Loyal Minister or Treacherous Minister? Old Cao's Test

Loyal Minister or Treacherous Minister? Old Cao's Test

To Cao Cao, Qin Tian was a very special presence.

On one hand, Old Cao greatly admired Qin Tian's learning. Every time they discussed matters, he gained new insights.

On the other hand, ever since Chen Gong, Old Cao had also been deeply wary of Qin Tian.

He feared that Qin Tian might one day give him an enormous "surprise," just as Chen Gong had.

Chen Gong had merely been the Governor of Dong Commandery, yet his rebellion had nearly wiped out Old Cao's entire household. If Qin Tian rebelled, Old Cao might truly be left without even bones to bury.

It could be said that he both loved and hated Qin Tian. He loved him so much that he wished he could take Qin Tian as his adopted son, yet he hated that Qin Tian was not his relative.

They did not need to be close relatives. Even distant kin would do, as long as it put his mind at ease.

But reality was just that—Qin Tian had no familial connection to Cao Cao whatsoever.

Cao Cao had even considered marrying one of his daughters to Qin Tian and taking him as a son-in-law.

But Qin Tian already had a lawful wife. He could not possibly marry his daughter off as a concubine, could he?

Besides, however close a son-in-law might be, he was still an outsider!

Qin Tian rebelling was terrifying enough. If he became his son-in-law, then after Cao Cao's death, whether his power would bear the surname Cao or Qin would become a question.

In the end, it all came down to ability. If someone was not very capable, he could be trusted no matter what.

But if someone was too capable, placing him anywhere came with danger.

Thus, the more Old Cao thought about it, the more frightened and wary he became.

Yet now that Qin Tian had truly left, Old Cao felt as though half his heart had been hollowed out.

It was like an elderly married couple who still had feelings for each other deciding to divorce. They always felt they had had enough of the other person, yet when that person truly left, they could not bear to let them go!

But Cao Cao was Cao Cao, after all. No matter how distressed he felt, he did not show the slightest trace of it.

He forcibly suppressed the panic in his heart and asked in a deep voice,

"When did Qin Zixuan leave?"

"Probably no more than half an hour ago!"

Seeing that Cao Cao had finally reacted, Xun Yu hurriedly said earnestly,

"My lord must understand that Qin Zixuan possesses the talent of a national treasure. If you wish to achieve your great undertaking, you absolutely cannot do without him."

"If you send troops after him now, there is still time!"

Xun Yu spoke from public-minded concern, but his words undoubtedly struck Cao Cao's pride. Cao Cao gritted his teeth and said,

"There are so many extraordinary talents under heaven. Must Qin Zixuan alone not be lost?"

"Now that he has turned his back on me and left, it is clear that his heart has changed!"

"What use is there in bringing back such a man who abandoned his lord?"

"The fact that I did not have his family killed is already the height of benevolence. If he wishes to leave, let him leave!"

Having said that, he flung open the tent flap in apparent anger and entered the tent once more.

Seeing this, Xun Yu's heart turned half-cold. He knew Cao Cao was speaking in anger, but those words were truly too hurtful!

It was clear what state of mind Qin Tian must have been in when he left!

Countless thoughts raced through Xun Yu's mind. After considering it again and again, he turned to his attendants and said,

"Are the horses ready? Come with me!"

Even if Cao Cao did not care, he had to. No matter what, he would bring Qin Tian back today.

Xun Yu came in a hurry and left in a hurry. At last, a brief moment of quiet descended before Cao Cao's tent.

Inside Cao Cao's main tent, a beautiful woman knelt in the center, her jade-like hands plucking at a zither and occasionally producing clear, resonant notes.

Cao Cao sat on a couch with his eyes closed, seeming to enjoy the music.

Yet his brows repeatedly furrowed and relaxed, constantly changing.

Lady Zou watched Cao Cao's expression and knew what had happened outside. Her heart was filled with fear and worry. Lost in thought for a moment, she snapped a string.

The ill-timed sound made Cao Cao open his eyes. He looked at Lady Zou and said,

"Do you also think I was wrong this time?"

Lady Zou hurriedly prostrated herself, flustered.

"This common woman would never dare mean such a thing!"

"Or do you think Zhang Xiu will truly rebel?"

