The imperial palace was divided into the Southern and Northern Palaces.
Both palaces were further divided into four gates: "Azure Dragon Gate," "Vermillion Bird Gate," "White Tiger Gate," and "Green Dragon Gate." The covered corridors connecting these gates to the inner palace were known as the *fudao*.
The Azure Dragon Gate, which Cao Cao was now entering, led to the Chóng Dé Hall via a *fudao* named "Yǒng Xiàng." Passing through this gate signified a transition from the outer to the inner palace.
The walls of the *Yǒng Xiàng* were several *zhang* high on either side. As Cao Cao and his entourage proceeded, Jia Xu, walking beside him, looked around at the layout, nodded, then shook his head, his lips parting as if to speak, but no words came.
His peculiar demeanor caught Cao Cao's attention.
"Wenhe? If you have something to say, speak freely."
"Your old servant has nothing to say!"
The more Jia Xu replied thus, the more Cao Cao's mind raced...
Suddenly, he recalled something.
Indeed, it was the conversation he had secretly overheard between Yu'er and Jia Xu on the city walls of Wancheng in the past.
Cao Cao remembered they were playing a game, simulating the offensive and defensive battle of Wancheng.
Of course, that wasn't the main point. The crucial part was that Yu'er had mentioned that after his army suffered a great defeat, Jia Xu would send troops to pursue them. After the first pursuit force was defeated, Jia Xu would still arrange for a second pursuit... the so-called 'pursuit after pursuit' was a psychological tactic against the enemy!
Thus... they returned victorious!
Seeing Jia Xu's hesitation here, Cao Cao instinctively thought of these words.
"Pursuit after pursuit!"
He murmured softly...
Looking again at the towering palace walls before him, it seemed as if a gust of yellow wind had arisen, carrying with it a hint of killing intent!
Cao Cao halted his steps, signaling with his hand for everyone to stop.
"Wenhe, did you spot the ambush here? Why didn't you say anything?" Cao Cao asked directly...
"This..."
Before Jia Xu could reply...
Cao Cao waved his hand. "Zixiao, take your troops into this *Yǒng Xiàng* first and scout the city walls for any ambushes!"
"Yes!" Cao Ren agreed and was about to lead his troops in!
Who would have thought...
The moment these words were uttered, Dong Cheng was greatly alarmed. "Cao Cao? For all your fame as a formidable warlord aiming for the Central Plains, you... you fear this small covered corridor? Cao Cao, Cao Cao! Ridiculous! Ridiculous!"
"Hahaha..."
The more Dong Cheng spoke like this, the more Cao Cao laughed. "Do you think I'll fall for your trick just because you say this?"
"A provocation? It won't work on me!"
Cao Cao smiled, pointing at the high walls on either side of the *Yǒng Xiàng*, and said to Dong Cheng with great interest:
"It seems there are assassins hidden along the length of the *Yǒng Xiàng* and atop the palace walls, doesn't it? If I were you, I would prepare torches and dry firewood, waiting for the enemy to reach the center before throwing them down together, then adding fish oil to ignite a great blaze, burying me, Cao Cao, here in the *Yǒng Xiàng*!"
"A pity, though..."
Mentioning "a pity," Cao Cao did not forget to glance back at Jia Xu.
He mused inwardly, this old fellow likely thought of it too, but why didn't he speak out? Was there some concern?
"You scoundrel Cao... you..."
Dong Cheng cursed furiously...
The ambush in the *Yǒng Xiàng* was his final arrangement, and even this... had been seen through?
Unexpectedly, at this very moment...
"Dong dong!"
"Dong dong..."
Continuous sounds echoed from within the *Yǒng Xiàng*. Corpses were being thrown down from the high walls on both sides. It was clear... there were hundreds of them, and they were already dead before being thrown down...
Simultaneously...
With a loud "Guang," the gate at the end of the *Yǒng Xiàng* was smashed open. Everyone was startled, and a group of Imperial Guards quickly shielded Cao Cao.
"There are enemies!"
Xu Chu drew his saber and stood at the very front, exuding an aura of unparalleled defense.
From the direction of the *Yǒng Xiàng*'s end, many knights on tall horses, clad in black armor and wielding refined steel halberds, appeared. They were aggressively advancing towards Cao Cao.
