"Dada da..."
Dust rose in billows, sand and stones flew.
Hoofbeats echoed, beacons blazed, Cao's first, third, and fourth camps converged.
Cao Cao, Xiahou Dun, Xiahou Yuan, Cao Ren, Cao Chun, Xun You, and Xi Zhicai entered Luoyang City together.
At this moment, Luoyang was a ruin of broken walls and fallen buildings. The former imperial capital of the Han Dynasty had been burned to ashes by Dong Zhuo, leaving behind a city like scorched charcoal.
Spectacular ruins lay prostrate in the dust, the former glory of the Han completely destroyed in this great fire!
The burned ruins of Luoyang were filled with endless wails, laments, and cries; so many homes had now become desolate!
Entering the city…
It was impossible to distinguish the streets; countless dark eaves and wooden stones filled every corner of the city…
Even Cao Cao, a hero who had lived in Luoyang since childhood, could not help but wear a stern expression, his spirits cast down.
Gone, everything was gone!
The mansion in Jinwu Alley left by his grandfather…
The bustling East Street of Luoyang where he and his father had lived since childhood;
And the Imperial Academy… that place surrounded by water, Yongqiu, which had a profound influence on Cao Cao, none of them had survived this fire!
Hoo…
Cao Cao exhaled a long breath, closing his eyes slightly, attempting to compose himself before opening them again.
"Where is His Majesty? Where are His Majesty and the officials now?"
"In…" A scout quickly replied, "In the former Changle Palace… however, the current Changle Palace is also in ruins, ravaged and devastated."
"Let's go… pay respects to the Son of Heaven," Cao Cao stepped forward, and the group proceeded towards the former imperial palace.
Unexpectedly, after a few steps, Cao Cao paused. "I forgot something."
"What is it?" Xi Zhicai quickly asked.
"According to etiquette, a foreign official must present a gift when meeting the Son of Heaven. I left in a hurry and prepared nothing, what should I do?" Cao Cao furrowed his brow slightly…
This…
Xi Zhicai's eyes darted.
"My Lord, Xi has an idea. His Majesty and the officials must be starving and freezing. They do not care for gold, silver, jewels, or fine paintings and calligraphy at this moment. What they long for most is a bowl of meat broth, two flatbreads. At this time, a bowl of meat broth is worth more than ten thousand taels of gold!"
Xi Zhicai reminded him with a smile…
"Exactly!" Cao Cao's lips curved upwards as he continued walking. "When I escaped from Luoyang years ago and was in exile, my stomach rumbled, and I craved food terribly! I thought then, if anyone gave me a bowl of chicken soup, I would be grateful to them for life!"
"Zilian…" Cao Cao commanded…
"Your subordinate is here." Cao Hong cupped his hands.
"Go make soup!" Cao Cao immediately ordered.
"Yes." Cao Hong took the order and turned to leave. "Tap tap…" As he took a step, his footsteps halted.
Seeing him stop, Cao Cao felt puzzled and immediately asked, "What is it? Didn't I instruct you to bring some meat when advancing west to Luoyang?"
"No… Big Brother!" Cao Hong sniffed carefully. "I seem to smell something… Yes, it's mutton, no, not entirely mutton. It's… it's the smell of hot and sour ear soup and dumplings being cooked!"
Cao Hong had a particularly keen nose. Besides gold and silver, he was extremely sensitive to the aroma of food.
Especially… the dumplings and the hot and sour ear soup that he had tasted once and could never forget.
Mmm…
Cao Cao's footsteps also paused, and he sniffed the air…
He was still uncertain. "Zhicai, Gongda? Do you smell it?"
Xi Zhicai sniffed carefully. "I smell it. It is indeed the scent of dumplings and hot and sour ear soup… This kind of soup, brewed with mutton and medicinal herbs, can be smelled from afar! The scent is not unfamiliar from Wei Zhuang's Mutton Soup Dumpling House!"
Xun You also nodded.
"Hahahaha…"
At this, Xiahou Dun was the first to laugh. Having just successfully repelled Li Jue's twenty thousand troops with his second brother's strategy, he was in high spirits. Now, smelling the dumplings, he became even more exhilarated.
"I said how did my second brother's Dragon Soaring Camp travel hundreds of miles a day and arrive at Luoyang City so quickly? Hahaha, it turns out they set up pots in advance and brewed the first batch of dumplings in Luoyang City! We brothers are in for a treat!"
As the words left his mouth, Xiahou Dun eagerly began to run towards the source of the dumpling aroma.
"Yuanrang…"
Cao Cao quickly called out to stop him… da feng novel network
Then, he walked up to Xiahou Dun with a smile, patting his shoulder. "Dumplings, what excellent dumplings! Hahaha…"
With that, Cao Cao led the way.
