Yang Xiu was happy from the bottom of his heart.
In his opinion, being valued by Director Lu was an extremely glorious matter.
What's more, Director Lu was also the savior of their Hongnong Yang clan. Others might not know, but no one knew better than he, Yang Xiu.
For a moment, Yang Xiu's eyes welled up with tears even more.
Lu Yu looked at him with a smile. He had to admit that people in ancient times, even as intelligent as Yang Xiu, were very simple and easily moved.
Finally, Yang Xiu spoke, his voice choked with emotion. "Director Lu's kindness to your disciple... is as immense as a mountain. Even if I repay you with grass and bind a ring, it will be insufficient!"
"Cough cough..." Hearing this, Zhang Zhongjing coughed. He felt... the atmosphere was a bit strange.
Or rather, if Director Lu were to issue a task now, the atmosphere would likely become even stranger.
Repay with grass and bind a ring? Heh heh... it should be climbing mountains of knives, descending into vats of oil, right?
With this thought, Zhang Zhongjing took the initiative to speak:
"Dezu, Director Lu has a task that requires someone well-versed in medical principles and pharmacology, as well as intelligent and alert. After surveying the entire medical department and the Imperial Academy... only you are the most suitable. Therefore, I recommended you to Director Lu. Director Lu also thinks highly of you. You should pack your things today and prepare to depart for Xiapi City in Xuzhou!"
"Xi... Xiapi City?" Yang Xiu's eyes darted around.
How intelligent was he? How could he not know that Xiapi City was Lu Bu's territory?
Going to Lu Bu's territory? This?
Seeing Yang Xiu hesitate for a moment, Lu Yu said with a solemn expression, "The matter is urgent and cannot be delayed for a moment. You need to depart immediately. This concerns the situation in Xiapi City, the situation in Xuzhou, the situation in the Central Plains, and even the situation in the entire realm. The specific task and method are written in this brocade pouch. You should open it only after you enter Xiapi City."
As he spoke, Lu Yu had already placed the brocade pouch into Yang Xiu's embrace!
He didn't directly state the specific method to avoid scaring Yang Xiu!
Once he reached Xiapi City, he would be in a difficult position, unable to back down, wouldn't he?
Lu Yu felt that this brocade pouch was truly a stroke of genius!
But...
Yang Xiu's eyes continued to dart around. However, he gritted his teeth. Since it was a command from Director Lu, and such an important task, how could he refuse?
It's just that... Xiapi City is, after all, a land of tigers and wolves. If anything goes wrong, he might be considered a spy by Lu Bu and be torn to pieces...
In fact, this possibility was very high!
"Cough cough..."
With a light cough, Yang Xiu's brows furrowed tightly. After hesitating for a long time, a thought finally surfaced in his mind: he needed more benefits... no, he needed to ask for more advantages. For example...
"Director Lu... I... I..."
"I can depart today, but... Xiapi City is under Lu Bu's jurisdiction, and Lu Bu is currently at odds with Chancellor Cao. Going there might be very dangerous."
Yang Xiu continued, "However... since it is entrusted by Director Lu, then your disciple absolutely has no reason to refuse. Your disciple only hopes that if I happen to complete the task, Director Lu will accept me as a disciple! If that is the case, then this trip to Xiapi, whether it be mountains of knives, seas of fire, or dragon's lairs and tiger's dens, I will jump in without blinking an eye."
This was the cleverness of Yang Xiu...
In the current situation, who was the stronger figure? Couldn't he tell?
The Han court's power was declining, only its empty fame remained. How could it be Cao Cao's opponent?
His father, Yang Biao, voluntarily resigned his position as Grand Commandant, which clearly explained the situation. As for trying to curry favor with Cao Cao, given Yang Xiu's age and status, it was extremely difficult, even impossible!
Therefore...
The best choice was to tightly grasp Lu Yu's leg.
Yang Xiu could see that among all the civil and military officials, including the Qiao Pei generals and the talented scholars of Yingchuan, only Lu Yu was the most valued by Chancellor Cao. This was a leg that he, or rather the Hongnong Yang clan, had to hold onto.
Thinking of this, with a "thump," Yang Xiu, who had stood up, knelt down again. "I hope... I hope Director Lu will agree... and accept your disciple as a disciple."
One must know...
The masters in the Imperial Academy were fundamentally different from private discipleship!
This was the so-called difference between "master" and "teacher." A single word difference, and the gap was miles wide.
If Lu Yu agreed to Yang Xiu, it would be equivalent to Yang Xiu calling him "Master," which was as good as Yang Xiu directly calling Lu Yu his father. After all, "Master" was also a form of "Father," and Lu Yu and Yang Biao would be of the same generation!
