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

Lü Ding spoke calmly:

"First, this force does not leave Pingyu."

"Secondly, any transfer order must be issued through the county government."

He paused for a moment after saying this.

No one in the hall spoke.

Xu Heng even subconsciously slowed his breathing.

"third--"

Lü Ding raised his eyes and looked at Xu Heng:

"The commander of this unit will be chosen by Pingyu himself."

These words were spoken.

The hall fell completely silent.

Xu Heng's pen hung in mid-air, not falling for a long time.

He suddenly realized something—

This is no longer a question of "whether or not to establish a ministry".

But -

Who truly calls the shots in this army?

Xu Heng did not immediately express his opinion.

He glanced down at the documents on the table, then looked up at Lü Ding.

At that moment, he suddenly understood Lü Ding's true intention.

It's not disobeying orders.

It means pushing all responsibility back into the system, layer by layer.

"I've got it." Xu Heng finally said.

No answer.

They did not refuse.

But these three words themselves represent an attitude.

This moment.

The real negotiations have only just begun.

⸻

a few days later.

The back hall of the county government office.

The lights were off, with only a small candle burning.

A courier quietly entered without disturbing the night watchmen outside, and handed over a thin document with both hands.

The seal was not affixed with the prefect's official seal.

Only a small seal of the Central Army was pressed.

When Xu Heng took it, his fingers paused involuntarily.

He unfolded the documents.

The document was short, but every word was sharp and cutting:

[Moving within the prefecture]

"The newly recruited volunteers in Pingyu have been registered in the county's military register. Their training, patrols, and supplies will remain as before, under the control of the original commanders. No new supervisors will be appointed in the county, and no new personnel will be assigned. In case of emergencies, a separate document will be issued."

Xu Heng did not close the book immediately after reading it.

"The one who originally ruled."

These six words seem vague.

But it was more important than any other appointment.

because--

In Pingyu

At this moment, the one who can "command" this army is

There was only one person.

Xu Heng slowly closed the document and said softly:

"They took a half step back."

The registrar asked in a low voice:

"Does this mean you've agreed to the third condition?"

Xu Heng shook his head, then nodded.

"Not writing a name means it's implicitly agreed." Xu Heng said.

The camp flag was raised that day.

however--

The third day after the camp flag was raised.

The sky was just beginning to lighten.

The smoke from the Yicong Camp's cooking fires, however, did not rise for a long time.

On the drill ground, the soldiers were already lined up.

The order has been given.

But no meal was served.

There's nothing wrong.

The grain hasn't arrived.

At this time in the past, the city's granary officials would routinely deliver two carts of millet.

Although not much, it's enough for a day's needs.

But today, until the sun climbed over the city wall—

Outside the camp gate, it remained deserted.

Xu Huang stood at the front of the formation without saying a word.

The soldiers did not move.

No one complained.

No one was whispering.

But the newly recruited young men realized something for the first time—

In the army, the first one to ring was...

It doesn't necessarily have to be a drum.

It could also be the stomach.

"General."

A team leader stepped forward in a low voice.

"If we don't distribute the rations soon, we might not be able to hold out for afternoon drills."

Xu Huang nodded.

"Stand still."

After saying this, he turned and left the camp.

His back view was very steady.

Yet it made one feel a subtle tightness in their heart.

⸻

County government office.

Xu Heng did not sleep all night.

Three documents were laid out on the table.

One document is the county's official document regarding the "provisional establishment of a department";

One of them is a supplementary note on "Locally Procured Military Rations" sent yesterday;

There was another one, a short note that arrived in the early morning.

Just one sentence:

The disbursement of military rations from the county granary will be suspended for three days.

There is no reason.

There was no explanation.

There wasn't even a signature.

Xu Heng stared at the line of words for a long time before slowly exhaling.

"They're here."

The registrar stood to one side, his voice dry:

"So...they're not giving it to us anymore?"

"It's not that I won't give it to you," Xu Heng shook his head, "it's that I won't give it to you now."

He pressed the note under the document, his tone steady.

"This is a trial."

"Test what?" the registrar asked in a low voice.

Xu Heng looked up and gazed out the window toward the training ground.

"Test us—"

"Will things get chaotic first?"

⸻

When Lü Ding arrived, Xu Huang was already inside the hall.

