Weird Three Kingdoms

Chapter 3920 Do not do to others what you would not have them do to you.
Inside Sishui Pass, the chill of deep winter seemed to have taken on a tangible weight, pressing heavily on everyone within the pass.

This heavy oppression made every inch of space and every breath seem exceptionally difficult.

Nobody likes to fail.

No one would easily accept a failure that would cause them huge losses.

Despair and exhaustion gnawed at the hearts of everyone inside the pass, like a leech, causing changes in them to varying degrees.

Ordinary soldiers might only think about life and death, and at most, about food, drink, and other necessities, but the higher up they go, the more things they have to consider...

Unlike the previous times, this time Cao Cao specifically chose a eloquent and quick-witted clerk from Yingchuan to carry a letter "personally written" by Cao Cao—yes, it was "personally written" by Cao Cao—to the Flying Cavalry camp in an extremely humble manner to test the waters.

The messenger, carrying documents and escorted by several Cao soldiers, was lowered down the wall at dawn and headed straight for the heavily guarded Flying Cavalry camp.

On the wall, Cao Cao, Cao Ren, Dian Wei, and a few others silently watched the small group disappear into the morning mist, as if they were anticipating something, or as if they were bidding farewell to something...

……

……

Fei Qian unfolded the letter.

Cao Cao's powerful and vigorous brushstrokes immediately catch the eye.

At the end of the Han Dynasty, calligraphy was transitioning from clerical script to running script. Cao Cao lived at this juncture, so his calligraphy bears the distinct mark of that era.

Compared with calligraphers of the same period, such as Zhong Yao, Cao Cao's calligraphy was not as rigorous and standardized as regular script, but rather had a more unrestrained and vigorous feel.

Especially in the strokes of horizontal, vertical, left-falling, and right-falling strokes, the brushwork combines strength with elegance, making it quite distinctive.

It retains the ancient and dignified style of clerical script, while also displaying the flowing style of cursive script...

To the General of the Cavalry:

Cao Cao had heard that the beauty of the Yellow River and Luo River region was a gift from heaven and earth, and it was indeed so.

I recall the late years of the Zhongping era, in Luoyang, a city with its nine main streets and thoroughfares. I once held a halberd at the North Temple, while you, newly crowned, held your sword in the South Ward. We met by chance west of Tianjin, and rode side by side east of Yangting. Before Tongtuo Street, the flowing canals murmured, their tinkling sounds echoing; at the end of Mashi Lane, green curtains fluttered in the breeze. The aroma of sesame cakes wafted from charcoal stalls, filling the air around Zhuque; brocade shops hung their banners, their colors reflecting on the blue tiles. Under the locust trees of the Imperial Academy, we debated literary composition; by the willows of Hongchi, we discussed military strategy. At that time, you possessed a precious jade pendant, and I held fast to my unwavering loyalty; together we pointed to the Milky Way, both declaring the need to eradicate the wicked and treacherous.

Alas! The sun and moon pass by, and the years fly by in the blink of an eye.

Palaces and chambers lie desolate, streets overgrown with weeds. Where we once conversed, only the cawing of crows echoes at dusk; paths we once strolled along now lie strewn with white bones. I often recall the fires that ravaged the city, and grieve for the blades that tore the earth apart. The blood of those in Hebei and Qingzhou is still warm, and the flames of war have reignited in Jingzhou, Xiangyang, and the Huai River regions. The common people hang by a thread, and the masses are trapped in the clutches of war. All this is because my virtue was too weak to quell the rebellion, and my plans too inept to achieve harmony.

"At night, I hear the cries of the wild, as if I hear the wronged souls lamenting in the northern hills; by day, I see the smoke of war, as if I see the fierce spirits rising from Xiaotong."

His sins were as deep as Mount Tai, and his regrets overflowed like the floodwaters of the Yellow River.

