Cao Deshou paced nervously outside the Cao army camp gates.
He lacked the composure of his elder brother, Cao Cao. Worries always weighed heavily on his mind, and at present, he harbored not one, but three such concerns.
The first was that the "Hidden Dragon" who could pacify the realm was Lu Yu.
The second was the "auspicious" jade pendant Lu Yu wore – it wasn't Lu Yu at all, but Cao Yu.
The third was that his sister-in-law had stirred up trouble. Before Cao De arrived, he heard that Cao Mu had been frequenting Lu Yu's mansion for the past three days, staying for the entire day. This was a recipe for disaster!
The carriage ride had left Cao De feeling suffocated, unable to hold back any longer.
Finally, the camp gate opened.
"Young Master De, this way…" a few armored guards whispered, guiding Cao De into the camp. They walked along the inner side of the camp walls, deliberately choosing less crowded areas with great caution.
Cao De understood this. Many common folk from Qiao County served in the army, and they had seen Cao De before.
If news of his survival were to reach them, Cao Cao's proclaimed "righteous cause" would be somewhat undermined.
After several turns, they entered a secluded tent, where Cao Cao was already waiting.
Cao Cao signaled to the guards, who were his trusted personal guards. They understood immediately and discreetly withdrew, positioning themselves far from the tent.
Only then did Cao Cao speak. "De, you shouldn't have come here!"
Indeed, given the current situation, even if all two remaining cities of Xu Province were conquered, Cao De should not have appeared here. It was a grave taboo.
Cao Cao's tone carried a hint of reproach, yet his eyes sparkled with a light reserved only for seeing a beloved family member. Ultimately, Cao Cao cared deeply for his brother.
Had it not been for the emergence of his brother De, how could their father, Cao Song, have allowed Cao Cao to act so unrestrainedly? It could be said that brother De had shouldered much of the burden for him since childhood.
With this thought, Cao Cao could no longer restrain his emotions. He opened his arms and pulled Cao De, whom he had almost lost, into a tight embrace.
"De, you've endured much during this time…"
Guilt gnawed at Cao Cao from the bottom of his heart.
Admittedly, Lu Yu's strategy was flawless. By feigning the deaths of their father and brother, he had placed them on a moral high ground. Thus, when reporting to the court, any warlord who openly supported Tao Qian would be seen as opposing universal justice.
Cao Cao had also successfully captured four commanderies of Xu Province, taking control of most of it. But… the ones who truly suffered were their father and brother, who were still alive. They had to change their identities and bid farewell to their former circles and friends. This was a tremendous sacrifice.
At this moment, even Cao Cao, who disliked crying, felt a inexplicable dampness in his eyes.
"De, De…"
He continuously patted Cao De's back, whispering. While it was true that the Cao family valued grandchildren more, the bond between brothers was also profoundly precious.
"As Elder Brother said, I truly shouldn't have come. But… the matter is of great importance. If I don't inform Elder Brother, my heart will be uneasy. For this reason… even with the long journey and the risks, I had to come…"
Cao De's words were resolute.
This further convinced Cao Cao that his brother's visit must concern something significant.
"De, sit down and tell me slowly."
Cao Cao gestured for Cao De to sit. Without further ado, Cao De poured out all the thoughts on his mind.
"Elder Brother… I have three major matters to tell you…"
Three? Cao Cao was startled. So many urgent matters?
Before Cao Cao could inquire further, Cao De continued, "The first matter, regarding Young Master Lu… Lu Yu, he is actually… he is the Hidden Dragon!"
"In the past… I was ordered by Father to go to Pengcheng in Xu Province to assist the Hidden Dragon and his sister. It was his words that allowed Elder Brother to enter Yan Province, leading to the current situation… The Hidden Dragon's appearance, your humble brother… your humble brother will never forget it. He… he is…"
Before Cao De could finish.
"Shhh," Cao Cao placed a finger to his lips, signaling Cao De to stop.
