Three Kingdoms: Madam, I am a decent person

Chapter 752 Cao Cao's Decision

Cao Cao did not accept the package.

He was truly terrified of Zhang Sui.

That kid, every time we cross paths, nothing good ever comes of it.

Who knows if he put anything dangerous in there?

Seeing this, Xu Chu wisely stepped forward, took the package, blocked Cao Cao's path with his body, and quickly opened the cloth package.

The next moment, the contents of the package fell directly to the ground.

Xu Chu stood motionless in place.

Cao Cao looked at Xu Chu with a puzzled expression and asked, "Zhongkang?"

Others also craned their necks to look.

When they saw that what had fallen to the ground was a human head, everyone's expression changed drastically.

Cao Pi walked over with a puzzled look in his eyes and gently touched the head.

Because at this moment, the person's head is facing the ground.

The moment the head was turned over, Cao Pi screamed and sat down on the ground with a thud, his voice trembling like a leaf as he said, "Yes, it's Uncle Xiahou's head!"

Cao Pi's words caused Cao Cao's heart to stop beating abruptly.

He hurriedly got up and went over.

Sure enough, it was Xiahou Yuan's head.

Cao Cao staggered.

The scene of Xiahou Yuan kneeling before him, weeping and recounting his death, flashed through his mind again.

The next moment, Cao Cao cried out "Ah!!" and his vision went black as he collapsed.

In the hall, the crowd erupted into chaos.

Someone shouted "Medical engineer" towards the outside.

Someone kept calling out "My Lord".

Cao Cao fell into Xu Chu's arms and remained unresponsive for a long while.

It wasn't until Cao Pi rushed out in a great hurry that he gradually regained his hearing and heard the anxious shouts of the crowd.

Only then did he get a clear look at the faces in front of him.

However, even so, Cao Cao did not react.

He felt as if all the strength had been drained from his body, as if his spine had been removed.

The medical staff arrived, examined Cao Cao's body, and said to everyone, "The Minister of Works needs to rest."

The group exchanged glances, their faces grim.

Rest and recuperation?

At this point, where would one find time to rest and recuperate?

Now is a critical moment of life and death!

Cao Cao dismissed the physicians and then, suppressing his sobs, cried out in front of everyone, "My brilliant talent!"

"He followed me in battle for more than a decade."

“In my early years, Xu Rong almost wiped out my entire army. He sold all his family property to support me.”

"As a result, his youngest son starved to death, and his wife fell ill with grief and eventually died."

"Now, at the prime of his life, he died before me."

How can I repay his kindness?

"How can I face his dead wife and young children?"

Everyone fell silent upon hearing Cao Cao's words.

Everyone knows Xiahou Yuan's place in Cao Cao's heart.

Not real brothers, but better than real brothers.

Now, however, he has died on the battlefield.

It's no wonder Cao Cao was upset.

Cheng Yu, standing to the side, said softly, "My lord, the most urgent matter is to find out how General Xiahou died in battle."

"Furthermore, we did not receive news of General Xiahou's death; instead, the General informed us of it."

"This also means that Zhongmu is probably gone."

"With Zhongmu captured by the General, not only have we lost our pincer movement, but the General can also station troops in Zhongmu and keep a watchful eye on Changshe."

"Changshe is the gateway to Xudu."

"Once Changshe is captured, Xudu will be in grave danger." "We must take back Zhongmu as soon as possible, or perhaps we should find another way to cut off the General's supplies."

"Once the supplies run out, the general will have no choice but to retreat."

At this point, Cheng Yu sighed, "I never imagined that the General would become so powerful in just a few years after taking over Yuan Shao's mantle and facing internal and external troubles."

Upon hearing Cheng Yu's words, Xun You strode forward to object.

But seeing Cao Cao's dim eyes and tearful appearance, Xun You remembered what Jia Xu had said earlier, and reluctantly took a step back.

After Cheng Yu, no one dared to speak.

Cao Cao wept for a long time before looking up at Xun You and saying, "Gongda."

Xun You quickly stepped forward and said, "Minister of Works!"

Cao Cao said, "Go and verify the authenticity of those intelligence reports again."

Xun You raised his head, frowned slightly at Cao Cao, and finally said, "Yes!"

After saying that, he quickly left.

Cao Cao then looked at Yu Jin and said, "I will mobilize 10,000 elite troops and personally lead them. You will be my deputy. Tonight, we will make our way to Wuchao under cover of darkness."

Yu Jin responded and turned to leave.

Cao Cao beckoned to Cao Pi and the generals around him, saying, "Come here."

Cao Pi and his generals stood beside Cao Cao.

Cao Cao grasped the general's hand and said, "You are Bian's younger brother. I was worried that others would criticize you, thinking that you are in this situation because of your sister. Therefore, I never dared to promote you."

"Are you...blaming me?"

The general's name was Bian Bing. He was the only younger brother of Lady Bian, one of Cao Cao's concubines, and one of the earliest to follow Cao Cao in his campaigns.

However, unlike others who were rewarded based on merit, Cao Cao never bestowed any rewards upon Bian Bing, who was the only younger brother of the Bian family.

At most, he would have Bian send him some gifts.

As a result, many of Bian Bing's former subordinates who fought alongside him had already risen to the rank of Lieutenant General, while Bian Bing remained a Colonel and held no military power.

Bian Bing had complained before, but his sister, Bian Shi, suppressed his complaints.

Especially now that Cao Cao's legal wife, Lady Ding, has divorced him and left the Sikong Mansion, the backyard of the Sikong Mansion is now the domain of Lady Bian.

At this moment, facing Cao Cao's question, Bian Bing showed a bitter expression, but still said, "Brother-in-law, you have your reasons for arranging things for me, so what do I have to complain about?"

Cao Cao nodded and then said, "Tonight I will launch a surprise attack on Wuchao, and you will assist Pi'er in holding Xingyang."

Bian Bingzhong nodded emphatically.

Cao Cao then looked at Zhu Ling, Cao Xiu, Cao Chun, and others and said, "Each of you lead your troops to guard the area. You must be vigilant and not be negligent in any way."

"I also cannot judge whether this surprise attack on Wuchao is good or bad."

"Perhaps this is that kid's plan."

"Therefore, if I am in danger, do not open the city gates."

"It's possible that kid will use my soldiers' banner to gain control of the city gates."

“I will flee west and meet with Zhong Yao, the Commandant of the Capital Region, in Chang’an.”

"At that time, we will lead our troops back to provide support."

"Given the current situation, it's difficult to find any other plan besides taking a risk."

"Especially the death of Miaocai forced Xiahou Dun to confront that kid directly."

"Xiahou Dun is indeed my most valued and most loyal general."

"However, he was no match for my cunning and clever son-in-law."

"Sooner or later, society will fall apart."

Everyone lowered their heads.

Faced with the massive Hebei army personally led by Zhang Sui, they lacked confidence in their ability to defend the city.

The only person they could think of who could possibly defend the city was Cao Ren.

However, Cao Ren had already been killed by Zhang Sui.

Seeing the expressions on his generals' faces, Cao Cao was also saddened.

His original intention was to provoke a general willing to sacrifice his life and fight to the death to defend Changshe in place of Xiahou Dun.

But they never expected Zhang Sui to frighten them so much.

It seems I have no choice but to take the risk myself.

Cao Cao waved his hand and said, "Alright, everyone go about your business. Let me have some peace and quiet."

(End of this chapter)