"Zi Xiao."
Having understood, Cao Cao immediately displayed his decisive nature. "Send envoys to Chang'an immediately to declare my attitude of supporting the Son of Heaven and the imperial court!"
Speaking of this, Cao Cao's eyes fell on Xun Yu and Xun You, his tone carrying a hint of deep meaning. "I am a minister of Han, and loyalty to the Son of Heaven is my bounden duty!"
His words were sonorous and powerful…
To Xun Yu and Xun You, these words were profoundly poignant.
In this chaotic era, most warlords adhered to the principle of might makes right. Not only did they disregard the imperial court, but they also paid no heed to the decrees of the Son of Heaven.
However, Lu Yu's discourse on "supporting the Son of Heaven" and Cao Cao's swift decision had dispelled the last reservations of Xun Yu, Xun You, and even the scholars of Yingchuan.
Cao Cao was the lord they had been desperately searching for, the one worthy of their allegiance.
"My lord sees clearly!" Xun Yu and Xun You bowed to Cao Cao. "Your lordship supporting the Son of Heaven is a practice of the great Way. Gongda and I have finally found a wise ruler!"
"Wen Ruo, Gongda." Cao Cao quickly helped Xun Yu and Xun You up. "I know your concerns. I swear here today that I, Cao Cao, will forever be a minister of Han. If I break this vow, may the heavens strike me with lightning and the yellow sand bury my face!"
Hiss…
Upon hearing these words, Xun Yu and Xun You paused for a moment, then bowed again.
Deeply influenced by Confucian thought, this uncle and nephew pair yearned to serve a wise ruler and realize their ambitions. Yet, they also adhered to the Confucian concept of "divine right of kings."
Cao Cao's declaration undoubtedly marked him as the wise ruler they sought.
Unintentionally, Xun Yu and Xun You's address to Cao Cao shifted from "Duke Cao" to—"My Lord"!
Indeed, the merit of noble families being unable to defy the Son of Heaven meant that once the grand strategy of "supporting the Son of Heaven" and "welcoming the Son of Heaven" was established, the allegiance of the Yingchuan scholars was all but settled.
"My lord was just troubled by the position of Chief Strategist in the Cao camp. I have a suitable candidate!"
Xun Yu continued. "He is also a talented individual from Yingchuan, surnamed Xi, courtesy name Zhicai. This man is well-versed in military strategy, possesses profound foresight, and his wisdom reaches a thousand li. He would be most suitable to serve as the Chief Strategist during wartime. With his assistance, your lordship's great enterprise will surely succeed!"
"I will return to the guesthouse now and write a letter to invite him to Yan Province to join our grand cause!"
Shwoo… How pleasant!
Xun Yu's voice was not loud, but to Cao Cao's ears, it was as melodious and delightful as the song of a lark.
Xi Zhicai, Xun Yu, and Xun You, the sincere admiration of the Yingchuan scholars, filled him with immense joy.
"This is excellent. Wen Ruo and Gongda need not return to the guesthouse. You may reside here in the yamen, which will be convenient for me, Cao Cao, to seek your counsel…"
"After I finish dealing with the surrender of the Yellow Turbans, I will prepare residences for you two gentlemen!"
Cao Cao said with a smile…
He had always been eager for talented individuals and treated them with humility. Now, to gain the talents of Yingchuan, let alone a grand mansion, he would not even bat an eye at giving up his own residence.
"Since the positions of Chief Strategist have been declined by both Master Xun, may I ask if you, Master Xun, would accept the position of 'Separate Commandant'?"
The Separate Commandant was a crucial post in Yan Province's administration, equivalent to the chief advisor for internal affairs. It was of great importance, and Cao Cao was being very generous.
"Haha, if Duke Cao puts it that way, it would be impolite to refuse." Xun Yu chuckled. "As for the Separate Commandant, who else but me!"
With that, Xun Yu bowed and withdrew. "Thank you, Duke Cao. Xun Yu takes his leave!"
Xun You also cupped his hands in a bow. "Xun You also takes his leave!"
As they spoke, Xun Yu and Xun You gracefully withdrew. The immediate priority was to send a letter to Xi Zhicai. The position of Chief Strategist in the Cao camp was vacant, and time was of the essence!
Tap, tap…
The footsteps of Xun Yu and Xun You, the uncle and nephew pair, gradually faded.
