A thousand-year-old family begins with one fighting against ten thousand.

Judging from their positions, could it be that their friend Xun You has already defected to Cao Cao?

The purpose of Xun You bringing Cao Cao over is self-evident.

The two men scrutinized Cao Cao, their sharp eyes seemingly able to see right through him.

Just by looking at these two men, Cao Cao was certain that they were no ordinary people.

"This must be Cao Cao, the Cavalry Commandant, right?"

Although Xi Zhicai's sentence was a question, his tone was full of certainty.

"It is indeed Cao."

Cao Cao found a seat by the window next to the two men, and Wei Xue and Xun You also found empty seats to sit down.

Xu Chu stood behind Cao Cao, blocking the window completely.

A huge shadow enveloped Cao Cao, making his already short and dark-skinned appearance appear even more gloomy.

Cao Cao frowned, three dark lines appearing on his brow. "Zhongkang, go and sit across from me."

"promise."

Xu Chu, oblivious to the disdain in Cao Cao's tone, innocently sat down opposite Cao Cao.

This simple and honest personality made him extremely popular with Xun You, Xi Zhicai, and Guo Jia.

Who wouldn't like a kind-hearted man who looks incredibly strong?

"May I ask, Commandant Cao, what is your view of this world?"

Xi Zhicai asked the first question, and Guo Jia, holding up his wine cup, swirled it around, his gaze shifting from the swirling wine to Cao Cao.

You may both address me as Mengde.

"As for the world, it is like standing on the edge of an abyss."

Cao Cao said solemnly.

He knew that to win over these two people, he had to move them.

Cao Cao closed his eyes, looked back at the Han Dynasty as he saw it, and gave an extremely dangerous answer.

"Oh? The main force of the Yellow Turbans has been almost completely wiped out. The remaining remnants are no match for them."

"With peace on the horizon, why does Mengde (Cao Cao) utter such words?"

Xi Zhicai remained expressionless and continued speaking.

"The people of the land have no land to cultivate, the rich get richer and the poor get poorer, and various factions in the court fight for their own selfish interests."

"Regardless of right or wrong, only interests matter."

"People's livelihood is nothing more than a slogan for them to fight for power and profit."

Cao Cao gritted his teeth and said those words.

Even Xu Chu, that simpleton, subconsciously looked around and breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that everyone was frightened by him and kept their distance from them.

The Han Dynasty was an era that placed great importance on reputation, especially the officials in the court. No matter what they did, they always had a fig leaf to cover it up.

Now Cao Cao directly tore off this fig leaf, saying that they did things without regard to right or wrong, only to interests.

Once the news gets out, Cao Cao will face collective resistance from the entire central government.

"Xi Zhicai greets his lord."

For no other reason than that Cao Cao should have said those words, he was willing to follow Cao Cao.

Damn, he's even more courageous than him.

In short, awesome.

Guo Jia was so frightened that the drunkenness in his eyes vanished. He had no interest in Cao Cao to begin with, so he let Xi Zhicai speak.

He originally intended to test Yuan Shao, but now he finds that Cao Cao seems to be quite formidable.

He also developed some interest in Cao Cao.

What are your views on aristocratic families, poor families, and ordinary people?

Guo Jia brought up an even more provocative topic, and Xun You looked at Guo Jia with eyes that seemed to want to devour him alive.

I kind of regret coming over while these two were drinking. Once they've had a few drinks, they're more likely to blurt out anything.

Gan!

Even Xi Zhicai's heart skipped a beat; this question was even more blatant.

Moreover, it involved not only aristocratic families and ordinary people, but also those from humble backgrounds.

"Humble families" refers to once-powerful families that have fallen from grace. If they rise again, they will become new powerful families.

Ordinary people can be considered as poor families that have declined for hundreds of years.

In the ancient environment, everyone who survived must have had wealthy ancestors.

Otherwise, if your own had died long ago, how could it have been passed down?

Why is it that in later generations, some people would bring up family background, but no one would bring up surname?

Whose family name can be passed down through generations without ancestors who were high-ranking officials or nobles?

Those who weren't high-ranking officials or nobles all had their descendants die out long ago.

Those skills that have been passed down must have had some special abilities in their ancestors.

"Fengxiao, you've had too much to drink!"

Xun You said in a deep voice.

Their family is one of the top aristocratic families in the Han Dynasty.

Guo Jia ignored Xun You's words and just looked at Cao Cao, waiting for Cao Cao's reply.

"I have three dreams: fairness, fairness, and more damn fairness."

Cao Cao said sternly.

"Guo Jia greets his lord."

Cao Cao did not say it explicitly, but Guo Jia, Xi Zhicai, and Xun You could all understand what Cao Cao meant.

To hell with Yuan Shao.

Anyway, Yuan Shao was definitely not as courageous as Cao Cao, otherwise he wouldn't have let Yuan Shu ride on his head and piss on him.

Don't bring up the distinction between legitimate and illegitimate children. Yes, that's what aristocratic families value.

However, aristocratic families value a sufficiently outstanding successor, one who can lead the family to another level.

As for legitimate and illegitimate children, it's not like all the older generation has died.

The distinction between legitimate and illegitimate children can be changed through various means.

The direct descendant committed a grave error and the entire branch was expelled. Then, a collateral branch was reinstated and transformed from a illegitimate to a legitimate line.

At most, it's just a matter of losing some blood and energy, but compared to a sufficiently outstanding successor, it's nothing.

The established families definitely have the courage; it just depends on whether you are worthy and worth it.

"Okay, okay, okay."

Cao Cao was overjoyed, but although these two were Xun You's friends, he still didn't know their true nature.

Guo Jia and Xi Zhicai exchanged a glance, knowing it was their turn to shine.

It was Xi Zhicai who spoke first, "What are your plans next, my lord?"

"Bo Jing suggested that I go to Qingzhou and become the governor of Donglai County."

Where to go?

Xi Zhicai frowned slightly.

"Who is this?"

"Wei Xuewei Bojing was a scholar who had read several military books."

Wei Xue said modestly.

Being trusted so much by Cao Cao and bearing the surname Wei, it goes without saying that he must be a member of the Wei family.

I just don't know which lineage it belongs to.

Regardless of which faction it was, the suggestion that Cao Cao go to the provinces must have had a deeper meaning.

According to his thinking, Cao Cao should have taken advantage of this military achievement to establish himself in the central government, and then take advantage of the chaotic situation in the court to seize power.

Going to local areas to gain experience and improve one's skills is important, but now is the time when Cao Cao has just made a name for himself and is enjoying the emperor's favor. He should take advantage of this opportunity to climb the ranks.

There must be some information he doesn't know.

Xi Zhicai began by using the premise of sending Cao Cao to a remote region as a starting point to deduce that there must be some major upheaval in the court.

Could it be that they feel the Han Dynasty is about to collapse?

If it weren't for the Wei family, this would indeed be possible, but the Wei family hasn't fallen yet, so who could possibly destroy the Great Han under the Wei family's control?

Even Zhang Jiao couldn't do that.

A struggle for the throne?

There is only one possibility.

However, the Crown Prince is still young. He should advance while things are in full swing, and then go to the provinces when things are about to really break out. At that time, no matter who wins or loses, he will be recalled to consolidate the rule.

This should be the correct interpretation.

Unless the struggle for succession has already reached a fever pitch.

What could have prompted His Majesty to make such a decision?

The emperor's health is failing.

Xi Zhicai was greatly moved; this made everything make sense.