Within the prefectural office of Xiapi City, Xu Province.
The weather was fine that day. Lü Bu was originally teaching Lü Lingqi some spear techniques and martial arts skills…
Unexpectedly, Chen Gong arrived, and he was fuming.
"Fengxian, how could you…"
Upon entering the courtyard, Chen Gong immediately frowned and shouted something coldly.
Seeing Lü Lingqi was also in the courtyard, he temporarily withheld his words.
"Lingqi, go out and play for a while. I have important matters to discuss with your father."
Chen Gong ordered immediately, just like a parent.
It could be said that ever since Lü Bu appointed him as his "strategist," he had always spoken in this tone, to everyone. Even towards Lü Bu's eldest daughter, Lü Lingqi, his tone was never ambiguous.
Lü Lingqi lowered her head upon hearing this. To be honest, she was quite afraid of Mr. Chen Gong.
"Father, Mr. Chen… then Lingqi will take her leave." Lü Lingqi cupped her hands in a bow and quickly retreated.
Lü Bu had specifically set aside time to teach his daughter spear techniques. Now that Chen Gong had ruined his mood, he showed his displeasure.
"Mister? What's wrong? Has something momentous happened?"
"Something momentous? Hmph, isn't this something momentous!" Chen Gong's expression remained extremely unpleasant. "Chen Gui and Chen Deng, father and son… I heard that Fengxian, you invited the two of them to reside in your inner mansion? And appointed them as Left and Right Advisors?"
"That's correct." Lü Bu nodded while seated. "Chen Yuanlong is Lingqi's military strategy master, so inviting him into the inner mansion makes it convenient for teaching. As for Chen Gui and Chen Hanyu, they have always been famous scholars of Xu Province. I have appointed him as an advisor, which also demonstrates my appreciation for learned scholars and my intent to win over the Xu Province gentry faction!"
Lü Bu spoke logically and reasonably.
Unexpectedly, Chen Gong's expression changed drastically.
"Ai ya, ai ya… Fengxian, those two… those father and son are obsequious and deceitful individuals! Previously, under Tao Qian, they secretly communicated with Cao Cao, seeking personal gain and betraying their lord for glory. Later, Tao Qian discovered this and almost had them killed. It was only because Tao Qian was soft-hearted that he spared their lives and dismissed them from the Xu Province gentry faction!"
"How is it that today… they have come before Fengxian? And you are getting along so well with them? The Xu Province gentry faction and the Danyang faction are mortal enemies. If this were to spread, what would the Danyang generals loyal to you think?"
Chen Gong spoke a great deal, each sentence colder than the last, his brow furrowed tightly.
However, Lü Bu completely ignored him.
"Gongtai? In the current situation, how can I rely solely on the Danyang faction? Cao Cao issues a call for talent every few days. Are there no wise individuals within Xiapi City? Moreover, the Chen father and son are loyal to me. Why should I not employ them? Gongtai, you are my strategist. Why be jealous of them?"
"What?" Lü Bu's words directly enraged Chen Gong. "I… I am jealous of them? Jealous of these two scoundrels?"
Seeing that Lü Bu seemed like a completely different person today, Chen Gong felt anxious.
"Ai ya… ai ya!"
He paced back and forth, repeatedly advising, "Fengxian, Fengxian! Battling on the battlefield is your strength, but discerning people and observing matters is your weakness! Their approach and flattery towards you today are bound to have ulterior motives! You must not be deceived by their sweet words!"
As these words left his mouth…
With a bang, Lü Bu slammed his fist on the desk. Chen Gong's words had repeatedly touched his raw nerves, and this time, he could no longer tolerate it!
"Enough, I've had enough! Chen Gong, you are making groundless accusations, trying to frame talented individuals?"
"Hmph, over the years… I have regarded you as my strategist, and all your plans have been agreed upon. But what was the result? Defeated by Cao Cao, fled from Yan Province. You called it fate. Defeated by the Dragon Rider Camp, you said Cao's camp had the unfathomable Hidden Dragon assisting them! In the end, Cao Cao has grown from a single commandery to now possessing the four provinces of Si, Xu, Yan, and Yu! And what about me? Only these two cities, Xiapi and Guangling, and I am surrounded by Cao Cao! This… is this the result of your planning over these years?"
Having said that, Lü Bu stood up abruptly, his back to Chen Gong.
"Gongtai, oh Gongtai, what have you achieved for me over the years? What? Today, I, Lü Bu, have found talented individuals who can help me hold Xiapi City and plan for Xu Province, and then plan for the Central Plains from Xu Province! Yet, you… you slander and frame them like this? What are your intentions! In my opinion, you are the one who is two-faced and deceitful!"
