In the central tent of the military camp.
Cao Cao, Cao Ren, Xiahou Yuan, Li Dian, along with a number of deputy generals… everyone stared intently at the wooden basin filled with dark soil, their eyes filled with surprise?
It was true that Lu Yu had sent this wooden basin, but what was its purpose?
"Wen Lie? Did Young Master Lu Yu truly claim that this small wooden basin could influence the situation in Yanzhou and win over three hundred thousand Yellow Turban rebels?"
Cao Ren couldn't help but repeat the question to Cao Xiu for the eighth time.
After all, with such foresight, Cao Ren and the other generals had a great deal of trust in Lu Yu.
However, to Cao Xiu, this was already the eighth time he had heard such a question…
"Uncle, I dare not lie to you. Young Master Lu Yu spoke these exact words."
During the days of transporting the "potted plant," Cao Xiu had pondered deeply, unable to understand what a pot of flowers and grass could possibly do to affect the times.
Now, it seemed he wasn't the only one confused. His uncles were also bewildered, which, in a strange way, brought him some comfort.
"What is planted in this?" Li Dian asked curiously after observing for a long time.
"It's… soybeans!" Cao Xiu replied truthfully. "Young Master Lu Yu also instructed me to water it twice a day, morning and evening… I did not dare to be negligent and took great care of it along the way!"
Soybeans?
This made everyone even more confused.
Cao Cao narrowed his eyes slightly. Having fought in countless battles, he knew that soybeans were a staple food for common people and an important feed for horses, crucial in the army!
He recalled that during his time at the Imperial Academy, his mentor Qiao Xuan had mentioned that leguminous plants, when buried in the soil as auxiliary fertilizer, could increase crop yields.
But… none of this seemed to connect with the "soybean potted plant" before them!
Could it be that Lu Yu intended to… buy off the rebels with soybeans? If it were that simple, Cao Cao's three previous envoys would not have returned in defeat!
For a moment, even Cao Cao was completely at a loss.
"What was Lu Yu doing when he handed over this 'soybean potted plant' to you?" Cao Cao immediately asked.
"He…" Cao Xiu pondered for a moment. "He ordered his subordinates to also plant soybeans in the back garden of the Wei Mansion…"
"And, there's one more thing… Young Master Lu Yu said that Duke Cao is exceptionally intelligent and would naturally understand his intentions upon seeing this 'wooden basin,' 'soybeans,' and 'soil.'"
Hiss… Understand? Understand what?
Cao Cao lightly tapped his forehead. He didn't know if others understood, but he himself was completely bewildered, utterly lost!
"Enough… For now, let's place this potted plant in the main tent…" Cao Cao waved his hand, deciding to stop thinking about it if he couldn't figure it out. "Wen Lie, since Young Master Lu entrusted you with taking care of this 'potted plant,' continue to water it daily as usual… absolutely do not be negligent!"
This…
Cao Xiu immediately knelt, as if he had something to say. "Uncle…"
Under normal circumstances, in the military tent, Cao Xiu should have addressed Cao Cao as General or Duke Cao. However, he chose the intimate address of "Uncle," which carried a deeper meaning.
It was clear that he no longer wished to tend to flowers and grass or soybean plants; he yearned to fight on the battlefield and achieve merit!
How could Cao Cao not see this?
"Wen Lie, your uncle knows you are eager to contribute, but… since Young Master Lu proposed that this 'potted plant' is related to the Yanzhou situation and the allegiance of three hundred thousand rebels, I ask you to endure taking care of it for a few days. After a while, your uncle will send you to the battlefield!"
Hoo…
Cao Xiu let out a soft sigh and cupped his hands in resignation. "Yes, your subordinate will surely not fail this mission!"
With that, Cao Xiu gracefully withdrew.
Cao Cao, Cao Ren, Xiahou Yuan, and Li Dian all cast another glance at the "potted plant" growing soybeans.
Unable to fathom its meaning, they could only look up, set the matter aside, and continue discussing military affairs.
"Come, let's continue discussing how to deal with these three hundred thousand Yellow Turbans."
"Big Brother… I propose…" Cao Ren immediately spoke, but as expected, as long as the preceding major problem remained unsolved, everyone in the Cao camp would be deeply troubled.