Cao Cao narrowed his eyes, as deep and unfathomable as an abyss.

Lady Zou's heart fell into chaos. She quickly said,

"This common woman does not know. This common woman knows nothing!"

She was only a weak woman. Under absolute power, she could only submit and endure. How could she dare say another word?

Seeing this, Cao Cao suddenly came to his senses. He hurried forward and helped Lady Zou up.

"Madam need not be so frightened. I lost myself for a moment just now and did not mean to scare you!"

Held by Cao Cao, Lady Zou hurriedly said,

"This common woman may not understand affairs of state, but I do know that Mister Qin has truly been thinking wholeheartedly for Lord Cao."

"Since Lord Cao is troubled, why not go and soothe him?"

At certain times, a woman's words were more useful than a man's.

Listening to Lady Zou's gentle voice, Cao Cao narrowed his eyes again.

"Do you truly believe this man is loyal to me?"

Lady Zou replied quietly,

"This common woman is merely a woman. How could I understand loyalty and righteousness?"

"But Mister Qin came every day, despite being rebuked every day."

"If he were not loyal and righteous, who would be willing to do such a thing?"

But the moment she finished speaking, Cao Cao sprang to his feet and stared fixedly at Lady Zou.

Seeing this, Lady Zou hurriedly knelt again.

"This common woman is ignorant and has spoken improperly. I beg Lord Cao to forgive me!"

Her words made Cao Cao frown again. After pondering for a long while, he finally said in a low voice,

"This matter has nothing to do with Madam. Madam may go and compose herself first."

Upon hearing this, Lady Zou felt as though she had been granted a pardon. She hurriedly turned and put on her clothes.

Cao Cao then stepped outside the tent and asked Dian Wei,

"Where has Xun Yu gone?"

Dian Wei turned and answered,

"The Chancellor had horses prepared just now. He should have gone after the strategist!"

Cao Cao did not respond. After falling silent for a while longer, he said,

"Go find Zhang Xiu now. Tell him I have urgent business with him!"

"This general obeys!"

Dian Wei hurriedly headed out of the camp.

A full quarter of an hour later, Dian Wei led a middle-aged man dressed in fine robes to the front of the tent.

The man stood nearly eight feet tall. He was quite handsome, with a long flowing beard, and lacked entirely the roughness of a man from Western Liang.

This man was none other than Zhang Xiu, the central figure in this incident!

After bringing Zhang Xiu before the tent, Dian Wei said,

"My lord, Zhang Xiu has been brought."

Zhang Xiu also hurriedly called out,

"Lord Cao, surrendered general Zhang Xiu, has come to pay his respects."

"Youwei, no need for such ceremony. Come into the tent so we may speak!"

Youwei was Zhang Xiu's courtesy name. Hearing this, he entered the tent and bowed deeply to Cao Cao.

"Zhang Xiu greets Lord Cao!"

Seeing Zhang Xiu's respectful manner, Cao Cao stroked his beard and smiled.

"It has been many days since we last met. Youwei's bearing remains as fine as ever. I am greatly pleased."

"Have you found anything unsatisfactory during these past days in my army?"

Zhang Xiu grinned.

"To be honest with Lord Cao, ever since Xiu surrendered, Lord Cao has treated Xiu with great kindness. How could Xiu have any dissatisfaction?"

But Cao Cao's lips curved upward upon hearing this.

"Yet I have heard rumors in the army that you are quite dissatisfied because I took your aunt Lady Zou as my woman!"

Zhang Xiu's heart jolted, but anger appeared on his face.

"Outrageous! I wonder who spread such malicious words!"

"Though Lady Zou was my aunt, she is now widowed. Since Lord Cao loves her, Xiu is delighted beyond measure. I only wish I could take Lord Cao as my father. How could I harbor resentment?"

"If Lord Cao does not believe me, simply summon whoever spread these rumors. Xiu is willing to confront him!"

Cao Cao stared hard at Zhang Xiu and smiled.

"You also know this man. He is my strategist, Qin Zixuan!"

"He repeatedly advised me that you, Zhang Xiu, would surely rebel tonight. Do you know of this?"

At those words, Zhang Xiu's heart shook violently, as if struck by a heavy hammer.

He truly had been preparing to rebel tonight!