The first batch of dumplings meant something more to Cao Cao than just a treat.
This first batch of dumplings must have been ordered by "Yu'er," and these dumplings were not a reward for the soldiers, but for His Majesty and all the officials!
For the first meeting with His Majesty, what could be more fitting than these dumplings as a tribute?
"Cao Gong, Cao Gong…"
Xi Zhicai caught up in three steps, clearly having guessed Cao Cao's intentions.
He reminded him repeatedly, "There is one more thing, My Lord, you must pay close attention. When you meet His Majesty, you must strictly adhere to court etiquette to reassure His Majesty and the officials, and to win their trust in you, Cao Cao. This is extremely important!"
"I know!" Cao Cao replied, jogging along, as happy as a three-hundred-pound man!
…
…
Within the ruined imperial palace of Luoyang City, the current Changle Palace was plunged into darkness.
The palace was dim and dusty, covered in cobwebs… Even stepping on the floor left a large patch of dust.
"Your Majesty, we have finally returned."
Despite such a dilapidated scene, the officials still wept, their tears mixed with excitement and joy.
The journey from Chang'an back to Luoyang had been so difficult, so arduous!
"Pat…" The Son of Heaven Liu Xie seemed too overwhelmed, and he stumbled to the ground. The officials rushed to help him up, but Liu Xie quickly got to his feet. He yearned so much to return home; these stumbles could not stop his journey home!
However… this home was no longer his sanctuary.
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty… please rest, sit down for a while!" the officials persuaded…
Liu Xie finally stopped.
Instantly, the past flashed before his eyes: the care of Empress Dowager Dong since childhood, the emperor's favor towards him, and his elder brother… Prince Bian.
Although Empress He and Empress Dowager Dong were not on good terms, these two imperial brothers were fraternal and loved each other dearly!
But now?
Empress Dowager Dong was gone, the Emperor was gone, his elder brother was gone, and even the palace he had grown up in had become a ruin, a desolate sight.
Everything had changed, becoming scarred and unfamiliar.
"I… I am thirsty, my Lords… do you have… have water?" Liu Xie wanted to cry, but he could not shed a single tear.
"Your Majesty, your humble servant has sent someone to find water! However… we have searched the entire Luoyang City, even the moat is dry, there is no water!" Dong Cheng truthfully replied.
Seeing Liu Xie's mournful expression, he repeatedly urged, "Your Majesty, the ancestors have blessed you; the most difficult times are over, endure a little longer! Endure a little longer!"
"Yes…" Grand Commandant Yang Biao also agreed, "Your Majesty's return to the Eastern Capital this time will surely revitalize the Han!"
As these words were spoken…
All the court officials seemed to be injected with chicken blood, kneeling and shouting, "Congratulations to His Majesty for returning to court, congratulations to His Majesty for returning to court…"
Hoo…
Liu Xie's mood inexplicably improved slightly. "Has Li Jue… has Li Jue and Guo Si pursued us? Can that… that Duke surnamed Cao stop the Li and Guo bandits?"
"Your Majesty… Your Majesty is blessed by heaven!" Yang Biao proclaimed loudly, "Li Jue and Guo Si defy heaven's will and will surely be struck by divine retribution!"
"Good… that's good!" Under Yang Biao's words of encouragement, Liu Xie's hoarse voice finally revealed a hint of a pleased smile.
Just then…
"Report… report… bad news, Your Majesty, bad news!"
A eunuch scrambled into Changle Palace. "Cao Cao has led five thousand infantry to confront Li Jue and Guo Si's twenty thousand cavalry!"
As these words were spoken…
"Not good!" The faces of the officials changed drastically. "The western suburbs of Luoyang are plains, how can infantry stop cavalry? I fear… Li and Guo bandits will pursue us!"
"Oh dear… oh dear…"
"If Li and Guo bandits kill into Luoyang again, I fear… I fear Your Majesty also…"
Continuous voices could be heard…
Liu Xie, whose mood had slightly brightened, suddenly turned as pale as paper.
"My lords, my lords… what should we do? I… what should I do?"
Unfortunately…
At this critical juncture, with the enemy at the gates, who would bother to answer His Majesty's question?
The entire Changle Palace descended into chaos…
"Oh dear, oh dear… no escape for us, no path to the earth!"
"We escorted His Majesty back to Luoyang, and Li and Guo bandits will surely tear us limb from limb!"
Even the usually calm Grand Commandant Yang Biao was panicked.
He gazed into the void and cried out…
"Ancestors, open your eyes and look at your descendants of the dynasty! You… you protect them!"
