In the early morning, a faint sunlight cast into the courtyard. Cao Cao rose early and strode into the main hall.
At this moment, the hall was already filled with people. Today was the scheduled meeting, attended by a group of clan brothers and trusted advisors.
Naturally, the talents of Yingchuan were also present.
The council was less than a quarter of an hour away from the morning session.
Outside the gates of the Sikong Mansion, Sima Yi sat by the entrance, clearly having spent the entire night there.
He tightly clutched the crucial fine silk in his hand, murmuring to himself, "Sikong Lu's hint is already clear enough. Sikong Cao doesn't care about Father's life. What he cares about is only... only..."
As he thought this, his eyes gazed at the fine silk in his hand, and his grip tightened, as if what he held was more important than his own life.
"Sima Zhongda, good morning!"
A clear voice startled Sima Yi, who had been sitting in a daze. He quickly looked up and exclaimed, "Sikong Lu!"
Indeed...
The person arriving was Lu Yu!
His gaze swept over Sima Yi's frost-blue hands and his face, as pale as paper from the cold. He couldn't help but shake his head, his gaze finally falling on the fine silk in his hand.
"The Imperial Robe Edict?" Lu Yu asked first.
"Yes... yes..." Sima Yi's words were a little hesitant.
Seeing Sima Yi's affirmation, Lu Yu felt a bit more settled. He patted Sima Yi on the shoulder and then walked into the main hall. Today... he Lu Yu had decided to use this Imperial Robe Edict to kill Liu Bei, and no power in heaven or on earth could stop him.
A short while later, Lu Yu entered.
As the meeting had not yet begun, Cao Cao initiated some casual conversation.
"What is the situation regarding the assassination attempt during the Yue Dan Ping review, and the case of Sima Fang, the Grand Administrator of Jingzhao?" Cao Cao inquired.
Man Chong reported truthfully, "Your subordinate has already subjected Sima Fang to torture, but he still has not confessed. If subjected to further torture, Sima Fang might only have a breath left."
"Heh heh..." Hearing this, Cao Cao let out a cold laugh and waved his hand. "No need to interrogate further. In the past, Sima Fang served as the Colonel of the Sili Province. He must have interrogated ten times more people than Lord Man. Lord Man is unlikely to extract any information."
Speaking of this, Cao Cao stroked his beard and laughed heartily. "Besides, do we need to investigate Sima Fang's crimes? Merely killing someone? Is a signed confession truly necessary? I have no patience to waste with him. Today is the appointed day. Report to the Emperor immediately and execute him! Are there not many people in this world who wish to see Sima Fang's head fall?"
As these words left his mouth, Xun Yu, who was nearby, suddenly looked up, as if trying to gauge Cao Cao's expression. He felt that Cao Cao's tone today was somewhat different.
In the past, Sikong Cao had not wished for Sima Fang's head to fall. His objective was clearly...
But today, why...?
Before Xun Yu could think clearly, Lu Yu cupped his hands and reported, "Sikong Cao, Sima Yi is requesting an audience outside. Since we are about to execute his father, why not hear what he has to say in his final moments? Perhaps we can uncover some additional intelligence!"
As these words were spoken, it was evident that Cao Cao's expression immediately became vigilant.
Speaking of which, Sima Yi was requesting an audience outside!
He had not just learned of this matter; no one knew better than Cao Cao what Sima Yi held in his hand.
The Imperial Robe Edict, an edict that could bring Liu Bei to his death.
If it were yesterday, Cao Cao would not have hesitated for a moment to order Sima Yi to be seen, or even to order Liu Bei's execution.
But precisely...
Last night, during the 'Green Plums and Brewed Wine' event, due to the five-stone powder, Liu Bei had become what he was. Was Liu Bei still a threat? Just a walking corpse!
Indeed...
In Cao Cao's heart, Liu Bei's threat had once been greater than Sima Fang's.
But now... the tables had turned, and Sima Fang's threat was far greater than Liu Bei's.
This was also the reason Cao Cao had delayed seeing Sima Yi!
"Did Sikong Lu receive the 'item' I sent last night?" Cao Cao asked Lu Yu with a smile.
