“Mengde, what plan do you have in mind?”
Zhao Qi fixed his gaze on Cao Cao, his eyes filled with both anxiety and anticipation.
“Lord Binqing.”
Cao Cao answered with a solemn expression, “I have already gained the trust of Li Jue and the others. All I need to do is invite the three of them to my residence under the pretext of hosting a banquet. Then, with three hundred swordsmen concealed inside and outside the main hall, we can surely kill them all.”
“Afterward…”
“If we have a distinguished general from Liang Province step forward to pacify the Liang troops, the matter will be settled.”
Originally, Cao Cao had intended to proceed cautiously, advancing step by step.
But now, he no longer dared to wait.
The regional warlords had grown too powerful, while the imperial heartland was too weak.
If he delayed any longer, he felt they would simply die a slow death.
Only by cutting through the chaos with swift and decisive action, could they hope to seize even the slightest chance of survival.
“But Mengde, isn’t this plan far too dangerous?”
Zhao Qi frowned deeply.
He did not reject Cao Cao’s proposal outright; he simply feared that something might go wrong.
“Lord Binqing.”
Cao Cao gave a self-deprecating smile.
“The Han dynasty has already reached the point of life or death. At a time like this, what does it matter whether the plan is dangerous or not?”
“The Prince of Chen has been murdered, and the Imperial Clan Superintendent has been imprisoned.”
“Forgive my bluntness, but the prestige of the Han dynasty has now fallen to its lowest point.”
“I imagine that in only a few more days, Li Jue, Guo Si, and the others will become even more brazen.”
“And in another year or so…”
“Who knows how many of the realm’s warlords will proclaim themselves emperors? How many will crown themselves kings?”
“When that day comes, the Han court will no longer possess the strength to suppress them.”
“By then… it will already be too late.”
Even for Cao Cao, making such a decision had been extraordinarily difficult.
The pressure from outside had simply become too great.
Two imperial kinsmen, each commanding a hundred thousand troops had both met disaster within the span of only a few days.
Who could possibly endure something like that?
“Then, Mengde…”
After listening, Zhao Qi looked at Cao Cao hopefully.
“Which general among the Liang troops possesses enough patriotism to help His Majesty bring the Liang forces back under imperial control?”
This was the question that concerned him most.
If they could win over the Liang troops, then killing Li Jue and the others would be of little consequence.
If they could not everything would be lost.
“Lord Binqing.”
Cao Cao looked at Zhao Qi.
“Have you forgotten Lord Zhongming?”
“Haha! It seems this old man truly has grown senile!”
Zhao Qi’s expression shifted repeatedly before a long-lost smile finally appeared on his face.
“If we can secretly invite General Zhongming to Chang’an, then none of the Liang generals will be worth worrying about!”
Among Dong Zhuo’s former subordinates, Duan Wei undoubtedly possessed enough prestige to command respect.
Even while Dong Zhuo had been alive, he had treated Duan Wei with exceptional courtesy.
Not only was Duan Wei himself an outstanding commander, but his elder clansman, Duan Jiong, had once been known as the God of War of Liang Province.
He had slaughtered so many Qiang and Hu tribes around Liang that they scarcely dared to show themselves—because the moment they did, they would be annihilated.
He had also once mentored Dong Zhuo.
Within Liang Province, the Duan clan’s name alone carried immense authority.
“Your insight is admirable, Lord Binqing.”
Cao Cao narrowed his eyes and nodded slowly.
“In that case, there is no time to lose. I shall make the necessary arrangements at once. Once Lord Zhongming arrives in Chang’an, we shall act according to the plan.”
“Until then, I ask that you keep this matter absolutely confidential.”
“The fewer people who know of it, the better.”
“Even His Majesty should not be informed until the proper moment.”
“And why is that?”
Zhao Qi asked in confusion.
“Are you not acting under an imperial command to suppress the rebels?”
“Because His Majesty is still young.”
Cao Cao explained, “This concerns the survival of the Han dynasty itself.”
“If we make even the slightest mistake, our heads will roll.”
“If His Majesty learns of the plan beforehand, then should it fail, the rebel forces will inevitably settle accounts with him afterward.”
“How could we allow the Son of Heaven to be placed in such peril?”
“When the time comes…”
“We can simply issue a forged imperial decree.”
“Once everything has succeeded, we shall uphold the Emperor to punish the disloyal.”
Cao Cao spoke with complete sincerity.
Only he himself knew what he was truly thinking.
“Very well.”
“Then we shall proceed according to your plan, Mengde.”
Zhao Qi stared at Cao Cao for a long moment before nodding heavily.
