On the banks of the Huai River.
Inside a large camp, Yuan Shu, who had just conquered Yangzhou, was quite pleased with himself.
He gently caressed the Imperial Seal in his embrace, his eyes occasionally flashing with boundless greed. A wisp of a mustache fluttered in the wind, giving him a feeling of "living a contented and blissful life."
Overall, he exuded an inexplicable confidence, much like those eight words – With the Imperial Seal in hand, the world is mine!
"My lord, scouts report that Tao Qian, the Governor of Xu Province, has dispatched his general Zhang Kai to escort Cao Song along the way…"
A middle-aged man in a scholar's robe walked gracefully to Yuan Shu's side. He deliberately bent his waist a little, instinctively assuming the posture of a subordinate reporting to a superior.
"Tao Qian? Cao Song? Zhang Kai?" Yuan Shu's eyes darted as he uttered these three names in succession.
He pondered, escorting along the way, it was merely a trivial matter. Did Chief Clerk Yang Hong need to report it to him personally?
That's right, the one standing beside Yuan Shu was his strategist and Chief Clerk, Yang Hong.
"Is Chief Clerk Yang only reporting this?"
Yuan Shu did not take these three names seriously at all.
Of course, he didn't even regard his elder brother Yuan Shao, so whom would he take seriously in the world?
"My lord, this is an opportunity to plot against Xu Province…" Yang Hong narrowed his eyes and continued to advise…
An opportunity to plot against Xu Province?
Suddenly, Yuan Shu became energized. He put the Imperial Seal back into its box and said with great interest, "Chief Clerk Yang, please continue…"
"Does my lord know how wealthy Cao Cao's father is?" Yang Hong reminded him.
"That eunuch's adopted son?"
Yuan Shu's eyes were filled with disdain. His classmate at the Imperial Academy, Cao Cao, was the adopted grandson of a eunuch, so his father would naturally be the adopted son of a eunuch! Yuan Shu looked down on such a status from the bottom of his heart.
"Hmph, in the past, he served as the Commandant of the Capital, as the Grand Herald, and as the Grand Minister of Agriculture… he held all the lucrative official positions in the Han Dynasty! It's no wonder his family is so wealthy! But what does this have to do with plotting against Xu Province? Besides, Xu Province's Governor Tao Qian is our 'own man.' Acting against one's own people would surely cool the hearts of other allies!"
How could Yuan Shu not want to plot against Xu Province? Xu Province was known as the granary of the empire, and it was incredibly prosperous!
However…
"My lord, do not worry…" Yang Hong explained in detail: "My lord, do you know who this Zhang Kai is? Hehe, this man was originally a remnant of the Yellow Turbans. He was greedy and loved gifts, and only grudgingly surrendered to Tao Qian. Now, Tao Qian actually sent him to escort Cao Song's convoy. He will surely be tempted by wealth… Hehe, at that time…"
Yang Hong paused deliberately after speaking this far. Talking to Yuan Shu required skill.
If one spoke too much, it would make oneself appear too clever. The correct approach was to speak halfway… and guide Yuan Shu to speak it himself, so that he would adopt your suggestion.
Hiss…
Indeed, Yuan Shu caught on.
"You mean, Chief Clerk Yang, that Zhang Kai will rob Cao Song's convoy, and Tao Qian will incur Cao Cao's enmity… This way, two tigers will fight, and we can reap the benefits?"
The words slipped out, and Yuan Shu's eyes spun continuously. Finally… his gaze settled. "Wonderful, wonderful! This plan is truly brilliant!"
Two tigers fighting, weakening each other!
Tao Qian was skilled in governing provinces and counties, and his Danyang soldiers were considered formidable. However, when truly facing Cao Cao head-on, he was still a bit lacking. At that time… when disaster struck, besides himself, Yuan Shu, who else would lend a hand?
Thus, wouldn't he, Yuan Shu, be able to legitimately take control of Xu Province?
The more he pondered, the more brilliant Yuan Shu found it.
"Chief Clerk Yang, you truly live up to your reputation as my strategist… Hahaha… Hahaha…" Yuan Shu patted Yang Hong's shoulder heavily to show his approval.
Yang Hong moved a step closer to Yuan Shu. "To ensure it goes flawlessly, my lord should send a squad of assassins. If Zhang Kai fails… or if Zhang Kai only robs for wealth, our assassins can give Cao Song the final send-off, diverting the trouble westward, and letting the two tigers fight!"