Heh...
Seeing Yang Xiu kneel, Lu Yu's eyes rolled.
As expected, this kid was a bit smart, quite cunning!
No wonder he was a man who could deduce the need to "withdraw troops" from a "chicken rib." His choice of allegiance was quick and steady!
In this regard, sending him to complete the task in Xiapi City seemed most appropriate.
But... Lu Yu still lightly tapped his forehead.
"You saying this does put me in a difficult position," Lu Yu smacked his lips, feigning difficulty. "To become a disciple, one must first seek the consent of their parents. Your father is also the former Grand Commandant. How can I casually accept you as a disciple? What if your father disagrees?"
After all, there were multiple fathers; one had to ask the opinion of the previous father first, right?
Who would have thought that these words would slip out...
Yang Xiu seemed to see an opportunity. He grabbed Lu Yu's leg. "To be honest, Director Lu, my father always mentions that if an unworthy son like me could become Director Lu's disciple, it would bring glory to our ancestors and make our ancestors' graves smoke with blessings!"
"If Director Lu... if you don't agree, I will... not get up today. Your disciple implores... implores Director Lu to agree!"
The surface meaning was to remain kneeling, but the underlying meaning was...
If you don't agree, he, Yang Xiu, won't go to Xiapi City in Xuzhou.
This was the cleverness of a smart person. Every word had two meanings, one literal and one deeper.
This...
Lu Yu looked up at Zhang Zhongjing. Zhang Zhongjing stroked his beard, first shaking his head slightly, then nodding slightly!
Regarding Yang Xiu, he couldn't say whether he approved or felt he was too clever for his own good.
After a moment of contemplation, Zhang Zhongjing still spoke, "Senior Disciple Lu, this child shows sincere intention, and his mind is indeed clever, although it's not being used in the right place. If Senior Disciple personally teaches him, and he can use his intelligence in the right direction, perhaps he will achieve great things in the future and become your right-hand man."
"In my opinion, you should accept this disciple from the Hongnong Yang clan."
Zhang Zhongjing's first half of the sentence didn't have any hidden meanings, but the latter half was full of implications.
Especially when he mentioned the words "Hongnong Yang clan," he emphasized them.
Clearly...
This was a reminder to Senior Disciple Lu Yu about the influence of the Hongnong Yang clan.
Indeed, Yang Biao was no longer the Grand Commandant, and had even... returned to his hometown, not involving himself in court affairs.
But if one were to underestimate the Hongnong Yang clan because of this, they would suffer greatly.
In this era, the Hongnong Yang clan was a great clan no less significant than the Runan Yuan clan. Their students and former officials were spread throughout the realm, and in the court, even within Cao Cao's camp, many officials had intricate connections with the Hongnong Yang clan.
Accepting Yang Xiu as a disciple would undoubtedly... grant the great assistance of the Hongnong Yang clan.
In many matters, considerable convenience would be gained.
"Alright!" Lu Yu nodded. "Dezu, I will accept you as my disciple. It turns out, you are my chief disciple."
Regarding the previous "Zhuge Liang," Lu Yu had asked Cai Yan to take him as a disciple, so strictly speaking, he was only half a disciple.
As for Cao Mu, he had the reality of a master-disciple relationship but not the name...
However, Yang Xiu was the first disciple Lu Yu truly accepted. Crucially, Yang Xiu was only slightly younger than him, and Lu Yu had beaten him soundly a few months ago.
Indeed, children were like this; they couldn't achieve success without discipline, couldn't become capable without being disciplined!
"Master, please accept... please accept your disciple's bow!"
With a "clang," Yang Xiu kowtowed to Lu Yu, a loud one. Lu Yu felt that the floor must have hurt.
"Alright." Lu Yu helped him up. "Now that the war is imminent, we can discuss rituals like offering tea later. Pack your things and prepare to go to Xiapi City. I will send a few Dragon Riders to escort your safety along the way. Also... Divine Doctor Zhongjing will arrange some physicians to accompany you, but they will not know your mission!"
"As for your mission... open the brocade pouch when you reach Xiapi City! However, remember, do not be rash. Act according to the instructions in the brocade pouch! If there is the slightest mistake, your master will only be able to offer sacrifices to your heroic spirit alongside your father next year. Of course, if you try to desert, your master will also enforce household discipline!"
Lu Yu's eyes blinked continuously.
Since he had accepted this disciple, he truly didn't want Yang Xiu to meet with any misfortune!
