Weird Three Kingdoms

Chapter 3894 Listen to their words and observe their actions

West of Sishui Pass, in the central command tent of the General Cavalry.

The tent was brightly lit.

Inside the large tent, there was a mixture of smells from leather and iron, fire and charcoal.

Perhaps this is the smell of iron and blood, or perhaps it is the scent of burning the old and igniting the new.

When the guards reported that Liu Ai requested an audience, Fei Qian was still awake and was summoned to see him.

Although Fei Qian had already anticipated this, he was still somewhat moved when he actually heard Liu Ai and Liang Shao's words...

No wonder these ancient feudal officials, as the period went on, increasingly preferred to address their superiors as various "sirs"!
Because everyone knows that, with the exception of a very few abnormal parents, the vast majority of parents love their children more than their children love their parents. Therefore, what these feudal officials wanted was this unconditional 'love'!
No matter how lazy, how bad, how disloyal and unfilial you are, you must 'love' me!

Just like now, the two of them are singing in unison, putting on a perfect show of "loyalty to the emperor and love for the country," "abandoning darkness for light," and "offering a map to save the emperor"!

When Liu Ai got emotional, his eyes even reddened and his beard trembled, as if he were truly worried about the emperor's safety...

Liang Shao, on the other hand, looked indignant and earnest, expressing his determination to serve the country to the fullest extent...

As they talked, they stole glances at Fei Qian's reaction, hoping to see praise, approval, and even excitement and eagerness from the face of this General of the Cavalry who was about to decide the course of the world.

However, Fei Qian's reaction made them uneasy.

Fei Qian simply looked at Liu Ai and Liang Shao calmly, even somewhat indifferently.

Their gaze seemed to easily pierce through their ornate and impassioned words, directly revealing the deep fear hidden beneath and their meticulous calculations of their future and destiny.

Fei Qian felt nauseous, but also somewhat helpless, because there would never be a shortage of people like this...

Giant baby.

Just as there were overgrown children in the old era, there are also overgrown children in the new era.

This is a typical scheme of vested interests, which only considers their own interests while shirking their own obligations.

This reminded Fei Qian of another time and space, of the end of another dynasty.

How similar are the attitudes displayed by the gentry and powerful families of the late Ming Dynasty, who had been officials and scholars for generations, when faced with Li Zicheng's unstoppable peasant army or the Qing army's iron cavalry sharpening their swords beyond the Great Wall, to those of Liu Ai and Liang Shao today?
Deep down they may still despise the origins and crudeness of those "bandits" and "Tartars," but when the old order collapses and their lives are truly threatened, a considerable number of them turn to their new masters with speed and sincerity that often exceeds expectations!

They even proactively contacted the dynasty and the common people, treating them as bargaining chips to protect their own interests!
They offered money and grain to fund the army, presented maps to aid in conquest, and even went so far as to send daughters from their clans to secure a place in the new dynasty's power structure through marriage...

All these actions, just as Liu Ai and Liang Shao said, can be cloaked in grand-sounding guises such as "following the will of Heaven," "protecting the territory and ensuring the safety of the people," and "continuing the cultural heritage"...

Did Liu Ai and Liang Shao not love the Han Dynasty? Were they not loyal to the emperor?
They should love, they should be loyal!

Liu Ai, as the Minister of the Imperial Clan, inherited the legacy of Liu Xiu, the founding emperor of the Eastern Han Dynasty; Liang Shao, as the Grand Master of Ceremonies, received the Han Dynasty's salary and studied the classics!
They have a natural love and loyalty to the concept of the "Han Dynasty" and to the "Son of Heaven"!

There is no doubt about that.

But equally undeniably, what they loved and were loyal to was the "Great Han" and the "Emperor" who could bring them a prestigious status, generous salary, family honor, and political influence!
When this "Great Man" is teetering on the brink of collapse, and when that "Emperor" is struggling to protect himself, even becoming a burden and a source of danger for them, their "love" and "loyalty" quickly undergo a subtle but realistic shift.

Just like at this very moment, Liu Ai and Liang Shao "smoothly" and "flexibly" transformed themselves into indispensable "righteous men" and "meritorious officials" in the great cause of "purging the emperor's inner circle" by the Flying Cavalry!
This shift in mindset, though seemingly abrupt, actually has a certain inherent logic within the individual's social class and position...

They tried to preserve the last bit of dignity and self-respect for themselves in the face of inevitable surrender!

