Chapter 2: Debating Cao Cao

  Dragging Cao Zhi who was jumping up and down, Xiahou Yuan suddenly said: "Zhi, are you so confident that you can persuade your elder brother?"

  "Huh...?" Xiahou Yuan's words made Cao Zhi pause for a moment, and then all his movements stopped. He looked up at Xiahou Yuan, made a face at him, and said: "How did Uncle Miao Cai know?"

  Xiahou Yuan slightly raised his eyebrows and stroked his short mustache, saying: "An outsider might be deceived by Zhi'er, but Miao Cai Shu has watched you grow up since childhood. How can this little trick of yours deceive Miao Cai Shu?" He pointed at Cao Zhi with his hand and said: "Although you are usually clever, you don't like to move around. Just now, you made so many movements, I'm afraid it's because you're trying to cover up the panic in your heart."

  Xiahou Yuan's words struck a chord in Cao Zhi's heart, and instead of arguing, he nodded generously: "Uncle Miao Cai is absolutely right. Facing the killing aura on Uncle Miao Cai's body, I couldn't keep my heart calm, so I had to resort to this inferior strategy."

  He slapped Cao Zhi's shoulder heavily and Xiahou Yuan couldn't help but praise: "Good kid! At such a young age, you already have this composure, worthy of being a descendant of the Cao family!"

  He was slapped by Xiahou Yuan, Cao Zhi felt a sharp pain and gritted his teeth, but he did not respond to Xiahou Yuan's words. The reason for this is related to a great secret hidden in his heart, which is that this Cao Zhi is no longer the historical Cao Zhi, or rather, what makes him different from the historical Cao Zhi is that this Cao Zhi has memories of a Ph.D. in literature and economics from 1,800 years later. It was these memories that allowed the young Cao Zhi to have such an extraordinary calm demeanor.

  Although there is an additional memory from eighteen hundred years later, Cao Zhi's identity has not changed. He is still the hero of the late Han Dynasty and the fourth son of Cao Cao, the founder of Wei State in the Three Kingdoms. Cao Cao had a brilliant achievement throughout his life, but his life had several major stains that could not be washed away.

  One of them was during the three wars in Xuzhou, when a retaliatory massacre was launched against Xuzhou, and the entire Sihe River was cut off. Whether Cao Zhi was an ordinary person or Cao Cao's son, he could not help but stop such a tragic situation. Therefore, when Cao Cao led his army to conquer Xuzhou, he quietly joined the army. And when Cao Cao ordered Xia Houyuan to massacre the city, he stood out and stopped the massacre from happening, but now it is still uncertain whether he can stop it or not, Cao Zhi can only secretly encourage himself to do his best!

  Xiahou Yuan hastened his pace, pulling Cao Zhi along until they arrived before the main tent. Putting down Cao Zhi, Xiahou Yuan strode in with large steps. At this time, on the seat of honor, with narrow eyes and a long beard, Cao Cao, who had an aura of intimidation about him, was discussing military affairs with his advisors. Seeing Xiahou Yuan arrive, Cao Cao laughed loudly and said: "Prodigy, you've come to hand over your command so quickly?"

  When Cao Cao said this, Xiahou Yuan did not show surprise, but instead cupped his fists and said: "General, I was just about to carry out your orders when the Fourth Son suddenly appeared at the city gate and stopped me from taking action with your verbal command!"

  "Huh?" Before Xiahou Yuan's words had even fallen, Cao Cao's expression changed drastically, his face turning red with rage. He slammed his hand on the table and shouted: "That rebellious son actually dared to sneak into the military camp? And he even forged a military order? Wonderful! Where is that rebellious son now? Bring him over here..."

  "Father, child is here."

  Before Cao Cao had finished speaking, Cao Zhi had already entered the tent with his head held high, and his childish voice drew the attention of everyone in the tent.

  Cao Cao suddenly stood up, glared at Cao Zhi with wide eyes and shouted: "Take down this disloyal and unfilial rebel!"

  Xiahou Yuan was near Cao Zhi, and when he heard Cao Cao's order, he feared that those fierce soldiers would hurt him. So he turned around and took a step forward, pressing down on Cao Zhi. However, Xiahou Yuan seemed ferocious but did not use much force, only holding down Cao Zhi. And Cao Zhi also understood Xiahou Yuan's intention and did not struggle, only shouting loudly: "Father, your child is neither disloyal nor unfilial!"

  Looking at his own beloved son in front of him, Cao Cao narrowed his eyes and stared straight at him. Feeling Cao Cao's extremely aggressive gaze, even with 1,800 years of experience in Cao Zhi's mind, he couldn't help but feel a little nervous, finally unable to bear it and lowered his head.

  After completely suppressing Cao Zhi's momentum, Cao Cao suddenly bellowed: "Falsely transmitting military orders is disloyal! Not thinking of avenging his grandfather and instead helping the enemy escape punishment is unfilial! You rebellious son, what else do you have to say in your defense?"

