Within the Yamen of Xiapi City.
A desk, a pot of tea, two teacups. Lu Yu and Cao Cao knelt on opposite sides of the table, conversing about something.
The first topic discussed was the matter of employing talented individuals!
Lu Yu proposed that Chen Gui and his son, Chen Deng, be stationed in Xuzhou as usual, with Chen Gui appointed as Governor of Xuzhou and Chen Deng as Prefect of Guangling. They were to be granted a high degree of autonomy in Xuzhou, as before, to guard against the northward advance of the Sun clan of Jiangdong.
This arrangement would make Guangling City and Lujiang Commandery two barriers, effectively containing the six commanderies of Jiangdong, stifling their development and hindering their expansion!
This idea aligned perfectly with Cao Cao’s original thoughts.
“Scribe Lu’s vision is always precise. Since you think highly of the Chen father and son, we shall proceed as you suggest. Upon our return to Xudu City, I will have the Imperial Secretariat draft a decree!”
Irrespective of the significant contributions made by the father and son duo, Chen Gui and Chen Deng, during the battle for Xiapi City.
Simply put, they were more familiar with Xuzhou…
Furthermore, the Chen clan had always been known for their care of the common people, their cultivation of wasteland, and their construction of irrigation systems, earning them an excellent reputation!
It was only fitting that they be entrusted with the defense of the region.
Of course, beyond this, Lu Yu understood very well that the name Chen Deng might not seem significant now, but he was considered the bane of the Sun family in Jiangdong, an insurmountable “chasm”!
The dust settled…
Everything was settled.
Xuzhou… the tripartite structure of the commoner faction, the Danyang faction, and the scholar faction remained, with the scholar faction regaining power!
As for Yang Xiu, Cao Cao had intended to grant him an official title. His merits were no less than those of Chen Deng and his father, but Lu Yu had outright declined the offer.
Yang Xiu was to be granted official rank and title, but not yet!
He was still on his path of cultivation.
After concluding this topic, Cao Cao’s gaze narrowed, and his tone suddenly became grave. He frowned and said, “Yuan Benchu has already mobilized his troops. Three armies are simultaneously attacking You Province, with the Vanguard Corps leading the charge. Gongsun Zan likely has no idea that disaster is imminent!”
“Gulp…” Lu Yu took a sip of tea and chuckled lightly, “Yuan Shao commands a multitude of strategists and a rain of generals. The unification of the four northern provinces is the prevailing trend. There is nothing we can do about it now.”
“Indeed,” Cao Cao nodded.
Lu Yu continued calmly, “The pressing matter is for Commander Cao to resolve other challenges while Yuan Shao’s attention is focused entirely on You Province.”
Upon hearing this, Cao Cao immediately recited, “After ‘looking east,’ following Scribe Lu’s strategic plan, it will be ‘winning over the west,’ ‘pacifying the center’! And ‘crossing the south’!”
Speaking thus, Cao Cao paused.
“Calculating the time, Zhong Yao, whom Scribe Lu recommended, should have already arrived in Guanzhong. I wonder about his current situation. And more importantly, whether the Lu family of Jiangdong can rise and prosper? And also…”
When he reached the end, Cao Cao thought of Zhang Xiu of Wancheng.
—How could he allow another to snore beside his own bed? Wancheng was too close to Xudu City. Now that he was free, his next target was him!
Thinking thus, with Xuzhou pacified and Lu Bu subdued, the upcoming tasks were by no means easy!
“Scribe Lu…” Cao Cao changed the subject. “In your opinion, how long will it take Yuan Shao to eliminate Gongsun Zan?”
This question was quite telling…
Cao Cao did not ask if Yuan Shao could eliminate Gongsun Zan, but rather how long it would take.
Clearly…
In his heart, Gongsun Zan’s demise was a foregone conclusion, merely a matter of time.
Cao Cao’s question implied how much time he had left to resolve the other hidden dangers.
“Half a year, at most half a year, perhaps even just three months…”
Lu Yu’s answer was exceptionally firm.
