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

The lights in the back room were a fraction dimmer than those in the main hall, not because they were stingy with oil, but because it was intentional.

When the light is lowered, people's shadows appear closer, and words are more likely to fall at a lower angle.

The head of the Shen family sat down beside the main table. He did not speak immediately, but simply reached out and took off his outer robe, draping it over the back of the chair.

This movement was very subtle, yet rare.

Miss Shen saw it.

My father is tired tonight, not physically, but mentally.

She did not sit down immediately, but stood to the side, waiting for the maid to leave and the curtain to be lowered before she spoke.

"Does his father think he's arrogant?"

The head of the Shen family raised his eyes and glanced at her.

"Not necessarily arrogant."

"It's just too early; we've said everything."

He picked up the teacup, took a sip, and then put it down.

"Young people tend to exaggerate the severity of situations."

"They think that chaos is coming, so they can force people to place bets."

Miss Shen smiled gently.

"That's what Father thinks."

"Was he too harsh, or did he speak too soon?"

The question was asked lightly, yet it made the Shen family patriarch pause for a moment on his teacup.

He didn't answer, but instead asked:

What do you think?

Miss Shen then sat down, but only occupied half of the chair, her posture not relaxed.

"He spoke too late."

"It's even a bit late."

The head of the Shen family twitched slightly.

"You believe his nonsense too?"

"Whether you believe it or not is not important."

Her tone was very steady.

"The important thing is—now someone has dared to say these things in the Shen family's tent."

She looked up.

"This in itself is a change."

The head of the Shen family remained silent for a moment, then his tone grew serious.

"You know how much grain the Shen family sends to Luoyang and Xuchang every year."

"You know which roads in Runan require someone's approval to be opened."

"Which of those people in court haven't we given gifts to?"

These words, though not heavy, represent the confidence accumulated over decades.

The eldest daughter of the Shen family did not refute, but only whispered:

"But has Father considered this?"

"Under whose name were these accounts processed?"

The head of the Shen family's gaze sharpened.

"The title still stands."

"But the order has already been given, and it's been bypassed."

She answered very quickly.

"It's not an official decree, it's 'assistance'."

"It's not a document, it's a verbal message."

She paused for a moment.

"This is exactly what he said in the tent."

The room fell silent.

The wick popped softly.

The head of the Shen family slowly exhaled.

"You mean—"

"Someone is already eyeing the Shen family?"

"And not just in one place."

Miss Shen nodded.

"Food, roads, and people."

"The Shen family has taken it all."

Her tone was so calm it was almost like she was calculating an account.

"When things get chaotic, the first to be targeted is never the weakest."

"But it's the most orderly."

The head of the Shen family closed his eyes.

"So you think you should say yes?"

"No."

She shook her head.

"It cannot be 'borrowing grain'."

The head of the Shen family opened his eyes and looked at her.

"What is that?"

"Change."

She spoke very slowly.

"Food, in exchange for manpower."

"Change to a force that moves, without a flag."

The head of the Shen family frowned.

"Lu Family Village is nothing more than a small village."

"Two hundred guards."

"Do you think you can protect the Shen family?"

"Not now."

She answered very readily.

"But he dared to stand up."

She looked at her father.

"Dare to say 'I can protect the road' at this time."

"That means he's already taken that step."

She paused, then added:

"Moreover, he was unaware of the Shen family's grain situation."

The head of the Shen family was taken aback.

"He didn't come here with our stored grain."

"He's calculating—who will be drained dry first this spring."

The head of the Shen family remained silent for a long time. He suddenly realized that the most dangerous thing about Lü Ding tonight was not what he said.

And it lies in—

He didn't ask.

They didn't ask how much grain the Shen family had.

I didn't ask how much I could borrow.

It was simply forcing the Shen family to admit one thing:

Official channels alone can no longer provide a safety net.

"What do you want me to do?"

The eldest daughter of the Shen family raised her eyes, her gaze clear and bright.

We can't wait and see any longer.

Her tone was steady, without the slightest hesitation.

