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

That's enough.

Xun You spoke these words very lightly.

But this made Lü Ding's heart suddenly sink.

Because he knew better than anyone else—

Right now, it's just a matter of "someone being willing to take care of it," but it will soon become a matter of "only you being able to take care of it."

That night, the Yicong Battalion began setting up sentry posts.

There was no gong banging.

They quietly divided the grain carts outside the city into three sections according to their route of origin.

A sentry post was set up at each section.

The torches were stuck in the ground, providing dim light, but enough to make people see each other's faces clearly.

The people escorting the grain were not dispersed.

They were not allowed to leave.

They were told—

Tonight, all you need to do is keep an eye on your own car.

No one needs to leave first.

No one has to take responsibility.

This sentence was like a taut string that had finally been released.

That night, not a single grain truck had an accident.

But the next morning, there were even more grain carts outside the city.

It wasn't because of an order from the county.

Rather, it's because—

The news has spread.

"The Yicong Battalion has emerged from Pingyu."

"The grain is stored outside the city, and someone is watching over it."

"At least, no one dares to make a move."

These words were repeated in hushed tones over and over again at post stations, ferry crossings, and in the backyards of aristocratic families.

Nobody said "safe".

Nobody said "it's definitely going to work".

But at this point, the fact that "someone is willing to stand up" is already the answer.

⸻

Soon, the first problem came knocking.

Before dawn, a dispute broke out outside the camp.

It's not about hoarding food.

Instead, people from the two counties got into an argument over the "order" of a section of road.

On one side is Ancheng.

On one side is Xincai.

The grain carts on both sides were squeezed onto the same section of the official road.

Neither of them wanted to leave first.

The argument wasn't loud.

But under the torchlight, the atmosphere was frighteningly tense.

Someone had already quietly placed their hand on their waist.

When Xu Huang arrived, the two sides were already at an impasse.

"Go back," he said, only one sentence.

Neither side moves.

Because whoever backs down becomes "the one who moves first".

Xu Huang didn't repeat it a second time.

He turned around and sent someone to invite Lü Ding.

⸻

When Lü Ding arrived, it was just dawn.

He stood between the two grain carts and glanced at them.

They didn't ask "what happened?"

They didn't ask "who arrived first".

He only asked one question:

"Which side is Ancheng?"

On the left, he responded.

"Where is Xincai?"

On the right, someone also responded.

Lü Ding nodded.

"From now on," he said, "those from Ancheng, retreat thirty paces to the south."

Ancheng was taken aback.

Someone subconsciously said:

"Young master, this is not us—"

Before he could finish speaking, Lü Ding raised his hand.

"I'm not asking if you're right or wrong."

He spoke calmly.

"I told you to back out."

Ancheng remained silent for a moment.

In the end, I did as instructed.

The sound of wheels rolling was particularly jarring on the official road in the early morning.

Finished withdrawing.

Lü Ding then looked at Xin Cai.

"You're not leaving."

Xin Cai was taken aback.

"Wait until things stabilize in Ancheng before making any moves."

After he finished speaking, he turned and left.

No further explanation was given.

⸻

This scene quickly spread.

Some people said privately:

"The one from Pingyu, let's start with the order of precedence."

"He's making decisions."

"So, in the future—can we also lay off people?"

After these words were spoken, many people fell silent.

Because they suddenly realized something—

From this moment on, Lü Ding was no longer just "the person who guards the grain".

He began—

Decide who goes first and who goes last.

⸻

The prefectural government finally couldn't sit still any longer.

Outside Pingyu City, grain was piled up like mountains, but it remained untouched for a long time.

The Prefectural Government Council Hall.

The atmosphere was even more somber than in the previous days.

"We can't delay any longer," someone whispered.

"If we delay any longer, everyone outside will recognize Pingyu as the place to be."

"Then what do we do?" the other man countered, "Send troops to pick them up?"

Once the words were spoken, no one responded.

Because everyone knows—

The county soldiers dare not move at all.

If you make a move and something happens, no one will be there to cover for you.

"How about..." someone hesitated before speaking, "...giving Pingyu a formal title?"

This sentence was spoken very softly.

This caused the hall to fall silent instantly.

What is a title or status?

Not an official.

But -

It acknowledges that you are in charge.

a long time.

The prefect spoke slowly.

"No need for now."

He looked at the documents on the table.

"Let them continue to 'protect' them."

"The name remains unchanged."

"Let them handle this for now."

As soon as those words were spoken...

Many people already understand this.

This is not a solution.

This is--

default.

Default is always the beginning of power taking root.

Not long after, the first thing that truly required someone to take responsibility for came up.

It is not outside Pingyu City.

Further south on a small road, a small county grain cart that had not yet been added to the grain pile was hijacked.

There weren't many people robbing the grain.

More than ten riders arrived very quickly.

The two county officials escorting the grain were killed on the spot, the porters who accompanied them scattered and fled, and the few local militiamen who were escorting them didn't even have time to draw their bows.

Three cartloads of grain were stolen, and the rest were overturned and scattered all over the ground by the roadside.

When the news arrived, it was nearly dusk.

The camp was quiet.

Because everyone knows—

This time, there's no escaping it.

really.

In less than an hour, they had arrived in Pingyu.

It's not going to the county government office.

But -

He knelt directly outside the Yicong Camp.

They did not cry.

There was no shouting.

He simply placed the blood-stained document on the ground.

There is only one sentence above:

"Please let the Yi Cong Camp handle this matter."

This time.

It is not "assisted care".

But -

Adjudication.

⸻

Xu Huang did not answer.

He turned around and went to find Lü Ding.

⸻

at night.

Lüjiazhuang.

The light is still on.

After reading the document, Lü Ding remained silent for a long time.

Xun You sat to one side.

There was no pressure.

Because they all knew—

The moment has finally arrived.

"What if I don't care?" Lu Ding suddenly asked.

Xun You looked at him.

"Then tomorrow, they'll kneel in another county."

"The day after tomorrow, two."

"Until someone forces you to get involved."

Lü Ding smiled.

"What if I took charge?"

Xun You spoke in a very steady tone.

"From now on..."

"In all counties of Runan, in any event—"

"The first thing that comes to mind is not the prefectural government."

Lü Ding closed his eyes.

A moment later, he stood up.

"It's rumored that Xu Huang..."

⸻

That night.

Yi Congying led his troops out.

Not a large group.

Only two hundred people.

Divide into two routes.

They blocked off that small road.

They followed the trail and pursued the suspects.

There was no fanfare.

There was no flag raised.

soon.

The group that seized the grain was completely wiped out.

None escaped.

The corpses were neatly arranged by the roadside.

Every grain cart was returned along the same route.

The county official in charge of transporting the grain witnessed all of this.

He couldn't utter a single word.

⸻

The news reached Runan.

Overnight.

All hesitation vanished.

Because everyone finally understood one thing:

This soldier is not just willing to stand up.

They really can move.

and--

It moves very quickly.

⸻

a few days later.

A new document was sent out from the county government.

"If any issues arise regarding summer grain matters in each county, you may consult with the Pingyu Yicong Camp nearby for appropriate assistance."

No account was banned.

No authorization.

But that one sentence is enough.

Because from this moment on—

Runan's operations now have an additional axis.

And Lü Ding finally realized:

He was no longer taking on tasks.

He was pushed to the forefront by the entire county.