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

"This is something I begged for."

"Because I think...you're a good person."

Oh no, even in ancient times, I'll get friend-zoned.

These days, good people don't live long.

"You have the Han Dynasty in your heart."

Cao Jie added another sentence.

Oh, he finally understood.

Cao Jie was used as a pawn.

I got all excited for nothing, I thought it was something...

It turned out to be a death warrant!

Zhao Yu glanced at the note.

"I long for the general as I long for sweet rain."

It's short, only eight characters.

Zhao Yu finished reading.

Looking up at the sky, I was truly speechless.

Cao Jie looked at him nervously.

My heart was pounding.

This is a serious crime of treason.

Although she was Cao Cao's daughter.

But this is gambling with one's life and fortune.

The bet that Zhao Yu picked up the jade pendant in the Golden Hall that day was genuine.

It is bet that Zhao Yu is not completely devoted to Cao Cao.

"Did you understand?"

Cao Jie noticed that Zhao Yu remained silent for a long time.

"His Majesty said he is in a very difficult situation."

"He's surrounded by informants; even a fly flying in would lead to a thorough investigation of his entire family. He can only trust you."

"In times of severe drought, people long for rain; in times of withered seedlings, they yearn for timely rain."

"His Majesty hopes that you..."

"etc……"

Zhao Yu interrupted her.

He looked very serious.

Knowing there were informants already, why would they still do something like this?

Is this because they're tired of living, or because they think I'm living too comfortably?

"A timely rain?"

"Doesn't that mean it's raining?"

"Don't give me any nonsense."

Cao Jie panicked. Why was this person acting so foolishly at such a crucial moment? She nodded quickly, then shook her head hastily:

"It means rain, but it's not exactly rain; it's a metaphor..."

"I don't understand metaphors. I'm not well-educated and I'm a roughneck."

Zhao Yu immediately shut down the conversation.

I looked at the sky.

The sky was cloudless.

But it's winter now, where can it rain?

The water in the moat was frozen solid, with layers of ice.

"Is Your Majesty finding it too hot in the dead of winter?"

Zhao Yu asked.

Cao Jie was stumped by Zhao Yu's explanation.

For a moment, I didn't know how to respond.

"Huh?"

No, it's not.

"This is a metaphor, a metaphor."

"Your Majesty means that the current situation is as hopeless as a severe drought, and you are the life-saving rain!"

He wants you to save him!

"Go help him..."

Cao Jie didn't dare to continue speaking.

The rest is self-explanatory.

System Logic Analysis:

Input message: Hoping for rain.

Conventional meaning: praying for rain.

Deeper meaning: political opportunism (rebellion).

Risk assessment: The success rate of the rebellion is 100% (currently), but after the rebellion, the north will inevitably be in chaos.

If the host doesn't want to work themselves to death, then forget it.

Optimal solution: literal interpretation.

Zhao Yu stuffed the silk cloth back into Cao Jie's hand.

"Second Miss".

You've misunderstood me, and you've overestimated me.

"I?"

"Life-saving rainwater?"

Zhao Yu pointed to his face.

"Do I look like the Dragon King to you?"

"Can I summon wind and rain? Praying for rain is the responsibility of the Grand Astrologer, the Imperial Observatory, and even those shamans."

"I'm just a low-ranking official in charge of security. Working outside my department is a major taboo! That's overstepping my authority!"

Cao Jie broke down.

She grabbed Zhao Yu's sleeve and shook it.

"Don't play dumb, His Majesty has made it so clear! He wants you to step forward, just like that day in the main hall!"

"As long as you raise your voice..."

"stop!"

Zhao Yu suddenly covered Cao Jie's mouth.

The force was a bit too strong.

Cao Jie could only make "woo-woo" sounds.

Zhao Yu glanced around.

Only after making sure no one was paying attention did he let go.

"Second Miss".

"If you want to die, don't drag me down with you."

"If someone else heard this..."

"You, me, and that woman in the palace, we'll all be buried in the back hills tonight to be used as fertilizer."

"Don't think that just because you're the Prime Minister's daughter you can do whatever you want. Without this protection, you're nothing."

Cao Jie was panting heavily.

Are you scared?

His eyes were full of disappointment.

"Are you also a coward who's afraid of death?"

I misjudged you!

