The convoy, with its three thousand elite Qiao Pei soldiers, was nearing Chenliu Commandery after half a day's journey.
Sharing the luxurious carriage with Lu Yu were his elder sister, Cai Zhaoji, and Chenliu's wealthiest man, Wei Hong.
The opulent carriage was his, hence his special arrangement.
"If Cao Mengde had not received guidance from his 'benefactor' earlier, how could he have become the Governor of Yan Province today?"
"Since Benefactor intends to join Cao Mengde, why go through such trouble? Simply reveal your identity as 'Yin Lin,' and Cao Mengde will surely be deeply grateful and treat you as a renowned scholar!"
Wei Hong spoke softly, revealing Lu Yu's true identity.
Upon hearing this, Cai Zhaoji waved her hand and feigned confusion. "What is Lord Wei saying? I don't understand."
In truth, she had met Wei Hong two years ago, but... Lu Yu, her brother, had helped too many people during their journey south to find their relatives, and Wei Hong had not left a strong impression.
This time, she thought Wei Hong had seen through something, denying it by claiming ignorance.
It was then that Lu Yu spoke, smiling.
"Old Wei is one of us, Sister Zhaoji need not hide from him."
Seeing Cai Zhaoji still harboring doubts, Lu Yu added, "In fact, Old Wei had already seen through my identity yesterday, which is why he kept extricating me from difficult situations."
"Sister Zhaoji likely forgot, that elderly clan leader who intended to move his entire family to Luoyang two years ago, was none other than Old Wei here."
"Oh..." Cai Zhaoji seemed to recall suddenly. "That old clan leader who sponsored us with hundreds of gold was Old Wei..."
There were many who had sponsored the "Yin Lin" siblings, but few, like Wei Hong, who had given hundreds of gold at once.
Logically, Cai Zhaoji should have some memory of him. However, due to his surname "Wei," she harbored much resistance in her heart.
To elaborate on this reason, one had to go back five years... She was fifteen then, Lu Yu ten. Her father, Cai Yong, had planned to marry her off to Wei Zhongdao, the second son of a prominent family in Hedong, the Wei family!
It was said that the Wei family of Hedong, like Wei Hong of Chenliu, were descendants of the famous general Wei Qing and the renowned Empress Wei Zifu, their fame widespread.
However, Cai Zhaoji strongly opposed it. How could a talented woman renowned throughout the land accept a lifetime with a man she had never met?
Furthermore, there was her brother Lu Yu? If she were to marry, who would continue to care for him?
The intelligent and perceptive Lu Yu naturally saw this, which led to him pleading with his sister to take him south to find relatives and their father, indirectly allowing Sister Zhaoji to escape this arranged marriage!
Ironically, after only three years, Wei Zhongdao, the second son of the Wei family, died of a serious illness, and this unfulfilled marriage alliance was stillborn!
Every time she thought of this, Cai Zhaoji felt lingering fear. If not for her brother Lu Yu, would she not have become a widow and an unfulfilled woman at a young age, living out her life alone?
Perhaps because "Old Wei" was also a descendant of the Wei clan, it reminded her of this past she did not wish to recall, and a hint of vagueness appeared in Cai Zhaoji's eyes...
Wei Hong thought his words had startled Miss Cai Yan and quickly smiled, saying,
"It was merely a few hundred gold, Miss Cai Yan need not worry. If I had known then... that Yin Lin would be my savior, then... I would have gladly offered all my wealth, yet even that would not repay Yin Lin's life-saving grace!"
Upon saying this, he gestured as if to kneel within the carriage.
"Benefactor above, please accept this old man's bow..."
Even though time had passed, Wei Hong still felt lingering fear. If not for Yin Lin's guidance, on the day his family relocated to Luoyang... he and his family would have lost all their wealth and perished under the swords of Dong Zhuo and the Xiliang army!
The grace of saving a life was an immense favor, thus, let alone offering all his wealth, he could never repay it even by serving as an ox or a horse!
"Old Wei, why do you do this?"
Lu Yu reached out to support Wei Hong, but unfortunately... his thin arms and legs lacked strength and could not lift him.
"If Old Wei insists on repaying this kindness, why not... find me and my sister a residence in Chenliu Commandery? It would at least give us a place to stay."
Old people, especially rich old people, are usually very stubborn!
If you insist on preventing him from repaying a kindness, he might even kneel all the way.
Lu Yu's request was casual; a residence was but a trifle to Wei Hong, the wealthiest man in Chenliu, a matter of a flick of his finger.
As expected, Wei Hong rose.
"Hahaha..."
He first let out a loud laugh and then said, "When we reach Chenliu Commandery, it will be like reaching our own home. My Wei mansion will be the residence of Benefactor and Miss Cai Yan, and Benefactor and Miss Cai Yan will be the masters of my mansion. If Benefactor finds this old man displeasing, I will move out of the Wei mansion..."
