Chapter Seven: One Joy, One Worry

Nodding in satisfaction, Cao Cao was just about to speak when several figures suddenly darted in among the military generals, each requesting to be assigned a task

The humble general Cao ... ... wishes to go ... ...

Due to his father's repeated admonitions, Cao Anmin had no choice but to change the term "uncle" to "lord." After all, within the Cao army, there were many members of the Cao family, so Cao Decai insisted that Cao Anmin alter his address.

At that moment, when both of them simultaneously uttered "yes," their hearts were in stark contrast, one filled with joy and the other with worry.

Summon all the civil and military ministers to come in and discuss strategies together

"Speak up..." A sudden voice echoed in the hall, coming from the main seat. At this moment, Cao Cao wore a grim expression, and an aura of unspoken authority instantly spread, causing both the civil and military officials on either side to tremble.

After a while, numerous civil and military officials in the conference hall bowed to Cao Cao and took their seats one by one. However, in the middle, there were two young men kneeling on the ground.

The middle-aged scholar said: "The young master is fully aware of his grave sins and is currently kneeling outside the gates of Wucheng, awaiting the lord's judgment."

At this moment, the middle-aged scholar spoke calmly, saying: "Yes, my lord, according to the report just received from the scouts, last night Cao Mao led a force of 3,000 soldiers to occupy the areas of Rencheng, Xuchang, and Shouzhang."

Oh, haha, I already knew about this when I was in Dingtao. I have instructed someone to send a message by carrier pigeon, asking the governor of Huaxian, Ying Shao, to make the necessary preparations. My father should be arriving in Xuzhou soon, and as soon as he arrives, Ying Shao will escort my father back to our hometown.

Ten days later, in the city of Xuchang. And the books.

Cao Ang, who was originally seeking to apologize to Cao Cao for losing the city, unexpectedly found that his father, Cao Cao, instead granted him 5,000 troops to attack Cao Mao, which brought him great joy at that moment

Cao Anmin was taken aback, for upon hearing the name of Xiahou Dun, he suddenly felt that the man before him was even taller and more imposing than Zhou Fang. In contrast to the latter's youthful demeanor, this person exuded a fierce killing intent that made him difficult to approach. However, it was strange that Xiahou Dun had not yet transformed into the one-eyed dragon at this time; that was likely a matter for the future.

Upon hearing the name Cao Xin, Cao Cao was momentarily taken aback, and then, with a hint of displeasure, remarked: "What has my nephew Xin done now? Has he caused some sort of trouble again?"

"Indeed." The middle-aged scholar responded, intending to leave, but halfway there, he seemed to suddenly recall something, turning around as if he wanted to say something but hesitated.

With a sharp sound, Cao Cao's expression immediately darkened upon hearing these words. He suddenly clenched his hand that had struck the table, as if suppressing his emotions, and coldly said: "Isn't Rencheng garrisoned by Cao Ang? Where is Cao Ang now?"

These two individuals, the military general is Cao Ang, while the other scholar is Cao Xin, also known as Cao Anmin

No ... ...

With great respect, he performed a bow, and Cao Cao directly referred to him as Wen Ruo's strategist. His eyes lit up, and he immediately admired the lord before him, but then he turned and said in a low voice: "Cao of Rencheng has plotted rebellion."

Your Excellency ... ...

Looking at Cao Anmin, who was kneeling on the ground and gazing up at him and the book, Cao Cao coldly said: "Nephew, you are neither a military general nor do you hold any position. How can you recklessly make statements in the hall? Do you not know that matters of state are no child's play?"

Nonsense! Just as Cao Anmin was about to finish speaking, Cao Cao suddenly stood up from his seat and sternly shouted: "You still believe that the old gentleman would meet with misfortune in Xuzhou! Oh, dear nephew! Do you know that if you were to say such a thing elsewhere, you would certainly be punished with the death penalty for unfilial conduct?"

Oh? At that moment, Cao Cao was taken aback. As soon as he heard that there was something to discuss, he immediately sat up straight in his seat, appearing as if he were a different person. He forced himself to ask, "Wen Ruo, please speak quickly, what is the matter?"

Suddenly, a calm and composed voice broke through the loud shouts of the many generals, standing out distinctly. The crowd was taken aback, and everyone turned to look at Cao Anmin. Although his face appeared haggard, his gaze was resolute, indicating that he was not joking.

I, the humble general Le Jin, can break Rencheng within ten days with only one thousand troops.

However, at the moment Cao Anmin spoke these words, even Cao Ang, who was kneeling beside him, couldn't help but look up at his elder brother. Although Cao Ang had not seen Cao Anmin for a long time, he had heard about everything that Cao Anmin had done in Xuchang while in Rencheng. Therefore, despite having a good relationship with Cao Anmin since childhood, Cao Ang never expected that Cao Anmin would be so bold after growing up. Perhaps it would be more accurate to say that in Cao Ang's heart, it was a case of overestimating oneself.

