Three Kingdoms: The Peerless Strategist of Wei

Chapter 45: One person and one horse dare to block the road and rob people, how audacious!

"I'll say it again, he's an ungrateful wolf. If we don't kill him now, he'll find an opportunity to defect to Liu Bei, and then he'll become a major threat to Cao Cao!"

Gu Cheng hinted at the point but didn't elaborate; his evaluation of Guan Yu was only hinted at.

Cao Ang, however, remained skeptical, saying, "I still don't quite believe that there could be such a heartless person in this world. Even if Cao Cao treated him very well, he would still go and join that hypocrite Liu Bei!"

"I can only say that Guan Yu is that kind of person." Gu Cheng took a sip of tea and sighed, "However, I advise General Wei not to tell Cao Cao what I said, lest you make a fool of yourself."

"Why?" Cao Ang asked blankly.

Gu Cheng sighed, "Cao Mengde is too fond of talent and is a man of strong emotions. He must admire and like Guan Yu, a loyal and brave general, to the point of losing his mind. If you advise him to kill Guan Yu, you will only anger him and make a fool of yourself!"

Cao Ang was startled and couldn't help but sigh inwardly, realizing that he, as a son, understood his father less than his brother-in-law, who was 13. "Oh, I was just saying it casually, General Wei, don't take it seriously." Gu Cheng waved his hand and said with a smile, "General Wei, you haven't had breakfast yet, have you? Why don't we eat together?" Cao Ang, however, took his leave on the grounds that he had official business to attend to.

Leaving the Gu residence, Cao Ang remained silent in deep thought, his mind filled with Gu Cheng's words. "Is Guan Yu truly loyal to Liu Bei to the very end, and will he never submit to Father no matter what?" "My brother-in-law's judgment of the people has never been wrong, and this time should be no exception." "Hmm, I must inform Father, lest my brother-in-law speak too harshly and Father truly becomes the one who has raised a tiger to cause trouble!" With this in mind, Cao Ang immediately returned home, wrote a letter, and sent it to Xiaopei overnight.

Xiaopei City, the prefectural capital.

Cao Cao tapped his fingertips on the table as he listened to the report.

"Reporting to the Minister of Works, Guan Yu has not uttered a word since his capture. He sits with his eyes closed all day long, and we don't know what he's thinking!" Li Dian reported.

Cao Cao demanded, "Have you slighted Guan Yu?"

Li Dian hurriedly replied, "Sikong instructed us to treat Guan Yu with courtesy, so how could we dare to be negligent? We have cleaned his cell thoroughly and provided him with three meals of wine and meat every day, and we dare not be disrespectful in the slightest."

Cao Cao frowned involuntarily.

"I've heard that Guan Yu is always arrogant, and now that he's been captured, he must feel humiliated." "If Sikong wants to persuade him to surrender, he'll probably have to go there in person," Guo Jia advised.

Cao Cao slammed his hand on the table and said with delight, "Very well, a valiant general like Yun Chang is worthy of my personal condescension to persuade him to surrender." He got up and headed to the prison.

Just then, Dian Wei arrived, saying that it was a messenger sent by Prince Cao Ang with a letter. "Let me persuade Yun Chang to surrender first, then we can see what's going on," Cao Cao said, putting down the letter and heading to the prison.

Dian Wei cupped his hands and said, "Reporting to the Minister of Works, the messenger said this letter from the eldest son is about Guan Yu." Cao Cao stopped, a look of doubt flashing in his eyes. After hesitating for a moment, he still took the letter and unfolded it to read. (The letter was from a servant.)

Cao Cao's body stiffened, and a look of surprise flashed across his face. "Minister, what did the eldest son say?" Guo Jia asked curiously.

Cao Cao remained silent and handed the letter to Guo Jia. After reading it, Guo Jia exclaimed in surprise, "Young Master Liheng actually says that the Minister of Works should kill Guan Yu to eliminate future troubles?" "Indeed, I didn't expect that either."

Cao Cao sighed, "I originally thought that a valiant general like Guan Yu would surely feel that I should recruit him and put him to my service, but I never expected that he would actually think that I should kill Guan Yu!"

Guo Jia read the letter carefully, meticulously studying every word of Gu Cheng's evaluation of Guan Yu. After a long while...

