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

The side hall has no main seat; four low tables are arranged on both sides, not far apart, yet deliberately staggered, not intending to give anyone a "center".

This isn't a place for entertaining guests; it's more like a buffer zone.

They make you sit down, but they don't let you settle down.

The tea was served quickly, at the perfect temperature—neither too hot nor too cold, as if it were brewed at the exact hour.

Lu Ding sat down without extending his hand; he knew very well that this was not the place to discuss business.

The Shen family did not refuse him.

They did not greet him.

We're just leaving him here.

and so on.

The side hall was very quiet, with no servants moving around, and even the sound of footsteps was deliberately concealed.

A cup of tea passed.

Two cups.

The curtain moved slightly only after the third cup of tea had just been removed.

The one who entered was not the head of the Shen family.

Instead, he was an elderly steward with gray hair and beard.

He was neatly dressed, with a gentle expression, yet he walked with remarkable steadiness.

"Young Master Lü."

"Master, please enter the main hall."

The tent hall is not in the main hall, nor in the inner courtyard, but behind the side hall.

An unassuming wooden door, once opened, reveals rows of tall cabinets.

The cabinet is full of accounts. Old accounts, new accounts, and unsealed accounts.

Each volume felt like the lives of three generations of the Shen family were staked on this book.

The head of the Shen family sat on the innermost side.

A wide table.

A lamp.

He doesn't look old, but he exudes a powerful aura.

"Young Master Lü."

He spoke, his tone calm.

"I've heard so much about you."

"Seeing you today, you are more composed than rumored."

That's just being polite.

It was also a test.

Lü Ding cupped his hands in greeting.

"Master Shen."

"I have come today to borrow grain."

Lü Ding got straight to the point.

The head of the Shen family paused slightly; such an opening was rare among the people he had met over the years.

"borrow?"

Lü Ding nodded.

"How many?"

"Let's not talk about it for now."

The head of the Shen family smiled.

The smile wasn't deep, but it carried a hint of understanding.

"Then what are you going to talk about?"

Lü Ding did not sit back down.

Instead, they stood.

"Let's talk about something."

"Talking about Runan, will the Shen family be able to get through this spring?"

The moment the words were spoken, the tent fell silent.

The head of the Shen family did not respond, seemingly accustomed to such astonishing remarks.

He didn't say anything, but simply lowered his head and turned over the curtain.

One page.

Two pages.

The sound of the paper turning was very clear.

It's not a rejection.

It's for you to hear—

Time is passing.

The air seemed to tighten a little.

Lü Ding remained standing.

It's as if they had planned to spend this time here all along.

a long time.

The ledger was closed.

"Young Master Lü, this is an exaggeration."

The head of the Shen family looked up.

"The Shen family has grain."

"There is a road."

"There are also official connections."

"What you're saying is a bit of an overstatement."

Lü Ding nodded.

"Of course the Shen family has them."

That's why I came.

The head of the Shen family's gaze sharpened.

"Do you think my Shen family would need you as a stepping stone?"

"We don't lack it now."

Lü Ding answered quickly.

"But in two months—"

"not necessarily."

As soon as those words were spoken...

The atmosphere inside the tent had finally changed.

The head of the Shen family narrowed his eyes.

"What do you mean? Young Master Lü, please speak frankly."

Lü Ding did not go around it.

"Dong Zhuo enters Luoyang."

"Deposing and installing emperors."

"The title remains, but the orders have become chaotic."

"What the county is issuing now is 'assistance in conscription'."

"It is not an 'official edict'."

The head of the Shen family tapped his finger lightly on the table.

It's not that he didn't know.

Rather, it's that he didn't want to speak first.

"Go further down."

Lü Ding continued.

"Once conscription becomes a precedent..."

"Grain first."

"The road is blocked again."

"Humans come last."

"The Shen family has a way out."

"so--"

He looked up.

"The first one selected."

The head of the Shen family remained silent for a moment.

"That's outrageous!"

"no."

Lü Ding shook his head.

"It's an account."

"I am not here today to borrow grain from the Lü family village."

"It's to settle accounts on behalf of Runan."

"Who can still access the grain now?"

"Who can protect the road now?"

"Who can get the grain out and back?"

Inside the tent hall.

The light flickered.

The head of the Shen family looked at Lü Ding, finally changing his gaze.

It's no longer about scrutinizing a landowner who comes to borrow grain.

Instead, they were looking at one—

A person who dares to speak frankly and openly.

What makes you think that?

"Can you protect me?"

"The head of the Shen family asked."

Lü Ding answered very steadily.

"Because I am now—"

"We can still support two hundred guards."

"It can be done without hanging a flag."

"stop."

"Wait until things really get chaotic."

"Those who can protect the road are not officials."

"It's a person."

"He's a soldier."

"Also Zhuang."

This time.

The head of the Shen family did not immediately refute.

Instead, they remained silent for a long time.

The night outside the window is getting darker.

Inside the tent, only the soft crackling of burning lamp wicks could be heard.

at last.

He spoke slowly.

It's late at night.

"Young Master Lü."

"The Shen family does not discuss matters of life and death at night."

This is to see the guests off.

It's also a way to seal it off.

The old steward has already stepped forward.

Just then.

The curtain on the side of the tent suddenly moved slightly.

It wasn't a human figure.

Instead, a maid-like person stepped out from behind the curtain.

With lowered eyes and a light step, he stopped three steps away from the table.

"Master of the family."

The voice wasn't loud, but it was clear.

A slight silence fell over the tent.

The head of the Shen family raised his eyes and looked at the side curtain.

No one came out from behind the curtain.

Only a faint shadow could be seen, standing very close, yet never crossing the line.

The lamplight cast shadows on the curtain, making the outline extremely faint.

It's as if they're listening.

It's like watching.

This is the first time I've been interrupted tonight.

It's late at night.

The head of the Shen family remained calm, saying, "It is not appropriate to receive guests in the inner quarters."

The maidservant lowered her head and did not retreat.

Simply repeating the words in a low voice:

"Miss invites Master to the back room for a chat."

The maid spoke softly, but it wasn't a request for instructions.

The tent fell silent.

The old steward glanced at the head of the Shen family without saying a word.

The head of the Shen family looked at the side curtain, his gaze darkening for a moment.

There was no anger.

There was no surprise.

It's more like—

I went back and looked at that account again.

Just then, the curtain swayed slightly, and the shadow seemed to shift to the side.

It was as if a gaze pierced through the curtain, past the maid, and landed on the other side of the tent.

very short.

Yet it is extremely stable.

Lü Dingzheng stood in the lamplight.

There was no avoidance.

There was no welcome.

He simply stood there calmly.

That glance was devoid of emotion.

It's not out of curiosity.

It's not a test.

It's more like confirming something—

Is this person worth the Shen family making another choice about?

The head of the Shen family finally spoke.

"Young Master Lü."

The voice was soft, yet clear: "Wait a moment."

This is not a gesture to see guests off.

It wasn't a promise either.

Lü Ding cupped his hands in greeting.

"Mr. Lü, please wait here."

He did not sit.

They didn't refund it.

He simply stood under the lamplight in the tent.

The head of the Shen family stood up.

Follow the maid inside.

The curtain then fell down.

Inside the tent, only the lamps, the cabinets, and an eerily quiet atmosphere remained.

The old steward stood aside without saying a word.

He knew it very well.

From this moment on...

This matter is no longer just about borrowing grain.

But -

The Shen family, should we try a different way of life?

Lü Ding stood still.

His expression remained unchanged.

But he knew it in his heart.

The real negotiations have only just begun.