The words from Lü Bu were colder and colder, like ice shards piercing Chen Gong's heart.
Indeed.
Because of the relationship between Chen Deng and Lü Lingqi, and under "coincidence (deliberate arrangement)," Lü Bu heard the praises of the Chen father and son towards him.
These pleasant words were something Chen Gong had never heard for years.
Who didn't want to hear flattery?
Moreover, Chen Gong's every strategy had ended in failure, yet he still spoke to him with a cold attitude, as if all the responsibility was Lü Bu's!
Enough, at this moment, Lü Bu had truly had enough!
"Fengxian, you… you have been deceived by them! They… they are treacherous villains! Absolutely not good people!"
Chen Gong was still trying to persuade him.
Lü Bu's anger intensified. "Whether they are loyal or treacherous, I see it with my own eyes and will judge accordingly. I don't need you to spread gossip!"
"Hmph… Don't forget, in Xiapi City, I, Lü Bu, am the one in charge!"
Hoo.
Heavy panting sounds.
Indeed, Chen Gong had not expected that Lü Bu, who had always treated his words as divine decree, would today… seem like a changed person, completely deaf to the honest but unpleasant advice.
"Good, good, good…" With three consecutive "good"s, Chen Gong was still making his last stand. "It seems that with the Chen father and son, Marquis Wen no longer needs me, Chen Gong! Very well…"
Logically, after Chen Gong had said all that, Lü Bu should have tried to persuade him.
Unexpectedly…
Lü Bu remained still, his hands still behind his back. "If you feel wronged, Mister, please do as you please."
This time, Lü Bu was determined to employ the Chen father and son and the Xu Province gentry faction.
His temper was like that; once he made a decision, even eight horses could not pull him back.
"Fine…" With another heavy sigh, Chen Gong gritted his teeth and glared at Lü Bu. "Fengxian, remember my words today. Great disaster is not far from Xu Province! We shall see!"
Waving his hand…
Chen Gong strode towards the door.
Stomp, stomp!
His firm and heavy footsteps echoed loudly with each step. He so wished Lü Bu would call out his name and ask him to stay!
However, even as he reached the courtyard gate, Lü Bu remained silent.
At this moment, Chen Gong realized that perhaps… his relationship with Lü Bu had… had reached a point of no return!
Was this… the irreversible flow of spilled water?
…
…
Lujiang, prefectural office, study.
Upon hearing about this "guest from Jiangdong" who had memorized the manufacturing blueprints of all ships in Jiangdong.
Lu Yu was quite interested.
He leaned back in his reclining chair, waiting for the arrival of this mysterious "guest from Jiangdong."
A moment later, Liu Xun personally escorted him to the study.
Lu Yu looked at the person before him. He was over seven feet tall, about the same height as Lu Yu. He had an air of scholarship. Perhaps it was because he grew up by the river, but his skin was exceptionally good.
If Lu Yu hadn't known beforehand that this was a man, just based on his skin, which was "delicate as congealed butter," Lu Yu would have felt…
This must be a beautiful young lady.
Of course, even if he were a man, he would likely be a delicate "shou" (passive partner in a same-sex relationship), perhaps even a match for "He Yan"!
The man walked up to Lu Yu. He raised his eyes and observed Lu Yu carefully for a moment before cupping his hands in a bow.
"Lu Yi greets…"
What? Lu Yi?
Before he could finish speaking, Lu Yu interrupted, asking, "Are you Lu Xun from the Lu family, one of the four great families of Jiangdong?"
Lu Xun's original name was Lu Yi. He changed his name to Lu Xun for some reason.
Lu Yu knew this.
But he was completely clueless about the specific reasons.
However… addressing this young gentleman as Lu Xun was probably not wrong.
Lu Xun was clearly a bit stunned. He had introduced himself as Lu Yi, and besides, his name change to Lu Xun had not been widely publicized. How did Minister Lu know?
Could this be the legendary ability of the Hidden Dragon? The ability to foresee things before they happen?
His heart stirred slightly, and Lu Xun forced a smile. "I didn't expect Minister Lu to know about my name change. If Minister Lu wishes to call me 'Xun,' then call me 'Xun'!"
Having said that, Lu Xun bowed again. "The Lu family, Lu Xun, greets Minister Lu!"
This time, it was Lu Yu who was a bit confused. Even with his rich imagination, he couldn't have guessed… that this guest from Jiangdong was Lu Xun – the Lu Xun who burned down seven hundred li of camps!
