Reborn Liu Bei: I'll lead this Three Kingdoms to victory!

Just as dawn was breaking, a group of armored soldiers sealed off the gates of Xun Yu's residence.

This wasn't ordinary surveillance; it was a true blockade—wooden planks were nailed to the main gate, the side gate was blocked with huge stones, and even the corner gate to the backyard was guarded. No one was allowed to enter or leave, including those delivering vegetables, water, or medicine.

Xun Yu stood under the porch in the backyard, gazing at the plum tree that had just sprouted new buds.

He didn't sleep a wink last night.

That letter, the letter from his younger brother, was tucked away in his arms at that moment.

"Lord Liu is willing to treat you as a national hero."

He didn't know how many times he had read it. Each time he read it, he felt a more complex mix of emotions.

"Father."

Xun Yun's voice came from behind, trembling with barely suppressed emotion.

Xun Yu did not turn around.

"How's it going outside?"

"It's completely sealed off." Xun Yun's voice was low. "Even the vegetable deliverymen can't get in. Our manor's food... is only enough for three days."

Three days.

Xun Yu closed his eyes.

"understood."

"Father!" Xun Yun finally couldn't hold back any longer, "What are we going to do? Are we just going to wait to starve to death?"

Xun Yu opened his eyes and turned around.

He looked at his young son, at the fear and resentment in his eyes.

"Yun'er," his voice was soft, "Are you afraid of dying?"

Xun Yun was stunned.

"Son...I'm not afraid. But I'm not reconciled!"

"What are you so unwilling to accept?"

"I'm not willing to die like this!" Xun Yun's eyes reddened. "Father served the Prime Minister for twenty years; even if he didn't achieve great things, he certainly worked hard. Why should he treat you like this? Just because of a letter from Second Uncle? Father didn't even reply to that letter!"

Xun Yu remained silent.

After a long silence, he spoke:

"Yun'er, remember one thing."

Xun Yun looked up.

"In this world, the most hurtful thing is not swords, but suspicion." Xun Yu's voice was soft, yet it carried a chilling coldness. "Once suspicion takes root, everything you do is wrong. Explaining is wrong, not explaining is wrong. Silence is wrong, speaking is even more wrong."

He turned around and looked at the plum tree again.

"So, you don't need to do anything. Just wait."

Xun Yun stared blankly at his father's retreating figure.

He wanted to ask what they were waiting for, but the words caught in his throat.

Because he knew his father wouldn't answer.

---

Chen Shi (7-9 AM), at the Prime Minister's residence.

Cao Cao sat in the main seat of the main hall, with the intercepted letter spread out in front of him.

He had been watching all night.

Each time I watch it, the fire in my heart burns even brighter.

"Prime Minister," Cheng Yu entered from outside, his expression grave, "Xun Yu's residence is now completely sealed off. No one is allowed to enter or leave."

Cao Cao nodded.

"How did he react?"

"According to those who were monitoring him, Lord Xun... just stood in the backyard the whole time, doing nothing."

"Didn't do anything?" Cao Cao sneered. "Of course he didn't do anything. He's done more than enough!"

Cheng Yu lowered his head, not daring to respond.

Cao Cao stood up and walked to the map.

His finger touched the location of Xudu, then slowly moved upwards and stopped at Yingchuan.

"What about Xun Chen?"

"We've also increased manpower to keep an eye on things," Cheng Yu said, "but there hasn't been any further action yet."

Cao Cao remained silent for a moment.

"Where is Wenhe?"

"Military Advisor Jia is waiting in the side hall."

"Let him in."

A moment later, Jia Xu entered the main hall. His steps were as slow as ever, and his expression as calm as ever, as if the collapse of the sky had nothing to do with him.

"Prime Minister."

"Wenhe, do you think Xun Yu will rebel?"

Jia Xu raised his eyes, his gaze deep and unfathomable.

"What would the Prime Minister like to ask me?"

"I'm asking you, will he rebel?"

Jia Xu remained silent for a moment.

