Overthrowing Wei: Starting with Cao Cao's "I'd rather betray the world than surrender

Never look in the mirror at night.

Because the person standing in the mirror may not actually be yourself.

Lu Ding stared at the youthful face reflected in the bronze mirror, his throat tightening, and he didn't blink for a long time.

He was certain—this wasn't his face.

But inside this body is indeed him.

Just a moment ago, he was the deputy mayor of a township in the future.

The next moment, he became the son of Lü Boshe in the late Eastern Han Dynasty. A person whose name was never recorded in historical records or fictional novels.

The mirror has not been moved.

Suddenly, the sound of horses' hooves splashing in the water came from outside the courtyard. It was urgent.

Lu Ding's heart skipped a beat.

This was no illusion. The sounds were chaotic, yet calm; the horses' hooves splashed in the puddles with short, rhythmic thuds—the approaching group was not a single rider, and they were well-trained.

"Young master."

A soft call came from outside the door.

Lu Ding turned around and saw a middle-aged servant standing at the door, his face pale and his forehead covered in sweat.

"The master requests your presence in the main hall."

The servant paused, then lowered his voice even further, "...We have a guest."

Lü Ding did not ask who it was.

At this moment, the answer is obvious.

He nodded, then raised his hand and placed the bronze mirror upside down on the table. The mirror touched the wooden table with a soft sound, like a silent farewell.

He pushed open the door and went out.

The night was dark, and rain dripped continuously from the eaves. Torches had been lit in the courtyard, and in the flickering light, many figures could be seen moving back and forth, but they all deliberately kept their footsteps light.

Lujiazhuang is rarely this tense.

As Lü Ding walked, he quickly searched his mind for memories belonging to "this world".

Lü Boshe was from a prominent family in Yuzhou. Although his family was not particularly wealthy, he was still considered a local gentry. He was kind, hospitable, and loved to socialize with guests.

Tonight, however, he has made the last person he should have befriended.

Outside the main hall, Lü Ding stopped in his tracks.

In the firelight, the first person he saw was not his father.

Instead, it was a middle-aged man wearing a dark cloak.

The man stood ramrod straight, the hem of his cloak already soaked by the rain, yet he showed no intention of taking it off. He didn't rush to sit down, but simply stood there, his gaze subtly sweeping across every corner of the hall.

This includes beams, pillars, screens, and side doors.

Lu Ding's heart sank.

—This is someone who is always ready to take action.

Lu Boshe was greeting them from the side, his expression enthusiastic, but he was clearly using too much force.

"Mengde has come from afar, and the journey has been arduous. Please rest at my humble abode for a while, and continue your journey when the rain has subsided."

The man turned around.

His eyebrows and eyes weren't sharp, but they had a certain oppressive quality, especially his eyes, which seemed to be able to peel away the layers of hesitation in people's hearts.

Cao Cao.

Lü Ding confirmed the name almost subconsciously.

It wasn't the powerful King of Wei who would later rule the world, but Cao Mengde, who was still on the run at this moment.

—He is also the person in history who will slaughter the entire Lü family tonight.

Lu Ding took a deep breath and stepped into the hall.

"Father."

Lu Boshe turned around, saw him, and relaxed: "...Ahem, Ding'er, come, greet your Uncle Cao."

Cao Cao's gaze naturally fell on Lü Ding.

This glance was very brief.

But it gave Lü Ding the illusion that he had been completely seen through.

"Is this your son?" Cao Cao asked.

"Indeed," Lü Boshe said with a smile, "I'm useless, I've made Cao Cao laugh at me."

Cao Cao nodded, said nothing more, and simply looked away, as if Lü Ding was nothing more than an insignificant background figure.

But Lü Ding knew—

From that moment on, she had entered his field of vision.

The food and drinks were quickly served.

The atmosphere in the hall appeared relaxed, but was actually tense. Cao Cao drank little, yet he never removed his sword. His entourage also remained behind him, standing within easy reach.

What's more terrible is——

From the side door, faint sounds could be heard coming from the kitchen.

Someone is speaking in a low voice.

There was also the faint sound of metal objects touching.

Lu Boshe stood up and said with a smile, "My humble abode is simple and I can only offer you a slaughtered sheep. Please wait a moment, Lord Cao."

Lu Ding's heart sank suddenly.

coming.

He could almost see what would happen next.

Once suspicion was ignited, Cao Cao wouldn't wait for an explanation.

He won't wait for anyone.

Lü Ding stood up.

The movements were slow, yet exceptionally clear.

"Father."

The sound wasn't loud, but it drew everyone's attention in the hall.

Lu Boshe was taken aback: "Ding'er?"

Lü Ding did not look at his father, but turned to Cao Cao and bowed.

"Lord Cao".

Cao Cao's brow twitched slightly: "What is it?"

Lu Ding met his gaze, his tone calm, but he showed no intention of backing down.

"Tonight, it is not advisable for the Lü family to resort to violence."

The hall fell silent.

Cao Cao put down his wine cup and tapped his finger lightly on the table.

"Oh?"

Why?

Lü Ding did not answer immediately.

He knew that at this moment, speaking quickly was not as important as speaking accurately.

"When Cao Cao was traveling far away, he was caught in a storm."

"If word gets out that the owner is sharpening a knife late at night, it will easily arouse suspicion."

Cao Cao laughed.

The smile didn't reach his eyes.

"Are you saying I'm overly suspicious?"

Lü Ding nodded. "Yes."

That "yes" was like making the matter clear.

Cao Cao's gaze instantly turned cold, and the hands of several of his followers behind him were already on the hilts of their swords.

Lu Boshe's expression changed drastically: "Ding'er! You—"

Lü Ding did not retreat.

He looked at Cao Cao, speaking slowly but with exceptional clarity:

"If Lord Cao has any doubts tonight, draw your sword first."

"Once the knife is drawn, the blood cannot be contained."

"Killing the Lü family might not put Cao Cao at ease."

Cao Cao narrowed his eyes: "Are you threatening me?"

"It's not a threat," Lü Ding shook his head, "it's the truth."

"Of the more than 300 people in Lüjiazhuang, 70% are refugees."

"You can kill us, father and son, but you can't shut their mouths."

"Starting tomorrow, wherever you go, the people there will flee."

At that moment, even the sound of breathing in the hall became clear.

Cao Cao stared at Lü Ding for a long time.

Then, he suddenly asked a completely unrelated question:

"What's your name?"

Lu Ding felt a chill run down his spine, but still answered decisively.

"Lü Ding".

Cao Cao nodded and gave a cryptic laugh.

"Nice name."

He stood up and walked up to Lü Ding, so close that he could almost smell the mixture of rain and metal.

"Aren't you afraid I'll kill you right now?"

Lü Ding's throat tightened slightly.

"Afraid."

"Then you still dare to stand up?"

Lü Ding raised his head.

"Because if I don't stand up, I won't be the only one who dies tonight."

The two looked at each other.

Time seemed to stretch out.

The firelight flickered in the hall, casting shifting shadows. Cao Cao's gaze, like an unsheathed sword, hovered before Lü Ding's brow.

Lu Boshe tried to speak again, but found his throat dry and he couldn't utter a single word.

Cao Cao's entourage had already taken a half step forward, waiting for just one look.

Lu Ding stood still, without retreating.

He knew very well that if he backed down now, there would be no turning back.