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

Just as the evening drum sounded at the east gate, a rider galloped in from the north. Before the horse had even come to a complete stop, the rider shouted, "Letter from Lord Yuan of Hebei—to the prefectural government!"

The sound was not loud, but it was like a pebble falling into still water. The city was already sensitive to the news from the north, and within half an hour of the message reaching the prefectural government, a copy had already circulated among several aristocratic families.

When Han Zixiu received the letter, the seal was still warm. It was plain paper, with a family seal, not an official document.

His gaze fell on the Yuan family seal, and his heart sank slightly; the letter was not long-lasting.

-

Yuan Shao of Hebei respectfully addresses Your Excellency Han, the Prefect of Runan:

When Shao heard that the number of refugees in Runan was gradually increasing, he mobilized his troops to provide relief, using labor as a form of aid and organizing them into teams. The situation in the prefecture gradually stabilized. Shao greatly appreciated this measure to bring peace to the people.

However, the world is not yet at peace, soldiers are easily gathered, and people's hearts are easily swayed. If the boundaries between military and prefectural areas are unclear and their titles are not fixed, even if the intention is to pacify the people, it may ultimately arouse suspicion from outsiders.

The powerful and influential people of Runan are secretly stirring up trouble. If someone uses the pretext of pacifying the people to gradually build up military power, it will be difficult to control in the future, and it will be too late to regret it.

Shao dared not presume to comment on the affairs of the prefecture, but only informed him of their past friendship. If they carefully maintained their proper roles, the rumors would naturally subside.

Handwritten letter from Yuan Shao of Hebei

-

Han Zixiu put the letter down, then picked it up again.

"Cherish it... Be cautious... Be suspicious..."

When the city's gentry read the letter, they did not see its sharp edge, yet everyone could sense its sharpness.

The phrases "unclear military and prefectural boundaries," "a pretext for pacifying the people," and "easy to gather troops" slowly spread through the tavern. Although Lü Ding's name wasn't mentioned, everyone thought of him.

Zhang Huan, from the Zhang family of Nancheng, finished reading the copy and stroked his beard with a smile. He didn't rush to express his opinion, but only ordered someone to spread the word: "Lord Yuan is already aware that the military strength of Runan is gradually increasing."

That evening, people were also whispering in the wasteland. Someone asked, "What if we're accused of being private soldiers? What will happen when things come to a head?" Some remained silent, while others gripped their shovels tighter.

Lü Ding received the copy in the evening. The lamplight cast slanting shadows, and he did not speak immediately, but instead handed the letter to Xun You, who was standing beside him.

Xun You read very slowly, his fingertip lingering on the words "unclear military and prefectural boundaries" for a moment before he said, "Yuan Shao is suppressing your status, young master. If you insist on arguing, you will be challenging Hebei; if the prefecture suppresses you, you will be weakening your own power."

"If we don't act—" Xun You paused for a moment, "the powerful and influential people in the city will then act on behalf of Lord Yuan."

The room fell silent.

"What he wants is not who owns Runan," Xun You continued, "what he wants is—who owns the troops in Runan."

Lu Ding glanced at him and slowly nodded.

"Since he says the boundaries are unclear, then let them be clear. The name belongs to the prefecture, but the power—remains with me."

Xun You smiled faintly: "In that case, doubts will dissipate on their own."

Lü Ding stood up: "I will go to the prefectural government office tomorrow."

The next morning, in the back hall of the prefectural government.

Han Zixiu was already seated at the desk, the letter from Yuan Shao still pressed against the corner, its seal unopened. When Lü Ding entered the hall, he did not rise, but merely glanced up at him.

The two stared at each other for a moment, and the only sound in the room was the soft rustling of paper.

Lu Dingxian cupped his hands and said, "I'll change my name before starting my service."

Han Zixiu didn't reply, he just looked at him.

Lü Ding continued, "The records are compiled and entered into the government office, and the names are published by the prefecture and government."

The air in the room was slightly tense. Chen Su stood to one side, his knuckles slightly clenched, but he remained silent.

Han Zixiu stared at Lü Ding for a long time before slowly asking, "You're willing?"

These two words were spoken very slowly. It wasn't a question, but a probe.

Lu Ding did not evade the question, his expression calm: "It was originally to bring peace to the people." He paused for a moment, "not to gather troops."

