Chenliu Commandery, Wei Manor.
"Greetings, Elder Wei. I am stationed here by Lord Cao's order to ensure the safety of the Wei Manor," Cao Xiu said, leaving fifty armored guards outside the manor gate and approaching alone.
Unaware of Lu Yu's connection, he assumed his uncle, Cao Cao, was concerned about Elder Wei's safety, hence the "grand mobilization."
"Oh..." Wei Hong lightly tapped his forehead, quickly grasping Cao Cao's meaning. "Young General, my Wei Manor has two distinguished guests. Since you are here to provide protection, please ensure their utmost safety."
...Two distinguished guests?
Cao Xiu paused slightly. As expected, his uncle's decision to send him here had deeper meaning. Who would Elder Wei refer to as distinguished guests? There weren't many such people!
"Elder Wei, may I go and pay my respects to these two distinguished guests?" Cao Xiu assumed they must be important figures...
After all, his uncle, Cao Cao, had a vast network of contacts and many excellent mentors and friends... It was possible they were a contemporary great scholar like "Zheng Xuan," who was renowned throughout the land with thousands of disciples, or perhaps a critic like Xu Shao of the Yue Dan Ping.
If he could receive their guidance and obtain their advice, he would benefit greatly.
For a moment, Cao Xiu could faintly understand his uncle Cao Cao's "well-intentioned efforts."
"It wouldn't be impossible to pay your respects, however..." Wei Hong glanced at the sky, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Today, our two distinguished guests have been busy in a plot of land in the backyard."
"If Young General Cao wishes to visit, you may go directly. Just please do not bring soldiers, and be sure not to startle them."
"Naturally," Cao Xiu cupped his hands. "Cao Xiu takes his leave..."
With that, Cao Xiu hurried towards the backyard.
At this moment, he was still filled with emotion, believing these "distinguished guests" were truly unfathomable, detached from worldly affairs yet occupied in farming, returning to simplicity – a true demeanor of great scholars.
Scholars held a special status in the Han Dynasty, and one had to show extraordinary respect when visiting them.
...
On the other hand, Lu Yu was comfortably lounging on a reclining chair under the grape trellis in the Wei Manor's backyard.
Cai Zhaoji sat in another reclining chair, but being naturally reserved, she dared not recline as casually as Lu Yu, finding it a bit too bold.
Nearby, beautiful maids were slightly bent, wearing pleated skirts, their graceful figures inadvertently alluring. Each held a small fist, gently massaging Lu Yu's legs and Cai Zhaoji's shoulders.
Lu Yu found this service very comfortable, while Cai Zhaoji was quite unaccustomed to it...
A table was placed nearby, holding two cups of steaming tea and some precious fruits, such as grapes. A maid would peel the grapes for Lu Yu and arrange them on a clean plate for the "young master" to enjoy...
"Brother Lu Yu, I feel... aren't we a bit..."
Cai Zhaoji asked this because her feelings were complex. Such a life, with beautiful maids serving them, food and drink provided at a whim... while there was nothing inherently wrong with it, wasn't it a bit too "decadent"?
After all, only a few days ago, they had endured quite a harsh life in Cao's camp;
Even months ago, or a year ago, during their journey south, they hadn't enjoyed such luxury.
Cai Zhaoji felt uneasy...
Such a "decadent" lifestyle might erode her and Brother Lu Yu's resolve...
Just then.
"Sister Zhaoji..." Lu Yu gestured, signaling a maid to hand the plate full of grapes to Cai Zhaoji. He then advised, "Since I've brought Sister Zhaoji to enjoy a better life, we certainly can't be roughing it or living at others' mercy... I think things are quite good as they are."
Lu Yu's words were somewhat disingenuous...
A good life? This was just the beginning!
Although ancient times lacked sunshine, beaches, yachts, and bikinis... there were still many ways to bring happiness, such as... Emperor Ling of Han, Liu Hong, had set many examples.
Such as making palace maids wear open-crotch trousers;
Such as driving donkey carts for sightseeing;
Such as establishing commercial streets and collecting rent;
Such as... building the 'Wang Shu Pond' and letting palace maids and concubines swim naked inside...
