Hua Xia, bathed in the essence of its long history, embraced a culture where bathing was far from a simple act. In ancient times, the meticulous rituals and etiquette dictated specific ceremonies surrounding this practice.
Within the confines of antiquity, a bathing chamber was referred to as a "bì" (湢), while the basin used for washing was called a "yú" (杅). The "Book of Rites: The Altar of Jade" (《礼记·玉藻》) elaborates on this: "When bathing, use two towels, one fine for the upper body, one coarse for the lower. Upon exiting the basin, step onto a rush mat, then rinse with hot water; afterward, don clothing and footwear, and finally, partake in a drink to warm the stomach."
Translating this into layman's terms, it meant preparing two towels: a finer one for the upper body and a coarser one for the lower. After using the bath basin, one would stand on a rush mat and rinse again with hot water. Following this, clothes and shoes would be put on, concluding the ritual with a drink to warm the stomach. This was the established norm for bathing, observed by everyone from royalty and nobility to common folk alike.
In a curious parallel, the protagonist recalled that in his previous life, the process in the large public bathhouses of the north seemed remarkably similar.
At this very moment…
Lu Yu and Lu Xun found themselves each seated in a wooden tub, or more accurately, within a "yú" (杅), soaking in a bath. This scene evoked a memory for Lu Yu:
Once upon a time…
He and Old Cao had shared such moments, with Old Cao even giving him a back scrub. Reflecting on it now, a shiver of apprehension ran down his spine. It was rather peculiar, a grown man intently gazing at the inner thigh.
Now, however, things felt different. Lu Yu and Lu Xun were roughly the same age, and bathing in separate tubs seemed unremarkable.
Yet…
Lu Xun’s gaze repeatedly drifted towards Lu Yu’s thigh, much like Cao Cao's had in the past! It appeared… they both seemed particularly fixated on the birthmark on Lu Yu’s inner thigh, which bore a striking resemblance to a spear.
Logically, very few people knew about this birthmark; aside from Lu Yu himself, only Sister Zhao Ji was aware of it. This birthmark… was essentially the sole tangible connection Lu Yu had to his mother or father!
But what were Cao Cao and Lu Xun staring at? What possible relevance could this birthmark have to them? Could it be… that the birthmark was simply too imposing, the spear-like form so majestic, that it intimidated them?
"Boyan, why do you keep staring at me?"
Lu Yu had always felt a peculiar sense of familiarity towards Lu Xun. Now, sharing this intimate bathing space, that feeling intensified.
"Nothing…"
Lu Xun averted his gaze. At this juncture, his suspicions were finally confirmed, precisely as he had once anticipated! Lu Yu, or more accurately… the "Hidden Dragon" (隐麟), whose acquisition promised stability to the realm, was indeed deeply connected to the Lu family.
The intelligence gathered by Lu family members who had traveled to Dunqiu County in Puyang had now been vindicated. Lu Xun’s father’s sister, his aunt Lu Ling, had a son. And this son was… none other than the Grand Secretary of the Han Dynasty, the legendary Hidden Dragon whispered about in society, the esteemed head of the Imperial Academy in the eyes of scholars, and the very person Lu Xun now faced – Lu Yu!
"Gulp…"
Lu Xun swallowed. It seemed that with the weight lifted from his heart, Lu Xun felt a surge of excitement and emotion! Within his chest, those four words echoed faintly: The Lu family is destined to prosper!
However, despite the internal tremor, Lu Xun maintained a composed demeanor, forcing his emotions to settle. He needed to guide Lu Yu, to help him uncover this truth himself.
"Grand Secretary Lu, aren't you curious about the second and third treasures I brought?" Lu Xun initiated the conversation.
"It seems Boyan’s verification, which you claimed was 'related to the family,' is complete?" Lu Yu countered.
He wasn't in a hurry to inquire about the second and third treasures; with Lu Xun present, they would eventually be revealed, wouldn't they? More importantly, Lu Yu was eager to understand what crucial verification Lu Xun had invited him to this bathhouse for.
Lu Xun nodded, "As Grand Secretary Lu says, it has been verified."
"And the results?" Lu Yu pressed.
"Most encouraging!" Lu Xun’s delight was evident on his face.
This expression piqued Lu Yu's curiosity. "Boyan, please do tell. I am indeed quite interested! What requires verification in a bathhouse?"
"Grand Secretary Lu, to address that, we must delve into the genealogy of the Lu family of Jiangdong…" Lu Xun’s eyes narrowed. "Given your insight into the times and your ability to discern people's hearts, you likely know about the elders and predecessors of my Lu family, don't you?"
