《Three Kingdoms: Prince of the Great Wei, Prime Minister Cao》 Chapter 1 - The Uncertain Crown Prince of Great Wei, Everyones a Dark Horse! Chapter 1: The Uncertain Crown Prince of Great Wei, Everyone¡¯s a Dark Horse!In the seventeenth year of Jian¡¯an, AD 212, as the embers of the Han dynasty¡¯s glory still lingered, the realm was divided into three factions teetering on the edge of war. The gleam of blades and swords in this tumultuous era remained undiminished despite the fall of heroes and great men. The resonant calls of war drums, symbolic of battle and carnage, echoed on, undeterred by the passing of brave souls. The grand Battle of Red Cliffs, merely four years past, appeared as nothing more than a prelude to a new round of conflicts vying for dominance. The power struggle between Cao, Sun, and Liu persisted¡­ During this time, Liu Bei had led his forces into Shu for a year, and his estrangement from Liu Zhang loomed. In the recently pacified Guanzhong region, Cao Cao launched another southern campaign, commanding a four-hundred-thousand-strong army that crossed Chao Lake for the second time, aiming to exert pressure on Jiangdong and annihilate Sun Quan. Sun Quan, not one to await his doom passively, raised a hundred thousand troops and marched north to counter Cao Cao¡¯s advances. S§×arch* The n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. During the season of late autumn, in October, continuous rain veiled the land of Huainan, and the dark clouds refused to disperse, casting a gloomy and oppressive atmosphere. In the provincial capital of Yangzhou, Shou Chun, within the provincial seat, a youth of about fifteen or sixteen, with a handsome appearance and the early signs of a scholarly beard, sat across from a refined scholar whose pale complexion hinted at illness. Neither of them spoke first. Their gazes remained fixed on the delicate and luxurious food container opened before them. Yet, within the container, there was absolutely nothing inside!! That was not all. A brazier burned with a vigorous flame not far from the food container. Surrounding the brazier were stacks of bamboo slips and cloth scrolls adorned with text, seemingly prepared to be reduced to ashes. ¡°Young Master, have you come to deliver a message on behalf of the Prime Minister?¡± After a long while, A refined scholar¡¯s voice broke the silence in the room. With his intellect, Xun Wenruo, who could not understand the intention behind Lord Cao Cao, whom he faithfully served, sending him an ¡°empty food box¡±? An empty box signified not just the absence of salary (¡°decease¡±)¡­ It could also be interpreted as nothing left, please make your way out (¡°deceased by one¡¯s hand¡±). Reflecting on the intensifying conflicts and contradictions between Xun Wenruo and his lord Cao Cao over matters of ¡°addressing you as Lord,¡± ¡°Bestowing the Nine Marquis,¡± and ¡°loyalty to Han and opposition to Han¡± in recent years, Xun Yu felt a trace of complex desolation and then found release. Desolation in the end that the principles of loyalty between lord and retainer had led to this point, a point of forcing oneself to die. Also, Release in the knowledge that after today, he no longer needed to struggle painfully between the positions of ¡°Han¡± and ¡°Cao.¡± After his death, the annals of history would only record that he, Xun Yu of Yingchuan, Xun Wenruo, remained loyal to the Han Dynasty until his death. Across him, the young and handsome man Xun Yu called ¡°Young Master,¡± Cao Ju, the eighth son of the current Grand Chancellor of the Han dynasty, Cao Cao, suddenly heard these words. A touch of bitterness and helplessness appeared at the corners of his mouth. If he were indeed the ¡°natural-born¡± son of Cao Cao¡­ Today¡¯s visit must have been to ¡°carry out his father¡¯s command¡± to send Xun Yu, this talented strategist who had stood in the way of Cao Cao¡¯s ambitions, on his journey to the underworld. However, there¡¯s a crucial issue. He wasn¡¯t that person! To be more precise, Cao Ju was a ¡°latecomer¡± time traveler, one who had traveled through time and space. Different from those who mostly migrated to the era of the Yellow Turban Rebellion at the end of the Han Dynasty or the period of warlords fighting against Dong Zhuo. When he first transmigrated into this world a year ago, never mind dealing with Dong Zhuo, even the world-famous Battle of Chibi had concluded three years prior. The vast river continued to flow eastward. In this vast world, the once brilliant and peerless Commander Zhou Gongjin was no longer on the great river. Instead, Sun Zhongmou, the lord of Jiangdong, had risen to prominence after the Battle of Chibi, commanding hundreds of thousands of soldiers. And then, now the ruler of Jing and Xiang, who possessed both the ambition of a hero and the territory of military power, Liu Xuande! With such thoughts, Cao Ju couldn¡¯t help but laugh at himself: a time traveler who came from another world, who knew the rise and fall of Cao Wei, who aimed to seize the opportunity of the current uncertainty of the ¡°Crown Prince of Wei¡± to compete with the other sons of the Cao household, and to strive for the continuation of the Wei dynasty¡¯s dominance, thereby rewriting the history of the Central Plains during the chaos of the Five Barbarians, all as the eighth son of the Cao household. Everyone is a dark horse with an undecided heir (Crown Prince) position. Although Cao Ju was ranked after Cao Ang (who died at Wancheng), Cao Shuo (who died young), Cao Pi, Cao Zhang, Cao Zhi, Cao Xiong (who died young), and Cao Chong (who died of illness), who could be certain that the old eighth could not stage a comeback? Lady Bian had not yet been officially recognized by Cao Cao, and his third brother Cao Pi, who was now in the same position as him among the illegitimate sons of the Cao household, might not have such a secure position as the first designated heir of Cao Wei. Perhaps even Cao Pi lived each day with trepidation, like walking on thin ice! Amidst contemplation, Cao Ju looked at Xun Yu, who had already retired as the Grand Minister and had been granted the title of Guanglu Dafu by his father Cao Cao. Saving this great Han scholar Xun Lingjun, preventing him from taking poison and dying, persuading him not to engage in counterproductive conflicts with his father, Cao Cao, regarding matters of formal address and overstepping boundaries ¨C these were the first steps in Cao Ju¡¯s plan for his own comeback. The political resources and factional strength represented by the alive Xun Lingjun would undoubtedly become a strong and crucial support in his journey to seize power. But before that, a thorny issue needed to be resolved. How to persuade Xun Yu! Cao Ju¡¯s peripheral vision glanced at the empty food box. At the very least, he understood one thing: in response to Xun Yu¡¯s question, he couldn¡¯t admit it. He must take the initiative in steering this conversation. Thinking this through, Cao Ju chuckled lightly and said, ¡°Master, at this point, does it really matter whether Ju came here on my father¡¯s orders to see you off?¡± Cao Ju¡¯s rhetorical question left Xun Yu momentarily stunned, and his eyes dimmed. Yes, did it matter? Xun Wenruo had already formed an intention to die. What did it matter if the current Cao household¡¯s eighth son came to send him off by his father¡¯s command? What was there for someone facing death to hold onto? Noticing Xun Yu¡¯s expression, Cao Ju didn¡¯t remain silent. His question just was merely about seizing the initiative. The true words he wanted to use to persuade Xun Yu to abandon his suicidal thoughts were yet to come. Hence, he continued, ¡°I have heard¡­ At the beginning of the year, when Dong Zhao and others advised the Emperor, and he granted my father the title of Duke and bestowed the Nine Marquis, you criticized Dong Zhao by saying, ¡®Living off Han¡¯s rewards while dying as a loyal Han subject.¡¯ I also heard that you advised my father afterward¡­¡± ¡°(My lord) originally raised righteous armies to restore peace to the dynasty, upheld sincerity in loyalty and observed the virtue of yielding. A nobleman cherishes people through virtue. This is not suitable.¡± ¡°Master¡¯s loyalty to Han is indeed admirable in these chaotic times.¡± In his words, Cao Ju spared no expense praising Xun Yu¡¯s loyalty to Han. It was as if he and his father, Cao Cao, who desired to overstep boundaries, didn¡¯t have the same intentions. However, in the next moment, Cao Ju¡¯s tone suddenly shifted. ¡°However¡­¡± ¡°Though I admire the Master¡¯s actions, I can¡¯t help but have three doubts. I hope the Master won¡¯t mind explaining.¡± ¡°Firstly,¡± ¡°Master, you¡¯ve spoken of ¡®living off Han¡¯s rewards,¡¯ but where do those rewards come from?¡± ¡°Secondly, since you consider yourself a loyal Han subject, your loyalty is evident to all. But what exactly are you ¡®loyal¡¯ to, Master? Is it the distant Emperor in Xudu? Is it the Liu Han lineage that has continued for almost four hundred years? Or¡­ Is it the populace of commoners who live on Han soil, within its borders, the Han ethnic group composed of people from all corners of the realm?¡± ¡°Thirdly, retaining the virtue of yielding, not being suitable like this ¨C I dare ask Master¡­ If you were in my father¡¯s position as the present powerful minister, could you truly yield?¡± At the right time, the rainstorm raged outside. The oil lamp inside the room flickered dimly. The young and handsome man who had posed the three questions fell silent. He calmly looked at the final loyal minister of the Han Dynasty, waiting for the response of the unparalleled strategist, Xun Wenruo. Chapter 2 - Three Questions to Xun Yu - What is the Dominion of Great Han? Chapter 2: Three Questions to Xun Yu ¨C What is the Dominion of Great Han?The origin of Han¡¯s prosperity lay in multiple facets. If one were to delve into the roots of this prosperity, it would be found in the toil of the myriad people across the realm. The fields cultivated by commoners, the weavers fashioning luxurious garments, the taxes paid by traders engaging in commerce, and the craftsmen constructing imperial edifices¡ªall converge to form the genuine essence of Han affluence. In my perspective, the sustenance of the emperor and the court officials hinges on the labor of these commoners. While you, sir, advocate for enjoying prosperity as a Han subject during one¡¯s lifetime and serving as a loyal subject in death, why did you solely direct your gaze upward to the lofty figure of the emperor, neglecting to acknowledge the millions who sustain your own livelihood? To counter your silence, let me propose the answer to the second question regarding the nature of your loyalty. If loyalty was professed to the distant emperor in Xudu, it might be viewed differently in the annals of history¡­ Before Xun Yu could respond, Cao Ju continued with his own interpretation. If loyalty is pledged to the emperor in Xudu, it could be perceived in future historical records¡­ In contemplating the waning fortunes of the Han dynasty and considering the exceptional talents within Lord Cao Cao¡¯s progeny, Xun Yu¡¯s emotions became intricate and challenging to articulate. Cao Ju¡¯s articulation of Han¡¯s prosperity and the role of the people struck a chord. Yet, despite the remarkable talents of the Cao siblings, the absence of capable individuals in the Han dynasty invoked a sense of melancholy. As Cao Ju posed the third question about Xun Yu¡¯s lord and master, the esteemed Cao Cao, and whether he, in his elevated position, could genuinely step back, Xun Yu grappled with conflicting sentiments. The realization dawned that perhaps the eighth son of Lord Cao Cao, previously underestimated in his shadow, now unveiled his brilliance with unabashed ambition. Was his unreserved expression of aspirations resulting from foreseeing Xun Yu¡¯s imminent demise? In these moments of contemplation, Xun Yu discerned that he and others had overlooked this young prince¡¯s potential, especially in the aftermath of the deaths of Cao Ang and Cao Chong. The complex interplay of emotions¡ªmoved by Cao Ju¡¯s insights, sorrow for the diminishing Han dynasty, and acknowledgment of the underappreciated talents within the Cao lineage¡ªrendered Xun Yu¡¯s response elusive. Cao Ju¡¯s voice cut through the reflective silence once more, pressing on with the question of Xun Yu¡¯s loyalty. Before Xun Yu could articulate his thoughts, Cao Ju continued to speculate on the possible answers, emphasizing the potential interpretations that history might ascribe to such loyalty. ¡°Concerning you, sir, at best, you would be just an ordinary and faithful minister, hardly distinguishable from countless others emerging during dynastic transitions. Consider Minister Wang, who met his demise during the chaos in Changan, or the conspirators like Dong Cheng from over ten years ago, all boasting about loyalty and righteousness. Yet, what was the outcome? They perished, and the Great Han¡¯s decline persisted. People remember my father Cao Cao¡¯s reputation, not their deeds.¡± After a momentary pause, Cao Ju continued, ¡°If your loyalty is to the four-hundred-year heritage of the Great Han and the continuation of the Liu clan¡¯s rule, then you might deserve the title of ¡®Kingly Advisor of Han.¡¯ However, would the four-hundred-year legacy and the Liu clan truly recognize you as such? Presumably not. Even the twenty-nine emperors who inherited the Great Han¡¯s legacy, including the current emperor, wouldn¡¯t acknowledge you. They might question why you assisted the ¡®Han traitor Cao Cao¡¯ in achieving dominance at the expense of the Great Han.¡± With a slight smile, Cao Ju added, ¡°Tell me, how would Emperor Gaozu and Emperor Xiaowu, Emperor Guangwu, view you if they were reborn?¡± This question struck at Xun Yu¡¯s core, leaving him visibly pale and trembling. In a swift moment, Xun Yu raised his head, defending himself with wavering words, ¡°Justice¡­ justice lies within one¡¯s heart! What Xun Yu seeks is only to be free of self-reproach.¡± Despite his initial uncertainty, his resolve seemed to grow as he spoke about being without reproach. Unexpectedly, Cao Ju burst into laughter. ¡°Hahaha! What a pursuit of being free from self-reproach. Sir, your words are preposterous. In my view, what resides in people¡¯s hearts is the heart of the people, the heart of the myriad commoners of the realm. You clung foolishly to your loyalty to the present ruler, your foolish loyalty to the Liu dynasty. In such circumstances, how could they ever give you justice?¡± Cao Ju let his words settle, allowing Xun Yu time to absorb the weight of his statements. As Xun Yu contemplated, the echoes in his ears were not of Cao Ju¡¯s questions but the profound maxims emphasizing the importance of putting the people first and prioritizing the world¡¯s concerns. Under the influence of these sayings, Xun Yu¡¯s life¡¯s work seemed like a jest, incapable of assisting rulers or benefiting the common people. His once-upright posture now reclined, devoid of the dignity of a gentleman. After a brief pause, Cao Ju¡¯s voice filled the room once more. ¡°In times of chaos, it¡¯s unlike rowing upstream. Retreating in the struggle for dominance means no place to bury oneself. If my father were to retreat, it¡¯s not only the Cao family that would perish but also loyal civil and military officials, including you, sir. You would die, and those bearing arms might witness the fall of our reigning emperor, who seized power in one fell swoop.¡± S§×ar?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 3 - Does Liu Xie Possess the Aura of Emperor Xuan of Han and Guangwu? Chapter 3: Does Liu Xie Possess the Aura of Emperor Xuan of Han and Guangwu?In the dimly lit room, Cao Ju maintained silence. The ongoing discussion concerned whether Cao Cao could meet Xun Yu¡¯s expectations of ¡°yielding or not yielding.¡± Despite Xun Yu¡¯s hopeful anticipation of Cao Cao¡¯s concession, Cao Ju introduced another influential figure into the conversation ¨C Emperor Liu Xie of the Han Dynasty. Not only did he mention Liu Xie, but he also brought up Liu Xie¡¯s actions after ascending to power¡ª an ¡°advance¡± followed by ¡°gradual encroachment¡± and a ¡°major reckoning.¡± Hearing Cao Ju¡¯s words, Xun Yu¡¯s expression subtly changed, and he promptly countered, ¡°Impossible!¡± ¡°Absolutely impossible!¡± He added, his urgent tone indicating that this brilliant strategist had lost his composure or was fervently defending Emperor Liu Xie. Though Xun Yu could endure Cao Ju¡¯s probing into his actions and intentions, he subconsciously rejected Cao Ju¡¯s ¡°assault¡± and ¡°slander¡± against Emperor Liu Xie. Staring at this version of Xun Yu, Cao Ju sneered, ¡°So, Your Majesty Liu Xie possesses virtuous and benevolent qualities?¡± ¡°Does he have the aura of Emperor Xuan of Han and Guangwu?¡± ¡°Sir, if you were to place these words upon Liu Xuande, who was once struggling in the besieged lands of Western Chu, I might find them somewhat acceptable.¡± ¡°After all, the benevolence and righteousness of Uncle Liu are known throughout the realm. Although I am labeled in his words as the rebellious son of the Han Dynasty, I still deeply admire his struggles that eventually led to the foundation of Jing Province.¡± These words were undoubtedly sincere from Cao Ju¡¯s perspective. As a time traveler, Cao Ju¡¯s impressions and evaluations of the three factions¡ªCao, Sun, and Liu¡ªremained distinctly clear: Sear?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Cao Cao, the Martial Emperor of Wei, displayed a domineering nature in all his actions. He could be hailed as a ruthless hero of chaotic times. Liu Bei embodied benevolence and righteousness, upholding the principles of the king¡¯s path. He stood as a hero of his era. Unfortunate circumstances hindered Shu Han¡¯s romantic beginnings, and its romance ended similarly. And as for Sun Quan of Jiangdong¡­ After quietly retracting this line of thought, Cao Ju looked up and met Xun Yu¡¯s gaze, a hint of mockery flickering in his eyes. ¡°But to use these words to describe the current Emperor.¡± With a faint tone of contempt, Cao Ju¡¯s expression suddenly shifted. ¡°I beg to differ! Does he, Liu Xie, deserve it?!¡¯¡¯ ¡°Emperor Xuan, Liu Xie¡¯s revered ancestor, held deep affection for his sword even in his final moments. While seated on the imperial throne, he didn¡¯t forget the hardships of his early days and married his concubine from those times. He dared to reject the Ho family¡¯s daughter and instead chose Lady Xu as his empress.¡± ¡°Emperor Guangwu reforged the empire¡¯s destiny, but he never resorted to the tactics of the crafty hare and the cooking dog, as Emperor Gaozu did. His twenty-eight generals of the Cloud Terrace all met honorable ends.¡± ¡°Heh, and now we have this reigning Emperor?¡± In front of Xun Yu, Cao Ju at this moment, did not hide his disdain for the current Emperor, Liu Xie. ¡°In the past, during the turmoil caused by Dong Zhuo, when chaos plagued the court and afflicted the realm, Minister Wang Yun, through the hands of Lu Bu, restored order and saved the Emperor from the hands of the rebels.¡± ¡°Back then, despite his pride in his accomplishments, his achievements were considerable!¡± ¡°However, During the turmoil in Changan, what did the Emperor do?¡± ¡°Faced with the demands of the rebel generals Li Jue and Guo Si, who wanted Minister Wang executed, what did His Majesty the Emperor do?¡± ¡°One side represented the rebels¡¯ demands, while the other was a loyal subject. Amidst the two choices, who could have anticipated that our Emperor would hesitate and remain silent?¡± Cao Ju¡¯s voice grew somber as he spoke. ¡°Is this choice really so difficult?¡± In his words, Cao Ju¡¯s voice lowered. ¡°Wang Zishi (Wang Yun¡¯s style name), as a loyal subject to the state, eliminated traitors and braved national crises. His loyalty and righteousness were intense. Born as a Han minister, he died as a Han spirit.¡± ¡°But it was this very person!¡± ¡°At the moment when tens of thousands of troops were facing him, the monarch he remained loyal to abandoned him. ¡°Perhaps, when our Emperor maintained his silence, Wang Zishi, by the Emperor¡¯s side, had already understood the Emperor¡¯s choice.¡± ¡°His heart died along with it!¡± ¡°And so, with that leap from the Xuanping Tower in Chang¡¯an, the tragic separation of ¡®sovereign¡¯ and ¡®traitor,¡¯ accompanied by bloodshed.¡± ¡°After his death, under the Emperor¡¯s cold gaze, Wang Zishi¡¯s corpse was left to be trampled by the Western Liang¡¯s mighty steed. Not a trace remained.¡± ¡°A subject¡¯s whole heart for his sovereign! Yet, why did the sovereign forsake the subject?¡± ¡°A loyal subject. What crime did he commit!!!¡± Cao Ju shook his head gently, feeling the injustice on behalf of Wang Yun. And as his words came to an end¡­ ¡°¡± The windows suddenly burst open with a howling wind. As it extinguished the room¡¯s oil lamp, lightning also entered. Amid the flash of lightning and the roar of thunder, Cao Ju¡¯s question, ¡°What crime did he commit?¡± left Xun Yu momentarily dazed and disoriented. In an instant, Xun Yu felt as if he was facing Wang Yun as if he was there in person. He saw Wang Yun sternly questioning him, and though he tried to speak, his throat only felt dry. He opened his mouth to speak, but no words came out. Cao Ju¡¯s words echoed softly at this moment, ¡°I ask, sir. Does such an Emperor truly possess the benevolence of Emperor Xuan and the righteousness of Guangwu? Truly an insult to both!¡± ¡°Emperor Xuan, Liu Xie, when facing Huo Guang¡¯s actions to depose and enthrone emperors, was able to grant him the highest posthumous honors after his death. He gave this powerful minister an imperial burial. Had it not been for the misguided actions of Huo Guang¡¯s family that led to the poisoning and rebellion of Lady Xu¡¯s mother and child, even the Huo clan might not have faced punishment.¡± ¡°Even so, during the three years of Ganlu, Emperor Xuan welcomed the return of the Xiongnu to Han. Reflecting on the past achievements of his loyal ministers, he still did not forget Huo Guang¡¯s contributions. He placed him at the forefront of the Qilin Terrace Eleven Accomplished Men.¡± ¡°With the accomplishments on the Qilin Terrace, who could match the grandeur upon its steps? In terms of a king¡¯s generosity, could our yet-to-reign Emperor, who, over a decade ago, instigated the ¡®Cloth Belt Edict,¡¯ conspired with Liu Bei, Dong Cheng, Zhong Yao, Wu Zilan, and others to hastily plan the assassination of my father in secret, compare to Emperor Xuan of Han?¡± ¡°Even before ascending the throne, our Emperor¡¯s murderous intent was glaring. If our Emperor gains control and authority in the future, what hope of survival does my father, my Cao family, have?¡± ¡°True, the predicament my father faces today is partially due to the ¡®pressure¡¯ from those strategists and generals loyal to him, but there are also some¡­ Isn¡¯t it also due to our heartless and ungrateful Emperor¡¯s ¡®pressure¡¯?¡± Cao Ju understood this very well. Being in a high position, one faced the biting cold and a path with no retreat. Just as Cao Ju had mentioned to Xun Yu earlier, even if Cao Cao wanted to retreat, people would be ¡°pressuring¡± him forward. Those people, some were his allies. Some, ironically, were his enemies. Except for a few ¡°exceptions,¡± most of the emperors of the Han dynasty were ungrateful and unappreciative individuals. The ¡°Cloth Belt Edict¡± was not the origin of the young emperor¡¯s murderous intentions toward his father, Cao Cao, who was far away in Xudu. Cao Ju, who was well-versed in history, knew this. This young emperor would again conspire with Fu Shou in two years, causing another unexpected event. It can be said that Emperor Liu Xie¡¯s intent to eliminate Cao Cao never extinguished, and he never afforded Cao Cao the opportunity to be his ¡°Duke Zhou¡± or ¡°Huo Guang.¡± If he were in Cao Cao¡¯s position, facing such circumstances, he would never dare to relinquish authority so lightly because doing so would be akin to choosing death. His father, Cao Cao. This man, who had initially been fiercely loyal to the Han Dynasty, was a cunning hero in times of chaos. As of today, seated in a high position, he could no longer retreat. The man who, in the past, had been devoted to the Han Dynasty daringly assassinated Dong Zhuo alone out of loyalty to the Han, who held back and preserved his strength among the eighteen vassals and resolutely led his army to attack and killed the Western Liang troops¡ªCao Mengde, had now in this turbulent and murky age, been forcibly ¡°pressed¡± to his death!!! Chapter 5 - Rising Dragon Emerges from the Abyss, the Astonishing Talent of Kingly Advisors! Chapter 5: Rising Dragon Emerges from the Abyss, the Astonishing Talent of Kingly Advisors!Outside the house, with his back to Xun Yu, Cao Ju wore a faint smile as he heard the inquiry from this talented strategist, Xun Yu, about whether he had ambitions to contend for the position of the crown prince. There was no surprise in his heart. Or rather, if someone as astute as Xun Yu hadn¡¯t noticed his intentions, that would have been truly strange. Therefore, when faced with Xun Yu¡¯s question, Cao Ju did not try to hide his motives. ¡°What does the esteemed sir think?¡± ¡°Based on the temperament of my elder brother, Cao Pi, if he were to inherit my father¡¯s legacy in the future, how would the fates of Cao Ju and the other brothers unfold?¡± Cao Ju recalled Cao Pi¡¯s historical actions after usurping the throne. For Cao Zhi, he was forced to compose a poem in seven steps. If the poem succeeded, he would live. If not¡­ During the reign of Cao Pi and Cao Rui, the father and son rulers, Cao Zhi¡¯s circumstances were truly miserable. Over a decade, he was not only confined and monitored but also exiled several times to different fiefs. This led him to drown his sorrows in alcohol every day, eventually succumbing to a sad death at a young age. In one sentence, his life could be described as half filled with romance, half suffering, and half resentment. As for Cao Zhang¡¯s fate. S§×ar?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Cao Ju shook his head at this. Who could have foreseen that the brave warrior who had fought gallantly in battles, subduing the Wuhuan and pacifying the Xianbei in the eastern frontier, would meet his end in the prime of his youth merely three years after Cao Pi ascended the? To say that Cao Pi¡¯s methods weren¡¯t involved, Cao Ju wouldn¡¯t believe it even if he were beaten to death. What¡¯s worth pondering, however, is that Cao Zhang¡¯s death occurred precisely when he was paying respects to Cao Pi at Luoyang¡¯s court. Even more coincidentally, Cao Pi was not far from the historical point of his demise at that time. Future generations often attribute the downfall of Cao Wei to the foolishness of Cao Shuang, which led to the successful coup known as the Gaoping Tombs Incident orchestrated by Sima Yi. However, in Cao Ju¡¯s perspective, Cao Pi and Cao Rui, the father and son rulers, were also implicated. After ascending the throne, they consistently implemented a strategy of suppressing their relatives while favoring the influential families. They were more willing to grant military power to outsiders and the aristocracy than their kin. This directly led to an extreme situation: As figures like Xiahou Dun, Cao Xiu, Cao Hong, and other prominent Cao family generals who had followed Cao Cao in his campaigns gradually passed away, the elder Cao lineage found itself in an embarrassing predicament with no capable successors. So much so that when Cao Rui was on the brink of death and entrusted his heir, he had to settle for someone like Cao Shuang, a useless assistant to the young emperor. Oh, and here¡¯s an additional tidbit: Cao Shuang was, in fact, a ¡°pseudo-Cao.¡± His father, Cao Zhen, was adopted by Cao Cao and did not originally bear the Cao surname. After the demise of the inept Cao Shuang, the remaining members of the Cao family had no military power to wield. During the Gaoping Tombs Incident, when the Sima family eradicated the Cao family, blood flowed like a river, and the satisfaction was beyond measure. Even if various Cao families across the land considered raising troops for rebellion, they were more akin to lambs awaiting slaughter¡ªwilling but powerless. And all of this owed much to the deeds of the ¡°Father-Son Illusionary Warlords,¡± Cao Pi and Cao Rui. Faced with such circumstances, how could Cao Ju not vie for the position of Wei¡¯s successor in martial might? He fought for it. Success or failure is hard to predict, and the future is uncertain. But if he were to abstain from the struggle. Even if he were willing to lead a peaceful and uneventful life during the reign of Cao Pi and Cao Rui, the father and son emperors. But the absurdity of it all is this: By the time the Sima family usurps the throne, as a legitimate child of Cao Cao, he¡¯s highly likely to face a blade on his neck. Furthermore, using common sense, it¡¯s easy to predict the direction of China¡¯s history from that point onwards. The rise of the Jin Dynasty and the turmoil caused by the Five Barbarians will follow. Cao Ju refuses to accept such a fate and outcome, just as the countless descendants of China in the future would be unwilling to accept it. Inside the room, through the slightly ajar door, Xun Yu stared blankly at Cao Ju, who had given his response. In that moment of stunned realization, Xun Yu understood the meaning hidden within Cao Ju¡¯s words. He had to admit Cao Ju¡¯s concerns were valid. The reason was simple. As a trusted strategist Cao Cao had heavily relied upon, Xun Yu naturally observed the lord¡¯s various sons. The Cao siblings were all unique in their ways. If Cao Zhi had inherited Lord Cao¡¯s intellect, Cao Zhang his martial prowess, and the deceased Cao Chong his wit. Then, through Xun Yu¡¯s observations, he concluded that among the elder sons of Cao Cao, after the death of the eldest, Cao Ang, and the premature passing of the second son, Cao Shuo, the now eldest surviving son, Cao Pi, had inherited not only Lord Cao¡¯s cunning and astuteness but also his tendencies towards¡­ suspicion. In the tumultuous times ahead, Xun Yu did not consider these traits¡ªcunning, astuteness, and suspicion¡ªflaws. In his eyes, being purely virtuous would only lead to an early demise in the current uncertain era. Not to mention, as the sons of Lord Cao continued to grow older, the competition for supremacy and the struggle for the throne would only intensify. Understanding this, Xun Yu naturally comprehended Cao Ju¡¯s worries. Suddenly, another thought crossed Xun Yu¡¯s mind. He remembered the seventh son, Cao Chong, who had been hailed as a child prodigy but had died under suspicious circumstances at the age of thirteen, seemingly poisoned. He also recalled how, on the very day of Cao Chong¡¯s death, Cao Pi, the firstborn, had also fallen ill with a similar ailment. Xun Yu couldn¡¯t help but let out a sigh. With his cunning, astuteness, suspicion, and cruelty, Cao Pi might be a qualified successor for Lord Cao in these troubled times. But for the other sons, like the eighth son before him, the concerns were certainly valid. It¡¯s a curse in disguise. Contemplating this, a new question sparked Xun Yu¡¯s contemplation. Today, disregarding the potential defiance of Lord Cao, Cao Ju had risked exposure and hidden his potential, all to save his son. What kind of person was he? Compared to the several other sons who had inherited numerous virtues from Lord Cao, such as Pi, Zhi, Zhang, and Chong. What had this son inherited from Lord Cao? Chapter 6 - The Enduring Spirit of Wei Wu Throughout the Ages! Chapter 6: Though Wei Wu Has Passed, the Traitor Cao Shall Endure! The Enduring Spirit of Wei Wu Throughout the Ages!Unfortunately, standing outside the door with his back turned to Xun Yu, Cao Ju had no clue about Xun Yu¡¯s thoughts. If he knew, he would undoubtedly raise his voice like those loudspeakers from the future, along with the readers of this book, and exclaim. ¡°Cao Ju and all those present can inherit Cao Cao¡¯s preferences!¡± ¡°Though Wei Wu has passed, the traitor Cao shall endure!¡± ¡°Rekindling the heroic spirit of Wei Wu, promoting the noble ideals of the Jian¡¯an era, it is our unshirkable duty!¡± ¡°In times of change, courage is required. In adversity, one must stand strong. Only then can one be considered a true man!¡± Unfortunately, he remained oblivious. Only one sentence reached Cao Ju¡¯s ears. ¡°Yu, see off Young Master!¡± Inside the room, Xun Yu stood up and bowed to Cao Ju. At Xun Yu¡¯s feet lay the food box that Cao Ju had brought. If, before this, Xun Yu had already started contemplating resigning himself to death, now he wanted to see. What kind of wind would stir up this eighth son of the Cao family, who had just revealed his potential? He wanted to witness whether this son, who spoke of ¡°worrying about the world¡¯s troubles before enjoying its pleasures,¡± Cao Ju, could successfully vie for the throne, end the present era of chaos, and establish a realm for the Han ethnicity that would prioritize the common people. Almost as if sensing Xun Yu¡¯s thoughts, Cao Ju, who had already abandoned thoughts of death, spoke slowly, ¡°Master Xun, I won¡¯t let you down.¡± With that, Cao Ju closed the door, his face now displaying a sense of relief. With a pleasant mood, the chilling wind and rain that had struck Cao Ju¡¯s face turned into a refreshing coolness that penetrated his senses. If Xun Yu had survived, then wasn¡¯t it a sign that the Xun clan of Yingchuan wasn¡¯t too far from being drawn into their camp? Cao Ju couldn¡¯t forget. Apart from Xun Yu, the Xun family also boasted another remarkable figure, peerless in the current world, adept in devising strategies and schemes¡ªXun You, Lord Xun. By the way, during this campaign in which Cao Cao marched south against Sun Quan, Xun You had also accompanied the army, holding the prestigious position of Cao Cao¡¯s Chief Strategist. However, an untimely voice coldly interrupted Cao Ju¡¯s thoughts. ¡°Eighth, Young Master, your actions might not be appropriate, I¡¯m afraid.¡± ¡°Does our lord know about today¡¯s matter?¡± Not only was the voice cold, but it was also ominously sharp, resembling a jackal lurking in the darkness, ready to strike. Hearing this, Cao Ju followed the source of the voice. Not far from him, a shadowy warrior, his hand resting on the hilt of his longsword, was staring directly at him. As Cao Ju¡¯s gaze met the warrior¡¯s, instead of any hint of avoidance, a faint trace of disdain and contempt flickered deep within his eyes. ¡°Zhao Da, you dare!¡± Before Cao Ju could speak, Dian Man, who was not only Cao Ju¡¯s confidant but also responsible for his safety, had already reprimanded sharply. Simultaneously, he unsheathed a short spear from his waist and angrily pointed it at the shadowy warrior. Insult the master, and the servant shall die. Dian Man seemed poised to strike down the warrior Zhao Da on the spot, awaiting only Cao Ju¡¯s command. However, who could have anticipated¡­ Facing Dian Man¡¯s reprimand, the shadowy warrior Zhao Da showed no hint of fear. Instead, his gaze shifted askew, and a trace of mockery appeared at the corner of his mouth as he looked at Cao Ju. ¡°What does the Eighth Young Master think?