I Can Control My Ancestors-Chapter 245 - 23: Cao Cao’s Death, The Opportunity to Unify the Land Arises

Chapter 245: Chapter 23: Cao Cao’s Death, The Opportunity to Unify the Land Arises

Continuous calamities kept coming.

This inevitably made Cao Cao’s health deteriorate.

Yet, he continued to insist on mobilizing troops to defend the most important regions to him.

He directly handed the slightly shallower-rooted region of Yangzhou State to Liu Bei.

Exerting all efforts to block Gu Chen’s offensive.

But the situation was becoming increasingly tense.

Cao Cao’s decline was something everyone could sense.

And unrest in people’s hearts cannot be reversed by strict defense alone!

Rebellions emerged one after another.

Local powerful figures even began to lead the way, wanting to take this opportunity to pledge allegiance to Gu Chen.

Especially in Jizhou State.

Although Gu Chen had not personally gone to Jizhou State, and the Gu Clan of Julu had always remained inactive.

The expectations of Jizhou’s people for the Gu Clan far exceeded Cao Cao’s imagination.

They may not know the name of Zhang Liao, but they know whom he follows.

Since Gu Chen’s uprising, he had never used the name of the Gu Clan of Julu.

But he also bore the surname Gu!

This was a natural advantage for the people of Jizhou State.

Especially over the years, Gu Chen’s systems in various states made countless people yearn for him across the world.

Cao Cao’s situation was like a lone boat in the stormy sea, teetering on the edge.

Pressures from all sides came like a landslide, making him feel like a trapped beast in a thorny bush, with every struggle being relentlessly cut by sharp thorns. In the desperate situation surrounded by enemies, a slight carelessness would result in being wholly swallowed by darkness.

And this day was not far off.

In June of Jian’an, the twelfth year.

Cao Cao’s most trusted advisor Guo Jia suddenly passed away.

Like the last straw that broke the camel’s back, it thoroughly brought Cao Cao down.

....

Peng City, Grand Tutor’s residence.

The atmosphere among the ministers was extremely heavy, each face full of worry, and some had even started shedding tears.

At this moment, Cao Ang hurriedly rushed back.

"Father!!!"

He shouted urgently, rushed directly into the inner hall, and saw Cao Cao lying on the bed with only a breath left.

The next moment, he knelt directly.

"Father!!!"

Looking at Cao Cao now, Cao Ang was completely stunned.

Tears continually slipped from his eyes.

He found it hard to accept that the father who was once full of vigor, capable of achieving anything, would fall to this state today.

"Zi Xiu."

Cao Cao slowly opened his eyes, looked at Cao Ang, and tried to sit up, forcing his weakened body.

But he was indeed too weak at the moment.

Even getting up was difficult.

Seeing this, Cao Ang felt even sadder, quickly stepped forward to help Cao Cao up, his body trembling uncontrollably.

"Why cry?"

Cao Cao smiled calmly, gently wiped the tears from Cao Ang’s eyes: "Even Gu Gong, Marquis Wencheng, Guangwu Emperor, and Emperor Ming died."

"Let alone me, Cao Cao?"

There was no fear of death on his face, only worry for the future and a bit of reluctance.

"Father!"

Cao Ang clasped Cao Cao’s hand tightly, the sadness on his face unabated.

Cao Cao just looked at his eldest son.

His expression grew more complex.

He took a deep breath before speaking again: "Zi Xiu."

"You are my eldest son."

"I will let you inherit my position, do not blame your father."

Cao Cao’s tone inexplicably turned serious, his gaze fixed on Cao Ang.

"Do not worry, Father."

Cao Ang did not hesitate, immediately nodded: "I will never let you down, Father, I will strive to seize the Celestial Mandate of the Cao Clan. If I fail, I will at least protect the clan!"

His tone was determined.

Cao Cao had already talked to him about this.

The Cao Clan reaching this day was not without a way out.

After all, Cao Cao had never participated in the secret assaults against Gu Xi by the aristocratic families, nor had he attacked the Gu Clan of Julu.

Being at this point, he had no way out.

But the Cao Clan still had the clan!

It was nothing but abandoning interests and forgetting all hatred.

Though he didn’t know if all this would help, it was the last arrangement Cao Cao could make for his offspring and his clan.

Upon hearing it, Cao Cao finally nodded slightly.

He did not say anything more.

Perhaps it was because of a sudden return of strength before death, he suddenly felt a slight recovery in his body.

