The dawn's light pierced through the clouds and mist, shining upon Bai Men Lou.
Bloodstains, crimson red, stained the execution grounds.
The stoic warriors of Bingzhou stood with vacant eyes, their tear-streaked faces reflecting utter despair.
Lu Bu was dead, and their faith had vanished with him.
And then…
Everyone assumed that after Lu Bu's demise, it would be the turn of Chen Gong, Zhang Liao, Gao Shun, and the rest; it would be the turn of the three hundred Bingzhou wolf cavalry loyal to Lu Bu. How could Cao Cao possibly let them go?
But… to everyone's surprise.
Cao Cao waved his hand, signaling that no one else would be interrogated today.
This…
Zhang Liao and Gao Shun were stunned;
The three hundred Bingzhou warriors and the seven hundred soldiers of the Formidable Formation were also stunned.
Even more astonishingly, they were all allowed to return to their camps. Their weapons were confiscated, but everything else remained as it was before!
“Sikong Cao, are you truly not interrogating anyone else today?”
Liu Bei asked with great surprise, repeatedly.
Cao Cao simply waved his hand. “I am tired. We shall speak of it tomorrow!”
With those words, he waved his hand, and the generals understandingly retreated slowly. Liu Bei was completely baffled. How could there be a situation where, after the city fell, the enemy generals were not punished? What exactly was Cao Cao planning?
His gaze was cold…
In an instant, a sense of foreboding swept through Liu Bei’s heart. He felt that something was not right, yet he couldn't quite pinpoint what it was!
Silence. For the next half day, the entire city of Xiapi was eerily quiet, eerily silent!
…
Inside the government office of Xiapi City.
Chen Gong was led into the office by Yang Xiu. Cao Cao was seated at the main seat. He looked up at Yang Xiu.
“You are Yang Dezhu?”
His voice was low…
“It is I, the student of the Imperial Academy—Yang Dezhu!”
Yang Xiu bowed his hands in greeting.
“Very good!” Cao Cao nodded. “Sikong Lu mentioned you to me. You have completed the tasks he assigned you admirably… As for rewards, once I have discussed it with Sikong Lu, you shall be duly rewarded!”
“Thank you, Sikong Cao.” Yang Xiu bowed his hands.
Immediately, he keenly noticed that as Cao Cao finished speaking to him, his eyes had already shifted towards Chen Gong, who was by his side.
Speaking of which.
The last task given to Yang Xiu by Director Lu was to control Chen Gong, Lu Bu's strategist, but… he was to be treated with utmost respect.
Director Lu had said that Chen Gong was a worthy opponent and had mentioned that he wished to meet Chen Gong later.
But…
Before Director Lu arrived, Sikong Cao had come. Sikong Cao specifically requested to see Chen Gong, and Yang Xiu naturally dared not disobey, so he brought him here.
*Tap, tap…*
With light footsteps, Yang Xiu slowly retreated.
Now, only Cao Cao and Chen Gong remained in the chamber…
“Gongtai, I have been waiting for you with great impatience!”
After Yang Xiu had gone, Cao Cao suddenly stood up. He grabbed Chen Gong's hand… However, Chen Gong seemed to harbor considerable hostility towards him, and his hands quickly recoiled.
“Sit, sit down quickly!” Cao Cao, completely unfazed by Chen Gong's rudeness, smiled and gestured for him to sit.
The two sat before the desk.
Chen Gong raised his eyes to look at Cao Cao, intending to say something, but the words caught in his throat, and he didn't know where to begin.
It was Cao Cao who broke the silence first.
“Brother Gongtai, I still clearly remember your kindness in saving me when I fled from Dong Zhuo in Zhongmou county! When I was the Prefect of Dong Commandery, you came to Yan Province and united the scholars to recommend me, Cao Cao, as the Prefect of Yan Province. I also bear that kindness in my heart!”
Chen Gong had shown great kindness to Cao Cao!
It was during Cao Cao's most difficult times, and such kindness was the most memorable.
However…
Chen Gong gave Cao Cao no face at all. He immediately retorted, “Cao Mengde? Do you also possess a heart?”
Heh…
These words seemed to kill the conversation immediately.
But Cao Cao didn't mind at all. “Hahahaha…” He laughed heartily, to ease the awkwardness of the moment.
