The spot for the Heir Apparent in the imperial edict was left blank.
And according to Xun Yu, Lord Xun Ling, King Wei had told him “before his death” that this selection… was for Nan Shouting Marquis Lu Yu to fill…
This…
If such an edict had been presented by any other official, not Xun Yu, then common sense would dictate it was… it was a falsified decree!
Whoever presented this edict would have been dismembered alive.
But… Xun Yu, Lord Xun Ling.
He was such a gentle, refined, and elegant gentleman.
Then… this decree…
These dying words of King Wei?
Were they… real?
Their eyes widened, then plunged into endless astonishment.
Of course… their shock was far from over.
Because, after the line, “Yu fills in who the Heir Apparent is, that person shall be the Heir Apparent,” there was another line – “including himself!”
What did this mean?
Lu Yu? Heir Apparent?
Those who knew the inside story, like Jia Xu, Chen Gong, and Xun Yu, let out long sighs of relief, knowing that this day had finally arrived.
Those who were unaware were utterly shocked.
“Gulp…”
Many subconsciously swallowed, because even if this sentence was just “relayed” by Lord Xun Ling, they… couldn’t so easily believe it?
Not only others…
Lu Yu was also bewildered, what did Old Cao mean? What did he mean, “including himself”?
Damn it, hadn’t they agreed that after this incident, Lu Yu would retreat from the world?
How could he be a candidate for the Heir Apparent?
Damn it, Old Cao… you’re not my father! What is this about!
This puts me in an unjust position! Just then…
“Hahahahaha…”
A laugh laced with mockery and extreme sarcasm rose.
Cao Pi roared with laughter, “Gen… Gentlemen, do you see? Your Nan Shouting Marquis, this Lu Yu… how far has his power reached? Even Lord Xun Ling is disregarding his father King’s dying decree, saying that he, Yu, should choose the Heir Apparent, and he himself is a candidate, hahaha… ridiculous, ridiculous…
Cao Pi’s laughter grew more scornful.
“Lu Yu, oh Lu Yu, aren’t you supposed to be an expert strategist, always in control? Why are you so foolish when it concerns yourself? Even if Lord Xun Ling forged such a decree, you shouldn’t… you shouldn’t have made yourself a candidate for Heir Apparent? How ridiculous… how ridiculous, my foolish master, are you trying to make me lose my teeth from laughter, to make all the court officials laugh at themselves?”
“Hahahaha… Hahahaha…”
Cao Pi couldn’t stop his wild laughter, as if he had found something… yes, found a huge, indelible stain on Lu Yu!
“Haha… my good master, you are wise in all things, but foolish in this moment. Even if you had appointed Cao Chong or Cao Ang as Crown Prince, I, Cao Pi, would have accepted it, I would have surrendered with grace, but you… your ambition is too great, your aim is actually to appoint yourself as Heir Apparent, how pathetic, how pathetic…”
“Your father King is dead, are you not even willing to pretend anymore? Stealing a hook earns punishment, but stealing a kingdom earns a Marquis. Within the gates of the feudal lords, benevolence still exists? Haha, hasn’t your mask of false benevolence and righteousness finally been torn away!”
Words were spoken with certainty…
Every word Cao Pi uttered was like a poisoned arrow, wantonly shooting towards Lu Yu.
And in this palace, before the late King Wei’s coffin, the atmosphere suddenly turned cold.
—A suffocating coldness!
This was a matter of the Heir Apparent appointed by the late King. Even if Xiahou Dun, Cao Hong, and others had a tacit understanding with Lu Yu, regarding the selection of the Heir Apparent, this realm built with the achievements of Cao and Pei… it could not be handed over to someone of a different surname, could it? To someone without blood ties, right?
Wouldn’t this be like… Wang Mang usurping the throne back then?
Lu Yu frowned…
He didn’t know what medicine Cao Cao and Xun Yu were selling.
What was his status?
