With his seasoned eye, how could he fail to see that the imperial edict was meant to take their lives? It was a scheme built on their very lives, intended to utterly ruin the Pretender Emperor's reputation and force Cao Cao either to submit or to become an enemy once and for all!
An overt stratagem that was virtually impossible to counter!
"No wonder His Majesty succeeded in the military coup in Ye City and drove Yuan Shao out. Such methods, such a temperament, such ruthlessness... truly terrifying."
Yang Biao's feelings were deeply conflicted.
Although Liu Xie's actions left him somewhat chilled, he felt far more willingness to accept them, along with admiration from the bottom of his heart.
This meant Liu Xie had already grown into a qualified sovereign, one who would stop at nothing to achieve his aims, act decisively when the time came, and remain cold and merciless. This was precisely the temperament a ruler ought to have.
Back then, Emperor Gaozu had even pushed his own daughter off his carriage to escape.
To firmly establish the Han Dynasty's legitimate succession, anything could be sacrificed!
With such a Son of Heaven, how could the Great Han fail to rise again?
"Curse Cao Cao for a spineless rat! Had he simply killed me, he would at least have fulfilled my reputation, and the Son of Heaven would surely have entrusted my Yang Clan with important duties!"
Yang Biao did not fear death. He would rather trade his death for the Yang Clan's prosperity; he understood that the Son of Heaven knew his thoughts, which was why they had reached this tacit understanding.
If Cao Cao chose to kill him, then once the Son of Heaven restored the Great Han, his Yang Clan would rank among the top three