Given Yang Xiu's intelligence, as long as he didn't show off or make too many superfluous moves, there wouldn't be too much of a problem.
Of course, Lu Yu also had to issue stern warnings, lest this kid run away. Where would Lu Yu go to seek justice then!
Having already formally accepted him as a disciple, and having said all that.
Yang Xiu had no opportunity to back out. He glanced at his master, Lu Yu, who had a serious expression, and then at Divine Doctor Zhongjing, who was pursing his lips. His heart tightened... It seemed this mission was of great importance!
Thinking of this...
While feeling worried, his blood surged. He muttered to himself that this was likely a test from his master. Whether he could become a disciple valued by his master was closely tied to this.
He sighed inwardly, but whether it was due to fear of the unknown or anticipation of completing the task, Yang Xiu's expression was complex, and his mood was agitated.
"Then, your disciple will depart now... Master Lu, Master Zhang, farewell..."
With that said, Yang Xiu quickly exited the Lingyan Pavilion.
Lu Yu watched Yang Xiu's retreating figure, a smile still lingering on his face.
Zhang Zhongjing, standing beside him, chuckled and said, "Senior Disciple, Yang Dezu has always been clever, but I never expected that in the end, he would still go to this dangerous territory! Is this considered being too clever for his own good?"
"Junior Disciple!" Lu Yu turned his head and looked towards Yang Xiu... "I originally thought Yang Dezu was too clever for his own good, but seeing him today, I think he is a child with innate wisdom! As Junior Disciple said, it depends on whether someone can guide him onto the right path?"
Speaking of this, Lu Yu's eyes slightly lifted.
"Since he has the courage to gamble on this, as long as he wins, whether it be his future or the future of the Hongnong Yang clan, it will be a different scene. Also..."
Lu Yu raised an eyebrow and continued, "Junior Disciple, we are doing something great. Don't make it seem as if we are pushing someone into a fire pit and feeling guilty. Although most of the credit for this belongs to us fellow disciples, Yang Dezu still has a tiny bit of it, doesn't he? We are helping him, Junior Disciple. Don't you think so?"
Heh heh...
As Lu Yu spoke, Zhang Zhongjing chuckled. He had seen people being tricked and then helping to count money for the trickster, but he had never seen someone trick others and then portray themselves so nobly.
Senior Disciple was truly shameless!
With this thought, he looked up at Lu Yu again. Their eyes met, and they understood each other perfectly.
"Hahaha..."
A hearty laugh rang out again.
In short, everything was proceeding according to plan, which was very pleasant!
Wait...
Lu Yu suddenly smelled something.
That's right, in the air... there was a rich, fragrant aroma, like wine?
"Junior Disciple? Does this smell often appear?"
Hearing this, Zhang Zhongjing stroked his beard and replied without hesitation, "Most likely, Fengxiao is brewing wine in the winery again. This year is a year of abundance, so Fengxiao used various grains to brew some wine. This aroma appears every time he brews."
"By the way, General Cao Ren sends people to deliver the wine brewed by Fengxiao to the market in the villages near the Imperial Academy. It's very popular!"
Uh... this...
There were two important pieces of information in Zhang Zhongjing's words.
First, he directly addressed Guo Jia as Fengxiao, indicating... that they had developed a friendship while teaching at the Imperial Academy.
Second, wine? Brewing wine?
Lu Yu pondered. Could it be that Guo Jia had already put the method of distilling wine that he had taught into practice?
Judging by the aroma, the wine likely had some potency, unlike the incredibly clear rice wine of the Han Dynasty's original winemaking techniques!
This...
Lu Yu tapped his forehead. He muttered to himself that Guo Fengxiao was likely entirely focused on wine. This fellow, Lu Yu had been counting on him to teach the students of the Imperial Academy military strategy and tactics.
It seemed Lu Yu had overthought things!
With this thought, he greeted Zhang Zhongjing and hurried out of Lingyan Pavilion...
Wine? The nearby market?
Lu Yu was quite curious about how well the wine was selling, after all... according to their agreement, Lu Yu and Cao Hong were supposed to share the profits.
Lu Yu's seven, Cao Hong's three!
...
...
On the banks of the Ying River, it was originally a quiet, dilapidated village.
However, due to its close proximity to the Imperial Academy, many students came here to stay, experiencing the cultural atmosphere of the Imperial Academy.
Some "artisans" also seized the opportunity to open private schools in these villages.
For example, "Li" School in Xiaoli Village was established here, and "Chen" School in Nanzhuang also set up private schools here... These private schools were essentially just some folk entertainment.
