Here is the translation:
- (ps: Just a heads-up, I see some comments going off track, Sister Zhao Ji is definitely the Empress! Lü Lingqi has special reasons, she's meant to withdraw, which will be mentioned later. Everything is for the sake of the plot, dear readers, what you're thinking is what I'm thinking, calm down, calm down! I know who the Empress should be!)
Here, Lu Yu and Lü Bu had finished discussing everything, both relevant and irrelevant.
Actually...
Regarding marrying Lü Lingqi as his wife, Lü Bu had thought about it too naively.
He casually assumed that as long as Lu Yu agreed, the matter would be essentially settled!
But in reality...
In ancient times, it was all about the parents' decree and the matchmaker's word. Lu Yu's agreement didn't mean much!
Precisely...
From Lu Yu's understanding of Sister Zhao Ji, she would not agree.
Marrying a wife was different from taking a concubine...
During the Qin Dynasty, the "Law of Statutes and Miscellaneous Laws" stipulated: "A husband with two wives shall be executed; a wife with an outside husband shall be imprisoned!"
The Han Dynasty inherited the Qin system, and the Han Dynasty also attached great importance to monogamy. As for... concubines?
As long as you had money, like Zhang Cang and Dongfang Shuo, who had dozens of concubines, no one would question it!
Moreover, concubines could not be elevated to the status of wife!
Promoting a concubine to the status of a wife was illegal in any dynasty. In fact... even a husband favoring a concubine and neglecting his principal wife, such an act of favoring concubines and destroying wives, was punishable!
Therefore...
Lü Bu was too naive. He thought that Sister Zhao Ji, being knowledgeable and virtuous, would not go against her younger brother Lu Yu's wishes. He was wrong... The more knowledgeable and virtuous she was, the more she would value the position of the mistress of the Sìnóng Mansion.
It required not only family background but also... upbringing and education to be considered...
Lü Lingqi simply wouldn't catch Sister Zhao Ji's eye!
Lü Bu was simply assuming.
Of course...
Lu Yu's swift agreement was merely to stabilize Lü Bu and make him serve him. This agreement had no legal value!
It couldn't decide anything at all.
This matter would likely end in nothing later on.
Heh heh...
With this thought, Lu Yu smiled faintly.
Lü Bu, for once, had his intelligence functioning, but he still hadn't figured out who was manipulating whom this time!
Indeed...
Just as Lu Yu thought.
Cai Zhao Ji would not agree to marry Lü Lingqi!
And besides Cai Zhao Ji, there was another person who would be even less likely to agree!
- Cao Cao!
That's right, in Cao Cao's mind, he already had someone in mind for Yu'er's wife.
Lü Bu's eldest daughter, while she had some backing, such as Lü Bu, Zhang Liao, Gao Shun, and the Bing Province Cavalry, the Trapped Beasts Army... these were still far from enough!
Let alone others, compared to the Xiahou family, they were still far behind.
Cao Cao hadn't even considered marrying Xiahou Yuan's niece, Xiahou Jian, to Yu'er, so how could he possibly agree to this marriage.
Parents' decree... Yu'er's old father is here!
At this moment, Cao Cao...
Was just outside the door of this grand tent.
He had come with Chen Gong. His original intention was to have Chen Gong listen to Lu Yu's strategies and deployment plans for the next step!
But as he listened, the direction of the conversation began to take a turn for the worse.
How did it suddenly veer into marriage matters...
Lü Bu was a toad wanting to eat swan meat...
- Parents' decree and matchmaker's word, heh heh... Does Cai Yan agree? Cao Cao doesn't know, but he is the first one who won't agree.
Of course...
This is not important!
The urgent matter was to get Lü Bu to agree to be Yu'er's shadow guard!
It was to win the hearts of those loyal individuals. Everything else could be discussed later.
- "Cao Mengde, you're amazing..."
A voice broke Cao Cao's reverie... and also shattered the silence outside the tent.
Chen Gong had spoken.
Having listened to the conversation between Lu Yu and Lü Bu outside the door, Chen Gong was greatly shocked.
Lü Bu was dead, and Lü Bu was not dead!
Cao Cao's move... to be precise, Lu Yu's move was to kill with a single blow and strike at the heart...
He not only wanted to win the hearts of the surrendered generals, but also the hearts of those loyal individuals, and it seemed to have succeeded... the method was truly formidable.
"Gongtai, what you said is wrong. It's not me who's amazing, it's Yinlin who's amazing!"
Cao Cao replied... "You weren't curious about how Lu Sinong proposed to deal with you? Now you see and hear, how is Lu Sinong's method of dealing with you?"
