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

The wind in Ye City is three degrees stronger than that in Runan.

Han Zixiu originally thought he could take his leave after three days of military discussions, but on the morning of the fourth day, before he could submit his resignation, the central army issued an order asking him to review the military registers of the various prefectures in Hebei.

Nominally it was a "mutual military service system," the words were solemn and the etiquette was impeccable, but not a word was mentioned about the return date.

Standing atop the high platform of the camp, he watched the Hebei army change ranks, their swords and spears perfectly aligned, their drums thundering, their formation spreading like an iron torrent. A chill, almost imperceptible, suddenly ran through him. The military discussions were merely a facade; the real purpose was to retain troops. The discipline of the army was not a show of force, but a declaration—there was still a trick up their sleeve over the various prefectures.

Upon returning to the inn that evening, his accompanying staff asked in a low voice, "Should we resign?" Han Zixiu pondered for a moment and then said, "Let's observe for another day."

The following day, another banquet was held. During the banquet, Yuan Shao spoke in a gentle tone, discussing the defense strategies of the various prefectures. His words were mild, but he never mentioned Runan. In the midst of the conversation, he suddenly asked, "Lord Han, are military and political affairs separated in your prefecture?" Han Zixiu answered cautiously, "The military tally is in the prefecture, and the training is overseen by the acting commander."

Yuan Shao nodded slightly, seemingly unmoved, but said calmly, "Now that the prefectures are stable, Lord Han can stay a few more days to discuss the strategy for defending the south of Hebei." These words effectively blocked Han Zixiu's path to resigning. If he were to mention his return date again, it would seem as if he were in a hurry.

Upon returning to the post station that night, Han Zixiu picked up his pen and wrote his first letter, which he ordered a trusted confidant to secretly send to Runan. The letter contained little more than the words, "A military supervisor is planned to be sent south from Hebei. The people of the prefecture should be cautious."

Before the letter even left the city, it was "reviewed" by the official in charge of rites. The reason given was quite high-sounding—military correspondence required registration. Han Zixiu's hand, which was holding a pen, paused for a moment, and a drop of ink spread across the paper, forming a small smudge. He suddenly realized that although he hadn't explicitly stated that he was being detained, he was no longer allowed to leave the city.

Runan City remains as usual.

Chen Su was selected for an assignment in the county government on the morning of the second day after the county council meeting.

The order was brief: "The county census is still short-handed. Chen Su is familiar with the affairs of the prefecture and will temporarily go to assist." The tone was flat, neither punishing nor showing any sign of promotion. But everyone in the hall understood that this was not a reward, but a sign of disloyalty.

Chen Su readily agreed without uttering a word of objection. He knew that if he stayed in the city, things would only become increasingly cramped; leaving the city, on the other hand, would offer more space.

After the meeting, he went straight to the west wing. Lü Ding was reviewing official documents. When he heard him announce his departure, he simply said, "The accounts in the outlying counties are more complicated than those in the city. If we check them too hastily, it will cause chaos; if we check them too slowly, people will not be convinced." These words sounded like a reminder, but they were more like a boundary.

Chen Su asked, "What does Your Excellency hope I will find out?" Lü Ding did not answer directly, only saying, "Find out the 'truth,' not the 'chaos.'"

A single, seemingly casual remark carried immense weight. Chen Su then understood that what Lü Ding truly desired was not a dramatic upheaval in the outer counties, but rather the truthfulness of the accounts without igniting an uproar among the gentry.

On the day of his departure, the morning mist had not yet dissipated at the city gates. The county officials changed ranks, and Xu Huang personally inspected the area.

Chen Su stood outside the city gate and looked back. He saw the sounds of drills rising from within the city, the drumbeats steady and unhurried. He suddenly realized that even if he didn't return to the city, this system would continue to operate, and no one would stop for him.

As the carriages left the city, he felt a real chill for the first time—the city was the same no matter who left.

On the first day of the inspection in the outlying county, the Zhao family's account books were handed over. The accounts were neat and orderly, with clean seals. Salt transport losses, grain deed transfers, and changes in service names were all clearly listed, and even the old accounts appendices were bound in separate volumes.

It was so clean it was almost deliberate. When Chen Su turned to the third volume, his fingers paused slightly. It was too neat, as if it had been prepared in advance.

