Weird Three Kingdoms

Chapter 3924 Knowing, Knowing, Not Knowing, Not Knowing
Is this a 'drill'?
But why does it seem as if we're really on the battlefield?
The roar, brimming with murderous intent, sent a shiver down the spines of Cao Cao and his men. Even Dian Wei instinctively stepped forward in front of Cao Cao's horse, reaching behind him to touch something...

The result, naturally, was that they found nothing.

Jia Qu stood to the side, glancing sideways with a half-smile on his face.

Cao Cao patted Dian Wei on the shoulder, then turned his horse around to take a closer look.

The cavalrymen were clad in heavy lamellar armor, wore helmets, and carried wooden weapons, their steps steady and deliberate.

They did not rush forward in a swarm, but rather formed tight small squares of about fifty people each, maintaining a certain distance between the squares and forming a protective triangle around each other.

They advanced strictly along the passage cleared by the engineers. When they encountered simulated slopes and ravines, the formation quickly changed, with the front row raising shields and the rear row pushing, passing through in an orderly manner.

Almost simultaneously with the advance of the heavy infantry, siege equipment, under the protection of specially armored infantry, was slowly pushed towards Sishui Pass from the flank.

Besides the common battering rams with their tops covered in raw cowhide and the simple cloud ladders that required many people to carry, Cao Cao saw many more new and dazzling machines...

A device resembling a folding ladder, with four wooden wheels at the bottom, was quickly pushed down to the city walls. It seemed that the soldiers had pulled some mechanism, and the originally folded upper part of the ladder unfolded upwards...

There is another type that resembles a mobile arrow tower, but with wooden planks hanging on both sides, seemingly able to be lowered to temporarily form a bridge or serve as some kind of ramp for passage...

Wait, where are the artillery?

Cao Cao surveyed the surroundings and noticed that some clearings seemed to have been deliberately left at the edge of the battlefield...

The open space was naturally empty.

But Cao Cao knew that when that moment came, flames and loud noises would surely rise into the sky!

Throughout the entire offensive, the coordination between the various branches of the cavalry was truly breathtaking.

Flags of different colors were waved on command platforms at different heights, bugle calls were of varying lengths, and soldiers even blew copper whistles to issue sharp and specific signals.

Many messengers shuttled between the various teams, delivering more detailed instructions.

Despite the large scale of the operation and the sheer number of troops, the situation remained orderly and efficient, like a massive and sophisticated war machine operating efficiently according to a pre-set program, with the meshing of every gear clearly discernible…

Cao Cao stared wide-eyed, feeling a throbbing sensation in his head.

There are so many, I can't possibly look at them all!

Even if you could see them all, it would be difficult to remember them all...

Cao Cao watched intently, his fingers gripping the reins trembling slightly.

He has fought countless tough battles and personally commanded numerous sieges, making him highly experienced in overcoming difficulties.

but……

The siege tactics presented before Cao Cao still surprised him greatly.

What you see with your own eyes is ultimately different from what others describe.

The systematic, professional, and highly collaborative modular operation mode brought by Fei Qian is completely different from the combat mode that Lao Cao is familiar with!
It's not that Lao Cao's old model is bad, but rather that the old and new models demonstrate different ways of thinking!

What Cao Cao was familiar with was more about relying on the general's on-the-spot adaptability, overall planning and deployment, and the bravery of individual teams or individuals in battle. It was a pyramid-like command structure with each level shining, and only the top of the pyramid was truly impressive!

Fei Qian, on the other hand, is a massive machine, encompassing everything from components to gears, from swords and spears to armor, from soldiers to organization, and from training to tactics—a comprehensive upgrade!
The weapons were more sophisticated, the armor more robust, and the soldiers more well-trained. The pre-battle planning was reflected in the tactical execution, and every soldier was shining brightly!

When Cao Cao heard Cao Hong's report, although he knew Cao Hong wouldn't lie to him, he still had some doubts. He felt that the tactics of the Flying Cavalry might not be as ingenious and unpredictable as Cao Hong described, and that perhaps it was an exaggeration...

