A swift horse, galloping from Lingling Commandery, thundered along the official road like a whirlwind, churning through countless patches of mud.
Huang Zhong, astride his mount, his heroic face etched with the trials of time, his sword-like brows hiding eyes filled with worry that could not be concealed.
Huang Xu, my son Yong Sheng… he… he is the apple of his old father Huang Zhong's eye!
If he dies, what purpose will Huang Zhong have in this life? What will be left to cling to?
As dawn broke, mist rose, meeting the vast expanse of bloody fog. The cold wind, like a knife, sliced across his cheeks, yet Huang Zhong continued to spur his horse onward, exhaling white mist from his lips.
This white mist melted the icy crystals that had formed on his brow, condensing into drops of icy water that fell into Huang Zhong's eyes and mouth. Bitterness. Huang Zhong felt only a profound bitterness within his heart!
Xu'er, Xu'er… are you… are you alright?
Huang Zhong knew all too well that once contracted, this severe cold only grew more painful with each passing day. This suffering, he… he could feel it as if it were his own!
Faster, faster!
"Please, my horse, at least, at least let this father see his son one more time!"
"Yes, yes…"
The warhorse whinnied, as if understanding his plea, letting out a mournful cry.
"Dada-da…"
—The hooves were like the wind!
…
…
Yan Province, Chenliu Commandery, Cai Mansion.
The advisor and libationer, Xi Zhicai, knelt before Lu Yu. This news spread like wildfire…
This was Xi Zhicai, the man who, when facing countless enemy soldiers, stood tall and proud, engaging in lighthearted conversation with unwavering confidence. This was also the man whose every stomp could make the entire Cao camp tremble.
He… he actually knelt!
Everyone in Chenliu Commandery was stunned.
Of course… the ripple effect was immense. Whether they were common folk, scholars, or soldiers, those who had suffered from the severe cold and were saved by Lu Yu's disciples all rushed to the gates of the Cai Mansion.
With a "pat," they, like Xi Zhicai, also knelt.
Indeed, no matter the era.
The power of example was infinite!
Especially when the person setting the example was… Advisor and Libationer Xi Zhicai!
Countless people flocked to kneel before the Cai Mansion gates. Though the weather was still a bit cold, though… their ears were red from the chill, the act of showing gratitude was never exclusive to those in positions of power. If Xi Zhicai could kneel here to express his thanks, why couldn't they?
And…
These were simple, honest folk. Each person brought eggs they had grudgingly saved, rare vegetables, and wheat they had stored away for a long time. They wanted to show their gratitude to their benefactor in their own way.
A man, with his wife and son, arrived at the gates of the Cai Mansion. He brought two guavas, a gift from relatives in the west.
Since Zhang Qian's mission to the Western Regions, the cultivation method for guavas had been introduced, but they were still grown in very limited quantities in the west.
Each fruit was precious.
He was reluctant to eat them, and even more reluctant to let his sons eat them. Now, he brought them for his benefactor…
The most precious fruit, of course, must be for the most important person.
However… as the family of three arrived at the Cai Mansion gates, wishing to emulate Advisor and Libationer Xi Zhicai and kneel…
They discovered that too many people had the same idea.
There was no space to kneel in front of the entire Cai Mansion.
Forget kneeling, there wasn't even a place to stand. The front was densely packed with people. To find even a small patch of ground to kneel on would inspire immense envy!
"My dear, there's no place to kneel, what should we do?"
"It's alright. There are so many people. Surely someone will need to go to the latrine. If anyone gets up, we'll take their spot."
As these words escaped his lips, the woman looked at her husband with admiration…
He was indeed her husband, so clever!
However…
Ideals were grand, but reality was stark.
The people who were kneeling seemed to have bladders made of steel, with very few rising to go to the latrine. Even if one did, someone else always got there first!
There were simply too many people who wanted to claim a spot to kneel.
The entire front of the Cai Mansion… was a surging crowd of kneeling figures, their piety immense!
Outside the mansion gates, the armored soldiers of the Dragon Swift Battalion… watched the surging crowd, their brows furrowed, and began to murmur among themselves.
"So many people are kneeling, what should we do?"
"What can we do! Do you plan to report it to the young master?"
"Of course, we can't report it to the young master… the young master ordered that no one be seen today as he had important matters to attend to. Earlier, personally assisting Advisor Xi was understandable, but… this… so many common people. If we have to help them up one by one, won't our young master be exhausted?"
