Lu Yu exited Cao Mansion just as dawn was breaking. What a long night it had been.
Cao Cao had not given a direct answer: should they attack Puyang swiftly, or at a slower pace?
However… judging by his gaze, Lu Yu felt it was almost a done deal.
*Hoo…*
A whole night’s work, and it had not been in vain. He had gained something.
Yet, Lu Yu pondered… his meeting with Cao Cao felt rather strange. Yes… Cao Cao had utterly failed to mention Cao Mu’s matter. This was very peculiar!
Given Cao Cao’s intelligence network, wouldn’t he know that Cao Mu frequented Lu Yu’s mansion every day?
Wouldn’t he know she was engaged in blacksmithing, a pursuit completely unsuited for a young lady?
And wouldn’t he also know that Cao Mu was strongly opposed to her marriage with Xiahou Mao, even… intending to break off the engagement?
But why not mention it at all?
Strange… very strange.
Lu Yu mused, could it be that Old Cao had a change of heart and agreed to Cao Mu’s broken engagement?
That… would be utterly absurd.
Shaking his head, sleepiness overcame him, “Ah~” Lu Yu yawned. He wouldn’t think about it anymore. He would go back to sleep.
…
Meanwhile, as Lu Yu slowly withdrew from Cao Mansion, Cao Cao’s heart was still racing.
Lu Yu’s words were too profound, especially the teachings of the Yin Yang school. They were mysterious and unfathomable. Had anyone else presented such reasoning to Cao Cao, he would have dismissed it outright.
But it was Yu’er who had spoken these words…
Torn, Cao Cao felt deeply conflicted.
Yet… Lu Yu’s final sentence kept echoing in his mind: “If Lord Cao trusts me, I will solve the grain problem for the attack on Puyang. Regardless of drought or locust plague, I will supply sufficient grain to the front lines without fail. I am willing to sign a military pledge!”
Cao Cao recalled Lu Yu saying exactly that, and he had indeed signed a military pledge at that moment.
Seeing his earnest demeanor made Cao Cao even more hesitant to dismiss it.
In fact, because of this matter, Cao Cao had no mood to discuss the “Blacksmith Workshop,” nor the time to address “Cao Mu’s broken engagement”…
*Hoo…* He let out a soft sigh.
Cao Cao immediately called out, “Someone.”
“Lord Cao…” Several armored guards entered the study. Cao Cao’s spirits were still high, showing no sign of having been awake all night.
“Go and deliver a message to Mu’er. Tell her to discuss the matter of the broken engagement with Commander Lu. As for the blacksmithing, she can also consult with Commander Lu on all matters, but she should no longer frequent the Cai Mansion.”
Cao Cao did not state things too explicitly…
But the meaning was extremely clear. Although he hadn’t mentioned this to Lu Yu, Cao Cao had already made his greatest concession.
Having accepted the Xiahou family’s betrothal gifts, breaking the engagement would be a troublesome affair, especially when the other party was his cousin, Xiahou Dun! Cao Cao couldn’t afford to lose face!
Lu Yu was so clever, and these matters arose because of the blacksmith workshop he established. It was best to let him help Mu’er handle them.
As for the blacksmith workshop, even after the broken engagement, it would inevitably attract criticism if his daughter kept running to someone else’s mansion. Traveling to the Dragon Soaring Camp for blacksmithing would be too far.
It would be better to select a location within the city to build the blacksmith workshop, with Lu Yu in charge and Mu’er as the manager. This would avoid any gossip.
Of course, in Cao Cao’s view, as long as Mu’er and Yu’er didn’t get involved romantically, nothing else was a major issue!
The boulder weighing on his heart would thus be largely lifted!
Of course, under this premise, these matters were all manageable.
Only Lu Yu’s divination of the stars and constellations from the Yin Yang school… was truly profound.
Even with Yu’er’s earnest proposal to supply the grain and his signing of a military pledge, Cao Cao still hesitated to make a decisive move regarding the swift attack on Puyang.
