Chenliu Commandery, the Prefect's Mansion.
Outside, the Dragon Mighty Cavalry soldiers were carrying away gold and silver jewelry in large quantities, much like robbers.
Inside, Prefect Zhang Miao of Chenliu and Lu Yu were both quite composed. "Taiping Houkui" was indeed the best tea of this era… Lu Yu took a sip; it was bitter, and only bitter.
"Prefect Zhang is so generous. For anyone else, seeing so much gold and silver being carried away would surely be disheartening, but Prefect Zhang remains so calm. Truly a model for us all!"
Lu Yu took a gentle sip of tea and teased with a smile…
Zhang Miao waved his hand. "Young Master Lu is a favored confidant of Mengde, and he also leads the Dragon Mighty Cavalry. Mere money, if it can win the favor of Young Master Lu, then I, this Prefect, am the one who has profited, haha…" Da Feng Novel Network
The more he said it, the more he smiled, the more Lu Yu was determined to label him a "bad person"! The kind who smiles without warmth…
"Prefect Zhang, Cao Gong taking control of Yanzhou, you certainly contributed a lot! It is rumored… that Prefect Zhang and Cao Gong were classmates at the Imperial Academy?" Lu Yu leaned in towards Zhang Miao, tossing out this topic…
"Mengde and I graduated from the Imperial Academy… We were more than classmates; we were brothers!" Upon mentioning the Imperial Academy, Zhang Miao's tone lifted, as if graduating from it was something he could boast about his entire life!
It was no wonder he felt that way. The reputation of Luoyang's Imperial Academy was indeed quite illustrious in this era.
One must know that among Cao Cao and Zhang Miao's classmates at the Imperial Academy, there were… Yuan Shu, Hu Mu Ban, Xu You. Yuan Shao, who was a year ahead of them, also often mingled with them.
Besides them, Liu Biao from Gaoping, Shanyang, first graduated from a private school in Lu, and then… he also pursued further studies at the Imperial Academy. Yang Biao, from Huayin, Hongnong, was recommended as an Imperial Edict Officer immediately after graduating from the Imperial Academy.
It could be said that the two words "Imperial Academy" were equivalent to a pass for the official career of clan disciples, a way to bring glory to their families… As long as the name "Imperial Academy" was mentioned, every student within it felt honored!
Even at this critical juncture, when discussing the Imperial Academy, Zhang Miao's words became animated…
"Thinking back to that year, Young Master Lu was probably not even born yet. Mengde and I were classmates, facing the rigorous graduation examinations of the Imperial Academy. Among them, the most difficult assessment was 'Bai Gong'!"
"At that time, Mengde, Hu Mu Ban, and I were in the same group. Mengde was stubbornly insisting on building a chariot with his own hands, and Hu Mu Ban and I were driven to distraction…"
"Never mind a small chariot; it would require craftsmen with at least three years of experience to produce small parts like chariot handles and beams under the guidance of skilled masters. Mengde, I, and Hu Mu Ban were beginners who couldn't even be considered carpenters. How could we build a chariot?"
"But that's just how Mengde is. Once he decides something, even eight horses can't pull him back. And he chose to build a standing light chariot from the Qin Dynasty battlefield, pulled by a single horse, capable of carrying two people, with one driving and the other shooting arrows and throwing spears! Haha… To build this chariot, the three of us worked from dawn till dusk. Young Master Lu, guess what happened in the end?"
As Zhang Miao reached the crucial point, he stood up abruptly, his hands behind his back, his emotions quite stirred.
He faced the window, as if the glorious years of the past had all reappeared before his eyes.
"What was the final result?" Lu Yu asked curiously. At the same time, he subtly tucked the tea cup he was holding into his hand, hid it behind his back, and also gracefully stood up, walking towards Zhang Miao.
Zhang Miao's voice continued, and as he spoke, he unconsciously let out a laugh.
"Hahaha, how could you possibly know? The honorary head of the Imperial Academy is none other than His Majesty himself! On graduation day, the 'Bai Gong' results of the Imperial students were personally inspected by him!"
"That day is etched in my memory. The Imperial Academy plaza was filled with the 'Bai Gong designs' of the students – furniture, swords, farming tools, lacquerware, bronze ware, bamboo slips, stone carvings – a veritable collection of 'Bai Gong.' But only the chariot designed by Mengde, Hu Mu Ban, and myself stood out the most."
"Mengde stood tall on the chariot at that time, like a general. Hu Mu Ban and I stood in front of the chariot, acting as the horse.