The so-called "Li" School was known for its gathering of acrobats, while the "Chen" School was famous for accepting unruly students. Compared to the Imperial Academy, they were naturally worlds apart.
But...
The establishment of these private schools had indeed brought prosperity to the villages around the Imperial Academy.
The markets also became very lively.
Walking into them, Lu Yu felt as if he were strolling through a Wanda Jin Street in his previous life, with merchants gathered, and local businessmen, scholars, and farmers coming and going...
Indeed, both in ancient times and today, opening a commercial street near a school is always a profitable business.
And since the Imperial Academy was located in the Ying River, the hustle and bustle of the outside world did not disturb the students cultivating their minds within.
The markets in the villages were divided into four areas: East, South, West, and North...
The East, South, and West areas were fine, but the North Street market was only left with a narrow path that could only accommodate one person.
Carriages and horses were blocked on the outskirts...
It was evident that other merchants were not allowed to set up stalls here, yet... this North Street was the busiest.
When Lu Yu arrived!
The crowd here was already in an uproar.
What did this mean? Was there no law? Was there no justice?
How could they do business like this, blocking the entrance with carriages and preventing other merchants from passing? It was simply barbaric, overbearing, and arrogant!
Had no one gone to find the Magistrate?
Did the Magistrate not manage these villages outside the city?
The merchants roared and bellowed...
However, because the North Street was where the wine was sold!
Precisely because... a new strong liquor brewed by the Imperial Academy, which was said to intoxicate after three bowls and was incredibly enjoyable...
The entire North Street was bustling with activity!
Every moment spent waiting outside was money for these merchants!
"What's going on? Are they crazy? Are they the only ones doing business? Are others not allowed to do business?"
"This is cutting off people's livelihood!"
At the entrances and exits, merchants from all directions were blocked here.
Yet...
These blocking carriages and horses were all government officials, and there were many armed guards guarding the area.
For a time, they dared not enter, nor dare they retreat!
The crowds... attracted even more onlookers, and the wine business in this North Street became even better!
"Hahaha..."
Cao Hong stood behind the entrance, watching the freshly brewed wine sell like hotcakes, and he was happy. Even though his profit was only thirty percent, and he had to share seventy percent of the profit with Lu Yu, he was still very happy. But the sheer volume!
Counting money was always a pleasant thing!
Unexpectedly, at this moment.
A voice sounded from behind Cao Hong. "General Cao, what you're doing... is a bit unethical!"
This...
Cao Hong was startled. This voice was so familiar!
No... if it wasn't Lu Yu, who else could it be!
He immediately turned his head. As expected, this kid was back!
Immediately, Cao Hong scratched his head and gave a wry smile. "Scribe Lu? When did you... when did you return?"
"It's a good thing I came back, otherwise I wouldn't have known that the one engaging in monopolistic and domineering practices near the Imperial Academy, on the banks of the Ying River, was you, General Cao!" Lu Yu said speechlessly...
This was clearly tarnishing the reputation of the Imperial Academy!
You must know that this wine was brewed by the Imperial Academy. Such overbearing behavior... how would the villagers view it?
"Haha..."
Cao Hong gave a wry smile. "It's just that our wine has just been released. To make a splash, we have to use some methods. Selling it the way I am, we've captured all the surrounding markets. It's crowded with people. Even if the winery brewed five hundred jars daily, five thousand jars wouldn't be enough for us to sell! This is all just money!"
Heh...
Lu Yu was stunned!
Ultimately, he felt guilty. He frowned and said, "General Cao, as the saying goes, one should be honest when doing business!"
"However, since you've already gone this far, why keep the other three markets? Why not just capture them all, so that this village only sells our wine in all four markets? This way, the price of wine can be raised by another thirty percent!"
Speaking of this, Lu Yu patted Cao Hong on the shoulder and winked his eyes.
"General Cao, I believe you can definitely do such shameless things... ah no, such things. Your heart won't ache! Am I right?"
This...
Cao Hong wiped the sweat from his brow. Good heavens... he originally thought he was a shrewd businessman.
But he never expected to meet Lu Yu, who was like a small shrewd businessman meeting a big shrewd businessman!
Ultimately, he was still too naive, too innocent, and still had a conscience!
"Cough cough..."
Immediately, he coughed lightly. "Did you all hear? Scribe Lu is teaching us how to do business!"
"Come here tomorrow morning and block the entrances to all four markets: East, West, South, and North. Only buyers are allowed in, not sellers! And also..."
Cao Hong raised his voice, cast a meaningful glance at Lu Yu, and then raised his tone.
"Tomorrow, our wine price will double!"
...
...