Chapter 72

At the time when the victory banquet was being held at Gangnyeong Castle, a cold and sharp air was swirling in Yeopseong.

This battle caused Cao Wei to lose too much.

They lost territory, people, and dignity.

It was an unprecedented crisis that could have endangered even Hudo beyond Yangfan if not handled carefully. By barely bringing Sun Quan into the fold, they managed to wrap things up at this point.

However, through this incident, Cao Cao realized something.

The fate of the chaotic times was still in a state of uncertainty, and he would remain not as the one who ends it, but as a challenger.

Moreover, he no longer even had the opportunity to take on a new challenge.

Therefore, Cao Cao gathered his sons to succeed him.

Cao Pi, the eldest son, designated as the successor to inherit political strategy.

Cao Zhang, the second son, who inherited martial talent and accompanied him in campaigns.

And finally, Cao Zhi, the third son, who inherited literary talent.

Excluding the fourth son, Cao Xiong, who died early, all the sons born to Empress Wu Xian were gathered.

Facing them, Cao Cao’s complexion, as if showing that little time remained, was stained with agony.

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

“Looking back, I always repeated the same mistakes.”

After the Battle of Guandu, Cao Cao thought he had the upper hand and became complacent, leading to defeat by Yuan Shao.

And this time, having conquered the Central Plains, Hebei, and Guanzhong, he was too confident that unification was just a matter of time, only to be thwarted by Sun Quan and Liu Bei.

“Therefore, this time, I will not repeat it.”

Succession selection.

How many powers have fallen because they failed to do this properly? Cao Cao had witnessed how Yuan Shao, his greatest enemy before Chibi, fell.

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

Having lost his reliable eldest son, Cao Ang, due to his own mistake, and Cao Chong, the most intelligent son he had high hopes for, who died young, Cao Cao had hesitated for a very long time in selecting a successor.

Even after appointing Cao Pi as the crown prince, Cao Cao’s hesitation is proven by the fact that he did not personally step forward to systematically and neatly organize the succession structure.

But now, Cao Cao had made up his mind to make a decision.

“Zijian.”

“Yes, Father.”

The third son, Cao Zhi, approached Cao Cao on his knees. His face showed a faint expectation and deep tension.

“I believe I have shown my intentions by killing Dezhao.”

Dezhao, Yang Xiu’s son. Yang Xiu, who assisted Cao Cao in the Hanzhong campaign, had independently interpreted Cao Cao’s military orders, leading to preparations for retreat and causing Zhang Lan’s ambush.

And at the same time, he was also Cao Zhi’s key advisor, who was summarily executed for the responsibility of the Hanzhong campaign.

But was it just because of that? Cao Cao killed Yang Xiu not only to shift the responsibility of the Hanzhong campaign onto him but also to weaken Cao Zhi’s excessively growing power.

Watching Cao Zhi’s face turn pale, Cao Cao spoke coldly.

“I won’t say more. Go home and reflect. Later, I will decide your punishment.”

Although it was a simple order to return home, who wouldn’t know that it was a death sentence for his political life.

Seeing Cao Cao decisively cut down Cao Zhi, who had been weighing against Cao Pi until the end, even Cao Pi and Cao Zhang felt a chill down their spines.

Struck by shock, Cao Zhi opened his mouth but couldn’t properly say anything. Seeing his pitiful son, one might feel compassion, but Cao Cao’s cold gaze showed no sign of softening.

“What are you doing? Do you expect me to pull you out?”

“Father…….”

“I command you one last time. Go.”

Cao Zhi could no longer hold on. He slowly and with utmost respect bowed on the spot.

With a trembling body, Cao Zhi barely completed two bows and left the room with backward steps, not showing his back. On the spot where he had bowed, tears that had not yet cooled fell drop by drop.

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

“Ziwén.”

“Yes, Father!”

Though his mind was a mess with anxiety, as a warrior, Cao Zhang shouted boldly.

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

The former was to bow to Cao Cao like Cao Zhi, offering the last salute of his life, and the latter was to acknowledge Cao Pi’s succession and swear loyalty to him.

“If you choose the latter, I will also receive an oath from my Zihuan.”

Cao Zhang turned his head to look at Cao Pi. Having seen Cao Zhi, his greatest rival, being cut down by Cao Cao’s own hand and Cao Pi stepping forward for a firm succession, Cao Pi was already making a merciful expression as if forgiving and accepting everything about Cao Zhang.

The trend was set. With Cao Cao stepping forward, going against it would become an impossible torrent.

Cao Zhang slowly bent his body and bowed to Cao Pi. Cao Pi, who had subtly supported Cao Zhi and found Cao Zhang a thorn in his side, quickly embraced his shoulders and patted his back as Cao Zhang submitted to him.

