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

This problem came suddenly.

Xun You pondered for a moment.

"Steady," he said. "More steady than many others."

Xun Heng sighed after hearing this.

"Then you're still looking at things too superficially."

Xun You was taken aback.

Xun Heng turned to look at the training ground, his tone extremely soft, yet remarkably certain:

"He's not stable."

"He's putting pressure on them."

"Suppress public sentiment, suppress the situation, and create a path that could collapse at any moment."

He paused here, then added:

"If we only consider temperament and perspective, even if we were to put ourselves together, we might not see as far as he does."

These words were spoken with extreme gravity.

Xun You remained silent for a long time.

He realized something for the first time—

What I saw last night was perhaps only a corner of this village.

⸻

The hour of Chen (7-9 AM) is approaching.

Xun You took his leave.

Lu Ding escorted him to the gate of the manor, while Xu Huang stood aside without saying a word.

The morning mist had not yet dissipated on the official road.

Xun You cupped his hands in thanks: "Thank you for letting me stay overnight."

Lü Ding nodded.

"Drive slowly on the road."

Xun You turned to leave, but suddenly heard Lü Ding speak.

"Mr. Xun."

Xun You turned around.

Lu Ding spoke calmly, as if he were talking about something that had nothing to do with him.

"Some roads look short, but they are actually steep."

Xun You's gaze sharpened.

Lu Ding, however, had already shifted his gaze to the official road in the distance.

"If one day you feel something is wrong—"

He paused.

"Taking a step back is not shameful."

This statement did not name anyone.

No explanation provided.

It was as if a chess piece had been gently placed into Xun You's hand.

Xun You gave Lü Ding a deep look but didn't ask any further questions.

"I've got it."

After saying this, he mounted his horse and rode off along the official road.

In the morning mist, the figure in gray gradually disappeared into the distance.

Xu Huang then said in a low voice, "What you just said was somewhat pointed."

Lü Ding shook his head.

"I was just reminding him."

The new recruits lined up; the order had been given.

The newly recruited soldiers lined up in two rows. Although they had only been there a short time, they already knew when to stop and when to move. Xu Huang stood at the front of the formation, his voice not loud, but steadily suppressing the sound of the wind.

Lu Ding stood at the entrance of the manor, glanced at it, and then turned and went back into the courtyard.

As soon as they entered the inner courtyard, Lü Fu came quickly.

"Young master."

Lü Ding stopped.

"The Shen family has sent an invitation."

As night fell completely, Pingyu City was even quieter than during the day.

The Shen residence was dimly lit, with only a few lamps lit in the main courtyard. There was no grand celebration, no music to welcome guests, and not even any extra guards were stationed at the gate.

But everyone who came was present.

When Lü Ding arrived, there were already seven or eight people sitting in the main courtyard.

The Shen family was seated in the center, with the other families seated on either side—the Li, Zhou, and Tian families, along with two other clan elders who rarely appeared in public. They wore no official robes or armor, only ordinary everyday clothes, yet each one sat with impeccable posture.

These people wouldn't even be so restrained when they see the county magistrate normally.

As soon as Lü Ding entered, the hall fell silent for a moment.

It's not because of my status.

Rather, it's because—

For the first time, they realized that this person was no longer just the "owner of the manor".

"Young Master Lü."

Some people stood up, some cupped their hands in greeting, and some simply nodded slightly.

Lu Ding returned the greetings without any modesty or refusal, and sat down directly next to the seat that Shen Shao had offered.

Not in the center.

But he is already a semi-master.

As soon as he sat down, many people's gazes unconsciously changed.

Shen Shao poured the wine himself, but only filled half a cup.

"I have a lot to do at night, so I don't dare to fill my glass," he said.

Lü Ding nodded.

"Perfect."

No one was in a hurry to speak.

In this situation, whoever speaks first will reveal their secret.

A moment later, Zhou's older uncle coughed first.

"Young Master Lü," he said slowly, "we locals are used to speaking frankly and directly."

Lü Ding looked at him.

"Just say it."

"The county needs soldiers," Zhou said. "You've kept them here."

These words immediately created a tense atmosphere at the table.

"It's not that they're staying," Lü Ding corrected, "it's that they haven't left yet."

Zhou was taken aback, then gave a wry smile.

"That's about right."

He looked up and glanced at the crowd.

"We invited you here today."

"I wanted to ask a question—"

"If the county government really cracks down on it, can you stop them?"

This statement finally hit the nail on the head.

Several pairs of eyes simultaneously fell on Lü Ding.

Lü Ding did not answer immediately.

Instead, he picked up his wine cup and took a sip.

"I can't stop the county," he said.

Upon hearing this, some people visibly relaxed, while others frowned.

"But—" Lu Ding put down his wine cup, "the county doesn't dare to act recklessly either."

Why?

Lu Ding raised his eyes and looked at everyone at the table.

"Because the army is stationed in Pingyu."

He spoke very slowly.

Each sentence was clearer than the last.

"If they really want to take action against Pingyu, it won't just be against me."

"It's about taking down all of you."

The hall fell completely silent.

Some people's hands were already unconsciously resting on their knees.

"We're not rebelling," the middle-aged man from the Tian family, who had been silent until now, finally spoke. "We just want to live."

Lü Ding nodded.

"I know."

That's why I'm sitting here.

Uncle Zhou took a deep breath.

"So what do we need to do?"

Lu Ding glanced at him.

"You must not do anything."

"Just don't move."

These words were spoken very softly.

But it gave several people a jolt at the same time.

"People from the prefecture will come," Lü Ding continued, "more than once."

"Someone will scare you."

"Someone will comfort you."

"Some might also hint—"

He paused for a moment.

"As long as you cooperate, peace will return once the soldiers leave."

Uncle Zhou sneered.

"Peace?"

"Once the soldiers leave, the first to be investigated will be us."

"That's right," Lü Ding nodded, "So don't believe it."

He looked at the crowd.

"Grain will be collected as usual."

Life goes on as usual.

"Just tell us what the county needs—"

He said slowly:

"Ask the county."

These four words made Shen Shao suddenly look up.

"The county?"

"Yes," Lü Ding said, "Don't agree directly, and don't refuse directly either."

"Push everything to Magistrate Xu."

"As long as the county government doesn't fall into chaos, you won't be the first to fall into chaos."

Shen Shao remained silent for a long time.

Finally, he whispered:

"You're... trying to put yourself in the spotlight."

Lü Ding smiled.

"Someone has to stand up."

After Lü Ding finished speaking, no one at the table responded for a moment.

The flickering lights cast shifting shadows on everyone's faces.

Uncle Zhou said in a low voice, "If we really do as you say, the county will start watching us sooner or later."

"Yes," Lü Ding replied quickly, "and very quickly."

This time, no one objected.

Because they all understood the meaning behind those two words—

It's not "possible," it's "already on its way."

Lu Ding stood up, said nothing more, and simply cupped his hands in a respectful gesture.

"That's all I have to say."

"You don't need to change anything after you go back."

"Do what you're supposed to do, do what you're supposed to do."

He paused, his gaze sweeping across everyone's faces.

"But remember one thing."

"Next, whoever makes the first move—"

He didn't finish his sentence.

But the unfinished business was more significant than any threat.

As night deepened, everyone dispersed.

The gates of the Shen residence closed one by one.

On the official road outside Pingyu City,

An unmarked cavalry unit is quietly heading south.