"I don't know," he said, "but I do know one thing."

"What?"

"If Lord Xun wanted to rebel, he would have done so twenty years ago." Jia Xu's voice was soft, yet it was like a knife piercing Cao Cao's heart. "If he wanted to join Liu Bei, he would have done so three years ago when Xun You went to Liaodong. If he wanted to betray the Prime Minister, he could have contacted those people to deal with the Prime Minister during the Xuchang massacre."

He paused.

"He didn't. He didn't do anything. He just... stayed indoors."

Cao Cao stared at him.

"Are you speaking up for him?"

Jia Xu shook his head.

"I am merely stating what I have seen." He raised his eyes, looking directly at Cao Cao. "Prime Minister, that letter was written by Xun Chen, not Xun Yu. Xun Yu did not reply, did not take any action, and only said, 'I understand.' What do those four words prove?"

Cao Cao remained silent.

"This shows he knew his brother had met with Liu Bei's men," Jia Xu continued. "But knowing doesn't equal agreeing. Knowing doesn't equal participating. The Prime Minister imprisoned him because of a letter written by his brother—"

He didn't continue.

But the meaning is already quite clear.

Cao Cao's expression changed repeatedly.

"Are you saying I did something wrong?"

Jia Xu lowered his head.

"I dare not say that the Prime Minister has done anything wrong. I am only saying that by doing this, the Prime Minister will push Lord Xun to one side or the other."

Cao Cao was stunned.

Which side should we push him to?

Which side is he on now?

He did nothing but stay indoors. But his act of sealing him off pushed him to the brink of disaster.

"Prime Minister," Jia Xu's voice rang out again, "may I ask: do you intend to force him into rebellion, or do you wish to keep him?"

Cao Cao did not answer.

He just stared at the location of Xuchang on the map, without moving for a long time.

---

Noon, Yingchuan.

Xun Chen stood by the window of his study, holding a secret report that had just arrived from Xudu.

"Xun Yu's residence has been sealed off, and no one is allowed to enter or leave."

His hands were trembling slightly.

Although he had anticipated this outcome, he still felt a chill run down his spine when it actually happened.

Big brother...

My older brother has been placed under house arrest.

Because of the letter he wrote.

"Master," the old servant's voice came from outside the door, "someone has come and says...it's urgent."

Xun Chen took a deep breath and steadied himself.

"Let him in."

A moment later, a man in black entered the study. He was in his thirties, with an ordinary face, and was the same man who had delivered the letter last time.

"Mr. Xun," the man in black bowed, "my lord has sent me to ask you a question."

Xun Chen looked at him.

"What did you say?"

"Have you made up your mind, sir?"

Xun Chen remained silent.

What have you decided?

Have you decided whether to continue waiting, or... take action now?

He gazed out the window at the old locust tree, at the newly sprouted buds.

spring is coming.

But will his older brother's spring ever come?

"Go back and tell your lord," he finally spoke, "wait a little longer."

The man in black nodded and turned to leave.

Xun Chen stood motionless by the window.

After a long silence, he murmured:

"Big brother... hang in there."

---

At Shenshi (3-5 PM), Xiapi was established.

The atmosphere in the sluggish, secret room was so oppressive that it was hard to breathe.

Pang Tong and Sima Yi sat facing each other, with the secret report that had just been delivered spread out on the table.

"Xun Yu's residence has been sealed off, and no one is allowed to enter or leave."

"As for Yingchuan, Xun Chen said to wait a little longer."

Pang Tong stared at the two secret reports and took a swig of wine.

"Zhongda, what do you think?"

Sima Yi remained silent for a moment.

"Cao Cao panicked," he said, "so panicked that he abandoned all semblance of dignity."

Pang Tong nodded.

"Yes. He panicked. Panic leads to mistakes. But this time—" He paused, "he was the one who made the mistake, and Xun Yu is the one who suffers the consequences."

Sima Yi looked at him.

"Sir, will Xun Yu die?"

Pang Tong shook his head.