Although the course of history had shifted somewhat due to his influence, even… the wings of the butterfly that was Lu Yu had affected the waves in the four northern provinces!
However, Lu Yu firmly believed that Gongsun Zan could not possibly turn the tide against the wind.
Many believed that Gongsun Zan’s defeat was due to Yuan Shao, but that was too superficial, too simplistic.
From the moment Gongsun Zan executed Liu Yu, who was known for his benevolence, along with his wife and children in Ji City, Gongsun Zan’s defeat was inevitable!
Liu Yu and Gongsun Zan had clashed due to their differing attitudes towards the Hu people, and also because of Gongsun Zan’s constant warfare and plundering of the populace, which had led to widespread suffering…
In the second year of Xingping, Liu Yu was defeated and killed!
Liu Yu’s generals rallied their former troops and summoned Xianbei, Wuhuan, and other forces. They colluded with Yuan Shao, decisively defeating Gongsun Zan at Baoqiu. After this battle, Gongsun Zan retreated to Yijing and fortified his position, refusing to engage. That defeat also extinguished Gongsun Zan’s will to fight.
“I heard that Gongsun Zan dug over ten trenches along the Yi River, and piled up earthworks five to six zhang high within these trenches. Fortifications were built atop the mounds. The central mound in the trench was the highest, reaching over ten zhang. Gongsun Zan resided within, calling it Yijing Tower. With such defenses, surely it wouldn’t be conquered by Yuan Shao within three months or half a year?”
Cao Cao retorted…
Cao Cao and Gongsun Zan had met during the coalition of the eighteen lords against Dong Zhuo. Cao Cao could discern that Gongsun Zan was a top-tier commander, both in terms of troop leadership and martial prowess!
Even in the hearts of the common people in the northern frontier of You Province, he was regarded as a divine protector.
If it weren’t for his murder of Liu Yu which had ruined his reputation, perhaps… the situation wouldn’t have become so passive.
But even so!
Cao Cao still found it hard to believe that he would be breached by Yuan Shao within three months or half a year!
“Regarding this Yijing Tower, Commander Cao, you only know one part of the story, not the whole.”
Lu Yu blinked and recounted everything he knew. “It is true that Gongsun Zan built Yijing Tower, but… its purpose may not have been to stop Yuan Shao!”
“The gate of Yijing was made of iron. Gongsun Zan dismissed all males except his wives and concubines, allowing only them to reside within. He also stockpiled grain and provisions, three million hu. This indicates he was prepared to remain there for a lifetime! What is most bizarre is that Gongsun Zan trained women to shout loudly, allowing their voices to travel hundreds of paces, to relay commands!”
“In this way, in Yijing, You Province, generals would not see their commander, and strategists would not see their lord. With Gongsun Zan distancing himself so much from guests, his close confidantes would soon depart, his strategists would gradually distance themselves, and even his normally valiant self would lose his martial nature on the battlefield. Would his demise then be far off?”
Lu Yu’s words flowed out slowly.
His speech was not fast, but every word was powerful and forceful, enough for Cao Cao to hear each word and every sentence clearly.
This…
Cao Cao’s brow furrowed slightly.
It seemed that what Yu’er mentioned had been reported in the intelligence gathered by spies.
However, Cao Cao had not paid particular attention to matters involving Gongsun Zan’s wives and concubines!
The same intelligence, but in Yu’er’s eyes, different details could be gleaned.
This was not the main point. The main point was that Lu Yu’s certainty about Gongsun Zan’s demise was not unfounded; it was based on these subtle clues.
This deduction… convinced Cao Cao!
“Whether it’s three months or half a year, the time is too short!” Cao Cao sighed.
Even half a year was indeed too short!
Cao Cao did not have the confidence to resolve this series of challenges and troubles within such a short period.
Understanding the unspoken meaning…
Lu Yu immediately grasped Cao Cao’s intention!
Indeed, the time was somewhat tight.
