He ordered his men to spread the news of Kong Rong's impending visit to Xu County far and wide, and send it to every province and commandery.
For a time, the whole world's eyes were on the matter.
Cao Cao and Yuan Shao had been wrangling over the True and False Son of Heaven for a long time. Everyone under heaven knew about it.
But no one dared reach a firm conclusion about which of the two Sons of Heaven was real.
When the warlords who maintained their own armies in the provinces heard the news, they all cursed.
Previously, they could use the two Sons of Heaven as an excuse, claiming not to know whose edicts to obey, and thus evade Cao Cao's and Yuan Shao's attempts to hold the Son of Heaven hostage to command the lords.
But once Kong Rong determined which Son of Heaven was genuine and the verdict spread throughout the realm, they would lose this excellent shield.
Unlike the warlords, the common people had no such worries. They all discussed it privately.
"What is Cao Cao planning? He's inviting Kong Rong of Beihai to Xu County to have an audience with that Pretender Son of Heaven. Isn't he afraid of being exposed on the spot?"
"Could he be trying to win Kong Rong of Beihai over to help with the deception?"
"Kong Rong of Beihai is a descendant of Confucius. He commands immense respect and is upright and unbending. How could he help deceive people?"
"I trust Kong Rong of Beihai's character too."
"Cao Cao seems so sure he has nothing to fear. Could the Son of Heaven of Xu County be genuine?"
"The Imperial Seal is in Ye City. The Son of Heaven of Xu County must be a fake!"
"I originally thought