NOVPUBAfter a long time, realizing that Xun Wenruo was completely ignoring him, Fan Qin sheepishly lifted his head to see Xun Yu continuing to review official documents.
"Huber, do you think the Lord made a mistake this time?" Xun Yu asked without looking up. 𝒏𝒐𝙫𝙥𝙪𝙗.𝒄𝙤𝙢
Delighted, Fan Qin didn’t look up. What he feared most was Xun Yu saying nothing at all, as the uncertainty made him helpless. As long as Xun Yu was willing to speak, there would always be a way to handle things. "From the standpoint of filial piety, there isn’t much of a problem, but from the standpoint of morality, it’s somewhat unacceptable. If we consider the Nine Virtues of the Feudal Lords..."
"Mm," Xun Yu hummed softly, seemingly unconvinced.
Fan Qin waited a long time, but when Xun Yu didn’t continue, he finally lost his patience. "Xun Wenruo, if you don’t give me an explanation today, I quit!"
"The lord chooses his officials, and the officials also choose their lord," Xun Yu said indifferently.
"Does that mean you intend to kick Cao Mengde to the curb? That’s good. Let’s go help Chen Gongtai, and make him disappear, how about that?" Fan Qin said with great interest, hoping for internal strife among Cao Mengde’s followers. It didn’t matter if others rebelled, but if Xun Yu turned against Cao Cao now, Cao Cao would fall within three minutes, as most of the civil officials under Cao Cao were recommended by Xun Yu.
"To know one’s mistakes and to change can be regarded as the greatest virtue," Xun Yu continued.
"I..." Fan Qin was almost choked by Xun Yu’s response. He took a couple of deep breaths. "You mean to say that as long as Cao Mengde admits his fault and doesn’t repeat this mistake, you’re willing to let it go, right?"
Xun Yu didn’t pay any attention to Fan Qin. He simply couldn’t be bothered with him. Although Fan Qin was indeed very good at handling government affairs, strategies, and tactics, his personality was quite extraordinary.
"That’s not right. Like you said, if Cao Mengde is willing to admit his error, you would forgive him. But that’s only if Cao Mengde can come back. You’ve let the madman Chen Gongtai loose, effectively cutting off Cao Mengde’s retreat. With Liu Xuande blocking the way ahead, how can he possibly survive?" Fan Qin pondered carefully, realizing that what Xun Yu was doing was essentially to doom Cao Cao.
Xun Yu continued reviewing his official documents, but suddenly a shadow rushed towards him, making him start. When he looked up, he saw Fan Qin looking at him in shock.
"Do you understand now?" Xun Yu asked, noticing Fan Qin’s expression.
"It’s shocking. I didn’t expect you to be so ruthless, and so bold. Aren’t you afraid of losing more than you try to steal?" Fan Qin opened his folding fan, with its hollowed-out patterns concealing his solemn face.
"It’s a matter of no consequence. Success or failure will both benefit us," Xun Yu said nonchalantly. "Since I have recognized him as my lord, then it is my duty to strategize for him. This is a test, as well as an opportunity. If successful, then our Lord can be deemed a Mighty Lord. If we fail, then it can only be said that I lacked discernment."
"Xun Wenruo!" Fan Qin’s voice seemed to squeeze out from between his teeth, "You’re formidable! You’re the most formidable person I’ve ever met! ’Three steps ahead’ doesn’t begin to describe your strategies; your foresight truly terrifies me!"
"You’re not too bad yourself," Xun Yu said without even lifting his head, "Hurry up and handle the government affairs. There are still many matters regarding Yanzhou that need attention. Arrange the military forces properly, so that Gongtai, once he takes control, will have enough strength to clean up the aftermath. Unless our Lord suffers some major setbacks, he cannot mature."
... Fan Qin let out a deep sigh, "Chen Changwen choosing you as his opponent is truly a tragedy. I can no longer see any hope for his victory. I can only pray he lives longer than you; otherwise, Changwen will never have a chance to turn things around in his lifetime."
Xun Yu smiled, "Get to work on the government affairs quickly. Gongtai...sigh, after all, has some similarities with us. I hope the Lord makes the right choice; otherwise, I would have made a bridal gown for someone else."
"Oh, oh, oh, you were all confident before, and now you’ve taken on the tone of a resentful woman, even talking about making a bridal gown for someone else. Xun Wenruo, don’t think I don’t know what you’re thinking. Your heart isn’t really set on Cao Mengde! You just think that Cao Mengde can help you accomplish the great undertaking of restoring the Han Dynasty. As for the arrangements you’re making now, even if they don’t end up in Cao Mengde’s hands, they will fall into those of the Han Dynasty, right?" Fan Qin ruthlessly exposed Xun Yu’s real intentions.
"Hehehe, I trust the Lord has that breadth of mind even more," Xun Yu said, his expression calm, but indeed, Fan Qin had caught a flash of something different in his eyes. This made Fan Qin certain that Xun Yu, should Cao Cao truly disappoint him, definitely had the capacity to retaliate and had already considered alternative successors.
[This guy is too terrifying. All his arrangements seem chaotic, but they form a solid whole. Even if they were to be exposed in front of Cao Mengde later, it wouldn’t have any adverse effects. As long as Cao Mengde can still stand before Xun Wenruo, he would be utterly grateful.]
Fan Qin, head down, reviewed the government affairs, growing more wary of Xun Yu. His schemes were of the sort where you’d be sold and still have to count the money for him! It was different from a chain of plots; it was pure open strategy, pushing the situation to such an extent that one had no choice but to make the best decision.
[Cao Mengde, you’re really lucky. Although Xun Wenruo is very dissatisfied with your actions, he has given you a chance. As long as you make the right choice at that moment, the Yanzhou you’ve lost is nothing but usury thrown out, which will bring you many times its interest in return.] Fan Qin thought silently.
Cao Cao had no idea that Xun Yu had already prepared a test for him. Now, the Cao Cao who had been slaughtering was worn out, with little hate left in his heart, reverting once more to a normal state, his interest in further slaughter waned, and he began regathering his soldiers, ceasing the killing.
However, at this time, the chaos in Xuzhou had already erupted. Cao Cao withdrew his troops, but the slaughter in Xuzhou did not cease. Even if Cao Cao were confused by rage, he knew he had been used as a pawn!
"Zhongde, investigate for me, find out who’s slaughtering the people of Xuzhou in my name! I, Cao Mengde, admit to those I’ve killed, but I won’t let others pin their wrongdoing on my head!" Cao Cao said furiously.
"Yes!" Cheng Yu responded. He had also realized that the slaughter in Xuzhou could no longer be controlled. Even if they stopped killing, others were still murdering under their banner. Although they themselves had killed the most, they were unwilling to take on more blood debts!
"Report! A letter from General Le in Faan County has arrived for the Lord!" A messenger rushed forward, kneeling in front of Cao Cao with a letter.
Seeing the handwriting on the envelope and the words "Personally opened by my son Meng De" on it, tears streamed down Cao Cao’s face. The hatred that had dissipated was now surging again. (To be continued. If you like this work, please come to Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for it, and your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please visit m.qidian.com to read.)