However, now that Cao Cao has personally arrived at the scene, he feels that Cao Hong has not said everything!

Even if this was just a "drill", it was enough to shock Cao Cao.

Cao Cao suddenly understood why those seemingly impregnable cities and passes, from the Hedong camp to Gongxian, then to Yique Pass, and even Wenxian in Hedong, as well as Yecheng, were breached in such a short time…

The current Sishui Pass...

How long can they hold out against such an offensive?
What kind of unimaginable attack will the last bastion face in the future?

After an unknown amount of time, the exercise seemed to come to an end. With a long bugle call, the attacking echelons retreated in an orderly manner to rest. The simulated "Sishui Pass" wall was riddled with wounds, filled with arrows without arrowheads representing hits, and sprinkled with various colored powders.

Teams of craftsmen, along with apprentices and soldiers, began entering the battlefield to repair the damaged areas, sweep away the yellow and white powder, and collect the various items left on the ground...

Only then did Jia Qu urge Cao Cao to continue forward.

Before long, they arrived at the foot of a high platform on one side of the training field.

Fei Qian was already waiting for Cao Cao's arrival below the high platform.

Fei Qian was not wearing any fancy armor or Han Dynasty court attire. He was simply wearing his black armor with a red and black cloak over it, and a peaceful and composed smile on his face, as if the person who came was not an opponent, but a friend who had come from afar to observe and exchange ideas.

"Prime Minister Cao has come a long way and must be tired... The camp is simple, with only a few exercises, not very proper, but enough for your viewing pleasure." Fei Qian bowed respectfully, his tone casual, getting straight to the point, "I wonder if Prime Minister Cao has gained anything from this humble performance?"

Cao Cao remained silent, suppressing the urge to roll his eyes.

The biting wind swept across Cao Cao's slightly pale face and ruffled his graying temples.

Seeing that Cao Cao did not answer, Fei Qian did not say much, but reached out to invite Cao Cao to the high platform.

Cao Cao was stunned for a moment, and couldn't help but look up at the high platform.

Is this meant to cause someone to "fall to their death"?
But in the next moment, Cao Cao stepped forward without hesitation.

Dian Wei instinctively tried to follow, but Xu Chu blocked his way.

Get out of the way!

Dian Wei reached out and pushed Xu Chu, expecting to be able to move him, but unexpectedly he lost his footing and took half a step back!
"Uh... Oh?!" Dian Wei's eyes widened, his beard and hair trembled, and after regaining his balance, he pushed Xu Chu forward again.

Xu Chu took a slight step back, focused his energy on his dantian, and became as solid as if cast in iron, enduring Dian Wei's attack head-on.

The armor plates on their bodies seemed unable to withstand the pressure, emitting a sickening groan...

"Zhongkang!" 』

"Evil!"

Fei Qian and Cao Cao simultaneously stopped the two men from fighting.

Xu Chu and Dian Wei each took a half step back, but they still looked like bloated toads, with their bellies sticking out and their eyes bulging.

"He truly is a hero!"

Cao Cao did not intentionally belittle Xu Chu simply because he was under the command of the General of Chariots and Cavalry; on the contrary, he praised him generously.

Fei Qian glanced at Cao Cao, seemingly guessing some of Cao Cao's thoughts, and bluntly stated, "Zhongkang is indeed from Qiao County... If it weren't for Xiahou's pressure, he might not have come to Guanzhong for refuge..."

It wasn't the first time they'd met, yet Cao Cao was making a fuss over praising Xu Chu; clearly, he didn't have any good intentions.

Upon hearing Fei Qian's words, Cao Cao felt somewhat embarrassed.

"The guards can stay below the stage..." Fei Qian waved his hand. "A banquet has already been set up on the platform... It's not very spacious to begin with, and there won't be enough room for more people..."

Cao Cao then calmed down a bit and instructed Dian Wei to wait below the platform.

Dian Wei responded in a muffled voice, then crossed his arms, glanced sideways at Xu Chu, and gave him a look that said, "So what if I'm looking at you?"

Xu Chu ignored Dian Wei and simply stood guard below the stage.

Cao Cao followed Fei Qian up to the high platform.