  Hearing the charges listed by Cao Cao, Cao Zhi clenched his fists and gritted his teeth again to face Cao Cao's momentum. He raised his head and replied: "The son faked the military order for the sake of his father's reputation, how can it be disloyal? The murderer who killed Grandfather was Tao Qian. If Father wants to kill Tao Qian, even if he moves his nine tribes, the son will not stop him. But the people are innocent..."

  "Shut up!" Cao Zhi hadn't even finished speaking when Cao Cao cut him off!

  "Huo..."

  The next moment, Cao Cao had already drawn the precious sword from his waist. The sword's cold light flashed, and its killing aura was stern. Under Cao Cao's grasp, the sword's power grew even more majestic. The tip of the sword pointed at Cao Zhi from afar, and he shouted in a severe tone: "Military orders are like mountains. Even if you were my father, you cannot lightly violate them. Now that you, this rebellious son, have committed a military crime, it is a capital offense. Don't think that just because I am your father, I dare not kill you!"

  Cao Cao flew into a rage, and no one in the entire Cao camp dared to confront him. Even Xun Yu and Guo Jia, who were among the most trusted and favored, did not dare speak until his anger had subsided somewhat. Now that Cao Zhi had enraged Cao Cao so much, he was beyond reason and would kill anyone indiscriminately, even if it were his own son.

  Xiahou Yuan saw Cao Cao's scarlet eyes and knew he was furious, so he hastily pulled Cao Zhi back and whispered: "Fourth Master, you must not provoke the general again, otherwise..."

  Xiahou Yuan was speaking, but Cao Zhi was secretly thinking to himself. He knew that whether or not he could save the people of Xuzhou depended on this moment. After some thought, a plan had already formed in his mind. With a sudden burst of strength, he broke free from Xiahou Yuan's loose grip and stepped forward a few paces to stand before Cao Cao, allowing Cao Cao's precious sword to rest horizontally across his neck.

  Cao Zhi's life and death are now completely in Cao Cao's hands!

  Xiahou Yuan, Cao Hong and others in the tent saw this and immediately stood up. They knew that Cao Cao, who was now at the height of his power, would not hesitate to kill anyone, even his own family members. And yet, he often praised his youngest son as "the thousand-mile colt of the Cao family". They did not want Cao Cao to kill this "thousand-mile young colt" in a fit of rage, so they all knelt down in front of the main tent and said loudly: "Elder brother, the fourth young master is still young and ignorant, his crime does not deserve death!"

  As for Xiahou Yuan's words, Cao Cao didn't listen to them at all. Instead, he stared at Cao Zhi with a stern expression and asked in a slow and deliberate tone: "Rebellious son, do you really think I dare not kill you?"

  At this time, Cao Zhi had already put his life and death in Cao Cao's hands, but he was not afraid at all. He was willing to sacrifice his own life to save the lives of the people of Xuzhou. With a loud voice, he replied: "If I can use my own life to save the lives of the people of Xuzhou, then I will die with no regrets."

  Upon hearing Cao Zhi's words, Cao Cao's eyes grew even more menacing, and the precious sword in his hand moved forward a fraction. The cold air sliced through the tender skin on Cao Zhi's neck, causing bright red blood to flow out.

  Xiahou Yuan saw it was even more urgent, and without thinking much about it, he knelt down and took a few steps forward, grabbing Cao Zhi's arm and saying: "Zhi, don't say any more, quickly kneel down and apologize to your father!"

  Cao Zhi remained unmoved and said in a soft voice, "Uncle Cao, I am innocent." As he spoke, Cao Zhi fearlessly met Cao Cao's gaze, which was filled with murderous intent. He then continued, "White bones exposed in the wilderness, for a thousand miles not a crow caws. Of the people, only one or two in a hundred remain. Thinking of this, my heart is torn apart." These are lines from a poem written by Father, which I recite every day and remember by heart. Since Father can write about the suffering of the common people, why must he slaughter cities and commit such atrocities that shock heaven and earth?

  "Huh?" Upon hearing Cao Zhi's words, everyone in the tent looked at him with surprised expressions. Although they knew that Cao Cao's fourth son was clever since childhood and his previous speech had already exceeded their expectations, this remark made them even more astonished. He actually understood how to use Cao Cao's own poem to persuade others, and as a result, a hint of admiration flashed in the eyes looking at Cao Zhi.

  Xiahou Yuan and the others saw that Cao Zhi was so young yet had such insight, and they didn't want him to die at Cao Cao's hands. The three of them thought to themselves: "Zhi is indeed the son of his father, both he and his father are so stubborn, what can we do?" The three of them were at a loss, and could only try to persuade the slightly more rational Cao Cao: "Big brother..."

  Before the three men could speak, Cao Cao suddenly waved his left hand, and the three men did not dare to disobey Cao Cao's orders, so they had to shut up.

