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

These words were like a pebble dropped into the center of a chessboard. Han Zixiu understood—if he didn't reorganize the army, the powerful local figures would use the name of Hebei to cause trouble; if he did reorganize, he would openly acknowledge Lü Ding's military power.

After pondering for a long time, he finally nodded.

That afternoon, the prefectural government issued a notice: In order to prevent misunderstandings regarding the military situation in the border prefecture, Runan will conduct a thorough review of its soldiers and servants, and complete the registration and verification within three days.

The city was shaken; this move was tantamount to putting military power out in the open.

On the desolate land north of the city, the county officials stood in formation. Roll call, registration, and weapon inspection. The process was not cumbersome, but extremely formal. The county seal hung before them, and the military tally was stored in its box. Everyone could see—their official status belonged to the county government.

But everyone could see that it was Lü Ding who was in charge of the dispatch.

Zhang Huan stood atop a high tower in the south city, his face grim as he watched the orderly ranks of men in the distance. A clansman whispered, "In this way, if Hebei comes, they'll see a well-organized army from the prefecture; if they don't, no one will accuse him of having a private army."

"He walks steadily," Zhang Huan said coldly, "so steadily that it's difficult to make a move."

"And what about us?"

Zhang Huan said slowly, "Let's add fuel to the fire."

That night, another rumor suddenly spread throughout the city—when the Hebei patrols came, they would always check the grain registers. If the grain in a prefecture was insufficient, the prefect would be held accountable.

Rumors spread like wildfire through the streets. The pressure on the prefectural government suddenly increased. Chen Su said in a low voice, "These rumors are getting more and more outrageous, and they could shake public morale at any moment."

Han Zixiu frowned: "Who put this there?"

"It's difficult to trace," Chen Su said, "but the source is in the southern part of the city."

Han Zixiu did not act immediately. He knew that if he continued to pressure the Zhang family at this time, it would only provoke the aristocratic families to join forces, and he had to find another way to break the deadlock.

Just then, a small group of figures moved stealthily in the north of the city. Two grain sheds had been set on fire during the night as a test; the fires were small, but enough to alarm everyone. The county officials quickly extinguished the flames and arrested two arsonists, who, upon questioning, spoke with accents from other counties.

When Lü Ding heard the report, he was standing by the drill ground. The firelight reflected on his face, but he didn't get angry; he simply asked, "Who ordered you to do this?"

The two remained steadfast in their refusal to speak.

Xu Huang whispered, "Severe punishment is necessary."

Lü Ding shook his head: "Let one go."

Chen Erhe was taken aback: "Release?"

"Release him." Lü Ding's gaze was calm. "Let him go back."

Everyone is puzzled.

"Have him take a message back," Lü Ding said calmly, "tell the people behind this—Runan is not in chaos."

The following day, the prefectural government and the militia jointly issued a notice stating that the arsonist was a bandit from elsewhere and had been escorted for investigation. The prefectural granaries were unharmed. There was not a single mention of Hebei.

The discussions in the city fell silent for a moment.

When Zhang Huan received the news, his face truly darkened for the first time. "He's not following our lead," a clansman whispered. "Should we push him further?"

Zhang Huan shook his head, pondered for a moment, and then said, "If the governor of Hebei were summoned to Ye, what do you think would happen?"

The clansmen were taken aback.

"If the prefect leaves the city, who will take charge of the prefecture's affairs?"

The hall fell silent for a moment.

This statement is sharper than arson.

A few days later, an invitation arrived at the prefectural capital. — Yuan Shao invited the governor of Runan to Ye to discuss military preparations for the various prefectures.

Han Zixiu's fingers trembled slightly after reading it.

This time, it's not a test.

It is a summons.

Chen Su said in a low voice, "If we don't go, it would be impolite; if we go, we won't be back for a while, and the county..."

"The county is now empty," Han Zixiu said in a low voice.

Before the news could leak out, word had already reached the southern city. Zhang Huan smiled slowly: "The wind has finally truly risen."

Inside the prefectural government office, Han Zixiu summoned Lü Ding into the hall. The atmosphere in the room was heavy.

"Hebei summoned me to Ye," Han Zixiu said frankly.

