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

In the back hall of the prefectural government, the chief clerk sat at his desk with two documents beside him.

One portion is the one that has already been sent to the Shen family.

The other document, on relatively new paper with freshly dried ink, contained only four words: "Assist in verification."

He did not immediately put his seal on the document.

"For Lü Ding?" someone asked in a low voice.

The registrar did not raise his head.

"It can only be given to him."

"If we don't give it to him, this matter can't be investigated."

The man paused for a moment.

"But he is not a county official."

"Precisely because it isn't," the registrar finally looked up, "that's why we need to 'assist'."

"If he comes..."

"That is to admit that he is inextricably linked to these events."

If he doesn't come—

The registrar gently tapped the corner of the desk.

"Then let's take action against the Shen family first, legitimately and without question."

"No one will stop us from doing this," someone added.

The registrar nodded.

"Then let's land."

Push the inkpad over.

The seal was raised and then lowered.

Lüjiazhuang.

The clerk arrived at 9:00 AM, behaving very properly.

He dismounted, handed over the documents, and bowed.

"By order of the prefectural government, we request that Young Master Lü assist in verifying the Shen family's tenancy agreement."

Every single word is flawless.

Lü Ding accepted the document.

It wasn't dismantled immediately.

I only glanced at the seal.

County seal.

Bright red.

He looked up.

"Investigate what?"

The clerk was prepared.

"Investigate the facts regarding the Shen family's recruitment of tenants and contract amendments in recent years."

"as well as--"

He paused for a moment.

"Is someone orchestrating this behind the scenes?"

The courtyard was quiet.

That statement is already quite straightforward.

Lü Ding nodded.

"Understood."

The clerk was taken aback.

I didn't expect him to answer so quickly.

"Then... what is this, Young Master Lü—"

"I'll go," Lü Ding said.

No further explanation is needed.

No hesitation.

The clerk breathed a sigh of relief.

Yet, I vaguely felt that something was amiss.

"But—" Lü Ding continued.

"To verify, how exactly will you verify? I need to find out first."

The clerk looked up.

"Speaking."

"Should I go to the prefecture, sit at the desk, and let you question me?"

"Or would you rather you come to me, and I'll show you the Shen family's accounts and contracts, item by item?"

As soon as those words were spoken...

The clerk's back visibly stiffened.

These are two completely different meanings.

The former refers to those on trial.

The latter is evidence.

"This..." The clerk hesitated.

Lü Ding looked at him.

His tone remained gentle.

"Since it's assistance..."

"There should be some form of assistance."

"otherwise--"

He paused for a moment.

"That's not called assistance anymore."

The clerk was speechless for a moment.

This is beyond the scope of what he was told.

"Go back and tell the magistrate in the prefecture," Lü Ding said.

"I will enter the prefecture in three days."

Lu Ding raised his hand and gently tapped the document.

"The Shen family's accounts will be settled by the Shen family themselves."

"I'm going to assist you—"

"Explain clearly how this happened."

The clerk's Adam's apple bobbed slightly.

"……good."

He bowed, turned and took his leave.

The sound of horses' hooves faded into the distance.

The courtyard fell silent again.

Xu Huang couldn't help but speak up.

"Young master, this journey will not be easy."

Lü Ding nodded.

"I know."

"But we won't leave."

He looked at the fields in the distance.

"The Shen family will be the first to fall."

"Next—"

"It's even harder for us now."

Xun You walked out from under the corridor.

He didn't say anything.

Only then did she whisper:

"You've taken the knife."

Lü Ding smiled.

"Since they handed it over..."

"I won't answer—"

"They'll just go straight to the Shen family and attack them."

He put the document away.

"Then why not?"

"Take the initiative into your own hands."

The news that Lü Ding was to enter the prefecture was delivered to several courtyards that afternoon.

Some people were surprised.

Some people laughed.

Some people began to feel restless.

⸻

Inside Zhao Family Village.

In the small house behind the ancestral hall, the middle-aged deacon stood and repeated the news from the county without missing a single word.

He said he would enter the prefecture in three days.

The room fell silent.

After the middle-aged deacon finished speaking, he looked up at the head of the table.

The eldest one slowly stroked the wooden beads in his hand, and after a long while, he finally spoke.

"His willingness to go to the county seat speaks volumes."

"What?"

"He has no intention of backing down."

The atmosphere in the room changed immediately after those words were spoken.

"What about the county government?" someone asked in a low voice. "We can't really let him appear in court, can we?"

The old man looked up.

"So, this trip is for him—"

He paused for a moment.

"One option."

"Or, he can take back those rules himself."

"Want one—"

"This set of rules, along with him personally, will be included in the case file."

No one spoke anymore.

Because they all understand.

As long as Lü Ding enters the main hall of the prefecture.

Regardless of the outcome.

He could no longer remain uninvolved.

⸻

Inside Shenjiazhuang.

The atmosphere, however, was even more somber than at the Zhao family's residence.

The day after the document was issued, the tenants already sensed something was wrong.

The steward quietly stopped the operation of several fields that were originally being operated according to the new covenant.

It wasn't explicitly stated.

Just one sentence—

"Wait a minute."

But the tenants all knew the truth.

This waiting period means that things may change.

Shen Shao stood under the eaves, looking at the field.

The hoe was still moving.

However, the movements have slowed down significantly.

Shen Wan stood beside him.

"The county is forcing us to retreat," she whispered.

Shen Shao shook his head.

"It wasn't us, it was Lü Ding."

Shen Wan remained silent for a moment.

"What if he backs down?"

Shen Shao did not answer immediately.

After a long time, he finally said:

"If he retreats..."

"The Shen family can at least keep their estate."

"But what about those tenant farmers—"

He didn't finish speaking.

Because everyone understands that sentence.

Once the old system is reverted to.

Those who have already tasted the flavor of the New Testament.

They will never again work with their heads down like before.

"He won't back down," Shen Wan suddenly said.

Shen Shao glanced at her.

"Are you so sure?"

Shen Wan nodded.

"Because he is the one who is willing to step down."

"If we hadn't gone through this, things wouldn't be like this today."

Shen Shao paused for a moment, then sighed softly.

⸻

Day three.

early morning.

Horses were already prepared outside Lüjiazhuang.

not much.

But they were neat and tidy.

A sample copy of both the old and new tenancy agreements was prepared.

There were no wealthy servants among his entourage.

There are only two categories—

Literate.

And those who witnessed that scene on the paddy field ridge.

Xu Huang personally selected the people.

Not one is superfluous.

"These people are all witnesses," he said in a low voice.

Lü Ding nodded.

Before mounting his horse, he glanced back at Zhuangzi.

"Let's go," Lü Ding said.

The cavalry set off.

Dust rose up.

This group of people did not show off.

However, upon entering the city, they attracted a lot of attention.

⸻

The main hall of the prefectural government.

That day, it started half an hour earlier than usual.

The registrar sat behind his desk, watching the people gradually gather below the hall.

Subordinate official.

Recorder.

There were also a few representatives from prominent local families who were nominally "listening in".

The Zhao family members were also there.

But he sat very far back.

The registrar opened the case file.

His gaze lingered on those four words for a moment—

Assist in the investigation.

He is very clear.

Today's meeting isn't about investigating one thing.

Instead, we must nip this trend in the bud.

"Lu Yunzhong has arrived," someone whispered.