Under the walls of Shouchun City, Cao's great camp…
A notice was posted everywhere within the great camp.
"The army is cut off from supplies, and Commander Cao originally intended to retreat. The grain officer Wang Hou informed Commander Cao that the army's provisions were still enough to last for ten days."
"Commander Cao thus decided to temporarily halt the retreat. Who knew that Wang Hou's rationing would stir the anger of the generals? Truly unforgivable, but it also bought time for the grain to arrive and found a battle opportunity. It was a great crime, but now it is a great merit!"
Again a great crime, and again a great merit!
Any problem? No problem!
Any loopholes? Upon careful consideration, there are indeed loopholes!
But does it matter? Not at all.
Because what the soldiers of the three armies have always cared about is not who is right or wrong? But rather, their rations. As long as they can eat… who cares if Wang Hou is credited or blamed, it doesn't matter.
And Wang Hou was also very confused…
Where is this place? Who am I? Am I alive or dead?
Uh…
In short, it was very magical, everything was exceptionally magical.
He seemed to be innocent. If so… his son was still his son, and his wife was still his wife. Wang Hou preferred to personally take care of his wife and children.
"You're quite lucky, kid!" At this moment, Xu Chu patted the bewildered Wang Hou on the shoulder.
"But…" Xu Chu tapped his forehead again, very curious. "If the grain didn't arrive for a month, how did it happen to arrive just at this critical moment?"
Wang Hou was also at a loss…
However, he was certain that whoever delivered the grain was undoubtedly Wang Hou's benefactor, his reborn parents. It was equivalent to his parents giving birth to him once, and his benefactor giving birth to him again.
"I hope Commander Xu can help me find out… who is my benefactor?"
Wang Hou repeatedly requested.
Xu Chu nodded. "Don't worry about this. I'll investigate tonight. However, your temperament suits my taste. If there's a chance in the future, I'll recommend you to Young Master Lu. I believe you'll be entrusted with an important position in the Dragon Soaring Camp!"
Dragon Soaring Camp? Young Master Lu?
General Xu's recommendation?
Is this considered… turning misfortune into good fortune?
Wang Hou blinked his eyes repeatedly. All of this, in summary, in conclusion… was like a dream.
"Eh…" Xu Chu seemed to suddenly remember something. "Right, why did I forget? It seems… Young Master Cao Anmin said ten days ago that Young Master Lu promised Commander Cao that the grain would arrive within ten days! Could it be… this grain delivery!"
Ten days?
It's exactly ten days today!
No matter how honest Wang Hou was, he understood everything now.
No wonder Commander Cao ordered him to persist for ten days, to ration the grain for ten days. So… so this was the source of it all!
Of course, at this point, none of this mattered.
The only important thing was that the benefactor who saved Wang Hou was most likely… Young Master Lu… Lu Sinong!
A life-saving grace is like a second birth. According to this logic, Wang Hou should call Lu Yu "Father Lu"!
Fortunately, in his excitement, Wang Hou didn't call out loud…
Otherwise… Cao Cao would have unexpectedly become his grandfather!
…
…
In the central army tent, Cao Cao had dismissed everyone, leaving only Dian Wei.
Was he happy?
Of course he was happy…
There was the factor of Yu'er creating the divine artifacts, the wooden ox and the flowing horse, and there was also the factor of the Shouchun situation completely reversing.
However, Cao Cao didn't have time to worry about these things now.
Because Dian Wei had mentioned that Yu'er had entrusted him with a bamboo slip to deliver, and this bamboo slip could ensure the city's capture within three days.
Capture the city in three days, what a bold claim!
The most crucial point was that this bamboo slip… was written by Cao Cao himself!
This…
Cao Cao was very expectant. To be honest… if someone else had made such a boast, Cao Cao would not have been so excited.
But… these words were spoken by Yu'er, and this bamboo slip was sent by Yu'er. Considering Yu'er's previous strategies, this was deeply meaningful.