"Astonishing!"
Chen Gong did not spare his praise for Lu Yu...
Unbelievable, truly unbelievable!
To integrate all of Lü Bu's former troops and all his excellent generals... Yinlin truly turned decay into a miracle!
Of course... this only surprised Chen Gong a little!
In recent years, how much has Yinlin helped Cao Cao?
Just as Cao Cao, over the years, neither relied on aristocratic families nor the descendants of military families, yet was able to produce those incredible armies without the support of either!
Wasn't all this planned by Yinlin for him?
This time, it was just hearing Yinlin's words up close and seeing Yinlin's methods, which made Chen Gong realize...
Cao Cao's rise was not a coincidence, but a certainty!
With such a "Yinlin" assisting him, who could play with "people's hearts" at his fingertips, even if Cao Cao's situation had been ten times more miserable in the past, he would still have been able to rise!
Wasn't Yinlin's talent more than ten times his own?
"Cao Cao, Cao Cao, you are a lucky person... to have Yinlin's assistance, you deserve to conquer the Central Plains!"
Sour...
Chen Gong's words were very sour, extremely sour!
Of course, he also recognized himself. It wasn't that he hadn't joined a wise lord; it was that Chen Gong himself lacked ability!
"Gongtai, what do you think of Lu Yu?" Cao Cao asked meaningfully again...
"He is much purer than you, Cao Cao!" Chen Gong tried to evaluate. "If the future ruler of the world were this Lu Yu, instead of you, Cao Cao, how wonderful that would be! It would surely usher in an era of peace!"
Speaking of which, Chen Gong couldn't help but sigh. "If... Lu Yu were the master, and you, Cao Cao, were the minister, perhaps I, Chen Gong, would have joined your camp. But... it's a pity that no matter how capable Lu Yu is, he is still your subordinate, Cao Cao. I will not be loyal to you, this cruel and insidious person, nor do I wish to see a treacherous schemer become the ruler of the world!"
Chen Gong was an upright person... he believed in black and white!
Cao Cao was black, Lu Yu was white. Chen Gong could join white, but he would never join black!
Alas...
Speaking of this, Cao Cao sighed. Killing Chen Gong was easy, but Cao Cao truly cherished Chen Gong. He really couldn't bear to part with Chen Gong.
After all, this was the "brother" who had followed him the earliest!
By a twist of fate!
It could only be said to be a twist of fate!
But even so, Cao Cao still couldn't bear to let him go, and still wanted to win him over.
"Gongtai, I brought you here today specifically to listen to Lu Sinong's words. Actually, I wanted to tell you that you have always misunderstood me, Cao Cao!"
Cao Cao's eyes narrowed, and his tone became serious.
"In this world, where is there so much black and white? You think I am a treacherous schemer, and you see me as the dark side, because... I no longer care about those vulgar and unbearable moral codes!"
"You call me a treacherous schemer, black. You say Lu Yu can create a prosperous era, white. But have you ever thought about how to turn this chaotic world into an era of peace? Who can end this chaotic world and usher in the chapter of peace? Is it you, Chen Gongtai? Is it him, Lu Yu?"
"Heh heh, you call me Cao Cao a treacherous schemer, that's right. But you gentlemen who consider yourselves noble gentlemen have all been defeated by me, this treacherous schemer! Yinlin understands people's hearts and sees through heavenly secrets. His wisdom is so profound, yet he still joins the tent of this treacherous schemer like me! Why do you think that is!"
"Because Yinlin knows that what can end this chaotic world is not white, but black! Not benevolent scholars, but a true villain, a great traitorous person! In this chaotic world, everyone knows what is great good and great virtue! Everyone knows what is great evil and great treachery! But you 'good people' will never know that it takes greater courage to be a villain, to be a traitor, than to be a good person!"
Speaking of this...
Cao Cao paused, turned around, and stood with his hands behind his back.
His words continued.
"Because, in this chaotic world, the price of being a gentleman is to be insulted, trampled upon, annihilated, even killed... Therefore, Yinlin will not join gentlemen, he will only join treacherous schemers. And I would rather be a treacherous schemer who can end this tragic world, realize my own ideals and ambitions in my own way, and rectify the injustices in this world!"
"Since ancient times, great treachery resembles loyalty, and great deception resembles truth... Loyalty and treachery are not revealed from the surface. You misunderstood me, Cao Cao, in the past, and you misunderstand me now. But I am still me, and I am never afraid of others misunderstanding me!"
