Interlude 2

At the time when victory celebrations were taking place in Jiangling city, a cold and sharp atmosphere was circulating in Ye city.

Wei had lost too much in this battle.

They lost territory, people, and prestige.

It was an unprecedented crisis where even Luoyang could have been in danger beyond Fancheng if things had gone wrong. They were barely able to wrap things up at this level by drawing in Sun Quan.

However, through this incident, Cao Cao realized:

The fate of the chaotic times was still mired in confusion with nothing determined, and he would remain as a challenger rather than the concluder.

Furthermore, he no longer had the opportunity for new challenges.

Therefore, Cao Cao summoned his sons who would succeed him.

His eldest son Cao Pi, designated as the successor for inheriting his political talent.

His second son Cao Zhang, who inherited his martial talent and campaigned with him.

And his third son Cao Zhi, who inherited his literary talent.

Excluding the fourth son Cao Xiong who died early, all the sons born to his primary wife Lady Bian were gathered.

Cao Cao’s complexion before them was stained with agony, as if showing that he truly didn’t have much time left.

After carefully examining each of his sons, Cao Cao opened his mouth.

“Looking back, I’ve always repeated the same mistake.”

After the Battle of Guandu ended, Cao Cao was careless thinking he had gained the upper hand and was defeated by Yuan Shang.

And this time too, he was too confident that unification was just a matter of time after conquering the Central Plains, Hebei, and Guanzhong, and had to taste frustration by Sun Quan and Liu Bei.

“So this time, I intend not to repeat it.”

Succession selection.

How many forces had collapsed because they didn’t do this properly? Cao Cao had watched how Yuan Shao, who had been his greatest enemy until just before Chibi, perished.

People learn and grow through the past. In fact, Cao Cao had almost repeated the mistakes shown by Yuan Shao and Liu Biao.

Having lost his reliable heir, his eldest son Cao Ang, due to his own mistake, and with Cao Chong, whom he had kept an eye on as the most intelligent, dying at a young age, Cao Cao had hesitated for a very long time in selecting his successor.

The fact that even after appointing Cao Pi as crown prince, Cao Cao had not personally stepped forward to systematically and cleanly organize the succession structure proves his hesitation.

But now Cao Cao had decided to make a decision.

“Zijian.”

“Yes, Father.”

The third son Cao Zhi approached Cao Cao on his knees. His face clearly showed faint hope and deep tension.

“I think I’ve shown my intention by killing Dechao.”

Dechao was Yang Xiu’s courtesy name. Yang Xiu, who had assisted Cao Cao in the Battle for Hanzhong, was the one who had interpreted Cao Cao’s military order of “Jiku” (chicken ribs) on his own and prepared for withdrawal, leading to Zhang Ran’s surprise attack.

And he, who was also Cao Zhi’s core advisor, had been summarily executed for being held responsible for the Battle for Hanzhong.

But how could it be just because of that? When Cao Cao killed Yang Xiu, it was not only to pin the responsibility for the Hanzhong campaign on him, but also clearly intended to weaken Cao Zhi’s excessively grown power.

While watching Cao Zhi’s face turn pale, Cao Cao spoke coldly.

“I won’t say it twice. Withdraw to your residence now and reflect. I will pass judgment on you later.”

It was simply an order to return home, but who wouldn’t know that it was a death sentence for his political life?

Even Cao Pi and Cao Zhang, who were not involved, felt chills down their spines at the sight of Cao Cao cutting down Cao Zhi, whom he had been weighing against Cao Pi until the end, with a single word.

Shocked, Cao Zhi opened and closed his mouth but couldn’t properly speak. Even though one might feel sympathy for the pitiful son, Cao Cao’s cold gaze showed no sign of softening.

“What are you doing? Do you want me to drag you out?”

“Father…”

“I order you for the last time. Go.”

Cao Zhi couldn’t hold out any longer. He slowly, and with utmost respect, bowed deeply right there.

After barely completing two bows with his trembling body, Cao Zhi left the room walking backwards without turning his back. Where he had bowed, drops of tears that had not yet dried were scattered.

Seeing this, Cao Zhang bit his lip. It was his turn next.

“Ziwen.”

“Yes, Father!”

Although his mind was in turmoil with anxiety, Cao Zhang shouted firmly like a military officer.

“I’ll give you a choice. Will you bow to me like Zijian, or will you bow to your older brother?”

The former was to pay the last respects to Cao Cao like Cao Zhi, and the latter was to acknowledge Cao Pi’s succession and swear loyalty to him.

“If you choose the latter, I will also take an oath from Ziyuan.”

Cao Zhang turned his head to look at Cao Pi. Cao Pi, who had seen his father directly cut down Cao Zhi, his greatest competitor, and take direct action for firm succession, was already wearing a benevolent expression as if he would forgive and accept everything from Cao Zhang.

The general trend was set. Once Cao Cao had stepped forward, it would become an irresistible current.

Cao Zhang slowly bent his body and bowed to Cao Pi. Cao Pi quickly embraced the shoulders of Cao Zhang, who had submitted to him after being a thorn in his side supporting Cao Zhi, and patted his back.

It looked like seeing truly affectionate brothers, but it was just a formal scene filled with a sense of humiliation in Cao Zhang’s inner thoughts and a sense of superiority in Cao Pi’s mind.

“Ziwen, you may return now.”

“Yes, Father…”

“And I will appoint you as General of the West. Prepare in advance.”