"You've finally started thinking, haven't you? Actually… you don't need to worry about it. It's good that they're kneeling. I can understand their feelings! Speaking of which… if my relative had been cured by the young master's medical texts, I would also kneel here. If I didn't… I would feel uneasy in my heart!"
As this last sentence was spoken…
The other armored soldiers cast meaningful glances at this soldier and nodded heavily.
A life-saving grace was immeasurable. As he said, if they didn't kneel, they would indeed feel uneasy!
…
Compared to the kneeling commoners outside the gates.
Xi Zhicai was fortunate, for… he was standing. Although many were standing, he was one of the few who could stand within the Cai Mansion gates.
An hour earlier, Lu Yu had personally helped him up and brought him into the Cai Mansion.
Before Xi Zhicai could express his thanks, Lu Yu had pulled him to the back courtyard, in front of this large iron pot.
However, from then on… Lu Yu had no time to pay attention to him.
It was as if his very solemn expression of gratitude meant nothing in Lu Yu's eyes, who seemed to tell him to go wherever it was cool.
At this moment, Lu Yu sat down, crossed his legs, leaned back slightly, and occasionally stood up to observe the pot, then instructed the oil mill workers: "Add cold water to it."
After all, they were cooking dumplings, and he had some common sense. If the temperature was too high, the water would overflow.
Xi Zhicai felt that everyone's attention was focused on this large pot, and he felt insignificant. He proactively stepped forward and snatched the water bucket from Zhuge Jun's hand, smiling and saying, "Let me…"
Thus, it boiled, then cold water was added.
It boiled again, then cold water was added again…
Until the third time, Lu Yu observed for a long while, then commanded.
"Take them out… the dumplings are cooked."
Speaking of cooking dumplings, Lu Yu was very skilled. In his life skills, it was only slightly inferior to cooking instant noodles!
This was mainly due to his previous kidney deficiency… no… it was due to being a single person in his past life!
If he didn't eat instant noodles and frozen dumplings, what else could he eat? A couples' restaurant?
He was not worthy of that…
Now… seeing these formed dumplings, Lu Yu felt a strange sense of closeness.
Of course, as they were cooked in the courtyard, the fragrant aroma of the lamb soup, combined with the appearance of the dumplings as they were taken out, made one's mouth water.
Most importantly, it was cold in the courtyard…
Even though it was the warmest day of winter today, it was still cold. Most importantly, the Han Dynasty hats were a bit of a flaw; they couldn't even cover the ears. Xun Yu, Xiahou Dun, Cao Chun, Wei Hong… all felt their ears were about to freeze!
"Come, come… everyone try!" Lu Yu called out. "One bowl of dumplings and one bowl of soup for each person!"
Hey… the name "dumpling" sounded again in everyone's ears, and they were very expectant.
This thing that looked so much like an ear? What would it taste like?
"Give me a bowl first!"
Xiahou Dun spoke first.
Cao Hong was not present, so someone had to be the first to dare. Besides… Lu Yu seemed to have a knack for cooking, as evidenced by the fried locusts he had previously found astonishing.
"Yuan Rang, let this old man taste it first, shall I? Old people… are not in good health, my stomach is rumbling."
Wei Hong, stroking his beard… spoke with a smile.
Xiahou Dun muttered to himself, "How shameless! Actually using his age to his advantage…"
But he was also helpless, so he spread his hands. "If Old Man Wei says so, how can I be so brazen as to snatch it from an elder? Hahaha!"
Wei Hong walked to the front of the large pot. Zhuge Jun was about to serve a bowl for Old Man Wei…
Xi Zhicai snatched the bowl and said, "Let me…"
He knew very well that he was here to repay a debt of gratitude today, but the key was… Lu Yu didn't even give him the opportunity to repay it.
Then how could this debt be repaid?
Fine, I'll be a laborer and serve food for you. That's acceptable, right?
If he didn't do something, Xi Zhicai felt uncomfortable all over.
Wei Hong took a bowl full of soup, with three or four dumplings inside. He first observed it carefully.
He smelled it; it was the same aroma that had emanated from the iron pot earlier, with the rich fragrance of lamb and wisps of medicinal scent. The more he smelled and looked, the more embarrassed he felt to eat it, as it truly resembled an ear.
After a moment of hesitation, he finally took a small bite.
Mmm…
With just one bite, the dough mixed with the minced lamb and powdered medicinal herbs created a sense of "incredibleness" on Wei Hong's tongue.
How could such a delicious dish exist in the world?
Speaking of which… these dumplings were the polar opposite of the fried locusts from before.
The fried locusts were crispy and fragrant, while this… was soft, with a meaty texture within the softness, and small particles of medicinal herbs in the meat. It was truly smooth going down and down the throat!