The so-called "item" referred to the transcript of the "Green Plums and Brewed Wine" conversation.
His meaning was obvious...
Since he had received it, he should know that Liu Bei was not a threat, and it was not worth exchanging for the Imperial Robe Edict or risking Sima Fang's life. It was not worth it!
But...
Yet, Lu Yu's attitude remained unchanged.
"I received it, which is why I urge Sikong Cao to see Sima Yi!"
Huh...
Suddenly, the main hall of the Sikong Mansion felt charged with tension. Was Sikong Lu going to confront Sikong Cao? The last confrontation was still fresh in everyone's memory. Similarly, last time the two men clashed, it was the Han court that suffered. So this time...
Everyone's heart felt as if a large stone had been placed upon it!
*Hoo...*
Cao Cao also exhaled. He abruptly stood up, his eyes narrowed, his tone not necessarily cold, but extremely serious. "Sikong Lu is determined to kill Liu Bei, isn't he?"
Since everyone present was his own man, Cao Cao decided to speak frankly.
"Indeed!" Lu Yu's tone was resolute. "If Liu Bei is not killed now, then this Liu Bei will surely become a serious threat..."
"A serious threat? Hahaha..." Cao Cao laughed heartily. "Just an addict? Someone whose mind is clouded by five-stone powder? Can he be considered a serious threat in Sikong Lu's eyes?"
With that, Cao Cao proceeded to recount the "Green Plums and Brewed Wine" incident with Liu Bei yesterday to the civil and military officials in the hall.
When they heard that Liu Bei had run home naked!
When they heard that Liu Bei had consumed five-stone powder and acted like a madman!
Most people were initially incredulous, but eventually felt a sense of pity...
Even more people shared Cao Cao's sentiment: Liu Bei was no longer a threat, so why go to such lengths to kill him?
Let alone others, even Jia Xu thought so. Liu Bei? It would be enough to confine him! Why kill him... it would be thankless work!
"Everyone, actually... Liu Bei has three special skills that seem to have been overlooked by all of you..."
Lu Yu continued speaking. Today, he was determined to present this Imperial Robe Edict and witness Liu Bei's blood!
"Three overlooked special skills?" Cao Cao countered.
Lu Yu then explained in detail, "Firstly, Liu Bei is skilled at crying. His tears are often more devastating than blades and spears, and can win people's hearts; secondly, Liu Bei is skilled in concealing his thoughts. His skill in this regard is so high that, forgive my presumption, Sikong Cao might not be able to break through it; thirdly, Liu Bei is skilled at running. Yes, that is fleeing. This fellow runs faster than a rabbit! There are very few prisons he cannot escape!"
Huh...
Crying, concealing thoughts, running...
These three words caused all the civil and military officials present to be stunned. Concealing thoughts might be one thing, but this was the first time anyone had called "crying" and "running" special skills.
Instinctively, no one took Liu Bei's two special skills seriously.
As for concealing thoughts? That was even more outrageous!
Sikong Cao's skill in psychological warfare was known to all!
Could it be that in this world, there was someone whose skill in concealing thoughts was higher than his? This was preposterous!
And running?
Now... there were sentries at the plum orchard outside Xuchang, the entire Sili Province was under strict guard, and the entire Central Plains were Cao Sikong's territory? Where could Liu Bei run to?
Seeing the expressions on Cao Cao and the assembled officials, Lu Yu knew that they had all been deceived by Liu Bei's performance.
No wonder...
Historically, when Liu Bei was within Cao's camp, such a good opportunity, and Cao Cao didn't kill him, it seemed... it wasn't a coincidence. Liu Bei appeared too harmless.
*Hoo...*
He let out a heavy sigh, and Lu Yu shook his head, muttering to himself that perhaps... they still didn't know that Liu Bei's alias was "Liu Paopao" (Liu the Runner). Confinement? Heh heh... this prison in Xuchang might not be able to hold Liu Bei, but it might not be able to hold Liu Paopao!
"Long Xiao Cavalry! Quickly bring Sima Yi in..."
Lu Yu shouted directly.
Unable to explain, Lu Yu decided to resort to force...
