A massive map was hung up, with five locations marked with red circles.
Xu Du, Luoyang, Chang'an, Ye City, Xiangyang!
Cao Pi gazed at these five places, silent. He seemed to be contemplating, or perhaps deeply weighing options.
Cao Chong in Xiliang had already arrived in Chang'an under the escort of the Long Xiao Cavalry and the Xiliang Army. Cao Zhang's troops were also advancing south from the northern territories, directly towards Luoyang. Xiangyang City was the core territory of Cao Zhi's propaganda, and within a day, news could be sent in all directions... forming the broadest public opinion.
In contrast, he, Cao Pi...
Only occupied advantageous terrain, and his father, the King, lay in his coffin right here.
"Young Master, it has been confirmed. The Southern Hunting Marquis died... died at the hands of Wang Yue. Young Master must make a decision!"
Wu Zhi repeatedly urged him.
Shi A's hand remained on the hilt of his sword...
He held five hundred elite guards. With a single command from Cao Pi, the families of key court officials could be controlled immediately.
In contrast, Cao Pi...
He still squinted, his gaze fixed on the map on the desk.
However, his eyes seemed to pierce through it with increasing intensity.
His finger traced across the map, from Xu Du to Luoyang, then to Ye City, Xiangyang, Chang'an... Finally, he withdrew his finger, clenched his fist, as if he had made his final decision.
"Act!"
Just two words...
As Cao Pi uttered them, they seemed incredibly difficult.
This was a path of "success or annihilation";
This was a path of breaking the cauldrons and sinking the boats, or rather, a path from which there was no return.
Making this decision was not easy!
Finally, a confirmation was heard.
Wu Zhi immediately declared, "General Shi A, deploy the elite guards at once to control the officials and their families. All of the Wei King's palace must remain sealed. The entire city of Xu Du must also be sealed. Not even a cat is to be allowed out of the city!"
Speaking of which, Wu Zhi frowned, as if he had thought of something else. "Also, the Southern Hunting Marquis's residence, Lu Yu's family must also be confined."
Upon hearing that the Southern Hunting Marquis's family was to be confined, Shi A was startled and quickly asked, "Hasn't the Southern Hunting Marquis already died at the hands of Wang Yue? Why confine his family now..."
Before Shi A could finish speaking.
Wu Zhi quickly explained, "Although Lu Yu is dead, the Long Xiao Camp and the School Office still exist and are spread throughout the Great Wei. As long as we hold Lu Yu's family, the Long Xiao Camp cannot act rashly!"
Oh...
Shi A slapped his forehead, bowed in farewell, and went to make arrangements.
Cao Pi cast a look of approval at Wu Zhi. His eyes narrowed further. Listening to the shouts of "Fire! Fire!" from outside the window, Cao Pi, outwardly calm, was inwardly in turmoil...
"Ji Chong..." After a long deliberation, Cao Pi finally spoke.
"Young Master."
"Heh..." As if hearing the address "Young Master," a fierce glint flashed in Cao Pi's eyes.
Wu Zhi understood and quickly corrected himself, "My Lord..."
These two words made Cao Pi's lips curve upwards, finally revealing a pleased smile. "The King's palace is on fire. Heh, accompany me to see!"
"Yes... Yes..."
Wu Zhi quickly agreed...
For a moment, he already felt the dignity emanating from the man before him!
He was the future King of Great Wei!
...
...
"Fire! Fire! The Wei King's palace is on fire."
"All the wells in the Wei King's palace have run dry... Are there any wells here? Any water?"
The shouts grew clearer... It seemed that the Tiger Guards were searching everywhere for water.
Even Xun Yu, who was far away in the Secretariat, could hear it clearly.
Wei King's palace? On fire?
The plaque... the imperial edict?
Thinking of this, the brush in Xun Yu's hand trembled, almost dripping ink onto the prepared paper.
In winter, the wind was dry and materials were flammable. The Wei King's palace was mostly made of wood and was most afraid of fire. If it caught fire, it would spread continuously and endlessly.
But...
The wells running dry was rather deliberate.
Xun Yu quickly stood up. Jia Xu had left not long ago, and now, he was going out again...
As the door opened, a gust of cold wind swept in. He clearly saw that in the direction of the Wei King's palace, a sky-high blaze had ignited under the howling north wind, its flames illuminating half the sky.
Not only the Wei King's palace, but the entire city of Luoyang was in chaos.
At this moment, some unfamiliar soldiers appeared in the streets and alleys. Rather than maintaining order, they seemed to be... controlling the entire city of Xu Du.
"Tap tap..."
Taking two steps.
Xun Yu suddenly thought of something, and his footsteps halted, his eyes narrowing.
Seeing Xun Yu stop, the clerk behind him quickly asked, "Lord Xun, the Wei King's imperial edict is still in the Wei King's palace... The Wei King had ordered that it not be removed without Lord Xun's presence. Now..."
Waving his hand...
Xun Yu waved his hand gently, murmuring, "Hang up the 'no visitors' sign. Say that my old illness has flared up and I will see no one for the next few days!"
Ah...
