Chapter 1479: Mental Imbalance

Just as Cao Cao and Gu Yi joined hands to build peace and the Central Plains land gradually glowed with new life, an unknown undercurrent was quietly surging. This force originated from a descendant of a noble family who had been marginalized, named Li Yuan. Li Yuan was dissatisfied, believing that he should have enjoyed higher status and power, but had been forgotten in the corner of history due to the rise of Cao Cao and Gu Yi. He secretly accumulated strength, waiting for the opportunity, intending to overturn this hard-won peace in one fell swoop and redraw the map of the world.

Li Yuan knew well that a head-on collision was by no means a wise move, so he carefully plotted a conspiracy, targeting the base camp of Cao Cao and Gu Yi—that castle symbolizing peace and unity. He secretly contacted forces everywhere that were dissatisfied with the status quo, including some local powerful families who held grudges against the peace agreement, old nobles who had been weakened, and some military generals who were dissatisfied with the status quo, forming a huge underground network. They plotted to launch an attack on a dark and windy night, acting from inside and outside to break through the base camp in one fell swoop, capture Cao Cao and Gu Yi, and thus control the overall situation.

However, although Li Yuan's plan was meticulous, he had not expected that the vigilance of Cao Cao and Gu Yi would far exceed that of ordinary people. In an accidental opportunity, a low-level officer loyal to Gu Yi discovered the abnormal actions of Li Yuan's subordinates and immediately reported the intelligence. After Gu Yi learned of this, he immediately discussed it with Cao Cao; the two decided to remain calm, continuing to push forward peace construction on the surface, while secretly strengthening the defense of the base camp and setting up a series of counter-espionage plans and traps, preparing to meet this sudden crisis.

Night fell, and Li Yuan's rebel army acted according to the plan, divided into multiple routes, and approached the base camp silently. However, when they stepped into the preset trap area, suddenly, fire lit up the sky, arrows rained down, and the elite troops already ambushed by Cao Cao and Gu Yi surged out from all directions, giving the enemy a blow they were unprepared for. Although Li Yuan's rebel army was large in number, they fell into chaos instantly under the sudden attack and suffered heavy losses.

At the same time, Cao Cao and Gu Yi personally led the army to deal with the most stubborn enemies respectively. Cao Cao, with his excellent military talent, commanded steadily, using terrain advantages to repel the enemy's charges many times; Gu Yi, relying on his deep foundation of popular support, mobilized nearby commoners to participate in the defense. Although they were not professional soldiers, under Gu Yi's call, they picked up weapons one after another to defend their homes, forming an indestructible people's defense line.

The battle lasted until dawn; as Li Yuan's main force was broken one by one, his conspiracy was completely exposed. Li Yuan himself was wounded in the melee and eventually captured. Cao Cao and Gu Yi did not execute him immediately but chose a public trial, letting everyone witness the price of betraying peace, and also taking this opportunity to further emphasize the importance of peace and that any behavior attempting to sabotage peace would be severely punished.

After this battle, Cao Cao and Gu Yi realized that the construction of peace was not just the end of external war, but the consolidation of internal stability and unity. They decided to strengthen the construction of the intelligence system to ensure that any potential threats could be discovered and curbed in time. At the same time, to fundamentally eliminate the dissatisfaction like Li Yuan's, they launched a series of more tolerant and inclusive policies, including allowing former nobles to participate in politics moderately, encouraging local powerful families to contribute their strength through legal channels, and establishing special institutions to listen to and solve the reasonable demands of the masses.

While reforming politics, Cao Cao and Gu Yi also attached more importance to the modernization and professionalization of military power. They established a standing army system, strengthened the training and equipment of soldiers, and ensured that they could respond quickly at critical moments to defend the country. In addition, they also advocated for the integration of the military and the people, encouraging the military to establish close ties with local areas, participating in local construction in peacetime, and being able to quickly transform into combat power in wartime.

In terms of economy, to promote the long-term development of the country, Cao Cao and Gu Yi pushed forward a series of policies encouraging innovation and development. They established special funds to support the research and promotion of agricultural technology and improve agricultural production efficiency; at the same time, they encouraged handicraftsmen and merchants to cooperate to form industrial chains and promote the diversified development of the economy. In addition, they also attached importance to infrastructure construction, repairing roads, and building water conservancy projects, providing a solid foundation for commercial circulation and agricultural development.

In terms of culture, Cao Cao and Gu Yi continued to vigorously promote education, not only expanding schools and increasing teaching staff but also encouraging private schools, giving more children the opportunity to receive education. They advocated for cultural diversity, respected the customs and habits of all ethnic groups, and promoted cultural exchange and integration, laying the foundation for building a harmonious and pluralistic social environment.

As time passed, under the joint efforts of Cao Cao and Gu Yi, the Central Plains land not only realized superficial peace but also realized social stability and prosperity at a deeper level. The commoners lived and worked in peace, and the cherishing and maintenance of peace became everyone's conscious action. The names of Cao Cao and Gu Yi were thus forever remembered, becoming fine tales passed down by later generations.

However, the path of peace would never be smooth sailing. Whenever new challenges appeared, whether internal contradictions or external threats, Cao Cao and Gu Yi always held fast to the belief in peace, using wisdom and courage to resolve crises time and again, guarding this hard-won paradise. Their stories inspired later comers, letting the sparks of peace be passed down from generation to generation, illuminating the future path of the Central Plains land and even the whole world.

As time flowed, the names of Cao Cao and Gu Yi had become synonymous with peace and stability, and their achievements were recorded in history and passed down through the ages. However, under this seemingly indestructible peace, there was hidden mental imbalance and surging undercurrents that were unknown to others.

Li Yuan's rebellion was quelled, but the dissatisfaction and resentment left behind were like seeds, quietly taking root and sprouting in some people's hearts. These emotions, under long-term suppression, gradually evolved into a dissatisfaction with the status quo and a desire for power. Especially for those who had been associated with Li Yuan or whose interests had been damaged in the peace process, they began to look for new opportunities, attempting to reshuffle the deck and obtain the share of power and glory that belonged to them.

Against this background, a young general named Zhao Yun gradually emerged. Zhao Yun was originally a fierce general under Cao Cao, with great military achievements, but as time passed, he began to feel an unprecedented emptiness and frustration. In his view, although peace brought prosperity and stability, his personal value seemed to be buried in this endless peace. He longed to be able to put on armor and go to the battlefield again to prove his strength and value, rather than doing nothing in this seemingly calm but actually surging court.

Zhao Yun's mental imbalance became a dangerous signal. He began to secretly contact those generals and nobles who were also dissatisfied, secretly plotting a new change. They were dissatisfied with the status quo and longed to redraw the map of power through some means, making themselves the leaders of the new era. ===== CHAPTER 1480 =====