However…
Cao Cao, who had been pacing back and forth, returned to his desk and picked up the “military pledge” personally written by Lu Yu. He read it again, then shook his head, and subsequently threw the silk cloth into the brazier to burn it.
The flames rose, wisps of black smoke ascended slowly.
Cao Cao murmured to himself.
Lu Yu was his son, Cao Cao. Completing the crucial task of military grain was a merit. But even if he failed? Why should he accept punishment?
Whether it was the teachings of the Yin Yang school or secretly procuring grain, it was ultimately for him, Cao Cao, and for the great cause of their Cao faction!
And most importantly, Yu’er did not know his own parentage. In that case, this loyalty was even more precious!
A military pledge? Heh heh…
Why learn from them to sign military pledges! That was something to restrain outsiders!
As long as he, Cao Cao, did not say Yu’er had made a mistake, then… who would dare say it?
With this thought, Cao Cao continued to give orders: “In another two hours, it will be cooler. You will immediately guard the gates of Wenruo, Gongda, and Zhicai’s residences. As soon as they wake up, inform them without delay and tell them to come here to discuss attacking Puyang!”
“Yes…” The guards responded and immediately set off.
Of course, the reason Cao Cao had summoned Lu Yu so urgently, while summoning Xun Yu, Xun You, and Xi Zhicai more leisurely, was due to those four words: “Favoritism based on closeness!”
Disturbing someone’s sleep in the middle of the night was impolite.
Moreover, Cao Cao was a person who highly valued treating talented individuals with respect. But… if the person being summoned was his own son, then it didn’t matter. For what purpose did Cao Cao treat talented individuals with respect?
Was it not to secure an unshakeable empire for his son?
…
…
Upon returning to Cai Mansion, Sister Zhaoji had already prepared a sumptuous breakfast. Lu Yu ate a few bites and, feeling drowsy, intended to go to bed.
Unexpectedly… Cheng Yu’s letter arrived.
This immediately perked him up.
Lu Yu had promised Old Cao that he would help him gather grain for the battle of Puyang, and the crucial task of procuring grain rested with Cheng Yu.
Whether it was short-term grain storage or long-term cultivation.
“Brother Yu, I’ve heard recently that Commander Cheng has sent people to Yangzhou and Bingzhou. What exactly have you instructed him to do?”
At the dining table, upon hearing it was a letter from Cheng Yu, Cai Zhaoji also became curious.
“Sister Zhaoji, please don’t ask. You’ll know in a while…” Lu Yu kept her in suspense, took Cheng Yu’s letter, smiled at Sister Zhaoji, and then hurried away.
“This…” Cai Zhaoji frowned. “Brother Yu is growing up. There are some things he can no longer tell me?”
Unaccountably, Cai Zhaoji’s heart was filled with mixed emotions…
She longed for her Brother Yu to grow up quickly, yet feared that when he truly grew up, her Brother Yu would no longer belong to her!
Alas… this feeling was exceptionally melancholic!
However, Cai Zhaoji did not know.
The reason Lu Yu kept some things from her… was for her own good.
Yanzhou was currently experiencing the calm before the storm. Lu Yu did not want to spread too much fear, especially he did not want Sister Zhaoji to live with fear in her heart.
Sister Zhaoji was a great talent; she should not be bothered by these trivial matters. She should focus more of her thoughts on her literary talent!
Entering the study, Lu Yu slowly unfolded the bamboo slips.
As expected, Cheng Yu had not disappointed him. The few matters he had entrusted were handled perfectly. He had purchased a large quantity of paddy seeds in Yangzhou and dry rice seeds in Bingzhou.
One must know that during times of war and chaos, it was not easy to purchase these rather “unconventional” seeds. Cheng Yu was indeed a capable person, handling everything meticulously, making one feel at ease.