Speaking of which, as the wealthiest man in Chenliu Commandery, what kind of delicacies had Wei Hong not tasted? Yet… these dumplings still amazed him. He was willing to call dumplings the most delicious food he had eaten in his many decades.
He finished the bowl in a flash, even drinking all the soup.
However… compared to the taste of the dumplings, the soup seemed rather ordinary!
Ordinary rich aroma;
Ordinary medicinal fragrance… it was all just ordinary.
Overall, these dumplings were quite good. If they were sold in a shop, they would be acceptable, possessing color, aroma, and taste, but… it was unlikely to achieve the profit of the oil mill, drawing crowds from all over!
Originally, Wei Hong had planned to have another bowl. But thinking about it, so many people were watching. He didn't want to appear as if he hadn't eaten in days. A merchant could be greedy, but he still needed to maintain his appearance.
"Heh heh, not bad, not bad…"
Wei Hong praised.
At this moment, Xiahou Dun, Cao Chun, Xun Yu, and even Xi Zhicai were eating.
Lu Yu specially served a bowl and sent it to Sister Zhao Ji.
Sister Zhao Ji smiled and refused. With so many civil and military officials present, how could she, a woman, possibly do such a thing?
Just then…
Huh?
Wei Hong discovered a problem. After a bowl of dumpling soup, his body felt particularly warm, extraordinarily warm.
Even his ears, which the hat could not cover, became extremely warm.
This was a very peculiar feeling. In this kind of weather, even if the sun was out, it definitely didn't match the word "warm," let alone standing in the courtyard, where shivering was the norm!
But clearly, Wei Hong felt a warm current constantly circulating through his internal organs and limbs.
Even sweat beaded on his forehead!
This was a bit strange.
Although… in this kind of weather, drinking more hot water would also bring temporary warmth!
But that was only for a very short while.
… But after eating these dumplings and drinking this soup, Wei Hong felt as if the blood in his body was flowing freely. This warmth emanated from within, rising continuously, and this warmth was sufficient to resist the cold poison.
In fact, this "Cold-Dispelling Jiao Er Tang" was precisely like this.
It was not merely lamb soup with dumplings in the broad sense. Its core was to use medicine to stimulate the body to generate warmth, causing the ears to feel warm and the blood circulation to become smoother.
In this regard, it was no exaggeration to call it a perfected dish among medicinal cuisine.
"Yuan Rang, Wen Ruo, Zi He, Zhi Cai… what do you all think?"
Wei Hong immediately took the initiative to ask.
"Very good!" Xiahou Dun thought Old Man Wei was asking about the business prospects and immediately patted his chest, guaranteeing, "With my second brother's brains, anything he creates is bound to sell well. Old Man Wei, this time we'll just wait to get rich!"
Cao Chun also nodded. "The taste of these dumplings is truly astonishing. We shouldn't worry about sales…"
They answered without addressing the question directly.
It was clear that Wei Hong was not asking about this, but rather… the effect of these dumplings! The effect of warming the entire body.
Of course, some people had realized the intention behind Old Man Wei's question. Xun Yu and Xi Zhicai exchanged glances.
They were actually thinking of more… and further…
These dumplings… no, to be precise, this Cold-Dispelling Jiao Er Tang, its effect was not limited to just a business venture.
After a bowl, feeling the change in the internal temperature and the temperature of their ears, Xun Yu and Xi Zhicai's eyes narrowed.
"Zhi Cai? What do you think?" Xun Yu spoke first.
"Hahaha…" Xi Zhicai waved his hand. "Wen Ruo, since you've thought of it, why ask?"
At this, Xi Zhicai no longer cared about repaying his debt. Because… compared to repaying a debt, a more important and urgent matter… seemed to have been resolved.
"Zhi Cai, it's better to share joy than to enjoy it alone. These dumplings must be tasted by Duke Cao!" Xun Yu stroked his beard slightly.
Xi Zhicai said with a smile, "This time, Wen Ruo and I are on the same page!"
That's right. Currently… the severe cold was under control in Yan Province, thanks to Lu Yu's disciples.
Although there were still some severe cases that were not so easily cured, in reality, this was considered a stroke of luck compared to the losses caused by the severe cold in the previous year and the year before.
Therefore, the grand strategy remained to advance west to Luoyang and welcome the Emperor…
And apart from the severe cold, the biggest difficulty in advancing west to Luoyang was the bone-chilling cold weather!
Armor might keep the soldiers' bodies warm, but helmets could not cover the soldiers' ears.