Han Zixiu's gaze darkened slightly: "Do you know—if Yuan Shao sends another letter, it won't be advice."

Lü Ding nodded: "So we need to establish our legitimacy before his second letter."

After those words, the room fell silent for three breaths. Han Zixiu suddenly smiled softly, but the smile was not one of relief; rather, it was a self-deprecating laugh born from recognizing the situation.

"You relinquish your name, but you don't relinquish your personhood."

Lu Ding did not deny it, only saying, "The person is already in the prefecture. He is just temporarily under my command."

Han Zixiu stared at him and suddenly realized that what he was retreating from was not power, but reputation.

He slowly picked up the brush, and as he dipped it in ink, the tip paused for a moment at the edge of the inkstone before finally writing three words: "Register of County Officials".

The ink was not yet dry when the county seal was placed on top. The sound of the seal was not loud, but it seemed to draw an invisible line.

The morning light was just beginning to shine outside the hall, and a minor official walked quietly along the corridor.

The prefectural government was still the prefectural government, but from this moment on, the wasteland north of the city was no longer just wasteland.

Lu Ding bowed again to take his leave. This time, Han Zixiu did not get up to see him off, but simply watched his back as he walked out of the hall.

The register of county officials was quickly completed, and the discussions in the city gradually subsided. The words "private soldiers" were no longer mentioned in the taverns. The Zhang family also took no further action, as if everything had returned to normal.

However, the rumors never truly stopped.

Among merchants traveling north and south, a saying began to circulate: "There has been frequent military activity in Hebei recently." Some said it was for grain requisition, others said it was for military drills, and still others said that military envoys had been traveling to and from Chenliu.

No one in the city dared to determine the truth, yet everyone began to pay attention.

Before half a month had passed, the rumors in the city had not subsided, and riders arrived again at the north gate.

This time, there were no shouts.

The knight entered the city and went straight to the prefectural government, delivering only a short letter. It was unsealed, unsigned, and only bore a seal at the end—the Yuan family's private seal.

After reading it, Han Zixiu's expression changed for the first time.

The letter did not mention any further details, only stating: "There is recent military activity in Hebei, and the general may be making a southern tour to Chenliu. If there is any military situation in Runan, you should make your own preparations."

"A rectification?" Chen Su asked in a low voice.

Han Zixiu said slowly, "He wants to see who ultimately controls the military power in Runan."

Meanwhile, rumors began to circulate in the city. Some said Hebei would be making a southern tour, others said he would "inspect the military preparations of various prefectures." Though these rumors were never confirmed, they were enough to make the gentry begin to consider their options. If Hebei's troops approached a prefecture, how should Runan greet them?

The inner hall of the Zhang family in Nancheng.

Upon receiving the news, Zhang Huan's eyes lit up slightly. "They're coming." A clansman asked, "Will they really come south?" Zhang Huan replied, "They don't need to actually come. As long as people believe he will, that's enough." He ordered, "Spread the word that the Hebei patrol troops only recognize the prefect's orders, not the private orders of the battalion commanders."

The words caused even greater chaos in the city.

Inside the prefectural government office, Han Zixiu summoned Lü Ding into the hall.

"There might be military activity in Hebei," Han Zixiu stated bluntly. "What's your opinion?"

Lü Ding did not answer immediately, but asked instead, "Does the governor believe that those from Hebei have truly come?"

Han Zixiu remained silent.

Lü Dingdao said, "If they truly come, it's to probe the enemy's weaknesses; if they don't come, it's to probe their hearts." He paused, "Whether they come or not, Runan must not be thrown into chaos."

"How can we prevent chaos?"

"Reorganize the army."

Han Zixiu frowned: "Reorganize the army?"

"The army will be organized according to the name of the prefecture." Lü Ding said calmly, "All prefecture servants and soldiers will be checked against the register. The military tally will be handed over to the prefecture government, and the training will be coordinated by the militia camp."

Han Zixiu understood.

This is another step forward in terms of official status.

If Hebei were to make a genuine southern tour, what they would see would be the well-organized military equipment under the jurisdiction of the prefectures and counties; if they were not to come, there would be no one to use the "private army" as a pretext.

After a long silence, Han Zixiu said, "You're forcing me to take sides."

Lü Ding did not deny it: "The situation has come to this point, and we cannot consider both sides."