They rode over the corpses, and upon reaching Cao Cao's side, they neatly divided into two lines, leaving a path. Through this path, striding quickly forward, was none other than Lu Yu, commander of the Dragon Cavalry!
"Commander Cao, all assassins here have been eliminated and I have ordered them thrown from the walls. A total of seven hundred. Commander Cao, please tread upon their corpses and proceed to Chóng Dé Hall to seek justice!"
His voice was not loud, but every word was exceptionally clear!
Seeing Lu Yu...
Cao Cao's lips curled upwards, and an uncontrollable excitement surged through him. He grabbed Lu Yu's hand and laughed heartily, "Hahaha, truly worthy of being the Grand Tutor of the Great Han, not just the Commander of the Dragon Cavalry, and most certainly worthy of being my, Cao Cao's, right-hand man, haha, hahahaha..."
His words were quite boastful and held deep meaning!
"You..." Dong Cheng watched his carefully placed assassins being discarded one by one, his heart growing cold.
The mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind!
Why... even this had been seen through by Lu Yu?
Is this... Heaven's will for the Han Dynasty? Is the Han Dynasty doomed?
Lu Yu's expression was calm. He walked leisurely to Dong Cheng, looked down at his defeated foe, shook his head, and sighed, "I didn't want Duke Dong to lose so miserably, but Duke Dong, you are overestimating yourself! Heaven's wrath is forgivable, but self-inflicted misfortune is not!"
"Lu Yu... you should have stood with the Han court. After eliminating the scoundrel Cao, you would have been second only to one, above ten thousand? Why? Why did you in the end... you..."
Dong Cheng's voice was hoarse with despair. He didn't understand, could not comprehend. Lu Yu, who could have reached new heights, leap over the obstacle of Cao Cao before him and become the most powerful minister of the Han Dynasty, had the capability to do so.
But why? Why?
Shaking his head...
Hearing Dong Cheng's words, Lu Yu could only shake his head. How pathetic. This Duke Dong simply didn't grasp the overall situation of the world. That was truly pathetic!
"Duke Dong, do you know what you are doing today? If you killed Commander Cao today, then what? Will you pacify this fractured world? Or will you eliminate the three tribes of the Eastern Hu?"
"If you had possessed such capability back when facing Dong Zhuo, how could the Han Dynasty have fallen to this state? Consider this, are you truly helping the Han? Or is your sole purpose to uphold your own family's prestige, and to see the descendants of Consort Dong ascend to power?"
Vision...
This is vision!
What Dong Cheng saw was merely the interests of his family, the continuation of his lineage, but Lu Yu saw much further!
The Son of Heaven and Cao Cao, there was no need to choose between them!
Even if Lu Yu were to choose a hundred times, he would still choose Cao Cao's side.
"Pitiful, truly regrettable!"
Lu Yu continued speaking to Dong Cheng. "The chaotic times are not to be pacified by you, the rebels are not to be vanquished by you, and the Emperor's current comfortable life is not due to your efforts?"
"If Commander Cao had perished in this *fudao*, the hard-won unification of the Central Plains would once again disintegrate. Within three years, Yuan Shao's army would march south, and the era of warlord separatism would continue for another century. Heh, do you think Duke Dong? Would Yuan Shao treat the Son of Heaven as kindly as Cao Cao does? Would he treat the Han court so well?"
This...
Dong Cheng fell silent. He looked at Lu Yu with immense disappointment and said hoarsely,
"Yes, you are all correct!"
"But... but if only you were a minister of Han! Why aren't you a minister of Han?"
As he spoke, Lu Yu had already left his side and returned to Cao Cao. He cupped his hands and said,
"Commander Cao, please..."
Cao Cao nodded at Lu Yu, as if in approval.
What he had just said was sincere, and it touched Cao Cao's heart.
Indeed, Yu'er did not know his own identity. His choice between the Han court and Cao Cao's camp stemmed more from his own conscience!
... But his vision, his insight into the situation, his ability to assess circumstances were too remarkable.
The choices he made were always the right ones!
As Yu'er said, it was precisely because he, Cao Cao, was managing the Han court. If it were another warlord, like Yuan Shao... he would never treat the Son of Heaven and the court as kindly as Cao Cao.
The Son of Heaven was too naive, and Duke Dong Cheng was too naive.
"Heh..." Cao Cao chuckled and waved his hand. "Imperial Guards, clear the way ahead!"
