Like every outstanding "spy" worker in history.
How to safely report obtained intelligence has always been a huge problem, past and present.
But precisely...
For Yang Xiu, who held the identity of a physician, this was hardly a problem.
Because transporting and purchasing medicinal herbs required leaving the city, and once outside, the intelligence would naturally be transmitted.
The key issue was that neither Yang Xiu nor Chen Deng had aroused any suspicion from Lu Bu. In fact, the plan to surprise attack Xiaopei in ten days could proceed as scheduled due to the recovery of the soldiers from their cold symptoms, leaving Lu Bu in high spirits!
"Quickly inform Lu Sinong and Cao Sikong of this... so they can prepare countermeasures!"
"Remember, be fast!"
Under the guise of leaving the city to purchase medicinal herbs, Yang Xiu passed the intelligence to the Long Xiao Camp knights disguised as herb merchants. Once Yang Xiu and the others returned with the herbs, the knight mounted his horse.
"Dada-da," the sound of hooves echoed, and the knight, like a whirlwind, galloped towards Xuchang City.
The matter was of great importance, and he dared not slacken in the slightest.
...
...
Xuchang City, Sikong's Mansion.
Only Cao Cao and Lu Yu were present, sitting opposite each other at a table.
Lu Yu was explaining to Cao Cao the concept of "Yuan Shao's encirclement" that Guo Jia had mentioned that day, and Cao Cao's expression suddenly turned cold, his mood becoming considerably heavy.
"Although Yuan Benchu's encirclement is somewhat wishful thinking, it is not easy to break!"
Cao Cao's tone was serious. "I am not particularly concerned about Liu Biao and Zhang Xiu, but Sun Ce of Jiangdong and Han Sui and Ma Teng of the western regions remain a threat."
Upon hearing this, Lu Yu proclaimed, "As for Sun Ce, Cao Sikong need not worry too much!"
As these words left his mouth, Cao Cao leaned his head towards Lu Yu and, following Lu Yu's lead, asked, "Is it because of the Lu family in Jiangdong?"
Heh...
This statement, "because of the Lu family," truly startled Lu Yu.
As expected...
Cao Cao's intelligence network was quite thorough; nothing that happened within his domain could escape his notice.
"I was just about to report this matter to Cao Sikong. It has now been confirmed that my mother is indeed from the Lu clan of Jiangdong!"
Lu Yu attempted to explain, genuinely worried that this might cause Cao Cao to become suspicious.
To his surprise, Cao Cao seemed utterly unconcerned.
As soon as he had heard from the Huben Army about Lu Yu's connection to the Lu family...
Cao Cao had already dispatched Xu Chu himself to Pu Yang, Dunqiu County, to investigate.
Indeed, he had uncovered some clues.
As expected... the Lu family maiden whom Cao Cao had met, fallen in love with, courted, and with whom he had a son during his tenure as the Magistrate of Dunqiu was indeed from the Lu family, one of the four great families of Jiangdong.
In other words, the Lu family of Jiangdong was also, in a way, Yu'er's maternal relatives!
A tremor, Cao Cao's heart had surely trembled.
However.
Cao Cao had now calmed down.
It was a great advantage...
With the assistance of his maternal relatives in the Lu family of Jiangdong, Yu'er's future position would be more secure.
Moreover... utilizing this connection, Yu'er had already placed a chess piece in Jiangdong, which would greatly expand the scope of his operations. This was an action with a hundred benefits and no harm, and Cao Cao was genuinely pleased.
"You do not need to report the matters of the Lu family to me; handle them yourself. Since they are your mother's relatives, if you need any assistance, please do not hesitate to ask. Whether it is the court or us, we will go all out."
Upon saying this, Cao Cao added meaningfully, "Next time, if they are able to come to Xuchang City, haha, Lu Sinong must arrange for me to meet with the members of the Lu family."
Ultimately, Cao Cao still felt a sense of guilt, guilt towards Lu Yu and guilt towards the Lu family maiden, and this guilt made him cherish the Lu family even more.
