People in the Three Kingdoms: Starting from Preaching

Chapter 408 Defection

In the quiet land, a mighty army broke the peace. A team of more than a thousand people broke away from the army and entered the county town in an orderly manner. However, the situation in the city made Cao Cao, who was the leader of the team, feel heavy-hearted.

The huge county town was so quiet that only the sounds of horses' hooves and footsteps could be heard. At first glance, there were no pedestrians in the streets, most of the shops were in groups of three or four, and the doors of every household were locked.

It is hard to imagine that in a county town like this, what it brings to people is not the prosperity and vitality of a densely populated area, but rather a dead atmosphere.

The further Cao Cao walked, the heavier his mood became. This was the county town under his jurisdiction. It should have been one of the most important administrative units supporting the Wei court and a place with concentrated population and economy. However, the current situation was a far cry from what it should be.

Guo Jia followed slowly on horseback behind him, also looking around with the same helpless and worried expression, but when he turned around and saw Cao Cao's silent back, he sighed secretly, then pulled the reins and rode his horse a few quick steps to Cao Cao's side.

"The plague caused great damage to our army. Even the county town was left with nine out of ten houses empty. However, as long as our army can achieve results in this battle and gain more time to recuperate, we will be able to slowly recover. Your Majesty, don't worry too much."

When Guo Jia was persuading him, he forced a smile and looked quite confident.

But Cao Cao was not comforted by this, his brows were still tightly furrowed.

The bleak situation before us cannot be covered up by a few words. Cao Cao is no fool, and he certainly knows the severity of the reality.

Resting and recuperating, this kind of thing is definitely not as simple as Guo Jia said.

He turned his head and sighed to Guo Jia: "Feng Xiao, there is no need to deceive yourself. I understand that the plague alone would never cause such a situation. Compared with the harm of the plague, the change of people's hearts is the real fatal thing."

Hearing this, Guo Jia could only smile bitterly: "Your Majesty is wise, but although the current situation is difficult, what we lack in Wei is only time. As long as we can make a breakthrough in the military to buy time, we may be able to save the situation in the future."

At this time, Xun Yu in the rear also rode up and said in a deep voice: "Life is difficult. Think about the defeat of the Yellow Turbans. Xu Chen led only a few thousand remnants to survive in desperate situations. In the end, it was not easy to get to where he is today. He was able to withstand the test of fate and succeed in his career today. Now it is our turn to face the test. Your Majesty's great talent and strategy are definitely not comparable to Xu Chen, so what is the point of this predicament for Your Majesty?"

It has to be said that when it comes to motivating his lord, Xun Yu is obviously more capable than Guo Jia. After he finished speaking, Cao Cao's spirits were obviously boosted.

Although the situation before him was still bleak, Cao Cao was silent for a while and then burst into laughter, sweeping away his previous dejection and depression, and his face regained its former confidence.

"What Wen Ruo said is very much in line with my opinion."

After a long while, Cao Cao stopped laughing. Then he sat upright, stroking his beard with one hand, holding a whip in the other hand and pointing into the distance, his eyes full of disdain.

“The dangers of the mountains are not enough to disturb my mind, and the boundless rivers and seas are not enough to scare me. Things in the world are just like this. Only by overcoming difficulties can one show his heroic qualities.

That boy Xu Chen was able to rise from despair, he can be considered a hero of the time. Even a commoner like him can go against the tide, so why can't I do it!
This hardship is only temporary. When I lead my army to the north to fight back, all the difficulties will be nothing but clouds and mist. Just wait and see how I can turn the tide and spur China on!"

As soon as Cao Cao finished speaking, everyone around him was shocked, and they all felt the powerful spirit in his words.

There was no need for any extra actions, just a few simple words were enough to boost everyone's confidence.

If even the monarch Cao Cao has no confidence in his career, the people below will only become more pessimistic.

Now Cao Cao has shown his ambition to everyone. His indomitable character in difficult situations makes him the familiar lord in their eyes.

"We, the ministers, will sacrifice our lives to fulfill your majesty's ambition!"

Everyone shouted in unison, and there was a real sense of unity, which dispelled the desolate and dull atmosphere of the county town.

Cao Cao stroked his beard and laughed. Although he said this to his ministers, it was also what he thought in his heart.

He was willing to admit that Xu Chen was a hero of the time, but he would never admit that he was worse than Xu Chen.

No matter how difficult the reality is, he will never be depressed. It is this unwillingness to accept and self-confidence that drives him to continue to seek ways to reverse the disadvantage.

Even though bandit Xu is strong, I, Cao Mengde, am not one to be bullied. Just wait and see how capable I am!

While Cao Cao was enjoying himself with his ministers, Yu Jin came hurriedly on horseback. When he arrived in front of Cao Cao, he bowed and reported: "Your Majesty, all the fugitives in the county have been captured by me!"

"Hmm?" Cao Cao paused for a moment, then narrowed his eyes and said calmly, "Bring them all here. I want to interrogate them personally."

