At the first quarter of the丑时 (Chou Shi), the time when people are usually in their deepest slumber.
This is the hour for petty thieves and audacious cat burglars to ply their trade, and for flower thieves to engage in unspeakable acts.
The Cai mansion’s lamps had long been extinguished.
Only in one secluded courtyard did the lights remain ablaze…
Beneath the moonlight, visible through the window, Cai Zhaoji was seated at her desk, meticulously copying something.
She harbored a lifelong dream: to transcribe all three thousand volumes of the Cai family’s treasured collection, and the works of the Hundred Schools of Thought.
In the past, when Dong Zhuo and Li Ru had set the capital ablaze in Luoyang, the imperial academy’s library had also been reduced to ashes. This collection was her father’s lifelong endeavor.
Cai Zhaoji nursed a dream of one day rebuilding the imperial academy, restoring that beacon of hope for scholars across the land.
This dream of rebuilding the academy, she had only shared once with her younger brother, Lu Yu…
However, it could only remain a shared secret. To put it into practice was an insurmountable task.
Even setting aside the rebuilding of the academy, the mere act of transcribing these lost ancient texts demanded immense effort, even from the eidetic Cai Zhaoji. It was a task of transcribing volume by volume, chapter by chapter.
She often lost track of time, writing late into the night.
"Alas, after today's transcription, I lament that I cannot recall a thousand volumes of poetry and prose!"
A faint sigh escaped her lips…
As if weary, Cai Zhaoji set down her brush, murmuring to herself…
But as her gaze returned to the words, her heart swelled with emotion: "These familiar characters carry my father’s memories. With Father gone, my dear brother Yu is the only kin I have left in this world."
Cai Zhaoji actually had another younger sister, but… since parting ways in Luoyang, she hadn't seen her in a long time. In this era of turmoil and war, her sister might very well have…
"Sigh…" With a sigh of helplessness, Cai Zhaoji forced herself to perk up. She intended to transcribe another volume.
Just then.
The sound of a door opening and hurried footsteps echoed from outside, followed by someone asking the doorkeeper, "Has Lu Gongcao already retired for the night?"
"My young master has retired."
"But… Lord Cao has ordered that Young Master Lu be summoned to the Cao mansion immediately…" The voice grew urgent.
Upon hearing this, Cai Zhaoji’s eyes snapped open, filled with confusion and astonishment…
What had happened?
Wait…
Had her brother returned? Cai Zhaoji blinked in surprise… She knew her brother’s disposition well. He never traveled at night, did he? This… meant he had rushed back overnight? And… specifically requested Lu Yu’s presence?
This… must be an urgent matter, surely?
With this thought, Cai Zhaoji suddenly rose and hurried towards the door.
The armored guards saw her and quickly saluted. "Miss Cai, we truly apologize… but… Lord Cao has ordered an immediate meeting with Young Master Lu, so…"
"Please wait a moment, I will go call him…"
With that, Cai Zhaoji gracefully walked towards Lu Yu’s quarters.
…
At this moment, Lu Yu’s sleeping quarters were quiet. These past few days had been too eventful, and he had been pondering how to help Cao Mu break off his engagement…
Lu Yu had not been sleeping soundly.
Cai Zhaoji had always been concerned that Lu Yu was not sleeping well.
Knowing that her brother was in the crucial stage of physical development at his age, requiring ample sleep.
Therefore, she had specifically instructed the servants to ensure absolute silence around Lu Yu’s quarters after nightfall.
Even the maids attending him were forbidden from making any sound once Lu Yu had fallen asleep.
Occasionally, Cai Zhaoji would come to check…
Of course, she would also occasionally hear some peculiar sounds.
Tonight, faint footsteps outside Lu Yu’s quarters suddenly disturbed the quiet. Although they were deliberately muffled, the sound still reached the inner room.