Lu Yu did not believe that if the Imperial Robe Edict was revealed, and Liu Bei's name was mentioned, he could still live?
Speaking of which, Lu Yu's eyelids had been twitching continuously.
Today, he had to kill Liu Bei. This was not about strategy... this was about the world, and about the future of Great Wei!
Lu Yu could tolerate a hero being arrogant in the early stages, but he absolutely would not allow a hero in the late stages to scrape out a living!
This...
*Tap, tap...*
Footsteps echoed...
The Long Xiao Camp cavalry brought Sima Yi into the hall, much to everyone's surprise. The Hu Ben army naturally did not stop them, knowing that they were recommended to Sikong Cao by Lu Yu, and Lu Yu was considered half their introducer.
Cao Cao's face, however, became stern.
Only now did he realize that Yu'er's attitude towards "killing Liu Bei" was so firm.
Fine...
He shook his head, as if compromising. Let Yu'er do as he pleased. It was just Liu Bei. Although his death might cause some trouble, it wasn't worth damaging their "father-son" affection.
*"Clack..."*
Sima Yi knelt. "Student Sima Yi pays his respects to Sikong Cao. This humble... this humble person found in the State Uncle's residence... found a blood edict, on which were written the names of all those who conspired to assassinate Sikong Cao, including that... that Liu Bei, Liu Xuan, who has not yet been apprehended..."
As Sima Yi spoke, the word "De" in Liu Xuande had not yet escaped his lips...
"Report... Report..." A Hu Ben cavalryman ran over quickly. "Sikong Cao, bad news! Liu Bei... Liu Bei has disappeared from the plum orchard outside the city!"
Upon hearing this... Cao Cao's expression changed drastically.
"What?"
"You, say that again!"
The Hu Ben cavalryman spoke with urgency. Not to mention Cao Cao, even he himself was greatly shocked and disbelieving upon hearing the news and seeing Liu Bei's disappearance!
"Sikong Cao, it's true. Liu Bei... Liu Bei is gone."
"He was clearly here last night. In the middle of the night, he even consumed a dose of five-stone powder and went to cut leeks with a sickle. But early this morning, inexplicably, he... he was gone. Not only him, but Guan Yu and Zhang Fei... also... also disappeared."
Upon hearing this...
Cao Cao gasped, and instinctively took a step back, his legs faltering. If he hadn't held onto the candlestick beside him, he might have fallen to the ground.
Did Liu Bei...? Run away?
Just as Yu'er mentioned... Liu Bei's third special skill – running?
Ran away under the watch of the sentries?
Instinctively, his gaze turned to Lu Yu. In fact... it wasn't just Cao Cao looking at Lu Yu at this moment; everyone in the hall was looking at Lu Yu.
Was this a prophecy fulfilled? Or perhaps... a jinx?
And Lu Yu himself was also dumbfounded at this moment!
What was going on...
Liu Bei ran away? That shouldn't be!
Clearly... clearly last night he had specifically dispatched Zhang Liao with three hundred Long Xiao Cavalry, and Xu Chu with the Hu Ben army to guard the outside of the plum orchard. Damn it... Liu Bei couldn't have turned into a butterfly and flown away, could he?
With this thought...
He swallowed a mouthful of saliva. At this moment, Lu Yu could no longer bother listening to Sima Yi finish reading the Imperial Robe Edict. He immediately turned and headed towards the plum orchard outside the city.
Everyone finally came back to their senses and hurried out, heading towards the plum orchard outside the city to investigate!
...
...
Outside Xuchang City, at the plum orchard!
Cao Cao and a group of civil and military officials entered. The scene that greeted them was a basket of leeks placed at the entrance of the courtyard, and a letter, seemingly left specifically for Cao Cao by Liu Bei.
A Hu Ben cavalryman retrieved the letter and handed it to Cao Cao...
Cao Cao, with a furrowed brow, quickly unfolded it.
The more he unfolded it, the more Cao Cao felt the rage burning in his chest.
"Bei promised Sikong that this batch of leeks has been harvested and is placed in the courtyard. Sikong Cao may take them at will! Liu Bei still wishes to save the Han Dynasty, so he will not trouble Sikong in Xuchang. He bids farewell today. Sikong, please do not worry!"