Although it's called a high platform, it's not actually that high, because it's built on an earthen slope. So it has an absolute height, but a relatively small one.

Seeing this, Cao Cao felt much relieved and began to focus his attention on the simulated battlefield in the distance, where intense drills had just ended. He stared blankly at the artisans and soldiers of the Flying Cavalry Army who were silently organizing equipment and repairing the battlefield...

When Cao Cao came to his senses, he found Fei Qian already seated at a table nearby, watching him with great interest. Cao Cao straightened his back, coughed, and said, "General, your military discipline and training are strict, your weaponry excellent, and your coordination seamless... You truly have extraordinary abilities. Today... I have certainly broadened my horizons..."

Cao Cao spoke slowly, each word seeming to be squeezed out with difficulty from his throat, "However, forgive my bluntness, but the struggle for the world and the peace of the state cannot be determined solely by the might of the army or the superiority of weapons. Even if the mighty warriors under your command could breach these tangible high walls and deep trenches, what could they do against the intangible fortified strongholds of Shandong and the Central Plains, which have been deeply entrenched for thousands of years?"

Fei Qian gestured for Cao Cao to sit down, but did not answer Cao Cao's question. "It has been many years since we parted, hasn't it? I hope Brother Mengde knows that in Ye City... Brother Mengde's wife is still living in the Prime Minister's residence, well-fed and clothed, and living in peace and without worry..."

Cao Cao was immediately choked and couldn't catch his breath for a long time, but he felt a little relieved. After swallowing, he had no choice but to stand up halfway and solemnly bow to Fei Qian to express his gratitude.

Fei Qian returned the greeting.

Cao Cao was neither Liu Bang nor Liu Bei.

After the two sat down again, Cao Cao lost much of the imposing manner he had been putting on, and felt somewhat uneasy.

Although Cao Cao knew in his heart that he was at least half responsible for the predicament he was facing and the reasons for his failures, it did not prevent him from attributing some of the factors to the obstruction of the powerful clans and gentry in Shandong, and to the betrayal of those local magnates...

This is, after all, the truth.

The complexities of public sentiment are often beyond the reach of a few words or a simple distinction between good and bad. Cao Cao's earlier words, though seemingly deliberate, reflected his resentment, a deliberate attempt to suppress discontent, and his own long-standing anxieties. He wanted to know what effective strategies Fei Qian had for dealing with the invisible fortified cities and entrenched problems of the Central Plains accumulated over centuries, or if his pronouncements were merely empty rhetoric.

Fei Qian poured Cao Cao a bowl of tea, gesturing for him to help himself, and said calmly, "Brother Mengde mentioned the numerous fortified villages and the deep-rooted power of the Shandong gentry and powerful clans, believing this to be key to the stability of the realm… However, in my opinion, regarding their foundation… may I ask Brother Mengde, what exactly is the foundation upon which these fortified villages and their formidable power are built? Is it the high walls and sturdy ramparts, the stacks of scriptures, or the abundant granaries and silk within, or… something else?"

Cao Cao was taken aback, not expecting Fei Qian to ask such a question.

Fei Qian brought the topic back to Cao Cao, which was indeed somewhat unexpected.

If Cao Cao were in that position, he would most likely be using his power to intimidate others now...

I've laid out my army for you, and made it clear that your wife and children are in my hands. What else am I going to do if I don't take this opportunity to suppress you?
However, since Fei Qian was willing to talk, Cao Cao wouldn't refuse. He pondered for a moment, then smiled with a hint of self-deprecation, followed by a provocative remark: 'General, are you about to spout that ancient maxim of "the people are the most important" again? And claim that its foundation lies with those ignorant commoners outside the walls, toiling in the fields?'

"The people come first," is that right?

That's absolutely correct!
From ancient times to the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, and then to the Qin and Han dynasties, apart from foreign barbarians, no ruler would deny this fact...

However, this correct and large group is also the most vulnerable and the first to be squeezed and harmed by the cruel reality in times of chaos!

They lack the means of production and livelihood, and are unable to cope with sudden disasters. Once they lose their ability to work, they are likely to be forced to graduate and voluntarily laid off.

