Weird Three Kingdoms

Chapter 3869 Falling apart
Liu Xie looked at Xi Lu, who was pleading desperately in the hall like a dog, like a drowning person groping for a last straw. What surged in his heart was not sympathy, but numbness.

There was even a chilling pleasure...

When you were fooling me before, did you ever think that things would turn out this way?
However, this cheap pleasure soon disappeared, leaving only emptiness.

He could not save Xi Lu, just as he could not save himself, nor could he save the Han dynasty, which was destined to collapse.

Liu Xie's silence was not due to his inherently cold-hearted nature, but rather a form of mental self-protection and self-anesthesia after enduring extreme pressure and long-term oppression.

In his heart, he may not be unaware that the "reforms" brought by General Fei Qian would benefit the people of the world. However, this old Han dynasty, with its decaying flesh and blood, had long since merged with his own flesh and blood.

Change means, to some extent, the annihilation of his own self.

Emperor Liu Xie remained silent, ultimately uttering no words, his face hidden behind his crown, making his expression unreadable.

Who the messenger carrying the imperial edict was, whether he lived or died, was not something he could decide, nor was it something he needed to care about...

He was just wondering what Cao Cao was up to.
The imperial edict has long been ineffective; do you think sending another Xi Lu now will change anything?
So why?

Liu Xie suddenly had some insights.

Just as he is now helpless in many things, does Cao Cao also have no solutions left?
An imperial edict was perhaps the only solution Cao Cao could think of at the moment, just as Liu Xie had no other choice.

Liu Xie sighed silently, his gaze unfocused.

The other courtiers accompanying the emperor either kept their eyes down, looking like clay or wooden sculptures, or their gazes flickered as they quietly took a half-step back, afraid of being tainted by Xi Lu's "bad luck".

No one spoke up, no one pleaded for mercy.

In the empty and cold hall, only Xi Lu's desperate cries echoed, sounding particularly desolate and jarring.

Beside the throne, a court official who appeared to be a regular attendant spoke in his distinctively high-pitched voice, flatly: "Imperial Censor Xi, the Emperor's edict has been issued, and the Prime Minister's decree has been finalized. As a subject, one should be loyal and dutiful; how can one fear difficulties and hesitate to risk one's life? Retreat; do not disturb His Majesty's presence."

With his last glimmer of hope extinguished, Xi Lu collapsed to the ground, utterly despondent. He was eventually helped, or rather, carried, away from Sishui Pass.

Just like when they held the emperor hostage.

As Liu Xie watched Xi Lu being dragged away, he seemed to see a possible end for himself.

The imperial crown remained heavy, pressing down on his head and making him droop.

The jade beads on the crown swayed slightly, colliding to produce a soft, clear sound.

There were no more civil or military officials around the hall.

It resembled a lifeless tomb.

The soft, rustling sound of the heavy crown was like the faint, stubborn echo of an old, burly man.

He knew he might be heading towards decline and shadow, but before that shadow completely engulfed him, he could only, and had to, bear the weight of the imperial crown and the lightness of a puppet, playing the role of the last and most helpless symbol of the Han Dynasty until the final curtain fell.

……

……

The canopy of the vehicle swayed and waved.

The silk edict in Xi Lu's hand, drafted in the name of the emperor and stamped with the emperor's seal, felt not only incredibly heavy, but also chillingly cold.

He felt that his fate, and the effects of this edict, were no longer in his own control.

What Cao Cao needed was perhaps the collision and impact brought about by his desperate death.

But would he dare to throw a tantrum and act like he was barefoot back then?
That's obviously impossible.

Because Xi Lu thought he was already wearing shoes.

Xi Lu guessed something; his life or death was not important.

The important point is the inevitable, fierce, and brutal clash between the old legal system symbolized by this edict and the new system of the Flying Cavalry.

Whether this clash can ignite the flames of anger in Fei Qian's heart and disrupt his calm judgment will be the key to the next move in the game, and this is the main point of Cao Cao's plan.

But the problem is...

At the north gate tower of Gong County, Cao Hong watched as the canopy carriage, decorated with the imperial envoy's ceremonial guard but appearing listless, swayed and drove out of the city gate under the escort of several Cao army cavalrymen, or rather, as if escorted, and headed towards the direction where the dust of the Flying Cavalry was rising in the distance.

Cao Hong looked at Xi Lu in the carriage, his face ashen, clutching the scroll of yellow silk edict tightly in his arms, his body trembling slightly in the early winter wind, showing no trace of angelic majesty, but rather like a lamb being driven to the altar.

Cao Hong frowned, returned to Cao Cao's side, and whispered, "Prime Minister, this Xi Lu is as timid as a mouse, his face ashen. Going there looking like this, let alone angering Fei Qian, he'll probably collapse before even reaching the army. What if he says something inappropriate, or even... grovels and begs? Wouldn't that tarnish our army's reputation and make us a laughingstock for that brat, Flying Cavalry?"

