Weird Three Kingdoms

Chapter 3805 If the people are in a bad place, then no one dares to do this.
The moment Zhang Liao led his cavalry into the southern city, Chen Qun was stunned. He never expected the southern city to fall so easily because his mindset was still stuck in the old system of the Han Dynasty, or rather, in the pre-siege era.

It is undoubtedly extremely difficult for ordinary people to evolve from a state of disunity into a civic community.

There is no doubt that the more people gather in one place, the more desires and ideas will intertwine. Some people will abide by the rules, while others will try every means to cut in line and take advantage of others.

Chen Qun had managed Ye City for a long time, and he understood this.

A group lacking consensus is disorganized, so Chen Qun wasn't worried about what these "foolish people" of Yecheng would do. But at this very moment, or rather, under the influence of these brief internal and external forces, these "foolish people" in Chen Qun's eyes formed a "collective belief"!
Even if this "collective belief" is short-lived, not necessarily correct, and even arguably driven by desire, the power it unleashed in that instant completely exceeded Chen Qun's imagination.

"Faith," or "belief," is neutral; there are good beliefs and, of course, bad ones.

Hunger-driven desires became the "collective faith" of the people of Nancheng at this moment.

If it's just a latent desire, then perhaps it's not a big problem.

For example, people throughout history and across the world have all liked money and have material desires; it's a kind of "collective belief" on a certain level. However, not every society or country will necessarily see large-scale zero-dollar purchases...

History has shown that without rational rule of law and civic spirit as its foundation, "collective belief" can easily degenerate into "collective madness".

A healthy society is not defined by whether its people share a unified 'collective belief,' but by whether they can, as free and responsible citizens, jointly build and maintain their public life through reason and dialogue.

At that very moment, Cui Hu ignited the desires of the common people at the bottom of Ye City, fostering a brief period of 'collective faith'—

"Charge out! There's food!"

The Cao army soldiers stationed at the south gate were like ice melting into the surging sea.

The people who had rushed out of Ye City quickly lost themselves in the smoke from the cooking fires and food stalls, lingering there, their desires gradually fading away with each bite of food...

The "collective belief" vanished the moment the porridge was swallowed.

However, the power that erupted from such a single point led to the fall of the southern part of Ye City!
The autumn wind, carrying with it the sounds of battle and the smell of burning from the south of the city, lashed against the Cao family's military flags on the north wall.

Under the desperate protection of a squad of personal guards, Chen Qun fled back to the North City in a sorry state. His armor was stained with blood, whether his own or that of the enemy, and his usually meticulously styled hair was now disheveled, with a few strands of gray hair sticking to his sweat-dampened forehead.

Chen Qun glanced at the Cao family soldiers retreating like a tide behind him, then looked at the flames soaring into the sky above the southern city in the distance. He heard the increasingly clear bugle calls and hoofbeats of the Flying Cavalry, and his heart sank.

"Close the passage! Quickly! Lower the gates! Block the entrance! Destroy the bridge!"

Chen Qun's voice was somewhat sharp due to his urgency. He pointed to the tall passageway entrance connecting the north and south cities, as well as the staircases built between the two cities, and gave a hoarse order to the military academy officers in charge of the defense of the area.

Even when the two cities were separated, Chen Qun had already made contingency plans for the "what if" scenario, which would result in the north and south being cut off, but he didn't expect to have to use them so soon...

The heavy iron gate crashed down with a piercing groan from the winch, kicking up a cloud of dust.

The Cao army soldiers who couldn't rush in were locked outside, angrily and futilely pounding on the heavy gate.

Of course, the most tragic case is when only 'half' of them come in...

It's like taking a bite out of an apple and finding half a worm, its juices soaking into the surrounding area.

Panting, Chen Qun directed his soldiers to push the sandbags and stone slabs they had prepared behind the door, blocking the entrance and attempting to completely shut down the last passage to the north city.

Having done all this, Chen Qun dared not linger for a moment and, surrounded by his personal guards, hurried to the Prime Minister's residence.

Along the way, the scenery of the northern city was completely different from that of the southern city, which had just experienced bloodshed.

Although troops were moving about and the atmosphere was tense on the streets, faint sounds of string and wind instruments could still be heard from inside those grand mansions.