"Commander Dian? Where is the bamboo slip from Lu Sinong?"
Cao Cao asked first…
Dian Wei carefully took out the bamboo slip from his embrace and handed it to Cao Cao with both hands.
To be honest.
Lu Yu had secretly entrusted this bamboo slip to Dian Wei and given him this task.
For this reason, Dian Wei dared not be negligent. During the ten days of transporting grain, this bamboo slip was kept close to his body to prevent it from being washed away by the rain. Now… it was in Cao Cao's hands, still warm.
*Hoo.*
Cao Cao took the bamboo slip. It was a light bamboo slip, but… looking at the style of the bamboo slip, he became a little serious, yet he couldn't recall where he had seen it for a moment.
Upon unfolding it…
It was nothing to unfold it, but upon unfolding it, Cao Cao suddenly understood. This was the "Inner Admonishment Order"! It was written by him personally and strictly enforced within the Commander's Mansion, the "Inner Admonishment Order"!
Speaking of this "Inner Admonishment Order," it was Cao Cao's strict requirement for himself and his family.
To be honest, Cao Cao was never stingy with rewards for talent. Food, clothing, and anything good, he would reward the meritorious officials…
Rewards like "a tael of gold when mounting a horse, a tael of silver when dismounting," were not just Guan Yu's patent in Cao's camp!
But, in stark contrast to his rewards for talent, Cao Cao was extremely frugal in his own dress and food.
This "Inner Admonishment Order" stipulated his own food, drink, and expenses in the mansion, and he set an example, requiring the entire Cao Mansion, whether it be his wives, concubines, or sons, to strictly adhere to it!
According to ancient historical records, after Emperor Ming of Wei, Cao Rui, ascended the throne, the Minister of War, Wei Ji, mentioned in a memorial that "During the time of Emperor Wu, the imperial concubines' meals did not exceed one type of meat!"
This also reveals some clues.
Cao Cao did not pay attention to food, nor did he pay attention to clothing. He often wore clothes with patches. The "Inner Admonishment Order" even stated: "My clothes and bedding are all ten years old. I mend and patch them every year."
This means that Cao Cao used clothes and bedding for ten years, and he would mend and patch them every year to continue using them.
The "Inner Admonishment Order" also stipulated that extravagance was not allowed in the Commander's Mansion!
Bedding and mattresses only needed to be warm, and there should be no embroidery or decoration around them.
If the curtains or screens were broken, they should be repaired, and new ones should not be easily replaced. Even some of the utensils in the army were to be treated by Cao Cao like ordinary soldiers, without special treatment.
The Commander's Mansion was not allowed to use incense, and if the room was not clean, only maple resin and orchid grass could be burned.
What's more, the "embroidered clothing" and "multicolored silk shoes" that were very popular among official families in the Han Dynasty were strictly prohibited in the "Inner Admonishment Order" in the Commander's Mansion.
It can be said that Cao Cao was indeed an extremely frugal person!
He was also a very strict person with his family.
Of course, for Yu'er… that was another story. Comparing Lu Yu with Cao Ang's situation was like raising one luxuriously and the other poorly, one in heaven and one on earth, a world of difference!
It's just that…
At this moment, Cao Cao's eyes narrowed slightly. He couldn't quite figure out what Yu'er meant by giving him this "Inner Admonishment Order"?
"Commander Dian…" Cao Cao raised his eyes. "Did Lu Sinong say anything else?"
This…
Dian Wei scratched his head, recalled slightly, and then spoke.
"Lu Sinong only said one thing, which is that the rebel Yuan Shu is arrogant and extravagant, enjoying good food and warm clothing, with countless beauties in his harem, while his soldiers are starving and cold. Commander Cao, on the other hand, prioritizes clothing and food for his soldiers, while he himself is extremely frugal… Besides that…"
Dian Wei tapped his forehead. There seemed to be nothing else.
In fact.
