Three Kingdoms: Mistakenly Becoming Liu Bei's Adoptive Father at the Start

Seeing that Liu Liang hadn't returned yet, Zhang Fei couldn't help but mutter, "Brother, that Cao Cao is acting all mysterious, pulling our godfather aside for a long whispered talk... Could he be plotting something?"

Liu Bei frowned and scolded in a low voice, "Yide! Stop talking nonsense! What kind of person is your adoptive father? How could he possibly have any connection with Cao Cao? You must not utter such nonsense again!"

Guan Yu also said in a deep voice, "Third brother, you are overthinking it. You know how to act."

Although Zhao Yun was newly recruited, he spoke up at this moment: "Master Yun is a man of integrity and upright character, not one to waver or be indecisive. Cao Cao may simply be asking a casual question."

After being told what to do by the three men, Zhang Fei scratched his head, still somewhat unconvinced: "It's not that I suspect my adoptive father... it's just that I feel that Cao Cao has ill intentions! Look at the look in his eyes just now, he clearly wanted to win my adoptive father over! Brother, it's not that I'm being paranoid, it's not that I'm afraid of thieves stealing, it's that I'm afraid of thieves eyeing me!"

Liu Bei said solemnly, "Yide! I'll say it again, your adoptive father would never do that! There's no need to discuss this matter further."

Liu Liang returned and overheard Zhang Fei's words. He said to Liu Bei, "Cao Cao asked about some trivial matters concerning the transport of grain and supplies, and also probed the strength of our army. This man is indeed not simple."

Liu Bei, unsuspecting, nodded and said, "Thank you for your help, Godfather. We'll discuss this further when we get back."

......

Cao Cao returned to his camp, and Cao Ren followed him in.

There was no one else inside the tent.

Cao Cao sat down, pressing his fingers to his forehead.

Cao Ren stopped and asked, "My lord, were you trying to recruit Liu Liang during your conversation?"

Cao Cao did not answer directly, seemingly lost in a past event, muttering, "My army has many fierce generals, but what it lacks are strategists. Alas, Chen Gong... sigh..."

Cao Cao hesitated, then shook his head slightly.

Cao Ren asked, "Since our lord has already tested him, has he wavered?"

Cao Cao said, "This man is watertight. When the words were passed on, he used principles of righteousness, honor, and the kindness shown to him to deflect them, remaining completely unmoved. He is a man of great composure."

Cao Ren said, "Since hints are useless, I'd better go again and invite them directly. Promising them great benefits might sway their hearts."

Cao Cao waved his hand: "It's useless. He has the reputation of being Liu Bei's son, and now Liu Bei's power is growing stronger. Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and Zhao Yun are all capable of defeating ten thousand men. The situation is just right. It's difficult to get him to switch sides now."

Cao Ren said, "This man is quite eloquent. However... he is not well-known and is merely one of Liu Bei's advisors..."

Cao Cao shook his head: "You only know one side of the story. I've been keeping an eye on this man for some time now. When Liu Bei started his career in Youzhou, this man was behind many of the events. In Zhuojun, he used the strategy of besieging the strongholds at Laoyaling and Heifengshan to wipe out the bandits, achieving a clean and efficient victory against overwhelming odds. In Anxi County, he killed the inspector and resisted the prefecture and county, gaining a foothold. Then, he used the strategy of 'besieging Wei to rescue Zhao,' achieving a great victory against overwhelming odds, defeating Cheng Yuanzhi's Yellow Turban army, beheading the bandit leader, and incorporating the surrendered soldiers. How could Liu Bei, a mere county magistrate, have planned all of these things on his own? Not to mention, the new cavalry in Liu Bei's army is quite different recently. Their horse equipment seems to have been improved, and their methods of storing military provisions are also novel... These are probably all the work of this Liu Zishan."

Cao Ren was somewhat surprised: "Does my lord mean that Liu Bei's current situation is largely due to this man's planning?"

"Indeed!" Cao Cao said. "This man is not only skilled in military strategy, but also in governing the people, managing finances, and equipping weapons. He can devise plans and put them into practice. Just look at him today in the tent, facing Yuan Shu's humiliation and the other warlords' contempt, he remained neither humble nor arrogant, arguing his case with reason and courage. Such a person is no ordinary advisor."