They disguise their obvious speculative behavior with a moral cloak of "serving the country and the people" and "abandoning darkness for light"!

Little did they know that in this affected manner and meticulous calculation, they might lose more than they imagined.

True grievances and loyalty never belong to these "clever" people who are good at calculating gains and losses, but to the majority who are mostly nameless in history books, yet have truly endured countless hardships in silence!

After Liu Ai and Liang Shao delivered their impassioned speeches, an eerie silence fell over the tent.

The only sounds were the occasional soft popping of the lamp wick and the slightly heavy breathing of the two people due to tension.

They looked at Fei Qian expectantly, hoping to see the reaction they anticipated—

Perhaps he slammed his fist on the table and resolved to immediately send troops to rescue the emperor; or perhaps he warmly comforted and encouraged them, treating them as confidants and discussing important matters together.

Unfortunately, none of them were there...

After a long while, Fei Qian finally spoke, breaking the awkward silence.

"You two are deeply concerned about the affairs of the state and the safety of the Emperor; your concern is truly admirable," Fei Qian said calmly.

His plight was pitiable, that was Fei Qian's assessment.

They neither affirmed their "loyalty" nor denied the "intelligence" they brought, nor did they show any intention of accepting their "defection".

This is merely a condescending judgment, as if evaluating two birds crying out in distress by the roadside.

This made Liu Ai and Liang Shao feel colder and more lost than direct reprimands or indifferent neglect.

Fei Qian's voice was calm and clear: "However, war is a matter of vital importance to the state, a matter of life and death, a path to survival or ruin. The advance and retreat, the timing of attack and defense, all have their own rules and regulations, and cannot be decided lightly. Since Prime Minister Cao has already sent an envoy to invite me to meet on the battlefield to discuss ending the war, I am willing to observe his words and actions, and examine the subsequent effects, before making a further decision."

Fei Qian paused briefly, his gaze sweeping again over Liu Ai and Liang Shao's faces, which were slightly pale with tension. "My scouts and riders are spread throughout the area around Sishui, spying day and night. They are not incompetent. While I wouldn't claim to know everything about the situation inside and outside the passes, I have a general understanding of the overall picture."

Fei Qian's words were like a bucket of ice water poured over their heads, completely extinguishing the expectations that Liu Ai and Liang Shao had for "knowing the secrets"!
They suddenly realized that their supposedly invaluable "insider information" and "demonstration details," which they had been agonizing over, were perhaps nothing more than child's play in front of the General of the Cavalry before them, utterly insignificant...

Their self-righteous "treasure offering" and "pledge of allegiance" may just be seen as a somewhat comical performance by the other party.

Fei Qian wants to take Sishui Pass now, which is not difficult, so why take a risky and unconventional approach?
Fei Qian seemed to have lost interest in continuing to deal with the two men, perhaps genuinely feeling that further conversation was pointless. He abruptly changed the subject, saying, "You two have traveled a long way and must be weary from your journey. Please settle down and rest in the camp. As for the meeting with Prime Minister Cao, if there is any progress, you two may be needed to provide testimony. Someone will then inform you. The camp has its own military laws and regulations; I hope you two will be careful with your words and actions and refrain from unnecessary movement to avoid any misunderstandings."

Having said that, Fei Qian stopped looking at them and gestured to a guard standing inside the tent, "Take you two to the guest tent for accommodation. Your food and lodging will be provided as usual."

This clearly signifies that the guests are being seen off.

There were no further secret talks, no explicit acceptance or commitment to their "loyal" actions, and they were not even given any extraordinary "guest" treatment.

It was just like dealing with two ordinary visitors.

bland, distant, and businesslike.

Liu Ai and Liang Shao's heartfelt words and enthusiasm were choked back by this invisible wall, stuck in their throats, unable to be uttered or swallowed. They could only awkwardly rise, forcing a last vestige of dignified smiles, and stiffly bow again to Fei Qian: "Your humble servant... obeys the General's orders. Thank you, General..."

As they exited the central command tent, the curtains fell behind them, cutting off the warmth and light inside.

The biting winter wind suddenly pierced their official robes like countless fine ice needles, making them all shiver.

Only now did they belatedly realize that their inner garments were already soaked with cold sweat from the silent pressure and tension they had felt in the tent.

The cold wind suddenly made my back feel cold and sticky, as if I were carrying a heavy block of ice.