Closing the door seems to shut out all the noise.

Chen Qun seemed to sense something, but he didn't know what to say...

Inside the Prime Minister's residence, the lights were bright and the air was filled with a warm fragrance, creating a stark contrast to the somber atmosphere outside.

Cao Pi did not sit in the main seat, but paced back and forth in the inner hall, which was covered with exquisite Western Region carpets, like a trapped beast.

His brocade robe was somewhat disheveled, his crown was askew, and his face had lost its usual deliberately maintained coldness, leaving only undisguised fear and the anxiety that accompanied it.

The message that Chen Qun relayed before Cao Pi could truly feel fear.

An unspeakable fear.

Wasn't it agreed that Ye City was well-fortified and strong enough to withstand the cavalry?

Didn't the Flying Cavalry not have any heavy siege equipment?
Why did the southern part of the city fall?
How dare those lowly people rebel?
How dare you?!

The disbelief and unwillingness to acknowledge the uprisings or rebellions of the people shown by feudal rulers was not due to their simple stupidity or dullness, but rather an instinctive reaction rooted in their class position and psychological cognition.

Because in Dong Zhongshu's narrative, the legitimacy of feudal imperial power was based on "the Mandate of Heaven" and "the divine right of kings."
The ruler is the "Son of Heaven," and the people are the "Subjects." Therefore, popular uprisings fundamentally challenge this narrative of legitimacy. To believe in or acknowledge a popular uprising is tantamount to acknowledging that the Son of Heaven has lost his Mandate of Heaven and that the ruler has been abandoned by his subjects. It is also tantamount to acknowledging a fundamental and legal failure of one's own rule.

Moreover, the lives of most feudal rulers were completely detached from the lives of the lower classes, and their understanding of the world meant they could not comprehend the true root causes of popular uprisings.

For emperors, nobles, bureaucrats, and their successors—in other words, various so-called experts—the taxes and labor provided by the common people were necessities for maintaining the operation of the state and their luxurious lifestyles. The wealth they and their families acquired far exceeded the labor they expended, so they could not truly understand the despair of an ordinary person when taxes crushed their family and labor robbed them of spring planting time. They believed that as long as the people had enough to eat, they would not, and should not, rebel.

In the eyes of the ruling elites of feudal dynasties, the masses were a scattered, ignorant, weak, and easily deceived and manipulated mob. They did not believe that these common people could be organized, have a program, or have the courage to confront the powerful state apparatus and violent institutions.

The same was true for Cao Pi.

When he heard about the riot in the south of Ye City, which led to the fall of the city gates and the charge of the cavalry into the south city, he fell into a state of cognitive dissonance.

They realized from the illusion that "Ye City is a fortified city, the Prime Minister and his son are wise and powerful, and the people and soldiers are as at their command as their own arms" that "the people, soldiers and officers are rebelling, or are about to rebel!"
This enormous and intense conflict between dreams and reality caused Cao Pi severe physical and psychological discomfort.

The simplest way to alleviate this discomfort is to deny or distort reality.

Upon seeing Chen Qun enter, Cao Pi practically lunged forward, grabbing Chen Qun's arm so tightly his nails almost dug into Chen Qun's flesh, his voice trembling: "Changwen! Nancheng... Nancheng really... really..."

Chen Qun steadied his breathing and bowed, saying, "Your Highness, please forgive me... In the South City... due to Cui Hu's rebellion and collusion with rioters, we were momentarily careless... and were taken advantage of by the General of the Cavalry... However! Our main force has not suffered any losses and has successfully retreated to the North City!"

Our army has successfully completed its "strategic shift"!

Despite Chen Qun's previous composed command and seemingly cunning strategy, at this moment, his mentality is not much different from Cao Pi's; both are looking for reasons and excuses for their mistakes.

Chen Qun spoke rapidly, analyzing the situation for Cao Pi, and perhaps also for himself, his voice carrying a deliberately cultivated calm: "Your Highness, look! The northern city is high and steep, with thick walls and deep moats. Seven or eight out of ten of the armories and granaries are located here! Our elite troops are also largely concentrated here! Although the Flying Cavalry has managed to enter the southern city, what is there there? Just a few starving, cold, ignorant, and unruly people! I have already ordered the city gates blocked and the bridges cut off! The Flying Cavalry cannot advance!"