– Cards aren't everything, but without cards, nothing is possible Lu Xun!
What was he doing here?
"You are surnamed Lu, and I am also surnamed Lu. We are related five hundred years ago?" Lu Yu said with a smile. For some reason, due to the shared surname, Lu Yu felt a different kind of closeness towards Lu Xun.
Of course, in Lu Yu's opinion, his "Lu" and Lu Xun's "Lu" were not the same "Lu."
Actually, Lu Yu was quite speechless…
He had transmigrated to the Three Kingdoms and happened to be surnamed "Lu." However, he was not from the "Lu" family, one of the four great families of Jiangdong. This "Lu" felt inferior to others, which was rather awkward!
Here, when Lu Yu mentioned being related five hundred years ago, Lu Xun's heart stirred sharply.
"Minister Lu's words are certainly correct, but in my opinion… perhaps the disciples of our 'Lu' surname are family even without five hundred years!"
"Sit…" Hearing this, Lu Yu smiled slightly and gestured for Lu Xun to sit down.
He also gave Liu Xun a meaningful look.
Liu Xun understood and immediately withdrew.
Only Lu Yu and Lu Xun remained in the study.
Since one brushstroke could not write two "Lu"s, Lu Yu decided to get straight to the point.
"Young Master Lu, one does not visit the temple without a reason. Why did you venture from Jiangnan to Jiangbei? And…"
Lu Yu blinked.
Suddenly calling someone "Young Master Lu" felt strange.
"Cough cough…"
With a light cough, Lu Yu continued, "Governor Liu informed me that Young Master Lu has the manufacturing blueprints for Jiangdong ships in your mind? Is this true or false?"
Lu Yu's tone was very gentle, not like he was talking to a guest at all, but more like friends or brothers reunited after a long separation.
Speaking of which, this feeling was inexplicable and strange!
It seemed to emanate naturally from within.
"Haha…" Lu Xun smiled. "Minister Lu? How could I possibly have the manufacturing blueprints for Jiangdong ships in my mind?"
"I said so only because I heard Minister Lu was drawing up shipbuilding blueprints. If I didn't use this excuse, I'm afraid I wouldn't have been able to meet Minister Lu!"
Heh…
How cunning.
Lu Yu exclaimed in his heart. As expected of someone surnamed Lu; all Lu's are cunning.
"Then? Young Master Lu must have something else in your mind, right?" Lu Yu continued to ask.
"To be honest, Minister Lu, what I have in my mind is actually ten, even a hundred times more important than these shipbuilding blueprints!" As he spoke, Lu Xun took out a blueprint from his embrace.
He quickly opened it, revealing a topographical map of the six commanderies and seventy-two counties of Jiangdong.
If it were just a simple map, it would be one thing.
Lu Yu might have been able to sketch it from memory.
But precisely because Lu Xun's map was extremely detailed, it completely recorded the garrison strength, concealed locations of weaponry, and hidden caches of grain for every city and county.
Even…
The military forces of each city and county belonged to which general?
Or which family they belonged to, all clearly visible!
There were also the weaknesses of each city and county, which ones were dilapidated, which ones were undefended, which ones had swamps, and which ones had shallow beaches… all vividly depicted.
It could be said that with this map, it would become incredibly easy to choose a weak port to attack when crossing the Yangtze River, or to conquer the six commanderies of Jiangdong after crossing the natural barrier of the Yangtze.
It was as if Lu Yu could see what color underwear Sun Ce was wearing!
Good heavens…
Lu Yu's eyes suddenly narrowed.
This was quite a generous gift.
Fortunately, the Lu family had the backing of being one of the four great families of Jiangdong.
If it were any other family, even if they wanted to draw this topographical map, their financial resources, manpower, and connections… would be far insufficient.
"Young Master Lu?" Lu Yu was about to speak…
"Minister Lu might as well call me 'Boyan.' Didn't Young Master Lu say that we Lu descendants are all family? Calling me that would make us feel closer, wouldn't it?"
Lu Xun spoke directly…
It must be said that Lu Xun was very intelligent and wise. Every word and action he took was strengthening Lu Yu's trust in him.
"Alright," Lu Yu agreed. He had already stood up…
He glanced at the topographical map again, his eyes gradually narrowing. "Boyan intends to pledge allegiance to Chancellor Cao?"
"Not entirely!" Lu Xun shook his head.
"Then…"
Before Lu Yu could ask further, Lu Xun preempted him. "Minister Lu, in fact, I have brought a total of three treasures. This is just the first one! And compared to the latter two treasures, this topographical map is insignificant!"