"At this point, who is still waiting to 'see clearly'?"

"All we'll get is being wiped out."

She looked at her father.

"The most valuable thing about Lü Ding right now is not how many men he has."

"But—he has already risked his life."

"He was short of food this spring."

"But the Shen family has grain."

"This is not a loan."

"It's a timely help."

She paused for a moment.

"It's also about placing bets in advance."

"Give him food once he's settled; that would just be a transaction."

"Now give them the food—"

She said slowly:

"Only the Shen family can stand at the starting point of his path."

The head of the Shen family remained silent.

She continued speaking.

"Make sure he understands from the very beginning."

"This grain is not alms."

"It's a bet."

"Bet on him; he can protect the Shen family's future."

"We should also bet on the Shen family, so that in the future we can stand behind him instead of being passed by him."

The head of the Shen family nodded slowly.

"You see further than I do."

After he finished speaking, he stood up.

When the curtain was lifted again, an extra lamp was added to the tent.

It's not brighter.

It is more stable.

The head of the Shen family sat down again, his steps unhurried, just as he hadn't changed his decision from the earlier part of the inner hall.

But the old steward saw it very clearly.

When the head of the family sat down, he leaned forward slightly.

This is the demeanor the Shen family adopts when discussing serious matters.

"I apologize for keeping Young Master Lü waiting."

This sentence is softer than the previous one.

It's not just being polite.

Instead, it involves repricing.

Lü Ding cupped his hands in greeting.

"Master Shen, you flatter me."

The head of the Shen family did not immediately respond with the words "borrow grain".

Instead, she looked at him and suddenly asked:

"Young Master Lü, how old are you this year?"

The tent hall was quiet.

"Nineteen years old (by Chinese reckoning)."

This time, even the old steward's gaze flickered slightly.

nineteen.

The head of the Shen family nodded.

"A promising young man."

He spoke slowly, then raised his hand, gesturing for the old steward to fetch the account book.

It wasn't a contract, just a blank account sheet.

"There's no need to mention the words 'borrowing grain' again."

He said.

"The Shen family never lends grain to the estate."

Lü Ding looked up.

"What is the patriarch's intention?"

"Change."

The head of the Shen family only uttered one word.

"The Shen family will provide the grain."

"The Lü family produces outstanding individuals."

"Not a hospital nurse."

"It's for road protection."

He paused for a moment.

"The route taken by the Shen family's grain carts within Runan territory."

"Do not fly the Shen flag."

"Do not reveal your official name."

"Just go your own way."

Lu Ding remained silent for a moment.

"What if someone blocks the road with an official document?"

"The Shen family will handle it."

"What if we can't suppress it?"

The head of the Shen family looked at him.

That means—

"Official status is worthless now."

"By then."

"How do I get there?"

"You decide."

The tent hall finally quieted down.

It's not a standoff.

Rather, it's about measurement.

"Where's the grain?"

Lü Ding asked.

The head of the Shen family did not answer immediately.

"As long as you can still walk this path."

He said.

"The food supply will continue."

"To you, it is no different from infinity."

"price?"

"At market price."

"Go through the proper channels."

"But there is one condition."

His gaze darkened.

"People from the Shen family."

"Regardless of whether they are drivers, managers, or collateral branches."

"Once it enters your protected area."

"Your fate—it's up to you."

Lü Ding cupped his hands in greeting.

"The Lü family can handle it."

The head of the Shen family stared at him for a long time.

Then he nodded.

"it is good."

The pen fell on the account book.

There is no print.

There was no oath.

Two words were written in just one corner.

沈。

Lü.

"This is not an alliance."

"That's what the head of the Shen family said."

"It's a way of life."

He looked at Lü Ding.

"As for the future, is there any next step—?"

"Until you stand more steadily."

"Let's talk again."

Lü Ding bowed.

"Lu Ding, I've got it."

The lights in the tent flickered slightly.

The night is dark.

And after that night.

The grain route to Runan.

For the first time, we no longer listen solely to official statements.

Instead, it began—

I heard the sound of a knife.