He then knelt on the bamboo mat. After Cao De also knelt, he slowly spoke, "De, it's good that you know this. Do not mention it to anyone else…"
"Ever since he proposed breaking the Yellow Turban Rebellion and adopting their methods, I have been suspicious. Coupled with the Hidden Dragon's very distinctive characteristics, traveling with a sister, and their age… half a year ago, I was almost certain that he was the one mentioned in the Yue Dan Ping, the 'Hidden Dragon who can pacify the realm if obtained'… But…"
Before Cao Cao could finish, Cao De interjected, "Elder Brother knew from the beginning? Then… Elder Brother deliberately pretended not to know?"
"Haha…" Cao Cao waved his hand, smiling. "De, there's no need to dwell on this. Does it matter if Lu Yu is the Hidden Dragon? Haha, what's important is that under his planning, we have secured Yan Province and now have brought four commanderies of Xu Province into our grasp. More importantly, Lu Yu is my official of the prefecture!"
"As long as he doesn't wish to say, I, Cao Cao, can be ignorant for a lifetime and keep it a secret for him forever! Besides, De, De, after the incident in Langya, haven't you… learned the principle of 'innocent man is guilty only due to possession of treasure'?"
Ah… "Innocent man is guilty only due to possession of treasure"? To Cao De, Cao Cao's words were like a thunderclap. What a profound statement! In the past, General Cao Ren had brought this concept, proposed by the Hidden Dragon, to him and their father, but… they had not taken it seriously.
And what was the result? The Langya incident, the ambushed convoy, heavy casualties… If the Hidden Dragon had not foreseen it, how could Cao De have survived? How could he be here to see his Elder Brother again?
He understood. Elder Brother's thinking was correct…
The name of the Hidden Dragon was too renowned, especially with the somewhat mystical concept of "leaking heavenly secrets." Which warlord would allow the Hidden Dragon to serve another?
An innocent man is guilty only due to possession of treasure. Today, Cao De truly grasped these eight words.
"Elder Brother is right. Your humble brother is just surprised Elder Brother knew the Hidden Dragon's identity so early… and even came specifically to remind me." Cao De said with emotion.
Cao Cao proactively poured two cups of tea and pushed one towards Cao De.
"De said there were three important matters? The first concerns the Hidden Dragon. What about the second and third? Are they also urgent?"
Oh… Cao De patted his forehead. Without touching the tea, he quickly spoke.
"The second matter also concerns Lu Yu. He… he wears a milky white jade pendant around his neck, inscribed with the words 'Auspicious'…"
This was almost another way of stating it.
– Elder Brother, Elder Brother… Lu Yu is your son! Your eldest son, born to that woman from Dunqiu County, abandoned in the common folk!
Cao De spoke with great urgency, leaning closer to Cao Cao. In his eyes, this matter was ten, even a hundred times more important than Lu Yu being the Hidden Dragon.
And Elder Brother Cao Cao's reaction should have been a sudden change in expression, slamming the table and standing up!
But… to Cao De's great surprise, Cao Cao listened with a nonchalant air. In fact, there wasn't even a flicker in his eyes, not a single blink.
This…
Cao De suddenly slapped his forehead, realizing he had been foolish. If he could discern the origin of the milky white "auspicious" jade pendant Lu Yu wore, how could Elder Brother Cao Cao not?
Wait…
Cao De's eyes shot up, meeting Cao Cao's gaze.
That's right. If Elder Brother Cao Cao had recognized this jade pendant long ago, then… wouldn't Elder Brother already know Lu Yu's true parentage? But why… why hadn't he told him until now?
Instantly, Cao De's heart was filled with immense curiosity.
"Elder Brother…"
Before he could speak, Cao Cao's voice preempted him. "De, I know what you want to ask. Why haven't I told 'Yu' his true parentage until now?"
"Why?" Cao De's head perked forward again, his entire forehead filled with question marks.
"The time is not right…" Cao Cao uttered these four words.
Of course, Cao De had no idea about the hardship in his heart. Yu was so outstanding, he couldn't wait to acknowledge him. However, he had indirectly inquired of Cao Xiu many times.