They were indeed the cornerstone, but in feudal dynasties, very few rulers truly cared about them...

The so-called reformers throughout history were not fundamentally for the benefit of the people; most of them were simply trying to prolong the life of the dynasty.

This is the difference between ideals and reality.

Cao Cao said this intentionally to see how Fei Qian would handle the huge gap between ideals and reality.

If all you do is spout grand principles, then you're not much different from those literati from Shandong and the Central Plains...

Fei Qian smiled but did not directly respond to Cao Cao's statement about "the people being of utmost importance," or rather, he disdained engaging in a debate that leaned towards abstract concepts.

Fei Qian put down his teacup. "Brother Mengde, when you campaigned against Xuzhou, whether out of resentment or strategic considerations, your army committed massacres along the way… Later, a poem was written: 'White bones are exposed in the wilderness, for a thousand miles no rooster crows. Of the people, only one in a hundred survives; the thought of it breaks one's heart…' This poem is sorrowful and desolate, sincere and poignant. Every time I read it, I cannot help but sigh with regret, admiring the compassion for the world revealed in Brother Mengde's poem…"

Upon hearing this, Cao Cao's heart skipped a beat, and he straightened his neck.

Fei Qian spoke calmly, as if recounting a trivial matter, but his gaze was clear as he looked at Cao Cao. "However," he said, "I have a long-standing question…May I ask, Brother Mengde, after this poem was completed, have you done anything truly beneficial for the people in your jurisdiction, ensuring that even the poorest among the hundred are no longer left to lie exposed in the wilderness, spared from hunger and cold, and able to enjoy peace and tranquility?"

Cao Cao was stunned.

He never expected that Fei Qian would bring up these things at this moment!

He was prepared to debate with Fei Qian about the importance of the emperor, the system of state, the rotation of social order, and so on. But Cao Cao never expected that Fei Qian would bring up his early poems and ask him so sharply about the gap between his ideals and reality after writing those poems...

That poem was indeed a true reflection of a certain aspect of Cao Cao's inner world, but it was also accompanied by indelible bloodstains.

Cao Cao opened his mouth, his Adam's apple bobbing, and for a moment he didn't know where to begin. Should he explain the cause and effect of the Xuzhou incident, or state the later policies to pacify the people?
A thousand and one thoughts are stuck in my chest.

Fei Qian, however, seemed not to expect any response from Cao Cao, or perhaps he already had a conclusion. Fei Qian stretched out a hand, slowly counting on his fingers, 'Brother Mengde is certainly capable…'

"Firstly, the military-agricultural colonies. Your administration of military-agricultural colonies, divided into civilian and military colonies, was crucial during a time of great chaos in the counties and prefectures, when refugees were scattered everywhere. Gathering them, reclaiming wasteland, and restoring millet and wheat production was an invaluable achievement. It was indeed the foundation for the people's survival, and I deeply agree." Fei Qian first affirmed the positive role of Cao Cao's military-agricultural colonies, but then shifted his stance, "However, in the civilian colony system, officials accounted for 60% and civilians 40%, or even 70% and 30%; the harvest from military colonies went entirely to the military, leaving no survivors. The civilian households in these colonies were nominally recruited, but in reality, they were dependent, cultivating the land generation after generation, never having their own livelihood—how were they different from tenant farmers? Your administration of military-agricultural colonies primarily aimed to gather people as tenants, collecting the majority of their produce to fund the military and national expenses, alleviating immediate crises. This is not supporting the people, but rather imprisoning them, squeezing their lifeblood to fund the war effort—is this right or wrong?"

Cao Cao's expression darkened slightly, his lips tightened, and he remained silent.

Cao Cao himself was well aware of the true nature of the military-agricultural colonies he promoted.

In a chaotic world where warlords ruled and life was precarious, the primary goal was survival and expansion, making it both a helpless and inevitable choice to concentrate all resources on military affairs.

One of the key reasons he was able to defeat Yuan Shu and Yuan Shao was the stable supply of grain provided by the military agricultural system.

He did not previously believe that his land reclamation system had any fundamental flaws.