Only Cao Cao, Cao Ren, Lu Yu, and Cai Zhao Ji remained in the study of the yamen.
Cao Cao's mood was exceptionally bright. He kept smiling and looking at Lu Yu, holding up a "four" with his hand!
The meaning was clear… The four puzzle pieces Lu Yu had proposed were all on their way. His ambition, Cao Cao's, had a promising future!
…
"Since my dear sister has made this rare visit, Zi Xiao, go instruct the kitchen to prepare more food. I wish to chat with my dear sister and Young Master Lu Yu!"
Cao Cao immediately gave his orders…
He was happy, gratified, and overjoyed by his son Lu Yu's excellence. But… Cai Yan had raised Lu Yu, and how could she not have contributed to Lu Yu's extraordinary talent.
"Brother is too kind." Cai Zhao Ji did not understand Cao Cao's intentions, mistaking it for affection extended to her brother. She instantly felt a little embarrassed. "My younger brother can be rather outspoken at times. I'm always afraid he might offend some important person, be held in jealousy… and suffer retaliation!"
Jealousy! Retaliation!
"Dear sister worries too much." Cao Cao's eyes narrowed, and his tone immediately turned stern. "Anyone who dares to harm your brother, I will have them beheaded on the spot! Moreover…"
Historically, Cao Cao was known as the greatest executioner of the Three Kingdoms. Lu Yu did not doubt Cao Cao's ruthless methods.
However…
Since the matter had been brought up, then…
Cao Cao had not finished speaking, and Lu Yu was about to interject.
But at this moment…
Tap, tap… Hurried footsteps sounded outside the study.
"Big Brother, Big Brother…" Cao Hong rushed in, panting. He abruptly pushed open the door and, without regard for Lu Yu and Cai Zhao Ji's presence, immediately cursed, "Damn it, that 'Bian Rang' has grown a bear's heart and a leopard's gall! He actually slandered Big Brother openly outside!"
"He said… said Big Brother was… was…"
Bian Rang's curses were too difficult for Cao Hong to utter. In fact, even without his saying it, Cao Cao likely knew it was probably something about being the offspring of eunuchs, or raised by eunuchs…
Cao Hong continued, "Not only did he insult Big Brother… he also cursed Young Master Lu Yu as a demon's child, one who has come to bring chaos to Yan Province and hasten its downfall!"
Huo… A demon's child? Bringing chaos to Yan Province?
If Bian Rang had only said Cao Cao was raised by eunuchs, it would have been understandable. After all, Cao Cao had been troubled by this identity for the first half of his life, and it was not something he was unaccustomed to.
But… he had cursed Yu'er as a demon's child, and spoken of bringing chaos and downfall to Yan Province. Humph… If Yu'er is a demon's child, then what is he, Cao Cao? Is he the demon incarnate?
Instantly, a glint of killing intent appeared in Cao Cao's eyes.
He had intended to keep Bian Rang around for a few more days, but now, it seemed, humph… he was seeking death!
"Zi Lian, do you need to report such a minor matter to me? Is it difficult to silence a person?" Cao Cao looked at Cao Hong, his meaning clear: the dead do not speak.
Hiss… Cao Hong was stunned. He had come here to seek his elder brother's consent. He had already found this fellow displeasing.
As long as his elder brother agreed, Cao Hong could devise a hundred and eight ways to kill Bian Rang.
"Haha…" Cao Hong tapped his forehead. "Big Brother, rest assured…" With that, Cao Hong turned to leave.
Unexpectedly, Lu Yu stopped him. "General Cao, please wait…"
Hm… wait?
Bian Rang had insulted Lu Yu? And Lu Yu intended to plead for him? This…
Immediately, Cao Cao frowned. Could this son have some womanly mercy?
For those who achieve great things, womanly mercy is a great taboo.
Who would have thought…
Lu Yu spoke, and his words were astonishing.
"Duke Cao, I am not trying to save Bian Rang's life. I am trying to save Yan Province and the lives of tens of thousands of innocent beings!"
"If Bian Rang dies, Yan Province will inevitably descend into chaos!"
Lu Yu's words were firm, not sounding like idle talk at all.
And almost simultaneously, Cao Cao, Cao Ren, and Cao Hong… their eyes all heavily narrowed, with a large question mark appearing on their brows…
Bian Rang's death? How could that lead to chaos in Yan Province?
… Da Feng Novel Network
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