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

Three days later, a sudden upheaval occurred at the North Bank camp.

Before the morning mist had dissipated, the heavy sound of drums could already be heard from the north bank of the Xihe Ferry. The drumbeats were not urgent, but they grew louder and louder with each beat.

The patrol riders galloped in from the south of the city, their hooves shattering the stone slabs. Before they could even dismount, they rushed to report: "The main force of Chenliu has moved five li south, and the central army's black flag has reached the river line."

The wind picked up even more on the city wall.

When Lü Ding ascended the city wall, the north bank no longer resembled the simple earthen ramparts of the past.

The camp was arranged in three layers, with wooden palisades pushed outwards and newly dug trenches. The cavalry formation was layered and pressed forward, with archers and crossbowmen standing on both flanks, and the shield wall as straight as if cut by a knife. Amidst the fluttering banners, a large black banner in the center stood at the forefront, with more than ten riders standing still under its banner.

Before the troops had even crossed the river, their imposing presence had already swept across it.

Cui Jun's face was extremely cold: "He's pressing in."

Lu Ding gazed at the black flag and slowly said, "He's establishing his authority."

As soon as he finished speaking, the army formation on the north bank suddenly parted to create a path. Several riders slowly stepped forward. The leader was not wearing heavy armor, only light armor, his sword was not drawn, and his cloak hung down at his shoulders. The autumn wind swept across the river, ruffling the hair on his forehead, and his expression remained calm.

"Cao Cao has arrived in person." The patrolman's voice was kept extremely low.

A moment of silence fell upon the city gate tower.

He didn't hide in his tent, nor did he remotely control the army. He personally stood on the river line.

Cao Cao rode his horse to the riverbank, reined in his horse, and stood there. Behind him were only a dozen or so riders, none of whom drew their bows or swords.

The main force on the north bank was holding the line, but it didn't advance an inch.

He looked at the city gate on the south bank, his gaze neither sharp nor soft, neither provocative nor yielding, as if he were waiting.

A moment later, a white silk cloth was slowly raised, on which four characters were written—

"Meeting in the heart of the river."

The river wind suddenly turned cold.

Cui Jun said in a deep voice, "We must not go lightly. If we go, what if Cao Cao harbors ill intentions? Wouldn't we be putting ourselves in danger?"

Lü Ding did not answer immediately. He stared at the army formation on the north bank and suddenly asked, "How many drumbeats are there?"

"triple."

"How many cavalry units are there?"

"About a thousand."

Lu Ding nodded: "He brought a thousand cavalry, not to provoke us."

Cui Jun sneered, "You're still going?"

"He did not cross the line."

"He is already pressuring Runan."

Lu Ding said calmly, "If he doesn't respond, he will establish his authority on the river."

Having said that, he turned and left the city.

-

Crossing the West River.

The river water was no more than knee-deep, revealing white pebbles. Archers stood in formation on both the north and south banks, arrows not yet drawn, shield walls standing solemnly.

On the shallow sandbar in the middle of the river, a wooden table is set up with mats on both sides, separated by a shallow stream.

Lu Ding brought only Xun You and Xu Huang with him, and they came unarmored, their swords still drawn.

Cao Cao also only brought Xiahou Dun and two guards, and they were not wearing heavy armor.

The two sat facing each other.

The sound of water flowing gently beneath the mat.

Cao Cao's expression was originally calm.

But when Lü Ding looked up, his gaze sharpened slightly.

He recognized that face.

That night in Lüjiazhuang, torches flickered, and a pair of unyielding eyes did not bow their heads before the flashing blades.

That night, he stopped wielding his blade, his murderous intent rising.

A breeze blew across the river, causing the corners of the mat to sway slightly.

Cao Cao's expression paused for only a moment before returning to calm.

"So it was you."

His tone was extremely soft, as if he were confirming something old rather than expressing surprise.

Lu Ding calmly returned the gaze: "Lord Cao's memory is not bad."

"Some people don't need to be deliberately remembered."

"But I will never forget."

The two looked at each other for a moment, and the sound of the river became even clearer.

Cao Cao raised his wine jug and poured himself a cup; the aroma of the wine wafted faintly in the autumn breeze. "Three hundred men have crossed the line; you want me to lay down my armor?"

"What if I had forced my way across that day?"

Lu Ding said calmly, "Then today will not be a banquet."

Cao Cao looked at him and suddenly smiled: "You've calculated it accurately."

"Defending the city is not an option."

"Can it be held?"

"If the line can be held, the city will not fall into chaos."

