Weird Three Kingdoms

Chapter 3654: The red pen lightly traces the blood of loyal bones, and Gaotai swallows the eternal ashes alone
Everything seemed to be fine.

In order to ensure that the information he had obtained was accurate, Xun Shao also tried to contact Han Hao's old subordinates individually, but found that they were intentionally or unintentionally scattered in the corners of the wounded camp, and most of them were silent and had dull expressions.

When Xun Shao avoided others and whispered to an old soldier of Han Hao who was seriously injured about the details of what happened, the old soldier glanced at Xun Shao with his cloudy eyes, then quickly lowered them, repeating hoarsely: "The general led us... his orders were as firm as a mountain... we fought to the death... and later we captured the military fort..."

When asked anything else, he remained silent, with only deep fatigue and vague fear in his eyes.

Xun Shao understood that these people were either ordered to keep their mouths shut or had become disheartened, knowing that telling the truth would not only be useless but could also lead to their own deaths.

He had seen this kind of situation many times when he was in Shandong.

In later generations in the United States, many ordinary people were misled by some movies and TV shows, thinking that "complaints" were a very powerful magic weapon, and then had "the customer is God" as a talisman. They felt that if they spent money, they should do this and that, otherwise they would complain. But in fact, this was just an internal conflict among the people deliberately guided by American capitalism.

In the United States, if you complain about an ordinary citizen who has no power, no influence, and no money, it is very effective. After all, the exploiting class will always find ways to exploit without any reason. Now that there is a similar report, it will naturally become "glorious and righteous" and "righteously" punish the citizen who was complained! Fines, salary deductions, performance deductions, bonus deductions!

The capitalists were grinning from ear to ear.

What happens then? If the person being complained about really didn’t do a good job, that’s fine, but more often than not, the complainant just feels like he or she wants to be God but fails to do so.

Those who are punished only hate the complainants, and rarely hate the platform companies. After all, the platform companies have the magic weapon of "not letting flies bite" to deal with it. The complainants are also complacent and think that the money they spent is worth it. They are like God, whoever they make unlucky will be unlucky, and they don't feel that they have become the accomplices of the capitalists.

If it were someone else who was powerful and wealthy, would you try to complain again?
More importantly, with the deliberate arrangement of Cao Yi and Xun Yun, a generous reward for the troops was placed in Xun Shao's tent.

This is not just a simple matter of money, but also represents the silent pressure from the prominent families of Cao and Xun, which is also placed in front of Xun Shao.

Xun Shao had no choice but to find Han Hao who was recuperating from his injuries.

Han Hao was originally unwilling to meet Xun Shao, but Xun Shao repeatedly requested.

In the tent where Han Hao was recuperating, Xun Shao saw Han Hao with a pale face.

Xun Shao asked about the battle situation in the military fort. What Han Hao said was not much different from what Xun Shao had asked the old soldiers before. However, when Xun Shao asked whether Cao Yi was the leader and formulated the strategy to lure Sima Yi, Han Hao was silent for a long time, and finally uttered one word, "Yes."

Then Han Hao said nothing else, just said that he was tired and needed to rest.

Soon after, Xun Shao met Xiahou Xian again.

Xiahou Xian seemed much more enthusiastic. He not only showed off the weapons and armor of the Hussars that he had "captured" in the battle, but also boasted about Cao Yi's "wise leadership", saying that it was all under Cao Yi's command that such brilliant achievements were made...

On the eve of his departure, Xun Yun even found his cousin privately. It was not clear whether he had a reason or not, but he certainly could not do without appealing to his emotions. "Brother, although there were some setbacks in this battle, it is an indisputable fact that we finally recaptured the military fort and thwarted Sima Yi's plan to go south. Father is on the front line, responsible for the overall situation, working day and night. If the soldiers shed blood, but in return they get a bad reputation, it will certainly make father worried and shake the Prime Minister's trust in the officers. Isn't it sad for the relatives and happy for the enemies? Moreover, Cao Zicheng is the Prime Minister's nephew and is deeply trusted. The merits of this battle are also related to the reputation of our Yingchuan Xun family... Brother is very perceptive and should know the importance of this. "

Xun Shao was caught in a huge contradiction.

He saw traces of the battlefield and heard many testimonies, but his intuition told him that things were by no means as perfect as described in Cao Yi's battle report.

However, the warm reception from Cao Yi and Xun Yun, the silence from Han Hao and the veterans, the pleadings from the brothers, the pressure from the Cao family, and the difficult situation of his uncle Xun Yu in Yuzhou...

He finally chose to compromise.

