The Strategist's Words, Every One Accurate

Zhang Xiu had rebelled after all.

Just as in the original course of history, despite the butterfly effect caused by Qin Tian, the outcome of Zhang Xiu's rebellion remained unchanged.

Hearing the clamor outside, Dian Wei sighed incessantly in his heart.

If only I had known, what would it have hurt to trust Qin Tian just this once?

Yet, he was merely a general. Seeing Cao Cao overcome by the effects of the wine, he hurriedly said in a deep voice:

"Zhang Xiu has rebelled, my lord, you must leave at once!"

"The strategist must have made arrangements before his departure. Let me hold the camp gate while you escape through the rear!"

At this moment, Cao Cao's mind was numbed by alcohol, leaving him only half-sober. Upon hearing that Zhang Xiu had indeed rebelled, he immediately cursed:

"That brat Zhang Xiu! I treated you so well, how dare you betray me?"

"Truly fickle and treacherous!"

"Someone, bring me my sword! Today, I shall slay that brat Zhang Xiu!"

He cursed and tried to stand, but the world spun around him. No sooner had he risen than he collapsed back onto the couch.

Seeing Cao Cao so drunk, Dian Wei frowned and bowed to him:

"My lord, please forgive my rudeness!"

With that, he grabbed Cao Cao's arm, hoisted him onto his back, and strode out of the tent.

Compared to his own nine-foot stature, Cao Cao's frame of less than seven feet appeared quite small, as if he were carrying a child.

As they emerged from the main tent, they saw the camp surrounded by enemy troops. Spears and halberds stood like a forest, fires were erupting everywhere, and a large number of enemies were charging the camp gate.

A minor officer, his face covered in blood, rushed forward:

"My lord, Zhang Xiu's army has rebelled and is currently assaulting the central camp!"

"Our camp is in chaos, and we cannot mount a counterattack!"

Hearing this, Cao Cao's drunkenness faded slightly. He pounded on Dian Wei's back and shouted:

"Dian Wei, put me down! I will kill Zhang Xiu today!"

But Dian Wei did not budge. He looked at the officer and said in a deep voice:

"Take the lord to the rear camp immediately. I will hold off the enemy here!"

He set Cao Cao down and strode toward the gate:

"Someone, bring me my pair of iron halberds!"

Because of Qin Tian's warning, he had remained vigilant, and his halberds had not been stolen. A soldier brought them, and he charged toward the gate.

Seeing that Zhang Xiu's soldiers had breached the entrance, he grabbed a soldier who had rushed inside and hurled him outward with a single hand.

Then, gripping his iron halberds, he stood like an iron tower across the gate, roaring heroically:

"Dian Wei is here! Who dares approach!"

The soldiers looked at Dian Wei and were filled with terror.

Zhang Xiu, leading his troops from the rear, sat on his horse. Seeing this, he pointed his spear at the gate and shouted:

"We have already rebelled, and the traitor Cao cannot be spared! Cao Cao is known for slaughtering cities, and our families are all in Wan City. If you do not fight, none of our families will survive!"

"Cao Cao is in the central camp! Kill Dian Wei, and you can capture the traitor!"

At this moment, Cao Cao's notorious reputation backfired. Upon hearing this, the soldiers swarmed toward Dian Wei.

They might fear Dian Wei, but they feared Cao Cao's retaliation even more.

In an instant, countless spears and pikes thrust toward Dian Wei.

Seeing this, Dian Wei went berserk. He swung his halberds and charged forward, leading his personal guard to block the gate.

On the other side, Cao Cao was supported by soldiers, stumbling along. His stomach churned, and he vomited as he walked.

Yet, seeing the panicked soldiers passing by, he shouted:

"Do not run! Hurry to the gate and reinforce General Dian Wei!"

But as he shouted, no one obeyed.

Cao Cao suppressed his drunkenness, grabbed a fleeing soldier, and roared:

"Why do you not fight?"

The soldier looked at Cao Cao and cried out:

"My lord, we were feasting in the camp today, and we are not wearing our armor!"

Hearing this, Cao Cao wanted to slap himself.

Why did he have to order the three armies to remove their armor!

Now, despite having the numerical advantage, his men lacked weapons and armor, while Zhang Xiu had already reclaimed them under the guise of preventing desertion.

It was clear that Zhang Xiu had long harbored the intent to rebel; how could he have been so blind!

Just as he was wallowing in self-reproach, he saw a group of black-armored soldiers charging from the distance. They were the troops led by Hu Che'er under Zhang Xiu, sent specifically to prevent Cao Cao from escaping through the back gate.

