Chapter 10 Xu Shao's Insight into People

Cao Cao tapped the desk and repeated, “Your father wishes to seize a sharp blade and assassinate the traitor of the state.”

Now it was Chen Cong’s turn to be dumbfounded.

Why did this suddenly turn into a themed essay? Isn’t any method of assassinating Dong Zhuo still an assassination? Why insist on wielding a broken dagger and risking one’s life?

“Father-in-law thinks the honey trap won’t work?”

“It will.” Cao Cao nodded in agreement.

“Then…”

Cao Cao smiled. “If Dong Zhuo dies, do you have a brilliant plan to defend Luoyang against thirty thousand unruly troops from Xiliang?”

Chen Cong replied, “Recruit and appease them.”

Cao Cao pressed further, “If you yourself commanded thirty thousand strong soldiers, would you surrender?”

Chen Cong fell silent.

He wanted to say yes, but it was too absurd to utter. Later sources told him it was Wang Yun’s arrogance and his overzealous suppression of the Xiliang men that led to his own downfall.

Looking back now, that wasn’t the case at all.

Forget not allowing them to surrender—even if he did, would Li Jue and Guo Si truly lay down their arms?

Given the circumstances at the time,

Retaking Chang’an meant claiming power and glory—who would willingly crawl back and play second fiddle?

But wait—

If Cao Cao charged Dong Zhuo with a broken blade, the outcome would be the same.

Once Dong Zhuo died, Cao Cao would likewise be unable to face the fury of thirty thousand Xiliang troops.

Chen Cong’s eyes widened in realization.

So—

Wang Yun, who succeeded in assassinating Dong Zhuo, ended up bound before the ranks, his ashes scattered by others.

Cao Cao, who failed, suffered nothing at all, returned to Chenliu, and gained prestige?

Yes, it was just a honey trap; there’s no reason Wang Yun could devise it but Cao Cao couldn’t.

The difference was: Wang Yun truly wanted Dong Zhuo dead, while Cao Cao merely borrowed the fame.

“It seems you’ve understood, Zi Ning.”

Chen Cong did understand, and he had an epiphany.

Fanciful schemes change with the times, the place, and the people.

Blindly copying someone else’s success only leads to a parody, a clumsy imitation, a botched attempt at elegance.

So-called foresight is nothing more than glimpsing a few scraps of historical records and presuming to see the whole picture.

History’s veil is too thick.

If not for Cao Cao speaking plainly, even living in this timeline, he would still be blind to the truth.

Many things are truly known only to heaven.

Once he had figured it out, everything became much simpler.

First volume of the Wei Chronicles, Emperor Wu, Cao.

With such a powerful patron, what was there to worry about?

Chen Cong cupped his hands, “Father-in-law, if you have any task for me, I will devote myself wholeheartedly.”

“You’re prone to laziness.”

Despite his words, Cao Cao smiled.

Chen Cong’s ability to grasp his meaning was already comforting.

So the only mud was Cao Ang; his beloved son-in-law just looked like mud—how wonderful!

“Outside the East Gate stands the Hero Pavilion. Its master is Shi Ah, first disciple of Swordmaster Wang Yue. He commands many knights and adventurers. If you have a thousand gold, perhaps you could win them to your cause?”

Chen Cong patted his chest, “That’s easy. Father-in-law, rest assured.”

Cao Cao stroked his long beard and continued, “Also, the Minister Wang Yun possesses an ancestral treasured blade. I need a suitable excuse to visit and borrow it. Take care of that as well.”

“Understood.”

Cao Cao did not elaborate on the details of assassinating Dong Zhuo, and Chen Cong did not ask.

For the same reason: strategies must adapt to the time, place, and person.

Dong Zhuo is not a stationary post, and the Xiliang guards are not pawns to be moved at will.

No matter how meticulous the plan, execution always requires improvisation.

…

Under the crimson canopy, plump doves and slender warblers frolicked in the water.

Night after night of spring passion.