Cao Cao withdrew his gaze from the departing carriage, his expression calm and unwavering, as if he had just sent away not an imperial envoy, but a tool whose purpose had been preordained. Hearing Cao Hong's concerns, he said indifferently, "Zilian, what Imperial Censor Xi looks like is irrelevant. What matters is what he holds in his hands and who he represents. Whether he stands tall and proud or slumped like a limp rag doll is of no consequence to Fei Ziyuan."

Cao Cao paused, a subtle, enigmatic smile playing at the corners of his lips: "This journey will have only three outcomes. For our army, each will be useful."

Cao Hong was taken aback: "Three possible outcomes?"

"Firstly," Cao Cao held up a finger, his eyes slightly cold, "and this is also the most ingenious. Lady Xi, holding this edict, will vehemently criticize the General of the Cavalry, pointing out the errors of their reforms, an insult to the very foundation. Even though Fei Ziyuan is composed, his troops are mostly arrogant and fierce generals, and the newly emerging figures in Guanzhong hate such criticism most. If Lady Xi's words are sharp enough, or if someone in the General of the Cavalry cannot restrain themselves… Fei Ziyuan might not act personally due to his status, but the rule of 'not killing envoys in battle' may not be reliable under such a direct and humiliating attack on their 'way.' If Lady Xi were to die on the spot, killed by the General of the Cavalry…"

A glint of cunning flashed in Cao Cao's eyes: "The blood of the Emperor's envoy can stain the banner of righteousness for the General of the Cavalry! How will the people of the land, including those who have not yet submitted to the General of the Cavalry, those who still yearn for the Han dynasty, and countless uninformed commoners, view this matter? Fei Ziyuan's reputation for 'restoring the Han dynasty' will surely be tarnished. Even those within his army who harbor old Han sentiments will be alienated. Furthermore, this will ignite the fighting spirit of our soldiers! If we kill the Emperor's envoy today, how can we treat the Emperor well tomorrow? This is a golden opportunity to enrage the enemy and boost our own morale."

"Secondly," Cao Cao held up a second finger, his tone shifting to a playful inquiry, "Fei Ziyuan suppressed his anger, spared Xi Shi's life, and even treated her with courtesy, allowing her to return safely."

Cao Hong wondered, "Isn't this... a sign of weakness? Or perhaps an attempt to appear magnanimous?"

"No," Cao Cao shook his head. "If Fei Ziyuan doesn't kill her but instead sends her away with courtesy, firstly, it shows he still has reservations—regards of the emperor's status, the public opinion of the scholars, and the infamy of 'murdering an envoy.' These reservations are shackles. He can't act freely, especially when it comes to matters of principle like the 'Han Dynasty' and 'rites and laws,' he'll be constrained. Secondly, if he tries to argue with the Xi clan, or explains his new policies to the emperor and the world through her, that would be even better… In terms of classical principles, heh heh, the Xi clan might be afraid of swords and spears and no match for her capable men, but if the people of Guanzhong get entangled in this, they'll fall into my trap, wasting their time and energy, which is advantageous for us in delaying the battle. Thirdly, if Fei Ziyuan sends the Xi clan back with courtesy, those in our army who are observing might be able to calm their wavering hearts."

Cao Hong suddenly realized.

"Then... did my lord just say there was a third possible outcome?" Cao Hong recalled Cao Cao's initial words.

Cao Cao smiled coldly and nodded. "Thirdly, there's that cowardly Xi Shi. Seeing the might of the Generalissimo's army, fear overwhelmed her, and she simply... surrendered."

"Ah?" Cao Hong exclaimed in surprise, "If he surrenders, wouldn't he reveal our army's strength and weaknesses? For example, the troop strength in Gong County, the deployment at Sishui Pass, and even... even inform our lord of this?"

"Since Lady Xi didn't see me here with her own eyes, her account will surely be vague..." Cao Cao was unconcerned, even somewhat expectant. "Even if she says I'm here, what harm is there? Lady Xi only knows the bare essentials of Sishui Pass. Besides, even if she did, would Fei Ziyuan believe her completely? Perhaps she'd think I'm deliberately creating a diversion, or that Lady Xi is spouting nonsense to save her own life."

Cao Cao slightly raised his head. "If the Xi family surrenders, they will want us dead quickly... or even resent the Emperor, and claim that the army at Sishui Pass is demoralized and poorly prepared... Zilian, what do you think Fei Ziyuan will think?"

Cao Hong pondered, "They might think our army's morale is low and its fighting strength is insufficient, and therefore..."

