Cao Cao strode towards the Fengping platform with a powerful gait, as if… after Lu Yu’s reminder, he intended to do something.
Lu Yu and Xun Yu then directed the guards to escort Dong Cheng to the Shangshu Terrace.
At this moment, the dignified Son of Heaven sat on the ground like a puddle of soft mud, his body trembling with weakness. Empress Fushou repeatedly helped him up…
Where was the dignity of the great Han emperor? Helplessly watching as his ministers were taken away to “certain death” because of him, the scene was absurd and comical!
“Your Majesty, Your Majesty…”
“You must pull yourself together, pull yourself together!” Empress Fushou patted his back repeatedly, but… the Son of Heaven Liu Xie at this moment was not just unable to stand up in one place, his entire body was unable to stand up.
He felt his spine had completely collapsed!
…
Shangshu Terrace!
At this moment, Dong Cheng, Wang Zifu, Wu Shuo, Zhong Ji, and others were all prostrate, their bodies covered in wounds from torture!
But every time they fainted, a bucket of water would be thrown on them. These people would groan, wake up again, and undergo another round of torture and interrogation.
The Shangshu Terrace, once a gathering place for scholars, now carried the bloody, murderous atmosphere of the time when the Ten Eunuchs controlled it.
“Uncle Dong? Still not planning to reveal your co-conspirators?”
Lu Yu asked with amusement…
Dong Cheng spat out blood and laughed loudly, appearing maniacally. “Confucius, Mencius, the ancestors of the Han dynasty… have all aided me? Lu Situ, do you dare to arrest them?”
As soon as these words left his mouth…
Before Lu Yu could reply, Dian Wei, standing nearby, his eyes cold, said, “You refuse to shed tears until you see the coffin! Are there not more Dragon Cavalry guards than you can count?”
“Present!”
“Fetch the hot iron!” Dian Wei called out.
In Dian Wei’s opinion, Young Master Lu was always too kind, and he wasn’t skilled at torture, so… he, Dian Wei, would simply fulfill this “cruel” path for Young Master Lu!
Before long, the hot iron and brazier were brought forth.
Dong Cheng, however, was fearless in the face of terror. His eyes gazed at Lu Yu, then at Xun Yu, especially when his eyes met Xun Yu’s, his gaze seemed to hold a thousand unspoken words!
“To prevent leaks, the entire process of assassinating that Cao scoundrel was communicated by me alone. All those involved, let alone Wang Zifu, Wu Shuo, and the others, even His Majesty did not know! Hmph, Lu Situ, you might as well continue torturing me and see… whether your hot iron is more potent or my bones are harder!”
Hearing this…
Dian Wei was about to act!
Lu Yu, however, smiled slightly and immediately signaled that torture was unnecessary. He slowly walked to Dong Cheng’s front. “Don’t think that I don’t know just because you don’t speak. Let me casually mention a few names, Uncle Dong, and you can tell me if they are correct?”
Instantly, Dong Cheng felt an ominous premonition…
Lu Yu’s words followed in rapid succession.
“—Sima Fang, the Governor of Jingzhao, who was responsible for the defense of the Yue Dan evaluation, can he escape responsibility?”
Whoosh…
Dong Cheng’s heart skipped a beat, but he still gritted his teeth and tried to put on a defiant expression of denial.
“—Former Grand Tutor Yang Biao, the physician Ji Ping from the Imperial Medical Office, and…”
When Lu Yu uttered the names Yang Biao and Ji Ping, Dong Cheng could no longer remain calm.
How could it be…
How could it be…
They had clearly been hidden in the shadows, so how did they get exposed?
“You…”
“Don’t panic.” Lu Yu smiled and stood with his hands behind his back, finally uttering the most crucial name. “Liu Bei, Liu Xuande, was also involved in this ‘Yidai Zhao,’ wasn’t he?”
Familiar with this history, Lu Yu could recite by heart all those involved in such a major event as the ‘Yidai Zhao’!