Leeks! Take them at will!
Sikong! Do not worry!
This was treating him, Cao Cao, like a leek to be cut!
Insult, this was blatant insult, detestable... detestable!
At this moment, Cao Cao clenched his fists, his sharp fingernails digging into his palm, bringing a sharp pain. But what was this pain compared to the pain in his heart?
He had been tricked. This was the first time in many years that he, Cao Cao, had been tricked, played for a fool!
Concealing thoughts?
Was this the concealing thoughts that Yu'er had mentioned?
"How did Liu Bei run away? He wouldn't have just disappeared for no reason, would he?" Lu Yu, the calmest among them at this moment, asked the Hu Ben cavalry and Long Xiao cavalry who remained.
At this moment... Xu Chu and Zhang Liao were not here. It was likely they had gone to pursue immediately.
Then...
What exactly had happened?
"Reporting to Sikong Lu..." A Bingzhou knight reminded, "Liu Bei is... is..."
It seemed that when mentioning the method of escape, the Bingzhou knight hesitated, "Perhaps... Sikong Cao and Sikong Lu should personally go and see to know!"
With these words...
A group of Long Xiao Cavalry led Cao Cao, Lu Yu, and many civil and military officials deeper into the plum orchard.
This was the center of the plum orchard, the furthest point visible to the outer sentries.
Because of the concealment of the plum orchard, the outer sentries could not clearly see the specific situation inside. As Cao Cao and Lu Yu walked step by step towards this spot, their moods grew heavier!
And upon reaching this "middle" point, Cao Cao, Lu Yu... and all the assembled officials, their eyes widened unbelievably, as if they were about to burst out...
This was...
This was...
At this moment, what met everyone's eyes was a pit. In the center of this plum orchard, there was indeed a pit, very deep, very deep... Lu Yu suddenly realized that this was a tunnel, a tunnel leading to the outer perimeter!
Good heavens, Lu Yu was stunned!
He had thought of Yuan Shao using tunnels to attack Gongsun Zan!
But who would have thought that Liu Bei would also use this method to escape everyone's sight... Farming? What farming was he doing? He was clearly planting hope for escape!
Liu Paopao, Liu Paopao, your escape skills are truly high. Lu Yu couldn't help but give him a thumbs-up in his heart!
*Hoo...*
He let out a long breath. Good heavens, this was the Shawshank Redemption, this was Michael Scofield from Prison Break! Damn it, he Lu Yu had watched "The Shawshank Redemption" three times and "Prison Break" for four seasons, and yet Liu Bei had escaped right under his nose. How ironic!
Frowning, Lu Yu's brows furrowed tightly.
Wait a moment...
He shook his head abruptly. No, with such a deep hole, how could Liu Bei have dug it himself?
This clearly meant he had helpers!
Within Xuchang City, Liu Bei had helpers... or rather, within Xuchang City, besides the State Uncle Dong Cheng, the Han court still had power! There was still a hidden force!
Then... who was this force?
Now, Lu Yu's mood became even more serious!
"Where is Zhong Kang?"
"Where is Zhang Wenyuan?"
Lu Yu and Cao Cao spoke in unison. Clearly, upon seeing this tunnel, both of them were very surprised. Lu Yu called out for Zhang Wenyuan because he was guarding the outer perimeter last night, and today he was nowhere to be seen? Then... where was he?
As for Cao Cao's call for Zhong Kang, he knew... Yu'er had specifically instructed Xu Chu to lead the Hu Ben army to guard the perimeter last night.
At that time, Cao Cao thought Yu'er was being a bit alarmist!
But looking at it today... it wasn't Yu'er being alarmist at all, it was Cao Cao himself being too naive, too simple. In front of Liu Bei... this time he, Cao Cao, was so naive and innocent.
What powerful concealing thoughts!
"Reporting to Sikong Cao, Sikong Lu..." The Long Xiao Cavalry replied, "Upon discovering Liu Bei missing, General Zhang Liao led three hundred Long Xiao Cavalry, and General Xu Chu led over a hundred Hu Ben troops to pursue him... they have already been out of the city for an hour!"
