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

The next day.

The county town was not yet bustling with activity.

The city gates are open.

Lü Ding rode into the city.

A hundred riders followed behind.

The sound of horses' hooves was not hurried, but it made pedestrians on the road unconsciously make way for them.

Arrive at the city gate.

Lü Ding reined in his horse.

"One hundred people, stop here."

Xu Huang nodded.

The hundred riders stood in formation on the spot.

Do not enter the city.

Lü Ding only brought Xu Huang and Xun You into the city.

The streets were quieter than usual.

The number of patrolmen increased.

The bowstring was not removed.

The people in the city reacted with varying expressions when they saw him.

Some people sought refuge on the side of the street.

Some people looked up at the hundred riders, their eyes gleaming.

Some people simply lifted a corner of the curtain, peeked for a few moments, and then lowered it again.

In front of the county seat.

Chen Su was already waiting below the steps.

Seeing Lü Ding dismount, he cupped his hands in greeting, his gaze lingered for a moment, then returned to his own.

"The prefect is in the back hall."

Lü Ding nodded.

Thank you for your trouble.

Enter the hall.

Han Zixiu did not sit in a high position, but stood in front of the map.

Hearing footsteps, he turned around and his gaze fell on Lü Ding.

It paused for a moment.

"Yunzhong."

Lü Ding cupped his hands in greeting.

"Prefect."

The sound was steady.

Han Zixiu glanced at him and gestured for him to sit down.

The three sat in separate rows.

No one listened in from the back room.

Soldiers were guarding outside the gate.

"The proclamation from Yingchuan was sent out yesterday," Han Zixiu said.

"By imperial decree, we will punish Dong Zhuo."

"The Liang Kingdom has already requisitioned grain."

"Chenliu reorganized the troops."

He paused for a moment.

"If Runan is not prepared."

"Then the chaos will reach the door."

Lü Ding did not rush to accept the reply.

"Prefect, are you recruiting soldiers?"

Han Zixiu looked at him.

"The county has fewer than a thousand soldiers."

"Your volunteer battalion—"

He didn't continue.

Lu Ding finished speaking for him.

"There are already five thousand people."

The back room was quiet.

Han Zixiu was not surprised, he simply nodded.

"You have never led troops out of the county."

"That's why I invited you here today."

The meaning of this statement is very clear.

You follow the rules.

I also keep to my limits.

"What does the governor need me to do?"

Lü Ding asked.

Han Zixiu walked to the map.

The finger landed in the northwest of Runan.

"If Yingchuan really mobilizes troops."

"The first wave of refugees."

"The first wave of defeated soldiers."

"They will come down from this line."

"The county is easy to defend."

"But the countryside cannot be preserved."

He turned around.

"I need a mobile army."

The room fell silent for a moment.

Lü Ding did not answer immediately.

"The Righteous Guard Camp was originally established to guard the prefecture."

Han Zixiu's eyes flickered slightly.

"To what extent should we defend?"

Lü Ding spoke calmly.

"Refugees entering the country are provided with grain and resettlement."

"The routed troops have harassed the border; they have been disarmed and dispersed."

"If foreign troops cross the border—"

He paused for a moment.

"The Righteous Cavalry will not act on its own initiative."

"However, the matter of sending troops must be discussed by all the prefectures."

This sentence.

It's a statement.

It is also a boundary.

Han Zixiu did not respond immediately.

He is weighing the options.

Lü Dingyuan was willing to stay.

But he was unwilling to become Yuan Shao's vanguard.

They did not want to become Dong Zhuo's enemy.

He was guarding Runan.

Han Zixiu nodded slowly.

"it is good."

"The Righteous Cavalry Camp will remain under your command."

"grain--"

He paused for a moment.

"Based on what we've already done, the county can provide an additional supplement."

Lu Ding remained silent for a moment.

"I appreciate the governor's kindness."

"However, the status of the old and new grain supplies in the camp has not yet been verified."

"At this time, the government grain was being stored in the granaries, making it difficult to keep track of the accounts."

Chen Su looked up.

Lü Ding continued, "Yi Congying should make his own plans first. If we really enter the prefecture to prevent chaos, we can discuss it again later."

Han Zixiu suddenly smiled.

It's very light.

He then said calmly:

"Are you afraid I'll have to redeploy troops at the last minute?"

Lü Ding did not dodge.

"I fear that before the troops are even deployed, my mind will be in turmoil."

The two looked at each other.

This moment.

It's not about confrontation.

It was a confirmation after a trial.

Han Zixiu sat down.

"it is good."

"The Righteous Cavalry Battalion will defend the northwest front."