The two exchanged a glance but said nothing.

Xu Heng pushed the short note onto the table.

Lu Ding understood after just one glance.

"We won't provide the county with any grain," Xu Huang said in a low voice. "The camp can only last two more days at most."

"Two days is enough," Lü Ding said.

Xu Huang was taken aback.

"Enough for them to see clearly," Lü Ding continued, "to see clearly how we will choose."

Xu Heng said in a deep voice:

"This is the county's official trademark."

"You support the soldiers."

"You provide the grain."

"The roster is with me."

"When you can't hold on any longer, you'll naturally come begging."

The hall fell silent for a moment.

This is no longer a troop mobilization.

It's about forcing debt repayment.

Lu Ding suddenly smiled.

It's not easy.

It was more of a "I knew it" laugh.

"They didn't intend to break up the camp," he said.

"They want the camp to rot on its own."

"As soon as chaos breaks out..."

"The militia camps became 'private soldiers that couldn't be supported'."

"By then—"

Xu Huang's response:

"A transfer order."

"Take them all back."

Lü Ding nodded.

"And it's perfectly legitimate."

⸻

noon.

The Shen family members were the first to arrive.

It's not a banquet.

It's a grain delivery.

Three cartloads of millet weighed down the axles, making them creak.

Shen Shao did not enter the hall, but stood in the courtyard.

"I heard the camp didn't distribute rations today," he said. "The Shen family will cover one day's worth."

Xu Heng's heart sank.

He realized one thing—

The knives in the county haven't fallen yet.

But the pain has already started in that area.

In less than half an hour.

People from the Zhou and Li families also arrived one after another.

Not many people came, but none of them came empty-handed.

Grain bags, dried biscuits, and beans were all sent to the backyard of the county government office.

No one asked the price.

No one mentioned returning it.

They only asked one question:

"Are the soldiers still there?"

This moment.

The pressure has begun to fall on Lü Ding.

Lu Ding stood under the eaves, watching this scene, and suddenly spoke:

"No collection today."

Shen Shao was taken aback.

"Young Master Lü?"

"No acceptance today," Lü Ding repeated. "We'll discuss it tomorrow."

The expressions on their faces changed slightly.

"Can the camp hold out?" Uncle Zhou asked in a low voice.

Lü Ding looked at them.

"We can hold on."

"But I want you to see one thing clearly."

He spoke slowly:

"If you cover the grain supply for the county today—"

"Then this camp will truly become a 'locally-run private camp' tomorrow."

Shen Shao's heart skipped a beat.

He finally understood.

This isn't a question of whether or not to save them.

evening.

Righteousness follows the camp.

Smoke finally rose from the chimney.

It is not county grain.

It was the grain stored in Lüjiazhuang.

not much.

It's only enough to last two days.

The soldiers ate very slowly.

But they ate it all up.

There were no complaints.

There were no whispers either.

They may not know what the higher-ups are arguing about.

But they knew one thing—

Today's grain,

They are "one of our own".

at this point,

More important than being full.

⸻

at night.

Prefecture.

The aide reported in a low voice:

"There's no chaos in Pingyu."

"The grain was produced by ourselves."

The prefect put down his cup, his brow furrowing for the first time.

"They didn't let the big shots cover for them?"

"no."

"Didn't they petition for grain?"

"no."

The prefect remained silent for a long time.

Suddenly, he asked a question:

"Whose food are they eating in that camp now?"

"Lu Ding's."

This time, the prefect remained silent.

He simply leaned back in his chair.

He suddenly realized—

This game of "grain shortage"

first step,

It was already figured out beforehand.

Under the lamplight.

He picked up that document about "locally raised military rations" again.

This time.

He no longer felt secure.

Instead, for the first time, I felt a sense of unease.

Because he discovered—

This army,

I've already started learning—

They no longer rely on the county government for survival.

⸻

And that very night.

A messenger arrived with urgent news and entered the prefectural government office.

It has nothing to do with Pingyu.

But -

The grain transport route in Xiping County was intercepted.

The aide whispered:

"The local county soldiers dared not leave the city."

"Please send reinforcements from the county immediately."

The prefect looked up.

long silence.

Suddenly, he asked a question:

"From Pingyu to there—"

"How quickly?"