming to the posthouse to rest is just an excuse. Kong Rong's real purpose is to keep Taishi Ci here in case of unexpected events.

Because if the emperor in the city is fake, or there is no emperor at all, he will definitely not be able to escape. In this case, he can only rely on Taishi Ci to deliver the news for him and spread the news to the world that the emperor of Xu County is fake.

"Please take these two things."

"If the emperor of Xu County is fake, you flee to Yecheng and hand them over to Yuan Shao. He will know what to do."

Kong Rong said and handed the two items in his hand to Tai Shici.

A private seal from one party and a letter.

The private seal represents his identity, and the letter is written by him to Yuan Shao.

As long as Yuan Shao takes them to the Kong family, he will get help from the Kong family in order to reveal Cao Cao's true face.

"Don't worry, Prime Minister, Ci Ding will live up to his mission!"

Taishi Ci took the private seal and letter with a solemn expression.

He knew that this might be Kong Rong's last entrustment, and he also understood how important this entrustment was.

After Kong Rong explained these things, he finally felt relieved and went to bathe and change clothes in preparation for entering the palace.

An hour later, a luxurious carriage drove by and stopped slowly outside the inn. At the same time, two people followed the carriage.

Surprisingly, it was Cao Cao and Xun You.

I saw Cao Cao dismounting from his horse, coming to stand outside the door of the post house, cupping his hands and saying: "Cao Cao is here to welcome the Prime Minister into the palace on your Majesty's order!"

After the words fell, there was no response from the inn.

But Cao Cao didn't show any sign of impatience, he still maintained his saluting posture and stood quietly outside the door.

After a while, Kong Rong walked out of the post house.

After seeing Cao Cao waiting at the door, Kong Rong nodded slightly: "I kept Meng De waiting."

Cao Cao said respectfully: "The Prime Minister is an elder and a great Confucian who is famous all over the world. Coming all the way from Beihai County to meet the Emperor is really hard work. Compared with the Prime Minister, it doesn't matter if I wait a little longer." ?”

"The carriage is ready. Please ask the Prime Minister to get on board."

Kong Rong nodded and walked towards the carriage.

It wasn't until he got on the carriage that Cao Cao straightened his bent waist, then got on his horse and went to clear the way ahead.

Inside the post house.

Taishi Ci watched Kong Rong leave with Cao Cao and others. He couldn't help but touch the seal on his chest, his eyes full of worry.

He now hopes that the emperor of Xu County is real, so that Kong Rong can return safely.

…

Xu County, the palace hall.

The emperor had been waiting here with Fu Wan, Yang Biao and other ministers early.

At this time, he was looking forward to the figure slowly walking into the hall with Cao Cao, feeling extremely excited.

"It's here! It's finally here!"

During the period before Kong Rong came to Xu County, the emperor lived a very miserable life. He was worried all day long, fearing that something would happen to Kong Rong on the road, such as being assassinated by someone sent by Yuan Shao.

Fortunately, Kong Rong had a safe journey and successfully arrived in Xu County.

Now he is only one step away from clearing his reputation and regaining his status as emperor!

"My lord, Kong Rong, the Prime Minister of Beihai, is here to see Your Majesty!"

After Kong Rongcao walked into the main hall, he faced the emperor and paid three obeisances and nine kowtows to the emperor meticulously.

Seeing this scene, the emperor felt a sore nose.

Now that the Han Dynasty is declining, he, the emperor, has long lost his majesty. He can no longer remember how long it has been since his courtiers paid him such a great gift. However, Kong Rong still abides by the etiquette of his courtiers, which shows his loyalty!

"My beloved, please get up quickly!" The emperor's tone was slightly choked, "You have traveled thousands of miles from Beihai County. It's really hard work."

Kong Rong said: "I am a minister of the Han Dynasty. If the emperor calls me, how can I not come?"

"I am truly a loyal minister to you!" The emperor greatly admired Kong Rong's behavior. He originally wanted to continue chatting with Kong Rong, but Cao Cao spoke.