"The prefecture will send you a document."

This is a compromise.

Chen Su listened from the side.

My mind is filled with complex emotions.

A few days ago, he still wanted to suppress it.

Today, however, Lü Ding is required to assist in the defense of the prefecture city; the situation has changed too rapidly.

Han Zixiu suddenly asked:

"If one day you decide to leave the prefecture..."

"Could you have informed me in advance?"

Lu Ding remained silent for a moment.

"If it comes out."

"I will definitely inform you."

This sentence.

It left room for maneuver.

Han Zixiu did not ask any further questions.

"Then so be it."

He stood up.

Lü Ding also stood up and clasped his hands in greeting.

⸻

When Lü Ding left the prefectural seat, the city was already becoming increasingly noisy.

Someone saw him come out of the county seat.

The news spread quickly.

"Lü Ding entered the prefecture to discuss matters."

This statement quickly spread among the aristocratic families.

This matter also came to the attention of Yuan Shikai.

situation--

They have gone from confrontation to convergence.

The rear hall of the prefectural government.

Han Zixiu stood by the window.

Looking towards the city gate.

Chen Su said in a low voice:

"Does the governor trust him?"

Han Zixiu:

"I believe he won't do anything reckless now."

He paused for a moment.

"As for the future."

"It depends on how many rules are left in this world."

When Lü Ding returned to the manor, it was already past noon.

The camp's drills continued uninterrupted, the bugle calls were in unison, and the ranks rose and fell with even greater stability than yesterday.

Lu Ding didn't linger; he merely glanced at the horse before dismounting.

We haven't even entered yet.

Lü Fu quickly stepped forward to meet him.

Despite his advanced age, he walks incredibly fast.

"Young master."

Lu Ding glanced at him.

"explain."

Lu Fu whispered, "Young master, we have guests at the manor."

Lü Ding looked up.

"Who?"

"From Yingchuan."

He said he was acting on Yuan Shao's orders.

Xun You's eyes flickered.

"They came so fast."

Lu Ding paused.

"Please come in."

⸻

The man was about thirty years old.

Neatly dressed.

He was not a martial artist.

After entering the hall, first perform the rites.

"My name is Xu You, and I am acting on the orders of Yuan Shao."

His tone was neither hurried nor slow.

Yet it carries its own weight.

Yuan Shao.

Governor of Bohai.

The eldest son of the Yuan family.

The proclamation has been issued.

now--

The person has arrived.

Lü Ding did not respond immediately.

"Mr. Xu, what brings you here from afar? What can I do for you?"

Xu You smiled.

"The world has undergone tremendous changes."

"Loyal and righteous people should do something."

He doesn't beat around the bush.

"Dong Zhuo burned down the capital."

"They forced the emperor to move west."

"Yuan Gong has already formed an alliance with the counties in Guandong."

"The campaign against Dong will begin soon."

His gaze fell on Lü Ding.

"The Pingyu Righteous Army Camp has already gained momentum."

"Lord Yuan has also heard of this."

"If you, sir, are willing to respond..."

"Yuan Gongyuan is willing to submit a memorial recommending him."

"A place in the military is within my grasp."

Xun You stood aside without saying a word.

He was looking at Lü Ding.

Lü Ding remained calm.

"Mr. Xu believes..."

"What are our chances of winning if we act now?"

Xu You was taken aback.

"The alliance of feudal lords was a powerful and influential force."

"Dong Zhuo has lost the hearts of the people."

Lü Ding said calmly:

"Where are the soldiers?"

Xu You remained silent for a moment.

"Still gathered."

"Where's the grain?"

"Each prefecture shall prepare its own supplies."

Who will be the striker?

This time.

Xu You did not answer immediately.

The room fell silent.

Lü Ding continued:

"Dong Zhuo is in Guanzhong."

"Strong troops."

"Location advantage".

"If the feudal lords are not of one mind."

Xu You's gaze darkened slightly.

He hadn't expected the other person to ask so directly.

"Young Master Lü," he said, his tone softening slightly, "how can one concern oneself with personal gain or loss when the greater good of the world is at stake?"

Lü Ding looked up.

"If we only consider the meaning..."

"There are five thousand men in the camp."

"If he dies, whose responsibility is it?"

These words were spoken.

The atmosphere in the room changed slightly.

Xu You remained silent for a moment.

"Yuan Gong was not a rash person."

"This time, troops were dispatched."

"It is perfectly legitimate."

"The hearts of scholars throughout the land turn to him."

"If Young Master Lü stays in one corner."

"The world will be at peace in the future."

"What about academic success?"