Three Kingdoms: The Guan Family's Rebellious Son, Long Blessing Jing Xiang

In the 24th year of Jian'an, autumn, October.

Jizhou, the sky above Yecheng was covered with thick fog and clouds. These clouds formed a net-like shape, just like a huge net spreading across the sky, and it seemed as if the net could be closed at any time and anywhere.

Cao Zhi, Li Miao and Xiahou Dun were late arrivals.

Looking at the towering gate of the Wei capital Yecheng, standing in front of this familiar yet unfamiliar city, the three of them couldn't help but feel their hearts beating.

What Cao Zhi was chanting in his heart were still those three words that kept repeating.

——『Sister Zhen! 』

——『Sister Zhen! 』

Li Miao thought secretly:

——『I hope everything goes well!』

——『By the way, after this battle, I can go home, right?』

——"It is said that if you are too far away from home, you will forget your hometown. It is said that if you scheme too many times, you will forget yourself! Hehe... Hehe..."

Thoughts on this…

Li Miao looked up at the sky with a complicated and solemn expression.

On the other hand, Xiahou Dun was pondering in his heart but speaking.

——"Jizhou, don't let it learn from the final fate of the Yuan family, and learn from the final... final betrayal of Yuan Xi and Yuan Shang!"

The past is still vivid in my mind, and the memories that exhale from my heart keep emerging.

"call…"

With a heavy sigh, Xiahou Dun's expression became more tragic.

Li Miao, on the other hand, immediately helped Xiahou Dun up, and then replied: "No... With my adoptive father here, Yecheng will not be in chaos—"

At this time...

There was a civil servant waiting outside the door. When he saw the three people, he hurried forward.

"Master Pi, I am wrong... Now I should address you as King Wei. King Wei asked me to wait for you all here..."

At this point, the civil servant raised his eyes, looked at the sun, calculated the time, and quickly continued, "The time is right. The ceremony of King Wei's succession to the throne is in progress. General, Master Zijian, and Mr. Li, please come this way. Please come this way—"

Following the words of this civil servant.

Cao Zhi, Xiahou Dun, and Li Miao looked at each other, as if they were exchanging their thoughts.

As for what was in their minds, it was the same sentence.

——『King of Wei? How could it be him, Cao Pi?』

Yes…

Ever since Cao Cao proclaimed himself king, throughout the Wei Dynasty, the Central Plains and the northern border, the title of King of Wei was almost synonymous with Cao Cao, whether it was soldiers or civilians.

This has become a deep-rooted symbol. Even his son cannot take away this "title" or "symbol"!
...

The grand ceremony is coming——

Assisted by the eunuchs, Cao Pi was putting on the crown of King Wei. The majestic royal robe and the cape that was pulled very long...all demonstrated his status and majesty as the new king of Wei.

However, compared with Cao Cao, he lacks some tyranny and majesty.

At this time...

Zhang Fang walked slowly into the pavilion holding the "Golden Strategy" in one hand, his steps shaking slightly.

Because he once helped Cao Pi escape from Jiangdong and Huainan, and in order to protect and save him, he had his arm cut off.

It was because of this arm that his sense of balance was different from that of ordinary people, and he inevitably staggered and shook when he walked.

"square?"

When Cao Pi, who was still wearing his crown, saw Zhang Fang, he rushed forward, grabbed him and pulled him close to him.

"How do you think of my royal robe and crown? They are magnificent, right?"

When Cao Pi faced Zhang Fang...it was like they were close friends with whom he could talk about anything.

Zhang Fang lost an arm for him, and Cao Pi gave him in return a status and honor second only to the emperor.

"It looks nice and grand..."

It seems that for a "fisherman", it is not easy to use the word "grand".

"Hahahaha..." Cao Pi laughed out loud, and while laughing, he pulled Zhang Fang's hand again, "I will always remember the person who saved my life... The most recent one was you, but the most distant one was when I was seven years old..."

