"A capital offense? What's going on?"
Cao Cao, in a great mood, suddenly froze. His brow furrowed slightly. Now that the grain issue was resolved, why talk about life and death? No one was going to die.
Cheng Yu's words followed in quick succession...
"Lord Cao, please look at this granary in Shou Zhang county. It appears to be full... but... apart from the hundred thousand shi sent by Young Master Lu Yu this time, the rest is all filled with straw. Yu has not managed to procure a single grain."
What?
Cao Cao's eyes suddenly widened. Such a large granary was empty? Then... if it weren't for the hundred thousand shi gifted by Lu Yu? What did Cheng Yu plan to do?
Just as he thought this, Cheng Yu's words came out again.
"I originally had a plan, though it was somewhat inhumane, it was enough to solve the grain disaster in Yan Province. This plan was to dry the bodies of those who starved to death and add them to the army's rations for the soldiers to eat..."
"Now, the grain disaster in Yan Province has not yet erupted. Once it does, there will inevitably be widespread famine... and starving corpses everywhere. Therefore, it will be enough to solve the immediate crisis!"
Cheng Yu had spoken up to this point, and Cao Cao immediately waved his hand to interrupt. "Aren't you afraid that this matter will be leaked, Zhongde, and ruin your reputation for a lifetime?"
"Haha..." Cheng Yu gave a wry smile. "What is my reputation worth? As long as I can help Lord Cao through this crisis, I would not fear even being shattered into pieces!"
Cheng Yu spoke with great conviction.
He was just that kind of person. Once he identified his lord, he would follow him to the death.
It was precisely for this reason that when, in ancient texts, Xun Yu and Cao Cao completely broke off over the issue of the Han imperial court, Cheng Yu... this strategist, once recommended by Xun Yu, firmly stood on Cao Cao's side!
Of course...
Cheng Yu could have continued to conceal this matter, but fire could not be kept in a paper bag. His actions today... would eventually reach Cao Cao's ears.
Originally, this would have been nothing. Everything was done to resolve the famine, a temporary measure... a time of extraordinary circumstances!
But now the situation was completely different. Lu Yu had grain. As long as there was grain, Yan Province would not be in a time of extraordinary circumstances, and therefore, extraordinary measures could not be taken!
Cheng Yu was an honest person, and he immediately reported everything on his mind to Cao Cao.
This...
Cao Cao frowned. He hesitated, his mind constantly churning. Cheng Yu's words were not long, but Cao Cao thought a great deal, far and wide.
*Hoo...* With a long sigh, Cao Cao finally raised his hand. Although he remained silent, he heavily patted Cheng Yu on the shoulder.
He first patted gently, then patted heavily... Immediately after, he mounted his horse and slowly rode away!
The entire process was silent, yet it seemed to hold profound meaning...
How could Cheng Yu not understand his intentions?
Just imagine, if it weren't for Lu Yu's grain today, who else in Yan Province would have solved this problem for Cao Cao?
Human jerky,呵呵, although inhumane, if lives are not saved, how can one care about so much?
Cao Cao understood clearly that Cheng Yu had done this out of necessity. What was even more commendable was that Cheng Yu intended to take this blame for Cao Cao!
Such courage, such intentions, such resolve, when Xun Yu recommended him, the title of Shou Zhang Magistrate was truly too small.
At this moment...
Cheng Yu stood stunned in place. Cao Cao's action once again solidified his conviction that he had not chosen the wrong person, nor followed the wrong person.
His lips curved into a wry smile. Amidst the wry smile, what surprised him even more was Lu Yu... this name he had been hearing people mention recently. Where did he get this hundred thousand shi of grain from?
For a moment, Cheng Yu also became curious about Lu Yu.
"Who exactly is this Lu Yu?"
At the same time, Cao Cao was galloping his horse, still feeling a sense of lingering fear.
If it weren't for "Yu'er," Cheng Yu would have undoubtedly carried out this "inhumane" act, and he, Cao Cao, would have definitely turned a blind eye!
Human flesh... how terrifying, how horrifying!
What a close call, thinking about it now, he still felt a shudder of fear!
...
...
The next day...
Chen Liu Commandery, Cai Mansion.
Cao Cao returned to Chen Liu Commandery with Cao Xiu. He did not immediately return to his yamen to summon Lu Yu, but followed Cao Xiu directly to Lu Yu's residence, the "Cai Mansion."
Cao Xiu's purpose in coming here was to report back, while Cao Cao's purpose was to figure out how this hundred thousand shi of grain appeared out of thin air!
Cao Xiu was already in league with Yu'er, so he definitely wouldn't be able to get anything out of him. Now... to see clearly, he could only come to find Lu Yu!
As soon as he entered the residence, he met Cai Zhaoji, who was about to leave.