"No. At least not now." He stood up and walked to the map. "Cao Cao only wants to force him to take a stand, not to kill him. If Xun Yu is killed, the scholars of Yingchuan will be completely disheartened. Cao Cao surely understands this."

"Then why did he still seal off his residence?"

"Because of that letter." Pang Tong pointed to the location of Xuchang on the map. "That letter pierced his heart. The more he cares about Xun Yu, the less he can accept the possibility that Xun Yu might betray him."

Sima Yi seemed to be deep in thought.

"So what do we do now?"

Pang Tong thought for a moment.

"Wait," he said, "wait for Xun Yu to come out on his own."

"Come out?"

"That's right." Pang Tong turned to look at Sima Yi. "Xun Yu spent twenty years in Xuchang, and he didn't do it for nothing. He had cards to play, but he just didn't want to play them. Now that Cao Cao has cornered him, it's time for him to play his cards."

He took a swig of wine, a slight smile playing on his lips.

"Zhongda, believe it or not, there will be news within three days."

---

At the hour of You (5-7 PM), in the western part of Xuchang City, at Xun Yu's residence.

The sky gradually darkened.

Xun Yu was still standing under the eaves in the backyard. He had been standing there for a whole day.

Xun Yun walked over carrying a bowl of porridge, his face solemn.

"Father, you haven't eaten all day. This is the last bit of rice we cooked; please have some."

Xun Yu took the bowl of porridge and glanced at it.

There was only a small half bowl, so thin that you could see your reflection in it.

He didn't drink it; he just held it in his hand.

"How much grain is left in the manor?"

Xun Yun lowered his head.

"That's it for tonight's meal..."

Xun Yu remained silent.

He put the bowl of porridge back into Xun Yun's hands.

"You drink it."

"Father!"

"Drink." Xun Yu's voice was soft, but firm. "You're young, you can't go hungry."

Xun Yun's eyes reddened.

"Father, are we really going to die here?"

Xun Yu did not answer.

He simply gazed at the plum tree, at the new buds that were gradually fading into the twilight.

After a long silence, he spoke:

"Yun'er, go and gather everyone in the manor."

Xun Yun was taken aback.

"What are you doing?"

"Distribute the rations." Xun Yu's voice was calm. "Take out everything edible, one portion for each person. Then..."

He paused.

"Then wait."

---

At the hour of Xu (7-9 PM), at the Prime Minister's residence.

Cao Cao sat in his study, the letter laid out before him.

He had been watching for a whole day and night, and his eyes were bloodshot.

"Prime Minister," Cheng Yu's voice came from outside the door, "there's been some movement at Xun Yu's residence."

Cao Cao suddenly looked up.

"What's that noise?"

"Xun Yu gathered everyone in the manor and divided the remaining grain equally." Cheng Yu paused, "and then... nothing more happened."

Cao Cao was stunned.

Divide the grain equally?

What is this... to do?

Did he send anyone out?

"no."

"Has any news leaked out?"

"no."

Cao Cao remained silent.

He suddenly remembered what Jia Xu had said during the day:

"Do you want to force him to rebel, or do you want to keep him?"

He wanted to keep him.

But will doing this keep him here?

he does not know.

He just stared at the location of Xuchang on the map, without moving for a long time.

---

At 9:00 PM, at the Governor's Office of Xiapi.

I stood before the map, listening to Pang Tong report the latest news from Xuchang.

"Xun Yu divided the last of the grain in the manor equally," Pang Tong said softly. "And that was the end of it."

I remained silent.

"My lord," Pang Tong said, looking at me, "Xun Yu is waiting."

"What are you waiting for?"

"Let Cao Cao make the final decision." Pang Tong walked to the map and pointed to the location of Xuchang. "He entrusted his life to Cao Cao. If Cao Cao comes to his senses and releases him, he can continue to be Xun Yu. If Cao Cao remains obstinate..."

He didn't continue.

I finished the sentence for him.

He died there.

Pang Tong nodded.

I stared at that tiny dot on the map.