I don't know whether it is the gratitude of the successor to the new king of Wei;
Or it was because of the mention of "life-saving grace" that made Cao Pi imagine more and further.

He couldn't help but say with regret: "Father has always been strict with his children. I joined the army when I was seven years old. At that time, it was my eldest brother Cao Ang who took care of me. When I was ten years old, the army was stationed in Wancheng. Unexpectedly, Zhang Xiu suddenly rebelled in the middle of the night. In the chaos, my eldest brother gave his horse to my father. He held me and survived under the arrows... He... He finally managed to grab another horse, but as soon as he put me on the horse, he was shot by an arrow. The last thing he said was to run..."

Having said this, Cao Pi was silent for a moment, and he held Zhang Fang's hand a little tighter.

"Later, my father missed my elder brother the most. I often thought, if only I could switch places with my elder brother, let me die for my father, let my father remember me, then... my elder brother would still be the legitimate prince, and all these years... we brothers wouldn't have to turn against each other because of the position of the prince. Perhaps... with my elder brother's benevolence and kindness, he could also save the Wei Dynasty in another way like Guan Lin did, instead of now, where the father is not like a father, the king is not like a king, the Wei Dynasty is not Wei, the country is not a country, the monarch is not a monarch, and the minister is not a minister..."

Although Cao Pi's tone was calm, as he spoke, two lines of tears slowly flowed down the corners of his eyes...

Hot, warm——

Zhang Fang advised: "After all...you still achieved the position of the crown prince, and became the king of Wei. No matter what the final outcome is, you at least deserved your elder brother Cao Ang. You did everything for him."

call…

Taking a deep breath, Cao Pi pondered for a moment, then nodded heavily.

He originally wanted to tell the story of his elder brother Cao Ang saving him, and then the story of Zhang Fang saving him...

But... just at this moment.

"Father..." Fifteen-year-old Cao Rui ran over.

Following him was his wife Zhen Mi, who seemed to have heard her son calling him "father". Zhen Mi interrupted him and said, "I've told you so many times that you can't call me father anymore..."

After being reminded by his mother, Cao Rui finally realized what was going on and quickly changed his words, "It's Father... I pay my respects to you, Father!"

Speaking of which, Cao Rui and Zhen Mi's trip exuded congratulations to their father and husband, and the emotion was warm.

But who would have thought...

Cao Pi was as cold and indifferent to them as always. He just waved his hand and said, "The grand ceremony is coming soon. You shouldn't come here... Go down. You have to prepare for the grand ceremony as well!"

Eternally, as always, I'm putting my warm face on the cold butt.

Zhen Mi gritted her teeth slightly. This was a feeling of being always despised... Even though she was now the Queen of Wei, but... but that feeling of being kept at a distance became even more intense.

"Yes... Your Majesty!"

Zhen Mi bowed, then slowly walked out with Cao Rui.

Zhang Fang noticed that the atmosphere had suddenly turned cold, so he reminded him, "Your Majesty, you shouldn't treat your wife like this. She is the Queen of Wei..."

"Humph!"

Cao Pi responded to Zhang Fang with a cold snort. Cao Pi stared at the mother and son who were walking further and further away, and said to Zhang Fang in a heart-to-heart talk, "Her heart is not with me——"

"If I have a choice, then the Queen of Wei must be Queen Guo Zhao -"

Having said this, Cao Pi said no more. All the King of Wei's clothes had been put on and the ceremonial guards were ready.

Cao Pi finally said to Zhang Fang.

"Follow me. I want you to see me ascend the throne of Wei with your own eyes!"

"Zhang Fang...you must rest assured. You saved my life and your love for me is like a rebirth...After this ceremony, you can choose any position in the entire Wei Dynasty. I can afford it--"

Having said this, Cao Pi finally took Zhang Fang and his savior and walked out of the courtyard and went to the high platform that had been built long ago.