"Now, General, you lead your elite troops to pacify the world, wielding your black armor to rectify the eight winds. You observe the stars by night and discern the will of Heaven by day, knowing the will of Heaven and the common ground of the people. A hundred battles fought across passes and rivers, not for personal grudges; banners flying for a thousand miles, truly seeking a great unity. Now you are old, your temples frosted with gray; your strength exhausted, your horse can no longer draw your bow. How can you bear to lead your weary soldiers again, letting their withered bones fill the ditches? How can you again wield a broken spear, letting your blood stain the weeds?"
"I am willing to emulate the righteousness of Lian Po and Lin Xiangru in turning their chariots back, and dare to follow the loyalty of Huan Wen and Wen Zhengming in honoring the Zhou dynasty. I request to lay down my arms at the gate and seek peace at the city walls. If only the imperial carriage could return to its former prefecture, and the established laws and regulations could be restored to the Mingtang, I wish that the general would spread benevolence throughout the nine regions and bestow sweet rain upon the eight wastelands. Then even if Cao Cao were to turn to dust in the Northern Mang Mountains, he would still be able to smile in his secluded palace."

"I respectfully dispatch my former official with this letter to express my grievances."

"I humbly beseech the General to perceive the sincerity of my tears and understand my frail and aged heart. If you would so be so merciful, I would like to meet you on the south bank of the Si River and kneel in gratitude beneath your banners."

"I stand by the paper, filled with sorrow, not knowing where I will end up."

Winter of the tenth year of Taixing

Cao Zaibai

Fei Qian's gaze fell on the last word of Cao Cao's letter.

The character "拜" (bài) has its left and right horizontal strokes both being too long, making it seem as if a person is actually bending down and bowing, with their sleeves spread open.

After pondering for a moment, Fei Qian handed Cao Cao's letter to Jia Qu and Zhuge Liang for review.

Jia Qu looked at it and immediately became quite excited. As he looked, he gestured in the air with his hand, "This stroke is indeed vigorous and elegant... Wow, this stroke... can be written like this... Hmm..."

But Jia Qu quickly finished reading the letter, handed it to Zhuge Liang, and then bowed to Fei Qian, saying, "The letter is beautifully written, but... it cannot be trusted!"

Zhuge Liang also read it, and then laughed, "Brother Liang is right... If you were truly sincere, why send an unknown official?"

"Um……"

Fei Qian nodded slightly, pondered for a moment, and then smiled, "Bring me pen and ink."

……

……

The messenger has returned.

He practically tumbled and crawled up to the pass, fell to his knees before Cao Cao, and presented him with a finely crafted silk reply.

Dian Wei wanted to check if it was safe and if there were any hidden dangers, but Cao Cao took it directly and slowly unfolded it...

The characters on the silk scroll are like iron strokes and silver hooks, straight and powerful.

Especially the horizontal stroke, its sharpness is as sharp as a knife, incomparably piercing.

Prime Minister's Reflections:
"There was an agreement of five days beforehand, and a three-day extension was granted afterward."

"The beacon fires at Tongguan Pass and the subsequent military upheaval in Hedong."

If one's words are without integrity, one's actions will be fraught with danger; how can one gain the trust of the world?

"If you truly wish to end the war and protect the people, why hesitate to travel to the gate for a meeting?"
If one clings to high walls and strong fortifications, and merely uses empty words and flowery rhetoric to evade responsibility, then the so-called talk of ceasing hostilities is nothing more than a deceptive act to steal fame and delay the inevitable.

"If so, not only will it be difficult to welcome the emperor and the war will be difficult to end, but it will also only make us a laughing stock."

General Fei

After reading it, Cao Cao took a deep breath.

It was somewhat unexpected, but also quite reasonable.

Fei Qian's reply bluntly pointed out Cao Cao's history of repeatedly breaking promises, delaying, and using underhanded tactics, thus blocking any further attempts by Cao Cao to pull off any tricks...

Cao Ren, standing to the side, couldn't resist reaching out to take the letter.

Cao Cao felt the pull on his hand, paused for a moment, then released his grip, letting Cao Ren take it. Cao Ren quickly glanced at it and immediately flew into a rage, 'You scoundrel! This is utterly insulting! I am absolutely furious!'

Upon hearing Cao Ren's indignant voice, Cao Cao's face did not show much anger, but rather a calm as if he had just expected it.

