binnovel Chapter 1325 Cao Ang's Close Friend Persuades Him to Submit
Chapter 1325 Cao Ang's Close Friend Persuades Him to Submit
Just then, light footsteps sounded outside the door, and Ma Yunlu walked in, holding Cao Rui's little hand. Cao Rui had just turned four and was wearing a tiger-patterned jacket. Upon seeing Cao Ang, he broke free from his mother's hand and stumbled towards him, crying, "Daddy!"
Cao Ang bent down and picked up his son, the solemnity between his brows easing somewhat. Ma Yunlu first bowed to Zhou Yu. Although she hadn't met Zhou Yu often, she knew he was the sworn brother of her elder brother Ma Chao, and they had always been close. Previously, when Cao Ang was dealing with Xu You's rescue of Tian Feng and Ju Shou, Zhou Yu had even sent him a lot of money, showing that their friendship was extraordinary.
"Brother Gongjin, you've come from afar, you must be tired from your journey," Ma Yunlu said softly.
Zhou Yu rose to return the greeting and said with a smile, "Yunlu, why are you being so polite with me?"
After a brief greeting, Ma Yunlu noticed Cao Ang's conflicted expression. After Zhou Yu briefly explained his purpose, she immediately understood. Turning to Cao Ang, she spoke gently yet with a hint of sharpness: "My lord, ever since you heard that the Xiliang troops have entered Jiyin, you have been restless day and night. Now that Brother Gongjin has explained his intentions, you should make a quick decision."
She walked to Cao Ang's side, her eyes clear: "You are a generous man, skilled in both literature and martial arts. You must have already figured out what Father has done all these years. I am not speaking up for my brother, asking you to abandon the Cao family's legacy. Now that I have married into the Cao family, I am a Cao family woman. My thoughts and words should be for the sake of my husband, Rui'er, and the survival of the Cao family."
“But you know what Father has been doing all these years.” Ma Yunlu paused, his voice deepening. “You also know firsthand his fears, and the endless struggle with Liu Bei has already exhausted the vitality of the Central Plains. If you truly want to leave a way out for the Cao family, you should understand the current situation.”
Looking at the struggle in Cao Ang's eyes, she continued, "If you want to fight for your ideals, you don't need to be afraid of your father's suspicions; if you feel that you disagree with your father, you should have the courage to speak out. If you really think that your brother is wrong and are afraid of being embarrassed in front of your father, you can lead your troops to Yanzhou to help fight and confront your brother—but you are so hesitant now, how is that the Cao Zixiu I know?"
These words were impartial, neither harshly criticizing Cao Cao nor favoring Ma Chao, but hitting the nail on the head regarding Cao Ang's problems. He tightened his grip on Cao Rui's arm slightly, and his son looked at him with bewildered eyes, as if asking, "What's wrong, Father?"
Zhou Yu watched quietly from the side, secretly praising Ma Yunlu for her insight and courage despite being a woman. No wonder her brother always valued this younger sister.
Cao Ang remained silent for a long time before gently putting Cao Rui down and saying to him, "Rui'er, come with your mother to the inner room to play for a while."
Ma Yunlu sighed softly, "Alright, it's understandable that you're having trouble making a decision. You've been avoiding me these past few days because you're conflicted. I've already sent someone to invite Zhou Buyi; just listen to what he has to say." With that, she took Cao Rui's hand, nodded to Zhou Yu, and then turned and went into the inner hall.
Seeing her efficient actions, Zhou Yu nodded inwardly and turned to Cao Ang with a smile, "Zixiu, who is this Zhou Buyi? How could your sister-in-law value him so much?"
Cao Ang's face warmed: "Bu Yi is my best friend. He is very talented and has a wealth of knowledge. Over the years, I have often been troubled by my father's suspicions. I often confide in him, and he can always help me find the answers. He is truly a confidant."
Zhou Yu clapped his hands and said, "Oh? There is such a person? I really want to see him."
After about the time it takes to drink two cups of tea, footsteps sounded outside the door, and a young man strode in. Zhou Yu looked up and saw that he had a handsome face, wore a plain long robe, and exuded a scholarly air, but his eyes were clear and sharp, revealing a wisdom that saw through the world. Zhou Yu couldn't help but feel a sense of goodwill towards him.
