Three Kingdoms: Prince of the Great Wei, Prime Minister Cao - Chapter 17

Chapter 17: Cao Cao – My Son, Are You Teaching Your Father How to Act?

Cao Cao’s loss of composure was clearly evident, and Cao Ju astutely observed it.

However, compared to Cao Cao’s surprise, Cao Ju remained composed, nodding calmly at his father.

“I won’t conceal it from you, Father.”

“I am indeed aware.”

Cao Cao scrutinized his son from the commanding seat, who openly acknowledged understanding the rationale behind executing Xun You. An unspoken anger surged within him.

“You impudent youngster!”

“Now that you comprehend my intentions, why did you still interfere?”

“Or…”

“Do you believe…”

“Being my son, flesh and blood of Cao Cao, exempts you from the consequences of disrupting my grand plan?”

If Cao Cao had been shocked by his son’s insight earlier, now he was incensed by Cao Ju’s “waywardness” and “recklessness.”

His son was proving to be quite a handful. Below, in the scene, Cao Ju regarded his father, Cao Cao, as emanating stern authority. Despite his recent outburst towards Cao Cao, he genuinely felt little fear. Even a tiger’s fierceness didn’t extend to devouring its cubs. Cao Ju didn’t believe his father, Cao Cao, would sever his head over this matter.

Moreover, he wasn’t his elder brother Cao Pi, who had wilted under Cao Cao’s intimidation shortly before exiting the room. From Cao Ju’s perspective, if he didn’t advance boldly now and instead acted submissively under Cao Cao’s dominance, that would truly be “inviting death.”

Thus, Cao Ju said, “Father, it’s not that I intend to undermine your grand plans, but regarding diminishing the influence of the prominent families and gentry in Yingchuan…”

“You seem rather impatient,”

“At present, the realm is not yet settled. Zhang Lu of the Five Pecks of Rice Sect remains in Hanzhong, Liu Jiyu still holds sway in Xichuan, Liu Xuande persists in Jingzhou, Sun Quan in Jiangdong and Jiaozhou, and Shi Xie.”

“With the four corners of the land in uncertainty, you’re in a hurry to take action against the Yingchuan gentlemen aiding you in your quest for supremacy. Isn’t that self-weakening?” As Cao Ju spoke, his tone paused slightly.

“There’s a saying: ‘Without foresight, one will encounter immediate troubles.'”

“And in my view,”

“Compared to the various regional warlords who are not yet subdued, the threat posed by the power of the noble families…”

Cao Ju glanced at Cao Cao and spoke earnestly, “At most, it can be considered as foresight. The real imminent danger lies with the various regional lords. That’s the immediate trouble. If the major threat isn’t addressed, and they amass enough strength to march their armies northward to conquer the Central Plains…”

“If you, Father, plan to confront them at that juncture,”

“It might already be too late.”

In Cao Ju’s perspective, the threat posed by the prominent families and gentry was inconsequential compared to Sun Quan and Liu Bei. If Cao Cao and his successors didn’t compromise with the gentry, those influential families could be dealt with and weakened anytime. However, Liu Bei and Sun Quan were different. They were like two dormant dragons with ambitious aspirations and ambitions that soared as high as the clouds. When storms arose, they could transform into dragons at any moment.

Add to that the butterfly effect caused by his presence as a time traveler…

Who knows if the future history will still unfold as he knew from his previous life? If there’s no change, that’s fine.

At least it could ensure that Sun Quan and Liu Bei would engage in internal strife, Jiangdong would seize Jingzhou, and Liu Xuande would suffer defeat at Yiling. But if history’s wheel took a 180-degree turn due to his existence… in such a case…

“Hehe!

Absolutely enough to give this time-traveling contender for Wei Wu’s successor a headache and a pot of tea. At the main seat, Cao Cao scrutinized his son, Cao Ju, who offered advice. After staring for a prolonged moment, he suddenly felt a mix of irritation and amusement.

“Hehe!”

“My son, are you delivering a lecture to your father…”

“Instructing your father on how to proceed?”

During the conversation, Cao Cao slowly returned to his original position.

“Hmph!”

“You believe that the various regional lords are immediate concerns, while the gradually strengthening aristocratic families are long-term worries.”

“But, have you considered…”

Cao Cao’s expression turned into a wry smile. His index finger tapped on the long table before him, creating a series of crisp sounds.

“Dong!”

“Dong!”

“Dong!”

After the three sounds, Cao Cao emitted a superficial smile.

“To secure the external, one must first stabilize the internal!”

“If we allow the influential families to burgeon unchecked, even if your father unifies the world and brings order to this tumultuous era…”

Cao Cao’s voice suddenly rose. He pointed at Cao Ju’s nose and admonished, “You rascal!”

“How can you be so certain…”

“The empire and the ancestral temples I, your father, have established, weren’t they tailored as bridal attire for those influential families?

Weren’t they exploited and seized by them?!” Cao Cao questioned sharply.

He wanted to see. What arguments did his son still have at this point? Hearing Cao Cao’s stern rebuke and his expressed concerns…

Cao Ju fell silent momentarily. Because, as a time traveler, he knew that Cao Cao’s worries were not groundless rumors.

The Sima family’s usurpation of the throne and the subsequent alignment of various local families and families with the Sima family…

To some extent, it could be said that this was a manifestation of the influential families eclipsing the Cao Wei regime. The later “Wang” and “Ma” eras during the Jin Dynasty it was almost a vivid reflection of these influential families seizing imperial power and overshadowing the authority of the sovereign.

Regarding this, he couldn’t outright claim that Cao Cao was overly anxious or completely mistaken. He could only say… The visionary Emperor Wei Wu foresaw things that others couldn’t.

With such thoughts in mind, Cao Ju placed his hand over his heart, feeling the substantial sensation of the object tucked within his embrace, and he chuckled lightly.

“Father,”

“The troubles caused by aristocratic families, are they worth worrying about?”

“Your son possesses an item,”

“Capable of shattering all the aristocratic families, powerful clans, and gates in the world!”

Then, under Cao Cao’s gaze, Cao Ju extended his hand towards his chest…