¡± Zhao Da spoke, his tone profoundly disrespectful. He heavily emphasized the character ¡°eighth¡± when addressing Cao Ju, accentuating his disdain. His lack of respect for Cao Ju was straightforward because his status was unique. He didn¡¯t believe that Dian Man, serving under Cao Ju and the Cao Ju he served, would dare to lay hands on him. Even if it were Dian Man¡¯s father, the respected general Dian Wei, who died at Wancheng, or Cao Ju¡¯s brothers, Cao Pi, Cao Zhang, and Cao Zhi, they might be more plausible contenders. But as for Cao Ju and Dian Man? Cao Ju, an insignificant son of the Cao family, who their lord had highly regarded, and Dian Man, a son of a fallen general, were not nearly enough to invoke fear in Zhao Da. Moreover, Zhao Da¡¯s actions today were carried out under the orders of their lord, Cao Cao, to deliver an empty food box to Xun Yu as he embarked on his journey. Such a significant task, if it were to fail¡­ Considering their lord¡¯s temperament, Zhao Da knew he would face severe consequences. Given the choice between safeguarding himself and offending someone like Cao Ju, who was of little importance to their lord and posed no challenge to the supremacy of Cao Pi, Cao Zhang, and Cao Zhi, Zhao Da naturally leaned towards the former. S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Observing the shadowy warrior Zhao Da, who didn¡¯t regard him highly, Cao Ju recognized his identity. One of the commanders responsible for overseeing matters, Zhao Da. In ¡°Romance of the Three Kingdoms: Wei: Biography of Gao Rou,¡± it is recorded: ¡°At the beginning of the Wei Kingdom, he served as a Gentleman of the Imperial Library, and was later appointed as an assistant to the Prime Minister in the Cao family¡­ He was then promoted to Administrator of Yingchuan and again appointed as an assistant in the Ministry of Justice. At that time, the office of Jiaoshi, including Lu Hong and Zhao Da, was established to investigate matters among the subjects.¡± Such covert organizations were not exclusive to the later Ming dynasty. They existed much earlier, even during the Qin and Han dynasties. The Black Ice Platform of the Qin era and the embroidered uniform officials during Emperor Wu¡¯s reign in the Han Dynasty are prominent examples. Under Cao Cao¡¯s command, a similar covert organization existed, known as the ¡°Jiaoshi¡± or the ¡°Agency of Investigation.¡± Not only did it report directly to Cao Cao, but its officers possessed the authority to oversee internal and external affairs, making it a formidable force. While not as terrifying as the peak period of the Ming dynasty¡¯s Embroidered Uniform Guards (Jinyiwei) and Eastern Depot (Dongcheng), it gradually showed similar signs. In such circumstances, if Cao Ju had truly been like the ordinary younger brother of historical Cao Chong, who was almost made a puppet emperor by the Sima clan after Cao Fang was deposed, he might have been intimidated by Zhao Da! After all, if Zhao Da had just subtly tripped him up, it could have been enough to lead Cao Ju down the same path as Cao Ju, the Duke of Pengcheng, in history¡ªa life of mediocrity and hopelessness, unable to secure the throne. But was he that kind of person? Hence, while a cold intent to kill surged within him, Cao Ju maintained a composed smile in the face of Zhao Da¡¯s provocation. ¡°This young master.¡± As he spoke, Cao Ju walked toward Zhao Da. Along the way, he gestured for Dian Man to step back. Seeing Cao Ju¡¯s reaction, Zhao Da, the commander of the covert organization, felt a sense of satisfaction. What did it matter if it was their lord¡¯s son? As long as they couldn¡¯t rise to greater heights and break free, they still had to act according to their wishes, carefully currying favor with them. However, the next moment, Zhao Da sensed a flicker of blue light. And then, he felt a sharp pain in his chest. Zhao Da stared at his chest in disbelief, only to find a longsword had pierced through his heart. Cao Ju stood on the other end of the sword, holding the hilt. He regarded Zhao Da with a playful expression, much as one might look at a dead man. At this moment, Cao Ju¡¯s light laughter rang out. ¡°Hehe!¡± ¡°This young master thought.¡± ¡°You¡­ damn you!¡± Chapter 7 - Fierce and Swift, Seeking the Heroes! Chapter 7: Fierce and Swift, Seeking the Heroes! The sudden change happened too quickly, almost in the blink of an eye. Not only did Zhao Da, the head of the school affairs, who was pierced through the heart, fail to react, but even Dian Man, whose martial skills were at the peak of the second-rate level, was half a beat slow. By the time the two of them regained their senses¡­ Cao Ju had already slain Zhao Da with his sword, a fact. ¡°Young master!¡± Dian Man exclaimed softly. He hurriedly arrived in front of Zhao Da, on guard against any last-ditch struggle from Zhao Da that might harm his young lord even in his dying moments. As for Zhao Da¡­ He stared at Cao Ju in disbelief and anger. He contemplated how he might meet his end as someone specialized in handling covert matters for Cao Cao. Perhaps in the line of duty. Perhaps because he knew too much, and Cao Cao would have him silenced by his agents. Or¡­ But Zhao Da had never imagined. He would meet his end at the hands of an utterly unremarkable young nobleman. This manner of death filled him with frustration and resentment. Feeling the ebbing life force within him and spewing blood from his mouth due to the severe wound to his heart, Zhao Da mustered the last of his strength and asked, ¡°Lord, you¡­ how¡­¡± Before he could finish uttering the words ¡°How dare.¡± His body could no longer hold, and he staggered backward. ¡°Thump!¡± The sound of his body hitting the ground resounded. Half of Zhao Da¡¯s body slumped beneath the awning of the corridor, while the other half lay on the rain-soaked ground. The rain fell like a curtain, revealing Zhao Da¡¯s lifeless expression. ¡°Thump, thump, thump!¡± ¡°Thump, thump, thump!¡± Urgent footsteps approached. Before long, the commotion in the distance drew over a dozen members of Zhao Da¡¯s subordinates, who were part of his group of school officials. As they approached, In an instant, they noticed Cao Ju holding a long sword, blood dripping from its tip, and the direction it pointed to ¨C their school official, Zhao Da, lying lifeless in the rain. Faced with this situation, the school officials immediately faced a dilemma. It was clear to anyone with eyes that their leader had been killed by the Eighth Young Master, Cao Ju, standing before them. But given their status as ordinary school officials, they couldn¡¯t possibly apprehend Young Master Cao Ju. Even if¡­ they knew that Cao Ju was not a young master valued by their master, Cao Cao, disregarding his status, wouldn¡¯t be something they, mere underlings, could afford to do. ¡°Young Master, what should we do¡­¡± After a long pause, one of the members stepped forward, his face filled with hesitation, as he looked toward Cao Ju. In response, Cao Ju¡¯s reply was straightforward, ¡°The Chief of Staff, Zhao Da, attempted to assassinate me. I killed him on the spot.¡± ¡°These words, you should report them truthfully to my father,¡± Cao Ju continued. The school official who had spoken earlier seemed at a loss for words upon hearing Cao Ju¡¯s explanation. It was beyond belief that their leader, Zhao Da, would dare to attempt an assassination on Cao Ju. They were well aware of Zhao Da¡¯s temperament as his subordinates. ¡°If that¡¯s what the Young Master says¡­¡± ¡°Zhao Da¡¯s attempted assassination of the Young Master is a punishable crime. We will now take his body away,¡± the school official said, following Cao Ju¡¯s lead. And then, with a wave of his hand, the group carried Zhao Da¡¯s body away without any pause. Once all the members had left, Cao Ju also didn¡¯t linger. With purposeful strides, he headed straight for the mansion gates. Walking beside Cao Ju, Dian Man couldn¡¯t contain his inner doubts any longer and whispered, ¡°Young Master, just now you told those people that Zhao Da died attempting to assassinate you, and you instructed them to report this truthfully to the Prime Minister. Do you think the Prime Minister will believe it?¡± ¡°Father will believe it!!!¡± ¡°Father will believe?!¡± Dian Man¡¯s eyes widened in disbelief. The astute Prime Minister could hardly believe the preposterous and absurd reason. Noticing Dian Man¡¯s expression, Cao Ju explained, ¡°Ziqian (Dian Man¡¯s courtesy name), the moment Mr. Wen Ruo gave up his suicidal intentions, Zhao Da was already destined to die.¡± ¡°Even if I didn¡¯t kill him today,¡± ¡°Once he returns to father¡¯s side, father will also kill him.¡± ¡°Only with Zhao Da¡¯s death,¡± ¡°It will be as if today¡¯s incident of the empty food container never happened. Father and Mr. Wen Ruo can continue their ¡®peaceful coexistence.''¡± ¡°You tell me, in this situation¡­¡± S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡°Is the exact reason for Zhao Da¡¯s death important to father?¡± After hearing Cao Ju¡¯s explanation, Dian Man¡¯s face revealed a moment of realization. He secretly decided to keep today¡¯s events to himself, so he asked, ¡°Young Master, where should we go next?!¡± ¡°Where to go?¡± Cao Ju took a deep breath. ¡°Naturally, we¡¯re going to my father to apologize!¡± He intended to apologize. Not for killing Zhao Da but for saving Xun Yu. After all, convincing Xun Yu to abandon his desire for death was not enough; he also had to convince his father, Cao Cao, to accept a living Xun Yu. ¡°However!¡± Cao Ju¡¯s words took a sharp turn. ¡°Before going to apologize to my father, there¡¯s someone else I need to meet.¡± ¡°Young Master, what kind of person is worth the risk of being questioned by the Prime Minister? Why are you so eager to meet them?¡± Dian Man looked puzzled. In his view, Since their Young Master had mentioned apologizing to his father, it naturally made sense to do it as quickly as possible. Why would they delay it like this? ¡°What kind of person?¡± ¡°A young and talented figure, born of humble origins, who possesses the bearing of a future General-in-Chief.¡± ¡°Having the right person is like having thousands of soldiers and horses!¡± Chapter 8 - Modest Origins Are No Shame! Flexibility and Adaptability Define a True Man! Chapter 8: Modest Origins Are No Shame! Flexibility and Adaptability Define a True Man! On the southern bank of the Huai River, amidst farmland, a scene unfolded following the Battle of Chibi. To diminish Jing Province¡¯s influence, the vanquished Cao Cao compelled the migration of Jing Province¡¯s people to northern regions in Yuzhou¡¯s Runan and Yangzhou¡¯s Huainan. This forced relocation aimed to establish agricultural settlements. Near the Huai River¡¯s vicinity, in the eastern part of Runan, lay Anqiu¡ªa settlement formed by the displaced residents. These were individuals who had migrated northward from Nanyang and Xinye. The toiling farming settlers returned home in small groups as the sun descended. However, some noticed a figure atop a distant hill facing southeast. Their light-hearted banter ensued. ¡°Hey, we¡¯re farming settlers. What¡¯s with the intense focus on the military camp over there?¡± ¡°Hurry up and join us!¡± ¡°It¡¯s getting dark, and you might attract unwanted attention from who knows what. Those creatures won¡¯t care if you stutter when they devour you!¡± A friendly wave and shout urged the figure ¡°Ai¡± to return promptly. ¡°Shizai, your little brother Hu got it right!¡± ¡°Why stare at the military camps? Do you see crops growing there?¡± ¡°Use that time to work on your speech instead of turning from a scholarly commander to a minor official guarding straw because of your stutter.¡± Another young farming settler joined in, encouraging the figure on the distant hill. Then, a voice of reason spoke up, ¡°Enough, let¡¯s not tease Ai. He¡¯s probably lost in thought.¡± This voice belonged to Cao Shizai, a steady young man in his early twenties. Unlike the relaxed demeanor of the other settlers, he exuded a calm steadiness. A group of settlers had gathered, playfully teasing the figure in the distance. ¡°Shizai, come down quickly! Stop staring over there. If Commander of Farming Cao catches you neglecting your duties, you might end up herding cattle.¡± ¡°Those folks at the military camp aren¡¯t friendly sorts. If you keep watching them, they might mistake you for a spy sent by those Sun and Liu rebels.¡± Laughter and jests filled the air. However, the teasing was mostly good-natured, given their shared background as migrants from Jing Province¡¯s Deng family of Nanyang Xinye. The Deng family members displayed remarkable unity in this unfamiliar land between Yuzhou and Yangzhou. Not far away, Cao Ju from Shouchun observed Deng Ai¡¯s location, smiling as he watched over his attendants. Lieutenant of Farming Wang Hong, sweating nervously, spoke up. ¡°Wang Hong, is that person Deng Ai?¡± Cao Ju¡¯s gaze remained fixed on the distant figure atop the hill. Though posed as a question, his tone hinted at certainty. As a time traveler, Cao Ju had some knowledge of Deng Ai. Historical records noted Deng Ai¡¯s interest in military matters despite a speech impediment. Lieutenant of Farming Wang Hong quickly affirmed, ¡°Yes, my Lord! That is indeed Deng Ai!¡± S§×ar?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡°Furthermore¡­¡± Frowning at the distant farming settlers, Wang Hong gave them an annoyed glance and continued, ¡°You need to know the truth, my Lord. Despite his speech impediment, Deng Ai¡¯s interest and talent in military matters are undeniable. Due to his communication challenges, I had to demote him from a scholar-official to a lowly straw guard.¡± Wang Hong felt a deep sense of grievance. Unanticipatedly, the prestigious son of the Prime Minister visited their remote place. While a routine inspection would have been acceptable, he singled out Deng Ai upon arrival. His words expressed admiration for Deng Ai. In this situation, Wang Hong aimed to mitigate any misunderstanding, especially if the Prime Minister¡¯s son were to misinterpret the words of these ¡°commoners.¡± The consequences could be dire. Amused by Wang Hong¡¯s earnest attempt to explain and alleviate, Cao Ju waved his hand dismissively. ¡°Dian Man, you and Lieutenant Wang can stay here. I¡¯ll go and meet this Deng Ai myself.¡± With those words, Cao Ju headed towards the hilltop. Meanwhile, back at the original spot, Wang Hong was preparing to step forward and disperse the overly candid group of farming settlers to prevent them from saying anything inappropriate. He truly feared that their words might lead to unintended consequences. However, before he could act, Dian Man had already intercepted him. ¡°Lieutenant Dian, what are you¡­¡± Wang Hong looked at Dian Man with confusion. Dian Man¡¯s response was brief. ¡°Lord Cao has spoken!¡± Dian Man stood with his arms crossed over his chest, his gaze fixed on the positions of Cao Ju and Deng Ai. He was prepared to intervene at a moment¡¯s notice should any unexpected situation arise. Deng Ai turned slowly atop the hill as he heard footsteps behind him. When he saw the figure before him, a finely dressed and elegant young nobleman, his initial surprise quickly faded. He subtly glanced at Lieutenant of Farming Wang Hong, who had been looking their way. ¡°Is this noble intentionally here for Ai?¡± Deng Ai¡¯s words were hesitant, his speech impediment evident. From his vantage point, Deng Ai not only saw the military camps nearby but also noticed Cao Ju arriving alongside Wang Hong. Upon reaching Deng Ai¡¯s side, Cao Ju smiled and nodded in acknowledgment as Deng Ai spoke of his purpose. Cao Ju¡¯s careful observation showed promise of his latent talent for leadership and command, a quality that later allowed him to overthrow the Shu Han dynasty alongside figures like Jiang Wei and Zhong Hui. Thus, Cao Ju chuckled and straightforwardly introduced himself. ¡°Hahaha, Deng Ai, you¡¯re right! Allow me to introduce myself. I am Cao Ju, also known as Cao Ju, the eighth son of the current Grand Chancellor of Great Han. I am here for you! I have only one question for you. Are you willing to follow me and join my banner? If you¡¯re willing, I can find renowned generals of our time to be your mentors. If you learn and achieve success, you could potentially lead your army in battles abroad. It is not an impossibility!¡± Different individuals, different attitudes. Had Cao Ju faced an unproven Kongming (Zhuge Liang) who had yet to make a name for himself, this statement might have soured relations with Kongming, leading to displeasure and a failed attempt at recruiting the wise strategist. However, the person he was facing was Deng Ai, an individual of humble origins who had not yet achieved greatness. In the presence of Deng Ai, adopting an approach similar to Liu Bei¡¯s three visits to Zhuge Liang that sought the wise counsel of Deng Ai would not only belittle himself but also make Deng Ai feel uncomfortable. A straightforward invitation, accompanied by the bestowal of recognition and favor, was the most suitable way for him and Deng Ai to interact. On the other side, when Deng Ai learned of Cao Ju¡¯s identity and realized that the son of the Grand Chancellor had come personally to recruit him, he was shocked. While he had speculated that Cao Ju held a high position, he had never imagined it could be to this extent, causing him to look up in awe. One was a humble farmer from the fields, while the other was a lofty nobleman of princely status. Under this stark contrast in social standing, even Deng Ai couldn¡¯t help but feel a faint sense of humility. Could someone like him deserve the attention and recruitment of this nobleman before him? As a result, Deng Ai hesitated and didn¡¯t immediately respond to Cao Ju¡¯s invitation. However, just at that moment, a voice echoed in his ears. ¡°Modest origins, no shame! Flexibility and adaptability define a true man!¡± Upon hearing these words, Deng Ai¡¯s heart was touched deeply, and he lifted his head to gaze at Cao Ju. At that moment, his mind was singularly focused on one thought. ¡°Nobleman, recognize me!¡± These words struck a chord deep within him. Chapter 9 - With Deng Ai Captured, Can Jiang Wei Remain Distant? Chapter 9: With Deng Ai Captured, Can Jiang Wei Remain Distant? These eight words encapsulate Deng Ai¡¯s most profound feelings as he faces Cao Ju. Gazing upon Cao Ju, the person who could potentially alter the course of his life and destiny. Unwilling to lead a mediocre existence in the fields of Anqiu, Deng Ai makes a resolute decision. ¡°Ai¡­ Deng Ai pays his respects to the Young Master!¡± Under Cao Ju¡¯s attentive gaze, Deng Ai, deeply impressed by him, bows directly to Cao Ju. ¡°Hahaha! Shizai, please rise!¡± Seeing Deng Ai¡¯s display of deference, Cao Ju, amidst his delight, quickly steps forward and supports Deng Ai¡¯s shoulders, assisting him to stand. Appraising Deng Ai¡¯s youthful countenance. Suppressing his inner excitement, Cao Ju addressed Deng Ai, ¡°Shizai, on my journey here, I heard that Deputy Commander of Agricultural Affairs, Wang Hongyan, mentioned your mother is also here.¡± Deng Ai was undoubtedly to be taken along to Huifei City, to Cao Cao¡¯s presence. Because the esteemed mentor and renowned general he was about to seek for Deng Ai were also there. However, before that, Cao Ju intended to ensure Deng Ai¡¯s mother was well taken care of, relieving Deng Ai of any worries. ¡°Sir. Young Master! A¡¯s. Ai¡¯s mother is indeed here.¡± Deng Ai responded, but due to his eagerness to reply quickly to Cao Ju, he stumbled over his words even more. This elicits a slight chuckle from Cao Ju. No wonder Wang Hongyan, the Deputy Commander of Agricultural Affairs, demoted Deng Ai from an academic official to a mere straw overseer. After all, listening to him speak was truly an ordeal. Even someone encountering Deng Ai for the first time, like Cao Ju, found it challenging, not to mention those who communicate with Deng Ai daily. Although he thought this way in his heart, on the surface, Cao Ju didn¡¯t show the slightest hint of impatience. The more flawed a person was, the more sensitive they tend to be. Cao Ju certainly didn¡¯t want Deng Ai to feel uncomfortable due to what he considered a minor flaw, like stuttering. Furthermore, history only mentions Deng Ai stuttering during his youth; it doesn¡¯t say that he continued to stutter after becoming a skilled general. Evidently, over the years, Deng Ai overcame his stuttering problem. ¡°Shizai, I won¡¯t hide it from you. In the near future, I will be taking you southward to the frontline at Hefei. It might be inconvenient to bring your mother along.¡± ¡°If she continues to stay in the fields of Anqiu, it wouldn¡¯t be suitable. How about this.¡± Cao Ju pondered for a moment, then suggested, ¡°I will have someone send her to Shouchun City for now. Once the battles on the Hefei frontline are over, I will find a good place for you and your mother.¡± Deng Ai hadn¡¯t anticipated Cao Ju¡¯s thorough consideration, even planning for his mother¡¯s arrangements. This thoughtful gesture not only touched Deng Ai¡¯s filial heart but also deepened his sense that Cao Ju was his benefactor. ¡°Ai! I will follow. follow Young Master¡¯s arrangements!¡± Seeing Deng Ai¡¯s lack of objections, Cao Ju smiled. ¡°Shizai, it¡¯s good that you¡¯re agreeable.¡± Subsequently, Cao Ju led Deng Ai to where Dian Man and Deputy Commander of Agricultural Affairs Wang Hongyan were waiting. Upon learning that Deng Ai had a stutter, Dian Man was genuinely surprised. He could never have imagined that the heroic figure with the bearing of a general, as described by his master earlier, would have a stutter. Dian Man had his doubts. In contrast to Dian Man¡¯s skepticism, Wang Hongyan, the Deputy Commander of Agricultural Affairs, is envious of Deng Ai. To have climbed up the high branch of the Prime Minister¡¯s son, such an opportunity was a rare gift. How did someone like Deng Ai, a mere straw overseer, encounter it? Sear?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. And so, when Wang Hongyan heard that Cao Ju intended to have him send Deng Ai¡¯s mother to Shouchun under Xun Yu¡¯s care, he had no intention of refusing. Not only did he not decline, but Wang Hongyan also vowed earnestly to personally escort Deng Ai¡¯s mother, Lady Chen, to Shouchun. Cao Ju couldn¡¯t help but understand Wang Hongyan¡¯s intentions. He didn¡¯t expose them but rather kept them in mind, considering a potential promotion for him when the opportune time arose. Next, Cao Ju didn¡¯t linger much longer in the fields of Anqiu. After welcoming Deng Ai into his ranks and arranging for Deng Ai¡¯s mother, Lady Chen, to be sent to Shouchun, he, along with Deng Ai and Dian Man, set out southward towards Hefei. Huainan Commandery¡¯s capital, Hefei City, was on the expedition¡¯s southern front, inside the study of the county magistrate¡¯s residence. As Cao Cao traveled southwards towards Hefei, having finished dealing with military affairs, he was now attentively listening to the report from the Chief of Staff about the recent events in Shouchun. However, Cao Cao fell silent as he heard the detailed account of what transpired in Shouchun. He could never have anticipated that the one who would disrupt his plans would be his seemingly inconspicuous son, Cao Ju. After dismissing the reporting officer, Cao Cao sat alone in his study and burst into laughter. ¡°Brandishing his sword to eliminate Zhao Da!¡± ¡°Rescuing Xun Yu.¡± ¡°Hehe! Old Eight, my dear, you¡¯ve truly surprised your father!¡± Chapter 10 - Flattering Guan Yu, Pursuing Virtuous Wives, Scaring Cao Pi! Chapter 10: Cao Cao¡¯s Three Great Interests! Flattering Guan Yu, Pursuing Virtuous Wives, Scaring Cao Pi! Cao Cao muttered to himself inside his study, ¡°It appears.¡± ¡°Among my numerous sons, following my stepson Huan (styled Cao Pi), Zijian (styled Cao Zhi), and Ziwen (styled Cao Zhang), another ambitious individual has surfaced.¡± When he spoke of the ¡°ambitious individual,¡± Cao Cao¡¯s eyes held a faint sense of appreciation, not a hint of anger. sea??h th§× n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Wolves travel a thousand miles to feast on meat, while dogs travel a thousand miles to eat excrement. For regular parents, the secure passage of their children¡¯s lives might be the greatest wish. However, Cao Cao was well aware. Being in his position, if an unfortunate event were to occur. If his sons were to prove mediocre, it would bring calamity rather than fortune to the Cao family. Amidst the chaos of the present era. The successor Cao Cao chose must be a wolf, not a dog. ¡°Zimou (styled Cao Ju), I look forward to your arrival. I¡¯m curious to hear your arguments when the time comes.¡± ¡°Xun Yu, he won¡¯t be so easily saved!¡± As he murmured in this manner, suddenly, an image flashed through Cao Cao¡¯s mind, causing him deep sorrow. That person. It was his eldest son, Cao Ang, who had once been his most proud son, exceptionally brilliant even from a young age, and sadly, fate envied his talent. If he was still alive, Cao Cao would not find himself in the current situation, hesitating between Cao Pi, Cao Zhi, and Cao Zhang as potential successors. Cangshu would have been his best choice for a successor. ¡°Zimou, I hope you can be like your half-brother Cangshu and not disappoint me!¡± After sighing again, Cao Cao suppressed his longing for his departed son, Cao Chong, and loudly instructed Xu Chu, guarding outside the door, ¡°Zhongkang, summon Cao Pi and Cao Zhang to see me!¡± On this southern expedition, aside from Cao Zhi, who was left behind for the defense of the rear, both Cao Pi and Cao Zhang had been brought to the frontline by Cao Cao. ¡°Yes, sir!¡± Soon, Xu Chu¡¯s response came from outside the door. Not long after, with the sound of approaching footsteps, the door to Cao Cao¡¯s study was pushed open. And then, in the attire of a literati and armored, Cao Pi and Cao Zhang entered together, connecting their steps. ¡°Father, did you summon me and my younger brother for something?¡± Cao Pi entered the room, and when he saw Cao Cao reading military intelligence documents with his head down, he cautiously and softly inquired, slightly hunched over. Towards his father, Cao Cao, even though Cao Pi was the eldest among his brothers, he couldn¡¯t help but feel a certain distance. Somehow, he found it difficult to be close to his father. There was an inherent reverence within him. A kind of reverence that bordered on fear, even surpassing respect. As for Cao Zhang, he was much more casual in his demeanor. Known as ¡°Cao Huangxuer¡± within the Cao family, he didn¡¯t handle matters as cautiously as his older brother, Cao Pi. ¡°Father, is there a battle at the front? If so, please allow your child to go!¡± Cao Zhang, a lover of battles, immediately offered his service. Inside the study, Cao Cao, seated in the main position, listened to his two sons speaking in succession. He then leisurely set down the military intelligence documents in his hand, lifted his head, and directed an annoyed look at Cao Zhang, who seemed to have a penchant for discussing fighting and killing. ¡°Ziwen, if Sun Quan were so easy to capture and kill, why did I retreat in defeat at Chibi?¡± Cao Cao reproached with a hint of irritation. ¡°You, indeed!¡± ¡°Don¡¯t just think about wielding swords and spears all the time. If you¡¯re idle, spend more time learning military strategies from Gong Da, Wen Yuan, Wen Ze, and Man Cheng.¡± ¡°Conquering Jiangdong is not the same as dealing with the barbarians on the northern grasslands. When fighting against them, you need to use your head!¡± As he spoke, Cao Cao tapped the side of his temple with a bent index finger. Hearing his father Cao Cao¡¯s lecture, Cao Zhang disdainfully curled his lip. He wasn¡¯t interested in the scholarly pursuits of his younger brother, Cao Zhi, or his older brother, Cao Pi. Instead, he believed more in his warhorse between his legs, the long spear in his hand, and the bow and crossbow hanging from his horse¡¯s back. Cao Cao couldn¡¯t help but notice that Cao Zhang was ignoring his advice, and with a hint of helplessness, he gave up on continuing the lecture. ¡°Fine, fine!¡± ¡°Ziwen, when you suffer losses on the battlefield someday, you¡¯ll understand the importance of using your brain.¡± Beside them, Cao Pi observed his father, Cao Cao, who showed no frustration towards his younger brother, Cao Zhang. His eyes were filled with envy. Father was truly biased. When treating Zijian and Zijian¡¯s younger brother, Zijian always used gentle words. But when it was his turn, he would only wear a stern expression and reprimand him. As Cao Pi was lost in thought. He suddenly noticed that his father, Cao Cao, had put away his smile and was now frowning, looking at him seriously. ¡°Zihuan, I¡¯ve heard.¡± ¡°These days, you¡¯ve been spending a lot of time with Chen Lin and Ruan Yu, right? , I brought you here for military matters, not for you to engage in scholarly discussions with them.¡± ¡°With your time, you might as well learn from Ziwu and show more concern for the frontline battles.¡± Faced with Cao Cao¡¯s reproach, Cao Pi didn¡¯t dare to argue. Although he had visited Ruan Yu lately due to his poor health and had grown closer to him, he lacked the courage to explain or defend himself against his father, Cao Cao. He could only meekly respond, ¡°Father¡­ your guidance is correct!¡± Seeing his son, Cao Pi, again displaying this timid attitude, a hint of disappointment flickered in Cao Cao¡¯s eyes. When compared to his deceased sons, Cao Ang and Cao Chong, Cao Pi was truly unable to satisfy him completely. Thinking this over, Cao Cao let out a cold snort. ¡°¡± ¡°Your reckless eighth brother should arrive at Hefei in a few days!¡± ¡°By then¡­¡± ¡°Both of you, go and receive him. After entering the city, bring him directly to me.¡± Having said that, Cao Cao waved his hand, indicating for Cao Pi and Cao Zhang to leave. ¡°Zimou will come?¡± Cao Pi looked bewildered, his face filled with surprise as he gazed at his father, Cao Cao. Chapter 11 - Five Admirable Generals, Who Shall Lead? Chapter 11 ¨C Five Admirable Generals, Who Shall Lead? In an instant, a thought surfaced in Cao Pi¡¯s mind: How could his younger brother dare to defy their father¡¯s summons and venture recklessly to the frontlines of battle, especially when Cao Cao referred to Cao Ju as a ¡°rascal¡±? This only strengthened Cao Pi¡¯s conviction. However, when Cao Pi observed his father¡¯s impatient expression while trying to dismiss them, he couldn¡¯t pursue his train of thought. Hastily, he nodded and said, ¡°Father, I understand! I¡¯ll take my leave!¡± Cao Pi¡¯s mind remained unsettled after parting ways with Cao Zhang in the study. He couldn¡¯t shake the thoughts about Cao Ju¡¯s unexpected appearance and wondered why his younger brother had reached such a point. What had he done to incur their father¡¯s wrath? With numerous doubts swirling, Cao Pi¡¯s naturally suspicious mind began generating various possibilities. So absorbed was he in his thoughts that he didn¡¯t even notice when Cao Zhang left his side. Only when Cao Pi snapped back to reality he realized he had unconsciously left the county governor¡¯s residence. Glancing back at the mansion¡¯s gate, Cao Pi turned to his attendant and instructed, ¡°You, find out what happened at the county governor¡¯s residence today. Discover who came to see Father!¡± His attendant promptly carried out Cao Pi¡¯s command without hesitation. As evening approached, Cao Pi, after hearing the information gathered by his attendant, found himself unable to sleep. ¡°Xun Yu, Father, and Ju Di¡­ Can¡¯t even Cao Zhang and Cao Zhi behave themselves? And now even the eighth one is becoming restless!¡± Tossing and turning, Cao Pi felt that the night was harder to endure than ever before. In the middle of the night, he abruptly sat up and called for the trusted attendant from earlier. ¡°Tomorrow, find a way to convey the information you learned today to the fourth brother! Remember! Act discreetly, and make sure no one suspects your actions were at my behest.¡± After giving these instructions, Cao Pi finally breathed a sigh of relief and lay back down. ¡°Eighth brother! If you contend for the throne, surpass Father¡¯s expectations and overcome the barriers set by Cao Zhi and Cao Zhang! You shouldn¡¯t have gotten involved. Isn¡¯t it better to live quietly? If you fight for something you shouldn¡¯t, who can guarantee you won¡¯t end up like your elder brother, Cang Shu?¡± In late October, along the official road to Hefei City, a lavish carriage moved forward. Inside sat Cao Ju alone, surrounded by guards. Deng Ai, who recently joined Cao Ju¡¯s ranks, practiced horsemanship under the guidance of accompanying guards. Inside the carriage, the air was filled with contemplation. Unaffected by the swaying, Cao Ju¡¯s mind was consumed by a single question: What skilled general should he find as a mentor for Deng Ai? When it came to capable commanders, the first names that came to Cao Ju¡¯s mind were the Five Virtuous Generals of Cao Wei. Shu Han had their Five Tigers, while Cao Wei had their Five Admirable Generals. Comparable to Guan Yu, Zhao Yun, Zhang Fei, Huang Zhong, and Ma Chao, among Cao Wei¡¯s Five Admirable Generals¡ªYu Jin, Zhang Liao, Yue Jin, Zhang He, and Xu Huang¡ªtheir prowess needed no elaboration. Any one of the Five Admirable Generals would be qualified to become Deng Ai¡¯s teacher, as their commanding experience alone would greatly benefit him. Currently, aside from Zhang He, Xu Huang was stationed in Guanzhong under the command of his uncle, Xiahou Yuan, while the remaining three were part of the Southern Expedition forces. Facing Yu Jin, Zhang Liao, and Yue Jin, as Cao Cao¡¯s son, it wouldn¡¯t be difficult for Cao Ju to arrange for Deng Ai to learn under their tutelage. However, Cao Ju struggled to decide which of the three was the most suitable teacher for Deng Ai. After pondering for a long time, Cao Ju had already arrived at an answer in his heart. If this were before his time travel, he would undoubtedly have chosen Zhang Liao to be Deng Ai¡¯s mentor, teaching him about military strategy and tactics. There was a reason for this. Zhang Liao had served under the late Han¡¯s war god, Lu Bu, and had a close relationship with the later legendary warrior Guan Yu, earning him the title of ¡°Deity of Xiehe Crossing.¡± In most people¡¯s eyes, Zhang Liao outshone the other four among the Five Admirable Generals. However, Cao Ju sighed, lamenting his circumstances of transmigration. Since he had time-traveled, he couldn¡¯t let future perceptions sway his contemporary decisions. He had to face reality. Although it might seem implausible, after careful consideration, Cao Ju decided to designate Yuan Jun, not Zhang Liao or Yue Jin, as Deng Ai¡¯s mentor. The reason was quite straightforward. Among the Five Admirable Generals, nobody surpassed Yu Jin regarding military leadership and battlefield prowess. During the Battle of Wancheng, when facing a surprise attack by Zhang Xiu¡¯s army, while other commanders were thrown into disarray and retreated, Yu Jin maintained order among his troops. It executed a strategic retreat, ensuring their survival. In the Battle of Guandu, Yu Jin turned the tide of battle by launching attacks on Yan Liang¡¯s positions at Yanjin, capturing Wuchao, and defending Tushan against Yuan Shao¡¯s main force, making significant contributions. Even as part of the Qingzhou troops, known for having the most lax discipline within Cao Cao¡¯s army, only Yu Jin¡¯s commanding presence could keep things in order. Regarding reputation among Cao Cao¡¯s subordinates, Yu Jin was undoubtedly the most esteemed outsider and a first-class general, a distinction beyond comparison. Cao Cao¡¯s high regard for Yu Jin sometimes exceeded that for some of his clan¡¯s prominent generals. Furthermore, Cao Ju was well aware that after Cao Cao claimed the title of Duke posthumously, there would only be two holders of the ¡°Fictitious Baton and Seals¡± within the entire Cao Wei camp: Cao Cao himself and Yu Jin. As for other generals, including clan leaders like Xiahou Dun and Cao Ren, they held nothing more than the ¡°Fictitious Baton.¡± While ¡°Fictitious Baton¡± and ¡°Fictitious Baton and Seals¡± might differ by only one word, their significance in terms of authority was vastly different. ¡°Seals¡± even implied instruments of punishment. Both could symbolize the emperor¡¯s authority, but the latter truly represented the emperor¡¯s power over life and death. Among the Five Tiger Generals of Shu Han, only Guan Yu was granted the ¡°Fictitious Baton and Seals¡± by Liu Bei. Zhang Fei, Huang Zhong, Ma Chao, and Zhao Yun were all bestowed with the ¡°Fictitious Baton.