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

The three-day period had passed, and the drills continued as usual. The three soldiers and the militia stood side by side, and the camp flag was still planted on one side of the drill ground. However, no matter how fierce the wind blew, no one paid attention to the flag anymore. The soldiers only looked at Lü Ding on the side of the field.

The wind was calm on the drill ground, but the situation outside the city began to change.

That morning, dust billowed along the post road south of the city. A rider entered the city at breakneck speed, heading straight for the military supervisor's residence instead of the prefectural government. Before the gatekeeper could announce his arrival, the horse's hooves came to a halt at the steps. The newcomer did not dismount, but instead handed over a tightly sealed document, the seal bearing the inscription of Ye City.

Half an hour later, the gates of the military supervisor's office opened again, but no one was summoned to the meeting, and even the clerks who usually accompanied him were blocked in the corridor.

The county government soon received another "inquiry".

It wasn't a military order or a transfer order, but a formally formatted inquiry document:

—Recent developments in the reorganization of military personnel in Runan;

—Implementation status of mutual reference between operations and management;

—The reasons for Prefect Han Zixiu's stay in Ye City and his physical condition;

—Whether the temporary arrangements for military and political affairs are proceeding smoothly.

Every word is grand and majestic, every sentence is steady and composed.

But after Lu Ding finished reading, his finger paused for a moment on the last line.

"If a prefect is vacant for an extended period, what system should be followed in military and political affairs?"

Xun You stood to one side and said in a low voice, "This is about asking about one's status and legitimacy."

Lü Ding did not answer. He closed the document and simply said, "The reply is true."

"Truly?" Xun You was slightly taken aback.

"Indeed." Lü Ding said calmly, "The military registration has been rectified, the inter-camp communication is proceeding as usual, the prefect is safe and sound, and the temporary military and political administration is running smoothly."

Xun You pondered for a moment, then suddenly said, "They are testing."

"Try what?"

"Let's see if we'll bring up the word 'temporary'."

Lu Ding smiled faintly and did not reply.

-

Rumors began to circulate in the city.

The Zhang family mansion has been receiving a steady stream of visitors these past few days. They haven't been for banquets, just for casual conversation. Someone asked, "If Yecheng is transferred to the southern front as general, how should Runan respond?" Someone else replied, "Go with the flow."

In the afternoon, the head of the Zhang family sent someone to the military supervisor's office with a letter, ostensibly to inquire after their well-being, but in reality to test them.

The military governor's office did not refuse the invitation, but did not reply.

At the same time, the Zhao family also sent someone to the west wing, bringing not gifts, but an old contract and account book for the prefectural government to review.

"The Zhao family has suddenly become more disciplined," Xun You said in a low voice.

"Rules aren't necessarily for the sake of rules." Lü Ding flipped through the account books, his expression unchanged. "They're testing the waters."

"Which side are we checking?"

"Ye City".

-

Before the rumors had subsided, a sentence rang out from a tavern in the northern part of the city.

"I heard that Yecheng is planning to transfer the Southern Defense Commander."

"Who?"

"Not yet decided."

"If Runan is placed as the outpost, wouldn't that mean we'd have to change the commander?"

Someone lowered their voice: "Prefect Han has been staying in Ye City for too long..."

Before he could finish speaking, he was stopped by the person at the table.

Rumors are no longer straightforward, but have started to circumvent.

Subtle changes have also occurred within the military.

After the night drill, some soldiers whispered among themselves, "If the prefect is replaced, will the camp take over?" Another replied, "Military orders are only obeyed by Young Master Lü."

As the rumors intensified, Cui Jun had already entered the prefectural government.

He brought neither soldiers nor clerks, only a copy of the inquiry letter from Ye City.

"Acting Manager Lü." He sat down, his tone calmer than usual. "Yecheng is concerned about the stability of the southern front."

"That is how it should be," Lü Ding replied.

"If the prefect is absent for too long, the defense of the south cannot be left unattended for even a day."

"The prefect has not been dismissed, and military and political affairs are in order."

Cui Jun looked at him and slowly said, "Would Acting Magistrate Lü be willing to temporarily assume the prefectural administration?"

This sentence has finally come to the fore.

The hall fell silent for a moment.

Xun You lowered his eyes and remained motionless, while Chen Fang stood to the side, his back slightly tense.

