Chapter 86 Xuzhou Is a Powder Keg

The current天下, the overt factions remain Yuan Shao, Liu Biao, and Cao Cao against Yuan Shu, Gongsun Zan, and Tao Qian. For these powers, the present situation is such that even a quarrel, let alone war, requires extreme caution. If Cao Cao were to openly declare war on Tao Qian, it would be a matter of a single thread pulling the entire tapestry for both major camps. The brief peace would inevitably be shattered. Yuan Shao, Liu Biao, Yuan Shu, and Gongsun Zan could not remain idle, but… in Lu Yu’s opinion, Cao Cao was overthinking. Indeed, attacking Xuzhou would bring about the end of peace and reignite the fires of war. Gongsun Zan might come to Tao Qian’s aid, but Yuan Shao would certainly attack Gongsun Zan. Yuan Shu and Liu Biao already had friction over the ownership of Nanyang, and this time they would engage in a large-scale conflict. According to Lu Yu's analysis, or rather, according to the records in ancient texts, Xuzhou was the gunpowder keg that ignited the world's chaos… directly leading to the collision of six powers: Cao Cao vs. Tao Qian, Yuan Shao vs. Gongsun Zan, Liu Biao vs. Yuan Shu, and… Lu Bu and Liu Bei surviving in the cracks, jumping back and forth. Among these, it is important to note… as long as Lu Bu could not unite with the Yan Province clans, Cao Cao’s rear would be basically secure! "When did Lord Cao become so cautious?" Lu Yu spoke, getting straight to the point without beating around the bush. "Lord Cao’s concerns are nothing more than the various lords coveting Yan Province and attacking it, but in reality… those with such strength, such as Yuan Shu, Liu Biao, Yuan Shao, and Gongsun Zan, have no time to focus their attention on Yan Province?" "I fear it won't be long before they start fighting amongst themselves… Once they begin, Lord Cao’s only opponent will be Tao Qian of Xuzhou. Tao Qian excels at provincial governance but is not skilled in military command, and he lacks resourceful subordinates. How can he be Lord Cao’s opponent?" This… Cao Cao paused, and Cao Ren also paused. What Lu Yu said made sense, but… there was a huge premise, and that was the conflict between Yuan Shu, Liu Biao, Yuan Shao, and Gongsun Zan. Who could accurately predict such a thing? Would they really fight? Cao Cao was somewhat hesitant… In the end, no matter how thoroughly Lu Yu understood the situation, he was not inside the minds of these lords. How could he accurately judge the timing of their battles? Cao Cao shook his head. "How about this… we will discuss this thoroughly tomorrow at the yamen, in front of all the strategists! Then, everyone can express their opinions, and we will decide whether to attack Xuzhou and when to attack Xuzhou!" Cao Cao shared a characteristic with Yuan Shao: they both liked to hold meetings before battles… However, there was a slight difference. Yuan Shao would get lost in the meetings, among the strategies proposed by his advisors, while Cao Cao could always precisely select the strategy most suitable for the current situation. The words "good at planning and decisive" versus "good at planning but aimless," though separated by only one character, resulted in vastly different outcomes. Of course, Cao Cao did not think Lu Yu’s proposal was bad, but rather, he wanted to hear the opinions of those talented individuals from Yingchuan. "Lord Cao… this…" Lu Yu wanted to speak again. "That's enough!" Cao Cao patted his shoulder. "We won't discuss military affairs today. Let's go eat something. Your sister must be waiting impatiently in the mess hall… Hahaha…" Every time he was with Lu Yu, Cao Cao's mood was exceptionally bright. This young man always came up with some fresh strategies to break the stalemate, making Cao Cao's eyes light up. … … At the foot of Mount Tai in Yan Province, on a farmstead. A merchant caravan gracefully entered the area. The leader, a robust man, dismounted and cupped his hands in greeting to the most robust and fierce-looking of the strongmen present. "Are you perhaps the Commander of the Dragon Cavalry… I am Cao Chun, Commandant of the Tiger Cavalry, sent by Lord Cao to relieve the guard!" This merchant caravan was precisely the "Tiger" cavalry of the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry, led by Cao Chun. Following Cao Cao’s instructions, they disguised