"Yes!" With a responding shout, the Imperial Guards cleared the path. Under the watchful eyes of the Dragon Cavalry on either side, Cao Cao strode confidently towards the Chóng Dé Hall ahead.
He did not forget to glance at Jia Xu by his side.
A faint voice quietly reached him, "Wenhe? You calculated that Yu'er would pacify these assassins, didn't you?"
"This..." Jia Xu's eyes darted, and he then nodded slightly. "Something like that."
"Hahaha." Cao Cao laughed, neither confirming nor denying, and continued towards the Chóng Dé Hall with a majestic stride!
As for Dong Cheng... the last glimmer of hope in his eyes was extinguished. Knowing he had no way out, yet still burdened by unfinished concerns, his cries were filled with endless sorrow!
"Cao Cao, it... it was I who wanted to kill you. It has nothing to do with His Majesty or the Consort. Kill me... kill me!"
Heh...
Hearing this, Lu Yu paused.
He did not forget to remind him.
"Duke Dong, you probably don't know this, but Consort Dong is already dead. She did not die at my hands. Your father-in-law, Fu Wan, sent troops to surround Chóng Dé Hall. You might try to savor this slowly, to carefully consider it! Regardless of victory or defeat in this coup, you, the Dong family, are merely pawns of the Han court, destined to die!"
Ah... ah...
Lu Yu's words were like a piercing blow to the heart, causing Dong Cheng's eyes to widen and his chest to heave.
A pawn? A pawn, was it?
At this moment, Dong Cheng's face was filled with grief. Lu Yu's words were truly soul-crushing, soul-crushing indeed!
...
...
In Chóng Dé Hall, Consort Dong had hanged herself.
As Cao Cao entered, Fu Wan greeted him with clasped hands...
He proactively mentioned that he had discovered Duke Dong's plot to collude with Wang Zifu, Wu Shuo, and others to harm Commander Cao. Therefore, he had surrounded Chóng Dé Hall with troops, intending to apprehend the evil consort, but unfortunately... by the time he arrived, Consort Dong had already hanged herself!
This essentially cleared himself of any involvement.
Of course...
This was also within Lu Yu's expectations. Being Han officials, Fu Wan's caliber was undoubtedly far superior to Dong Cheng's. This "luring the snake out of its hole" operation had managed to lure out Dong Cheng, but not the old fox, Fu Wan.
"Your Majesty? It seems... this throne is being held too comfortably, too leisurely, isn't it?"
A cold sentence escaped Cao Cao's lips.
At this moment, Cao Cao was stepping towards the Son of Heaven, Liu Xie, step by step.
And what made Emperor Liu Xie even more fearful was not Cao Cao, who was approaching with powerful strides, but Lu Yu, standing proudly beside him...
This guy...
He was allied with Cao Cao, playing the Han court like a fiddle, and had even foreseen Duke Dong's rebellion!
How... how could he not have foreseen that the mastermind behind all this was this Son of Heaven?
The Han Dynasty has fallen?
Has the Han Dynasty fallen?
"Slap!" A sound echoed beside Liu Xie...
It turned out Cao Cao had casually tossed something. Liu Xie, startled, fell back onto his rear. Cao Cao, looking down from above, gazed at him with a mixture of sorrow and contempt, remaining silent.
His eyes were filled with anger.
Anyone who saw it would feel that at this moment, Cao Cao could crush this Han Son of Heaven with a single kick if he wished.
Only Lu Yu's eyes flickered...
In the entire Chóng Dé Hall, he and Jia Xu were the calmest. Jia Xu, prioritizing his own safety, would not wade into this muddy water!
At such a moment, the only one who could stop Old Cao was Lu Yu!
While the Son of Heaven deserved punishment, he could not truly be killed. Once the Son of Heaven met his end, Cao Cao's tactic of "holding the Son of Heaven to command the lords" would turn into an offense against all the lords for killing the Son of Heaven, and he would be attacked by everyone!
But...
The key issue was that Old Cao also needed to vent his anger!
With a decision in his eyes, Lu Yu immediately stepped in front of Cao Cao and preemptively questioned Emperor Liu Xie.
"Does Your Majesty remember? Who issued the proclamation inviting all the lords to crusade against Dong Zhuo back then? Who led troops alone to pursue Dong Zhuo when he moved the capital to Chang'an, risking his life countless times? All to save Your Majesty from peril!"
