My father-in-law Guan Yu, I persuaded Liu Bei to launch a surprise attack on Xiangyang at the beginn

Chapter 232 A wife who is not virtuous and a son who is not filial, how pitiful! Cao Cao is dead, he forged an imperial edict to seize the throne, and you are now the ruler of Wei!

"Father!"

"Duke Wei!"

"Quickly send the message to the medical officer. Quickly send the message -"

Cao Chong, Cao Chun, and the others rushed forward, turning the bedroom into complete chaos.

After everyone had been busy for a long time, it was late at night when Cao Cao, who had been so angry that he vomited blood, finally woke up slowly.

"By my command, I will kill that vile woman, kill that rebellious son, I want them dead!"

As soon as Cao Cao woke up, he gritted his teeth and shouted for battle, struggling to get up.

In his excitement, he forgot about the injury on his buttocks, which immediately aggravated the wound, causing him to grimace in pain.

"Father's arrow wound has not yet healed, and he is now suffering from both internal and external injuries due to anger and anxiety. He must not be moved again."

"Father, you are responsible for the fate of our great Wei dynasty and the well-being of its people. You must take good care of your health."

"Your son begs, Father!"

Cao Chong knelt before the bed, desperately pressing Cao Cao down, and pleaded with tears streaming down his face.

Cao Chun, Xun You, and other ministers also knelt down with a thud, crying and begging.

What about the state of Wei, what about the lives and deaths of all people…

Only after the ministers hurled one accusation after another did they manage to quell Cao Cao's anger to some extent.

After letting out a long breath, Cao Cao collapsed onto the couch like a deflated balloon.

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

“I can promise you to calm down, but the Bian family mother and son betrayed me and secretly colluded with the big-eared traitor, causing me to lose troops and territory. How can I forgive them?”

"Those mother and child, I must kill them both, both for my own good and for the public good. No amount of persuasion from any of you will work!"

Although Cao Cao suppressed his anger and forced himself to regain his rationality, his killing intent remained unchanged.

If I don't kill him, I can't vent my hatred.

If they don't kill them, they won't be able to explain themselves to their ministers!

In the Battle of Yingkou, the emperor's son-in-law Xiahou Mao and Zhang Yan were killed; in the Battle of Shouchun, Zhou Tai and Zhang Zhao were killed, and Zhang Liao was sent away. In total, the number of soldiers lost was thirty to forty thousand.

Most importantly, the fall of Shouchun led to the loss of Huainan to Liu Bei, which in turn triggered a series of chain reactions, including the fall of Xuzhou, resulting in the loss of troops and territory.

How can you convince the people if you don't kill Lady Bian and Cao Zhi?

Cao Cao's decision to kill Lady Bian and her son was not simply a momentary outburst of anger, but rather a strategic consideration of the overall situation.

Cao Chong dared not utter a word.

Given his intelligence, he would never support Cao Cao's foolish act of killing Lady Bian and her son.

If you continue to persuade him, Cao Cao's attitude is so firm that further persuasion will only anger him and make things difficult for yourself.

Moreover, if his stepmother, Lady Bian, and his elder brother, Cao Zhi, were to truly disappear from this world, he could also benefit from it.

Given this, Cao Chong had already pleaded for Bian's mother and son, showing Cao Cao his compassionate side in caring for family ties, so there was naturally no need to persuade him further at this point.

Cao Chong chose to remain silent.

"Lord Wei, I believe that our army is currently engaged in battle with the puppet Chu state. In the battle the day before yesterday, our army suffered heavy losses, and Lord Wei was also wounded by an arrow. The morale of our army is already unstable."

"If Duke Wei were to deal with Lady and Prince Zijian at this time, it would likely cause unrest in Ye City and destabilize the rear."

"This would only worsen the morale of the troops at the front, which is unwise."

After analyzing the pros and cons, Xun You cupped his hands and said:

"Therefore, I humbly request that Your Excellency, for the sake of the overall situation, postpone this matter until the current war is over, and then deal with it."

