"Cao Jili, where have you hidden His Majesty?" Yuan Shao thundered, authority surging from his brow. The palace maids and eunuchs attending the young emperor immediately collapsed to the ground, trembling all over. Yet Cao Cao, Liu Bei, and the others remained unafraid. After his "shock," Cao Cao heard Yuan Shao's furious accusation and immediately flared with anger. Forcing down his rage, he said in a deep voice, "Alliance Leader Yuan, mind your words! His Majesty vanished from your camp—how dare you turn around and question me?" Yuan Shao said, "His Majesty was still resting safely in his tent during the day. Why did he disappear the moment you came to seek an audience? Are you saying this has nothing to do with you?" Yuan Shao had been panicked into confusion, with none of his usual composure remaining.
Cao Cao snorted. "Ridiculous! How could this possibly have anything to do with me? The soldiers guarding His Majesty's main tent are all Yuan family troops. Security is tight for miles around. I, Cao Cao, have neither wings on my back nor the power to turn invisible—how could I possibly abduct His Majesty? Besides, what use would I have for abducting him? Alliance Leader Yuan, think carefully before you speak. Do not make baseless accusations." As he spoke, Cao Cao glanced at Liu Bei. "Furthermore, Brother Xuande also came to seek an audience with His Majesty. By Alliance Leader Yuan's reasoning, would that not make Brother Xuande a suspect as well? That would be utterly absurd! Brother Xuande is His Majesty's imperial uncle. How could he possibly harm His Majesty?"
Liu Bei hurriedly said, "Brother Mengde, Alliance Leader Yuan, please both calm down first. The urgent matter now is to seal off the news and find clues as quickly as possible. Even