His report had just finished.
"Report..."
Outside the plum orchard, a Hu Ben cavalryman hurried over. "Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei were discovered in Yingchuan. They have mobilized three thousand troops from Yingchuan!"
Yingchuan? Mobilized troops?
Cao Cao's eyes flickered. The troops in Yingchuan were the three thousand surrendered soldiers of Yuan Shu that he had absorbed.
But... the key issue was, were those three thousand surrendered troops led by Chen Ji, Lei Bo, Chen Lan, and Li Feng? They had always obeyed Cao Cao, so how could they allow Liu Bei to mobilize them at will?
"Impossible, absolutely impossible!"
Cao Cao waved his long sleeve, appearing extremely agitated!
The Hu Ben cavalryman continued, "It is heard that Liu Bei holds the Son of Heaven's 'Imperial Robe Edict', and Generals Chen Ji, Lei Bo, Chen Lan, and Li Feng were inexplicably assassinated. Unexpectedly, the deputy generals in the army all supported Liu Bei... they all moved towards... towards the east."
This...
Cao Cao's brows were almost furrowed into an inverted 'eight'.
Liu Bei holding the Imperial Robe Edict?
Four generals inexplicably assassinated?
Deputy generals all supporting Liu Bei?
If only one of these occurred, it might still be a coincidence, but... but now that all three had happened together, was this still a coincidence? This was clearly premeditated!
Cao Cao's face had turned ashen as paper...
"Towards the east? Liu Bei went east? Is he going to..." Cao Cao began to speak...
"It's Xiapi City!" Lu Yu stated with great certainty. "Liu Bei's family is all in Xiapi City. He also stayed in Xiapi City before, where he showed great benevolence and righteousness. Therefore, he must return to Xiapi City!"
Xiapi City?
Hearing this, a cold sweat trickled down Cao Cao's forehead. He felt that if this matter was premeditated, and if Liu Bei was going to Xiapi City, then... it would definitely not be so simple...
Xiapi City is just the first step, there must be follow-up plans, Liu Bei must have follow-up plans!
As expected... Cao Cao's intuition was accurate!
"Report... Report..."
Another messenger arrived on horseback.
"Reporting to Sikong Cao, Yuan Shao of Jizhou, with three hundred thousand troops, arrived at Yanjin City on the banks of the Yellow River yesterday!"
Yanjin?
This was Cao Cao's only city north of the Yellow River. Yuan Shao's arrival at Yanjin clearly revealed his objective... he intended to cross the Yellow River and march south to contend for the empire with him, Cao Cao!
Wait a moment...
Cao Cao suddenly realized.
Some time ago, Yuan Shao was defeated in You Province, and it was said that he suffered a great defeat and retreated a hundred li. Perhaps... perhaps this was also... premeditated, a prelude to his arrival at Yanjin today?
This was to move troops from the northern borders to the southern borders without anyone noticing...
This...
Just as Cao Cao thought of this.
"Report..."
More fast horses galloped in.
"Reporting to Sikong Cao, yesterday Sun Ce led his troops north, targeting Guangling City in Xuzhou..."
"Reporting to Sikong Cao, Liu Biao is leading troops north from Nanyang, attempting to march from Xinye to attack Wancheng, and directly threaten Xuchang City!"
"Reporting to Sikong Cao, intelligence reports indicate that Yuan Shao has sent Shen Pei to visit Bing Province, seemingly to persuade Han Sui and Ma Teng to march west!"
*Hoo...*
A series of urgent reports arrived. The various feudal lords seemed to have agreed, all attacking the Central Plains and pointing their blades directly at him, Cao Cao!
What a well-coordinated, seamless stratagem!
Cao Cao's eyes narrowed, and he fell into deep thought.
Lu Yu was much the same. He felt... inexplicable!
The Central Plains, no... to be precise, the Cao camp was shrouded in a large net. This was a premeditated conspiracy, and Liu Bei was just a small part of the conspiracy!
Then the question arises?
Who laid this conspiracy, who laid this vast net?
*Hoo...*
Lu Yu let out a long sigh.
Good heavens...
This time, it was truly: "Sloppy, no defense!"
...
...