Lu Yu mused that if they were to talk about "decadence," he was still far behind Emperor Ling of Han, Liu Hong.
The more he thought about it, the less guilty Lu Yu felt. In fact, he felt he could push further! Perhaps, starting with open-crotch trousers?
Seeing Cai Zhaoji still hesitant, Lu Yu patted her shoulder as he lay back.
"Sister Zhaoji, life isn't just about the present struggles, but also about poetry and the distant future... After working for so long, it's nice to occasionally stop and relax, enjoying the scenery."
This...
Cai Zhaoji gave a wry smile. At this moment, a single phrase echoed in her heart: I cannot understand, but I cannot refute.
"Sister Zhaoji, have some grapes..." Lu Yu deliberately picked a grape and placed it into Sister Zhaoji's mouth. Watching her lips move slightly, he smiled.
This scene made the maids feel "sweetly" enchanted, even strangely envious. They thought to themselves how fortunate Miss Zhaoji was to have such a *caring* younger brother.
Tasting the sweet and sour grapes, Cai Zhaoji sighed helplessly, "Ah." Fine, since Brother Lu Yu said so, she would enjoy the present.
"Brother Lu Yu, didn't you just say these grapes weren't brought from the Western Regions by Zhang Qian? But ancient texts and records state that grapes and guavas were brought back along the Silk Road..."
With nothing else to do, Cai Zhaoji asked the question about "grapes that was on her mind. As a talented woman of her time, she was always full of curiosity and a desire to explore.
However...
Lu Yu smiled slightly and popped a grape into his own mouth. "That's why many records in ancient texts are deceptive... Zhang Qian was captured by the Xiongnu twice during his mission to the Western Regions? Even if he brought back some 'grapes' from the Western Regions? They would have already fallen into the hands of the Xiongnu! How could they have been brought back to Han?"
"To be precise, these grapes were brought back during the reign of Emperor Wu by the 'Second General' Li Guangli during his three campaigns against Dayuan. From then on, they were promoted on a small scale in Han. I never expected there to be a vineyard in the Wei Manor!"
General Li Guangli was a general during Emperor Wu of Han's reign. Compared to brilliant generals like "Wei Qing and Huo Qubing," Li Guangli was somewhat undeserving of his fame.
Because he eventually surrendered to the Xiongnu after a defeat, many of his accomplishments were attributed to others. For instance, the introduction of "grapes" was credited to Zhang Qian and the Silk Road.
Cai Zhaoji, who had read ancient texts extensively, had no idea that ancient texts did not always represent the truth... There were many hidden details in between.
Lu Yu, a "super-brain" who had transmigrated, could undoubtedly get closer to and understand these "truths"!
"Is that so?" Cai Zhaoji blinked her large eyes. "Although what Brother Lu Yu says differs from ancient texts, I cannot find any flaws, perhaps... Brother Lu Yu's insights are correct."
Speaking of which, she smiled slightly. With Lu Yu, she could always hear about knowledge she had never encountered before. Although it might not be entirely accurate, Lu Yu's words left her unable to refute them.
For example... at this moment, she and Brother Lu Yu were leisurely sitting on reclining chairs, yet... Brother had ordered the manor's servants to plant.
And what they were planting was the most ordinary soybeans.
Cai Zhaoji was somewhat puzzled by this.
"Brother Lu Yu, I've only heard 'plant melons, get melons, plant beans, get beans.' What is the purpose of you 'planting beans' in the Wei Manor?"
Cai Zhaoji couldn't help but ask repeatedly...
"That, well..." Lu Yu subconsciously blurted out, "To conduct an experiment!"
"An experiment?" Cai Zhaoji was even more confused. She didn't even know what an experiment was!
"Sister Zhaoji, you'll know in a few days. These small beans hold immense energy!" Lu Yu's eyes narrowed, and his tone suddenly became more serious. "This energy can make the three hundred thousand Yellow Turban rebels in Yanzhou Province surrender at first sight!"
Whoa...
Cai Zhaoji was startled.
Small beans? Three hundred thousand Yellow Turban rebels surrendering at first sight! Brother Lu Yu had a big mouth!
...
...