Upon hearing this, everyone echoed and advised him.

Cao Cao lay on the couch, eyes closed, deep in thought, weighing the pros and cons.

After a long time.

After a soft sigh, Cao Cao opened his eyes again, the resolute killing intent in them replaced by helplessness.

"Gongda is right. It is indeed not advisable to do anything that could shake the morale of the army now."

"If that's the case, I'll spare that vile woman and her child for now. Once I win this battle and return to Ye City, I'll deal with them then!"

Cao Cao finally made a concession, then looked at the crowd with a cold gaze:
"Before I return to Ye City, none of you shall spread this matter, lest it cause unnecessary speculation and unsettle people's hearts."

"If I find out that any of you have leaked what was discussed today, I will kill you!"

Everyone shuddered, hurriedly obeyed the order, and took their leave.

In the dimly lit bedroom, only Cao Cao remained.

"Cao Mengde, Cao Mengde, you pride yourself on being a hero of your time, yet you marry a wicked wife and raise an unfilial son. How pathetic and laughable you are..."

Cao Cao gently pounded the bed, letting out a self-mocking sound of sorrow and desolation.

...

Yecheng.

The city was in turmoil, and rumors were rampant.

The news of Cao Cao's repeated defeats in Xuzhou, with the city falling and territory being lost, has already caused unrest among the people of the Wei capital.

Recently, rumors have been circulating in the streets and alleys that the registrar Yang Xiu has been arrested for being a spy and has confessed to all his crimes of betraying the State of Wei and secretly leaking secrets to the State of Chu.

It is also said that due to Yang Xiu's leak, Cao Cao's surprise attack on the Chu camp failed, and he was seriously injured and on the verge of death.

Even more extreme claims suggest that Cao Cao was seriously injured and died suddenly in Pengcheng.

Xun You, Cao Chun, and others had already enthroned Cao Chong at the front lines. In his capacity as Duke of Wei, they sent secret edicts to Xiahou Dun, Cao Ren, Cao Zhen, and other generals of the imperial clan, ordering them to support the new emperor in order to take control of the armies on the front lines.

Rumors are flying everywhere, making it difficult to distinguish between truth and falsehood.

Some scoffed, some believed it wholeheartedly, and others were skeptical; the city was filled with unease.

It was late at night at the Wei family mansion.

Braving the heavy rain, Cao Zhi hurriedly and discreetly entered the mansion through the back gate and stood before Lady Bian.

"Mother summoned me here late at night. What urgent matter could it be?"

Cao Zhi asked as he brushed the raindrops off his clothes.

Lady Bian frowned deeply and said in a deep voice:

"You must know about the rumors circulating outside. That's why your mother summoned you here so urgently in the middle of the night."

Cao Zhi calmly sat down and asked:
"Is Mother referring to those rumors that Yang Xiu was a spy for the State of Chu and secretly leaked information to Liu Bei?"

"Or is it just a rumor that Father has died from his injuries, and Cang Shu has succeeded him at the front lines, with his son and uncles supporting him as the Duke of Wei?"

Judging from Cao Zhi's tone, he clearly didn't take it seriously and treated the rumors as mere rumors.

Bian's brows furrowed even deeper, and she asked in return:

"Zijian, do you really think those rumors are just rumors now?"

Cao Zhi was taken aback, then smiled dismissively:
"Otherwise, are you expecting me to believe that Yang Dezu would betray our Cao family and become a spy for the Chu state?"

"Do you expect me to believe that Father, who has faced countless dangers throughout his life and emerged unscathed, will now, as the ruler of a nation, die inexplicably in Pengcheng?"

After saying this, Cao Zhi poured a bowl of soup and tea for Lady Bian, presented it with both hands, and smiled as he tried to comfort her.

Bian's eyes widened, she grabbed the teacup and threw it hard on the ground.

