"An unexpected strongman in Governor Zhang's camp," Cao Cao's eyes fixed on Dian Wei, his admiration evident.
This also made Lu Yu anxious; Old Cao was trying to poach his man, and he couldn't stop him… From Dafeng Novel Network
"Lord Cao… I…" Lu Yu was about to speak when Cao Cao’s words preempted him. "Hahaha, it is your good fortune to be valued by young master Lu."
Cao Cao raised his hand and commanded Dian Wei, "How about this, I shall appoint you as the Commandant of the Dragon Hawk Cavalry… Henceforth, obey young master Lu’s commands and achieve further meritorious deeds!"
This…
Dian Wei was stunned again upon hearing this.
What was happening today? Happiness was coming one after another… First, he was showered with gold, then he joined the coveted Dragon Hawk Camp where meat was served daily, and now… he was directly appointed Commandant of the Dragon Hawk Camp.
Dian Wei heavily patted his forehead, feeling that he must be a fool blessed with luck!
Lu Yu listened, quite surprised. Old Cao was truly considerate…
Immediately, Lu Yu signaled Dian Wei, "Aren't you going to thank Lord Cao quickly…"
"Dian Wei thanks Lord Cao!" With a thud, Dian Wei knelt again. Today… every time he knelt, there was a new surprise.
Just then…
"My Lord," a personal guard of Cao Cao hurried over, "General Xiahou and the Old Master have both sent letters back… saying they will depart in three days for their westward migration! General Xiahou has already gone ahead to the border of Yan Province to arrange for troops to receive them… The Governor of Xu Province, Tao Qian, to ensure the safety of the Old Master’s journey, has specially dispatched cavalry to escort them along the way!"
The Old Master mentioned by the guard naturally referred to Cao Cao’s father, Cao Song, and General Xiahou referred to Xiahou Yuan.
Currently, Xiahou Yuan had already rushed to Langya Commandery in Xu Province…
Cao Song had also made preparations for his family's westward migration. However, their household was exceedingly wealthy, and in this era without banks, simply moving countless gold and silver treasures onto carriages would take at least three to five days!
However, Tao Qian sending escorts along the route made Cao Cao feel quite gratified, believing Tao Qian to be a decent person!
"Oh…"
Cao Cao nodded, feeling exceptionally good upon hearing this news.
He would soon see his father and brothers… In times of chaos, a family reunion was always an exceptionally joyful event.
Hahaha…
Unconsciously, Cao Cao let out a laugh.
However, while Cao Cao laughed, Lu Yu’s face drastically changed, becoming filled with terror, turning as pale as paper, as if facing imminent danger, with no room for error!
"Did Lord Cao send someone to pick up the Old Master Cao?" Lu Yu asked urgently, his voice laced with immense tension.
Hmm… Cao Cao did not expect Lu Yu to react so strongly.
"Yes, I sent Miao Cai a few days ago to deliver a letter to my father, assuming he received it and has begun preparations… for the westward migration!"
At this point, Cao Cao paused. "The Governor of Xu Province, Tao Qian, has always wished to befriend me. It is likely that this time… his intentional dispatch of an escort along the route is also a gesture of goodwill, hahaha!"
As he spoke, Cao Cao laughed again…
But, in stark contrast to his laughter, Lu Yu’s brow furrowed deeply, his expression one that made him want to cry!
"Lord Cao is foolish…"
"Even if Tao Qian is a gentleman, what about his subordinates? Has Lord Cao not heard, 'A man without guilt is still guilty if he possesses treasure'!"
"A man without guilt is still guilty if he possesses treasure!"
The eight characters escaping his lips made Cao Cao’s heart "thump," his mind instantly filled with "chilling dread" by these four words!
Instantly, Cao Cao's pupils widened, his face turned ashen, looking as if he was about to lose his father.
Even his legs faltered, and if not for Cao Ren pulling him, he would have nearly fallen to the ground.
"Big Brother… Big Brother…" Cao Ren, seeing his elder brother Cao Cao’s unusual demeanor, called out urgently…
His calls grew louder… yet Cao Cao’s expression grew increasingly grim.
"'A man without guilt is still guilty if he possesses treasure… A man without guilt… guilty if he possesses treasure…'" Unconsciously, Cao Cao murmured…
In an instant, vivid cases from the pre-Qin period rapidly flooded his mind.
'A man without guilt is still guilty if he possesses treasure'—a person is originally blameless, but because he carries a precious jade, in the eyes of others, he has committed a grave offense!
Indeed… regarding his father Cao Song's family’s westward migration, Cao Cao was certain that the Governor of Xu Province, Tao Qian, would not harm them, and would even do a favor by providing an escort along the way!
But… the guilt of possessing treasure!
If Tao Qian did not plunder his father's convoy, what about his subordinates? His soldiers?
No one knew how rich his father, Cao Song, was better than Cao Cao, who was born a rich and official second generation. The gold, silver, and rare treasures at home, conservatively estimated, would require more than a hundred carts to load.
Who could resist such temptation?
Let alone others, if this person were not Cao Cao’s own father, Cao Cao himself would not be able to resist plundering!
What were soldiers fighting for if not for money and food? To risk their lives, wasn't this what they sought?
Now, with so much wealth in his father’s convoy? How much food could it buy?
If they seized even a little, they wouldn't need to be soldiers anymore; they could become the richest in their villages!
The ultimate outcome would be nothing less than… murder and plunder!
Cao Cao reacted extremely quickly; Lu Yu’s slight reminder was enough to send waves of lingering fear through him. The more he thought about it, the more horrified and chilled he became. For a moment, Cao Cao felt as if he was suffocating!
His father was about to be doomed!
…
Boom… Cao Cao suddenly turned around. He quickly placed his hands on Cao Ren’s shoulders, his expression solemn, his tone earnest.
"Zixiao, now, immediately… you must ride at seven hundred li per day to Langya Commandery in Xu Province, and you must personally tell my father—'Guilty if you possess treasure'!"
Uh…
Cao Ren was startled, then asked, "Didn't Miao Cai already go? The Old Master is about to depart! Can this still reach him in time?"
"Depart… depart…" Cao Cao appeared somewhat anxious. He tried to calm his agitated heart, calculating the days… "It doesn't matter if he has departed; as long as you are fast enough, you will likely catch up!"
"Tell my father to abandon all gold and silver and come to Yan Province alone. If my father refuses… then… then even if you have to knock him unconscious, you must tie him up and bring him!"
Cao Ren let out a long sigh. Since his elder brother Cao Cao had given such an order, he dared not delay. He immediately mounted his horse… and quickly departed.
Likewise, after his elder brother's explanation, Cao Ren also felt the danger to the Old Master's convoy under the weight of those eight words, "A man without guilt is still guilty if he possesses treasure."
As the saying goes, **…**, **…In this era, soldiers do not possess noble sentiments. To put it plainly, they are a group of ruffians and thugs, simply trying to make a living!
Cao Ren knew the seriousness of the situation, his whip flicking continuously, the galloping hooves of his steed faster than the sky… This was a race against time and life!
Cao Cao cast a meaningful glance at Lu Yu once more, filled with boundless gratitude. However, he dared not linger after that and hurried away.
Now, there were many places that required his deployment…
On the other hand, Lu Yu's eyes narrowed slightly… A premonition of ill omen suddenly arose in his heart!
Cao Song absolutely cannot be doomed…
If Cao Song were to perish, Cao Cao’s reputation as the foremost butcher of the Three Kingdoms would be unavoidable and irreversible, which would be greatly detrimental to "controlling the situation"!
…
…