¡± Even the renowned Zhuge Liang, known as the Martial Marquis, received the ¡°Fictitious Baton and Seals¡± shortly before his first northern campaign. Reflecting on Yu Jin¡¯s historical fate, Cao Ju couldn¡¯t help but sigh for this chief among the Five Admirable Generals. Who could have foreseen that in the Battle of Fancheng, Guan Yu would achieve such a remarkable feat, leading to Yu Jin¡¯s decline, tarnished reputation, and return to Wei in humiliation, followed by death in disgrace and regret? Thankfully, none of this had occurred yet. As long as Cao Ju prevented Guan Yu from achieving such a feat, Yu Jin would remain the preeminent outsider general, and the disastrous event of the flooding of the Seven Armies would be averted. If he could incorporate Yu Jin into his camp using his relationship with Deng Ai, even though Cao Pi currently had the support of Xiahou Yuan and Cao Zhang had the support of the Yanmen Border Command, it wouldn¡¯t be impossible for him to contend with them in the future. S§×ar?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Simultaneously, Cao Ju had another reason for not favoring Zhang Liao as Deng Ai¡¯s mentor. In contrast to commanders like Yu Jin, Zhang Liao leaned more towards being a fierce general who excelled in martial prowess. Regarding Zhang Liao¡¯s leadership talents, it was challenging to definitively say. Some might bring up his multiple victories against Sun Quan¡¯s forces to counter this viewpoint. But the issue was¡­ If we describe Sun Quan using a four-dimensional data model, his political attributes might be at their peak, while his leadership and combat attributes¡­ It was not that Cao Ju was criticizing him, but the reality of Sun Quan¡¯s situation was that his leadership points might as well be low. How could one¡¯s leadership be showcased against an opponent with low stats? As Cao Ju was about to continue his comparison, a voice from outside interrupted him. ¡°Lord, we¡¯ve arrived at Hefei City! Lord Cao Pi and Lord Cao Zhang are waiting at the city gate!¡± Chapter 12 - Cao Pis False Kindness, Cao Zhangs Recklessness, Xun Yous Display of Goodwill! Chapter 12: Cao Pi¡¯s False Kindness, Cao Zhang¡¯s Recklessness, Xun You¡¯s Display of Goodwill! Upon receiving the report from Dian Man outside the carriage, Cao Ju¡¯s expression betrayed a hint of surprise. Without hesitation, as the carriage stopped, he stepped out. His gaze fixed on the city gate, where he saw none other than his third brother, Cao Pi, and fourth brother, Cao Zhang. Instead of immediately approaching them, he squinted his eyes, observing his two older brothers from a distance, contemplating their intentions for being at the city gate. Cao Ju wouldn¡¯t be surprised if they were here on their father Cao Cao¡¯s orders to question or reprimand him. But if they had come on their initiative, he chuckled inwardly, for that would imply something more significant¡ªperhaps they had learned about his recent actions in Shouchun. ¡°Dian Man, Deng Ai, come with me,¡± Cao Ju ordered without turning his head. He then walked towards the city gate. However, just as Cao Ju approached Cao Pi and Cao Zhang before he could greet his brothers with proper respect, Cao Zhang¡¯s displeased tone cut through, ¡°Youngest Eighth Brother, instead of staying obediently in Ye City, why did you go to Shouchun?¡± ¡°With the chaos in the world today, those bandits and rogues on the roads won¡¯t care about your status. Or perhaps you think now that you¡¯ve grown up and your wings are strong, no one can control you anymore?¡± Cao Zhang¡¯s displeasure was evident in his words. Observing the openly hostile attitude of his fourth brother, Cao Zhang, Cao Ju raised an eyebrow slightly. He had just started to showcase his abilities, and this young member of the Cao family was already treating him as a rival for the heir¡¯s position, eager to suppress him. Turning his attention to his third brother, Cao Pi, quietly waiting on the side, Cao Ju shook his head internally. Compared to Cao Zhang, Cao Pi was on a whole different level. No wonder history showed that Cao Pi played a role in Cao Zhang¡¯s demise. As expected, in the next moment, Cao Pi spoke up. However, he wasn¡¯t blaming Cao Ju as Cao Zhang did. Instead, he turned to Cao Zhang, who had spoken first, and scolded, ¡°Zi Wen, watch your words.¡± ¡°Even if Zi Mu is stubborn, he is still our brother. Although Zi Mu speaks without restraint, his intentions are good. He¡¯s considering your safety.¡± ¡°For now, you better come with both of us to see Father. Father is quite angry about your actions in Shouchun.¡± Cao Pi glanced around before lowering his voice, ¡°He¡¯s very upset.¡± ¡°Later, Zi Ju, you should handle this carefully.¡± At the city gate, Cao Ju looked at Cao Pi, his older brother who always preached about brotherhood, and felt nothing but disdain. Brotherhood in words, but when it really mattered, the call wouldn¡¯t go through. He understood this principle well, having watched countless Hong Kong films. If he didn¡¯t know about Cao Pi¡¯s actions after ascending to the throne in history, he might have been fooled by Cao Pi¡¯s ¡°pretense¡± of kindness. But now, well¡­ S§×ar?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Believing he could rival Cao Pi in terms of acting skills, Cao Ju, armed with his knowledge of countless online resources, felt quite confident. Faced with Cao Zhang and Pi¡¯s disparate attitudes, he adopted an expression of being taught and said, ¡°Third brother, fourth brother, your guidance is appreciated.¡± ¡°As you both have said, my previous behavior was indeed improper. I will go to Father and apologize.¡± Cao Ju¡¯s current approach emphasized brotherly harmony. He didn¡¯t want to directly clash with Cao Zhang, avoiding an explosive conflict. His cunning father, Cao Cao, hoping his sons would compete for the heir position, wouldn¡¯t want them to fight to the death, losing even the semblance of brotherhood. Seeing Cao Ju ¡°admitting his mistake,¡± Cao Pi nodded with a smile. ¡°Very well! Zi Mu, come into the city with your elder brother. Fourth Brother, you come along too,¡± Cao Pi said, leading Cao Ju and Cao Zhang into the city gate and heading straight for the county governor¡¯s residence. Upon entering the county residence, they were informed by Xu Chu, stationed at the gate, that Cao Cao was currently in his study discussing matters with the strategist Xun You. With no other choice, the three of them had to wait quietly outside after what felt like a considerable time. As the sun began to set, the door to the study suddenly opened. However, it wasn¡¯t Cao Cao who emerged; it was Xun You. Xun You looked at Cao Ju, Cao Pi, and Cao Zhang standing at the doorway. This unexpected situation caught his attention, and his gaze instinctively fell on Cao Ju. Even something known to Cao Pi could be sensed by Xun You. As a member of the Xun clan and Xun Yu¡¯s nephew, how could Xun You not know? So, when he learned that Cao Ju, the previously unheard-of-eighth son of the Cao family, had intervened to save his uncle Xun Yu from being executed due to differing ideologies, he felt grateful to Cao Ju deep within his heart. With a sense of gratitude, it was hard for him not to pay attention to Cao Ju. ¡°Gentlemen, the Prime Minister is waiting for you inside,¡± Xun You said, allowing them to enter. Afterward, Xun You subtly nodded at the three and calmly left their presence. While he was grateful for Cao Ju¡¯s actions, he knew this was not the time to reveal his sentiments. Showing his gratitude too eagerly would be unwise. The deaths within the Xun clan might not be limited to Xun Yu alone. Even if the Xun clan intended to reciprocate Cao Ju¡¯s favor, they would likely wait until he weathered Cao Cao¡¯s scrutiny and acquired the qualifications to contend for a higher position. Otherwise, their actions could end up harming both Cao Ju and themselves. Chapter 17 - Cao Cao - My Son, Are You Teaching Your Father How to Act? Chapter 17: Cao Cao ¨C My Son, Are You Teaching Your Father How to Act? Cao Cao¡¯s loss of composure was clearly evident, and Cao Ju astutely observed it. However, compared to Cao Cao¡¯s surprise, Cao Ju remained composed, nodding calmly at his father. ¡°I won¡¯t conceal it from you, Father.¡± ¡°I am indeed aware.¡± Cao Cao scrutinized his son from the commanding seat, who openly acknowledged understanding the rationale behind executing Xun You. An unspoken anger surged within him. ¡°You impudent youngster!¡± ¡°Now that you comprehend my intentions, why did you still interfere?¡± ¡°Or¡­¡± ¡°Do you believe¡­¡± ¡°Being my son, flesh and blood of Cao Cao, exempts you from the consequences of disrupting my grand plan?¡± If Cao Cao had been shocked by his son¡¯s insight earlier, now he was incensed by Cao Ju¡¯s ¡°waywardness¡± and ¡°recklessness.¡± His son was proving to be quite a handful. Below, in the scene, Cao Ju regarded his father, Cao Cao, as emanating stern authority. Despite his recent outburst towards Cao Cao, he genuinely felt little fear. Even a tiger¡¯s fierceness didn¡¯t extend to devouring its cubs. Cao Ju didn¡¯t believe his father, Cao Cao, would sever his head over this matter. Moreover, he wasn¡¯t his elder brother Cao Pi, who had wilted under Cao Cao¡¯s intimidation shortly before exiting the room. From Cao Ju¡¯s perspective, if he didn¡¯t advance boldly now and instead acted submissively under Cao Cao¡¯s dominance, that would truly be ¡°inviting death.¡± Thus, Cao Ju said, ¡°Father, it¡¯s not that I intend to undermine your grand plans, but regarding diminishing the influence of the prominent families and gentry in Yingchuan¡­¡± ¡°You seem rather impatient,¡± ¡°At present, the realm is not yet settled. Zhang Lu of the Five Pecks of Rice Sect remains in Hanzhong, Liu Jiyu still holds sway in Xichuan, Liu Xuande persists in Jingzhou, Sun Quan in Jiangdong and Jiaozhou, and Shi Xie.¡± ¡°With the four corners of the land in uncertainty, you¡¯re in a hurry to take action against the Yingchuan gentlemen aiding you in your quest for supremacy. Isn¡¯t that self-weakening?¡± As Cao Ju spoke, his tone paused slightly. ¡°There¡¯s a saying: ¡®Without foresight, one will encounter immediate troubles.''¡± ¡°And in my view,¡± ¡°Compared to the various regional warlords who are not yet subdued, the threat posed by the power of the noble families¡­¡± Cao Ju glanced at Cao Cao and spoke earnestly, ¡°At most, it can be considered as foresight. The real imminent danger lies with the various regional lords. That¡¯s the immediate trouble. If the major threat isn¡¯t addressed, and they amass enough strength to march their armies northward to conquer the Central Plains¡­¡± ¡°If you, Father, plan to confront them at that juncture,¡± ¡°It might already be too late.¡± In Cao Ju¡¯s perspective, the threat posed by the prominent families and gentry was inconsequential compared to Sun Quan and Liu Bei. If Cao Cao and his successors didn¡¯t compromise with the gentry, those influential families could be dealt with and weakened anytime. However, Liu Bei and Sun Quan were different. They were like two dormant dragons with ambitious aspirations and ambitions that soared as high as the clouds. When storms arose, they could transform into dragons at any moment. Add to that the butterfly effect caused by his presence as a time traveler¡­ At least it could ensure that Sun Quan and Liu Bei would engage in internal strife, Jiangdong would seize Jingzhou, and Liu Xuande would suffer defeat at Yiling. But if history¡¯s wheel took a 180-degree turn due to his existence¡­ in such a case¡­ ¡°Hehe! Absolutely enough to give this time-traveling contender for Wei Wu¡¯s successor a headache and a pot of tea. At the main seat, Cao Cao scrutinized his son, Cao Ju, who offered advice. After staring for a prolonged moment, he suddenly felt a mix of irritation and amusement. ¡°Hehe!¡± ¡°My son, are you delivering a lecture to your father¡­¡± ¡°Instructing your father on how to proceed?¡± During the conversation, Cao Cao slowly returned to his original position. ¡°¡± ¡°You believe that the various regional lords are immediate concerns, while the gradually strengthening aristocratic families are long-term worries.¡± ¡°But, have you considered¡­¡± Cao Cao¡¯s expression turned into a wry smile. His index finger tapped on the long table before him, creating a series of crisp sounds. ¡°¡± ¡°¡± ¡°¡± After the three sounds, Cao Cao emitted a superficial smile. ¡°To secure the external, one must first stabilize the internal!¡± ¡°If we allow the influential families to burgeon unchecked, even if your father unifies the world and brings order to this tumultuous era¡­¡± sea??h th§× Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Cao Cao¡¯s voice suddenly rose. He pointed at Cao Ju¡¯s nose and admonished, ¡°You rascal!¡± ¡°How can you be so certain¡­¡± ¡°The empire and the ancestral temples I, your father, have established, weren¡¯t they tailored as bridal attire for those influential families? Weren¡¯t they exploited and seized by them?!¡± Cao Cao questioned sharply. He wanted to see. What arguments did his son still have at this point? Hearing Cao Cao¡¯s stern rebuke and his expressed concerns¡­ Cao Ju fell silent momentarily. Because, as a time traveler, he knew that Cao Cao¡¯s worries were not groundless rumors. The Sima family¡¯s usurpation of the throne and the subsequent alignment of various local families and families with the Sima family¡­ To some extent, it could be said that this was a manifestation of the influential families eclipsing the Cao Wei regime. The later ¡°Wang¡± and ¡°Ma¡± eras during the Jin Dynasty it was almost a vivid reflection of these influential families seizing imperial power and overshadowing the authority of the sovereign. Regarding this, he couldn¡¯t outright claim that Cao Cao was overly anxious or completely mistaken. He could only say¡­ The visionary Emperor Wei Wu foresaw things that others couldn¡¯t. With such thoughts in mind, Cao Ju placed his hand over his heart, feeling the substantial sensation of the object tucked within his embrace, and he chuckled lightly. ¡°Father,¡± ¡°The troubles caused by aristocratic families, are they worth worrying about?¡± ¡°Your son possesses an item,¡± ¡°Capable of shattering all the aristocratic families, powerful clans, and gates in the world!¡± Then, under Cao Cao¡¯s gaze, Cao Ju extended his hand towards his chest¡­ Chapter 18 - Unleashing the Weapon, Cao Caos Astonishment! Chapter 18: Unleashing the Weapon, Cao Cao¡¯s Astonishment! Hearing Cao Ju¡¯s ¡°arrogant¡± and almost ¡°ignorant¡± words, Cao Cao couldn¡¯t recall how many times he had been infuriated by this rebellious son tonight. By now, he was no longer inclined to scold his son. He only wanted to listen. To this son who did not regard the aristocratic families with any importance, how would he continue to cleverly argue his point? However, what Cao Cao hadn¡¯t anticipated was that, under his cold gaze¡­ After his son spoke audacious words, he didn¡¯t continue his discourse. Instead, he reached into his bosom and retrieved two thin booklets, each about the thickness of a finger joint when stacked. Below, Cao Ju examined the objects in his hands and couldn¡¯t help but smile wryly. Initially, these two booklets were meant to be offered to his father, Cao Cao, to appease him after saving Xun Yu. However, these two booklets appeared unremarkable. The technologies contained within them were almost revolutionary for their time. The technologies involved were related to the second of the Four Great Inventions: the improvement of papermaking and the movable-type printing technique. The combination of improved papermaking and movable-type printing resulted in the creation of these ¡°books¡±¡­ Cao Ju did not doubt their potential to appease Cao Cao¡¯s anger. Even if these two innovations were taken individually, they could be considered highly beneficial for the nation and the people. S~ea??h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Not to mention the power of their combination. But, who could have foreseen¡­ Before he could even offer this item to his father on his own, by a twist of fate, he and his father, Cao Cao, ended up discussing the troubles caused by the aristocratic families today. With the appearance of these two thin volumes, it seemed as if he was well-prepared and had anticipated Cao Cao¡¯s anticipation. Internally scoffing at the situation, Cao Ju stepped forward directly, taking a seat at the long case where Cao Cao was sitting. ¡°Father, these two things are what I mentioned¡­¡± ¡°The reliance that belittles the significance of the aristocratic families.¡± ¡°Please take a look, Father.¡± After speaking, Cao Ju gently placed the two thin volumes before Cao Cao and returned to his original position. In the room, Cao Cao, who had remained silent all along, only revealed a disdainful expression after Cao Ju had returned to his original position and stood still. He cast his gaze onto the stack of two thin volumes before him. Not reading them would have been better. But after just a glance, Cao Cao¡¯s entire body trembled angrily. Because, what caught his eye were the four prominent characters on the cover of the topmost thin volume¡­ ¡°Mengde¡¯s New Book.¡± ¡°You rebellious child!¡± ¡°Are you playing games with your father?¡± ¡°Are you offering me a military book written by me, hoping that I will exterminate all those aristocratic families?¡± ¡°¡± Cao Cao sneered, ¡°Killing them off might remove the concern of aristocratic families, but my entire Cao family, myself included¡­¡± ¡°Probably won¡¯t be far from death.¡± Hearing Cao Cao¡¯s outburst of anger, Cao Ju shook his head gently. ¡°Father, why make a hasty judgment?¡± ¡°For what reason?¡± ¡°Wouldn¡¯t it be better to see what your child has presented? Once you¡¯ve seen it, I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll understand my sincere intentions.¡± Saying this, Cao Ju pointed to the two thin volumes with his finger. In the main seat, Cao Cao gazed at his son, who remained calm despite triumph or shame and could still maintain his composure before him. A trace of suspicion arose in Cao Cao¡¯s eyes. With such thoughts in mind, Cao Cao reached out for the two bound thin volumes that Cao Ju had presented, picking them up together. As soon as he made contact, feeling the different sensation of the thin volume¡¯s cover compared to the ordinary paper of the time, Cao Cao couldn¡¯t help but exclaim in surprise. Cao Ju naturally heard Cao Cao¡¯s surprised exclamation. Evidently, his father had noticed the unusual nature of the thin volumes. Cao Ju wasn¡¯t surprised about this, even though paper had been around since the end of the Han Dynasty. However, even the best types of paper available then, Cai Hou paper and Zuo Bo paper were far inferior to the paper used in this thin volume. [Note: Cai Hou paper: Paper improved by Cai Lun¡¯s paper making technique. Zuo Bo paper: Further improvement on Cai Hou paper by Zuo Bo during the early Jian¡¯an period.] In terms of paper toughness, smoothness, and water absorption¡­ The latter completely surpassed the former two. ¡°Father, you might as well open the ¡®Mengde¡¯s New Book¡¯ that your child has presented to look at its contents!¡± Initially focused on assessing the smoothness of the cover paper, Cao Ju¡¯s interruption immediately diverted Cao Cao¡¯s attention. ¡°¡± ¡°Stop being noisy.¡± He gave Cao Ju a mild reprimand. Following that, Cao Cao opened the cover of ¡°Mengde¡¯s New Book.¡± On the first page that caught Cao Cao¡¯s eye was the general outline of the table of contents for ¡°Mengde¡¯s New Book,¡± comprising fourteen sections. Among them are thirteen sections on military strategy and tactics and one on political strategy. Cao Cao casually flipped to one of the pages without lingering on the table of contents. ¡°Sun Zi said in the past: The major concerns of the nation¡¯s warfare, the grounds of life and death, the ways of survival and destruction, must be carefully examined. Indeed, war has no constant state, water has no constant shape, confronting changing conditions on the ground, it cannot be transmitted beforehand.¡± ¡°Hence it is said to estimate the enemy¡¯s plans secretly and discern his motivations by observing his actions.¡± ¡°Thus, the art of war is not constant; the path to victory is not fixed. Therefore, those who delight in war will surely be defeated, and those who pursue gain will suffer disgrace¡­¡± Focusing his gaze on the perfectly square page with minuscule text, Cao Cao¡¯s eyes revealed a hint of astonishment. Swiftly following, he hastily turned over several more randomly selected pages. ¡°The benefit of warfare lies in trust; the virtue of warfare lies in principle.¡± ¡°Virtue is the foundation of accumulated strength in war.¡± ¡°Trust is the source of clear rewards in warfare.¡± ¡°Without provisions, soldiers will not come. Without rewards, soldiers will not go¡­¡± If the first page had merely surprised Cao Cao. Then Cao Cao was thoroughly astonished because, at this moment, he astonishingly discovered that some of the words in the randomly selected two pages on military strategy were identical as if they had been engraved with a single mold. Not only were they strikingly similar, they were literally identical. Without dwelling on his astonishment, Cao Cao quickly set aside the topmost volume of ¡°Mengde¡¯s New Book.¡± The result, beyond his expectations yet within them, the thin volume beneath it, was also ¡°Mengde¡¯s New Book¡±! Placing both volumes of ¡°Mengde¡¯s New Book¡± side by side on the long case, he flipped to the same page in both volumes. Cao Cao compared the pages, identical content, the indistinguishable script, the same number of characters¡­ In an instant, he fell into silence. As intelligent as he was, how could he not understand what this meant? If there were two identical copies, there could be three, four, and even¡­ Ten thousand copies, a hundred thousand copies, all identical. For a single book, if there were a hundred thousand duplicates¡­ Thinking of that scenario, Cao Cao was certain it was enough to shatter the monopolistic grip of powerful families and aristocratic clans over knowledge. It would be enough to undermine their foundations if it were to become widespread. Thinking this, Cao Cao couldn¡¯t help but sigh inwardly. ¡°My son¡­¡± ¡°Truly has given me quite a pleasant surprise!¡± Chapter 20 - Cao Cao: This Child is Truly the Dragon among My Cao Familys Offspring! Chapter 20: Cao Cao: This Child is Truly the Dragon among My Cao Family¡¯s Offspring! Cao Ju didn¡¯t keep Cao Cao waiting for long. He truthfully continued, ¡°Father, the fundamental reason why the imperial court has allowed the aristocratic families to grow is not just due to their monopoly on knowledge¡­ The most crucial point is that the current talent selection system for officials has gone awry.¡± ¡°The system of scrutiny and appointment initially aimed to select virtuous and talented individuals as the backbone of the imperial court. When the policy was implemented, those recommended as accomplished scholars, filial and incorruptible candidates, or those directly appointed didn¡¯t disappoint.¡± ¡°However, have you noticed, Father, in the past few decades, who are the ones being recommended as accomplished scholars, filial candidates, and appointed officials? What is their background?¡± A disdainful sneer appeared at the corner of Cao Ju¡¯s mouth. Not directed at Cao Cao but at those aristocratic families and powerful figures within the Han court. ¡°If those individuals were somewhat restrained initially, recent decades have shown that the aristocratic families and the influential elite have utterly abandoned any semblance of decency.¡± ¡°Among the talents selected by the court each year, nearly eight out of ten are scions of the aristocratic families. The remaining two are not commoners either; they are offspring of the influential and powerful.¡± ¡°Under the practice of favoritism, there¡¯s hardly any room left for commoner sons in the court¡¯s selection of talents. How can there be any place for those without influential connections?¡± Cao Ju¡¯s words laid bare the corruption and nepotism that had seeped into the once-noble examination system. In later eras, Cao Ju heard people mention that the imperial examination system was established based on the Han dynasty¡¯s selection through a recommendation system. He scoffed at this notion. The reason was quite simple. Despite the Han dynasty¡¯s selection through recommendation and the later imperial examination system involving court examinations, there existed fundamental differences between the two. The essential difference lay that the later examination system leaned towards maintaining absolute fairness in the examination process, regardless of the candidates¡¯ social status. On the other hand, the emphasis on examinations was not as significant in the Han dynasty¡¯s selection through the recommendation system. In other words, the Han dynasty relied more on recommendations than examinations. Whether a person could enter officialdom and take that crucial first step toward a career was determined primarily by recommendations. The power to recommend individuals was held by bureaucrats at various levels below the emperor and by prestigious families, aristocratic clans, and influential individuals in different regions. For instance, if a county had only two or three candidates recommended as outstanding talents or virtuous individuals, individuals without the extensive backgrounds of scions from aristocratic families or the privileged children of officials had almost no chance of being recommended through this selection process. Later, Chen Qun¡¯s creation of the Nine-Rank System was even more extreme. It effectively removed the word ¡°virtually,¡± completely sealing off the pathway for commoners to rise. S§×arch* The NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Cao Cao looked at his son¡¯s unrelenting criticism of the court¡¯s talent selection system, and his lips twitched with a hint of bitterness. There was a reason for it. When Cao Cao entered officialdom at the beginning of his career, he was also one of the beneficiaries of this flawed selection system. If it weren¡¯t for his grandfather Cao Teng, who once served as a palace eunuch, and his father Cao Song, who held the position of Colonel-Director of Retainers, not to mention the considerable influence of the Cao clan in Qiao commandery¡­ Given his youthful recklessness and impulsiveness, how could Cao Cao have been recommended for virtuous conduct if it weren¡¯t for his family background? It wasn¡¯t just him; the likes of Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu, who used to boldly abduct brides and run off with them, shared the same background. Perhaps, as they matured and broadened their horizons with age, their perspectives changed, and they became more restrained. However, Cao Cao was well aware that at the age when he, Yuan Shao, and Yuan Shu were recommended as virtuous individuals, the majority of their recommendations were due to family connections rather than their abilities. He knew they were recommended not purely on merit but on the intricate familial relationships orchestrated by their elders. Though he believed they possessed some personal strengths, these were not the primary factors in their recommendations. Of course, Cao Cao wouldn¡¯t openly admit this. Therefore, taking advantage of a pause in his son Cao Ju¡¯s speech, he interjected. He rested the elbow joint of his right hand on his sitting knee, propping his chin with his palm. Leaning slightly forward, he began: ¡°My son!¡± ¡°Since you have criticized the current selection system for its many flaws, do you happen to possess a better system for talent selection to offer to me?¡± Even Cao Cao himself hadn¡¯t realized it. Compared to his initial anger and instinctive denial towards Cao Cao, his tone had now transformed into one of negotiation with Cao Ju, with a hint less skepticism. Faced with Cao Cao¡¯s inquiry, Cao Ju had long prepared his response in his mind and confidently answered: ¡°Father, your child indeed has a new talent selection system to present.¡± ¡°Tell me about it.¡± ¡°Father, let¡¯s call it the ¡®Imperial Examination System.''¡± ¡°The Imperial Examination System?¡± Upon hearing Cao Ju¡¯s words, Cao Cao¡¯s expression turned puzzled. Continuing, Cao Cao signaled for Cao Ju to speak: ¡°My son, go on and explain.¡± Cao Ju, interrupted midway by Cao Cao, remained undeterred. He continued: ¡°Yes, precisely, the Imperial Examination System.¡± ¡°It differs from the current observation-based system, and the Imperial Examination System has three key features.¡± ¡°Firstly, applications should be open to all!¡± ¡°All scholars should be able to register for the exams held by the court without necessarily requiring recommendations from officials or local authorities.¡± ¡°Secondly, candidates will be tested in specialized subjects, with exams held at regular intervals.¡± ¡°The court shall arrange various examination subjects, such as classics, legal codes, arithmetic, Confucian texts, Daoist studies, and political strategy. Afterward, a unified examination date will be set, gathering scholars from all corners of the realm to rush to the capital for the exams.¡± ¡°Thirdly, rigorous examination.¡± ¡°All evaluations for passing or failing shall be based on the performance of examinees during the exam, judged by the quality of their written responses.¡± ¡°The capable shall pass, while the mediocre shall be eliminated.¡± Cao Ju didn¡¯t halt his explanation after presenting the three core characteristics of the imperial examination. He further extended and elaborated on the system based on the imperial examinations in subsequent dynasties like the Tang, Song, Ming, and Qing. All of this was done to help Cao Cao grasp the essence of the Imperial Examination System. Under Cao Ju¡¯s uninterrupted narration, Cao Cao listened¡­ Enthralled and captivated. He found it truly remarkable. When Cao Ju finally ceased speaking. For a moment, Cao Cao snapped back to reality. Gazing at his son standing quietly¡­ At this moment, Cao Cao had only one thought. ¡°This child!¡± ¡°Could it be that he is truly the auspicious child granted to the Cao family by the heavens?¡± Chapter 21 - Strategizing for the Nations Future, Cao Jus Long-Term Planning! Chapter 21: Strategizing for the Nation¡¯s Future, Cao Ju¡¯s Long-Term Planning! Heavenly Bestowed Qilin Son! This was how Cao Cao appraised Cao Ju, who had repeatedly impressed him today. Faced with such praise, even Cao Zhi, once hailed by Cao Cao as ¡°naturally gifted¡± and ¡°unrivaled in grace,¡± and Cao Zhang, referred to as the ¡°Yellow-Bearded Son¡± of the Cao family, found themselves falling short compared to the three words ¡°Qilin Son.¡± However, just as this thought emerged, Cao Cao¡¯s expression darkened as he recalled a moment from years ago. Returning triumphant from quelling the Wuhuan, he joyfully cradled a child in front of the gates of Ye City. The child, reaching only his waist with a bun on his head, received a judgment nearly identical to Cao Ju¡¯s. That child was none other than his most intelligent son, the one he had vaguely considered a successor after the untimely passing of Cao Ang-Cao Chong. At that time, Cao Chong was the Qilin Son in Cao Cao¡¯s heart. Unfortunately, Cao Cao sighed, expressing how fate cruelly snatched away the life of his beloved son Chong prematurely, leading to his untimely ¡°passing due to illness.¡± In this moment, Cao Cao realized that the more exceptional the son before him became, the more it unwittingly reminded him of the two sons he regretted and mourned deeply for, Cao Ang and Cao Chong. Such sentiments were something his elder son, Cao Pi, had never provided him with. Impressed by Cao Ju¡¯s performance, Cao Cao hesitated to wholeheartedly embrace and implement Cao Ju¡¯s proposal for a civil service examination system. Achieving a significant legacy amidst the chaos of warlords in troubled times was not something Cao Cao¡¯s straightforward mind would overlook. He refrained from immediate judgment on the merits of Cao Ju¡¯s proposed ¡°civil service examination system.¡± Instead, he contemplated its practicality based on his own experiences and understanding. As Cao Ju finished speaking, a brief silence enveloped the spacious study. Despite feeling increasingly thirsty, Cao Ju continued his exposition, suppressing the urge to pour himself a cup of tea from the nearby tray and discreetly swallowing to moisten his dry throat. After what felt like an eternity, Cao Cao sighed melancholic laughter, a tinge of regret appearing on his face. The reason was simple ¨C after careful consideration, he realized that the civil service examination system proposed by his son was, from a long-term perspective, a well-thought-out strategy for the nation¡¯s future. However, it is currently not feasible for Cao Cao to implement it. Decreeing on its implementation would undoubtedly provoke strong opposition from powerful aristocratic families who were not fools and could perceive the flaws inherent in the system. Understanding this, Cao Cao knew his son¡¯s idea was one-sided. But, when he noticed the calm expression on Cao Ju¡¯s face, a thought arose in his mind that startled even him. ¡°What if.¡± ¡°What if my son has a way to solve this problem?¡± Decisiveness being inherent in Cao Cao¡¯s nature, he immediately presented this question to Cao Ju. Merely raising questions and discussing them extensively didn¡¯t constitute true ability. True capability lies in posing questions and offering comprehensive solutions! He was eager to witness if his son was ready to face the challenge presented by the question he had just raised. ¡°My son, you have proposed that the civil service examination system could curtail the influence of aristocratic families. However.¡± ¡°Have you considered it?¡± ¡°What would be the stance of those aristocratic families if we were to implement the civil service examination system right now?¡± ¡°Father acknowledges.¡± ¡°While it¡¯s true that you are astute enough to devise a long-term strategy like the civil service examination system, the world has never lacked intelligent individuals.¡± ¡°The aristocratic families and powerful families are not fools or idiots.¡± Cao Cao spoke, his eyes revealing a glint of anticipation. ¡°Um!¡± Upon hearing the question posed by his father, Cao Cao, Cao Ju¡¯s expression momentarily froze. Implementing the civil service examination system right now¡­ Um! Did my old man really dare to think of this? Never mind whether the plan could be executed successfully. At the very least, Cao Ju could ascertain one thing: Once those aristocratic families and powerful families learned that it was his proposal for the civil service examination system, they would undoubtedly take covert actions against him, distancing themselves from him. For now, Cao Cao relied on the support of these aristocratic families and needed to be cautious around them. He didn¡¯t want to expose his just-revealed assertiveness to the scrutiny of the aristocratic families so soon. His delicate frame couldn¡¯t bear it. And he didn¡¯t want to resist! Sear?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Cao Cao, who was attentively observing Cao Ju, naturally noticed the surprise and bewilderment on his son¡¯s face. Indeed, throwing this challenging question at his son was perhaps a bit too demanding after all! Considering his age, he shouldn¡¯t be too hard on himself. Just as Cao Cao was consoling himself in this manner, a breakthrough appeared, much like a bright light piercing through the darkness. Cao Ju¡¯s confident voice resounded once again. ¡°Father, implementing the civil service examination system at this moment may raise suspicions of seeking quick rewards and instant benefits.¡± ¡°If forcefully promoted.¡± ¡°From my perspective, there are quite a few drawbacks.¡± ¡°For one, it will trigger vigilance and resistance from the aristocratic families towards the civil service examination system. And secondly.¡± Cao Ju let out a sigh. ¡°In the current state of the realm, most literate individuals come from aristocratic families and powerful clans. While there are some commoner scholars, they are relatively few.¡± ¡°In such a situation, even if the civil service examination system is implemented, it would only select candidates from these aristocratic families.¡± ¡°It won¡¯t achieve the goal I envisioned of giving opportunities to commoner youths.