Xiapi City, at the city gate.
From afar, the place was heavily guarded. Pedestrians were strictly questioned, and those with foreign accents were all denied entry.
Indeed, due to Hao Meng's rebellion, Lu Bu had become somewhat jumpy, seeing shadows everywhere.
At this moment, a crowd had already gathered outside the city gate.
Among them were even many spies sent by various lords, but without exception, they were all stopped outside the city walls.
Not locals, no matter how much they pleaded, they still couldn't enter Xiapi City.
Lu Bu stood on the city tower, gazing into the distance. Beside him was his cousin, Wei Xu, one of the Eight Valiant Warriors!
Now, among all the Eight Valiant Warriors, Wei Xu was the only one Lu Bu could trust, and he had even transferred Zhang Liao's cavalry and Gao Shun's elite camp to Wei Xu's command.
"Marquis Wen, the deployment is complete," Wei Xu said. "Anyone within the city who is not a local will be expelled, and foreign merchants are even forbidden from setting foot in our Xiapi City!"
"Very good..."
Lu Bu was very satisfied with Wei Xu's words. He nodded slightly. "With this, Cao Cao's spies will not be able to spy on our movements in Xiapi City. Hmph, I don't believe Cao Cao can perceive our army's actions with his eyes closed!"
Speaking of which...
Lu Bu's gaze lifted, looking towards the west.
"Are the three armies all mobilized?" Lu Bu asked meaningfully.
Wei Xu nodded. "Everything is as usual. The three armies are in position, and spies are infiltrating towards Xiaopei City. In just ten days, we will be able to annihilate Liu Bei in one fell swoop!"
"Good!" Lu Bu's eyes narrowed, a killing intent suddenly rising. "Big-eared fellow Liu, you dare collude with Cao Cao, hmph, then your death day has arrived."
In fact...
From the moment Liu, Guan, and Zhang, the three brothers, campaigned against Yuan Shu, took refuge in Cao Cao's camp, and finally retreated completely, Lu Bu had harbored suspicions about Liu Bei.
And these suspicions deepened when his Right Consultative Officer, Chen Deng, and his daughter, Lu Lingqi, captured a letter from Cao Cao to Hao Meng.
Because the letter mentioned that Cao Cao invited Hao Meng and Liu Bei to cooperate from within and without to kill Lu Bu.
The former, Hao Meng, had already rebelled. Then... what about the latter...
Now, in Lu Bu's view, the rebellion in Xiapi City had been dealt with. It was natural to eliminate Liu Bei, this "two-faced" villain.
And ten days later was the plan to surprise Xiaopei.
Even Chen Gong did not know about this plan...
It could be said that among Lu Bu's subordinates, only the father and son Chen Gui and Chen Deng, along with his elder cousin Wei Xu, knew the detailed strategy.
In Lu Bu's eyes, this surprise attack on Xiaopei City was as stable as a rock!
"Report..."
Just as Lu Bu was envisioning the surprise attack ten days later, a voice came. "General, it is extremely cold now, and many soldiers in the army are suffering from severe colds."
This...
Lu Bu's face suddenly became serious.
In this era, no one was unaware of the cold disease, nor did anyone underestimate it. If this symptom could not be contained, the cold disease might spread within the army and the city, leading to a great change in morale and public sentiment.
"Where are the physicians? Have they been to diagnose?" Lu Bu asked urgently.
"They have treated, but... but they said..." The young officer's tone was hesitant.
"What did they say?" Lu Bu's voice rose, his tone becoming more urgent.
"They said... they said..." The young officer hesitated for a long time before speaking. "They said they cannot cure this cold disease. Only physicians in Xudu City or Yanzhou can cure it!"
This...
Lu Bu suddenly remembered.
The most severe outbreak of the cold disease was in Yanzhou and Xuzhou. But the reason Cao Cao could solve this cold disease was because of his subordinate, the Palace Grandee, no... now he should be called the Grand Censor of Han, Lu Yu!
It was he who compiled the "Treatise on Cold Damage and Miscellaneous Diseases."
And once this "Treatise on Cold Damage and Miscellaneous Diseases" was published, it solved the cold disease problems in Cao Cao's eight commanderies in Yanzhou and four commanderies in Xuzhou. Moreover, Cao Cao allowed these physicians to treat patients in other prefectures and counties, thereby winning over many people.
It could be said that apart from the physicians in Yanzhou, one truly couldn't find anyone who could cure this severe cold disease.
What could be done about this?
Lu Bu's face suddenly became much uglier.
Wei Xu, standing beside him, had a glint in his eyes. "Marquis Wen, it seems... there are physicians from Yanzhou outside our Xiapi City! They were just stopped."
