The land distribution policy had been piloted in several counties for a year, with results far exceeding expectations. Refugees returned to submit to authority, wastelands gradually turned into fertile fields, and autumn tax collection surpassed previous years by over 40%, easing the military’s grain pressure. Though Cao Cao had officially praised the policy in the council hall, the look in his eyes that day carried a subtle meaning—enough to make many nobles reconsider my influence.
Of course, opposition from Cao Pi’s faction had not disappeared; facing my ironclad results, it temporarily turned into darker, private resentment and tighter plotting. Like venomous snakes lurking in the shadows, they waited for the right moment.
On this day, the military council was unusually tense.
Lu Bu, allied with Yuan Shu, had attacked and broken through Xuzhou, killing generals under my father’s command. Around the war map, Cao Cao’s face was grim; the generals demanded action, most advocating a direct assault on Xiapi to settle scores with Lu Bu.
“Lu Bu is brave, and Xiapi is fortified with high walls and deep moats. A direct attack may result in heavy casualties and prolonged conflict. What if Yuan Shao takes advantage and moves south…” Xun Yu frowned with concern.
Cao Pi stepped forward, voice ringing: “Father! Lu Bu is treacherous and lawless! The heavens themselves condemn him! Our army is well-supplied and morale high. Now is the time to strike Xiapi and punish this traitor! Shall we hesitate for fear of losses? I volunteer to lead the vanguard!” His words stirred the generals’ emotions, drawing loud approval.
Cao Pi’s gaze swept past me, a hint of provocation: *Your land policy only padded our army’s supplies; in the battlefield, it’s still our real strength that counts.*
Sensing father’s inclination to act, I drew a breath and stepped forward: “Father, generals, my elder brother’s fervor is commendable. Yet a frontal assault is reckless.”
Cao Pi sneered: “Oh? And what wisdom do you have, Third Brother? Another lecture on ‘benevolence,’ hoping to persuade Lu Bu to surrender?”
Ignoring his jibe, I moved to the map, pointing at the area around Xiapi: “Lu Bu is brave but reckless. His position, though formidable, has a fatal weakness—Xiapi lies low and near the Si and Yi Rivers. The rainy season is approaching.”
I paused and looked at Cao Cao: “If we divert these rivers and flood Xiapi, in less than ten days the city will be submerged, morale broken, the defenders in chaos—without a single assault.”
A stunned silence filled the tent, then erupted in murmurs.
“A flood? That’s… far too cruel! There are countless civilians inside!” an elder minister exclaimed.
Cao Pi seized the moment, shouting: “Cao Zhi! You propose this cruel scheme! How many innocents will die? Have you learned nothing from the sages? Such atrocity would chill even heaven!”
I had anticipated such objections. Calmly, I replied: “Brother, have you not heard ‘The benevolent should not command troops’? Starvation from a year-long siege will kill more innocents. Prolonged warfare will claim countless lives. I have calculated the river flow and terrain. Before breaching, elite squads will secretly evacuate civilians to higher ground. Our army traps the enemy, does not slaughter the city. This method minimizes casualties, ends the conflict swiftly, and restores peace to the people. This is true benevolence.”
Turning to Cao Cao, I stated firmly: “Father! Every moment counts! Delay allows Lu Bu to recover and unite with Yuan Shu. The consequences would be disastrous. I urge you to decide!”
Cao Cao’s gaze was sharp, sweeping between Cao Pi and me, then fixing on Xiapi’s location on the map. He slammed his fist on the table: “Cao Zhi’s plan it is! Divert the rivers! You personally oversee civilian evacuation. The rest of the generals, follow orders. Prepare for total assault!”
“Understood!” I called out, ignoring Cao Pi’s furious glare.
The flood operation proceeded smoothly. I led the team, using precise calculations and the credibility I had built through the land policy to coordinate the early evacuation of civilians in low-lying areas. The rivers surged into Xiapi; the city soon became a chaotic swamp.
Lu Bu’s troops collapsed in morale, some rebelled. Generals Hou Yin and Song Xian captured Chen Gong and opened the gates. Lu Bu was left alone in Bai Men Tower, ultimately captured.
