Inside the private room of the wine shop, under the dim candlelight, Liu Bei's expression became increasingly unpredictable.
The man before him...
To be precise, the eunuch before him, who could utter words like "the content of the Han imperial genealogy—descendant of Liu Zhen, the fifth son of Zhongshan Jing Wang, and great-grandson of Emperor Xiaojing," was enough to prove that he was indeed sent by the current Son of Heaven, and that the Son of Heaven had thoroughly investigated Liu Bei's background.
But the Han court wanted to move against Cao Cao? And wanted Liu Bei's assistance and support…
This…
Liu Bei found it all rather far-fetched!
The Han court was likely overestimating its own strength, while simultaneously underestimating Cao Cao's strength. Moreover… there was also Yinlin Lu Yu, who was adept at discerning the situation and understanding human hearts!
The one who meticulously planned everything?
Might he have already foreseen this possibility?
Even if Yinlin hadn't foreseen it…
Should the Han court and Cao's camp break into open conflict, what would be the Han court's chances of victory in the end?
Liu Bei dared not think further; the more he thought, the more uncertain he felt. It was truly profound!
Naturally, being skilled in concealing his emotions, he would not reveal these thoughts to the envoy before him.
Seeing Liu Bei's silence…
The eunuch reiterated, "Duke Liu, as a descendant of the imperial family, and the Emperor's uncle, His Majesty needs Duke Liu's assistance. Are you… willing to stand by and watch Cao Cao become another Dong Zhuo, Li Jue, or Guo Si, controlling the court and turning the Han dynasty into a mere puppet?"
He emphasized his tone, his words exceptionally solemn.
However, no matter how serious the envoy's tone or how grave his demeanor, Liu Bei's expression remained calm, his eyes revealing neither joy nor anger, like the surface of a tranquil lake.
"May I know the envoy's name?"
Liu Bei retorted, completely disregarding the eunuch's line of questioning!
"I am Leng Shouguang, a palace attendant of the Jiaofang Hall in Weiyang Palace!"
The eunuch replied truthfully.
The phrase "splendid Weiyang" referred to Weiyang Palace, the complex where the Empress of the Han Dynasty resided. Jiaofang Hall was located in the center of the Weiyang Palace complex and was the residence of the Empress.
Empress Wei Zifu of Emperor Wu, Empress Shangguan of Emperor Xiaozhao, Empress Xu of Emperor Xiaoxuan, Empress Huo of Emperor Xiaoxuan, and Empress Wang of Emperor Xiaoxuan had all resided in this palace.
Even though the capital had been moved to Xuchang, Cao Cao had almost entirely replicated the Emperor's Chongde Hall and Changle Palace, as well as the Empress's Weiyang Palace and Jiaofang Hall.
And Leng Shouguang's self-proclaimed title of "palace attendant of Jiaofang Hall" was clearly a sign of humility. How could he be merely a palace attendant? He was the grand chamberlain in charge of all palace affairs!
No, at this time, he should be called "Grand Steward of the Inner Court"!
He was also one of the few people whom Emperor Liu Xie and Empress Fu Shou could trust in the imperial palace.
"So it is Eunuch Leng. This humble subject, Liu Bei, pays his respects."
Liu Bei stood up and cupped his fists in a bow.
When he uttered the word "humble subject," Liu Bei intentionally emphasized the tone, whether by design or accident.
Leng Shouguang's eyes flickered. To reach his position and become a trusted confidant of the Emperor and Empress, his reaction was extremely sharp. With that single statement from Liu Bei, Leng Shouguang understood Liu Bei's request!
"Duke Liu, please rest assured. You have rendered great service in pacifying the rebellious Yuan Shu and eliminating the traitor Lu Bu. When Cao Cao returns to the court tomorrow, he will undoubtedly be rewarded in front of the imperial court! At that time…"
Leng Shouguang paused, deliberately creating suspense. He glanced sideways at Liu Bei, as if trying to gauge his reaction.
But Liu Bei remained composed and at ease, as if his words had not stirred even the slightest ripple in Liu Bei's heart.
Leng Shouguang couldn't help but inwardly murmur, "Fearsome emotional control!"
