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

The two looked awkwardly at the thunder in the sky and realized that dark clouds were gathering, indicating that a heavy rain was about to fall.

Sima Yi stared intently at Cao Pi, mentally raising the level of danger Cao Pi posed.

He was certain that Cao Pi was behind this.

In Cao Pi's eyes just now, there wasn't even the slightest bit of guilt. This person is terrifying.

He was certain that in terms of being ruthless, shameless, and heartless, Cao Pi surpassed his master by a significant margin.

He even began to regret his decision to support Cao Pi. Could they really control Cao Pi in the future?

But now Cao Ang is dead, Cao Zhang has long since withdrawn from the political arena and is a simpleton, and Cao Zhi has become a cripple, losing his right to inherit the throne.

Cao Cao is now old, and Cao Pi is the only one he can choose from.

Not only did Cao Cao have no choice, but they had no choice either.

Looking at the thunder in the sky, Cao Pi felt extremely uncomfortable in his lungs, but he suppressed the discomfort and did not cough it up in front of Sima Yi.

"gentlemen?!"

Sima Yi snapped out of his daze, unaware of Cao Pi's change in expression. "My lord, you are indeed in a trap. But do not panic. I will give you two words; you can try them."

Which two words?

Cao Pi was overjoyed.

"The first one is to deny it. No matter what His Majesty says, you cannot admit it. Even if His Majesty puts a sword to your neck and presents so-called evidence, you must still deny it to the death!"

"Unlike before, I can't afford to feel even the slightest bit guilty!"

Sima Yi let go, burying his doubts deep in his heart, offering advice to Cao Pi while simultaneously seeking a way out for himself.

During Cao Pi's reign, he absolutely had to keep a low profile and let the other families have their fun. He simply didn't believe that the third generation of the Cao family could be so outstanding.

"What do you mean, sir? I really didn't do this! Those are my dearest relatives and friends, my brothers and sisters! How could I possibly lay a hand on my own flesh and blood!"

Cao Pi was about to retort in his haste.

"Yes, just like this, keep it that way."

"Whether it is or not is not that important now."

Seeing Cao Pi's appearance, Sima Yi's desire to become a coward grew stronger.

Cao Pi finished speaking, "Sir, what about the second character?"

"The second word is false accusation."

"Whether His Majesty presents witnesses or physical evidence, you should still make a false accusation. If it is a witness, you should say that he was instigated by other forces to sow discord among the imperial family."

"You can say that the physical evidence is fake, and that someone is deliberately trying to sow discord."

"Just say that you benefited the most from the Crown Prince's murder and would be the prime suspect. Someone must be trying to kill two birds with one stone, eliminating both you and the Crown Prince at the same time, muddying the waters. His Majesty has always been extremely suspicious, and he will definitely become even more suspicious."

"Roman spies, collaborators within feudal states, loyalists from aristocratic families, and remnants of the Qing Dynasty—these are all the targets of your false accusations."

Cao Pi hesitated. Was it really that simple?

"Will this work? Will Father believe me?"

"His Majesty is different from ordinary people. If you kneel down and beg for forgiveness for what you have done wrong, he will think you are a spineless person."

"On the contrary, if you insist on sticking to your guns and refusing to admit it, he will think you are a person who can achieve great things."

Sima Yi straightened his clothes, picked up his fishing rod again, and cast it into the lake.

"Sir, I didn't do it."

Cao Pi first reiterated his innocence before asking, "Why is that?"

"Because His Majesty himself is a monarch who dares to renege on his promises and will renege to the very end. How much of what he has done in his life can be brought to the table?"

"He also survived countless battles and bloodshed to get where he is today. What is he most afraid of?"

"What I fear most is that my son is a spineless coward, a good-for-nothing, unable to uphold the legacy he built!"

"What I fear most is that his son, who inherits his legacy, will be a useless piece of trash like Hu Hai and Liu Ying!"

"Furthermore, His Majesty is now quite old and has no time to groom a new heir. You are his only option now!"

"Your Majesty, he will absolutely not let anger cloud his judgment or dictate his actions!"

Cao Pi seemed to have a sudden realization, as if struck by a profound truth.

"Does the master mean that Father is testing and testing me?"

"Whether it's a test or an interrogation, this is your chance. If you can pull through, your standing in His Majesty's eyes will increase significantly!"

Sima Yi lifted the fishing rod and pulled up a three-pound Yellow River carp. After removing the hook, Sima Yi threw the fish back into the river.

Seeing Sima Yi's actions, Cao Pi seemed to understand, and his eyes gradually hardened. "I understand, sir."

Sima Yi: "Go, remember my words, deny everything to the end, and falsely accuse everyone to the end."

"I will always remember your great kindness, sir."

Cao Pi bowed to Sima Yi, turned and left, walking towards Xu Chu.

"Tiger Marquis, let's go. Let's not keep Father waiting."

The Imperial Palace in Luoyang.

Seeing Cao Pi walk in, Cao Cao casually picked up a bamboo tube and threw it at Cao Pi's head.

"brute!"

"You actually murdered your own brother!"

"That's your brother! How could you do something so beastly!"

Cao Pi straightened up, deliberately not dodging, letting the bamboo tube hit his head, and blood dripped down his scalp.

"Father, I am innocent! I have always respected my elder brother, and his plot to harm me has absolutely nothing to do with me!"

"Your Majesty, I wish I could eat the murderer's flesh, drink the murderer's blood, and sleep on the murderer's skin!"

Cao Pi's eyes were red and swollen, his teeth were clenched, and he was heartbroken.

However, given the thunder and the torrential rain outside, he dared not make a vow, fearing that thunder would strike as soon as he did.

Cao Cao sneered; these were all things he had already mastered.

"You're being stubborn. Only you and your three brothers are qualified to inherit the throne."

"Your third brother is only skilled in martial arts and knows nothing about literature. He has absolutely no chance of inheriting the throne."

"Your fourth brother is lame and disabled, so he is also unable to inherit the throne. The only ones who can truly inherit the throne are you and your elder brother."

"After killing your brother, you will be able to inherit the throne. Confess your guilt. I will spare you some dignity because you are my son."

"But if you don't want to maintain your dignity, then only your father can help you do so!"

Cao Pi knelt down and kowtowed to Cao Cao.

"Your Majesty, you are wise enough to know that I have absolutely no desire for the throne!"

"Someone must be trying to kill two birds with one stone, eliminating both my brother and me in one fell swoop! Father, please be wise!"

"If Father Emperor does not believe me, I will request to be enfeoffed, leave the land of China, go to a place thousands of miles away, to expand the territory of the Great Qian Dynasty and China, and never return."

That expression, that tone, that attitude, that behavior.

Cao Cao could not see the slightest flaw.

If he hadn't been an expert and master at playing the deadbeat game, he might have actually been fooled by Cao Pi.