Cao Cao's gaze deepened: "The lines are shallow and the water is thin."

"Only when the water is shallow can you see the stones clearly."

A moment of silence.

As the drums of the troops on the north bank were lightly struck, the shield wall on the south bank immediately came into full alignment.

Cao Cao suddenly said, "If Runan were to come under my control, there would be far fewer troubles."

Xun You and Xu Huang felt a chill run down their spines.

Lü Ding remained unmoved: "Why so few?"

"With Chenliu as our base, our troops can support each other."

"Name?"

"The status of the official title is open to discussion."

Lu Ding looked up at him: "The title can be awaited, but people's hearts cannot be discussed."

Cao Cao was silent for a moment, and the river breeze carried the aroma of wine.

"You are unwilling to submit to others."

"Those who defend a city should not submit to others."

"Then who will you submit to?"

"Submitting to the world."

Cao Cao's smile faded further: "You're quite arrogant."

"A person who governs a prefecture must not be arrogant."

The atmosphere at the table grew tense.

Cao Cao suddenly asked, "If my blade had been half an inch faster that day, would you regret it?"

Lü Ding replied, "If we were even half an inch faster, Cao Cao would have one less opponent today, wouldn't that be less interesting?"

Cao Cao looked at him, his gaze truly turning serious for the first time.

"opponent?"

"The river is shallow; there's no need to pretend you don't know."

Their eyes met, neither of them looking away.

The cavalry formation on the distant north bank swayed slightly.

Cao Cao suddenly picked up his cup and drank it all in one gulp.

"The river is shallow and easy to cross."

Lü Dingyi drank: "The situation is too deep to cross."

"You intend to defend Runan?"

"want."

"How long should we hold out?"

"Wait until the time is right to act."

Cao Cao stood up.

The wind rose, fluttering his cloak, and he took one last look at Lü Ding.

No threat.

Just a calm statement:

"Next time, it won't just be in the middle of the river."

Lü Ding replied, "We will wait."

Cao Cao turned around and mounted his horse.

The troops on the north bank slowly rearranged themselves, retreated three miles, but did not disperse.

-

That night, the lights of the camp on the north bank were connected in one continuous line.

The drums in Runan City have not yet ceased.

Zhang sent another letter, this time seeking stability rather than testing the waters. The Zhao family opened their granaries and delivered grain, and the salt contracts remained unchanged. The rumors in the city subsided, because everyone understood—

The people on the other side of the river are no longer testing.

Cui Jun stood atop the city wall, silent for a long time. For the first time, he realized that this was no longer a mistake, nor was it an invasion; it was a genuine standoff between the two places.

Xun You said in a low voice, "He won't retreat easily."

Lu Ding looked towards the lights on the north bank: "He's waiting."

"What are you waiting for?"

"Wait for the chaos in Runan."

A river breeze swept across the city walls, and in the distance, a black flag fluttered slightly in the night.

Lu Ding said slowly, "He came today not to attack the city."

"It's all about winning hearts and minds."

The sound of the water at Xihe Ferry remains unchanged.

Five days later, Chenliu Army suddenly mobilized two thousand cavalry to the west, bypassing Xihe Ferry and heading straight for the heart of Yuzhou.

The direction is no longer aligned with the river line.

Instead, it was facing behind Runan.

Before the news of the two thousand cavalrymen heading west in a cloud of dust could spread, the winds of war were already blowing in the south.

Nanyang and Runan are not far apart, and the Yuan family, an old clan, has many informants in the prefecture.

Three days later, a troop of cavalrymen from the south entered Runan through the west gate. There were not many banners, but they were all embroidered with the same character – “Yuan”.

When the city gate guards stopped him, the leader remained calm and simply handed over a seal. The seal was clear, and the signature was legible.

— "Yuan Shu of Nanyang".

The news reached the west wing of the courtyard. Xun You unfolded the letter, his gaze slightly darkening: "He's made a move too."

The letter's tone was not forceful, yet every word carried weight.

The Yuan family has lived in Yuzhou for generations. Cao Cao is testing the Yellow River route in the north, causing unrest in the province. In order to ensure the stability of the province, we wish to send envoys to discuss a treaty of mutual defense.

The letter contained no words of command, yet every word served as a reminder:

—Whose territory is Yuzhou?

Cui Jun sneered: "Cao Cao had just pressed in on the border when Yuan Shu came to interfere."

Lu Ding took the letter but did not reply immediately. He only looked at the seal for a moment.

"He wasn't doing this for Cao Cao."

"Then why?"