The reward for pledging allegiance to the General was something he never expected.
That was the Defender General of the Xiongnu, with the power to command all three armies. While it couldn't compare to a Provincial Governor a few years later, his current power was akin to half a Provincial Governor.
With this identity, his rise would definitely be much faster, and by then, controlling the entire Bing Province would not be impossible.
He immediately took a step, preparing to descend the steps and return to the inn by carriage.
Just then, a hearty laugh slowly drifted over!
"Brother Wenyi."
Liu Jin heard this and quickly turned his head, glancing behind him, but found no one, only a few guards standing by.
He frowned. The voice was so familiar, it sounded like Cao Cao, but he couldn't see him.
Then, Cao Cao's somewhat dejected voice came from below.
"Brother Wenyi, I'm here."
Liu Jin was stunned, his eyes drifting downwards, only to realize that Cao Cao was standing right beside him.
He couldn't help but show a sheepish smile, cupped his hands, and politely said,
"Brother Mengde."
Cao Cao let out a rough breath through his nostrils, a trace of displeasure on his face.
He muttered to himself, 'Am I really that short?'
Then he glanced at Liu Jin, who was tall and burly, standing in front of him, two full heads taller than himself. A sense of dejection couldn't help but surface in his heart.
No wonder he didn't see himself at first glance. Perhaps his height was even shorter than the long sword at Liu Jin's waist.
Liu Jin's face held a hint of apology; he hadn't intentionally overlooked Cao Cao.
After all, he wasn't short, especially with his rapid growth from eating and drinking so much during this period.
While he didn't have Guan Yu's nine-foot height, he was at least over eight feet tall. In contrast, Cao Cao was at most just over six feet, a difference of dozens of centimeters.
If he wasn't careful, he really wouldn't have noticed Cao Cao right beside him.
Despite his dejection, Cao Cao still said with a smile,
"Wen Yi, you've come to Luoyang City for the first time, unfamiliar with the place. Are you interested in being a guest at my mansion? I'd like to fulfill my duty as a host and entertain you."
Liu Jin grinned upon hearing this. He didn't need to think twice; Cao Cao definitely wanted to befriend him.
After all, at such a young age, he had annihilated hundreds of thousands of Yellow Turban, and his reputation echoed throughout the land.
With Cao Cao's personality, which loved to befriend heroes and valiant figures, he naturally wouldn't miss this opportunity.
Liu Jin didn't refuse; instead, he wanted to interact with Cao Cao.
This man was a warlord of the Han Dynasty, sweeping across the entire Central Plains and the north, establishing the Cao Wei regime.
If he wanted to contend for the world in the future, this Cao Cao in front of him would definitely be a formidable obstacle. It would be best to understand him thoroughly, so he could have more strategies to deal with him later.
After all, knowing oneself and one's enemy ensures victory.
Liu Jin said with a smile,
"Since Mengde invites me, I naturally won't refuse."
When Cao Cao heard this, the smile on his face grew even brighter. He immediately took Liu Jin's hand and headed towards a nearby carriage.
Soon, the carriage began to move, escorted by dozens of guards, heading towards the Cao clan's residence within the city.
After Cao Cao and Liu Jin alighted from the carriage, they walked directly inside.
The Cao family's mansion was very large. Although it couldn't compare to the General's Mansion, it was considered one of the foremost residences in Luoyang City.
After all, the larger a residence in Luoyang City, the more prominent the family's status would be.
Led by Cao Cao, the two arrived at a pavilion within the mansion and took their seats.
Soon, maidservants brought hot dishes and fine wine, placing them on the table.
Cao Cao raised a cup of wine, a smile on his face, and said loudly,
"Wen Yi, let us drink this cup together, to our first meeting."
Liu Jin smiled and nodded, raised his wine cup, clinked it, and drained it in one gulp.
He felt the burning liquor surge down his throat, and a moment later, a sweet and wonderful sensation followed.
His eyes narrowed slightly, and he praised,
"Brother Mengde, this wine is truly wonderful, several notches better than any wine I've had in You Province."
Upon hearing this, Cao Cao laughed heartily, a hint of pride on his face, and boasted,
"This wine is no ordinary drink; it's imperial wine from the palace. My Cao family only has a few jars, and I usually can't bear to drink it myself. I only serve it to close friends."
"But Wen Yi and I are kindred spirits at first sight, so I naturally don't mind bringing it out to entertain you."
Liu Jin was slightly stunned upon hearing this, then showed a smile!
"I didn't expect Brother Mengde to think so highly of me. It truly makes this younger brother feel overwhelmed by your favor."
"Come, I'll toast Brother Mengde a cup."
Cao Cao chuckled, raised his wine cup, and they clinked again.
Soon, after a few cups of wine, Cao Cao burped and slowly said,
"Brother Wenyi, if my guess is correct, you should have joined the General's faction, right?"
Liu Jin nodded upon hearing this, with no intention of concealing it.
At today's banquet, anyone with eyes could see that the General highly favored him, constantly introducing him to everyone, clearly indicating that he had become part of the General's Mansion faction.
Besides introducing him, he would probably also inform the various major powers in the court that he had become a member of the General's Mansion.
Cao Cao's voice continued to come through!
"Wen Yi, with your shallow foundation and no background, rising through military merits and pledging allegiance to the General is a good path."
"With the General's support behind you, things will be much easier in the court."
Liu Jin smiled wryly upon hearing this and slowly said,
"Mengde, I have no intention of becoming an official in the court. Instead, I wish to govern a region and pacify the common people."
Cao Cao was stunned upon hearing this and couldn't help but ask with confusion,
"Wen Yi, with your merits, and the General's support, it would be quite easy for you to establish yourself in the court."
"Especially with your identity as a Han Dynasty imperial clan member, if you perform well, the Emperor will surely value you greatly."
"This is a great future. Why would you want to leave the court and instead govern a region?"
Liu Jin muttered to himself upon hearing this.
He couldn't possibly say that a few years later, the world would descend into chaos, Dong Zhuo would wreak havoc, and various warlords would rise.
Even Cao Cao himself would later become a traitor to the Han Dynasty, controlling the Emperor to command the warlords, and establish a kingdom.
If he were to say that, Cao Cao would probably kill him.
One must know that Cao Cao's dream now was to become the Han Dynasty's General Who Conquers the West, a truly loyal subject of the Han Dynasty.
After a moment of thought, he said with a smile,
"Although I have pledged allegiance to the General and have a powerful backer, my foundation is ultimately shallow, and I do not wish to participate in the political infighting of the court."
"I only wish to govern a region, pacify the common people, and eliminate bandits."
Cao Cao frowned upon hearing this, and a hint of suspicion arose in his heart.
Could it be that Liu Jin in front of him had no great ambitions and only wanted to live a stable life?
Logically speaking, which local official wouldn't want to serve in the court?
Especially county magistrates, grand administrators, and provincial governors who govern a region—their lifelong goal is to enter the center of power in the court. Why would they want to leave and remain a local official?