My Three Kingdoms is not right

Upon hearing that Cao Cao had left the city, Wu Zilan was overjoyed:

"Excellent! That means even if Guangluxun finds something during his interrogation, it won't reach Cao Cao in time!"

She paced back and forth in the hall, so excited, that she suddenly turned around and exclaimed, "Let's seize this opportunity and escape the city quickly! Let's go to Hebei and join Yuan Shao!"

"She has amassed an army of 100,000 in Ye City and desperately needs someone who knows the inside story of Xuchang..."

A rebuke interrupted her.

"Why are you running away?"

Dong Cheng's voice was tinged with coldness.

Wu Zilan's smile froze on her face.

Dong Cheng stood up and walked step by step to the center of the hall. His footsteps made a dull sound, one after another, like the beating of war drums.

"Didn't you see?" Her gaze swept over the three of them, and the corners of her mouth slowly turned up, revealing a smile that could almost be described as ferocious. "This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."

The hall fell into a deathly silence for a moment.

Zhong Ji was the first to react, his pupils contracting sharply: "Master Dong means..."

"Kill Cao Cao!" Dong Cheng stood with his hands behind his back, his spine ramrod straight.

"Our biggest obstacle was Cao Cao's heavily guarded defenses, making it extremely difficult to kill her."

"At this moment, Cao Cao traveled lightly, with only a dozen or so guards accompanying him."

"If we launch a surprise attack before she can react, overwhelming her with superior numbers, there's no way we can't win!"

The air in the hall seemed to be ignited.

"Good!" Prince Fu had already stood up, his eyes gleaming.

Wu Zilan clenched her fist: "As long as we can kill Cao Cao, it doesn't matter what Wu Shuo confessed to."

Zhong Ji pondered for a moment, then nodded: "I will follow Master Dong's arrangements."

Wu Shuo has already been exposed. If we don't act now, we won't even have the chance to do so.

Seeing their reaction, Dong Cheng nodded: "Wu Zilan!"

"Here!" Wu Zilan straightened her back.

"Follow the original plan, lead your troops to seal the palace gates. Make sure to take control of the emperor immediately. Cut off all communication between the inside and outside."

Wu Zilan nodded vigorously: "Yes!"

"Seedlings," Dong Cheng continued.

"As planned, lead the Changshui Battalion into the southern camp outside the city to deliver the imperial edict, prioritizing the execution of Xiahou Dun, Xiahou Yuan, Cao Ren, and Cao Hong."

"If we can take over the command of Cao's army, that would be best; if not, we must at least suppress the various camps and prevent them from leaving their camps to provide reinforcements."

Zhong Ji's actions were very risky, but she did not refuse, gritting her teeth and clasping her hands in a fist: "Yes, sir."

Dong Cheng's gaze finally landed on Wang Zifu.

"Zifu, you and I will lead our troops to intercept and kill Cao Cao!"

"If we join forces, killing Cao will be a piece of cake. Once we bring his head back to the city, the court will be ours!"

The prince clasped his hands in agreement.

According to the original plan, Wu Shuo should also have been in control of the Ministry of Personnel.

But since things have come to this, let's put it off for now.

After making these arrangements, Dong Cheng added, "I have already informed Liu Bei. After we leave the city, she will immediately seal the city gates—preventing any news from getting out, preventing Cao Cao's army from entering the city, and also preventing Cao Cao from returning to the city."

Prince Fu glanced at Dong Cheng again.

She remembered that not long ago, Dong Cheng had said that Princess Wannian supported him.

Now it seems that this is not the case.

But the thought only flashed through my mind.

What's done is done; now is not the time to argue.

"This is a golden opportunity!" Dong Cheng shouted. "Wealth and glory are right before our eyes. Hesitate even half a step, and you will die and your clan will be wiped out."

"Success or failure hinges on this!"

-----------------

In an unnamed valley more than 30 miles north of Xuchang, a mountain spring flows swiftly, its clear, melodious sound particularly crisp in the quiet valley.

