Chenliu Commandery, Yanzhou, the Prefectural Governor's Mansion.
At this moment, Zhang Miao, the Prefect of Chenliu, wore a grave expression. Standing before him was a middle-aged man. He couldn't be described as handsome, nor tall and imposing, but his sharp eyes were exceedingly piercing.
He stood in front of Zhang Miao, silent. His sharply defined face betrayed no trace of joy or anger. He was waiting, waiting for Zhang Miao's reply.
"Gongtai, you've given me a very difficult task."
Zhang Miao grew increasingly nervous, the letter clutched tightly in his hand trembling uncontrollably.
The letter was from Lu Bu, promising high office and great wealth, and bearing the seal of "Marquis Wen."
As for… the man before him was Chen Gong, Chen Gongtai, a strategist under Lu Bu. His purpose was to persuade Zhang Miao to join forces with Lu Bu in rebelling against Cao Cao!
"Mengzhuo," Chen Gong continued his persuasion, "In the past, you spoke out against Yuan Shao, incurring his resentment. Now Cao Cao occupies Yanzhou, and Yuan Shao has sent him a letter asking him to eliminate you. You know about this, don't you?"
"But Mengde refused Yuan Shao!" Zhang Miao replied sternly.
"Heh… No one understands Cao Cao better than I do. Cao Cao's motto is 'I betray the world, not the world betray me.' He says one thing and does another. As his old classmate, you probably haven't experienced his methods yet!"
Speaking to this point, Chen Gong narrowed his eyes. "Mengzhuo, haven't you heard recently that your friend Bian Rang is dead? He was killed by men sent by Cao Cao while en route to Chang'an! Does this not illustrate Cao Cao's methods?"
"Heh, what kind of magnanimity does Cao Cao possess? He would never spare those who slandered him! And now, with Cao Cao relying on Yuan Shao's support, how could he truly refuse Yuan Shao? He refuses in name, but he might already have sent assassins after you! This is his usual way of doing things!"
Hiss…
Zhang Miao gasped for air.
Indeed, there had been a rumor circulating recently that Bian Rang had died, killed by Yanzhou soldiers. In other words… this was most likely Cao Cao's doing. After Zhang Miao left Yanzhou, he would deal with Bian Rang.
Considering that Cao Cao had once, out of minor suspicion, personally slain the entire Lu Boshe family, it was possible he would do this now. Furthermore, Zhang Miao had heard of Chen Gong's reputation. This man never spoke falsehoods. Since he said it this way… it was reliable!
"Hoo…"
He let out a long sigh.
Reminded by Chen Gong, Zhang Miao felt a chill creep down his spine.
He even thought further: if the news of his secret meeting with Lu Bu's envoy were to leak out, or if Chen Gong were to leak it, it would surely enrage Cao Cao once more!
At that time…
"Gulp," Zhang Miao swallowed deeply.
It seemed there was no choice before him.
"If you had not said this, Gongtai, I, Zhang Miao, would surely have died by Cao Cao's hand…" Zhang Miao now spoke Cao Cao's name directly.
In ancient times, this was akin to an insult among peers!
This also signaled Zhang Miao's decision to break ties with Cao Cao completely.
Zhang Miao bared his teeth and said, "If the news of Bian Rang's untimely death spreads, the clans of Yanzhou will surely be in turmoil. I will show this letter from Marquis Wen to the various noble families. Then, starting from Chenliu, we will raise an army together to rebel against Cao Cao… and with one decisive blow, make that Cao Aman homeless!"
As these words left his mouth… Chen Gong clenched his fist. "Good! Everything rests on you, Mengzhuo! If Marquis Wen can capture Yanzhou, the first merit will undoubtedly belong to you, Zhang Mengzhuo!"
Just as he was speaking.
Outside the courtyard, a gatekeeper announced, "Young Master Lu Yu pays his respects to Prefect Zhang…"
Lu Yu?
The moment this name was uttered, both Zhang Miao and Chen Gong were startled. Chen Gong wondered why someone would come at this moment. Zhang Miao muttered to himself… it was likely due to their previous transaction.
"Gongtai, you leave through the back door. Just tell Marquis Wen that I will handle Chenliu Commandery. Rest assured! Chenliu is the economic lifeline of all of Yanzhou. If Chenliu is lost, Cao Aman will lose half of all Yanzhou!" Zhang Miao said seriously.
Chen Gong couldn't afford to pay his respects and hurried out the back door. His infiltration into Chenliu Commandery could not be exposed!
And the news of successfully persuading Zhang Miao needed to be reported to Fengxian immediately!
