"Chen Deng, Chen Yuanlong!"
No one expected that the one appearing in the downpour, calling to halt the confrontation between both sides, would be Chen Deng, whose body had not yet fully recovered.
At this moment, he was thoroughly drenched by the heavy rain. His soaked clothes and trousers clung tightly to him in a most uncomfortable manner, while his eyes were crystal clear, as if from the rain, or perhaps like glistening tears.
"Master... Master Chen..."
Lü Lingqi murmured, and suddenly, her eyes flickered with an extremely complex light.
Master?
This appellation made Hou Cheng's brow furrow.
"Yuanlong? Why are you stopping me? Could it be that you still care about the master-disciple bond? Isn't your purpose in approaching Lü Lingqi precisely to gain Lü Bu's trust!" Hou Cheng coldly snorted. "Things have come to this, at a critical juncture; how can there be feminine benevolence!"
As this voice echoed out...
A sigh escaped Chen Deng. He waved his hand, and countless armored soldiers behind him surrounded Lü Lingqi.
"General Wei, General Hou, the urgent task is to steal Lü Bu's Fangtian Huaji and Red Hare horse, capture Lü Bu, and surrender the city..."
As he spoke, Chen Deng paused. His gaze shifted to Lü Lingqi. "Leave this girl to me. You quickly go to the Yamen and execute the original plan!"
As these words left his mouth...
"Master Chen... you... you... you really want to harm Father?" Although Lü Lingqi had heard the plans of Chen Deng and Yang Xiu beforehand, at this moment, her face still showed utter disbelief.
Lü Lingqi still couldn't believe that the Chen Deng, the Master Chen who patiently and diligently taught her military strategy and tactics, had always intended to harm her father.
Xiapi City indeed had an inside traitor, but the traitor was the person she respected most.
At barely over ten years of age, how could Lü Lingqi's heart withstand such trauma? She had thought everyone around her was good, but now... it seemed that everyone around her, except her father, was a bad person!
"Young Lady, Lü Bu's fate is sealed. It's not that I want to harm him, but that he has brought ruin upon himself!"
Chen Deng's tone turned incredibly cold.
"You..." Lü Lingqi wanted to speak, but she didn't know what to say. In the past, Diao Chan had told her that the adult world was always filled with deception and intrigue; open swords were easy to dodge, but hidden arrows were hard to guard against!
At this moment, Lü Lingqi felt she had grown up.
"Generals, why are you still dawdling? Hurry to the Yamen and capture Lü Bu! Surely you won't delay Young Master Lu's plan!"
Just then, Chen Deng coldly ordered Wei Xu, Hou Cheng, and the others.
Wei Xu and Hou Cheng exchanged glances. At this moment, how could they not believe Chen Deng? Chen Deng was their backbone!
"Let's go..."
Wei Xu waved his hand, and immediately, countless armored soldiers followed him and hurried towards the Yamen!
There, Lingju was weeping, there, Diao Chan was distraught, and there, Lü Bu was exhausted to his limits...
Lingju's cries and the pouring rain outside were like whips lashing at Lü Bu's nerves.
At this moment, he was already extremely fatigued, even... too drowsy to open his eyes!
He was nodding off...
Now was the perfect time to act!
"You all come back... you are not allowed to harm Father." This time, it was Lü Lingqi chasing after Hou Cheng and Wei Xu.
However, countless weapons blocked her way.
"Young Lady, you cannot save anyone. Your opponent is Master Chen right here!" Chen Deng murmured softly.
Immediately, he coldly commanded, "Form ranks!"
Indeed... as Lü Bu's appointed Right Censor, Chen Deng held certain military authority.
These armored soldiers, having been trained by him, could already form battle formations, more than enough to deal with a mere Lü Lingqi!
"Young Lady, please forgive me..." the low murmur fell.
"Clang clang clang..."
Lü Lingqi's spear met the continuous clash of weapons, the sound of metal on metal unceasing, but... this sound quickly came to an abrupt halt.
Facing the battle formation set by Chen Deng, Lü Lingqi couldn't even last ten moves.
