About Cao Cao's reincarnation as the emperor's uncle

Chapter 23 Who Will Bear the Responsibility for This Chaotic World?

As the mist gradually dissipated, the midday sun broke through the clouds, turning the water of Hongchi Pond a scarlet hue.

Zhang Ji squatted for a long time, then suddenly spat out a mouthful of blood, stood up and walked to Yin Duan's side.

"Stop looking. From this day forward, we are on the same path."

After speaking, he turned and waved his sleeve, and the soldiers had already cleaned up the battlefield as ordered.

"According to the plan, the 'Hu people' should not be left with their bodies intact. They should move quickly and leave the arrowheads embedded in the horse carcasses."

He kicked the sheepskin cloak on the ground. "The traces of the Yang family of Hongnong are rather crudely made..."

The tone shifted abruptly, and a slight smirk appeared at the corner of her eye. "But the traces of the Yuan family's visit must be clearly documented."

Zhu Jun was bending down to clean the weapons when he reached Xia Yu's body. He paused, looking at the armor, and finally bowed.

After all, Xia Yu had rendered meritorious service to the country...

The pledge of loyalty has been obtained; from now on, the path ahead will inevitably involve stepping on those who have already done it.

As the sun dipped westward, the bloodstains were gradually covered by dust, and the sound of the huqin faded into the distance...

Fragments of the wolf-head flag hung from the branches, swaying gently in the wind, like an unfinished sigh.

More than ten riders, each wearing a blue robe or a sheepskin cloak, pounded the setting sun with their hooves, gradually shrinking into a few black dots.

Only Xia Yu's "Breaking the Enemy's Blade" remained, its hilt soaked in blood, hanging among the gravel.

……

Everything proceeded according to Feng Xu's plan.

The master was used to restrain Zhang Huan, Zhang Huan was used to control Yin Duan, and Yin Duan was used to restrain Zhu Jun.

Having finally obtained this pledge of allegiance, even Zhang Huan's former subordinates, such as Zhang Ji, were now tied to their cart.

When this plan was first set, Feng Xu was puzzled as to why the official, upon seeing the list, specifically requested Zhang Ji to participate.

After Zuo Feng explained the details, Feng Xu recalled the strange smile on Liu Fang's face when he pointed to Zhang Ji's name that day...

My lord, you are truly a divine being.

At this critical juncture, Xia Yu's death is bound to cause a huge uproar.

Liu Hong, waiting in the North Palace for Xia Yu's reward, will be in turmoil; Duan Jiong, hoping to use Xia Yu's words to reignite the war, will also be in turmoil.

The Yang family of Hongnong, who wanted to protect themselves and stay out of trouble, would cause chaos.

The Yuan family, already embroiled in trouble due to factionalism, has become even more chaotic after this incident.

As for the evidence of the "Hu people's" crimes, it was meant to provoke Duan Jiong, that mad dog, to bite even harder.

It would be best to persuade Liu Hong to launch a northern expedition tomorrow, so that we would have a more compelling reason to kill him.

As for who the real culprit is in the end...

An old dog will take the blame for them.
-
Let's go back to shortly after Feng Xu left the Northern Palace...

The snow in the deep alleys of Yeting had not yet melted. Jian Shuo's black boots crushed the ice shards, and the sound of ice chips cracking on the soles of his boots echoed in the alley.

The bronze and gold-inlaid ornaments at his waist swayed with his steps, and the cold light made his triangular eyes appear even more sinister.

He walked to the corner, his fingertips pressed on the hilt of his sword, first glancing at the palace lanterns on the eaves, and seeing the tassels of the ox-tail whisks swaying gently in the wind under the eaves of the side hall, before daring to raise his hand to knock on the door.

The original guards seem to have been deliberately dismissed...

"Squeak-"

The palace doors opened by themselves, and Jian Shuo prostrated himself on the ground, his back taut like a bow.

"Shuo greets you, sir."

The smell of pine soot ink mixed with the aroma of charcoal fire wafted towards us, and the rustling sound of a ox-tail whisk sweeping across bamboo slips echoed in the hall.

Behind the six-panel landscape screen, the hem of a dark blue robe trailed across the blue bricks, with only the tassels of a whisk swaying in the candlelight.

"Get up."

His voice was like a deep pool, and as the last note lingered, Jian Shuo finally dared to stand up, his imposing figure casting a huge shadow in the hall.

He glanced down and noticed the lingering mud on the other person's shoes...

Sir, are you going to see that person again?

“Feng Xu left, and you arrived right after him.”

The whisk suddenly stopped in mid-air, pointing to the open copy of Mozi on the table. "Have you read Qiao Xuan's annotated chapter on 'Honoring the Worthy'?"

Jian Shuo's triangular eyes narrowed slightly as he recalled what he had heard about the events that had occurred at the Huangfu family residence earlier during his meeting with Xu Feng.

He pursed his dry lips and said in a deep voice:

"Sir, my master has already met with Master Qiao today."

