Usury!
The crowd was incensed!
Yet Cao Hong did not see it that way at all!
Money, it's all about money!
As long as there is money, are there any problems with anything else? No problem!
Moreover, this Imperial Academy is a partner of Lu Yu, the wine is brewed by the Imperial Academy's winery, this land belongs to his elder brother Cao Cao, so he had every right to occupy these four market squares.
Even if we take a step back, Lord Man hasn't arrived yet, has he? With such a big commotion, how could he not know?
If he doesn't come...
Heh heh, that would be very telling!
Cao Hong knew very well the relationship between Lu Yu and Man Chong.
His eyes blinked repeatedly, he had a feeling that this strong liquor business was going to make him rich!
Actually...
Man Chong had already arrived. As the Prefect of Xudu, upon receiving the report, he immediately rushed to this small village by the Ying River, beside the Imperial Academy, with his yamen runners.
He had initially heard that Cao Hong was engaging in usury and planned to teach him a lesson. However, upon further inquiry, he learned that the wine sold by Cao Hong was brewed by the Imperial Academy, which was under the jurisdiction of Agricultural Minister Lu.
Therefore...
It was obvious to anyone that this business was a collaboration between General Cao Hong and Agricultural Minister Lu.
For this iron-fisted judge, if it were just Cao Hong, then he should be brought to justice to serve as a warning.
But if Agricultural Minister Lu was involved, it would be a different story.
Agricultural Minister Lu had shown him great kindness!
It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that Man Chong's current position was all due to the support of Agricultural Minister Lu.
Under such a debt of gratitude, how could he possibly cut off Agricultural Minister Lu's source of income!
Heh heh, Man Chong muttered to himself, General Cao Hong's wine sales were truly impeccable.
"Lord Man, General Cao Hong is causing more and more trouble, aren't we going to intervene?"
A yamen runner reminded him.
Logically speaking, after such words, Man Chong would usually give an order to arrest these usurers and throw them in jail to be brought to justice!
However, Man Chong was behaving uncharacteristically today.
"Intervene? With what? This village is adjacent to the Imperial Academy, and it prospers because of the Imperial Academy. If the Imperial Academy doesn't intervene, why should we?"
Man Chong's face darkened, and he glared fiercely at the yamen runner.
The yamen runner trembled all over.
The other yamen runners subconsciously understood something. What did he mean by "if the Imperial Academy doesn't intervene, why should we?"
When had the Prefect of Xudu ever feared the Imperial Academy?
This reason simply didn't hold water!
This clearly meant that Lord Man did not want to intervene!
Understanding this, the yamen runners quickly changed their tune.
"Lord Man is right. There are so many unfair things in this world. We can't even manage all the cases within Xudu city, how can we manage things within the Imperial Academy's territory!"
"Lord Man, let's go back. There are a large number of cases waiting for you to handle at the yamen!"
"Yes, yes! Let's go back, let's go back! It's so cold here, I really want to buy a jar of strong liquor too!"
They chimed in repeatedly...
Hearing this, a hint of joy finally appeared on Man Chong's cold and stern face.
"Leave one team of yamen runners, the rest return to the office!"
With those words... Man Chong turned and left.
This was very strange.
After all, since he took office as the Prefect of Xudu, there had never been a precedent for him to return without taking action or arresting anyone, returning empty-handed.
Some of the younger yamen runners were still bewildered.
"This... what does it mean to leave one team?"
An old yamen runner stroked his beard and repeatedly explained, "Fool, didn't you see how incensed these merchants are? Heh heh, if any rascals dare to disrupt the wine business, arrest them all, interrogate them strictly, and make an example of them!"
Ah... ah...
As these words left their mouths, the yamen runners first exclaimed, and then sighed in admiration. Indeed, the older the ginger, the spicier it is!
"Brother, then tell me, why is Lord Man showing such leniency to General Cao Hong this time?"
A young yamen runner approached the old yamen runner.
Unexpectedly, the old yamen runner waved his hand and said, "Don't ask what you shouldn't ask. Who the hell would act against their benefactor!"
With those words...
Everyone listened, completely bewildered.
However, Cao Hong's "usury" continued. The merchants who came and went were shocked, their faces ashen. General Cao Hong's business was making it impossible for other businessmen to survive.
"Agricultural Minister Lu..." Cao Hong looked at the overflowing wealth and turned to Lu Yu with a smile.
"What's wrong?"
"I have an idea." Cao Hong whispered into Lu Yu's ear. "The four market squares, East, South, West, and North, are so large, and we don't have that much wine!"
Cao Hong deliberately put on a troubled expression...
"Does General Cao mean... to give up some of the market squares? For everyone to make money together?" Lu Yu asked.
Who knew that as soon as these words were spoken, Cao Hong shook his head vigorously.
