Chapter 40: The Winds of Change

“Elder Brother’s arrangements are certainly sound, but will Grandfather agree to them?”
Cao Ren’s words echoed the concerns of most present.
Becoming Wang Ji was nothing extraordinary, but the Cao family was still under the stewardship of Cao Song. If things turned ugly, how would they clean up the mess?
Cao Cao was surprised. “It was Yuan Zhong who wanted to kill Wang Ji. What does that have to do with us?”
Indeed!
Everyone’s eyes brightened.
Charging ahead and waving the banner once the dust has settled—these are entirely separate matters.
As long as they kept quiet, who would know how Wang Ji died?
“We’ll follow Elder Brother’s instructions.”
Cao Cao began to arrange their actions, while Hua Tuo was looking for a way to escape.
This was not just rebellion; it was a crime that could wipe out nine generations!
He didn’t understand how these men could remain so calm, nor did he wish to.
All Hua Tuo knew was that he hadn’t lived enough years yet. If he got involved and things were exposed later…
A hand landed on his shoulder, and Hua Tuo fell in fright. Turning around, he saw Chen Cong’s grim smile.
“Hua, where are you off to?”
“Well, well… This old man’s stomach is unsettled. If you’d excuse me…”
“You’re not trying to run, are you?”
Hua Tuo’s heart quivered; he stammered, “No, no, truly, it’s my stomach.”
“I’ll go with you. But if you don’t do your business, watch out—I’ll crack your skull.”
Hua Tuo was horrified. He cried out, “Chen Zining, don’t forget—this old man once saved your life!”
Chen Cong smirked. “Did you, really?”
Hua Tuo fell silent.
Strictly speaking, his so-called act of salvation was merely his own claim to credit.
Chen Cong’s constitution was bizarre; although his shoulder had been gashed open, his pulse was strong, breathing steady, and the wound slowly staunched and healed—he showed no sign of impending death.
Even had Hua Tuo not intervened, Chen Cong would have survived.
In fact, it was Hua Tuo’s sale of Chen Cong’s horse that forced them to walk all the way back to Qiao County.
“Why do you keep pestering me, old man?”
‘Because your medical skills are excellent,’ Chen Cong thought to himself.
“Because we’re close!” Chen Cong replied aloud.
Hua Tuo was nearly in tears. “If we’re truly close, spare me! What you’re doing is a business that can cost your head. I’m timid—I can’t get involved.”
Chen Cong buckled the Tai’e sword at his waist and picked up Hua Tuo.
Glancing back, he said, “Father-in-law, I’ll handle Wang Ji.”
Cao Cao’s heart skipped a beat. “Zining, it’s unlucky to shed blood on your wedding day!”
“No matter—it won’t count if it’s after midnight.”
Before Cao Cao could question the meaning, Chen Cong had already dragged Hua Tuo out of the residence.