According to Cao Xiu's replies, Lu Yu harbored great hatred for his biological father. A forced acknowledgment, Cao Cao feared, would be counterproductive.
After all…
Lu Yu was so astute and intelligent. His mind could help Cao's faction soar to great heights. If he harbored resentment, it would only take an instant for Cao's faction to suffer utter defeat. Cao Cao dared not gamble!
Besides this, there was another point Cao Cao was worried about.
And from Cao Cao's expression and tone, Cao De immediately understood. Elder Brother intended to groom Young Master Yu as the heir apparent!
If that were not the case, there would be no need for secrecy; he could have simply revealed his status as an illegitimate son. Instead… if the plan was for him to become the heir apparent, then careful consideration was needed.
In the Han Dynasty, among noble families, let alone illegitimate sons, even sons born of concubines were not qualified to be heirs.
Directly revealing Lu Yu's identity was equivalent to excluding him from the line of succession. By law… it was that merciless.
And strictly speaking, Cao Cao had no legitimate son.
However, Cao Ang was born to Lady Liu. Lady Liu died early, and Lady Ding raised him since childhood, so he could be considered a legitimate son.
But Lu Yu had lived among the common people since childhood. It was not easy for him to gain the status of a legitimate son. The Han Dynasty placed great importance on ritual and propriety. To rashly depose a legitimate son would cause turmoil and incite rebellion among the soldiers.
Of course, Cao De's thoughts did not represent Cao Cao's thoughts.
How could Cao Cao intend to groom Lu Yu as the heir apparent?
In his opinion, the position of heir apparent was tailor-made for "Yu." It could only be him.
Cao Cao was an ambitious man. He had stringent requirements for his successor. He needed someone who could follow in his footsteps and continue to expand this foundation. Not a mediocre ruler, someone who would ruin the foundation he had fought with his life to build. Not an heir according to ritual and propriety.
But these things, to whom could he, Cao Cao, speak?
Now, facing Cao De, Cao Cao could be said to have opened his heart and revealed his true feelings.
"Elder Brother, your humble brother shouldn't ask this, but… I can't help but ask Elder Brother." Cao De's expression also became serious. "Does Elder Brother intend to groom Lu Yu as the heir apparent?"
Cao Cao did not answer, but slowly nodded.
"Then…" Cao De continued to ask. "Elder Brother is still concerned about his background?"
Cao Cao still did not reply, but merely nodded gently.
"This is actually not difficult… Elder Brother is too close to the matter to see clearly!" Cao De immediately stood up, his tone carrying a hint of certainty.
Not difficult?
Cao Cao was startled. "De? What do you mean?"
Cao De blurted out, "Elder Brother and Yuan Benchu were childhood companions. How can you forget Yuan Benchu's background?"
Hmm… Cao Cao was startled. With Cao De's reminder, Cao Cao suddenly recalled something.
When they were teenagers, the Cao and Yuan families lived opposite each other on the East Street of Luoyang.
At that time, Yuan Shu, as the legitimate son of the Yuan family, would publicly call his elder brother Yuan Shao "son of a concubine" and often say in front of Yuan Shao, "Ritual does not extend to commoners."
The change in status between the legitimate and illegitimate sons of the Yuan family, meaning the change in Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu's positions, happened before they entered the Imperial Academy.
One must know that a place like the Imperial Academy was a direct path to officialdom. Even for esteemed noble families, illegitimate sons were not qualified to enter.
But Yuan Feng, Yuan Shao's father, made an ultimate move, forcibly elevating Yuan Shao, who was of illegitimate status, to that of a legitimate son.
It was precisely because of this that Yuan Shu restrained himself somewhat. After growing up, Yuan Shao was able to successfully inherit a significant portion of the family's reputation!
Of course, Yuan Shu was unconvinced and always spoke ill of him behind his back, leading to their sibling estrangement. That's another story.
Hiss… Cao Cao carefully savored Cao De's words, his mind filled with countless thoughts.