Dian Wei didn't fully understand Lu Yu's words, and of course… Cao Cao couldn't figure it out for a while!
Yu'er specifically instructed Dian Wei to bring this "Inner Admonishment Order." It would not be for no reason. He must have a purpose.
Inner Admonishment Order? Him, Cao Cao? Rebel Yuan Shu? Purpose?
A series of keywords flashed in his mind.
Wait.
Suddenly, Cao Cao felt he had figured something out.
Yes, yes… that's it!
Let's think from the perspective of Yu'er's specialty, "attacking the heart."
Then, Yu'er wanted to use the stark contrast displayed in this "Inner Admonishment Order" as the last straw to break the Yuan army?
Yuan Shu's extravagance, Cao Cao's frugality;
Yuan Shu's disregard for his soldiers, Cao Cao's love for every soldier like his own son. This…
Having figured this out, Cao Cao's lips curved.
In that instant, he understood, he understood everything!
He couldn't help but burst out laughing.
"Hahahaha… Hahahaha…"
Cao Cao was a man who loved to laugh. Of course… his laughter often led to two different results, either great joy or great sorrow!
Of course… at this moment, without a doubt… Cao Cao was overjoyed! Overjoyed beyond measure!
Excellent, Yu'er's move with the "Inner Admonishment Order" was truly brilliant. No wonder… he dared to boast of capturing the city in three days!
Seeing Cao Cao still laughing heartily, Dian Wei was bewildered.
He quickly asked, "Why is Commander Cao laughing?"
"Haha…" Cao Cao laughed and waved his hand. "It's a secret, but I can tell you for sure, Commander Xu, that Shouchun City will be breached within three days!"
With these words, a sharp glint flashed in Cao Cao's eyes, as if expressing the confidence he had in his heart – "everything is under control"!
…
…
Yuzhou, Chen State.
In just over ten days, another hundred "wooden oxen and flowing horses" were completed. The woodworking team led by Cao Ang, Zhuge Jun, and Xu Yi became more and more proficient in woodworking.
Coupled with the increasing number of artisans reaching a smooth workflow, the efficiency this time increased by more than double.
In this regard… Lu Yu was very gratified.
What was even more gratifying was the carrier pigeon from the direction of Shouchun. Old Cao had received the grain, and it arrived on the tenth day, just as the wooden oxen and flowing horses were delivered. This made Lu Yu sigh in relief.
Huang Zhong, Huang Xu, Dian Wei, Dian Man, they had done it…
Don't underestimate these more than a hundred carts of grain. This was enough to save Old Cao nine thousand elite soldiers?
It also saved over ninety thousand souls from perishing under the walls of Shouchun!
Lu Yu held the letter in one hand and nodded his head, feeling pleased…
Beside him stood Cao Anmin… Cao Anmin had returned three days ago. He was specifically ordered by Cao Cao to return immediately, fearing that Lu Yu might have other ideas and lacked personnel.
"Good…"
At this moment, Lu Yu, in the yamen, smiled. He didn't mention much about the grain transport, but rather about the "Inner Admonishment Order." "Commander Cao has likely received that 'Inner Admonishment Order.' Next… it's time for the decisive battle with Shouchun City, and it's time to attack the enemy's heart and be the last straw that crushes Yuan Shu."
Attack the enemy's heart, the last straw to crush Yuan Shu.
Cao Anmin, standing beside him, really wanted to know how to attack the enemy's heart.
But… seeing Lu Yu still thinking, he dared not interrupt, lest he disrupt Lu Yu's train of thought.
At this moment, Lu Yu continued to sigh:
"Shouchun City is already in our grasp. Then… the next destination will be Lujiang."
Indeed, Shouchun City might be captured, but Yuan Shu might not be apprehended.
In the chaos, Yuan Shu and his remnants were likely to escape.
Lujiang Commandery in Yang Province would become his last trump card. And Liu Xun under Yuan Shu in Lujiang still had fifty thousand troops… It's true that a centipede dies but never stiffens.