—

Hua Tuo had to be bound tightly.
In the long run, future strategists like Xi Zhong and Guo Jia all died young—how could they manage without a life-saving talisman at their side?
In the short term, Cao Cao suffered from head pains, and Cao Rong’s life was obscure, with the risk of dying from illness.
As one of the largest shareholders in the Cao Wei group, Chen Cong had both a responsibility and a duty to plan for the company’s future.
“Chen Zining, killing an official is a crime that can doom nine generations!”
Chen Cong was baffled. “You’re the one who killed Wang Ji. What does that have to do with me?”
The words sounded familiar…
Hua Tuo wanted to curse, but they were already approaching the inn where Wang Ji was staying. Even from afar, they could see armored guards, so Hua Tuo had to shut his mouth.
At this time, Pei’s administrative seat was still in Xiang County—there was no Prefect’s mansion in Qiao County.
This spared Chen Cong a great deal of hassle.
“Stop! This place has been requisitioned by the Pei administrator. Get lost!”
Clang!
A cold gleam pierced the night. The Tai’e sword came out suddenly, burying itself in a guard’s chest. Before the other guard could cry out, Chen Cong flicked the blade across his throat.
Two swift strokes, two lives ended.
As warm blood splattered onto his face, Hua Tuo’s eyes widened in terror…
Though he had healed countless, he rarely witnessed such killings.
Chen Cong flicked the blood from the sword tip and strode into the inn.
Whether Wang Ji was simply carefree, or thought Qiao County was safe, aside from the two guards at the door, there was no one else on duty inside.
Ascending to the second floor, he saw a brightly lit room.
Chen Cong pushed the door open, finding a mass of flesh grappling with two young women.
Powerful men really know how to enjoy themselves…
“Get out!”
Wang Ji grunted, not bothering to look back, instinctively cursing at the sound of the door.
Chen Cong wasted no words, stepped forward, and thrust his sword straight through Wang Ji’s heart.
“They say to die beneath the peony flowers makes a ghost dashing and handsome—farewell, Lord Wang.”
A scream shattered the night’s calm; the women, realizing what happened, ran out shrieking and sobbing.
“Put on some clothes—it’s chilly at night,” Chen Cong called after them, only to see them flee even faster.
Then,
Chen Cong rolled Wang Ji over and used the blood on the floor to scrawl on the wall: ‘Murderer: Yuan Zhong.’ After a moment’s thought, he asked, “How do you write ‘Qiao’ for Qiao County?”
Hua Tuo trembled and gestured.
Chen Cong added: ‘Also Hua Tuo, courtesy name Yuanhua, from Qiao County, Pei.’
Hua Tuo: …
…
…
In the dead of night at the Cao residence, frantic knocking startled Cao Song from sleep.
“Who is it?”

—

“Master, it’s Afu—something terrible has happened!”
Cao Song threw on a robe and opened his bedroom door.
“What happened?”
The servant’s face was pale, stammering, “Pei, Pei, Pei…”
Cao Song frowned in irritation. “What’s with all the ‘Pei’s? Speak clearly!”
“The Pei administrator is dead! Yuan Zhong and Hua Tuo did it!”
Cao Song instinctively sensed something amiss.
Yuan Zhong, courtesy name Zhengfu, from the Yuan clan of Runan, appointed Pei administrator by Dong Zhuo.
He could understand Yuan Zhong wanting to kill Wang Ji—but what was Hua Tuo’s involvement?
“Master, please look outside. The eldest and second sons have joined with the two elder Lords Xiahou and are openly supporting Yuan Zhong as Pei administrator!”
“Nonsense!”
When Cao Song finished dressing and entered the main hall, he found it crowded, with a blood-soaked head placed upon the table—none other than Wang Ji.
Cao Song immediately spotted the unfamiliar man among the crowd.
“You must be Yuan Zhong, Zhengfu?”
Yuan Zhong bowed. “I am Yuan Zhong, greetings to Lord Cao.”
“Hmph!” Cao Song flicked his long sleeve, scowling. “Yuan Zhengfu, you killed the Pei administrator without permission—is that not rebellion?”
Yuan Zhong was bewildered. He’d been sleeping soundly, Wang Ji was dead, and Cao Cao had arrived.
In one night, all the powerful families of Qiao County suddenly honored him as Pei administrator.
It was utterly inexplicable.
Cao Cao pressed Yuan Zhong’s shoulder, facing Cao Song directly. “Father, Brother Zhengfu is the court-appointed Pei administrator, with the imperial edict as proof.”
“Mengde, do you not know the Son of Heaven…”
“Father! The Son of Heaven is the Son of Heaven—watch your words!”
Several of his old brothers chimed in, each trying to persuade him.
“That’s right, cousin. Yuan Zhengfu is the officially appointed Pei administrator.”
“Wang Ji is dead—there’s no point in discussing it further.”
“If Pei is left leaderless, better to choose Zhengfu as our head.”
Indeed!
The deed was done, the course was set—further argument was pointless…
It wasn’t just Wang Ji’s death.
From the eunuch faction to the scholar clans, was this not also a change of leadership within the Cao family?
Otherwise,
How could Yuan Zhong, an outsider, rally the powerful families of Qiao County to turn against their own?
The old lion had grown weak; the young lion had grown strong.