Three Kingdoms: A wise grandson, Cao Wei can last for three generations!

"Young Master Cao Rui?"

Seeing that Xun You was about to ask more questions, Xun Yu waved his hand to interrupt him.

"How could we presume to fathom the Prime Minister's thoughts?" He looked up into the depths of the courtyard, his voice calm. "Since the test has been set, it is fair. Let us simply await the results."

Xun You paused slightly, then stopped asking and said, "There are still more than two hours before the city opens at dawn. Uncle, why don't you rest for a while? I'll send someone to keep watch at the city gate, and report back immediately if there's any news."

Xun Yu shook his head, a faint smile appearing on his lips.

"No need." He walked slowly to the window, stood with his hands behind his back, and said, "From tonight onwards, there will be many more sleepless nights. I will stay here and wait for dawn."

Inside Cao Pi's residence, candlelight flickered, and the atmosphere was heavy.

"Two imperial edicts, take only one banner!" Cao Zhen slammed his hand on the table, his voice booming. "Zihuan, rest assured, tomorrow I will personally lead the imperial guards to escort you out of the city! If anyone dares to obstruct us—" He placed his hand on the hilt of his sword, his gaze sharp, "kill them without mercy!"

Before he could finish speaking, Chen Qun frowned: "General, please wait. What if the person who is obstructing us is acting on the orders of the Prime Minister?"

"This..." Cao Zhen was speechless, his hand holding the sword frozen in mid-air.

Cao Pi remained impassive, his gaze slowly shifting to one of the men at the table—Sima Yi. Sima Yi had been assigned to Cao Pi by Cao Cao and had only recently entered the palace; Cao Pi had not yet given him a full utilization of his talents, and tonight was the perfect time to test his abilities.

"Zhongda," Cao Pi said calmly, "what are your thoughts on tomorrow's events?"

Sima Yi lowered his eyes for a moment, then slowly spoke: "The Prime Minister is a man of great talent in this era. We must listen to what he says, think what he thinks, and even more importantly, understand what he has not said or thought."

Cao Pi frowned slightly: "Never mentioned it...never thought of it?"

"Look at this!" Cao Zhen couldn't help but exclaim. "Even Zihuan didn't understand! Sima Yi, can't you say something that a human can understand?"

Sima Yi remained calm and composed, neither angry nor annoyed: "The Prime Minister's mind is as deep as the sea, not something we can easily fathom. We must think carefully before acting rashly."

"Shouldn't we act rashly?" Cao Zhen stood up anxiously. "Brother Sima, there are only two hours left before the city gates open at dawn! Two hours! Yang Xiu must have already devised a plan. You still want to 'think it over'? Aren't you just making things difficult for Zihuan?"

"My wit is indeed not as quick as that of Clerk Yang." Sima Yi rose, bowed slightly, and said, "If the general does not trust me, I will take my leave."

"Oh, my temper—" Cao Zhen suddenly stood up.

"Zhongda!" Cao Pi raised his hand and gestured, his voice not loud, but it carried weight. "Sit."

Sima Yi paused, glanced at Cao Pi, and slowly sat down.

Cao Zhen stamped his feet anxiously, "Zihuan! Only two hours left! Two hours!"

Cao Pi said calmly, "Zidan, heat the wine."

Cao Zhen was taken aback, opened his mouth, but ultimately had no choice but to retreat back to his seat.

As dawn breaks in the east, the first rays of morning light pierce through the window.

Xun You looked up at the sky, stood up and said, "Uncle, it's dawn. I'll send men to guard the east and west city gates right away."

No sooner had he finished speaking than a series of hurried footsteps sounded outside the door. A servant entered, bowing, and presented a scroll of silk with both hands: "Your Excellency, the Prime Minister's office has issued an urgent order—both the east and west city walls must be sealed off immediately, and no one is permitted to enter or leave."

Xun You's expression changed drastically: "This..." He took the silk scroll and quickly glanced at it, his brows furrowing. "The city gates are tightly closed, how can the command flag be sent out? Uncle, what exactly is the Prime Minister's intention in doing this?"

Xun Yu stood with his hands behind his back, not answering. He simply turned his head slowly, his gaze passing over the windowpane and landing on the gradually brightening sky.

In the distance, the morning mist had not yet dissipated, and the direction of the city gate remained silent. Xun You gazed at his uncle's serene profile and suddenly fell silent.