Cao Cao waved his hand, dismissing the still-shaken messenger to rest. Then, with his hands behind his back, he gazed in the direction of the Flying Cavalry, remaining silent for a long time.

"My lord!" Cao Ren said, "We must not take the risk! Since the traitors do not believe us... we will find another way... but my lord will never..."

"They neither believe the envoy's words nor the agreement at the pass..." Cao Cao's voice interrupted Cao Ren, "The method of feigning compliance is exhausted... so the only option left is..."

"My lord, you mustn't! Absolutely not!" Upon hearing this, Cao Ren trembled slightly, as if branded with a hot iron. "That traitor Fei is as cunning as a fox, and his men are full of cunning and ruthless schemers! My lord is of paramount importance, your life hangs in the balance with the fate of the army and the safety of the realm… How can you risk your life to venture into such a perilous place? This… this is tantamount to feeding yourself to tigers and wolves! This humble general is unworthy, but I am willing to go in your lord's place! Even if axes are pressed against my body, and boiling oil is placed before me, even if I am pulverized to pieces, I will find an opportunity to eliminate this great threat for my lord!"

"I am also willing to go in place of my lord!" Dian Wei, though not good with words, roared in a deep voice, his eyes filled with unwavering loyalty and a burning flame of willingness to die for his lord.

"Filial son! Evil Lai!"

Cao Cao turned around, grabbing one of the men by each hand. "I know your loyalty, don't I? But the key to this plan lies not in strength, nor in eloquent words, but in your demeanor! If you were to go in my place, even with disheveled hair and bare feet, carrying thorns and kowtowing, in Fei Ziyuan's eyes, your weight would still be insufficient, your sincerity still lacking! His vigilance will not waver in the slightest!"

Cao Cao gripped the two men's hands firmly. "The key to this plan is not only to feign weakness, but also to feign sincerity! Make the entire General of Chariots and Cavalry believe that I, Cao, am truly at my wit's end, my spirit broken, and I'm only begging for mercy! In ancient times, there was Goujian, defeated at Kuaiji, enslaved by Wu, enduring humiliation by tasting their excrement to inquire about their illness, sleeping on firewood and tasting gall, suffering extreme shame, before Fuchai relaxed his guard, and he finally had the day to restore his kingdom! Now, I, Cao Mengde, as a defeated commander awaiting punishment, plead for my life—what's wrong with that? Only in this way can we be truly convincing!"

Cao Cao narrowed his eyes and said in a deep voice, "Moreover... only I am capable of responding to changing circumstances. I can either weep and plead to move them emotionally; or feign dejection to embolden them with weakness; or occasionally reveal anger and resentment, then forcefully suppress it to create confusion... All these situations require improvisation. The slightest misstep in words or demeanor will be easily detected! At that point, not only will the plan be exposed, but the chance to turn the tide will be lost! Therefore, only I can personally go!"

Having said all that, Cao Ren was no fool; he naturally understood that what Cao Cao said was indeed the key to the success of this plan.

Cao Ren was filled with grief and worry, but had nowhere to vent it, which made his blood boil and his teeth clench.

Dian Wei, standing to the side, said, "My lord! I humbly request that three hundred, no, one hundred death warriors be selected to accompany you! If anything goes wrong, I will protect you even if it means my own death..."

"Hehe..." Cao Cao laughed, "No need, no need! That would only make one appear childish, which is not admirable! Fei Ziyuan... if he is a short-sighted person, only concerned with the gains and losses of a single city or territory, I dare not go... Since he desires to conquer the world, he should naturally have the magnanimity to embrace it all... Why must E Lai go to such lengths?"

"My lord... what if..." Cao Ren grasped Cao Cao's hand, "What if..."

"If I were to encounter any misfortune while in the General's camp..." Cao Cao paused, then smacked his lips, seemingly savoring the word "misfortune."

"Hehe..." Cao Cao's expression was calm, even showing a slight smile. "Zixiao, you must remember! If something happens to me, you must never act rashly or recklessly attempt a rescue!"

"Huh?!" Cao Ren was taken aback.

