"What matter is so profound and mysterious?"
The fact that someone could utter such a question proved that this old man had only arrived not long ago...
Indeed, slowly stepping into the main hall was an elderly man, not young, but remarkably energetic. He wore a warm leather robe and had silk cuffs, his attire unmistakably showcasing his considerable wealth.
He was none other than Wei Hong, the richest man in Chenliu.
When Cao Cao had raised his army in Chenliu in the past, he had received no small amount of support from Wei Hong. And now... with the Prefect of Chenliu, Zhang Miao, deceased, Wei Hong had, by all rights, become the new Prefect, jointly nominated by the scholars and merchants of Chenliu Commandery.
As for him, Lu Yu was no stranger. In his earlier days... he had helped Wei Hong. A casual word of advice from him was, to Wei Hong, no exaggeration to call a life-saving grace.
Later, at the Qiao Pei military camp, Lu Yu met him again. Wei Hong was one of the few people who knew Lu Yu's true identity.
After arriving in Chenliu Commandery, Lu Yu and Cai Zhaoji had even stayed at Wei Hong's home for a period.
"Old Wei, what wind blows you here today?" Seeing Wei Hong, Lu Yu immediately rose...
The renowned Wei Hong was also not unfamiliar to Cheng Yu. "Junior Cheng Yu pays his respects to Old Wei..."
"Hahaha..." Wei Hong appeared quite pleased. "Zhongde is here too..." After greeting Cheng Yu, Wei Hong's gaze turned back to Lu Yu. To his surprise, his first words were: "Young Master Lu, you are not being benevolent..."
The moment these words left his mouth, Cheng Yu felt that his presence was rather redundant and inconvenient... He immediately clasped his hands and said, "Young Master Lu, Old Wei, Cheng Yu shall take his leave..."
Wei Hong nodded. Just as he wished to speak with Lu Yu privately.
Meanwhile, Lu Yu patted Cheng Yu's shoulder meaningfully.
Cheng Yu understood that Lu Yu was reminding him of his three tasks. Cheng Yu dared not delay, returning a resolute glance, and then... quickly retreated from the pavilion.
After Cheng Yu left, Wei Hong shook his head helplessly. It was the same familiar sentence, the same familiar sentiment:
"Young Master Lu, you are not being benevolent!"
Benevolent?
Lu Yu felt three black lines appear on his forehead. Could benevolence fill a stomach? Could benevolence solve the problems of locust plagues and droughts? What use was benevolence?
Though he thought this internally, Lu Yu's expression remained smiling. "Old Wei, don't fret, sit down and let's chat... The sky is still young, let's talk slowly, let's talk in detail!"
In fact, Lu Yu had already guessed ninety-nine percent of Wei Hong's purpose for coming.
Seeing Wei Hong slowly sit down, Lu Yu preempted him, "Most likely, Commander Xun mentioned my oil mill business to you, Old Wei?"
He said this because Lu Yu could already smell the fragrance on Wei Hong. This distinctive, exotic scent could only be acquired by staying with Xun Yu for extended periods...
Lu Yu was very sensitive to this, reminiscent of the scent of "Liushen Perfume."
And what Xun Yu could have told Wei Hong could only be about investing in the oil mill. It seemed Wei Hong also wanted a piece of the pie. Merchants pursue profit; it was their nature.
"Hahaha." Wei Hong smiled broadly. "You're starting an oil mill? Drumming up investment everywhere, why didn't you call me? If I hadn't discussed this matter with Wenruo just now, I, an old man, would still be in the dark. Let's earn money together! Otherwise... it would seem a bit unkind."
Heh heh...
Lu Yu merely responded with a "hehe."
This was the third time Old Wei had mentioned "benevolent." How highly did he think of this business?
"Old Wei, I was just planning to visit you." Lu Yu chimed in...
Wei Hong, however, waved his hand. "Look at you, your mind is so clever and sharp... but your business acumen is a bit lacking. Yuan Rang, Wen Ruo, Zi He... how much money do they have?"