¡± Speaking, Cao Ju glanced around the room. When he spotted a bonsai in a nearby flower pot, he stepped forward, picking it up in the face of Cao Cao¡¯s puzzled gaze. After forcefully extracting the bonsai from the pot, Cao Ju pointed at the flowerpot and said to Cao Cao. ¡°Father, please look!¡± ¡°The civil service examination system I propose is like a seed that can uproot the influence of the aristocratic families.¡± ¡°But, even though the seed is good.¡± ¡°Before planting it and allowing it to grow, it needs to find suitable soil for cultivation, a nurturing environment where it can grow healthily.¡± ¡°In the current situation where the aristocratic families monopolize knowledge, it¡¯s not suitable for it to grow. Its growth requires a crucial prerequisite.¡± ¡°There must be a sufficient number of scholars throughout the realm!¡± ¡°Even if the aristocratic families are powerful, they wouldn¡¯t be able to represent all the scholars in the land.¡± ¡°And such a method!¡± ¡°I have already presented it to you, and now it¡¯s in your hands.¡± Finishing his words, Cao Ju¡¯s gaze landed on the ¡°New Book of Mencius¡± displayed before Cao Cao. Chapter 22 - Blocking Ones Path to Achievement is Like Killing Ones Parents, No End Until Death! Chapter 22: Blocking One¡¯s Path to Achievement is Like Killing One¡¯s Parents, No End Until Death! The Power of Commoner Scholars! Cao Cao followed Cao Ju¡¯s gaze and looked down. Seeing the two ¡°New Books of Mencius¡± quietly placed before him¡­ Combined with his son¡¯s earlier statement about needing ¡°a sufficient number of scholars throughout the realm,¡± he immediately understood Cao Ju¡¯s intention: To use the printing press and improved paper-making techniques to cultivate more scholars. Instantly, a spark of inspiration lit up in Cao Cao¡¯s mind. Only by vigorously promoting education using these two technologies could it be possible to quickly nurture many scholars, thereby countering the aristocratic families that currently held the monopoly over knowledge. Cao Ju, looking at his father Cao Cao, whose face was now enlightened, could tell that his father had grasped the idea¡­ He chuckled and said, ¡°Father, you¡¯ve also figured it out!¡± ¡°Indeed, it¡¯s about establishing educational institutions.¡± ¡°While it might be challenging for others to establish academies for knowledge dissemination, for you, who possesses the technology of movable type printing and improved paper-making, it¡¯s not difficult.¡± ¡°Even in terms of constructing these academies.¡± S§×ar?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡°You could even issue orders for the stationed armies in various commanderies to contribute labor during the construction.¡± ¡°As for the lack of teaching staff for these institutions.¡± A sinister smile appeared on Cao Ju¡¯s face. ¡°You¡¯re saying.¡± ¡°If you promise to provide renowned scholars and notable figures from various regions with free paper, and if you print and preserve their works on Confucianism and other subjects using the movable type printing technique, in exchange for them spreading knowledge and teachings in the newly established academies, would they be willing?¡± ¡°Hehe, in my opinion,¡± ¡°Not only can this gain fame through education and teaching, but it also offers the opportunity to obtain free paper and have their works printed. There wouldn¡¯t be many who could heartlessly refuse.¡± ¡°Besides that.¡± ¡°Even the erudite individuals within the aristocratic families, along with talented yet neglected scholars from humble backgrounds, could be enticed by this offer to help you cultivate scholars in these academies.¡± ¡°If it goes like this.¡± ¡°No need for twenty or thirty years, only ten years!¡± ¡°After ten years.¡± ¡°When enough scholars are emerging across the realm due to your initiatives, if you then issue orders to implement the civil service examination system.¡± Cao Ju placed the flowerpot back in its original position, clenching his fist tightly. ¡°Even if the aristocratic families realize it and attempt to block your implementation.¡± ¡°It will be too late!¡± ¡°They won¡¯t be able to stop this prevailing trend.¡± ¡°Because blocking one¡¯s path to achievement for scholars, it¡¯s like killing their parents.¡± ¡°It can indeed be described as an unrelenting pursuit.¡± ¡°In the face of fame, fortune, and social advancement, they won¡¯t care about your aristocratic background, family status, or grand heritage.¡± Of course, there¡¯s a sentence Cao Ju didn¡¯t say. That was, if everything evolves as he described earlier, in the end, the aristocratic families would have to face an era of transformation led by the ruling class under Cao Cao¡¯s command and the alliance between countless commoner scholars representing the lower class intellectuals. Could a spark start a prairie fire? No, damn, it¡¯s exactly Cao Cao standing on the high ground, commanding countless ambitious commoner scholars who refused to accept mediocrity, carrying explosive charges on their backs, and launching an unyielding assault on the aristocratic families. In this process, the lower-class scholars sandwiched between the commoner scholars and the aristocratic families might not choose to stand aside. They might join in challenging the aristocratic families. Thinking of that scene, Cao Ju felt a sense of pity for the aristocratic families. At that time, the aristocratic families would only have two choices. First, either resist to the death and be swept away by the tide of change. Second, assimilate into the imperial examination system and join it. At the same time, watched their influence gradually diminish as they were gradually boiled like frogs in the warm water of the imperial examination system. There had never been a third choice. If there had to be one, they could try rebelling, raise an army, and see if Wei¡¯s military might be effective! On the main seat, listening to Cao Ju¡¯s insightful and brilliant presentation, Cao Cao couldn¡¯t help but slap his knee. ¡°Hahaha!¡± ¡°What my child has said truly resonates with me.¡± ¡°I shall eat three large bowls for dinner tonight.¡± With joy, Cao Cao¡¯s gaze inadvertently fell upon the ¡°Cao Family Covered Rice¡± placed on the table in front of him, causing his mouth to twitch involuntarily. Unfazed, Cao Cao picked up his chopsticks, lifted the lidded bowl, and quietly gathered the scattered rice on the table. Silently, he put it back into the bowl. Chapter 23 - Cao Cao: My Heart is Warmed by Juer! Chapter 23: Cao Cao: My Heart is Warmed by Ju¡¯er! Cao Cao¡¯s actions were subtle. However, Cao Ju still noticed his father¡¯s discreet attempt to revive the ¡°Cao Family Covered Rice.¡± Strangely, a feeling of being unable to look directly at it welled up within him. ¡°Father!¡± ¡°The day is growing late. You should rest early!¡± ¡°I won¡¯t disturb you any longer.¡± Glancing at the outside sky, Cao Ju requested to take his leave. Upon seeing Cao Ju¡¯s request, Cao Cao didn¡¯t immediately grant permission. Instead, he instructed Cao Ju, ¡°Later, organize what you¡¯ve discussed with me today into a written document and present it to me.¡± Sear?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡°As detailed as possible.¡± ¡°It will serve as a future reference for me.¡± Upon hearing his father Cao Cao¡¯s request, Cao Ju nodded slightly. Even if Cao Cao hadn¡¯t suggested it, he intended to present the details of the imperial examination system to Cao Cao in written form. ¡°Very well!¡± ¡°I shall take my leave, then!¡± With those words, Cao Ju turned around and calmly walked towards the door. Behind Cao Ju, seated in the main position, Cao Cao watched Cao Ju¡¯s departing figure, a pleased expression on his face, his gaze somewhat entranced. Gazing faintly at Cao Ju¡¯s retreating figure, Cao Cao seemed to see his lost sons, Cao Ang and Cao Chong, lightly waving to him and smiling before merging into Cao Ju¡¯s form. Almost involuntarily, Cao Cao softly said, ¡°Zixiu, Cangshu!¡± The voice was barely audible. ¡°Hmm?!¡± Hearing the faint voice that reached his ears, Cao Ju instinctively turned back, puzzled. Unable to discern the content of Cao Cao¡¯s words, he mistook Cao Cao¡¯s call for himself and inquired, ¡°Father, do you have any further instructions?¡± Cao Cao quickly collected himself as he watched his son pause and look back. Then, he resumed speaking to Cao Ju as usual, ¡°Nothing. It¡¯s nothing!¡± ¡°Zimu!¡± ¡°If there¡¯s anything next time, discuss it with me first. Don¡¯t act rashly.¡± Cao Ju nodded slightly, observing Cao Cao¡¯s seldom-displayed affection in front of his son, which made him both a great strategist and a person. ¡°Alright!¡± Cao Ju continued walking towards the door. However, the instant he turned around, he was suddenly struck by an idea. With his back turned to Cao Cao, Cao Ju spoke, ¡°Father, I have persuaded Xun Yu!¡± ¡°From now on, whether you assume the title of Wei Duke or Wei King, he is highly likely to remain silent, refraining from conflicting with you as a loyal subject of Han.¡± ¡°If you no longer wish to employ him in the future.¡± ¡°Perhaps after the conclusion of this campaign in the south, you could send him to establish and promote education.¡± ¡°In terms of virtue, he is undoubtedly a rare, gentle, and refined gentleman.¡± ¡°In terms of status, if this leader of Yingchuan scholars advocates for the establishment and promotion of education, it will likely lull those noble families and clans to some extent, causing them to lower their guard.¡± ¡°On this matter, I implore Father to carefully consider.¡± As he finished speaking, it was as if he feared his father, Cao Cao, would refuse. Without waiting for Cao Cao¡¯s response, Cao Ju had already opened the door and walked out. Cao Cao was left in the room with a wry smile, unsure of what to say. ¡°After all the twists and turns, my son is still interceding on your behalf, Xun Wenruo!¡± His gaze turned northward towards Shouchun. Cao Cao seemed to be engaging in a silent conversation across the void. He murmured to himself, ¡°Wenruo!¡± ¡°Having abandoned thoughts of death upon seeing my son, what is your evaluation of him?¡± Cao Cao said, a smile escaping his lips. At this moment, his expression revealed a parent¡¯s pride in boasting about their exceptional child to others. However, this pride didn¡¯t linger on Cao Cao¡¯s face for long. He suddenly realized that, over the years, apart from focusing his attention on his three sons, Cao Pi, Cao Zhi, and Cao Zhang, he hadn¡¯t paid much attention to his other children. He hadn¡¯t even noticed how exceptional Cao Ju had become. This realization prompted him to reflect on whether he cared enough for Cao Ju and his other sons. This, in turn, led Cao Cao to develop a curiosity about what Cao Ju had experienced when he wasn¡¯t receiving his father¡¯s attention, resulting in the remarkable transformation that had led him to become so outstanding. ¡°Summon someone!¡± ¡°Have Lu Hong come to see me immediately.¡± Not long after Cao Cao gave this order, the door to the study was pushed open. A man dressed in plain black attire, unremarkable in a crowd, walked in and knelt before Cao Cao with one knee, his face lowered in respect. ¡°Lu Hong, Chief of Staff, greetings to the master!¡± ¡°I am at your service. What instructions do you have, master?¡± The newcomer was Lu Hong, a Cao Cao¡¯s covert organization member, similar to Zhao Da, whom Cao Ju had killed. Lu Hong held a prominent position as one of the heads of the intelligence agency under Cao Cao. Upon seeing Lu Hong, Cao Cao immediately stated, ¡°I want you to handle a task.¡± ¡°Dispatch someone to investigate my son Cao Ju¡¯s performance over the past few years and then report every detail to me.¡± ¡°Very well!¡± ¡°You may leave now.¡± Cao Cao didn¡¯t treat Lu Hong with excessive respect. His attitude was more like someone who summoned and dismissed him at will. Similarly, Lu Hong had no hint of dissatisfaction because people like them, responsible for intelligence gathering, were essentially Cao Cao¡¯s hounds, his hidden blades. ¡°Understood!¡± Lu Hong acknowledged with a bow before stepping out. Once Lu Hong had left, Cao Cao lovingly stroked the two volumes of ¡°Mengde¡¯s Art of War¡± on the desk and let out a satisfied chuckle. ¡°Back then, when Liu Jiyu¡¯s envoy, Zhang Song, visited Xuchang, he deceived me using his photographic memory ability, making me believe that the ¡®Mengde¡¯s Art of War¡¯ I had diligently composed had already been written by someone else. In a fit of anger, I discarded it.¡± ¡°Who would have thought..¡± ¡°My son Ju has managed to retrieve it for me and even had it printed into a book.¡± ¡°Truly¡­He has won my heart!¡± Chapter 24 - The Struggle for the Heirship! Cao Pis Jealousy! Chapter 24: The Struggle for the Heirship! Cao Pi¡¯s Jealousy! On that evening, Cao Ju was accommodated in the residence of the county magistrate where Cao Cao resided. It wasn¡¯t that he didn¡¯t wish to find another dwelling within the city, but his father, Cao Cao, had specially arranged all of this. As the night grew darker, Cao Ju, not wanting to deal with further commotion, accepted Cao Cao¡¯s hospitality without resistance. He Dian Man and Deng Ai settled into the county magistrate¡¯s residence. This residence served as Cao Cao¡¯s ¡°temporary headquarters.¡± There wasn¡¯t much to it except for a surplus of vacant rooms. Combined with the day¡¯s travel exhaustion and the mental strain of facing Cao Cao, Cao Ju sank into deep slumber not long after his head met the pillow. On the other side, within a spacious courtyard within the city of Hefei, even though the night had advanced into the early morning hours, the main building where one could rest was still aglow with light. Before Cao Pi stood in a wide-open space, even in the late hours, a trusted servant who often handled secretive matters for Cao Pi was quietly reporting to him. ¡°Master, there¡¯s a message from the county magistrate¡¯s residence.¡± ¡°After you and Young Master Cao Zhang left the study, the Prime Minister and Eighth Young Master spent considerable time alone inside. They emerged from the study about a quarter of an hour ago.¡± ¡°During that time, what they discussed.¡± ¡°Our spies within the county magistrate¡¯s residence couldn¡¯t ascertain, as General Xu Chu remained stationed just outside the door, preventing anyone from getting close.¡± ¡°However, we did gather another piece of information that might be useful to you.¡± The loyal servant glanced up cautiously at Cao Pi. ¡°Eighth Young Master Cao Ju is spending the night at the county magistrate¡¯s residence, and the Prime Minister ordered this.¡± After delivering this news, the servant immediately lowered their head. ¡°Father, had Eighth Brother stay the night at his residence?¡± Upon hearing the servant¡¯s report, Cao Pi¡¯s eyes widened abruptly. His tone was full of doubt. This was surprising because as he, Cao Zhang, and Cao Zhi grew older, their father, Cao Cao, rarely had his older sons stay by his side. Even if others would share lodgings with his father, they were merely his younger siblings, all under ten. Although his father, Cao Cao, had concealed it well, Cao Pi still keenly sensed his father¡¯s faint wariness towards his growing older sons. Think about it: knowing that his father was intentionally cautious around his elder sons, how could Cao Pi not be astonished when his father, Cao Cao, still allowed his younger brother Cao Ju to stay overnight? Grasping this point, Cao Pi immediately questioned his loyal subordinate, ¡°How did my younger brother behave?¡± ¡°After coming out of the study where Father was, what was his expression? How was his mood?¡± Facing Cao Pi¡¯s inquiries, the servant hesitated suddenly. The agents he had placed to spy on the county magistrate¡¯s residence hadn¡¯t informed him of this. How could he know, especially when confronted by Cao Pi¡¯s sudden questioning? S§×ar?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Seeing the hesitating servant, Cao Pi bluntly commanded, ¡°Why are you standing there blankly?¡± ¡°Since you don¡¯t know, go and inquire again. Half an hour from now, I want to know this.¡± The servant dared not hesitate any longer. Apologizing to Cao Pi, he immediately left in a fluster. Cao Pi¡¯s face became solemn and gloomy within the room, illuminated by the oil lamp¡¯s glow. ¡°Something must have occurred in the study that I am unaware of.¡± ¡°With Father¡¯s temperament, he would never easily overlook such an audacious and presumptuous younger brother.¡± Putting himself in another¡¯s shoes, the more Cao Pi thought, the more he felt that the situation was not simple. He even considered preparing a carriage and journeying through the night for a brief moment to seek assistance and clarification from Sima Yi, who had already covertly expressed support for him. Sima Yi, Xun You, and Cheng Yu were the three chief strategists accompanying Cao Cao in his campaign against Sun Quan. Intelligent Sima Yi was the only person Cao Pi could think of who could help him analyze the significant change in Cao Cao¡¯s attitude. However, he couldn¡¯t escape his vexation as he thought of another astute advisor, Chen Qun, who had covertly sided with him. His father had left Chen Qun in Xuchang, guarding Emperor Liu Xie and securing the rear. With their relationship in mind, Cao Pi wouldn¡¯t need to leave his home if Chen Qun were here in the city. A simple letter would have sufficed to summon Chen Qun, who could have shed light on the day¡¯s events and relieved his doubts. The loyal servant who had gone to gather intelligence didn¡¯t keep Cao Pi waiting for too long. Half an hour later, the returning servant knelt before Cao Pi and reported again, ¡°Master!¡± ¡°I¡¯ve thoroughly investigated. After Eighth Young Master Cao Ju came out of the study where the Prime Minister was, his expression was noticeably relaxed.¡± ¡°He didn¡¯t appear as if he had been scolded or reprimanded by the Prime Minister.¡± ¡°And, I also learned from a servant responsible for tidying up after the Prime Minister¡¯s meals.¡± ¡°After Eighth Young Master Cao Ju left, the Prime Minister consumed more food tonight than usual, even eating two large bowls. Even the deer meat stew, he ate almost half of it.¡± After relaying this gathered information, the servant didn¡¯t continue speaking because this information was already quite revealing. Seeing the servant¡¯s silence, Cao Pi waved his hand somewhat embarrassedly, ¡°Alright, I understand. You may leave.¡± ¡°Yes!¡± The servant bowed and left the room. Once the servant was gone, Cao Pi¡¯s expression turned dark and ominous. ¡°¡± Cao Pi¡¯s fist slammed into a pillar within the room, the knuckles cracking audibly. ¡°Old Eighth!¡± ¡°No matter what you said to Father, no matter how much favor you gained.¡± ¡°You should understand one thing. What belongs to your elder brother? You shouldn¡¯t meddle with it!¡± ¡°You mustn¡¯t!¡± ¡°Old Fourth, Old Fifth, none of you should either!¡± That night, Cao Pi once again couldn¡¯t sleep! In his dreams, he dreamt of being relentlessly pursued by three fierce tigers! As he fled in panic, he looked back. Only to realize those three man-eating tigers were strikingly similar to his three troublesome brothers. Chapter 25 - Elder Brother Cao Pi, Yet My Beloved Relative, My Dearest Sibling Cao Ju! Chapter 25: Elder Brother Cao Pi, Yet My Beloved Relative, My Dearest Sibling Cao Ju! A night of silence¡­ The autumn wind mingled with his dreams. The next day at dawn, Cao Ju slowly woke from his slumber and opened his eyes. He gazed at the silk-thin mattress that had been turned into a raised, small hill-like structure. Before he could sigh about the fact that eighteen years had flown by, his expression had already displayed an unusual hint. ¡°Who would have thought! On my first night in Hefei, I would have such a ludicrous dream filled with spring-like fervor.¡± ¡°Could it be because I saw Cao Pi yesterday?¡± Thinking about the absurd events in his dream with the exceptionally beautiful woman like a goddess, Cao Ju shook his head repeatedly. He, Cao Zimou, aspired to become the successor of Wei¡¯s military might in this transmigrated existence. How could he degrade himself to the level of Li Er from the Great Tang, who killed his brother and married his sister-in-law? Admittedly, emulating Li Er was quite thrilling! However, Cao Ju dared to swear to the heavens. Third Brother Cao Pi was his beloved relative, his dearest sibling! A noble and virtuous person like him could never do such sordid deeds. After reflecting on the dream from the middle of the night, Cao Ju changed into fresh clothes, got out of bed, and tidied himself up. As he finished his ablutions, the sounds of activity from outside reached his ears before he could think about what to have for breakfast. Dian Man¡¯s voice had already resonated. ¡°Master, just now, a message came from Prime Minister.¡± ¡°After you woke up, he ordered you to immediately proceed to the county magistrate¡¯s main hall.¡± ¡°The county magistrate¡¯s main hall?¡± Cao Ju muttered, ¡°Could something have happened on the front lines?¡± Cao Ju hastened his morning routine by speaking a few sentences to himself. After the time it took for an incense stick to burn, Cao Ju, freshly groomed, was led by the county magistrate¡¯s attendants, accompanied by Dian Man and Deng Ai, to the main hall of the county magistrate¡¯s residence. Before even entering the hall, Cao Ju saw the backs of numerous generals standing inside. Without needing to guess much, he already understood that his father, Cao Cao, had gathered everyone here today for a military council. Understanding this, he turned to his two companions and instructed, ¡°Dian Man, Deng Ai!¡± ¡°You two wait here, I¡¯ll go in first.¡± It wasn¡¯t that Cao Ju didn¡¯t want Dian Man and Deng Ai to accompany him inside. It was simply that these two were his attendants and had no qualifications to attend the military council. Strictly speaking, if it weren¡¯t for Cao Cao¡¯s special instructions, he might not have been eligible to enter even with his status as a member of the Cao household. The title of ¡°young master¡± might be esteemed in the eyes of others, but no matter how esteemed it was, there were rules to follow regarding matters of the state and military affairs. At the very least, one needed to hold a military position to attend a military council. Sear?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Unfortunately, Cao Ju fell far short of his brothers, Cao Pi and Cao Zhang, in this regard. This was because, compared to the nominal status of a ¡°young master,¡± Cao Pi held the title of ¡°Colonel of the Central Military Staff,¡± and Cao Zhang was a ¡°Deputy General.¡± With military positions, even if assigned to external duties, they were the type who could lead troops independently. On the other hand, Cao Ju didn¡¯t even qualify. Although it might sound absurd, that was the reality. Entering the main hall, Cao Ju took a slight glance around. He noticed that everyone was present except for his father, Cao Cao. For instance: His elder brothers, Cao Pi and Cao Zhang. Generals clad in armor: Zhang Liao, Yu Jin, Li Dian, Yue Jin. Those with a maternal or paternal relationship, like Xiahou Dun and Cao Hong. And even Cao Ju¡¯s peer in terms of age and position, Cao Zhen, who was Cao Cao¡¯s adopted son and commanded the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry. Among them, what captured Cao Ju¡¯s attention the most was a figure belonging to the literary strategist group, standing behind Cheng Yu and Xun You. This figure, known in later ages as ¡°Old Cunning of the Late Han,¡± held his focus. Sima Yi, Sima Zhongda. Although it had been more than a year since he came to this time, he had encountered Sima Yi several times. Yet every time he saw Sima Yi, he couldn¡¯t help but feel a surge of murderous intent. Even more so when he first took over the body of the deceased Cao Ju and arrived in this era. The first time he encountered Sima Yi, he entertained the idea of eliminating Sima Yi at any cost. But in the end, Cao Ju forcibly restrained himself. After all, integrating the memories of the original Cao Ju post-time travel, he had to base his actions on reality. And reality was fundamentally not as absurd as those brainless novels written by some authors in the future. Those novels started with slaughtering the Sima clan, where the protagonist instantly became all-powerful, punching Emperor Han, kicking Sun Quan, and calling him ¡°daddy.¡± Cao Ju was confident. If he truly went and senselessly annihilated the Sima family without a reason. His father, Cao Cao, would definitely not hesitate to execute him for the sake of righteousness and use his head as a warning to the world. It could not be like those brainless novels where the protagonist slaughtered the Sima family, and nothing happened afterward. Inside the county magistrate¡¯s main hall. The moment Cao Ju entered, everyone¡¯s gaze fell upon him. Looking at Cao Ju, everyone¡¯s reactions were nearly identical. Among them was Xun You, who smiled at Cao Ju, nodding slightly in acknowledgment. Xiahou Dun and Cao Hong also made similar gestures. As uncles, they couldn¡¯t be cold or distant to their nephews. On the other hand, Cheng Yu and Sima Yi cast a quick glance at Cao Ju before shifting their gazes away without much pause. As for Cao Pi, his heart sank, a sense of foreboding washing over him. Of course, the person in the hall whose facial expressions changed most frequently at this moment wasn¡¯t Cao Zhang¡¯s cold snort upon Cao Ju¡¯s arrival or the salutes from Yu Jin, Li Dian, and Yue Jin. It was Zhang Liao, Zhang Wen Yuan, who had been stationed in Huainan since the Battle of Chibi and rarely returned home. He had to rely on letters to communicate with his family. Looking at Cao Ju entering the county magistrate¡¯s main hall, Zhang Liao¡¯s heart was filled with mixed feelings. Because while stationed away, Zhang Liao had learned through the exchange of letters with his wife. In front of him stood this young master who had previously appeared rather ordinary. In the past year, he had not only formed an incredibly close relationship with Zhang Liao¡¯s son, Zhang Hu, but it had gone so far that their camaraderie was practically inseparable. But that wasn¡¯t the main issue. What troubled Zhang Liao was. This young master occasionally took his son and visited the residence of Lu Bu¡¯s widow, his former master, now and then. And it seemed, in some subtle way, that he held an affectionate admiration for Lu Bu¡¯s daughter, Miss Lingqi. Chapter 26 - In That Year, Diao Chan Was a Mature Woman! Chapter 26: In That Year, Diao Chan Was a Mature Woman! As a former general under Lu Bu¡¯s command and having surrendered to Cao Cao after Lu Bu¡¯s death, Zhang Liao always watched over Lu Bu¡¯s widow, Diao Chan, and his only daughter, Lu Lingqi. Zhang Liao¡¯s presence had undoubtedly deterred many who harbored ill intentions towards Diao Chan and Lu Lingqi¡¯s mother-daughter relationship. Thinking about the spirited and carefree girl who had unconsciously grown into an age where marriage and motherhood were considered, Zhang Liao couldn¡¯t help but feel both indulgence and helplessness whenever he saw Lu Lingqi addressing him as ¡°Uncle.¡± As an elder, Zhang Liao had never intended to hinder Lu Lingqi from pursuing her happiness. Not only did he refrain from stopping her, he also hoped that she would find a son-in-law who treated her well and didn¡¯t mind her identity as Lu Bu¡¯s daughter. S~ea??h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Because that way, even if he, as her uncle, were to meet an unfortunate end on the battlefield one day. At least that girl would still have a husband who genuinely cared for her, standing by her side, shielding her from the winds and rain, and with the support of her son, Zhang Hu. In Zhang Liao¡¯s vision, it would ensure that the girl would live out her life in peace and safety, with minimal problems. However, Zhang Liao looked at Cao Ju as he entered the county government hall, his expression a mix of emotions, a faint trace of bitterness at the corner of his mouth. He never would have thought. In the life path he had envisioned for his old lord¡¯s daughter, a roadblock would appear like Cao Ju, the young master from the Cao family. Regarding Cao Ju¡¯s admiration and pursuit of Lu Bu¡¯s daughter, Zhang Liao¡¯s headache and resistance were not due to any negative perception of Cao Ju himself. It was simply that, in Zhang Liao¡¯s view: No matter how outstanding Cao Ju might be, his status as the son of the Prime Minister precluded him from being a suitable candidate for a son-in-law. At least, that was the case for Lu Lingqi. Who knew if the current young master had ulterior motives, deliberately showing affection for Lu Lingqi to win him over? Who knew¡­ Zhang Liao took a deep breath and glared at Cao Ju. Would this eighth young master of the Cao family, who was exceptionally allowed to participate in the military council today by Prime Minister Cao Cao himself, have ambitions for the crown prince position? Did he intend to compete with the other young masters? If that were the case, no matter whether it was Zhang Liao or Lu Lingqi who was the object of Cao Ju¡¯s affection, they would inevitably be drawn into the struggle for the crown prince position among the young masters. If it succeeded, that would be great. But if it didn¡¯t. Thinking of the enigmatic Prime Minister Cao Cao, Zhang Liao didn¡¯t believe he, an outsider, could secure a favorable outcome even if Prime Minister Cao Cao spared him. Once, the young master of the Cao family who succeeded in the struggle for the crown prince position ascended to the position currently held by Prime Minister Cao Cao. Upon careful consideration, they would still have an unfavorable fate. As Cao Ju entered the county government hall, he could feel a certain gaze following his every move. He suddenly stopped and looked towards the source of that gaze. When he saw the owner of that gaze, a man with star-like eyes and a robust statue, he immediately recognized his identity. One of the five exceptional generals of Cao Wei. Marquis of Duting. Zhang Liao was renowned for his feats in the battle against the Wuhuan and the victory at Bai Lang Mountain. In terms of military achievements, he was nearly on par with Wei Qing and Huo Qubing, the generals who suppressed rebellions. For Zhang Liao Zhang Wenyuan, their gaze locking surprised Cao Ju. Upon sensing that he had been noticed, Zhang Liao immediately averted his gaze as if unwilling to be involved. The unfamiliarity and distance seemed to be written all over Zhang Liao¡¯s face. This piqued Cao Ju¡¯s interest. He turned his body slightly and confidently stood in front of Zhang Liao. ¡°General Zhang,¡± Cao Ju began, ¡°It seems you have some¡­ reservations about me?¡± As he said this, Cao Ju didn¡¯t display any annoyance. Instead, a faint smile played at the corners of his mouth. After all, the family knew its own business. Cao Ju knew his actions of befriending Zhang Liao¡¯s son, getting close to Lu Lingqi, and indirectly prying into Zhang Liao¡¯s ¡°family¡± while stationed away from home was quite evil. But what did that matter? Zhang Liao¡¯s reputation in the future was certainly impressive, but who outside of this room would know that? They would just consider him an ordinary general under Cao Cao. However, how could Cao Ju not know? Furthermore, even if he wasn¡¯t plotting anything related to Zhang Liao, he still had to cultivate a good relationship with Zhang Liao¡¯s son, Zhang Hu, for the sake of Diao Chan and Lu Lingqi, who were not biologically related but still held deep meaning to him. Because of the existence of Zhang Hu, it was something he had thought of when he first arrived at this time a year ago. It was also the most efficient way to quickly approach Diao Chan and Lu Lingqi. After all, he couldn¡¯t simply barge in to visit the two women. But if Zhang Hu acted as an intermediary, it wouldn¡¯t be too abrupt. Recalling his visits to Ye City, where he had gradually become acquainted with Diao Chan and Lu Lingqi through several meetings, Cao Ju could only say that from the time he first encountered Diao Chan, who had just come onto the stage during Dong Zhuo¡¯s time, to the present day when she was a mature woman of thirty-five, she exuded a unique and mature enchanting beauty. The words ¡°mature¡± and ¡°woman¡± were perfectly suited to describe this peerless beauty. As for Lu Lingqi, though slightly more youthful compared to Diao Chan, she displayed a spirited and determined character that set her apart from the norm. Her demeanor showcased the brave and heroic spirit typical of women born in prominent military families during these chaotic times. Cao Ju¡¯s thoughts on these two women were evident as he contemplated their unique charms. Chapter 27 - Yang Xiu, Can You Endure a Bit? Im Going In! Chapter 27: Yang Xiu, Can You Endure a Bit? I¡¯m Going In! Faced with the captivating presence of Diao Chan and Lu Lingqi, how could Cao Ju not be delighted? How could he resist the temptation to savor such an enticing experience? As for potential disapproval from his father, Cao Cao, resulting in a father-son rivalry over women, Cao Ju remained unconcerned. The reason was quite straightforward. It was because Cao Cao had never shown interest in Diao Chan and Lu Lingqi after Lu Bu¡¯s fall at White Sect Tower. While this might be hard for some to believe, Cao Ju had solid grounds to infer that his father had never been romantically involved with Diao Chan. This conclusion was based on historical circumstances, particularly the timing of Lu Bu¡¯s downfall in relation to Cao Cao¡¯s defeat at Wancheng. The Battle of Wancheng, also known as the Battle of Yusu, took place in the second year of Jian¡¯an, corresponding to 197 AD. Cao Ju avoided delving into the intricate details of the battle, focusing solely on the outcome. After Zhang Xiu surrendered, Cao Cao¡¯s actions, particularly involving Lady Zou, led to a sense of humiliation for Zhang Xiu, resulting in his rebellion. The chaos caught Cao Cao off guard, and he fled hastily, inadvertently causing the deaths of his eldest son, Cao Ang, nephew Cao Anmin, and loyal general Dian Wei. News of this defeat spread widely, revealing Cao Cao¡¯s peculiar preference for married women. Even his legitimate wife, Lady Ding, was infuriated upon learning that her husband¡¯s dalliances led to the death of their son, Cao Ang. In a rage, Lady Ding returned to her family home and never forgave Cao Cao until her death. Against this backdrop, in the third year of Jian¡¯an, 198 AD, Lu Bu¡¯s rebellion against the court and alliance with Yuan Shu occurred. Still recovering from the recent defeat at Wancheng, Cao Cao led his army to Xu Province to subdue Lu Bu. The great battle ended with Lu Bu¡¯s defeat, and Cao Cao¡¯s forces captured Xu Province, including Lu Bu¡¯s beloved Diao Chan and daughter. In ordinary circumstances, Cao Ju believed that, given his father¡¯s propensity for married women, he might spare the young Lu Lingqi but not Diao Chan. After all, Diao Chan was not just any married woman; she was the wife of Lu Bu, the invincible God of War from the end of the Han Dynasty. However, Cao Ju acknowledged that unexpected circumstances could arise. The lesson from Lady Zou¡¯s incident in Wancheng was fresh in his mind. His primary wife, Lady Ding, was giving him the cold shoulder, and rumors of his affairs with married women were spreading. No matter how lustful Cao Cao might be in such a situation, he wouldn¡¯t risk pursuing Diao Chan. He feared it might lead to disloyalty among Lu Bu¡¯s generals and damage his relationship with Lady Ding. Moreover, it could irreparably stain his reputation as a husband of a married women. In summary, Cao Ju concluded that his father, Cao Cao, had never been involved with Diao Chan, giving him the confidence to consider experiencing what it would be like with her. Moreover, consider this: if his father, the ¡°Cao traitor,¡± was truly so inclined toward lust that he would spare no married woman, how could there be the later story of Guan Yu slaying five generals and passing six forts, escorting his two sisters-in-law a thousand miles in search of his brother? It¡¯s quite possible that Guan Yu¡¯s two sisters-in-law might have long been taken by his father, Cao Cao, and had gone through who knows how many rounds of ¡°intimacy.