Cao Cao spoke earnestly, almost like a will, enunciating each word clearly: "Listen! If I am trapped in enemy territory, or detained, cut off from all communication, or confirmed to have been murdered... you, Cao Zixiao, must immediately act according to the previously agreed plan! Tell me what you have to say!"

Cao Ren, with tears streaming down his face, said, "Yes... if... if my elder brother were to meet with misfortune... I would immediately stabilize the morale of the army within the pass and announce to all that my elder brother's death was due to his role as Chancellor of the Han Dynasty, sacrificing himself for the Han Dynasty and the Emperor, dying at the hands of the traitor Fei Qian! This is a national tragedy, not a personal grudge! It is Fei Qian who has severed himself from the world!"

Cao Cao nodded. "And then?"

Cao Ren's voice was even lower and hoarser, as if each word was uttered through clenched teeth, each syllable dripping with blood: "Immediately assemble the reliable troops in the army, join forces with E'lai, abandon all unnecessary baggage, carry only light rations and water, and escort the Emperor's carriage eastward out of Sishui Pass at top speed! Avoid the battleground of Chenliu, and at all costs, march eastward swiftly! Head straight for Qiaopei, the old homeland! Reunite with the remaining members of the Cao and Xiahou clans, and after a brief rest at a fortified village... then immediately devise a plan to cross the Huai River southward, all the way to... Jiangdong!"

"Huh? Jiangdong?!" Dian Wei looked up abruptly, his eyes filled with astonishment and confusion. The Sun family of Jiangdong, although allied with Cao Cao, had also had constant friction with Cao Cao's army over the years. They weren't exactly mortal enemies, but they didn't have much friendship either, and many old grudges remained unresolved. Why would they go to Jiangdong?

And Jingzhou wasn't like that before...

Dian Wei couldn't help but turn to look at Cao Ren, a dozen question marks popping up above his head.

"Yes, Jiangdong!" Cao Cao's eyes were deep, as if he could already see the situation on the river a thousand miles away. "Sun Zhongmou... although he has a grudge against me, he also has a conflict of interest with Fei Ziyuan! Heh... Sun Wentai died at Fei Ziyuan's hands! How can such old grudges be easily settled? Moreover, Jiangdong has the natural barrier of the Yangtze River, a strong navy, and a solid foundation. Even if Fei Ziyuan is powerful, after conquering the Central Plains, he will find it difficult to focus all his efforts on the south. Crossing the river to fight will not be easy! This is a chance for the Cao and Xiahou families to catch their breath!"

Cao Cao stepped forward, almost whispering in Cao Ren's ear, his voice low yet all the more ruthless, "The Emperor is your greatest asset! As long as you hold the Emperor, you have the universally acknowledged right to rule! You must devote all your strength to assisting the Emperor in establishing a foothold in Jiangdong! Once you have initially settled in Jiangdong, immediately draft an edict in the name of the current Emperor and proclaim it to the world!"

Cao Cao gritted his teeth, each word seeming to be squeezed out from his chest, carrying the stench of blood. "The edict must clearly state! General Fei Qian, under the guise of purging the court of corrupt officials and serving the Emperor, is actually carrying out the usurpations of Wang Mang and Dong Zhuo! He feigned agreement to peace talks, but betrayed his word, setting up a treacherous ambush to kill the Chancellor of the Han Dynasty! He is tyrannical, slaughtering loyal officials, persecuting local officials, and even pursuing the Emperor! He has destroyed the ancestral temples and ritual vessels of the Han Dynasty, and even attempted to seize the ancestral lands of powerful clans and noble families, thus corrupting the ethical and moral principles of Chinese civilization for millennia! This villain is truly a traitor to the nation, deserving the wrath of both Heaven and man, and everyone has the right to kill him! I hereby order all governors and loyal subjects throughout the land, regardless of whether they are Han or non-Han, to raise an army to punish the traitor Fei Qian, restore the Han Dynasty, and quell the rebellion! At that time, even if Fei Qian has a hundred mouths, he will be unable to defend himself!"

These words struck like a thunderbolt.

This would fundamentally undermine Fei Qian's ability to pacify Shandong and the Central Plains in the short term!

Just as Fei Qian could guess some of Cao Cao's actions, Cao Cao also deduced some of Fei Qian's intentions...

