Why Did You All Come?

When many reach the end of their lives, their frail bodies suddenly rally—a phenomenon known as the "final flare." After Cao Cao finished meeting with his ministers and issuing his final orders, he did not pass away. He clung to that last breath, as if waiting for something.

The ministers who had come to Luoyang for an audience dared not leave, coming to the door of the Fang Mansion where Cao Cao resided every day to inquire after his health.

Several days later, the trusted aides Cao Cao had dispatched during his retreat began to converge on Luoyang from various regions, bringing back the information he had sought.

Cao Cao was deeply affected by the prophecy from Lan Tian; he could not rest easy until he had made proper arrangements. The only significant names in the prophecy were Xu Sheng and Zhou Fang; as for the Martial Marquis, Cao Fang, Cao Mao, and Sun Hao, no such people could be found.

Cao Cao summoned Cao Xiu to his sickbed. He studied this "Thousand-Mile Colt" of the Cao clan for a long time before slowly instructing, "Wenlie, I have already entrusted the affairs of the future to the ministers, but there is still a confidential matter I must have you handle."

"Please speak, Great King." Cao Xiu knelt by Cao Cao's bedside, gazing at him like a child.

Cao Cao said languidly, "The Tiger and Leopard Cavalry are the finest troops in the world, but when they encountered Gao Shun's Xianzhen Battalion, they failed to gain the upper hand. After I die, you are to return to Ye City first to stabilize the State of Wei alongside Zixiao, then immediately lead troops south to garrison Luoyang and assist Yuanrang in blocking Guan Yu's northward advance."

"General Xiahou will no longer guard