The Three Kingdoms: The entire Cao Cao camp thought I was weak and frail.

The color drained from Cao Cao's face. He only thought about killing the traitor, but never considered the even more terrifying power vacuum that would follow.

Guo Jia's brows relaxed, and his gaze towards Xun Hao held a hint of understanding. This little fellow never makes a losing deal.

"In your opinion, Young Master Xun, regarding this matter..." Cao Cao bowed respectfully to Xun Hao, his tone already carrying a hint of seeking advice.

"Assassination is necessary. But it won't be a real killing; it will be a fake one," Guo Jia interjected, uttering a startling statement.

"A fake killing?"

"That's right." Xun Hao nodded. "The real purpose is not to take Dong Zhuo's life, but to use the pretext of 'assassinating Dong Zhuo' to do three things."

He extended three pale fingers.

"Firstly, Commandant Cao, you can use this opportunity to escape. If the assassination fails, it's perfectly reasonable for you to flee to the ends of the earth. From then on, the sky's the limit, and the sea's the freedom to leap. Go to Guandong to recruit soldiers and horses, and you will be able to accomplish great things."

"Secondly, it will ignite the conflict in Guandong. Cao Mengde's failed assassination attempt on Dong Zhuo will shake the world. At that time, the warlords in Guandong will have an excellent pretext and banner to raise an army to attack Dong Zhuo."

"Thirdly, to shift the blame onto someone else." A sly glint flashed in Xun Hao's eyes. "To pour this pot of water on the person who should be taking the blame the most."

Guo Jia's almond-shaped eyes lit up, and he almost blurted out, "Yuan Shao!"

"Exactly." Xun Hao looked at Guo Jia, their thoughts in sync. "Rumors are circulating that Dong Zhuo is Yuan Shao's dagger. Wouldn't it be even more interesting if this dagger 'accidentally' injured its master? Dong Zhuo is suspicious, and Yuan Shao is fame-seeking; the two already harbor resentment towards each other. Once this happens, they will inevitably turn against each other, and we can sit back and watch the tigers fight."

One step after another, proceeding cautiously and methodically.

Cao Cao's palms were sweating as he listened, and his gaze toward Xun Hao had changed from initial admiration to deep awe.

He had initially thought his solo assassination attempt on Dong Zhuo was a heroic and tragic feat. But compared to Xun Hao's grand scheme, his own idea seemed like the petty squabbles of a three-year-old. This wasn't an assassination; it was clearly a brilliant, world-shaking move that would shake the world to its core!

"Your talent is unparalleled, sir!" Cao Cao stood up from his seat and bowed deeply to Xun Hao.

Xun Hao accepted it calmly.

Taking advantage of Guo Jia's grasp on his wrist, the [Last Plan] was quietly launched.

Historical fragments about Cao Cao's assassination attempt on Dong Zhuo flashed through my mind, finally settling on a beautiful dagger.

"Minister Wang Yun is known for his loyalty," Xun Hao said, his voice steady.

Cao Cao nodded: "Minister Wang is indeed a loyal minister of the Han Dynasty." But he wondered why Xun Hao suddenly brought up Wang Yun at this time.

"In the Wang family, there is an ancestral treasured sword." Xun Hao spoke slowly but clearly. "This sword can cut through iron like mud. Its scabbard is jet black, and the blade is inlaid with seven gemstones, hence the name 'Seven Stars'."

"Was this the very knife that Commandant Cao intended to use for the assassination attempt?"

The moment the words left his mouth, Cao Cao's breath caught in his throat.

He abruptly looked up, staring intently at Xun Hao, his small but incredibly bright eyes filled with undisguised shock. The fact that Wang Yun possessed the Seven-Star Sword was something Wang Yun had only told him last night in a secret room! This was a secret known only to heaven, earth, him, and Wang Yun; no third person knew!

How did this young man, who never leaves his house, know all this?

This is no longer within the realm of strategy; it's almost supernatural!

Guo Jia also noticed Cao Cao's loss of composure. He tightened his grip on Xun Hao's hand. "Did he use the divination technique again? He always feels weak for several days after each divination."