Unlike Cao Zhi who was stripped of his official position, Cao Zhang was given the position of General of the West, which had been held by Xiahou Yuan.

Considering that in Wei’s official system, the Four Directional Generals were regarded higher than the Four Supports Generals given to relatives, it was a decision to entrust Cao Zhang with the western front against Shu in the Guanzhong direction.

After Cao Zhang left as well, silence flowed between the two who remained. While Cao Pi was restless, wondering if his father might take back his words at this point, Cao Cao finally spoke.

“Do you know why I hesitated between you and Zijian?”

“…Isn’t it because Zijian’s literary talent is the best under heaven?”

Cao Cao shook his head.

“Wrong. Although Zijian’s literary talent indeed surpasses even mine, I know your literary talent is no less. If you think I considered Zijian because of just that difference, then I have misjudged you. I’ll give you one more chance. What do you think is the reason?”

To Cao Cao’s heavy question, Cao Pi answered painfully, feeling his intestines twisting:

“It’s because Zijian has higher moral reputation than I do.”

“Correct.”

Cao Cao struggles to get up. The giant who had dominated the era was squeezing out his last strength.

Cao Pi, startled, tried to get up to support him, but Cao Cao firmly pushed away his hand.

“Father, your body…”

“Keep listening!”

The cry of the hegemon who had almost reached the conclusion of the chaotic times is imbued with hegemony even in a dying body. Cao Pi found himself unknowingly kneeling and bowing his head.

How could even an old dragon be compared to beasts crawling on the ground? There was such a huge gap between Cao Cao and Cao Pi despite being father and son.

“Did you think I wouldn’t know? The fact that you made Zijian drink so he couldn’t follow my orders.”

“Fa-Father…”

When Guan Yu first surrounded Fancheng, it was originally Cao Zhi, not Yu Jin, whom Cao Cao intended to send as the leader of the reinforcements.

However, Cao Zhi was drunk and couldn’t follow Cao Cao’s imperial order, so Cao Cao got angry and stripped Cao Zhi of his official position and sent Yu Jin instead.

“Look at the result. The kingdom this father built is crumbling. Liu Bei has found his pearl, and even Sun Quan has gained a foothold. Yet you were still ignorant of the times and were just cutting internally. Isn’t that right?”

“That is, Father, I, I…”

“That’s why I’m entrusting it to you.”

“Pardon?”

If the chaotic times do not end in Cao Cao’s generation, the next successor needs the same scheming and cold-heartedness as Cao Cao to navigate through the chaotic times. Cao Zhi was lacking in that aspect.

He resembled Liu Bei more than Cao Cao. However, unlike his literary talent that would be counted in history, he was not up to Liu Bei’s level in using talents, making decisions, and restraining himself. That’s why Cao Zhi couldn’t match Liu Bei.

“Your enemy will be Liu Bei. Sun Zhongmou is not enough. Liu Bei said it, didn’t he? That he could be confident because he did the opposite of me. I am the same. Now you must do so.”

“Father…”

“This father embraced his relatives and seized power through them to establish Wei. If I didn’t have Zixiao, if I didn’t have Miaocai, if I didn’t have Zilian, how could I be here like this? You must do the same. Relatives are your most dangerous enemies, but at the same time, they will be your most reliable limbs.”

Just as Cao Cao had Cao Ren, Cao Cao gave Cao Zhang to Cao Pi. Cao Zhang’s military talent and martial prowess are no less than Cao Ren’s.

Although he was defeated by Zhang Ran in Hanzhong, that was because he was not properly armed and was caught by surprise, not because Cao Zhang was lacking. Rather, when they fought fairly, Cao Zhang had the upper hand.

“The era is fading. Liu Bei cannot shine forever, and Guan Yu and Zhang Fei are now old and will only decline. Next is your turn. It’s your generation’s turn.”

The wick of the candle burns down. It was Cao Cao’s life. Wiping the tears welling up in Cao Pi’s eyes, Cao Cao spoke with fatherly affection for the last time:

“I will take Zijian with me. I’ll clean up his surroundings too. But embrace those I haven’t touched in your arms.”

“Father…”

How long had it been since he felt such warm fatherly love? Cao Pi placed his two hands over Cao Cao’s hand caressing his face.

“Remember this father’s words.”

“Yes, yes, Father. I, your son, will surely follow Father’s teachings. I will definitely do so.”

“Is that so? Then it’s done.”

A few days later, a bloody purge occurred.

Using Wei Feng’s rebellion as a pretext, Cao Cao eliminated Cao Zhi’s followers. In doing so, he adopted Cao Zhi as the son of his younger brother Cao De, who had died with their father Cao Song in the past, completely excluding him from the succession structure.

Although he couldn’t bring himself to kill him because his literary talent was too precious, Cao Zhi would no longer be able to rise as Cao Pi’s competitor.

While organizing the succession structure, Cao Cao once again grasped his ruling power through the bloody purge and finally implemented the relocation of the capital from Luoyang to Ye.

Although cost reduction was possible due to Ye city already functioning as Wei’s capital, moving the capital of the Han dynasty, which was the imperial state, inevitably incurred the resentment of the people mobilized for forced labor.

Cao Cao’s forceful relocation of the capital was to take on the burden of his successor himself.

And in the 25th year of Jian’an (220 AD). On the day the new year dawned.

Cao Cao quietly closed his eyes.

Forever.