"Furthermore, what does pressing oil and selling oil rely on? It relies on shops! My business, Wei Hong's, spans across Yan Province... there are shops in every commandery and county. You just press the oil, and leave the selling to me. Isn't that simple? Why deviate from the fundamental and get entangled with Yuan Rang, Wen Ruo, and Zi He?"
"When it comes to governing the country or fighting battles, they are the experts. But when it comes to doing business and making money, heh, it's not that I'm bragging, but they can't even compare to the little finger of Wei Hong."
It was clear that Wei Hong had done his homework before coming. What was "pressing oil"? What was "shareholding"? What was "profit sharing"? He had understood all these novel terms that Lu Yu had proposed.
As a businessman, his sense of smell was often exceptionally keen. Just a whiff of this sesame oil, and he could sense the immense profit potential within it!
"As expected of Old Wei, this junior has learned a lot..."
Alright... Wei Hong's words had directly convinced Lu Yu.
His eyes darted around. He had been thinking about how to promote the oil, and now, a Wei Hong had dropped from the sky. Lu Yu had the technology, Wei Hong had the market. They were a perfect match, destined for success...
Of course, besides simply selling oil, there was another crucial point. If they were to produce fried locusts in the future, with so many shops belonging to Old Wei to promote it, the results would surely be many times faster!
However... Wei Hong overlooked one point...
Lu Yu smiled slightly. "Old Wei, I am only too happy that you are willing to invest in my oil mill. However... business is not just about making money; it is more importantly about making friends! Wouldn't you agree?"
Hmm...
Wei Hong was slightly taken aback. How shrewd he was, he understood seventy to eighty percent of what Lu Yu said with just one sentence...
Oh my, he had underestimated this oil mill. Besides being a profitable venture, the oil mill could also garner a lot of goodwill. Thinking this way... Lu Yu's move to tie Xiahou Dun, Xun Yu, Cao Chun, and himself together was a sure win!
"Hahahahaha..."
Having understood Lu Yu's intentions, Wei Hong stroked his beard and laughed heartily...
Lu Yu also smiled and said, "Actually, I am very happy that you, Old Wei, think highly of my oil mill business?"
Unexpectedly, Wei Hong shook his head. "How could I think highly of it!" He deliberately acted mysterious.
"Then... could it be that Old Wei thinks highly of my big iron pot business?" Lu Yu continued to ask.
Wei Hong waved his hand again. "Young Master Lu, Young Master Lu, to be frank, I can neither say I think highly of this oil mill and big iron pots, nor can I say I look down on them. However... what I do think highly of is you, the person! Hahaha..."
Heh... this old man.
Lu Yu pondered in his mind. He used to underestimate him. Now, the more he looked at him, the more he felt that he looked rather cunning and sly.
...
...
Xuzhou, Xiapi City.
For the first time, sitting in the seat of the Prefect of Xiapi, Liu Bei felt as if he were dreaming.
In reality, his situation was not optimistic. He didn't even know if he had won his gamble.
Abandoning Gongsun Zan and heading south to Xuzhou was a gamble with his fundamental principles of benevolence. Normally... he should be happy after successfully seizing Xiapi City.
Yet... before the seat of the Prefect of Xiapi could even warm up, Yuan Shu sent an envoy, clearly stating his intention to jointly attack Cao Cao in the northern regions of Xuzhou...
How could Liu Bei possibly agree?
The position of Prefect of Xiapi City had been requested from the imperial court by Cao Cao on his behalf. If he were to repay such kindness with ingratitude so quickly, how would Liu Bei be able to stand in this world?
However, if he defied Yuan Shu, he would inevitably offend him, and it was foreseeable that conflict would ensue.
"Alas..." Liu Bei sighed. At this moment, he felt that the position of Prefect of Xiapi was truly like sitting on pins and needles, like having thorns on his back... not at all easy!
"The imperial court has issued a decree, and Elder Brother has successfully become the Governor of Xuzhou. This is a good thing!"
Guan Yu comforted him. "Furthermore... Tao Shang has been confined. Now there is no one in Xiapi City and Guangling City who can match Elder Brother. In such a situation, why is Elder Brother sighing?"
"Exactly, exactly, Second Brother speaks the truth!" Ultimately, he suffered from a lack of education, Zhang Fei agreed...