"Young Master Xun..." Cao Cao's voice was somewhat hoarse. He swallowed hard and asked with difficulty, "How...how do you know this?"

Xun Hao picked up the hot tea that Guo Jia had poured for him, gently blew on the rising steam, and did not answer directly.

He raised his eyelids, his clear gaze meeting Cao Cao's probing eyes, and said only a few words.

"I have some knowledge of divination techniques."

That night, at the Situ residence.

The study was brightly lit by candlelight.

Wang Yun solemnly pushed an old-fashioned wooden box in front of Cao Cao.

"Mengde, this sword is an heirloom of my Wang family, and I entrust it to you tonight. I hope that you will go and behead this traitor for the Han Dynasty!" The old Minister of Works spoke earnestly, his eyes filled with tears.

Cao Cao opened the wooden box, and inside lay a magnificent short sword. The blade gleamed coldly, and seven gemstones sparkled in the candlelight.

"Rest assured, Lord Situ, I, Cao Cao, will not hesitate to die a thousand deaths!" Cao Cao held the precious sword, feeling as if it weighed a thousand pounds.

Wang Yun helped him up, but still somewhat uneasy, he pressed on, "Mengde, what you just said about the timing of the operation and the escape plan are both foolproof. Could you... explain them to me in more detail? This matter is of great importance and must be handled with utmost care."

With his precious sword in hand and a brilliant plan from a divine being, Cao Cao felt filled with ambition and an irrepressible surge of pride.

Facing Wang Yun, a loyal minister of the Han Dynasty, he lost his guard and excitedly said, "My lord, rest assured! This plan is not the work of Cao Cao alone. I am fortunate to have met a young strategist named Xun Hao, a member of the Xun family of Yingchuan. He has already devised the timing of the operation and the escape route for me. Whether we succeed or not, I must leave Luoyang as soon as possible."

"A divine calculation? Is this a safe bet?" Wang Yun hadn't expected that this matter would also involve the Xun family of Yingchuan.

Cao Cao laughed magnanimously: "Even if we can't escape, so what? Since I, Cao Mengde, am going to assassinate him, I will certainly disregard my own life."

Looking at the impassioned Cao Cao, Wang Yun's face paled, and his fingers tightened around the table.

No!

This matter involves too many people; everyone involved must be absolutely certain of their safety!

He had to see this young man named Xun Hao with his own eyes and assess his worth!

"Mengde, please wait a moment!"

Wang Yun walked solemnly to the desk, quickly spread out a scroll of bamboo slips, picked up a brush, dipped it in ink, and wrote with flowing, powerful strokes.

A moment later, he sealed the invitation he had written, summoned his steward, and ordered in a deep voice, "Immediately send this invitation to the Xun family's villa in the south of the city, and give it to Xun You, Xun Gongda. Tell him that I am hosting a banquet tomorrow to discuss state affairs with the two young masters of the Xun family, Xun Hao and Guo Jia!"

"Mengde's sincerity is admirable," Wang Yun said to Cao Cao as he sat down. "However, this matter concerns the fate of the nation, and those involved must be dealt with with utmost care. I wish to meet this young master Xun in person to put my mind at ease."

Upon hearing this, Cao Cao also felt that it was the right thing to do.

In the darkness, Wang Yun watched Cao Cao's departing figure, his eyes deep and unfathomable. He didn't care about Cao Cao's life or death; what he cared about was that everyone on this ship had to be within his sight.

The Xun family's villa.

Xun You placed Wang Yun's invitation on the table in front of Xun Hao.

Guo Jia leaned closer for a look, his peach blossom eyes narrowing slightly: "Discuss state affairs? This old fox is probably up to no good, like a weasel offering New Year's greetings to a chicken."

He saw right through Wang Yun's intentions: "Cao Cao betrayed us. The old man is afraid that the plan will get out of control, so he wants to lure us into his mansion under the guise of discussion, but in reality, he wants to put us under house arrest. He won't feel at ease until he has us completely bound to his war chariot."