Shortly, the voice of an armored guard was heard, "Who goes there? How dare you… Miss Cai has given instructions, at this hour…"
The guard’s words trailed off as he fell silent, for… Cai Yan herself had appeared before him.
"My brother requests my brother’s presence… saying there is an urgent matter!"
Cai Yan’s gentle voice drifted out…
Suddenly, Lu Yu, who had been sound asleep, bolted upright, startled awake.
Cao Gong had returned? Returned at night?
Lu Yu couldn't tell if this was a dream. He immediately rubbed his forehead; it was real to the touch… The naturally suspicious Cao Gong traveling at night? That was unscientific!
While Lu Yu was still pondering…
The voices outside grew clearer.
"I'll go call Yu di…"
As soon as the words were spoken, Lu Yu had already dressed, thrown on a robe, and hurried out, just as Zhaoji jie walked towards him.
Seeing Zhaoji jie’s slightly tired face… Lu Yu immediately understood. His sister had likely been transcribing ancient texts late into the night as well!
Lu Yu said with a hint of reproach, "Zhaoji jie, how many times have I told you not to stay up late? It’s bad for your health."
"You sleep early, I'll be back soon! When I return, I'll check if you… have slept!"
The words spilled out before he could stop them… Lu Yu headed towards the door.
He had been eagerly awaiting Cao Gong’s return, wishing upon stars and moon.
It was already the third month. Any later, and the drought and locust plagues would hit. By then… how would Cao Gong attack Puyang City?
Quickly stepping out, he boarded a carriage. The sound of horseshoes clattered loudly in the dark night. The group immediately set off for the Cao mansion!
…
…
The Cao mansion, study.
Cao Cao was already waiting for Lu Yu in the study. Filled with countless questions, he paced restlessly, glancing out the window intermittently.
Until the sound of hurried footsteps approached.
"I never imagined Lord Cao would return to Chenliu Commandery by nightfall…" Lu Yu said, cupping his hands upon entering the study.
Cao Cao turned around and waved his hand. "Sit…"
He first knelt beside the desk, while Lu Yu knelt on the other side. The escorting guards had retreated further away, leaving only Cao Cao and Lu Yu in the entire study.
"Would you like a cup of tea to help you stay alert?" Cao Cao poured Lu Yu a bowl of tea.
Lu Yu waved his hand. "No need…"
Then, he rubbed his eyes, mustering some energy. "Finally, Cao Gong is back."
Cao Cao understood Lu Yu’s meaning with this statement. The young man was still fixated on the urgent assault on Puyang City.
Of course, Cao Cao now had too many questions about Lu Yu, and this was one of them he intended to ask one by one.
"Tell me… why are you so eager to attack Puyang City?"
Cao Cao leaned his head forward slightly.
"And, recently, your actions have been quite peculiar. Opening an oil workshop with Elder Wei, having Yuanrang widely post notices to capture locusts, ordering Cheng Yu to hoard grain at high prices, and purchasing drought-resistant rice and paddy seeds, along with domestic fowl like chickens, ducks, and frogs. These are all exceedingly strange. Are they also connected to the urgent assault on Puyang City?"
Lu Yu had never underestimated Cao Cao. In Yan Province, his every move could not escape Cao Cao’s notice. Naturally, Lu Yu had no intention of hiding anything.
For example, when they had unearthed treasures before, Cao Cao had instructed him to keep half for military expenses.
However… with Cao Cao’s string of questions, Lu Yu wondered how he should answer.
The great drought in the Central Plains in the fourth month, the widespread locusts in the seventh month, the crop failure in the eighth month… How could he convey these contents recorded in the *Zizhi Tongjian* to Cao Cao in a way that would be convincing?
While Lu Yu was still contemplating.
Cao Cao’s words continued to pour out. "Lu Gongcao, we are not strangers to each other. I understand your character. Everything you do has a purpose and is never based on mere preference or without reason!"