“I truly regret it!” Chen Gong shook his head, his tone still icy. “Back then in Zhongmou county, I shouldn't have saved you. I should have presented your head to Dong Zhuo. Perhaps… the world would have been much more peaceful.”
*Hoo…*
Cao Cao was slightly taken aback, but he smiled faintly. “I understand. I can understand how Gongtai feels right now. Even I regret it for you! Haha…”
“Hmph, you Cao Cao are truly a treacherous villain, a shameless wretch!” Chen Gong said coldly.
Chen Gong was different from others. Others saw Cao Cao's glorious side, but only Chen Gong saw Cao Cao's darkest side—killing Lu Boshe, killing Bian Rang, all of which were completely contrary to the principles Chen Gong held dear.
“Gongtai…” Cao Cao suddenly became serious. He asked curiously, “There is one thing I do not understand. What makes Lu Bu comparable to me, Cao Cao? Since you have grand ambitions, why did you not stay by my side? Instead, you went to Lu Bu. How can he be worthy of your talent and aspirations?”
This…
Chen Gong's eyes narrowed.
Talent? Aspirations? How ironic…
What talent did he possess? Did he, Chen Gong, deserve aspirations?
He thought he was resourceful, but… time and again, his schemes were foiled by Cao Cao… no… to be precise, they were foiled by the Hidden Dragon behind the curtain. In the strategic encounters and clashes with the Hidden Dragon, he had never won.
Lu Bu's stupidity and his refusal to listen to advice were his own faults!
But even if Lu Bu had heeded his advice, would they have been a match for the Hidden Dragon?
This was a terrifying opponent. Only after confronting him could Chen Gong truly feel that bone-chilling pressure, that feeling of being completely seen through and understood from the inside out.
Chen Gong felt that… even if they clashed a hundred times, a thousand times, he still would not have a chance of winning.
*Hoo…*
With this thought, Chen Gong let out a long sigh, his expression changing drastically.
“What is Gongtai thinking about?” Cao Cao continued, “We are old friends reuniting. If you have anything to say, feel free to speak your mind!”
“Cao Cao, I will answer your question first. After answering your question, I also have a question.” Chen Gong's tone also became serious. “Why did I abandon you, Cao Cao, and defect to Lu Bu? Heh, because although Lu Bu is ignorant, he is far cleaner in character than you!”
“Yes, yes, clean. Clean like a fool!” Cao Cao chuckled.
He had actually guessed this answer.
He retorted, “Then… Gongtai, you might as well ask your question.”
“Cao Cao, the strategy to capture Xiapi City… is it… is it…” Chen Gong began, but his voice became choked towards the end, as if… he already knew the answer but did not wish to face it.
“Gongtai wants to ask about Lu Yu, doesn't he?” Cao Cao finished Chen Gong's sentence for him. “Doesn't Gongtai already guess his identity?”
“Hidden Dragon! The Hidden Dragon who can bring peace to the realm? My guess is correct, isn't it?”
Chen Gong sighed with emotion…
Upon mentioning this, he felt much more at ease. “I, Chen Gong, prided myself on my resourcefulness, but… to think that compared to the Hidden Dragon, I am but a firefly competing with the sun and moon. However… there is one thing I still do not understand!”
Chen Gong's eyes suddenly turned cold.
“Why did the Hidden Dragon choose you, Cao Cao? Couldn't the Hidden Dragon see that you are a ruthless and cruel person? Since he can bring peace to the realm, then Yuan Shao of Jizhou, Liu Biao of Jing Province, Sun Ce of Jiangdong—whose starting points were not higher than yours, Cao Cao? Even if you didn't want to join them, back then when you were the Prefect of Dong Commandery, Liu Xuande was the Chancellor of Pingyuan. You were on par. Why didn't he choose to join Liu Xuande, who was known for his benevolence?”
Chen Gong's voice grew louder and more urgent with each sentence…
This was what he desperately wanted to know.
What right did you, Cao Cao, have?
What right?
“Heh…”
“Heh heh…”
Cao Cao smiled. He instinctively wanted to blurt out—Because I am the Hidden Dragon’s father! Because this empire was built for Yu'er!
That reason should be enough, shouldn't it?
However…
The words reached his lips, but Cao Cao swallowed them back. He simply chanted softly.
— “It is time, it is destiny, it is time… it is destiny!”
