Chapter 88: Aristocrats, Court Nobles, and Cao Pi

A great many people came to the residence of Cao Pi.

Along with the loyalist nobles and ministers led by Fu Wan, several gentry families from Yan Province also sent representatives.

Among the gentry were men from the Xun, Guo, Li, Yue, and Xiahou clans. Though none were important figures within their own houses, they stood for the strength of the families behind them, much as the key generals and advisers under Cao Cao did.

Tempted by the loyalist faction, they had come to test the waters.

Now that the eldest son, Cao Ang, and Cao Cao himself were both missing, and Cao Peng was already preparing to sever ties with the loyalist ministers, most of the gentry leaned toward Cao Pi.

It was not because they wished to uphold the position of Cao Cao’s direct line. Their motives were more complicated than that.

Cao Peng was a ruthless man. If he became Cao Cao’s heir and made Cao Ang into a mere puppet, then under his iron rule these great families would never be able to wring greater profit from the Cao house.

But Cao Pi was only a child, at most with a shallow grasp of political cunning.

If they could use Cao Pi to bring down Cao Peng, and then make Cao Pi into a puppet as well, the Cao family’s control over the houses behind them would crumble to pieces.

Thus the loyalists and the gentry, sharing ignoble interests, had found common cause at once.

As the organizer of this gathering, Fu Wan spoke first.

“That whelp Cao Peng has no sense of reason at all. For no cause whatsoever, he dared seize Lord Dong Cheng and subject him to savage torture. The poor old gentleman, with all those years on his shoulders, was still humiliated by that mere stripling!”

“What a pity, what a shame!”

“Alas, a man of such character—how could he possibly be fit to represent the Grand Commandant and temporarily oversee the Grand Commandant’s residence?”

The ministers who had come with Fu Wan were instantly inflamed, and all began condemning Cao Peng.

Cao Pi kept his face unreadable. Though still a child, he showed a calm far beyond his years.

“Matters of such importance to the state are not for me to meddle in at will. I fear, honored lords, that you have come to the wrong place.”

Fu Wan smiled faintly. “Young lord, your words are mistaken. Cao Peng’s tyranny is not merely a calamity for the court, but a calamity for your Cao clan as well.”

“Oh? How so?” Cao Pi asked.

Seeing that he had taken the bait, Fu Wan pressed on with his seduction.

“Young lord, consider this: Cao Peng had only a token in hand, yet claimed he was acting on the Grand Commandant’s orders to temporarily oversee the Grand Commandant’s residence. But so much time has passed now, and the Grand Commandant has not returned, nor has any order come back from him. Do you not find that suspicious?”

Cao Pi’s eyes were as deep as still water, his expression remaining noncommittal.

At that moment, an elder from the Xiahou clan spoke up. “This is not only Lord Fu’s concern, but also the concern of us gentry of Yan Province.

“We fear that something may have happened to the Grand Commandant, and that Cao Peng means to seize power in the confusion!”

Even after hearing this, Cao Pi still gave no clear answer. Instead he said, “Even if my father truly suffered some mishap, my elder brother Cao Ang would still be there to hold things together. The overall situation surely would not fall into chaos.”

Fu Wan immediately feigned agitation and cried, “Young lord, at a time like this, you still mean to remain muddled? I fear Lord Ang has long since been controlled by Cao Peng. If you do not make plans early, I’m afraid your life may be in danger.”

Cao Pi looked over the crowd. He knew the loyalist faction standing before him was already tied to him by the same rope, but he could not understand why these Yan Province gentry were inclined toward him rather than throwing themselves onto Cao Peng’s side.

Still, since the hearts of men were already leaning his way, he might as well ride the current.

Just as Fu Wan said, if he continued to remain silent, Cao Peng might very well strike at him first.

Cao Pi sighed. “Alas, I am deeply grateful for the trust of all you honored lords, but we have no soldiers in hand. How could we contend with Cao Peng?”

Fu Wan smiled. If he had not arranged everything beforehand, how would he dare come here to see Cao Pi?

“Young lord Pi need not worry. I have already persuaded Ma Teng of Liang Province. He is willing to aid us!”

Cao Pi still shook his head. “The men Ma Teng brings would amount to only a few hundred. How could they possibly contend with Cao Peng?”

Then a man of the gentry spoke. “This time, the troops under the Grand Commandant will only remain outside the city, each guarding its own camp. They will not obey Cao Peng’s orders.”

Hearing this, Cao Pi was truly moved.

If Cao Peng could not command the army, then what had he to fear?

Seeing that Cao Pi was already on the verge of yielding, they knew it was time to add fuel to the fire. One of the ministers in the crowd took the lead in shouting, and soon more and more people began urging Cao Pi on.

“Please, young lord, stop Cao Peng from disturbing the administration of the realm!”

“Once the young lord stands forth and raises his arm, the army will surely answer!”

“Young Lord Pi is the one who should inherit the Grand Commandant’s full legacy. We Yan Province gentry swear to support you unto death!”

“And so on.”

With all this praise raining down upon him, Cao Pi’s last shred of caution and reason was swept away.

He burst into laughter and said with lofty pride, “Very well. Since that is so, rest assured, honored lords. To keep Cao Peng from acting recklessly and throwing the court into disorder, I am willing to advance and retreat together with you.”

At that moment, full of triumphant satisfaction, he truly believed he could destroy Cao Peng and seize the Cao clan for himself.

After his grand proclamation, Cao Pi finally calmed down again.

“This matter still requires a little time. It must not be rushed.”

Fu Wan said, “Naturally…”

Just as Cao Peng had joined hands with these men, the news was already being carried back by scouts to the Grand Commandant’s residence.

Man Chong took the intelligence the scouts had brought back and hurried to report to Cao Peng.

“General, Cao Pi has already joined hands with the gentry and the loyalist ministers!”

Hearing this, Cao Peng smiled with satisfaction. This was exactly what he wanted.

“Zhongkang, Boning, now that everyone has begun suspecting me, are you not afraid of choosing the wrong man?”

Xu Chu scratched his head and gave a foolish grin. To this point, he had never once thought of doubting Cao Peng.

Man Chong, however, said, “What are your lordship’s words? I am willing to die in your service!”

He had already taken this affair as a desperate gamble. If he won, he would surely rise to great heights by following Cao Peng, with boundless prospects ahead.

Cao Peng smiled faintly. He knew that these two men were indeed standing with him from the heart.

He said to Xu Chu, “Zhongkang, there is no need for you to keep watch here. Lead the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry out of the city, deliver this blood decree to my lord, and then bring him back.”

Xu Chu hurriedly waved his hands. “How can that be? If I take the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry away, there will be no one left at your side. If those rabble seize the chance to make trouble, how will you deal with them?”

Cao Peng patted his shoulder and explained, “Do not worry. They probably still need another day or two before they truly make their move. If you go quickly, a round trip will be enough.”

“And besides, if you and the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry remain at my side, they will likely never dare to strike at all.”