Kindness Exhausted, Old Cao Awakens

"Zixuan, are you truly unwilling to reconsider?"

In the end, Xun Yu had failed to persuade Qin Tian, but he still wanted to make one last effort.

Especially after hearing those final words, he had become certain that Qin Tian was the one who could save the troubled realm.

Previously, due to their differing positions, he had never understood some of Qin Tian's actions. But now, he realized that Qin Tian had done nothing wrong all along.

It was Cao Cao and old-fashioned men like them who had been wrong!

With that thought, he added:

"Before, I did not understand your aspirations, Zixuan. Now, this foolish elder brother fully understands. When I return, I will tell Lord Cao of this. You and I can assist Lord Cao together, restore order to the realm, and sweep away the old system entirely. Would that not be wonderful?"

Seeing Xun Yu's sincerity, Qin Tian shook his head.

"Brother Wenruo has too many concerns. You cannot change the system!"

"Likewise, Lord Cao is suspicious by nature. Outside, the warlords sow chaos; inside, the court restrains him, and his kin bind him down. Lord Cao cannot change the system either!"

"If we assist Lord Cao and seize the realm, you and I will eventually part ways!"

"Rather than become enemies, it would be better to forget one another in the wider world!"

As Xun Yu listened, gloom clouded his heart. Qin Tian's insight was so sharp—was he hinting that Xun Yu and Cao Cao would someday break apart?

Could his ambition of restoring the Han Dynasty truly never be fulfilled?

After some thought, he glanced at Xu Shu in the distance.

"Then does Zixuan truly intend to join Liu Bei?"

"Though Liu Bei claims to be a kinsman of the Han Dynasty, his status is neither rightful nor justified. He lacks troops and provisions. How could he possibly give full play to your talents, Zixuan?"

"I will not join Liu Bei either. Among the warlords of this realm, I must take another look!"

Qin Tian shook his head again.

"In this realm, whether it is Yuan Shao, Yuan Shu, Liu Biao, Lu Bu, Sun Ce, or Liu Zhang, whoever possesses both the ambition and ability, I will go and aid them!"

"Liu Bei is merely Yuanzhi's choice!"

What he said was somewhat false. After all, he knew history, and he knew that the great lords of the Three Kingdoms were none other than Sun, Cao, and Liu.

Liu Bei was one of his main choices. Unless Liu Bei truly was a hypocrite, he would most likely join Liu Bei's service.

But he could not say such things to Xun Yu. From this moment onward, the two belonged to different camps.

He could not reveal his true intentions to Xun Yu, lest he ruin his own great plans!

Xun Yu's thoughts were in turmoil at the moment, and he did not dwell on it. He merely nodded.

"Since that is so, Yu will not try to persuade you further!"

"I only hope that wherever Zixuan goes in the future, you will write to me. Do not cut off all contact!"

"Of course. Wenruo is a gentleman of modest virtue. Befriending Brother Wenruo has also been one of the joys of my life!"

Qin Tian clasped his hands toward Xun Yu.

Seeing Qin Tian about to leave, Xun Yu felt increasingly bitter. He could only turn his head away.

"Go, Zixuan. I will see you off for a stretch, and thus fulfill the bond of our friendship!"

"Thank you for seeing me off, Wenruo. Tian will take his leave!"

Qin Tian nodded, turned his horse around, and rode away.

Xu Shu followed after him.

Their figures gradually vanished into the wind and snow.

Watching their retreating backs fade away, Xun Yu sighed mournfully without end.

Now that Cao Cao had lost Qin Tian, it was as though Xiang Yu had lost Han Xin.

He could only hope that Cao Cao would not become Xiang Yu, and Liu Bei would not become Liu Bang!

Amid his sighs, he turned his horse around.

"All of you, return to camp with me!"

But just as he turned, he heard hoofbeats approaching from behind. Xun Yu hurriedly spun around in delight and saw Qin Tian riding back alone.

