In the Three Kingdoms period, the opening scene features the killing of Huang Gai, shocking Zhou Yu!

"You're too kind, sir."

"Get paid, do the work."

"It's my duty."

"salary?"

Xun Yu was taken aback.

Then I understood.

"The general is referring to... salary?"

"right."

Zhao Yu nodded.

"The Prime Minister is very generous with money."

"They're even giving away a house."

"He's a good boss."

A look of disappointment flashed across Xun Yu's eyes.

"Just because...money?"

"General, you are so valiant. If you were to dedicate yourself to the country, achieve great feats, and leave your name in history, wouldn't that be wonderful?"

"Why would you willingly become a...house slave?"

These two words.

House slave.

It's a bit harsh.

Zhao Yu glanced at Xun Yu.

As a newcomer, I wasn't angry.

"Your Excellency."

"There's a question: Where is the country? Where is the home?"

"The world is in complete chaos right now."

"All I saw was the Prime Minister quelling the rebellion. I followed him and helped him kill people."

"This is the State of Xu."

Xun Yu remained silent.

The logic is simple and straightforward.

It seems there's nothing wrong with it.

Cao Cao did indeed use the banner of "pacifying the world" to fight.

Xun Yu decided to ask the question in a different way.

Let's be direct.

"General Zhao."

"The Chancellor was the Chancellor of the Han Dynasty."

"You and I are Han subjects, if one day..."

"What the Prime Minister is about to do goes against the interests of the Han Dynasty."

"even……"

Xun Yu lowered his voice.

"It went against the emperor's wishes."

"Does the sword in the general's hand obey the emperor?"

"Should we listen to the Prime Minister?"

This is a question that could cost you your life.

It is also a question that challenges the mind.

If you answer that you will obey the emperor, then you are not one of Cao Cao's men. Xun Yu will respect you, but Cao Cao will kill you.

If you answer to the Prime Minister, then you are a traitor to the Han Dynasty. Xun Yu will look down on you and may even try to get rid of you.

Zhao Yu looked at Xun Yu.

This pitiful man, who wholeheartedly wanted to restore the Han Dynasty but had no choice but to rely on Cao Cao.

[System determination: Logic trap.]

[Analysis: Xun Yu wants to confirm your true purpose.]

[Best response: Absolute obedience to logic.]

understood.

"Your Excellency."

"Your question."

"There's a problem with it from the start."

Xun Yu: "Oh?"

Zhao Yu pointed to the sky.

"The emperor is in the palace, and the prime minister is in his residence."

"The title of Prime Minister is bestowed by the Emperor; I am the one who was appointed by the Prime Minister."

"The Prime Minister said he was doing it for the Han Dynasty. The Emperor also said the Prime Minister was doing it for the Han Dynasty."

"Since everyone says we're all one family, then if I listen to the Prime Minister, isn't that the same as listening to the Han Dynasty?"

Don't worry about whether it's right or wrong, or whether it's a closed loop.

(Although it's sophistry.)

Xun Yu frowned.

"I mean...if."

"What if the two conflict?"

Zhao Yu smiled, a very innocent smile.

"Your Excellency."

"I'm a martial artist, I don't understand those complicated things."

"I only believe in one principle."

Zhao Yu held up one finger.

"A higher-ranking official can crush you."

"I am a Tiger Guard Lieutenant General, and my direct superior is the Prime Minister. I will do whatever the Prime Minister orders."

"As for the emperor..."

Zhao Yu paused for a moment,

"If the Emperor is capable, he should bypass the Prime Minister and give me the order directly."

"Moreover, that command has higher authority than the prime minister's, so I will obey the emperor."

"But now, the Prime Minister provides meals, the Prime Minister distributes money, and the Prime Minister is right in front of me."

"If I don't listen to him, who should I listen to?"

Xun Yu had considered countless answers,

Loyalty or hypocrisy.

But I never expected such a mechanical answer.

There is no moral burden, nor any political stance.

He obeys whoever holds the highest authority.

This is a pure knife.

Only sharpness.

Now, the hilt of the sword is in Cao Cao's hand.

Whoever Cao Cao ordered him to kill, he killed.

Even... Xun Yu himself.

Or... the emperor.

However, Xun Yu also noticed the loopholes in it.

"If the Emperor is capable, he should simply give me the order..."