This…
Chen Gong shook his head. “Hahahaha…” He gave a bitter, helpless laugh. It was truly… time and destiny!
“Alright, Gongtai…” Cao Cao narrowed his eyes, his tone suddenly laced with a chilling murderous intent. “I have another question for you. Tell me… should I kill you? Or should I use you?”
“That's easy…” Chen Gong replied immediately. He had intended to say, “Quickly kill me…”
But, the words reached his lips, and he changed his mind. He suddenly wanted to hear how the Hidden Dragon would answer this question.
“Why doesn't Sikong Cao ask the Hidden Dragon?”
“With his intelligence, how could he not find the correct answer? Heh, I, Chen Gong, also wish to know how the Hidden Dragon would answer. Sikong Cao, you must tell me!”
This was a way to counter Cao Cao.
Heh heh… Hearing this… Cao Cao was amused. He suddenly stood up. “The Hidden Dragon's thoughts? Does Gongtai really want to know?”
“I want to! I really want to know.” Chen Gong's eyes narrowed.
“Haha… Very well.” Cao Cao looked up, gazing out of the window at the void. “Change your clothes and come out of the city with me!”
“Out of the city?” Chen Gong was startled. “Aren’t you afraid I'll run away?”
As the words escaped his lips, Cao Cao turned around and placed his hand heavily on Chen Gong's shoulder. “Haha… Gongtai, you can't run away. The Hidden Dragon once said something that perfectly suits your current mood!”
“What?” Chen Gong asked curiously.
Cao Cao smiled and then said truthfully, “—Curiosity killed the cat! Haha… Hahaha…”
With those words, Cao Cao walked towards the door!
…He waited by the door for Chen Gong to change, to go out of the city together!
He, Cao Cao, would not explain Yu'er's thoughts… let Chen Gong see for himself!
Besides, Yu'er also has "plans" for you!
…
…
Cao Cao's army camp, the camp of the Dragon Riders.
Inside the main tent.
Around a round table, many generals of the Dragon Riders were seated. Besides the generals, Lu Yu was also present… Yang Xiu and Chen Deng arrived a little late.
They reported one by one the situation in Xiapi City.
“Reporting to Sikong Lu, the situation in Xiapi City is stable. Sikong Cao has posted notices to appease the populace. General Cao Ren has gone to repair the houses and farmland damaged by the war, providing appropriate compensation to the farmers and commoners. Officials from the prestigious families are going deep into the grassroots to promote Sikong Cao's decrees. It can be said… the hearts of the people are at peace!”
Chen Deng reported truthfully.
Lu Yu gestured for Chen Deng to “sit”!
Chen Deng then sat down.
Immediately, Lu Yu stood up and bowed to Chen Deng.
“For this great victory in Xiapi City, Yuanlong's contribution is indispensable…”
“I, Lu Yu, on behalf of Sikong Cao, thank Yuanlong, thank the Chen family of Xiapi, and thank… every official from the prestigious families who placed themselves in enemy territory and contributed to the current victory! You will be richly rewarded upon our return to the capital.”
In Lu Yu's eyes, being a spy was the most difficult!
This was a silent battlefield. Lu Yu deeply respected their efforts.
However…
Chen Deng was overwhelmed with surprise by Lu Yu's solemn bow and thanks.
Receiving praise from Lu Yu in Cao Ying was almost equivalent to receiving praise from Sikong Cao himself. Ascension to power was just around the corner!
“I dare not… I dare not…” Chen Deng, who had just sat down, stood up again.
Huang Zhong, who was sitting beside him, pulled him back down.
“Merit should be rewarded, and faults should be punished. This is the rule of our Dragon Riders. Mr. Chen, please do not decline, or it will seem like you are being too distant!”
Next was Yang Xiu's turn…
In fact, Yang Xiu was quite excited in his heart. He mused… having made such a great contribution this time, Director Lu would surely praise him handsomely!
From now on, he would also be considered a capable disciple, a capable general under Director Lu.
Thinking about it, he felt a little thrilled!
“Reporting to the Director…”
Yang Xiu also bowed and said, “This morning, Sikong Cao killed Lu Bu at Bai Men Lou. About three hundred Bingzhou soldiers knelt at the execution grounds, unmoving… among them were Generals Zhang Liao and Gao Shun, whom Director Lu specifically mentioned!”
