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

Chapter 67 Taking on Responsibilities

Lu Ding raised his hand to stop him.

He walked to the camp gate and looked at the officer.

There was no rebuttal.

There was no explanation.

He simply asked a question in return:

"You're asking this question; it's the prefectural government that should be asking it."

"still--"

He paused for a moment.

"Is someone using the prefectural government's name?"

The constable was taken aback.

Obviously, I didn't expect to be asked this question in return.

"This is the prefectural government's decision," he replied, forcing a smile.

Lü Ding nodded.

"Then go back and ask for me."

The constable looked up.

"I was the one who placed the grain there."

"The account book was also something I had Chen take away."

"The person is already dead here."

"If the grain supply doesn't increase, more people will continue to die."

"If the prefectural government wants to hold someone accountable—"

Lü Ding's voice was not loud.

But it was crystal clear.

"Can."

"But before that, please ask me one thing for me."

He took a step forward.

"If another person dies next—"

He looked up and stared directly at the constable.

"This life is on my head."

"Should we hold the charge against the prefectural government?"

These words were spoken.

The constable's expression changed instantly.

Because he knew very well—

This is not a question he can answer.

He was only ordered to "ask," and had no right to answer.

Now, Lü Ding has placed his life right at his feet.

Outside the camp, all was deathly silent.

a long time.

The officer said nothing.

He simply put away the documents and muttered something in a low voice:

"This matter... I will report it to the prefecture."

After the clerk finished speaking, he hurriedly put away the documents, turned around and left, not daring to linger for even a moment.

Watching the departing figures of the group, Xun You whispered:

"They withdrew."

Lu Ding stood still, without moving.

"It's not a retreat," he said.

"It's about going back—"

His gaze remained fixed on the end of the official road.

"Let's find someone who can make the decisions."

Xun You remained silent.

He knew that this step had crossed a line.

From this moment on—

Grain was no longer just a matter of competition between aristocratic families and local governments.

Instead, it has become a problem:

Who has the right to be held responsible for the dead?

After the official left, the crowd outside the camp did not disperse immediately.

The county official who was escorting the grain was still there.

The porters are still there.

The gentry were still watching from a distance.

They didn't hear anything completely.

But they all heard one sentence clearly—

"If another person dies next, who will be held responsible?"

This sentence carries more weight than any command.

For the first time, it allowed "responsibility" to no longer hide behind documents.

Lü Ding turned around and walked back into the camp.

Xu Huang followed behind, and finally couldn't help but whisper:

"Young master, once these words are spoken, the county will certainly not let this go."

Lü Ding did not stop.

"If they intended to let this go, they wouldn't have sent anyone to ask today."

Inside the camp's meeting tent, the lights were still on.

Xu Heng was already waiting.

His face was even more somber than during the day, and upon seeing Lü Ding, he spoke:

"The county government just sent someone to the Shen family."

Lu Ding paused in his steps.

"What did you say?"

Xu Heng said in a low voice, "The right to assist in protection may be overstepping its bounds."

After hearing this, Lü Ding actually smiled.

This shows that the prefectural government has finally seen through one thing—

What they are worried about is no longer whether or not someone should be held accountable for this incident.

Rather, the question is, who is in charge of this matter?

Xun You remained silent.

Only then did he slowly speak:

"They will do three things."

Lü Ding looked up.

"First, they will keep the grain supplies blocked until things get chaotic on your end."

"Secondly, they will eliminate those close to you. The gentry will take away a group, and the county will transfer another group. Then, slowly, they will replace everyone around you who can still speak for you."

"Third," Xun You paused for a moment.

"They'll wait for a reason that's easier to take you down than a dead man."

Xu Heng was taken aback: "What reason?"

Xun You looked at the lamp flame and spoke in a very soft voice:

"Public resentment."

The moment those two words were uttered, the tent fell silent.

⸻

Before dawn, things suddenly changed outside the city.

It's not about causing trouble.

It's not a conflict.

But -

Some people started to cry.

First, there was a porter's wife, standing beside a grain cart, quietly wiping away tears.

She didn't shout.

I didn't scold them.

Just repeat one sentence over and over:

"People came to deliver grain, how did it turn into their deaths?"

Next, the second one.

The third.

They didn't come together.

But it was as if they were being led by something, gradually gathering outside the city.

No one dared to stop the crying.

No one knew how to deal with it.

The soldiers on guard duty began to feel uneasy.

It's not that I'm afraid of being hit.

The fear is that they might not know whether or not to stop it.

If we stop them, it's like bullying ordinary people.

If we don't stop it, things will escalate.

Xu Huang stood on the high ground, looking at the group of people, his palms slowly sweating.

"Young master," he said in a low voice, "if this continues, something bad will happen."

Lü Ding has arrived.

He did not stand on a high place.

He didn't go into the crowd.

He simply stood in front of the grain pile.

The body covered with a straw mat is still there.

He went over and personally pulled the straw mat in place.

The movements are very slow.

The surrounding cries gradually subsided.

⸻

Lü Ding raised his head. He didn't shout. He didn't offer any comfort.

He only said one sentence:

"This man died here with me."

As soon as those words were spoken, all the sounds around them instantly ceased.

"He wasn't murdered."

He paused for a moment.

"Because the food card is here."

The reason why the grain supply is stuck is—

He raised his head, his gaze passing over the crowd and landing on the distant city wall.

"Because nobody dares to touch it."

"No one dares to move because—"

His voice wasn't loud, but he lowered it, uttering each word carefully:

"Everyone is afraid of something going wrong on the road, losing the grain, and having to take responsibility."

⸻

Someone whispered:

"So, are you going to take responsibility or not?"

This statement does not name anyone.

But it seemed like a question asked on behalf of everyone.

Lü Ding did not answer immediately.

He was silent for a long time.

Even Xun You frowned slightly after a long time.

Finally, he spoke:

I'll take responsibility.

This sound wasn't loud.

But it's clear.

"Starting today, the grain must be mobilized."

A commotion broke out in the crowd.

"but--"

Lü Ding raised his hand.

"Before I take any action, I will establish three rules."

⸻

Article 1.

All those who move grain, their names are on my register. Whose grain is it, where it's going, when it's leaving, and who's escorting it? If even a single grain is missing, it's all my fault.

Article .

Those who bring grain shall travel along the same route. Whoever borrows grain shall send someone. If an accident occurs on the road, no one may shirk responsibility.

Article 3.

He paused for a moment.

"If anyone else dies because of food shortages..."

"Put it on me."

The crowd was stunned by these words.

At that moment, Xun You finally understood.

Lü Ding was not forced to stand up.

He chose to stand up.

To exchange a life that is already dead for an order that everyone accepts.

This choice often leads to only one result—

You either stand firm or be pushed down by everyone.

The sky is bright.