In fact… it was not just the tight timeline of the original strategy. In Lu Yu’s mind, besides ‘winning over the west,’ ‘pacifying the center,’ and ‘crossing the south,’ the greater problem would arise internally.
Now… with the exponential surge in Cao Cao’s power, his attitude, or rather the attitude of the Cao clan, towards the Han court was bound to undergo a complete reversal.
This was unavoidable!
If the former Cao Cao was “respecting the emperor to command the vassals.”
Then…
Now, possessing “Si, Xu, Yan, Yu”… occupying strategically important locations like Henei, Hongnong, and Lujiang, with over two hundred thousand troops… Cao Cao, who was vying for control of the Central Plains.
He was no longer practicing “respecting the emperor to command the vassals,” but rather… “holding the emperor to command the lords”!
Even the subtle difference in the character “奉” (respect) to “挟” (hold) indicated a fundamental shift. Here, the conflict between Cao Cao—or rather, Cao Cao’s faction—and the Han court was inevitable!
And the Han court would surely take action.
“Winning over the west,” “pacifying the center,” and “crossing the south” were merely external issues, open confrontations… The most terrifying aspects were often internal, the hidden arrows from the Han court!
These were not difficult to handle, but they would certainly require time.
Similarly, there was another individual who, while not difficult to handle, required even more time.
—Liu Bei!
How to deal with Liu Bei? If he were killed, even if… it were done through others!
But… as long as Liu Bei died on Cao Cao’s territory, it would undoubtedly give Yuan Shao ample ammunition to exploit. With the decisive battle between Yuan and Cao imminent, Cao Cao’s reputation was of utmost importance at this moment.
If not killed?
Then… how should he be accommodated?
Even Lu Yu had not yet devised a solution for Liu Bei’s predicament. One could not underestimate this man with the long ears; he possessed considerable potential, yet dealing with him was like moving one thread and affecting the entire tapestry – extremely troublesome.
Time…
Ultimately, resolving these difficulties all required time.
With his eyes darting, Lu Yu was also contemplating strategies: how could Yuan Shao be delayed?
Even if Gongsun Zan could hold out for another half a year, Cao Cao would have more room to maneuver in terms of time and space, allowing him more time for planning and deployment!
Wait.
Lu Yu’s eyes sharpened.
If the decisive battle between Yuan Shao and Gongsun Zan were meticulously dissected, there were still some opportunities to exploit!
In fact, this siege of Yijing could broadly be divided into three stages!
The first stage was from strategic stalemate to the encirclement of Yijing!
Yuan Shao advanced from three directions, encircling many cities and commanderies in You Province. However, Gongsun Zan refused to aid these cities, even stating— “If I save one person, then from now on, whenever a city is besieged, they will only wait for reinforcements and refuse to fight hard! By not saving them now, the besieged soldiers will be motivated to fight desperately!”
Gongsun Zan’s words were not wrong; the defending generals could indeed motivate themselves.
But they could also choose another path, which was to open the city gates and surrender!
It was for this reason that the cities and commanderies of You Province were lost one by one, and Yuan Shao’s three armies successfully advanced to Yijing, encircling it. From then on… they entered the second stage of the decisive battle in the north, the stage of siege warfare and breakout!
Strictly speaking, even at this point… Gongsun Zan still had a chance.
He even sent his son, Gongsun Xu, to seek aid from the Black Mountain Yellow Turban Army, hoping for a coordinated effort to reverse the situation… Unfortunately, this plea for help was intercepted by the Black Mountain Army, cutting off his last hope.
Thus, the second stage, siege warfare and breakout… concluded with Yuan Shao’s great victory.
The third stage was even more peculiar. Logically speaking… Yijing Tower, built by Gongsun Zan, was difficult to attack and easy to defend. It would not be easy for Yuan Shao to break through the myriad arrows raining down from atop the tall tower!
Precisely at this moment, Yuan Shao implemented an extremely “clever” maneuver—digging tunnels and engaging in tunnel warfare…
Moreover, these tunnels were dug with great precision, directly under Yijing Tower, and then set ablaze… A single fire directly incinerated Gongsun Zan’s last stronghold.