He continued with a smile, "At that time, before the grand hall, when Duke Liu pays homage to the Son of Heaven, His Majesty will, in front of all the officials and dignitaries, reveal the imperial genealogy, clearly stating your identity as Duke Liu Xuande of the Han Dynasty. His Majesty will also bestow upon you the title of General of the Han Left, Marquis of Yicheng, and Governor of Yuzhou!"
It was evident that Liu Bei's eyes flickered slightly at this point. His expression changed, and Leng Shouguang knew that Liu Bei was tempted.
He continued with a smile, "Duke Liu, although the titles of General of the Han Left, Marquis of Yicheng, and Governor of Yuzhou may be nominal, and Cao Cao would not allow you to take office in Yuzhou, the identity of Duke Liu of the Han Dynasty is another matter entirely. Do you understand His Majesty's intentions?"
*Whoosh…*
Taking a deep breath, Liu Bei's eyes suddenly sharpened.
In this chaotic era, he first fought against the Yellow Turbans, then sought refuge with Gongsun Zan, Tao Qian, Lu Bu, and Cao Cao…
After half a lifetime of fighting, he remained a wanderer, with no fixed abode.
Why had his first half of life been so "unsuccessful," so "tragic"? Wasn't it due to the lack of a proper title?
Even with the great merits he had achieved in suppressing the Yellow Turbans, without a title, wasn't he just paving the way for others?
The subsequent events repeatedly confirmed this.
In this chaotic world, if one did not have a recognized title, who would know of your deeds? Who would know of Liu Bei, Liu Xuande!
Compared to the title Duke Liu, the name Liu Xuande was almost insignificant.
At this moment, Liu Bei's heart trembled.
"Thank you for His Majesty's kindness, and thank you for Eunuch Leng's kindness. However, this matter is of great importance. May I have an audience with His Majesty to discuss it in person?"
Liu Bei said in a low voice, his expression still incredibly calm.
It was as if he were discussing a trivial matter, his emotions completely hidden within his heart.
"Naturally. Once you arrive in Xudu and receive the title of Duke, His Majesty will grant you an audience. Until then…" Leng Shouguang trailed off.
Liu Bei immediately cupped his fists, "Liu Bei is a member of the Han imperial clan. Having received His Majesty's favor, I shall spare no effort and go through fire and water for him. Eunuch Leng can rest assured!"
"Good…" Leng Shouguang had been waiting for these words. "Indeed, His Majesty has not misjudged Duke Liu. Duke Liu, please maintain a low profile for now. We will discuss matters further upon arrival in Xudu. His Majesty has secretly accumulated some strength, and many powerful officials are involved. We are merely waiting for the opportune moment, and then…"
Before Leng Shouguang could finish, Liu Bei interrupted directly:
"Eunuch Leng? May I know who these forces are?"
"I cannot reveal that yet," Leng Shouguang said, his eyes narrowed. "When it is time for Duke to know, Duke will naturally know."
*Ho…*
Now, Liu Bei truly understood.
Yes, before were Dou Wu and Chen Fan, and later Dong Zhuo, Li Jue, and Guo Si, who controlled the court and rendered the Son of Heaven powerless!
These lessons were profound. The current Han court would not allow any one powerful minister to grow too strong.
Cao Cao, who now aspired to dominate the Central Plains, was undoubtedly such a powerful minister.
Looking back at the history of the Han Dynasty, it seemed that the struggle between the Son of Heaven and powerful ministers was inevitable. Young emperors often allied with imperial relatives and eunuchs to overthrow a powerful minister, and then the imperial relatives would become powerful ministers themselves. After they were gone, the next ruler would rely on new imperial relatives and new eunuchs to overthrow them again. It was merely a cycle.
Liu Bei saw through all this, and similarly, he saw through another matter: times were different now!
The powerful ministers of the past…
None of them were like Cao Cao, who was not only powerful himself but also had the assistance of a terrifying "Yinlin" who was adept at discerning human hearts.
The possibility of overthrowing Cao Cao might exist, but perhaps it only existed in theory!
Wait!
