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

Chapter 35: The Mighty Wei Army, Temporarily Commanded by My Father Cao Cao!

Regarding Guo Jia’s son’s character and temperament, Cao Ju refrained from engaging in extensive debate with Dian Man. Instead, he took advantage of the leisurely journey out of the city to appreciate the scenery within Hefei. After all, upon arriving in Hefei yesterday, he hadn’t had the chance to properly assess the strategic significance of this city, which played a crucial role during the late Han and Three Kingdoms era. His elder brothers, Cao Pi, and Cao Zhang, immediately dragged him to stand before Cao Cao and received a scolding.

As he surveyed the surroundings, Cao Ju’s estimation of Hefei City continued to rise. He noticed that there were hardly any commoners within Hefei City. Rather than being called a city, it seemed more like a defensive war fortress constructed by the Cao army.

Given its strategic position, it could be considered the military core of the entire Cao Cao faction in the southeastern direction.

If the enemy sought to attack Hefei city, it would be impossible without amassing significant force. Contemplating how Sun Quan, the Great Emperor of Eastern Wu, repeatedly failed in attempts to conquer Hefei, Cao Ju suddenly realized that, apart from the suspicion that he might lose his head on the battlefield due to his lack of military prowess, there might be another reason:

Hefei City was truly a formidable stronghold. As he walked and observed, evaluating along the way, nearly half an hour had passed by the time Cao Ju reached the south gate of Hefei City on foot. However, upon exiting the south gate and before he could locate the main army, a formidable atmosphere of warfare, accompanied by the sounds of clashing weapons and the resounding drums of war, engulfed him.

What reached his ears were the cries of soldiers and the neighing of horses, and the rhythm of the drums echoed to the heavens.

What Cao Ju saw before his eyes was an immense army that filled the field. Countless Cao soldiers, each emanating a fierce aura, assembled along designated routes, armed with weapons.

The sounds of armor and weapons clashing during their march conducted the most resounding melody. Under the influence of this melody, even someone like Cao Ju, who had never set foot on a battlefield, was caught up in the atmosphere.

He’s got a long spear, and suddenly, he’s confident enough to face Guan Yu, the Martial Saint of Changshan, for a hundred rounds. This feeling is something that watching historical TV dramas in his previous life, or the edited war scenes through cameras could never provide.

Because Cao Ju was well aware that those were fiction. But what lay before his eyes was as real as it could get.

“Is this the invincible army under my father’s command that swept through the Central Plains, defeated the two Yuans, and campaigned against the Wuhuan on the northern frontier?”

“Truly magnificent!”

“If it weren’t for the Battle of Red Cliffs defeat…Perhaps the army before my eyes is already the force that will unite the realm.”

Cao Ju whispered to himself, expressing his amazement and deep thoughts.

Standing behind Cao Ju, Dian Man wasn’t surprised by his reaction. After all, this was Cao Ju’s first time on a battlefield. If he acted indifferent, then Dian Man would have found it strange. After a stick of incense had burned, Cao Ju suppressed his excitement and forcibly calmed himself down.

At this moment, there was only one thought in his mind: In this majestic and mighty Great Wei military, my father, Lord Cao, can temporarily command it on my behalf. In the coming days, I shall lead this army to conquer all directions. I will expand our borders and compose a timeless anthem of the grandeur of Great Wei.

As Cao Ju was indulging in these visions…

Suddenly, his ears caught a few calls. “Lord!” “Lord!” “The Prime Minister is calling you over!”

Belatedly returning to his senses, Cao Ju saw Dian Man’s hand waving before him, trying to awaken his absent-minded state. And right before him, a guardsman from Cao Cao’s retinue was reporting something.

Looking into the distance, Cao Ju noticed that his father, Cao Cao, who was in his carriage, had left the city at some point. He was gazing in Cao Ju’s direction. Cao Ju was startled. He raised his hand and gave himself a light slap.

“I, Cao Zimule, am determined to be the most filial son to my father, Cao Cao.”

“How could I have such treasonous thoughts?”

“No matter how much I yearn to address myself as ‘We’ and ‘Emperor,’ it’s impossible, lonely on this path addressing the few…”

“Then…”

“Then you’d better turn our father, Cao Cao, into the late Emperor before considering that!”

Thinking this way, ashamed of his treasonous thoughts, Cao Ju quickly jogged to Cao Cao’s carriage.

“Father!” “Are you looking for me, Father?!”

Feeling guilty, Cao Ju’s demeanor was extremely respectful, with a lowered head and humble posture as he addressed Cao Cao.