Had Cao Cao learned of it in advance?

But Jia Xu had instructed him, and no matter what happened, he could not reveal the slightest sign. Thus, borrowing from the fear in his heart, he hurriedly said,

"Xiu has no grudge against the strategist. Why does the strategist hate Xiu so?"

"Xiu has already surrendered to Lord Cao. By making such malicious claims, does he wish for Lord Cao to kill me?"

In his alarm, he drew his sword in one motion.

"How would Xiu dare harbor thoughts of rebellion? I beg Lord Cao to judge clearly. If Lord Cao does not believe me, use this sword to kill Xiu!"

"If Xiu has even the slightest doubt in his heart, then even if I die here, I will have no grievance!"

As he spoke, he held the sword out. He was already prepared—if Cao Cao took the sword, he would take Cao Cao down with him today.

But as Cao Cao looked at the sword Zhang Xiu offered him, a trace of hesitation appeared in his eyes. The next moment, he burst into laughter.

"General, what are you doing? I summoned you precisely because I do not believe such words!"

"Why are you so fierce and resolute?"

"Quickly put away your sword. Do not put on such a display!"

He hurriedly rose and supported Zhang Xiu with both hands, saying gently,

"To be frank with you, General, Qin Tian has repeatedly slandered me. Now he has offered this malicious counsel as well, so I have driven him from the camp!"

"Now that I have heard what the general has to say, I know his words were false. He actually slandered the general so viciously and truly disturbed the morale of my army!"

"Qin Zixuan was driven from Lord Cao's camp?"

Zhang Xiu was startled. After thinking briefly, he hurriedly lowered his head.

"Xiu is merely a surrendered general, yet Lord Cao treats me with such generosity?"

"But Qin Zixuan possesses the talent of a pillar of the state. Lord Cao absolutely must not lose him. Why not allow Xiu to lead some troops after him, explain the misunderstanding, and preserve Lord Cao's virtue?"

Seeing that Zhang Xiu was still speaking for Qin Tian, Cao Cao believed him a little more. He immediately sneered.

"Youwei, do not say such things. Seeing your heroic bearing, I wish I could treat you as my own son!"

"Qin Zixuan is merely a scholar. How could he compare to the general in closeness? If he wishes to leave, let him leave. There is no need to stop him!"

Zhang Xiu lowered his head to consider how to respond. When Cao Cao finished, he raised his head and said,

"Lord Cao has treated me so generously that Xiu is grateful to the depths of his heart. If Lord Cao does not disdain me, Xiu is willing to acknowledge you as my adoptive father."

"Oh? Youwei truly wishes to take me as your father?"

A look of delight appeared in Cao Cao's eyes.

Zhang Xiu's expression was resolute as he prostrated himself.

"It is exactly what I desire. I only fear that Lord Cao may find me unworthy!"

Cao Cao immediately broke into a broad smile.

"How could I disdain you? I have long admired Youwei's talent!"

"However, this matter must be announced throughout the camp tonight. At night, I shall summon Zixiu, and the two of you shall become brothers!"

"From tomorrow onward, Youwei shall be like my own son. How does that sound?"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Xiu rose and bowed again.

"I leave everything to Father's arrangements!"

"Good! Then Youwei may withdraw first. Let me make preparations, and tonight we shall perform the formal rites!"

Cao Cao laughed heartily and waved Zhang Xiu away.

After Zhang Xiu departed, a smug look appeared on Cao Cao's face!

Since Xun Yu had gone after him, Qin Tian would most likely return.

Now that he had first taken Zhang Xiu as his adopted son, how could Zhang Xiu possibly rebel?

Once Qin Tian returned, he wanted to see what Qin Tian's reaction would be!

It could not be that Cao Cao was wrong every single time while Qin Tian was right, could it?

Surely, there had to be one time when he was right!

As for how to deal with Qin Tian after he returned, Cao Cao had already decided.

Since Qin Tian was truly so loyal, then when he returned, Cao Cao would marry his daughter to him.

No matter what, becoming his son-in-law was better than becoming his enemy!

At worst, I, Cao Cao, will lower my head and admit my mistake. You will surely change your mind and come back, won't you?

With that thought, Cao Cao had already laid out his perfect plan.