With this thought, Liu Bei suddenly realized something.
"Eunuch Leng, Liu Bei has something to tell you!"
"Duke Liu, please speak freely."
Liu Bei moved closer to Leng Shouguang, almost whispering into his ear.
"…"
*Hiss…* Hearing this, Leng Shouguang's eyebrows shot up, and he became extremely alert.
"Is there such a thing…" Leng Shouguang blinked. "If what Duke Liu says is true, then I shall report it to His Majesty and the Empress. If it is as Duke Liu says, then Da Sinong Lu Yu is also someone we can win over!"
Liu Bei was referring to recruiting Lu Yu.
Liu Bei's reasoning for this judgment was based on his understanding of Cao Cao.
Cao Cao was skilled in psychological warfare, yet inherently suspicious.
After conquering Xiapi City this time, Chen Gong, Gao Shun, Zhang Liao, the Vanguard Camp, and the righteous scholars of Bing Province all voluntarily requested to join the Dragon Soaring Camp!
That's right…
The Dragon Soaring Camp, not Cao's Camp!
The difference of two words was like the difference between heaven and earth.
Liu Bei understood Cao Cao too well. Although he appeared to be unperturbed and generously granted all these surrendered generals to Lu Yu, his mood must have been unpleasant!
Would the rise of Lu Yu and the Dragon Soaring Camp not arouse his suspicion?
It was precisely for this reason that Liu Bei was certain that Lu Yu was a target the Han court could recruit and win over.
And Lu Yu's allegiance…
To some extent, it would determine the outcome of the Han court's victory or defeat against Cao's camp.
*Whoosh…*
With this thought, Liu Bei let out a long sigh, his expression resolute!
He vividly remembered the judgment of the Yue Dan Ping on Yinlin: "He who wins Yinlin can pacify the world!"
It was "pacify" the world, not "win" the world!
"Eunuch Leng, please tell His Majesty that if he wishes to succeed, he must win over Lu Yu!"
"He who wins Lu Yu can pacify the world!"
There was no need to be too direct. His Majesty was not a fool; how could he not guess… that Lu Yu was the Yinlin who could "pacify the world"?
*Whoosh.*
Leng Shouguang let out a long sigh, as if… he saw a glimmer of hope.
It was the light that could revive the Han Dynasty!
…
…
Outside the long pavilion, by the ancient road, the green grass stretched to the horizon!
As Lü Bu and Yang Xiu's cavalcade entered the ancient road leading from Xiapi City to Langya Commandery, they saw… outside a stone pavilion, a man with small eyes and a long beard was standing there, facing the afterglow of the setting sun, as if waiting for something.
Beside him stood over a dozen elite guards.
Yang Xiu, recognizing the leader, exclaimed, "Isn't that the commander of the elite guards—Xu Chu?"
Why were the elite guards here?
Wait…
Yang Xiu, riding his horse, hurriedly rubbed his eyes. He saw that at the limit of his gaze, standing at the stone pavilion, was none other than Cao Cao!
"It's Cao Sikong…"
Yang Xiu exclaimed…
Since the dozen riders beside him, apart from Lü Bu, were all knights of the Dragon Soaring Camp, Yang Xiu did not deliberately conceal his words and directly uttered this.
"Cao Cao?" Lü Bu mused.
At this moment, Xu Chu strode forward to the front of the cavalcade. "My lord requests General Lü to have a chat in the pavilion!"
"Looking for me?" Lü Bu's eyes narrowed… He first felt a trace of doubt, then his lips curled into a faint smile. He then dismounted and strode towards the stone pavilion.
As he approached the pavilion, Cao Cao quickly stepped forward to greet him, not forgetting to wave his hand to the surrounding elite guards, signaling them to withdraw.
But…
Including Xu Chu, every elite guard remained motionless.
Indeed, the elite guards were all confidants of Cao Cao, and they had already learned of the "Lü Bu is not dead" matter in advance.
But… they also knew that Lü Bu had been defeated by their Lord Cao. How could they dare to let them be alone together?
"Cao Gong… this…"
Xu Chu hesitated immediately.