"Thus, they will become contemptuous and eager to achieve merit!" Cao Cao nodded and continued, "Everyone has a competitive and easily underestimated nature. Fei Ziyuan has won consecutive battles and is riding high. If he hears from the enemy's envoys that their lord is fearful and their army is weak... Fei Ziyuan might remain calm, but what about his troops? They might not show it on their faces, but they will inevitably think, 'Cao Mengde is nothing special; we can take him in a day or two.' Once this thought takes hold, their military actions may become hasty, greedy for merit, and reckless. And an arrogant army will surely find an opportunity to exploit."

"Therefore, killing the envoy would tarnish his reputation and incite my ambition; not killing him would reveal his suspicions and waste his time; surrendering him would fuel his arrogance and tempt him to act rashly. Regardless of Xi's fate, this edict, once issued, is like a stone thrown into water; the ripples spreading are all within my calculations. Fei Ziyuan, upon receiving this edict, has taken on a hot potato; how he handles it will leave a mark."

"I see... My lord's foresight is truly admirable," Cao Hong said sincerely.

Cao Cao nodded slightly, his gaze once again turning towards the direction from which the cavalry had come, as if he could already foresee the turmoil that the imperial edict might cause in the enemy camp. He remained silent, silently calculating his next move.

Xi Lu, the piece has been placed; now it's time to see how Fei Qian responds.

……

...Outside the main gate of the General Cavalry camp, the atmosphere was completely different from anything Xi Lu had imagined.

There was no tense atmosphere, nor any insincere politeness, only an orderly demeanor and silent scrutiny.

The halberd-wielding armored soldier, as if cast in bronze, coldly swept his gaze over the slightly worn but deliberately ostentatious envoy's robes and the small, furry, hard imperial staff, without revealing the slightest reverence or any other expression.

After the announcement was made, Xi Lu was led into the camp.

Along the way, Xi Lu tried to straighten his back and maintain the dignity of an angel, but the more he looked around, the more uneasy he felt.

The camp was sturdy yet not extravagant, the soldiers moved about with steady steps, and the weapons were neatly arranged. A fierce and pragmatic atmosphere permeated the place, quite different from the atmosphere of power struggles and extravagance he was familiar with in the Cao army camps in Xuchang or Shandong.

The central command tent was simpler than I had imagined, with armored soldiers lined up outside and the tent brightly lit inside.

When Xi Lu took a deep breath, forced himself to remain calm, and stepped into the tent with the imperial edict in his hand, the first thing he felt was a barrage of gazes directed at him. These gazes came from the cavalry generals standing solemnly in the tent; some were curious, some scrutinizing, and some indifferent, but none of them showed the fear or solemnity he had expected in "welcoming the angel."

And the person sitting in the main seat...

General Fei Qian, the commander of the Flying Cavalry, was even more composed and calm, as deep and unfathomable as a prison. He slightly raised his eyes and looked over, neither getting up nor showing any special expression, as if the visitor was just an ordinary messenger.

This silent indifference was more unsettling to Xi Lu than a harsh rebuke. He steadied himself, deciding to preemptively strike. Holding the imperial edict high, he proclaimed loudly, "Heaven... cough cough, the Emperor's edict is here! General Fei Qian, receive this edict!"

Xi Lu hoped that the other party would at least show a respectful listening attitude, even if it was just a formality.

However, Fei Qian merely nodded slightly, his tone flat: "Read it."

There was no incense table set up, no grand ceremony of worship performed by the generals, and even the initial polite greeting of "By the Mandate of Heaven" was omitted.

The single word "念" (niàn, meaning "to read aloud") defines this scene entirely as "information transmission" rather than "ceremonial reception of an imperial edict."

Xi Lu felt a lump in his throat, and the many words he had prepared to display the majesty of an angel suddenly stuck in his throat.

After a moment's hesitation, under the pressure of silence, Xi Lu had no choice but to unfold the edict with trembling hands and read it aloud in the most solemn and clear tone possible.

Those flowery words of criticism that Xi Lu had initially dismissed and even found quite reasonable now felt like thorns pricking his mouth, head, and back.

Cold sweat poured down his back. As he recited phrases like "disregarding classical texts," "violating human ethics," "abusing power," and "poisoning the people," Xi Lu's tone lost its forcefulness, becoming increasingly indistinct, as if he wished he could just mumble it all away...

Among the generals in the tent, some were expressionless, some had a slight smirk that seemed to carry a hint of mockery, and some simply turned their gaze elsewhere.

Fei Qian, seated at the head of the table, listened quietly, his eyes deep and unreadable.

After the imperial edict was read aloud, the tent fell silent.

Xi Lu stood frozen in place, holding the imperial edict, his clothes soaked with cold sweat.

He waited anxiously for the other party's reaction—

A furious rebuke?

excuse?

still is……

At least there should be some attitude, right?

Fei Qian finally spoke, but completely skipped over the contents of the imperial edict: "I thank Imperial Censor Xi for his long journey. The envoy must have had a long and arduous journey… However, has the envoy seen Prime Minister Cao?"