The clerk was greatly astonished. They could not imagine... with such a major event happening, Lord Xun could... still remain so composed?
"Lord Xun, shouldn't we try to save the imperial edict? If this edict is lost, how can the heir apparent of Great Wei be decided?"
Heh...
Hearing this, Xun Yu smiled faintly. He turned his head and walked back to the Secretariat unhurriedly.
As he walked, he said.
"The purpose of this fire was to burn that imperial edict. Going there now would likely be too late to save it. Let's go back. Issue my order... All personnel in the Secretariat must eat and sleep in the Secretariat these few days. Do not move around freely, do not contact anyone without authorization. Violators will be severely punished!"
This...
Although they did not understand, the clerk could only bow in agreement.
Raising his head, he looked back at the towering inferno at the Wei King's palace. Who knew what the Wei King's palace... no, what the entire Great Wei would become after tonight?
...
...
Outside the Wei King's palace, the two large doors with yellow frames were tightly shut. The fire was intensifying, and even outside the gates, the heat wave could be felt.
However, Cao Cao's "coffin" was placed in a side hall of the Wei King's palace, precisely avoiding the conflagration. Or, to be more precise, the wells in the part of the Wei King's palace guarded by the Tiger Guards were not dry.
Behind the curtains, Xu Shu and Cheng Yu were whispering.
They were among the few officials of the Long Xiao Camp left in Xu Du.
Xu Shu was in charge of the School Office, and Cheng Yu could move freely within the Secretariat.
Xu Shu said, "Zhongde, this fire is suspicious! The wind is blowing before the storm. I heard... Young Master Ziwen is already leading troops towards Xu Du."
Cheng Yu sighed with a "Heh."
"Do you think Ziwen intends to rebel?"
Xu Shu did not answer directly. "The Great King is gone, and Wei has no ruler. The only imperial edict left behind was coincidentally burned along with the Wei King's palace. Zi Yu's whereabouts are unknown. Someone has taken advantage of the advantageous terrain. Half a month ago, the troops from Ye City had already entered Xu Du. Someone wants to seize the throne. The foundation of Great Wei is in danger!"
Hearing this, Cheng Yu's brow furrowed...
This man, who had remained unfazed in the face of Mount Tai collapsing many times, now showed a rare look of panic.
"Who would have thought that when the Wei King was alive, Great Wei was as stable as a rock? But as soon as the Wei King perished, Great Wei would become so fragmented. And... and Zi Yu, how could he... go to face that fatal encounter with Wang Yue? The urgent report said he died at Wang Yue's hands, but I can never believe it. Unless I see it with my own eyes, I will never believe it."
Xu Shu lamented, "I don't believe it either, but as things stand, we need to do something. You still have some soldiers from the Long Xiao Camp, and I have the School Office. Zi Yu taking Young Master Cao Chong to Xiliang actually showed his stance, and the stance of our Long Xiao Camp. Now... the first priority is to transport the Wei King's coffin to Chang'an. Second... is to hand over the Great King's seal to Young Master Cao Chong, so that Young Master Cao Chong can control it. Only then can the Long Xiao Camp maintain the initiative!"
Cheng Yu showed some difficulty. "Xu Du is the capital of Han, not Wei. Transporting the Wei King's coffin is not impossible, but according to regulations, the heir apparent must personally come to escort it..."
Xu Shu became anxious and lowered his voice, "Where is the heir apparent? The Wei King's imperial edict has been burned. Rituals can be adapted to circumstances. The people are in panic now. If someone with ulterior motives supports another prince, or if Young Master Cao Chong is harmed when he arrives in Xu Du, how can we face Zi Yu? You and I will be sinners for eternity in Great Wei."
In fact... there was still one part.
Xu Shu could not tell Cheng Yu, and even if he did, Cheng Yu would not believe it.
The heir apparent designated by the Wei King in the imperial edict at the Wei King's palace might not be Cao Chong...
But the heir apparent must be in Chang'an!
Cheng Yu pondered for a moment, beckoned Xu Shu to follow him, and the two walked out from behind the curtain...
Cheng Yu said with a solemn expression, "Xiahou Miaocai is the chief envoy for the mourning rites this time. The imperial seal is with him. He is Zi Yu's father-in-law... He will never refuse to serve a vital purpose. Yuan Zhi, have you thought it through? The Long Xiao Camp must stand on the right side. If we choose incorrectly, it will be eternal damnation for the Long Xiao Camp, and for you and me."
"Heh..."
Xu Shu smiled. "Zhongde, as long as we deliver the Great King's seal to Chang'an, the Long Xiao Camp will surely be on the right side. Don't you also believe that Zi Yu is unharmed?"
This...
Cheng Yu did not reply further. He cast a final, deep glance at Xu Shu, then went to find Xiahou Yuan.
And after a moment, Cheng Yu had retrieved the Great King's imperial seal. The seal was in a gilded lacquer box, which Cheng Yu handed to Xu Shu.
Xu Shu did not take it, looking at Cheng Yu in confusion.
"Cheng Sima is a Sima of the Long Xiao Camp. If you take the seal out of the city... no matter what happens to Zi Yu, the future of the Long Xiao Camp still depends on Sima Cheng."