He told himself: The fort was indeed recaptured, this is the biggest fact.

As for the process, the number of casualties, and who commanded meritorious service, perhaps it is really not that important in the face of the Prime Minister's urgent need for victory. What good can there be in pursuing the case, other than embarrassing everyone and possibly causing internal unrest?

Even Han Hao, the person involved, chose to remain silent, so what else could he say?
So why are Han Hao and Han Hao's veterans silent?

Because in the feudal dynasty, the success rate of "appeals", especially "appeals beyond the level", was too low...

The braids that are whitewashed by various dramas actually have a clause for "appealing to higher levels" - civilians must first file a complaint with the county government, and even if they are justified in appealing to higher levels, they will be beaten with a stick first. If the stick is light, it will directly cripple the person, and if it is heavy, it will physically eliminate the appeal.

Even when the braided officials were on patrol, the itinerary of the patrol officials was arranged by local officials, and the people could not see it at all. A scholar knelt outside the post station for three days and was finally exiled for "disturbing the ceremonial guard."

This crime is almost the same as "seeking trouble".

In the feudal dynasties of China, the rate of redressing unjust cases was pitifully low. Once a report failed, it meant that the family would be listed in the "Book of Troublemakers" for generations, and would completely lose the channels for advancement such as the imperial examinations and military service...

Han Hao chose to remain silent because he understood that even if he sued Cao Yi and Xun Yun, what would happen?

Han Hao not only has troops, but also children and family.

His followers also have children and families.

Unless you are an "invincible person", who would dare to speak nonsense?
……

……

A few days later, Xun Shao returned to the front line and reported to Xun Yu.

His report was written in a very smooth manner...

There were indeed traces of fierce fighting on the Guikuai battlefield. Cao's army did take the initiative to attack and encountered an ambush, with heavy casualties, but it also caused considerable losses to the enemy.

As for the extent of the ‘not small’ casualties, and what are the ‘considerable’ losses?

Xun Shao did not write it.

The battle for the abandoned military fort was extremely brutal. The fort walls and gates were severely damaged and covered in blood, which shows how fierce the battle was.

General Han Hao was seriously injured, but he fought bravely.

The military fort is now garrisoned by General Cao's elite troops, and its defenses are solid, effectively blocking Sima Yi's passage to the south.

When questioning several military academy soldiers, they all said that General Cao and Counselor Xun commanded properly, General Han executed resolutely, and the soldiers fought bravely, which led to this victory.

Many of Han Hao's former subordinates were seriously injured, so it was difficult for them to speak, but no one raised any objections.

Han Hao himself also "admitted" that it was Cao Yi's command and planning.

As for how many names are in "multiple", and what is behind the "admission"?
Xun Shao didn't write it either.

At the end of the report, Xun Shao focused on describing the sanitary conditions of the camp and the mental outlook of the soldiers, and believed that the morale of the soldiers on the Runan front had been boosted by the victory in capturing the fortress.

As for how "sanitation" is linked to "civilization", and how "style" is labeled with "ability", this...

it is not important.

Xun Yu watched and listened quietly, his eyes deep, as if he could penetrate the back of the paper and see through the evasion behind Xun Shao's words.

When Xun Shao finished his report, sweat had already appeared on his forehead.

"That's all?"

There was no emotion in Xun Yu's voice.

"Yes...Yes, uncle. This is roughly what I have seen and heard..."

Xun Shao didn't dare to look up.

"General Han Yuansi...how seriously are you injured?"

"According to the military doctor, the injury is quite serious and he has lost too much blood. I am afraid he will need to rest for a long time before he can recover..."

Xun Shao's voice became even lower.

There was a long silence in the study.

Xun Yu shifted his gaze away from Xun Shao and looked towards the dark dusk outside the window.

He got it.

Everything is clear.

The son's whitewashing, Cao Yi's taking credit for himself and shirking responsibility, Han Hao's bravery and helplessness, the soldiers on the front line who were terrified, and the final choice of the nephew in front of him...

The truth was wrapped in the gorgeous cloak of "victory". No one dared to expose it, and no one was willing to expose it.

Xun Yu raised his head and looked into the distance in silence.

Xun Shao raised his eyelids slightly, glanced at Xun Yu, and then immediately lowered his eyelids, wondering in his heart, where is Xun Yu looking at? Could it be that Xun Yu discovered what he did in Runan?
But what can Xun Yu do?
This is not just a matter for the Xun family, it also involves the Cao family and the Xiahou family. Is Xun Yu going to expose all of this and expose Xiao Lai, who will embarrass everyone?
Most people think they are big, but are they really...

