Three Kingdoms: Fusion of Entries, Change of Destiny

Chapter 198 Distinguished scholars flocked to the area; Old Cao was about to take off.
"Go to sea?" Cao Cao frowned slightly, looking at Cao Yan with his eyes full of doubt.

"No, it's not 'going to sea,' it's 'going out to sea!'" Cao Yan quickly corrected.

Cao Cao then turned his gaze to the three-masted sailing ship diagram spread out on the table beside him, and glanced at the map spread out next to it. He said thoughtfully, "So, this ship was built for going out to sea? Indeed, to reach these places, we still need large ships that can withstand the waves."

After a moment of contemplation, Cao Cao suddenly asked, "How do these places compare to the Han Dynasty?"

"It's not much worse than the Han Dynasty, and many of its products, such as grains, spices, medicinal herbs, and minerals, are scarce in the Han Dynasty."

"You mean..." Cao Cao looked up and stared into Cao Yan's eyes.

"It would be such a waste not to send our Cao family, with so many brothers and nephews and nieces and sons, to go out and become mountain kings."

“That makes sense…” Cao Cao’s face had just shown a slight smile, but he instantly realized something was wrong.

He looked at Cao Yan with an extremely serious expression, even a hint of anger, and asked, "Are you on guard against me?"

Cao Yan paused slightly, then replied, "I just don't want to be..."

Before he could finish speaking, Cao Cao slapped Cao Yan on the back of the head and angrily scolded, "After Mother died, Father doesn't care about us anymore."

It's me, your older brother!
I raised you with so much love and care, through countless hardships!

You son of a bitch, now you actually suspect me of being suspicious of you?!

Old Cao's voice was filled with endless heartache.

“My mother is your mother too!” Cao Yan rubbed the back of his head and protested in a low voice.

"Even if I were to hand over the empire to you, Zixiu and the others wouldn't have any complaints, because you were the one who helped me conquer most of this empire," Cao Cao said after calming himself down.

"So, now people are already talking about this behind our backs." Cao Yan spread his hands, a wry smile on his face.

"Was it Fengxiao who sent you this message?" Cao Cao suddenly realized, understanding the situation somewhat.

“Who else could it be…” Cao Yan sighed softly.

"You're overthinking it." Cao Cao's tone suddenly softened, his eyes filled with tenderness, and he said, "I'm sorry you've been wronged."

Cao Yan, however, continued to smile, his smile as warm as ever, saying, "The world is so vast, there will always be a place for us two brothers to stay."

"No!" Cao Cao shook his head and said, "Even if it's just a small corner of the land, I, Cao Cao, cannot do without you! If only one of you can stay, as your elder brother, I will never back down!"

A brief silence fell between the two brothers.

After a while, Cao Cao reached out and put away the world map and the sketch of the three-masted sailing ship, and said to Cao Yan:

"You must remember, although I, Cao Cao, am a scoundrel, I would never do anything to harm my family, especially you, Cao Zian!"
Do whatever you want to do. Even if the sky falls, I'll hold it up for you!

After saying that, Old Cao put his hands behind his back and strode out of the mine.

Cao Yan looked down at the booklet he had been holding.

He had intended to hand it to Cao Cao earlier, but he was unable to deliver it.

After Cao Cao left, he slowly unfolded the booklet, which read: "The Grand Tutor Fu Wan has been secretly colluding with Dong Cheng, Wang Zifu, Zhong Ji, Wu Zilan, and others, and has been frequently visiting them in secret... He has made many accusations against the Lord and Zian, and has tried to sow discord among brothers through rumors and gossip..."

Some say that Anju is arrogant and will have ulterior motives; others say that the lord is jealous of the virtuous and cannot tolerate meritorious officials.

They further fabricated folk songs and ballads, spreading them throughout the streets and alleys of Xuchang. They also had their retainers engage in idle chatter in taverns and teahouses, spreading false rumors in an attempt to sow discord among Cao Cao's army and the people, and to break the unity among his brothers..."

……

Cao Cao quietly returned to Xuchang.

He originally planned to go back to the Situ residence to change his clothes before going to the palace to pay his respects to the emperor.

But as soon as the carriage arrived at the gate of the Situ Mansion, Cao Hong ran out, covered in sweat.

"Brother, you're finally back!" Cao Hong said breathlessly, his face full of anxiety.

