Weird Three Kingdoms

Chapter 3693 Rain Stagnates in Anyang, Bloodstained in Wencheng; Powerful Judges Determine Crimes, Papers Piling High
Cao’s army camp.

The June wind carried the heat of summer, but it did little to warm the soldiers in Cao Cao's camp, nor did it dispel the oppressive atmosphere and whispers that permeated the fortifications.

News of the fall of Wen County and the death and exposure of Cheng Yu's body quietly spread among the soldiers.

The words "divine retribution" were mixed with anxiety about the supply lines being cut off, and in the gaps between the campfires and the baggage trains, they turned into a kind of oppressive panic.

And the things Cheng Yu did back then were brought up again one by one. The details became more and more horrifying as they were passed down by word of mouth, which made the soldiers look at the other Cao army officers and cadets with an unspeakable sense of alienation and fear.

Inside the central command tent, the lights were on.

Cao Cao sat in the main seat, with Xun Yu, Cao Xi, Han Hao, and others sitting to his side. The air was so thick it felt like you could wring water out of it.

The copper water clock in the corner dripped with unusual clarity.

Zhongde... has died...

Cao Cao's voice wasn't loud, and it remained steady, but it betrayed a hint of weariness, heavy as a dull knife cutting through thick cowhide—a weariness born of expending great effort with little effect. "The loss of Wen County was not a failure in battle, but rather a cruel twist of fate. Zhongde went out to investigate, was unfortunately wounded, and contracted a serious illness…it wasn't some kind of 'divine retribution'…"

Cao Cao's gaze swept over the crowd, finally settling on Xun Yu's face. "Wenruo, can you trace the source of the rumors circulating in the army?"

Within Cao Cao's camp, the idea that Cheng Yu had suffered "divine retribution" was rampant.

Regardless of the era or time period, the rumors about those in power often carry a hint of schadenfreude.

This habit transcends all cultures and eras.

Ordinary people deeply feel the inequality in power, resources, and social status when interacting with those in positions of power in their daily lives. This inequality is often accompanied by feelings of powerlessness and oppression, so when people hear that those in positions of power have encountered setbacks, scandals, or failures, they feel a sense of psychological balance and compensation.

For example, sayings like "God has eyes," "They are not omnipotent," and "They also have their day"...

The public also tends to believe that those in positions of power are more likely to become corrupt, degenerate, and morally depraved.

After all, this is the most common...

Rumors, especially negative ones, often contain moral flaws. When those in positions of power expose their moral deficiencies, it gives ordinary people a sense of moral superiority, making them feel that "we may be ordinary, but at least we are more honest and clean than them."

Most importantly, it is a form of "judgment" by the general public through "rumors" when formal oversight mechanisms for higher-level officials, such as laws and the media, may be imperfect or ineffective.

Just as people say Cheng Yu suffered "divine retribution," isn't this also a "judgment" of Cheng Yu by these ordinary soldiers?
Xun Yu bowed slightly and said, "My lord, you are wise. Rumors are like the wind, difficult to trace back to their source. However, the fall of Wen County has made the transport of grain and fodder extremely difficult, that is the truth. The soldiers are filled with anxiety, partly due to superstitious beliefs, and partly due to hunger."

Xun Yu paused, his voice lowering even further, "There are even rumors that the Central Plains are no longer safe to return to..."

Cao Cao gave a soft snort, somewhat annoyed, but still managed to suppress his emotions, calmly saying, "The human heart is like water; blocking is not as good as channeling, and channeling is not as good as guiding."

Cao Cao surveyed the surroundings and said loudly, "The loss of Wen County is indeed a painful event, but it is also possible to lead the Flying Cavalry north! In the Heluo region, Zilian is stationed at Gong County and Sishui, and with the recent heavy rains and haze, the Flying Cavalry's firearms are difficult to deploy. Therefore, if the Flying Cavalry wishes to fight, they will either head north or south! If the Flying Cavalry truly traverses Mount Song to rescue Li Liao's troops, the mountain roads are difficult to traverse, the troops will be unable to maneuver, and the generals will be useless, leading to certain defeat!"

Cao Cao's voice rose, carrying a confident and resolute tone: "If the General of the Cavalry advances to the northern front, they will fall into our delaying tactic, and the southern front will fall entirely into our hands! If the General of the Cavalry comes to reinforce the southern front, the mountain roads will block their path, making it difficult for the cavalry to move. Even with immense strength, they will be unable to exert much of their power!"

"Now, if we can simply lift the siege of Xiangyang, Jingbei can be recovered!" Cao Cao said decisively. "If Jingbei is recovered, those two-faced scoundrels in Jiangdong will surely be able to relieve the troops in Jiangling and Sichuan! The south will be at peace! In this way, the situation will be completely resolved! If we win this battle in Jingbei, the predicament will be solved! As for the General of the Cavalry..."