Moreover, not only seeds, but Cheng Yu had also done well in stockpiling grain at high prices. Judging from the contents of the letter.
Not to mention a lot, but at the very least…
There was enough grain for the army to attack Puyang City for over a month.
The rest could be dealt with later…
As for natural enemies of locusts like chickens, ducks, and frogs, not many had been purchased. This was understandable. In these times… if one could eat coarse grains, it was already good. Any family with a hen would have already slaughtered it, and it wouldn’t have been stockpiled until now!
With everything ready, now…
The problem facing Lu Yu was another one: planting dry rice, paddy rice…
Dry rice was easier to handle. One could find places with ample soil moisture to plant it, preferably in terraced fields to maximize the use of soil moisture.
But… paddy rice was troublesome; it required lakes…
In Yanzhou, there were only soil pits. Where were there any lakes?
Alas…
With a soft sigh, Lu Yu’s eyes darted about, pondering… what to do about the lakes?
Just then.
“Miss Cao…”
Lu Yu heard the voice of the guards at the gate.
Miss Cao? It was obvious that the visitor was Cao Mu. The girl who could swagger in and almost treat this Cai Mansion as her own, besides Sister Zhaoji, was none other than the daughter of the Cao family.
“Where is Young Master Lu?”
“He’s in the study. Miss Cao, please wait a moment, allow me to announce you.” The guard replied…
“Let her in!” Lu Yu commanded from behind the door.
Cao Mu looked up, her lips curling into a smile, and then she walked in quickly.
“Young Master Lu, good morning…”
Uh… as these words escaped, Lu Yu was a little confused! The rhythm was off!
In his memory, this was the first time this girl had greeted him? Something unusual was afoot…
“I’m very busy here, extremely busy, exceptionally busy. If you have something to say, just say it directly. No need to try and curry favor.”
Lu Yu said casually…
Cao Mu didn’t mind. “The weather’s nice today, how about you go out with me?” She still had a smile on her lips, revealing a cheerful smile.
Of course, in this smile, there was a hint of slyness.
“What do you mean?” Lu Yu looked at the sky. “How come I don’t think the weather is very good today? Where do you plan to take me?”
“Xiahou Mansion…” Cao Mu smiled slightly.
“What are we going there for?” Lu Yu asked, confused…
“To break the engagement!” Cao Mu put her hands on her hips, smiling as she spoke, her tone firm: “My father said that in the future, a blacksmith workshop will be built in the southern part of the city, with you in charge, and I will be the manager. You don’t have to worry about the refined iron; my father will provide it completely. Besides… regarding the broken engagement, my father told me to discuss it with you and to deliberately employ some extreme measures.”
Actually, the message Cao Cao sent was not so aggressive… Cao Mu had exaggerated it somewhat.
Speaking of this, Cao Mu blinked her eyes. “Speaking of which, it’s just breaking an engagement, what’s there to discuss? My brother is waiting outside the door with quite a few people… We’ll just go to Xiahou Mansion and break the engagement!”
This…
Lu Yu felt a bit dazed. Is it that you’re stupid or am I stupid?
Breaking an engagement? And calling people over… This is a street brawl, isn’t it?
Does Cao Mu not know the consequences of breaking an engagement, like that of Nalan Yanran back then… no, like that of certain extremely powerful figures being rejected?
This isn’t something that can be explained by “thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river…” One might even be resented for life. Damn it…
Lu Yu was speechless.
Yet, from Cao Mu’s words, it was Old Cao who proposed letting Lu Yu help with the broken engagement. This was rather awkward.
“What are you standing around for? Let’s go. You just stand there, I’ll do the talking.” Cao Mu still had her hands on her hips. “I know Uncle Xiahou’s family is quite poor. See, I’ve brought all my savings, plus what my mother gave me. It should be… enough, right?”
Heh heh…
Lu Yu’s mind was filled with scenes of broken engagements from a very popular novel before his transmigration. He never imagined that one day, he, Lu Yu, would play the villain.