"Hold the northern city firmly...wait for the enemy to tire themselves out..." Cao Pi repeated these words, his voice somewhat dry and strained. "Changwen...are there still men like Cui Hu in the army? And how can we ensure that the defeat at the southern city won't be repeated?"

At this moment, Cao Pi found everyone suspicious, even his trusted strategist seemed to be shrouded in a shadow of doubt. Why was the southern city lost so quickly?

Why was it that Cui Hu, whom Chen Qun ordered to be placed under house arrest, was the one who got into trouble?
If he was under house arrest, why did Cui Hu manage to escape?

Was all of this a coincidence, or...?

This distrust of everyone, born out of desperation, grew wildly in Cao Pi's heart like poisonous weeds.

Chen Qun wanted to continue expressing his confidence, but Cao Pi's suspicion had turned to disgust. At this moment, he truly didn't want to listen to Chen Qun's further explanations, and waved his hand impatiently, "I understand! Changwen, go and arrange the defenses! Make sure...make sure you hold the northern city!"

The south city has been lost, and that fact cannot be changed. The only option is to defend the north city.

Fortunately, most of the people in the northern part of the city were soldiers, military academy students, and family members of officials, who were relatively more loyal.
Perhaps, possibly, probably...

Chen Qun opened his mouth, wanting to say something more, but seeing Cao Pi's obvious unwillingness to listen, he had no choice but to swallow his words, bow deeply, and silently leave the hall.

As Chen Qun turned to leave, his silhouette, illuminated by the magnificent palace lanterns of the Prime Minister's residence, appeared somewhat hunched and forlorn.

After Chen Qun left, Cao Pi's unease did not lessen but instead intensified.

This fortified fortress, built to the specifications of a royal palace, occupying the highest point in the northern city and possessing the strategic advantage of the Three Terraces of the Bronze Sparrow Terrace, now seemed to him to be fraught with danger.

Those carved beams and painted rafters seem to conceal countless prying eyes!
The magnificent decorations cast distorted and grotesque shadows under the flickering candlelight, like ghostly phantoms ready to devour their prey!
Even the servants and maids who usually stood by his side, whom he considered most obedient, now appeared submissive, as if it were a cover for some conspiracy to succeed. Every breath they took seemed to be a silent mockery of his impending defeat and the fear in Cao Pi's heart...

"You! Why are you spying on me?!" Cao Pi suddenly pointed at a maid holding an incense burner, his voice sharp and fierce.

The maid trembled with fright, nearly dropping the incense burner in her hand. She hurriedly knelt on the ground, shaking uncontrollably.

"Raise your head!" Cao Pi said sternly, his gaze sweeping over the maid's pale, terrified face like that of a hawk. "You...are you from Ji Province?"

"I...I am...I am from Qiao County..." The maid's voice trembled, and she was almost crying.

"Qiao Commandery?" Cao Pi's suspicions did not lessen. "Who else is in your household? Does anyone there have dealings with the various tribes of Hebei?"

"This servant...this servant doesn't know...this servant entered the household at a young age..."

Seeing the maidservant terrified, Cao Pi's irritation and suspicion did not diminish at all. He suddenly kicked over the gilded lion-shaped incense burner next to him, spilling precious incense all over the ground. The rich fragrance spread, but it made him feel nauseous and suffocated.

"Get out! All of you, get out!" Cao Pi roared hysterically.

The servants, as if granted a pardon, scrambled out, leaving only Cao Pi's heavy breathing in the empty hall.

He slumped down on the tiger-skin-covered couch, his fingers gripping the smooth, cold sandalwood armrests so tightly that his knuckles turned white.

Failure, betrayal, suspicion, fear...

A variety of emotions, like venomous snakes, gnawed at his heart.

He thought of his father, Cao Cao, who could still talk and laugh and boost morale even in the most critical moment at Guandu.

He wanted to be like his father...

But it's so difficult!
Why does everything become so difficult for him?

Why are the "wise rulers" he tried to emulate so vulnerable in the face of reality?
Just as he was about to be swallowed up by this boundless fear, a steady sound of footsteps came from outside the palace.