Zhao Yu rolled his eyes.

A provocation tactic?

I've done this several times already; I'm immune to it now.

You might as well go and flirt with a blind man.

He summoned a guard from the courtyard.

He took out two taels of silver.

"go."

"The general store at the street corner, Old Wang's shop, it's cheap. I want to buy an umbrella, a big one."

"Oil-paper umbrella".

Although the soldier was a little confused, he still had to do as his commander said.

They took the money and left.

Why did you buy an umbrella?

Zhao Yu looked serious.

"Isn't His Majesty hoping for timely rain?"

"Ganlin is rain."

"It's raining, you need to use an umbrella."

"Your Majesty is the supreme ruler; it would be a serious matter if you were to get soaked."

"I'll buy an umbrella, and you can deliver it to the palace for me."

"Please pass on a message to His Majesty."

Zhao Yu cleared his throat, looking very serious.

"Your subject, Zhao Yu,"

"I am of little talent and knowledge, I don't know how to pray for rain, all I have is a broken umbrella."

Cao Jie carefully considered the meaning of those words.

There was only one broken umbrella.

This seems... to be a promise?

An umbrella is obviously for blocking rain, but what kind of rain?

Of course, it was the bloody infighting within the imperial court.

Cao Jie understood.

Zhao Yu is hiding his true abilities!

This is the entrance to the Prime Minister's residence; it's crowded and noisy.

He couldn't openly say, "I want to rebel."

This "umbrella-giving" method is the only way to subtly hint to His Majesty:

"My strength is weak now (the broken umbrella), but I'm willing to protect you!"

"Zhao Yu..."

Cao Jie was moved.

"So this is the kind of person you are."

"Keep a low profile and endure humiliation."

"I misunderstood you."

Is this all the self-strategy I've mastered?

Zhao Yu really didn't want to get involved in anything.

It also refers to a broken umbrella in the literal sense.

I don't want to get involved in this; I just want to enjoy my retirement life peacefully.

How could you endure humiliation and bear heavy burdens?

After a while.

The soldier has returned with the umbrella.

A brand new light blue oil-paper umbrella.

There are also a few plum blossoms painted on it.

Quite elegant.

Zhao Yu handed the umbrella to Cao Jie.

"Take it."

"To His Majesty."

Cao Jie nodded emphatically.

Holding that umbrella.

It's like holding the Imperial Seal of the State.

"I see."

"I will relay this to His Majesty word for word."

"Zhao Yu".

"Thank you."

Done.

He turned and got into the carriage.

"I'm going back to the palace to see Empress Fu."

His voice was full of fighting spirit.

The carriage drove away.

Zhao Yu looked helpless.

He sat back down at the guard post.

Pick up the unfinished wooden plaque.

"These days."

"It's so hard to be a good person."

"Even giving away an umbrella can turn into a huge drama."

Zhao Yu blew away the sawdust.

Continue carving.

Stop...the noise...

"As long as it doesn't rain."

"This day."

"It's still bearable."

……

Outside the Prime Minister's residence, on a high floor of a certain building,

Cao Cao stood by the window.

He was holding a glass of wine.

The commotion inside the house naturally did not escape his notice.

Although I don't know what they said.

But the spy saw it very clearly.

Zhao Yu gave Cao Jie an umbrella.

"umbrella?"

Cao Cao asked Jia Xu, who was behind him.

"The emperor wants rain, and he gives him an umbrella? Is this a slap in the emperor's face, or is he trying to sow discord between me and the emperor?"

Jia Xu pondered for a moment, then suddenly smiled.

"Prime Minister, this is wonderful news!"

"Oh?"

Cao Cao became interested.

"The umbrella symbolizes scattering."

"Zhao Yu is telling the emperor."

Don't think about those unnecessary things.

"Let's just call it a day."

"And the umbrella can block out the sky."

"He was implying to the emperor that the prime minister's power was so absolute that no one could stop him, and that it would be better for him to find a safe place to hide (and behave himself)."

Cao Cao was in high spirits after hearing this, and he tilted his head back and drank the wine in his cup in one gulp.

"Ha ha ha ha!"

"That Zhao Yu is something else!"

"Even giving a gift has such a profound meaning!"

"I like it!"

"It seems the emperor can't pry this knife off."