At this point, Cao Cao’s tone became even more solemn. "Our army is currently lacking in provisions and is hampered by logistics. Lü Bu’s army, on the other hand, is well-supplied and rested. An immediate assault on Puyang City is far less advantageous than attacking after the grain harvest in the seventh month. Even Miaocai can see this, let alone you."
Cao Cao paused, and his final sentence was spoken with a smile, clearly indicating he held no blame for Lu Yu.
"Speak, whatever the reason, I want to hear it! Why have you done all this?"
This…
Lu Yu's eyes darted back and forth, for one breath, two breaths, a full ten breaths, his eyes fixed. "Does Lord Cao know of 'Zou Yan' from the State of Qi during the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods?"
"Zou Yan?" Cao Cao repeated the name. Who was he?
He seemed to have a faint impression; he was the founder of a school of thought among the Hundred Schools. But… Cao Cao primarily studied the Legalist and Military schools. Coupled with the Han Dynasty's emphasis on Confucianism, his knowledge of other schools was superficial.
"It is no fault of Lord Cao’s for not recognizing this person. He is the founder of the Yin-Yang school, commonly known as the 'Yin-Yang School,' who deeply observed the news of yin and yang and made strange transformations, writing about heaven, earth, yin, yang, the four seasons, and the five elements, thus excelling at change! These are the viewpoints he advocated."
Lu Yu spoke at length… Cao Cao was unconvinced. In his subconscious, he viewed the Yin-Yang school as pretentious and seeking fame.
But… what connection did this Yin-Yang school have to Lu Yu’s recent actions?
"Lu Gongcao, what is the connection between Zou Yan and the urgent assault on Puyang City? Please speak frankly!" Cao Cao asked directly…
Lu Yu replied with utmost seriousness:
"To not hide it from Lord Cao, the 'Yin-Yang School's' arts encompass astronomy, calendrical computations, the five elements, divination with蓍 (shi) stalks and tortoiseshells, miscellaneous prognostication, and physiognomy—six categories. I have read some works on 'astronomical calendrical computations and calculations of the five elements,' particularly their five-phase cycles and six-watch systems, yin and yang, and the five elements. I understand some of them."
Whoa…
At once, Cao Cao raised his eyes to look at Lu Yu.
He wondered, could it be? Lu Yu was raised in the home of his esteemed teacher Cai Yong and grew up with his virtuous sister Cai Yan. Although his teacher did not reject the Hundred Schools of Thought, he most highly esteemed the Confucian and Daoist schools…
In such an environment, Lu Yu still had some understanding of the Yin-Yang school? Although he said he "understood some," Lu Yu’s "understood some" differed from the literal meaning of "understood some"!
When Lu Yu said he understood some, it meant he had delved deeply and researched it.
Immediately, Cao Cao felt a sense of surprise and a touch of unexpectedness.
"Lu Gongcao? You haven't calculated some ill omen, have you?"
Fortunately, it was his Yu'er sitting before him. If it were any other fellow who claimed to be from the Yin-Yang school, Cao Cao might have slapped him.
Cao Cao had no good feelings towards the Yin-Yang school; he considered them all charlatans, great charlatans!
"Lord Cao, it is indeed calculated… The Great Dao of Yin and Yang, the Boundless Taiyi, the Yin and Yang of Heaven and Earth, mutual destruction and mutual generation, Man follows Earth, Earth follows Heaven, Heaven follows the Dao, and the Dao follows nature… I observe the stars at night, combining astronomical and calendrical techniques, and have calculated that in the fourth month, there will be a great drought in the Central Plains, with no rain for four months, crop failures, and locusts swarming everywhere… It is for this reason that I… I then…"
Lu Yu intended to say, therefore I advised Lord Cao to use troops against Puyang City early and made a series of preparations in advance, acting proactively.
But then he thought… this matter could not be stated so absolutely.
What if his confident assertion was wrong, and there was no drought? What if the *Zizhi Tongjian* was mistaken? Then, who would Lu Yu argue with?