"His Majesty paused before the chariot, intending to praise our design. Unexpectedly, for some unknown reason, the wheel of our chariot suddenly fell off. Mengde was thrown from the chariot, and Hu Mu Ban and I also tumbled to the side! The entire scene was extremely awkward."
"The entire Imperial Academy plaza was first stunned, and then burst into laughter. Even His Majesty was amused and laughed heartily at me, Mengde, and Hu Mu Ban."
At this point, Zhang Miao paused. As he recounted the happy event, his entire being was animated!
"I remember that day, His Majesty asked, 'Who is that student holding the wheel?' A eunuch replied, 'He is the eldest son of Cao Da Sinong.' At that moment, Mengde's father was so scared that he rushed forward and bowed, saying, 'My unworthy son has disturbed Your Majesty's presence. He deserves death.' But His Majesty laughed heartily and said, 'Your son is quite interesting!' He then ordered someone to repair the chariot and bestowed it upon Mengde! If Luoyang had not been burned by the villain Dong, this chariot would likely still be stored in the backyard of Mengde's home!"
His narration was vivid and emotional. It wasn't just Zhang Miao; even Lu Yu was captivated.
These stories would not be recorded in ancient texts. If Lu Yu hadn't heard them from Zhang Miao's mouth, he wouldn't have known the depth of Zhang Miao's classmate affection for Cao Cao!
However…
Affection is affection, but interests are interests. The world bustles for profit, and the world bustles for gain… Even brothers turn against each other for profit, let alone classmates?
"I never imagined that Prefect Zhang and Cao Gong shared such profound affection…" Lu Yu's voice echoed…
"Haha, of course!" Zhang Miao stroked his beard, still standing with his hands behind his back, reminiscing about the glorious past, completely unaware of the impending danger.
He was even less aware that when Lu Yu last uttered the word "affection," his previously bright and smiling face had instantly turned as frigid as an ice cave.
A series of chilling gazes suddenly appeared.
"Clang… Clatter!"
A flash of cold light appeared. Taking Zhang Miao by surprise, Lu Yu's tea cup was smashed out with a "clang." In the blink of an eye, it landed squarely on Zhang Miao's forehead.
Fast, too fast!
How could Zhang Miao have imagined that Lu Yu, who moments ago was chatting and reminiscing with him, would suddenly attack him?
Drip… Drip, drip…
Blood, Zhang Miao's forehead was covered in blood. Crimson blood gushed out rapidly.
With this blow, Lu Yu had used almost all his strength. The movement from raising his hand to smashing it down was executed in one fluid motion. Even he was panting heavily. It was thrilling!
"You… You…"
At this moment, Zhang Miao was stunned. He clutched his head, and his entire mind went blank. The critical point was that the cold wind was whistling directly into his wound!
In his own Prefect's mansion, how could this kid be so audacious? Was there no law? Was there no justice?
"You… What are you doing? You dare to injure this Prefect? Who gave you this immense courage!"
Gritting his teeth, he roared fiercely… But as he reached the end of his sentence, Zhang Miao felt very dizzy. His forehead was spinning, after all, his head had split open… this was no joke!
Concurrently, dozens of Dragon Mighty Cavalry soldiers quickly stormed into the inner chamber. They were well-trained, and many of them secured the doorway.
The guards of the Prefect's Mansion only heard the violent commotion but did not know the reason. How would they dare to engage the Dragon Mighty Cavalry?
At this moment, Lu Yu's voice followed, his tone exceptionally serious and cold!
"Prefect Zhang! When you colluded with Lü Bu to plot against Yanzhou, did you consider Cao Gong's past affection for you?"
This…
With a gulp, Zhang Miao inhaled sharply. How, how could…
How could Lu Yu know that he had colluded with Lü Bu to plot against Yanzhou? Clearly… clearly he had made the decision to "rebel against Cao Cao" only before Lu Yu entered!
Could this kid… have divine foresight?
While he was contemplating, the sound of "thump, thump, thump" footsteps approached from outside the Prefect's Mansion.
"Young Master Lu, we're here!" Dian Wei pushed open the great door and barged in…
Behind him, in addition to Cao Xiu and a group of Dragon Mighty Cavalry soldiers, there was also Cao Chun leading over a hundred soldiers.
"My lord has ordered me to be in charge of security in Chenliu Commandery. All of you, lay down your weapons. Those who disobey will be beheaded!"
A crisp voice resounded throughout the Prefect's Mansion. The hundred-odd soldiers under Cao Chun's command simultaneously drew their sabers, appearing imposing and radiating a fierce aura!
…
…