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“Furthermore, sir, you position yourself as a Han subject, and for this, you’re willing to turn against my father!”

“But have you ever considered it?”

“All along, how do you appear in the eyes of that Emperor?”

“When the Emperor was in distress, you used phrases like ‘upholding the righteousness of the Emperor and following the will of the people’ and ‘supporting the Emperor to regulate the vassals’ to persuade my father to welcome and serve the Emperor. But have you ever seriously contemplated one thing.”

“That is, whether the Emperor sees you as my father’s lackey.”

“Whether the Emperor interprets your previous words, wishful thinking, as…”

Cao Ju’s mouth curved slightly. “Holding the Emperor to shake the vassals, to command the vassals?!”

Assisting the Emperor in regulating the vassals. But if it turned into holding the Emperor, intimidating the vassals…

While the pronunciation might be the same, the meaning changes drastically. It becomes an unwarranted presumption, a taste of dominance. There’s not a shred of respect and loyalty to the Emperor.

Loyalty could also transform into… Treason!

Treason against the rightful ruler, rebellion against authority!!!

[Note: Explanation: “Holding the Emperor to command the vassals” is an idea that Ju Shou initially suggested to Yuan Shao. Unfortunately, Yuan Shao rejected it, fearing that the Emperor’s presence in Jizhou might threaten his position, so Cao Cao seized the opportunity to bring the Emperor back.] [Note: Furthermore, considering Xun Yu’s wisdom and Cao Cao’s initial pro-Han stance, they would unlikely speak of such a treacherous idea as “holding the Emperor to command the vassals.” However, after the coalition’s failure against Dong Zhuo, Yuan Shao, who allied with Han Fu, made a reckless attempt to enthrone Liu Yu as Emperor, making it highly possible for him to utter such words.]

In the scene, upon hearing Cao Ju’s words…

Xun Yu, whose previously weakened figure had been hunched over, could no longer maintain an upright posture. His expression turned ashen, and he looked like a lifeless statue.

Under the relentless questioning from Cao Ju, the belief that Xun Yu had upheld… Even if this brilliant strategist was unwilling to admit it, Xun Yu knew his unwavering loyalty to the Han was shattered by the words of this previously inconspicuous eighth son of the Cao family.

For a fleeting moment, Xun Yu found himself unable to meet Cao Ju’s gaze, wanting to cover his ears and stop listening. Because with each word spoken by Cao Ju, it felt like an assault on his convictions, a torment of his inner self. However, just as Xun Yu thought Cao Ju would continue relentlessly, breaking down his beliefs completely and leaving him battered and bruised…

He suddenly saw…

Cao Ju reached out and used his hand to push aside the “empty food box” that was blocking his view.

This scene left Xun Yu stunned. Even someone as brilliant as him, a top strategist, couldn’t immediately grasp the intentions of this young lord.

As if sensing the confusion in Xun Yu’s eyes, Cao Ju slowly spoke up, “Now, I can answer the initial question you asked me about… whether I was ordered by my father to send you on your way!”

“Sir, my response is…”

“No!!”

The forceful and resounding words echoed. Cao Ju’s body turned slightly, and he raised both hands to gently clap toward the door.

“Clap, clap, clap!

”

The sound of three claps filled the air. At the same time, Cao Ju’s words synchronized with his actions: “Someone, bring in the things!”

“Creak!”

As the sound of the door being pushed open resonated, a tall and sturdy figure with a fierce and menacing expression appeared at the doorway. Accompanied by the constant flickering of lightning and thunder outside and two menacing short halberds hanging from his waist, he seemed like an ancient evil walking in the modern world.

And he was none other than Dian Man, the son of the Han dynasty’s late general Lu Bu, who had fallen in the Battle of Wan City. He was also one of the key loyalists and confidants that Cao Ju had gathered in the year since he had time-traveled.

“Lord!” Dian Man entered the room and produced another exquisitely packaged food box from behind him. He bent down to place it between Cao Ju and Xun Yu, then quietly exited.

Throughout this process, Xun Yu had been calmly observing everything. However, his pupils involuntarily contracted when Xun Yu caught a faint whiff of the aroma emanating from the food box. At that moment, Cao Ju’s voice resounded, “Sir, since my father has not granted you any ’emolument,’ but…”

“If you don’t mind.”

“Why not taste some of this ‘food’ I’ve brought.”

“While it may not compare to the exquisite delicacies enjoyed by the emperor, it should still be sufficient to fill your stomach.”

With that, Cao Ju opened the food box before him. He took out the neatly arranged dishes and bottles of fine wine, placing them before Xun Yu.

At this point, Cao Ju’s intentions became clear.

Just as Cao Cao used the threat of “no emolument” to pressure Xun Yu, Cao Ju offered “food” to ensure Xun Yu’s well-being.

At this moment, Xun Yu was truly shocked. He could never have imagined that Cao Ju, his lord’s son, would go so far as to take this “defying his father” action to save his life. As this realization hit him, Xun Yu was amazed and deeply moved.

In a short while, Cao Ju had finished arranging the dishes on the plate. Sensing Xun Yu’s focused gaze, he patted his rear, mimicking a departing gesture.

“Sir!”

“Death, it’s easy!”

“What’s difficult!”

“Is staying alive.”

“While you’re alive, you may not be able to prevent my father’s audacious actions of claiming merit and proclaiming himself king. However, at the very least, you can uphold the dignity of our reigning emperor.”

“Think about it…”

“If you were to die today, would there be any petty and treacherous individuals proposing regicide, clearing the path for my father’s audacity? But if you’re alive, it’s a different story.”

“Who would dare discuss regicide in your presence?”

After delivering this persuasively positioned argument from the perspective of Emperor Liu Xie, Cao Ju didn’t linger. He turned his back to Xun Yu, stepped, and headed towards the door.

Today, to save Xun Yu, he spoke extensively from every possible angle. Continuing to speak now would likely be of no benefit. The outcome, the life or death of this remarkable strategist, still depended on Xun Yu’s inner decision.

One step, two steps, three steps…

As he walked slowly, Cao Ju was always waiting for the sound of a voice behind him to speak up. However, to his disappointment, even when he reached the doorway, he placed his hand on the doorknob, swung the door open, and felt the chilling wind and rain from outside…

The room remained silent. In the moments hidden from Xun Yu’s view, a trace of self-deprecation appeared on Cao Ju’s face. As expected, had his persuasion… failed? Or perhaps, under the inertia of history, was it predetermined that Xun Yu should die today?

Under such circumstances, looking back at his actions today… It was like failing to catch a chicken and losing the rice. Not only did he fail to save Xun Yu, but he also needlessly exposed himself to his older brothers – Cao Pi, Cao Zhi, and Cao Zhang – inviting their hostility. Cao Ju didn’t believe that Cao Pi, Cao Zhi, and Cao Zhang, who were all vying for the position of heir, would allow their “half-sibling” to snatch a share from their plate.

With these thoughts in mind, Cao Ju was already stepping over the threshold, convinced of his “defeat” today. He silently wished “a safe journey for Xun Yu of Great Han” while giving up any hope of saving him.

After all, even without Xun Yu, there were other people he could win over! Xun Yu was important but ultimately not his only choice. However, just as Cao Ju was about to close the door and exit, Xun Yu’s voice suddenly echoed from within the room.

“Lord Cao!”

“Is your ambition aimed at the position of heir?”

Hearing these words, Cao Ju’s hand paused in its movement. Then, a smile crept onto his face.