“Breaking an engagement is no small matter; it requires long-term planning. I need to be alone to think.” Lu Yu said.
“Who is ‘alone to think’? Shall we call her to come along?” Cao Mu’s eyes blinked a few times.
*Hoo…*
Lu Yu let out a long breath. He felt like he’d bought a watch last year.
Forget it. Since Old Cao had already arranged this, he had to do it, even if he had to bite the bullet… However, breaking an engagement also requires methods! This is probably what dialectics and methodology mean.
“Go to the blacksmith workshop and get a few steel spears…”
“Ah…” Cao Mu was startled. “We’re not going to actually fight, are we?”
“Fight your ass,” Lu Yu gave Cao Mu a sideways glance. “Instead of giving money, it’s better to give some divine weapons… sharp weapons! However, we can’t go today. It needs to be postponed for at least a few days!”
“Why?” Cao Mu asked curiously.
Lu Yu’s eyes narrowed. “Just do as I say, and I guarantee I’ll help you break this engagement, and furthermore, make that Xiahou Mao unable to say a word of ‘no’!”
“Oh, and stop yelling at me in the future. Didn’t your father say that I’m in charge of the blacksmith workshop from now on, and you’re just the manager!”
Cao Mu fell silent. At this moment, she endured it. As long as the engagement could be broken, it didn’t matter even if she had to be Lu Yu’s subordinate!
Of course, even so…
Lu Yu still felt tired, very tired.
Indeed… the Cao family’s affairs were too damn deep. How did he get himself entangled in this? Damn it all!
…
…
Cao Mansion, Study.
“I have relayed all of Commander Lu’s words just now. Why don’t you all tell me, should we believe this Yin Yang school’s teachings or not? Should Puyang be attacked swiftly or at a slower pace!”
Just now, Cao Cao had recounted Lu Yu’s words from last night to Xun Yu, Xi Zhicai, and Xun You.
Of course, similar to Cao Cao’s reaction when he first heard it…
Xun Yu, Xun You, and Xi Zhicai felt that this matter was too preposterous. Lu Yu’s words, from top to bottom, were riddled with flaws, or rather, riddled with weak points.
The Yin Yang school was not divine. How could it accurately predict a drought in April, locusts in June, and crop failure in July!
This was too ridiculous!
The key was that, according to the climate during this period, there were no signs at all…
Xun Yu, Xun You, and Xi Zhicai’s eyes flashed with suspicion!
But precisely…
Firstly, the person speaking was Lu Yu. With his prior track record, his predictions had never been wrong;
Secondly, Lu Yu had already secretly sent people to prepare measures to combat locusts, deal with drought, and stockpile grain…
Thirdly, ever since Cao Cao retreated from Xuzhou, Lu Yu had been urging Cao Cao to return victoriously and counterattack Puyang as soon as possible. Could it be that he had foreseen something from the very beginning?
With the accumulation of these signs, why did it feel so bizarre?
Xun Yu, Xun You, and Xi Zhicai exchanged glances…
For a moment, they all fell into deep thought, remaining silent.
“When I first heard it, I also found it incredible…” Cao Cao lamented. “But… Commander Lu was so earnest, and he even proposed to undertake the task of procuring grain for the attack on Puyang. This shows his determination. He has never been this solemn before. Thus…”
As these words escaped, Xi Zhicai’s eyes flickered, and he immediately declared loudly:
“My Lord, with such a precedent, every counsel and proposal Lu Commander has offered, every action he has taken, has had a positive and profound impact on our army. After careful consideration, I, Xi, perceive three layers of meaning in Lu Commander’s words!”
Three layers of meaning?
As these words were spoken, everyone looked at Xi Zhicai, wanting to hear his wise opinion.
“Ahem…”
Xi Zhicai cleared his throat at this moment, and then, with a profound and convincing theory, he spoke out.
…
…