At the sight, Xun Yu was overjoyed and called out:

"Has Zixuan changed his mind?"

At his shout, Qin Tian reined in before him, caught his breath, and shook his head.

"No, Brother Wenruo misunderstands!"

"This younger brother merely wishes to warn you of something."

"Zhang Xiu will surely rebel tonight. Before coming here, did Brother Wenruo meet Lord Cao?"

Xun Yu's eyes widened.

"You say Zhang Xiu will rebel?"

Then he frowned.

"Before coming here, I did indeed seek an audience with my lord!"

"Then the problem is serious!"

Qin Tian explained gravely:

"I know that Zhang Xiu intends to rebel, but I originally had no wish to spread the matter!"

"If Brother Wenruo went to see Lord Cao, then even if Lord Cao does not believe it, he will summon Zhang Xiu to verify the truth!"

"That would be no different from tipping him off!"

"Zhang Xiu has the strategist Jia Xu under him. He is extremely cunning and will surely know that I have made plans. He will certainly take precautions!"

"It is already late. Zhang Xiu's rebellion will definitely occur tonight. If Brother Wenruo returns, you must first go to Xiahou Yuan's camp and have him lead troops in a fierce assault on Wan City!"

"If you do not act this way, Lord Cao will surely face great disaster today!"

He spoke at a blistering pace. Upon hearing it, Xun Yu's scalp went numb. He had never expected Qin Tian to return for this reason!

"Many thanks for informing me, Zixuan!"

He had no time to offer further thanks. He hurriedly turned his horse around and shouted:

"All of you, follow me back to camp at once!"

With several attendants in tow, he raced toward the Yu River encampment.

Qin Tian shook his head as he watched them depart.

He had done all he could. He had fulfilled his duty to the utmost. Whether the outcome of the Battle of Wan City could be changed now depended on Cao Cao's fate.

Meanwhile, a banquet was underway in the Yu River encampment.

Zhang Xiu carried a wine jug as he went about offering toasts.

Cao Cao sat at the seat of honor, laughing heartily. As he looked at Zhang Xiu, the more he looked, the more pleasing Zhang Xiu became.

Originally, he had not come to Wan City with such thoughts in mind.

But when Zhang Xiu truly acknowledged him as his father, he could not suppress his delight.

Zhang Xiu was from Western Liang, skilled in battle, and obedient by nature. He was practically perfect—far more outstanding than many of Cao Cao's own sons!

Thinking this, he looked toward Cao Ang beside him, who was sitting in gloomy silence.

"Why are you so downcast, Zixiu? Are you not enjoying yourself here?"

Cao Ang clasped his hands and replied:

"It is not that I find no enjoyment here. It is merely that I cannot forget Sir's warning!"

The moment Qin Tian was mentioned, Cao Cao became somewhat angry.

"Even now, do you still think your father was at fault?"

Zhang Xiu had already acknowledged him as his father, yet Cao Ang still believed Zhang Xiu would rebel?

Did Cao Cao truly lack the ability to judge men so badly?

Seeing Cao Cao red-faced with anger, Cao Ang felt somewhat reluctant.

"It is not Father's fault. It is simply that some people have no shame!"

With that, he looked at the sky and said gravely:

"Father drinks here. Ang should go inspect the camp!"

Without waiting for Cao Cao's response, he rose and headed outside!

"Cao Zixiu, did your father permit you to leave?"

"You insolent brat, come back and beg forgiveness!"

But Cao Ang acted as if he had heard nothing and continued outside without wavering.

"Father, is Zixiu feeling unwell?"

At that moment, Zhang Xiu came forward carrying a wine jar.

The moment Cao Cao saw Zhang Xiu, he smiled.

"We are enjoying ourselves. Pay him no mind. Having gained Youwei today, it would matter not even if I had no other sons!"

"Father, why say such things? Zixiu must simply be drunk!"

Zhang Xiu grinned and raised Cao Cao's cup.