This was not a challenge for Lu Yu. He could recount not only the ancestors and predecessors of the Lu family but also their descendants, even future generations. He even knew that Lu Xun would eventually become a consort to the Sun family, marrying Sun Ce's daughter. Lu Yu could list these facts as if reciting from memory. He also knew about Lu Kang, Lu Xun's capable son, who would "inherit his father’s ambition and protect Wu’s integrity," and "break the Jin army's pincer attack formation, engaging their main force." Of course, these events were decades away… and whether they would even transpire was a significant question mark!
Lu Yu, naturally, did not need to elaborate on these details to Lu Xun. After a brief moment of thought, he responded:
"Your great-grandfather, Lu Hong, served as the Minister of Personnel; your grandfather, Lu Yu, hailing from the Lu clan of Huating, served as a Commandant of the City Gate; your grandfather's younger brother, Lu Kang, rose to the position of Administrator of Lujiang, but was defeated by Sun Ce and perished in Lujiang! Your father, Lu Jun, held the post of Commandant of Jiujiang!"
"It can be said… from your great-grandfather onwards, the Lu family was a distinguished clan. By your grandfather’s generation, they had become one of the four great families of Jiangdong. However, with your grandfather Lu Kang's defeat by Sun Ce and his death in Lujiang, the Lu family's status as one of the four great families of Jiangdong effectively became nominal!"
As he spoke, Lu Yu deliberately lowered his tone towards the end, conveying a sense of regret and sorrow. Lu Xun, however, nodded in agreement, showing no evasion regarding the Lu family's decline.
"As expected of Grand Secretary Lu, your knowledge of the Lu clan of Jiangdong is so detailed. However, there is one point that Grand Secretary Lu may not be aware of, and that is the female members of my Lu family!"
Female members? Upon hearing this, Lu Yu paused slightly. Historical records rarely documented female family members unless they were renowned scholars like Sister Zhao Ji, who received only a few passing mentions. Therefore, Lu Yu was undoubtedly ignorant of the female lineage of the Lu family.
Lu Xun’s voice continued. "In the genealogy, Grandfather Lu Yu, in addition to fathering our father's line, also had a daughter, my aunt, named Lu Ling. I presume… this name is not unfamiliar to Grand Secretary Lu?"
Lu Ling? Lu Yu was certainly familiar with the name. When Sister Zhao Ji and his father Cai Yong rescued him amidst the chaos of war, they had inquired far and wide, learning that Lu Yu's mother was named "Lu Ling." However, Lu Yu had been too young then to form any memories of his birth mother. Her name was told to him by Sister Zhao Ji after he had grown.
Could it be… that a female member of the Lu family of Jiangdong was also named Lu Ling? It couldn't be… Lu Yu mused internally, surely it wasn't such a coincidence? Could his maternal lineage… could it possibly be the Lu family, one of the four great families of Jiangdong? Good heavens, his surname "Lu"… was it truly the "Lu" of the Jiangdong Lu family?
With this realization, Lu Yu's eyes widened, his mouth agape in disbelief!
At that very moment, Lu Xun's voice flowed on. "Grand Secretary Lu, please allow me to finish. My purpose in coming here today was not only to bring a topographical map of Jiangdong but also the genealogy of the Lu family. Every member, including collateral branches, is meticulously detailed."
"Lu Ling is my aunt, and she was separated from the family in the Central Plains at a very young age. Eventually, some family members followed a birthmark and a token to investigate, tracing her whereabouts to Dunqiu County in Puyang."
"Unfortunately… they were still a step too late. Amidst the chaos of war, my aunt died in Dunqiu County, Puyang."
"Through their inquiries, the family members discovered that my aunt had given birth to a son who took his mother's surname. Furthermore, this son possessed a birthmark on his inner thigh that resembled a spear – a spear that seemed to emerge like a dragon, formidable and powerful! It was identical… identical to the birthmark on Grand Secretary Lu's person! Thus, Grand Secretary Lu knows why I needed to conduct this verification in the bathhouse, and what it is I was verifying."
At this point… Lu Xun paused deliberately, wanting Lu Yu to process the information. Lu Yu’s eyes remained wide open, his gaze returning incredulously to his own thigh. A spear-like birthmark, a formidable and powerful spear-like birthmark? This… Frankly, Lu Yu was astonished. The sudden appearance of a maternal lineage, and that lineage being one of the four great families of Jiangdong, carried significant implications!
He swallowed again. Wait… Lu Yu keenly realized that this was not definitive proof… After all, Lu Xun had seen his birthmark first before recounting this story. Given his intelligence, fabricating a plausible narrative wouldn't be difficult… This raised suspicions of an attempt to forge a connection.