As soon as the words were spoken…
"Great joy, great joy…"
Another eunuch rushed in. "Our reinforcements, our reinforcements have stopped Li Jue, Li Jue's army has retreated… retreated!"
What… what?
As these words were spoken, Yang Biao was startled, then quickly knelt before Liu Xie. "Your Majesty, the ancestors have manifested, the ancestors have manifested!"
Emperor Liu Xie also rallied his spirits. "Retreated? Did Li and Guo bandits really retreat?"
"Your Majesty!" The young eunuch, who had just entered, knelt on the ground with a "plop." "It was Cao Cao, the Governor of Yan Province. His vanguard of five thousand infantry retreated Li Jue's twenty thousand cavalry without shedding a drop of blood. Your Majesty, Your Majesty… now… now there are no pursuers behind Your Majesty!"
This young eunuch was almost crying…
How difficult the journey had been, how much hardship they had endured, how many times they had been on the brink of death; these low-ranking eunuchs knew it best.
At this moment, he truly broke down in tears.
Of course, he was not the only one crying.
At this moment, His Majesty and all the officials wept tears.
Yang Biao sighed, "I never expected… that the one to save His Majesty was not Yuan Shao, who was closest to Luoyang and owed imperial favor, nor Liu Biao, a member of the imperial clan, but Cao Cao… but Governor Cao! Your Majesty, this is when filial sons appear in poor families, and loyal ministers are revealed in times of hardship!"
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty… when Governor Cao arrives later, you must commend him greatly!"
"I know!" Hearing of Li Jue's retreat, Liu Xie immediately regained his confidence. He stood up. "I can distinguish between loyalty and treachery, and I will reward him handsomely!"
Speaking of this…
Liu Xie turned around. "All my lords, please help me change my clothes. I want to meet the loyal Cao Cao of the Han with dignity!"
As these words were spoken, the officials became flustered.
"Quickly change for His Majesty, quickly change for His Majesty."
…
…
Chenliu Commandery, Yan Province, Cai Residence.
In the courtyard outside the study, Lu Yu lay on a lounge chair, basking in the sun, calculating the time. It had been over a month since Cao's army marched west to Luoyang, and the Dragon Soaring Camp had been campaigning in Runan Commandery for nearly a month.
News of Runan Commandery's recapture had arrived early. Given Cao Xiu's rapid advance, the Dragon Soaring Camp should have reached Luoyang by now.
Then… it was time for him to make his move towards Xudu.
Just as he thought of this…
"Young Master, Xu Chu of Runan Commandery is here to see you outside the door…" Dian Wei cupped his hands.
Mmm… Xu Chu?
Lu Yu's eyes twitched. He recalled that after Runan Commandery was conquered, Cao Ren had sent Li Dian with troops to Runan to take charge.
General Li Dian would naturally lead Xu Chu and his two thousand volunteer soldiers back to Chenliu Commandery to await Lu Yu's arrangements.
In fact…
Lu Yu's calculation was slightly off. Fifteen hundred of these two thousand volunteer soldiers had been reorganized into the Yan Province army. Only the remaining five hundred strong men from Xu Family Village in Qiaopei, led by Xu Chu, hurried to Chenliu Commandery to await Lu Yu's orders.
"Commander Dian, let him in!"
Lu Yu immediately instructed… As he spoke, he thought of something else. "By the way, prepare some food, and make sure there's plenty!"
"Yes!" Dian Wei nodded and went to make arrangements.
Before long, Xu Chu entered the courtyard. Lu Yu had already gotten up from the lounge chair…
Before Xu Chu could speak, Lu Yu preempted him, saying, "Brave warrior Xu, I have long admired you! Recently, have your brothers from Xu Family Village been eating well?"
Mmm…
Originally, Xu Chu was somewhat surprised to see Lu Yu. After all, with the renowned reputation of the Dragon Soaring Camp echoing throughout the Nine Provinces, the reputation of its commander, Lu Yu, was also exceptionally resounding.
However… the person before him was clearly a handsome young man, or rather… a young master who didn't look very capable?
With his small frame, could he manage such a heroic force as the Dragon Soaring Camp?
Xu Chu scratched his head, somewhat surprised…
However, as soon as Lu Yu uttered the words "Have the brothers been eating well?", Xu Chu felt a lot closer.
He certainly didn't know…
That Lu Yu didn't manage the Dragon Soaring Camp based on his martial prowess…
The soldiers were sincerely convinced by his clear rewards and punishments, and by the three catties of grain and one catty of meat per person every day!
"Xu Chu from Qiao County pays his respects to Young Master Lu!" Xu Chu immediately cupped his hands in greeting…
"Brave warrior Xu, there's no need to be so formal!" Lu Yu smiled slightly and helped Xu Chu up. "You haven't answered me yet? Have the brothers been eating well recently?"