Liu Ai subconsciously turned around, looking at the halberd-wielding guards standing like statues outside the tent, their armor reflecting a cold, hard light in the torchlight...

He wanted to turn back and say something more, perhaps a different angle, a different approach, to move that unfathomable General of the Cavalry? But the next moment, he thought of Fei Qian's almost piercing gaze, his calm yet unquestionable tone, which quickly dissipated Liu Ai's remaining courage. His hands and feet trembled slightly uncontrollably, and in the end, he could only exchange a bitter and helpless look with Liang Shao, who was also ashen-faced beside him.

They both let out a soft sigh in unison...

The cold wind howled, making the flags above the camp flutter loudly.

Led by the silent cavalry guards, the two stumbled and staggered toward the guest tents arranged for them.

They seemed to have used all their strength to meticulously rehearse and stage a grand drama of "a loyal minister risking his life to serve a wise ruler and offering secrets to save the king," believing that the plot was dramatic and the performance was excellent enough to move any ambitious ruler who aspired to rule the world.

However, the only audience member reacted indifferently, perhaps having already seen through the script's weakness and the actors' over-the-top performance.

The special effects numbered one, two, three, four, and five were nothing more than a prelude to a ghost show.

What will the future hold?

How will the General of the Cavalry treat these "former officials"?
Was Fei Qian's inaction truly just a wait-and-see approach to meeting with Cao Cao?

Or is there a deeper, more terrifying scheme at play?

Countless questions swirled in their minds, but the two could not find any clear answers.

The fog did not seem to dissipate because of their risky "surrender," but instead became even thicker, making them feel even more uneasy.

……

……

Just as Liu Ai and Liang Shao settled down in the Flying Cavalry camp with a heart full of trepidation and disappointment, Cao Cao inside Sishui Pass did not relax at all because of sending out these two men. On the contrary, he was like a bowstring stretched to its limit, busier than ever in arranging various overt and covert methods.

Cao Cao immediately dispatched a trusted messenger with his personal order and troop deployment tally to Yingchuan, ordering Cao Ren to quickly reorganize his troops and head north to reinforce Sishui Pass in order to relieve the immediate crisis.

On the other hand, he personally summoned and encouraged a group of carefully selected suicide soldiers.

Some of these people were fierce soldiers, some were retainers kept by their families, and there were even a few wandering knights who were good at disguise...

Taking advantage of the opportunity created by the General of the Cavalry's agreement to a "meeting before the battle," Cao Cao used the pretext of needing to scout the site in advance and to exchange advance envoys to communicate details to mix these people among them. They were then sent out in batches and in different directions, quietly sneaking out of the pass, bypassing the General of the Cavalry's guard line, and infiltrating into the wider periphery of the battlefield.

One of their routes aimed to infiltrate southwestward and try to make contact with Xun Yu in the Songshan area.

Xun Yu was not only one of Cao Cao's most important strategists, but his spiritual appeal and influence over the Yingchuan gentry also played an irreplaceable role in stabilizing the morale of Cao Cao's group in its crumbling rear. Cao Cao urgently needed to know Xun Yu's exact situation and convey his latest instructions and expectations.

On the other side, the mission is even more crucial...

Infiltrate northwestward!
The goal was to cross or bypass the Mangshan Mountains on the northern edge of the Heluo Basin and attempt to outflank or even outmaneuver the cavalry army!
Their mission was to scout and find the supply lines of the Flying Cavalry!
Ideally, we should attack the cavalry's supply convoys, and even their grain depots!

Even the most elite army will inevitably lose morale and combat effectiveness if its logistical lifeline is cut off!
Cao Cao longed to replicate the miracle of the Battle of Guandu...

By launching a surprise attack and burning Yuan Shao's stockpiled grain, the tide of the war was turned in one fell swoop!

Even if only a portion of Fei Qian's supplies can be burned, it will be enough to cause panic among the cavalry at the front lines, disrupt their offensive rhythm, buy Cao Cao a precious respite, and may even create an opportunity for a counterattack.

At the same time, Liu Ai and Liang Shao were, in Cao Cao's calculations, bait that he had thrown out.

First, sending out troublemakers like Liu Ai, who might harbor dissent within the pass, would reduce internal pressure and the potential for discontent and instability within the pass due to being trapped.

Secondly, it was also part of Cao Cao's scheme...

Whether Liu Ai and Liang Shao leaked some "true information" about Sishui Pass "actively" or "passively"...

Then we can take advantage of this and set up a deadly trap for the Flying Cavalry!