"It's over."
Looking at the bound Lü Lingqi, Chen Deng closed his eyes and shook his head slightly...
Lü Lingqi, however, was still shouting, "It was me, it was me who misjudged! It was me... me who harmed Father, who harmed Xiapi City!"
Her eyes brimming with tears...
Obvious tear tracks appeared on Lü Lingqi's face. The tears merged with the rain, pattering on her body. She couldn't distinguish whether it was the cold or the pain that she felt on her body, nor could she tell if her heart was bleeding or weeping!
Moments from the past flashed before her eyes...
In the past, if she, Lü Lingqi, hadn't insisted on learning military strategy and tactics from Chen Deng, how would Chen Deng have caught her father's attention? How would he have become the Right Censor, holding great power, and even framed the strategist, Master Chen Gong?
All of this, the origin of it all, lay with her, Lü Lingqi!
Mistake, all wrong!
Thinking of this, Lü Lingqi's eyes watered even more, like pearls that had broken from a string.
Why?
She wanted to ask, why was all of this happening?
"Didn't Young Lady always want to learn strategy?" Chen Deng slowly walked towards Lü Lingqi... "This is strategy. Gaining someone's trust is strategy, and using that trust to achieve what you desire is also strategy! The adult world is far more complex than you imagine... I truly wish..."
As he spoke, Chen Deng's eyes slowly closed. He wanted to say that he wished Lü Lingqi had not gone to Chen Mansion that day, and had not overheard their schemes!
That way, Lü Lingqi would still be that carefree, boisterous girl.
But after this night, the "innocent" heart within the girl would finally cease to exist. Da Feng Novel Network.
Chen Deng hesitated, deciding it was better not to tell her.
The reasons behind this...
How could a girl understand?
Naivete, Lü Bu was still too naive. He naively believed that the Danyang faction and the scholar faction among the three factions of Xuzhou had all pledged allegiance to him.
Alas... the scholar faction, while nominally pledging allegiance to him, had actually long since joined Cao's ranks.
The struggle between factions? It had always been dark, an undercurrent surging!
"Master Chen? How should we deal with this Lü Lingqi?"
An armored soldier asked Chen Deng.
A sigh escaped Chen Deng. "Take her down, escort her to Chen Mansion, no..."
His pupils rolled slightly, and he hesitated. "Escort her to the East City Gate. When we open the city to surrender, present the Young Lady to Chancellor Cao, to Minister Lu!"
This...
The armored soldier was slightly stunned.
In his impression, presenting the Young Lady to Chancellor Cao or Minister Lu wasn't a big deal...
However, there was still a garrison at the South City Gate, the Taishan Army of Zang Ba!
In his impression... Zang Ba was not among the eight fierce generals who participated in the rebellion and seized the city this time?
This...
Before the armored soldier could ask further questions.
Chen Deng raised his voice, "Why are you still standing there, quickly escort the Young Lady to the East City Gate!"
"Yes!" The armored soldier dared not hesitate or retort.
... After all, at this moment, the highest-ranking individuals in the entire Xiapi City were Chen Deng and Yang Xiu. Who would dare to defy their wishes?
"Master Chen, you... you..."
Even as she was being escorted to the East City Gate, Lü Lingqi still bared her teeth at Chen Deng.
She wanted to scold "Master Chen" vehemently, but... but she couldn't bring herself to do it.
Each serving their own master, how could she blame Master Chen? She could only blame herself... blame herself for being too foolish, too naive, for treating everyone around her as a good person.
Stomp... stomp...
Footsteps fell into the puddles, the sound exceptionally clear. After the armored soldiers took Lü Lingqi away, Chen Deng tilted his face towards the void.
It seemed that from gaining Lü Bu's trust, to alienating Chen Gong, to inciting the civil and military officials of Xiapi City, the entire operation he participated in had been successful!
Only, it was Lü Lingqi who made him feel guilty!
Lü Lingqi truly considered him, Chen Deng, as her master!
Alas, alas...
A breath.