"Lu Yu understands," Lu Yu cupped his fists...
Cao Cao then changed the subject, "With you and the Lu family managing the south, and with Sun Ce's recent defeat, there is no need to worry for the time being! What about the west? The Guanxi region is rife with warlords. I hear that after defeating Li Jue and Guo Si, Han Sui and Ma Teng incorporated their troops, forming a formidable cavalry corps. How should we deal with this force?"
Speaking of this, Cao Cao recalled.
In the macro-strategy set by Lu Yu, "looking east, gathering west, crossing south, harmonizing north, and pacifying the center"... Yu'er had mentioned from the outset that Han Sui and Ma Teng should be dealt with through "coaxing."
However, while setting the "coaxing" strategy was easy, how to coax them specifically? Who would do the coaxing? How would it be implemented? These were all details.
And details determined success.
At this moment, Lu Yu's words flowed out, "To deal with the western front, it remains as I previously mentioned, to gather from the west. However, it cannot be delayed any further; people must be dispatched to carry out this western gathering mission now!"
Lu Yu's tone gradually became serious and meticulous.
Cao Cao's expression also turned solemn. "Then, in Lu Sinong's opinion? Who can bear the heavy responsibility of coaxing the Guanxi warlords?"
"There is indeed one person!" Lu Yu's eyes fixed. "My calligraphy instructor at the Imperial Academy—Zhong Yao!"
Lu Yu uttered his name almost without hesitation.
However...
—Zhong Yao?
Upon hearing this name, Cao Cao was clearly surprised.
Speaking of Zhong Yao, Cao Cao was no stranger. Like Cao Cao, he was a disciple of Cai Yong.
The difference was that Zhong Yao was Cai Yong's final disciple in calligraphy.
According to the records in the "Record of Calligraphic Styles: Famous Names in Brushwork Transmission" from the Tang Dynasty, Cai Yong received calligraphy from a divine being and passed it to Cui Yuan and his daughter Wenji. Wenji passed it to Zhong Yao, Zhong Yao passed it to Madam Wei, Madam Wei passed it to Wang Xizhi, and Wang Xizhi passed it to Wang Xianzhi!
Although this record might not be entirely exhaustive, for instance, Cai Zhaoji, who was young, passing calligraphy to Zhong Yao, who was over forty, is quite absurd!
However, that Zhong Yao was the second-generation successor of Cai Yong's calligraphy is almost a certainty.
Of course, these were not important...
What was important was, shouldn't a resourceful and astute strategist be more suitable for coaxing the Guanxi warlords?
Why would Yu'er recommend such a great calligrapher?
It seemed that Cao Cao's "senior brother" did not appear very reliable from any angle.
Of course.
Cao Cao's view of Zhong Yao was one-sided; he was not just a calligrapher!
He hailed from the Xun clan of Yingchuan and was said to have a noble countenance from a young age by physiognomists.
Back in Chang'an City, when Li and Guo held the Emperor hostage, Zhong Yao mediated among them. In fact, the envoy dispatched by Cao Cao to establish contact with the Emperor owed a part of its success to Zhong Yao's assistance.
It could be said that he was a talented individual who was bold and meticulous, yet his achievements in calligraphy overshadowed his other talents!
As for...
Stabilizing Guanzhong, in Lu Yu's view, no one was more reliable than this great calligrapher.
This was not his deduction; it was written in books.
According to the normal historical trajectory.
Cao Cao would, a year later, heed Xun Yu's recommendation and dispatch Zhong Yao to Guanzhong.
The intention was to appease the Guanxi warlords. Unexpectedly, Zhong Yao, after weighing the pros and cons, directly had Ma Teng and Han Sui send their sons to Xuchang City, signaling their submission to Cao Cao, and inexplicably securing Chang'an City for Cao Cao.
During the Battle of Guandu, he also sent two thousand warhorses to Cao Cao from Guanzhong.
