Chapter 3, the hall was filled with laughter and ridicule

Enough, Wen Ruo, such young children are not worth discussing politics... Xinzhi, you should withdraw early... Just at that moment, when the scholar was about to say more, he was suddenly interrupted by Cao Cao from the main seat, who narrowed his eyes and coldly said to Cao Anmin.

Hehehe, a child is not worthy of counsel

As the words fell, all the civil and military attendees unanimously echoed the sentiment, for in this joyous banquet celebrating the recent pacification of Yanzhou and the reunion of father and son, no one wished to leave in disappointment. Although no one understood what had gotten into Cao Anmin, it was evident that everyone was in agreement with Cao Cao's remarks. However, there were two individuals at the table who remained silently observant, quietly watching Cao Anmin from beginning to end.

So what

However, at this moment, Cao Anmin was also observing everything with his eyes. Although his face showed no expression, his heart was undergoing a painful struggle. How could he prevent his grandfather and father from passing through Xuzhou? What kind of strategy could he devise to persuade everyone?

A loud bang.

At the very moment when the old man Cao Song finished speaking, Cao Anmin pretended to weep bitterly, this time even more intensely than before, directly regarding Cao Song as a deceased person and adopting a mourning demeanor.

Hahaha, will Tao Gongzu conspire against my father? Hahaha, what nonsense, utter nonsense! I thought my nephew had some earth-shattering words, but it turns out to be like this... This young child is truly not worth discussing, hahaha.

One of them was a scholar previously summoned by Cao Cao, known as Wen Ruo, while the other was a somewhat sickly pale young man. At this moment, the two seemed to be carefully pondering Cao Anmin's words, occasionally glancing at the former's expressionless face, as if they were quite intrigued by the young man before them

In this state of utter helplessness, Cao Anmin boldly wept, though his tears were feigned. However, for someone like him, who was well-versed in ancient texts and allusions, he was quite familiar with the myriad peculiar ways in which these strategists sought an audience.

Upon the utterance of these words, the crowd gasped once more

Upon hearing Cao Cao's words, all the civil and military officials simultaneously echoed, "Indeed, indeed, what the Lord has said is absolutely correct"

Indeed, in today's world, the lord's power is great, and Tao Qian is still trying to befriend the lord; how could he possibly conspire against the old lord? It seems that this Cao Anmin truly knows nothing about politics

At this moment, the elder Cao Song himself nodded and calmly said, "Indeed, Xin'er has just arrived and, after a tiring journey, is understandably fatigued and overwhelmed, so it is inevitable that he might misspeak..." Although his words still carried a hint of awkwardness, he made a concerted effort to ease the atmosphere, not wanting the guests to feel displeased due to his grandson's slip of the tongue, as this banquet was not solely to welcome him.

This is certainly the case. Although Huaxian is in Yanzhou, the routes to various places in Yanzhou are currently congested. Passing through Xuzhou is the shortcut. Is there really a need to ask about such foolish matters?

Is it necessary to pass through Xuzhou

It is only a matter of a few days' time from Zhang Kai's killing of Cao Song and Cao De.

Seeing Cao De come forward to plead guilty, Cao Cao, who was originally displeased, at this moment placed the wine cup in his hand on the table and calmly said to Cao Song beside him: "I fear that An Min is traveling far for the first time, and the fatigue from the journey may have worn him out. Father, please do not take An Min's words to heart"

As soon as these words were spoken, the laughter in the hall abruptly ceased, and the raised wine cups froze in mid-air. Everyone at the banquet turned their gaze towards the source of the voice, which was Cao Anmin. Cao Cao, seated in the main position, wore a look of astonishment, while the elder Cao Song appeared utterly dazed. He was unaware that, amidst the crowd's congratulations, his most beloved grandson would utter such 'curses' against him. In that moment, the entire assembly looked at Cao Anmin, all at a loss for what to do.

"The rebellious son still does not cease his words! Do you wish to emulate those who are unfilial and disloyal?"

And that person, regardless of what Cao Anmin had to say, stepped forward and smiled, saying: "My lord has just pacified Yanzhou, now holding the various counties of Yanzhou and commanding an elite force of one hundred thousand troops. With Xuzhou eyeing us covetously, at this moment, Tao Qian is not looking to become adversarial with my lord; on the contrary, Tao Gongzu is most eager to ally with my lord, to join forces with my lord and become allies, thereby uniting with Gongsun Zan to plot for Jing and Xiang, while retreating to secure the two Yuans. If he were to offend our army this time, how could Tao Qian's mere thirty thousand troops hope to resist us? Wouldn't that be digging his own grave? Such foolishness is something Tao Qian would never do. Haha, moreover, Tao Qian has always been known for his benevolence..."