Guo Jia closed the letter and said solemnly, "Minister Sikong, what Young Master Liheng said makes a lot of sense. Guan Yu is too blindly loyal to Liu Bei. Even if he is forced to surrender to you today due to the circumstances, he will still be loyal to Liu Bei. I'm afraid he will betray you sooner or later!"

Guo Jia, with his exceptional wisdom and insight, immediately changed his stance after Gu Cheng's guidance. "Fengxiao, do you also believe that I should kill Guan Yu?" Cao Cao suddenly turned around, looking at Guo Jia in surprise. Guo Jia silently replied, "The Grand Commandant may not trust me, but he cannot distrust Prince Liheng. Tell me, since the Grand Commandant met Prince Liheng, has he ever made a mistake in his judgment of the affairs of the world and the people of the world?"

Cao Cao was taken aback and speechless.

After a moment of distraction, Cao Cao sighed, "He has always been a master strategist, never making a mistake." "That's it," Guo Jia nodded, then advised, "Who in the world doesn't know of your love for talent, Minister Cao? But if you cherish talent and end up raising a tiger that will become a threat, then you will lose more than you gain."

Cao Cao paced back and forth, deep in thought, unable to make a decision for a long time.

Guo Jia dared not say another word, standing silently to the side, waiting for Cao Cao to make his decision. After an unknown amount of time, Cao Cao suddenly stopped, looked up to the sky, and sighed deeply. "Yun Chang, I, Cao Cao, have truly won you over; you have helped me achieve my great cause!"

"Unfortunately, my son-in-law has determined that you will not truly surrender and will become a great threat. Therefore, I have no choice but to listen to my son-in-law." A cold glint flashed in Cao Cao's eyes, and he flicked his sleeve, saying, "Let's go to the prison!"

Guo Jia saw a chilling aura emanating from Cao Cao.

At that moment, Cao Cao left his residence and headed straight for the prison.

Inside the high walls, Guan Yu remained seated with his eyes closed. He hadn't touched the wine and meat laid out on the table.

"Brother, your great cause of restoring the Han Dynasty is not yet complete. I, Guan Yu, cannot die like this. I must preserve my life to serve you." "Cao Cao will surely try to recruit me. For my brother's sake, I have no choice but to endure humiliation and take responsibility, feigning surrender to Cao Cao, and then find an opportunity to escape and search for my brother!"

Guan Yu's mind raced, and he gradually made up his mind. "Greetings, Minister of Works!" A respectful voice rang out from outside the cell.

"Cao Cao, just as I expected, you finally lost your patience and are trying to persuade me to surrender."

A cold smile played on Guan Yu's lips. He remained seated with his eyes closed, remaining silent for a moment. Then, Cao Cao entered the prison and stood before Guan Yu through the iron bars. "Yun Chang," he said, "it's been so long since we parted at Hulao Pass, but we've finally met again."

Cao Cao looked at Guan Yu and couldn't help but feel a surge of emotions.

Guan Yu merely snorted coldly, still disdainfully looking at Cao Cao.

Cao Cao then sighed, "Back then, you killed Hua Xiong while the wine was still warm, and your unparalleled martial arts amazed the eighteen warlords. Your brilliance back then is still something to admire today."

Guan Yu remained silent.

Faced with Guan Yu's cold attitude, Cao Cao looked rather disappointed.

"To be honest, I genuinely want to recruit you into my ranks. If we, as ruler and subject, fight side by side, how can we not conquer the world and achieve great things!"

Cao Cao's face showed reluctance, and he continued to sigh.

His words finally implied a desire for surrender.

Guan Yu let out a cold snort, slowly opened his eyes, and glanced at Cao Cao with an arrogant and disdainful look. "Cao Cao, I, Guan Yu, have only ever been loyal to my brother Xuande. You think you can make me surrender? You're dreaming!" After mocking Cao Cao, Guan Yu closed his eyes again, his demeanor one of utter disdain and arrogance.

Of course, he couldn't surrender to Cao Cao immediately. Even if he wanted to, Cao Cao would have to beg him on all sides and give him plenty of face before he would reluctantly agree.

Cao Cao was not angry; instead, his expression showed even greater appreciation and respect. However, beneath this respect lay regret.

"Bring me the wine!" he suddenly shouted, taking a sip.

Dian Wei quickly offered Cao Cao a cup of wine. "Yun Chang!"