¡± Subsequently, even the later Emperor Liu Shan might have become a seed of Cao Cao, a half-brother to his other sons! Laughs!!! On a side note, not long after L¨¹ Bu¡¯s downfall, just before Cao Cao¡¯s major confrontation with Yuan Shao in the north, facing the enticements from both sides, Zhang Xiu ultimately sided with Cao Cao. Officially, Zhang Xiu¡¯s alignment with Cao Cao might be influenced by the cunning strategist Jia Xu¡¯s persuasions. On a more personal level, if Cao Cao had stubbornly taken Lu Bu¡¯s widow before trying to win over Zhang Xiu, how would Zhang Xiu have felt? Wouldn¡¯t it have led him to unfavorable thoughts? Inside the county government hall, with his thoughts shifting from the relationship between Diao Chan and his father, Cao Cao, Cao Ju looked at Zhang Liao, the great Wei summoner of tigers, with a smile, awaiting his response. Before Cao Ju listened to Cao Ju¡¯s question about not seemingly liking him, Zhang Liao¡¯s facial expression twitched. He was distressed and annoyed by this young master¡¯s getting close to his son Zhang Hu and admiring Lu Lingqi. But now, how could he admit to it? Sensing the gazes of the others in the hall, Zhang Liao hastily explained, ¡°Young Master is jesting! Over a month ago, my son Zhang Hu mentioned you in correspondence with me! Hence, I thought you were still in Ye City. Seeing you suddenly appear here just now surprised me, so I inadvertently looked at you several more times.¡± Regarding Zhang Liao¡¯s explanation, Cao Ju deeply glanced at this tall and robust man from the northern regions. ¡°Is that so? Heh, heh, it seems I misunderstood. After the military discussion, I, this young master, will apologize to General Zhang. General, please don¡¯t rush to leave. Otherwise, this young master might truly think that General dislikes me and feels repulsed.¡± Hearing Cao Ju¡¯s words, Zhang Liao couldn¡¯t help but sigh internally. He hadn¡¯t expected this Eighth Young Master to be truly determined to ¡°entangle¡± him. S~ea??h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Just as Zhang Liao was contemplating how to respond to Cao Ju¡¯s persistent advances, outside the hall, there came the sound of approaching footsteps. ¡°The Prime Minister is here!¡± With the chorus of voices echoing, Cao Cao swiftly strode in like the wind. And then, before anyone could react, he had already plopped down at the head of the hall. Seeing this situation, the people who were previously engrossed in the ¡°Cao Ju and Zhang Liao¡± drama didn¡¯t dare hesitate. They promptly stood in their respective positions. Their speed was so quick that by the time Cao Ju tried to find his spot to stand, he had no room left in the hall. ¡°My son! Now that you¡¯re here, why are you standing there like a statue? Do you expect your father to set up a special seat just for you?¡± Cao Cao looked at his unique and distinctive son amidst the crowd and gave him a fierce glare. Upon hearing his father Cao Cao¡¯s urging, Cao Ju put aside everything else. He immediately positioned himself behind Cao Zhang, ready to squeeze in. ¡°Fourth, brother! Could you kindly move forward a bit?¡± Before Cao Zhang could respond, Cao Ju called out to Yang Xiu, who held the position of army clerk under Cao Cao. ¡°Master Yang! Could you also move back a little? You two, bear with it and make a small gap! Alright! Now¡­ I¡¯m ready to squeeze in!¡± Chapter 29 - Imperial Strategy - Cao Caos Test! Chapter 29: Imperial Strategy ¨C Cao Cao¡¯s Test!After giving the order for the army to depart at noon, Cao Cao moved to leave his main seat. Observing this, many civil and military officials realized that the military council for the day was ending and immediately showed their respects to Cao Cao as he prepared to leave. However, what surprised everyone was that just as Cao Cao was about to reach the entrance of the county government hall, he suddenly turned around and slapped his forehead, casually addressing Cao Pi, Cao Zhang, and Cao Ju, who were standing in a row. ¡°Oh, right!¡± Sear?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡°In this battle, the three of you will accompany your father!¡± ¡°Cao Zhi doesn¡¯t need much explanation; he has fought against the various tribes that encroached on our borders in Youyan for a long time.¡± ¡°But¡­¡± ¡°Cao Xiong and Cao Mu, as my sons, how can you not experience warfare?¡± ¡°Without experiencing warfare, how can you carry on¡­¡± His words abruptly stopped, and Cao Cao realized he had left a sentence unfinished. With a wave of his hand, he turned away from the onlookers and left the county government hall. Inside the hall, Cao Pi, Cao Zhang, and Cao Ju exchanged glances, understanding that their father had just issued a significant and unexpected order. Listening carefully to Cao Cao¡¯s words, many officials and military officers turned their gazes to the three sons standing in line: Cao Ju, Cao Pi, and Cao Zhang. Their faces displayed a trace of contemplation. While Cao Cao¡¯s words seemed like he had misspoken and abruptly stopped, the listeners knew better. They couldn¡¯t believe that their lord, Cao Cao, would casually utter something without meaning behind it. In comparison, they were more inclined to believe that Cao Cao¡¯s unfinished statement held a profound and thoughtful message. The phrase ¡°Without experiencing warfare, how can you carry on¡­¡± especially left them pondering its implications. Their minds were flooded with speculations about what could follow the word ¡°carry on.¡± Behind the word ¡°carry on¡± were only a few possibilities, and all the officials and military officers were well aware of them: Thinking along these lines, a sense of realization dawned upon them as they looked at Cao Pi, Cao Ju, and Cao Zhang. They began to grasp the potential implications of Cao Cao¡¯s words. With this key realization in mind, officials and military officers cast their eyes on Cao Pi and Cao Zhang, sensing that Cao Cao publicly acknowledged their inclusion in the list of potential successors during this southern campaign. Simultaneously, they hesitated to invest in and support these two young lords. They pondered the decision to align themselves with potential future rulers of Wei. However, some individuals directed their attention towards Cao Ju, who appeared harmless and unassuming in the center of it all. They couldn¡¯t help but marvel at how Cao Ju, previously an obscure figure among Cao Cao¡¯s sons, had suddenly risen to prominence and entered the race for the position of heir. Yet, for most, this was merely a moment of reflection. They hesitated to stake their fortunes and lives on supporting Cao Ju. They believed that while he might have a claim to compete for the position of Cao Cao¡¯s successor, his foundation and influence couldn¡¯t compare to Cao Pi, who had the backing of prominent families, or Cao Zhang, who enjoyed the favor of military commanders. Even Cao Zhi, who remained in Ye City in the north, seemed to have a stronger base and more support than Cao Ju in their eyes. However, there was still more to consider. Cao Zhi, the son known for his exceptional literary talents, was surrounded by numerous talented scholars and literati. His reputation among scholars far surpassed that of his siblings. Perhaps Cao Zhi¡¯s influence extended beyond what was apparent. As people contemplated these thoughts, they surreptitiously glanced at Yang Xiu, who was known to be closely associated with Cao Zhi and was destined to inherit the family¡¯s leadership position. In their minds, they added another factor to Cao Zhi¡¯s influence ¨C the powerful Hongnong Yang family, which had produced officials in four generations for three consecutive dynasties. Facing this complex landscape, why would they risk aligning themselves with the suddenly emerging Cao Ju, who lacked the solid support and backing his three elder brothers enjoyed? Consequently, they hesitated to openly supporting Cao Ju, as the risk seemed too great. Meanwhile, having declared the end of the military conference, Cao Cao had walked nearly a hundred steps away from the county government hall before stopping abruptly and looking back towards the hall. Seemingly contemplating something intriguing, Cao Cao turned to a subordinate who often served as his personal guard and attendant and instructed, ¡°Have someone from the Bureau of Military Affairs keep an eye on things.¡± ¡°Observe in secret who will approach the three young lords and declare their support in the coming period,¡± Cao Cao instructed. ¡°I want to know all of this.¡± The Bureau of Military Affairs member who served as Cao Cao¡¯s guard acknowledged the order in a low voice. Slowing down his steps, he then discreetly left the group and disappeared to the side. Among the guards surrounding Cao Cao, Xu Chu, a senior general known as the ¡°Tiger Guard,¡± noticed the departure of the bureau member. However, his expression remained unperturbed, as if he had grown accustomed to such occurrences. Xu Chu, who had been serving as Cao Cao¡¯s guard since he pledged his loyalty, had been privy to many of Cao Cao¡¯s hidden affairs. To him, the attitudes of the young lords and the question of which one to support were inconsequential compared to one crucial fact: he owed his allegiance to one person, and that person could only be Cao Cao. As for the other individuals and the stances of the other young lords? Xu Chu simply didn¡¯t care. His loyalty belonged solely to Cao Cao and whoever Cao Cao chose as his successor. This was Xu Chu¡¯s uncomplicated and pure way of living. Chapter 30 - The Confrontation Between the Young Tigers, Cao Pi, and the Gaze of Sima Yi! Chapter 30: The Confrontation Between the Young Tigers, Cao Pi, and the Gaze of Sima Yi!In the county government hall, amidst the dispersing crowd, Cao Ju has no intention of bothering with what his cunning father Cao Cao might be planning. He¡¯s even less interested in how the civil and military officials in the hall perceive him as the newly emerging contender. At this moment, his focus is entirely on the direction outside the mansion, where Zhang Liao and Yu Jin are preparing to gather their troops for departure. ¡°Generals Yu Jin and Zhang Liao!¡± ¡°Wait a moment!¡± As he speaks up, it¡¯s as if thunder has suddenly struck a calm field. Not only are Yu Jin and Zhang Liao caught off guard, but others also stop in their tracks, gazing curiously at Cao Ju, their attention fixed on him. ¡°Sir, what is it?¡± Yu Jin inquires. Although he¡¯s known for his strict adherence to military law and his lack of sentiment, he can¡¯t ignore Cao Ju¡¯s words. After all, Cao Ju has just been recognized by Lord Cao Cao as a contender for succession. Despite Yu Jin¡¯s proud nature, he can¡¯t help but acknowledge this. As for Zhang Liao, he inwardly sighs. As expected, he couldn¡¯t escape this young master¡¯s ¡°entanglement.¡± Unfortunately, his rebellious son, Zhang Hu, isn¡¯t by his side right now¡­ Otherwise¡­ Zhang Liao thought he needed to give his troublesome son a good lesson. He couldn¡¯t tolerate his son¡¯s idle mingling with anyone, especially his insistence on getting involved with Cao Ju. Day by day, his son seemed to be stirring up trouble for him. Did the Zhang family have any right to interact with Lord Cao¡¯s young masters? However, despite his internal frustration, Zhang Liao respectfully addressed Cao Ju as ¡°young master¡± and inquired, ¡°Are the two generals preparing to leave the city to assemble the troops?¡± ¡°Coincidentally, no!¡± Cao Ju responded. ¡°I also have plans to leave the city,¡± he continued, ¡°How about¡­ the three of us travel together?¡± ¡°Since I have a little matter to ask both of you for help, why don¡¯t we discuss it on the way?¡± Cao Ju extended his hand in invitation. In the midst of his speech, Cao Ju didn¡¯t give Zhang Liao and Yu Jin a chance to refuse. He had already taken a step forward and was walking ahead of them. Yu Jin: ¡°¡­¡± Zhang Liao: ¡°¡­¡± After exchanging a glance, they shook their heads and followed Cao Ju. They weren¡¯t afraid of any misunderstanding from Lord Cao Cao. They hadn¡¯t actively sought out this young master; it was he who had attached himself to them, forcefully inviting them to travel together. Even if Lord Cao Cao misunderstood¡­ They were prepared to stand confidently against Cao Ju if need be. Meanwhile, on the side¡­ The remaining participants of the military council watched the three who left together for a moment, and then their gazes shifted away from them. In fact, some of them shook their heads when they looked at Cao Ju¡¯s departing figure. This suddenly rising young master was too impatient and lacked self-control. Could the task of recruiting military commanders be carried out so openly in broad daylight? He dared to do it, but no one dared to respond. A person who lacked subtlety in their actions and resorted to brute force, how could they qualify to be the successor of their Lord Cao Cao? Some began to entertain two possibilities: Perhaps this young master was intentionally behaving this way to lower the vigilance of his elder brothers. Or, maybe he was simply incompetent, and Lord Cao Cao had only designated him as a candidate for the position of heir to create pressure on Cao Pi, Cao Zhi, and Cao Zhang. With these suspicions in mind, they turned their attention to the other two young masters who had participated in the military council today¡ªCao Pi and Cao Zhang. They observed that Cao Zhang was happily leaving, chatting and laughing with several military officers, seemingly unconcerned about Cao Ju¡¯s actions. It was as if he didn¡¯t consider Cao Ju¡¯s rise to be a significant matter. Seeing this, the onlookers couldn¡¯t help but smile. This was the Cao Zhang they were familiar with, after all! Compared to Cao Ju, the eighth young master who needed to ¡°recruit in public¡± Zhang Liao and Yu Jin, Cao Zhang, the fourth young master who had a penchant for military affairs and was enthusiastic about combat, had an unmatched advantage in winning the favor of military commanders. sea??h th§× n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. However, when they shifted their gaze from Cao Zhang to Cao Pi, they were left astounded by Cao Pi¡¯s expression. They never expected that at this moment, when Cao Pi looked at Cao Ju¡¯s departing figure, there would be no trace of relief on his face. Instead, there seemed to be a subtle hint of apprehension. This was inconceivable! Unlike the clever individuals like Xun You and Cheng Yu, the shock was overwhelming. Frightened by this unexpected development, those who had intended to approach Cao Pi and Cao Zhang quickly lost interest and left in a hurry. After a hundred breaths of time passed, the county government hall had become eerily quiet. Except for Cao Pi still standing in the hall, there were hardly any other figures. At that moment, Cao Pi heard footsteps behind him, and then a figure emerged from the dimly lit hall. Accompanied by the ominous aura exuding from that figure¡­ It was like a lurking wolf in the darkness. ¡°Master, are you worried that Cao Ju¡¯s successful recruitment of Yu Jin and Zhang Liao might pose a threat to you?¡± ¡°From my perspective,¡± ¡°I see absolutely no possibility of his success!¡± Chapter 31 - Sima Yis Analysis of Yu Jin, Zhang Liao, Directing at the Key Point! Chapter 31: Sima Yi¡¯s Analysis of Yu Jin, Zhang Liao, Directing at the Key Point!Upon hearing voices behind him, Cao Pi displayed no surprise in his expression. He had anticipated someone approaching after the military conference concluded. ¡°Oh?¡± ¡°Zhongda, please share your thoughts.¡± ¡°How have you concluded that my eighth brother wouldn¡¯t sway Generals Yu and Zhang and pose a threat to me?¡± Cao Pi turned around and calmly addressed the middle-aged scholar who had appeared by his side. His facial expression revealed neither joy nor anger. It wasn¡¯t that he wished to conceal his emotions. Instead, Cao Pi didn¡¯t want to reveal them before the astute Sima Yi. This man wasn¡¯t like those others who had secretly pledged allegiance to him. With those people, Cao Pi could discern their thoughts at a glance and understand their motives and ambitions. Cao Pi believed he could grasp even someone as sharp as Chen Qun. Yet, this Sima Yi before him¡­ Although he was reluctant to admit it, Cao Pi sometimes genuinely couldn¡¯t decipher this person¡¯s true intentions. The depth of his hidden thoughts made even Cao Pi himself feel wary. Beside Cao Pi, Sima Yi¡¯s appearance was calm, but his eyelids twitched imperceptibly upon hearing Cao Pi¡¯s composed words. From Cao Pi¡¯s demeanor, Sima Yi immediately realized that his previous statement had likely been misconstrued. The young master Cao Pi¡¯s concerns probably didn¡¯t revolve around whether Cao Ju would sway Yu Jin and Zhang Liao, but rather he was concerned solely about Cao Ju himself. His concerns had nothing to do with Zhang Liao and Yu Jin. Yet, under Cao Pi¡¯s gaze, Sima Yi, who had realized this, didn¡¯t immediately show it. He instead feigned ignorance and continued to sustain the earlier topic, responding to Cao Pi¡¯s question. ¡°It¡¯s quite simple!¡± ¡°Yu Jin has a solitary disposition, while Zhang Liao is astute enough to grasp the situation.¡± Upon hearing Sima Yi¡¯s assessment, Cao Pi became interested. Even if Sima Yi¡¯s words weren¡¯t addressing his foremost concern about Cao Ju, he didn¡¯t mind listening to learn more about the characters of Zhang Liao and Yu Jin. S~ea??h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡°Zhongda, please continue.¡± Sima Yi continued, ¡°Yu Jin, though currently favored by the Prime Minister and holding a position among the top non-clan generals in the army, just below the likes of Xiahou Yuan, Xiahou Dun, and Cao Ren, has a glaring and fatal personality flaw.¡± ¡°In terms of leading and managing troops, what others might see is his serious and solemn demeanor while commanding troops, his refusal to keep any spoils from the battle for himself, and his ability to control even the undisciplined Qingzhou soldiers, earning him the title of a top general¡­¡± ¡°However, in my view, what I see is that he often deals with subordinates using harsh military laws, rarely earning their loyalty. Although the soldiers respect him and adhere to his orders, in reality¡­Their respect is outweighed by fear. Do you still remember the incident involving Chang Xi?¡± Sima Yi reminded Cao Pi. With this prompt, Cao Pi immediately recollected what Sima Yi was referring to. In the 11th year of Jian¡¯an, Chang Xi, originally a bandit from Mount Tai, surrendered to his father, Cao Cao, and rebelled again. At the time, Cao Cao had sent Yu Jin to suppress the rebellion in Dongjun County. However, despite Yu Jin¡¯s swift attacks, he struggled to breach the defensive stronghold held by Chang Xi. And so it happened. Cao Cao, Yu Jin¡¯s father, sent his uncle Xiahou Yuan to lead troops and join forces with Yu Jin in the battle. Caught in a pincer movement, Chang Xi found himself unable to resist and, with no other choice, contemplated surrendering once again. Faced with the decision of surrendering to Xiahou Yuan or Yu Jin, Chang Xi, thinking of his past friendship with Yu Jin, chose to surrender to him. Upon Chang Xi¡¯s surrender, the generals in the army believed that Chang Xi should be handed over to Cao Cao for punishment, considering he had surrendered. However, Yu Jin voiced a different opinion. ¡°Do you not know the orders that Lord Cao frequently issues? Those who surrender only after being surrounded by our forces cannot be pardoned. Adhering to and enforcing the law is the integrity of serving the ruler. While Chang Xi was once my friend, I cannot compromise my principles for that.¡± After that, Yu Jin bid farewell to Chang Xi, shedding tears as he executed him. Upon learning of Yu Jin¡¯s actions, even Cao Cao sighed, ¡°Chang Xi chose Yu Jin over surrendering to me. Destiny indeed!¡± After this incident, Cao Cao began to hold Yu Jin in even higher regard. Sima Yi was constantly observing Cao Pi¡¯s changing expressions. Once Cao Pi caught on¡­ He continued, ¡°Strict military discipline is indeed necessary!¡± ¡°However, if one is willing to kill their old friend in the name of upholding military law, it might go too far and seem devoid of compassion.¡± ¡°Such an individual, when in power, soldiers might fight valiantly under their authority, and colleagues might avoid conflict due to their favor in the eyes of the ruler. But, Once they lose their position, soldiers won¡¯t feel loyalty, and colleagues won¡¯t intercede.¡± ¡°Therefore, I can firmly assert¡­¡± ¡°Choose the loyal minister, Yu Jin, who enforces strict military law.¡± ¡°Survival is not guaranteed!¡± ¡°Death is likely to be an ignominious end. Such a person isn¡¯t so easily swayed by others. Even if they were to pledge allegiance, they would be a potential threat, endangering the lord they stand behind.¡± Sima Yi gave his assessment of Yu Jin. If Cao Ju were here, he would surely be astounded by Sima Yi¡¯s words because the historical outcome for Yu Jin was, indeed, as Sima Yi had asserted. During the Battle of Xiangyang, after the Wei army suffered a major defeat at the hands of Guan Yu, even though it was widely known that Yu Jin had been stationed in a low-lying area north of Xiangyang due to orders from Cao Ren, redirecting the flow of the Han River¡¯s water, which allowed Guan Yu to flood his position and defeat him. Even though they were aware that Cao Ren should shoulder a significant portion of the blame for the defeat of the Seventh Army, when it came time to find a scapegoat for the defeat, they still placed the blame on Yu Jin, making him the scapegoat for the failure. Cao Pi took advantage of the situation and, after Yu Jin was returned to Wei and subsequently forced to commit suicide through humiliation, maintained the appearance of dignity for Wei after the defeat in the Battle of Xiangyang. His isolation from human sentiments prevented anyone from interceding on his behalf. Ultimately, when the lord he was loyal to chose to abandon him¡­his death became an inevitable consequence of passing the buck. Unfortunately, Cao Ju wasn¡¯t present to hear Sima Yi¡¯s remarkable analysis of Yu Jin¡¯s character. As for Cao Pi, after hearing Sima Yi¡¯s explanation, he was left in awe. Considering his impression of Yu Jin up until now. He realized the man seemed exactly as Sima Yi had described¡ªisolated. ¡°Zhongda, what about Zhang Liao?¡± ¡°Why did you say he¡­ understands the situation?¡± Sima Yi¡¯s explanation for this had only one sentence. ¡°If Zhang Wenyuan (Zhang Liao) didn¡¯t understand the situation, back when Lu Bu died¡­He would already be dead!¡± Chapter 32 - Deng Ai Pays Respects as a Disciple, Under the Tutelage of the Five Valiant Sons! Chapter 32: Deng Ai Pays Respects as a Disciple, Under the Tutelage of the Five Valiant Sons!Sima Yi¡¯s assertion that Zhang Liao would be dead if he hadn¡¯t recognized the situation outside the county government hall left Cao Pi with no room for a retort. Gazing at Sima Yi, who deftly pointed out human flaws in just a few words, Cao Pi simultaneously expressed admiration and a subtle sense of wariness towards Sima Yi. ¡°Prince, I¡¯ve learned a lot today!¡± Cao Pi placed his hands in front of him and performed a bow towards Sima Yi. In response to Cao Pi¡¯s gesture, Sima Yi quickly sidestepped. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t dare! With your wisdom, Prince, you would have noticed these things sooner or later.¡± Upon hearing Sima Yi¡¯s modest words, Cao Pi smiled without confirming or denying anything. After a few more casual conversations with Sima Yi, he departed with him towards the city¡¯s outskirts. On the other side, on the road leading from the county magistrate¡¯s residence to the southern military camp, Cao Ju, who had left ahead after the military council, was walking alongside Yu Jin and Zhang Liao, two of Wei¡¯s Five Valiant Sons. However, there was a slight difference. Compared to Cao Ju¡¯s relaxed demeanor, Yu Jin and Zhang Liao, who couldn¡¯t quite grasp Cao Ju¡¯s intentions, remained silent and contemplative throughout the journey. Following Zhang Liao and Yu Jin, Deng Ai, who served under Cao Ju, walked alongside them, mirroring their every step. He suppressed his nervousness and anxiously observed Yu Jin and Zhang Liao. These two generals weren¡¯t certain of their lord¡¯s intentions. But for Deng Ai, how could he be uncertain? After all, after the military council concluded, Cao Ju had said, ¡°It¡¯s fortunate that Cao Ju has something to ask of you two generals.¡± Young Master Cao Ju fulfilled his promise during Deng Ai¡¯s recruitment, seeking to find a renowned master to teach him. What excited Deng Ai even more was that the two individuals who were to become his mentors were extraordinary figures. One was Yu Jin, who had followed Cao Cao in various campaigns and had earned remarkable military achievements. The other was Zhang Liao, renowned for his feats beyond the borders, defeating the Xiongnu leader Tadun under the White Wolf Mountain. Regardless of which one became his mentor, Deng Ai considered himself fortunate. Sensing Deng Ai¡¯s anticipation, in his astonished gaze, Cao Ju halted his steps and suddenly stood still, causing Zhang Liao and Yu Jin to do the same. After briefly pausing his gaze, he fixed his eyes on Yu Jin. ¡°General Yu, do you remember my words after the military council?¡± Of course, Yu Jin wasn¡¯t forgetful enough not to remember something that had just occurred. But faced with Cao Ju¡¯s inquiry. After his eyes, which revealed no emotions, glanced at Cao Ju, Yu Jin¡¯s voice sounded deep as he said, ¡°I remember.¡± ¡°I wonder, do you have something you wish to entrust to me?¡± ¡°However, I must preface that should it violate legal norms or contradict the intentions of the Prime Minister, please forgive me for being unable to comply. You should seek another person, Young Master.¡± Yu Jin spoke out, adopting an upfront and pre-established stance. The ¡°you¡¯re welcome¡± implicit in his words made even the bystander Zhang Liao shake his head inwardly. ¡°Yu Wenze¡¯s temperament is just too lacking in social graces.¡± If the current young master had a thin skin. His words would surely offend Cao Ju, leading to an invisible rift between them. At least, if it were Zhang Liao, he wouldn¡¯t say something like ¡°Do you have something you wish to entrust to me?¡± but rather¡­ ¡°I have everything I can do for you, Young Master.¡± Facing Yu Jin, Cao Ju looked at Yu Jin¡¯s ¡°resolute and bold¡± demeanor, and not a hint of displeasure emerged on his face. Uncommon individuals should carry out extraordinary deeds and exhibit extraordinary traits. After Lu Bu¡¯s death, anyone looked like a flag-waver trying to get ahead. Even when he had to surrender to his father, Cao Cao, after being defeated in battle, he still maintained an arrogant attitude, looking down on his father. In such a manner¡­ In contrast, when his father, Cao Cao, faced Guan Yu, he sent beautiful women, delicacies, gold, silver, and fine horses daily, licking his boots enthusiastically and immensely pleased. Compared to these two, where did he and Yu Jin stand? As long as Yu Jin could fulfill his request today and help him nurture Deng Ai, the ¡°future General of Cao Wei,¡± Not to mention not speaking politely to him. Even if Yu-Jin wanted to spit on his father, Cao Cao¡­ sea??h th§× novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. , he could help his elder brother Cao Pi respond to Yu Jin¡¯s request first. With these thoughts in mind, Cao Ju asked, ¡°General Yu, can you help me with the training of an individual?¡± ¡°If possible, I hope that you, General Yu, could become his guide in the path of martial arts. Pass on your knowledge of military strategy, tactics, and the art of war to him as much as you can.¡± Cao Ju didn¡¯t mention being a teacher in every sentence, but he repeatedly mentioned being a disciple. As he spoke, he gestured lightly to Deng Ai, who was following behind, indicating for him to step forward. Seeing this, Deng Ai hurriedly moved forward and stood nervously before Yu Jin and Zhang Liao. ¡°General Yu, this is the person I want to recommend to you.¡± ¡°A man from Nanyang.¡± ¡°Deng Ai, Deng Shizai!¡± After the words fell, Cao Ju turned to Deng Ai and said, ¡°Shizai, this is the renowned teacher that I, as the young master, want to find for you.¡± Upon hearing Cao Ju¡¯s words, Deng Ai understood his intentions very well. He took a deep breath, trying not to stutter before Yu Jin, preserving Young Master Cao Ju¡¯s face. However, some things couldn¡¯t be forced. Attempting to do so might result in unintended consequences. As soon as he spoke, expressions of astonishment appeared on the faces of Yu Jin and Zhang Liao. ¡°Deng¡­ Deng Ai!¡± ¡°Greetings to General¡­ General Yu!¡± A phrase that should have only had five words became a stuttering nine-word sentence from Deng Ai. After he finished speaking, Deng Ai¡¯s face turned crimson from embarrassment. Today, he embarrassed himself in front of renowned generals like Yu Jin and Zhang Liao. As Deng Ai kept his head down, wishing he could disappear into the ground, he suddenly felt a light pat on his shoulder. ¡°Shizai, lift your head for me!¡± ¡°Isn¡¯t it just a mere stuttering problem? It¡¯s not impossible to overcome!¡± ¡°With your talents, becoming a marquis or a general in the future won¡¯t be difficult. Who would dare to mock you if you still stutter?¡± Cao Ju¡¯s words sent a shock through Deng Ai¡¯s mind. Looking back at Cao Ju¡¯s encouraging gaze, when he raised his head and looked at Yu Jin again, Deng Ai¡¯s face no longer held any trace of self-deprecation or shame. ¡°Deng Ai! Greetings to General Yu!¡± Another sentence was uttered. However, perhaps due to the encouragement from Cao Ju, while Deng Ai¡¯s speech was still slower than average, it flowed with a firm and connected tone. This scene left Zhang Liao, who initially felt quite puzzled by Cao Ju¡¯s recommendation of a stutterer to be taught by Yu Jin, utterly astonished. Chapter 33 - The Once Dignified and Resolute Yu Jin Turns Out to Be a Stubborn One! Chapter 33: The Once Dignified and Resolute Yu Jin Turns Out to Be a Stubborn One!On the streets of the city, after Deng Ai, prompted by Cao Pi¡¯s ¡°rebuke,¡± managed to suppress his instinctual stutter and said, ¡°Deng Ai pays his respects to General Yu,¡± it not only left onlookers like Zhang Liao astonished and impressed but also deeply moved Yu Jin, who was one of the parties involved. As a commander who had led countless soldiers, Yu Jin encountered many troops with speech impediments during his military career. Dealing with these soldiers was often challenging, and he even attempted to correct their speech impediments. However, the results had never been satisfactory. This led him to adopt a strict but not overly punitive stance when it came to soldiers with speech impediments. He understood better than anyone else just how difficult it was for someone to overcome their stutter quickly. S§×arch* The N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. However, he also knew that demonstrating the ability to control one¡¯s stutter wasn¡¯t enough to earn his respect and take Deng Ai as a student. Despite his austere and law-abiding nature, Yu Jin was aware of the difficulties people faced in personal development. However, this didn¡¯t mean Yu Jin didn¡¯t understand these matters. He often appeared distant and indifferent due to his disdain for these things, as he didn¡¯t want to be burdened by them. Facing Cao Ju¡¯s request at this moment, even if Yu Jin¡¯s reaction was initially slow, he grasped the implications swiftly. He knew that if he agreed to Deng Ai¡¯s request and became his mentor, it would appear to outsiders that he was connected with this Eighth Young Master (Cao Ju). With these thoughts in mind, Yu Jin, who didn¡¯t want to get involved in such matters, was subconsciously preparing to decline. However, before he could speak, Cao Ju had preemptively spoken up. ¡°General Yu, there¡¯s no need to rush to refuse,¡± Cao Ju said, ¡°How about you let Deng Ai follow you for a while? You can always send him back if you¡¯re unsatisfied after observing him. At that time, I, this young master, can just put aside my pride and find him another mentor.¡± Cao Ju took a step back in his approach. This one step, however, managed to intercept the words Yu Jin was about to say, suspending them in the air. Not only that, but Cao Ju had switched his addressing of Yu Jin from the initial ¡°General¡± to ¡°this young master,¡± incorporating his identity as Cao Cao¡¯s son. While the title change was subtle, the attitudes underlying the two forms of address were vastly different. Whether or not Yu Jin had picked up on this was unclear to Zhang Liao. But at this moment¡­ Observing all of this, Zhang Liao, who had insight into the situation, couldn¡¯t help but feel anxious on behalf of Yu Jin. If the timing had been right, he really wanted to tug on Yu Jin¡¯s sleeve and remind him, ¡°Wenze, Cao Ju may be the eighth son among the young masters, but he is still the Lord¡¯s son!¡± However, Yu Jin seemed unaware of the subtleties of the situation, leaving Zhang Liao exasperated. At this moment, while Yu Jin maintained his silence, he exchanged glances with Cao Ju, who still stood resolute, and observed Deng Ai, who was expectant. After a prolonged silence, the next moment, Yu Jin took a step forward and walked past Cao Ju without any hesitation. ¡°Very well,¡± he said, ¡°Let Deng Ai serve as my guard for now. When he has overcome his speech impediment, we can discuss the teaching of military strategies. Otherwise, don¡¯t blame General Yu for not being lenient.¡± With these words, Yu Jin departed, leaving Deng Ai delighted and Zhang Liao relieved. As for Cao Ju, he watched Yu Jin¡¯s departing figure with a face full of questions because he never expected¡­ With his proud and solitary disposition, Yu Jin seemed poised to completely thwart Deng Ai¡¯s aspiration to become his student. Yet, the situation took an unexpected turn, and this man, who one might think was deeply entrenched in his pride, astonishingly agreed to Deng Ai¡¯s request to become his student. Speaking of Yu Jin, could he be a stubborn tsundere at heart? With a perplexed expression, Cao Ju couldn¡¯t help but feel a strange sensation. However, it wasn¡¯t entirely unreasonable for him to feel this way. After all, a teacher imparted knowledge and dispelled doubts. The most direct manifestation of teaching is through both words and actions. Yu Jin demonstrated through actions by allowing Deng Ai to follow him as a personal guard. If Deng Ai paid attention to Yu Jin¡¯s conduct and manner of doing things, he would benefit greatly. After all, it wasn¡¯t just anyone who could handle the position of a personal guard, which involved matters of life and death for the commander. Moreover, when Yu Jin mentioned that Deng Ai could learn military strategies and tactics after he overcame his speech impediment, wasn¡¯t this a veiled way of allowing verbal instruction? This approach wasn¡¯t closing the door completely on Deng Ai¡¯s path to becoming a student. When these two factors were combined, if this wasn¡¯t the behavior of a stubborn tsundere, then what was? At this moment, Zhang Liao¡¯s congratulatory voice broke the silence. ¡°Hehe!¡± ¡°Congratulations, Young Master, on achieving your goal and convincing Yu Jin to accept Deng Ai!¡± Though Zhang Liao wasn¡¯t entirely sure why Cao Ju held Deng Ai, a speech impediment, in such high regard, it didn¡¯t stop him from taking advantage of the moment while Cao Ju was in a good mood. He joined in the congratulations. Upon hearing Zhang Liao¡¯s words, Cao Ju withdrew his gaze from watching Yu Jin leave. He turned his head and looked at Zhang Liao with a smile. ¡°General Zhang, in terms of martial arts and cavalry warfare, your skills are unparalleled among the many generals in my father¡¯s command.¡± ¡°How about this¡­¡± Cao Ju pointed towards Deng Ai. ¡°While our forces are on this southern campaign when you find some leisure time, could you offer him some guidance?