“The Tiger Guards originally intended to disperse them, but… they refused to retreat even unto death, and they even vowed to die with the Marquis of Wen! Sikong Cao did not give the order, and the Tiger Guards dared not act on their own initiative, so the vicinity of Bai Men Lou was in a stalemate.”
“Furthermore, Sikong Cao ordered me to bring Chen Gong to see him… Other than that, everything within the city has been going smoothly.”
Upon hearing this, Lu Yu nodded slightly.
These Dragon Rider soldiers had already informed him. This was not what he wanted to hear.
Moreover, looking at Yang Xiu's demeanor and tone… he was already soaring to the heavens.
It seemed the sky had cleared, the rain had stopped, and Yang Xiu felt he was capable again.
Speaking of which…
While Lu Yu could reward other disciples, for the arrogant Yang Xiu, even if he made great contributions, he had to be severely punished. This was for his own good, to let him experience the harsh realities of society!
With this thought, Lu Yu sneered inwardly. He took a deep breath and suddenly… let out a sharp roar:
— “Yang Xiu!”
All eyes were drawn to Lu Yu's words…
Especially Huang Zhong and Cao Xiu.
It seemed that as Young Master Lu's disciple, and having made another great contribution, even if Young Master Lu was addressing him by name, he should have called him "Dezhu," shouldn't he?
But directly calling him "Yang Xiu" carried a deeper meaning, sounding like a punishment.
Indeed, Lu Yu roared, “Yang Xiu, kneel down for me!”
Yang Xiu was startled. He had been excited about his great contribution, and Chen Deng had received praise from Director Lu, so he should have received even more accolades!
But… Lu Yu's roar almost made him wet himself, and he knelt down stiffly.
“Your student… your student respectfully awaits the Director's teachings.”
*Hoo…*
Lu Yu let out a long sigh. Although… Yang Xiu had performed well this time.
But the problem was… whether he performed well was not important for Yang Xiu. The important thing was to crush his arrogance!
He couldn't let him get carried away in the future…
Otherwise…
With the nature he had since birth, he would sooner or later fall because of a "useless thing"!
With this in mind…
Lu Yu's eyes narrowed.
“Yang Xiu, Yang Xiu, you are a disgrace!”
“…”
The four words, "a disgrace," uttered by Lu Yu, left everyone dumbfounded.
“Director Lu, I…” Yang Xiu stammered, then quickly tried to speak, but… halfway through, he didn't know how to explain. How had he become a disgrace?
Lu Yu waved his hand.
— “Don't call me Director. I don't have a student like you in the Imperial Academy. Shame, shame… I sent you countless strategies, countless instructions, I was almost teaching you hand by hand what to do! But even so, you let Zang Ba and the Taishan Army escape, you let Lu Bu's eldest daughter, Lü Lingqi, escape!”
— “What a disgrace… a complete disgrace! When our Dragon Riders and Imperial Academy students are dispatched, whether it be Sima Cheng, 'Kong Ming,' 'Huang Xu,' 'Cao Ang,' 'Cao Anmin,' 'Xu Yi,' or 'Dian Man,' every one of them completes their mission flawlessly and earns endless praise, without a single flaw. Only you—Yang Xiu, with so many people, you let them run away. What kind of mission did you complete? You have shamed the Imperial Academy, you have made me, the Director of the Imperial Academy, ashamed. Disgraceful, disgraceful!”
— “You, you, you… I do not have a student like you!”
“…”
The entire tent fell silent…
Everyone, including Cao Xiu, Huang Zhong, and Chen Deng… they had all been smiling, their expressions pleasant, but suddenly, their faces froze.
Uh…
Especially Chen Deng, he felt as if he had seen a ghost.
Didn't Yang Xiu perform exceptionally well?
As a physician, he entered Xiapi City, illuminated Xiapi City, and transmitted information about Xiapi City;
He also transmitted information about Cao Cao's army;
Even… with his medical skills, he won the hearts of countless civilians and, with his own efforts, incited a rebellion!
If the capture of Xiapi City were to be judged by the foremost merit, then Yang Xiu would undoubtedly be the one!
With such merits, to be scolded so severely by Young Master Lu, almost expelled from the Imperial Academy, this…
And…
The most crucial point was that the reason for Yang Xiu's reprimand was entirely caused by Chen Deng.
After all…
For the past month, Yang Xiu had been his comrade-in-arms!