Xudu.

There's someone locked up in that place.

A man whom Cao Cao suspected, Xun You worried about, and scholars throughout the land looked up to.

"Shiyuan".

"exist."

Do you think Cao Cao will ever realize his mistake?

Pang Tong remained silent for a long time.

Then he shook his head.

"No," he said, "because he is no longer the Cao Cao of yesteryear."

I looked at him.

"That Xun Yu..."

"I will die," Pang Tong said softly but firmly, "but not now."

"What do you mean?"

Pang Tong turned around and looked at me.

"My lord, Xun Yu has not been in Xuchang for nothing during his twenty years there. He still has a trump card up his sleeve."

"What brand?"

"His own life," Pang Tong said, emphasizing each word. "If he dies in Xuchang, Cao Cao will completely lose the hearts of the scholars of the land. Cao Cao doesn't understand this now, but he will soon."

I was stunned.

"You mean, he threatened to kill himself to force Cao Cao to comply?"

Pang Tong shook his head.

"It wasn't forcing Cao Cao. It was forcing himself." There was a complex emotion in his voice. "He wanted to use his own life to teach Cao Cao a lesson and to give the world an explanation."

I remained silent.

Is this Xun Yu?

The man known as "my Zhang Liang," the man who assisted Cao Cao for twenty years, the man who maintained his dignity even in dire straits.

"Shiyuan".

"exist."

"What can we do?"

Pang Tong thought for a moment.

"Wait," he said. "We'll make our choice after he does."

---

At midnight, in the western part of Xuchang, at Xun Yu's residence.

Xun Yu was still sitting under the eaves in the backyard.

The moonlight shone on him, casting a very long shadow.

Xun Yun sat beside him without saying a word.

The others in the mansion were already asleep. They received the last portion of food, which, though small, meant they wouldn't go hungry tonight.

"Father," Xun Yun finally spoke.

"Um?"

"What are you thinking about?"

Xun Yu remained silent for a moment.

"I'm thinking..." he said softly, "whether twenty years was worth it."

Xun Yun looked at him.

Is it worth it?

Xun Yu did not answer.

He simply gazed at the brightest star in the north.

That's the direction of the Big Dipper.

That's the direction of Xiangping.

That's... a place he may never be able to go.

"Yun'er."

"exist."

"If tomorrow..." Xun Yu paused, "If tomorrow someone comes to ask you what your father thinks, what will you say?"

Xun Yun was stunned.

"Father, you..."

Answer me.

Xun Yun gritted his teeth.

"The child will say that Father didn't think about anything. Father just...did what he had to do."

Xun Yu turned his head and looked at him.

Under the moonlight, the young son had a firmness in his eyes that he had never shown before.

"Okay," he said softly, "Go to sleep."

Xun Yun stood up, took a few steps, and then stopped.

"Father."

"Um?"

"Do you...regret it?"

Xun Yu remained silent for a long time.

Then he spoke, his voice very soft, as if he were saying to himself:

"No regrets. Just...a little tired."

---

At dawn.

The sky was beginning to lighten with the first light of dawn.

Xun Yu remained seated under the eaves, unable to sleep all night.

His hand remained pressed against the letter in his pocket.

"Lord Liu is willing to treat you as a national hero."

National scholar.

What is a national hero?

He asked himself the question.

A national hero is someone who would die for someone who understands him.

Cao Cao was once his confidant.

What now?

he does not know.

The sound of a rooster crowing came from afar.

A new day has begun.

He stood up and walked to the plum tree.

The tender green buds shimmered in the morning light.

He reached out and gently touched the leaves.

Then he turned around and went back into the house.

Paper and ink were spread out on the table.

He picked up his pen and wrote a few words.

After he finished writing, he folded the paper and put it in his sleeve.

Then he went out of the house and came to the old locust tree in the backyard.

There was a hidden cave under the tree, which he had dug many years ago for emergencies.

He put the paper inside and covered it with soil.

Then he went back to the veranda and sat down again.

wait.