Three Kingdoms: Fusion of Entries, Change of Destiny

Chapter 159: Let the banner of the Han Dynasty become the great shield protecting the people.
On the way to Yingchuan,
Cao Ren frowned and said to his younger brother Cao Chun beside him, "I just don't understand. What are you thinking, elder brother and Zian? Why do you insist on welcoming the emperor and those ministers?"
If the emperor issues an edict at that time, will you obey it or not?
If one does not comply, how is one different from Li Jue and Guo Si? One will surely be scorned by the world.

If we comply, can Yanzhou still be considered part of the Cao family's Yanzhou?
This land of Yanzhou was won by us brothers, risking our lives and fighting tooth and nail.

The imperial court has never provided us with a single soldier or a single grain of food. We were almost wiped out while chasing Dong Zhuo. Why should we hand it over to the emperor?

I suppose it's mostly because my elder brother and Zian have been misled by Xun Yu and his group of literati. When we get back, I'll definitely teach them a lesson..."

At this time, the Cao family was like a large clan, with the eldest brother leading a group of brothers from the same clan to start a business together.

After years of hard work, this business has finally been established.

But now, the eldest brother wants to find another master for this business. How can the brothers be willing to accept that?

After all, if the emperor were truly welcomed, the Cao family's territory would no longer belong to the Cao family, but would become the emperor's domain.

Cao Cao would no longer be a warlord wielding the power of life and death, but would become a courtier.

Moreover, there are many high-ranking officials in the court, with the Three Dukes and Nine Ministers jumping around every day. How can you, Old Cao, still cover up the sky with one hand?
Therefore, historical records say, "When Emperor Taizu was about to welcome the emperor, some of the generals had doubts."

In their view, the best course of action at this time was to act like the other feudal lords, pretending not to know or see the emperor's eastward relocation, and let the emperor go wherever he wanted.

The problem is, Cao Ren talked a lot, but Cao Chun didn't understand it at all!

In the end, Cao Chun could only say, "Brother, don't be anxious. Right and wrong will be clear once you welcome the Emperor back."

After hearing this, Cao Ren said nothing more, only letting out a long sigh.

……

Cao Yan told Cao Cao that he brought Xun Yu along in order to persuade Xun You to join him.

But in reality, he was just making up an excuse to fool Lao Cao.

In 189 AD, Xun You was imprisoned after his plot to assassinate Dong Zhuo failed.

In 192 AD, after Dong Zhuo was killed, Xun You was pardoned and released from prison, choosing to resign his official post and return to his hometown.

He was later summoned by the government again and appointed as the chancellor of Rencheng, but Xun You did not go to take up the post.

Xun You felt that Shu Han had a strategic location, strong cities, and prosperous people, so he requested to serve as the governor of Shu Commandery. However, due to impassable roads, he temporarily stayed in Jingzhou.

Therefore, Xun You is actually still in Jingzhou.

Xun Yu had written to him several times before, but Xun You didn't think much of Cao Cao and had been reading his letters without replying.

But Cao Cao didn't know that all he was thinking about was rescuing the emperor and then recruiting a top strategist. His hopeful look made Cao Yan feel guilty.

Before they knew it, the army had already reached Xingyang.

As Cao Cao rode his tall horse, his eyes slightly narrowed, gazing at the land ahead that was both familiar and unfamiliar, a surge of indescribable emotion welling up within him.

Xingyang is a place that holds too many memories for him, including the pain of a crushing defeat and the indomitable struggle.

"Back then, it was right here that I suffered the most devastating defeat of my life." Cao Cao's voice was low and hoarse as he recounted that distant and heavy past. "At that time, I was filled with passion and ambition, wanting to punish Dong Zhuo and restore the Han Dynasty."

Unexpectedly, at Bian River in Xingyang, they were utterly routed by Dong Zhuo's general Xu Rong, with almost the entire army wiped out.

A hint of sorrow appeared in his eyes, "If it weren't for Zilian risking his life to save me, I, Cao Cao, would have already lost my life here."

Cao Yan and Xun Yu listened quietly without saying a word.

They knew that this experience was unforgettable for Cao Cao.

After a moment of silence, Xun Yu comforted him, saying, "Our lord pursued Dong Zhuo with only a few thousand ragtag troops back then. Although he was defeated, he was still honorable."

Cao Cao nodded slightly, a bitter smile on his face: "What Wenruo said is very true. But whenever I think of those soldiers who died in battle, it feels like a huge stone is pressing on my heart, especially the death of Wei Zixu, which has always made me feel guilty and uneasy."

Cao Yan patted Cao Cao on the shoulder and comforted him, "Brother, let bygones be bygones. Now that we are getting stronger, we will surely realize our ambitions. Welcoming the Emperor this time is a key step towards success."

Cao Cao took a deep breath and regained his composure.

The army continued its march, and not long after passing Xingyang, a large cloud of dust suddenly appeared ahead, with faint screams and cries of agony.

At this moment, the scout who had been exploring ahead rode back at full speed to report: "Report! There are many Xiongnu cavalry ahead, and they are chasing and killing a group of refugees!"

Upon hearing this, Cao Cao's face instantly darkened: "It's the Xiongnu again! Send the order down, the entire army must accelerate its advance and see if we can rescue those refugees."

Cao Yan's heart skipped a beat, and he thought to himself, "The opportunity to complete Xun Yu's mission has arrived!"

One of the conditions for completing the task of replacing Xun Yu's entry is: [Xun Yu personally witnessed the massacre of Han people by foreign tribes].

At this moment, the Xiongnu are hunting down and plundering refugees, and the time has come to complete their mission.

He looked at Xun Yu and said, "Wenruo, let's go forward and take a look!"