Seeing Cao Cao there, Hu Che'er let out a thunderous roar:

"Traitor Cao, don't you run! Leave your life behind!"

He immediately spurred his horse forward, leading his soldiers in a direct charge toward Cao Cao.

Seeing this, Cao Cao could not help but close his eyes, crying out in despair:

"My life is at an end!"

Just then, he heard a loud shout:

"Rebels, dare not harm my lord!"

Opening his eyes, he saw a young general lead troops out to block Hu Che'er's path.

Cao Cao was overjoyed at the sight. Turning back, he saw that it was Yu Jin leading his men to the rescue.

Seeing Yu Jin arrive, Cao Cao hurried forward and grasped him, exclaiming:

"General, from where have you come?"

Yu Jin replied with a stern, unsmiling face:

"Today, the young master relayed the strategist's orders, commanding me to move my troops to the center camp. Hearing the chaos in the army, I came specifically to rescue you, my lord!"

"The situation is critical, my lord. Say no more, and head to the rear camp at once!"

When Cao Cao heard the words "relayed the strategist's orders," his heart gave a painful twitch. But hearing the second half of the sentence, he hurriedly said:

"General, quickly divide your troops to the front camp. You must reinforce General Dian Wei!"

Yu Jin nodded in acknowledgment and dispatched men to escort Cao Cao toward the rear army.

After traveling for a while, they saw Cao Ang and Cao Anmin arriving with their troops.

Seeing Cao Ang again, Cao Cao was overcome with unbearable guilt and said:

"I regret not listening to Zixiu's words. I never imagined Zhang Xiu would be so treacherous!"

But Cao Ang had no time for idle talk. He hurriedly dismounted and said:

"Father, say no more. Mount your horse quickly. Anmin will escort you out of the camp!"

Seeing Cao Ang offer his horse, Cao Cao hesitated, his heart aching:

"If I take your horse, Zixiu, how will you escape?"

Looking at Cao Cao, Cao Ang smiled faintly:

"Father, rest assured. The strategist predicted the enemy would attack the rear camp first and set fire to the stables. He had me guard the rear, so there are still horses available!"

"I am staying behind to reinforce General Dian Wei. Once I have rescued the general, I have my own way to leave!"

Hearing this, Cao Cao's lips trembled, and he could not speak. After a moment of silence, he could only urge:

"Zixiu, do not get bogged down in the fighting. If you truly cannot save him, retreat at once. Do not throw your life away!"

"Father, have no fear. I am a man grown!"

Cao Ang smiled reassuringly once more and signaled for Cao Anmin to take Cao Cao away.

Watching Cao Ang's smile, Cao Cao felt an indescribable bitterness in his heart.

What a fine son. If he were to die in Wan City, he truly would not know how to face Lady Ding!

After these two encounters, Cao Cao was drenched in sweat, and most of his drunkenness had faded.

But just as they reached the rear army, he heard a commotion behind them. He saw fires rising from his side camp and the sounds of battle echoing incessantly.

Seeing this, Cao Cao exclaimed in alarm:

"Has the enemy breached our flank? Zixiu is in danger!"

He was about to turn his horse back, but Cao Anmin grabbed his reins and smiled:

"Uncle, wait. The enemy has not breached our side camp!"

"This is our army suppressing a mutiny!"

Hearing this, Cao Cao turned back and asked:

"How do you know this, Anmin?"

Cao Anmin smiled slightly:

"Before the strategist left, he predicted that if Zhang Xiu rebelled, the Qingzhou Soldiers would surely take advantage of the chaos. Thus, he ordered General Li Zheng to wait quietly in the camp. If the Qingzhou Soldiers revolted, he was to execute the ringleaders and stabilize the army!"

"Once General Li Zheng suppresses the mutiny, our army can launch a full counterattack!"

Hearing this, Cao Cao finally lost his composure.

Qin Tian's three strategies before his departure had all struck at the heart of the matter!

Though he was not present, he had single-handedly stabilized the chaos in the camp.

How could such wisdom be achieved by mere human effort?

Furthermore, Qin Tian had been reprimanded by him time and again, yet he had still made such meticulous arrangements before leaving. What a display of loyalty and righteousness!

At the thought of this, he was filled with immense regret and hurriedly grabbed Cao Anmin to ask:

"Has Xun Yu found Zixuan yet?"

Right now, he had only one thought: to see Qin Tian and apologize immediately.

He finally saw things clearly; Qin Tian could live perfectly well without him, but he truly could not function without Qin Tian!

At the very least, tonight, without Qin Tian, he would have faced a brush with death!