He believed he had not misjudged the man.
…………….
Late September, Yan Province.
Wuyan, Kingdom of Dongping.
Standing atop the city walls, Zhang Jing watched his army march into the distance.
His heart was filled with both apprehension and excitement.
This northern expedition against Ji Province would pit him against the greatest warlord in the realm.
As for Yuan Shu, Zhang Jing had simply chosen to ignore him.
Even though his army included renowned commanders and strategists such as Yu Jin, Taishi Ci, Dian Wei, Zhang Liao, Gao Shun, Xun You, Guo Jia, Xi Zhicai, and Lü Bu, he still could not help feeling nervous.
“My lord!”
At that moment, Pan Zhang approached with a bamboo dispatch tube in hand.
Respectfully, he reported, “Yuan Shu has sent a messenger bearing a letter.”
“Let me have a look.”
Zhang Jing glanced at the bamboo tube in Pan Zhang’s hand.
He wondered what kind of stunt that ‘Forklift Emperor’ was trying to pull this time.
“Yes, my lord.”
Pan Zhang opened the bamboo tube, removed the letter inside, and respectfully presented it to Zhang Jing.
“Oh?”
After reading it, surprise flashed across Zhang Jing’s face.
He muttered to himself, “How did this guy end up sending over Jiangdong Jerry’s older brother?”
It turned out that Yuan Shu had also wanted to get involved in the campaign against Ji Province.
In the end, however, Yan Xiang persuaded him against it.
Instead, Yuan Shu dispatched the newly-submitted Sun Ce to lead a contingent of troops as reinforcements.
“This fellow really doesn’t treat himself as an outsider.”
After pondering for a moment, Zhang Jing said to Pan Zhang, “Send word to Liao Hua. Allow Sun Ce’s force to enter our territory.”
A single contingent would number no more than three thousand men.
Even if they were allowed in, they would hardly be able to cause any trouble.
Besides, Zhang Jing was rather interested in meeting Sun Ce.
If Zhou Yu happened to be with him, that would be even better.
“Understood, my lord.”
Pan Zhang cupped his fists respectfully before turning to carry out the order.
……………
Early October.
Once all preparations had been completed, Zhang Jing departed Wuyan City, leading the central army, the Forlorn Hope Battalion, the Camp Crushers Battalion, and three thousand cavalry.
Meanwhile, news of Yuan Shao’s invasion of You Province and Liu Yu’s death also reached the Central Plains.
Upon learning that Liu Yu had been killed, Yuan Shao—who had already captured Fanyang—became even more elated.
By contrast, Liu Bei, in Gaotang of Qing Province, was plunged into despair.
…………..
Gaotang County, Pingyuan Commandery, Qing Province.
After learning that Liu Yu and his entire family had died at the hands of Gongsun Zan, Liu Bei had spent the past two days in a daze.
“Big Brother!”
Zhang Fei exclaimed angrily, “I say we quit! As long as the three of us brothers stay together, there’s nowhere under Heaven we can’t go. Why should we keep serving Gongsun Zan?”
“Third Brother makes a good point.”
Stroking his beard, Guan Yu nodded in agreement.
“Rather than forcing yourself to remain here in such a difficult position, Big Brother, it would be better for us to leave.”
“Brother Bogui has shown me kindness.”
Liu Bei roused himself and replied, “At this very moment, Yuan Shao’s army is advancing into You Province, and Brother Bogui’s life hangs in the balance.”
“If I were to abandon him now, how would I be any different from a beast?”
“My two brothers, say no more.”
“Go and prepare the troops.”
“When Governor Tian arrives, we shall join forces with him and march to relieve You Province.”
Although Gongsun Zan had killed Liu Yu, he had never treated Liu Bei poorly.
Liu Bei understood that much.
If he were to cast aside his official seal and abandon his post, he simply could not do it— certainly not at a time like this.
“Then what are we waiting for?”
Zhang Fei strode forward, grabbed Liu Bei by the arm, and began pulling him toward the door.
“I don’t know the first thing about organizing an army, so Big Brother, come with me.”
“Quit wearing such a gloomy expression all day.”
“It hurts me to see you like this.”
“Haha, Third Brother is right.”
Smiling, Guan Yu grabbed Liu Bei’s other arm.
“The three of us brothers have always shared honor and disgrace together.”
“We swore to live and die as one.”
“As long as it’s Big Brother’s decision, we’ll follow it.”
“There’s nothing to be afraid of.”
Supported by the two of them, Liu Bei’s eyes welled with tears.
“Second Brother… Third Brother…”
— The end of the Chapter–
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