Cao Cao did not speak any unnecessary words as he slowly rose and headed toward the hall’s entrance.

Under the astonished gaze of everyone present.

He announced the decree he had long decided, officially handing over his legacy to Cao Ang, and spoke about his arrangements after death.

"Throughout my life, I’ve traversed the realm, enduring countless battles, finally establishing a dominion."

"Now with the end imminent, many regrets remain, difficult to chase."

"...."

Crying sounds continuously echoed.

The Cao Clan youths were all in immense sorrow.

Yet from beginning to end, Cao Cao showed not the slightest fear of death, even treating his own funeral with casualness.

Everyone listened with utmost seriousness.

The words gradually ceased.

The whole hall slowly settled into silence.

Cao Cao gazed at the sunlight outside the hall, seemingly making some sudden decision.

Then, under everyone’s astonished eyes.

Cao Cao directly walked out of the hall.

He summoned his steed and, without a care for anything else, rode straight out of the city.

"Father!"

Cao Ang and all the civil and military officials were completely bewildered.

Calling out as they hurriedly chased after.

Cao Cao paid no heed, riding straight to the city outskirts, stopping at a high slope by the Si River.

——The setting sun was as crimson as blood.

Gazing at the turbulent river water before him; gazing at the distant vast realm.

Under the setting sun’s illumination, everything appeared so enchanting.

In this moment, countless thoughts flashed through his mind.

Before dying, everyone reflects on their life.

Cao Cao had long forgotten when his ambition had first arisen.

Perhaps it was upon hearing of Gu Xi’s death, or perhaps it was when he defeated the awe-inspiring Yuan Shao to become the strongest warlord under the heavens.

His initial ideal was merely to become the Great Han’s General of the Western Expedition.

To sweep away the realm’s brigands, elevate the Great Han to its pinnacle like the Gu Clan’s Three Ministers, elevate his entire family to its pinnacle.

Yet the present stands contrary to the past.

Cao Cao could not help but ponder a question, silently asking himself if he regretted?

But almost instantly, he shook his head.

What is there to regret?

Looking across the present realm, if not for the Gu Clan and Gu Chen’s appearance, which warlords could have stopped him?

Thinking of this ——

He could not help but burst into laughter.

Such achievements are sufficient for his pride!

At this moment, Cao Ang and other civil and military ministers also arrived. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

Gazing at Cao Cao, mounted on his warhorse under the setting sun, laughing heartily, everyone was stunned.

Silently, they knelt behind Cao Cao, unwilling to disturb.

Cao Cao laughed for a long time, his gaze always looking over the vast realm.

Time slowly trickled by.

He seemed to faintly sense something.

The laughter suddenly halted, followed by a lifetime’s worth of loud yelling:

"Old steed’s bones may fade, but why does the long night never dawn!"

With that said.

He appeared to exhaust all his strength, his whole body suddenly trembling.

The setting sun grew increasingly dim.

The next moment, Cao Cao directly fell from his horse.

"Father!!!".....

——————

"Cao Cao styled Mengde, was a native of Qiao, Pei Country.

In his youth, astute and possessing resourcefulness, despite being born to an official family, his talents surpassed his contemporaries.

Initially followed Grand Tutor Gu Xi to quell the Yellow Turban Uprising, observed the powerful clans of the states with different ambitions, secretly building his troops, waiting for the right time.

Outwardly showed humility to Yuan Shao, used his name to take Yan Province, then allied with Liu Bei to attack the Yuan Clan, in the Battle of Qing River, Shao’s forces scattered, subsequently consolidating Jizhou and Youzhou.

Then he devoured Qing, Yu, eyed Yang, Xu, held the Emperor captive, commanding feudal lords, his prestige shaking the realm.

Yet Celestial Mandate must be bestowed, even heroic talents cannot defy.

Gu Chen of Jizhou, Cao’s unyielding adversary for twenty years.

Losing his stratagems in Yingchuan, his edge dulled in Chen Country, besieged in Huainan, hindering Cao Cao’s ambition of unifying the realm.

In the summer of Jian’an’s twelfth year, Cao’s chronic illness suddenly flared in Peng City.

At the brink of death, he rode to Si River, laughed aloud: "Old steed’s bones may fade, but why does the long night never dawn!"

After speaking, he passed away."

——"The Record of Heroes of the Late Han. Cao Cao’s Chapter"