How could he be the Heir Apparent?
Wasn’t this… utter madness?
“Come, bring a brush!” Lu Yu immediately shouted…
Cao Zhi had a brush in his possession and quickly handed it over…
(This chapter is not finished!)
Chapter 682: I Once Met a Woman from the Southern Lands, and Fell in Love at First Sight
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Lu Yu gripped the brush and walked step by step towards Xun Yu. He had two armored guards lift the sides of the “imperial edict,” and he intended to write the name of a prince in the blank spot for the Heir Apparent!
—The Crown Prince of Wei;
—The future ruler of Great Wei;
From the very beginning… a candidate had already been chosen!
Everything being done now was for him!
Facing countless doubts, Lu Yu raised his brush. He didn’t need to explain further… He knew that once his brush fell, all doubts would be settled by the name on the decree.
He…
As long as Lu Yu didn’t write his own name.
Then… he would still be the Nan Shouting Marquis who was admired by all.
However, after such a minor incident?
Would the warriors of Cao and Pei still trust him?
—Cao…
The brush moved like a dragon and snake, powerful and vigorous. Lu Yu’s first stroke had already fallen.
And this stroke also made all the officials in the hall let out a long sigh of relief. It was “Cao”… not “Lu,” and the heavy burden on their hearts could finally be lifted.
—Zhi!
The second character was also written… Xin
Precisely this character, surprised many people.
They thought that Lu Yu should appoint the younger “Cao Chong,” shouldn’t he?
But Cao Chong’s courtesy name was Cangshu… this “Zhi”… was incorrect!
Then, who else could “Zhi” be referring to?
—Zixiu?
—Zijian?
It couldn’t possibly be Zihuan and Wen, right?
“Stop being hypocritical…” Cao Pi laughed. “Master Lu, your wolfish ambition is already clear for all to see. Humph… no matter who you write, you cannot change the fact that you want to be ‘Wang Mang,’ that you want to ‘usurp Great Wei’!”
“Zhi…” Xun Yu couldn’t help but speak…
“Lord Xun Ling, are you still trying to defend him? Humph…” Cao Pi continued to curse. “Now, before your father King’s coffin, who doesn’t know that you and Yu are in cahoots! You are birds of a feather, birds of the same nest, allies in wickedness, and of the same ilk!”
As soon as the words fell…
“Slap” a slap resounded.
From behind Cao Pi, a hand emerged from the crowd and heavily struck Cao Pi’s face.
Because the force of the slap was immense…
Cao Pi was sent flying. When he got up again, besides the red slap print on his cheek, he was continuously spitting blood from his mouth.
This sudden turn of events startled some people.
But upon recognizing the person who had struck him, many trembled.
—It was Xu Chu…
Xu Chu, the commander of the Tiger Guards!
However, why would this general, who had followed the late King for decades, slap the late King’s son? Did he… have the right to discipline and insult the late King’s son in such a public manner?
“You… you dare to slap me?” Cao Pi pointed at Xu Chu and roared…
“This general does not wish to slap you, for it would only dirty my hands!” Xu Chu let out a cold shout, then cleared a path!
Just then.
—“Hahaha…”
—“Hahahaha….”
—“Hahahahaha!”
Suddenly, loud laughter echoed from outside the palace.
This earth-shattering laughter immediately stunned everyone present.
Because…
This familiar laughter made the assembled officials instinctively think of one person:—the late King Cao Cao!
That’s right, apart from the late King Cao Cao, who else could produce such a distinctive laugh? But…
Instinctively, the eyes of some officials turned towards the late King’s coffin. Wasn’t the late King’s body… wasn’t it in the coffin? But this voice clearly came from outside the hall!
No time to think…
The incredibly familiar voice spoke again, “It’s only been a month since my death, yet the King of Wei’s palace is so lively. Ah… hahahaha…” This time…
It was not just the voice that appeared, Cao Cao’s not-so-imposing figure, those narrowed eyes, and that smiling face suddenly appeared before everyone’s eyes.