Cao Cao sneered, "The weakness of the Generalissimo's Cavalry lies in its lack of manpower! Having seized Heluo and Hanoi, and needing to contend with Youzhou and Jizhou, how can his mere talents from Xiliang and Guanzhong be of any use? If we use men from Jizhou and Hanoi, things will be as they are now… If we don't, they will surely descend into chaos! That will be our opportunity to advance again and launch a counterattack!"

Cao Cao turned to Xun Yu, his eyes sharp as knives, "As for the current claim of divine retribution... issue an order to the entire army to assemble at the drill ground tomorrow at Chenshi (7-9 AM)! I will personally explain this to the soldiers!"

……

……

The following morning, the drill ground was filled with a dark mass of silent soldiers.

Anxiety and doubt filled the air.

Cao Cao, dressed in simple military attire and without any elaborate ornaments, ascended the high platform. He did not speak immediately, but instead ordered his men to bring a dozen or so soldiers, bound hand and foot, to the front of the platform.

These people were the typical ones Xun Yu swiftly arrested last night on charges of "spreading rumors and undermining morale." Among them were ordinary soldiers who spread rumors of "divine retribution," as well as rogue soldiers who took advantage of the chaos to steal military rations and incite desertion.

Cao Cao's voice was loud and steady, piercing through the morning mist: "I am aware of the matter in Wen County! General Cheng's death was due to the machinations of treacherous officials and the betrayal of a villain! It was not divine punishment, but a man-made calamity!"

Cao Cao pointed at the bound soldiers and minor officials below the platform and said sternly, "Look at these people! Taking advantage of the chaos to spread rumors, steal military rations, and undermine morale! How are their actions any different from those of the traitors who assassinated General Cheng? If so, I hereby issue this 'retribution' on behalf of Heaven! Heaven will punish these unrighteous and inhumane individuals who have brought chaos to the army!"

Among those who were bound, Registrar Huang was gagged, seemingly trying to stammer out something, such as that he was unwilling to lend something...

However, Cao Cao's order had already been issued: "According to the law! Anyone who incites desertion or steals military supplies—will be executed! Anyone who spreads rumors—will be flogged fifty times and imprisoned in cangue for three days, as a warning to others!"

At a command, a flash of light appeared, several heads fell to the ground, and the stench of blood instantly filled the air.

The dull thuds of the caning and screams of agony followed.

Cao Cao only killed a few people and punished them with minimal beatings, but he subtly conveyed a message to all his soldiers...

The power of law enforcement and sentencing authority remained in his hands; the only ones who deserved to die were the lowly officials and soldiers, while Cao Cao remained a wise leader.

The audience was deathly silent. The soldiers either understood or were simply terrified, but in any case, the rumors of so-called "divine retribution" were temporarily suppressed.

After the execution, Cao Cao's voice softened, yet carried an even stronger penetrating force. Amidst the stench of blood, he tossed out a sweet treat, "I know you are worried about supplies! But Wen County is in the north, and its grain reserves are unrelated to this area! Moreover, the grain stored in the Yingyin granary is enough for more than three months! And by then, there will be a new autumn harvest!"

Is there a problem with what Cao Cao said?
Yes, but no.

Truth and falsehood, reality and illusion, the act of quenching thirst by looking at plums is not limited to pointing at "plums".

This excellent approach by Boss Cao has inspired generations of other bosses to draw and narrate in the air, time and time again, "plum blossoms" or "grain supplies".

"I have already given strict orders to the rear to send more supplies at all costs! But if we sit idly by and wait for supplies, we will simply run out of resources and be doomed!" Cao Cao pointed towards Jingzhou and Xiangyang. "If we cannot pacify Jingzhou and Xiangyang and drive out the General of the Flying Cavalry, we will remain here indefinitely, wasting supplies! General Zixiao is currently in Xiangyang, enduring hunger and fighting a bloody battle against an enemy several times his size! He is not hoping for supplies, but for reinforcements!"

Cao Cao stepped forward, his gaze sweeping intently across the entire assembly. "I will accompany you all! We will march south to rescue our comrades! Those who bravely advance and capture enemy flags will be rewarded! Those who break through enemy lines and slay their armor will be promoted! Those who relieve the siege of Xiangyang will be richly rewarded! Those who shrink back will face the merciless laws of war! Heaven and earth will bear witness to our merits and demerits in this battle; I will never break my word!"

The soldiers fell silent.

But a moment later, someone in the military ranks shouted:
"Head south! Seize the grain!"

"Save General Cao!"

"Charge!"

"Victory! Victory!"

Ordinary soldiers are ignorant, blind, and lack discernment...

Under the fanatical guidance of some, and in the face of bloodshed, sporadic responses began to rise from the crowd, gradually coalescing into somewhat disorderly shouts, which soon turned into a noisy cacophony.

