Mythical Three Kingdoms-Chapter 1685 - 1617: Their Respective Resolve (Part 2)

What if we internally crush the Cao Clan, externally ally with Liu Bei, and swallow up all of Cao Cao’s forces in one go? Wouldn’t it be more stable? Chang’an will sever Cao Cao’s supply lines, and we send messages to Liu Bei at the front. Even if Cao Ang has confidence in his father, he wouldn’t believe under those circumstances that Cao Cao could retreat unscathed.

[Then who will be the guarantor? The civil faction has guessed; who will it be for the military faction?] Cao Ang thought, feeling somewhat troubled, but soon gave up. There’s a significant gap between him and those top-tier sages, and Xun Yu’s arrangements are not so easily dismantled.

"Big brother, are you still hesitating?" Xiahou Shang asked, frowning. To be honest, he always revered his cousin immensely, yet at this moment, his cousin seemed so indecisive, which displeased him greatly.

"It’s not hesitation; overall, it mainly depends on whether Dong Cheng and others will attack us." Cao Ang shook his head and said, "Actually, Boren, have you ever thought about what the Emperor’s most correct action is, do you know?"

"Isn’t it supposed to capture us, and then threaten uncle?" Xiahou Shang replied without hesitation, believing this was the most straightforward and effective method.

"Indeed, you are suitable, but you still have some gap compared to Sima Zhongda." Cao Ang shook his head and said. Seeing Xiahou Shang’s slight displeasure upon hearing this, Cao Ang began, "Sima Zhongda told me that what the Emperor should do now is actually a tour."

"A tour?" Xiahou Shang was taken aback, then suddenly realized, "Sima Zhongda hasn’t told the Emperor this, has he."

"No." Cao Ang shook his head, "He is one of us, but he’s blended into the Emperor’s side. And he told me if the Emperor chooses to tour during this year’s good harvest, he will gain a significant advantage, and countless mid- and low-level officials and grassroots people will support the Emperor."

"’The good weather and generous harvest are the Emperor’s benevolence.’" Cao Ang echoed the words told to him by Sima Yi, shaking his head at Xiahou Shang.

"..." Xiahou Shang remained silent for a while, his initial surprise gradually fading, clearing away his previous frivolity, and said to Cao Ang, "Big brother, let’s do something that makes the Emperor wary!"

"Let’s force them to act first, then contain... the Emperor. Sima Zhongda’s so-called inspection is more than just inspecting Zhuxia; it’s also inspecting the ministers. If Uncle isn’t around, once the Emperor truly gains power, the ministers who are now subdued by us will likely change with the wind!" Xiahou Shang resolved internally and spoke directly.

"Are we infringing?" Cao Ang pressed his temples, "First strengthen the manpower within the city, we can’t have occurrences like the previous incident, but it’s indeed difficult to stop the Emperor from going out."

"The Emperor hasn’t moved for so long, he probably hasn’t noticed this aspect. Let’s first turn the Imperial Court into our people, and tomorrow find someone to impeach Dong Cheng for occupying the farmland of Chang’an’s civilians." Xiahou Shang had fully regained his composure by now, showing no sign of neglect.

"That’s completely useless; Dong Cheng is the Emperor..." Halfway through, Cao Ang understood.

"Exactly, spread this assembly resolution throughout Chang’an, the civilians will probably be happy to hear these things, we will solve them at the cost of offending the Father-in-law of the Country." Xiahou Shang chuckled and said, "Public opinion and will are readily manipulative for us."

"Aside from this, we can gather a group to impeach various issues, only impeach the ill effects of occupying farmland, do it to everyone across from us, and meanwhile, I’ll find some material to let someone impeach us." Xiahou Shang, when serious, was indeed learned and soon had many ideas.

"You arrange the manpower, but let’s not push them too hard, avoid making moves unless absolutely necessary, and try to delay until the news of my father’s return to Chang’an is confirmed." Cao Ang thought for a moment before telling Xiahou Shang.

Cao Ang was not indecisive; once he made up his mind, he did not hesitate at all. It’s just that, how to say, sometimes when the opponent’s intellect plummets below the baseline, and sometimes when it exceeds the peak, it means your scheming completely loses its effect.