The child who told the story of the Emperor's New Clothes was safe and sound, but that only exists in fairy tales.

The reason why Xun Yu sent Xun Shao instead of Wang Shao or Li Shao was not also a kind of intentional or subconscious "sending back to the original place"?

Who would openly express their smallness?

Asking yourself to check your own smallness is as difficult as trying to find the word "greed" within the word "elegance".

After a long while, Xun Yu finally said nothing, but waved his hand tiredly: "You've worked hard, go down and have a rest."

Xun Shao secretly let out a long breath.

……

……

Historically, two months before the complete fall of the Dameng Dynasty, the ministers were still arguing over the selection of the Prince's lecturer.

It’s not that this group of “elites” are blind to the flames of war, but their power game has long been divorced from the real crisis.

No one is a fool, and it is not that these people are unaware of the crisis within the dynasty, but this is a systematic self-destructive mechanism formed by the bureaucratic system after the alienation of power.

Just like when cancer cells proliferate wildly, they don’t care whether the host dies or not.

The Cao family, the Xiahou family, and other clans or individuals that are closely related to the Cao and Xiahou families have become part of the vested interest groups of the current Han Dynasty.

Those who whistleblowers are actually challenging all the beneficiaries.

The reason why Xun Shao didn't dare to say it was because he knew that once he said it, it would not be a matter for one person, but a matter for everyone!
When corrupt officials, even if something goes wrong, their families can still live freely and enjoy a wealthy life that ordinary people can hardly imagine, then how to choose officials after becoming officials is already an open question. When ideology becomes a fig leaf, the entire ruling group loses the ability to reform and the courage to expose its own corruption.

All great historical events occur twice, the first time as a tragedy and the second time as a farce.

The farce actors will never understand until they die that the noose of the system they silently maintain will eventually be put around their necks.

When Xun Yu submitted the results of the "verification", or the revised investigation report, to Cao Cao, Cao Cao fell silent.

There are also problems on the southern line...

What's even more terrifying is that this problem is not caused by external pressure from the Hussars, but by internal corruption.

Even though Cao Cao had already cleaned it up and reduced it to core-level personnel like the Cao and Xiahou families, this problem still occurred.

Cao Cao stared at Xun Yu's report, his eyes vaguely revealing scrutiny, understanding, as well as a hint of imperceptible fatigue and helplessness.

After a long time, Cao Cao did not ask anything, but just nodded, "I am relieved if Wen Ruo can do the job. In this way, the flank can be temporarily safe. Send an order to reward Cao and Xun and the meritorious soldiers on the front line of Runan, and confer Han Hao the title of Guannei Hou! All soldiers who died in the battle will be generously compensated! Order Cao Zicheng to stabilize the defense line of the military fort to prevent Sima's invasion from the south, and there must be no failure! "

Cao Cao needed this victory, no matter how exaggerated it was.

He needed to use it to boost morale, deter the enemy, and appease the internal forces.

As for the truth?

In the cruel power struggle and the grand strategic chessboard, the casualties of a group of low-level soldiers and a whitewashed victory are naturally incomparable in weight.

He selectively ignored the flash of heaviness in Xun Yu's eyes, and suppressed the vague uneasiness in his heart.

Cao Cao understood politics, so he knew that at certain times, compromise was necessary.

There is no such thing as black and white, only fifty shades of grey.

The fact that Xun Yu submitted the investigation report to Cao Cao also proved that Xun Yu did not want to open this rotten wound.

Although Xun Yu was a first-rate wise man, he was not one of the rare brave men in the world.

There is absolutely no place for Xun Yu among those who dare to cut off the rottenness in themselves and have the courage to die rather than live.

So what about Cao Cao?
He had it in his early years.

But the older we get, the smaller and less courage we have.

Cao Cao's final order also proved that Cao Cao did not dare to open this rotten wound at the moment...

Even started to anesthetize myself.

Cao Cao watched Xun Yu leave, then stood up, slowly walked out of the tent, and climbed onto a high platform. He refused Dian Wei's request to follow him, and did not allow anyone else to go up to the lookout platform with him.

The sky is vast.

The yellow sand is endless.

The place where the anti-Dong coalition forces were stationed in the past is now where Cao Cao lives alone.

The scenes of singing, feasting, and toasting in the past have disappeared, and now only Cao Cao is left, wearing an old red and black cloak.

The strong wind blew Cao Cao's gray hair, and even the gorgeous and expensive Jinxian crown on his head could not stop the flying hair.

Ma'am.

Chaotic thoughts surged in Cao Cao's mind.