This was historically known as—the pillars were burned beneath the tower!
Gongsun Zan was burned alive. Of course, before he was burned to death, he also killed all his wives, children, and extended family. This could no longer be called a ruthless person, but a true fiend!
And thus, a national hero who had resisted the barbarians ultimately perished in Yijing due to his character flaws.
This…
Lu Yu’s eyes blinked continuously, and finally, his gaze settled.
It was impossible for Gongsun Zan to defeat Yuan Shao, but… if he could be made to hold on for a little longer, there would still be opportunities. And these opportunities lay precisely in the second and third stages of the northern battlefield!
With this thought…
Lu Yu’s tone became firm.
“Commander Cao, perhaps… I have a way to prolong the decisive battle between Yuan Shao and Gongsun Zan, even delaying it for a year or a year and a half.”
Hoo…
As these words left his mouth, Cao Cao’s eyes lit up.
“Truly?”
He understood too well what delaying for a year or a year and a half meant for him, Cao Cao.
More time to eradicate hidden dangers, more time to prepare for this decisive battle for the dominion of the realm between Cao and Yuan!
Undoubtedly, his chances of victory would increase significantly!
However…
“Scribe Lu, please speak frankly!”
Upon hearing this, Lu Yu smiled lightly. “Perhaps, we should lend Gongsun Zan a hand?”
“Lend a hand?” Cao Cao frowned. “Launching a preemptive strike against Yuan Shao to the north seems unwise!”
According to Cao Cao’s thoughts, Lu Yu’s intention of “lending a hand” likely meant sending troops north to attack Yuan Shao from two sides.
But if he could attack Yuan Shao from two sides, Yuan Shao could also unite Zhang Xiu, Liu Biao, Sun Ce, and others, attacking him from two sides. In the current situation, such an action would be unwise.
“Commander Cao has misunderstood…”
Lu Yu smiled, his words filled with confidence. “There is no need to march north, nor to mobilize troops. As for the specific method… if Commander Cao trusts me, then leave it to me. Let me present Gongsun Zan with a grand gift!”
A grand gift?
Cao Cao’s eyes blinked. Looking at Lu Yu’s confident demeanor, Cao Cao inexplicably felt a sense of assurance in his heart.
Yu’er never spoke without substance. His promises had never been flawed in the slightest until now!
Heh heh…
Trust him? If he couldn’t even trust his own Yu’er, then who could he trust?
Cao Cao reached out and refilled Lu Yu’s teacup.
“Since Scribe Lu has said so, then matters of the northern frontier are entrusted to you!”
He paused here, then added, “It does not need to be too long. One year is enough for me, Cao Cao, to stabilize the rear, and also enough to add ample winning chances to the great battle between myself and Yuan Shao!”
These words…
Cao Cao spoke with great determination.
Indeed, Yuan Shao commanded forty to fifty thousand troops!
But the current Cao Cao was no ordinary individual!
He also held over two hundred thousand troops. Given him one year to train these soldiers, he was confident that this army would be sufficient to pacify the northern frontier!
And more importantly, Yuan Shao commanded a multitude of strategists and a rain of generals, but what about Cao Cao? Would his civil and military talents be inferior to Yuan Benchu?
Furthermore, he had Yu’er, and the “Hidden Dragon” that could bring peace to the world!
The outcome of this battle was still uncertain.
Cao Cao was full of confidence for this battle!
“Drink your tea…”
Cao Cao proactively offered the teacup to Lu Yu.
Lu Yu took a sip and did not forget to continue, “In fact… Lu Yu has a few more things he wishes to tell Commander Cao. Some of these ideas… will be rather bold!”
Mm…
Bold?
Cao Cao looked up. He liked bold ideas… and his interest was piqued. “Bold is good! Haha… you might as well speak frankly. As long as it is your idea, even if it is a bit bold, what does it matter? In troubled times, situations change rapidly, and often one must take risks. If you win, you win. If you lose, it doesn’t matter; you can try again!”