Now, it was only a year earlier, but with the familiar recipe and familiar taste, Lu Yu felt that... Zhong Yao would definitely be capable!
"Cao Sikong," Lu Yu explained in detail, "the situation in Guanzhong is far more complex than we imagine. Although Han Sui and Ma Teng are dominant, there are thousands of minor warlords and skilled warriors. It is simply impossible to unify them all!"
"Even under the current temporary peace, in reality, conflict will soon erupt again. The various warlords will protect themselves. In such a situation, for Guanzhong to have peace, someone must, in the name of the court, bestow favors and appease them, dispatching envoys to foster good relations with them!"
"This way, even if long-term peace cannot be achieved, at least before Cao Sikong pacifies Lu Bu and Zhang Xiu, they will not cause any trouble!"
"Precisely because Zhong Yao is a great calligrapher and has also resided in Guanzhong, he was able to mediate between Li Jue and Guo Si to protect the Emperor. I imagine that navigating among these Guanxi lords, coaxing and befriending them, will be a piece of cake. Therefore... I am certain that no one is more suitable than Zhong Yao for this task of coaxing the Guanxi lords.
Not to mention...
Lu Yu's words indeed persuaded Cao Cao.
Especially this sentence—Zhong Yao was able to mediate between Li Jue and Guo Si to protect the Emperor. I imagine that navigating among these Guanxi lords, coaxing and befriending them, will be a piece of cake!
It was precisely this sentence that made Cao Cao realize, most directly, that he had underestimated Zhong Yao. This person could be used!
With this thought in mind...
Cao Cao immediately called out loudly, "Where are the Huben Army soldiers!"
"Your subordinate is here!" Several armored Huben Army soldiers quickly entered the room, bowed to Cao Cao and Lu Yu.
Cao Cao's words followed in rapid succession.
"You immediately go to the Imperial Secretariat and tell Xun Yu to draft an imperial edict requesting the Emperor to appoint Zhong Yao, instructor of the Imperial Academy, as the Commandant of Sili, holding the imperial seal to command all armies in Guanzhong! Then tell Zhong Yao that I, Cao Cao, have fully entrusted him with the rear affairs!"
"Yes..." Hearing this, the Huben Army soldiers immediately set off to carry out the order.
Cao Cao then looked back at Lu Yu and asked with a smile, "Lu Sinong, is this arrangement appropriate?"
"Cao Sikong's arrangements are naturally appropriate!" Lu Yu replied.
Of course, what he was actually thinking was that as long as Zhong Yao was sent to Guanzhong, Guanzhong would be a huge surprise, as solid as a rock!
However... while Zhong Yao was a surprise, Lu Yu had another surprise for Zhong Yao!
Heh heh, he would give it to him later when he arrived in Guanzhong!
...
After discussing the matter of Yuan Shao's encirclement, Cao Cao's thoughts naturally turned to Xiapi City.
Compared to the wolves and jackals in the rear courtyard of Guanzhong, at this time, Cao Cao was undoubtedly more concerned about the two tigers and leopards, Liu Bei and Lu Bu, in Xiapi City!
Speaking of which, Yu'er had once confidently declared that the eyes of Xiapi City would be lit up within ten days.
Now that it had been six or seven days, yet... Xiapi City remained completely dark.
This...
In fact, Cao Cao wanted to ask Lu Yu, but if he did, he felt it would seem somewhat untrusting!
He still had full trust in this son.
Just then...
Someone entered the courtyard in a hurry, "Tap, tap, tap," the sound of heavy footsteps emerged. Cao Cao and Lu Yu immediately came back to their senses; it was Xu Chu.
"Cao Gong, urgent dispatch from Xiapi City, extremely urgent!"
Cao Cao's fingers tapped on the desk. Upon hearing "extremely urgent," he felt a surge of anxiety and worry!
"Speak quickly!" Cao Cao urged...