"Young Lady, my apologies!" Chen Deng slowly lowered his head, his gaze looking towards the East City Gate. "This is all Master can do!"
"Young Lady, take care..."
A profound statement.
...
...
Xiapi City, Prison.
This place was inherently damp and cold, and with the torrential downpour, it felt even colder.
At this moment, Chen Gong was curled up, leaning against a corner of the prison cell, as if only in this way could he retain a trace of warmth.
"Master Chen, take a look at this, fine wine."
A jailer named Wu quietly carried a plate of snacks and a pot of hot wine. He opened the cage and spread the wine and snacks on the stone steps in front of Chen Gong.
With a fawning demeanor...
Since ancient times, there have been opportunists!
Just like the humble status of Jailer Wu.
If it were ordinary times, when Chen Gong held a high position, there would be no chance to show him respect. But now, it was worth a gamble. If he won, perhaps he could also rise to prominence with Chen Gong!
"Master Chen, how is it, how is this wine?"
"The wine is good." After taking a small sip, Chen Gong felt much warmer all over. "Didn't Fengxian tell you not to send me wine and food? Sending food secretly was already defying his orders. How is it that you're sending wine today?"
This...
Jailer Wu scratched his head. "Master Chen, you wouldn't know this, but the entire Xiapi City is in turmoil now. Your good days are coming!"
"Turmoil?" Chen Gong coldly asked, "Why is there turmoil?"
"Isn't it because Chancellor Cao outside the city dug a trench and plans to divert the Si River to flood our Xiapi City."
Jailer Wu explained truthfully. "Speaking of which, Chancellor Cao has been very benevolent. He even gave General Lü an opportunity to surrender voluntarily. If he doesn't surrender, then when the heavy rain falls, it will be the day the floodwaters inundate us, and all the soldiers and civilians of Xiapi City will become fish and turtles in the water. It is for this reason..."
A sigh.
Upon hearing this, Chen Gong gasped.
Heavy rain, Si River, inundation?
This...
"You mean, today... today's heavy rain, Cao Cao will open the floodgates and divert the Si River to flood our Xiapi City?"
Chen Gong asked in shock.
"Yes..." Jailer Wu nodded repeatedly. "Otherwise, the soldiers and civilians of the entire Xiapi City would not be in an uproar. Everyone is uniting and heading towards the various city gates, determined to open them to welcome Chancellor Cao into the city! Otherwise, if the floodwaters really inundate us, wouldn't the people of Xiapi suffer!"
Yes...
Chen Gong's face suddenly became extremely grim.
Imagine, who doesn't have a wife and children? Facing a flood? Strong men could escape to higher ground, but how could the lives of the entire family be preserved?
Uprising, mutiny... it seemed unexpected, but upon closer thought, it was perfectly logical.
"Heh..."
"Hehehe..."
Understanding this, Chen Gong let out a bitter laugh.
Jailer Wu looked up curiously and asked, "Master Chen, what are you laughing at?"
Chen Gong shook his head, his eyes full of dejection. "Cao Mengde, oh Cao Mengde, his true intention is not in the wine, and his intention in digging the trench is not to flood Xiapi! Heh heh... human hearts, it's human hearts again, the hearts of fear, the hearts of surrender. Cao Mengde... no, not Cao Mengde. This kind of strategy has always been the style of that Hidden Dragon!"
"Heh heh heh, merely by digging a canal... to break through the solid walls of Xiapi City, without bloodshed... Impressive, truly impressive..."
Heh...
Jailer Wu's eyes rolled. Although he didn't understand what Chen Gong was saying, he still felt it sounded very impressive.
It seemed that it wasn't Chancellor Cao who was impressive, but Hidden Dragon. Then the question arises?
Is Hidden Dragon by Chancellor Cao's side?
Jailer Wu's eyes darted around, utterly confused but impressed!
Chen Gong, however, was still sighing to the heavens.
"It's beyond saving, even I cannot save it!"
"The loss of a city or a county, the adversities of the battlefield, these are not terrifying, and they can be turned around. But... when the hearts of the people are scattered, Xiapi City naturally cannot be defended."