"Your Majesty, let's talk about business first." Cao Cao bowed his head slightly, clasped his hands and said: "Mr. Kong must be very tired after traveling all the way; Your Majesty might as well finish talking about business with Mr. Kong earlier, so that Mr. Kong can go back and rest."

Hearing this, Kong Rong couldn't help but look at Cao Cao and frowned slightly.

The emperor was a little embarrassed, and gave up the idea of ​​chatting with Kong Rong. He nodded and said: "What the Grand Marshal said is very true. I was so happy that I forgot to talk about business with you, my dear."

"My dear, recently there has been a rumor about the real and fake emperors in the world. Have you heard about it?"

Kong Rong nodded and said: "I have heard about it. People all say that there is an emperor in Yecheng and Xu County, but they don't know which one is true and which one is false, so they argue endlessly."

In fact, the real and fake of the two emperors have been determined.

Before Kong Rong came to Xu County, people in the world basically believed that the emperor in Yecheng was the real emperor, and the one in Xu County was fake.

Because the emperor of Yecheng was recognized by Yuan Shao, Lu Bu, and Liu Bei, and there was also the imperial seal, which was enough to prove the legitimacy of the emperor of Yecheng.

However, it was of course inconvenient for Kong Rong to say such things directly, and he could not determine his position before confirming the authenticity of the emperor.

Hearing this, the emperor suddenly became excited and said with resentment on his face: "The one in Yecheng is fake!"

"Since the fall of Chang'an City, I have been fleeing all the way. Fortunately, I was rescued by the Grand Marshal and moved the capital to Xu County."

"The emperor in Yecheng is just a fake emperor that Yuan the thief found someone to impersonate in order to use my name! I have never left Xu County, so how could I appear in Yecheng?"

The emperor was angry and aggrieved. Kong Rong's arrival finally allowed him to find someone to talk to and vent.

"Now the Han Dynasty is in decline and chaos is everywhere."

"First there were the Yellow Turbans and Dong Zhuo's rebellions; then there were Guo Si and Li Jue's rebellions; some time ago even Yuan Shu, who was a third-generation official, proclaimed himself emperor. The Han Dynasty is already in turmoil."

"The two Yuan brothers, one usurped the throne and the other pretended to be the emperor, relying on their own reputation to deceive the world; and I don't know what means they used to make Wen Hou Lu Bu believe him, leaving me speechless."

"I am the emperor, but I can't clean up the country, and now even the title of the emperor will be taken away by the villain."

"I really don't have the face to see the previous emperors of the Han Dynasty!"

The emperor burst into tears as he spoke.

This was what Cao Cao taught him. When he met Kong Rong and talked about something emotional, he must cry.

He didn't want to cry at first, for fear of losing the dignity of the emperor.

But he didn't dare to disobey Cao Cao.

Infected by the emperor's emotion, many ministers on the scene covered their faces and cried, and Fu Wan and Yang Biao also looked sad.

How could people not be sad when the Han Dynasty fell to such a state?

Kong Rong silently observed the expressions of the emperor and the crowd, and listened to the emperor's confession to him quietly without saying a word.

"Fortunately..."

After crying for a while, the emperor wiped his tears and continued: "Although there are rebels everywhere in the world, there are still loyal ministers and righteous men like the Grand Marshal and you!"

"Your reputation is profound and respected by the world. I summoned you here because I want you to verify your identity for me, reveal the true face of Yuan Shao to the world, and let the world know that the emperor in Yecheng is a fake emperor!"

After the emperor finished speaking, he looked at Kong Rong with hope.

Kong Rong is his only hope now!

Faced with the emperor's expectations, Kong Rong shook his head, "Your Majesty, please forgive me for not being able to make a direct conclusion now."

When this was said, everyone was shocked.

With the emperor in front of him and a group of important court officials here, how could he not make a direct conclusion?

Cao Cao narrowed his eyes slightly, with a bad premonition in his heart.

