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

Su Chen didn't understand the meaning behind Cao Cao's question.

Flattery is definitely not an option, and to put it bluntly, it's inappropriate.

Thinking of this, he chuckled:

"Why did I vote for Sikong? Precisely because I cannot judge him!"

Cao Cao was quite surprised to hear this answer:

"Oh? Could it be that future generations are also unable to judge me?"

Su Chen smiled calmly:

"Because Sikong is neither a hero nor a tyrant."

"He is the only treacherous hero in the five thousand years of Chinese history."

These words immediately stunned everyone around them.

A treacherous villain?!

This assessment was only made by Xu Shao during the "Monthly Review" back then!

Cao Cao's expression also changed slightly.

Before he could speak, Su Chen continued:

"Please do not misunderstand, this villain's treachery is not of the ordinary kind."

"The so-called cunning and ruthless are beyond the comprehension of ordinary people, beyond the constraints of conventional etiquette, and beyond the scope of conventional language."

"Those who disregard worldly etiquette and do not act like ordinary people are treacherous heroes."

silence.

There was silence all around.

All eyes were quietly drawn to Cao Cao, observing his reaction.

"Hahahaha, excellent, excellent!"

Suddenly, Cao Cao burst into laughter:

"What a cunning and ruthless man! What an extraordinary talent!"

"Young man, your vision surpasses even that of Xu Shao back then!"

"If he were still alive, he would probably call you 'Sir'!"

These words truly resonated with Cao Cao.

In fact, he asked this question because he wanted to know how future generations would evaluate him.

"The so-called treacherous hero is merely a small part of the iceberg when it comes to Sikong."

Su Chen smiled slightly and said:

"Even people of later generations cannot fully evaluate Sikong."

"The only person who can truly judge Sikong is Sikong himself."

This isn't flattery at all.

Cao Cao has always been a controversial figure, with some criticizing him and others praising him.

But throughout history, he is the only one who has been called a villainous hero.

What was the Three Kingdoms period like? It was practically a battle of gods! Any one of those forces would have been a hegemon in any other dynasty.

In this whole affair, only Cao Cao was able to emerge victorious in the end.

It's a pity that the Sima family usurped power, but that's a matter for later generations.

The only person who can evaluate Cao Cao is himself.

"Speaking of which, the young man hasn't given his name yet?"

Cao Cao grew to like Su Chen more and more the more he looked at him, and only then did he realize what was happening.

I didn't even know his name.

Su Chen smiled slightly and said:

"My surname is Su, and my given name is Chen."

"We didn't have courtesy names. In our time, courtesy names didn't exist anymore."

"I'll choose one now and name him Jingming."

Upon hearing this, Cheng Yu immediately felt ashamed.

Why would someone give themselves a courtesy name?

However, considering Su Chen's self-proclaimed identity as a transmigrator, he didn't say anything.

"Jingming... Jingming is good."

"Similar to shrewdness, the scenery implies high praise, the future is like a bright future, and the brightness implies clarity and wisdom."

"Beautiful calligraphy! Beautiful calligraphy!"

Cao Cao, however, stood aside and praised with a smile:

"Jingming is indeed quite talented in literature, and he is worthy of his twenty years of hard study."

"Since you've come to serve me, you must also be hoping to obtain an official position."

"Now, tell me, what position do you wish to hold?"

Hearing this, Su Chen was overjoyed.

Saying this means that Cao Cao has already recognized him!

But Cao Cao didn't offer him an official position; instead, he asked him for details.

Clearly, they wanted to see how well Su Chen assessed his own abilities.

Speaking carelessly is unacceptable, but being overly humble is also inappropriate.

"Thank you, Minister, but I do not wish to hold any substantive position."

"Could you grant me a nominal post to advise the Minister of Works?"

Su Chen said calmly.

"Oh? Why?"

This answer truly surprised Cao Cao.

Su Chen had previously stated that he came to join the cause because he didn't want to starve to death and wanted to realize his ambitions.

But why not hold a substantive position?

Su Chen explained:

"As I said before, I am a time traveler."

"My ideas, strategies, and tactics may not be suitable for this dynasty, so I should not have real power."

"Therefore, it would be better to hold a nominal position and advise the Minister of Works on strategies."

"As for whether the strategy is feasible, that is up to the Minister of Works to decide."

Upon hearing Su Chen's explanation, Cao Cao nodded in agreement and said:

"Jingming has considered everything carefully."

"In that case, you may temporarily serve as my chief clerk."

"The registrar is responsible for drafting documents, but Jingming is not familiar with the writing system of this era, so he doesn't need to do it."

"Just a name will suffice."

Su Chen breathed a sigh of relief and smiled:

"I thank you, Minister Sikong."

The reason Su Chen didn't want real power was actually because he was afraid of Cao Cao's suspicion.

Cao Cao was skilled at managing people, but he was also suspicious by nature, and he certainly wouldn't listen to everything you said.

If someone holds real power, they will inevitably be met with suspicion.

It would be better to take a leisurely, nominal position, so that I can demonstrate my abilities without worrying about being overly suspected.

To work under Cao Cao, one must remain completely untainted.

"Dian Wei!"

Cao Cao slowly stood up and called out:

"Send the order to prepare a grand banquet."

"I want to give Jingming a welcome dinner!"

"Here you go!"

Dian Wei bowed in acceptance of the order and turned to leave the tent.

"slow."

However, before he could leave, Cao Cao suddenly raised his hand to stop him:

"I just heard Jingming say that he's not used to the modern tastes."

"People in later generations will have salt at every meal."

"Since that's the case..."

Seeing the look Cao Cao gave him, Cheng Yu immediately understood and said:

"Minister, but my camp only has coarse salt, not fine salt."

"I'm afraid it will be difficult to meet Jingming's needs."

How could Su Chen not know what the two of them meant by singing in unison?

They simply didn't believe it when they heard he knew how to make salt.

Indeed, the simple method for making fine salt was developed through improvements made by various parties in later generations.

During the Three Kingdoms period, the idea of ​​producing fine salt was simply a pipe dream.

Thinking of this, Su Chen smiled slightly:

"Sikong, as I mentioned before, I know the art of making fine salt."

"An army cannot be without salt."

"In that case, the matter of salt is entrusted to me."

Cao Cao chuckled and said:

"That's excellent!"

"Jingming, just name your needs, no matter how many people you require!"

In the past, salt production required a large amount of manpower and resources to produce coarse salt.

Not to mention fine salt, which requires even more care and attention, and involves a complicated process.

Since Su Chen was so confident, Cao Cao naturally wouldn't be stingy with his manpower.

After all, as long as there is salt in the army, the soldiers will have the strength to fight.

Salt is more expensive than meat; this isn't just a saying.

Su Chen stood with his hands behind his back, and said with a sly smile:

"No one is needed; I can do it all myself."

"All you need to do, Sikong, is give me some coarse salt or salt mines."

"It's...that simple?"

Cao Cao looked at Su Chen with a shocked expression.

Can a person really make fine salt from coarse salt?!

Seeing Su Chen smile without saying a word, Cao Cao spoke directly without hesitation:

"Zhongde, go and prepare to bring all the coarse salt from the army."

"If Jingming can truly produce fine salt, he will be richly rewarded!"

……