Lü Ding showed no surprise, only asking, "Does the Prefect intend to leave?"

Han Zixiu looked at him: "Yunzhong wants me to go?"

The two stared at each other for a long time.

Lu Ding slowly said, "Since Hebei has summoned you, if the governor does not go, it is tantamount to cutting himself off from the outside world."

"If I go, who will be in charge of the prefecture?"

"The prefecture needs no ruler," Lü Ding said calmly. "It only needs to be guarded."

Han Zixiu understood. Defending means maintaining stability; taking control means seizing power.

He remained silent for a long time before finally saying, "If I go, you will temporarily take charge of the county affairs."

These words, though spoken silently, carry immense weight.

Chen Su looked up, his eyes slightly trembling.

Lu Ding cupped his hands in greeting but said nothing more.

As night fell, the city lights still burned. The gentry were making plans, the merchants were observing, and the county officials were assembling their ranks.

Lü Ding did not return to camp, but instead moved to the western wing of the prefectural government office that very night. Ostensibly, he was there to handle official business, but in reality, he placed himself in the most conspicuous position. Chen Su personally led a team to inspect the guards in the prefectural government office, with the militia and prefectural soldiers taking turns on duty, and additional guards added to the gate at night, with everyone entering and leaving being checked.

He knew very well—

Before the prefect left, no one dared to make a move.

The real test will come when the prefect leaves.

The Zhang family of Nancheng.

Zhang Huan sat quietly in the hall, the candlelight flickering. He had received definite news—Han Zixiu would leave the city in three days. Someone in the clan lowered a voice: "Should we make our move?"

Zhang Huan did not answer immediately.

He didn't think about it.

Once Lü Ding truly took charge of the prefecture's affairs, he stabilized the situation within three days, won over the hearts of the people within seven days, and within half a month, the city tacitly recognized him as the "prefectural governor."

Zhang Huan raised his eyes.

"Who would benefit from killing him?"

There was silence in the hall.

"If he dies in the city, Hebei will think it's because the prefect condoned it; if he dies in the prefectural government, Hebei will think it's because the powerful clans have lost control; if he dies in the wasteland, the refugees will surely rebel."

He slowly shook his head.

"Assassination is a poor choice."

"but--"

He paused for a moment.

"It could lead to accidental killing."

The clansmen's expressions changed.

Zhang Huan continued, "On the day the prefect leaves the city, there will surely be a farewell party. The city gates will be crowded, with carriages and horses mixed together. If anyone makes a move in the chaos, such as a disgruntled refugee complaining or a bandit attempting an assassination—"

"We cannot have any official relationship with the Zhang family."

This is an even more vicious blow.

at the same time.

The western side courtyard of the prefectural government.

Xun You said calmly, "The young master is not currently in the camp, but in the prefectural government. The prefect's absence from the city is the only exception."

Lü Ding was not surprised.

He only asked, "Will someone take action?"

Xun You shook his head.

"No, they won't do it themselves. They'll use others, the grievances of displaced people, bandits from other counties, or even the name of Hebei."

Lu Ding was silent for a moment, then suddenly said:

"Then let's give them an even bigger show."

Xun You smiled slightly.

"Young master means—"

"On the day the prefect left the city, the prefectural officials escorted him in an orderly procession, and the city gates were cleared; all the refugees moved south three days in advance; and the volunteer army lined up in formation."

Xun You nodded.

"Furthermore, the young master needs to resign his post publicly."

Lü Ding's eyes flickered slightly. "Resign the seal?"

"I request the prefect to publicly state his name as acting prefect, so that the whole city knows that you are not seizing power, but are acting on orders."

This step adds another layer of formal recognition.

And on the same night...

In a secluded courtyard in the southern part of the city, several people with outlying appearances quietly entered the city. They had already obtained the silver and were just waiting for a moment of chaos.

Three days later, at the East Gate of Runan.

Han Zixiu was fully equipped with his carriage, with county officials lined up on both sides, and the militia in formation. The displaced people had already moved away, and the city gate was unusually empty and orderly.

Zhang Huan watched this scene from afar, his expression gradually turning cold.