Three Kingdoms: Prince of the Great Wei, Prime Minister Cao

Chapter 29: Imperial Strategy – Cao Cao’s Test!

After giving the order for the army to depart at noon, Cao Cao moved to leave his main seat. Observing this, many civil and military officials realized that the military council for the day was ending and immediately showed their respects to Cao Cao as he prepared to leave. However, what surprised everyone was that just as Cao Cao was about to reach the entrance of the county government hall, he suddenly turned around and slapped his forehead, casually addressing Cao Pi, Cao Zhang, and Cao Ju, who were standing in a row.

“Oh, right!”

“In this battle, the three of you will accompany your father!”

“Cao Zhi doesn’t need much explanation; he has fought against the various tribes that encroached on our borders in Youyan for a long time.”

“But…”

“Cao Xiong and Cao Mu, as my sons, how can you not experience warfare?”

“Without experiencing warfare, how can you carry on…”

His words abruptly stopped, and Cao Cao realized he had left a sentence unfinished. With a wave of his hand, he turned away from the onlookers and left the county government hall. Inside the hall, Cao Pi, Cao Zhang, and Cao Ju exchanged glances, understanding that their father had just issued a significant and unexpected order. Listening carefully to Cao Cao’s words, many officials and military officers turned their gazes to the three sons standing in line: Cao Ju, Cao Pi, and Cao Zhang. Their faces displayed a trace of contemplation.

While Cao Cao’s words seemed like he had misspoken and abruptly stopped, the listeners knew better. They couldn’t believe that their lord, Cao Cao, would casually utter something without meaning behind it. In comparison, they were more inclined to believe that Cao Cao’s unfinished statement held a profound and thoughtful message. The phrase “Without experiencing warfare, how can you carry on…” especially left them pondering its implications. Their minds were flooded with speculations about what could follow the word “carry on.”

Behind the word “carry on” were only a few possibilities, and all the officials and military officers were well aware of them:

Inherit!

Successor!

Inherit the foundation, the legacy!

Thinking along these lines, a sense of realization dawned upon them as they looked at Cao Pi, Cao Ju, and Cao Zhang. They began to grasp the potential implications of Cao Cao’s words. With this key realization in mind, officials and military officers cast their eyes on Cao Pi and Cao Zhang, sensing that Cao Cao publicly acknowledged their inclusion in the list of potential successors during this southern campaign.

Simultaneously, they hesitated to invest in and support these two young lords. They pondered the decision to align themselves with potential future rulers of Wei. However, some individuals directed their attention towards Cao Ju, who appeared harmless and unassuming in the center of it all. They couldn’t help but marvel at how Cao Ju, previously an obscure figure among Cao Cao’s sons, had suddenly risen to prominence and entered the race for the position of heir.

Yet, for most, this was merely a moment of reflection. They hesitated to stake their fortunes and lives on supporting Cao Ju. They believed that while he might have a claim to compete for the position of Cao Cao’s successor, his foundation and influence couldn’t compare to Cao Pi, who had the backing of prominent families, or Cao Zhang, who enjoyed the favor of military commanders. Even Cao Zhi, who remained in Ye City in the north, seemed to have a stronger base and more support than Cao Ju in their eyes.

However, there was still more to consider. Cao Zhi, the son known for his exceptional literary talents, was surrounded by numerous talented scholars and literati. His reputation among scholars far surpassed that of his siblings. Perhaps Cao Zhi’s influence extended beyond what was apparent. As people contemplated these thoughts, they surreptitiously glanced at Yang Xiu, who was known to be closely associated with Cao Zhi and was destined to inherit the family’s leadership position.

In their minds, they added another factor to Cao Zhi’s influence – the powerful Hongnong Yang family, which had produced officials in four generations for three consecutive dynasties. Facing this complex landscape, why would they risk aligning themselves with the suddenly emerging Cao Ju, who lacked the solid support and backing his three elder brothers enjoyed?

Consequently, they hesitated to openly supporting Cao Ju, as the risk seemed too great. Meanwhile, having declared the end of the military conference, Cao Cao had walked nearly a hundred steps away from the county government hall before stopping abruptly and looking back towards the hall.

Seemingly contemplating something intriguing, Cao Cao turned to a subordinate who often served as his personal guard and attendant and instructed, “Have someone from the Bureau of Military Affairs keep an eye on things.”

“Observe in secret who will approach the three young lords and declare their support in the coming period,” Cao Cao instructed. “I want to know all of this.”

The Bureau of Military Affairs member who served as Cao Cao’s guard acknowledged the order in a low voice. Slowing down his steps, he then discreetly left the group and disappeared to the side. Among the guards surrounding Cao Cao, Xu Chu, a senior general known as the “Tiger Guard,” noticed the departure of the bureau member. However, his expression remained unperturbed, as if he had grown accustomed to such occurrences.

Xu Chu, who had been serving as Cao Cao’s guard since he pledged his loyalty, had been privy to many of Cao Cao’s hidden affairs. To him, the attitudes of the young lords and the question of which one to support were inconsequential compared to one crucial fact: he owed his allegiance to one person, and that person could only be Cao Cao. As for the other individuals and the stances of the other young lords?

Xu Chu simply didn’t care. His loyalty belonged solely to Cao Cao and whoever Cao Cao chose as his successor. This was Xu Chu’s uncomplicated and pure way of living.