“Da… Da…”
“Wei… King Wei?”
(This chapter is not finished!)
Chapter 682: I Once Met a Woman from the Southern Lands, and Fell in Love at First Sight
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“Father… Father King!”
Almost… everyone exclaimed in unison. Those shouting “Big Brother” were the generals and meritorious officials of Cao and Pei;
Those shouting “Father King” were Cao Cao’s sons.
Different titles, but their expressions and feelings were the same… King Wei? Is he still alive?
Stunned!
If someone were to be as stunned as a “wooden chicken,” then in this palace, the pale faces were like fossils deeply embedded in amber.
“Gulp… Gulp…”
Cao Pi subconsciously swallowed. He rubbed his eyes desperately, unable to believe… before him was his living father, the living King Wei!
Hoo…
With a heavy exhale.
Cao Cao strode in, his steps like a soaring dragon. When he reached Cao Pi, he paused.
“Zihuan, was it you who just said that Nan Shouting Marquis and Lord Xun Ling are in cahoots, birds of the same nest, allies in wickedness? Heh… Zihuan, oh Zihuan, is this how I taught you to ‘respect teachers and value the Way’?”
Uh…
Facing his father’s reprimand, Cao Pi trembled and opened his mouth. He wanted to say something… but his throat seemed to be choked, his entire throat was closed.
It was as if… under this powerful deterrence.
“Hit again!”
Cao Cao simply uttered softly.
“Slap…” Xu Chu’s hand exerted force, and another slap landed on Cao Pi’s face. This time, Xu Chu swung his arm in a full circle, almost sending Cao Pi flying back two steps!
Thump… thump…
On the other hand, Cao Cao continued to walk forward step by step.
When he reached Cao Ang, Cao Cao deliberately stopped his steps…
“King… Father King, you’re alright… Father King, you’re still alive.”
Cao Ang gritted his teeth. He was too emotional to contain himself, his entire face covered in tear tracks.
These were tears of filial piety that a son could shed from the bottom of his heart, and only… only Cao Ang, who was supremely benevolent and filial and completely unconcerned with the position of Heir Apparent, could weep with joy like this.
“Of course Father King is still alive!”
“Haha, Zixiu, have you forgotten what Dad taught you? Why are your feet whiter than your face…” Cao Cao asked Cao Ang.
Cao Ang wiped away his tears and replied with a sobbing voice, “Father King said… that’s because, because the feet are always hidden!”
“Hahaha…” Cao Cao looked at Cao Ang with satisfaction and patted his shoulder… “This time, you did very well. Father King is very pleased…” Speaking of which…
Cao Cao turned his gaze towards Cao Zhi, “Zijian!”
“Father King!” Zhi quickly rushed over and knelt beside Cao Cao.
“You did very well, worthy of being a Taixue student! And worthy of being your master’s son!” Cao Cao patted Cao Zhi’s shoulders with both hands. “In the future, you and Zixiu will surely be the pillars of Wei and the backbone of the nation!”
“I will strictly obey Father’s teachings!”
Cao Ang and Cao Zhi said in unison…
Cao Cao’s gaze shifted again to Cao Zhang. Cao Zhang… had already passed the stage of being shocked by seeing the King. He lowered his head, looking like he had made a mistake and was worried about being punished by an elder.
“Alas… Ziwen…” Cao Cao sighed helplessly, “I told you to read more books. Not knowing the words of the sages, being manipulated by others without realizing it, your brain does not match your ambition!”
“Your son, your son knows his mistake!” Cao Zhang didn’t know what to say… “Your son is willing to atone with his death!”
Cao Cao lightly waved his hand.
“Take Ziwen to the Dali Temple and confine him permanently!”
“Yes!” Xu Chu replied.
Several elite guards of the Tiger Guards quickly escorted him away…
After doing all this, Cao Cao’s gaze returned to Lu Yu.