Xun Yu and Xi Zhicai had both visited General Cao Hong's encampment.
The returning vanguard soldiers, without exception, had their ears and limbs frozen with sores, and their bodies were chilled to the bone.
Advancing west like this, even if they reached Luoyang, they would only be a depleted force…
How could such a depleted force compete for the Emperor with the various warlords?
And today…
Xun Yu and Xi Zhicai's eyes sparkled with excitement.
These dumplings, this Cold-Dispelling Jiao Er Tang, undoubtedly offered a new idea. Perhaps… the difficulty that hindered the advance to Luoyang in the biting cold weather… its solution was hidden in this large iron pot.
Thinking of this, how could Xun Yu and Xi Zhicai remain calm?
Of course… Lu Yu had also thought of what Xun Yu and Xi Zhicai could think of. Today was merely an experiment.
The results were very good.
This Cold-Dispelling Jiao Er Tang was much simpler than forging steel.
Although he was promoting the idea of getting rich together, in reality… Lu Yu's true intention was related to the important matter of advancing west to Luoyang!
This strategy was imminent.
The Emperor would certainly return to Luoyang this year, and being able to reach Luoyang in advance was crucial for early strategic deployment, which was vital for seizing the Emperor.
Due to the appearance of Lu Yu, this butterfly, history had already undergone certain changes, and what Lu Yu could do was to ensure… that Cao Cao would definitely welcome the Emperor.
This was the most critical step.
All the preceding events, in a way, served this step.
"Ah…" Lu Yu deliberately slapped his forehead. "Manager Xun is right. It's better to share joy than to enjoy it alone. How could I have forgotten Duke Cao… How about this, everyone enjoy the dumplings here, and I'll go invite Duke Cao!"
Lu Yu smiled and prepared to leave.
He pondered that the experiment was successful, and Old Cao could come!
Before Lu Yu could take a step, Xi Zhicai spoke first, "Let me go instead… After drinking this bowl of soup, my whole body is warm, and I feel restless if I don't move my legs and feet!"
"I'll go too…" Xun Yu smiled slightly and also said, "Manager Lu can chat with Old Man Wei and the two generals here. Let's go invite Duke Cao!"
Xun Yu and Xi Zhicai wanted to first explain to Cao Cao the impact of this Cold-Dispelling Jiao Er Tang. It was highly likely that this was precisely what Cao Cao was eagerly awaiting.
Xun Yu and Xi Zhicai voluntarily offered to go, which was beyond Lu Yu's expectation.
However… this was nothing significant. Lu Yu slightly cupped his hands. "Then I'll trouble both strategists."
Hahaha…
Laughing, Xun Yu and Xi Zhicai quickly walked out of the back courtyard.
Xiahou Dun blinked his eyes. He thought Xi Zhicai and Xun Yu were a bit brainless, weren't they?
In this cold weather, they were rushing to run outside?
Wasn't their head kicked by a donkey?
To invite Big Brother, with this much time, wouldn't it be more enjoyable to eat another bowl of dumplings here?
Xiahou Dun realized he had fallen in love with dumplings. They were so delicious to eat… one bite after another, a mouth full of meaty fragrance, so satisfying! And that soup, drinking it made him sweat all over, which was so delightful in winter!
"Another bowl…"
Xiahou Dun, without any politeness, called out to Zhuge Jun. Zhuge Jun obediently served him another full bowl. Seeing Xiahou Dun's build, one could tell that he probably wouldn't be full without dozens of dumplings!
"Eat, everyone eat. Don't just stand there in the courtyard, everyone go and get a bowl to try!"
Lu Yu commanded.
At this, the entire back courtyard erupted. The oil mill workers had long been eager to try.
Just then…
"Manager Lu, something's wrong…"
Xun Yu and Xi Zhicai hurried back.
What's the situation? They hadn't even left the courtyard yet, and something was wrong?
Lu Yu was slightly stunned. He found that today, nothing was going according to the usual plan.
"What? What's wrong?" Lu Yu asked urgently.
Xun Yu's brow furrowed. "We can't get out. Manager Lu might as well go and see… The front of your mansion is crowded with people, and a vast number are kneeling!"
Good heavens… a vast number were kneeling!
Lu Yu subconsciously glanced at Xi Zhicai. And indeed… as this gaze fell upon him, Xi Zhicai seemed a bit embarrassed.
—This is my fault, right!
"Ahem…" Lu Yu coughed lightly. He thought of something. "In such cold weather, with so many people kneeling at the mansion gates, how about this… one bowl for each person, two dumplings per bowl, and a bowl of soup!"