Whether Dong Cheng confessed or not was of little significance!
But…
When all these names were uttered by Lu Yu, Dong Cheng’s eyes widened immensely.
Yidai Zhao? Why did he even know about the Yidai Zhao!
“Lu Yu, Lu Yu…”
At this moment, Dong Cheng was hysterical… he was shouting Lu Yu’s name wildly and helplessly, as if to vent all his pent-up anger and despair.
This expression made Xun Yu, who was also present at the interrogation, show a hint of discomfort on his face.
This subtle expression did not escape Lu Yu’s eyes.
Xun Yu then pursed his lips and squatted down in front of Dong Cheng. “Since it is the Yidai Zhao, there must be a letter and an oath. Uncle Dong, just confess, where is this ‘Yidai Zhao’ now?”
Whoosh…
Xun Yu’s question suddenly made Dong Cheng understand something.
He stared deeply at Xun Yu with wide eyes, and finally, he burst out laughing…
He laughed loudly and cursed, “Lord Xun, you are also from a prestigious family of Yingchuan, yet now you stoop to serve a Han traitor. What face do you have to ask me?”
Speaking of this…
Hahaha…
With a burst of wild laughter, Dong Cheng suddenly bit his tongue, and a mouthful of blood completely sprayed onto Xun Yu. Xun Yu seemed stunned, but… a few tears flashed in his eyes. He looked at Dong Cheng with a complex expression, but… with a turn of his body, his expression changed, and he returned to his usual graceful and indifferent demeanor, as if uninvolved!
Whoosh…
With a soft sigh, Xun Yu wiped the bloodstains from his cheek with his sleeve and bowed his head to Lu Yu, apologizing, “Lu Situ, it was my excessive words that caused Uncle Dong to bite his tongue and commit suicide!”
This…
Lu Yu blinked his eyes. He had actually understood something from Xun Yu’s words just now.
Especially the sentence – “Since it is the Yidai Zhao, there must be a letter and an oath. Where is this Yidai Zhao now?”
It seemed like an interrogation, but in reality, Xun Yu was reminding Dong Cheng that no matter who Lu Yu identified or how accurate his judgment was, without the Yidai Zhao, it would ultimately be mere hearsay. This was Xun Yu’s way of persuading Dong Cheng to die and leave a shred of hope for the Han court!
Well-intentioned…
Truly well-intentioned.
Of course, Lu Yu wouldn’t expose it. Although the Han court lost this operation, their performance far exceeded Lu Yu’s expectations.
Liu Bei remained inactive, Yang Biao, Sima Fang, and Ji Ping protected themselves…
Coupled with the secret assistance of the neutral Xun Yu, this incident, and the ensuing massacre, would end here.
What a pity…
Thinking of this, Lu Yu spread his hands. “Lord Xun always has a penchant for cleanliness, yet he was stained by Uncle Dong’s blood. I imagine Lord Xun must be feeling quite distressed!”
“Clothing can be changed, but Uncle Dong’s pain is likely his unending torment.” Xun Yu’s reply was profound and philosophical.
Since they were going to talk about philosophy…
Lu Yu’s eyes rolled…
He turned to Xun Yu with interest and said with a smile, “Lord Xun, it’s still early today, why don’t we chat a bit more?”
“Chat about what?” Xun Yu asked curiously…
“How about chatting about ‘Xun Zi’?” Lu Yu suggested with a smile…
Whoosh… As soon as these words were spoken, Xun Yu’s eyes rolled.
He had initially thought Lu Yu would discuss the matter of Dong Cheng biting his tongue and committing suicide.
But he hadn’t expected it to be about ‘Xun Zi’.
Of course, the book ‘Xun Zi’ held a prominent position in the Xun clan of Yingchuan, because… it was the work of their ancestor!
“Lu Situ, please elaborate. Xun is willing to listen in detail!”