Xu Chu raised his voice. "The Long Xiao Camp knight has just arrived with a dispatch covering seven hundred li. He says that Yang Xiu successfully infiltrated Xiapi City, contacted the Chen father and son, and obtained a piece of crucial intelligence."
As he reached the end, Xu Chu tried to lower his voice, speaking each word as clearly as possible.
"Lu Bu plans to launch a surprise attack on Xiaopei City on November 11th. The troops dispatched this time will be his elite Bingzhou Wolf Riders and the Vanguard Camp. However, the commander will not be Zhang Liao or Gao Shun, but Lu Bu's close relative—Wei Xu! This Wei Xu is a useless drunkard, and the Bingzhou Wolf Riders and the Vanguard Camp are not convinced, both harboring grievances... Chen Deng suggested that this is an opportunity to deal a heavy blow to Lu Bu in one go. He requests Cao Sikong to make a swift decision!"
It was difficult for Xu Chu, having memorized such a lengthy speech from the Long Xiao Camp knight, almost word for word.
By the end, even Xu Chu was sweating profusely!
"Good..."
Upon hearing this, Cao Cao leaped up. In fact, upon hearing that Xiapi City had been lit up again and that Chen Gui and Chen Deng's "legs" had been reattached, Cao Cao's chest had already been heaving.
And finally, he gasped for air!
Now... he was not astonished by Yu'er's divine skills in lighting up Xiapi City.
The immediate priority was to rush to the aid of Liu Bei!
The arrival of this intelligence was equivalent to giving Cao Cao a golden opportunity to "act with righteous cause." Furthermore, it allowed him to take advantage of the mutual exhaustion of Lu Bu and Liu Bei, to decisively eliminate Lu Bu, subdue Liu Bei, and pacify the Central Plains in one fell swoop!
This was a matter of great consequence, where the movement of one thread affected the entire situation. Finally, he, Cao Cao, had waited for this heaven-sent opportunity.
The flames of war in Xiapi City were about to be rekindled.
"Zhong Kang..."
"Your subordinate is here."
"You immediately transmit orders to all camps to prepare for departure. Three hours from now, the army will march east to reinforce Liu Xuande and eliminate the rebel Lu Bu!"
"Yes!"
With a command, Xu Chu immediately turned and went out to inform the camp commanders.
Lu Yu, however, his eyes flickered.
"Cao Sikong, may I and the Long Xiao Camp participate in this battle?" Lu Yu asked directly...
This...
Cao Cao was greatly surprised. Based on Yu'er's past demeanor and personality, he always placed himself in a safe position and would never have voluntarily gone to the front lines.
Could it be... that Yu'er had become bolder?
As soon as this thought appeared, Cao Cao subconsciously shook his head. Yu'er was good in every way, except he was a bit timid. Of course... this was not a flaw; caution... could often avoid unnecessary casualties!
However...
Yu'er's主动请战 (proactive request to fight) this time... what was he up to?
Cao Cao's forehead immediately conjured a huge question mark.
Of course, Lu Yu saw through Cao Cao's intentions at a glance. "Cao Sikong, it is thanks to my disciple Yang Xiu from the Imperial Academy's infiltration of Xiapi City and lighting up Xiapi City that we were able to find this heaven-sent opportunity. Now that he is still within Xiapi City, if I, as the head of the Imperial Academy, do not also go on campaign, it will surely chill his heart! Then, in the future, which of my Imperial Academy students will dare to risk their lives for service?"
Lu Yu found a convenient excuse!
Although it was a bit of a forced connection.
But...
He couldn't tell Cao Cao that his primary reason for participating in this military operation was for a woman, a woman of unparalleled beauty—Diao Chan!
One had to know...
Whether in plays or in ancient texts, after Lu Bu perished at Baishilou, Diao Chan also disappeared without a trace, likely having met her tragic end?
That peerless beauty then became lost to history.
Thinking about it... such a beauty, perishing due to the conflict between men, was rather regrettable! Lu Yu wanted to take her in, ah no... he wanted to save her!