Lu Yu felt that he was still a kind-hearted person.
They were kneeling for him, so he couldn't let them kneel on an empty stomach, could he? Besides, it was a good opportunity to conduct a large-scale test of this Cold-Dispelling Jiao Er Tang and see its effects.
…
…
Chenliu Commandery, the Yamen.
Cao Ren and Cao Hong were both present.
Both had returned recently, having traveled tirelessly, bringing with them intelligence from Xiapi City and Chang'an City.
Now, they were reporting to Cao Cao one by one.
First, Cao Ren.
"Xiapi City is now a complete mess. Liu Bei has taken Guan Yu to confront Ji Ling of Yuan Shu, leaving Xiapi City under Zhang Fei's defense."
"… Unexpectedly, Yuan Shu colluded with Lu Bu, promising him two hundred thousand shi of grain. Furthermore, Zhang Fei, in a fit of rage, beheaded Lu Bu's father-in-law, Cao Bao… resulting in armed conflict. Lu Bu then captured Xiapi City. Liu, Guan, and Zhang, the three brothers, are now homeless!"
Cao Ren narrated in detail.
Cao Cao mused, wondering why Liu Bei would make such a mistake.
Taking Guan Yu on campaign and leaving Zhang Fei to defend. If it were Cao Cao, he would definitely do the opposite: take Zhang Fei on campaign and leave Guan Yu to defend.
Of course, Zhang Fei's killing of Cao Bao also had something to do with the disharmony between the Danyang faction and the Liu, Guan, Zhang brothers, which was the direct fuse.
Heh heh…
Regardless, because of this deployment, Cao Cao felt that Liu Bei's personnel decisions were questionable.
"What else?" Cao Cao continued to ask. "Where is Liu Bei now?"
"Xiaopei!" Cao Ren continued. "Big Brother, this is a long story. Let your younger brother explain in detail…"
Cao Ren took a sip of tea and said loudly, "Liu Bei's wife in Xiapi City, Lady Gan, was captured by Lu Bu. Having become an isolated army in the campaign, and facing a shortage of supplies, the commoner faction offered their assistance."
Hmm… commoner faction?
Cao Cao directly uttered two names: "Mi Zhu? Mi Fang?"
"That's correct." Cao Ren nodded. "To stabilize Liu Bei's mood, Mi Zhu scattered his family fortune, married his own sister to Liu Bei, and also provided him with two thousand retainers and ten thousand strings of wealth. Only then was the situation stabilized, and Liu Bei was able to regain his spirit."
Oh…
Cao Cao nodded.
From Cao Ren's words, he captured several key pieces of information.
First, the Danyang faction had now aligned with Lu Bu;
Second, the commoner faction was almost entirely aligned with Liu Bei;
Third, Liu Bei had actually… actually married two wives? He was living quite well, wasn't he?
Suddenly… Cao Cao became curious about Liu Bei's two wives.
Over the years… whenever the topic of other people's wives came up, Cao Cao always felt a surge of immense power stirring within him. Especially for someone like Liu Bei, whom he paid considerable attention to.
"Zi Xiao? What is the name of Liu Bei's principal wife?" Cao Cao asked curiously.
"Lady Gan, with the given name Mei, from Pei State." Cao Ren blurted out.
Hmm… a fellow countryman!
Cao Cao's eyes narrowed slightly. His hometown was Qiao County in Pei State. Gan Mei was from Pei State, so they were indeed fellow countrymen!
"Hahaha…" Thinking of this, Cao Cao couldn't help but burst into laughter.
Cao Ren was startled, and then asked, "Big Brother, why are you laughing?"
This…
Cao Cao's eyes fixed, and he casually replied, "I'm laughing at how Liu Bei can't even protect a woman, so how can he establish himself in this chaotic world!"
Hmm, Cao Ren's eyes darted around. It seemed that Big Brother Cao Cao… was quite interested in this Lady Gan?
"Ahem…"
At this moment, Cao Cao coughed lightly and continued, "The commoner faction for Liu Bei, the Danyang faction for Lu Bu, heh heh… Manager Lu's previous judgment was not wrong at all. In Xiapi City, the only faction we can win over is this faction of renowned scholars."
Speaking of which, Cao Cao's eyes narrowed.
"Zi Xiao? How is it going with the father and son duo, Chen Gui and Chen Deng, of the renowned scholar faction in Xu Province? Have you managed to win them over?"
…
…
(Ps: Remember the "Jade" lady of Pei State, the name Gan Mei, it's very important and will be tested later!)