“I dare not!” Lu Yu bowed respectfully, then took the lead in asking, “In ‘Xun Zi: Treatise on Heaven,’ it is mentioned that the stars revolve, the sun and moon illuminate in succession, the four seasons march in order, Yin and Yang transform greatly, wind and rain spread their blessings, and all things, by obtaining their harmony, are born, and by obtaining their nourishment, are grown. Their actions are unseen, yet their merits are seen; this is called divine. All know how they are formed, but none know their formlessness; this is called Heaven.”
“This is Xun Zi’s thought of ‘Heaven’s Way is Natural.’ Today… Lu Yu dares to humbly ask Lord Xun, what is Heaven’s Way is Natural? What is ‘Heaven and Man are Constant’? What is ‘Heaven and Man are Separate’? What is ‘Control Heaven’s Mandate and Use It’!”
Whoa…
As Lu Yu uttered these words, Xun Yu was slightly taken aback. When ordinary people spoke of Xun Zi, they usually spoke of ‘Exhortation to Learning,’ saying that without accumulating small steps, one cannot reach a thousand miles, and without accumulating small streams, one cannot form rivers and seas.
But… Lu Yu had touched upon a very deep level of understanding and insight.
The key was that with this sudden question, Xun Yu truly didn’t know how to answer.
“Since Lu Situ has asked, you must have some of your own understanding, right?”
Xun Yu retorted…
Who would have thought that Lu Yu would directly wave his hand? “My understanding is not important. What is important is Lord Xun’s understanding…”
“Heaven can give birth to things, but cannot distinguish them. Earth can carry people, but cannot govern them. This is ‘Treatise on Rites’! Heaven has its seasons, Earth has its talents, Man has his governance. This is ‘Treatise on Heaven’!”
Speaking to this point, Lu Yu’s eyes fixed, and his words became more serious.
“As a side note, regarding the matter of Uncle Dong, Lord Xun must be feeling very conflicted, right? Balancing between the Han court and Duke Cao? How could it not be difficult?”
“But, Xun clan ancestor Xun Zi elaborated in the chapter ‘No Defiance,’ what is a gentleman? Lord Xun, by following Duke Cao, saving the world, saving the common people from suffering, and saving the Son of Heaven from suffering, you are honoring human virtue and promoting human beauty. Assisting Duke Cao is not flattery; admonishing Duke Cao is also the direction of your inner righteousness, not betrayal!”
“But… Heaven’s Way is Natural. Instead of blindly believing in Heaven’s authority, admiring it, praising it, and waiting for Heaven’s blessings and rise, it is better to utilize natural laws to serve humanity. ‘Respect what is within oneself,’ rather than ‘admire what is in Heaven.’ These words were not spoken by me, but by Master Xun. Lord Xun should also bend and stretch with the times and respond to changes with righteousness. The world’s situation is always changing, and people must also change. Lord Xun’s achievements have already honored the ancestors of the Xun clan. You must not be too harsh on yourself, and you must not let loyalty harm you!”
Upon mentioning the last sentence.
Lu Yu’s mind flashed back to a basketball show he enjoyed watching in his previous life, where Garnett had cautioned James – don’t let loyalty betray you!
At this moment, Lu Yu used such a warning for Xun Yu, and he felt… it was very appropriate.
Of course, whether it was effective or how much effect it would have, that was another story.
Once upon a time…
When Lu Yu surveyed the history of the late Han Dynasty, among the Great Wei faction, the one who moved him the most was none other than Lord Xun.
Why did Lord Xun, with the talent of Zhang Zifang, ultimately meet a great tragedy?
The core reasons were only three points.
—Deep-rooted loyalty to the Han!
—A straightforward personality!
And the most important one, Cao Cao’s principle of “I would rather fail others than let others fail me,” directly led to Xun Yu’s tragic life!
Summarizing them was easy…
But changing them was difficult!
Xun Yu, as the top strategist of this era and the top noble, it was extremely difficult to change his deeply ingrained concepts!