Cao Cao waved his hand again, his eyes sharp. "Did you not hear what I said? All of you, withdraw! Retreat ten paces!"
"Yes!"
Seeing Cao Cao's persistence, Xu Chu finally agreed, calling out to the elite guards to retreat ten paces.
Watching the elite guards move away, Cao Cao gestured.
"Fengxian, please sit!"
Hearing this, Lü Bu raised his hand. "Let's forgo sitting. I still have to travel, and besides, there is no Fengxian here!"
"Don't say that…" Cao Cao poured a full cup of wine for Lü Bu, lifted the wine cup, and handed it to Lü Bu, just as he had done when he presented wine to Guan Yu before slaying Hua Xiong. "Fengxian, you still resent me, Cao Cao, don't you?"
This…
Cao Cao's words inexplicably stirred Lü Bu's heart.
"Haha…"
He simply accepted the wine cup but did not drink. "Brother Mengde, when you speak of resentment, do you mean the antidote that must be taken every six months? Or do you mean Lü Bu's demise at the White Gate Tower?"
"Haha…" Speaking of this, Lü Bu laughed heartily and drank the wine in one gulp. "Mengde, in many ways, I admire you, and I envy you!"
"What does Fengxian admire about me? And what does he envy about me?" Cao Cao countered.
"Envy… haha, Brother Mengde, are you pretending to be ignorant when you know the truth? Ever since the saying 'Yinlin's words leak heavenly secrets' spread in the markets, and the Yue Dan Ping proclaimed 'He who wins Yinlin can pacify the world,' all the warlords have been vying for Yinlin. Yet, Yinlin chose to join your Cao camp, helping you, Cao Mengde, rise step by step to become the formidable power that now seeks to dominate the Central Plains! Why wouldn't anyone envy this?"
Lü Bu continued, "As for admiration, hehe, I admire that you, Cao Mengde, are a true villain, unlike Liu Bei, who is outwardly loyal but inwardly treacherous! Having died at the White Gate Tower, I have understood some things and seen some people clearly. You, a 'true villain,' would keep me, but a 'hypocrite' absolutely would not. Of course, if the positions were reversed, Lü Bu would certainly not dare to keep such a 'grave threat' as you, Cao Cao! With such courage, how could one not admire you?"
*Heh…*
*Hehehe!*
Frankly, Lü Bu's words stirred Cao Cao's heart. To be admired by the peerless God of War Lü Bu, Lü Fengxian, was enough to make Cao Cao feel gratified for a long time.
"Fengxian, I accept your praise as a 'true villain,' Cao Cao. But your so-called 'courage,' haha, I, Cao Cao, am unworthy of it!"
"To be honest, I dare not keep you either. You are a fierce tiger, and if I'm not careful, I, Cao Cao, will be devoured by you. But Lu Yu's words are reasonable; you, Lü Bu, are merely lost!"
"The hero who gained fame at Yanmen, the protector of the border people—the nine origins Lü Fengxian—you were merely lost in the extravagance and debauchery of Luoyang City. Those who mouthed 'serving the ruler like Yao and Shun' yet were hypocritical and oppressed the common people, the aristocratic families and corrupt officials—it was their wickedness that made you increasingly lost, increasingly resentful of the injustice of the world, and transformed you into an extreme profiteer!"
At this point, Cao Cao paused.
It seemed that Lü Bu's situation evoked a sense of nostalgia in him.
"The Central Plains are too extravagant, and there are too many temptations. Let alone you, even I, Cao Cao, have not been immune to this decadent lifestyle! Fortunately, I awoke in time. I realized that all these people who talked of 'benevolence and righteousness, serving the ruler like Yao and Shun' yet were hypocritical deserved to die. Therefore, I decided to change this world! This is the biggest difference between you and me; you acted for personal desires, while I acted for righteousness!"
"Perhaps, if you cast aside the allure of this world and returned to Yanmen, to your original self, you would understand what I am saying. A person cannot only think of themselves in this life; they must think of the future, of the continuation of this great undertaking!"
Speaking of this…
Cao Cao earnestly asked again, "Fengxian, I ask you again now, do you still hate me, Cao Cao?"