He could pretend to be knowledgeable, but it had to be done moderately!
"Ahem…"
With a light cough, Lu Yu continued, "Lord Cao, of course, my theories on yin and yang, Qimen Dunjia, and star divination may not be entirely accurate, but… it is always good to prepare for the unexpected. What if… it truly happens as the stars and divinations suggest?"
"If the Central Plains indeed suffer a great drought, then after this year… the entire Central Plains will be constrained by food supplies. Even with abundant gold and jewels, they will be useless? Let alone launching a counterattack on Puyang City… It's possible that Lü Bu and Chen Gong could use the stored grain in Puyang City to launch a counterattack against us?"
With a series of reminders, Lu Yu tried his best to make the situation sound urgent and the Yin-Yang school’s theories appear mysterious. To fool Cao Cao, he first had to be able to fool himself!
Of course, Lu Yu was not skilled at lying. This speech, if scrutinized, was riddled with flaws!
But… Cao Cao didn't see it that way. With his previous experiences, Yu'er's predictions were always ingenious, always leading to survival from desperate situations…
Furthermore, the phrases he had just mentioned – the Great Dao of Yin and Yang, the Boundless Taiyi. The Yin and Yang of Heaven and Earth, mutual destruction and mutual generation. Man follows Earth, Earth follows Heaven, Heaven follows the Dao, and the Dao follows nature!
They didn't sound like casually fabricated remarks…
Therefore, it must be that he had truly calculated them.
Normally, Cao Cao did not believe in such supernatural claims, but these supernatural claims came from Yu'er, whom he valued most, and that was a different story.
Better to believe it exists than not to believe it exists.
What if it came true? The changes in Yan Province would be significant.
"Lu Gongcao…" Cao Cao’s expression also turned solemn, and his words were even more meticulous. "According to your calculations, what is the probability of a great drought in the Central Plains!"
"I cannot say for sure, but it is about seventy to eighty percent," Lu Yu replied with unwavering conviction.
Cao Cao frowned in thought…
Although Lu Yu spoke as if it were divine prophecy, Cao Cao had to consider it comprehensively. After all… there had been quite a few instances of rain in February and March. Where was the sign of a great drought? What if Yu'er’s calculations were wrong?
At this moment, Cao Cao finally understood why Lu Yu had only privately prepared for locusts, promoted rice cultivation, and hoarded grain, relying solely on Cheng Yu and Xiahou Dun under his command…
If such matters were reported to Cao Cao, wouldn't it be simpler?
However… Cao Cao still hesitated about making decisions based solely on predictions.
*Hoo…*
Exhaling a long breath, Cao Cao’s eyes became resolute, as if he had made a final decision.
"Lu Gongcao, if we follow your plan and immediately attack Lü Bu, where will the grain for our army’s expedition come from? You should know that the reserves in the various commanderies and counties can barely last until July. If we support the army, then… it will be a chain reaction, and we might even incite civil unrest!"
Yes… Cao Cao’s thoughts were correct and very thorough.
The grain was already insufficient, and they were going to war. Where would the grain come from? Wouldn't it be from the various provinces and counties, from the common people?
And would the common people willingly hand over their grain? Certainly not…
They would only say that Cao Cao was a rat stirring up trouble for the cat—looking for trouble when there was none!
Not attacking Puyang early, not attacking Puyang late, but choosing this most critical period, when old grain was scarce and new grain had not yet ripened, to attack Puyang? Wasn’t that nonsensical!
Cao Cao’s eyes looked towards Lu Yu, eager to know if he had any backup plans for attacking Puyang City, or perhaps… any clever strategies for logistics and supply.
At the same time, Lu Yu’s eyes suddenly opened…
And with one sentence, Cao Cao’s heart was instantly set. It made him decisively resolve to attack Puyang City immediately and fight Lü Bu to the death!
…
…