Some words are from the heart, while others are fabricated.
Precisely, the death of Bao Xin, the Chancellor of Jibei, and over a thousand young men from Qiaopei, had deeply embedded a feud in Cao Cao's heart, one that was far from fabricated.
Towards them, Cao Cao felt genuine gratitude and remembrance. However, sentiment was sentiment, and career was career; on this point, Cao Cao would never allow the two to be conflated.
The Yellow Turban Army was to be surrendered, and Cao Cao would care for Bao Xin's family for life.
As for these Qiaopei youths, Cao Cao had resolved that one day, he would establish a rule in Qiaopei: widows could remarry, but their sons must follow the surname of their late husbands who died on the battlefield, thereby leaving a lineage for these Qiaopei brothers.
"Today, I, Cao Cao, announce that Yanzhou accepts the surrender of three hundred thousand Yellow Turban soldiers. We shall cultivate and plant to accumulate military resources. From this day forth... the Yellow Turban soldiers shall be renamed Qingzhou Soldiers. Any who dare to provoke discord between the Qingzhou Soldiers and the people of Yanzhou, any who disrupt the morale of the army and the populace, shall be executed without mercy!"
His words were low, heavy, sonorous, and powerful.
As he spoke, Cao Cao's eyes narrowed, and a cold glint swept across the government office. After the various issues arising from the surrender of the Yellow Turbans were expertly resolved by Lu Yu, Cao Cao revealed a ruthless side towards the clans and esteemed scholars.
He understood these gentry, powerful families, and renowned scholars all too well...
From over a decade ago when he served as the Commandant of Luoyang's Northern Division, the Magistrate of Dunqiu, and the Chancellor of Jinan, he had possessed a profound understanding of these individuals who preyed on the weak and feared the strong.
Yu'er had already laid out the reasoning. Now, if the plan were to be executed smoothly, he, as the father, had to employ decisive measures... to awe the opposition with thunderous force!
Only by instilling fear in their hearts would they refrain from secretly causing trouble.
Ultimately, unlike the Confucian ideology espoused by these clans and scholars, Cao Cao favored Legalist thought more. In times of chaos, severe laws were necessary!
As for Bian Rang?
Cao Cao had not looked at him once from beginning to end, nor had he exchanged a single word with him!
Because, in Cao Cao's view, he was already a dead man.
Firstly, the constant address of "lad" and "youngster" towards "Yu'er." While the son might not mind, the father was not so magnanimous...
Secondly, the surrender of the Yellow Turbans was of paramount importance; it was the second piece of the puzzle for Cao Cao to achieve his hegemonic ambitions, and not a single flaw could be tolerated. Bian Rang's death would precisely eliminate all voices of doubt and obstruction.
"You... Cao Cao, you..."
As expected, Cao Cao's words enraged Bian Rang. "You actually believe this one youngster's words and are about to sow a great hidden danger for Yanzhou!"
Bian Rang's voice was not quiet, but Cao Cao completely ignored him. Did a lion care about the barking of a dog?
"You... Cao Aman!"
Bian Rang continued to babble incessantly. He felt as though today... his face had been utterly disgraced. "I finally understand. This 'kid' is parentless and childless, and you, Cao Cao, are of eunuch descent. You two are truly a perfect match!"
After all, he was the foremost ranter in Yanzhou, the foremost self-destructive individual in Chenliu.
Lu Yu genuinely felt a bead of sweat on his behalf. If his death hadn't threatened to incite chaos, Lu Yu truly wished that Old Cao would have drawn his sword and killed him right then and there.
However... for now, Lu Yu hoped Old Cao would remain calm, hold steady... we can win.
"My mind is made up. Anyone who dares to speak out again..."
Cao Cao still ignored Bian Rang. He gave Cao Hong a meaningful look.
With a "whoosh," Cao Hong drew the sabre at his waist. "I, Cao Hong, am a rough man. Young Master Lu Yu has made his points clear, and my elder brother has decided to accept the surrender of the Yellow Turbans. Hmph, if anyone with ulterior motives speaks nonsense, I, Cao Hong, know him, but my sabre does not!"
With a "clang," the sabre was heavily slammed onto the desk before them.
At this, the entire government office fell silent. Even Bian Rang was startled. What could a scholar do against soldiers when reason failed!
