Chapter Nineteen: Who Will Rule the World

“Brother Zifan, what integrity you have!”
There are not many people I, Cao Cao, truly admire, but you, Wu Zifan, are one of them. Now, with your assistance, we will surely be able to support the new emperor’s ascension. When that time comes, both you and I will be recognized as men of great merit.

At present, Zhang Rang, Zhao Zhong, and the rest of the “Ten Attendants” collude together, holding real power in their hands. They compete for fame and gain against the imperial relatives, take turns controlling the central government, sow discord in the court, and exploit the provinces, reducing the emperor to a mere figurehead and causing the nation’s prestige to decline by the day.

“A sudden upheaval has struck the palace, and the ‘Ten Attendants’ have sealed it off completely. I urge you, Brother Zifan, to gather your troops at once and join me in entering the palace to quell the rebellion.”
Without the slightest hesitation, Cao Cao revealed every detail of the palace’s plight to Zifan.

There are no secrets that cannot be discovered; besides, the “Ten Attendants” wield immense influence within the palace. Should they strike back, the consequences would be dire, and by then, it would be too late for anything. Brother Zifan, the situation is urgent—please dispatch your soldiers quickly to avert this crisis.

Cao Cao’s anxious expression revealed more worry than he’d shown in the face of moments of true peril; now he was drenched in sweat. Yet Zifan remained calm, betraying not a hint of unease, as if everything was already within his grasp and the outcome assured.

“Brother Cao, do not fret… all preparations are complete, and we await only your command.”

Still full of doubt, Cao Cao stepped outside the tent. What he saw left him stunned: in the open ground of the central camp, rows of black-armored cavalry stood silently. Each man astride a mighty steed from the Western Liang, the horses’ hooves wrapped in cloth so as not to make a sound. The Black Cavalry never left their horses or armor—this was their custom.

“Brother Zifan, you are truly a man of astounding talent! A living legend! Today, I am deeply impressed. I promise you rich rewards in the future. If you ever have need of me, do not hesitate to ask, and I will help with all my strength. Of course, should you rise to high office and great fortune, do not forget your brother—let us not forget each other if we both prosper.”

“Brother Zifan, though you are still young… Ah! I have a daughter—fair and beautiful, and about your age… Surely, you have not yet married or fathered children, have you?” As he thought of his daughter, Cao Cao’s face lit up with happiness, and he looked at Zifan with a leering smile.

“Hahaha, not at all, not at all. Brother Cao, you are both brave and wise, with remarkable abilities. I hope you will look after me in days to come.”
So this was the real Cao Cao—just as portrayed in the Romance of the Three Kingdoms. Ah!

A slayer of husbands…

Now, with Brother Zifan by my side and such elite soldiers at our command, my heart is at ease!

Cao Cao’s heart was full of emotion. This Governor of You Province was a man of great talent, and so young, yet he trusted him so deeply, putting aside the Grand General’s orders to follow his lead. It seemed his own influence now exceeded that of the Grand General! Such favor made Cao Cao both restless and grateful—the infamous schemer shed tears of gratitude for the first time.

Beside him, Zifan’s eyes glistened too—not from gratitude, but from excitement. At last, he had managed to cling to Cao Cao’s coattails. With such a powerful figure supporting him, Zifan could finally walk tall, all the treasures of the world seemingly before his eyes—his excitement shone bright as gold.

“Brother Cao, let us set out at once.”

Soon, the entire army broke camp and marched out. The great banner of Wu fluttered high, and Zifan rode at the head, leading the troops in grand procession toward the palace.

Inside Luoyang, at the Grand General’s residence—

The Grand General He Jin was now but a shadow of his former, imposing self, pacing anxiously like an ant on a hot pan, muttering, “What am I to do? What am I to do…”

There had been no word from either the messenger sent to Dong Zhuo or from Cao Cao, who had gone out to gather more troops. Even He Jin, dull as he was, realized that come dawn, the “Ten Attendants” would certainly install a new emperor ahead of him, and then the He family would surely be put to death.

Meanwhile, He Miao, obedient to his brother’s orders, was already packing up their valuables, preparing to flee. These treasures meant life itself!

Times of hardship could no longer be endured; if he must die, he would die surrounded by gold and silver. Once a mighty Grand General, he was now so utterly fallen. He Jin’s mind wandered back to the days of slaughtering pigs—how, to make the pig’s death swifter and less painful, the knives were sharpened with a scraping sound, while the pig whimpered helplessly nearby. Death itself was not so terrifying as the wait for it.

“Report!”

“A force is approaching us, heading toward the palace!” On hearing this, He Jin collapsed onto the ground.

“Is this retribution? My fate is bitter indeed! All is the cycle of cause and effect…”

“Grand General, it’s the troops of Commandant Cao and Governor Zifan of You Province, not killers sent by the ‘Ten Attendants.’ You need not fear.”

Hearing this, He Jin was momentarily stunned, then kicked the messenger soldier over and cursed, “You fool! Why didn’t you explain yourself clearly and made me worry for nothing? What punishment do you deserve for this? But since I am in a good mood today, I’ll spare your life. Now be gone…”

Outside the palace gates, a host of veteran ministers, noble families, and meritorious clans had already donned mourning clothes and gathered early. Though the Emperor Ling had just passed and they did not know which young prince would ascend, it mattered little to them.

It did not matter who the new emperor was; as long as they could secure their own power and profit, all was worth it. Each sought to carve for himself a hefty share from the grand banquet of power—that was their reason for coming today.

Though dressed in proper mourning and bowing their once-proud heads toward the palace gates, their faintly upturned lips betrayed their excitement.

If the world were a grand cake, they were its rulers—those who both enjoyed the cake and divided it.

If you worship money as a god, it will bring you disaster like a devil.
One should value loyalty over wealth. Those who value loyalty are gentlemen; those who prize money are petty men. Though money can make the devil turn the mill, that is only for a while. True friendship is like water—lasting. Hospitality is not about lavish feasts but about comfort and sincerity. The finest delicacies are meaningless when hearts are estranged. A true friend is hard to find; only in adversity is true feeling revealed. Brotherhood often dissolves in the face of self-interest—then, who is truly your brother? Reality shows itself.

Distance does not reveal a horse’s strength, nor does time reveal a person’s heart.

It is profit that is the true touchstone. The saying should be changed: Only in the face of interests do you see a person’s true nature. Watching these high ministers and noble clans feign humility, Zifan and Cao Cao spoke in unison:

“Hypocrites.”