"Ah?" Xi Lu was taken aback, not expecting the first question to be this. He subconsciously replied, "Prime Minister... Cao Gong's whereabouts are not something an outsider can know in full. This humble official... this humble official was ordered to come from the Emperor's temporary residence at Sishui Pass, and passed through Gong County to deliver the edict. In Gong County... I only saw General Cao Zilian."

After answering, Xi Lu realized his mistake. How could he, an angel, have been led astray by such a casual question? He quickly tried to steer the conversation back on track, adopting a more approachable, scholarly tone: "General, I am Xi Lu, a disciple of Zheng Kangcheng of Beihai. Zheng Kangcheng, when he was in Guanzhong, greatly... uh, once said that you, General, are a hero of our time, alas..."

He wanted to say "It's a pity we have different paths," but felt it was too direct, and was speechless for a moment. He secretly glanced at Fei Qian and found that Fei Qian was still expressionless. He felt a sudden jolt in his heart and couldn't finish his sentence.

Xi Lu tried to use their shared lineage to build a closer relationship, but seeing that the other party was unmoved and even indifferent, he knew that this approach was not going to work.

The title of Zheng Xuan, or his disciple, seems to carry no more weight here than the imperial edict.

Sweat poured down his face, but Xi Lu didn't dare wipe it away.

He felt like a performer on stage, putting all his effort into a one-man show, only to find that the audience didn't care about his act at all.

The more this was the case, the more anxious and uneasy Xi Lu became.

Overwhelmed by fear and the will to survive, Xi Lu could no longer care about angelic dignity or the titles of renowned scholars. He lowered his posture, hunched his back, and bowed his head, his voice trembling with pleading, "General, please have mercy! I... I am an official in Shandong, holding the post of Imperial Censor, yet... yet I walk on thin ice, constantly at risk of offending! The Cao family wields power, treating the Emperor as a puppet and court officials as slaves! We are called Han officials, but in reality, we are prisoners! The scholars of Shandong have also suffered greatly, their channels of communication blocked, and loyal and virtuous people silenced... I have long admired your virtue and benevolent rule, General. Today, seeing your countenance is like seeing the clouds part! I implore you, General, to have mercy and save me from this dire situation, and to save the people of Shandong from their plight!"

After saying this, he wiped away his tears with his sleeve, making a face as if he had been deeply persecuted and had a bitter and resentful feeling.

His performance, in certain situations, might elicit a few sighs.

But here, the generals in the tent mostly showed undisguised contempt on their faces.

Fei Qian watched Xi Lu's performance silently, from his initial arrogance to his fawning, and finally to his pleading, as if watching a tedious drama. Only when Xi Lu's sobs subsided did he speak again, his voice still steady, cutting directly to the core issue, completely ignoring all of Xi Lu's previous words and act: "So, Imperial Censor Xi, you didn't actually see Prime Minister Cao in person in Gong County?"

Xi Lu's crying stopped abruptly. She looked up blankly, her face still streaked with tears, but filled with astonishment.

Xi Lu never expected Fei Qian to ask this question.

He thought back carefully, and it seemed that during that brief but panicked stay in Gongxian County...

He was about to give a hasty reply, but meeting Fei Qian's calm gaze, he involuntarily shrank back and hesitated before saying, "I...I should not have personally seen Lord Cao...I only saw General Cao Zilian convey the Prime Minister's...Lord Cao's intentions."

Fei Qian nodded, seemingly unsurprised by the answer, and did not delve into it further. He no longer looked at Xi Lu, but instead instructed a clerk beside him: "Take Censor Xi to rest and treat him well. Leave the imperial edict behind."

There was no rebuttal to the contents of the edict, no response to Xi Lu's declaration of surrender, and not even any further questioning of him, this "angel".

that's it……

ended?
Two armored soldiers stepped forward, and although they said "please," their posture left no room for refusal.

Xi Lu was bewildered as he was "invited" out of the main tent. The imperial edict that he had once regarded as a lifeline or a death warrant had been gently taken away from his hand.

A gust of cold wind blew outside the tent, and Xi Lu shivered violently. He suddenly realized that all his identity, words, and performances were probably meaningless in the eyes of the other party.

The other party only cares about one very simple and practical question...

Was Cao Cao in Gong County?

He doesn't even seem to be able to provide a definitive answer to this question.

Would not it be……

A sense of powerlessness and absurdity deeper than death overwhelmed him in an instant.

Xi Lu originally thought he was an important piece, but now he finds that he may not even be a piece, just a shadow that wavers on the edge of the chessboard and is then ignored!

"Heh...hehe..."

Xi Lu smiled bitterly, feeling a bone-chilling cold.

There seemed to be some resentment, but also a sense of helplessness...