¡± Although Cao Ju had already arranged for Yu Jin to be Deng Ai¡¯s teacher, he wouldn¡¯t miss a chance to catch two rabbits in one shot, especially with Zhang Liao present. Hearing Cao Ju¡¯s words, Zhang Liao couldn¡¯t help but wryly smile. He hadn¡¯t expected that this young master, who had ¡°outmaneuvered¡± Yu Jin, would now set his sights on him. However, as he listened to Cao Ju¡¯s words, which didn¡¯t seem in jest, Zhang Liao seriously observed Deng Ai. ¡°Young Master, forgive my ignorance, but is this Deng Ai truly the unpolished gem you value him to be?¡± In response, Cao Ju smiled but didn¡¯t say anything. If the person capable of defeating Shu Han wasn¡¯t an unpolished gem, then in this vast world, there probably weren¡¯t many whom that name could call! Chapter 34 - Guo Jias Son, Named Guo Yi, Had a Wild Nature! Chapter 34: Guo Jia¡¯s Son, Named Guo Yi, Had a Wild Nature!Upon witnessing Cao Ju¡¯s silent response to his question, Zhang Liao quickly grasped the implied message. This prompted him to gaze again in astonishment at the young, hesitant man standing beside Cao Ju, experiencing many emotions. A flaw in a piece of jade¡­ How fortunate to encounter such a discerning lord! Deng Ai, had it not been for his connection with Cao Ju, the Prime Minister¡¯s son, and his subsequent discovery, might have remained an inconspicuous stone in the wilderness, overlooked by everyone. As for those clich¨¦s about ¡°gold shining wherever it is,¡± Zhang Liao had always dismissed them as nonsense. Drawing from his extensive experience in turbulent times, he believed that, regardless of an item¡¯s value, covering it with a dirty rag would inevitably dim its shine. In essence, when an opportunity presents itself, seize it firmly! Observing Deng Ai, Zhang Liao marveled at the young man¡¯s good fortune and adeptness in seizing the moment. With these thoughts in mind, he erupted into laughter. ¡°Hahaha!¡± ¡°Young master, since you¡¯re willing to have Shi Zai learn the arts of battlefield combat and cavalry command from me, feel free to send him my way whenever it suits you. I won¡¯t withhold anything. However, his progress depends entirely on him!¡± Despite his connection to Cao Ju, Zhang Liao harbored no apprehension about teaching Deng Ai. He had previously instructed Yu Jin and Wen Ze, and Deng Ai¡¯s lineage mattered little to him. S~ea??h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Upon hearing this, Cao Ju smiled at Deng Ai and said, ¡°Shizai, you should thank General Zhang.¡± ¡°Deng Ai!¡± ¡°Thank¡­ thank you, General!¡± Zhang Liao waved off Deng Ai¡¯s gratitude. When he realized that Cao Ju had nothing more to discuss, he used the pretext of gathering the army outside the city to catch up with Yu Jin, who had departed earlier. After Zhang Liao left, Cao Ju focused on Deng Ai, who was still watching the direction in which Yu Jin and Zhang had disappeared. After a moment of contemplation, Cao Ju spoke, ¡°Shizai!¡± ¡°After you¡¯ve gone to Yu Jin¡­¡± ¡°Learn his military tactics and strategies and the skill of leading troops in battle. As for his conduct as a person, you¡¯d better not emulate that.¡± ¡°When it comes to learning how to be a person¡­¡± ¡°Hehe, you can learn from our General Zhang Wenyuan!¡± As he spoke, Cao Ju casually removed the longsword from his waist and handed it to Deng Ai, who absorbed his advice. ¡°While this sword may not be a peerless divine weapon, it is one of the swords my father bestowed upon many Cao family sons in the past.¡± ¡°Cutting iron like mud is a given. But now that you¡¯ll be with Yu Jin and may be involved in battles at any time, you can¡¯t do without a good sword!¡± ¡°As for armor, I¡¯ll have Dianman send it to you later!¡± Deng Ai was shocked by Cao Ju¡¯s sudden generosity and was about to instinctively refuse. ¡°Young master, I¡­¡± Deng Ai hadn¡¯t finished his sentence when Cao Ju interrupted him. ¡°Just take it, don¡¯t hesitate like a woman.¡± ¡°Compared to me! You need it more.¡± Without further ado, Cao Ju pressed the longsword into Deng Ai¡¯s arms without a hint of reluctance. Deng Ai looked at the precious sword in his arms and then at Cao Ju, who had willingly sacrificed his dignity moments ago to find him a great teacher. In an instant, Deng Ai knelt on the street before Cao Ju, cradling the sword in his arms. ¡°Thud!¡± ¡°Thud!¡± ¡°Thud!¡± The echoes of three consecutive head knocked on the ground resounded. Deng Ai declared determinedly, ¡°From now on¡­ onwards, I, Ai, pledge my unwavering loyalty to the young master!¡± ¡°If the young master ever calls upon me¡­Deng Ai will willingly go through fire and water without hesitation!¡± As Deng Ai pledged his loyalty, Cao Ju¡¯s expression gradually grew more serious. After bending down to assist Deng Ai in rising from the ground, Cao Ju firmly patted his shoulder and nodded, ¡°I believe you.¡± Sensing that the atmosphere was becoming too solemn, Cao Ju shifted the conversation. ¡°Now, Shizai, you should leave me and go to Yu Jin¡¯s place!¡± ¡°Don¡¯t keep him waiting for too long! After all, Wen Ze¡¯s temperament isn¡¯t easy to get along with!¡± As Cao Ju watched Deng Ai depart a moment later, he looked up at the sky and sighed with a somewhat helpless smile. ¡°In the end, having recently (time traveled), I don¡¯t have much immediate combat power!¡± ¡°Now that Shizai is gone¡­¡± Cao Ju glanced at Dian Man, the son of Dian Wei, by his side. ¡°Ziqian, I have only you left by my side.¡± Dian Man wasn¡¯t entirely in agreement with what Cao Ju said. Unusually reserved and quiet, he shook his head and spoke in a low voice. ¡°Young master, if your words were heard by Guo Yi in Ye City when you traveled south¡­¡± ¡°With that rascal¡¯s temperament!¡± ¡°He would certainly mock you for being fickle and forgetting the old when there¡¯s someone new.¡± Hearing this, Cao Ju couldn¡¯t help but burst into laughter. Because, knowing his close friend Guo Yi¡¯s personality, he could indeed pull off something like that. Guo Yi was no ordinary person either. His father was the once-famous Guo Jia, known as the ¡°Genius of Heaven¡¯s Gift,¡± Guo Fengxiao. If it were said that the ¡°Genius¡± Guo Jia was called a ¡°rascal¡± because of his unrestrained behavior, lack of formality, and wild and uninhibited style, then, as the bloodline continuation of Guo Jia, Guo Yi, in Cao Ju¡¯s eyes¡­ He was the epitome of ¡°a playboy¡±! With a pair of peach blossom eyes, he had no idea how many courtesans he had enchanted! While others might visit a brothel and sheathe their swords after enjoying themselves, Guo Yi¡­ To put it this way, his typical state of affairs was heaven. Oops, the gun went off! Chapter 35 - The Mighty Wei Army, Temporarily Commanded by My Father Cao Cao! Chapter 35: The Mighty Wei Army, Temporarily Commanded by My Father Cao Cao!Regarding Guo Jia¡¯s son¡¯s character and temperament, Cao Ju refrained from engaging in extensive debate with Dian Man. Instead, he took advantage of the leisurely journey out of the city to appreciate the scenery within Hefei. After all, upon arriving in Hefei yesterday, he hadn¡¯t had the chance to properly assess the strategic significance of this city, which played a crucial role during the late Han and Three Kingdoms era. His elder brothers, Cao Pi, and Cao Zhang, immediately dragged him to stand before Cao Cao and received a scolding. As he surveyed the surroundings, Cao Ju¡¯s estimation of Hefei City continued to rise. He noticed that there were hardly any commoners within Hefei City. Rather than being called a city, it seemed more like a defensive war fortress constructed by the Cao army. Given its strategic position, it could be considered the military core of the entire Cao Cao faction in the southeastern direction. If the enemy sought to attack Hefei city, it would be impossible without amassing significant force. Contemplating how Sun Quan, the Great Emperor of Eastern Wu, repeatedly failed in attempts to conquer Hefei, Cao Ju suddenly realized that, apart from the suspicion that he might lose his head on the battlefield due to his lack of military prowess, there might be another reason: Hefei City was truly a formidable stronghold. As he walked and observed, evaluating along the way, nearly half an hour had passed by the time Cao Ju reached the south gate of Hefei City on foot. However, upon exiting the south gate and before he could locate the main army, a formidable atmosphere of warfare, accompanied by the sounds of clashing weapons and the resounding drums of war, engulfed him. What reached his ears were the cries of soldiers and the neighing of horses, and the rhythm of the drums echoed to the heavens. What Cao Ju saw before his eyes was an immense army that filled the field. Countless Cao soldiers, each emanating a fierce aura, assembled along designated routes, armed with weapons. The sounds of armor and weapons clashing during their march conducted the most resounding melody. Under the influence of this melody, even someone like Cao Ju, who had never set foot on a battlefield, was caught up in the atmosphere. He¡¯s got a long spear, and suddenly, he¡¯s confident enough to face Guan Yu, the Martial Saint of Changshan, for a hundred rounds. This feeling is something that watching historical TV dramas in his previous life, or the edited war scenes through cameras could never provide. Because Cao Ju was well aware that those were fiction. But what lay before his eyes was as real as it could get. ¡°Is this the invincible army under my father¡¯s command that swept through the Central Plains, defeated the two Yuans, and campaigned against the Wuhuan on the northern frontier?¡± ¡°Truly magnificent!¡± ¡°If it weren¡¯t for the Battle of Red Cliffs defeat¡­Perhaps the army before my eyes is already the force that will unite the realm.¡± Cao Ju whispered to himself, expressing his amazement and deep thoughts. Standing behind Cao Ju, Dian Man wasn¡¯t surprised by his reaction. After all, this was Cao Ju¡¯s first time on a battlefield. If he acted indifferent, then Dian Man would have found it strange. After a stick of incense had burned, Cao Ju suppressed his excitement and forcibly calmed himself down. At this moment, there was only one thought in his mind: In this majestic and mighty Great Wei military, my father, Lord Cao, can temporarily command it on my behalf. In the coming days, I shall lead this army to conquer all directions. I will expand our borders and compose a timeless anthem of the grandeur of Great Wei. As Cao Ju was indulging in these visions¡­ Suddenly, his ears caught a few calls. ¡°Lord!¡± ¡°Lord!¡± ¡°The Prime Minister is calling you over!¡± Belatedly returning to his senses, Cao Ju saw Dian Man¡¯s hand waving before him, trying to awaken his absent-minded state. And right before him, a guardsman from Cao Cao¡¯s retinue was reporting something. Looking into the distance, Cao Ju noticed that his father, Cao Cao, who was in his carriage, had left the city at some point. He was gazing in Cao Ju¡¯s direction. Cao Ju was startled. He raised his hand and gave himself a light slap. ¡°I, Cao Zimule, am determined to be the most filial son to my father, Cao Cao.¡± ¡°How could I have such treasonous thoughts?¡± ¡°No matter how much I yearn to address myself as ¡®We¡¯ and ¡®Emperor,¡¯ it¡¯s impossible, lonely on this path addressing the few¡­¡± ¡°Then¡­¡± S§×arch* The NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡°Then you¡¯d better turn our father, Cao Cao, into the late Emperor before considering that!¡± Thinking this way, ashamed of his treasonous thoughts, Cao Ju quickly jogged to Cao Cao¡¯s carriage. ¡°Father!¡± ¡°Are you looking for me, Father?!¡± Feeling guilty, Cao Ju¡¯s demeanor was extremely respectful, with a lowered head and humble posture as he addressed Cao Cao. Chapter 36 - Wei Wu Presents Armor! Cao Zimù in White Robes and Silver Armor! Chapter 36: Wei Wu Presents Armor! Cao Zim¨´ in White Robes and Silver Armor!¡°Child?¡± Seated in the central command carriage, Cao Cao, preparing to issue orders for the army¡¯s southward march, looked down at Cao Ju with a slight frown as the latter lowered his head in embarrassment. He reproached softly and said, ¡°Speak properly to your father!¡± After admonishing, Cao Cao glanced at Xu Chu, who stood before the command carriage. ¡°Xu Chu, give him the things! Then, have someone take him down to change.¡± Xu Chu agreed and approached Cao Ju while holding something in his hands and said, ¡°Young Master, this is the armor and robes prepared for you by the Lord.¡± ¡°On the battlefield, weapons have no eyes. The defensive capability of your current robe is lacking.¡± Upon hearing Xu Chu¡¯s words, Cao Ju finally noticed what Xu Chu held in his arms. It was a set of white silk robes meant to be worn underneath, and beneath the white robes was a corner of silver lightweight armor. Cao Ju¡¯s eyelid twitched. Could he, a ¡°battlefield scum,¡± handle such a high-level outfit that was exclusive to mighty generals? Even if he wanted to wear it¡­ Zhao Yun, Pang De, Taishi Ci, Zhou Yu, L¨¹ Meng, Chen Qingzhi, Luo Cheng, Xue Rengui, Xue Dingshan, Gao Sijie, Xiaoli Guang¡­ Flower Rong, Gao Huaide, Duo¡¯er Gun, and other enthusiasts of the silver armor and white robe style might disagree. Perhaps they would feel inexplicably mixed with someone who seemed out of place! Being seen as an outsider didn¡¯t bother Cao Ju. The key issue was that standing on the battlefield in silver armor and white robes was extremely conspicuous. A slight misstep could easily draw the hatred of the enemy forces, leading them to relentlessly pursue him. Cao Ju wasn¡¯t confident that he could maneuver through the chaos of battle like Zhao Yun, leading Liu Shan, the young lord, to rampage amid the enemy forces. Between surviving on the battlefield and showing off, Cao Ju felt mentally exhausted as he glanced at his well-intentioned father, Cao Cao. He just wanted to choose survival. Although he couldn¡¯t help but criticize his father Cao Cao¡¯s actions in his heart, on the surface, Cao Ju expressed gratitude. ¡°Father, thank you!¡± Then, he stepped forward to receive the robe and armor handed over by Xu Chu and went to find a place to put on the armor. He completely failed to notice the envy in the eyes of his brothers, Cao Pi, and Cao Zhang, who stood by the command carriage. This was because when the two brothers first stepped onto the battlefield, they brought their armor and weapons. Father Cao Cao hadn¡¯t bestowed them with battle armor. However, when Cao Pi and Cao Zhang thought about Cao Ju arriving ¡°empty-handed¡± in the south, they didn¡¯t really mind. They simply assumed that their father, Cao Cao, disliked Cao Ju going into battle without armor and had provided it for him on a whim. Half an hour later, when Cao Ju returned to the central command carriage after changing into the ¡°exquisite skin,¡± donning the appearance of white robes and silver armor, and appeared in front of Cao Cao, Cao Pi, and Cao Zhang, the father and sons couldn¡¯t help but look at their son (brother), who looked as handsome as jade and exuded a spirited demeanor, a little more. ¡°Passable at first glance!¡± ¡°In terms of general¡¯s aura, it¡¯s not far off from Zhao Zilong, whom Father saw on Changban Slope all those years ago, or Zhou Gongjin, who commanded the three armies on the great river.¡± Although Cao Cao was internally quite impressed by Cao Ju¡¯s appearance, his expression remained somewhat aloof when he commented. He seemed almost ready to say that Cao Ju was all show and no substance. Cao Ju completely agreed with his father Cao Cao¡¯s assessment. Although boys in later generations had often yearned to charge and gallop across the battlefield like Zhao Yun, dressed in white robes and silver armor, wielding a silver spear, and riding a white horse, such aspirations remained just that¡ªdreams. How could they become a reality? If that were the case, he even mentioned that he had fantasized about having the ability to turn invisible, strolling down the street without clothes, happily approaching girls here and there, and becoming a ¡°train seeding maniac.¡± ¡°Father is right!¡± ¡°The child also thinks this armor set might be a bit¡­¡± Cao Ju was about to express that this armor was too flashy and didn¡¯t align with his discreet nature on the battlefield. He wanted to suggest to his father, Cao Cao, to get him a more ordinary set of armor. However, Cao Cao abruptly cut off his words. ¡°Not suitable? , then wear it anyway!¡± ¡°You didn¡¯t prepare your armor in advance, and now you¡¯re being picky at the last moment!¡± S§×ar?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡°Where do you expect me to find so many sets of armor that fit your physique?¡± ¡°Can you handle the armor your fourth brother wears, which weighs thirty to forty catties?¡± ¡°What¡¯s even more frustrating is that as Cao Cao spoke, Cao Zhang went along with it, patting the breastplate on his chest and producing a dull, heavy sound. That¡¯s right, Eighth Brother!¡± ¡°You should listen to Father. The white robe and silver armor are quite good. Do you want to swap with me?¡± With his thick eyebrows and large eyes, Cao Zhang took the opportunity to directly tease Cao Ju. Although Cao Pi didn¡¯t throw salt in the wound, he adopted the attitude of a bystander, enjoying the spectacle. Cao Ju: ¡°¡­¡± Seeing Cao Ju silent, Cao Cao turned his gaze towards the sky. As the sun gradually moved toward its zenith, he addressed Xu Chu without looking back, ¡°Xu Chu, give the orders to the various armies!¡± ¡°March immediately!¡± ¡°Yes!¡± With Cao Cao¡¯s command, not long after, the assembly of two hundred thousand Cao troops stationed in the south of the city, led by Cao Hong and Li Dian as the vanguard, set off southward in an imposing manner. Flags fluttered in the wind, their momentum rivaling a rainbow across the sky. At the center of the marching army, beneath the grand banner of the central forces¡­ Behind Cao Cao, Cao Ju, Cao Pi, and Cao Zhang rode with armor and determination, flanking their father. Standing on the command carriage, Cao Cao leaned on the Heaven-Defying Sword at his waist, casting sidelong glances at his sons, who displayed various degrees of eagerness and composure. A hint of contentment flashed in his eyes. Father and sons take to the battlefield together. With a son like this, what more could a father ask for? In the midst of these contemplations, Cao Cao¡¯s gaze suddenly caught sight of Cao Ju, who was looking at his own white robes and silver armor with a rather melancholic expression on his face¡­His facial muscles twitched abruptly. At a time like this, this rebellious son of his was still agonizing over what to wear! This rascal. Was this really the same son who had confidently talked and laughed before him just yesterday, speaking of extinguishing clans and families? Chapter 37 - Guo Heng perishes due to weakness, Han alone collapses due to strength! Chapter 37: Guo Heng perishes due to weakness, Han alone collapses due to strength!While marching with the southern-bound army, Cao Ju suddenly felt an inexplicable chill run through his body, causing him to shiver involuntarily. ¡°Strange, could it be that someone intends to harm me?¡± Cao Ju raised his head and looked around in all directions. After observing for a while, he still saw no suspicious individuals. ¡°It seems I¡¯m being overly suspicious! It must be the approaching autumn season; the temperature is gradually cooling down.¡± After muttering softly, Cao Ju, who was on horseback, turned his body slightly and quietly instructed Dian Man, who was accompanying him: ¡°Ziqian, after thinking for a while, I still feel that wearing a white robe on the battlefield is somewhat ominous and unlucky.¡± ¡°Think about it. What kind of person wears white clothes on the battlefield?¡± ¡°Privately, find me an alternative set of light armor!¡± ¡°If conditions allow¡­¡± ¡°Well, leather armor would be best!¡± In the event of unfavorable circumstances in battle, leather armor would at least be lighter. That way, when Cao¡¯s eighth young master needed to escape, he could run faster. Whether he could outrun his elder brother, Cao Pi or Cao Zhang, was another matter¡­But he shouldn¡¯t end up like his deceased elder brother, Cao Ang, lagging behind and inevitably guarding the rear for his father, Cao Cao. ¡°Wearing a white robe and armor is ominous?¡± Upon hearing Cao Ju¡¯s remarks, Dian Man stumbled in astonishment, almost falling off his horse. But when Dian Man saw the earnest expression on Cao Ju¡¯s face, he suppressed the absurdity he felt and softly acknowledged. ¡°Young Master!¡± ¡°Man, I understand!¡± Seeing Dian Man¡¯s agreement, Cao Ju breathed a sigh of relief. No longer fixated on the ¡°mediocre¡± outfit of a white robe and silver armor, he shifted his thoughts elsewhere. As the army marched south, there were no disturbances in the days that followed. One could even say that it was almost painfully dull. However, during this time, Cao Ju also saw another side of his father, Cao Cao. Even while on the march, Cao Cao constantly dealt with political matters sent from various regions, never resting for a moment. Frequently, Cao Ju saw that the prepared meals, once placed into the large carriage designated for Cao Cao¡¯s military affairs, remained largely untouched when they were brought out again. The food had grown cold. This couldn¡¯t help but make him sigh. It was not without reason that our own father managed to rise among the heroes of the late Han period and surpass Sun and Liu to establish dominance over a third of the realm! Switching roles with him, I definitely wouldn¡¯t be able to achieve such heights. A more likely scenario is that in the future, after becoming emperor, he¡¯ll implement the Three Departments and Six Ministries system to share the pressure with his subordinates. As for those melodramatic plots seen in later TV dramas, where mountain bandits rob caravans, a young woman assassinates the commander of an army, and a series of romantic entanglements ensue? None of that has occurred throughout the past few days of marching. Were mountain bandits daring to intercept the road? Heh, with the twenty thousand Cao troops at the forefront¡­ Even if the likes of Cheng Yaojin from the Wa Gang or the one hundred and eight generals from Liangshan with their Liangshan Army came, don¡¯t think they¡¯d have any chance of succeeding in robbing the road. A more likely scenario was the ¡°Wa Gang Army¡± and the ¡°Liangshan Army¡± would be directly wiped out by the twenty thousand Cao troops, not a single one left. Because¡­ As for the twenty thousand Cao troops, despite being often referred to as the ¡°Cao Army¡± in numerous novels and articles, they were the most formally structured official military forces of the Great Han. ¡°Guo Heng perishes due to weakness. Han alone collapses due to strength.¡± ¡°Could this statement really be just casual talk?¡± ¡°The Wa Gang Army, Liangshan Army, and other such rabble-rousing mobs could only display their might during the decline of the Sui and Song Dynasties.¡± ¡°If this were placed in the late Han Dynasty¡­¡± ¡°Dong Zhongying¡¯s Western Liang Army, Gongsun Zan¡¯s White Horse Army, Yuan Shao¡¯s Northern Army, Ding Yuan¡¯s Bingzhou Army, Cao Cao¡¯s Tiger and Leopard Army, Liu Bei¡¯s Shu Army, they would be enough to make them drink a toast.¡± ¡°Even the great sorcerer Xiuer, if he were in the late Han Dynasty.¡± ¡°Unless his mana bar is long enough to summon meteorites daily¡­¡± ¡°Otherwise, facing Dong Zhuo, Gongsun Zan, Yuan Shao, Cao Cao, Liu Bei, Sun Quan, L¨¹ Bu, these warlords who, if placed in other dynasties, could achieve great dominance, it¡¯s likely they wouldn¡¯t even be able to revive the Han dynasty three times over.¡± ¡°The incidents of mountain bandits blocking roads in public and the assassination of Cao Cao by a young woman would be even less likely to happen unless the woman attempting the assassination is Dongfang Bubai, the Invincible East Palace Mistress, or she¡¯s like the one in a TV series who killed off all but two main characters, like Jiang Yuyan, the Queen of a Generation¡­¡± ¡°There might be a slight possibility of hurting Cao Cao with the protection of two hundred thousand troops.¡± S§×arch* The Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡°Other than that, for any other woman attempting this.¡± ¡°The twenty thousand troops would teach that little fairy a lesson in General Yuwen Chengdu-style cruelty: ¡®Even a grain of rice in the bowl must be finished, never wasted.¡± ¡°For this reason, if someone were to say that Li Rongrong in ¡®The Sui Tang Romance¡¯ is the most pitiful female lead, and Qin Qiong has the greenest hat among male leads, Cao Ju would acknowledge it!¡± ¡°Just as he was thinking like this, using boredom to pass the time during the march.¡± ¡°Suddenly, a wave of exclamations from countless Cao soldiers reached Cao Ju¡¯s ears.¡± ¡°Protect the Prime Minister!¡± ¡°Protect our Lord!¡± ¡°Form ranks, quickly form ranks!¡± After understanding clearly, Cao Ju suddenly looked up. But at his feet, Cao Ju swiftly arrived behind Xu Chu like lightning, drew his sword, and pointed it forward. ¡°General Xu Chu!¡± ¡°Protect Father with me, guard his sides.¡± Xu Chu looked at Cao Ju standing behind him, barely showing half his body, and fell silent. Also, Young Master, could you move your sword further from Chu¡¯s neck? It¡¯s a bit unnerving. At this moment, a roar that shook the mountains and forests resounded inside and outside. ¡°¡± Following right after the roar, before it even subsided, several long howls echoed. ¡°Ah-woo!¡± ¡°Ah-woo!¡± ¡°Ah-woo!¡± Before long, a scene that caused chaos among the army suddenly unfolded on the open ground several hundred yards away from Cao Ju and the many Cao soldiers. There, a fierce tiger roared. A pack of wolves chased. A fierce tiger battling a pack of wolves, the spectacle was unfolding! Chapter 38 - Cao Cao Uses Tigers and Wolves as a Theme, Testing His Three Sons! Chapter 38: Cao Cao Uses Tigers and Wolves as a Theme, Testing His Three Sons!Observing the intense scene of a fierce tiger battling a pack of wolves, Cao Ju finally sighed in relief. It was just a massive insect and over twenty wild wolves! At first glance, it seemed intimidating, but in terms of real threat, it might not be as significant as it looked. After all, beasts were just beasts. And here, they had a massive army of two hundred thousand soldiers. The commotion among the troops earlier was simply because the soldiers hadn¡¯t reacted in time, momentarily intimidated by these rarely-seen wild creatures. It was similar to visiting a zoo. Even though one knew there were fences for protection and the tigers and lions could not get out, when they pounced towards the edge of the fence, people instinctively stepped back due to the sudden scare, wanting to increase the distance. Realizing this, Cao Ju felt immediately relieved. For one simple reason. Because he not only kept a distance from the fierce tiger and the pack of wolves, with many Cao soldiers in between¡­In front of him, there was even a mighty warrior capable of hunting tigers alone. The same elite general under Cao Cao. Even the late Dian Man, his father Dian Wei, could chase after a tiger with its tail between its legs. Cao Ju couldn¡¯t help but find it unbelievable. Could Xu Chu, who had the strength to pull a cow by its tail and walk it backward, really not be able to defeat a mere giant insect? As he observed Xu Chu¡¯s eager expression, Cao Ju could tell that if it weren¡¯t for protecting his father Cao Cao¡¯s safety, Xu Chu might have already taken a big knife and charged out to battle the fierce tiger and the pack of wolves. At this moment, a stern voice came from inside the carriage where Cao Cao was located behind Cao Ju. ¡°Why is everyone panicking?¡± Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡°They¡¯re just a group of wild beasts!¡± ¡°Xu Chu! Convey my orders, send some men out to kill those beasts, and bring back their meat to supplement the soldiers¡¯ meals.¡± Hearing the voice, Cao Ju turned to look back and saw his father, Cao Cao, calmly lifting the curtain on one side of the carriage, gazing at the distant location of the fierce tiger and wolves, his expression as composed as ever. This level of composure left Cao Ju speechless. Indeed, he couldn¡¯t help but admire his father, Cao Cao, the cunning and resilient hero who had weathered the storms of a chaotic era. Compared to his father, his performance just now¡­ Well, it excelled in pure filial piety!!! After all, he was the first to arrive by his father¡¯s side, fearlessly protecting him, even before his elder brothers, Cao Pi and Cao Zhang, could react. On the side, upon hearing his lord Cao Cao¡¯s order to ¡°send people out¡± to kill the tiger, Xu Chu showed a hint of regret in his eyes. This sentence essentially decreed that he had no chance with the tiger. Even though Xu Chu possessed the strength to take on a tiger, his duty bound him. ¡°Understood!¡± ¡°Lord, please wait for a moment. Xu Chu will go and give the orders.¡± Before long, under Cao Ju¡¯s watchful eyes, several Cao generals led over a hundred cavalry soldiers to break away from the main formation and boldly charged toward the pack of wolves and the fierce tiger. The sudden appearance of these Cao soldiers and officers startled the tigers and wolves amid a fierce battle. Instinctively, they abandoned their fight and fled into the distance. Faced with this situation, the Cao soldiers and officers who had been ordered into action had no intention of letting go. After all, Lord Cao Cao had instructed them to use the meat of these wild beasts to supplement the soldiers¡¯ meals. Therefore, they vigorously pursued the fleeing animals, quickly disappearing from the view of the onlookers. Cao Ju, who had watched the entire scene, couldn¡¯t help but feel deeply impressed. Under my father¡¯s command, there are truly many talents and formidable warriors! At least, he didn¡¯t recognize a familiar face from the group that went out to hunt and kill the fierce tiger and wolves just now. This meant that, even without the involvement of individuals like Zhang Liao, Yu Jin, and Cao Zhen, numerous fierce individuals in the army could take on and defeat such formidable creatures. Cao Ju decided to meet these warriors when they returned from their hunt. Perhaps unexpectedly, among those individuals were two or three who would become well-known figures during the Three Kingdoms era. If he were to establish connections with them now, it would be akin to being an early investor in an angel round of funding. When they gained prominence in the future and contended for the position of heir against Cao Pi, Cao Zhang, and Cao Zhi, they would likely favor him if they were to take sides. Within the carriage dedicated to handling official matters during the march, reserved for Cao Cao alone, Cao Cao withdrew his gaze from the distance and looked at his three sons, who had approached when they heard the commotion. When he noticed that all three of his sons held sharp swords, their backs to him and the blades facing outward, a hint of satisfaction flickered in his heart. Regardless of whether Cao Pi, Cao Zhang, and Cao Ju were deliberately putting on a show for him¡­ At the very least, they were displaying filial piety. Cao Cao wasn¡¯t afraid that his three sons were feigning filial piety; he feared that they wouldn¡¯t even pretend to be obedient and dutiful, only looking out for themselves in critical moments. With this in mind, Cao Cao¡¯s heart stirred. ¡°Zihuan, Ziwen, Zimu, the three of you, come up to the carriage and talk with me.¡± After speaking, Cao Cao let down the curtain in his hand. Hearing their father, Cao Cao¡¯s call, Cao Ju glanced in surprise at the carriage where Cao Cao was located. At this moment, why was their father asking them to come up? With suspicion in his eyes, Cao Ju looked towards his elder brothers, Cao Pi and Cao Zhang, and noticed that their expressions were similarly perplexed. They were all wondering why their father was calling them to the carriage. After a dozen breaths, Cao Ju, Cao Pi, and Cao Zhang entered the carriage and took their seats. This carriage, created by combining six horse-drawn carriages, was spacious enough to accommodate the three brothers, Cao Cao and his entourage. Inside the carriage, Cao Cao scrutinized his three sons but remained silent. Just as Cao Ju and his brothers found it increasingly difficult to endure the unintentional display of their father¡¯s authority, Cao Cao spoke. ¡°My sons, I have a question for you. I ask that you answer honestly without hiding anything.¡± With these words, Cao Cao revealed the conviction that had arisen in his heart earlier. ¡°If today, I and you three brothers were traveling together in the wilderness and encountered a fierce tiger and a hungry wolf, but instead of fighting each other as you witnessed earlier, they both targeted our father and sons simultaneously, intending to hunt us down for food.¡± ¡°At that moment,¡± Cao Cao glanced meaningfully at his three sons, ¡°we would have no weapons in our hands, and there would be no one like Xu Chu and the Tiger Guards by our side. The four of us would only have one bow and two arrows.¡± ¡°To kill the hungry wolf, it would require just one arrow. But to kill the hungry tiger¡­¡± Cao Cao paused, his gaze still locked on his sons. ¡°It would require two arrows to kill.¡± ¡°At this moment, what would you three do?¡± Having spoken, Cao Cao placed his hand on his knee and closed his eyes as if dozing off, waiting quietly for his three sons to respond. He wanted to see how his sons would react in the face of life and death. Inside the carriage, silence reigned after Cao Cao posed the question. Could anyone truly answer such a question? Cao Ju turned his gaze to his elder brothers, Cao Pi and Cao Zhang, to gauge their reactions. Cao Zhang appeared lost in deep thought, at least. But when Cao Ju looked at his elder brother Cao Pi¡­ To his astonishment, he realized that Cao Pi was discreetly glancing at him. As their eyes met, they both registered each other¡¯s surprise. In the next moment, both wore expressions of disdain, immediately turning their heads to the other side. ¡°Damn it!¡± ¡°This Cao Pi, he¡¯s definitely up to no good!¡± ¡°If this situation were to happen for real¡­That big brother of mine is absolutely scheming how to use the threat of the tiger and wolf to get rid of me, eliminating this major threat.¡± Cao Ju thought to himself. At the same time, Cao Pi¡¯s heart was equally unsettled. ¡°The way Little Eighth looks at me doesn¡¯t seem friendly!¡± Chapter 39 - Three Questions, Three Answers – The Art of Balancing as Emperors! Chapter 39: Three Questions, Three Answers ¨C The Art of Balancing as Emperors!After a long dozing with closed eyes, Cao Cao opened his eyes and looked at his three sons in the carriage. ¡°Have you thought it through?¡± ¡°Faced with the situation where there are only two arrows in hand to confront the tiger and the wolf, as I mentioned earlier, what would you three brothers do?¡± After asking, Cao Cao¡¯s gaze turned to Cao Pi, the eldest among them, intending to go in the order of seniority and call upon Cao Pi to answer the question first. However, before Cao Cao could speak, Cao Zhang had impatiently stepped forward. ¡°Father, what¡¯s so difficult about this!¡± ¡°It¡¯s just a tiger and a wolf, isn¡¯t it? Not worthy of fear. No need for you all to take action. With my abilities, I can resolve them.¡± Facing Cao Zhang¡¯s interruption, Cao Cao¡¯s face didn¡¯t reveal any displeasure because he knew his son had always been this way in character. ¡°Let¡¯s hear it from Zhiwen¡­¡± ¡°Explain to your father and your two brothers how you plan to deal with the fierce tiger and hungry wolf using only two arrows?¡± As Cao Cao said this, Cao Ju and Cao Pi also looked at Cao Zhang involuntarily. They also wanted to see how Cao Zhang would respond. Whether the method he used would be the same as the solution they had in mind. If it were indeed the same, they could make temporary changes so that their father, Cao Cao, wouldn¡¯t think they were copying on the spot. Amidst the anticipation of the three individuals, Cao Zhang straightened his posture and confidently said, ¡°Simple!