Lü Ding did not answer immediately. He picked up his teacup, gently set it down, and then said, "Acting as military and political leader is merely a temporary measure. The prefect has not yet been dismissed, so why change his title?"

Cui Jun's gaze darkened slightly: "I was just asking."

"I'm just guarding," Lü Ding said calmly.

The two stared at each other for a moment, neither of them taking another step forward.

-

In the afternoon, the head of the Zhang family personally went to the west side courtyard.

He didn't beat around the bush, but went straight to the point: "If there are new decrees in Yecheng, Runan should comply."

Lü Ding said calmly, "As you command."

"What if the order is still unclear?"

"If it is unclear, then remain steadfast."

The head of the Zhang family looked at him for a long time, then suddenly smiled and said, "The acting position can be promoted to a permanent one."

This statement was already a test within a test.

Lu Ding rose to see him off, replying only with, "Runan is not yet empty."

When the head of the Zhang family left, his expression was unclear.

-

As evening fell, dust rose again along the post road south of the city.

This time, it wasn't one rider, but three riders riding side by side.

The horse galloped into the city, heading straight for the military supervisor's residence. Before the horse's hooves had even stopped, someone shouted, "Urgent order from Ye City!"

The city gate guards exchanged a glance.

Inside the west wing, Lü Ding was reviewing military records when he heard the sound of hooves in the distance and looked up out the window.

Xun You said in a low voice, "They're here."

Before a quarter of an hour had passed, an urgent summons came from the direction of the military supervisor's office.

This time, Cui Jun did not delay; he sent someone to invite Lü Ding to go with him.

The atmosphere in the hall was different from usual.

The urgent order from Ye City has been dismantled and placed on the table.

Cui Jun did not speak first, but pushed the document in front of Lü Ding.

Lü Ding looked down.

The document was short, but every word was sharp:

—The crucial task of defending the south cannot be delayed;

—If the prefect stays in Ye City for too long, the military supervisor may temporarily exercise the prefectural administration in order to reassure the army.

—The organization of the military camp should be accelerated and not delayed.

The last line is clearly stamped.

The air in the hall almost froze.

Xun You's hands tightened slightly inside his sleeves.

Chen Fang's breathing quickened.

Cui Jun finally spoke: "Ye City has made it clear."

Lu Ding slowly raised his head, his expression calm: "It is clearly stated that it is 'permissible to act on a whim,' but it is not said that it is 'mandatory.'"

Cui Jun's gaze darkened: "What is Acting Manager Lü's intention?"

"The prefect has not yet been dismissed," Lü Ding said. "The morale of the army has just stabilized. If we rashly change the system, how can we secure the southern front?"

"Is morale stable?" Cui Jun asked calmly. "Can you take responsibility for this?"

Lu Ding met his gaze, his voice steady and clear: "Take responsibility."

No one in the hall spoke.

That single word was uttered with immense weight.

Cui Jun looked at him and suddenly smiled: "Alright. Then please ask Acting Manager Lü to reply to Ye City within the specified time."

"A deadline?" Xun You's heart skipped a beat.

"Yes," Cui Jun said. "Within three days, demonstrate the true state of the army's morale."

This is no longer a test; it is a public trial.

Lü Ding did not back down: "Alright."

-

Night fell.

Rumors are rising again in the city.

The lights were still on in the Zhang family mansion, and someone whispered, "We'll see soon enough."

The Zhao family, however, remained indoors.

The military camp was unusually quiet.

The three night exercises were intensified, with even more frequent drumbeats.

The soldiers were panting heavily, but no one mentioned the words "replacement" anymore.

They knew that this time, it wasn't just about the title of prefect, but also about the future direction of Runan.

In the west wing, Lü Ding stood alone under the corridor.

The north wind has started to blow.

Xun You asked in a low voice behind him, "What if Ye City insists?"

Lu Ding gazed at the direction of the military governor's office in the distance and said calmly, "Then let them see—whose hands hold the morale of the army."

The sound of a night watchman's drum came from afar.

Meanwhile, inside the military governor's residence, Cui Jun was also awake.

He picked up his pen and began writing his third military report.

The pen stopped at a single sentence.

— "Lü Ding used his army to enhance his own power."

He paused writing for a long time.