As soon as Zhou Buyi entered, he smiled and said, "Zixiu, I heard from the servants that we have guests. Why didn't you say so earlier?" After Cao Ang introduced Zhou Yu, he quickly cupped his hands and said, "So you are Commander Zhou of Jiangdong. I have long admired your name. My apologies for not recognizing you sooner!"
Zhou Yu also stood up and returned the greeting: "Mr. Zhou, you are too kind."
After exchanging pleasantries, Zhou Yu briefly explained Ma Chao's proposal and the current situation. Zhou Buyi, upon hearing this, a glint of excitement in his eyes, turned to Cao Ang and said, "Zixiu, this is a godsend!"
Cao Ang was taken aback, his face showing surprise: "Undoubtedly, we have known each other for many years, and I have always known you to be calm and composed. How could you say this is a 'golden opportunity'? I don't see where this opportunity lies."
Zhou Buyi walked to the map and pointed his finger at the border between Xuzhou and Yanzhou: "You have always admired Liang King Ma Chao, how could I not know that? Over the years, we have secretly observed the governance of Xiliang, and seen how they appease the people, build water conservancy projects, and reduce taxes. Isn't every action taken with the people's well-being in mind? While the people of the Central Plains are suffering in the flames of war, the people under the rule of Xiliang can live and work in peace and contentment. This kind of stability is something that many people yearn for but cannot obtain."
He changed the subject, looking at Cao Ang: "In Xuzhou, you followed the example of Xiliang, reducing taxes and encouraging agriculture. Although the people's lives have improved, they are still not as peaceful as those in Xiliang. Why? Because the war in the Central Plains is ongoing, while Xiliang has pacified Hebei and Youzhou, and its foundation is solid. Now that Ma Chao's army is approaching Jiyin, the world's格局 (geju, a term referring to the overall situation or landscape) is about to change. If you can assess the situation, you can not only ensure the safety of the people of Xuzhou, but also leave a way out for the Cao family. Isn't this a golden opportunity?"
Hearing these words spoken in front of Zhou Yu, Cao Ang couldn't help but feel ashamed. He said in a low voice, "It's not that I don't know the merits of Xiliang, but... we are father and son after all, and I can't rest easy."
Zhou Buyi patted him on the shoulder: "Zixiu, 'filial piety' does not mean blind obedience. Cao Cao has been waging war for years and has long lost the hearts of the people. If you insist on following him down this dark path, you will truly harm the Cao family and the people of Xuzhou."
Cao Ang remained silent, his fingertips unconsciously stroking the edge of the table, clearly still struggling.
Seeing this, Zhou Buyi added fuel to the fire, his tone becoming even more earnest: "Zixiu, please be fair, how does the Cao family's current power compare to the Yuan family's back then?"
Cao Ang raised his eyes, his expression hardening, and said solemnly, "In terms of territory and military strength, my Cao family is far inferior to the Yuan family at its peak."
“That’s it.” Zhou Buyi pressed on. “The Yuan family occupied four provinces and had hundreds of thousands of soldiers. What power they had! Yet they committed treason, thinking they had victory in the bag. And what was the result? In less than two years, they were uprooted and wiped out by the Liang King’s army. If you still hold onto the idea of resisting Xiliang, how long can the Cao family hold out?”
He changed the subject, looking at Zhou Yu with sharp eyes: "Besides today, what kind of person is Commander Zhou? A pillar of Jiangdong, yet he is willing to come in person as an envoy. Clearly, he is already loyal to the King of Liang, or has already submitted, right?"
Upon hearing this, Zhou Yu nodded calmly and smiled, saying, "What you say is true, Mr. Zhou. I have indeed submitted to the King of Liang."
Zhou Buyi looked at Cao Ang and emphasized, "Look, even a hero like Commander Zhou is willing to submit, which shows the magnanimity of the King of Liang and the great power of Western Liang. Count them again, now the King of Liang has Western Liang, Yongzhou, Sili, Youzhou, Bingzhou, and Jizhou, most of Yanzhou has been pacified, Qingzhou has submitted at the mere sight of him, Jiangdong has Commander Zhou's assistance, and Shu County is also responding. Not to mention the past two years, when the King of Liang led his army westward, pacified the Qiang in the north, swept across the western plateau of the grasslands, and expanded his territory by thousands of miles—who in the world can match such momentum?"
He held up his fingers and counted them off one by one, his voice firm and resolute: "You do the math. Given the Cao family's current situation, what good can come of it if they contend with such a powerful ruler? Can they hold onto Xuchang, or can they protect the people of Xuzhou?"
