Three Kingdoms: Zhang Fei was sent flying by a single spear thrust, leaving Liu Bei stunned.

"borrow?"

Cao Cao was stunned, and everyone in the hall was stunned.

Xiahou Yuan, being the most impatient, couldn't help but speak up: "Ziqian, what are you saying? Those powerful clans and gentry are all influential figures who have been entrenched in Chenliu for many years, their influence deeply entrenched. If we go to them to borrow money, do you think they'll agree? Isn't that tantamount to outright robbery?"

“That’s right,” Zhang Ziqian said with a “you finally hit the nail on the head” look, looking at Xiahou Yuan and nodding approvingly. “You’re right, it’s outright robbery, oh no, I misspoke, it’s ‘borrowing’.”

He cleared his throat and began to explain his logic: "Think about it, what are we now? We're the army! What does the army do? Protect our country! Those rich people, living in the city and enjoying peaceful lives, shouldn't they also contribute to this peace?"

"That makes sense, but..." Cao Ren still felt it was inappropriate.

"No buts," Zhang Ziqian interrupted him impatiently. "You all overthink things, always looking before you act. I ask you, what did Dong Zhuo do in Luoyang?"

Mentioning Dong Zhuo, Cao Cao's face darkened: "Dong Zhuo is a traitor to the country, committing perverse acts, plundering officials and wealthy households, and arousing the wrath of both heaven and man!"

"That's right!" Zhang Ziqian clapped his hands. "Look, even traitors know to rob... ptooey, take when they're broke. We're here to raise an army to punish traitors, aren't we much more righteous? We're facing difficulties now, so we're 'borrowing' some military funds from the wealthy people under our jurisdiction to maintain our army so we can continue our campaign against traitors in the future. What's wrong with that?"

Looking at Cao Cao's conflicted expression, he patiently persuaded him, "Boss, think about it. We're not taking it for free. We can give them IOUs! Just write, 'I hereby borrow from so-and-so the amount of grain and money, to be repaid double when the world is at peace.' Sign it with your name, Cao Mengde. If they accept it, they'll happily hand over the grain and money. If they don't…"

Zhang Ziqian paused, a malicious smile spreading across his face, and weighed the Yuwang Spear leaning against the wall in his hand.

"...Then I'll go to their place in person, help them understand the situation, and reason with them properly."

The entire hall was deathly silent.

Everyone was stunned by Zhang Ziqian's twisted logic.

How can robbery be described in such a refined and righteous way?

IOU? What's the difference between this IOU and toilet paper? Peace and tranquility in the future? Who knows when that will be! Double repayment? Who believes that!

But strangely enough, they felt that what Zhang Ziqian said seemed to make a little bit of sense.

Especially the last phrase, "Let's talk about reason," sent a chill down the spines of Xiahou Dun, Cao Hong, and others who had witnessed Zhang Ziqian's methods of "reasoning." They could easily imagine how much reasoning would be possible when that 180-pound Yuwang Spear was placed before those gentry and powerful families.

Cao Cao was torn between his conscience and his will.

Born into an official family and educated in Confucianism, he had a personality that was unconventional and valued talent above all else. However, he still instinctively felt resistant to such methods that were almost like banditry.

However, the harsh reality was right before his eyes. Without money, the army would disband. If the army disbanded, how could Cao Mengde possibly talk about sweeping across the four seas and pacifying the world? Everything would become a pipe dream.

His gaze fell on Zhang Ziqian.

This man seemed to be born free from any moral or legal constraints. His logic was simple and blunt, yet it hit the nail on the head and was exceptionally effective.

Perhaps... I really am bound by those rules and regulations?

Those who achieve great things do not concern themselves with trifles.

If Dong Zhuo could do it, why can't I? He did it for his own selfish reasons, while I do it for the greater good of the world!

Cao Cao's gaze gradually shifted from hesitation to determination.

"Alright!" He slammed his hand on the table and stood up. "Let's do as Ziqian says!"

"My lord, please reconsider!" Li Dian, who had been silent until now, hurriedly advised, "This action... would tarnish your reputation for benevolence!"

"Benevolence?" Cao Cao sneered. "In this world, can benevolence buy food? Can it feed my thousands of hungry soldiers? If I can't even feed my own troops, what right do I have to talk about benevolence towards the world? That would be the biggest joke!"

He surveyed the crowd, his voice resolute: "Pass on my order! Immediately draft a list of all the incredibly wealthy but stingy people in Chenliu City who haven't contributed a single penny to this alliance!"

"Then," he looked at Zhang Ziqian, a complex light flashing in his eyes, a mixture of decisiveness and a hint of reckless madness, "Ziqian, tomorrow you will come with me to visit the first family on this list, the Wei family!"

The Wei family was the most powerful clan in Chenliu Commandery, and its patriarch, Wei Zi, was highly respected among the literati. When Cao Cao first raised his army, the Wei family had provided him with financial assistance. However, after Cao Cao's defeat and return, the Wei family's attitude became extremely cold, and they ignored Cao Cao's requests for help.

Cao Cao decided to use this biggest troublemaker as a warning to others!

Zhang Ziqian grinned, revealing a set of white teeth: "Alright! Boss, just you wait and see. I guarantee I'll handle it perfectly. By the way, I'm coming tomorrow, should I change my clothes? Would it be more effective if I dressed a bit more menacingly?"

Cao Cao: "..."

He rubbed his temples, feeling his head throb even more.

……

Early the next morning.

In front of the Wei family mansion.

Cao Cao, dressed in plain clothes, stood quietly at the doorway with only Cao Hong and a dozen or so personal guards. Beside him stood a burly man carrying a huge weapon, yawning listlessly.

Zhang Ziqian got up especially early today, and before he could even have breakfast, Cao Cao dragged him out of bed. He was so sleepy that he just wanted to finish his business quickly and go back to catch up on his sleep.

Cao Cao presented his visiting card, and the gatekeeper went in to announce his arrival. After a long while, the gatekeeper slowly came out and said arrogantly, "My master is unwell and will not receive guests. General Cao, please return."

Cao Hong was furious: "How dare you! My lord has personally come to pay a visit, and your master dares to be so disrespectful?"

The gatekeeper curled his lip and rolled his eyes, completely disregarding Cao Hong. Just a defeated, ragtag general, does he really think he's someone important?

Cao Cao stopped the impulsive Cao Hong, his face calm, though his eyes turned cold.

"Ziqian," he called softly.

"Huh?" Zhang Ziqian rubbed his eyes, asking sleepily, "Is it all done? Can we go back now?"

"Not yet." Cao Cao pointed to the tightly closed vermilion gate. "They won't open it."

"Oh, you're not opening the door?" Zhang Ziqian nodded, then took two steps forward and stood in front of the door.

He reached out a hand and gently knocked on the heavy door.

"Thump."

The sound was not loud, and even somewhat muffled.

But the next second, to the horror of the gatekeeper and Cao Hong, the huge mansion gate, which was fixed with hard wood and copper nails, along with the door frame and the wall next to it, made a "crackling" sound and then collapsed inward with a "boom"!

Amidst the billowing smoke and dust, Zhang Ziqian withdrew his hand, dusted it off, and turned to look at the dumbfounded Cao Cao.

"Boss, the door's open now. Can we go in?"