Just as Cao Ang made up his mind, Cao Cao also had received Liu Bei’s urgent letter, yet Cao Cao’s situation was similar to Liu Bei’s. Both of them were leading mostly elite infantry, advancing steadily at the rear.

Thus, upon receiving Liu Bei’s message, considering they were still somewhat allies now, and likely to become long-term allies in the future, Cao Cao gathered his Civil and Military Officials for a discussion and then sent five thousand troops under Xiahou Dun to rush northward.

"What do you think Liu Xuande is thinking, isn’t this nonsense? I’m farther from Shanggu than he is, how could I possibly arrive in time to rescue Chen Zichuan?" Cao Cao said to Xun Yu, speaking with a malicious speculation about Liu Bei, sinisterly asking Xun Yu, "Do you think Liu Xuande intends to target Chen Zichuan?"

Xun Yu gazed speechlessly at Cao Cao. Ever since Cao Cao had an open conversation with Xun Yu, Xun Yu had become his closest confidant. In short, anything that can or can’t be said, complaints are first directed at Xun Yu. After a while, Xun Yu suddenly found Cao Cao to be rather dull.

"Lord, this matter is absolutely impossible," Xun Yu said helplessly, "If it’s not notified to you, it may be possible, but once notified, it only means Liu Xuande is currently too worried and confused."

"Then what do you think, how much scheming does Chen Zichuan have in this action?" Cao Cao nodded. He was indeed speaking nonsense, seeing Xun Yu maintain an upright demeanor, Cao Cao became serious, displaying a solemn expression and asked.

"The situation, no matter how bad, cannot be as dire as Liu Xuande thinks. Chen Zichuan is not fond of taking risks; cautious and meticulous is his habit. Though this time deviates from previous habits, if he isn’t confident, he would not act this way." Xun Yu shook his head and said, still calm in appearance.

"Indeed, a character who plans three steps ahead and still has the capacity to observe surroundings wouldn’t place himself in danger. However, given Liu Xuande’s nature, it’s improbable for him to speak recklessly in this regard." Cao Cao thought for a moment and agreed with Xun Yu’s reasonable insights.

"Among the existing few routes of the Feudal Lords, those heading north are us and Sunx Bofu. I imagine Chen Zichuan is also very curious about Zhou Yu. Both of them rose to prominence in the Jianghu within years, and they not only have interest in each other, but Zhou Yu also cannot erase that curiosity." Xun Yu said naturally.

"This era’s younger generation is indeed exceptionally excellent, especially under Liu Xuande’s banner, Guo Fengxiao, Fa Xiaozhi, Xu Yuanzhi, and Chen Zichuan, all are talented and promising." Cao Cao said with emotion, inadvertently feeling some crisis.

"Not just excellent," Xun Yu said with a tinge of concern. He always thought his own household was rather deficient, but upon venturing out, he found the world to be truly vast, with remarkably outstanding figures everywhere.

"Hahaha, it’s only interesting this way," Cao Cao laughed heartily. He habitually gazed southward, as if his eyes could pierce through the camp and witness Chang’an.

"Indeed, without striving, I probably wouldn’t ascertain my own standing either," Xun Yu said wistfully, "Ah, Chang’an, everything will become clear after this time."

"May the Emperor choose the most correct method," Cao Cao slowly said, "This time I will meet Liu Xuande again, it’s been years since the parting at Hulao, thinking of his boldness, I guess he indeed dared to lead over ten thousand troops to Chang’an for an audience, right."

"Yes, if there’s no significant conflict between the Lord and Liu Xuande this time, I imagine Liu Xuande’s likely request would be to visit Chang’an and see the Emperor," Xun Yu sighed and said, "If possible, given the courage he’s now displaying, if he could resolve the world’s affairs in other ways, he likely wouldn’t wield swords."

"That’s what I think too, but he doesn’t want to fight doesn’t mean certain people under him won’t. Therefore, we also need to prepare some contingency, if I, Cao Mengde, can negotiate, then negotiate; if not, I won’t mindlessly shed blood to pave the way for others." Cao Cao said with utmost seriousness.