As the saying goes, in times of chaos, harsh measures and drastic policies are necessary...

But at this moment, when Fei Qian so bluntly stripped away all the excuses of the times and directly pointed out that Cao Cao's military farming was to exploit the people and turn refugees into Cao family tenant farmers, every word still felt jarring.

"Secondly, water conservancy," Fei Qian continued, as if listing a list he already knew by heart. "Since you took charge of the Central Plains, you have repaired the Suiyang Canal to connect the Bian and Si rivers, dug the Baigou Canal to facilitate the grain transport in Hebei, and opened the Licao Canal to connect to the Yellow River. These water conservancy projects have indeed been effective in connecting the Yellow and Huai rivers and irrigating the fields."

Upon hearing this, Cao Cao's spirits lifted slightly, but Fei Qian unexpectedly changed the subject again, saying, "However, Brother Mengde's primary purpose in repairing these canals is to transport grain and troops for the needs of our campaigns. Where grain transport is urgent, repairs are urgent; as for other areas… the farmland is parched, hehe…"

Cao Cao couldn't help but exclaim, "There's a peony pond!"

Fei Qian nodded. "Shaopi wasn't indeed built for convenient transportation... but how many ordinary households are there around Shaopi? I mean, ordinary households?"

Cao Cao fell silent again, as if an invisible rope had been tied around his throat.

The Shaopi Weir was not built for convenient grain transport, but for the purpose of land reclamation...

But whose field is it?

As Fei Qian said, most of these water conservancy projects were indeed for strategic considerations. Even those that were for the needs of the people were mainly for the repair of the Cao and Xiahou clans' own garrison areas.

When faced with strategic considerations, the well-being of the people often has to be sacrificed.

Cao Cao could not deny it.

This is the realistic choice for decision-makers.

However, being so clearly exposed by Fei Qian, revealing evidence that his actions were not for the benefit of the people, still made him feel embarrassed and ashamed of being scrutinized.

Fei Qian said with some emotion, "Even so... the people still remember your good deeds... in Qiao and Pei, many remember Xiahou's merits..."

"Yuan Rang?!" Cao Cao wanted to ask but hesitated.

"Xiahou Yuanrang in Hedong..." Fei Qian mentioned briefly, then raised his third finger, "Thirdly, Brother Mengde also suppressed powerful clans and rectified officialdom."

Fei Qian slowly said, "Brother Mengde punishes lawless local tyrants to establish his authority; he also promotes talented people from humble backgrounds without being bound by convention, entrusting them with important responsibilities. These are all virtuous deeds..."

Cao Cao gave a wry smile and said on Fei Qian's behalf, "However, in the central government and in the important local positions of various prefectures and counties, eight or nine out of ten are still controlled by the sons of powerful families, their relatives by marriage, their protégés, and their former subordinates... Although I advocate appointing people based on talent, the situation in local areas remains the same..."

Fei Qian nodded. "Therefore, brother, you have appointed me as a Proofreader."

"However, as time goes on and their power grows, some fabricate charges and frame others, while others use their position to settle personal scores..." Cao Cao said bluntly, with a hint of despair, "But what can be done?"

Cao Cao's heavy reliance on his relatives and powerful clans to maintain his rule was both a necessity of practical politics and a matter of necessity.

The school administration system was riddled with flaws, but he needed such eyes and ears, and sharp swords...

Fei Qian's words were both factual and incisive, striking at the deepest sore spot in Cao Cao's heart that he knew he could not truly resolve!

Cao Cao once wanted to bring about change and lead the Han Dynasty to a new era, but he could not completely get rid of his dependence on the old aristocratic class, so he could not establish a bureaucratic system that truly transcended birth and was relatively fair and efficient.

Cao Cao suddenly burst into laughter, the laughter growing louder and louder, "Ha, ha ha ha! What else? Tell me everything!"

Even if someone in Shandong and the Central Plains mentioned Fei Qian's words, they would do so cautiously and tactfully. How could they be as sharp and incisive as Fei Qian?
This caused Cao Cao pain, but he also felt a sense of satisfaction afterward...