In the Han Dynasty, there was no way to reconcile accounts with the Little Green Book of later generations.

Even after the accounts were settled in later generations, there were still a large number of people who did not believe it or who spontaneously defended it.
The Confucian scholars who defended capital and championed brutality were not only present in the era of Nurhaci!

While Cao Ren was filled with grief and resentment, he couldn't help but have doubts. "Elder brother... by then, the Central Plains and Shandong may have already fallen entirely to Fei Qian, his power is at its zenith, and his military might is at its peak... This, this edict to punish the rebels... I fear... I fear few will respond, and it will be difficult to gain momentum!"

Cao Ren seemed to already see the imperial edict being issued and then disappearing like a stone into the sea, causing only a slight ripple in Jiangdong before being quickly annihilated by the iron hooves and powerful forces of the north.

A complex and indescribable smile slowly appeared on Cao Cao's face.

In that smile, there might be a bitter self-mockery about one's own impending doom, or perhaps a desolate sadness born from a profound understanding of the ways of the world and human nature...

There is also a kind of ruthless person who bets themselves on the gambling table and uses their chips to the extreme.

"Zixiao, you're only seeing what's in front of you."

Cao Cao slowly said, "This edict is not for the present... If the General of the Cavalry were to gain control of the Central Plains, his power would be overwhelming! How could the gentry of Shandong possibly stir up such a massive wave and overthrow the General of the Cavalry in an instant? Heh... that's wishful thinking... This edict is truly for the future... it's for those in the world ten or twenty years from now, those who harbor resentment and whose interests have been severely harmed!"

Cao Cao raised his hand, pointing as if drawing a chasm across time and space. "Fei Ziyuan's new land administration, performance evaluation system, imperial examinations, the Azure Dragon Treatise… and so on, all aimed at single-handedly surveying the land, curbing land annexation, strictly scrutinizing officials, and eliminating redundant staff… Excellent! His blade severs the very roots of the gentry and powerful families who have lived and passed down their lineages since the restoration under Emperor Guangwu! It severs the power of the powerful local families in the Central Plains to hold office for generations! This hatred, this resentment, is etched into my bones! How can it be suppressed by mere force or the strength of a few soldiers?! As long as this act of seizing land and destroying systems remains unchanged, as long as the damaged gentry families still exist, my unjust death today will be a sacrifice for the country! A death for the world! The Emperor's decree means that Qin will ultimately belong to Chu!"

Cao Cao raised his head, his eyes flashing coldly, as if cursing, or perhaps chanting a lament for an old era: "When that time comes... then descendants will sing it year after year... Back then, Prime Minister Cao Mengde saw through Fei Qian, that traitor... He was trying to stop the treacherous plot to seize my ancestral lands and destroy the moral order of our Chinese civilization... He was trying to protect the bloodline of my noble families, to pass down poetry and books... That's why Fei Qian tricked him into a peace negotiation, causing his death at the pass!"

"Heh... the tyrannical Qin! The tyrannical Qin! Was the Qin dynasty's governance good or bad? It was nothing more than this!" Cao Cao laughed, his laughter growing louder and louder. "At that time, whether in the Central Plains or Hebei, or in Shu or Jiangdong, any hero who harbors resentment or whose family interests have been harmed, can use this as a pretext to raise an army! They can gather the hearts of those equally dissatisfied scholars and unite the power of the strong!"

Cao Cao once wanted to reform...

Cao Cao had tried before...

But Cao Cao ultimately failed. He had to abandon his ideals, lay down his sword, and negotiate and make peace with the local powerful families and clans...

If I can't do it, how could you, Fei Qian and Fei Ziyuan, possibly do it?

In the end, they will either end up like Dong Zhuo, only knowing how to kill!

Or...

It took on my shape...

Cao Cao laughed loudly, "Hahaha! Fei Ziyuan! You may kill me alone, but can you kill the whole world?! If you kill the whole world, you will cut yourself off from the world!"

May the past year bring you countless blessings, and may the new year bring you all the best. Wishing my dear friend, may you gallop forth across mountains and seas, and may this year surpass the last!