Thinking of this, Lu Yu blinked his eyes.
He raised his head and looked towards the southeast through the window. "Lujiang… Lujiang, Commander Cheng, General Cao Xiu, you two must be effective… you must make sure the centipede dies completely."
This…
Hearing this, Cao Anmin became even more confused.
He curiously asked, "For Lujiang, Chief Lu only sent General Cao, Commander Cheng, and fifty Dragon Soaring Camp knights. But… there are still Liu Xun's fifty thousand troops there? Can they… capture Lujiang?"
Cao Anmin raised his question…
Unexpectedly, Lu Yu simply spread his hands.
"I don't know!"
After the short third word, he added another sentence:
"After all, the situation in Lujiang is not simple! Not only are there Liu Xun's fifty thousand troops there, but also the valiant Little Hegemon Sun Bofu, and the resourceful Qilin Zhou Gongjin. Their combined strength is formidable, making it difficult to deal with!"
It seems… Zhou Gongjin's title of "Qilin Talent" is a bit more impressive than his own title of Hidden Qilin.
Difficult, this also made Lu Yu a little unconfident in his own plans.
After all, his potential opponents this time were different from before!
This was a game of Go, a confrontation between masters, where every move was fatal.
…
…
Lujiang Commandery, Yang Province.
Cheng Yu and Cao Xiu, accompanied by their more than fifty knights, stayed in several inns separately, so as not to attract attention.
And at this moment, in a rather dilapidated inn, in a side room.
At a desk, Cheng Yu and Cao Xiu sat opposite each other…
Cheng Yu appeared quite calm, while Cao Xiu appeared exceptionally impatient.
"Commander Cheng, we have already arrived in Lujiang. Can the brocade pouch from Young Master Lu be opened now? Let's see… what brilliant strategy Young Master Lu has to take Lujiang?"
Cao Xiu was impatient… looking eager to try.
Yes, in this campaign against the false emperor, within the Dragon Soaring Camp, except for himself, Cao Xiu, the high-ranking generals and strategists had all made contributions or received awards. He alone had no credit, and felt lonely.
This time, having this opportunity, how could he not be ready and eager to move!
"Don't rush, don't rush…" Cheng Yu was very calm. He took the initiative to pour Cao Xiu a bowl of tea. "Young Master Lu said that there are two conditions for opening this brocade pouch!"
"Two? Wasn't it one?" Cao Xiu asked in return.
"Two!" Cheng Yu's tone was quite firm. "The first is that we have arrived in Lujiang, and the second… we must hear the news of the great victory in Shouchun City and Yuan Shu's defeat! Now, the first condition is met, as for the second… let's wait a bit longer!"
This…
Cao Xiu remembered that Young Master Lu clearly only said one thing. Wasn't it to open it upon arriving in Lujiang?
What did Commander Cheng mean by this?
Was he trying to take advantage of his lack of education? His illiteracy?
But… now, the brocade pouch was in his hands, and Cao Xiu couldn't snatch it!
"Commander Cheng, tell me the truth, did you open the brocade pouch in advance?"
Cao Xiu asked anxiously…
"Honest people don't do hidden things. I haven't seen it!" Cheng Yu waved his hand and pushed Cao Xiu's tea cup closer to him. "Drink tea, taste it. This is the taste of home, brewed by me, Cheng Yu!"
Heh heh…
Cao Xiu just "hehehed." He was more convinced than ever that Cheng Yu had definitely seen the brocade pouch. This "middle-aged uncle" was bullying the young!
He was being manipulated.
"Alright, alright, Commander Cheng… If you don't let me see the brocade pouch, you must at least give me a timeframe, right?"
"How long… until we can take action?"
"How would I know?" Seeing Cao Xiu so anxious, Cheng Yu stroked his beard, still looking calm. "Be patient. Lujiang is not only about missions and merits, but also many beautiful things, for example, I heard that the women in the south are charming. General Cao, at such a young age, don't you want to taste it? Once this opportunity passes, there won't be another."