With this thought, Lu Yu immediately asked, "Boyan? It's not that I don't believe you. Here in the bathhouse, you point to the birthmark on my leg and say your family members discovered it through their inquiries. How… how am I supposed to believe that?"
Lu Yu didn't articulate his doubts too explicitly… Lu Xun was a shrewd individual; such words would be understood instantly!
"It matters not!" Lu Xun seemed to have anticipated Lu Yu's question. "Grand Secretary Lu, in my pack, there is a letter detailing my purpose for coming to Lujiang Commandery. This includes the 'spear like a dragon' birthmark on your thigh, as well as the investigation into Grand Secretary Lu's true identity. All of this is contained within the letter!"
"Now, both you and I are in this bathhouse, and every word and action is visible to you. I wouldn't have had the time to specifically write this, would I?" As he spoke, Lu Xun climbed out of the tub, retrieved the letter from his pack, and handed it to Lu Yu.
Lu Yu quickly accepted it… Indeed… The contents matched Lu Xun's account precisely! With such corroboration, it seemed… no, not seemed, his identity, or rather, his maternal lineage, could now be definitively confirmed. His mother, Lu Ling, was the eldest daughter of the Lu family, one of the four great families of Jiangdong, and Lu Xun's aunt… By seniority, Lu Yu and Lu Xun were of the same generation!
Just as he had this thought…
"Grand Secretary Lu, you are my elder brother. The clan leader of our Lu family, in fact… in fact, it is you, elder brother!" Lu Xun bowed with clasped hands, "Xun greets you, elder brother!" This was a customary gesture of respect between brothers.
Strictly speaking, Lu Yu was not truly Lu Xun's elder brother, nor was he a member of the Lu family! After all… the Lu family was his maternal lineage, not his paternal one. In terms of ritual, how could a son follow his mother's clan?
However… the circumstances surrounding Lu Yu were somewhat unique. He bore his mother's surname, Lu, and his father was an irresponsible scoundrel! Considering all this, his maternal lineage was practically equivalent to his paternal lineage! Being addressed as elder brother by Lu Xun was thus a reasonable courtesy. Alternatively, Lu Yu could fully consider himself a member of the Lu family, someone destined to bear the responsibility for the revival and hope of the Lu clan. And this was precisely why Lu Xun had risked his life to cross the Yangtze River!
"Boyan… no, Second Brother!" Lu Yu quickly helped Lu Xun to his feet. Having been called Second Brother by Xiahou Dun so often, it felt quite pleasant to address someone else as Second Brother. Indeed, everyone wished to be the elder brother!
However… rather than the joy of being an elder brother, Lu Yu immediately posed the question that most concerned him. "Second Brother, when our clansmen visited Dunqiu, did they happen to find the whereabouts of my scoundrel father? Or, more importantly, who is my scoundrel father?"
This… Lu Xun shook his head. "We did not find him… If we had, would our Lu clan allow him to abandon his wife and child, and be responsible for my aunt's death, without seeking justice?" In the latter part of his statement, Lu Xun's tone turned cold and grave. Clearly… he also held extreme disdain for Lu Yu's father's act of abandoning his wife and child. Regardless of the reason! Regardless of the excuse! Abandoning one's family was an act despised by all!
"Has Elder Brother been searching for him all these years?" Seeing the complex expression on Lu Yu's face, Lu Xun added.
"In a way!" Lu Yu nodded, but then quickly waved his hand. "However, that's where things stand, and it's not important now. What's important is… today, I have found my maternal family! I have found a brother, haha…" For the first time in a long while, Lu Yu burst into laughter.
"Let's go, Boyan. We've bathed, the verification is complete… Let's return to the study and have a good chat, perhaps with a drink!" Lu Yu was genuinely joyous today. He had found kin, he had found his community! The two of them quickly dressed and walked out of the bathhouse, arm in arm! When they entered, they had maintained a certain distance, but as they exited… their relationship had undeniably deepened.
Of course… none of this would be witnessed by others, nor would it spread. The Dragon Vexation Camp had already secured every corner of the official residence; without Lu Yu's consent, not even a fly could escape.
…
…
An urgent dispatch had reached Lujiang. At this moment, the entire Lujiang region was preparing for the construction of a colossal warship. For them, Grand Secretary Lu was soon to return victoriously to Xudu, and constructing a warship capable of accommodating three thousand people within six months was the most pressing matter at hand, leaving Liu Ye in a state of utter desperation! Cheng Yu was also doing his utmost to assist.
