People in the Three Kingdoms: Starting from Preaching

Chapter 423 Teaching Branch

That night, the movements of the Wei army finally began to become different. The civilians were no longer driven to reinforce the city defenses, but to dismantle them.

As for why this was so, it was because the State of Wei was preparing to withdraw.

Cao Cao and his ministers were standing on the top of the city wall, looking down. Under the light of the fire, the people's resentment was almost turning into reality. However, Cao Cao, the monarch, did not care how miserable the people were being forced to suffer. His eyes just gradually cooled down.

If the Wei army did not need these rebellious people to work for them, Cao Cao would have ordered them to be killed long ago. But now that the situation is unfavorable, these people are no longer of any use and have instead become a hidden danger to the Wei army.

As the city gate was gradually cleared, everyone turned their eyes to Cao Cao's face.

"At three o'clock tomorrow morning, the whole army will be ready. Soldiers will eat dry food. At five o'clock, leave the city immediately. Zhang Liao will lead the vanguard to raid the enemy camp. The army will retreat south with me!"

Cao Cao's face flickered in the light of the torch. After giving an order in a deep voice, he turned and walked away into the darkness.

All the civil and military officials looked at each other and responded.

Xun Yu looked at Cao Cao's back, then looked at the common people below the city who were completely unaware of what was happening. After gritting his teeth, he caught up with Cao Cao. Regardless of everyone's gaze, he blocked Cao Cao's way and bowed deeply.

"Your Majesty, this is against the harmony of nature and is not something a wise ruler would do!"

When Xun Yu's earnest voice was heard, the scene fell silent. Some civil and military officials among the ministers were slightly moved, and seemed to be hesitating whether to follow suit and join in the motion.

Everyone knows that what is going to happen here next is exactly what Cao Cao doesn't want to mention.

Sure enough, after Xun Yu spoke, although everyone could not see Cao Cao's expression clearly, they could clearly feel the instant change in the atmosphere. The monarch's suppressed anger seemed to make the air condense, and everyone present felt a tightness in their hearts.

There is not a single person who can stand here with Cao Cao who does not understand his own monarch.

This person can be an enlightened monarch who values ​​talents regardless of their background, or he can be a capricious, sinister and cruel tyrant. Even a loyal minister of the Wei State like Xun Yu would incur the other party's anger if he revealed something that Cao Cao was unwilling to admit.

"I don't understand what Wen Ruo is saying." Darkness shrouded Cao Cao's face. Although the voice that came out was calm, the coldness implied in it could be felt by everyone.

Xun Yu was shocked and gritted his teeth: "Our army only needs to retreat. Why do we need to massacre the city before leaving? This is against the harmony of nature. I think it should never be done!"

Cao Cao was silent for a while, then he laughed: "Wen Ruo is joking, when did I ever give such an order?"

Xun Yu was about to say something else, but Cao Cao waved his hand and said coldly: "That's it, I'm tired. No matter what happens tonight, no one is allowed to disturb me!"

After saying this, Cao Cao slowly left under the escort of a group of soldiers, leaving only his ministers in silence.

Everyone was not stupid. They understood that even if Cao Cao said there was no such order, a tragedy would still happen tonight. At most, Cao Cao would be furious when he found out about it later, and then reprimand Cheng Yu for doing it, and then give him a light punishment and that would be the end of it.

Cao Cao was indeed a man who was willing to listen to the advice of his subjects, but once he made a decision, he would not change it easily. Everyone looked at each other, and finally just shook their heads and smiled bitterly. When they passed by Xun Yu, they all bowed and left. Even Xun Yu himself could only sigh helplessly.

That was all he could do, and it didn't change anything.

In his opinion, killing these civilians had no real significance. It was more like a way to vent anger at a disadvantageous war situation. After all, if the civilians in the army were willing to support the Wei army, the Wei army could continue to fight.

To some extent, it was because the people in the city were so resentful that the Wei army did not dare to continue fighting.

The laborers were still working without realizing it. Although they felt a little surprised that what they were doing tonight was a little different, they could not realize that the Wei army was preparing to retreat, let alone that the Wei army had already started pointing their knives at them.

Of course, some civilians were aware of the danger. After all, in such a big city, there were many Yellow Turbans hiding among the people.

At this delicate moment, in a corner of the city, three figures gathered together quietly. They were all Yellow Turbans who had hidden their identities and gone into hiding after the Wei army entered Taiyuan County.

Although they didn't know each other originally, the unique temperament of the Yellow Turbans allowed them to slowly discover each other.

Taiyuan has been under the actual control of the Wei army. The scattered Yellow Turbans can't play any role in the open, so they will naturally carry out underground work. Once the identities of the three of them were confirmed, they immediately established a teaching branch.

It only takes three people to form the most basic organizational unit of a natural religion. Even if they have different positions and do not know each other, they can quickly build a basic organization and exercise their subjective initiative to carry out their work.

The one with the highest position among the three is now the team leader of this branch, and the other two are team members. After the three confirmed that the surrounding area was safe, they began to discuss in a low voice.

"Team leader, the Wei army has dismantled its fortifications tonight. It's obvious that they are going to withdraw. We should take some action."

"Our army cannot get any information outside the city. We must make some noise. If our army can react, we may be able to take advantage of this opportunity to defeat the Wei army in one fell swoop!"

After the two team members finished talking, they both looked at the team leader.

The team leader obviously had an idea: "The people in the city have deep resentment towards the Wei army. This is something we can take advantage of. I have secretly connected with some young and strong people, and we can launch a resistance against the Wei army at the right time. Now it is night, once there is fighting in the city, our army will definitely be alert. Even if we don't act rashly and attack at night, at least we can take precautions in advance."

After these words were spoken, the other two team members fell silent. They understood that if they resisted, it would actually mean the time for sacrifice.

Even if there was movement in the city, it would not likely attract the Yellow Turbans outside the city to attack at this time. Without knowing the specific circumstances, such movement was most likely a trap set by the Wei army. If they were in command, they would only strengthen their defenses but would not act rashly.

But as long as the message can be conveyed to the outside world, the sacrifice is worthwhile.

At this time, they were not sighing or fearing for possible sacrifices, but the first thing they thought of was to perfect their plans as much as possible.

"The noise of fighting alone may not be enough. Let's agree on a time and then light a fire in the city. As long as the fire is big, it will definitely attract the attention of our troops outside the city."

(End of this chapter)