Xun Yu nodded slightly, a hint of worry in his eyes.

Zhao Yun and Xiahou Lan led their cavalry forward at full speed, while Cao Yan and Xun Yu followed closely behind, intending to check the situation on the battlefield.

When they arrived at the scene, Xun Yu was shocked by what he saw.

The Xiongnu cavalry, brandishing their long swords, slaughtered the refugees indiscriminately, staining the earth red with blood. Some Xiongnu plundered the refugees' belongings, while many others chased after women and children, emitting lewd laughter.

An elderly man was killed by a Xiongnu soldier while trying to protect his grandson.

Some women chose to commit suicide by jumping into wells to avoid being humiliated.

Some children stood helplessly beside their parents' bodies, gazing and weeping.

The refugees fled in all directions, their cries and screams mingling together, creating a truly horrific scene.

Upon seeing this, Xun Yu's face turned extremely pale, his hands clenched into fists, and his body trembled slightly.

Although he had heard of the brutality of the Xiongnu, he had never seen such a scene with his own eyes.

Witnessing this tragic scene with my own eyes, my heart is filled with anger and sorrow.

“These Huns are simply beasts!” he said through gritted teeth.

The system notification sound also rang.

[Ding! Congratulations, host! The third condition for the Xun Yu entry replacement task has been met!]

The conditions for completing all of Xun Yu's tasks are:

1. The emperor was in the camp to which Xun Yu served;
2. Xun Yu witnessed the massacre of Han people by foreigners;
3. When they realize that "the Han dynasty cannot be restored," they should choose "saving the people" rather than "protecting the emperor," so that they realize the ultimate meaning of "the continuation of the nation > the survival of imperial power."

The second condition has now been met, and the time is ripe for the third.

Xun Yu's mission will be successfully completed once the emperor is welcomed back!

After a moment's thought, Cao Yan spoke.

"The Mandate of Heaven for the Han Dynasty has never been a talisman hanging on the jade table." Cao Yan looked at Xun Yu's clenched knuckles, which had turned white, and said in a low voice, "Emperor Gaozu started the uprising by slaying the white snake and relied on the Three Laws to win the hearts of the people; Emperor Guangwu restored the Han Dynasty by measuring the land and pacifying the people to consolidate the foundation."

Now that the emperor is in distress, if we only focus on the yellow silk canopy on his carriage while allowing the people to be slaughtered by the barbarian cavalry, how are we any different from those warlords who wave the banner of 'purging the emperor's corrupt advisors' but allow their troops to burn and plunder?"

Xun Yu suddenly recalled the atrocities committed by Li Jue's army in Yingchuan County.

I recall when Dong Zhuo moved west to Chang'an, and now when he returned east to Luoyang. All those warlords protected were the emperor's and officials' carriages and entourages; the lives of ordinary people were of no concern to them.

Mencius said, "The people are the most important, the state is next, and the ruler is the least important." But now the Xiongnu dare to burn, kill, and plunder in the Sili region, precisely because they have seen our weakness of "respecting the ruler and despising the people."

If we can't even protect the people, what's the use of welcoming back the emperor and letting him sit in the ruins of Luoyang and issue orders?

Xun Yu's brows gradually relaxed, and he muttered to himself, "Serving the emperor to command the disobedient was originally intended to unite the hearts of the people..."

"What should unite us is the hearts of the people, not the power of the emperor!" Cao Yan continued. "The continuation of the Han dynasty depends not on the emperor's crown and tassels, but on these people who are struggling to survive in pools of blood."

Without the people, the Han dynasty is like a tree without roots.

What's the point of having an emperor if there are no Han people?

Xun Yu stared blankly ahead.

Zhao Yun and Xiahou Lan's cavalry are fighting against the Xiongnu cavalry.

Seeing that a large contingent of Han troops was still approaching, the Xiongnu let out a roar and began to retreat.

The soldiers of the Flying Dragon Cavalry dismounted and spontaneously helped the people.

Watching Zhao Yun carry the two children onto his Jade Lion, and seeing Xiahou Lan take off his cloak and drape it over a ragged woman, Xun Yu suddenly felt something shatter within him.

But after breaking apart, it quickly reformed.

Finally, he understood!

Xun Yu bowed deeply to Cao Yan, saying, "Zian'an's words have enlightened me."

I only thought of 'serving the emperor to command the disobedient,' but I forgot about 'nurturing the people to consolidate the foundation.'

Prioritizing the protection of the people over the veneration of the ruler is the way to ensure the prosperity and stability of the nation.

Cao Yan quickly helped him up: "It is not that we respect the ruler as the least important, but that the ruler and the people are one."

A true wise ruler should be the night watchman of the people.

We welcome the Emperor not so that he may ascend to the highest heavens, but so that we may use his name to gather the strength of the world and build a strong bulwark to protect the people.

Xun Yu nodded, gazing at the gradually dissipating smoke and dust, a new firelight already appearing in his eyes.

He finally understood that in this chaotic world where barbarian cavalry ravaged the land, the so-called "restoration of the Han Dynasty" should never be simply about loyalty to the emperor, but rather about making the banner of the Han Dynasty a great shield to protect the people.

When the sons and daughters of the Han people have no worries about survival, the orthodox tradition of the Han dynasty will naturally be passed down from generation to generation in the smoke from their cooking fires and the sound of the bells of their oxen.

[Ding! Congratulations, host! The third condition for the Xun Yu entry replacement task has been met!]

Cao Yan secretly breathed a sigh of relief, thinking to himself, "All that hard work I've done, staying up late every night, wasn't in vain. I've finally convinced Xun Yu!"

(End of this chapter)