At this moment, Cao Pi's residence was completely silent.

Zhen Mi stepped lightly into the main hall, followed by a maid carrying water. Seeing everyone lying down fully clothed and fast asleep, a trace of heartache flashed in her eyes. She went straight to Cao Pi's side, bent down, wrung out a towel, and gently wiped his face.

Cao Pi suddenly woke up, and only when he saw that it was Zhen Mi did his tense body relax.

"Husband, wipe your face to refresh yourself," Zhen Mi whispered.

The steward called out softly, "Gentlemen, it's dawn. Wash your faces and wake up."

Cao Zhen, Chen Qun, and the others woke up one after another, rubbing their sleepy eyes as they got up to wash themselves in the copper basin. Only Sima Yi remained kneeling in the same spot, his head bowed, motionless.

Cao Zhen wiped his face, trying to wake himself up, when he suddenly heard a soft snoring sound beside him. He looked in the direction of the sound and saw that Sima Yi was fast asleep, snoring loudly.

Cao Zhen leaned closer and whistled a few times into his ear. Sima Yi didn't react at all, continuing to snore.

"Sima Yi!" Cao Zhen slammed his hand on the table.

Sima Yi shuddered, still dazed.

"I asked you to come up with a solution, and you're already snoring away?" Cao Zhen's eyes widened. "Have you come up with a solution yet?"

Sima Yi's eyes were unfocused, clearly he hadn't fully regained his senses.

Cao Zhen couldn't wait any longer and jumped to his feet: "Ziheng, it's too late! I'll go and mobilize troops right now!"

"Don't mobilize troops!" Sima Yi was jolted awake as if struck by lightning, and blurted out, "Don't mobilize troops!"

Chen Qun hurriedly said, "Zhongda has come up with a solution? General, please wait, Zhongda, please tell us!"

Sima Yi rubbed his temples and slowly said, "I haven't figured out a solution yet. But I've come to understand one principle—to not violate the duties of a subject and to not violate the duties of a son."

"Pah!" Cao Zhen spat. "You thought about it all night and all you came up with was this bullshit logic that even a three-year-old could recite? Ziheng, listen to this—"

"A three-year-old child can easily understand, but a seventy-year-old man finds it difficult." Sima Yi said unhurriedly.

Cao Pi's eyes flickered: "You mean... not about winning or losing, but only about right and wrong?"

Sima Yi nodded.

Cao Pi remained silent for a moment, then suddenly smiled and said, "Alright. Then you will accompany me."

He stood up and straightened his clothes: "Wash your faces. Those who come with me, even if they are going to their deaths, must be presentable."

"Going to your death?" Cao Zhen was taken aback. "Why would you go to your death?"

Cao Pi glanced back at him and replied with only three words, his tone joking but leaving one unable to discern the truth in them.

The next day, at dawn.

Before dawn, the east and west gates of Xuchang were already packed with people.

Cao Rui stood on the second floor of a teahouse not far from the East Gate, looking down through a crack in the window. Xu Hu stood behind him, clutching a short knife, his face wary.

"Young master, what can we possibly see since we've come so early?"

Cao Rui didn't even turn his head: "Watch who you are."

Cao Pi and his entourage had already arrived at the East Gate.

Cao Pi rode on horseback, followed by Cao Zhen, Chen Qun, and several attendants. Sima Yi rode at the very back, his face expressionless, like a statue.

At the city gate, the captain guarding the city led a group of soldiers, blocking the road.

"Halt!" The captain raised his hand. "By order of the Prime Minister, from 5:00 AM today, the east and west city gates are to be closed. No one is permitted to enter or leave!"

Cao Zhen's expression changed, and he spurred his horse forward: "We are ordered by the Prime Minister to leave the city to reward the troops! Do you dare to stop us?"

The captain, neither humble nor arrogant, said, "General, please calm your anger. I am only acting under orders. The Prime Minister has decreed that the city gates are closed today, and no one will be allowed to pass unless they have a written edict from the Prime Minister himself."

Cao Zhen flew into a rage, his hand gripping the hilt of his sword: "You—"

"Zidan." Cao Pi's voice rang out, as calm as a stagnant pool.

Cao Zhen turned around and looked at Cao Pi.

Cao Pi dismounted, walked to the captain, and took out the scroll of imperial edict from his bosom.