Has he succeeded along the way?
maybe……

"Standing alone on the high platform,

The beacon fires in all directions are still burning.

The soldiers looked northwards and the flying dust obscured the sun.
The king's army looks west and the war drums sound like thunder.

I wanted to take the long-term strategy to cleanse the world,
What can I do……』

Cao Cao's voice became lower, mixed with the wind and the fluttering of flags.

Some people saw Cao Cao on the high platform and seemed to want to lean over to listen, but after taking a few steps, they saw Dian Wei standing at the bottom of the platform with cold eyes, so they shrank their heads and pretended to be just passing by...

Dian Wei raised his head slightly and glanced at Cao Cao's figure on the high platform.

He didn't understand what Cao Cao was saying, but that didn't stop him from guessing that Cao Cao was in a bad mood.

Dian Wei waved his hand and asked his guards to disperse and leave the space for Cao Cao.

Perhaps, it was precisely because he did not understand Cao Cao's poems and songs that Cao Cao recited them in front of him without any hesitation.

"Suddenly I heard the good news from Nanjing,
Capture the fort and conquer the dangerous place to boost the military’s morale.

The golden medal shines with armor and the generous reward is given.
The triumphant song reaches the clouds and the cup is full of wine.

Haha!

Ha ha……"

Cao Cao raised his eyebrows and laughed, but no one knew what he was laughing at.

Maybe you are laughing at others, or maybe you are laughing at yourself.

"Why do I stroke my chest with such a heavy heart?"
Why do I look in the mirror and my hair falls first?

If you lower your eyes and avoid my question,

Yuan Si kept silent and his clothes were stained with blood!

The old subordinates were silent as cicadas,
My nephew's expression was hesitant!
I know it!
You know it!
Heaven and earth know it!

Only the common people and soldiers are ignorant...'

Cao Cao gently patted the railing of the high platform and shook his head, as if he was immersed in some imagination, or self-examination and emotion.

He thought of the attitude of the general Fei Qian towards the poor, and also thought of Fei Qian's systems, the imperial examination, the land measurement, the restrictions on the nominations of the gentry, the pursuit of truth and correctness in the scriptures, etc.

There were some things he understood, but there were also some things he didn't understand.

Cao Cao beat the rhythm, and it seemed that in the smoke and clouds in the distance, he saw his younger self, and also saw the other people who were arrogant and domineering in the past and pointed out the country with him...

And now...

"Under the gorgeous clothes, there must be carbuncle and ulcer!

Amid the praises, how could there not be the glimpses of snakes and rats?
In the past, five-colored sticks were hung.
Swear to cleanse the turbid waves and restore order!

The powerful tremble in fear,
The people are delighted.
The courage of the young man at that time could break metal and stone!
nice!

what……

What a pity…』

Cao Cao raised his head, his gray beard fluttering in the wind, and his face showed an extremely complicated expression, as if he was regretting, sighing, hoping, or proud...

It seems that no simple words can fully describe Cao Cao's current thoughts or his mood.

"The highest position among the officials,
The power is overwhelming,
Instead, we see termites eating away at the foundation of the beams!

I am not blind,

Can't detect its traces,
Not earplugs,
Haven't you heard of his private affairs?
Strong enemies are surrounding us like wolves.
The maintenance of the imperial court is at stake!
If I were to peel off this scab,

Fearing that the raging waves would break the dam,
If we look into its origin,

There will be trouble within the family!
Sigh!

Knowing that the sores and carbuncles are in the skin, he carries the sky on his back and holds the monument in his mouth!
To endure the overflowing of the muddy current, and to deceive oneself with embellished good news!
Loyal bones are buried under the reward list,
Crying blood at the celebration banquet!
The Luoyang baton bearer,
But now I hold the red pen,
Write nonsense...

Ridiculous words! 』

Cao Cao opened his arms, and the cuffs of his robe blew up in the wind, making him seem bigger.

At the end of the wind, on the other side of the mountain pass, is there anyone who is just like him, suffering, worried, and at a loss as to what to do?
This is my present, is it your future?

"The evening clouds are heavy and pressing down on the city walls.
The north wind is so fierce that it blows up the flags.

Is there no long spear to sweep the world?
Looking back, I can’t see the young man!
The aspirations for peace and prosperity are still ringing in my ears.
The Bronze Sparrow Tower is high...

The bones are sad!
An old horse still has the ambition to run a thousand miles.
In the trough below the shaft...

Fat rat!
How painful is this?

How deep is this hatred?

Only facing the long river and the setting sun,

Swallowing alone...

Eternal Ashes! 』