"Good, very good!" Xu Chu nodded. "General Cao Xiu left a large amount of grain when he departed, which has appeased the rumbling stomachs of the brothers!"
"However… I heard that in the entire Cao camp, only the Dragon Soaring Camp provides three catties of grain and one catty of meat per person per day. Therefore, I, Xu Chu, wish to lead my brothers from Xu Family Village to join the Dragon Soaring Camp. I wonder if Young Master Lu is willing to accept us!"
Five hundred brave men from Xu Family Village?
Joining the Dragon Soaring Camp?
As Xu Chu spoke, Lu Yu's eyes twitched…
Of course, if Xu Chu and the five hundred brave men from Xu Family Village joined the Dragon Soaring Camp, it would be like adding wings to a tiger for the Dragon Soaring Camp. However… after all, they were within Cao's camp; a tall tree attracts the wind.
What if this matter reached Old Cao's ears, and he suspected Lu Yu of having ulterior motives?
Although Old Cao had said before that he would not be suspicious of Lu Yu, he still had to pay attention to human relationships and how to conduct himself.
Unnecessary suspicion had to be avoided…
In other words, the Dragon Soaring Camp could only maintain its original organization for the time being and should not be too ostentatious.
However…
Three catties of grain and one catty of meat… Besides the Dragon Soaring Camp, it wouldn't be impossible to establish a new camp.
Hmm… Yes, how could he forget the "Tiger Guard Camp"?
"Cough cough…"
With a slight cough, Lu Yu smiled and said, "Brave warrior Xu, if I tell you there is a camp, and if you join it, your mission will be to protect someone's safety, and you will receive three catties of grain and two catties of meat per person every day. Would you go or not?"
Whoa, three catties of grain and two catties of meat!
Meat… meat!
Xu Chu's eyes sparkled… "Besides the Dragon Soaring Camp, is there such a good place in the entire Cao camp?"
"Of course…" Lu Yu smiled slightly. "Following this person will bring you more prosperity than following me… Of course, the responsibility will also be heavier."
Anyway, the Dragon Soaring Camp could not accommodate these five hundred strong men!
Since it was like this, Lu Yu decided to do a good deed and send Xu Chu to Cao Cao to establish the Tiger Guard Army and protect Old Cao's safety.
Moreover, after welcoming the Son of Heaven, Old Cao's position would be highly dangerous!
Lu Yu pondered that the number of assassination attempts Cao Cao would face in his lifetime would probably be no less than Dong Zhuo's… If he died, where would Lu Yu find such prosperity?
For this reason, it was acceptable to cede Xu Chu and these five hundred strong men to Old Cao.
Furthermore, whether it was Old Cao or Xu Chu, they both owed him a favor!
Originally, he thought…
With the bait of three catties of grain and two catties of meat, Xu Chu should have agreed immediately.
Unexpectedly, Xu Chu shook his head. "It's just one more catty of meat, I'm still willing to join the Dragon Soaring Camp. The scenery here is beautiful, and it's honorable to tell outsiders that 'I am from the Dragon Soaring Camp'!"
Hey…
Lu Yu suddenly realized that Xu Chu was slightly different from Dian Wei. Dian Wei was satisfied as long as he was fed, but Xu Chu, besides being fed, also cared about his reputation… he valued face!
Such a sturdy face, he couldn't tell!
Before Lu Yu could speak, Xu Chu continued, "Before I came, I had already decided that in this Cao camp, we would either join the Dragon Soaring Camp and serve Young Master Lu, or we would directly obey Cao Gong. We will not serve anyone else!"
Heh heh…
Hearing this, Lu Yu smiled and patted Xu Chu's shoulder.
"This time, your wish has truly come true! Hahaha…"
"Let's go, gather your brothers and accompany this young master to do something!"
"Ah… what is it?" Xu Chu was bewildered and quickly asked.
"Moving, to Xuxian! Ah no, to be precise, moving to Xudu!" Lu Yu's eyes twinkled. "Let's go… there's meat to eat in Xudu!"
He was just worrying that the Dragon Soaring Camp had been dispatched and he couldn't find anyone to escort these palace artifacts and sundries to Xudu!
Xu Chu and these five hundred strong men from Xu Family Village were just the right fit.
Heh heh…
With this thought, Lu Yu smiled slightly.
Presumably, in the Changle Palace of Luoyang, Old Cao would give His Majesty a small surprise…
However, the big surprise was still in Xudu City!
Lu Yu pondered that when the Son of Heaven's imperial carriage arrived in Xudu, he would be very surprised.
Of course…
This surprise would ultimately turn into a tragic story.
As the saying goes: The person who treats you best now will definitely hurt you the most in the future!
…
…