"Only a fool would give it up. Since we've occupied it... ah, no, since we've taken possession of it, there's no reason to give it up."
"I was just thinking, since we won't use it all tomorrow anyway, why not... let's raise the price on the spot and rent out each stall. If they want to set up stalls, they have to pay a certain amount of money each day, and it must be settled daily! Agricultural Minister Lu, what do you think of my idea? But, let's be clear, we can't split this market rental three-seven, it has to be fifty-fifty!"
Heh heh...
Cao Hong's words made Lu Yu chuckle!
He looked at Cao Hong with utter astonishment.
But this gaze made Cao Hong quite nervous, and he scratched his head.
"What? Agricultural Minister Lu thinks I'm a bit too shameless?"
"No..." Lu Yu waved his hand directly, then patted Cao Hong on the shoulder. "You are truly a talent!"
Suddenly, Lu Yu felt that collaborating with Cao Hong was very enjoyable!
Firstly, his product was good, and secondly, Cao Hong was shameless. As the saying goes, "In all martial arts, speed is the ultimate," and "When a person is shameless, they are invincible!"
Even...
For a moment, Lu Yu imagined that with a money-grubbing prefect like Cao Hong, the future profits from the "righteous path" might even surpass those from the "evil path" of tomb raiding!
Cao Hong was truly a talent!
Fifty-fifty, he'd let him have it this time.
...
...
Beside the Imperial Academy, the Blacksmith Workshop!
After visiting the market squares, Lu Yu directly entered the blacksmith workshop!
The blacksmith workshops in Xudu city were different from those in Luoyang. Luoyang's were located within the city, while Xudu's blacksmith workshops were directly built around the Imperial Academy.
This was Lu Yu's suggestion. Establishing the blacksmith workshop here would make it easier for the Imperial Academy students to study this "Hundred Crafts" course!
It also made it convenient for Lu Yu to guide Cao Mu.
Of course, now... with Cao Mu's blacksmithing skills, who was guiding whom?
It was still uncertain!
"How is it?" Seeing Cao Mu, Lu Yu got straight to the point.
By "how is it," he meant the forging progress of the Modao and the long spears.
Cao Mu pouted, and upon hearing Lu Yu's question, she could only spread her hands.
"The long spears are fine, but for the Modao..."
Mentioning the Modao, Cao Mu seemed to have a hidden difficulty. After hesitating for a moment, she finally spoke, "Do you know... how much fine bingsheng iron it takes to forge one Modao?"
"How much?" Lu Yu was unaware of the cost of materials when he didn't manage household affairs.
"How can I explain it to you!" Cao Mu's eyes rolled. "Let me put it this way: the bingsheng iron required to forge one Modao could be used to forge over thirty of your new style long spears."
Huo... such a big difference?
Lu Yu paused slightly. The reason why the Modao was so powerful and praised in historical records as "one Modao strike shatters men and horses"
Was precisely because it was made entirely of fine steel, which required fine bingsheng iron to be repeatedly tempered. Even the edges... the sharpness, were forged with extreme precision.
Compared to the "new long spears" that Lu Yu wanted to forge, it naturally consumed more materials.
But... the magnitude of the difference was something Lu Yu had not expected.
Then...
Lu Yu simply asked.
"So, in your opinion, the current blacksmith workshop is not yet capable of mass-producing Modao, right?"
"Far from it," Cao Mu replied truthfully.
"What about the long spears? Is there a problem forging enough for a three-thousand-man long spear legion?"
Lu Yu continued to ask...
When he asked this, he thought of Le Jin's three-thousand-man infantry unit!
If one were to deal with cavalry!
Spearmen, saber-wielding infantry, and halberdiers would not be very effective. The Modao couldn't be produced yet, and the number of Dragon Cavalry was limited. Wouldn't a dedicated long spear legion be needed!
Anyone who has played "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" or "Heroes of the Three Kingdoms" would have such common knowledge: saber infantry counters archers, spearmen counter cavalry, halberds counter spearmen, and cavalry counters saber infantry!
Although not necessarily accurate, the effectiveness of spearmen against cavalry was certain.
"Three thousand? That many?"
Cao Mu's large eyes blinked. This was a major undertaking!
"Just tell me, how long will it take to complete?" Lu Yu asked directly, not forgetting to add, "If you lack bingsheng iron, don't worry, I'll find a way!"
Lu Yu thought of Xiapi city. Xiapi city was rich in bingsheng iron. As long as the plan went smoothly, Yang Xiu could complete the task, and Old Cao could capture Xiapi city, then the bingsheng iron required by the blacksmith workshop would be guaranteed.
Moreover, the blacksmith workshop still had a certain reserve of bingsheng iron.
Cao Mu hesitated slightly...
She even took out a pen and calculated slightly on the bamboo slips.
After a long while, she finally spoke, "If we truly don't consider the issue of bingsheng iron, it will take three months to forge three thousand new style long spears!"