"Come, let me pour Father another drink!"

Cao Cao laughed again, thoroughly pleased, and promptly drank another cup.

After everyone had drunk merrily for some time, Cao Cao gradually became drunk and called out:

"Where is Dian Wei? Help me back to my tent to rest!"

But after calling several times, Dian Wei did not respond. Cao Cao was just about to grow angry when a hand supported him.

"Father, General Dian Wei is drunk. Your son will help you back to your tent!"

Cao Cao's drunken eyes were hazy, and he could not see who it was. He merely smiled.

"Zixiu, you returned?"

"Did you not firmly believe Zhang Xiu meant to rebel?"

"Why have you returned now?"

As Zhang Xiu supported Cao Cao, a flash of killing intent passed through his eyes. He quickly smiled.

"Lord Cao misunderstands. I am Zhang Xiu!"

"What Zhang Xiu, Zixiu?"

Cao Cao was muddled and spoke without thought.

"Take me back at once!"

Zhang Xiu's expression turned vicious.

"Father, come with your son!"

As he spoke, he helped Cao Cao up and led him toward the main tent.

Once inside, he laid Cao Cao down on the couch, his hand unconsciously reaching for his sword.

But at that moment, a shout came from outside the tent:

"My lord, where is my lord?"

It was Dian Wei's voice. Before Zhang Xiu could turn around, Dian Wei had already entered the tent. Seeing him inside, Dian Wei frowned and barked:

"This is my lord's private tent. Outsiders are forbidden from entering. General, what are you doing here?"

At Dian Wei's rebuke, Zhang Xiu's murderous intent immediately faded. He smiled awkwardly.

"Lord Cao became drunk and asked the general to attend him. Unexpectedly, the general went to relieve himself, so I helped Lord Cao back!"

"Now that the general has returned, Xiu shall take his leave!"

Having said that, he gripped his sword and walked out of the tent.

Dian Wei frowned deeply as he watched Zhang Xiu's hand gripping his sword. Once Zhang Xiu had left, he hurried forward and shook Cao Cao awake.

"Lord Cao, wake up! Lord Cao, wake up! Zhang Xiu truly harbors rebellious intentions!"

Cao Cao was shaken awake. Still groggy, he asked:

"What happened?"

Dian Wei hurriedly said:

"Just now, this general went to relieve himself. That man privately helped Lord Cao into the tent, intending to harm you."

"Had this general not returned in time, I fear Lord Cao would already have suffered at his hands!"

"What did you say?"

Cao Cao's voice abruptly rose several octaves. He sprang to his feet, only to feel splitting pain in his head. He sucked in a breath and clutched his forehead.

"Is this true?"

"It is true. This general saw it with his own eyes!"

Dian Wei spoke with absolute certainty.

As Cao Cao listened, his thoughts became a tangled mess, and the pain in his head grew unbearable. Clutching his head, he said:

"My head hurts unbearably. I cannot command matters now."

"If Zhang Xiu truly means to rebel, quickly summon Zixuan to take charge!"

"Only Zixuan can mobilize the generals!"

But as soon as he finished speaking, Dian Wei could no longer hold himself together, and began to weep.

"My lord!"

The moment Cao Cao heard this, he lowered his head and frowned.

"What are you crying for? Go at once!"

But Dian Wei broke into sobs, grief filling his voice.

"My lord, the military adviser has already surrendered his seal and left!"

"Zixuan... he left?"

Cao Cao abruptly raised his head. Suddenly, he felt an emptiness in his heart. Only then did he remember that his old friend had long since departed from him, and realization struck him.

"What have I done?"

He could not help muttering to himself. He had actually driven away his own military adviser!

But at that moment, a series of shouts rang out beyond the camp:

"All troops, heed my command! Charge into the central army and capture Cao the traitor!"

"Kill!"

Amid the cries, large numbers of soldiers charged from Zhang Xiu's camp toward Cao Cao's central army.