Cao Zhi was startled and looked at his mother, whose face was full of anger, with bewilderment.

"We, mother and son, are on the verge of death, yet you can still laugh. You have truly disappointed your mother greatly!"

Madam Bian glared at her good-for-nothing son and scolded him sternly.

Cao Zhi became even more confused and asked in surprise:

"Mother, why are you saying this?" Madam Bian took a deep breath, suppressing her emotions, and slowly said:
"At this critical juncture of life and death, there is no point in me hiding it from you anymore."

"Do you know why Liu Bei didn't kill you when you were captured, and even let you return in the end?"

Cao Zhi's eyes were blank.

He couldn't understand why Bian would suddenly reopen his wounds.

It's common knowledge that Liu Bei released Zhang Liao, Zhang Yan, and other generals, including Yang Xiu and Li Dian, in exchange for the families of Zhang Liao and Zhang Yan.

"Let me tell you, it was your mother who instructed Yang Xiu to secretly go to the Chu camp in Huainan, in exchange for information about Xiahou Zilin's surprise attack on Yingkou..."

Lady Bian had no choice but to reveal to Cao Zhi the secrets of that year, all the things she and Yang Xiu had done behind Cao Cao's back.

Cao Zhi was terrified and collapsed to his feet, trembling all over with cold sweat pouring down his forehead.

He never dreamed that his mother and Yang Xiu would do so many shady things behind his back.

"Mother, why are you doing this? You are betraying Father and the Cao family!"

Once he came to his senses, Cao Zhi excitedly questioned him.

Why did I do this?

Bian glared at him and said irritably:

“Your father may be indifferent to your life or death, but you are my own flesh and blood. How could I stand by and watch you die?”

"I resorted to this desperate measure because I had no other choice, only to rescue you from Liu Bei!"

Cao Zhi harbored resentment towards Lady Bian, but at this moment he was speechless.

How could he not understand Bian's love for her son?

His own mother had no choice but to take such a risk and do such a wrong thing in order to save her useless son.

"It's because the son is incompetent that he caused his mother to do such a wrong thing. It's all because the son is incompetent!"

Cao Zhi slumped down and began to wallow in self-pity again.

Bian, however, suppressed her helplessness and said sternly:
"It is your father who is heartless and ungrateful. Two of my four sons have died, and you are about to die at the hands of the enemy, yet he remains unmoved!"

"Everything I did was to save my son; it's only right and proper. What's wrong with that?"

Cao Zhi was speechless.

Bian's self-righteousness truly shocked him.

After a long pause, Cao Zhi let out a bitter sigh:
“What use is it if Mother thinks there is no wrongdoing? What Mother and Yang Xiu did caused Father to lose troops and territory. How could Father possibly forgive Mother? He will most likely not let me off the hook either.”

"I'm afraid the men Father sent to take our lives are already on their way back to Ye City."

Cao Zhi squatted on the ground, holding his head in his hands, his face full of helplessness and fear.

Bian's lips curled slightly upward, and she snorted coldly:
"Your father was heartless and ungrateful, and he has been punished by Heaven. He has died at the hands of Liu Bei. What can he do if he doesn't let us, mother and son, go?"

Cao Zhi trembled and suddenly looked up in surprise at Lady Bian.

Judging from Bian's tone, she clearly believed the rumor that Cao Cao was seriously injured and dying.

"As the Cao family's principal wife for many years, how could I not have connections in the army?"

“Your mother’s spies in Pengcheng have sent back news that your father has not shown up for many days and has summoned Zhang Zhongjing to the front line. Even if he is not seriously ill and dying, he is probably on the verge of death.”

Bian explained the reason.

Cao Zhi suddenly realized what was happening and breathed a slight sigh of relief.

Then his expression changed, and he exclaimed in surprise:

“Even though Father is gone and won’t kill us, Cang Shu is on the front lines in Pengcheng.”

"Before my father went on the southern expedition, he publicly stated that he would establish Cangshu as the crown prince of our Great Wei. This is something that everyone knows."