"There is no need for that," Lu Yu waved his hand, smiling, "It would be best to live in the Wei mansion..."
The Wei mansion, this was the residence of the wealthiest man in Chenliu Commandery... and even the wealthiest man in Yan Province!
Even in the Qiao Pei military camp, Lu Yu had heard that the Wei mansion's courtyards had pavilions and towers, jade palaces and towers, and even the plaque at the entrance was inlaid with gold. Inside, there were hundreds of maidservants solely for attire!
Come to think of it, Lu Yu was a little excited. At least he wouldn't have to endure the hardships of living exposed to the elements with Sister Zhaoji anymore. The tough days were over!
"It is truly an honor to have Benefactor reside in the Wei mansion!" Wei Hong appeared very pleased. Although he was a merchant, he had studied extensively and was deeply influenced by Confucian thought, valuing gratitude and repaying kindness immensely.
After more conversation, Wei Hong brought up his previous question again. "I heard Benefactor stayed in Cao's camp for over half a year, but I cannot understand why Benefactor had to endure such hardship? 'Yin Lin' is not only my benefactor, but also Cao Mengde's benefactor!"
"With such an identity, Benefactor should have been treated as a honored guest in our Yan Province for the past six months!"
Mentioning this, Wei Hong furrowed his brow, his tone solemn... He could not understand, nor could he imagine the hardships Benefactor had endured over the past six months!
Unexpectedly, Lu Yu seemed unconcerned. He merely shook his head slightly.
"Old Wei... don't you know the saying, 'An innocent man is guilty when he possesses treasure'?"
"Every day, lords covet Yin Lin's assistance, but if 'Yin Lin' truly served one lord, then both that lord and Yin Lin would become targets of public criticism!"
"Old Wei, please remember this: in Cao's camp, there are no Yin Lin siblings, only the fifteen-year-old young man Wei Yu and his sister Zhaoji! We are refugees seeking refuge..."
A gasp...
Upon hearing this, Wei Hong suddenly understood. The doubts he had harbored all day yesterday were now clear.
Haha, how could his dull mind have thought of this layer?
"Ah... no, Young Master Lu..." Wei Hong hastily corrected himself. "This way, Young Master Lu, Miss Cai Yan... we will soon reach Chenliu Commandery. I will take you back to the mansion first, and let Young Master Lu familiarize himself with his own residence!"
His own residence...
With these five words from Wei Hong, his intention was clear: do not be formal, the Wei mansion is your home!
Lu Yu did not refuse and immediately clasped his hands in thanks. "I will not be polite with Old Wei. Thank you, Old Wei!"
Speaking of which...
Hahaha... A hearty laugh echoed from within the carriage.
Tap, tap...
But at this moment, hurried footsteps could be heard from outside the carriage.
"Lord Wei, may Gongda and I enter the carriage to have a word with Young Master Lu!"
The voice was refined, and a faint, alluring fragrance wafted over. Even through the carriage, Wei Yu could tell that the arrivals were Xun Yu and Xun You, the uncle and nephew pair.
Wei Hong raised his eyes to look at Lu Yu, implicitly seeking his opinion.
Lu Yu smiled faintly and signaled his assent.
Wei Hong immediately understood and directly instructed the coachman.
"Stop for a moment and let the two Mr. Xuns board!"
Not long after, Xun Yu and Xun You elegantly entered the carriage. Due to its luxurious nature, the interior space was ample, and even with five people inside, there was no sense of crowding.
Xun Yu and Xun You first bowed to Wei Hong, then cupped their hands in greeting to Lu Yu and Cai Zhaoji...
Having already guessed Lu Yu's identity, they behaved with extreme humility.
"The two gentlemen must have something they wish to ask me, right?" Seeing them hesitate to speak, Lu Yu took the initiative to speak for them.
"Haha... indeed." Xun Yu stroked his beard.
Xun You spoke loudly, "Yesterday, I heard Young Master Lu discuss military strategy. His explanations were concise and profound... it kept me tossing and turning all night, pondering for a long time, and I finally felt greatly benefited... therefore, I could not resist coming to seek his guidance today..."
Having said this, Xun You paused.
"Since Young Master Lu revealed yesterday how Cao Gong failed in his campaign against the Yellow Turban rebels, he will surely be able to explain today how the imperial forces can achieve victory against the Yellow Turban rebels?"
"We humbly request Young Master Lu to impart his wisdom! My uncle and I are eagerly awaiting this strategy to defeat the enemy."
Within Yan Province, the threat of three hundred thousand Yellow Turban rebels, and Yin Lin's strategy—for this uncle and nephew duo from Yingchuan, it was indeed something they eagerly awaited!
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