"Hate? Hehe…"
Lü Bu gave a wry smile and then shook his head. "Perhaps Lü Bu would hate you, but Lü Ying would not. Not only would Lü Ying not hate you, but she would also thank you for helping her find her former pursuit and vision, making her more fulfilled and stronger!"
"Haha, perhaps in the past, Lü Bu was the peerless God of War, the Marquis of Wen, the General of Fenwei, the Governor of Xuzhou! Or perhaps, he was the nine origins Lü Fengxian, the protector of the borderlands. But from now on, all that has vanished like smoke. He is simply a man who wants to find himself and protect his loved ones! Hate? For those who have died, what is there to hate?"
Another wave of emotion washed over him.
With his emotions stirred, Lü Bu thought of Diao Chan, Lü Lingqi, Ling Ju, and the countless brothers who had followed him when he died at the White Gate Tower, as well as the suffering common people in the borderlands who awaited his protection!
Lü Bu could never forget the farewell chants he heard at the White Gate Tower!
—"Yanmen Wang Liu, see off General Lü!"
—"Shuofang Liu Jing, see off General Lü!"
—"Wuzhou Li Ergou, see off General Lü!"
—"Shangdang Lin Fan, see off General Lü!"
—"To die with the General! How can we surrender?"
…
Never before had he, Lü Bu, felt so fulfilled.
He paused.
Lü Bu's lips curved into a rare smile.
"I heard that Mengde became sworn siblings with Diao Chan!"
"There is such a thing," Cao Cao nodded. "Not only do I want to become sworn siblings with her, but I will also prepare a large mansion for her in Xudu City, hire over a dozen servants for her, and raise Fengxian's daughter, Ling Ju, to adulthood, ensuring they have a life of comfort and security, and no one is allowed to mistreat them in the slightest!"
Cao Cao revealed his intentions.
Unexpectedly, Lü Bu directly waved his hand. "Mengde, there's no need!"
This…
The atmosphere had been building up, only to be interrupted by Lü Bu's words. Cao Cao felt rather awkward.
Lü Bu's words followed:
"Mengde, I know what kind of person you are best. Where did you sleep last night? With whom? By this morning, Xiapi City is already filled with rumors, so I don't need to recount the details, do I? How was Qin Yilu's wife, Madam Du? Are you satisfied, Brother Mengde!"
*Ah…*
Slightly stunned, Cao Cao no longer concealed his feelings. "Hahaha…" He immediately burst into hearty laughter.
Lü Bu's tone became earnest. "Mengde, if you truly want me to be at ease, then do not give Diao Chan a mansion, nor provide her with extra servants. Just let her live in the Sinong Mansion! The Sinong Mansion has Cai Zhaoji, the most talented woman in the realm. Lord Sinong Lu is also my chosen son-in-law. Diao Chan is his wife. In all of Xudu City, only the Sinong Mansion allows me, Lü Fengxian, to be at ease!"
Speaking of this, Lü Bu smiled at Cao Cao again.
"Mengde, you should understand my intentions, shouldn't you!"
*Hehe…*
Understand…
Hearing this, Cao Cao chuckled. Was he, Cao Cao, such an untrustworthy person?
Or perhaps, if he were to be truly trustworthy, Cao Cao would cease to be human!
Of course, these were not important.
"Hahahaha…"
Cao Cao burst into hearty laughter. "Then, as you wish. I will arrange for Diao Chan and Ling Ju to live in Lu Yu's mansion. Lu Yu will take care of their daily lives. Lu Yu already has an older sister, so it's just like having another sister. Are you satisfied now!"
Hearing this…
Lü Bu nodded, but he said,
"It's not that I am satisfied, but that Lü Fengxian, who died at the White Gate Tower, is satisfied!"
Hahaha…
Cao Cao laughed again. However, because Lü Bu mentioned Lu Yu, Cao Cao suddenly had some heartfelt words to tell him!
"Fengxian… no, Lü Ying! Since you mentioned Lu Yu, let me, Cao Cao, tell you a few honest words. You might as well listen and evaluate whether what I say is reasonable!"
…
…