The first?
There were two more treasures to come?
Lu Yu's eyes narrowed. Now, he was filled with curiosity about Lu Xun.
Speaking of which…
Lu Yu's understanding of Lu Xun was limited to historical records, such as being one of the four great families of Wu Commandery, initially serving in the government, campaigning against the Shanyue, defeating Shu at Yiling, and his character of enduring humiliation with forbearance and being a gentle and refined gentleman!
However, clearly…
The Lu Xun before him was somewhat different from the ingrained perception of a "humble" and "gentle" Lu Yu.
Because of this, Lu Yu even doubted his true identity? Was he really Lu Xun of the Lu family?
This wasn't difficult to investigate…
If Liu Xun were sent to inquire, his authenticity could be verified in a day.
However, if he truly was Lu Xun, then the current Lu Xun… behaved somewhat differently from historical accounts, being a bit assertive.
Of course…
What Lu Yu didn't know was that the reason historical Lu Xun was a humble and refined gentleman was due to his awkward position in Jiangdong. If he didn't endure humiliation with forbearance, how could he revitalize his family?
But now…
The situation had changed.
With Lu Yu's appearance, the Lu family might not necessarily rely on the Sun family. Lu Xun had choices, and Lu Xun's plan to revitalize his family had undergone earth-shattering changes.
No matter how one looked at it, Cao Cao was a more suitable pillar to rely on than the Sun family. Moreover, there was Lu Yu; his choices had suddenly become much, much more numerous.
"Since Boyan mentioned the latter two treasures, I presume there are corresponding conditions? In Lujiang, whatever requests you have, feel free to state them. I can represent Chancellor Cao entirely!"
Lu Yu smiled and gestured for Lu Xun to continue speaking.
However, Lu Xun waved his hand.
"Minister Lu underestimates me. I did not come here to exchange this intelligence for fame or fortune. I have come only to verify one matter! A matter that is very important to me and to my family!"
Ho…
To verify a matter?
Lu Yu's brow furrowed. "Tell me, if I can help, I will definitely help you!"
"Haha…" Lu Xun smiled again. "To verify this matter, we cannot do it in this study…"
"Then where must we go?" Lu Yu continued to ask.
"The bathhouse!" Lu Xun's words were resolute.
Ah… ah…
Lu Yu was bewildered by Lu Xun's words?
What did he mean?
How did the conversation turn to bathing? This is… giving off a "catching soap" vibe!
Instantly, Lu Yu looked at Lu Xun with a very strange gaze, from his feet to his head. Good heavens, could it be that this Lu Xun was gay?
Damn it…
No wonder his skin looked so much like a woman's. Lu Yu's guess was correct; this was a genuine "shou" (passive partner).
"Gulp…"
Lu Yu directly swallowed a mouthful of saliva. What in the world was going on!
"Cough cough…"
With a light cough, Lu Yu did not refuse.
"Since Boyan has this request and this preference, as your minister, I cannot say much. How about this, I will arrange it for you. Do you prefer strong or gentle, do you prefer those with eight-pack abs? Or… chubby ones? I will find suitable candidates for you!"
Speaking these words, Lu Yu actually felt quite embarrassed.
To cover up his awkwardness, Lu Yu picked up a bowl of tea from the desk and took a sip, calming his mood slightly.
But after all, Lu Xun had such a preference, and he had valuable information in his mind…
Therefore…
He had to satisfy him. Since Lu Xun was a "shou," Lu Yu thought he would find a "gong" (active partner)!
In ancient times, such a preference was actually… not shameful!
As long as it didn't happen to himself, Lu Yu could accept it.
However…
Uh…
Now it was Lu Xun's turn to be bewildered!
He just wanted to take a bath and check the birthmark on Lu Yu's inner thigh to confirm his identity.
How did the conversation turn to strong, gentle, eight-pack abs, and chubby ones?
What did Minister Lu mean by this?
This was a bit beyond the scope!
Immediately, Lu Xun scratched his head.
– "Minister Lu, what I mean is, just you and me, two people, going to the bathhouse together!"
– Ah…
– Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh!
– Pfft pfft pfft pfft…
Lu Yu spat out a mouthful of tea.
He was completely dumbfounded. For a moment, some part of his body suddenly tightened!
You damn it…
Boyan, oh Boyan, I treated you as a brother, what in the world do you think of me as?
You have ulterior motives towards me!
What a humble gentleman, refined like jade, graceful and elegant… no… it should be "qianqian" gentleman, like Wu Qian's "qian"!
…
…