This was the main event of the day!
He took two more steps forward.
“Ziyu, I lost this bet!”
“In my absence, you were still able to stabilize the situation of Great Wei entirely on your own. I am very pleased with this.”
Speaking of which…
Cao Cao’s eyes turned to the edict, “As per the bet we made back then, the future Heir Apparent of Great Wei will be chosen by you, decided by you!”
This…
Hearing this, Lu Yu’s eyes rolled. (This chapter is not finished!)
Chapter 682: I Once Met a Woman from the Southern Lands, and Fell in Love at First Sight
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Fixed his gaze, and quickly asked, “King Wei, why… did Lord Xun Ling just mention that Lu Yu is also a candidate for the Heir Apparent in this edict? Lu Yu is not worthy!”
Speaking of this, Lu Yu deeply cupped his hands, “Has King Wei forgotten that in the bet we made, there was another condition: after the Great Wei Heir Apparent takes the throne, Lu Yu will hand over the Dragon Roar Camp, the School Affairs Office, the Imperial Academy… and from then on, retreat to the mountains and forests, far from worldly disputes!”
As soon as he said this.
Cao Cao waved his hand with great spirit, “No rush for this moment.”
“Ziyu, don’t forget, when we made the bet, Ziyu promised me that no matter the outcome, you would listen to me tell a story!” This…
Indeed, Lu Yu recalled that he had promised King Wei Cao Cao that he would listen to a story.
At this moment, Cao Cao’s gaze changed from his usual bold and uninhibited demeanor to solemn and meticulous.
He faced the officials, faced his brothers of Cao and Pei, faced his sons.
“Everyone might as well listen to this story!”
“I spent a month in seclusion, and I didn’t do anything else but write this story clearly and explicitly…”
Speaking of this, Xu Chu and another Tiger Guard quickly unfurled a scroll…
—A long bamboo scroll!
Choosing “bamboo scroll” over “paper” was enough to prove the solemnity and seriousness of the story told here.
For a moment, everyone listened attentively!
Cao Cao narrowed his eyes and looked at Lu Yu, “Heh heh… Ziyu, after hearing the story, I believe you will choose the most suitable Heir Apparent for Great Wei, and I also believe you will choose to truly carry Great Wei on your shoulders!”
Speaking of this…
Cao Cao’s eyes showed more determination, more meticulousness, and his voice became hoarse.
“When I was ten years old, I moved from my hometown in Cao and Pei to live on Jinwu Alley, East Street, Luoyang! When I was twelve, I entered the Imperial Academy to study!”
—For a moment, everyone listened attentively!
Cao Cao narrowed his eyes and looked at Lu Yu, “Heh heh… Ziyu, after hearing this story, I believe you will choose the most suitable Heir Apparent for Great Wei, and I also believe you will choose to truly carry Great Wei on your shoulders!”
Speaking of this…
Cao Cao’s eyes showed more determination, more meticulousness, and his voice also became hoarse.)
“When I was ten years old, I moved from my hometown in Cao and Pei to live on Jinwu Alley, East Street, Luoyang! When I was twelve, I entered the Imperial Academy to study!”
“I graduated from the Imperial Academy at eighteen, my ambition spanned mountains and rivers…”
“At twenty, I was recommended by Shangshu Cheng Si Fang as the ‘Luoyang Northern Commandant,’ casting five-colored cudgels and striking down the powerful!”
“At twenty-three, I served as the Magistrate of Dunqiu… I promulgated the Ten Crimes Decree, punished the wicked, reclaimed wasteland, and brought peace back to the people of Dunqiu… Then, at twenty-four, while serving as Magistrate of Dunqiu, I once encountered a woman. She had come to seek refuge from the southern lands… We fell in love at first sight, and our passion ignited…”
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Chapter 682: I Once Met a Woman from the Southern Lands, and Fell in Love at First Sight