Even Hannibal Folds a Hand, Gavrilov Folds Two -4
Because Sima Yi exists, Zhuge Liang exists. Without Zhuge Liang, Sima Yi wouldn't exist either. Sima Zhongda. The man Cao Cao personally recommended for office, but who refused, citing illness. Later, riding Jo Bi's coattails, Sima Yi rises swiftly—only to get sidelined by Ma Su's rumors after Jo Bi's death, dumped on Emperor Cao Rui. Then Rui reinstates him, and he becomes the unbreakable wall blocking the Northern Expeditions. Sima Yi's a man of tremendous talent. That's why Cao Cao treasures him. A man who cherishes talent—it's only natural, right?
During the Battle of Guandu, it's famous how Cao Cao burned all the secret letters his subordinates wrote slandering Yuan Shao. Even when Guo Jia straight-up called Jun Gun a "bad bastard," Cao Cao praised him, saying, "Jun Gun rags on his own friends too—truly impartial." What magnanimity. He even let Guan Yu go coolly. Cao Cao's a man of broad vision and tolerance. That's why this guy plays along with my bluffing backtalk.
"That's no concern of yours as Governor of Soyang. Empty gossip, isn't it?"
Cao Cao's voice chilled. He no longer saw it as mere chitchat.
I kept tightrope-walking right on the edge of the line.
"Hear me out. If you elevate Sima Yi too highly, you'll invite great calamity."
"Hah... How can you slander him so viciously when you don't even know him?"
He wouldn't budge despite my persistent prodding.
Time to switch tactics. Other names had come up at the banquet too.
"Prime Minister, do you happen to know who's commanding in Chang'an?"
"My son."
"Then it's Cao Ang?"
"Cao Ang. The legitimate eldest son and heir."
The rightful heir was in his place.
In history, Cao Ang died in Cao Cao's place at Wan Castle, slain by a vengeful general. But not this time.
"Withdraw the army and check Han Su in the west. What if Sima Yi in Chang'an turns his back on Wei?"
"Enough! Why are you so blindly convinced Sima Yi's disloyal? Military matters are my domain, not yours. Are you trying to blind me?"
This time, Cao Cao let his anger flare. He made it sound like Han Su had already raised troops in the west.
"It's not blind faith. What kind of man is he? Sima Yi cowers under your prestige now, but if you falter or succession goes awry, he'll bare his fangs."
"That's it? Nothing more?"
I whipped out another rehearsed line with quick eloquence.
"Prime Minister, how could Sima Yi serve under Cao Ang? Lord Cao Ang is the perfect eldest son, with flawless legitimacy."
History had Jo Bi. This time, Cao Ang. The common thread? Legitimacy. Now I painted Sima Yi as a climber using him as a stepping stone.
"To me, Sima Yi's just using Lord Cao Ang's reputation as a shield to build his clan. The Sima house will bare its teeth soon enough—can't you see that?"
"How can you say it so confidently?"
"Because it's plain as day to me. If the Sima clan steadily builds its power, whose kingdom will Wei be—House Cao's or House Sima's?"
Cao Cao stared straight into my eyes.
"I wouldn't stake my life on nonsense."
"Well said."
"But no more of it. I don't favor silver-tongued schemers."
Cao Cao and I were strangers meeting for the first time today. Starting with backbiting might not make us buddies, but... I had to unsettle him. That way, our forces at Hefei could retreat safely.
"But I couldn't ignore what I heard at the banquet. With Lord Cao Ang favoring Sima Yi so much."
My heart pounded wildly. Cao Cao stared at me in icy silence for ages, the quiet so deep I could hear him swallow.
Finally, he spoke.
"You're right. My son's too soft. He doesn't know suspicion—that's why I warned him about Sima Yi. A fatal flaw."
A crack echoed from the teacup in his grip.
"No choice but to check myself. Now that doubt's planted."
Cao Cao smiled thinly. Our private chat ended amid the tense air.
*
I stepped out of the command tent.
A sad thought rippled through my mind.
It's all lies that'll unravel someday. What if Cao Cao figures it out and roars, "Chen Soyoung, you tiny brat!!!" charging to kill me?
Aigoo, scary.
"I'll escort you to your quarters."
"Sure."
The guide suddenly bowed his head.
"...Thank you for sparing me."
"Huh?"
"If you hadn't covered for me back there, my head would've rolled. Truly grateful."
