In the Three Kingdoms period, the opening scene features the killing of Huang Gai, shocking Zhou Yu!

(Wishing everyone a Happy New Year in advance!)

The decree stated:

"Xu Chu, the Tiger General"

"In the Battle of Wei River, he fought bare-chested and naked against Ma Chao, displaying unparalleled bravery among the three armies."

"Although his behavior was rude, he was eager to protect the country, and because of his sincerity, he was not at fault."

"Special conferment: General of the Martial Guard."

"Command the Tiger Guard Army to protect the nation's peace and prosperity."

Xu Chu came out to receive the imperial decree and express his gratitude.

He then recalled Ma Chao's tragic state.

I wanted to laugh, but I didn't dare.

He was also afraid of those stamps.

"Thank you, Your Majesty! Thank you, Prime Minister!"

"I definitely... uh, I won't let anyone in!"

Simple. Brutal. Very Xu Chu-esque.

"Grand Master of the Palace, Jia Xu,"

"He devised strategies and offered plans to sow discord."

"A single alteration to a book led to the retreat of 200,000 enemy troops."

"He is hereby granted the title of Marquis of Yishou Pavilion."

"Other……"

The eunuch paused for a moment; there was another line of notes below, so he decided to read it all at once.

"The Prime Minister bestowed upon him a piece of calligraphy, inscribed with the words: 'A master strategist with no flaws, the foremost among those who sow discord.'"

"It is hereby ordered to be hung in the main hall of the mansion to show the honor and favor bestowed upon it."

Jia Xu knelt on the ground.

Body stiff,

Why did you read that out loud? This kind of thing is best left unsaid in private.

That's not calligraphy; that's a "magnet of hatred."

If these words are posted, he'll become a sitting duck.

From now on, I'll have to be careful not to get a sack stuffed into my head when I go out to buy groceries.

But due to the formalities, he could only kowtow.

"Your subject... thanks you for your grace."

I'm already deciding in my mind which inconspicuous corner to place this calligraphy in.

Very cunning.

"Cao Ren".

"In the battle of Xiliang, he strategized and made great contributions."

"Promoted to General Who Conquers the West! Enfeoffed as Marquis of Anping Pavilion."

"Govern the new land of Xiliang, act expediently, and protect our land."

Cao Ren stepped forward and knelt down with composure.

He is the cornerstone of the Cao family; there's no need for further explanation.

Standing there, he was the embodiment of the word "reliable".

The fourth one.

The eunuch's expression was a little strange.

But he had received professional training.

"Han Sui of Western Liang".

"Although he once rebelled, acted perversely, and caused havoc in the region, considering his advanced age, he sincerely surrendered."

"and……"

The eunuch took a deep breath.

"His skill in cooking mutton is unparalleled in the Western Liang region."

"A pardon for those sentenced to death."

"Feng, appointed to the Imperial Kitchen."

"Take up your post immediately and, together with the Imperial Guard Commander Ma Teng, take charge of the imperial kitchen and develop new dishes for His Majesty."

The officials were in uproar.

But no one dared to speak up.

Han Sui knelt on the ground, his face covered in sweat.

He thought Cao Cao was joking at the time, but he didn't expect it to be true.

Ma Teng and Han Sui. The two heroes of Western Liang.

Unexpectedly, the victorious meeting took place in the kitchen.

This scene is so beautiful.

The commotion that will occur in the Imperial Kitchen in the future is probably unimaginable.

Finally, the grand finale.

This edict is the longest and the blackest in ink.

It is clearly a key chapter that the Prime Minister personally polished.

"Marquis of Guannei, Zhao Yu!"

Everybody knows,

This is a favorite of the Prime Minister.

Zhao Yu was hiding behind Cao Ren, fiddling with his fingers.

I haven't realized it yet.

Cao Hong, who was standing next to him, kicked him.

Zhao Yu then staggered out of line.

"The situation on the banks of the Wei River is critical."

"Zhao Yu remained calm in the face of danger, took the lead, and rescued the Prime Minister from a hail of arrows. This is true loyalty."

"In the depths of winter, water is poured and instantly freezes; sand is used to build a fortified city. A strong city is erected overnight, blocking an enemy force of 100,000. This is true wisdom."

Zhao Yu knelt on the ground.

I felt really happy.

Listen.

This is what we call "prestige".

Great loyalty and great wisdom—this assessment is truly fitting.

Shouldn't he be granted the title of Marquis of Ten Thousand Households?

