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The attempted abduction of the deposed Emperor Liu Bian, though unsuccessful, sent shockwaves through the court and the public.
Although Liu Bian was ultimately intercepted by Lü Bu, Empress Dowager He died amidst the chaos, and Liu Bian's consort, Lady Tang, disappeared without a trace...
Lü Bu, who was present at the scene, identified the would-be abductor as Cao Cao. Immediately, Dong Zhuo ordered a raid on Cao Cao's residence, only to find that apart from a few servants, the entire Cao family had vanished without a trace...
Enraged, Dong Zhuo issued a nationwide warrant for Cao Cao's arrest, plastering posters of Cao Cao's thick-browed, small-eyed visage across all cities, and proclaimed, "Whoever captures and delivers him will be rewarded with a thousand gold pieces and the title of Marquis of Ten Thousand Households!"
Rumors surfaced that Yuan Shu, the nephew of Yuan Wei, was also involved in the plot. However, with no eyewitnesses, including Lü Bu and the palace guards, confirming Yuan Shu's presence, and the only evidence being an unsigned letter, Dong Zhuo had no choice but to drop the matter after Yuan Wei tearfully pleaded his innocence.
Thus, the top three young nobles of Luoyang—Yuan Shao, Yuan Shu, and Cao Cao—had all fled the city, embarking on their paths as regional warlords.
Lü Bu, rewarded for his merits, was enfeoffed as the Marquis of Wen, granted additional honors, and awarded a thousand gold pieces...
After the incident, Lü Bu sent a message to Fei Qian, thanking him for his advice on finding the Fangtian Halberd, which had contributed to his success, and suggesting they meet for a drink sometime...
Upon learning of these events, Fei Qian was unsure whether to laugh or cry. "This wasn't my doing! If Senior Brother Cao Cao knew I had a hand in this, would he hold a grudge forever? But wait, wasn't Cao Cao supposed to offer a sword? How did it turn into an attempted abduction of the Emperor?"
"Has my arrival altered something, making history diverge from what I remember? Where is this timeline heading? Is this still the same Three Kingdoms era?"
"Ah, if this continues, what advantage do I have with my foreknowledge? I had planned to tread carefully, using my knowledge of history to avoid dangers, but now I can't even see the path ahead. It feels as though countless blades are poised to strike me from the shadows..."
Fei Qian shuddered.
He decided to visit Cai Yong's residence to gauge his mentor's thoughts. After all, Cao Cao, who had orchestrated this incident, was Cai Yong's disciple. If Dong Zhuo decided to investigate further, it could spell trouble. If he could persuade Cai Yong to leave under the pretext of seeking refuge, it would be for the best.
Given his current vulnerable position, what could he do even with the best intentions? Luoyang was no longer safe. It was better to flee sooner rather than later, lest he meet an untimely end...
When Fei Qian arrived at Cai Yong's residence, the latter was reading in his study.
After the maid served tea and they exchanged pleasantries, Fei Qian said, "Master, I have been studying the *Zuo Zhuan* recently and have come across a doubt. I seek your guidance."
"Speak," Cai Yong replied. Though troubled by the current situation, he set aside his worries to address Fei Qian's question.
Fei Qian said, "In the past, Duke Xian of Jin wanted to make Li Ji his principal wife. He consulted the tortoise shells, which foretold ill fortune, but the yarrow stalks predicted good fortune. Duke Xian followed the yarrow stalks and made Li Ji his wife. She bore him a son named Xi Qi, whom he intended to make his heir. Li Ji then tricked the crown prince into offering sacrifices at Quwo and presented the sacrificial meat to Duke Xian after letting it rot for six days. I wonder, how could Duke Xian not notice the stench of the meat?"
This was a famous story from the *Zuo Zhuan* about Duke Xian of Jin, a powerful ruler during the Spring and Autumn period who reigned for 26 years—a relatively long reign for that era.
Duke Xian, upon ascending the throne, eliminated all potential threats to his rule, including the descendants of Duke Wen of Jin. He adopted a policy of honoring the Zhou king to boost his prestige. During his reign, he conquered numerous states, earning a reputation as a formidable ruler.
Yet, such a powerful figure was deceived by a piece of rotten meat? Could he really not have noticed the stench?
Fei Qian posed this question to Cai Yong.
Cai Yong, well-versed in the allusion, nodded and said, "Duke Xian's decision to make Li Ji his principal wife shows his autocratic nature. Li Ji deliberately let the meat rot so that Duke Xian would not eat it, thereby enabling her to frame the crown prince."
Fei Qian then asked, "If Duke Xian hated the crown prince and the crown prince died, why did he also execute Du Yuan Kuan, the crown prince's tutor?"
"Perhaps out of fear that he had been complicit..." Cai Yong trailed off, deep in thought.
Fei Qian had gone to great lengths to steer the conversation toward this point, hoping Cai Yong would realize that Dong Zhuo, like Duke Xian, was an autocratic ruler. Such men often killed on a whim. Now that Cao Cao, Cai Yong's disciple, had angered Dong Zhuo, could Cai Yong be sure that Dong Zhuo wouldn't suspect him of being behind the plot?
Even if Dong Zhuo hadn't targeted Cai Yong yet, who could guarantee he wouldn't change his mind?
Fei Qian glanced at Cai Yong's expression and continued, "Shen Sheng stayed and died, while Chong Er fled and survived. Why is that?" Shen Sheng was the crown prince framed by Li Ji. When Duke Xian sent men to arrest him, Shen Sheng stayed and was killed. Chong Er, also framed by Li Ji, fled and survived.
Cai Yong remained silent. By now, he understood that Fei Qian hadn't come to seek guidance but to warn him of the danger posed by Dong Zhuo and to persuade him to flee.
Regardless of anything else, Cai Yong was touched by Fei Qian's concern for his safety. However, such a decision couldn't be made lightly. Having lived in Luoyang for so many years, Cai Yong needed to consider where he would go if he were to leave.
With a hint of appreciation, Cai Yong looked at Fei Qian and said, "I understand your meaning. Let me think it over..."
Fei Qian thought to himself, "As long as you're considering it, that's good enough." He prepared to take his leave, but Cai Yong stopped him, saying that his senior sister, Cai Yan, had left instructions for Fei Qian to submit his homework if he visited.
Fei Qian nearly spat blood. "I haven't had time to do any homework these past few days! This is going to be the death of me..."
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A/N: Historically, Cao Cao did not offer a sword; that was a fictional addition by Luo Guanzhong. Among the three young nobles, Yuan Shao left first, followed by Cao Cao, and then Yuan Shu. Historical records are sparse, but Yuan Shao left due to political disagreements with Yuan Wei, while Cao Cao and Yuan Shu were initially courted by Dong Zhuo. Something must have happened to prompt their departures. Later, Yuan Shu sent Cao Cao a letter reminiscing about their past, possibly referring to the killing of Zhang Rang or the events described here involving the attempted abduction of the Emperor or rebellion... In any case, this is just one interpretation, and readers are free to enjoy it as they will... Additionally, the Emperor was deposed on the first day of the ninth month, Empress Dowager He died on the third day, and Liu Bian was killed much later, while Lady Tang survived, unlike in the novel where she died alongside him.