¡± ¡°I will first use one arrow to shoot the hungry wolf that can be killed with just one arrow, and then¡­¡± ¡°Shoot the remaining arrow at the starving tiger, directly dealing it a heavy blow.¡± Cao Zhang¡¯s response was courageous and reckless, fitting his character. However, upon hearing this, Cao Cao frowned, clearly dissatisfied with his answer. ¡°Zhiwen, did you not understand your father¡¯s intention?¡± ¡°I mentioned earlier that we only have two arrows. One arrow can indeed kill the wolf, but the hungry tiger requires two arrows to be killed.¡± ¡°Your single arrow wounded it severely just now, but it¡¯s still alive.¡± ¡°Under the condition of a ferocious beast being critically injured, it will only become more dangerous than before it was injured. Do you understand this?¡± Upon Cao Cao¡¯s reminder, Cao Zhang nodded in acknowledgment. In the next instant, Cao Zhang¡¯s spirit became even more exuberant as he said, ¡°Father, so what?¡± ¡°Even a dying fierce tiger is fearsome. Shouldn¡¯t the iron fist of your child be formidable!¡± As he spoke, Cao Zhang rolled up his sleeves, revealing his biceps, which were as hard as iron knots, in front of Cao Cao, Cao Pi, and Cao Ju, his expression full of pride. ¡°Father, it¡¯s not that your child is arrogant!¡± ¡°Against an intact tiger, your child dares to engage it barehanded.¡± ¡°Moreover, it already took an arrow from me!¡± ¡°In this situation, I¡¯m fully confident in my ability to beat it to death.¡± With these words from Cao Zhang, Cao Cao was left momentarily speechless. He had been taken aback by the fact that this fourth son of the Cao family, praised as ¡°Yellow Beard,¡± possessed the strength to accomplish such a feat as tearing apart a tiger and wolf with his hands. It wasn¡¯t just Cao Cao. After hearing Cao Zhang¡¯s explanation, Cao Ju and Cao Pi were also rendered speechless for a while. Cao Ju even thought of a saying from later generations: ¡°The most elite assassins and killers don¡¯t proceed with cautious restraint, avoiding any contact like a drifting leaf. After killing, they remain hidden in obscurity, away from name and reputation.¡± The real assassins and killers are the ones who, upon receiving a commission, carry a nuclear bomb and obliterate the city where the target is located, and then. Incidentally, take care of the target. Though Cao Zhang¡¯s response just now might seem impulsive and reckless, it was akin to the tactics of a nuclear bomb assassin, both breaking out of the conventional mold. After a long silence, Cao Cao chuckled dryly, ¡°Hehe!¡± ¡°Zhiwen, renowned as a hero among the troops, your father can¡¯t compare.¡± Though it was praise, anyone could detect the touch of exasperation in Cao Cao¡¯s tone. Only Cao Zhang interpreted it as his father complimenting him. He proudly glanced at Cao Pi and Cao Ju. This method was not something his two weaker brothers could achieve. If they were to imitate¡­Sooner or later, they would become the excrement dragged out by tigers and wolves. ¡°And Zihuan, how would you respond?¡± Perhaps still smarting from Cao Zhang¡¯s answer, Cao Cao added a playful remark directed at Cao Pi. ¡°Zihuan, you wouldn¡¯t say that you also want to follow your fourth brother and barehandedly kill a tiger, would you?¡± Cao Pi shook his head gently in the face of Cao Cao¡¯s teasing. ¡°Father! Pi would never do such a thing.¡± ¡°Facing the tiger and wolf, I would directly use two arrows to kill the most threatening hungry tiger, and then, I would move forward to engage the remaining hungry wolf.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know if I¡¯m a match for the hungry wolf, but¡­¡± Cao Pi gave his father, Cao Cao, a stubborn look and then glanced at Cao Ju and Cao Zhang. ¡°But, at least I can struggle with it for a long time.¡± ¡°To lead you and my two brothers to safety, buying some time.¡± ¡°As long as you and my two brothers are safe¡­Even if I were to die in the wolf¡¯s jaws, it would be worthwhile.¡± After Cao Pi finished speaking, Cao Zhang muttered under his breath. ¡°Big brother, you talk so nicely. Who needs you to save the day!¡± ¡°Just a mere wolf, I can kill it just the same.¡± Upon hearing this from Cao Zhang, Cao Cao¡¯s expression changed. ¡°Zhiwen, shut up!¡± ¡°Is that something you can say?¡± ¡°Is he not doing that precisely for your sake and mine?¡± Cao Cao scolded Cao Zhang, who immediately fell silent. As for Cao Ju¡­He admired Cao Pi with a glance and silently cursed him for being hypocritical. In Cao Pi¡¯s words, despite a hint of overestimating himself, his willingness to sacrifice his life for the greater good took both brotherly love and filial piety into consideration. It might just be the intent behind Cao Cao¡¯s proposition of the tiger and wolf scenario. His elder brother truly inherited the cunning, hypocrisy, and strategic thinking of their father Cao Cao. Compared to Cao Pi¡¯s response, Cao Zhang was utterly defeated, and no trace of his argument was left. After scolding Cao Zhang, Cao Cao stroked his chin beard lightly and turned his gaze to Cao Ju, who had yet to answer. S~ea??h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡°Zhimu, what about you?¡± Feeling the scrutiny from Cao Cao, Cao Zhang, and Cao Pi¡­ Cao Ju grinned, ¡°Father, I would shoot an arrow at the ferocious tiger first!¡± ¡°Then¡­¡± ¡°Whichever one between the tiger and the wolf disobeys¡­¡± ¡°The last arrow will be shot at them!¡± As these words were spoken, Cao Cao, stroking his chin beard, suddenly halted and roughly plucked out a handful of beard. Even if Cao Cao were to be killed, he wouldn¡¯t have expected it. His son, Cao Ju, would give such an unexpected answer. Chapter 40 - Cao Cao: My Sons Filial Piety Is About to Kill Me! Chapter 40: Cao Cao: My Son¡¯s Filial Piety Is About to Kill Me!Cao Cao looked at his son Cao Ju¡¯s unconventional response with a complex and exasperated gaze¡­For a moment, he wasn¡¯t sure whether to regard Cao Ju¡¯s answer as good or bad. Compared to the answer of his fourth son, Cao Zhang, at least Cao Ju¡¯s response showed some thought. The art of balancing as an emperor was skillfully evident in his answer. If he could shoulder the great responsibilities in the future, perhaps he might achieve the highest among all his sons. But compared to Cao Pi¡¯s response? Cao Cao couldn¡¯t see a trace of filial piety in this rebellious son, which was disappointing. Satisfied yet dissatisfied! Such were Cao Cao¡¯s immediate feelings about Cao Ju¡¯s response. Caught in this contradiction, praising seemed out of the question. But as for criticism? It couldn¡¯t be said to be wrong. One could even argue that his answer aligned with the rules he had set earlier. ¡°Zhiwen, Zihuan, what do you think¡­¡± ¡°About Zhimu¡¯s response?¡± Cao Cao threw this question to his other two sons in his extreme headache, leaving it to them to evaluate. ¡°The eighth brother is just playing clever tricks! Father, didn¡¯t you just say it earlier? A wounded beast is even scarier.¡± ¡°Zhimu¡¯s actions here, failing to shoot the tiger, will probably end up being eaten by the tiger and wolf together.¡± Cao Zhang¡¯s response was straightforward. He also looked down considerably on Cao Ju¡¯s answer. He didn¡¯t delve deeper; he merely saw the surface of the problem. ¡°What about Zihuan?¡± ¡°Do you think the same way?¡± Cao Cao turned to Cao Pi, wanting to hear the son¡¯s perspective, whose response had pleased him greatly. Cao Pi glanced at Cao Ju. With his level of cunning, how could he not see the brilliance in Cao Ju¡¯s answer? Frankly speaking, If he were in Cao Ju¡¯s position, he couldn¡¯t have come up with such a stunning answer. It was like an exam paper with a full score of a hundred. Cao Pi, grounded in filial piety and brotherly love, had achieved the full score of a hundred that his father, Cao Cao, had expected. But his eighth brother, although he might not necessarily achieve a perfect score of a hundred, his answer¡¯s brilliance and the points he gained were far beyond a hundred. ¡°Father!¡± Cao Pi shook his head lightly. ¡°Compared to what Zhumu said, I, Pi, am truly ashamed!¡± As he spoke, Cao Pi glanced at Cao Ju and smiled at him, saying, ¡°Zhimu, I admire you, my brother!¡± Cao Ju, looking at his elder brother Cao Pi, who was showcasing their close brotherly relationship in front of everyone, responded with a smile of his own. ¡°Big brother, what are you talking about?¡± ¡°It¡¯s your response that has left me feeling ashamed.¡± On the side, Cao Cao, observing the camaraderie between the two brothers, Cao Pi and Cao Ju, once again shot an annoyed glare at Cao Zhang. Zhiwen might be brave, but his temperament made getting along with his brothers challenging. However, outwardly, Cao Cao waved his hand to interrupt the mutual praise between the two brothers and again focused his gaze on Cao Ju. ¡°Zhimu, if you were facing a human, your method might be intimidating.¡± ¡°But don¡¯t forget! Today, I posed the question using the context of tigers and wolves. As beasts, their instincts override intelligence; they won¡¯t care about intimidation!¡± ¡°When that time comes¡­¡± A playful smile flickered in Cao Cao¡¯s eyes. ¡°How would you handle it?¡± This time, it was Cao Ju¡¯s turn to exasperatedly look at his cunning father Cao Cao. Had to throw in an unexpected twist! In that situation, he had only one option ¨C to run as fast as possible. But the idea of pushing his elder brother out to feed the tigers and wolves? Out of the question! Absolutely out of the question! Cao Zimou wasn¡¯t that kind of person. How could he stand by and let his sister-in-law Zhen Ji become a widow or leave her alone in an empty house? He, the most ¡°caring¡± and ¡°loving¡± younger brother-in-law, might complain in his thoughts, but when Cao Cao probed him, Cao Ju pretended to ponder before seriously responding. ¡°If, as Father said, wild beasts don¡¯t heed intimidation¡­¡± ¡°Then.¡± ¡°Initially, your child wouldn¡¯t do it this way.¡± ¡°Instead, I would choose another method.¡± ¡°Another method? Tell me about it, my son,¡± Cao Cao interjected, genuinely curious this time. Unexpectedly, facing his father¡¯s challenge, Cao Ju quickly devised a solution born out of necessity, not a prepared alternative answer. ¡°That would be¡­¡± Cao Ju explained, ¡°Your child would have the fourth brother, who has the strength to fight a tiger, take on the fierce tiger. For him, this shouldn¡¯t be difficult.¡± ¡°As for me and the third brother, Cao Pi¡­¡± ¡°We would confront the starving wolf barehanded. While our martial prowess isn¡¯t comparable to the fourth brother¡¯s, we can face a mere wolf together.¡± ¡°As for bows, crossbows, and arrows.¡± ¡°All would be left in your hands, Father.¡± ¡°They can be used for defense, to assist us in shooting arrows from the side during the hunt.¡± ¡°They can also¡­¡± Cao Ju paused briefly. They could also transform into ¡°Inferno,¡± the League of Legends champion with a 100% win rate in professional play, a champion exclusive to Wang Xiaozhang, the headmaster of the League of Legends Heroes¡¯ League¡­ Pointing his bow and arrow at the backs of the three brothers, he could utter¡­ ¡°Who dares to retreat?¡± If they weren¡¯t willing to do that. His father, Cao Cao, could also use the opportunity when the three brothers were engaging the wild beasts to grab a weapon and find another safe place. But Cao Ju didn¡¯t mention these two possibilities. Instead, he smiled, ¡°They can also serve as a warning from the side to guard against other potential dangers.¡± ¡°Or if that¡¯s not feasible!¡± ¡°Father, you could also use this opportunity to practice your archery skills. Perhaps under the pressure of life and death, you might also be able to develop the skill of shooting bullseyes from a hundred steps away, like Lu Bu and Huang Hansheng!¡± At the end of his words, Cao Ju¡¯s face lost its seriousness again. As for Cao Cao, he looked at Cao Ju, who had given another unexpected answer, and the feeling of exasperation grew stronger. Compared to Cao Ju¡¯s first answer, this one incorporated ¡°filial piety,¡± but there was something odd about it. Filial piety was evident because only this son had thought to hand the bow and arrows to his father first. The odd part was that¡­ ask anyone in the world: where would you find a father who stands behind wielding a weapon while letting his son face danger? This rebellious child. He didn¡¯t just hand over the bow and arrows to his father. He simply returned the question to him unchanged. He even added a challenge: Faced with the choice between his son fighting against the beast and his safety¡­ S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. With a weapon in hand, Cao Cao. What would he do? Would he act like the many lords and fathers who didn¡¯t step into danger, keeping a weapon hidden in their person? Or¡­ Would he become a qualified father? Chapter 41 - General Wens Savage Tiger Showdown, and the Unexpected Arrival of Wen Yang? Chapter 41: General Wen¡¯s Savage Tiger Showdown, and the Unexpected Arrival of Wen Yang?Facing his son Cao Ju, who, this time, did not delve into the ¡°Art of the Emperor¡¯s Heart¡± but engaged in the game of ¡°changing positions¡± and ¡°shifting from passive to active,¡± Cao Cao suddenly realized that his son possessed extraordinary talent. In the art of manipulating people¡¯s hearts, even he couldn¡¯t help but be amazed. In terms of quick thinking¡­ Only his son Cao Chong, who had been able to estimate the weight of an elephant since childhood, could be compared to him. The rest of his sons were not on the same level. His thoughts turned, and as he faced Cao Ju, who was waiting for his evaluation, Cao Cao found himself in a dilemma. Once, twice, but not a third time. He couldn¡¯t add another condition to limit Cao Ju¡¯s thought process and force him to devise another solution. At this moment, there was suddenly a commotion outside the carriage. ¡°The savage tiger has been killed!¡± ¡°General Wen carried the tiger back on his shoulders!¡± ¡°Whoa! Look at that, there¡¯s not a single arrow on the tiger¡¯s body. Could it be that General Wen killed the tiger with his bare hands?¡± ¡°Not only the tiger, General Wen¡¯s men didn¡¯t spare the pack of wolves either.¡± ¡°Wow, tonight we¡¯re in luck. Maybe we¡¯ll get to taste what tiger and wolf meat are like.¡± ¡°You¡¯re right. These past few days of marching have left our mouths craving flavor.¡± Outside, discussions were buzzing. Unbeknownst to them, this chatter resolved Cao Cao¡¯s dilemma. Even Cao Ju, upon hearing the soldiers¡¯ discussions, was suddenly jolted. At this moment, only three words echoed in Cao Ju¡¯s mind. ¡°General Wen!¡± Aside from Wen Ping, there weren¡¯t many notable generals with the surname Wen throughout the late Han Dynasty and the Three Kingdoms era. Among them, Cao Ju knew only of the most renowned warrior from the later Three Kingdoms period, who was hailed as the mightiest, capable of ¡°breaking through enemy lines without fear of blades and spears, his strength crushing enemy formations like sunlight piercing through clouds¡± ¨C Wei¡¯s Wenyang. However, Cao Ju knew that Wen Ping couldn¡¯t be here now. After their defeat at the Battle of Red Cliffs, Cao Cao stationed Wen Ping in Xiangyang, along with Cao Ren, to jointly defend Jingzhou. Since Wen Ping wasn¡¯t here¡­ Then who could it be? Cao Ju suppressed his inner excitement. Could it really be the person he was thinking of? If he could recruit this person. Even in the presence of Zhao Yun, he would dare to greet Liu Bei and even inquire about Liu Bei¡¯s wife! After all, for fans of the Three Kingdoms from later generations, the debate about who the real ¡°Seven In and Seven Out¡± warrior was within the massive army had never ceased. In Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Zhao Zilong of Changshan (Zhao Yun) was believed to be the one to perform this feat. However, adherents of the historical records of the Three Kingdoms¡­ They firmly believed Wenyang was the true ¡°Seven In and Seven Out¡± man. They thought that Zhao Zilong¡¯s seven entries and seven exits at Changban were merely Luo Guanzhong¡¯s attempt to attribute Wenyang¡¯s deeds to Zhao Yun. Similarly, at this moment, Cao Cao¡¯s attention was also drawn by the voices from outside. Already in a difficult position, he smoothly said, ¡°Hehe!¡± ¡°Zihuan, Ziwen, Zimu, the three of you, come with me to look.¡± ¡°As a father, I must see for myself¡­¡± ¡°Someone who has the courage of a bear¡¯s heart and a leopard¡¯s gall, daring to fight nonchalantly in front of my two hundred thousand troops under Cao Cao.¡± After discreetly glossing over the test, Cao Cao was the first to rise, bending his body to stick his head out of the carriage, then stepping down and heading away. Seeing this, Cao Ju and the other two did not hesitate, immediately following Cao Cao out of the carriage. As they stepped out of the carriage, before even fully dismounting, Cao Ju was struck with awe. On the ground beside the carriage¡¯s path lay the body of a tiger, measuring around twenty feet in length, stretched out before everyone. Though not as long as his ¡°ding ding,¡± its exposed fangs were nearly as long as his ¡°Kato Eagle¡¯s Claw.¡± The tiger¡¯s body showed no signs of wounds whatsoever. Through its bloody mouth and its protruding eyes¡­ Cao Ju, who had seen how Wu Song killed a tiger in ¡°Outlaws of the Marsh¡± (one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature), didn¡¯t need to approach closely to understand that the tiger before him had been forcefully beaten to death by someone. Because Wu Song, killed by a tiger, had met a similarly gruesome fate. The shock didn¡¯t stop there. Behind the tiger¡¯s body, a row of wolf carcasses was arranged. However, their bodies were far from intact. Arrows still protruded from their wolf hides. The blood seeping from their fur stained a large portion of the ground. Cao Ju wasn¡¯t the only one struck with awe; Cao Cao was equally shocked. After a momentary shock¡­ Cao Cao burst into laughter, ¡°Hahaha!¡± ¡°Where¡¯s my General Wen?¡± ¡°Quick, come forward and let me have a look. Are you injured?¡± As Cao Cao spoke¡­ A robust figure with muscular arms resembling coiling dragons emerged among the many soldiers. S§×arch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡°Lord, your subordinate is here!¡± Hearing these words, Cao Ju immediately followed the sound with his gaze. Could this person be Wenyang? Chapter 42 - Wen Yangs Grandfather, the Tiger-Slaying General of the Late Han - Wen Ji! Chapter 42: Wen Yang¡¯s Grandfather, the Tiger-Slaying General of the Late Han ¨C Wen Ji!With a glimmer of expectation to witness the emergence of the strongest warrior of the late Three Kingdoms era, Wen Yang, Cao Ju turned his gaze towards the addressed ¡°General Wen.¡± What met Cao Ju¡¯s eyes was indeed a tall and powerful middle-aged general. In terms of age, this figure was nowhere close to the youthful hero image he had imagined. Judging by the weathered appearance on his face, he could easily be compared to the middle-aged Sima Yi of today. Could someone like this endure until later and, dissatisfied with the deposition of Wei¡¯s Emperor Cao Fang by General Guanqiu Jian, rise in a persistent campaign for the emperor? If he could survive until then, even venerable generals like Liao Hua and Huang Zhong might have to step aside. Looking at the middle-aged general, Cao Ju had already ruled out the possibility of him being Wen Yang. At the same time, he silently combed through the blended memories of his previous self, trying to find information about this person. After a long while of rummaging through memories, he reluctantly discovered that his previous self, Cao Ju, apart from knowing some of Cao Cao¡¯s famous generals, was not well-versed in most military commanders. Especially in the past few years, the sudden death of his elder brother, Cao Chong, had left him deeply traumatized. It frightened him and made him disinterested in matters unrelated to his immediate concerns. Before he took over the body through his transmigration, he only considered guarding his older brother Cao Chong¡¯s spirit and living a peaceful life. At this moment, Dian Man, who was helping Cao Ju down from the carriage, noticed the perplexity in his young master¡¯s eyes. He leaned over and whispered a reminder in Cao Ju¡¯s ear. ¡°Young Master, this person is named Wen Ji.¡± ¡°He hails from Qiao County, your father¡¯s hometown.¡± ¡°While he is currently just a cavalry commander in the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry, he is highly regarded by the Prime Minister.¡± Upon hearing Dian Man¡¯s explanation, Cao Ju instantly understood the identity of this tiger-slaying general. As he looked at Wen Ji, his face fell into contemplation. Now, he could be certain. Although the present Wen Ji was not the Wen Yang he sought, he was undoubtedly related to Wen Yang. Why? Because, as far as he knew, in history, Wen Qin and Wen Yang, father and son, who had responded to Guanqiu Jian¡¯s uprising and opposed Sima Zhao, were also from Qiao County. Both hail from Qiao County, and both have the surname Wen. If that was a coincidence¡­ It would indeed be an extraordinarily coincidental occurrence. ¡°Ziqian, does General Wen Ji have a son named Wen Qin or any other relatives?¡± Cao Ju persisted, still unwilling to give up. ¡°Uh!¡± Upon hearing Cao Ju¡¯s question, Dian Man looked at him in surprise, showing a trace of astonishment on his face. Just moments ago, his young master clearly didn¡¯t recognize Wen Ji, and now he had casually mentioned that Wen Ji had a son named Wen Qin. S~ea??h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Cao Ju inquired, ¡°Ziqian, how old is General Wen Ji¡¯s son Wen Qin? Is he married?¡± ¡°Master, it seems that Wen Qin is only about eleven or twelve years old and is not married,¡± Dian Man replied in a hushed tone. Upon hearing Dian Man¡¯s answer, Cao Ju couldn¡¯t help but feel a bit disappointed. So, Wen Yang hadn¡¯t even been born yet. He was still in the early stages of development. Cao Ju would have to wait to meet Wen Yang. Fortunately, the disappointment was fleeting. Cao Ju realized he had already encountered Wen Yang¡¯s grandfather and had information about his father. Could he meet Wen Yang in the future? His outlook shifted. Cao Ju looked at Wen Ji¡¯s robust physique and marveled at the genetics at play. It was no wonder Wen Yang would become a formidable general on the battlefield; it seemed to be in his genes. If his grandfather was so robust, how much more so was his grandson? Meanwhile, Cao Cao, who had disembarked from the carriage ahead of his three sons, was now looking at Wen Ji, who had emerged from the ranks of soldiers and declared, ¡°I am here.¡± At this moment, Cao Cao¡¯s eyes were filled with admiration. Following his words, he, in front of everyone, circled Wen Ji, assessing whether he had any injuries. After this inspection, when Cao Cao saw that Wen Ji had no injuries, he burst into hearty laughter. ¡°Hahaha!¡± ¡°In my early days, when I first encountered Dian Wei, the tiger he was chasing had no way to escape and was forced to leap across a mountain stream to flee.¡± Behind Cao Cao, Cao Ju couldn¡¯t help but smile when he heard his father mention Dian Wei¡¯s old tiger-chasing story. He remembered that in the online novels of the future, whenever Dian Wei appeared, he was either in the process of chasing a tiger or on his way to chase one. He couldn¡¯t help but think, ¡°Poor Dian Wei!¡± The tiger he chased was even more unfortunate! Cao Cao¡¯s voice continued, ¡°Today, upon our first meeting, Ding Zhi¡¯s courage and martial prowess are no less than Dian Wei¡¯s.¡± ¡°Under my command, we have gained another ¡®Tiger-Hunting General.''¡± ¡°Someone, fetch my brocade robe and give it to Ding Zhi.¡± ¡°When a fierce tiger blocks his path, Ding Zhi can still kill it for me.¡± ¡°As our great army marches south, we have Ding Zhi and a thousand other valiant generals. Sun Quan is underestimating himself if he thinks he can oppose us. Isn¡¯t he seeking his demise?¡± Cao Cao was boosting the morale of his troops. Seizing the moment while the attendants were fetching the brocade robe, he took the opportunity to criticize Sun Quan, provoking enthusiastic cheers from his soldiers. Soon enough, an attendant brought the mentioned brocade robe. Cao Cao personally draped it over Wen Ji¡¯s shoulders, leaving Wen Ji deeply moved. But that wasn¡¯t all. Cao Cao also remembered the soldiers who had hunted down the wolves. With a grand gesture, he declared, ¡°Although you may not have hunted tigers, you have indeed slain wolves.¡± ¡°Each of you shall be rewarded a hundred gold coins.¡± Hearing Cao Cao¡¯s words, the soldiers who had followed Wen Ji and taken down the pack of wolves cheered and expressed gratitude to their lord. On the sidelines, Cao Ju observed how his father, Cao Cao, managed to inspire the soldiers¡¯ hearts with just a few words. He felt both admiration and a sense of inadequacy. Compared to the present Cao Cao and his skillful leadership, Cao Ju felt somewhat immature. He lacked as many subordinates to hone his abilities with. He realized that he was still in the process of building his career, unlike his accomplished father. If this were in the future, he might be competing in a local community writing contest. He would write essays like ¡°My Prime Minister Father,¡± ¡°My Emperor Father, the Great Wei Warrior,¡± or ¡°When the Emperor Meets My Father, Maybe He¡¯ll Bow His Head,¡± and then¡­ Based on his abilities, he would come home with a first-place prize at best. Chapter 43 - Cao Cao: Xu Chu, Deliver This Tiger Whip Soup to Lao Ba! Chapter 43: Cao Cao: Xu Chu, Deliver This Tiger Whip Soup to Lao Ba!Cao Cao promptly fulfilled his earlier promise after rewarding soldiers like Wen Ji, who hunted tigers and killed wolves. He had the soldiers send the bodies of the dead tigers and wolves to the cooking camp behind the army. There, the camp¡¯s chefs skinned and prepared the meat, creating a meaty soup offered as a tribute to the soldiers¡¯ inner organs. As a result, by the time the army stopped marching at dusk and set up a temporary camp, the air was already filled with the scent of minced meat even before the meals were ready. The soldiers of Cao¡¯s army were eager and impatient for this meal. When the meat soup was fully prepared, and it was time to eat¡­ sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Soldiers, one after another, eagerly slurped up their meaty soups. Even though, due to being shared among a two-hundred-thousand-strong army, there was barely any trace of oil on the surface of the soup in each bowl, the soldiers still relished it. They felt that even the delicacies of dragon liver and phoenix gall couldn¡¯t compare to the soup they held, especially considering it was made from the flesh of tigers and wolves. Because¡­They simply didn¡¯t care about the taste of the soup they were drinking. What they cared about was that the soup in their hands was made from the flesh of tigers and wolves. For ordinary people, who could ever have a chance to taste such a soup? Perhaps they wouldn¡¯t get to taste a sip in their entire lives. Different from the soldiers¡¯ bowls that only had bits of minced meat and little oil¡­ Cao Cao, being the commander, had in his bowl the most essential and nutritious part of a tiger, and it was also the part that the army¡¯s cooks had carefully prepared¡ªa delicacy called the ¡°Beast King¡¯s Vigor Soup.¡± Inside the carriage, Xu Chu was reporting to Cao Cao, ¡°My Lord!¡± ¡°The army¡¯s cooks have already processed the tiger skin and a few relatively intact wolf pelts. Take a look¡­¡± ¡°Late autumn has arrived, and the weather is getting colder.¡± ¡°Moreover, this Jianghuai region is damp. Would you like me to lay the tiger skin in your carriage to keep you warm?¡± Facing Xu Chu¡¯s caring inquiry, Cao Cao, who was inside the carriage, showed no response. Even the steamy tiger whip soup before him didn¡¯t draw his attention. The reason being¡­ At this moment, Cao Cao was still immersed in the daytime dialogue and exchanges he had with his three sons. In his mind, Cao Cao kept replaying the performances of his three sons. ¡°Ziwen¡¯s character is straightforward and reckless. Although his answer was outrageous, it wasn¡¯t entirely unexpected.¡± ¡°As for Zi Huan¡­His response, while not lacking in filial piety, shows that this child tends to overthink things.¡± ¡°The sincerity of his filial affection is somewhat hard to determine, as he likely guessed the intention behind my question and deliberately tailored his answer to it.¡± ¡°As for Zi Mu, his answers were repeatedly surprising.¡± ¡°Though my expression showed dissatisfaction, I was quite pleased with his responses.¡± ¡°If Xiaohu were still alive¡­¡± ¡°He would certainly appreciate a son who doesn¡¯t conform, who likes to take an unconventional approach.¡± ¡°However¡­Regarding conduct and dealing with the world, balancing the norm and the extraordinary.¡± ¡°Too much deviation from the norm could easily lead down a divergent path. His disposition¡­¡± ¡°Needs some polishing!¡± After analyzing the characters of his three sons, Cao Cao finally looked up at Xu Chu, who was reporting the situation inside the carriage. ¡°Today, Zi Huan, Zi Wen, and Zi Mu each answered a question for me. As their father, I should reward them accordingly.¡± ¡°How about this¡­¡± ¡°Xu Chu, deliver the processed tiger skin to Zi Mu. Divide the intact wolf skins into two portions and give one to Zi Huan and one to Zi Wen.¡± Regarding distribution, Cao Cao intended to reward his three brothers according to his satisfaction level with them. The best tiger skin would naturally be a reward for his surprised and delighted youngest son. Upon hearing this, Xu Chu was about to turn and leave. ¡°Wait!¡± Just as Xu Chu was about to lift the curtain of the carriage, dismount the chariot, and follow Cao Cao¡¯s instructions to deliver the tiger skin and wolf skins to the three young masters¡­ A voice from behind abruptly stopped Xu Chu in his tracks. He slowly turned around and looked at Cao Cao. ¡°My Lord, is there something else you want to command?¡± Faced with Xu Chu¡¯s question, Cao Cao suddenly burst into laughter. ¡°Xu Chu, I¡¯ve changed my mind!¡± ¡°Deliver the tiger skin to Zi Huan!¡± ¡°And all the remaining wolf skins¡­¡± ¡°Give them all to Zi Wen!¡± The revised reward scheme that Cao Cao presented left Xu Chu utterly astonished. He had rewarded everything to his two sons, Cao Pi, and Cao Zhang¡­ Though Xu Chu was puzzled, he wisely refrained from asking. This was one of the reasons he had been able to serve as Cao Cao¡¯s guard and earn his trust. ¡°Alright, you can go now!¡± Upon hearing Cao Cao¡¯s words, Xu Chu was genuinely shocked for a moment. Did Cao Ju receive absolutely no reward? Silently turning around, Xu Chu didn¡¯t linger any further. However, just as Xu Chu turned around¡­ Cao Cao¡¯s gaze inadvertently landed on the steaming hot soup before him, and as he looked at the columnar object floating in the soup, he couldn¡¯t help but burst into a slightly mischievous laugh. ¡°Xu Chu, wait a moment!¡± ¡°Deliver this bowl of tiger whip soup to Zi Mu. This way, he won¡¯t secretly criticize me for being biased as a father.¡± Cao Cao really wanted to see it. What would their reactions be when his three sons received the rewards he sent? And how Cao Ju would react! Half an hour later, Cao Ju was dining with Yu Jin, Deng Ai, and Dianman in the Imperial Guards¡¯ camp as they exchanged meaningful looks. He was sipping on a soup with tiger whip in it, his face displaying a mix of annoyance and discomfort at the soup his father had sent. Especially when Cao Ju learned from the person who delivered the soup that his older brother Cao Pi received tiger skin while Cao Zhang got wolf skin. He became increasingly speechless! Was Father Cao Cao messing with his emotions? It couldn¡¯t be¡­ Unreasonably, a thought suddenly struck Cao Ju¡¯s mind, causing his heart to skip a beat. Father Cao Cao¡¯s top three hobbies¡ªpraising Guan Yu, pursuing married women, scaring Cao Pi¡ªgradually shifted to praising Guan Yu, pursuing married women¡­ Chapter 44 - Night Conversation in the Tent - Sima Yi and Cao Pi Discuss Cao Ju Chapter 44: Night Conversation in the Tent ¨C Sima Yi and Cao Pi Discuss Cao JuCao Pi was preoccupied while Cao Ju was in the Imperial Guards¡¯ camp, on the opposite side in Sima Yi¡¯s tent. He had been significantly taken aback by Cao Ju¡¯s responses earlier in the day, intensifying his caution toward him. Consequently, he sought out Sima Yi. Cao Pi recounted Cao Cao¡¯s daytime discussion about tigers and wolves to Sima Yi and provided a comprehensive account of their three brothers¡¯ answers. ¡°Master Sima!¡± ¡°Could you analyze which of us three brothers had the superior response?¡± In response to Cao Pi¡¯s inquiry, Sima Yi didn¡¯t hesitate, almost as if his answer was prepared before Cao Pi finished speaking. ¡°Prince Cao Ju¡¯s response is superior!¡± ¡°However¡­A commendable answer doesn¡¯t necessarily guarantee the Prime Minister¡¯s satisfaction.¡± ¡°Considering Prime Minister¡¯s disposition¡­He would likely prefer your response, Prince, as your answer is more astute and resonates better with his sentiments.¡± Upon hearing Sima Yi¡¯s words, Cao Pi felt slightly joy but grew more puzzled. ¡°Master Sima, what do you mean by that?¡± ¡°Why do you say that my eighth brother¡¯s answer was good yet displeased, Father?¡± ¡°Because¡­¡± Sima Yi glanced at Cao Pi. ¡°Prince, your father himself places great importance on filial piety.¡± ¡°Back in the day, when your grandfather Cao Song suffered under Tao Qian¡¯s rule in Xuzhou, upon learning of it, the Prime Minister was furious and launched a military campaign against Xuzhou.¡± ¡°In his anger, he didn¡¯t hesitate to resort to ruthless tactics.¡± ¡°The more someone is like this, the more they fear their sons won¡¯t be filial. The ¡®tigers and wolves¡¯ topic presented by the Prime Minister was intended to place you and your two brothers in the position of your grandfather back then, wasn¡¯t it?¡± ¡°Hence¡­¡± Sima Yi slipped his hands into his sleeves. ¡°That¡¯s why I said that your response would be more pleasing to the Prime Minister.¡± ¡°A clever prince would never show off or reveal their true abilities before the Prime Minister.¡± ¡°A clever prince would only need to be as shrewd as you, appearing foolish on the surface, concealing their abilities, and adhering to the single principle of ¡®filial piety.''¡± ¡°Prince!¡± ¡°When facing your other brothers, if you can achieve this, you needn¡¯t worry.¡± At the right moment, a voice from Cao Pi¡¯s trusted attendant sounded outside Sima Yi¡¯s tent. ¡°Prince, the Prime Minister has sent a complete tiger skin. Should I bring it in?¡± S~ea??h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The attendant¡¯s report immediately caught Cao Pi¡¯s attention. Without continuing the conversation with Sima Yi, Cao Pi promptly responded, ¡°Bring it in.¡± Shortly after, Cao Pi¡¯s trusted attendant lifted the tent¡¯s curtain and entered. He hung a complete and colorful tiger skin on a weapon rack in the tent, presenting it to Cao Pi and Sima Yi. ¡°Did the person who brought the tiger skin say anything?¡± Cao Pi inquired, and the attendant didn¡¯t dare to hide anything. ¡°Prince,¡± the attendant replied, ¡°General Xu Chu sent people to deliver the tiger skin to your tent. When he saw that you weren¡¯t present, he instructed me to convey that¡­ This is the Prime Minister¡¯s reward to you for answering his question earlier today.¡± Cao Pi wasn¡¯t entirely content with the response. He was more concerned about the rewards his other two brothers had received. ¡°Other than me¡­What about Zixun and Zimu? What did Father reward them with?¡± Fortunately, the attendant, an experienced individual who had been with Cao Pi for a long time, was well-prepared to handle his temperament. ¡°Prince, before I came here, I made inquiries.¡± ¡°For Fourth Prince Cao Zhang, the Prime Minister had sent several intact wolf skins.