  At this time, Cao Cao was still staring at Cao Zhi with a stern expression, but his face was changing unpredictably, making people feel a sense of horror. The people around him held their breath, worried that Cao Cao would suddenly lose control and behead Cao Zhi with a swing of his sword!

  The entire tent fell into a deep silence, the air around them seemed to have solidified, and everyone felt that every passing second was like ten years, a hundred years of hardship. Everyone's eyes were fixed on the father and son who were staring at each other in the center of the tent.

  The father and son stared at each other for a long time, but unexpectedly Cao Cao burst out laughing "hahaha" towards the sky, his laughter filled with endless joy, letting Cao Zhi's hanging heart put down, secretly letting out a sigh of relief. Although it is said that tigers do not eat their own sons, however when truly in a weak position and facing this ancient villain, it takes great courage. For Cao Zhi, who was extremely familiar with his father's temperament, only after hearing Cao Cao's laughter did his heart finally settle down.

  However, after laughing, Cao Cao put down the precious sword in his hand. But the next moment, his face was filled with killing intent again, and he coldly hummed: "Rebel son, this is just one word, it's enough to exchange your life, but to save the people of Xuzhou, this word is a bit too light!"

  "Prosperity, the people suffer; death, the people suffer. This principle father should be clearer than me, why still want to make it difficult for the people? Father should know that resentment is not in the great, but feared by the people. The boat is about to capsize, and it's necessary to be cautious. Father's boat has just set sail, and there are more unknown dangers ahead. At this time, provoking the anger of the people, I'm afraid that when father encounters danger, the water will not save him, and there will be a risk of capsizing. The people suffer in both prosperity and death, father only needs to implement benevolent governance, and the hearts of the people can be obtained easily. As the saying goes, 'winning the hearts of the people is winning the world.' I hope that what father does is the way of the king, not the way of tyranny. I wish father would understand!"

  "Prosperity, the people suffer; decline, the people suffer? Is it better to load the boat or capsize it? Is it the king's way or the hegemon's way?" Cao Zhi suddenly threw out three arguments, causing everyone in the tent to fall into deep thought.

  Watching Cao Cao and the others fall into deep thought after hearing these words, he secretly rejoiced in his heart, thinking to himself: "A famous phrase that has been passed down for thousands of years, combined with Wei Zheng's memorial to Emperor Taizong, as well as the debate between Wang Dao and Ba Dao. Even a hero from a chaotic era would not be able to find any flaws."

  As expected, Cao Cao sank into deep thought for a long time before returning to the desk behind him with a serious expression. He picked up his brush, dipped it in ink, and began writing on the hem of his robe.

  Cao Zhi looked at it in great surprise, and Xiahou Yuan, who had been following Cao Cao for a long time, smiled and nodded. After Cao Cao finished writing, he said loudly: "When you all return, be sure to write down the words spoken by Zhi today on the hem of your clothes to remember them, do not forget."

  Everyone responded in unison, and Cao Zhi finally came to his senses. Although what he said was ingenious, Cao Cao had carefully recorded the words of a five-year-old child, which made Cao Zhi involuntarily admire him. Under intense emotions, he couldn't help but bow his hands loudly and say: "Father is wise! Only I don't know..."

  Upon hearing Cao Zhi's words, Cao Cao's face sank, and before he could finish speaking, he said: "Zhi thinks that his father is a man who speaks without faith?"

  Upon hearing Cao Cao's promise, Cao Zhi was overjoyed and said: "I will thank Father on behalf of the people of Xuzhou."

  Cao Cao nodded slightly and waved his hand, saying: "Don't be too happy yet, you broke into the military camp and forged a military order. If I don't punish you, it will be difficult to convince the masses. However, since the army is currently on the move, speed is of the essence, so we'll discuss your punishment when we return to Yan Province. You can go down first, I still need to discuss military matters with these gentlemen."

  Cao Zhi got the bargain, and with a smile said: "Father's teachings are right, I'll go tell the good news to the people of Xuchang now." After finishing speaking, he bowed his hands to everyone in the tent, blushed and smiled, then bid farewell and left.

  After Cao Zhi left, Cao Cao slightly raised his hand to Xiahou Yuan and others who were still kneeling in the middle: "All of you get up, Zi Liang, go and keep an eye on that little boy, don't let him make any trouble. Miao Cai, please sit down, we will continue to discuss military affairs."

  The pale and weak-looking Guo Jia smiled and bowed to Cao Cao, saying: "Congratulations, my lord."

  Cao Cao heard this and smiled calmly: "Fengxiao, Zhi'er that kid only has these small cleverness, not worth mentioning, you don't have to praise him."

  Guo Jia shook his head and smiled, "Fourth Master's talent is outstanding, at such a young age he already understands this principle, it's naturally commendable. But the reason I came to congratulate you this time is not Fourth Master, but rather you, my lord."

  "Oh?" Cao Cao was slightly surprised and then asked: "What is there for me to be happy about, according to your words, Fong He?"