Three Kingdoms: Ruining the Family Legacy

Yuan An's suggestion was rejected by Yuan Shu, so he dared not say more.

He prepared a luxurious carriage and had the driver take the young master toward Cao Cao's jurisdiction.

Yuan An himself followed on foot beside the carriage.

Yuan Shu gazed out of the carriage window, taking in the customs and scenery of Luoyang during the late Eastern Han Dynasty.

At this time, Luoyang had not yet been ravaged by war and still appeared quite prosperous.

The streets were crowded with pedestrians, and commercial activities were bustling. Vendors' cries echoed endlessly.

Passersby, upon seeing Yuan Shu's distinctive carriage, hurriedly avoided it, fearing that being hit by the carriage would lead to an inevitable beating.

Observing the fearful expressions of Luoyang's citizens, Yuan Shu couldn't help but feel a bit embarrassed.

"Predecessor, oh predecessor, what exactly did you do to frighten the people of Luoyang so badly?"

It seems that changing the people's perception of me won't be an overnight task.

The Yuan family, as a powerful aristocratic clan, naturally resided in a prime location.

Their home was in the city center of Luoyang, right next to the imperial palace.

To reach the northern part of the city, they still had some distance to cover.

Although Luoyang was a large city, ancient city sizes couldn't compare to modern ones.

In less than half an hour, Yuan Shu's carriage arrived in the northern part of Luoyang, officially entering Cao Cao's jurisdiction.

Yuan Shu thought to himself, "This Cao Cao kid is cunning. Would he really patrol diligently?

What if this guy skipped work today? Wouldn't I have come for nothing?"

"Young master, there seems to be a large crowd gathered ahead, and it looks like a disturbance has occurred!"

While Yuan Shu was lost in thought, Yuan An's voice suddenly came through.

"What's going on? Let's go take a look," Yuan Shu ordered Yuan An.

Cao Mengde, regardless of his character, was undoubtedly highly capable.

Since Cao Cao was responsible for the northern district's security, how could he possibly allow such chaos to occur?

Up ahead, the crowd had gathered so densely that it caused a blockage.

The carriage had trouble moving forward. Yuan Shu stepped out and pushed through the crowd.

"Move aside! Don't block the path of my young master!"

Yuan An eagerly cleared the way for Yuan Shu, allowing him to smoothly reach the center of the commotion.

Looking ahead, Yuan Shu saw a young man, not particularly handsome but exuding authority, standing in the middle.

He was dressed in the official armor of a Han military officer, with a sword at his waist and several soldiers behind him.

Opposite him stood an elderly man, dressed in luxurious clothing, clearly engaged in a confrontation with the young man.

"System, investigate the attributes of this young man," Yuan Shu ordered.

It was obvious that the young man was Cao Mengde (Cao Cao).

As for the old man opposing him, he was likely no ordinary person either.

However, Yuan Shu's focus was entirely on Cao Cao, with no interest in the old man's attributes.

"Ding! Query successful. Talent Name: Cao Cao."

"Current Cao Cao Attributes:

Martial Skill: 65

Leadership: 82

Intelligence: 85

Politics: 60

Charm: 77

Luck: 84"

"Peak Cao Cao Attributes:

Martial Skill: 69

Leadership: 99

Intelligence: 95

Politics: 92

Charm: 99

Luck: 98"

"Cao Cao's Skills:

Capable Minister (Awakened): When fully devoted to serving the Han Dynasty, all attributes increase by 2 points.

Scheming Hero (Not Awakened)

Visionary (Not Awakened)

Loyalty Magnet (Not Awakened)

Dominance (Not Awakened)"

After reviewing Cao Cao's attribute panel, Yuan Shu exclaimed in amazement.

These attributes are too luxurious!

Look at the peak attributes of Cao Cao; except for his martial strength, all are above 90.

Several are close to 100. He truly deserves the title of a world-dominating lord.

Moreover, Cao Cao has five skills. Although most are not yet awakened, they already seem far superior to Yuan Shu's mediocre abilities.

Suddenly, Yuan Shu thought of a question and whispered:

"System, why didn't it show peak attributes when I checked Yuan Feng's stats?"

"Ding! Because Yuan Feng's attributes have already reached their peak.

Only individuals with significant growth potential will display their peak attributes."

Yuan Shu nodded in understanding. So this is a special case for Cao Cao.

Most of the time, when checking a character, only one attribute panel is displayed.

At this moment, Yuan Shu noticed the elegantly dressed elder angrily shouting at Cao Cao:

"Cao Cao! I just spoke kindly to you out of respect for your official uniform!

Do you think I fear you?

My nephew Jian Shuo is a favorite of the emperor. Do you dare act against me?"

Cao Cao sneered coldly at the elder and replied with authority:

"There are state laws and family rules. Even the emperor is subject to the same punishment as commoners for breaking the law.

Jian Tu, the court has repeatedly enforced the curfew.

You knowingly break the law and refuse to change. Who else should I punish if not you?

Guards, arrest him!"

"Yes, sir!" The soldiers stepped forward to apprehend Jian Tu.

Jian Tu shouted angrily at the advancing soldiers:

"Who dares?! If you touch me, can you bear the wrath of my nephew Jian Shuo?"

Hearing this, the soldiers hesitated, not daring to act against Jian Tu.

Cao Cao sternly shouted, "Are you defying military orders?! Arrest him!"

Military orders are absolute. At Cao Cao's command, the soldiers no longer hesitated and promptly restrained Jian Tu.

Despite relying on his eunuch nephew to act arrogantly, Jian Tu was no match for the burly soldiers due to his advanced age.

In front of two soldiers, he had no chance to resist.

Even so, his face turned red with anger, and he glared at Cao Cao with hatred, saying:

"Cao Mengde, you've got me today. I admit defeat.

But don't get cocky. We'll meet again. Your good days are over.

My nephew is a close confidant of the emperor. Do you, a mere officer of northern Luoyang, think you can rise above this?"

His words were full of threats.

Cao Cao showed no fear of Jian Tu's intimidation. He sneered coldly and said:

"Unfortunately for you, it seems you won't get the chance."

Then, he scanned the gathered crowd and declared loudly:

"Jian Tu knowingly broke the law, repeatedly violating the great Han's curfew. According to the law, he shall receive the rod punishment!

Guards, bring the five-colored punishment rods!" (Note 1)

At Cao Cao's command, two soldiers approached with thick, heavy five-colored rods, which looked quite intimidating.

"Punishment: 100 strikes! Carry it out!"

At his command, two soldiers held Jian Tu down while another pair began striking him fiercely with the rods.

Jian Tu let out a horrifying scream, "Cao Cao! If I don't kill you, I'm not human! Ahhh!!"

Watching Jian Tu's desperate struggle, Cao Cao said coldly, "Beat him harder!"

The soldiers, obeying the order, struck with even more force.

Given Jian Tu's old age, even without the beating, his days were numbered.

Now, under the ferocious blows of Cao Cao's men, he was barely breathing.

Yuan Shu, watching from the sidelines, felt chills down his spine.

These five-colored punishment rods are too brutal. Even someone like Jian Tu can't endure them; how could I?

[Author's Note]: 

In 174 AD, the third year of Emperor Ling of Han's Xiping era, Cao Cao, at the age of twenty, was appointed as the officer of northern Luoyang.

He set up over ten five-colored punishment rods, hung on both sides of the court.

"Whoever violates the curfew shall be beaten to death."

Jian Tu violated the curfew, and Cao Cao used the five-colored punishment rods to execute him.