Cao Ren was silent for a moment, then lowered his voice: "What if... Liu Bei is no longer here?"

Cao Cao paused slightly, but did not answer immediately.

He looked at the flickering lamplight in the tent, and after a long while, slowly said, "You saw those three men beside Liu Bei. Kill them? Who will kill them? How will they be killed?"

Cao Ren said, "In my opinion, Yuan Shu and Gongsun Zan have long harbored resentment towards Liu Bei. Today, Liu Liang publicly humiliated Yuan Shu, and given Yuan Shu's magnanimity, he will surely hold a grudge. This man is very arrogant and vindictive."

Cao Cao raised his eyes: "What does Zixiao mean?"

Cao Ren looked around and lowered his voice, saying, "How about we devise a plan? We can have Yuan Shu invite Liu Bei to a banquet. We can then ambush him with axemen and kill him in one fell swoop. Once Liu Bei is dead, his army will surely fall into chaos. Although Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and Zhao Yun are brave, they will be powerless without their leader. At that time, Liu Liang will have no one to rely on, and if you sincerely invite him, we might be able to win him over. Even if that doesn't work, we can use Yuan Shu to eliminate this potential threat of Liu Bei, and it will have nothing to do with you, my lord."

Cao Cao remained silent, his fingers tapping lightly on the table.

This suggestion is toxic, but not impossible.

Yuan Shu's stupidity and narrow-mindedness were ready-made knives.

Cao Cao pondered for a moment, then shook his head slightly and said, "Although Yuan Shu is foolish, he might not be willing to take this knife so easily. Besides, killing someone at a banquet would be too conspicuous. If Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and Zhao Yun were outside, they would fight desperately upon hearing the news, and Yuan Shu's men might not be able to stop them. If the matter is not kept secret, or if Liu Bei manages to escape by chance, it would alert the enemy and create a deadly enmity. Furthermore, Liu Liang... If Liu Bei dies from such a clumsy conspiracy, how could he not see through it? I'm afraid that not only will it not win him over, but it will also make him more vigilant and even resentful."

Cao Ren looked ashamed and said, "This humble general is merely offering a suggestion for my lord to consider."

Cao Cao stood up and paced back and forth a couple of times: "This matter is too risky, with too many variables. Yuan Shu is uncontrollable, and Liu Bei's three fierce generals are even more uncontrollable. Let me think about it some more. For now, let's see how Sun Jian is doing at Sishui Pass."

Cao Ren was about to leave after receiving the order when a personal guard outside the tent reported: "My lord, someone has delivered something, saying that it must be opened by you personally."

Cao Cao gestured for it to be brought in.

It turned out to be an inconspicuous wooden box on the table, unsigned.

Cao Cao opened it, and inside were several scrolls of silk.

Upon unfolding it, my gaze suddenly froze.

Cao Ren noticed a change in his lord's expression and leaned closer to take a look.

The silk fabric was decorated with detailed drawings of the structure of double stirrups, a high saddle bridge, and anti-slip horseshoe patterns, with dimensions, materials, and manufacturing methods clearly indicated.

Another volume describes a method for storing cooked food in earthenware jars and sealing them with wax, with clear steps.

"This..." Cao Ren gasped, "Who sent this? It looks like something used in Liu Bei's army..."

Cao Cao nodded, his face revealing neither joy nor anger.

Cao Ren, puzzled, asked again, "Could it be Liu Liang, Liu Zishan?"

Cao Cao shook his head: "If this man is unwilling to surrender, why would he secretly offer such a valuable treasure? It doesn't make sense."

Cao Ren said, "Perhaps this is his brilliance. On the surface, he is perfectly loyal and righteous, leaving no room for error, yet he secretly sends this irresistible gift. This move serves three purposes: first, it shows goodwill; second, it demonstrates his ability; and third... it tells our lord that he is not inflexible, but the time is not yet right. If we accept the gift, we will be grateful for his kindness and have witnessed his skill."

Cao Cao pursed his lips and furrowed his thick eyebrows.

Cao Ren said, "If it was truly Liu Liang who did it, it confirms that this man is two-faced and far from a simple righteous man. If he can betray his lord and secretly collude with him, why wouldn't he betray his lord in the future?"