His three favorite phrases were: "Me too";
"Elder Brother, Second Brother speaks the truth";
"Second Brother... Elder Brother speaks the truth!"
Very brief, yet very profound, demonstrating great wisdom disguised as foolishness!
Liu Bei shook his head. "The tiger at the front gate has been replaced by a wolf at the back. Heh heh, it is likely that Yuan Shu will send a large army to the city gates before long... And we here... are scattered like sand, it is difficult, truly difficult!"
The "scattered like sand" that Liu Bei mentioned referred to the series of governance problems he encountered in Xiapi City, which gave him a severe headache.
In fact, apart from the commoner faction, who were relatively obedient, the aristocratic scholar faction and the Danyang faction were difficult to manage and did not submit to Liu Bei. Especially Cao Bao of the Danyang faction, who was nominally Zhang Fei's subordinate, and the Danyang soldiers were also under Zhang Fei's command...
But in reality... the Danyang soldiers only recognized Cao Bao, only listened to Cao Bao, and were exceptionally united.
Several times, when Zhang Fei wanted to lose his temper, he was restrained by Liu Bei and Guan Yu. Having just taken control of Xuzhou and facing formidable enemies on all sides, this fragile unity within should not be broken!
"Damn it..." Zhang Fei scratched his head. He could understand the implication in Liu Bei's words. During these days, he had also endured a lot of grievances while leading the Danyang soldiers. "I said, if I had just beheaded that Cao Bao, then... they would all listen. But Elder Brother and Second Brother insisted on enduring their insults!"
"Third Brother, say less." Guan Yu maintained his usual impassive face.
However, he was also uncomfortable.
If it weren't for the eight thousand-plus Danyang soldiers, with their sheer numbers and exceptional unity, and their fear of mutiny... why would they need Third Brother? His Green Dragon Crescent Moon Blade was not merely for show.
For a moment, Guan Yu felt that being a Prefect was not all that great. Wouldn't it be better to be able to draw his saber and cut whoever he wanted, as in the past? Why endure such extreme frustration now!
"These Xuzhou fellows, damn it..." Zhang Fei was still indignant. "It's the same Xuzhou, why are there no such troubles in Cao Cao's territory... I haven't heard of Pengcheng or Langya Commandery reporting... that Cao Cao is controlled by the Xuzhou faction and is constantly angered!"
Hiss...
Zhang Fei's unintentional remark caused Liu Bei and Guan Yu to open their eyes abruptly.
That's right, it was the same Xuzhou, the same deeply rooted and complex Xuzhou faction. Why was it that the four commanderies Cao Cao had conquered were peaceful, without the slightest trace of resistance?
Moreover, this kind of resistance was not suppressed by military force. It was genuinely absent from within. Cao Cao treated the Xuzhou faction with courtesy and lived in harmony with them. What a miraculous thing!
This...
Liu Bei's eyes fixed. "Second Brother..."
"Elder Brother... what is it?"
"Dispatch more men to investigate how Cao Cao governs Xuzhou!" Liu Bei immediately ordered, muttering to himself as he spoke.
The same outsiders, the same Xuzhou faction, why... must the three brothers endure all these grievances, while Cao Cao's side remained peaceful and worry-free?
Did the destinies of people truly differ so much, so far apart? Why!
"Elder Brother..." Zhang Fei seemed to have thought of something and asked curiously, "Do you think Lu Bu of Puyang City can be Cao Cao's opponent?"
"Most likely not." Liu Bei shook his head helplessly.
"Why?" Zhang Fei continued to chatter incessantly...
This time, Liu Bei did not need to answer. Guan Yu preempted him, "Third Brother, Cao Cao's tens of thousands of troops are returning to reinforce, and he has an absolute advantage in numbers. What he lacks is only provisions, while Lu Bu's advantage is only provisions left."
At this point, Guan Yu paused and continued, "But... if it is the harvest in July, the Cao army will no longer be constrained by provisions. Lu Bu's army's only advantage will also be lost. How can Puyang be defended? Unless..."
Speaking to the end, Guan Yu hesitated to speak further...