Heh…
Lu Yu felt that Old Cao’s words were very philosophical and insightful, giving a sense of “win together and be wild, lose together and endure.”
“Cough cough…” Lu Yu cleared his throat and stated truthfully, “To be frank with Commander Cao, I already have some arrangements for Lu Fengxian, and in addition to him, I also have some arrangements for Chen Gongtai! I can take this opportunity to report them to Commander Cao!”
“Besides them… Commander Cao, have you considered how to conquer Wancheng next? And… how to investigate those hidden crises within, lurking beneath the layers of opulence! And… Liu Bei, Liu Xuande!”
…Lu Bu, Chen Gong, and even Wancheng…
These were not significant issues!
However, when Lu Yu mentioned those hidden crises lurking beneath the layers of opulence, and particularly when he mentioned Liu Bei, Cao Cao’s eyes narrowed, and his brow furrowed deeply.
Yu’er’s words had a deeper meaning!
“Scribe Lu, please speak directly!” Cao Cao asked solemnly.
“Very well, then I shall speak one by one. Let’s start with… Liu Bei, Liu Xuande!” Lu Yu’s tone instantly became serious, his intonation meticulous.
…
…
In the Xiapi City Inn.
“Sigh…”
A long sigh. On the upper floor, Liu Bei gazed out the window at the sky.
At this moment… his mood was like a lyric—The sky is azure, and paper cranes fly outside the window!
“Elder Brother? Why the long sighs?” Guan Yu walked up behind Liu Bei.
“Sigh…” Another sigh. He sighed both at Cao Cao’s excessively “smooth” capture of Xiapi and his recruitment of enemy generals!
And at his own awkward predicament!
Tragic…
In Liu Bei’s eyes, the azure sky brought forth only these two words—Tragedy!
He shook his head helplessly and said, “Now, our three brothers are within Cao Cao’s camp. Our fortunes are uncertain, and our future path is fraught with unknown dangers! Brother feels he has failed both Second Brother and Third Brother!”
These words…
How could Guan Yu not understand?
Cao Cao claimed to be taking the three brothers back to Xudu City to receive rewards from the Emperor, but in reality… once they entered Xudu, when would they return?
And how could they regain their freedom!
What was even more infuriating was that Cao Cao had promised to grant Qin Yilu’s wife to him, Guan Yu…
But… last night, after hearing Cao Cao converse with Lu Yu and being in high spirits, he turned and entered Madam Du’s chambers!
And had not emerged since!
Madam Du, the “gatekeeper” whom Guan Changsheng had longed for—Du Juan!
Had he missed out once again?
Or was she right before him, and yet in this manner!
It was for this reason that Guan Yu was in a bad mood, his face turning a dark red, his belly filled with anger!
—“Cao Cao, you are a treacherous hero, a man of no faith!”
Guan Yu clenched his fist instinctively, his expression extremely unpleasant.
Liu Bei was slightly stunned. He saw that his second brother’s expression was somewhat odd, but… it didn’t seem to be due to the situation. He couldn’t quite pinpoint the reason!
Just as he was about to ask.
At this moment.
“Elder Brother, Second Brother…”
A shouting voice was heard. Without seeing him, Liu Bei and Guan Yu had already heard the shouts of their third brother, Zhang Fei.
However…
Usually, after shouting, his third brother would directly state what he wanted to say.
But this time…
He cautiously approached his two elder brothers, and then, with great seriousness, whispered: —“Just now, when I was drinking, a servant found me!”
Drinking? A servant?
Liu Bei and Guan Yu exchanged glances, muttering to themselves, this didn’t seem like a big deal, did it?
Who would have thought that Zhang Fei would change his tune.
—“This servant came from the palace, saying he wanted to see Elder Brother. That Emperor kid has something to tell Elder Brother!”
This…
Upon hearing this, Liu Bei and Guan Yu’s expressions changed drastically.
…
…