Physicians?
Lu Bu's eyes suddenly widened, but in just an instant, he narrowed them again.
What if, what if these physicians were Cao Cao's spies?
But, if the problem of the cold disease could not be solved, and it was allowed to spread, then... the morale of the army would surely collapse. How could the actions ten days later proceed?
A dilemma...
What a difficult choice!
"Is Marquis Wen worried? That these physicians are spies sent by Cao's camp?" As expected of his elder cousin Wei Xu, he saw through Lu Bu's suspicion at once and immediately reminded him, "Marquis Wen might as well interrogate these physicians personally. If they are truly spies, how can they escape Marquis Wen's eyes?"
These words were pleasant to hear!
Lu Bu nodded and raised his hand. "Someone, bring all the physicians waiting outside the city gate to me!"
"Yes!" The young officer agreed and quickly went to do as instructed.
...
Xiapi City, outside the city gate.
Yang Xiu and a group of physicians had been waiting here for a whole day.
Suffering from hunger and cold!
If it weren't for their medical skills in treating some of the common people outside the city gate, which earned them a few mouthfuls of food, they would have starved to death here.
Speaking of which...
Yang Xiu was also very anxious. The mission assigned to him by Chief Director Lu... could not be delayed, or changes might occur.
But...
Yang Xiu still had a plan in mind.
Because just now, he had opened the brocade pouch that Chief Director Lu had specifically left for him.
This brocade pouch was densely filled with many words, detailing how to enter the city, how to practice medicine, how to approach the father and son Chen Gui and Chen Deng, and how to transmit intelligence back.
Of course, at this moment, Yang Xiu finally knew how dangerous this mission was.
Damn it, this was more than just illuminating the eyes of Xiapi City; this was pulling teeth from a tiger's mouth!
However...
Fortunately, in Chief Director Lu's brocade pouch, it mentioned what he should do, and what he should do now was just one word – wait!
"Young Master Yang, it's been almost two days, and we still can't get into Xiapi City!"
The few physicians who came with Yang Xiu had their brows almost furrowed into inverted commas.
They were even more anxious... not only anxious, but also cold and hungry!
Hoo...
Yang Xiu let out a light breath, trying his best to calm his mood. "Wait, wait a little longer. Now, we have already treated many people outside the city gate. I believe... our identities as physicians have spread!"
"Does this help?" The physician pointed to the plaque hanging high on the city tower and asked.
Indeed, there was a plaque hanging on the city tower of Xiapi City, clearly written with a line of large characters – Outsiders are not allowed to enter.
Even if they were physicians, could they get in? Was their identity as physicians useful?
"It's useful!" Just as the physicians were about to fall into despair, Yang Xiu's words were firm and powerful. "If Chief Director Lu said it's useful, it's definitely useful! He told us to wait, so we must wait, even if we freeze or starve to death!"
Don't mention...
After being severely beaten by Lu Yu, Yang Xiu seemed to have gained enlightenment. Now... he regarded Lu Yu's words as divine pronouncements. He even firmly believed that following Chief Director Lu would lead to good fortune!
At this moment.
"Gentlemen? Are you physicians from Yanzhou?"
A voice sounded not far away, followed by the sound of footsteps. Yang Xiu looked up, and in front of him were not the gate guards of Xiapi City, but who else could it be?
"Yes... I and these physicians are all from Yanzhou, wishing to enter Xiapi City to treat the sick and save people!" Yang Xiu replied without hesitation.
"My lord wishes to see you!" the gate guard's cold words came.
Immediately after, a group of armored soldiers surrounded Yang Xiu and the group of physicians, and they headed towards the city tower.
Hoo...
Subtly, Yang Xiu let out a long sigh of relief.
They entered the city. Chief Director Lu's ingenious plan in the brocade pouch was not wrong. They really... really entered the city.
Of course, for Yang Xiu, this was not just about entering the city. It undoubtedly increased his confidence significantly.
Then...
According to the instructions in the brocade pouch, the next step was to gain Lu Bu's trust!
And to gain Lu Bu's trust, one had to understand his personality – driven by profit!
Lu Bu was an extreme utilitarian. Everything he did might violate morality, or violate etiquette!
But the only principle he believed in and followed was the pursuit of profit. With "profit" at the forefront, he could take risks and disregard infamy.
And the simplest and most effective way to gain his trust was to also play the role of an extreme utilitarian.
These were mentioned in the brocade pouch, and Yang Xiu seemed to know what he should do!
...
On the city tower of Xiapi City, in a room.
"Hmph, you must be spies sent by Cao the thief!"
Lu Bu's roar could be heard from a distance. At the same time, Lu Bu's eyes narrowed, observing the every move of these people before him.