"Brother Gongtai, to be honest, do you think I, using my own methods, bearing the infamy of a treacherous schemer, and using ruthless means to end this chaotic world, bringing prosperity and peace to this land, have done wrong?"
This...
Cao Cao's heartfelt words stirred Chen Gong's heart, but... he still couldn't overcome his inner barrier.
Black and white, Cao Cao was black!
"Cao Cao, you are a complete treacherous schemer. Even if you can end the chaotic world, your methods during the era of peace will be even more ruthless! Even more brutal! Countless people will die because of you. Perhaps... among them are your advisors, perhaps some of your generals. This is the true you, Cao Cao, you are a treacherous schemer! As long as you are here, there will be no peace!"
"Haha... Stop talking. Lu Yu has earned enough fighting strength for you. In this Battle of Xiapi, you not only suffered no losses, but your strength has increased. Lü Bu has surrendered to you, so it's not like I, Chen Gong, am missing. Hurry up and send me on my way!"
Chen Gong closed his eyes...
Hoo...
Cao Cao's heart trembled. He still couldn't persuade him?
Peace... Chen Gong was still worried about the blackness in the era of peace?
For a moment, Cao Cao really wanted to give up persuading Chen Gong, but... he still couldn't make up his mind.
He couldn't bear to part with Chen Gong!
With this thought, Cao Cao's eyes narrowed, and his tone became extremely solemn.
"Alright... Since you mentioned the era of peace, then I, Cao Cao, will tell you a secret, a secret that only I, Cao Cao, know!"
"Are you still trying to fool me?" Chen Gong retorted.
Cao Cao waved his hand, signaling to go to a quiet place...
Tap tap...
As they walked, Cao Cao's voice became extremely clear and delicate.
"Brother Gongtai, I'll tell you, it's true that I, Cao Cao's darkness, is ending this chaotic world now. But the one who will govern the prosperous era in the future will be Lu Yu's whiteness... Because Yinlin, Lu Yu! His true identity is actually..."
Cao Cao slowly recounted everything about Lu Yu to Chen Gong...
Boom...
Rumble!
At this moment, for Chen Gong, it was like five thunders striking his heart, with lightning all around!
Heavens, oh heavens!
Yinlin turned out to be... Cao Cao's eldest son? Heavens... Cao Cao, the treacherous schemer, used ruthless methods to end the chaotic world, completely practicing the "black" he believed in, and his goal... was for his future eldest son, Lu Yu... No... to be precise, for his future eldest son Cao Yu to ascend the throne and use benevolent "whiteness" to create a prosperous era!
Thinking about it this way...
Cao Cao, the treacherous schemer, seemed much more lovable!
What a treacherous schemer and Yinlin, what a pair of father and son Cao!
He, Chen Gong, really... really misunderstood him, Cao Cao!
Black and white...
Now... it seems he, Chen Gong, has the right to choose whether to be loyal to black or to surrender to white!
- "Brother Gongtai, I, Cao Cao, trust you. This matter... Yu'er does not know about it. I hope you keep it a secret!"
- "Now, Brother Gongtai, there's no need to go to your death. I will bear the infamy of a treacherous schemer, and you... just need to assist Yu'er in governing the future prosperous era well!"
Hoo...
He let out a long sigh.
Chen Gong was still shocked. He tried to speak, but the words caught in his throat...
Heh heh, who would have thought...
He, Chen Gong, at this moment of seeking death, had actually found a "wise lord," one who would not be feared by Cao Cao, and one who could create a prosperous era in the future!
Chen Gong's eyes suddenly lit up, with a glint of brilliance flickering within them!
At this moment, ideals and ambitions once again surged within his heart!
...
...
Xiapi City, atop Bai Men Tower.
It was night.
Originally kneeling at the execution ground, before the kneeling "Lü Bu" who was about to be beheaded, Zhang Liao, Gao Shun, and countless loyal soldiers from Bing Province, a person appeared before them.
The current Grand Sìnóng, Commander of the Dragon Soaring Camp – Lu Yu!
Unexpectedly...
Lu Yu's appearance here surprised everyone.
But... he crouched down, brought his mouth close to Zhang Liao and Gao Shun's ears, and said a few words to each of them.
This was better than not speaking...
As soon as the words fell... the expressions of the two changed drastically.
They immediately ordered all the kneeling loyal soldiers to withdraw...
Then, they followed Lu Yu and quickly walked out of the city.
All the way, the two of them remained silent, but their eyes were wide open, and their chests heaved continuously!
On their foreheads, a question emerged—
—Is what Lu Sinong said true? Is it really true?
...
...
Xiapi City, within the Yáshǔ!