"I know you are loyal and righteous, and you will not surrender to me. If I force you to surrender, it would only disgrace your reputation for loyalty and righteousness!" "After this cup of wine, I will send you on your way, Yun Chang. We are not destined to be together in this life, but we will be ruler and subject again in the next!" After saying this, Cao Cao raised his cup and drank it all in one gulp.

Guan Yu was startled, and a look of surprise flashed across his proud, red face.

Shouldn't Cao Cao have intended to persuade him to surrender? How could he have detected a murderous intent in Cao Cao's words? Guan Yu shuddered, suddenly opened his eyes, and leaped to his feet. "Clang!" Cao Cao smashed his wine cup on the ground, his face solemn as he said, "Yun Chang, rest assured, after your death, I will give you a grand burial, erect a monument to commemorate your loyalty and righteousness for posterity. As for your wife, I, Cao Cao, will take care of her and will certainly not let her suffer!"

"Cao Cao!" Guan Yu roared, momentarily flustered and at a loss for what to do. "Yun Chang, let's part ways here!" Cao Cao, with tears in his eyes, bowed deeply to Guan Yu. Then, he turned and left.

"Order Guan Yu to be beheaded on the spot!" The order echoed outside the prison. "Cao Cao, Cao Cao—" Guan Yu finally reacted, rushing to the iron bars, shouting through gritted teeth in grief and rage. But Cao Cao never looked back.

Inside the Gu residence in Lakeside City.

Gu Cheng was listening to Da Qiao play the zither, idly reading a book. Mi Huan was serving wine beside him. However, she seemed distracted today, letting out sighs from time to time. "The dead cannot be brought back to life. Don't grieve too much and ruin your health. Look ahead," Gu Cheng said softly, noticing her troubled state. "Thank you for your comfort, sir."

Mi Huan looked grateful, but then said, "Actually, what I'm lamenting isn't just about my second brother's death." "Then what is it?" Gu Cheng put down the scroll and turned to look at her.

"I am lamenting that back then, my elder brother was so stubborn, convinced that Liu Bei was a benevolent ruler who would surely achieve great things, and insisted on betting the entire Mi family's wealth and lives on Liu Bei."

"Who could have imagined that my elder brother misjudged the situation? One wrong step led to another, dragging the Mi family into this mess." Mi Huan spoke her heart, her eyes filled with regret. Gu Cheng was about to speak.

Zhou Taixing rushed over, excitedly saying, "Liheng, I just received news from outside that Cao Sikong has beheaded Guan Yu!"

"Um?"

Gu Cheng's eyes widened in surprise; he was genuinely taken aback.

Shouldn't Cao Cao have admired Guan Yu to the point of obsession and been determined to win him over no matter what? Why did he act so unpredictably and actually kill Guan Yu?

"Young master, could it be that General Wei listened to your words and persuaded Cao Cao to kill Guan Yu?" Da Qiao guessed.

Gu Cheng's eyes flickered slightly. After thinking it over, it seemed that this was the only possibility.

"That guy still wouldn't listen to advice and actually went to persuade Cao Cao to kill Guan Yu. He shouldn't have betrayed me, right?" "Wait a minute, he's just a Lieutenant General. Even if he's accomplished a few merits, Cao Cao wouldn't trust him enough to listen to his every word and kill Guan Yu!"

"Hmm, perhaps someone else persuaded Cao Cao to kill Guan Yu." Gu Cheng's thoughts raced, dismissing Da Qiao's conjecture. But he was still extremely curious about who had the ability to convince Cao Cao to kill Guan Yu. "Could it be Guo Jia?" Gu Cheng muttered to himself.

Despite her sorrowful expression, Mi Huan was overjoyed.

She suddenly stood up, bowed to Gu Cheng, and said gratefully, "Thank you so much, young master, for avenging my brother's death. I am willing to serve you like a slave for the rest of my life!"

"When did I avenge your brother's death?" Gu Cheng looked at her blankly.

Mi Huan looked at him intently and said, "Just now, Sister Wan'er also said that if it weren't for you speaking up, General Wei wouldn't have advised Cao Cao, and Cao Cao wouldn't have killed Guan Yu. I will naturally attribute this great favor to you."

It turned out to be the case.

"Get up first." Gu Cheng helped him up and said calmly, "General Wei may not have the courage to speak to Cao Cao, so Cao Cao's killing of Guan Yu may not necessarily be my fault. You don't need to be like this."

