Chapter 8: Throw Those Two Out for Me!

"All the lords who joined the campaign against Dong Zhuo—each and every one of them—is nothing but a bunch of incompetents!"

Lu Chuan spoke bluntly, directly insulting Cao Cao.

Cao Cao’s immediate reaction was to retort angrily.

How dare you call me an incompetent?

But considering the current situation, he had no choice but to endure in silence.

“Why do you say that, Lord Lu? Yuan Shao is a descendant of four generations of chancellors, a paragon of the realm, leading the charge against Dong Zhuo in accordance with the will of the people. Could he also be an incompetent?”

“Yuan Shao? Stubborn and indecisive, cautious to a fault, unwilling to risk himself in great endeavors—such an incompetent, what great achievement can he possibly have?”

“Then… what about Yuan Shu?”

“Yuan Shu? He only has the support of the Yuan family because he is a legitimate heir; his true ability is even less than Yuan Shao’s! If Yuan Shao is an incompetent, then Yuan Shu is the worst of the worst!”

“And what about the fierce tiger of Jiangdong, Sun Jian and Sun Wentai?”

“Just a reckless brute, with no background, no lineage, shortsighted and inflexible. He’s even inferior to his child under ten years old—it’s utterly laughable!”

Cao Cao furrowed his brows tightly. He hadn’t expected that Lu Chuan, just a humble county magistrate, would dare to speak so harshly of the heroes across the land!

If these words were to be spread, it wouldn’t be long before his own county of Lu was trampled by the Yuan family.

Beside him, Xiahou Dun couldn’t hold back either. “If you look down on Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu, then tell me—who in this world meets your standards?”

“Who can meet my standards?”

Lu Chuan looked up, involuntarily recalling a phrase Cao Cao once said:

“In the world of heroes, only Cao and the governor stand out.”

“The world is vast, but only two men can truly be called heroes!”

“Two men?”

Cao Cao’s interest was piqued. “Then, Lord Lu, who do you think they are?”

“Liu Bei and Cao Cao.”

Cao Cao’s eyes brightened. He hadn’t expected such high praise from Lu Chuan.

Neither Yuan Shao nor Yuan Shu could catch Lu Chuan’s eye, yet he called Cao Cao a hero!

Though Lu Chuan was just a county magistrate, with little reputation and moderate ability, receiving such commendation still pleased Cao Cao.

As for Liu Bei—Cao Cao had heard the name. Apparently a member of the Han imperial clan, but with little presence. He had earned merit in the campaign against the Yellow Turbans but had since disappeared from the public eye. No one knew what he was doing.

Xiahou Dun’s expression eased somewhat, but he pressed on.

"You, Cao Cao, also took part in the campaign against Dong Zhuo, even initiating it. Yet you just said all the lords who joined were incompetents, didn’t you?”

“Exactly, I’m not wrong!”

Lu Chuan’s face remained unchanged. “I call Cao Cao a hero—not because he is one now, but because he will become one in the future!

Right now, Cao Cao is still weak, with limited vision and insight. Is it wrong to call him incompetent?

Though he initiated the campaign and many lords responded, that doesn’t change the fact that the campaign will fail. Cao Cao will suffer defeat and heavy losses.”

“You’re talking nonsense! We…”

“Silence!”

Cao Cao quickly stopped Xiahou Dun, fearing he might say something wrong.

“Lord Lu, now that so many lords have answered the call and gathered their armies to campaign against Dong Zhuo, with Yuan Shao as their chosen leader, commanding hundreds of thousands of soldiers, with fierce generals and talented strategists, how could they not defeat Dong Zhuo?”

Lu Chuan shook his head. “More people doesn’t necessarily mean success. When so many lords gather, do you think all of them truly aim to defeat Dong Zhuo and restore the Han dynasty? Is there no one with selfish intentions?

An alliance’s greatest danger is disunity, with each harboring ulterior motives.

When war arrives, they don’t think about bravely fighting the enemy, defeating Dong Zhuo, and saving the emperor. Instead, they seek to protect themselves, exhaust others’ strength, and after Dong Zhuo falls, claim the greatest benefits for themselves!

What use is such an alliance?”

Cao Cao’s expression shifted constantly as he realized the truth in Lu Chuan’s words.

With so many lords gathered, how can one ensure their hearts are united?

He, Cao Mengde, deeply grateful to the Han, was willing to sacrifice everything—even his life—to save the emperor. But were others of the same mind?

If even one harbored selfish thoughts, what then?

The most unpredictable thing in the world is the human heart.

Cao Cao fell silent, needing to ponder deeply the meaning and value of this anti-Dong Zhuo coalition.

Xiahou Dun, not overthinking, asked again: “Even if the lords are hard to unite, with an army of hundreds of thousands, Dong Zhuo is no match! I think you’re just spreading alarmism, making wild guesses! You even say Cao Cao will be defeated and suffer heavy losses—that’s pure nonsense!”

“How is it nonsense? Cao Cao’s heart lies with Han, even if he knows…”

Lu Chuan spoke passionately, then suddenly noticed the remaining lifespan indicator above his head flashing rapidly!

He had seen this twice before.

The first time was when he recruited Dian Wei, and his remaining lifespan rapidly decreased from over 280 years to about 250 years.

The second time was when he exchanged for the “Friend of Military and Civil Talents,” dropping from 207 years to 157 years.

A rapidly flashing lifespan means his life is about to be shortened!

Lu Chuan immediately fell silent, his expression grave.

Why?

He had done nothing, nor met any historical figure. Why was his lifespan shrinking?

Wait!

Those two men in front of him?

Lu Chuan reacted swiftly, recalling the soldier’s report: they had encountered Cao Cao and Xiahou Dun at the city gate.

In an instant, a possibility dawned on him…

Cao Cao was listening carefully to Lu Chuan’s words. Though he didn’t believe he would be defeated in this campaign, nor suffer heavy losses, Lu Chuan’s confident tone aroused his curiosity to hear more.

But halfway through, Lu Chuan suddenly shouted fiercely:

“Cao Ah Man! You have quite the nerve!!”

“Ah? I… what…”

Hearing the familiar nickname, Cao Cao instinctively responded, then realized he had been trapped.

Seeing Cao Cao’s reaction, Lu Chuan sneered coldly.

“So it really is you! I never thought you, Cao Cao, would stoop to disguise and impersonation! Truly eye-opening!”

Cao Cao’s disguise was uncovered, and he became flustered.

“Lord Lu, that’s not what I meant. Please let me explain—I mean no harm…”

“Enough! No need to explain! Lu County does not welcome you!”

Lu Chuan had no desire to hear Cao Cao’s explanation. It had been far too close a call; he almost revealed vital information to Cao Cao.

If Cao Cao learned in advance that he would be defeated pursuing Dong Zhuo and prepared accordingly, wouldn’t that alter history?

If history was altered, the system would deduct from Lu Chuan’s lifespan!

That would be to gamble with his very life!

“Guards! Escort these two out immediately!”