It seemed like a scene of truly affectionate brothers, but inside Cao Zhang was a sense of humiliation, and inside Cao Pi was a sense of superiority, making it just a formal spectacle.

“Ziwén, you may return now.”

“Yes, Father….”

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

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

Considering that in Cao Wei’s official system, the General of the Family Army was regarded higher than the General of the Four Directions, this decision meant entrusting Cao Zhang with the western, Guanzhong front against Shu.

With Cao Zhang also leaving, only two remained, and silence flowed. As Cao Pi fidgeted, wondering if words would be taken back at this point, Cao Cao finally spoke.

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

“…Is it not because Zijian’s literary talent is the best in the world?”

Cao Cao shook his head.

“Wrong. Clearly, Zijian’s literary talent surpasses even mine, but I know your literary talent is not far behind. If you think I considered Zijian just because of that slight difference, then I have misjudged you. I will give you one more chance. Why do you think so?”

Under Cao Cao’s heavy question, Cao Pi felt his insides twisting and answered with difficulty.

“Because Zijian has higher virtue than me.”

“Correct.”

Cao Cao struggled to rise. The giant who had dominated the era was squeezing out his last strength.

Startled, Cao Pi tried to support him, but Cao Cao firmly pushed his hand away.

“Father, your body…….”

“Keep listening!”

The shout of the hegemon who almost ended the chaotic times still carried the aura of hegemony, even in a dying body. Cao Pi found himself kneeling and bowing his head without realizing it.

No matter how old the dragon is, how can it be compared to a beast roaming the ground? Despite being father and son, there was such a vast gap between Cao Cao and Cao Pi.

“Did you think I didn’t know? That you made Zijian drink and prevented him from following my orders.”

“Fa, Father…….”

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

However, Cao Zhi was drunk and could not follow Cao Cao’s decree, leading Cao Cao to strip him of his official position in anger and send Yu Jin instead.

“Look at the result. The kingdom I built is crumbling. Liu Bei has found the Pearl of Desire, and Sun Quan has gained a foothold to stand on. But you, still unaware of the times, were busy with internal strife. Isn’t that so?”

“That is, Father, I, your son…….”

“That’s why I entrust it to you.”

“Huh?”

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

He resembled Liu Bei more than Cao Cao. However, unlike Liu Bei, who was among the best in history in literary talent, Cao Zhi was not at the level of Liu Bei in employing talents, making decisions, and restraining himself. Therefore, Cao Zhi could not contend with Liu Bei.

“Your enemy will be Liu Bei. Sun Zhongmou is not enough. Didn’t Liu Bei say? He could exist because he did the opposite of me. I am the same. Now you must do so.”

“Father…….”

“This father embraced his relatives and through them seized power to establish Cao Wei. If I had no Zixiao, no Miaocai, no Zaren, how could I be here like this? You must do the same. Relatives are the most dangerous enemies, but at the same time, they will be your most reliable limbs.”

Just as Cao Cao had Cao Ren, Cao Cao attached Cao Zhang to Cao Pi. Cao Zhang’s military talent and martial prowess were in no way inferior to Cao Ren.

Although he had been defeated by Zhang Lan in Hanzhong, it was because he was not properly armed and was ambushed, not because Cao Zhang was lacking. In fact, in a fair fight, Cao Zhang had the upper hand.

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

The candlewick was burning fiercely. It was Cao Cao’s life. Wiping the tears welling up in Cao Pi’s eyes, Cao Cao spoke with final tenderness.

“Zijian, this father will take him away. I will also clean up his surroundings. But those I have not touched, embrace them in your arms.”

“Father…….”

It had been so long since he felt such warm denial. Cao Pi placed his hands over Cao Cao’s hand, which was caressing his face.

“Remember this father’s words.”

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

“Is that so? Then it is done.”

A few days later, a purge began.

Using the excuse of the Wei Feng rebellion, Cao Cao eradicated Cao Zhi’s followers. At the same time, he adopted Cao Zhi as the son of his younger brother Cao De, who had died with his father Cao Song, completely excluding him from the succession structure.

Though he couldn’t bear to kill him due to his literary talent, he would no longer rise as Cao Pi’s competitor.

Having organized the succession structure and once again seized control through the purge, Cao Cao finally carried out the move of the capital from Xuchang to Ye.

Since Ye was already functioning as the capital of Cao Wei, cost reduction was possible, but moving the capital of the Han Empire, which was the emperor’s state, had to incur the resentment of the people mobilized for corvée labor.

Cao Cao’s forced move of the capital was to shoulder the burden of the successor himself.

And in the 25th year of Jian’an, on the day the new year dawned.

Cao Cao quietly closed his eyes.

Forever.