In Bai Men Tower, Lu Bu, chained, glanced around, finally settling on Cao Cao. On horseback, he humbly pleaded: “Lord, the danger you feared… it is but me! I submit! Serve you, and the heavens shall be calm!”
Cao Cao considered this seriously. Lu Bu’s unmatched valor made him a formidable ally if won over.
Spotting Liu Bei standing silently nearby, Lu Bu cried out: “Lord Xuande! You are our guest! I am prisoner! Will you not speak for me?”
Just at that instant—
I stepped forward, voice sharp and commanding, cutting through the tent’s murmurs and silencing Liu Bei mid-sentence:
“General Lu Bu, when you sought aid, did you consider—”
Both Lu Bu and Liu Bei froze. Lu Bu’s eyes flashed with shock and fury; Liu Bei’s expression revealed astonishment as his words were forcibly swallowed, realizing someone else had stolen his lines.
“—how you treated Inspector Ding Yuan? He cared for you as a son, yet for a mere Red Hare, you slew him at night as tribute to Dong Zhuo.”
Lu Bu went pale.
I pressed on, voice faster, relentless:
“And what of Dong Zhuo? Supreme Commander of the Court, your patron and ally, yet for a woman, you pierced his throat with your halberd in full view of the court!”
The tent was deathly silent. Only Lu Bu’s heavy, terrified breathing could be heard.
I stepped closer, eyes like icy lightning, voice rising with bitter sarcasm and judgment:
“Father! Tell me, if today you are spared, who can guarantee that tomorrow, for another horse, another woman, or just Yuan Shao offering a higher price, you won’t raise your halberd again against those who saved you? Past mistakes are soaked in blood! The corpses of Ding Yuan and Dong Zhuo still lie where they fell!”
Thunderous silence followed.
Lu Bu, furious and regretful, spat blood and collapsed in a heap, utterly defeated in spirit.
The tent was suffused with a suffocating quiet unlike any before.
Liu Bei stood frozen, eyes now filled with a rare, unprecedented caution toward me.
Cao Pi’s expression was dark, veins in his hands white from clenching.
At this moment, Zhang Liao was brought in, a general from Bing Province, bound but standing tall.
Cao Cao frowned: “This figure seems familiar.”
Zhang Liao raised his head: “Puyang City. We met before. How could you forget?”
Cao Cao laughed: “Indeed! You still remember!”
Zhang Liao glared, voice sharp: “Pity the fire at Puyang didn’t burn you, traitor. What now?”
Cao Cao drew his sword, ready to punish him.
“Father, wait!” I stepped forward again.
All eyes turned to me.
I faced Zhang Liao, calm: “Your loyalty and valor to Lu Bu are known. But loyalty must have direction. Lu Bu is treacherous, cruel, and unjust—he is no wise lord. To die for him is blind loyalty. A man born under heaven, skilled in arms, should serve to restore order and save the people, not die for a reckless fool.”
I gestured to the banners behind us: “The Han realm is in chaos. Only my father, Cao Cao, can stabilize the state. You could serve him, use your skills, achieve glory, and leave a name for posterity—not die as Lu Bu’s shadow.”
Zhang Liao’s defiant gaze softened, replaced by complex emotion. He glanced at Lu Bu’s defeated followers, then at Cao Cao, and finally back at me.
After a long pause, he inhaled sharply, dropped to his knees: “I… surrender! I swear loyalty to Young Master Cao Zhi, with no second thought!”
Though not directly pledging to Cao Cao, serving his son was effectively the same.
Cao Cao sheathed his sword, laughing heartily: “Excellent! Wen Yuan! With him, it’s like adding wings to a tiger!”
Cao Pi stood by, his jealousy burning hotter. He had expected my plea to fail, but instead I persuaded a fierce general, earning my father’s respect.
I helped Zhang Liao to his feet, feeling the strength and unbroken will emanating from him.
Through this campaign, not only did I devise the strategy to defeat the enemy, but I also gained a loyal, formidable general. My prestige rose again, while Cao Pi’s envy grew ever more piercing.
On the return march, Zhang Liao intentionally stayed half a horse-length behind me, walking at my side: “Young Master Cao Zhi, your words today… I will remember, and I swear to serve you to my death.”