Zhang Fei tapped his forehead, even more curious. "Unless what?"
Guan Yu looked at Liu Bei, while Liu Bei looked out the window into the void. "Unless heaven has eyes, and there is a severe drought for three months, with locusts covering the land. Only then might Lü Fengxian have a chance to make a comeback against the odds!"
Hmm... Zhang Fei's slightly trembling eyes narrowed slightly. "Elder Brother, Second Brother... you should have said so earlier. This is not difficult to handle... I, Zhang Fei, will roar to the heavens three times, and I guarantee that heaven will not rain for three months!"
Heh heh...
The moment Zhang Fei spoke, both Liu Bei and Guan Yu chuckled. Third Brother was still so innocent and carefree! However, even though it was a jest, it brought a bit more cheer and relaxation to their moods.
Liu Bei muttered to himself... Heaven, if you can hear my Third Brother's roar, then open your eyes.
Let Cao Cao also taste the flavor of despair!
...
...
Xuzhou, Langya Commandery.
At this time, a selection process was underway in the yamen... The results had been finalized.
"Through public recommendation and popular election, the candidates for the Prefect of Langya Commandery and the Inspector of Langya Commandery have been selected..."
Cao Cao personally handed the seal of the Prefect of Langya Commandery to this new Prefect. He was a representative figure of the aristocratic scholars of Langya Commandery... highly regarded within the clan circles and extremely talented. Cao Cao was very pleased.
After the man knelt to receive the seal of the Prefect of Langya Commandery, Cao Cao then handed a newly engraved seal to the other young talent before him...
The seal was magnificent, engraved with a pair of jade qilin, but the inscription was simple – "Inspector"!
That's right, this was the Inspector Cao Cao had selected from the representatives of the commoners. His rank was not high, but he could be directly responsible to Cao Cao. As long as there was sufficient evidence, he could impeach any Langya Commandery official, but he could not impeach the generals in command of the military power locally.
And the generals in command of the military power, while obeying the Prefect, could exercise supervisory and restraining powers over the Inspector. They could also report directly to Cao Cao!
Separation of powers, three forces checking each other.
This was an idea proposed by Lu Yu, and Cao Cao had fully implemented it.
Strangely enough, the Xuzhou faction did not offer any resistance to this at all...
Everyone had gained certain rights, and there were mutual supervision and restrictions between them. This situation... was not only acceptable to Cao Cao but also to the Xuzhou faction itself.
Especially the Danyang faction, due to the death of Tao Qian and the confinement of Tao Shang, the Danyang faction soldiers from various regions had become united and resolutely stood with Cao Cao, pledging loyalty to him.
Of course, for Cao Cao, these were not important. As long as they did not cause trouble, paid their taxes on time, supplied him with troops, and held high the banner of "Cao."
Even if Xuzhou was self-governing, what if Xuzhou was governed by its own people?
However...
It was precisely because of the selection of Prefects, Inspectors, and generals in various commanderies...
The return time for Cao Cao's victorious army to Yanzhou was repeatedly postponed.
"Elder Brother, Commander Xun has sent another letter urging Elder Brother to return and reinforce as soon as possible." Xiahou Yuan handed the recently received letter to Cao Cao...
Cao Cao glanced through it. "From the expression in this letter, it doesn't seem like Wenruo's intention, but more like that young man Lu Yu urging us to return quickly to deal with Lu Bu in Yanzhou?"
"Yes..." Xiahou Yuan nodded. "This Lu Yu is also impatient. He is urging us so urgently this time... but even I can see that the new harvest has not yet arrived, and the timing is not ripe. Currently, Yanzhou only has enough provisions to barely last until the harvest in July. What will we use to fight? It would be better to wait until after the autumn harvest to launch a decisive attack on Puyang."
... Cao Cao exhaled softly.
Xiahou Yuan's words actually reminded him. Given Lu Yu's intelligence and sharpness... how could Lu Yu not realize what Xiahou Yuan could see?
Then... why did he insist on attacking Lu Bu so urgently?
In other words, he must have sensed something, perhaps some ill omen!
Thinking this way, Cao Cao felt that he really could not delay for too long. He had to return immediately.