Those steps, one by one, seemed to be the pain he had experienced along the way.

That peak was his declaration of victory.

He finally won in this brotherly struggle. No matter how dire the situation was, at least he won. He fulfilled his long-cherished wish and reached the peak of his career as he wished!

It’s Zhang Fang.

In stark contrast to Cao Pi's mood, at this moment, as he stepped up the stairs one by one, the gentleness in his eyes was gradually disappearing, and was replaced by a fierce and murderous aura.

In his opinion…

Every step he stepped on represented the tragic deaths of his father, brother, and uncle, and the blood and hatred of millions of people in Yongqiu in his hometown.

He will soon...

I can no longer hide the throbbing and murderous intent in my heart!

——"Uncle, Dad... The day when the Great Wei was completely destroyed has finally come..."

——『It’s finally coming!』

——『I have waited for you...I have waited for you!』

...

"Dong, dong——"

From the palace tower of Yecheng, a clanging bell sounded, and the person who was striking the bell screamed loudly as he struck it.

"The King of Wei has arrived—"

Then, all the bells on the city wall rang. The mighty bell sound caused all the bells in Yecheng to ring together, shaking the sky. The soldiers stationed on the city wall stood motionless, but... many of them had tears in their eyes.

Because, from today on, the master of the Great Wei is no longer Cao Cao, but his son Cao Pi.

The most ironic thing is that Cao Cao... the former ruler of the Wei Dynasty, the hero who created the Wei Dynasty, is not dead now, he is still alive.

Of course, the thoughts of these soldiers guarding the city...are irrelevant and have no bearing on the overall situation.

Sima Yi stood in an inconspicuous position.

On the throne platform, as Cao Pi stood, Chen Qun stepped forward and faced all the civil servants, soldiers, and common people below the stage and chanted loudly:
"In the 24th year of Jian'an, autumn, October—"

"I have heard that the Emperor has no relatives, only virtue can help. This has been the case since ancient times. My father, Cao Cao, received the mandate from Heaven, saved the world and helped the people, cleared the world, expanded the nine provinces, and made great achievements that shine throughout the universe. I am an incompetent person, but I am honored to inherit the Wei Dynasty. How dare I not devote all my heart and soul to carry on my father's ambition? To conquer the Central Plains and win back the Lord of Wei——"

"The governance of a country depends on the right people. I want to open up a wide range of paths for talents, not sticking to one pattern, so that the virtuous and capable people can give full play to their talents. We should also work hard and love the people, be frugal and simple in burial, and set an example for future generations. In the past, Yu Shun had twenty great achievements, but Fang Xun passed the world to him; Dayu had achievements in dredging, but Chong Hua passed the throne to him. Although I am not smart, I am willing to follow the example of the sages, treat the world as a public good, and pass on the throne to the virtuous rather than to my son. However, the current situation is pressing, and the destiny is coming. Cao Pi should live up to the expectations and continue the lineage of the Wei Dynasty——"

This notice was issued in the tone of Cao Pi, in which... he quoted Shun and Yu. This is because... his ambition has never been limited to being just the King of Wei!
What his father could do, he could do too;

What his father couldn't do, he could do!

With this in mind, Cao Pi's eyes became even gloomier. He was already fantasizing... as Sima Zhongda said, Guan Lin died in Liu Bei's mansion, and then the Central Plains would be in chaos, the world would fall apart again, and heroes would fight for supremacy. At that time... it would be the time for him, Cao Pi, to turn the tide.

Cao Pi thought so...

Chen Qun's voice continued.

"There is a prince named Cao Rui, who is smart and wise, and has both civil and military skills. He is able to carry on the legacy of the past and the past. I am very pleased, so I grant him the seal of the crown prince. I hope you will be more diligent, suppress your worries, pay attention to the past, and show your achievements from time to time to satisfy me—"

King Wei, Crown Prince, Queen——

This is what needs to be written in the succession edict.