Later,

Dong Zhuo finished dressing and washing in his inner chambers, while Li Ru ushered Cao Cao, who had waited long in the side hall.

“Ha ha ha! No wonder the magpies were chattering since dawn—Mengde has arrived!”

Cao Cao clasped his fists, “Greetings, Grand Tutor.”

“No need for formality. You’ve suffered, Mengde. I am at fault; who would have thought the servant I rewarded you would be so loose-tongued?”

Dong Zhuo truly liked Cao Cao—his words pleasing, his actions attentive, and their hearts aligned.

That earlier mishap was indeed not Dong Zhuo’s intention.

He enjoyed hearing of ministers’ scandals, and delighted in exposing the secrets of those self-righteous nobles.

But who could have guessed those dogs would take it upon themselves to expose even their own family’s dirt?

He felt genuinely guilty.

What Dong Zhuo did not know was that the Cao family’s scandal was not spread by their servant, but by Cao Cao himself.

Cao Cao’s face fell, and he clasped his fists again, sighing deeply.

“A misfortune of my house, not your concern, Grand Tutor. Yet after such an incident, I am too ashamed to remain in Luoyang. I beg your grace to allow me to resign and retire.”

“Denied!”

“Grand Tutor…”

Dong Zhuo raised a hand to interrupt Cao Cao, “Mengde, I truly cannot do without you. Forget resignation; name another condition. Gold and beauties—ask for anything, and I will not frown.”

Li Ru quickly chimed in, “Grand Tutor’s favor is immense; how could Mengde bear to abandon it?”

Cao Cao sighed, “Your kindness, Grand Tutor, I could never repay, even in death. But with my family so shamed, staying in Luoyang is like sitting on needles. Please, grant me your mercy.”

“Mengde, you…”

Li Ru steadied Dong Zhuo, his eyes flickering with a plan, “This is easily solved. The Grand Preceptor Yuan Kui recently took three young concubines; Grand Commandant Huang Wan spent a fortune to ransom the courtesan of Misty Cloud Pavilion. Release these tidings, and no one will care about Mengde’s unruly servants.”

Cao Cao sneered inwardly, but showed no sign on his face, and cupped his hands to Li Ru.

“Your plan is good, Wen You, but with the Cao and Chen families’ wedding approaching, who can guarantee the old scandal won’t be dredged up again?”

“This…”

“What’s difficult about that?” Dong Zhuo waved his hand grandly. “I’ll grant you a decree, Mengde. Go home to arrange the wedding, and when the dust settles, return to Luoyang to help me.”

Li Ru cried, “Father-in-law!”

Cao Cao, “Grand Tutor…”

Dong Zhuo forcefully interrupted them, “That’s settled!”

Cao Cao studied Dong Zhuo for a moment, then bowed deeply three times.

“Grand Tutor treats me with great honor. I am not one to ignore kindness. Once my family affairs are settled, I will devote myself to your cause!”

Dong Zhuo laughed as he helped Cao Cao up.

“Very good, very good. Hurry home and return quickly. I’ll wait for you in Luoyang.”

“Understood!”

After Cao Cao’s silhouette disappeared completely, Li Ru spoke slowly:

“Father-in-law, if you let Cao Cao leave, you should at least detain his son as hostage. If he does not return, what then?”

Dong Zhuo, in good spirits, patted his son-in-law’s shoulder.

He laughed, “Wen You, Wen You, aren’t you being petty? I treat Cao Cao with sincerity; he will repay me with loyalty. A wedding is a joyful occasion—holding his son as hostage would only stir unnecessary resentment.”

Li Ru was speechless.

He was petty?

Who was it that spoke of trust while rewarding informants to openly monitor?

Before, when the window hadn’t been broken, it was fine.

Now, after this incident, both sides know each other’s minds, and his father-in-law suddenly becomes magnanimous.

But it no longer matters; if Cao Cao insists on leaving, forcing him to stay is pointless.

Too bad Li Ru wasn’t someone from later generations.

If Chen Cong were present, he would certainly explain to him Mr. Lu Xun’s “skylight effect.”