"Three thousand is not enough," Lu Yu shook his head. "It needs to be at least six thousand!"
That's right, long spears... and wooden-shafted long spears, they are consumed very quickly.
It was very likely that the soldiers would have to throw their long spears first before charging to cause a series of casualties to the enemy!
The second round would be a close-quarters charge!
This method of throwing long spears was particularly effective against cavalry...
Therefore...
Each soldier must be equipped with at least two long spears!
"Then... six months!" Cao Mu blurted out.
"Six months is too long, it won't be in time for the Battle of Wancheng," Lu Yu replied without hesitation...
"Wancheng?" Cao Mu's head was filled with question marks. As Cao Cao's daughter, how could she not know that they were supposed to be fighting Xiapi city, Guangling city, and Xuzhou...
What did Wancheng mean?
Uh...
This made Lu Yu a bit awkward.
"You don't need to ask about that. In short, the enemies in Wancheng... are all cavalry, and their general is known as the 'Spear King of the North.' If we don't have these six thousand long spears, even if your father can take the city, the losses will be huge!"
This...
Upon mentioning Cao Cao and losses.
Cao Mu's expression immediately turned serious. "Then... four months. This is the limit for the blacksmith workshop!"
"Agreed!" Lu Yu immediately nodded. "After four months, I will inspect it!"
With those words, Lu Yu waved his hand and prepared to leave.
"You..."
Cao Mu sighed. She was also exasperated. Every time Lu Yu came here, he acted like he was giving orders, or like he was going to a brothel or a pleasure house. After finishing his business, he would just leave, couldn't he stay and talk about something else?
Yet...
For her father's sake, and for the sake of the overall situation, she, Cao Mu, had to accept Lu Yu's "orders."
Exasperated, Cao Mu was truly exasperated.
Looking at Lu Yu's receding back, Cao Mu bit her lip tightly.
"It's always like this... always like this!"
...
...
Walking across the single-plank bridge of the Imperial Academy, past the golden-inlaid stone classics of the Imperial Academy.
— Aiding the Emperor, Pillars of the Nation!
Eight large characters leaped into Lu Yu's eyes...
However, Lu Yu's mind was not on these at all at this moment. He walked along, lost in thought, still contemplating Le Jin's three-thousand-man infantry unit.
Suddenly, to have this unit's weapons change drastically, from using powerful weapons like halberds, spears, and sabers, to now using agile and lightweight long spears!
How could he convince them?
Who would train them?
Lu Yu looked at his hands. These were hands with a combat power of only five. Hands that couldn't even carry a bag of rice up to the fifth floor! He dared to teach, but did anyone dare to learn?
It seemed that the promotion of the new style long spear was a major problem!
While pondering, Lu Yu walked towards Le Jin's military classroom.
To forge three thousand spearmen, he still needed to consult General Le Jin.
Just then...
From a distance, he saw Le Jin training thirty Imperial Academy students in the training ground, just like training new recruits.
And Le Jin's loud voice was heard:
"In 'The Art of War' by Sun Wu, it is stated that a general must possess five virtues: not seeking fame in advance, not shirking blame in retreat, protecting the people alone, and aligning benefits with the ruler."
"You are young and energetic, and it is inevitable that you will act bravely in battle. But I tell you, fighting alone cannot lead an army nor win a victory. I am here to cultivate generals, not soldiers. If you do not wish to become a general, then do not appear in my class again!"
At this point...
Le Jin suddenly raised his voice. Starting now, "Practical training – Siege warfare!"
It turned out that Le Jin was different from the military instructors of the past...
He didn't understand theory, he only understood the practice of leading troops.
Therefore, he divided Cao Ang, Xiahou Heng, Xiahou Ba, and others into two teams, one as the attacking force and the other as the defending force, teaching them the knowledge of siege warfare and defense through practical simulations.
Xiahou Ba, Cao Ang, Dian Man, Xu Yi, and fifteen others chose to attack, while Zhuge Jun, Huang Xu, Xiahou Heng, and fifteen others chose to defend.
As the saying goes, defending is easy, attacking is difficult. But in Le Jin's opinion, as long as the attackers persevere, it is often the defending side that falls into danger. Le Jin had firsthand experience of this.
With the great battle imminent...
Le Jin called Xiahou Ba, Cao Ang, and the others aside to give their final instructions and mobilization before the battle – "As long as you have perseverance and are persistent, there is no city that cannot be broken."
Then, he called Zhuge Jun, Huang Xu, and the others aside, also giving them final instructions and mobilization – "As long as you have perseverance and are persistent, there is no city that cannot be defended!"
Speaking of which...
The training ground of the Imperial Academy was built like a small city gate.
This was because Lu Yu considered that "talking strategy on paper" was a major taboo in warfare!