Just like when Cao Cao was conferred the title of King of Wei, the title of Crown Prince was also mentioned in the edict. This was the rule. Under the power constraints at that time, Cao Cao wrote down Cao Pi's name. However... everyone knew that for Cao Cao's character, the title of Crown Prince in this edict alone could not represent anything?
Similarly, in Cao Pi's view, Cao Rui's title of Crown Prince and Zhen Mi's title of Queen in this edict did not mean anything.

Even Cao Pi noticed Cao Zhi... As expected, his eyes never left the high platform... his wife, the Queen of Wei.

This is what Cao Pi can't tolerate the most - betrayal!
The entire succession ceremony was still going on, and it was supposed to end like this...

But unfortunately, the accident happened at the moment when Cao Rui was made the crown prince.

"Cao Rui cannot be the crown prince—"

Following a high-pitched voice chanting.

Everyone was startled and subconsciously turned their heads to look in the direction of the sound.

But it turned out that the person who shouted this voice was Li Miao!

Chen Qun was also startled and quickly said, "Mr. Li is a person from far away. Even if he doesn't know the situation in Yecheng, doesn't he know the family affairs of the King of Wei? Prince Cao Rui is the only son of the King. If he doesn't become the crown prince, who will become the crown prince?"

"It's true that he is the only son—" Li Miao frowned, and raised his voice even higher... "But if he is not the new King of Wei's, then I can't say for sure."

"Someone, take it down—"

Just as Li Miao finished speaking, Chen Qun quickly spoke up, "Quickly arrest this liar!"

Xiahou Dun also didn't expect Li Miao to say such words at such a grand ceremony...

However, out of subconscious judgment, Hannan must have a basis for what he said... Even though Xiahou Dun couldn't see it, he still stretched out his hand to stop the approaching guard and shouted angrily: "The general of the Wei army is here, who dares to step forward?"

Sure enough...Xiahou Dun’s prestige does exist.

With his blocking, no blind Wei soldier dared to move.

With Xiahou Dun around, Li Miao became bolder and more outspoken. He roared loudly: "Cao Rui is the son of Madam Zhen and Yuan Xi..." "In the past, the Wei cavalry broke through Yecheng in August of the ninth year of Jian'an, and Cao Rui was born in June of the tenth year of Jian'an... Ten months of pregnancy, this is just right, just right——"

Following Li Miao's words, Cao Zhi angrily grabbed Li Miao without Chen Qun's order this time.

"Hannan? What are you talking about…what are you talking about?"

Is Cao Rui really Yuan Xi’s posthumous son?
This is the focus of much attention and debate among keyboard historians in later generations, and the biggest point is this time...

So fitting!

The reason why Li Miao was able to think of this was because Guan Lin told him in a letter.

As for Guan Lin's knowledge of the secret within Cao Wei, it can be traced back to that year...the day he met Sun Quan in prison.

On that day, Sun Quan told Guan Lin the conclusions of the investigations conducted over the years by the Eastern Wu spy agency Jiefanying.

This conclusion is exactly Cao Rui's life experience——

In order to find out the truth, Jie Fanying secretly visited and investigated, including the past ten months... and even the two months before that, Zhen Mi's movements and Yuan Xi's movements.

At that time, Yuan Xi returned to Yecheng.

As soon as Yuan Xi left, his father Cao Cao took the lead... The one who broke into the widow Zhen Mi's door was Cao Pi, the second son of the Great Wei!
At first glance, this sounds outrageous!
If you think about it carefully, you will find that this matter is not simple at all.

Such secret information can be used as a trump card, thrown out at the most critical moment, and kill with one blow -

"What are you talking about, you outspoken lunatic?"

"Zijian, are you here to seek refuge with me? Is this the gift you brought to me?"

Cao Pi's voice was already a little hoarse.

It's been extremely violent...