"No!" Cheng Yu waved his long arm. "Yuan Zhi, do not underestimate me. Before you joined the Long Xiao Camp, I, Cheng Yu, had undertaken many dangerous deeds. My nickname was 'Ghost's Dread of the Central Plains.' This time, you take the seal out of the city and deal with these people. The matter of transporting the coffin will be handled by me. Even if a change occurs here, with the seal... the Long Xiao Camp can still maintain the initiative and support Young Master Cao Chong's enthronement in Chang'an City!"
Xu Shu looked at Cheng Yu. "Does Sima Cheng intend to face Cao Pi and Cao Zhang alone?"
Cheng Yu nodded. "The ancients said that when brothers face hardship together, at least one must survive. You and I have become the most trusted individuals of the Southern Hunting Marquis. Facing such a great change, we are like brothers for now. You go. Whether it's for Zi Yu or the Long Xiao Camp, they cannot do without you!"
Xu Shu pondered for a moment and then accepted the box calmly.
"Since Sima Cheng has said this, I, Xu, will surely not fail my mission. I will deliver the seal to Chang'an... to the Long Xiao Camp, into Zi Yu's hands."
Cheng Yu intended to add another sentence, if Zi Yu was truly, as the rumors said...
Perished by Wang Yue's sword.
Then... the Long Xiao Camp should inherit the Southern Hunting Marquis's will and support Cao Chong to succeed to the throne!
But these words...
Cheng Yu ultimately did not utter them.
Deep down, he still held some fantasy and hope. Lu Zi Yu, he... would be fine!
Xu Shu covered the lacquer box with the wide sleeve of his hemp robe and hurried towards the back door of the Wei King's palace. Unfortunately... at some point, not only the front door but also the back door was heavily surrounded, with stern guards standing sentinel.
And on the periphery... more and more armored soldiers were gathering.
Even some armored soldiers had clashed with the Tiger Guards.
This was almost unimaginable in the past... but now, after the Wei King's demise, the status of the Tiger Guards had plummeted.
Coupled with the fact that many people were dreaming of achieving "merit in accompanying the dragon"...
"This is bad..."
Xu Shu murmured, his hand holding the lacquer box tightening.
Then, he placed one hand on the sword at his waist...
Xu Shu had been a roaming knight in his youth and was highly skilled in swordsmanship. He was considering whether he could break through with this sword...
However, the possibility was too low.
"At the last moment..."
Xu Shu was about to draw his sword. He could not wait any longer. If he waited, the armored soldiers guarding the Wei King's palace would only increase. Now... if the Tiger Guards were mobilized, they might be able to help him.
Swish...
The sword was out of its scabbard.
Unexpectedly... at this very moment.
A pair of arms suddenly gripped Xu Shu's shoulders...
Xu Shu was greatly alarmed and quickly turned around. Facing him was an incredibly familiar figure.
"Master Xu, I have a way... to get out of the Wei King's palace!"
...
...
Beneath the Wei King's palace, in a secret chamber.
Cao Cao rubbed his head, his eyes closed.
Before him, Tiger Guards were continuously relaying intelligence from various locations.
"Zi Wen is moving fast! He is indeed my Huang Xu'er!" Cao Cao murmured. "Zi Wen is in Youzhou. The distance from Youzhou to Xu Du is more than a thousand li, yet he arrived in just a few days and mobilized over ten thousand troops. Zi Wen is not one to be trifled with either!"
Speaking of which...
Cao Cao slowly stood up. His tiger eyes opened slightly. Although still somewhat weak, his spirit was intact.
"Lord Xun's decision to hang the 'no visitors' sign was a good one..."
"Zi Jian also did not act rashly and lead people to put out the fire. He is the one with the fewest selfish desires, but..."
Saying this.
Cao Cao's eyes suddenly became icy cold, as if two sharp swords were shooting out from his gaze.
"The one who surprised me the most is still—Zi Huan!"
"Burning the Wei King's palace, sealing off Xu Du, secretly keeping elite guards, mobilizing troops from Ye City... Heh..." Cao Cao shook his head slightly. "I never knew that among my sons, there was one so deep in his schemes, one who had planned for so long, just for this day."
Stomp... stomp...
As he muttered to himself, Cao Cao took out another imperial edict from his sleeve.
"No one can imitate my handwriting!"
"Give this imperial edict to Lord Xun... He will know when to use it!"
"Yes!"
As the Tiger Guards took the imperial edict, Cao Cao felt a bit calmer. The turmoil in Xu Du had just begun. He was curious, if he did not intervene, who would ultimately win?
"Where is Zi Yu? How many more days until he arrives?"
"The Southern Hunting Marquis has already arrived in Henei, less than a day's distance from here."
Hmm... So fast.
Cao Cao was astonished by Lu Yu's speed of return. Three days, from Xiliang to Henei. This was a speed of a thousand-li urgent dispatch. When did Zi Yu become such a fast rider?
But it didn't matter. Since he had returned.
Then...
The hunting season—had arrived!
...
...