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

time does not wait.

Just as Lü Ding was pondering how to integrate "troop training" into daily life, into village affairs, and without drawing attention to it—

The situation, however, has already escalated.

The next evening, the county official, Cui Wen, arrived first.

It wasn't an official document, just a note, delivered by a courier tucked inside a routine report. The paper was thin, but the handwriting was extremely heavy, as if the writer hadn't hesitated when putting pen to paper, and had only written one line—

"Each village is requested to send the conscripted men to the county office for employment within three days."

There was no signature.

Yet it made me feel more anxious than any other urgent order.

After reading the line of text, Lü Ding did not close the book immediately.

He simply placed the paper on the table and pressed it against the corner with his fingertip.

The paper is very thin.

But this line of text seems to have been pressed down on Zhuangzi's head.

Three days.

It's not about "discussing".

It gives you the opportunity to handle it internally first.

The two characters “听用” were written very steadily.

Do not write "conscription" or "military service".

"This isn't urging," Lü Ding said in a low voice, "it's forced requisition."

Xu Huang stood aside, not responding immediately.

He was looking at the edge of the paper.

The edges were unevenly cut, as if it had been hastily torn from a stack of notepads.

It's so that you know.

"They've already set the numbers," Xu Huang said. "Asking you now is just a formality."

Lü Ding nodded.

"If we delay any longer, someone will call us out."

"Take the roster and head into the village."

At that point, it wouldn't be a matter of three days anymore.

Footsteps could be heard outside.

Lu Fu paused outside the door for a moment, but did not come in.

He also saw the paper.

"Young Master," Lü Fu lowered his voice, "some people in the village... have already heard the news."

Lü Ding looked up.

"Who sent it?"

"People who came back from the market," Lü Fu said. "People from other villages have already been called to the county to do 'labor service'."

Helper/Servant.

It sounds even less important than listening to it.

But everyone knows that whether or not he can come back depends entirely on a single word from above.

"Don't send it yet," Lü Ding said. "Tonight, it's the same as usual."

Lu Fu responded, but did not leave immediately.

He hesitated for a moment, then asked:

"Do we need to...be selective?"

Lu Ding looked at him but did not answer immediately.

The very act of choosing people is itself a selection process.

Whoever is chosen is no longer one of Zhuangzi's people.

"Not yet," Lü Ding said.

Lü Fu then withdrew.

The room fell silent.

"What are you planning to do?" Xu Huang asked.

This was the first time he had asked in this tone.

Lü Ding did not answer immediately.

He walked to the window and looked at the people in the courtyard.

As dusk approached, the village was quieter than usual.

No one was gathered together talking.

But everyone seemed to be listening intently.

The message is already spreading.

"We can't hide anymore," Lü Ding said, "but we can't act recklessly either."

Xu Huang nodded.

"Practice," he said. "Practice now."

"How do we train?" Lü Ding turned around.

"It's not lining up," Xu Huang said. "And it's not calling out numbers either."

"What is that?"

"It's to let them know—"

Xu Huang paused for a moment, then said, "Where you stand, who's beside you, and which way to retreat if something happens."

This is not military strategy.

It's a way to survive.

"Starting tonight," Lü Ding said.

"Tonight?" Xu Huang was slightly taken aback.

"The order was given for three days," Lü Ding said, "but they won't wait the full three days."

"If we don't move tonight, we'll have to move tomorrow night."

"Then how about—"

He looked at Xu Huang, "Let them get used to it first."

Xu Huang paused for a moment, then nodded.

"it is good."

That night, Zhuangzi locked himself in as usual.

There is no set.

There was no bell ringing.

However, during the night patrol, Xu Huang personally took a turn around.

He doesn't speak.

Stop only at key points.

"you."

"Take half a step to the left."

"You two."

"Don't walk side by side."

"here."

Leave it blank.

Those who were called on were somewhat bewildered.

But no one refuted it.

Gradually, some people realized something was wrong.

The night patrol route remained unchanged.

But their lines of sight were connected.

You can see people everywhere you go.

When you look back, it's no longer empty.

Some people started to feel uneasy.

It's not fear.

It was a sudden realization—

If something really happens, I won't be standing alone; I'll have people behind me.

The next morning, Xu Huang tried a different approach.

He had someone fetch water.

Repair the fence.

Feeding livestock.

As usual.

But before they took action, they said one thing:

"When doing things, don't turn your back to the gate."

There was no explanation.

But after everyone stood aside, they suddenly realized—

In every direction, there are people who can see each other.

It's not a secret.

But it continues.

Like a net that isn't stretched taut.

At noon, someone couldn't help but ask:

"What...is this supposed to be?"

Xu Huang glanced at him.

Are you scared?

The man paused for a moment, then shook his head.

"Then remember this," Xu Huang said, "When you stand here, you are not alone."

This sentence was not said aloud.

But it was remembered.

By evening, the village had changed.

Can't tell.

But it's real.

People walking will subconsciously glance behind them.

Those who are standing will leave half a step of space.

No one felt like they were "serving in the military".

But everyone has started to have a "place".

Lu Ding stood on the high place and watched for a while, then suddenly understood.

This is not a training exercise.

This is--

First, we need to connect people, transforming them from scattered individuals into a cohesive unit.

Just then, someone arrived at the gate of the manor.

He was not a courier.

He was a constable in the county.

Two people.

not much.

But he was riding a horse.

"Master Lü." The leader dismounted, his tone unhurried, "The county sent us to take a look."

"What are you looking at?" Lu Ding asked.

"Take a look... how are the preparations going in each village?" The constable smiled.

He didn't mention the note.

Yet every sentence revolves around it.

Xu Huang stood not far away, not moving forward.

But the two constables soon noticed him.

Armor is on the body.

Gun in hand.

"And who is this?" the constable asked casually.

"They were sent by the county," Lü Ding replied.

The constable nodded and asked no further questions.

But his gaze lingered around the village.

He saw those people.

They stood in an orderly fashion.

But it's not neat either.

Unlike farmers.

They don't look like soldiers either.

This made his heart tighten slightly.

"Master," he said, his tone still polite, "the county will take attendance on time in three days."

"We still need to send the person away."

Lü Ding nodded.

"I see."

"That's good." The constable mounted his horse. "Don't make things difficult for the county."

The sound of horses' hooves faded into the distance.

No one spoke for a moment in the courtyard.

"They've already started watching," Xu Huang said in a low voice.

"Yes," Lü Ding replied.

He knew very well—

These three days are not for preparing people for him.

It's for him—

Decide how to reveal your hand.

Lü Ding did not sleep at night.

He took out the old letters his father had left behind, one by one.

There are names in there.

There was contact.

There are favors owed to people in the past.

He didn't originally want to use these things.

But now—

It's no longer a question of whether or not it's possible.

But -

If we don't use it now, it will be too late.

He carefully put the letter away again.

Outside the window, the wind was very soft.

For the first time, Zhuangzi experienced true "stillness".

It's not peaceful.

It is a silence that follows tightening.

Lü Ding knew—

Zhuangzi is about to face a new challenge.