Under the candlelight, through the window, two figures faintly appeared.
At this moment, a song like a hundred orioles quietly arose.
A soft hum, a chant... extremely pleasant to the ear, giving a sense of healing.
And through the window, there was the shadow of a middle-aged man, and a graceful woman who was dancing gracefully. The middle-aged man sat on a mat, drinking wine and clapping his hands in approval.
And this woman, with long sleeves and a slender waist, sang Yuefu while dancing.
Her dance was light and agile, her posture like a swallow, her body as soft as cloud wisps, and her arms as boneless as clouds!
Her dance steps were like lotuses blooming, like butterflies dancing among flowers, like flowing water, like the bright moon in the deep mountains, like the dawn in the alley, like dewdrops on lotus leaves, making people feel as if they were drinking fine wine, intoxicated beyond recovery.
At this moment...
It seemed that all words related to beauty could be attributed to this beauty!
"Such long sleeves and graceful dance must have intoxicated countless heroes."
Sighing, it was none other than Cao Cao, the middle-aged man in the Yáshǔ!
And this dancing woman was Diao Chan.
After the dance...
Diao Chan turned sideways and said softly, "My dance is not for Commander Cao, but for my husband."
Hearing this...
Cao Cao nodded.
"Indeed, in your heart, I, Cao Cao, cannot compare to Lü Bu!"
"Yes!" Diao Chan replied gracefully, "In my heart, even ten Commander Caos cannot compare to him..."
Her tone rose.
A faint tear welled up in Diao Chan's beautiful eyes.
"My husband is sincere, Commander Cao is shrewd. My husband is kind, Commander Cao is treacherous. My husband is affectionate, Commander Cao is heartless! Therefore, even if Commander Cao killed my husband, in Diao Chan's heart, Commander Cao will never compare to him! No one in this world can replace him!"
Heh!
Heh heh...
Hearing this, Cao Cao finally understood. He suddenly stood up.
This sudden movement startled Diao Chan, and she hurriedly reached into her sleeve to find something.
Just then...
Cao Cao's voice followed. "The Seven-Star Sword is in your right sleeve, isn't it!"
This.
As soon as these words were spoken, Diao Chan bit her lip fiercely, her entire face changed color, and even her hand, which was about to draw the sword from her right sleeve, trembled involuntarily, and then...
"Clang clang clang..."
The Seven-Star Sword fell to the ground with a crisp sound.
Indeed.
Cao Cao's eyes narrowed slightly. He showed no anger at all, nor did he call for the guards outside!
All of this seemed to be within his expectations...
Mentioning the Seven-Star Sword just now was a test!
It was just that Cao Cao lamented that Yu'er, oh Yu'er, even a painting, even a woman, you have predicted it.
"Seven-Star Sword..."
Cao Cao took a step forward and picked up the Seven-Star Sword.
He held it up to his eyes and examined it carefully, then sighed, "This sword is still so sharp!"
Seeing the object and thinking of the person...
Cao Cao murmured, "More than eight hundred years ago, a meteor fell in Yue Province, scorching more than fifty miles of mountains and rivers. That night, the couple Gan Jiang and Mo Ye retrieved the meteor and forged two swords, one called Gan Jiang and the other called Mo Ye! That is, the King of Wu's sword and the King of Yue's sword!"
"The remaining meteorite from forging these two swords was only enough to forge one more short knife, which is this Seven-Star Sword! For over eight hundred years, the King of Wu's sword and the King of Yue's sword have become world-renowned, but only this Seven-Star Sword remained unknown, until I, Cao Cao, used this sword to assassinate Dong Zhuo! It was then that it truly shone... Speaking of which, in the past, when I went to Minister Wang's residence to borrow the sword, wasn't it Miss Diao Chan who brought me this precious sword?"
Speaking of this, Cao Cao recalled the third scroll of painting that Lu Yu and Lü Bu had discussed.
Diao Chan drawing her sword and committing suicide, her life ending tragically!
"Alas..."
With a sigh, Cao Cao said loudly, "It seems that today, young lady, you intend to commit suicide with this sword... returning it to the heavens! What a pity, what a pity!"
Hoo...
Having had her secret thoughts exposed by Cao Cao, Diao Chan suddenly panicked. She trembled all over like a startled rabbit.
"Haha..."
Cao Cao smiled faintly, then waved his hand to signal Diao Chan not to be nervous.
Then, he said with a smile, "It's not too late to commit suicide. Why don't you listen to me first? If you still want to commit suicide after hearing my words, or if you want to kill me, do as you please!"
...
...