It couldn’t be accomplished in just a few words.
Lu Yu just mentioned it…
Using the words of your Yingchuan ancestor “Xun Zi” to admonish him, now, it was up to Lord Xun to realize it himself.
Whoosh…
With a long sigh, when the words “don’t let loyalty betray you” came out of Lu Yu’s mouth and entered Xun Yu’s ears, his body trembled violently. It was clear that his heart was also moved.
He smiled and shook his head. “Bending and stretching with the times, responding to changes with righteousness, but the bottom line of responding to changes is ultimately righteousness! Lu Situ, you must not forget the great ‘righteousness’ either!”
Well…
As soon as these words were spoken, Lu Yu felt that his previous words were spoken in vain!
“Alas…” With a helpless sigh, Lu Yu stood up and walked towards the door, adding a sentence, “The righteousness that Lord Xun practices, is it true righteousness? The divine right of kings? Is this ‘Confucian’ thought, which was taught by Dong Zhongshu, the same as that proposed by Confucius?”
Speaking to this point, Lu Yu shook his head. “Lord Xun might as well think carefully about this junior’s words in his leisure time. Perhaps you might gain some different insights!”
With these words, Lu Yu walked out of the Shangshu Terrace…
Next was another round of bloody slaughter. Lu Yu didn’t want to watch; it made him feel sick. It was better to return and apologize to Sister Zhaoji early!
Causing such a mess at the Yue Dan evaluation, Sister Zhaoji must be angry, right?
Whoosh…
Unexpectedly, as soon as Lu Yu walked out of the Shangshu Terrace, Xun Yu’s eyes narrowed intently.
Touched?
How could his heart not be touched?
His expression was calm, but that was to hide the agitation in his heart!
Lu Yu’s understanding of ‘Xun Zi,’ and the principles and great righteousness passed down by the Xun clan’s ancestors, seemed… more profound and thorough than his own understanding!
Especially the last sentence he uttered – the ‘Confucian’ thought, which was taught by Dong Zhongshu, is it the same as that proposed by Confucius?
With Xun Yu’s learning, how could he not understand the meaning of these words!
—The right of kings, in fact… may not be divinely ordained!
—A boat that carries water is truly a boat!
—The people are the most important, the state comes next, the ruler is the least important!
He, Xun Yu, should practice righteousness for the people, or for the ruler?
…
…
On this side, Lu Yu and Xun Yu’s conversation became increasingly profound, philosophical, and thought-provoking!
On the other side, on the Fengping platform, the atmosphere was solemn and stern!
This place had already been sealed off. Except for Cai Zhaoji being sent back to the Situ’s mansion, almost all civil and military officials were being guarded here.
Cao Cao stepped forward and stood on this Fengping platform. Before long, the corpse of Consort Dong was also carried here by the guards.
She was already dead, but it seemed… her body twitched inexplicably, as if a last resurgence, but ultimately it stopped moving, and she completely perished!
Cao Cao coldly glanced at Consort Dong’s still warm corpse and said coldly, “Did you all see? Consort Dong and her uncle Dong Cheng conspired to assassinate the current Situ! They have been executed! Next, it will be their cronies’ turn!”
As soon as these words were spoken…
The faces of the Han ministers present all turned pale, and their heads instinctively lowered.
Seeing Cao Cao… their hearts turned cold;
But seeing Consort Dong’s corpse, their hearts turned even colder!
When they realized Lord Xun did not appear, almost everyone’s heart sank into despair.
“Come, tell me, just now I was assassinated at this Yue Dan evaluation, and the situation here was chaotic. Some of you were so scared that you stayed put, while others came to protect me, Cao Cao! I personally witnessed some officials kill several assassins, so I consider them my saviors! How about this, I’ll give you a chance. Those who were scared stay on the left, and those who were not scared stay on the right!”
Speaking to this point, Cao Cao remembered Yu’er’s reminder just now.
