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

The hall remained silent for a long time. The wind whistled past the eaves outside the window, and the afternoon light was gray, as if pressing down on a map.

Lu Ding did not mention the word "catch" again. Instead, he unfolded the scroll again, looked at it carefully, and his gaze stopped on the four words "Zhao Shi is already shocked".

"He knew the Zhao family was alarmed, but he didn't know the Zhao family had already entered the mansion," Lü Ding said calmly.

Xun You's heart stirred, and he slowly continued, "In other words, the other side's intelligence only focused on the investigation of the Zhao family, but not on the details after Zhao Gong was admitted to the hospital."

Lu Ding nodded: "That means the line inside the city isn't close enough to see into the back hall yet."

Chen Erhe's eyes darkened slightly: "Then it's still on the outskirts."

"The outer perimeter is best," Lü Ding said calmly. "Only the outer perimeter is effective."

Chen Erhe was taken aback, and tentatively asked in a low voice, "Young Master?"

Lü Ding put away the silk paper and said, "We will not arrest the cloth merchants."

The air in the hall was slightly tense.

"What does the young master intend to do?" Xun You asked.

"If we arrest him, we'll send others," Lü Ding said in a low voice. "Keeping him around will allow him to play a greater role."

Chen Erhe was silent for a moment, then said, "What if he continues to send messages north?"

"Let him deliver it."

Upon hearing this, even Xun You slightly raised his eyes.

Lu Ding walked to the map, his fingertip landing on the east side of the city. "The cloth merchants in the east moved in half a month ago, renting old houses and changing their horses. If they're spies, they'll be terrified right now. If we make a move, they'll retreat; if we don't, they'll think we haven't been exposed yet."

"What if we don't move?" Chen Erhe asked again.

"He's testing us," Lü Dingdao said.

-

That night, the alleyway at the east end of the city was quieter than usual. During the changing of the guard on the high roof, a sentry from the Fox Camp deliberately revealed a sliver of his figure, and the lamplight behind the courtyard gate flickered slightly.

Inside the main room, a man in his early thirties sat under the lamp, his hands still holding the cloth, but his gaze remained fixed on the window paper.

The servant whispered, "There are too many people outside."

"Who's the one with the extra?"

"They look like people from the Fox Clan."

The man was silent for a moment, then said calmly, "It's normal for the Fox Camp to make a big move after the Zhao family has been discovered."

"Should we send a message north?"

"Let's hold off for a bit," he said, then turned off the light.

-

The next day, the court session was held. Han Zixiu sat in the main seat, Lü Ding stood to the side, and Zhao Gong was indeed in the front row.

The prefectural government announced that salt contracts and grain contracts would be registered with the prefecture.

What was originally intended as a move to rectify internal affairs quickly gave rise to another rumor in the city: "The acting governor is too heavy-handed, and the prefect may not fully approve of it."

These words didn't originate from the prefectural government, but rather spread naturally among the common people. In a teahouse in the West Market, people whispered among themselves: "I heard that Prefect Han doesn't approve of the collection of contracts." "The acting prefect is afraid of instability in the prefecture, so he's tightening the ties with the gentry." "The Zhao family is probably going to fall."

These words quickly spread to the east of the city. The gate of the cloth merchant's courtyard remained tightly closed, but at night, people were seen leaving the alley through the back door.

The fox camp sentries followed him for two streets before stopping. The man did not leave the city; he simply circled half the city and entered the cloth merchant's courtyard.

After reporting back, Chen Erhe said, "They've started testing us."

Lü Ding nodded: "That means they're still unsure whether they've been discovered."

"Should we keep a closer eye on them?"

"Keeping too close an eye on them will alert them," Lü Ding said calmly.

Xun You pondered for a moment and said, "Then let's make a real commotion in the city."

Lu Ding glanced at him.

"Since he's keeping an eye on things in the city, let's make some for them," Xun You continued.

After a moment's thought, Lü Ding said, "Then let's try to get the Chen family and the Zhao family to fight each other."

Chen Erhe looked up.

"The salt deed registration will inevitably involve accounts. The second branch of the Chen family has frequent dealings with the Chenliu salt merchants. The Zhao family entered the mansion first, so the Chen family must be suspicious," Lü Ding said. "Let them argue, let them argue more naturally."