"Hidden Dragon has seen through Lü Bu, seen through me, Chen Gong, and seen through the hearts of the people of Xiapi City. His strategies of 'attacking the enemy by attacking the heart' each strike at the throat of Xiapi City."
Chen Gong's eyes were filled with despair, his voice growing increasingly mournful.
At this moment, in this situation, he finally completely understood Hidden Dragon's plan. From the expedition to Xiapi to the imminent bloodless capture of the city, it was almost predictable that the royal banner on Xiapi City's walls would change tonight!
"Heh heh... heheheh..."
A cold laugh, a bitter laugh, a helpless laugh.
However, Jailer Wu's eyes fixed. "Master Chen, don't you think that the fall of Xiapi City is an opportunity for Master Chen?"
Hmm... Opportunity?
Chen Gong's eyes narrowed, and he immediately retorted, "What opportunity?"
Jailer Wu leaned his head towards Chen Gong. "Master Chen saved Chancellor Cao's life. I heard that Chancellor Cao treated Master Chen with great courtesy in the past. As long as Master Chen shows some flexibility to Chancellor Cao, then... won't you immediately regain a high position?"
This...
Chen Gong paused slightly. What he said was correct!
Chen Gong could also imagine that, given Cao Cao's nature, he would likely put aside past grievances and entrust him with important responsibilities.
But in reality, Chen Gong couldn't overcome his own inner barrier!
"I would rather betray the world than let the world betray me..."
This barrier, Chen Gong could not overcome no matter what.
He could assist a mediocre ruler, but he could not assist a ruthless person.
The incident of Cao Cao killing Lü Boshe happened right before Chen Gong's eyes, still vivid in his memory!
He and Cao Cao were not of the same kind.
Absolutely not!
"I am not of the same kind as Cao Cao!"
"This opportunity, heh heh, I'd rather not have it, rather not have it!" Chen Gong said coldly.
This...
Jailer Wu felt as if the sky had fallen. Damn it, I provided you with good food and drink, all because I wanted to latch onto your coattails. To think... you don't want to surrender to Cao Cao, don't want to be a high official. Instantly... Jailer Wu felt like he had been utterly screwed.
But... he still wanted to try to salvage the situation.
"Master Chen, joining Cao's ranks doesn't necessarily mean joining Chancellor Cao..." Jailer Wu's words were pregnant with meaning. "I heard that Chancellor Cao values the commander of the Dragon's Might Battalion, Lu Yu, the most. Joining him would also be good... The Dragon's Might Battalion is relatively independent, and aren't the civil and military officials in the Dragon's Might Battalion all renowned and powerful?"
"I heard that the medical office in Xuchang is also managed by Commander Lu. Spreading medical officers to heal the sick among the people of the Central Plains is all arranged by Commander Lu! If Master Chen can join the Dragon's Might Battalion, then... then your future will be limitless!"
The implied meaning in Jailer Wu's words was that only if his future was limitless would his own future also be limitless. Master Chen, oh Master Chen, can you be more effective!
Heh...
Don't say it, Jailer Wu's words really stirred Chen Gong's heart a little.
It wasn't that he was stirred by the great reputation of the Dragon's Might Battalion or Lu Yu's compassionate healing...
But rather... the "credo" and "philosophy" that Hidden Dragon had always advocated in his strategies!
Speaking of which, Chen Gong possessed the typical characteristics of a noble scholar of the Han Dynasty – adhering to the governing philosophy of benevolence and filial piety, upholding the principles of loyal service to the sovereign, and his personality was "upright and direct." Whenever he encountered injustice, he would step forward and resist bravely!
To put it bluntly, Chen Gong was the epitome of the "pure stream" scholars, the most distinguished of scholars...
Respecting the Son of Heaven above, and saving the common people below, he valued filial piety and righteousness greatly. Precisely such a person, witnessing Cao Cao kill Lü Boshe, considered it unfilial and unjust!
And the saying "I would rather betray the world than let the world betray me" was entirely different from the creed Chen Gong upheld, hence... the two ultimately went their separate ways.