themselves as a merchant caravan to replace Dian Wei and the Dragon Cavalry… Cao Cao did not tell many people about the rescue of Cao Song and Cao De, except for Cao Ren and his younger brother Cao Chun, no one else knew. Even the Tiger Cavalry stationed here only learned who they were about to escort when they were about to arrive. "So it is Commandant Cao. My young master sent word ahead." Dian Wei also cupped his hands in return. "Our Dragon Cavalry will withdraw back to Chenliu Commandery. This place will be handed over to you…" "Have no worries, Captain Dian. We will ensure the safety of the old master," Cao Chun said with a rather serious tone. "Brothers, let's go!" Dian Wei called out and prepared to leave. "Cap… Captain Dian, please wait, Captain Dian, please wait!" Suddenly, a clear voice came from within the farmstead. It was Cao De’s voice… Cao De was supporting Cao Song as he ran out quickly, and because of the haste, Cao Song was panting. Seeing this, Dian Wei quickly went to meet them. Unexpectedly, Cao Song and Cao De directly knelt on the ground with a “pat.” "Benefactor, please accept this old man's… this old man's bow!" Generally, elders do not bow to juniors, but for a life-saving favor, that was another matter… This sudden kneeling caught Dian Wei off guard. "How many times have I told you? I am only here to protect you on my young master's orders. If you want to express gratitude, you should thank my young master!" This was already countless times Dian Wei had said this, but Cao Song seemed addicted to kneeling, doing so every few days. Perhaps he was accustomed to observing in the court before. "This old man knows… this life was saved by Young Master Lu. This old man also knows… that Young Master Lu settled me and De'er here for the sake of Mengde's great undertaking! Young Master Lu is helping Mengde plan a grand strategy, but… this old man cannot thank the benefactor face-to-face… I am truly distressed, so… so…" Speaking to this point, Cao Song paused, then kowtowed twice on the ground. After doing so, he spoke again, "This old man can only bow three times towards the southwest to express his gratitude for Young Master Lu’s life-saving kindness, and to thank Young Master Lu for his assistance to my son Mengde… I hope Captain Dian will convey this for me!" Uh… this… Dian Wei scratched his head. For a moment, he felt awkward about helping Cao Song up. He felt unworthy of receiving bows for himself, but it seemed appropriate to receive bows for Young Master Lu… Dian Wei waited until Cao Song finished these three kowtows before helping him up. "Old Master Cao, please rest well. I will take my brothers back to report to Young Master Lu. I will definitely convey these three kowtows for you, Old Master Cao, please be assured!" "Thank you… thank you, Captain Dian." Cao Song clasped his hands repeatedly. Cao De also added at the opportune moment, "Please also tell my elder brother that my father and I are doing well here and he need not worry. Let him go and do great things!" Dian Wei nodded his acknowledgment and said no more… He then mounted his horse and led the Dragon Cavalry caravan away at a gallop. Watching the departing backs of Dian Wei and the Dragon Cavalry knights, Cao Song’s eyes slowly narrowed, and he murmured to Cao De… "Young Master Lu not only saved the lives of my son and me, but his elite cavalrymen are all robust and formidable, and they don't seem simple either. This Young Master Lu is becoming more and more unfathomable!" "With his help, Mengde might truly be able to create a different landscape in this chaotic world." Hearing this… Cao De nodded heavily. "Yes, I heard Captain Dian say that this Young Master Lu is only fifteen or sixteen years old. At such an age, to be able to deploy so meticulously, his future is limitless!" Hmm… Cao De’s words made Cao Song’s brow furrow. Fifteen or sixteen years old? So meticulous… So young? Cao Song immediately swallowed. He realized something, something that concerned him, Cao Song, and Cao Cao. Last year, when "Hidden Dragon" "pointed out the way and outlined strategies for Mengde," he seemed to be fifteen years old! And at that time, he was looking for a wise lord. *Hoo…* With a long sigh, Cao Song’s eyes became much more serious. Could this Young Master Lu and "Hidden Dragon" be the same… … …