"Father, you don't need to worry!"
Cao Ang looked at Cao Man, the county magistrate of Cao County, whose expression was as if he had been bitten by a snake. He felt both heartache and anger.
It was all thanks to his two "useless younger brothers" for making their father so upset.
Cao Ang made up his mind. This time, after they besieged the "rebel army" and captured Cao Zhi and Cao Pi alive, he would punish them severely. Merely spanking their bottoms would not be enough; he would spank them... twice!
While contemplating how to heavily punish his two younger brothers, Cao Ang comforted his father, Cao Man.
"Father, I have made thorough preparations. This time, I will definitely succeed in eradicating the rebel army..."
Upon hearing this, County Magistrate Cao Man's face turned even paler, and he felt worse.
Damn it!
The same old recipe, the same old trick!
His third son, Cao Zhi, had said similar words before.
Then, Cao Zhi smoothly "defected."
Not only did he "defect," but Cao Zhi also sent a "ransom note" demanding a large sum of money from County Magistrate Cao Man.
County Magistrate Cao Man actually believed that Cao Zhi had been kidnapped and immediately sold off his assets to raise the ransom for the "rebels."
In the end, the money was taken, but the person did not return.
The third son, Cao Zhi, still had some conscience. He sent a letter back through someone.
He said he had found his lifelong pursuit and wanted to follow his "Lord" to overthrow the tyranny of the imperial court.
Who was this "Lord"?
Of course, it was the "rebel leader," Liu Xiuer!
Not long after this incident, Cao Man's second son, Cao Pi, returned. Hearing the news of his third brother's "defection," he was furious. Cao Pi immediately declared his intention to defeat the rebels and bring his third brother back to apologize to their father.
Then, Cao Pi smoothly "defected."
What was even more outrageous was that Cao Pi, learning from his third brother Cao Zhi's example, wrote a "ransom note" to County Magistrate Cao Man.
What else could County Magistrate Cao Man do?
Sell off his assets and gather the money, of course!
The money Cao Man raised was once again in vain.
The money was given, but the person did not return.
The second son, Cao Pi, also sent a letter back through someone, the content of which was exactly the same as his third brother Cao Zhi's.
He said he had found his lifelong pursuit and wanted to follow his "Lord" to overthrow the tyranny of the imperial court.
Damn it!
Having experienced two "bitter lessons," the county magistrate's mood can only be imagined when he heard his eldest son, Cao Ang, announce that he was going to suppress the "rebels."
County Magistrate Cao Man looked expectantly at his eldest son, Cao Ang, and said, trying to persuade him.
"Ang'er, can't you not go suppress the rebels?"
Cao Ang was stunned by his words.
The "plot twist" was very different from what he had imagined!
On his way here, Cao Ang had excitedly thought that his father would surely be very happy when he learned he was going to suppress the "rebels"!
But the reality was far from his imagination!
His father's reaction was completely unrelated to happiness, at least not in the slightest.
Cao Ang thought his father was worried about his two younger brothers and tried to comfort him.
"Father, don't worry, I won't be too harsh on my second and third brothers. As long as they are willing to correct their mistakes, I can represent the imperial court and forgive them, allowing them to return to the Imperial Observatory."
Cao Ang believed he had shown considerable "sincerity." Surely his father would be satisfied now?
Unexpectedly, County Magistrate Cao Man still shook his head with a wry smile.
Sigh!
What a foolish child!
It's not your two brothers I'm worried about; it's you! Once you go, you'll most likely be conquered by that "Lord" and follow him to overthrow the imperial court's tyranny.
"Ang'er, please, as your father, can you just not go?"
Cao Ang frowned. He truly couldn't understand why his father was repeatedly trying to stop him.
But now, the "arrow was already on the bowstring and had to be fired"!
Cao Ang shook his head and said to Cao Man.
"I'm sorry, Father. This time, I cannot obey you. I must follow the imperial court's orders and go to surround and suppress the rebels..."
Upon hearing this, County Magistrate Cao Man let out a deep sigh.
Alas!
It's over!
No need to say anything more, let's start preparing to sell off the "Cao family's ancestral property" to pay the ransom!
As for whether Cao Ang, his eldest son, would return after the ransom was paid, it would be up to fate...
County Magistrate Cao Man recognized the reality and began to bow his head and compromise with fate!
The atmosphere became heavy and awkward for a moment.
Cao Ang didn't know what was wrong with his dear father, but "a king's order is hard to defy." He had to go and surround and suppress the "rebels" according to the imperial court's command.
Helplessly, Cao Ang bid farewell to Cao Man.
"Father, please wait for my triumphant return. I will definitely bring my two younger brothers back to you..."
Before he could finish speaking, Cao Man interrupted him directly.
"Ang'er, your father has decided. This time, I will personally lead the local militia and accompany you to suppress the bandits!"
This...
Weapons have no eyes, and there are quite a few powerful cultivators among the "rebels." Cao Ang did not want his beloved father to put himself in danger.
However, he could not refuse Cao Man's insistence. Helplessly, Cao Ang agreed.
Thus, Cao Ang led the "Ten Dragon-Tiger Young Celestial Masters," and Cao Man led the "Cao County Militia." The two forces merged and marched grandly towards the "Heze Heavy Town."
At this point, the three armies to suppress the "Righteous Army" were fully formed.
First, there were the "Twelve Zodiac Taoists" led by "Zi Shu Daoist." Well... now there are only "Ten Zodiac Taoists" left, because "Mao Tu Daoist" and "Si She Daoist" have already been killed.
Secondly, there was the "Two Devils Army," consisting of hundreds of sects led by "True Man Yuanyuan" and "Fairy Cai Jing."
Finally, there was the combined army of Cao Ang leading the "Ten Dragon-Tiger Young Celestial Masters" and Cao Man leading the "Cao County Militia."
The three armies, according to the deployment of the "Imperial Observatory," were independent of each other, but in the general direction, they were to obey the command of "Zi Shu Daoist."
Heh heh...
This was very delicate!
In the past, when "Zi Shu Daoist" was still known for his intelligence and flawless strategy, Cao Ang, "True Man Yuanyuan," "Fairy Cai Jing," and others might have given him some face, but now...
Because of "Zi Shu Daoist's" misjudgment, he had led his two good brothers, "Mao Tu Daoist" and "Si She Daoist," to their deaths. Did such a person still have the right to command them all?
The thoughts of "True Man Yuanyuan" and "Fairy Cai Jing" were: our "Two Devils Army" must work hard, strive, make achievements, and perform better, so as to gain a higher status within the "Imperial Court Faction."
They were determined to compete for merit with "Zi Shu Daoist" and naturally would not obey his command.
Cao Ang's thoughts were simpler.
If "Zi Shu Daoist" could lead his own brothers to their deaths, I would definitely not listen to your command. What if you make another misjudgment and lead me to my death as well?