Even every glance could help him determine if these physicians were spies sent by Cao Cao.
"Unjustly accused..." Yang Xiu shook his head repeatedly. "We are just ordinary physicians. Why... does Marquis Wen say we are spies?"
"Hmph... still trying to quibble?" With a cold snort, Lu Bu suddenly stood up. He said coldly, "If you are ordinary physicians, why don't you go to other cities to practice medicine and treat illnesses, but instead come to Xiapi City? Don't you know my relationship with that Cao Cao? Hmph, it must be that Cao's spies cannot infiltrate Xiapi City, so they sent you to impersonate physicians. Do you think I, Lu Bu, cannot see through this? Guards, drag them down and behead them..."
As these words left his mouth...
All the physicians trembled.
In fact... except for Yang Xiu, the others were not spies at all.
They were originally physicians from the Xudu City Medical Office, ordered to go to various places to treat patients with colds. It was just... bad luck, that they were assigned to Xiapi City.
Of course, this was not important!
Last year, some people were also assigned to Xiapi City. This was a benevolent act shown by Cao Sikong's benevolence.
But... the crucial problem was that this year, these... before they even treated any patients, their heads were about to roll.
Unjust... unjustly accused!
They wanted to cry out their grievances.
Unexpectedly, Yang Xiu spoke first, "Marquis Wen, why can't we physicians come to Xiapi City?"
"Both practice medicine and treat patients with colds. If the consultation fees in other prefectures and counties are only a hundred coins, then in Xiapi City... because of the enmity between Marquis Wen and Cao Sikong, there is a shortage of physicians. Our consultation fees are a hundred gold or more, and many can cure the cold disease? We came for wealth, how did we... become spies?"
"You fight for the empire, I fight for wealth. If there's profit, why not come?"
Yang Xiu's voice grew louder and louder, and his words sounded more and more wronged!
Yet, this grievance was spoken with great reason.
Don't mention...
When "a hundred coins" and "a hundred gold," along with "If there's profit, why not come?" were uttered by Yang Xiu simultaneously, Lu Bu's heart truly stirred.
"Wait..."
Lu Bu's eyes narrowed, and he immediately stopped the armored soldiers who were about to drag them away.
He was murmuring to himself something. That was right... it was precisely because he, Lu Bu, had fallen out with Cao Cao that there were no physicians entering Xiapi City and Guangling City, and naturally... the consultation fees for treating the cold disease had also soared.
While "a hundred gold" was an exaggeration, compared to life, these wealthy merchants of Xiapi City might indeed come up with it!
No matter how you calculate it, coming here to practice medicine was a huge profit!
In other words, these physicians might not be spies sent by Cao Cao; they might have come here for profit!
Lu Bu was an extreme "profit-seeker," so he could better understand these people who risked coming to Xiapi City for exorbitant consultation fees.
Heaven's bounty unaccepted is a self-inflicted harm; opportunities missed lead to disaster!
Seeking advantage and avoiding harm is human nature!
With this thought, Lu Bu's expression softened slightly.
"According to your words? You came here for money?"
"That is natural!" Yang Xiu nodded.
"Good, then I, Marquis Wen, will allow you to enter the city. However, I have a condition beforehand. Whether you treat commoners or soldiers, I will send people to watch you. If I discover any improper behavior from you, then..."
Towards the end, Lu Bu's eyes turned cold, as if threatening these physicians.
"We only seek wealth and dare not have any other behavior. Please rest assured, Marquis Wen!" Yang Xiu's tone remained resolute. Throughout the conversation with Lu Bu, his expression management was in place, neither humble nor overbearing, yet he deliberately exposed the greed and profit-seeking nature of a merchant, making it impossible for others not to believe him.
"You may go!" Lu Bu waved his hand, not forgetting to give Wei Xu, who was beside him, a meaningful look.
Wei Xu knew that Lu Bu was telling him to send people to keep an eye on these physicians.
Hoo...
As they descended the city tower, Yang Xiu couldn't help but let out deep breaths. It was so damn thrilling!
If... if it weren't for Chief Director Lu's accurate assessment of Lu Bu's personality, he... or rather, they would have lost their heads today.
Hoo...
He let out another long sigh.
"Gulp," Yang Xiu swallowed his saliva. He had only one feeling in his heart: this tiger's den was truly stimulating!
And at the same time...
"Marquis Wen." Wei Xu seemed to have noticed something. "I recognize that physician!"
"Recognize?" Lu Bu raised his eyebrows.
"He is from the Yang clan of Hongnong, the son of the former Grand Commandant Yang Biao – Yang Xiu, Yang Dezhu!" Wei Xu introduced loudly.