"That must be it, Huan'er believes. Cao Cao killed Guan Yu because of what you said, young master!" Mi Huan said with unwavering conviction.

Gu Cheng had no choice but to smile wryly and say, "Alright, since you insist on thinking that way, then consider it as me avenging you." "From now on, Huan'er will serve you with even greater devotion." "Young master, come, drink this cup to the brim." The gloom on Mi Huan's face vanished, and she happily served Gu Cheng wine.

Seeing that she was able to recover from the grief of losing her brother, Gu Cheng felt relieved and allowed her to serve him attentively. After downing a cup of wine, a system notification sounded in his mind. "Two-month time limit expired. Host has completed the seclusion mission." "Congratulations, host, you have obtained the [Zhuge Repeating Crossbow Blueprint], [Mo Dao Manufacturing Craft], and [Three Rejuvenation Pills]." Rewards in hand. Zhuge Repeating Crossbow, Mo Dao.

The first two rewards are both weapon-related rewards.

The Gu family's main business right now is expanding their salt industry; they haven't yet ventured into weapons manufacturing, so it seems to have little use for them for the time being. However, these two items might come in handy in the future. As for the Rejuvenation Pill, it caught Gu Cheng's eye. This Rejuvenation Pill can revive anyone who hasn't suffered a fatal injury. In other words, unless someone is stabbed to death on the spot or their head is chopped off, as long as they still have a breath left, they can be saved. This is a life-saving elixir, a hundred times more precious than adrenaline!

"Not bad, this trip to the lake and land was not in vain after all. At least I got a decent reward..." Gu Cheng thought to himself with satisfaction.

With a thought, the three rewards were placed into the system's storage space.

Gu Cheng jumped up and said happily, "We've had enough of staying at Hulu. Let's pack up and go take a look at Xiaopei." Everyone was surprised.

Zhou Tai asked in confusion, "Liheng, we just finished fighting in Xiaopei, what are we going to do? Shouldn't we go back to Xuchang?" "Cao Mengde will definitely not be satisfied with taking Xiaopei. He will go all out to wipe out Lü Bu and bring the entire Xuzhou under his control."

"Xuzhou is a large prefecture, and our Gu family's medicinal herbs and salt businesses should naturally take advantage of this opportunity to enter Xuzhou and seize the market."

"Xiaopei is the gateway to Xuzhou, so of course I, your young master, must make a trip there to make proper arrangements," Gu Cheng stated his reason.

Everyone suddenly realized what was happening, and naturally no one objected anymore.

Mi Huan was excited to go to Xiaopei to collect his brother Mi Fang's body. After tidying up, Gu Cheng and his party set off south from Hulu City the next day.

At dusk, the carriages and horses were less than twenty li away from Xiaopei.

Gu Cheng sat idly in the carriage, listening to Mi Huan humming a folk song from Xuzhou, enjoying the scenery along the way. Suddenly, the carriage stopped.

Xu Chu and Zhou Tai shouted, and the guards drew their swords in alert. "Zhongkang, what happened?"

Gu Cheng poked his head out and asked.

Xu Chu said in a deep voice, "Young Master, a white-robed general is blocking our way on horseback." A white-robed general? And he's blocking the way for over a hundred of them on horseback!

Is this some kind of highway robbery? That's a bit too arrogant.

Curiosity piqued, Gu Cheng dismounted from the carriage, leaped onto the Snow-Treading Black Horse, and went forward to see what kind of formidable figure it was. From afar, he indeed saw a white-robed general, spear in hand, blocking his path. The general was covered in blood, his face smeared with it, obscuring his features. At that moment…

The general raised his silver spear and shouted, "I have no ill intentions. I only wish to borrow a horse, change my clothes, and ask for some dry rations. As long as you cooperate, I will not make things difficult for you!"

"This guy has quite the nerve," Gu Cheng sneered.

Enraged, Xu Chu shouted, "My lord, this scoundrel is too arrogant! I'll go and chop off his dog's head!" Before he finished speaking, Xu Chu spurred his horse forward, brandishing his elephant-trunk saber, and charged towards the white-robed general. "Do you really want me to take action?" The white-robed general frowned, spurred his horse, and charged forward with his spear. In the blink of an eye, two streaks of light, one black and one white, collided with a deafening roar.