Cao Cao stood on the high platform, the morning light outlining his not-so-tall, but upright profile.

He nodded slightly, a smile on his face, but there was no ease in his eyes.

The morale of the troops was suppressed by an iron fist and enticed by benefits, and steered in the direction he desired.

but……

This is only temporary. The southern front is complex and the shadow of Fei Qian still looms large.

The betting game is already all in.

This time, he was betting his political skills in manipulating people's hearts, as well as the last bit of tragic camaraderie stirred up by Cao Ren's suicide note.

The battle here was like a ladder of knives leading to heaven, and Cao Cao was stepping on the edge of a blade with every step.

Drenched with blood.

But Cao Cao was Cao Cao after all. Even in such a chaotic situation, he still came up with some solutions and continued to struggle!

Cao Cao had already planned it out; the breakthrough in Songshan and Jingxiang would begin with Sima Yi…

……

……

South of Jizhou.

The Cao army camp outside Anyang was shrouded in a sluggish, almost apathetic atmosphere.

Days of rain had made the roads muddy and the camp flooded. The soldiers listlessly repaired their tents or huddled in barely sheltered spots, grumbling under their breath. Damn it, who fights in the rain?
But orders came from above, and we had to go to Wen County to provide assistance...

Commander Ren Jun locked himself deep inside his tent, the marching map on the table seemingly covered in dust, his mind clearly elsewhere.

A few days ago, his beloved son was injured...

This nearly broke the composure of the general. He thought that parents work themselves to the bone all their lives to accumulate some wealth, which should be left to their descendants. Now, his child was seriously injured and on the verge of death, yet he was still asked to lead the army into battle. Although he agreed on the surface, his mind was entirely on the rear.

Just then, it started raining.

Ren Jun used excuses such as "preparing military supplies," "waiting for follow-up supplies," and "difficult roads" to keep the troops, who should have rushed to Wenxian's aid overnight, stuck in Anyang, as if Anyang were the end of the world.

Every day, he spent most of his time anxiously waiting for good news from Yecheng. As for Cheng Yu from Wen County and the increasingly urgent letters of appeal, they naturally didn't matter as much to him as the continuation of his own bloodline...

until today.

The tent flap was abruptly thrown open, letting in a damp, cold draft and a few scattered raindrops. A trusted guard practically rushed in, his face beaming with joy, "General! Congratulations, General! There's news of the young master! His fever has subsided! The physician says... says he's out of danger and only needs to rest!"

Ren Jun abruptly stood up, rushed to the guard, grabbed his shoulder, and his voice trembled: "Really?!"

"Absolutely true! Ye Cheng personally sent someone to deliver a message, saying that once the young master is able to hold a pen again in a few days, he will write a letter to the general in his own handwriting!" The guard nodded excitedly.

Ren Jun let out a long sigh of relief, as if a huge burden had been lifted from his shoulders. The gloom of the past few days vanished, and a relieved smile even appeared on his face. "Good, that's great..."

However, it seemed that fate was against Ren Jun. Before he could even rejoice for long, hurried footsteps sounded outside the tent again. Another messenger, soaking wet and deathly pale, stumbled in, not even having time to salute, and cried out hoarsely, "General! Urgent report from Wen County! The city...the city has fallen! Magistrate Cheng...he has died for his country!"

"What? ! 』

Ren Jun's smile froze instantly, replaced by immense terror. All color drained from his face. "Impossible! How long has it been? Did the cavalry descend from the heavens?! Cheng Zhongde held a fortified city, with ample supplies, how could... how could the city have fallen so quickly?!"

He let out a low growl, his voice filled with disbelief and a sense of impending doom.

The messenger, panting and choked with sobs, cried out, "They say...they say there's been an internal strife in the city! Soldiers have rebelled...they even...they've hung Lord Cheng's...body on the city walls! Wen County...Wen County, it's now in the hands of the General of the Cavalry!"

"Fell into...the hands of the General of the Cavalry..."

Ren Jun slumped back onto the table, utterly dejected, a chilling fear creeping up his spine and spreading throughout his body.

Wenxian fell too quickly!
It happened faster than anyone expected, and faster than he could possibly have any chance of maneuvering!

Despite being the closest reinforcement to Wen County, he remained stationary in Anyang...

The crime of missing the deadline and watching our allies perish is one we cannot escape no matter what!
Ren Jun originally thought that Wen County had a large army, ample food reserves, high walls and deep moats, and was surrounded by scorched earth. He thought that even if it couldn't last a year, it could at least last half a year, and if things went badly, it could last three or four months. But now...

Ren Jun thought about facing Cao Cao like that...

Thinking of Cao Cao's unfathomable, cold eyes, and the fates of Xiahou Yuan, Cao Chun, Cao Xiu, and Yue Jin, Ren Jun shuddered, cold sweat instantly soaking through his inner shirt.

