There was no need to wonder why Cao Cao was so emboldened now. To put it plainly, the state of the realm was such that the aristocratic clans had only Cao Cao to choose from. Even if Cao Cao were willing to step down now, just look around—who would dare take over this mess?
Old Cao had the confidence to do that now. He had the confidence to walk away and flip the table. He guaranteed that the moment he showed even the slightest intention of doing so, those aristocratic clans would beg him, one after another, to come back and take the position.
Of course, things had not reached that point yet. But that did not mean Old Cao had no temper.
It was time to show his true temper!
The next day, Cao Cao ordered the army to return. They withdrew directly from Zhangling to Tangxiang. This time, not only did all the major aristocratic clans of Jingzhou panic, but even the Yingchuan Chen Family, the Zhong Family, the Xun Family, the Chen Family of Xuzhou, and all the other clan members accompanying Cao Cao's army were thrown into a frenzy.
They all demanded to see Cao Cao and ask what was going on. But this time, Cao Cao refused to see anyone, using illness as an excuse. The army was still Old Cao's domain, after all. With Xu Chu at his side, unless Cao Cao gave his consent, no one could hope to see him.
As for bypassing Cao Cao and issuing orders to the army—ha, setting aside whether they had the ability to do so, even if they did, who would want to stick their neck out? In the end, the most anxious were the Jingzhou clans: the Cai Family, the Huang Family, the Kuai Family,