The man bowed repeatedly, voice choked with emotion.
"No biggie. But... isn't his temper kinda bitchy?"
"Pardon?"
"Nothing. Pretend you didn't hear."
Figures—under Cao Cao, nobody badmouths him.
Then it happened.
A clanking figure emerged from the shadows.
"Return to your post. I'll escort her myself."
"General, what are you doing here?"
"Ask nothing. You saw nothing tonight—you just took this girl to her quarters. Got it?"
It was Zhang Liao.
The supply officer eyed him.
"Is that alright?"
"No harm to me—don't worry."
I nodded too.
"Seems you have urgent words for me. Mind stepping aside?"
He got it instantly from my gentle nudge.
"...I've escorted her to quarters. Farewell."
As the officer left, Zhang Liao urged quickly.
"Our lord's drunk. I'm getting you out."
???
"Pardon?"
"He won't let you live. We'll escape tonight—follow me."
???
Betrayal...?
"Betraying him?"
"Never. I offered my head for the defeat, but he comforted me—'Victory and loss are soldier's fate, no worries.' How could I betray that grace?"
Aren't you betraying him right now?
Something felt off. This couldn't be real.
"Then why plot something that'll get you in trouble with him?"
"Living without honor is worthless. I've decided. Your guards are in on it—hurry."
Zhang Liao turned to go.
I froze.
"No... I can't do that."
"Quiet! Ears everywhere."
I raised my voice rebelliously, like a cheeky kid.
"How can you be so loyal? I can't accept."
I felt it.
This is a trap.
Cao Cao's paranoid as hell.
Popping out of the tent and making this offer? A toddler might fall for it.
"Shh, shh!"
Zhang Liao sucked at lying.
Time to teach him.
"I'm deeply grateful for the Prime Minister's grace too. We've chatted about this and that. But betrothal talk flusters me—I've got duties to the greater cause, so much to do. Don't risk your life for me."
I was baiting loud enough for anyone to hear.
His personality wouldn't change.
I'm no fool—following candy leads to the freezer truck.
No way this goes smoothly.
'Whoa, Zhang Liao's the best~~!!' Kyaaah, follow him—then boom, played. How could I trust that?
"Hah..."
Zhang Liao clutched his neck, pained.
Frustrated his sweet-talk failed.
"Come on. Time's short. Trust me."
"Eyes are watching even now. You must be on some secret mission."
"...What?"
Caught—his face slipped.
S-rank warrior, zero poker face.
"Familiar face. Secretary."
A voice—Guo Jia stood there.
I bowed politely. Zhang Liao sobered up.
Guo Jia glanced around.
"Shall we go together?"
"Pardon?"
"I'll die for this defeat. Someone must take blame—lord's oath demands it."
"Doesn't the Prime Minister adore you?"
"Yes. That's why I can't escape blame."
Like Yi Jin self-sacrifice?
Heard Wu miraculously seized momentum.
"Blame that heavy?"
"He gave me an empty food box—means suicide. But Guo Fengxiao can't die without unfolding my ambitions for the realm."
Guo Jia, robbed of the box by Xun Yu, sounded dead serious. If Zhang Liao hadn't approached first, I might've burned.
"I told Zhang Liao urgently—follow. No other chance."
I know how much Cao Cao treasures Guo Jia.
Drags him everywhere like a security blanket. Created a custom title for him.
Chief Strategist. Guo Jia's business card.
Ordering suicide and blame on him? Bullshit exaggeration.
Suspicion hardened to certainty.
Trap laid.
Using familiar faces for this scripted play on Cao Cao's orders.
Yep. That's his style.
"Enough. What do you really want?"
I pushed harder.
Guo Jia stayed calm.
"What? My life's at risk—I'm saying escape together."
"Obvious. Stop."
"Secretary, what nonsense? Time's urgent."
Guo Jia lied well—better than Zhang Liao.
No flush. But fatal contradiction.
"Yes, urgent. But testing me like this is rude. You said lord's rule demands your death. Yet Zhang Liao said before you came: 'Victory's fate, no worries.' Doesn't match."
Guo Jia eyed Zhang Liao.
Sighed.
"Mismatched stories—our blunder. Let's move. Enough, Zhang Liao?"
"So Sima Yi is plotting rebellion?"
"We'll see."
I learned sharp instincts on Jingzhou streets.
Falling for obvious lies makes you the sucker.
Ah... but how do I get out of here.