The vegetation on both banks has been tinged with varying shades of autumn colors, with yellow, red, brown, and green interwoven together like a natural tapestry.

Liu Xun and Cao Cao walked side by side along the mountain path, the autumn sunlight filtering through the treetops and gently falling on them.

After rounding a bend in the mountain road, a breathtaking view suddenly opened up before us.

The ginkgo trees in the valley swayed in the autumn wind, their golden leaves layered upon layer, resembling golden mountains.

A gentle breeze swept by, and golden leaves fluttered down, like sunlight torn into fragments, dreamlike and ethereal.

Cao Cao stopped in his tracks.

A hint of amazement flashed in her phoenix eyes.

"I had no idea there was such a beautiful view near Xuchang." She turned to look at Liu Xun, a smile playing on her lips. "Your Highness certainly knows how to find things."

Liu Xun smiled smugly: "It's funny, I only found out about this valley full of ginkgo trees outside the city when Sun Quan, who was visiting Xuchang for the first time, told me about it."

"I came here a few days ago, but the leaves were still green and there wasn't much to see. I've been thinking about coming back when the leaves turn golden."

The autumn air is crisp and clean, carrying the slightly bitter scent unique to ginkgo leaves.

"Today is perfect." Cao Cao stood with his hands behind his back, gazing at the golden mountains, and suddenly began to softly recite:

"The autumn wind rises, the white clouds fly, the grass and trees turn yellow and fall, and the wild geese fly south."

The melody is melodious and expansive, and it is especially moving in this rich autumn scenery.

Liu Xun stood quietly beside her.

He felt that the girl seemed like a different person every time she recited poetry.

Perhaps beneath the girl's domineering and cunning exterior lies a sentimental soul.

After reciting those two lines, Cao Cao turned to look at him and said, "Your Highness is very thoughtful. From now on, every year when the ginkgo leaves turn yellow, remember to call me along, okay?"

Liu Xun smiled slightly: "Why not?"

The two continued walking. A mountain stream flowed gently at their feet, its surface reflecting the golden hues of the banks, as if the entire autumn had been contained within the water.

As you reach a bend in the river, the current becomes gentler, and there is a naturally formed platform on the bank, surrounded by water on three sides and backed by a ginkgo forest, offering a stunning view.

Liu Xun stopped and pointed there: "Let's have a picnic here."

The accompanying servants immediately sprang into action.

They laid out straw mats on the platform, hung up sunshades, and unloaded food boxes, wine jars, charcoal stoves, and other items from the horses. Before long, the once empty forest platform was transformed into an exquisite and rustic banquet place.

The food boxes were opened one by one, revealing the food that Liu Xun had prepared the day before. The various items were neatly categorized and packed in bamboo boxes, making for a very attractive presentation.

Looking at the neatly arranged dishes on the table, Cao Cao smiled and said, "It's a real treat to eat with Your Highness."

Liu Xun said, "Mengde can't just eat what's readily available today."

"Oh?" Cao Cao was somewhat surprised.

Liu Xun turned around and called out, "Shangxiang!"

Sun Shangxiang stepped forward in response, holding two slender bamboo poles in her hands.

Cao Cao then noticed that what she was hanging on the horse's belly was not a lance, but two finely crafted fishing rods.

"The feast is still missing a grilled fish." Liu Xun took a fish and handed it to Cao Cao: "Today we'll have a competition to see who can catch the most."

Cao Cao took the fishing rod and couldn't help but laugh out loud: "Your Highness is in high spirits."

From a young age, she traveled with Yuan Shao and other noble ladies of Luoyang, hunting with falcons and hunting with dogs, and naturally, she also went fishing.

She decisively took off her boots, stepped barefoot onto the straw mat, and lifted the hem of her brocade robe, tucking it into her waist to reveal her fair and slender calves.

"Let's compete!"

Liu Xun followed her example, taking off his boots, rolling up his sleeves, sitting on the couch next to her, and raising his fishing rod.

And so, in this nameless valley, the all-powerful Han Dynasty Minister of Works and the Han Dynasty princess, both of noble birth, became two fishermen.