The Yang clan of Hongnong was a prestigious and influential family of the time... with disciples and former officials spread throughout the land.
Wei Xu had also visited them, wanting to curry favor, but was turned away.
But on that occasion... he saw this Yang Xiu, Yang Dezhu, who was doted upon by everyone. Although seven or eight years had passed since then... Wei Xu still recognized him at a glance.
"Since he is Yang Xiu of the Yang clan of Hongnong? Why didn't you name him earlier? Guards..."
Lu Bu's brows furrowed. Yang Xiu's father, Yang Biao, had served as Grand Commandant and was brought back along with the Emperor by Cao Cao. So, wouldn't their Yang family have inextricable ties with Cao Cao?
If so, wouldn't this Yang Xiu be a spy sent by Cao Cao?
Immediately...
Lu Bu decided to send someone to call Yang Xiu back! To kill him swiftly!
Who would have thought...
"Marquis Wen..." Wei Xu quickly stopped him. "Marquis Wen likely forgot that according to the intelligence returned by our spies a few days ago, Yang Xiu, Yang Dezhu, was severely beaten by the Head of the Imperial Academy, Lu Yu, at the Imperial Academy. It is said that he was beaten until his skin was torn and bleeding. Since then, Yang Biao also resigned from his position as Grand Commandant and moved his entire family back to Hongnong! And this Lu Yu is Cao Cao's most trusted person. Marquis Wen, the relationship between them, you ponder, you ponder carefully!"
Having said this, Wei Xu paused deliberately.
As if fearing that Lu Bu's thought process was too slow and couldn't turn around!
"Does Marquis Wen still think Yang Xiu, Yang Dezhu, is an enemy rather than a friend? Heh heh... Indeed, he may not have told the truth earlier, but his intention to help Marquis Wen is genuine. As for the relationship between the Yang clan of Hongnong and Cao Cao, haha... hahahaha!"
There's no fear of misleading people if they're a complete fool, but there's fear if they're too smart...
Wei Xu revealed what he had in mind, and the logic was seamless, with no flaws to be found.
Heh...
Lu Bu tapped his forehead lightly.
He deeply agreed with Wei Xu's words!
If so, Yang Xiu bringing physicians to Xiapi City had a deep meaning. Perhaps, this was the hidden assistance of the Yang clan of Hongnong to him, Lu Bu!
Combined with Cao Cao's and the Yang clan of Hongnong's past actions, this possibility was extremely high!
"Haha..."
"Hahahaha..." Lu Bu laughed heartily. He reached out and patted Wei Xu's shoulder heavily. "Everyone says the Hidden Dragon of the North is in Cao Cao's camp, and the Southern Qilin is in Jiangdong. Hahaha, brother-in-law, you are my 'Hidden Dragon' and 'Qilin' in Xiapi City!"
"Hahahaha..."
Wei Xu kept laughing. Being praised by Lu Bu like this, he felt that he was a very intelligent person!
Only...
Wei Xu probably didn't know.
Because of this one sentence from Lu Bu...
Hidden Dragon and Qilin would suddenly become derogatory terms!
Just like... because of a "big genius" in the past, "Sleeping Dragon, Young Phoenix" also became derogatory terms.
...
...
Entered the city.
This was a happy event.
But... Yang Xiu's brow was tightly furrowed.
The physicians beside him had already dispersed. They were truly going to treat patients. Although not for money, who could, with the compassion of a physician, watch these patients suffering from colds fall into the abyss of despair?
Master Zhang Zhongjing always taught them to help the world with a pot in hand, like their Uncle Lu, to be the noblest of people, pure people, people detached from low-level tastes!
And in Zhang Zhongjing's words, Uncle Lu was such a person, someone to be admired, revered, and looked up to!
Therefore, every physician who emerged from the Xudu City Medical Office possessed the spirit of "great physicians' integrity." Their dream was to become physicians like Uncle Lu, admired by thousands.
Of course, Yang Xiu was an exception.
He came here to be a spy. Every step was precarious!
"Next..."
Yang Xiu recalled the contents of the brocade pouch...
How, under the premise that he was closely monitored, and the father and son Chen Gui and Chen Deng were also closely monitored, to establish contact with them, and connect with Cao Sikong's leg!
This was the battle for Xiapi City, a key to victory or defeat, life or death!
"To do this... must I do it this way?"
Yang Xiu's brow furrowed. He thought of the contents of Chief Director Lu's brocade pouch. Although it was incredible, he was already on the "pirate" ship. He was fighting with his back to the river, and he could only bite the bullet and go forward. As the saying goes, if you don't succeed, you become a martyr!
...
...