Cao Zhi also widened his eyes, still unable to believe it. This... this is true!
Cao Rui...is not the child of his elder sister Zhen and second brother, but...is that Yuan Xi's!

If this is the case, then… won’t the Wei Dynasty be passed to the Yuan family in the future? This… this…

Not only Cao Zhi...

More people are realizing this.

The succession ceremony of the King of Wei suddenly seemed to be unable to proceed -

"Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha…"

Li Miao was still laughing wildly, "Cao Zihuan? What are you afraid of? If he is really your son, then why not...you and Master Cao Rui can test your blood relationship and give it a try...how about we give it a try?"

Li Miao said this...

Immediately, various discussions were heard from all around, becoming very loud.

"This is related to the foundation of the Wei Dynasty. We must be cautious..."

"Yes, if he is really the posthumous child of Yuan Xi, then doesn't that mean... doesn't that mean... that the foundation built by Cao Gong will be returned to the hands of the Yuan family?"

"Blood test to identify relatives... It's not impossible, at least... at least it can give me peace of mind!"

Just as these discussions are getting bigger and bigger.

Cao Pi glared at his queen Zhen Mi with a murderous look.

"I didn't, I didn't..."

Zhen Mi waved her hands repeatedly and denied it flatly.

Others are just guessing...

But she, she was most certain that this was completely groundless and impossible... She... She was framed!

The question is… now, does it matter whether or not you were framed?
Not important at all!
Three people make a tiger, and this rumor is enough to tear every inch of Zhen Mi's body and skin.

"Humph…"

Cao Pi responded to Zhen Mi with the coldest and most disgusted tone, then turned his head and said, "Today is the ceremony of my succession to the throne. How can I allow you to act recklessly? Come, capture this man and kill him on the spot. Anyone who tries to stop me will be killed as well—"

As he said this, Cao Pi looked around.

The implication is that those Wei soldiers dare not touch Xiahou Dun. That's fine, he will just use his personal guards. Today is a great humiliation, and he swears to make Li Miao pay with blood!
"promise…"

Immediately, all of Cao Pi's personal guards moved together... and rushed towards Li Miao.

All the civil and military officials along the way quickly made way. At this time, no one dared to face Cao Pi's anger.

soon…

The only one left in front of these guards was Xiahou Dun, who still had his arms open to protect Li Miao behind him.

"General, the King of Wei has ordered that anyone who tries to stop us should be killed. I advise you to get out of the way and not get involved in this mess!"

"Hannan is my adopted son, who has saved me time and again. All my sons have sacrificed their lives for the Wei Dynasty, so I am counting on this adopted son to take care of me in my old age. Today, unless you step over my body, otherwise... otherwise -"

"superior…"

Swords were quickly drawn from their sheaths.

The weapons flashed with cold light, like shadows of death... countless sword flowers swept over.

Xiahou Dun, on the other hand, stood still, without any fear or hesitation. He stood firmly, with the sword in his hand pointing straight to the sky as if it were an extension of his will.

"All of you come here—"

With one sword, the dense sword flowers were swept away.

However, more weapons came whistling and piercing from behind.

"what--"

"what--"

Overnight, Xiahou Dun's arms and legs were already injured one after another, his entire face was hideous and horrible, and he was in great pain...

There was even a spear inserted into his shoulder. He moved forward along the spear's handle, grabbed the man's neck and crushed it, screaming loudly in his mouth as he tried to endure the pain.

"How dare you hurt me, you rat?"

But... one of the guards fell down.

There were countless personal guards behind him, and more swords, spears, and halberds coming at him. Xiahou Dun was already defeated. He tried hard to support himself on the ground with his sword, but still kept one hand outstretched to protect Li Miao.

"Rat, don't hurt my son——"

He really treated Li Miao as his son...

This is the last heartfelt, grief-stricken, and tragic cry of an old man who lost his eyesight in his youth and his son in his old age.