"Good!" Yuan Shu slammed his palm on the desk. "Guards, summon General Ji Ling!"
…
Thus, on the surface, Cao Song moved his entire family to Yan Province.
In secret, Tao Qian, Yuan Shu, and Lu Bu each dispatched personnel to gather in Langya Commandery, Xu Province.
Beneath the calm surface, various forces were surging, and a game of overt and covert struggles quietly began!
…
…
Yan Province, Chenliu Commandery, the government office.
Thump, thump, thump…
Before Cao Ren could enter the government office, he heard the hurried and heavy footsteps from within.
Horses were already prepared outside the gate, and emerging from one was his elder brother, Cao Cao.
"Elder brother, what is happening that you are so flustered?" Cao Ren quickly asked…
"Zixiao, accompany me to Zhang Miao's camp east of the city…" Cao Cao immediately ordered.
Uh… Zhang Miao? The camp of Zhang Miao, the Administrator of Chenliu?
Cao Ren pondered slightly. In his memory, Zhang Miao's camp with four thousand armored soldiers was located near the Dragon Dragon Cavalry's camp… but why go there?
Before Cao Ren could ask again, Cao Cao directly clarified, "Lu Yu is there…"
Hiss? Lu Yu?
Cao Ren slapped his forehead, becoming even more confused. Lu Yu had his own Dragon Dragon Cavalry camp. Why would he want to go to Zhang Miao's camp with me?
"Zixiao, I just received news that Lu Yu is at Zhang Miao's military camp, imitating Lü Buwei of old, doing that 'one word worth a thousand gold' deed. I am truly curious… so I shall go and see."
One word worth a thousand gold? Cao Ren recalled that his elder brother had told him this story…
In the Qin Dynasty during the Spring and Autumn period, Qin's Lü Buwei recruited three thousand retainers and compiled the book "Lüshi Chunqiu." He posted a notice saying that anyone who could add or change one word would be rewarded with a thousand gold!
Lu Yu imitating Lü Buwei's "one word worth a thousand gold"? How could he imitate that?
Don't say, after Cao Cao explained it, Cao Ren indeed became curious.
"Elder brother, wait for me… wait for me!"
…
Fifteen li south of Chenliu Commandery, Zhang Miao's camp.
In front of the camp gate, several tables were covered with gold, totaling a thousand gold…
Further ahead of the tables, a large and long battle banner was laid down.
Lu Yu sat to the side of the battle banner and the tables, his brow slightly furrowed, his index, middle, and ring fingers continuously tapping on the desk, as if waiting for something.
Behind him, Cao Xiu and a group of Dragon Dragon Cavalry armored soldiers were in formation. Although it was Zhang Miao's military camp, it was treated as if it were Lu Yu's own home, very casually…
Of course, Cao Xiu had spoken to Zhang Miao, the Administrator of Chenliu, beforehand.
Lu Yu, on the condition of one hundred thousand piculs of grain, wanted to take someone from his camp! To be precise, Lu Yu intended to take a "martial arts instructor" for the Dragon Dragon Cavalry!
But when the name of this "martial arts instructor" was mentioned, Zhang Miao and his deputy generals had no idea that such a person existed in their camp. When they sent someone to fetch the list, he wasn't there either!
This was beyond Lu Yu's expectations…
Helpless… the current scene ensued…
Lu Yu simply set up a formation in this military camp and established a rule: whoever could lift the battle banner alone would be rewarded with a thousand gold!
Initially, some armored soldiers were eager to try, but after attempting it, they realized that the battle banner in the military camp was heavy and long. Not to mention one person, even five or six, seven or eight strong men might not be able to lift it…
And as the morning passed, the battle banner remained as it was, but the armored soldiers who dared to try became fewer and fewer.
However, the onlookers increased.
After all… a thousand gold was placed on the table, looking so easily attainable, yet in reality, it was so out of reach…
Deputy generals and armored soldiers from nearby military camps gathered to witness… whether anyone could earn this thousand gold from Lu Yu!
Hiss…
In fact, Lu Yu was also anxious. The rhythm was wrong!
According to ancient texts, this fellow should be in Zhang Miao's camp? Why wasn't he on the list… and why hadn't anyone shown up all morning?
"The evil prince of antiquity," "the evil prince of antiquity," where on earth are you?
The Dragon Dragon Cavalry still needs you to be the martial arts instructor!
…
…