Chapter 001: Reborn in the Three Kingdoms, Trapped in Desperation

Outside Wan City, by the Yu River, an army was stationed at this moment. On either side of the camp gate, imposing soldiers clad in black armor stood guard. Within the camp, black banners fluttered violently in the wind, each emblazoned with the bold, sweeping character for "Cao." Anyone familiar with the current state of the realm would know that this army belonged to the Grand Minister of Works of Han, Cao Cao, the man who held the emperor hostage to command the feudal lords.

Within the heart of the Cao camp, faint candlelight still flickered inside one of the tents. Suddenly, a young man sleeping inside awoke with a start, his face dazed, as though his soul had been scattered. "Have I transmigrated?" Cao Peng wondered, his mind reeling with confusion.

Not long ago, Cao Peng had been traversing desolate mountains and wilds, only to suffer an unexpected fall from a cliff. When he regained consciousness, he had found himself here. As memories from two lifetimes intertwined, Cao Peng quickly grasped his current time, place, and identity.

Cao Peng, courtesy name Anmin, was about twenty years old. His father was Cao De, Cao Cao’s only brother, making Anmin the sole nephew of Cao Cao himself. It was the second year of Jian’an, the first month. Cao Cao was about to accept Zhang Xiu’s surrender at Wan City, accompanied by his eldest son Cao Ang, his nephew Cao Peng, and the warrior Dian Wei.

After the Cao army set up camp outside Wan City, Zhang Xiu hosted banquets for several days, and guests and hosts alike were well-pleased. Memories surged like the tide, slowly flooding in…

Cao Peng rose and paced, his mind in turmoil. If he truly had transmigrated, if he truly was now in Wan City, then…

A great crisis lay before him. Zhang Xiu was on the verge of rebellion, and the battle of Wan City was about to erupt. When the time came, only Cao Cao himself would escape with his life; the rest faced certain doom.

“Damn!” Cao Peng cursed in his heart. Was he really to die just after crossing over?

Was it necessary to be this unlucky? Wasn’t dying once enough—must he go through it a second time? No, absolutely not!

“Anmin! Anmin!” came insistent shouts from outside the tent.

Hearing that voice, a figure immediately surfaced in Cao Peng’s mind. Exiting the tent, he saw a young man, about his own age and striking in appearance. The newcomer stood nearly eight feet tall, his features heroic and dignified, clad in black armor.

Cao Ang.

There was no mistake; standing before him was Cao Cao’s eldest son, who would perish in the battle of Wan City.

“Uh…”

“You… Zixiu… what do you want with me?” Cao Peng stammered, his words awkward. To meet someone from over two thousand years ago left him momentarily at a loss, even for a simple greeting.

After all, here stood a living person from two millennia past!

“Father wants us to attend a banquet with him. Come quickly!” Cao Ang urged.

A banquet? Suspicion flickered in Cao Peng’s heart as he followed.

Along the way, Cao Peng gradually adapted to his new identity and began conversing with Cao Ang. He desperately needed to understand the current situation. If Cao Cao had already foolishly set his sights on Zhang Xiu’s young aunt, he would need to flee at once.

Though Cao Ang was the legitimate eldest son, he was open and unpretentious, treating others with warmth and honesty—a man of broad mind and straightforward nature. It was not difficult to glean information from such a person.

Fortunately, Cao Cao had not yet approached Madame Zou.

More precisely, he had not even laid eyes on her.

Anyone familiar with the Romance of the Three Kingdoms would know that the tragedy of Wan City was entirely brought about by Cao Cao’s own reckless actions. The cause of the incident was Madame Zou herself.

At the time, Zhang Xiu, renowned as the Spear King of the North, was stationed at Wan City, becoming a thorn in Cao Cao’s side. Cao Cao led his army to attack. Zhang Xiu sought counsel from his advisor Jia Xu, who advised that it was unwise to resist such a powerful force and suggested surrender instead.

Trusting Jia Xu implicitly, Zhang Xiu agreed to submit. Cao Cao was overjoyed—he could seize Wan City without bloodshed and win Zhang Xiu over as well. To show his sincerity, he brought only two thousand soldiers with him.

This alone was proof enough of his good faith in Zhang Xiu’s eyes. But then, Cao Cao’s subsequent string of blunders nearly cost him his life.

First, Cao Cao generously rewarded Zhang Xiu’s confidant, Hu Che’er, with gold and silver. Then, after a banquet, he set his sights on Zhang Xiu’s young aunt and insisted on taking her as his concubine.

To Zhang Xiu, this was an intolerable humiliation. Furious, he resolved to kill Cao Cao to vent his rage and again sought Jia Xu’s advice. Jia Xu, notorious for his deadly stratagems, devised a scheme to destroy Cao Cao.

Under his meticulous planning, Zhang Xiu launched a surprise night attack on Cao’s camp.

Since raising his army, Cao Cao had fought campaigns north and south, weathering many storms and perilous situations. Yet the battle of Wan City would prove the most dangerous of all. Though he narrowly escaped with his life, he lost his beloved eldest son Cao Ang, his trusted general Dian Wei, his nephew Cao Peng, and even his famed steed, Shadow Runner.

But all this was yet to come. At this moment in time, Cao Cao had not yet encountered Madame Zou.

As long as that encounter could be prevented, Zhang Xiu would not rebel.

No one would have to die.

The disaster had not yet unfolded, so there was still a chance to change everything.

Cao Peng’s eyes gleamed with determination. Since fate had granted him rebirth, he would defy destiny itself!