“—Although there were despicable assassins on that Fengping platform, there were also loyal and brave ‘Han’ officials. Shouldn’t Duke Cao take another look? And commend them?”
Take a look? Hehe, indeed, he should have a good “look”!
Commend them! That’s even more necessary to “commend” them, with hot irons and iron whips!
“Quickly, within ten breaths, let me see if you are standing on the left or the right!”
Cao Cao shouted again.
Instantly, all the officials at the Yue Dan evaluation became nervous. They jostled and squeezed towards the left.
All officials understood the situation and knew that if they didn’t save Duke Cao… it would be tantamount to watching Duke Cao fall into trouble.
Sima Lang, the eldest son of the Sima family, and Sima Fu, the third son, supported their father, Sima Fang, and walked to the left side. At this moment, Sima Fang, being guilty, had a chaotic heart!
However, Sima Yi immediately grabbed his father.
“Father, eldest brother, third brother… we cannot go to the left!”
Sima Fang was surprised and asked, “The left is merit, the right is demerit? Are we to seek demerit instead of merit?”
“Go to the right!” Sima Yi’s eyes rolled. He suddenly thought of something and his tone became even more serious… “The left is not merit, and the right is not demerit! Now is not the time to snatch merit, but to protect ourselves!”
His inexplicable words surprised Sima Lang and Sima Fu. Sima Fang immediately instructed.
“Listen to Zhongda!”
Immediately, the four of them stood on the right side.
Thus, on the Fengping platform, the left side was occupied by countless officials, like a tide, while the right side had only Sima Yi’s family and a few dozen officials!
Cao Cao’s gaze was like two swords, piercing through the Sima Fang family!
He saw Sima Yi stopping his father just now, and he murmured in his heart, “As expected of Yu’er’s student from the Imperial Academy, he indeed has some ability! Is this considered great wisdom disguised as foolishness?”
Thinking of this, Cao Cao looked around at the officials on the left side again. It was exactly the same as the list of officials who had shown anger during the Xu Tian hunt!
Hehe, he finally found the reason!
He waved his sleeve and immediately ordered, “Where are the Tiger Guards?”
“Present!”
Xu Chu and the Tiger Guards stepped forward. Cao Cao immediately ordered, “Arrest all the officials on the left and interrogate them at Dali Temple!”
Ah… Ah…
As soon as these words were spoken, the officials were as if struck by lightning, arguing and protesting.
One by one, they cried injustice, one by one, they wept tears!
Cao Cao, however, turned around and stood with his hands behind his back.
“Hehe, don’t think I can’t see through your thoughts!”
“During the chaos at this Yue Dan evaluation, everyone was afraid for their own lives and trying to escape. Those who still had the mood to save me, Cao Cao, must be trying to cover up their guilt, and their hearts are punishable! Arrest them immediately and interrogate them strictly!”
As soon as these words were spoken…
The entire hall erupted in chaos…
However, Sima Fang, Sima Lang, and Sima Fu instinctively turned their eyes towards Sima Yi’s direction, and they all breathed a long sigh of relief.
In their eyes, there was full praise for Sima Zhongda.
Who would have thought that at this moment.
Cao Cao changed his tone and pointed his finger at Sima Fang!
“Jingzhao Governor Sima Fang, also arrest him!”
At this, the Sima family’s breath that had just escaped was choked back, and their faces paled in panic!
Sima Yi was shocked, his expression was extremely aggrieved.
“Why… why is this!”
“Why? Haha…” Cao Cao laughed and replied, “As a student of the Imperial Academy? You can’t figure out why? Why not go and ask your head of the Imperial Academy! Let him teach you properly!”
Speaking to this point, Cao Cao pointed at Sima Lang and Sima Fu again.
“Arrest those two as well, and throw them into prison!”
This…
Instantly, Sima Yi felt a thunderbolt strike from the top of his head!
His entire face turned as pale as paper!
His heart was also in utter chaos!
…
…