The eunuch took a breath.

His tone suddenly became more tactful.

"He is hereby appointed General of the Garrison."

"Bestowed with the title of Marquis of Bingjing Pavilion."

It was to commemorate that ice city that was melted by the sun.

Very realistic.

Zhao Yu didn't realize it.

General of the Army, Marquis.

Stable.

This is a huge profit.

No, after you finished reading the edict, why didn't you accept it?

Why is there also a sense of sympathy?

"However—"

"They pursued Ma Chao to the top of a cliff."

Instead of trying to persuade him to surrender, Zhao Yu...

"On the contrary, the language was excessive, the wording sharp, and the satire extremely effective!"

"This caused Ma Chao to lose his composure, feel unbearable shame and indignation, and ultimately jump off a cliff to commit suicide."

"A great general has been lost!"

"This is a loss for the imperial court! And it shows that the Prime Minister's appreciation for talent has nowhere to be expressed!"

The court was silent.

Everyone knows how Ma Chao died.

Xu Chu scratched his head: "Insulting Ma Chao to death? That's a crime? I want to learn that too!"

Jia Xu observed his own heart while keeping his eyes on his nose.

Wow, he's shameless enough to become the "Duke of Zhou of the Han Dynasty".

Cao Ren: I don't know, I'm not sure.

The eunuch continued chanting:

"Given that Zhao Yu is exceptionally talented, but also impetuous, sharp-tongued, and lacks self-cultivation."

"It is necessary to cultivate one's character and temper one's mind."

"Special order:"

"Zhao Yu will temporarily assume the position of Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister!"

"From this day forward, you will be stationed at the Prime Minister's residence to learn how to handle official business and study the classics."

"Avoid arrogance and impetuosity, and humbly learn from others."

"When they learn to speak properly, then they can be released to fight again."

"Other:"

"To prevent them from causing trouble out of boredom."

"He concurrently served as the captain of the inner guard of the Prime Minister's residence."

"Responsible for patrolling the inner quarters, preventing fires and theft... and protecting oneself."

"As for the rest of the group, we'll leave that to their own devices; I won't go into details."

"So be it!"

I'm fucking stupid.

The imperial edict has been read.

Zhao Yu knelt there, not even offering thanks.

He stared at Cao Cao, mouth agape, his face filled with disbelief.

"Me? Chief Secretary?"

His face practically screamed: Why me?

What does the Chief Secretary do?

The chief steward of the Prime Minister's residence?

Secretary-General of the State and Director of the General Office?

I saved your life and offered you the Ice City strategy.

In the end, you were the one who made Ma Chao jump off the cliff.

How did I become someone who used "overly aggressive language"?

Has it become a case of "losing a great general"?

This is a huge blunder!

Cao Cao looked at Zhao Yu's bitter expression.

I felt absolutely thrilled.

Kid, you want to lie down?

One plan in Jiangling, one plan in Xiliang.

They saved me so many times.

I've figured it out. You're not lacking in talent, you're just lazy!

It's like toothpaste; you can't get it out unless you squeeze it!

The reason I appointed you as Chief Secretary is to disgust those literary types who spend all day spouting fancy words.

I didn't remove you from your position as captain of the inner quarters.

It's for you... cough cough, to make it easier for you to date.

To bind you to the Cao family's war chariot, I even risked everything, including my second daughter.

Aren't you going to thank me?

"What's wrong, Chief Clerk Zhao? Are you dissatisfied with the rewards?"

In the main hall,

Zhao Yu felt countless gazes piercing him from behind.

Forced by Cao Cao's tyrannical power of "If you dare to refuse, I'll let you have your way with me."

Zhao Yu had no choice but to bite the bullet.

No, no.

"Zhao Yu thanks His Majesty for his grace."

"good!"

it is finally over.

Cao Cao felt he was getting old.

My back is already aching after rewarding just four people.

He gave the eunuch next to him a wink.

It means: I'm off work, don't keep me from going back to my wife.

I was exhausted from acting in this scene today.

Especially that theory of "heavenly might slaying the enemy" just now,

In other words, Cao Mengde was shameless.

Anyone else would probably want to crawl into a hole on the spot.

"stop--"

The man's hoarse voice had only uttered half of his sentence.

"Wait a minute."

Liu Xie's voice came from the throne.

Is there something wrong?

Cao Cao suddenly turned around.

He instinctively placed his hand on his waist—there was no sword hanging there today, only a jade pendant.