…
Chen Gong slowly walked away.
Zhang Miao tidied his clothes and hid Lu Bu's letter, which promised great benefits, in his embrace.
This letter was very beneficial for him to win over the various noble families in Yanzhou. It was also a guarantee… or perhaps a record of merit!
Having done this, Zhang Miao finally opened the gate slowly and greeted them with a smile.
"Young Master Lu's visit to my humble abode today brings glory to my desolate dwelling!"
As he said this, Zhang Miao frowned. He noticed that Lu Yu had not entered the courtyard alone but was accompanied by dozens of armored soldiers from the Dragon Cavalry. This not only… made him feel uneasy.
Could it be… Lu Yu had gotten wind of something?
But… he had only just agreed to Chen Gong. Unless this Lu Yu could read his and Chen Gong's minds, how could he have detected it?
Thinking this, Zhang Miao felt a surge of confidence.
"Young Master Lu brings so many escorts? You're not planning to raid my prefectural mansion, are you?"
"How could that be? Even if you gave me a hundred more courage, I wouldn't dare," Lu Yu scratched his head and smiled slightly. "Prefect Zhang, it's like this… My subordinates carefully calculated the details of that transaction… the one where ten thousand piculs of grain were exchanged for Dian Wei…"
Lu Yu immediately began to speak his prepared speech. "In the meantime, I used gold and silver to cover the price of some of the grain, and sent it to Prefect Zhang.
"But my subordinates calculated it… and felt that we lost, lost greatly. These gold and silver can now fetch fifteen thousand piculs of grain in the black market… So, my brothers were angry and insisted that I bring them to take some away? Prefect Zhang doesn't mind, does he?"
Uh… Zhang Miao was stunned at first.
He muttered to himself, this kid is trying to extort me. Recently, the harvest has been good, and the exchange rate between grain and gold/silver in the black market must have adjusted. How can you use the current ratio to talk about grain prices back then?
However… with the rebellion against Lu Bu imminent, it was better to avoid unnecessary trouble!
Let him take it away…
As long as it didn't affect Marquis Lu Bu's entry into Yanzhou! Once Yanzhou changed hands… then, wouldn't there be as much grain and gold/silver as he wanted?
With this thought in mind…
"Hahaha…" Zhang Miao laughed. "What I thought it was? So that's what it is… This is easy to say. Young Master Lu only needs to send someone to inform me. It's just some gold and silver, I'll have someone deliver the extra gold and silver to your mansion. Why did you have to come in person!"
Heh heh…
As these words left his mouth, Lu Yu inwardly chuckled.
If Zhang Miao wasn't guilty, why would he agree so readily? Money doesn't grow on trees, so why would he give it back so easily?
Moreover, from Lu Yu's understanding, Zhang Miao was not a generous person.
Therefore… it was highly likely that this fellow had already joined Lu Bu's faction!
With this thought, Lu Yu's expression remained unchanged.
"It's mainly that my subordinates are not convinced, and I'm just going through the motions… Now that we're here, Prefect Zhang doesn't mind if my subordinates casually take some gold and silver away, do you?"
Speaking to this, Lu Yu approached Zhang Miao and lowered his voice. "I hope Prefect Zhang understands, sometimes it's hard to be a 'big brother,' you still have to appease your subordinates' emotions!"
Heh heh…
Zhang Miao was naturally displeased, but he maintained a smiling demeanor.
"I understand. I have been the Prefect of Chenliu for so many years, and I also encounter problems like yours, Young Master Lu. Young Master Lu has only been in command for a short time. You'll get used to it as time goes on… Hahaha…"
Saying this, Zhang Miao ordered, "Someone, bring out the large chests that Young Master Lu sent half a month ago and let Young Master Lu's men pick some to take back!"
Hey!
He breathed a sigh of relief. With the "Flying Dragon Cavalry riding on his face," he could still back down? Lu Yu dared to bet that if Zhang Miao had nothing to hide… he would do a headstand and wash his hair!
"Prefect Zhang, I heard… you have good tea here!"
"Hahaha… This Taiping Houkui, if not for Young Master Lu, I wouldn't bear to take it out." Zhang Miao patted Lu Yu on the back and gracefully led him towards the inner room!
In Lu Yu's view, this "tea" should be savored well…
Otherwise, it would be a disservice to his name "Lu Yu"!
Who didn't know that in the Tang Dynasty, there was a Sage of Tea also named "Lu Yu," who was best at "identifying tea," "tasting tea," and was also best at dealing with these two-faced, "tea-scented" guys!
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