Originally, he had intended to visit his father on his way through Mount Tai Commandery, but... now, Cao Cao had changed his mind. Once matters in Langya Commandery were concluded, his army would immediately return to reinforce.
"Miao Cai, what about what I asked you to investigate? What has Lu Yu been up to lately?" Cao Cao asked in return...
This...
Xiahou Yuan scratched his head. He quickly recalled. "Recently, Young Master Lu Yu has extracted a food ingredient called vegetable oil and is cooperating with Old Wei to open an oil mill, selling it throughout Yanzhou? I heard... Commander Xun, Yuan Rang, and Zi He have also invested some money..."
Heh...
The moment Xiahou Yuan spoke, Cao Cao chuckled.
Lu Yu selling oil, that was nothing... let alone vegetable oil, if Lu Yu could extract gold from water, Cao Cao would not be surprised.
Moreover, although tomb raiding brought in money quickly, there were limited royal tombs, and he couldn't live off such a thing forever. It was not unreasonable to earn some money through legitimate means.
But... besides Wei Hong, Xun Yu, Xiahou Dun, and Cao Chun had also invested.
This was very significant... it was quite interesting.
"Hahaha..." Cao Cao laughed. Originally, he had been pondering how to help Lu Yu build his own team. Now, it was great. Lu Yu's oil mill had solved a big problem!
Normally, given Cao Cao's suspicious nature, if others were to tie themselves to his trusted generals and advisors, he would be furious and suspicious. But Lu Yu was different; he was Cao Cao's designated heir. Cao Cao wished he could rally all the civil and military officials under his command together.
This was very beneficial to Cao Cao's ideal grand undertaking!
"You have it... Hahaha..." Cao Cao muttered to himself.
Xiahou Yuan did not hear clearly and asked, "Elder Brother, what did you just say?"
Oh... Cao Cao waved his hand and changed the subject. "I was asking you about Mu'er? I specifically asked you to inquire about her. How is she now? Is she prepared to marry Zi Lin?"
This... upon mentioning Cao Mu, Xiahou Yuan felt a bit hesitant to speak. How to put it?
Of course, such an expression could not escape Cao Cao's eyes.
"What is going on? Did something go wrong?"
"Oh... Elder Brother..." Xiahou Yuan frowned. "I heard that Yuan Rang sent people to deliver gifts twice, but each time the sister-in-law refused. It is said that Mu'er strongly rejects this marriage! Sister-in-law is helpless... she can only wait for Elder Brother to return and discuss it..."
What?
The moment these words left his mouth, Cao Cao's expression changed. This was a big matter!
If Cao Mu accepted Xiahou Mao, it would be fine. If she did not accept, Cao Cao was worried.
He absolutely must not have gone to Lu Yu's residence for a period and developed any affection for Lu Yu! If they were to become childhood sweethearts... then that would be terrible!
With a "bang," Xiahou Yuan did not expect that Elder Brother Cao Cao would clench his fists and smash them onto the desk, causing the entire desk to tremble. His usually cheerful face was suddenly covered by dark clouds.
"Nonsense, utter nonsense!"
"The command of parents and the words of a matchmaker, how can she go back on it just because she wants to!"
"I will immediately write a letter, Miao Cai, you are fast. Deliver it to my wife immediately and tell her to accept Yuan Rang's betrothal gifts and choose an auspicious date for Mu'er's wedding..."
Speaking of this, Cao Cao's mood became agitated. "Issue an order, the entire army will set off immediately and return to Chenliu Commandery. If I do not witness Mu'er's grand wedding with my own eyes, my heart will not be at peace!"
Whoa... Xiahou Yuan was stunned. Elder Brother was quite temperamental!
It seemed... this matter was not so urgent, was it?
For a moment, Xiahou Yuan felt... could this Cao Mu be a foundling daughter of Elder Brother? Is she... so disliked?
However, how could Xiahou Yuan know...
Cao Cao had been thinking about Cao Mu and Lu Yu the most during this time. If things really went awry, Cao Cao would certainly not be willing to break Lu Yu's legs, but... he would definitely break Cao Mu's legs! Definitely!
...
...