These words struck Cao Ang like a heavy hammer blow. He looked out the window; the sky over Xuzhou was a clear, deep blue, but he knew that beneath this calm lay a storm brewing across the land. The lesson of the Yuan family's downfall was right before his eyes, and the unstoppable rise of Xiliang was undeniable. Zhou Buyi's words had hit the nail on the head.
Seeing that Cao Ang's mind was gradually making up, Zhou Buyi decided to speak frankly and his tone became more urgent: "Zixiu, think about it again. Now, confronting the King of Liang will only result in the slaughter of your soldiers and people in the country. What can you, Cao Ang, gain from this?"
He stepped forward, his gaze intense: "As the saying goes, 'If a man doesn't look out for himself, he'll be punished by heaven and earth'—it may be crude, but it holds some truth. You're not unaware of Cao Cao's intentions these past two years; he has clearly decided to pass the throne to Cao Pi. You've already made up your mind about these matters. Even if you were to send all the troops of Xuzhou to reinforce Jiyin, what could you do? Could you really withstand the 100,000-strong army of the King of Liang?"
"Even if you have a one in ten thousand chance of stopping the Prince of Liang, what then?" Zhou Buyi sneered. "The Prince of Liang dominates most of the land, while the Cao family is merely occupying a corner. In the end, they are just fish on a chopping board. If you do everything in your power, in the end, you'll only be doing all the work for Cao Pi. Is it worth it?"
"Furthermore, you watched Cao Gong get stuck in a rut, knowing full well that he didn't have the strength to confront the King of Liang, yet he insisted on resisting and refused to submit—is this your filial piety, Cao Zixiu?" He emphasized, "If the King of Liang really forces the Cao family to their dominance and the Cao family is destroyed, even if you risk your life, you won't be able to protect your clan. Is this the result you want?"
Zhou Buyi's tone softened slightly, but became even more earnest: "On the contrary, if you seize this opportunity to lead the Xuzhou troops to surrender and personally go to Yanzhou to persuade your father—given your status as the eldest son and your relationship as the brother-in-law of the King of Liang—you might be able to change his mind. If you can get the Cao family to surrender without firing a shot, the King of Liang has always been fair in his rewards and punishments, so why would he be stingy with rewards?"
“You are the eldest son of the Cao family and the brother-in-law of the King of Liang. Your future high office and generous salary are a given. Your son, Cao Rui, is the King of Liang's nephew. This kinship is enough to ensure the Cao family's lineage continues and its descendants hold high office for generations.” Zhou Buyi looked at Cao Ang and said, word by word, “To ensure the continuation of the clan and its unbroken glory—isn't this a deeper form of filial piety? Yet you insist on getting stuck in a rut, knowingly doing the impossible. This isn't loyalty, it's blind loyalty; it's not filial piety, it's blind obedience!”
These words were like peeling back layers of an onion, analyzing the advantages and disadvantages thoroughly. Even Zhou Yu, who was standing to the side, nodded in approval. Zhou Buyi was not only very talented, but also understood people's hearts. With just a few words, he hit Cao Ang's most vulnerable spot.
Cao Ang's expression shifted rapidly, his fingers clenched tightly until his knuckles turned white. Zhou Buyi's words were like a mirror, reflecting the deepest struggle in his heart: on one side was the bond between father and son and the old clan traditions, on the other was the safety of his wife and children and the long-term future of his family. He gazed towards the inner hall, as if he could see the figures of Ma Yunlu and Cao Rui, and the last line of defense in his heart finally collapsed.
"Enough..." He let out a long breath, his voice slightly hoarse but unusually firm, "I do not doubt that what you say is reasonable. I... am willing to lead Xuzhou to submit to the King of Liang."
A look of joy flashed in Zhou Buyi's eyes, and he clapped his hands, saying, "Zixiu's ability to make up his mind is truly a blessing for the Cao family and for Xuzhou!"
Zhou Yu also rose, cupped his hands in greeting, and said with a smile, "Brother Zixiu is a man of great righteousness. The King of Liang will surely be delighted to hear of this. I will immediately send someone to inform the King of Liang and arrange for his assistance."
The sunlight streaming through the window fell directly onto Cao Ang's face, dispelling the last trace of gloom. He knew that this decision might earn him the stigma of "betraying his father," but it would provide the Cao family with the safest possible escape route—in this chaotic world, being able to spare the clan and the people from the ravages of war was the greatest act of compassion.