But Lu Yu of the Dragon's Might Battalion was different from Cao Cao.
The strategies he proposed often adhered to "attacking the enemy by attacking the heart," and conquering without fighting.
Admittedly... in terms of effectiveness, the results were remarkable.
But from another perspective, it was also a way to protect the people, to protect the common folk, and to minimize unnecessary casualties!
His creed seemed to align quite well with what Chen Gong believed.
However, what Chen Gong cared about most was Lu Yu's relationship with Cao Cao, and Lu Yu's relationship with the Han court. This point... was extremely important, even related to whether Chen Gong could willingly pledge his allegiance!
Regardless...
Because of Jailer Wu's reminder, Chen Gong seemed to see a new hope, a hope he could try to pursue.
This was undoubtedly like lighting a candle in the depths of his despair, illuminating the path ahead.
"Perhaps... perhaps... I can try to make contact."
Finally, Chen Gong relented, and this caused the heavy stone in Jailer Wu's heart to settle.
Good heavens, this thigh might actually be a good one to latch onto!
Just then.
Stomp... stomp...
Stomp... stomp...
Urgent footsteps sounded from the entrance of the prison.
In just a moment, a handsome young man, escorted by more than a dozen armored soldiers, arrived before Chen Gong's cell.
"Are you Chen Gong?"
His tone was lofty, and his words could not hide his pride!
"So what? And who are you?" Chen Gong looked coldly at the young man.
"Who I am is not important, but that my young master specifically mentioned wanting to see you, that is exceptionally important." This young man's eyes narrowed, and he replied with a smile.
With that demeanor, that voice, who else could it be but the all-arrogant Yang Xiu?
"And who is your young master?" Chen Gong continued to ask.
"Haha, Master Chen will know when he sees him." Upon saying this, Yang Xiu waved his hand. "Come, take Master Chen back. Be careful, our young master specifically instructed not to mistreat Master Chen."
"Master Chen is, in the eyes of our young master—a respectable opponent!"
Huo... a respectable opponent?
This time, Chen Gong could probably judge who this young master was.
Let alone, being evaluated as a respectable opponent by this young master, no... to be precise, by Hidden Dragon, it made Chen Gong's initially cold mood suddenly become much warmer.
"Heh heh..." He let out a wry smile. "I never thought your young master would think so highly of me, Chen Gong. I wonder if this is good or bad luck!"
Hearing this...
Yang Xiu gave a shallow smile. "Master Chen, don't overthink it! Speaking of which, you are the first person so far that my young master has praised as a 'respectable opponent.' It truly makes me envious!"
This...
Chen Gong raised his head and looked at the sky through the prison window. It was still pouring rain!
"When will your young master enter the city?"
This question was full of implication...
Yang Xiu's eyes narrowed, and he gave a slight smile. "It should be very soon!"
This answer was also full of implication...
Just as Chen Gong asked this question and Yang Xiu gave this answer, at this very moment, within the Xiapi City Yamen... the operation had begun!
Someone was stealing horses!
Someone was stealing the Fangtian Huaji!
Someone was stealing that three-pronged purple gold crown;
Stealing that Western Sichuan red brocade hundred-flower robe;
Stealing that beast-faced swallowing head linked armor;
Stealing that exquisite lion-patterned belt...
Lü Bu, stripped of his divine equipment? How much combat power could he have?
...
...
-- Xiapi City Yamen Attacked!
-- Countless armored soldiers, countless warriors, instantly assembled, each holding a saber, like tigers and wolves! In the middle of the night, with heavy rain pouring down, they seemed to descend from the heavens. By the time Lü Bu awoke, countless spears and swords were pointed at him, and his body was already bound by firm ropes!
Right before Diao Chan, right before Lingju.
Wuwuwu...
Wawawa...
The fierce wind and torrential rain roared in, and soon, this land returned to its original quietude and desolation...
Only remaining were... Diao Chan's cries, Lingju's cries!
Still continuously echoing in this place!
...
...