Of course, while saving her was saving her, it only showed that Lu Yu was a noble person!
In reality, Lu Yu was also a pure person. For example... he had a penchant for cleanliness regarding women. Even for a married woman, no matter how beautiful Diao Chan was, if she had been with someone else, Lu Yu would definitely not use her.
After all, Lu Yu had always disdained and detested Cao Cao's predilection for married women, and this had not changed in the slightest, even now.
Yet, even so, having such a beauty in his residence, to look at her every now and then to feast his eyes upon her would be nice!
Hadn't scientific experiments shown that beautiful things always brought joy? Diao Chan was undoubtedly such a beautiful thing.
—It would be too much of a pity for her to die!
Naturally, these little schemes were best kept to himself, and Lu Yu saw no need to reveal them to Old Cao.
However, for Cao Cao, regardless of Lu Yu's purpose!
It was always a good thing that he could accompany the army on campaign.
On the battlefield, especially when encountering urgent battle situations, Cao Cao greatly hoped to hear Yu'er's suggestions, which were very important to him.
"Alright!" Cao Cao patted Lu Yu's shoulder. "Since Lu Sinong also intends to campaign, then there is no time to delay. We shall depart in three hours!"
With these words, Lu Yu took his leave. For three hours, there were many preparations to be made by the Long Xiao Camp!
Lu Yu also had many preparations to make!
...
...
November 11th!
Double Eleven!
In later generations, this was a day when spendthrift women would shop till they dropped.
But at this moment... the spendthrift women did not shop, but Liu Bei was left in a sorry state.
As dawn approached, in the darkness, numerous long spears, war halberds;
The neighing of warhorses followed in succession.
What followed was "dong, dong, dong," the sound of tens of thousands of warhorses' hooves resounding through the heavens...
Lu Bu, leading the Bingzhou Wolf Riders, launched a premeditated surprise attack on Xiaopei. All the counties surrounding Xiaopei were quickly captured, like a gust of wind sweeping away clouds.
Countless cries of lament and screams echoed across the land of Xiaopei.
Liu Bei's reaction speed was already quite fast; he quickly organized his troops to march out and meet the enemy, but... ultimately, he could not withstand Lu Bu's long-planned assault.
Guan Yu's troops were forced into the military encampment outside the city...
Liu Bei and Zhang Fei were surrounded by Lu Bu's large army. The entire city of Xiaopei was in a state of panic.
However...
Suddenly, there was silence below the city of Xiaopei, a terrifying silence!
Silence, a suffocating silence!
Lu Bu's army was in strict formation, merely surrounding Liu Bei, but not ordering an assault on the city.
"Damn it, this Lu Bu is a coward, looking at him, with so many troops surrounding our Xiapi City, yet not attacking, what a coward! Useless!"
Zhang Fei, on the city wall, continued to grumble.
Liu Bei's expression was extremely grim, his brows tightly furrowed.
"Third brother, Lu Bu is waiting for siege weapons!"
"What?" Zhang Fei smacked his forehead and immediately came to his senses. "Then what are we waiting for? Let me go out and poke this three-surnamed slave a hundred holes! We can't just wait for their siege weapons to arrive, can we?"
"Third brother, absolutely not!" Liu Bei immediately waved his hand.
At this moment, although he still appeared calm and composed, in reality, he was extremely flustered!
It was not that he feared Lu Bu!
On the contrary, Liu Bei had never feared Lu Bu!
He only feared this situation; how could Lu Bu not understand the principle of "when the lips are gone, the teeth are cold"?
The mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind!
Were the enemies of his brothers Liu, Guan, and Zhang limited to Lu Bu alone?
The forces hidden behind the scenes were the truly terrifying ones!
Lu Bu's surprise attack on Xiaopei undoubtedly... fell into Cao Cao's trap!
The final ownership of Xiaopei was likely to be "Cao's"!
It was over?
Had they ultimately not escaped Cao Cao's clutches?
Foolish, Lu Bu was foolish!
...
...