Looking at Liu Jin's determined expression, Cao Cao couldn't help but sigh!
He had wanted to befriend Liu Jin and ease his relationship with the people in the General's Mansion. Then he would also be able to enter the General's Mansion and completely get rid of his identity as a descendant of Eunuchs.
Unexpectedly, he was going to leave Luoyang, and a leisurely voice slowly came!
"Alright, everyone has their own ambitions, I won't force it."
After saying this, Cao Cao's regard for Liu Jin couldn't help but drop significantly.
From these words, it was clear that this person had no ambition, and had only achieved his title and position through luck, relying on his military achievements in suppressing the Yellow Turban.
Since he couldn't use Liu Jin to establish a relationship with the General's Mansion, he would still follow Yuan Shao. Over time, he believed that people's perception of his identity would change.
Liu Jin noticed Cao Cao's enthusiasm cool considerably, and a faint smile imperceptibly curved his lips.
If it were a prosperous era, with peace and stability, and the common people living in contentment, he would never leave Luoyang, the center of power, and would even strive to climb higher.
But this was a chaotic world, with refugees and bandits rising everywhere. Staying in the court to scheme and fight would only hinder his development.
He had no foundation to begin with. To contend with the warlords of the world, he naturally had to plan ahead; otherwise, what would he use to compete with them for the world?
After the two chatted for a while, Liu Jin had no intention of staying longer. Instead, he cupped his hands and bid farewell to Cao Cao!
Cao Cao still stood up and saw him off, showing a respectful demeanor.
After leaving Cao's residence, the sky had completely darkened.
Liu Jin sat in the carriage, recalling his conversation with Cao Cao today.
The current Cao Cao was still relatively naive and had no particular ambitions, only wanting to go with the flow. He showed no trace of the formidable hero he would become in later generations.
Thinking about it, it made sense. The current Cao Cao was only in his twenties, not yet thirty, held a position of two thousand piculs, and came from a prominent family background.
He never worried about official positions and had not experienced any setbacks, like a young eagle that had not yet matured.
Even so, Liu Jin still dared not underestimate Cao Cao. This person grew very quickly, and in just a few years, he would undergo a transformation, becoming the formidable hero with ambitions for the world.
The carriage traveled along the official road and finally returned to the inn before the curfew.
Liu Jin got out of the carriage and went back into the inn, explaining some of the day's events to his trusted subordinates.
Everyone was shocked, not expecting He Jin to be so generous, not only elevating his marquisate to a 鄉侯 but also recommending Liu Jin as Defender General of the Xiongnu, with control over three commanderies.
Min Chun, among the crowd, showed a smile upon learning of this and quickly offered his congratulations!
"Congratulations, Ming Gong, you now have your own base."
Liu Jin glanced at Min Chun. This person already knew his ambition and aspirations, so he didn't say much.
Instead, he said with a smile!
"Don't be happy too soon. These conditions are only what the Great General promised me; they haven't received the Emperor's and the court's civil and military officials' approval. Whether it will succeed is still a question."
At this point, his words paused, and he looked at Li Li and Min Chun beside him. Liu Jin's voice continued!
"Oh, Bo De, Bo Dian, you two are scholars. You naturally have many friends. See if you can introduce some familiar people to me."
"When we go to Bing Province, they can display their talents and govern a region."
Upon hearing this, the two nodded without hesitation and quickly said!
"Ming Gong, rest assured. Once the imperial enfeoffment comes down, with your current identity and status, it will be enough to attract some talents."
Liu Jin nodded slightly upon hearing this. Although the two in front of him did not hold high official positions, they were part of the scholarly circle.
They had some reputation in Ji Province and could introduce some talents to him.
Especially Min Chun, who in history served as the Inspector of Ji Province, controlling the civil administration of an entire province. Someone who could reach such a position, besides talent, would naturally know many people.
After a brief chat, the few of them returned to their rooms and went to sleep.
The night passed quietly without a word!
The next morning!
After Liu Jin woke up, he came down from the inn.
Guan Yu, Zhao Teng, Wu Xing, and others were eating breakfast.
Seeing Liu Jin arrive, they all greeted him!
"Big Brother, come here quickly."
Liu Jin nodded and came to the side, sitting on the floor.
Looking at the flatbread and rice porridge, he paused for a moment.
He couldn't help but recall his first day after transmigrating, when he was at Zhao Widow's house, eating flatbread and rice porridge.
Thinking of this, Liu Jin looked at Zhao Teng beside him and asked!
"De Hu, have you been in correspondence with your mother during this time?"
Zhao Teng, hearing this, stopped eating his flatbread, his cheeks puffed out, and he mumbled!
"Big Brother, don't worry."
"I've already corresponded with Mother some time ago and sent people to deliver some money and grain back, telling her not to worry, that we are doing well outside."
Liu Jin nodded upon hearing this, as long as Aunt Zhao was doing well at home, it was fine.
Once the matters in Luoyang were settled, he would return to his old home in Zhuo Commandery. He would then take Aunt Zhao to Yanmen so she would have someone to look after her, rather than being left alone in Zhuo Commandery, appearing lonely and helpless.
Looking at the flatbread and rice porridge in his hand, he immediately began to wolf it down.
Although the flatbread was a bit hard, stirring it in the hot rice porridge made it soft and very enjoyable to eat.
After eating his fill, Liu Jin watched the sunlight streaming in through the window.
Outside on the street, figures occasionally flickered, people came and went, and lively, noisy sounds drifted in.
For a moment, he felt somewhat idle.
When he came to Luoyang, he was unfamiliar with the place and its people. Besides the Great General and the previously acquainted Cao Cao, he didn't know anyone else.
As for the rewards, he still had to wait for the Emperor's summons before he could enter the palace to receive them.
Furthermore, he couldn't leave Luoyang during this period. If the Emperor sent someone to summon him and couldn't find him, it would cause the Emperor's displeasure. Not to mention the official position of being enfeoffed as a marquis and appointed a general, he might even end up in prison.
Thinking of this, he looked at Zhao Teng beside him and asked in a hurry!
"De Hu, you came to Luoyang last time. Do you know of any fun places here? It's a good time to take a stroll during this period."
"After we leave Luoyang, I'm afraid we won't be this leisurely."
Zhao Teng, hearing this, couldn't help but scratch his head and mumbled!
"Big Brother, I was in a hurry last time I came to Luoyang. I left after finishing my business and didn't know where the fun places were at all."
Liu Jin pouted upon hearing this. It seemed he still had to rely on himself.
He immediately stood up, taking Guan Yu, Zhao Teng, Wu Xing, and others to leave the inn.
Walking on the wide street, people surged, and it was bustling with activity.
He saw an old man pushing a flatbread stall, constantly shouting!
"Flatbread for sale! One coin each!"