The clerk in the hall, holding the scribbler, looked respectful and had prepared answers to every question. "In previous years, the losses were 30%, why have they dropped to 15% this year?" "We changed the route to avoid further losses, and there is a supplementary contract." Every sentence was in accordance with the law.

That night, Zhao's second son arrived as promised, dressed in plain clothes, his demeanor composed. "Sir, you only need to check the records; there is no unrest in the outer counties. The city is stable, and so is your peace." His words were not loud, but they carried a heavy weight.

Chen Su did not answer, but asked, "Is there any new news from Ye City?" Zhao's second son smiled and said, "Not yet." He answered too quickly, as if he had already inquired about it.

Before leaving, he whispered, "Within a seemingly stable situation, the undercurrents run deeper." Chen Su sat in the candlelight for a long time, finally understanding that he had been pushed into another line. If he cooperated with the Zhao family, the outer counties would be stable, and he would have power; if he investigated strictly, the Zhao family would be in chaos, and he would be left alone. In the city, Lü Ding was in charge of maintaining order and could operate without him. If he didn't make the choice, someone else would eventually do it for him.

-

On the third day, a group of knights from the north arrived at the east gate of Runan. They neither announced their arrival aloud nor beat drums in public; they simply entered the mansion. The leader carried a handwritten letter, its seal intact, bearing the private seal of the prefect. Unfolded in the hall, the handwriting was indeed that of Han Zixiu:

"The military discussions in Ye City are not yet complete, and the military systems of the various prefectures need to be consulted. It is proposed that a military supervisor be temporarily stationed in Runan, Hebei, to discuss military and political affairs with the prefecture. The system of acting military supervisors will not be changed, and all major military matters must be carried out in consultation with the military supervisor."

The handwriting was steady and calm, not like that of someone being coerced. Yet the weight of this letter far surpassed that of weapons. The letter was signed—"Cui Jun, Military Supervisor of Hebei."

Cui Jun entered the city three days later. He entered the city without any drums or music, and without any fanfare, only accompanied by a few dozen people.

His words were respectful and his manners impeccable. He first paid a visit to the prefectural government, and then went to the west wing to meet Lü Ding. The conversation in the hall was peaceful, and Cui Jun stated that he was acting on orders to "implement the military system" and was not involved in prefectural affairs.

On the first day, he demanded to see the county sergeant's training records; on the second day, he requested to observe the night patrol duty; and on the third day, he proposed a "re-verification of military records" so that they could be "mutually consulted."

Lu Ding did not refuse outwardly, only saying, "Since military affairs are discussed with the supervising officer, I will naturally report them." However, when he sat opposite Xun You that night, he whispered, "With the supervising officer here, it's like having another pair of eyes."

Xun You nodded: "Since someone is going to see it, let him see it." As a result, the training in the prefecture became more rigorous, the account books became more organized, and he took the initiative to propose the re-verification of the military register, thus beating Cui Jun to it.

When Cui Jun first arrived in Runan, he saw that the county officials were well-behaved and the gentry were quiet, so he was not in a hurry to cause trouble and just kept an eye on things.

The wind direction in the city shifted slightly. The Zhang family remained silent and observed, while the Zhao family frequently sent people into the city to inquire about the movements of the supervising officer.

Rumors circulated that Han Zixiu was still "discussing military matters" in Ye City and his return date was uncertain; others whispered that the military supervisor's presence in the prefecture was a test. The rumors, though not widespread, slowly spread through the streets and alleys.

Lu Ding did not suppress the rumors, but simply ordered the county officials to continue their patrols as usual. In the darkness of night, he stood under the eaves, gazing at the desolate land to the north of the city. Beneath the calm surface, the water flowed silently.

Lu Ding suddenly felt that there was an extra pair of eyes in the city, an extra pair of hands in the outer counties, and Ye City—the game was still undecided.

At the post station in Ye City, Han Zixiu's second letter still failed to leave the city.

Looking at the unsent letter on his desk, he finally understood that although he was nominally the Prefect of Runan, he had in reality become Liu Zi.

Yuan Shao hadn't explicitly stated he was under house arrest, but there was no end in sight. Far away in Runan, he could only piece together fragments of conversation from merchants' whispers. Late at night, he murmured to himself, "How long can Lü Ding hold out?"