Chapter 084: Turning the Tables, Scheming Against the Nobles

Zhang Liao revealed everything to Cao Peng, including how Lü Lingqi had come to seek his help in Xuzhou city before. The assassins were not soldiers from the army, but rather fugitives whom Zhang Liao had found for her. He had originally thought her target would be Liu Bei, but never imagined it would be Cao Cao.

After listening to everything, Cao Peng’s face remained dark and grim throughout. He hadn’t expected this girl to be as cunning as a wild wolf, disguising herself so flawlessly before him. Perhaps it was because he liked her that he had been deceived; he should have been vigilant long ago.

Having confessed all, Zhang Liao was still left unsettled; he had never seen Cao Peng so terrifying. The pressure and aura he exuded just now reminded him of Lü Bu himself.

“General, I...” Zhang Liao began, regret heavy in his voice. Had he foreseen that Lü Lingqi would try to assassinate Cao Cao, he would never have helped her under any circumstances.

Cao Peng responded coldly, “Let’s find the Minister of Works first. You’d better keep this secret buried in your heart and leave the rest to fate—if this ever comes to light, both you and I will die!”

“Yes, sir!” Zhang Liao was overwhelmed with remorse, but as Cao Peng said, all they could do now was leave it to fate.

Neither Cao Peng nor Zhang Liao, nor even the troops led by Cao Ren who had arrived first, managed to find Cao Cao before Liu Bei and his sworn brothers did. They were a step ahead.

Cao Cao was in a sorry state. When he saw Liu Bei and his brothers, his eyes filled with even greater panic. Now, alone and facing these three burly men, if they meant him harm, he wouldn’t stand a chance—he could scream himself hoarse and no one would come.

Indeed, no one would ever discover what happened here; this was the perfect chance to kill Cao Cao.

Guan Yu raised his brows, his phoenix eyes flashing as he brandished his blade, ready to ride forth and strike Cao Cao down.

But Liu Bei quickly grabbed his arm, steering his horse to block Guan Yu’s path.

Guan Yu saw Liu Bei’s hand behind his back, shaking it vigorously—signaling him not to act.

“Brother, why do you stop me?” Guan Yu whispered in confusion.

“Hold your tongue, Yunchang, I have my own plans,” Liu Bei replied softly, then spurred his horse toward Cao Cao.

While still some distance away, Liu Bei smiled, cupped his hands, and greeted him, saying, “Minister of Works, thank heavens you are unharmed. I am sorry for my late rescue and for the fright you have suffered.”

Cao Cao: “??!”

He scrutinized Liu Bei’s expression, seeing only genuine relief, as if truly glad he had escaped danger.

This left Cao Cao bewildered—what exactly was Liu Bei up to? Which side was he on?

“Thank you for your concern, Xuande, but it was only a gang of petty villains—not enough to take my life. After all, the Han still needs me to hold it up.” Cao Cao was daring indeed; the more perilous the moment, the more he wanted to test Liu Bei.

He studied Liu Bei’s face closely, but could read nothing from his expression. He even began to suspect that perhaps Liu Bei truly intended to submit to him.

In truth, if Liu Bei had chosen to attack at that moment, he could have killed Cao Cao. But in the end, Uncle Liu lost his nerve at the crucial moment.

Liu Bei had analyzed the situation perfectly: had he let Guan Yu and Zhang Fei strike then, even if they killed Cao Cao, the three of them would never have escaped.

Just then, Cao Peng and Zhang Liao arrived.

Even Cao Peng was confused seeing the situation—how had Liu Bei’s brothers encountered Cao Cao and then let him go? This was simply...

Cao Cao, seeing Cao Peng and the others, finally relaxed completely. This hunt at Xutian had truly frightened him.

“Anmin, quickly send someone to find General Dian Wei—he may have been swept away by that torrent.”

So Cao Peng sent men to follow the river, and sure enough, they found Dian Wei downstream.

He had fallen from a high cliff, but the river had broken his fall—though he was barely alive, there was still hope.

Once Dian Wei was sent back for treatment, Cao Peng advised Cao Cao not to return immediately.

Cao Cao’s face was clouded with anger—he had barely escaped with his life, and his beloved general Dian Wei was gravely wounded. His heart was full of rage, desperate for release.

“Anmin, are you certain this was the work of the young emperor and the high ministers?”

Cao Peng replied, “Based on what I know, I am seventy or eighty percent sure.”

He immediately recounted the conspiracy of Zhong Ji’s rebellion, then turned and apologized: “Uncle, this is all my fault. I thought Zhong Ji was their only card, and never expected there to be an ambush here as well.”

Cao Cao’s expression grew even darker. Coldly, he said, “If that’s the case, why keep me here? I should return at once and deal with those traitors!”

But Cao Peng objected, “Uncle, we don’t have enough evidence yet. Why not turn their plot against them—let these clowns all reveal themselves in their impatience? Once you return, you can catch them all in one sweep, and replace every last minister and courtier in the capital.”

After hearing Cao Peng’s words, Cao Cao fell into deep thought. “Tell me your plan in detail.”

Cao Peng said, “Uncle, imagine—if you suddenly disappeared, what would those ministers and nobles do?”

“In Xuchang, I imagine no small number of monsters and demons would emerge,” Cao Cao replied, immediately grasping his meaning.

Indeed, apart from the people here, everyone else thought he had fallen off the cliff and knew nothing of his true situation. If he didn’t show himself, all kinds of rumors would swirl in Xuchang. Those with ill intent would surely stir up trouble beneath the surface.

“Very well, it’s an excellent plan. But what about those three over there?” Cao Cao said, pointing to the three sworn brothers at a distance.

Cao Peng had almost forgotten about them, but quickly replied, “Let me take them back with me. I’ll keep them close and see if they are truly loyal and submissive.”

Cao Cao nodded, giving a final instruction: “Act swiftly—I fear delay will bring complications.”

Cao Peng cupped his hands, “Rest assured, Uncle. This time, I will bring you a great surprise.”

He left Zhang Liao and Cao Ren with their troops to guard Cao Cao, while he led the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry and the three brothers back to Xuchang.

As they were leaving, Zhang Liao handed a jade pendant to Cao Peng.

Cao Peng’s face changed dramatically—he recognized it as the item Lü Bu had once asked him to deliver to Lü Lingqi.

“Where did you find this?”

“Over there...”

Cao Peng had Zhang Liao lead the way to where the pendant had been found. The two of them searched the area thoroughly again, and in the grass by the riverbank, they found traces of someone having passed through.

It seemed Lü Lingqi had come ashore and escaped...

Though Cao Peng was worried, there was nothing more he could do. All he could manage was to erase the traces as best he could.

After finishing, Cao Peng patted Zhang Liao’s shoulder and instructed, “Don’t dwell on it—pretend none of this ever happened. Everything will be fine.”