A low laugh came from behind the screen, "When it comes to clever tricks, my disciple is no less capable than that old bastard."

"Qiao Xuan has a terrible temper and has always been at odds with us eunuchs..."

The candle flames crackled and popped, causing the shadows of the ink bamboo on the screen to sway.

"What do you think we should do?"

Jian Shuo's Adam's apple bobbed as the scene described by Xu Feng flashed through his mind, and suddenly a flash of inspiration struck him:
“Qiao Xuan’s eldest son died young. My master is about the same age as his deceased son, and they share the same aspirations…”

"Wrong." Suddenly, the whisk slammed heavily on the inkstone, splashing ink everywhere.

"He has a clever mind, but unfortunately, he's short-sighted."

"Qiao Xuan was able to sit in the position of one of the Three Dukes because he was sharp-eyed and insightful..."

“The ‘righteousness’ behind Lord Runa, his status as the Imperial Uncle and Emperor Huan’s younger brother, plus the bond of being fellow disciples with Huangfu Gui, are the reasons that made him open up to him.”

Before the words were finished, a figure rose from behind the screen, a whisk gliding across the ink bamboo painted on it.
"But to make this old minister completely side with Liu Fang, we need to take drastic measures."

Jian Shuo's triangular eyes suddenly narrowed into two thin slits, and his burly body leaned forward like a bow:
“Sir, please give your orders. I will brave mountains of knives and seas of fire without hesitation.”

"Did you know that Qiao Xuan has a young son?"

The person seated suddenly turned around, lightly brushing the sandalwood box in the corner with the tassel of his whisk. "That child is currently playing on the streets of Luoyang. If he were kidnapped by thieves..."

He tapped the bamboo slips on the table with his fingertips. "A thief needs to be ruthless."

Qiao Xuan's annotations on the bamboo slips were somewhat glaring in the firelight.

Jian Shuo felt a chill run down his spine and instantly understood the intention of the person seated above him.

By attributing the death of Qiao Xuan's youngest son to the eunuch's revenge, and then using the official's hand to avenge Qiao Xuan, this upright old minister would surely be completely won over.

but……

"Should this matter be done in your name again?"

The person seated shook his head and laughed:

"The entire court is clean, who will bear the burden of this tainted world?"

He chuckled softly, pulled half a blood-stained silk cloth from his sleeve, and tossed it onto the table.

"You will do two things..."

"First, we must wear the skin of the Yuan family, but reveal the tail of a eunuch."

"Second...slip this item into the arms of the chosen thief."

Jian Shuo took the blood-stained silk and, by the candlelight, could see the crooked Xianbei script on it...

This is clearly a poor imitation by a Han Chinese.

"Feng Xu is still one step ahead of you. He should have already muddied the waters by now."

"The rest is up to you."

Jian Shuo prostrated himself on the ground and kowtowed:

"Forgive my ignorance..."

The person seated rose slightly, his whisk sweeping across the stiff, unsteady back of the man.

"Smart people know how to leverage existing resources..."

"Send Zhang Huan to Old Wangba's side, and let's send Qiao Xuan to our side."

"With this in mind, and with Huangfu Gui's death, there should be no major worries."

He suddenly lowered his voice:
"Remember, this matter must be handled immediately; do not give Qiao Xuan any breathing room."

Jian Shuo suppressed the turmoil in his heart:
"I am eager to go in person."

"Confused!"

The man flicked his sleeves, picked up the scroll of "Mozi" from the table, and threw it at Jian Shuo.

"I really envy that old bastard... Why are you always so clueless?"

"Come closer..."

When Jian Shuo returned to his original spot, the blood-stained cloth in his sleeve was soaked with sweat.

He watched as the figure seated on the throne disappeared back behind the screen...

I recall our first meeting; this man, holding a whisk, swept it across his festering back, casually remarking:
"Do you want to live?"

From then on, he was manipulated and crushed into the depths of power struggles by these hands.

……

At that time, he was just a lowly eunuch who had been trampled into the mud, and it was Liu Fang who repeatedly pulled him out of the filthy sludge.

Unlike Feng Xu, he never cared whether Liu Fang frowned or not...

As long as it benefits Liu Fang, he would gladly endure any hardship, even if it meant tearing his heart and bones apart.

Even now, he knows that Qiao Xuan might have a special meaning for Liu Fang.

However, for the sake of Liu Fang's power, he did not mind using Qiao Xuan's young son's blood as a catalyst.

The master valued his ruthlessness, which is why he took him on as a disciple... Though it may easily injure his hands, it is sharp enough.

Over the years, the master has never given him any reward, but he has taught him how to transform from a lowly eunuch whom everyone can bully into a vicious dog whom everyone in the palace fears.

Feng Xu always knew how to maintain proper boundaries... while he only knew how to use the most direct methods.

The only pity is that this master-disciple relationship can only remain hidden behind these six screens, never to see the light of day again...

But so what?
(End of this chapter)