Soon, under the gaze of the crowd, dozens of people were escorted by Cao's soldiers and knelt in front of Cao Cao one after another under his orders. Most of them had pale faces and ragged clothes, and there were men, women, old and young among them, and it was obvious that they were a team composed of many families.

At this time, they were surrounded by many soldiers and were all terrified. When they knelt on the ground, they stood close to each other to pass on courage. No one dared to look up at Cao Cao.

"When I entered the city, I saw you walking in a group, seemingly heading north. But to the north is Bingzhou, which is controlled by Xuanxia. What is your purpose in heading to Xuanxia?"

Cao Cao looked at the crowd in front of him with an indifferent tone and cold eyes. As soon as he spoke, he scared everyone half to death.

They never imagined that the person in front of them would be the Emperor of Wei!
Although the people were timid and ignorant, they were not fools. They naturally felt that Cao Cao's tone was unfriendly. They were all terrified at this moment, but they dared not say a word. They just curled up on their knees and trembled.

Only under the scolding of the soldiers next to him did an old man finally answer tremblingly: "We are just going to Bingzhou to seek refuge with our relatives and friends. I beg Your Majesty not to be offended!"

"Go to relatives and friends?" Cao Cao snorted expressionlessly, and then said: "I think going to relatives and friends is fake, and defecting to the enemy country is the real thing!"

As soon as these words came out, the faces of the people kneeling down changed drastically, and they immediately cried out in grievance: "We are wronged, we are definitely seeking refuge with our relatives and friends, and we are definitely not defecting from the empire. Your Majesty, please believe us!"

Cao Cao sneered and said, "Even if you really surrender to your relatives and friends, what is the difference between that and defecting to the enemy country? When our two countries are still at war, you abandon your homes and careers and go to the enemy country. Aren't you surrendering to the enemy?"

Everyone turned pale, and the old man was terrified and quickly denied: "Your Majesty, why would you go to such lengths to seek refuge with your relatives and friends? We have absolutely no such intention!"

Cao Cao said calmly, "Even if you don't have such intention, after you go to the enemy country, how can you not work hard for the enemy country, pay money and grain? Even if you don't have the intention to help the enemy, you must have the reality to help the enemy. If you flee north, don't you want to become the enemy of our Great Wei?"

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone fell silent. No matter what was said, this could not be refuted.

Cao Cao said coldly: "You all know what the crime of desertion is!"

The old man burst into tears: "Your Majesty, please spare my life. We are just looking for a way to survive. We have no extra thoughts. How can it be wrong to find another way to survive if we can't survive?"

Cao Cao disagreed and said coldly: "You are a smooth talker. There will be many vacancies in the fields after the plague. You just need to farm. How can you not survive? It's nothing more than believing the instigation of the north to seek wealth and honor!"

The old man felt even more aggrieved now, and kept kowtowing to Cao Cao. The others also cried and did the same thing.

After a while, the old man, who had already knocked his forehead and broke it, cried out in grievance: "We common people can't survive any longer. Even if we have some land, we can't afford the government's demands for money and food day after day. It's hard enough to make ends meet at home, and the young and strong are conscripted into the army by the government. Even the old and weak like us often have to do hard labor. If we don't leave for the north, we common people really can't survive!"

For a moment, everyone present shook their heads and sighed, and even Cao Cao fell silent for a moment.

No one knew better than them that the old man was definitely not lying. This was indeed the situation of the common people in Wei State today, but there was nothing that could be done about it.

It was not that Cao Cao did not know that he had to allow some leeway to manage the common people, but the damage caused by the previous plague and defeat was so great that he could not afford to show sympathy for the people.

If this was not done, let alone counterattack and northern expedition, it would be difficult for Wei to hold on even if it maintained the status quo. After all, Xuan Xia's small-scale attacks had not stopped for more than a year since the last war.

For the glory of the Wei Dynasty, the people can only suffer.

However, even though Cao Cao was well aware of the difficulties faced by the common people, it did not mean that he would forgive their escape to the north. The reason why the county town is so desolate today is because all the people have fled!
Isn't it just that life is a little hard? If all of you run away, how can my Wei State continue to function?

Cao Cao looked indifferent and looked down at them: "You have no way to survive, and you must die on the land of Wei. Since you have already defected, you must be punished for the crime of treason."

With a wave of Cao Cao's hand, the soldiers on both sides rushed forward, trying to capture them all.

Some of Cao Cao's ministers could not bear to see this happen, but they could only turn a blind eye. The trend of defection had gradually become prevalent in the northern counties of the Wei Dynasty, and this trend must be continued.

The old man suddenly became furious. He knew that he would die if he was sent down, so he cursed loudly: "Cao thief, you are incompetent in the State of Wei and cannot provide a living for the common people, but you blame the common people for not wanting to coexist with the state. How can this be justified!"

As soon as these words were spoken, all the ministers' faces changed, and they kept silent about it, pretending that they had not heard it.

Cao Cao narrowed his eyes, but laughed in anger: "You cunning people, don't ask what the Wei Dynasty has done for you, ask what you have done for the Wei Dynasty!"

(End of this chapter)