"Tao? Tao Gongzu!?" Upon hearing this, Cao Cao seemed momentarily taken aback, as if he had not yet reacted. Just when Cao Anmin thought that Cao Cao was beginning to believe his words, unexpectedly, at that very moment, Cao Cao suddenly burst into hearty laughter.

At this moment, only Cao Anmin himself knows that in a few days in history, Cao Song and Cao De will be assassinated by Zhang, a general of Tao Qian... This is an undeniable fact. Now, instead of persuading the former, he is ridiculed by many. At this moment, Cao Anmin's heart is filled with an indescribable feeling of reason.

In just a few short sentences, the tone was so cold, completely devoid of the previous warmth and tranquility. At this moment, it seemed as if he had forgotten that Cao Anmin was his own nephew. An aura of unspoken authority suddenly filled the banquet hall, causing even Cao Song, who was also wearing a grave expression, to involuntarily flinch, and the atmosphere instantly became tense.

Cao Cao's expression changed dramatically as he looked at Cao Anmin, and he said in astonishment, "What do you mean by this, nephew? Who would dare to harm the old gentleman?"

Alas! The old gentleman departs for Xuzhou... I fear his days are numbered... How painful, alas...

Unexpectedly, Cao Anmin never anticipated that he was surrounded by mocking voices, while his father, who was kneeling beside him, also had a flushed face, seemingly wanting to find a crack in the ground to hide in.

Upon hearing this, Cao Anmin, who knew that further words would be of no use, could only smile bitterly to himself and repeatedly shake his head. As he walked out, he occasionally muttered softly to himself.

Perhaps, at this moment, Cao Anmin truly realized what it meant to feel ignored, as if he had returned to a past life, back to that insignificant little administrator. However, at this moment, Cao Anmin did not want to remain weak any longer. From now on, from here, and into the future, perhaps he should truly reflect on himself, and he could not allow his grandfather to die just like that in Xuzhou

"Hehe, Young Master Xin is unaware of certain matters..." Just as Cao Anmin was about to retort, a person suddenly emerged from the gathering, and this person was none other than the middle-aged scholar from before.

Could it be that we really have to throw a pile of "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" over their heads with great grandeur

At this moment, Cao Cao's previously calm face turned pale again. He gestured with his right hand for Cao De not to be angry. Looking at Cao Anmin kneeling on the ground, Cao Cao narrowed his eyes, his sharp gaze seemingly piercing through Cao Anmin's heart. After a long pause, he coldly said: "Nephew Anmin, what do you mean by this..."

Uncle this ... ...

Yet it was precisely such a statement that caused the entire hall to erupt in exclamations once again. At this moment, Cao Cao, Cao Song, and Cao De were even more astonished and bewildered. As they looked at Cao Anmin's heart-wrenching display of mourning, an inexplicable anger surged within Cao De.

Hehe... Is this what they call harsh but truthful advice? Hehehe, it seems that without capability, one lacks persuasiveness in conversations with anyone...

Tao, how could Gong Zu, who has always been kind-hearted, possibly harm the old gentleman? It is simply a tale from a fantasy.

It seemed that everyone was stunned by his words, and Cao Anmin took the opportunity to assert decisively: "Governor of Xuzhou, Tao Qian, also known as Tao Gongzu."

Seeing that everyone agreed with Cao Cao's statement, however, Cao Anmin suddenly let out a loud laugh. This laughter was expressionless, and he spoke even louder, saying: "If that is truly the case! Then! The old duke! Must die in Xuzhou!"

Alas! The old gentleman loved the people as his own children throughout his life, widely spreading virtue and wisdom, yet unexpectedly met his demise at the hands of Tao Qian in Xuzhou. Alas! How painful and regrettable!

At this moment, Cao Cao was seen questioning him. Cao Anmin knew that once the words were spoken, there would be no turning back. Therefore, he immediately performed a deep bow to everyone present, while simultaneously fixing his gaze on both Cao Cao and Cao Song, and said in a solemn voice: "Uncle, may I ask a question? Is it true that the old gentleman will be departing for Huaxian in a few days?"

At that moment, it was Cao De, Cao Xin's father, who reacted first. He abruptly smashed the wine cup he had raised onto the ground, looking at Cao Anmin with a face that turned ashen. "Unfilial son, how dare you utter such treasonous words at a joyous banquet? Quickly silence yourself!" After saying this, he pulled Cao Anmin beside him and made him kneel before Cao Cao, who also wore an unhappy expression. With shame, he said, "Elder brother, Xin Er spoke thoughtlessly for a moment. Please do not blame him, elder brother and father. It is all due to Cao De's lack of strict discipline." As he spoke, he forcefully made the former prostrate on the ground, leaving only the expressionless Cao Anmin kneeling beside them.