In Cao Cao's deduction, if Fei Qian believed Liu Ai and others' intelligence that "the defenses inside the pass are weak and the morale of Cao's army is low," then he might choose to launch a swift night raid in order to "quickly rescue the emperor" and break through the pass in one fell swoop, thus achieving victory in one battle.

After all, the distance from the Flying Cavalry camp to Sishui Pass is only "three she" (a unit of distance), which is not difficult for the elite Flying Cavalry to rush there...

Moreover, the Flying Cavalry had indeed demonstrated a preference for and superb application of night raid tactics in previous battles.

In order to deal with the night attack by the Flying Cavalry, Cao Cao carefully devised three measures and waited for the possible "guests" to come to his door.

The first line of defense consisted of barricades and traps set up both inside and outside the fortress. Numerous hidden horse traps were secretly dug along the route most likely to be used by the cavalry charge, and tripwires were installed to disrupt their charging formation, causing casualties and confusion among the men and horses.

The second line of defense consisted of a large number of crossbowmen, equipped with long-range and powerful crossbows or ballistae, hidden in the arrow towers on the walls and sides. Regardless of whether the cavalry would be halted or thrown into disarray by the traps, they could be bombarded with a dense barrage of crossbow bolts, inflicting heavy casualties on their forces.

The third force was the Tiger Guard, Cao Cao's most elite personal guard, led by Dian Wei!
Clad in heavy armor and wielding long halberds and great axes, they were recuperating and preparing for battle within the pass. Once the cavalry arrived and the first two lines of defense were blocked, falling into chaos and casualties, Dian Wei would lead the Tiger Guards to seize the opportunity to break out of the pass and launch a fierce counterattack, striving to crush the attacking cavalry in one fell swoop, and even severely damage their vanguard force.

The entire plan was meticulously crafted, with each step interconnected.

It not only made full use of the terrain advantage of its own defense, but also anticipated the possible psychology and tactics of the cavalry, reduced the influence of the internal opposition, and integrated the remaining manpower!

It was a brilliant move to turn the tide in a desperate situation...

As Cao Cao made all these arrangements, his eyes flashed with the ferocity of a cornered beast and the fanaticism of a gambler!

This is almost the most aggressive and imaginative struggle he can muster in his current situation...

However, as the saying goes, man proposes, God disposes. It seems that God has a penchant for giving the most unexpected and cruel twists and turns just when people think they have planned everything out and taken all the variables into account.

Just as Cao Cao was like an octopus, stretching out all his tentacles in all directions, trying to grab any possible lifeline, the 'turning point' came!
On such a cold and chaotic night, a warhorse, almost foaming at the mouth, appeared outside Sishui Pass...

When Xiahou Jie, who was on duty, saw the messenger soldiers on the horse, who were soaked in sweat as if they had been pulled out of the water and looked disheveled, a bad premonition rose in his heart.

Xiahou Jie dared not delay, nor did he dare to ask what was going on on the spot. He hurriedly had someone help the messenger to the Prime Minister's residence in Guanzhong.

Cao Cao received the news first and hurriedly came out, ordering people to light lamps and fires.

"Kick-kick-paw..."

*Thump!*

The jumbled sound of horseshoes striking the bluestone slabs was followed by the sound of something falling to the ground, which sounded particularly jarring in the howling wind of the night, and seemed to carry some ominous connotation...

Cao Cao's heart clenched immediately.

Cao Ren was late in arriving, but what he did come was...

The guards raised their torches high, illuminating the messenger's face clearly.

That was one of Cao Cao's most trusted and trusted retainers, a member of the Cao clan, who had been stationed in his stronghold in Ye City, Hebei...

In the firelight, this usually formidable Cao family general was now dressed in tattered clothes, his face covered in a mixture of dust and blood, his armor torn in many places, and even the hastily bandaged wounds could be seen inside...

His eyes were bloodshot and unfocused, his lips cracked and bleeding. Seeing the familiar Cao army banners and guards, seeing Cao Cao standing in the firelight, he seemed to summon his last strength, stumbling and crawling towards Cao Cao, crying out in a hoarse, heart-wrenching voice, "My lord! My lord, something terrible has happened! Urgent report from Hebei… Hebei! The sky has fallen! The sky has fallen—!!"

Upon hearing this man's shout, Cao Cao felt a buzzing in his head and his vision went black!
All his preparations and all his efforts seemed to have become a joke at this moment!