My lord, I forgot to report that the old lord has passed away for ten days, which was on the third day after your departure to Dingtao

I, General Cao Xin, command only eight hundred troops and can capture Rencheng within half a day

"Wen Ruo, has anything happened during the days I have been away for over ten days?" Cao Cao asked, rubbing his eyes while inquiring of the strategist who had been waiting beside him.

What! Is this true?" Cao Cao was suddenly taken aback and immediately began to ask questions in rapid succession

My lord, if you trust me, Cao Xin, then grant me eight hundred troops. I only wish to hasten and prevent the old lord from going to Xuzhou. If you agree, I, Cao Xin, guarantee that within half a day, I will have that Cao rebel's head on the ground

After all, Cao Xin is Cao Cao's nephew, and Cao Cao originally had a very favorable impression of Cao Anmin. Undoubtedly, in his early years, Cao Cao had no sons. Although he had Cao Ang, he did not have any more offspring for the next 8 years. Therefore, at that time, the two individuals that Cao Cao cherished the most were Cao Ang and Cao Anmin

One could not help but sigh; Cao Anmin had been anxious for the past few days. It was only upon hearing that a war was imminent that he realized this was the only way to immediately head to Xuzhou, thus he had no choice but to say:

Cao Ang and Cao Anmin, who were kneeling on the ground, exchanged glances in confusion, not knowing who Cao Cao was asking about, and were at a loss in that moment

Enough, enough... I understand." At that moment, with an impatient wave of his hand, Cao Cao suddenly sighed, gesturing for the other party to leave and attend to the books, yet his face still bore an indescribable irritation.

Today’s meeting discussed that it is said that Cao Mao from Rencheng openly led three thousand people in a rebellion. I propose... It seems to completely disregard the existence of Cao Anmin. Cao Cao, sitting in the main seat, with a cold expression, said: "I propose to lead the army to suppress them. Who is willing to go?"

Returning to the lord, quite a few events have transpired in recent days

Among them, at the forefront of the generals, a burly commander suddenly stepped forward and shouted loudly: "I, Xiahou Dun, am willing to go!"

The humble servant ... ...

Noticing that the other party's behavior was somewhat strange, Cao Cao immediately inquired, "Wen Ruo, is there anything else?"

Why use a butcher's knife to kill a chicken! I, Li Dian, am willing to lead two thousand troops and horses to capture Rencheng within half a month

No!

However, as soon as Cao Anmin uttered the words "Your Excellency," a voice filled with a chilling authority suddenly echoed.

The middle-aged scholar then bitterly remarked: "It is not that; it is just that for the past ten days, Cao Xin has come here every day to see the lord, but the lord is not here, and Cao Xin appears to be quite anxious..."

"No more words!" With a cold snort, Cao Cao waved his black sleeves and turned his back to Cao Ang and Cao Anmin, speaking in a cold voice: "My mind is made up! I command Cao Ang to lead five thousand troops to attack the rebel general Cao Mao in Rencheng. Within a month, we must capture Rencheng. Cao Anmin, you... will serve as Cao Ang's personal guard... Cao Ang, you must keep a close watch on your brother Cao Xin during this journey, and ensure he learns what truly constitutes matters of state and military affairs"

When the last cold snort was heard, Cao Anmin's heart had long since turned as cold as the depths of a valley, yet it was too late to change the situation.

Upon hearing this, Cao Cao felt a sense of relief in his heart, and his expression turned calm as he said: "The crime of rebellion attributed to Cao Mao of Rencheng does not lie with my son. Although we have lost the city, a mere three thousand troops cannot amount to anything significant." As he spoke, he waved his hand and continued:

However, Cao Anmin still stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty..."

Cao Cao returned to the prefectural city in a hurry, clearly exhausted after inspecting the military defenses in various regions. As soon as he entered the conference hall, he could not wait to collapse into the main seat, appearing relaxed and at ease.

And just as Cao Ang thought in his heart, so did everyone else, and Cao Cao was even more so.

These two individuals, of similar age, are both between 17 and 18 years old. One of them is a young military general with a somewhat ashamed expression, while the other is a slightly haggard young scholar dressed in scholarly attire. Interestingly, this young scholar appears to be even taller and more robust than the military general. Of course, he cannot be compared to Zhou Fang, but when compared to other peers of the same age, the difference is quite noticeable.

As soon as these words were spoken, all the civil officials in the hall exclaimed in surprise, while the military generals, on the other hand, were all invigorated, each one eager to take action and ready to spring into action.

"No, my lord, what I am referring to is not this matter, but rather Young Master Xin, Cao Xin."

However, ever since Cao Anmin spoke those words at the last banquet, Cao Cao's heart has felt cold for a long time. It is not so much dislike as a sense of loss akin to that of a biological father. He never expected that Cao Anmin would become the person he is today.