"Does Your Majesty remember? Who rescued the imperial carriage from Li Jue and Guo Si, moved the capital to Xudu, built palaces, and provided Your Majesty and the Han court with ample dignity?"
As these words came out, Liu Xie's heart sank. He felt Lu Yu was digging into his heart.
He also felt that Lu Yu was scolding him for his ingratitude!
"It... it was Commander Cao!" he stammered in reply.
Lu Yu directly took out the Seven-Star Sword from his embrace. "Does Your Majesty recognize this sword? This sword is called the Seven-Star Sword. Commander Cao once presented it to the tyrannical Dong, intending to kill the treacherous minister who bullied Your Majesty and usurped the Han Dynasty. Commander Cao's loyalty is as clear as the sun and moon! Yet why? Today, Your Majesty compares Commander Cao to the likes of Dong Zhuo and Wang Mang?"
This...
Emperor Liu Xie was even more at a loss!
Cao Cao, however, was more direct. He snatched the Seven-Star Treasure Sword from Lu Yu's hand and immediately tossed it to Emperor Liu Xie. "If the ruler wants the minister to die, the minister must die. Your Majesty, if you want to kill me, Cao Cao, why all this trouble? Use this sword! Come, Your Majesty, why don't you draw the sword and kill me yourself!"
Ah...
Ah...
Hearing this, Emperor Liu Xie trembled with fear, feeling as though he was about to wet himself.
"Commander Cao misunderstands, Commander Cao misunderstands... I only learned of the Yue Dan Ping matter just now, and I even summoned Consort Dong to question her. Who would have thought she... she hanged herself here! Commander Cao cannot... cannot wrongly accuse me!"
"Wronged?"
Cao Cao took a step directly in front of Liu Xie, startling Liu Xie into stumbling and falling to the ground again. "You are the ruler, I am the minister. There are only wrongly accused ministers in this world, how can there be a wrongly accused Son of Heaven? Pick up the sword!"
"I truly know nothing..."
"Pick it up!"
Liu Xie trembled and picked up the sword with a shudder. Although the Seven-Star Sword was not heavy, his heart was too wavering. His hands trembled so violently that the Seven-Star Treasure Sword fell to the ground again.
"Hahaha..."
Seeing this, Cao Cao burst into laughter. "Emperor Gaozu drew his sword to slay the snake and start his uprising, vanquishing the tyrannical Qin and conquering the Western Chu to obtain the empire. Emperor Guangwu vanquished Wang Mang to obtain the empire. How did such heroic emperors descend to descendants who are so utterly disappointing!"
Thinking of this...
Cao Cao extended his arm as if to retrieve the Seven-Star Sword, his posture suggesting he was about to discipline this unworthy descendant on behalf of the past emperors!
At this moment, Lu Yu keenly observed the expressions of Duke of State Fu Wan and Empress Fu Shou within the palace halls.
They all seemed to want to speak but dared not...
Clearly, they were completely intimidated by Cao Cao's imposing presence.
But they desperately wanted to save the Emperor, yet... yet they were filled with extreme fear and did not dare to utter a sound, lest the enraged Cao Cao direct his anger towards their entire Fu family!
Hoo...
Lu Yu let out a breath and mused inwardly that, as the peacemaker, he, Lu Yu, would ultimately have to be the one.
He immediately stepped forward.
"Commander Cao, please calm your anger."
"Do I have anger?" Cao Cao retorted.
"Commander Cao, Duke of State Fu just told me something... perhaps Commander Cao should hear it before deciding whether to be angry or not!" Lu Yu continued.
Upon hearing this...
Cao Cao put away the Seven-Star Treasure Sword and turned to face Lu Yu.
He had to admit, he was quite curious. At such a juncture, what new plan had Duke of State Fu devised.
Lu Yu's words followed in quick succession.
"Duke of State Fu just quietly told me that he is apprehensive. If Duke Dong, a mere relative of the emperor, dares to commit the evil act of assassinating Commander Cao while holding military power, then how could he, as the Duke of State, holding even more troops, not be apprehensive? Therefore, Duke of State Fu requests to return the twenty thousand armored soldiers he holds to the Son of Heaven!"
When mentioning the words "return to the Son of Heaven," Lu Yu deliberately emphasized his tone.