And Cao De's words continued, "How Yuan Shao went from being of illegitimate status to legitimate son, Elder Brother told me himself. Elder Brother wouldn't have forgotten, would he? It was just because of a 'transfer of adoption', wasn't it?"
That's right. Both Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu were sons of Yuan Feng. Yuan Shao was of illegitimate birth, while Yuan Shu was legitimate, and his mother was a princess.
But Yuan Feng could see that his eldest son, Yuan Shao, was more talented. In order to give him a good background, allowing him to enter the Imperial Academy and pursue a career in officialdom, Yuan Feng gave Yuan Shao in adoption to his elder brother, Yuan Cheng's, household…
As Elder Brother Yuan Cheng had no sons, Yuan Shao became the legitimate eldest son, his status on par with Yuan Shu.
And Yuan Cheng died early. After his death, Yuan Feng, using the excuse that Yuan Cheng had entrusted his adopted son to his care, took Yuan Shao back as his son again. Through this roundabout process, Yuan Shao's status changed from illegitimate to legitimate, from an illegitimate son to the legitimate eldest son.
This highly cunning maneuver was like someone who originally had a career-tracked position, which had definitely less favorable treatment than civil servant positions. So, he proactively requested to go down to the grassroots level and gain experience in villages and towns for a few years.
In this way, his status transferred to a civil servant position. When the time for training was up, he would return to his original unit, and his status would change from a career-tracked position to a civil servant position.
It wasn't entirely accurate, but the general idea was correct… Of course, for now, it was encouraged to go to the grassroots to serve the people!
To put it another way, Cao De's meaning was clear.
Wasn't Lu Yu an illegitimate son?
Even illegitimate sons were not to be feared!
…First, transfer him in adoption, making him a son adopted by Cao Cao for his 'deceased younger brother', adding to the ancestral lineage. Then, Lu Yu would become Cao De's legitimate son, and then transferred back in adoption. This would essentially make him Cao Cao's legitimate son.
If we also consider Lu Yu's age, this legitimate son could have an additional title: legitimate eldest son!
Of course, this entire operation was feasible. The only aspect that needed attention was the attitude of others, or the attitude of the members of the Cao and Xiahou clans. As long as they found it acceptable, then it would be acceptable.
Conversely, if the clansmen did not support it, then it would be an uphill battle!
And to gain the clan's support, Lu Yu would have to achieve more merits, establish his own power base, and become an indispensable existence in Cao's faction…
In this way, how the matter was handled would be entirely up to Cao Cao!
Hiss… Cao Cao pondered for a long time. Finally, his eyes suddenly opened. He smiled…
"Hahaha… Hahaha…"
As he laughed, he patted Cao De's shoulder. "De, it's truly as you said, I was too close to the matter to see clearly. Hahaha, you've helped your brother solve a major problem!"
Heh heh… A problem?
Cao De felt that this matter was not that difficult. With Lu Yu's intelligence and shrewdness, and with Cao Cao's covert support, achieving more merits and establishing a sufficiently large power base was almost a certainty!
However, Cao De felt a bit embarrassed about this.
After all, Lu Yu was a benefactor to the Cao clan. Originally, they treated him as a benefactor, but now, they could briefly be the father of the "Hidden Dragon."
Thinking about it, he felt a little excited!
"Hahaha…"
Cao De also burst into laughter.
In the secluded tent, these two brothers laughed heartily.
That's right…
Cao Cao suddenly remembered. De said there were three matters? Now, the first and second had been discussed, and they had brought considerable surprise. What was the third matter? Perhaps there would be another surprise?
"De? What was the third matter you mentioned earlier?" Cao Cao asked urgently.
Uh…
This suddenly rendered Cao De, who had been smiling, speechless. "Cough, cough…" He cleared his throat and was about to bring up the ethically questionable matter that was soon to become a reality.
And as soon as he spoke…
Once it was spoken, Cao Cao would likely feel an icy chill, a true definition of "surprise"!
…
…