Cao Cao lifted the carriage curtain and looked at Cao Hong's appearance. He couldn't help but ask curiously, "What's wrong? Why are you, a wealthy man, so anxious?"

As Cao Hong wiped the sweat from his brow, he said, "Brother, during the time you were campaigning against Zhang Xiu, many famous scholars suddenly arrived, and I really couldn't handle them!"

Upon hearing this, Cao Cao was immediately startled. Back then, he had begged and pleaded with countless scholars, but none of them would pay him any attention (except for Xun Yu). Why were they all suddenly coming, and in such large numbers?

Cao Cao casually asked, "Who are they?"

Cao Hong took out a roster from his pocket and said, "Among the famous scholars from Yingchuan alone, there are several such as Zhong Yao, Du Xi, and Zhao Yan, as well as famous scholars from Jingzhou, Yanzhou, and other places..."

At the post station, there was another righteous man who had come specifically to offer his services, named Taishi Ci, who said that Zian had left him a letter.

Cao Cao had a vague recollection of the name Taishi Ci, but he didn't know much about him.

In contrast, the list of famous scholars from Yingchuan on the roster really surprised Cao Cao.

"Zhong Yao, Du Xi, Zhao Yan?!" Cao Cao couldn't help but exclaim in surprise.

These people were all famous figures who fled from Yingchuan to Jingzhou to seek refuge!
Cao Cao had previously written letters to invite them, but all the letters disappeared without a trace.

When Bian Rang went to Jingzhou to "seek refuge," he tried to persuade them, but in the end only Sima Hui was willing to go north with him.

Now that Cao Cao has an emperor, various literary publications and newspapers under his rule have gradually gained fame and fortune, which has made some of the famous scholars restless.

They were all prominent and well-known figures in Yingchuan and even throughout the Han Dynasty. If Cao Cao could gain their allegiance, his own reputation would be greatly enhanced!

Cao Cao was so excited that he didn't know what to say, and he was very thrilled.

Cao Hong vaguely heard Cao Cao muttering to himself, "This is the greatest benefit that Zian mentioned when he said we were welcoming the emperor! I, Cao Cao, am truly about to rise to prominence this time!"

Although Cao Cao was excited, he still knew his own limitations.

He knew in his heart that most of these famous and talented people came for the emperor's name, not for Cao Cao himself.

However, Cao Cao was fully confident that he would be able to subdue them one by one in the future.

In this era, while not all famous figures are necessarily virtuous and talented, their reputation itself is a valuable resource.

Cao Cao did not harbor any vengeful mentality of "You ignored me back then, now I'll make you unable to reach me."

He desperately wanted more famous scholars to come, as this would greatly help him win over the people and stabilize the court.

"Elder brother? Elder brother?!" Cao Hong's call roused Cao Cao from his reverie.

Although Cao Cao was eager to visit these scholars immediately, he could not skip the morning court session.

Otherwise, he would be branded as disrespectful to the emperor and might be criticized by these scholars.

Cao Cao suppressed his excitement and said to Cao Hong, "Go and call Wenruo here. I will also arrange for Gongda, Gongren and a few others to come and receive him. It is more appropriate for them to handle this kind of occasion."

"I'll take care of it right away!" Cao Hong accepted the order and hurriedly left.

Watching Cao Hong's departing figure, Cao Cao couldn't help but feel a little smug.

The news of the emperor's return to the east and the relocation of the capital to Xuchang had only just spread throughout the land, and there must still be many people watching in secret.

If the world knew that so many famous people had come to serve him, even more talented people would surely come in the future.

"This is only the beginning, and so many famous scholars and talented people have already come to join us. Who knows how many more talented people will come in the future!" Cao Cao thought to himself, a smile unconsciously appearing on his face.

"Hehe, I have to hold back... This is just the beginning!"

At this moment, Cao Cao recalled Cao Yan's strong support for the strategy of "serving the emperor to command the disobedient," and couldn't help but mutter to himself, "Welcoming the emperor was indeed the most important turning point in my life."

Thankfully, I listened to Zi'an's advice. As long as he's by my side, I'm confident I can move forward steadily!

By the time Cao Cao came to his senses, Cao Hong's figure had already disappeared.

Cao Cao said to Xu Chu behind him, "Let's go, let's go see the emperor first, and then we'll deal with these scholars when we get back!"

"drive!"

"take off!"

(End of this chapter)