Heh heh…
Cao Xiu "hehehed" again. He felt… he was still young, lacking experience.
Compared to veterans like Cheng Yu who "frequently executed assignments," his cultivation was still too shallow.
But he had to admire Cheng Yu…
He was always calm and composed, yet he was in a panic. This was the gap!
"Alas…" He sighed helplessly. "Commander Cheng, at least tell me how Young Master Lu wants us to capture Lujiang? So that I can be mentally prepared and not be caught off guard."
Speaking of which…
Cao Xiu grabbed Cheng Yu's arm. "Commander Cheng, if you don't tell me, I won't let go, not even when I sleep at night!"
This…
Cheng Yu paused slightly, then revealed a little. "General Cao, be prepared. Lujiang… this will be a tough battle. Young Master Lu has calculated that you and the Little Hegemon Sun Bofu will have a fierce battle. Don't disgrace Young Master Lu, and don't disgrace the reputation of our Dragon Soaring Camp!"
Uh…
Little Hegemon Sun Bofu?
Him?
Cao Xiu was a little confused. Even though he had been in the Central Plains for a long time, he had heard of Sun Ce's name.
It was said… that during the campaign against Wu Commandery, Sun Ce alone fought against three generals. He killed one with his ancient ting blade, pierced one with his long spear, and literally tore one apart with his bare hands!
That's right, tore apart… indeed tore apart!
The rumors in the marketplace were so exaggerated, he tore enemy generals apart with his bare hands!
Therefore… Sun Ce gained the title of Little Hegemon.
You must know, the last person who dared to call himself Hegemon, although his tomb was very high, Cao Xiu felt… ten of him might not be enough to defeat him!
This…
"Commander Cheng, you need to explain clearly! How… how do I… have to fight Sun Bofu?"
Actually, Cao Xiu was a little scared!
The Little Hegemon Sun Bofu had a fearsome reputation…
Cao Xiu pondered… in nine cases out of ten, he couldn't win.
"Hahaha…" Cheng Yu patted Cao Xiu on the shoulder and said with a smile, "General Cao means to say that you can't win, right?"
"Oh, it doesn't matter, it doesn't matter… According to Young Master Lu's instructions, you only need to hold back the Little Hegemon. Besides, don't you have steel spears and steel armor? With these, that ancient ting blade may not be able to break your defense!"
Uh… Cao Xiu wanted to ask more.
Cheng Yu glanced at the sky, then stroked his beard. "I won't say more. General Cao, rest here for a moment. I need to go out and attend to some important business."
As he spoke, Cheng Yu had already walked away…
Suddenly, Cao Xiu was completely bewildered. His expression was like a sentence – Kid, do you have a lot of question marks?
If there are question marks, it's correct!
Cao Xiu naturally didn't know!
The danger of this trip to Lujiang, and the fact that he had to face the Little Hegemon Sun Bofu on the battlefield, while Cheng Yu had to face the Qilin Zhou Gongjin!
Lujiang, this was a tough battle…
Of course, as Cao Xiu had guessed, Cheng Yu had already seen Lu Yu's brocade pouch.
As the saying goes, honest people don't do hidden things. Cheng Yu, known as "the ghost's sorrow in the Central Plains," had done more "hidden things" than Cao Xiu had walked bridges.
It's just that… the contents of the brocade pouch were too terrifying, and Cheng Yu was afraid of scaring this young man.
…
At this moment…
The rolling dark clouds covered more than half of the sky, and everyone could smell the scent of rain…
The strong wind instinctively made people shrink their bodies and tuck in their wide sleeves!
Gradually, the wind picked up, and the rain poured down with a "pitter-patter."
Lujiang was also in the rainy season at this time…
—And a tug-of-war between three forces;
—A game between three top strategists;
—The temptation of two delicate beauties;
These were all happening alongside the storm!
…
…