For the three hundred thousand rebels, deeply indoctrinated by the Way of Supreme Harmony, their firm belief in "The Azure Sky is dead, the Yellow Sky shall rise" and their loyalty to the "Yellow Sky" were difficult to shake.
If they were to be annihilated, the losses would be heavy, resulting in mutual destruction.
If they were to be incorporated, there was no solution.
For a time, Cao Cao and his kinsmen and generals were all in a dilemma.
Unexpectedly, after having lost battles and faced difficulties, they were still facing difficulties even after winning and in such a favorable situation.
…
Chenliu Commandery, the Imperial Posthouse.
Unlike the dust and smoke of the front lines, this place was exceptionally quiet.
A faint scent of incense wafted from the second floor of the posthouse. By now, everyone in the posthouse knew that Xun Yu had likely gone out with his sachet.
"Uncle, so early…"
Xun You was already having breakfast in the main hall on the first floor, eating a light yet substantial meal while holding a book on military strategy, his eyes occasionally glancing at his uncle Xun Yu descending the stairs.
According to his usual routine, Xun Yu would rise an hour later; today, he was a bit earlier.
"We agreed with Elder Wei and Miss Cai Yan that we would visit today, so naturally, we must rise a bit earlier."
Xun Yu ate a little and prepared to depart.
After all, it was an exchange with "Hidden Dragon," and Xun Yu was quite expectant and solemn, even adding more spices to his sachet…
The uncle and nephew walked gracefully.
"Uncle, have you heard of anything strange?" Xun You asked along the way, bringing up something the posthouse guards had often discussed recently.
"What strange thing?" Xun Yu asked in return.
"It's about Lu Yu," Xun You said loudly. "Recently, the posthouse guards have often mentioned that General Cao Xiu delivered a wooden basin to the front lines on behalf of Young Master Lu Yu, and that this wooden basin was related to the Yanzhou situation and the allegiance of three hundred thousand rebels."
"A wooden basin?" Xun Yu paused.
"That's right. I heard that soybeans were planted in this wooden basin. I asked someone to investigate at the Wei Mansion and learned that what was buried in the soil was not just soybeans, but also a stone tablet with a few large characters written by Miss Cai Yan on top of the soybeans."
Hmm…
Xun Yu's eyes darted.
Soybeans, a stone tablet, large characters?
This was meant to… break…
Connecting these three keywords, Xun Yu suddenly remembered something.
He immediately said, "No wonder the servants at the Wei Mansion have been saying recently that Young Master Lu Yu is planting soybeans. This matter is indeed true. Yesterday, I was still pondering the reason, and when Gongda mentioned the stone tablet, it suddenly made me realize, ah, so that's how it is!"
Realized? So that's how it is?
Xun You quickly looked at Xun Yu, his eyes filled with curiosity. "Uncle, have you realized something? Why did 'Hidden Dragon' send the 'wooden basin' to Duke Cao at the front lines?"
"Hahaha… Lu Yu, oh Lu Yu…" Xun Yu stroked his beard. "As the saying goes, sow beans, reap beans… What he planted were not beans, but the hearts of three hundred thousand Yellow Turbans!"
Hmm… the hearts of three hundred thousand Yellow Turbans?
Xun You tapped his forehead, slightly confused. Why was Lu Yu being so cryptic, and now even his uncle was becoming so mystical?
Seeing Xun You's confused expression…
Xun Yu looked around, ensuring no one was eavesdropping, and then explained, "Gongda, you cannot possibly understand. This matter has to do with my past tenure as 'Guard of the Palace.' This move by 'Hidden Dragon' is using one's own methods against them. If I am to explain it in detail, perhaps, Gongda, you should first listen to a story…"
"This is a plot, or rather, a small trick, that Zhang Jiao, the 'Great Teacher of Virtue' of the Way of Supreme Harmony, employed during the Yellow Turban Rebellion to make his followers believe in the 'Yellow Sky'!"
"In this, beans played a crucial role. It can be said that these small 'beans' captured the hearts of millions of Yellow Turban rebels! They made them spontaneously utter the phrase—'The Azure Sky is dead, the Yellow Sky shall rise, the year is Jiazi, the world will be prosperous!'"
…
…