Madam Bian, accompanied by a close old maid, slowly entered. Her temples were streaked with gray, but her clothes remained dignified and elegant. Her face was calm, and her eyes were deep, as if the upheavals in the outside world had not stirred much emotion in her heart.

Upon seeing his mother, Cao Pi felt as if he had grasped a lifeline, yet he also felt a deep sense of shame and embarrassment.

Cao Pi hurriedly stood up, trying to hide his embarrassment: "Mother... what brings you here?"

Lady Bian ignored his panic, her gaze calmly sweeping over the messy floor and her son's pale, bewildered face. She sighed softly, her voice gentle yet carrying an undeniable strength: "Zihuan, things have come to this; what good is fear?"

Lady Bian walked up to Cao Pi, raised her hand and gently straightened his crooked crown, her movements as gentle as when she had treated Cao Pi as a child.

"I heard you dismissed Chen Changwen as well?" she said slowly. "Very well... You dismissed Chen Changwen. Let me ask you, in this Northern City, who can you still trust? If you can't even trust a pillar of the state like Chen Changwen, who can you rely on?"

Cao Pi's lips moved as if he wanted to defend himself, but he found himself speechless.

Lady Bian continued, her voice low but each word clear, striking Cao Pi's heart: "The more perilous the situation, the less you should be suspicious and self-destructive. Right now, you need to leave this Prime Minister's residence, personally ascend the city walls, and comfort the soldiers, letting everyone see that their heir is still alive, and the Cao family's banner has not fallen! The hearts of the people cannot be maintained by hiding within the government office and harboring suspicions. Back then, your father was nearly driven to despair, yet he still led from the front, inspiring the soldiers to turn defeat into victory. Now you possess the formidable defenses of the northern city, with strategists under your command and elite troops at your side—do you not even have the courage to face the enemy head-on?"

Lady Bian noticed the flickering and hesitant look in Cao Pi's eyes and knew that although he appeared submissive on the surface, his inner fear had not been completely eliminated.

No one knows a son better than his mother. She knew that beneath his tolerant exterior lay a sensitive, suspicious, and distrustful nature.

Lady Bian remained silent for a moment, then suddenly took out an object from her sleeve. It was a beautifully decorated short blade, six or seven inches long, with seven different gemstones inlaid on its scabbard. Clearly, it was no ordinary item.

She gently placed the short blade on the table in front of Cao Pi, making a soft 'tap' sound.

"This is..." Cao Pi was taken aback.

Lady Bian's voice remained calm, yet it carried a detached acceptance of life and death: "A woman born in chaotic times must also have a weapon for self-defense, and even more so... the will to die for her principles. This was originally something I kept with me... Now I give this knife to you..."

Lady Bian raised her eyes, her gaze fixed on Cao Pi, a gaze that seemed to pierce through all his pretenses, reaching the deepest recesses of his heart. "Zihuan," she said, "you must understand. For the cavalry outside the city, for the greater good of the realm, a living Cao Pi is perhaps more valuable than a dead one… Even if the city falls, you have a high chance of survival, and perhaps… you could be used to recruit your father's former subordinates, stabilizing Shandong."

These words were so calm they were almost cruel.

Cao Pi's face turned pale instantly, then flushed red in the blink of an eye...

Lady Bian waved her hand, interrupting Cao Pi, "A ruler should possess extraordinary courage... If you cannot face the fate of your clan's downfall and your dynasty's collapse..."

Lady Bian's finger lightly touched the short blade. "Then you must be prepared to die with it! Accept the worst possibility, prepare for your final fate! When you have no more hope in your heart, when you no longer fear even death, what do these current crises and suspicions matter? Life or death is up to your heart. But whatever you choose, you must stand tall, do not disgrace your father's illustrious name, do not let your name, Cao Zihuan, be recorded in history as nothing more than a mark of fear and cowardice!"

After saying this, Lady Bian said no more, but gave Cao Pi a deep look, her expression complex and indescribable.

Then she slowly got up and, with the help of the old maid, calmly left the inner hall.

Cao Pi stared blankly at the jewel-encrusted dagger.

Outside the hall, the north wind howled, carrying with it the lingering clamor from the south and shouts echoing from the north city walls.

The jewel on the scabbard of the short-bladed sword on the table shimmered with iridescent light, as if silently awaiting Cao Pi's decision...