"Should we let the cloth merchants see this?" Xun You asked.

"Let everyone see it," Lü Ding said calmly.

-

Three days later, a dispute broke out in the West Market. The second branch of the Chen family questioned the move to bring the salt deed into the household, while the Zhao family members retorted sharply. The two families exchanged heated words, attracting a large crowd of onlookers. The Fox Camp maintained order on the outskirts but deliberately did not block the area.

In the distance, the gate of the cloth merchant's courtyard quietly opened a crack.

That night, the faintest sound of a horse could be heard coming from a back alley in the east of the city. The sentry followed for three miles. The man left the city and took the old trade route, but instead of heading straight for the boundary marker, he took a detour.

Before the dilapidated temple in the woods, a shadow awaits.

Before the sentry got close, he only saw something being handed out from afar.

-

Nanyang.

Yuan Shu sat in the side hall, listened to the secret report, and lightly tapped his fingertip on the table.

"Runan has taken over the Zhao family's deed?" He chuckled. "The fact that they're doing it so hastily will surely cause resentment in the city."

Those around him whispered, "My lord, shall we invite them to Nanyang to discuss state affairs?"

Yuan Shu pondered for a moment and said, "Issue a document from the state to discuss taxes."

"Discussing the poem?"

"It is said that the taxes in the prefecture are complicated and that all counties need to discuss and rectify them. Please send someone from Runan to Nanyang."

He raised his eyes, his gaze cold. "If they come in person, it means they acknowledge Nanyang; if they don't come, it means they are enemies of Nanyang."

Suddenly, I realized what was happening.

Yuan Shu said calmly, "If Runan wants to wait and see, I insist that they choose first."

-

The state legislature's document arrived in the city several days later in the afternoon.

The courier rode directly into the prefectural government office. The seal was still intact, and the words "Yuzhou State Council" were written on the outside.

Han Zixiu opened the scroll himself; no one in the hall made a sound, yet the sound of the paper unfolding was exceptionally clear. After reading it, he slowly folded the silk scroll back, his gaze calm, but he did not speak immediately.

Lu Dingli stood to the side and did not step forward.

After a long silence, Han Zixiu finally spoke: "Yuan Shu wants to discuss the tax."

His tone was very calm, as if he were stating something ordinary.

Lü Dingdao said, "Discussing taxes is tantamount to discussing state affairs."

Han Zixiu looked up at him: "What do you think?"

Lü Ding did not answer immediately, but walked to the map and looked in the direction of Nanyang.

"He doesn't want money," Lü Dingdao said. "He wants people."

"VIP?"

"The prefect must come in person," Lü Ding said calmly. "Once he arrives, the title of Governor of Yu Province will belong to Nanyang."

Han Zixiu was silent for a moment, then suddenly asked, "What if I go?"

The air in the hall paused slightly.

Lu Ding turned to look at him, his expression unchanged: "That means acknowledging Nanyang and Yuan Shu."

Han Zixiu stared at him for a while, then suddenly chuckled, "You're quite straightforward."

"The name of the prefecture has not yet been decided," Lü Ding said. "Runan cannot be decided first."

Han Zixiu slowly stood up and walked to the window. The wind outside began to blow, and the corner of the flag fluttered slightly.

"What if we don't go?"

"That would be openly making an enemy of Yuan Shu."

Han Zixiu didn't turn around: "Can you withstand it?"

Lu Ding's tone remained calm: "Whether we can withstand it or not is not up to reply."

Han Zixiu then turned around.

"Where are you?" Han Zixiu asked.

Lu Ding's gaze fell on the direction of the military camp: "It's about the troops in Runan."

The two looked at each other for a moment, then Han Zixiu suddenly handed him the state council document: "You draft the reply."

Lu Ding took it, but did not unfold it.

"I wish to discuss state affairs," he said. "However, military matters are not yet settled this autumn, and the prefect is not leaving the city. I have sent my assistants to discuss this matter."

After listening, Han Zixiu looked at Lü Ding and did not nod immediately, but slowly said, "You want them all to feel that there is still a chance."