With the situation stabilized, Cao Cao cast a meaningful glance at Lu Yu, then raised his head and proclaimed loudly, "Gentlemen, Cao has spoken beforehand. The surrender of the Yellow Turbans is the general situation. Whoever openly incites division and obstructs the surrender of the Yellow Turbans will be my enemy, Cao Cao. As for my enemies, hehe..."
Cao Cao did not finish his sentence and instead turned and strode into the back hall, leaving behind a group of stunned Yanzhou clansmen and scholars...
Some intelligent clansmen had already vaguely realized a new issue.
Indeed, Cao Cao had been recommended by them as the Governor of Yanzhou, and when Cao Cao made decisions, he naturally had to consider the opinions and attitudes of the major families!
But now... the situation had changed. Cao Cao, by defeating and accepting the surrender of three hundred thousand Yellow Turbans, had simultaneously strengthened his power. As his power grew and theirs diminished, the influence of the major Yanzhou clans was further compressed...
In other words, they could no longer influence Cao Cao's decisions and attitudes. The current Cao Cao was a truly worthy Governor of Yanzhou!
Hiss...
Many clansmen and scholars gasped. The surrender of the Yellow Turbans was also a means for Cao Cao to counterbalance these "local overlords"!
Hoo... Long sighs of relief were heard endlessly.
So, the clown was oneself!
They were too naive, too simple... In this meeting, they had only seen the first layer, while Cao Cao... or rather, Cao Cao and Lu Yu had long been in the fifth layer. They had been utterly crushed in terms of strategic vision!
...
After Cao Cao departed, the gentry and scholars stood in stunned silence.
Especially Bian Rang, whose stomach was filled with unvented rage. He stood rooted to the spot, head bowed, stamping his feet dejectedly...
"Yawn..." Lu Yu yawned... The situation was not bad. Old Cao's attitude was firm, and the surrender of the Yellow Turbans was set in stone. Bian Rang was also not dead, so it could be considered a happy ending for all...
Of course, Lu Yu didn't need to stay here. He strongly suspected that Bian Rang, in his pique, might do something rash towards him.
Lu Yu didn't fear the fists of this weak scholar, but... if Bian Rang dared to act rudely, Old Cao might very well use that excuse to have him beheaded.
Death could be an outcome too. Sigh... Lu Yu felt utterly exhausted.
Never mind. For the safety of Yanzhou, it was fine to suffer a little grievance.
Tread, tread...
He quickly walked out of the government office, breathing in the fresh air.
Lu Yu truly disliked conversing and debating with these scholars whose intelligence and emotional quotients were both questionable... it could lower his own IQ to their level. Fortunately, he hadn't been defeated by their extensive experience!
Huh... Isn't that?
Just as he stepped out of the main gate of the government office, standing directly opposite was none other than Sister Zhaoji! Why had she come?
At this moment, Cai Zhaoji stood before the carriage, her slender waist like a wisp of willow, her pure and refined face appearing particularly fair against the cold wind. She seemed to be looking forward to something... her eyes filled with worry.
But upon seeing Lu Yu, a spark of color instantly appeared in her eyes, as if she were greatly relieved. She hurried over.
"Is my younger brother alright? That 'Bian Rang' is notoriously eloquent. If he troubled you, your sister will get him back for you... and make him speechless!"
At the Wei residence, when Cai Zhaoji heard that the renowned scholar Bian Rang was engaged in a war of words with Lu Yu inside the government office, she could no longer sit still...
Who was Bian Rang? He was a renowned scholar and great Confucian, as famous as her father Cai Yong, and known for his eloquence.
Her younger brother was only fifteen years old? How could he possibly be his opponent in a battle of wits?
Cai Zhaoji hurried over by carriage. It was a men's affair within the government office, and it was inconvenient for her to enter. Thus, she waited outside the gate. If her brother suffered any disadvantage, Cai Zhaoji had no intention of letting Bian Rang off lightly!
What if he was as famous as her father?
She, Cai Zhaoji, was also the foremost talented woman of the Great Han!
The world only knew her for her erudition, but few knew... for her younger brother, she could also be "eloquent" and engage in debates with scholars!
If Bian Rang had indeed "bullied" her younger brother Lu Yu in their debate, Cai Zhaoji intended to argue him into utter defeat and avenge her brother's grievance.
Of course...
Cai Zhaoji did not know that her Lu Yu younger brother truly did not put a mere renowned scholar like Bian Rang in his eyes, nor would he suffer any significant loss!
...
...