The Xiahou and Cao families have both died on the battlefield, so how could his marriage partner be so valuable?
No!

We must not sit still and wait for death!
We must find a reason!
A plausible reason that could divert Prime Minister Cao's anger or at least share his blame!

Ren Jun's gaze swept frantically around the tent, finally settling on the map hanging on the side of the tent, which marked the southern part of Ji Province, especially the Hanoi Commandery.

Hanoi...Van County...

Anyang... Shen family...

Suddenly, an idea, like a venomous snake, burrowed into his mind and quickly took hold and grew stronger.

"Yes...yes!"

Ren Jun abruptly stood up, his eyes flashing with an almost obsessive light. His previous fear was replaced by an urgent desire to find a scapegoat. "It's not that I didn't want to save him! It's not that Prefect Cheng is incompetent! It's an internal traitor!! It's those two-faced gentry in Hanoi! They colluded with the General of the Cavalry, working together from within!"

Ren Jun pointed sharply at the location of Anyang on the map, his voice shrill with excitement: "Look! Anyang rebelled earlier! The Cui and Gao families! And those other powerful clans from Hanoi who were eager to rebel! If the Shen family hadn't launched their attack in Anyang beforehand, thwarting the Cui and Gao families' plot to surrender the city to the General of the Cavalry, Anyang would probably have already fallen! They almost sold out Anyang, let alone Wen County?! When Magistrate Cheng said he saw Hanoi youths in the General of the Cavalry's camp on the city walls, isn't that clear proof?!"

Ren Jun became increasingly convinced that his "discovery" was the truth, a lifeline. "The defeat at Wen County was not a failure of strategy, but rather the result of the traitorous collusion of the Hanoi gentry! Prefect Cheng must have discovered the traitor and was eager to eliminate him, thus triggering the internal strife! The cavalry's swift breach of the city must have been due to someone inside opening the gates! Otherwise, even a heavenly army descending to earth could not have achieved this!"

With his mind at ease, Ren Jun immediately summoned his staff and advisors. Then, addressing his trusted advisors and officers who had rushed to the scene, he passionately explained how he had uncovered the cavalry's "conspiracy"...

"Our army's temporary garrison in Anyang is by no means negligence! It is precisely to stabilize the rear and deter these treacherous powerful clans! If I had not been stationed in Anyang to suppress the local forces, how could the Shen clan have thwarted the Cui clan's plot in time? If Anyang had fallen, the gates of Ji Province would have been wide open, and the consequences would have been unimaginable! The loss of Wen County was the fault of the gentry of Hanoi who colluded with the enemy! The fault lies with those treacherous and wicked men who betray their own lord! As the ancients said, 'To subdue external enemies, one must first secure the interior!' I am here to eliminate hidden dangers for my lord!"

After a lengthy and elaborate speech, Ren Jun himself was convinced. His gaze swept over everyone in the tent. "Immediately! Draft a report! Send it to the lord and the heir apparent with the utmost urgency! Detail the crimes of the Cui and Gao families of Anyang in colluding with the General of the Cavalry! Detail the merits of the Shen family in turning the tide! Furthermore, vehemently denounce the disloyalty of the gentry of Hanoi, the root cause of the fall of Wen County! My presence in Anyang is not to avoid battle, but to secure the rear and cut off enemy internal support! The loss of Wen County was not due to ineffective fighting, but to the difficulty in guarding against internal traitors!"

The staff exchanged bewildered glances, knowing full well that the general was trying to absolve himself of responsibility, shifting all the blame for the defeat onto the local powerful figures...

But now, if Ren Jun doesn't have a good ending, they will also suffer the consequences.

Soon, a strongly worded report was fabricated, portraying the Hanoi gentry as the masterminds of treason and colluding with the enemy, exaggerating Ren Jun's achievements in suppressing the rebellion in Anyang, and glorifying Ren Jun's inaction as "sitting in the central government and stabilizing the rear."

Ren Jun looked at the report, which was clearly an attempt to shift blame. His panic subsided slightly, but a chill still lingered.

He knew that his reasons for shifting the blame were somewhat far-fetched, but it was the only straw he could grasp at.

As long as you give a reason that the higher-ups won't pursue the matter...

For so many years, hasn't the Han Dynasty always been like this?
Send it out, send it out...

Ren Jun waved his hand.

He walked to the tent entrance, gazing at the still-flowing rain outside, the gray outline of Anyang City appearing and disappearing in the rain. He muttered to himself, more like trying to convince himself, "Without eliminating internal traitors, how can we defend against external threats? The defeat at Wen County is their fault... their fault... There's still time, I... I still have time... I need to think of a way, think of a way..."

Yes, under these circumstances, Ren Jun does have some time left, but it's clearly running out.