It turned out that Cai Zhaoji was going to buy fish. Her younger brother Lu Yu liked to eat fish. The maids bought it, but Cai Zhaoji was still uneasy, especially since her younger brother Lu Yu specifically requested crucian carp...
Crucian carp are most particular about freshness. So, early in the morning, Cai Zhaoji went out personally to purchase it...
Of course, she did not know her younger brother Lu Yu's good intentions. Da Feng Novel.
Lu Yu didn't actually like crucian carp! He just knew that crucian carp soup was rich in collagen and could enhance "that."
In Lu Yu's opinion, Sister Zhaoji was good in every way, just a bit too flat...
However, it had been better recently. With Lu Yu's special dietary arrangements, there were already signs of "emerging."
Lu Yu was very pleased about this and was determined to continue his efforts! Chicken feet and the like... anything rich in collagen would be arranged, and since Lu Yu had the advantage of being close at hand, he naturally wouldn't let others benefit.
The so-called sibling affection, flying together, inseparable, kindred spirits... cough cough... it was probably like this!
...
"Sister-in-law, you're up so early..." Cao Cao stopped and chatted with Cai Zhaoji.
"Brother, you don't know, my Yu'er is a very picky eater. If I don't follow his prescribed diet, he won't eat a single bite... As an elder sister, I can only indulge him." Cai Zhaoji spoke gracefully, her tone gentle, without any hint of blaming Lu Yu, but rather a deep concern and care...
"Haha..." Cao Cao laughed. "It's also because sister-in-law is worried about letting servants do it. But your brother is at an age where he's growing, so it's understandable that you have to worry more."
Seeing Cai Zhaoji taking such good care of his son, Cao Cao was relieved...
Yu'er, this boy, lost his mother at a young age but gained a sister who took meticulous care of him. This could be considered another kind of blessing.
As for the future... it seemed like there was nothing that couldn't be advanced further.
If the daughter of Master Cai Yong, Cai Yan, were to become his daughter-in-law, it would seem like a beautiful thing... They weren't blood siblings anyway. Sibling affection could be rephrased as childhood sweethearts, innocent and intimate!
Heh heh...
Thinking of this, Cao Cao's lips curved, revealing a sly smile.
Smiling aside, Cao Cao always felt something was amiss. The way Sister Cai Yan called him "Brother" felt a bit awkward... She considered him a brother, but he considered her...
The seniority seemed a bit mixed up!
"Cough cough..." With a light cough, Cao Cao came back to his senses. "Sister-in-law, is your Yu'er inside the mansion?"
"Yes!" Cai Zhaoji replied truthfully. "Old Wei came early this morning and said he had something to discuss with Yu'er... Old Wei has been coming almost every day for the past few days, staying for half the day. He and Yu'er are both secretive, which makes me increasingly confused about what they are plotting?"
Hmm... As soon as these words came out, Cao Cao's eyes darted.
Judging by Cai Zhaoji's words, she, as his elder sister, didn't know what Lu Yu was up to...
And, Wei Hong?
It was Wei Hong? Cao Cao couldn't help but connect Wei Hong with the hundred thousand shi of grain. Could it be that Yu'er had done some business with Wei Hong?
Business wasn't strange, but the key was... this wasn't ordinary business. At the outset, it was a hundred thousand shi of grain. It seemed Yu'er had made a large profit!
Speaking of which, his Cao family, apart from him, Cao Cao, the prodigal son... were all masters of "making money wisely."
Grandfather Cao Teng is not to be mentioned... a eunuch, a recognized leader of the literati, wealthy and powerful, and his reputation was fully earned;
Father Cao Song was even more formidable. He first served as the Colonel of Sili, which was equivalent to the "public security, procuratorate, and court" of the capital at that time. Coupled with the fact that there was no disciplinary inspection at this time, he could extort money without any bottom line.
Later, he managed the emperor's private treasury as "Grand Herald" and the finances of the Han Dynasty as "Grand Minister of Agriculture." Finally, he spent "a small fortune" of currency to donate and become one of the Three Excellencies, the "Grand Commandant."
In short... Cao Cao, although somewhat disdained Cao Song's actions over the years, he also felt that his father was truly formidable.
At least, without Cao Song's initial capital support, his raising an army in Chen Liu would have been a joke?
Of course, grandfather and father were very good at making money, but when it came to him, Cao Cao, he was "good at spending"! It was like a bottomless pit, no matter how much you filled it, it was never enough.
Now... Yu'er!
Cao Cao's eyes darted, recalling the hundred thousand shi of grain that Yu'er had produced.
With jade displayed before him, Cao Cao mused that his generation had been prodigal, but in Yu'er's generation, the hidden skill of "making money wisely"... had been revived!
For a moment, Cao Cao mused that in the aspect of making money...
The four generations of the Cao family, except for him... were truly incredibly awesome and lightning-fast!
...
...