Three Kingdoms: Cao Cao is stunned when he reveals his time-traveling identity.

Meanwhile, in Wancheng.

City Lord's Mansion.

A military general dressed in magnificent brocade armor was sitting on the city lord's chair.

His eyes were fixed on the map on the desk in front of him, his face particularly gloomy.

Just sitting there, the menacing aura emanating from him was enough to send chills down one's spine.

This man was Zhang Xiu, the lord of Wancheng and the King of Spears of the North.

"Wenhe, is that traitor Cao Cao truly willing to accept our army's surrender?"

As she looked around, Zhang Xiu suddenly raised her head and looked at the middle-aged man standing to her right.

The middle-aged man was dressed in a long, dark robe, had a tuft of beard, and a sinister face.

Jia Xu, Jia Wenhe!

Jia Xu, his expression as calm as still water, said:

"General, rest assured, Cao Cao is unwilling to engage in a direct conflict with our army."

"He must be happy to accept this surrender and will not refuse it."

Although Jia Xu said that, Zhang Xiu still hesitated and said:

"But Cao Cao was ruthless, cunning, and full of tricks."

"I'm just afraid... he'll say he's willing to surrender in name, but in reality..."

A barely perceptible glint flashed in Jia Xu's eyes:

"Does the general mean he's afraid that Cao Cao will launch a rebellion against Xuzhou against Wancheng?"

Zhang Xiu narrowed his eyes and nodded heavily.

Noncommittal.

Zhang Xiu was terrified; he was truly terrified.

Because Cao Song died in Xuzhou, Cao Cao massacred the entire city after conquering Xuzhou.

From sixty-year-old seniors to young children, no one was spared!

Moreover, this wasn't the first time Cao Cao had done something like this!

Zhang Xiu was not a benevolent city lord.

But if Cao Cao did that, he certainly wouldn't survive either!

Surrender is like sticking your neck out and putting it under someone's knife!

The feeling of being at someone's mercy is unpleasant.

Zhang Xiu wasn't afraid of the people of Wancheng being slaughtered, but rather that he was afraid of letting a wolf into his house and ending up with a miserable death!

However, a smile appeared on Jia Xu's face:

"General, rest assured, such a thing is absolutely impossible."

"Cao Cao's massacre of Xuzhou was partly to avenge his father."

"Secondly, Yuan Shao and others in the north are eyeing us covetously, and he is demonstrating his power to the world."

"Yu Wancheng, he wouldn't do that."

"It is of no use except at the cost of sacrificing the trust of the people."

At this point, Jia Xu casually remarked:

"Therefore, please put your mind at ease, General."

Hearing this, Zhang Xiu finally breathed a sigh of relief.

He also considered establishing his own independent regime.

However, Wancheng alone was no match for a power like Cao Cao's, which possessed numerous cities.

At present, there is no other way but to surrender to Cao Cao and live under his roof.

Therefore, he readily accepted Jia Xu's suggestion to surrender.

At least it can save your life in this chaotic world.

"Report!"

Just then, a series of hurried footsteps came from outside the door.

A messenger rushed over, cupped his hands, and said:

"Reporting to General, Cao Cao has dispatched five hundred vanguard troops, led by his eldest son Cao Ang."

"We are currently heading towards the Wei River and will arrive at Wancheng soon."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Xiu was taken aback:

"What?"

"So Cao Cao didn't come to accept the surrender, but instead sent his son?"

Suddenly, an unnamed rage rose in Zhang Xiu's heart.

Although he was no match for Cao Cao, wasn't Cao Cao being far too disrespectful?

He sent his son with five hundred men to accept the surrender?

If that's the case, it would be an utter disgrace!

However, Jia Xu, standing to the side, calmly said:

"These five hundred vanguard soldiers seem to be Cao Cao's plan to use them to spy on the situation in my Wancheng."

"Cao Cao is inherently suspicious; how easy is it to make him believe?"

Zhang Xiu immediately said with a displeased expression:

"But Wenhe, what if we really surrender to these five hundred vanguard soldiers?"

"Wouldn't this be ridiculed by the world if they heard about it?!"

Jia Xu shook his head and said:

"If Cao Cao did not value this, he would certainly not have sent his most beloved son."

"General, no matter what, we must host a grand banquet for Cao Ang and we must not be careless."

"As long as we show sincerity, we can dispel Cao Cao's doubts."

Reputation? Jia Xu never cared.

What Jia Xu cared about was life.

As long as I can live, I'll do anything, however I feel like it.

Zhang Xiu took a deep breath; he didn't want his uncle Zhang Ji's business to be destroyed in his hands.

Thinking of this, he slowly began to speak:

"Besides Cao Ang, is anyone else traveling with them?"

The messenger hesitated slightly before speaking:

"There was also Cao Chun and an unnamed general."

"It seems... Cao Cao's personal clerk is also with him."

"According to reports, this personal clerk was sent at Cao Cao's insistence, and his name is... Su Chen, courtesy name Jingming."

Upon hearing this, Jia Xu, who had been strategizing on the sidelines, froze for a moment.

Cao Cao insisted on sending a chief clerk to accompany him.

What does this mean?

Even Jia Xu, who was almost a genius, couldn't figure out Cao Cao's intentions at this moment.

This is the vanguard, so having Cao Ang, Cao Chun, and a few miscellaneous deputy generals shouldn't be a problem.

Why would you specifically send a clerk?

"Wenhe!"

Just then, Zhang Xiu clenched his fists, his face full of resentment, and said:

"This is Cao Cao humiliating me!"

"Why did you have Cao Ang bring along a personal clerk? Was he trying to record the moment I surrendered?!"

"This Cao Cao is far too dismissive of me!"

Jia Xu remained silent for a moment before speaking:

"Go and keep a close eye on the movements of these five hundred vanguard soldiers."

"While you're at it, investigate this Su Chen as well."

"Cao Cao would never have sent him here without a reason; there must be something fishy going on."

"Here you go!"

The messenger received the order and hurriedly left.

Jia Xu had already memorized the name "Su Chen" in his heart.

Cao Cao valued talent and would never abandon any talented person.

The surrender of Wancheng was no small matter. Even if Cao Cao was stupid, he would not have taken it so lightly and inexplicably sent a clerk to accompany him.

The fact that Cao Cao sent Cao Ang to lead the vanguard shows that he did not disregard it.

If that's the case, then there's only one possible outcome.

This Su Chen is no ordinary person!

"General, please calm down."

"I think this registrar... is probably no ordinary person."

"We will wait for their arrival and give them a warm welcome."

"It would be best to assess Cao Cao's true intentions before making any further decisions."

Hearing this, Zhang Xiu was still somewhat annoyed.

But since Jia Xu had already said so, he could only nod.

Zhang Xiu had dominated Wancheng for many years. Although his power was not great, it was by no means insignificant.

If Cao Cao truly underestimated him in this way.

He would definitely not be happy about that.

Why else would I specifically order a clerk to accompany me?

As for Su Chen, Zhang Xiu didn't even consider whether he was talented or not.

What talents could a clerk responsible for keeping records possibly have?

In Zhang Xiu's eyes, this was clearly an attempt to humiliate him!

Thinking of this, Zhang Xiu's anger intensified.

What he hates most is when others don't value him.

No matter who it is, it won't do!

But Jia Xu's advice was more important than that.

Therefore, Zhang Xiu could only endure it for the time being and wait quietly.

"What exactly is Cao Cao trying to do?!"

……