"Why?!" The emperor looked at Kong Rong in disbelief, "Do you also think that I am fake? But whether it is the Grand Marshal or Yang Gong and Fu Gong, they can all testify for me! There are so many ministers too!"

"My concubines are also in the palace. I can call them all to testify for me one by one to you!"

The emperor is really anxious now. He thought that Kong Rong would agree to testify for him directly after seeing him.

Unexpectedly, he was unwilling!

Traitor, traitor!

Kong Rong said: "Your Majesty, you have misunderstood me. The last time I met your Majesty was eight years ago. After that, I was sent to Beihai County to quell the rebellion because I offended the traitor Dong Zhuo, and I have not met your Majesty again."

"Although your Majesty's appearance now has the shadow of eight years ago, it has been too long and I dare not confirm it casually."

"I will ask Mr. Yang, the father-in-law and the ministers about your Majesty later, but whether your Majesty is the real emperor, I need to go to Yecheng before I can make a judgment."

"Because this is related to the orthodoxy of the Han Dynasty, I dare not jump to conclusions with such a heavy responsibility. Please forgive me, your Majesty."

After listening to Kong Rong's explanation, everyone and the emperor breathed a sigh of relief.

Everyone can understand Kong Rong's caution. After all, this is related to the orthodoxy of the Han Dynasty, so he has to be cautious.

Although the emperor was very disappointed, he still forced a smile, "I understand your embarrassment and caution."

"Then wait until you go to Yecheng before making a decision. Since I am the real emperor, why should I be afraid of being compared with the fake emperor."

"But please communicate more with Yang Gong and others. If you have any questions, you can ask my concubines."

Although he was indeed the emperor, he still gave Kong Rong some advice for the sake of caution.

Because he didn't know what means Yuan Shao had.

After all, even Lu Bu, Liu Bei and Yuan Shao were deceived. What if even Kong Rong was deceived by Yuan Shao? No one can say for sure.

Kong Rong said: "Your Majesty, rest assured. I will be very careful."

When the emperor saw that there was no follow-up, he said with concern: "My dear, you have been bumpy all the way. It is really hard. Go back and have a good rest today. You must take care of your health!"

"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. I will take my leave first."

Kong Rong said goodbye to the emperor and walked out of the hall.

Not long after he walked out of the hall, Cao Cao quickly caught up with him.

"Prime Minister, I have prepared a banquet in my house to welcome you, and I have specially cleaned a secluded courtyard for you to rest."

"If you don't mind, let me entertain you well."

Cao Cao respectfully invited Kong Rong.

Kong Rong shook his head and said, "Meng De's kindness is not acceptable to me. To avoid criticism from others, I can just stay in the post house."

Cao Cao looked regretful when he heard this: "It should be so. I will send the prime minister back to the post house now."

"Thank you." This time Kong Rong did not refuse and agreed.

...

At this time, in the hall, the emperor looked at Yang Biao and Fu Wan with sorrow: "Mr. Yang, father-in-law, do you think Kong Rong really dare not make a decision easily, or do you think my identity is false?"

"Whether I am the emperor or not, you and the concubines in the harem can all testify, why does Kong Rong still go to Yecheng?"

He understood Kong Rong's caution, but he still had some complaints in his heart.

"Your Majesty, it is related to the orthodoxy of the Han Dynasty. Kong Beihai is not wrong to be cautious." Yang Biao said.

He recognized Kong Rong's cautious attitude, which also showed that Kong Rong would not be threatened or bribed by Yuan Shao.

Fu Wan also said: "Your Majesty, don't worry. Unless the fake emperor looks exactly like your Majesty, Kong Beihai will be able to tell the real from the fake at a glance. After Kong Beihai has seen the fake emperor, he will naturally know that your Majesty is the real dragon emperor."

Hearing the comfort of the two, the emperor felt much more at ease.

Yes, there is nothing to worry about. Yuan Shao can't find someone who looks the same as him.

How can there be such a coincidence in the world?

After Kong Rong compared the two emperors, he naturally came to a conclusion.

What he has to do now is to wait for the result with peace of mind.