"If Cang She has the support of his son and uncles, as the rumors suggest, and has succeeded to the throne before my father's spirit, then he is the ruler of Cao Wei."

"What if he makes Yang Xiu's confession public and charges us with treason and rebellion, and we are sentenced to death? What should we do then?"

Cao Zhi wasn't naive; he finally realized this.

Bian snorted coldly, her eyes filled with sarcasm as she retorted:

"Zijian, Zijian, throughout history, how many of those who failed in the struggle for the throne have met a good end?"

"Do you think that even without Yang Xiu's confession, Cao Chong would have spared my son and me, and your second brother who was in the Nanyang army, after he succeeded to the throne?"

Cao Zhi shivered.

Since ancient times, the imperial family has been the most ruthless.

If Cao Chong were to succeed to the throne, the first thing he would do would naturally be to eliminate all those who posed a threat to his position as Duke of Wei.

He and his brother Cao Pi were naturally the first to be affected.

Even without the incident involving Bian and Yang Xiu, Cao Chong, with his power in hand, was fully capable of eliminating them under other pretexts and methods.

"So, no matter what, Mother and we are all doomed to die..."

Cao Zhi, who had been sitting up straight, slumped back down, weak and powerless.

"Who said that?"

Lady Bian stepped forward, helped Cao Zhi sit upright, looked him straight in the eyes, and said sternly:

"Our greatest advantage is that we are both in the capital!"

"You must take the initiative and announce that you have succeeded to the position of Duke of Wei by your father's will. Then, send an edict from Ye City to the generals at the front, grant them official titles and ranks, order them to obey your command, immediately cease the southern expedition, withdraw their troops, and return to the capital to pay homage to the new emperor!"

"I will also secretly order your second brother to go to Xuchang and get the imperial edict that the emperor commands you to succeed to the throne."

"At that time, you will be the rightful Duke of Wei. Even if Cao Chun and the others support Cao Chong as the Duke of Wei, no one in the court or outside the court will recognize him!"

Cao Zhi gasped, looking at Lady Bian in astonishment.

First, he secretly betrayed Cao Wei and secretly communicated with Liu Bei.

Now they're trying to forge Cao Cao's will to install him as emperor and seize the throne!

Cao Zhi was in a daze and could hardly believe that such a bold and audacious woman could be his virtuous and kind mother!

"Mother, this is tantamount to a coup d'état. If it fails, we, mother and son, will surely die!"

Cao Zhi said with a guilty look on his face.

Bian remained expressionless, only coldly retorting:
"Now that things have come to this, even if we don't do this, do you think my child and I will survive?"

Cao Zhi was speechless, hesitated for a moment, and then sighed:

"Even if I succeed to the throne first, will my second brother be willing to help me obtain the imperial edict of appointment?"

Bian, however, remained resolute and said solemnly:
“I know you’re worried that your second brother also has his eye on the position of Duke of Wei and won’t help you.”

"Don't worry, your second brother is a smart man. He knows that if he doesn't help you succeed to the throne, and that brat Cao Chong beats him to it, not only will we, mother and son, be doomed, but your second brother will also be doomed."

"To save his life, even if he is unwilling, he will definitely obey his mother's orders!"

Cao Zhi suddenly realized.

He staggered to his feet, rubbing his fists together, and paced back and forth, unable to make a decision for a long time.

Seeing his hesitant expression, Bian Shi became angry and suddenly grabbed his shoulder, saying sternly:

“Cao Zhi, we are racing against time with that brat Cao Chong. Every moment you delay, the chances of my son and I losing our lives increase.”

"Listen to your mother, don't hesitate any longer, take the plunge!"

Cao Zhi shuddered, as if he had been awakened, and the weakness and hesitation in his eyes finally turned into determination.

"Okay, I'll listen to my mother!"

"I'll take the lead and announce my succession to the title of Duke of Wei!"

(End of this chapter)