"Old General, we won't kill you, but Mr. Li, who loves to talk, must die today—"

Some of the personal guards had already broken through Xiahou Dun's defense and arrived beside Li Miao.

It is no exaggeration to say that this is destined to be the most dangerous mission Li Miao has ever carried out...

It is also the time when life is closest, closest, closest to the end.

Seeing those steel knives raised high towards the sun...

Li Miao even closed his eyes.

But at this moment...

A voice, a vigorous and powerful voice came from the high platform.

"The traitor Cao Pi is dead! If you stop, you can spare his life—"

what…

what…

Cao Pi is dead?

No matter who hears such a sound in such a scene, they will be surprised and will subconsciously look back.

The same was true for these personal guards, all the civil and military officials, Li Miao...even Cao Zhi, and even the blind Xiahou Dun.

Suddenly...

Everyone's eyes were directed towards the platform.

At this moment, on the high platform, a one-armed man was holding Cao Pi's head high above his head.

This head was like a symbol, marking the complete, thorough and utter end of the Great Wei at this moment in the hands of this one-armed man.

His voice continued.

I don’t know if it was because I was too excited, or because the huge roar caused my throat to tremble inevitably.

His voice is still loud...

But hoarse!
"The traitor... the traitor Cao Pi is dead! If you... if you stop, I will spare his life--"

Everyone's eyes were focused on Cao Pi's severed head.

No one noticed that there was a sharp dagger on the ground, and blood was flowing from the severed head...

There is also a small crossbow on the ground, and the box of the crossbow is empty...

It was a headless corpse, pierced by dozens of crossbow arrows, and the entire body looked like a hornet's nest.

No one noticed...

On the cheek of the one-armed man, as he roared, the hot tears that could no longer be held back gushed out like a spring.

And in that crystal necklace, he seemed to see his father, Zhang Chao, who was from Shouzhang, Dongping, and served as the governor of Guangling when the eighteen princes fought against Dong Zhuo.

He seemed to see his uncle, the governor of Chenliu, Zhang Miao, a famous scholar and one of the Eight Chefs.

He seemed to see the land of Yongqiu, where countless elders and fellow villagers lay in a pool of blood.

They...they can all rest in peace now, right?

They, they can finally rest in peace!

...

...

In Luoyang City.

Two sides of a chessboard...

A twenty-year-old boy and a thirty-five-year-old man are playing chess.

"——So, this is your plan. Use Li Miao as bait to lure out all of Cao Pi's personal guards, and then use Zhang Chao's son and Zhang Miao's nephew Zhang Fang to carry out the latest and final assassination!"

The twenty-year-old boy is Guan Lin!

The thirty-five-year-old man is Lu Xun!
Just as the man Lu Xun was chanting his words.

The chess piece in Guan Lin's hand fell onto the chessboard because he didn't hold it firmly.

However, even if it fell randomly, due to the situation, it would still kill all the black pieces.

It was only then that he chanted:
"You're absolutely right!"

"If the situation develops to the point where we only need to kill one person to end this chaos!"

"Then what I have to do is to trap that person in a deadly situation, and place the person who hates him the most... or hates this force the most, next to him. In this way... this damned person will have no chance of survival!"

Speaking of which…

Guan Lin took a deep breath.

Lu Xun noticed something was wrong and asked, "Why? Are you worried about... your chess pieces?"

"Some chess pieces have hearts as strong as steel. They have cut off all emotions in order to seek revenge. I never worry about such chess pieces! But... there are also chess pieces who will develop new emotions and bonds in the process of revenge..."

"Yes, chess pieces also have feelings. When the final moment comes and all the truth comes out, the person you trust the most is the one who hurts you the most. At this time... that deep sense of guilt can cost you your life—"

Thinking of this...

Guan Lin's eyes were dim, and he couldn't help but feel a little worried.

The name that came to his mind was not Zhang Fang, but...

"Hannan——"

"Where is Li Hannan——"

...

…(End of chapter)