¡± ¡°And as for Eighth Prince Cao Ju¡­¡± The attendant¡¯s expression was peculiar, as he seemed uncertain whether to convey something. This made Cao Pi furrow his brow, sensing an unsettling premonition. Most of the beast skins hunted by General Wenji earlier in the day had already been distributed. Could it be that Father gave my younger brother the Green Heaven Sword he usually wears? After that, the attendant¡¯s voice came. ¡°In Eighth Prince Cao Ju¡¯s tent, the Prime Minister sent a bowl of¡­ tiger whip soup.¡± ¡°Gah!¡± Upon hearing the unexpected words from the attendant, Cao Pi emitted a strange sound reminiscent of a duck being choked. Even Sima Yi, who was casually sitting and listening, widened his eyes upon hearing that Cao Cao had given Cao Ju a bowl of tiger whip soup. It was a moment where even someone as astute as Sima Yi hadn¡¯t anticipated Cao Cao¡¯s unusual choice. For that brief moment¡­ Sima Yi even thought he had misunderstood Cao Cao¡¯s intentions. After a moment of surprise, Cao Pi looked at Sima Yi with admiration. ¡°Indeed, everything has been predicted by you, Master.¡± ¡°I get the tiger skin, Ziwen gets the wolf skin, and Zimou gets the tiger whip.¡± ¡°From this, it¡¯s clear that while my answer might not be as stunning as Zimou¡¯s, it¡¯s very much to Father¡¯s liking!¡± ¡°It seems like tonight, I¡¯ll be able to sleep well.¡± ¡°With that said, I won¡¯t disturb you any longer, Master.¡± With these words, Cao Pi called his trusted attendant and started walking out of the tent. ¡°Prince, the Prime Minister¡¯s reward of the tiger skin for you is here!¡± Seeing Cao Pi about to leave the tent, Sima Yi hurriedly raised his hand to remind him. ¡°No!¡± ¡°It¡¯s your tiger skin, Zhongda.¡± Cao Pi waved his hand dismissively, his back turned to Sima Yi. ¡°This tiger skin¡­ I¡¯m giving it to you as a reward for helping me unravel this puzzle.¡± Sima Yi felt a mixture of surprise and gratification, as he hadn¡¯t anticipated that his interpretation of Cao Cao¡¯s intentions would lead to such a rewarding outcome. Chapter 45 - Wei Wu Bestows a Sword, Cao Ju Gains the Heaven Reliant! Chapter 45: Wei Wu Bestows a Sword, Cao Ju Gains the Heaven Reliant!The night enveloped the encampment in serene quietness, extending across the heart of the great army. Cao Cao, commander of the three forces, remained unreported, attentively listening to the report from Lu Hong, the leader of the Bureau of Military Affairs under his command. The matter resulted from a covert investigation ordered by Cao Cao after the debate between Cao Cao and Cao Ju on the noble families¡¯ influence in Shouchun. ¡°Master, several years ago, the Eighth Young Master was lively, unlike the other young masters in the mansion. They all displayed a natural innocence.¡± ¡°However¡­¡± ¡°After the autumn of the thirteenth year of Jian¡¯an, the Eighth Young Master grew quiet and reserved.¡± ¡°This state continued for three years¡­¡± ¡°Until one year ago. After a serious illness, it seemed that he underwent some sort of transformation. He gradually began communicating with others and started going out more frequently.¡± ¡°These¡­¡± ¡°Are the things that your subordinate has recorded regarding the actions of the Eighth Young Master in recent years.¡± Having said that, Lu Hong, the Bureau of Military Affairs leader, took a folded piece of paper from his pocket and carefully placed it in front of Cao Cao. If Cao Ju were here, he would surely be alarmed by the Bureau of Military Affairs¡¯ investigative abilities because the time point from a year ago was exactly when he traveled here. ¡°The autumn of the thirteenth year of Jian¡¯an¡­¡± Cao Cao muttered softly, speaking of a year he could never forget. ¡°Alright, I understand. You may leave!¡± ¡°I will review the information you¡¯ve reported later.¡± Cao Cao dismissed Lu Hong, the Bureau of Military Affairs leader. Without hesitation, Lu Hong immediately bowed and exited the central military tent. When only Cao Cao himself remained in the tent, a trace of desolation flickered in Cao Cao¡¯s eyes as he picked up the folded paper in front of him. sea??h th§× NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡°The thirteenth year of Jian¡¯an¡­¡± ¡°Heh, not only the year when I, Cao Cao, suffered defeat above the great river at Chibi but also the year my son Cangshu passed away!¡± Sighing with emotion, Cao Cao slowly unfolded the paper that Lu Hong had delivered¡­ On the first page of the paper, a short passage caught Cao Cao¡¯s eyes. ¡°The autumn of the thirteenth year of Jian¡¯an, the young lord Chong passed away due to illness. Young Lord Ju gradually grew silent, often returning from Young Lord Chong¡¯s former residence in a state of melancholy.¡± ¡°So it continued for a period of three years.¡± Upon reading this passage, Cao Cao had already understood what Cao Ju, his son whom he hadn¡¯t paid much attention to in the past, had been doing all these years ¨C something he had rarely bothered to notice, even during festive occasions and holidays. As the elder brother of his younger brother Cao Chong¡­ For his own son, Cangshu! He had diligently mourned for three years. Three years, unwaveringly. Even if¡­ Unknown to others, recalling the two answers Cao Ju had given him earlier when faced with the questions of tigers and wolves ¨C answers that, while stunning, lacked filial piety¡­ At this moment, Cao Cao realized. Compared to Cao Pi, whose responses were filled with filial piety in every line¡­ It was Cao Ju¡¯s actions over the past three years that truly made him profoundly impressed. A person who could silently mourn for his deceased elder brother for three long years. Thinking of Cao Ju¡¯s demeanor when answering the questions lacked a distinct form. An inexplicable sense of heartache welled up within Cao Cao. ¡°Is this child, Zimou, hiding his emotions beneath his jests and jesters?¡± ¡°Pity me, his father.¡± ¡°Over the years, I haven¡¯t even inquired about him. I failed to notice his actions at all. I, Cao Cao, am unworthy of being a father!¡± Feeling remorseful, Cao Cao suddenly realized that his action of sending Cao Ju a soup made from tiger penis might not have been a proper fatherly gesture. He called out from within the tent, ¡°Xu Chu!¡± ¡°My lord!¡± Xu Chu entered upon hearing the call. ¡°Smack!¡± Cao Cao unfastened the Heaven Reliant sword from his waist and directly threw it towards Xu Chu. Without any surprise, Xu Chu caught it firmly. Then, Xu Chu looked at Lord Cao Cao with puzzlement. He didn¡¯t understand the intention behind this action. ¡°Xu Chu, take this sword and give it to Ju¡¯er.¡± ¡°Just tell him¡­¡± ¡°These past few years, he has suffered grievances!¡± ¡°I am truly gratified!¡± Hearing Cao Cao¡¯s seemingly random words, Xu Chu was utterly perplexed. ¡°Yes!¡± Suppressing his confusion, Xu Chu turned and left. Once Xu Chu left, after a brief interruption from the earlier incident and after Cao Cao had composed his emotions, he once again turned his gaze to the contents recorded on the paper. The content displayed therein was Cao Ju¡¯s various performances over the past year. However, when Cao Cao read through the contents detailing Cao Ju¡¯s actions, a conflicted expression of amusement and exasperation spread across his face. ¡°Zimou, how did you mix with Fengxiao¡¯s son?¡± ¡°And you¡¯re together all the time, like true brothers?¡± Compared to his neglect of Cao Ju, Cao Cao had some knowledge about Guo Jia¡¯s son, Guo Yi, who was his good friend¡¯s offspring. Of course, he couldn¡¯t not know. Because Guo Yi, the son of his good friend, was a notable figure throughout Ye City. His level of playfulness and flirtatiousness was something even Cao Cao couldn¡¯t match. After all, Cao Cao only had one lawful wife, while Guo Yi, his good friend¡¯s son¡­ He entertained widows and young girls alike. He indulged in such activities regularly, lingering in the brothels and not returning home at night. Cao Cao had no idea where he had picked up these habits from. He had even learned how to commit adultery. With his charming appearance, who knew how many mistresses and wealthy families¡¯ daughters he had seduced and bedded? All because of this affair. Cao Cao hadn¡¯t hesitated to have Xu Chu use his influence to get Guo Yi released from the prison in Ye City. Xun Yu, Cheng Yu, Xun You, Cao Hong, and many other friends of Fengxiao¡¯s had also frequently sent money to the brothels. But there was no other way! Guo Yi, that rascal, was broke¡­ and he shamelessly pursued a freeloading lifestyle. Xun Yu and the other friends of Guo Jia couldn¡¯t bear to see their friend¡¯s only son confined to the lustful quarters of the brothels, so they reluctantly forked over money to redeem him. Unfortunately, this young man was far from grateful and continued with his heedless ways. He would dare to repeat his mistakes. ¡°Will Zimou be led astray by his friendship with Guo Yi?¡± Unintentionally, Cao Cao felt a trace of worry in his heart. He didn¡¯t realize whether his son, Cao Ju, had inherited his cunning bloodline and the legacy of the Jian¡¯an era. Cao Cao continued reading, skipping over the friendship between Guo Yi and Cao Ju. ¡°Hmm!¡± ¡°Zimou made several secret visits to Jia Xu, that old fox?¡± ¡°That¡¯s a clever move. It seems Zimou is well aware of Jia Wenhe¡¯s capabilities.¡± ¡°However¡­¡± ¡°With Jia Xu¡¯s temperament, that old fox probably wouldn¡¯t meet him easily, and he might even turn him away at the door!¡± Thinking along these lines, Cao Cao continued reading. He wanted to see how Jia Xu had responded to his son in the records of the Bureau of Military Affairs¡¯ investigation. Chapter 46 - Admiring Lu Lingqi, Acquiring the Daughter of Zhao Lie! Chapter 46: Admiring Lu Lingqi, Acquiring the Daughter of Zhao Lie! sea??h th§× n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.Cao Cao continued reading, intrigued by Jia Xu¡¯s response to his son¡¯s visit. When he came across the words, ¡°The young lord paid multiple visits but was never granted entry,¡± he couldn¡¯t help but burst into laughter. ¡°As expected!¡± ¡°He truly lives up to being that old fox, Jia Xu!¡± ¡°With his cautious nature, how could he get involved with my son, Cao Cao?¡± Seeing the unsurprising outcome, Cao Cao¡¯s face showed a hint of happiness since his son Cao Ju had revealed his ambitious nature. As a father, Cao Cao hadn¡¯t been short of experiences where he had to ¡°swallow his pride¡± in front of his son. Learning that his son had also been thwarted by Jia Xu¡¯s hand, how could he not feel amused? Then, Cao Cao¡¯s gaze shifted to the subsequent contents recorded on the paper. ¡°Huh?¡± ¡°Zimou not only has a good relationship with Guo Yi, but he¡¯s also quite friendly with Zhang Hu, the son of Wen Yuan?¡± ¡°Is he attempting to win over Jia Xu but considering recruiting Zhang Liao instead?¡± Regarding Zimou¡¯s actions, Cao Cao didn¡¯t display any discontent on his face at this moment. The reason was quite simple. Facing the behaviors of his three sons, Cao Pi, Cao Zhang, and Cao Zhi, who were supported by prominent clans, border army officers, Confucian scholars, and the like, Cao Cao could still choose to turn a blind eye and ignore their actions to some extent. Cao Ju¡¯s actions, as viewed by Cao Cao at this time, were inconsequential. Not to mention that Cao Ju was currently only attempting to win over Zhang Liao, and Zhang Liao himself had not yet chosen a side. Compared to the potential threats posed by his son¡¯s involvement with leading military commanders, Cao Cao hoped that Cao Ju could successfully win over Zhang Liao. Only through this could the forces behind his son, who was no longer content with mediocrity, gradually catch up with his elder brothers. Cao Cao could discern which son was a wolf or a dog in this fair environment. To raise a ¡°kingmaker¡± capable of inheriting his legacy! However, as Cao Cao continued reading the recorded behaviors of his son Cao Ju after befriending Zhang Hu¡­His expression suddenly became extremely colorful. ¡°This rascal, he doesn¡¯t seem like my son at all.¡± ¡°After befriending Zhang Hu, why on earth is he not focusing on wooing Zhang Liao and instead dragging Zhang Hu to Lady Lu Bu¡¯s residence day after day!¡± ¡°Running over there is one thing.¡± ¡°But going there repeatedly and ending up beaten black and blue by Lu Bu¡¯s daughter and then fleeing in a sorry state?¡± ¡°How did I, Cao Cao, end up with such a weak son who can¡¯t even handle a woman?¡± After cursing and laughing, Cao Cao made up his mind. Tomorrow, he would have someone train this son properly. He didn¡¯t want rumors to spread that Cao Cao¡¯s son couldn¡¯t even defeat a young woman, tarnishing his reputation. ¡°Ah-choo!¡± ¡°Ah-choo!¡± ¡°Ah-choo!¡± Inside the tent, where Cao Ju was preparing to rest, he suddenly sneezed thrice. Rubbing his nose, Cao Ju looked toward the direction of Ye City to the north with suspicion. ¡°When a dog sneezes, it¡¯s highly likely that rain is coming.¡± ¡°Well, this is something. I sneezed three times¡­¡± ¡°Could it be that Lu Lingqi, that crazy woman, is cursing me? It can¡¯t be that bad, right?¡± ¡°After all, I¡¯m not even in Ye City.¡± ¡°If she curses me to death, will she end up a widow in the future? She truly lives up to being the daughter of Marquis Wen. She¡¯s ruthless even to herself, daring to curse her future husband.¡± With a self-deprecating remark, Cao Ju, who fancied himself as Lu Lingqi¡¯s future husband, shook his head gently. ¡°Perhaps!¡± ¡°It might even be Liu Huangshu¡¯s daughters, Liu Ying and Liu Yu, thinking about this young master. Who knows?¡± Comforting himself again, Cao Ju was about to rest his head on the pillow. At this moment, the voice of Xu Chu came from outside the tent. ¡°Has the young lord retired for the night?¡± Upon hearing Xu Chu¡¯s question, Cao Ju immediately lost his drowsiness. He thought his father, Cao Cao, had something to discuss with him. He quickly donned a robe and stepped out of the tent to greet Xu Chu. ¡°General Xu Chu, you¡¯ve come here so late. Is there something¡­?¡± At the entrance of the tent, upon seeing Cao Ju, Xu Chu presented the Heaven Reliant sword he held in both hands before Cao Ju¡¯s face. ¡°Young lord!¡± ¡°This is the Heaven Reliant sword bestowed upon you by the Lord.¡± ¡°The Lord also said¡­¡± ¡°These past few years have caused your grievances, and he is gratified.¡± Cao Ju: ¡°???¡± As he received the Heaven Reliant sword handed over by Xu Chu, Cao Ju was about to inquire about the reason behind this, but he realized that Xu Chu had already turned and left. No matter how clever he might be, he couldn¡¯t fathom that, at this moment, Cao Cao had misunderstood his actions and connected them with the earlier Cao Ju. Unable to make sense of it, he decided to let it go. Quickly, Cao Ju¡¯s attention was drawn to the Heaven Reliant sword brought by Xu Chu upon Cao Cao¡¯s orders. ¡°¡± The precious sword was unsheathed. Under the moonlight, it emitted a chilling brilliance. ¡°What a great sword! The Northern Star shines brightly, and fierce generals march like thunder.¡± ¡°The lightning-trailing Heaven Reliant sword is in hand, capable of parting the seas like a leviathan.¡± ¡°Heaven Reliant, Heaven Reliant!¡± ¡°Truly peerless.¡± ¡°Unfortunately, the Qing Gang sword has already been claimed by Zhao Yun, and the Golden-Haired Lion King and the Dragon Slaying Saber are nowhere to be found.¡± ¡°Otherwise, combining these swords¡­¡± Beside him, listening to Cao Ju¡¯s muttering, Dian Man couldn¡¯t help but ask, ¡°Young lord, I know about Zhao Yun and the Qing Gang sword you mentioned.¡± ¡°But¡­¡± ¡°What are the Golden-Haired Lion King and the Dragon Slaying Saber?¡± Looking at Dian Man¡¯s curious expression, Cao Ju teased, ¡°The Golden-Haired Poet King, his name is Xie Xun.¡± ¡°He¡¯s the lifelong rival of the Poet Immortal Li Bai and the Sage of Poetry Du Fu.¡± Without waiting for Dian Man to continue questioning¡­ Not interested in explaining to Dian Man who Li Bai and Du Fu were, Cao Ju had lifted the tent¡¯s curtain and entered inside. His gaze shifted back inside the central military tent. Cao Cao, who was reading the scroll, once again had a vexed expression. ¡°This rascal!¡± ¡°Expressing admiration for L¨¹ Bu¡¯s daughter is one thing!¡± ¡°But why does he have to involve himself with Liu Bei¡¯s two daughters, who were taken as captives after the Battle of Changban years ago?¡± Chapter 47 - Arriving at Chaohu, the Battle Between Cao and Suns Armies Begins! Chapter 47: Arriving at Chaohu, the Battle Between Cao and Sun¡¯s Armies Begins!In the days before the Battle of Red Cliffs, when Liu Bei was forced to flee to Xinye and then head south to seek refuge with Liu Qi in Jiangxia, Cao Cao¡¯s forces may not have captured the likes of Zhao Yun, who had gone in and out of Liu Bei¡¯s camp seven times, or Liu Bei¡¯s only son, Adou. They also didn¡¯t capture figures like Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, or Jian Yong. However, this didn¡¯t mean that they returned empty-handed. At the very least, Cao Cao¡¯s forces managed to capture Liu Bei¡¯s two daughters. The elder one, Liu Ying. The younger one, Liu Yu. Cao Cao didn¡¯t subject them to any undue hardship when faced with the two daughters of Liu Bei as captives. Nor did he have any intention of taking them as concubines. Instead¡­Cao Cao planned to wait until Liu Bei¡¯s two daughters had grown up and then offer them as rewards, marrying them off to his generals and officers. After all¡­Though Liu Bei¡¯s two daughters were captives, given their father¡¯s status as a nobleman, they could still be considered daughters of nobility. As a result¡­After capturing the two daughters, Cao Cao ordered them to be sent to a place where female relatives of incarcerated officials were kept ¨C a holding area. The term ¡°holding area¡± didn¡¯t mean it was a place of violence or abuse, as the name might suggest. The ¡°holding area¡± was a place of confinement and punishment for guilty palace maids, empresses, and noblewomen. After their punishment, they made clothes for the royal family. Since dyed fabric needed to be sun-dried before it could be used for making clothes and bedding, over time, the term ¡°holding area¡± emerged due to this practice. In the present context, Emperor Liu Xie was entirely under the control of Cao Cao and had no intention of expanding his harem like previous Han emperors. As a result, while the ¡°holding area¡± still existed, it was nearly defunct. In such circumstances, adhering to the principle of making the best of what was available, Cao Cao repurposed the ¡°holding area¡± to house the female relatives of incarcerated government officials. Liu Bei¡¯s two daughters weren¡¯t the only ones housed there. Many of the concubines who once served Yuan Shao were also there. Of course, when discussing the ¡°holding area,¡± it¡¯s impossible not to mention another place that was even more notorious for confining criminal women ¨C the ¡°Yongxiang Yeting.¡± In that place¡­Two of the most famous women from the Han Dynasty met their tragic ends. One was Qi, a favored consort of Emperor Liu Bang during his lifetime. She was brutally mutilated by Empress Lu Zhi in the ¡°Yongxiang Yeting,¡± having her limbs chopped off, eyes gouged out, ears pierced to deafness, and throat silenced, ultimately turning into a human pig. The other was Lady Hook, a beloved concubine of Emperor Wu of Han, Liu Che. In his later years, Emperor Liu Che took measures to prevent Lady Hook, the mother of Crown Prince Liu Fuleng, from repeating the actions of Empress L¨¹ Zhi by meddling in political affairs from the harem. Before his death, Emperor Liu Che directly ordered the secret execution of his concubine, Lady Hook, in the ¡°Yongxiang Yeting.¡± In the main tent of the central military camp, recalling the incidents of capturing Liu Bei¡¯s daughters in his army, Cao Cao¡¯s curiosity didn¡¯t fade. Observing Cao Ju¡¯s remarkable performance over the past few days, Cao Cao found it hard to believe that his son, who had suddenly shown his potential, would be a licentious person. Cao Cao was confident in his ability to judge people. Continuing to read the accounts of Cao Ju¡¯s actions, Cao Cao¡¯s expression revealed an ¡°I knew it¡± look. ¡°Hehe!¡± ¡°My son took Liu Bei¡¯s daughters from the ¡®holding area,¡¯ intending to lay his hands on them is a ruse¡­¡± ¡°Perhaps his true intention is to reach Xu Yuanzhi (Xu Shu)!¡± Thinking about Xu Shu¡¯s silence after ¡°abandoning¡± Liu Bei and ¡°joining¡± Cao Cao, Cao Cao realized with delight that his son Cao Ju¡¯s approach might have changed the mind of the talented and loyal Xu Yuanzhi. ¡°That¡¯s right! That¡¯s right!¡± ¡°Even if Zimou (Liu Bei) couldn¡¯t get Jia Xu if he can recruit Xu Yuanzhi, he might be able to contend with Sima Yi and Chen Qun, who have sided with Zihuan (Cao Pi).¡± Praising his son for a few more sentences, Cao Cao, who had lost his sleepiness, became increasingly interested in Cao Ju¡¯s recent actions. Unconsciously, the night grew darker¡­ On the other side¡­Cao Pi, who had returned from Sima Yi¡¯s tent and had barely slept for half an hour, was again interrupted by a report from his trusted attendants. When he learned that Xu Chu, on Cao Cao¡¯s orders, had taken the Heaven Sword to deliver it to his eighth younger brother, Cao Ju, the historical Emperor Wen of Wei, found himself suffering from insomnia once more! The next day, before dawn, the army went about cooking meals. By the time the day had fully brightened, the soldiers had eaten their breakfast and were also prepared and ready. They only awaited Cao Cao¡¯s command to continue their march. As for Cao Cao¡­ Though he had stayed up a bit later due to observing Cao Ju¡¯s recent actions, he still carried an alert and spirited demeanor when he appeared before the soldiers. S§×arch* The n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡°Set forth!¡± ¡°Continue heading south!¡± In the following days of the march, Cao Ju couldn¡¯t help but wonder if it was his imagination, for his father Cao Cao¡¯s gaze upon him always felt somewhat strange. And it wasn¡¯t just that. Cao Cao seemed to have been struck by a whim. He had sent Cao Ju to Zhang Liao¡¯s location to have him train in martial arts alongside Zhang Liao. The result was¡­Cao Ju, who had no aptitude for martial arts and couldn¡¯t bear the hardships of training, not only caused Zhang Liao, who had been entrusted by their lord to teach him martial skills, to feel very tired. Even Cao Ju himself¡­felt utterly exhausted. He had never aspired to become a formidable warrior on the battlefield! The good news was that such days didn¡¯t last long. Cao Ju¡¯s martial skills, under Zhang Liao¡¯s guidance, improved to a level that was no less than that of an¡­ ordinary person! But when it came to opponents who were anything but ordinary¡­ In one-on-one combat, his chances of survival were slim! On the eighth day of November, after nearly half a month of marching, the grand army finally reached the banks of Chao Lake. At that moment, warships covered the surface of Chao Lake. Cao Hong had arrived earlier and was now commanding the Wei navy at the confluence of Chao Lake and the Ruxu River, leading the vanguard army facing off against the Jiangdong navy. On the masts of both navy¡¯s ships, banners bearing the characters ¡°Cao¡± and ¡°Sun¡± fluttered in the strong winds, making a rustling sound. Although Sun Quan¡¯s figure was not visible¡­ Both Cao Cao and Cao Ju, father and son, were well aware: Sun Quan was right there! Right before them! The great battle between the two sides was about to erupt, just within reach. Chapter 48 - The Jiangdong Navy Still Stands, Zhou Gongjin of the Past Nowhere to Be Seen! Chapter 48: The Jiangdong Navy Still Stands, Zhou Gongjin of the Past Nowhere to Be Seen!¡°Li Dian! I pay my respects to Lord Cao!¡± Not long after Cao Cao¡¯s grand army had arrived at Chao Lake, but before the order was given to set up camp, as a Cao army warship approached the shore of Chao Lake in the distance, Li Dian, the deputy to vanguard general Cao Hong, had disembarked from the ship. ¡°Hahaha!¡± Cao Cao laughed heartily, then turned to those around him, including Xun You, Zhang Liao, Yu Jin, Sima Yi, Cao Ju, Cao Pi, Cao Zhang, and others, saying, ¡°Since we¡¯ve reached Chao Lake, how could we not take a look at the enemy¡¯s formation?¡± ¡°The other generals will stay to arrange the army¡¯s encampment. The rest of you, come with me onto the ship to witness.¡± During this process, Cao Cao didn¡¯t question why only Li Dian had come and why Cao Hong hadn¡¯t. In his heart, Cao Cao was as clear as a mirror. Because at this moment, his younger cousin Cao Hong could not leave. He must be facing off against the Jiangdong navy. As the main commander of the vanguard army, if Cao Hong had come here with Li Dian to welcome Cao Cao, their navy would undoubtedly have fallen into a state of chaos without a leader. Subsequently, Cao Cao took the lead and stepped onto Li Dian¡¯s warship, which had come to welcome him. Cao Ju¡¯s movements weren¡¯t slow. However, unlike Cao Cao, who was accustomed to warships and was focused on the distant Jiangdong navy, Cao Ju, after stepping onto the warship, was profoundly awed by its sheer size. The warship he stood on was approximately eighty zhang long (a Chinese unit of measurement), with three decks from top to bottom. Not only was the exterior of the warship imposing and filled with the aura of Wei¡¯s martial might, but soldiers in armor stood on both sides of the ship, spears, and weapons thrusting into the sky. With just a glance, there were nearly a thousand soldiers onboard. It could be considered a floating fortress. Comparing this to the illustrations of early Western ships from history textbooks of later eras, during the Age of Exploration, the scale of those ships was nothing compared to what he was seeing now. It was as if those ships didn¡¯t even matter! Even the ship Christopher Columbus used to discover the New World, aside from its slightly better sea-going capabilities¡­ Could any aspect of it compare to the ship beneath his feet? ¡°Young master, it seems that as someone new to warships, you¡¯re quite amazed by this vessel?¡± At an unknown moment, Xun You had come to Cao Ju¡¯s side. The lake breeze ruffled the beard under his chin, and Xun You smiled while looking at Cao Ju. ¡°Not hiding anything from Counselor Xun,¡± ¡°Indeed, I¡¯m truly astounded in my heart.¡± ¡°At the same time, I feel a sense of curiosity¡­¡± ¡°If our navy¡¯s warships, which are not skilled in naval warfare, are already like this, what kind of scale will the enemy¡¯s Jiangdong navy, which is renowned for its maritime strength, possess?¡± In response to Cao Ju¡¯s question, Xun You smiled and pointed towards a distant Jiangdong military flag. ¡°Young master, have you seen that enemy¡¯s battle flag?¡± Following Xun You¡¯s gesture, Cao Ju quickly noticed that the Jiangdong military flag seemed much higher than the others. ¡°I see it!¡± He nodded slightly. ¡°Where that flag stands is the unique large warship of Jiangdong in the whole world ¨C the Tower Ship.¡± ¡°It has five levels, towering over ten zhang high, with the distance from bow to stern reaching a hundred zhang. This single warship can carry three thousand soldiers.¡± ¡°With a few Tower Ships in action, they can dominate the entire river.¡± ¡°In the battle of Chibi of yesteryear, our defeat was not only due to the timing of the elements but also to the advantage of the enemy¡¯s warships.¡± As for the other reasons for the defeat, Xun, You left them unsaid. Had he not noticed that Lord Cao Cao was standing nearby? S§×arch* The Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. If Xun You had mentioned them, would Cao Cao¡¯s expression have remained pleasant? ¡°Yes, Counselor, your words are correct.¡± While Cao Ju didn¡¯t necessarily agree with Xun You¡¯s words, he wisely chose to concur. The defeat at Chibi might have been influenced by timing and the advantage of the enemy¡¯s warships, but those were all external reasons. The real reason for the defeat was just one¡­His father, Cao Cao, had been too hasty. Had his father, Cao Cao, taken a proper rest and spent five-ten years, after defeating Yuan Shao and subduing the Wuhuan, all the while building a formidable navy¡­ The southern reaches of the Yangtze River could have been settled with a single decisive battle. How could it have made the Sun and Liu forces so powerful in the south? When Cao Ju and Xun You were conversing, as Li Dian ordered, the Cao army warships gradually moved away from the shore and sailed towards the lake¡¯s center. Half an hour later, Cao Ju and the warship carrying Cao Cao had joined with Cao Hong¡¯s flagship. Crossing the temporary plank bridge between the two ships, Cao Ju finally stood on the flagship where his father, Cao Cao, was located, and from this vantage point, he saw the entirety of the Jiangdong military. The warships stretched out, covering Chao Lake. While the grandeur of their military formation might not match the vast and overwhelming scene of the two hundred thousand Wei soldiers marching out when he witnessed it at Hefei¡­ But amidst it all, the boundless lake waters as the backdrop gave a sense of awe differently. The Chao Lake naval battle had yet to commence, but it was already breathtaking. Four years ago, the Battle of Chibi determined the course of the north and south, influencing the future of Chinese history. How spectacular would it be? At that time, Zhou Gongjin, also known as Zhou Yu, standing on the mighty Yangtze River, must have been a remarkable figure. However, he had arrived too late at this time. He never had the chance to meet him to witness Zhou Yu¡¯s magnificence. What a pity¡­ Cao Ju sighed deeply in his heart. The Jiangdong navy still dominated the river, but the beautiful Zhou Lang of the past was nowhere to be seen! Chapter 49 - The Meeting of the Two Heroes at the End of the Han Dynasty! Sun Quan Meets Cao Cao! Chapter 49: The Meeting of the Two Heroes at the End of the Han Dynasty! Sun Quan Meets Cao Cao!At the confluence of Chao Lake and Ruxu River, before Cao Cao arrived at Chao Lake, Sun Quan stood on the Tower Ship, his feet beneath a large banner with the character ¡°Sun,¡± gazing northward. ¡°Xingba, I¡¯ve noticed some commotion coming from the direction of the Cao army warship where Cao Hong is.¡± ¡°Could it be Cao Cao who has arrived?¡± In the prime of his life at thirty years old, Sun Quan raised his arm and pointed northward as he spoke. As he talked, he turned to look at a mighty and extraordinary general by his side. Upon hearing the inquiry from their lord, Sun Quan, Gan Ning squinted his eyes and gazed into the distance for a moment¡­ ¡°Report to our lord! It should indeed be Cao Cao who has arrived.¡± As someone who once dominated the waters of the Yangtze River, the fearless pirate under the nickname ¡°Jinfan Thief,¡± Gan Ning possessed exceptional aquatic skills and extraordinary eyesight surpassing that of an average person. Others might have their vision distorted by the rising mist and vapor on rivers, lakes, and seas, which could lead to misjudgments. However, for Gan Ning, that possibility might exist¡­ But it was very, very slim. Hearing Gan Ning¡¯s affirmation, a chuckle echoed from the ranks of the various Jiangdong generals standing ahead. ¡°Hehe, Cao Cao has come!¡± ¡°It seems that he still hasn¡¯t learned his lesson from the defeat at Chibi four years ago. He remains unyielding in his intentions toward our Jiangdong.¡± ¡°By doing this, he¡¯s underestimating me, Sun Quan, and the might of our Jiangdong army.¡± ¡°Four years ago, we forced his 800,000-strong army to retreat on the great river¡¯s banks. Now, he¡¯s coming with merely 200,000 soldiers. How can that be a cause for fear?¡± As Sun Quan spoke, his expression exuded confidence. Coincidentally, he had every reason to be confident. Cao Cao, who had dominated the world and defeated the likes of Yuan Shu, Yuan Shao, and Lu Bu, had been defeated by Sun Quan, who was leading Jiangdong in his early twenties. The realm¡¯s people had no right to speak these words, but Sun Quan alone had the authority. Sear?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Moreover, it had been four years since the Battle of Chibi. Sun Quan suppressed dissent within his territory with the aura of a great victory and forged Jiangdong into a stronghold like an iron bucket. His confidence was stronger than ever before. And it wasn¡¯t just Sun Quan. After Sun Quan finished speaking, the generals who accompanied him northward from Jiangdong¡ªCheng Pu, Gan Ning, Zhou Tai, Jiang Qin, Xu Sheng, Ling Tong, and others¡ªall burst into laughter. Amidst the laughter was a touch of disdain towards the Cao army. There was no trace of the cautiousness they had felt four years ago, facing the 800,000-strong Cao army lined up along the great river. The formidable enemy of that time. Facing today¡¯s defeated opponents, in the face of such enemies, the Jiangdong commanders would never feel fear. Once the laughter of the generals subsided, Sun Quan issued a direct command. ¡°Spread the word!¡± ¡°Move the Tower Ships forward. I intend to meet Cao Cao on the surface of Chao Lake, between the two armies¡¯ formations.¡± ¡°Ask him why he¡¯s needlessly encroached upon Jiangdong.¡± Soon after, the flagship of the Jiangdong Navy slowly set into motion, heading toward the flagship of the Cao army. After traveling for a while, it stopped on the lake¡¯s surface when the Jiangdong Tower Ship carrying Sun Quan was about five hundred zhang away from the Cao army¡¯s navy. Standing on the deck, Sun Quan gazed at the distant visage of Cao Cao surrounded by his generals. A slight smile appeared on Sun Quan¡¯s lips. ¡°Someone, come forward! Send someone on a light boat to Cao Cao¡¯s location and tell him¡­¡± ¡°I, as the ruler of Jiangdong, wish to meet Cao Cao at the heart of this lake and ask if he dares to join me.¡± As Sun Quan spoke, the Jiangdong generals behind him were suddenly alarmed. ¡°Lord, you must not!¡± ¡°Absolutely not!¡± ¡°As the ruler of Jiangdong, if something were to happen to you¡­¡± Unexpectedly, facing their objections, Sun Quan halted them directly. He turned around to look at the generals behind him. Smiling, he said, ¡°Generals, do you think that with the protection of you and my Jiangdong navy¡­¡± ¡°I could still be captured in front of everyone by Cao Cao?¡± After finishing his words, Sun Quan disregarded the generals¡¯ reactions and turned to an attendant beside him. He said, ¡°Why are you just standing there?¡± ¡°Go quickly!!!¡± A while later, Cao Cao and his companions, contemplating the sudden approach of the Jiangdong Tower Ship, suddenly saw a light boat approaching them from the opposite side. ¡°Interesting!¡± ¡°Is Sun Quan fearing the might of my Cao army and sending surrender documents?¡± Cao Cao¡¯s jest prompted laughter from the generals behind him. Cao Pi, on the other hand, rolled his eyes in exasperation. Knowing the outcome of Cao Cao¡¯s dual expedition to Chao Lake against Sun Quan in history, he wasn¡¯t about to believe his father Cao Cao¡¯s joking words. Rather than a surrender document, Cao Pi was more inclined to believe that this was a provocation from Sun Quan to Cao Cao. Cao Cao¡¯s orders had already been given as he was thinking this. ¡°Spread the word! Do not shoot arrows to kill the incoming person. Bring him to me.¡± ¡°I want to see what tricks Sun Quan is playing.¡± The Jiangdong messenger on the light boat was brought before Cao Cao a moment later. To say he was ¡°before¡± Cao Cao wouldn¡¯t be entirely accurate. It would be more appropriate to say they were at least ten steps apart. Right here, a group of Cao army soldiers and officers stood vigilantly next to the Jiangdong messenger. Under such circumstances, even if it were the reincarnations of Zhuan Zhu and Jing Ke, they wouldn¡¯t be able to shed a drop of Cao Cao¡¯s blood, not in the slightest. ¡°Lord, these are the letters we found on him. It¡¯s from Sun Quan, written to you.¡± Cao Cao took the letters from the Jiangdong messenger, which had been retrieved from him by Cao Hong. After opening and reading them, he burst into laughter. ¡°Unexpected!¡± ¡°Sun Quan dares to invite me for a meeting in the middle of the lake?¡± ¡°This is quite surprising.¡± ¡°If I, Cao Cao, don¡¯t go, wouldn¡¯t that make him underestimate me?¡±