Therefore, when designing this training ground in advance, he had asked for Guo Jia's opinion and spent a considerable sum of money to build a small but imposing fortress. The city gate, the city walls, although a bit low, all these elements were complete!
Lu Yu's goal was to enable the Imperial Academy students to practice in actual combat.
Now, Le Jin's troop-leading...
No, Le Jin's teaching method, made Lu Yu feel particularly gratified.
He had originally come to discuss the long spear battalion with Le Jin, but Lu Yu couldn't help but want to watch this siege and defense battle of the Imperial Academy students.
As for the Imperial Academy students...
They were just young masters in their teens. Full of youthful vigor, they would become excited even at the mention of fighting, and they had never lacked practice in combat and grappling.
This time, the siege warfare was about to begin, and they all charged forward... especially Xiahou Ba, who never knew the word "fear." He led the charge to climb the city wall. Who knew... on the city wall, Zhuge Jun, Huang Xu, Xiahou Heng, and others worked together to push him with long wooden poles, and indeed, they pushed him down from a height of ten meters, causing him to fall heavily and get injured.
Amidst the exclamations of everyone...
Xiahou Ba struggled to get up, wanting to continue climbing the city wall. He refused to admit defeat, but... his arm had already dislocated.
Cao Ang, standing beside him, hurriedly shouted, "General, it's bad... Zhong Quan's arm is broken."
As these words left his mouth...
Even Lu Yu, who was not far away, was startled. Le Jin, who was inspecting from the city wall, remained calm and composed.
He quickly lowered a rope from the city wall. Stepping on the rope and the city wall, in almost an instant, he reached Xiahou Ba's side.
At this moment, Xiahou Ba was leaning against the city wall...
Pain caused large drops of sweat to drip down his forehead.
Le Jin skillfully felt Xiahou Ba's arm, then gave a sudden pull and release. With a "crack" sound, his arm was back in place. Le Jin then patted Xiahou Ba on the shoulder and shouted:
— "Continue!
With those words, Le Jin grabbed the rope and climbed the city wall again, not forgetting to instruct Xiahou Ba:
"I am cultivating generals, not soldiers! Think about your foolish actions just now, where did you go wrong?"
Hearing this...
Xiahou Ba wiped his aching right shoulder, feeling both wronged and sad. He trembled and took a cold breath through his nostrils, then stood up and joined the battle again with countless attacking Imperial Academy students.
Finally...
Half an hour later, this simulated siege battle came to an end.
The city was successfully defended...
And in this siege warfare, Le Jin gave the lead-charging Xiahou Ba only a "poor" rating!
Xiahou Ba, unconvinced, went to argue with Le Jin.
"I heard that the Little Hegemon of Jiangdong, Sun Ce, was able to sweep across the six commanderies of Jiangdong because he always led the charge himself in every battle! Therefore, the morale of the army was high, and they were invincible and victorious in every battle!
"If, if we generals are afraid of death, how can we ask our soldiers to pay the price of their lives for war?"
Xiahou Ba's voice was very loud, and even Lu Yu, who was not far away, could hear him clearly.
Who knew...
Le Jin snorted coldly, his tone and pitch becoming even deeper and higher!
"If you are trying to learn from the Little Hegemon Sun Ce, then you are gravely mistaken!"
"Because just over two months ago, on the battlefield of Lujiang, this Little Hegemon suffered a crushing defeat. Out of more than twenty thousand troops, less than three thousand returned. And he was defeated by our Imperial Academy's Chief Administrator Lu. It seems your Chief Administrator Lu does not know martial arts, nor is he a bold person who dares to lead from the front. On the contrary, as far as I know, he is very timid, very timid, not only timid but also afraid of death!
"But why could the timid him win, while the brave Sun Ce lost? It is because he never relied on bravery, but on this!"
As he spoke, Le Jin pointed to his head.
"Recklessness can never compare to wisdom! Leading from the front and charging into battle can only defeat petty people. If you encounter someone smarter and wiser, you will only be defeated miserably!"
"Therefore, my requirements for your officers have always been that they should know how to protect themselves and not be overly brave. If you are killed by the enemy yourself, how can you expect to win the war?"
"Even if you want to lead from the front, it should be under conditions where your safety is guaranteed. Do you all remember this!"
His voice was like a thunderous bell...
With those words, all the Imperial Academy students looked at each other. At this moment, they realized that courage, if excessive, is recklessness!
And wisdom is always above bravery!
Hey...
Hearing this, Lu Yu, who was not far away,'s eyes darted.
He muttered to himself...
— "General Le Jin has some substance... the examples he cited are good, and his words are beautiful!"
— "No wonder he can be victorious in a hundred battles and be the only 'ever-victorious' general in Cao Cao's camp!"
Of course, these were not important.
What was important was that Le Jin now belonged to him, Lu Yu. This was a great profit!
...
...