As for his subsequent movements, Young Master Lu had not yet issued any instructions. He would most likely return to the court, though there was a small possibility he might remain in Lujiang to assist Liu Xun and Liu Ye in defending the city and repelling Jiangdong. In truth… in Cheng Yu's opinion, it made little difference… Wherever he went, it was the same… as long as it wasn't to Jiangdong. Aside from Jiangdong, everywhere else seemed quite agreeable, at least not perilous.
However… when a letter from Cao Cao arrived, all these plans came to a halt… Cheng Yu, holding the weighty letter, his eyes flashed with a glint, a cold light. Indeed… just as one wave subsided, another arose. The situation in Shouchun and Lujiang had just stabilized when there was movement in Xiapi City, Xuzhou! He hurried to the study in the official residence and personally handed Cao Cao's letter to Lu Yu.
At this very moment… Lu Yu and Lu Xun had just entered the study. A table, two pots of wine, the two were sitting opposite each other, discussing matters concerning the Lu family…
"Elder Brother, if there are urgent matters to discuss, I shall return to the post station. Please summon me whenever you are free," Lu Xun said, rising to leave upon seeing the urgent dispatch.
"No need!" Lu Yu waved him off, gesturing for him to sit. This statement, this action, completely bewildered Cheng Yu! Elder Brother? When did Lu Yu become Lu Xun's elder brother? Had their relationship progressed to this extent so quickly? Or perhaps, this young gentleman named Lu Xun was not simple at all!
"Ahem…" With a slight cough. Since Lu Yu had asked Lu Xun to stay, Cheng Yu had no reason to withdraw. He spoke directly, "This is a personal letter from Commander Cao, sent via seven-hundred-li express. Commander Cao mentions his intention to deploy troops against Xiapi City! He seeks Grand Secretary Lu's opinion."
Deploy troops? Lu Yu's eyes suddenly snapped open, his sharp gaze sweeping over the letter. He then frowned slightly, pondering for a moment. He murmured, "Deploying troops is also good. The time is now ripe… The father and son, Chen Gui and Chen Deng, have successfully sowed discord between Lu Bu and Chen Gong!"
"The general situation in Xiapi City is now decided!" At this point, Lu Yu handed the letter to Lu Xun before him. He added, "Boyan, what are your thoughts?"
This… Upon hearing this, Lu Xun was slightly taken aback. His thoughts had been solely focused on the rise of the Lu clan. Being asked by Lu Yu like this, he was momentarily unable to react. However, being sharp and possessing some understanding of the Xuzhou situation, he briefly scanned the contents of the letter and replied, "I hadn't expected that the father and son, Chen Gui and Chen Deng, were spies planted in Xuzhou by Commander Cao and Grand Secretary Lu. Now that Lu Bu heavily relies on the Chen father and son, and his advisor Chen Gong is sidelined… The next step should be to continue using the Chen father and son to sow discord between Lu Bu and Liu Bei, forcing Lu Bu to make a move, shouldn't it?"
"Once Lu Bu makes his move, Liu Bei will surely suffer a great defeat, and at that point, he can only seek aid from Commander Cao. Thus, Commander Cao's campaign against Xiapi City will be justified." Lu Xun paused. "Actually, there is no need for Grand Secretary Lu to propose this. Commander Cao has likely already considered it and is taking action."
Lu Yu nodded repeatedly in praise of Lu Xun's analysis! Indeed, one should not underestimate the wisdom of ancient people. When it came down to it, Lu Xun was far more intelligent than Lu Yu. However, the most stunned was Cheng Yu. This guest from Jiangdong possessed remarkable talent! Merely from a letter, he could discern Grand Secretary Lu's subsequent plans and Commander Cao's future actions. Truly extraordinary! No wonder Young Master Lu treated him with such courtesy, even… addressing him as a brother!
After Lu Xun finished speaking, Lu Yu smiled and said, "Boyan, allow me to introduce you. This is Commander Cheng, the chief strategist of my Dragon Vexation Camp. I'm sure his name is not unfamiliar to you. The number of soldiers he has persuaded to join Cao's forces amounts to no less than a hundred thousand, which is several times more than the forces of Sun Bofu, the 'Little Hegemon of Jiangdong'!"
"Commander Cheng, allow me to introduce you as well. This is Lu Xun, the clan leader of the Lu family, one of the four great families of Jiangdong. If not for his daring to cross the Yangtze River northwards, I, Lu Yu, would still be unaware that my maternal lineage is also the Lu clan!" At this point, Lu Yu paused.
He then continued with a solemn tone. "Boyan and Commander Cheng, from this day forward, the Lu family of Jiangdong and the Dragon Vexation Camp are deeply intertwined. We rise and fall together, sharing fortune and misfortune! From now on, we shall work together with one heart, hand in hand, to achieve great deeds!"
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