"His authority is even higher than that of the Prime Minister..."

Yes, according to the official ranks of the Han Dynasty, the Prime Minister's authority was nowhere near that of the Emperor.

The puppet sitting on the dragon throne.

understood.

Xun Yu stood up and bowed deeply to Zhao Yu.

"The general's words were a wake-up call."

"I, Xun, have learned a great deal."

Zhao Yu also stood up.

Return gift.

"You're too kind, sir. The tea is excellent."

"It's just too plain."

"Treat me to meat next time."

Zhao Yu is gone.

His figure disappeared into the night.

Xun Yu stood alone, looking in the direction of the Xuchang Imperial Palace, and remained motionless for a long time.

……

In Xuchang, undercurrents continue to surge.

Cao Cao was old.

Everyone knows that his headaches might take his life at any time.

That spot will be occupied sooner or later.

Was it the second son, Cao Pi? Or the talented Cao Zhi?

All the officials in the court were placing bets.

As a favorite of the Prime Minister, Zhao Yu naturally became the biggest bargaining chip.

After returning from Xun Yu's place...

I had just woken up the next morning.

The steward then came to report that Cao Zhi had invited them.

……

Zuixianlou (Drunken Immortal Pavilion)

Second floor private seating area.

This part was completely taken over by Cao Zhi.

Screen partition.

Cao Zhi, dressed in a brocade robe, sat in the main seat.

Beside him was Yang Xiu, who was waving a fan.

Sitting opposite him was Zhao Yu.

The table was laden with delicacies from land and sea.

Steamed sea bass, roasted venison,

There were also several plates of exquisite braised pork hock.

Steaming hot.

The aroma is tangy.

"General Zhao!"

Cao Zhi raised his cup.

They immediately started a wave of mutual flattery.

"The general's bravery in the Battle of Red Cliffs is something I deeply admire."

"I have prepared a small feast today, but it is of little importance."

Zhao Yu stared at the plate of braised pork knuckle.

He didn't stand on ceremony.

He didn't raise his glass either.

Get started right away.

He grabbed a pork knuckle and took a big bite.

"Sizzle".

Oil splattered everywhere.

Yang Xiu frowned.

vulgar!

What a crude and vulgar brute!

But he endured it.

It's all for the sake of Young Master Zhi's future.

Cao Zhi didn't make a fuss either.

On the contrary, it made them seem very generous.

"General, you are truly a hero of our time!"

He gave him a wink.

Yang Xiu understood and took out a scroll of brocade from his sleeve.

"General."

Cao Zhi stood up, looking smug.

"Last night, General Zhi Wen rescued the master at Huarong Road, and his heart was filled with emotion."

"I stayed up all night and wrote the Ode to a Valiant Warrior."

"This is presented to the general as a memento."

Yang Xiu unfolded the brocade letter.

The handwriting was incredibly elegant and flowing.

The language is very ornate.

"...like the wrath of the Pixiu, like the madness of Elai..."

Yang Xiu said loudly:

"Once this poem is circulated, it will surely become a timeless masterpiece."

"This is priceless."

Zhao Yu swallowed the meat in his mouth and wiped the oil off his hands.

He accepted the brocade.

I glanced at it.

"It's too hasty."

Zhao Yu's evaluation.

"can't read."

Cao Zhi's smile froze.

"This...this is cursive script..."

Zhao Yu didn't care.

He touched the texture of the brocade.

Shu brocade.

expensive.

But it doesn't work well.

"The paper is good."

"It's just too hard."

"It's a bit scratchy to use as a butt wipe."

"Why not use soft paper instead, or two pounds of pork?"

"That's a good deal."

You think you can bribe me with just a poem? You're seriously underestimating Zhao Yu.

Yang Xiu's mouth dropped open.

He really didn't expect Zhao Yu to say something like that.

Cao Zhi's face darkened even more.

Wipe my butt?

Do we need to switch to pork?

This is the greatest insult to intellectuals.

Don't we intellectuals have any shame?

Yang Xiu was furious and glared at Zhao Yu.

"You brat! You're utterly unreasonable!"

"This is literature! This is art!"

Zhao Yu stood up.

"Art cannot be eaten."

"I'm stuffed."

"I have to go back to my shift."

Done.

Zhao Yu got up to leave.