He mused inwardly, Old Cao, oh Old Cao, Fu Wan, oh Fu Wan, at this moment... both of you must descend from this step!
If things really escalated to bloodshed and an irreconcilable conflict...
The Son of Heaven might indeed spill blood in Chóng Dé Hall, but... Cao Cao's reputation would be greatly diminished, and that would not be worth it!
As expected...
The moment Lu Yu spoke, Fu Wan quickly took out the military tally from his embrace and held it with both hands before him.
He cupped his hands and said:
"As Situ Lu has said, this old minister is apprehensive. After much thought, I feel that holding military power as the Duke of State could lead to the hidden danger of the imperial relatives wielding power. Therefore, this old minister has specifically come to Chóng Dé Hall to return the troops to His Majesty!"
Fu Wan reported respectfully.
Emperor Liu Xie was still somewhat bewildered!
Empress Fu Shou, however, quickly reminded him, "Father is giving the troops to His Majesty? His Majesty doesn't understand how to lead troops. Moreover... moreover, the world is not yet settled, and rebels are everywhere. Everyone relies on Commander Cao to pacify them for His Majesty. These troops should rightfully be handed over to Commander Cao!"
The moment these words were uttered...
Emperor Liu Xie suddenly came to his senses. This was trading military power for the life of this Han Son of Heaven and the dignity of the Han dynasty!
"Yes... yes... that's right, the Empress speaks most wisely!"
He nodded like a garlic pounder!
Oh!
Cao Cao paused, his eyes narrowing slightly. One breath, two breaths... after a brief hesitation.
Hahaha...
He burst into hearty laughter.
"Is that so? Does His Majesty truly think that?"
"Yes... Commander Cao is a loyal minister. Commander Cao is pacifying this great land for me, so the Han troops should rightfully belong to Commander Cao!" Emperor Liu Xie was almost in tears...
He felt utterly defeated by the act of handing over troops.
"Good, then Your Majesty shall also hand over the Imperial Guards to me for command!" Cao Cao said with a smile.
This...
Emperor Liu Xie hesitated for a moment, but in the end, he nodded. "It should be so, it should be so!"
"Hahaha..."
Cao Cao laughed again and then instructed, "Zhongkang? Did you hear that? From today onwards, the Imperial Guards will take over the Imperial Forest Army, and Duke of State's troops will also be incorporated into the Fifth Battalion!"
"Yes!" Xu Chu cupped his hands in acknowledgment.
It seemed that upon discussing this matter, Cao Cao's mood greatly improved. He deliberately avoided mentioning Dong Cheng's rebellion again.
Instead, he turned and looked meaningfully at Lu Yu.
He understood Lu Yu's intentions...
This time, Yu'er had laid out such an astonishing chessboard, its purpose undoubtedly being to lure the snakes out and purify the inner palace.
Now, the Son of Heaven had been intimidated, the Imperial Guards and the Duke of State's troops had been brought under control, and there were no longer any hidden dangers within the palace. Why should he, Cao Cao, tear his face with the Han Son of Heaven?
Yu'er was offering a step down for the Han court, and also a step down for him, Cao Cao!
"Hahahaha..."
Cao Cao laughed again... He patted Lu Yu's shoulder and was about to leave the great hall.
Lu Yu hastily reminded him.
"Commander Cao, don't forget... on the Wind Commentary Platform, while there were detestable assassins, there were also loyal and brave Han officials. Won't Commander Cao go and see them? And reward them?"
This...
Cao Cao was so clever that he immediately grasped Lu Yu's intent!
On the Wind Commentary Platform, there were still quite a few Han officials who wished to put him, Cao Cao, to death. Compared to a powerless Son of Heaven, their threat was undoubtedly greater!
One shouldn't always pick on the soft ones!
Heh heh...
Cao Cao sneered. "Situ Lu reminds me wisely. Then, the matter of dealing with the traitors Dong Cheng, Wang Zifu, Wu Shuo, and others will be left to Situ Lu and Minister Xun!"
The moment these words were spoken...
The entire hall fell silent!
Situ Lu, Minister Xun...
It was clear that this was not a test for Lu Yu by Cao Cao, but rather a test for Minister Xun by Cao Cao?
To become Cao Cao's confidant?
Or to remain loyal to the Great Han?
Minister Xun... would have to choose one or the other!
...
...