Now… his comrade-in-arms, because of him… was being punished. How could Chen Deng bear this?
Letting Lü Lingqi escape, deliberately allowing Zang Ba and the Taishan Army to plunder Lü Lingqi, and being the culprit responsible for their escape from the East Gate, was Chen Deng himself!
With this thought…
Chen Deng quickly stood up. “Sikong Lu, letting Lü Lingqi, Zang Ba, and the Taishan Army escape had nothing to do with Young Master Yang. It was I, Chen Deng, who was careless. I hope Sikong Lu will punish me!”
*Hoo…*
Lu Yu let out a long sigh. He feigned anger from being provoked by Yang Xiu.
“Yuanlong, I know you have good intentions! You want to take the blame for him, but… my Dragon Riders, my Imperial Academy students, I, Lu Yu, have always demanded strictness! Otherwise, if it is a disgrace, it is not just my, Lu Yu's, face that is lost, but the face of the Dragon Riders, the face of the Imperial Academy! The reputation that the Dragon Riders and the Imperial Academy have established in the Nine Provinces, how can it be tarnished by a mere Imperial Academy student like Yang Xiu?”
Having said this, Lu Yu turned and glared at Yang Xiu, his tone becoming even colder.
“Yang Xiu? Do you know your mistake!”
“I know my mistake, your student knows his mistake…” Yang Xiu bowed his head to the ground. The Director Lu was right, wasn't he? Both of them were carrying out missions, and other senior and junior students had not made any mistakes, but he… why hadn't he considered this?
Even if this was related to Chen Yuanlong, it was still not acceptable. As an Imperial Academy student, why hadn't he considered it more thoroughly?
He had shamed Director Lu!
“Your student has shamed Director Lu, your student deserves death!” Yang Xiu kowtowed like pounding garlic!
Lu Yu seemed to have calmed down somewhat.
He nodded. “Yang Xiu, you must be ashamed! As the saying goes, shame leads to courage! Normally, I am this strict with every Imperial Academy student and every Dragon Rider soldier… you are no exception, you are not special, do you understand?”
Yang Xiu's eyes welled up with tears. “Your student, your student will strictly obey the Director's teachings!”
“Hmph… then I sentence you to kneel here for half a day to properly remember this lesson! Think carefully about where the mistakes in this mission lie, and do not repeat them in the future!”
Lu Yu snorted coldly. He shook his head and deliberately acted as if he were angrily leaving.
He muttered, “A hopeless case, a hopeless case…”
Heh heh…
Leaving the tent, Lu Yu felt a sense of relief.
This was like sounding a wake-up call for the Imperial Academy, and indeed for the entire Dragon Riders!
This was a good thing, a constant ringing of the alarm bell!
Of course, for Yang Xiu, this was also a good thing, a form of cultivation!
In Lu Yu's opinion, it was fine if other disciples were slightly proud, even pampered, but Yang Xiu could not be. He had to completely remove the word "arrogance" from his bones!
Thinking of this…
Lu Yu felt he was doing a good deed. He was truly a great benefactor who did good deeds without seeking fame, a noble great benefactor, a pure great benefactor!
…
Uh…
Inside the tent, the remaining people, some sitting, some kneeling, some standing, were all dumbfounded!
They didn't know what to do.
And Lu Yu walked out of the tent…
Dian Wei immediately stepped forward. He bowed and whispered: “Young Master, that person has woken up!”
“Woken up?” Lu Yu was somewhat surprised. After all, it was a heavy blow, and he had woken up so quickly?
As expected, with good physical fitness, the duration of dizziness could also be shortened. Impressive.
“Take me there…” Lu Yu whispered the order…
And immediately took a step forward.
But after taking just one step, Lu Yu paused.
“Commander Dian, go and call General Huang Zhong…”
Hmm…
Dian Wei didn't understand why Huang Zhong was needed.
Where would he know?
Lu Yu was a cautious person. This fellow who had woken up was a fierce tiger. Although Dian Wei was also a fierce tiger, he… did not provide Lu Yu with complete security. At the very least, Huang Zhong was needed to supplement him!
"Ancient Fierce Tiger" paired with "Hundred Pace Precision Archery," how about… the level would be above "Unrivaled Flying General," right?
In Lu Yu's creed!
— Deception, always, must be built upon absolute security!
…
…