Inside the central army tent, only Cao Ren and Xiahou Yuan remained.
"Miss Cai Yan, please sit. I apologize for disturbing you so late," Cao Ren said politely, moving a bamboo chair for Cai Yan.
In Cai Zhaoji's memory, both Cao Ren and Xiahou Yuan had drunk some wine that night. Yet now... they appeared perfectly sober.
This also indicated their suspicion and curiosity towards her younger brother, Lu Yu.
"Not at all. Ever since my father met his end in Chang'an, my sibling and I had nowhere to turn. For my elder brother and all the generals to take us in is more than enough gratitude. If the two generals have any questions, Cai Yan will spare no effort in answering," Cai Zhaoji said, her voice gentle and slow, making it very pleasant to listen to.
"Miss Cai Yan, have some tea to refresh yourself..." Cao Ren proactively poured her a cup of tea.
The tea was Tongbai tea, a specialty of Yuzhou, rare and precious in this era.
"Generals, please ask. I am not thirsty!"
"Ah..." Cao Ren smiled. "It is said that the Cai residence houses thousands of scrolls, and with learned individuals like Old Cai and Miss Cai Yan, it is only natural that Young Master Lu is well-read. However... while Old Cai and you could teach him poetry and songs, surely you could not teach him military texts and strategies? Who taught Young Master Lu his military tactics?"
From whom did he learn?
This question was of utmost importance to Cao Ren and Xiahou Yuan.
It was well known that the Han dynasty emphasized lineage. Their military strategies were learned from their elder brother, Cao Cao, who in turn was tutored by the "Imperial Academy."
During his time at the Imperial Academy, Cao Cao's mentors who taught him military strategy included Lu Zhi, Sima Fang, and Duan Jiong, all of whom were renowned figures...
Working backward to Lu Yu, his teacher must have been even more extraordinary to have nurtured such an outstanding youth.
Cao Ren and Xiahou Yuan pondered that, if possible, they could even invite this "master" to emerge from seclusion. For Cao's camp, which was currently eager for talent, this would be a powerful tonic.
However, Cai Zhaoji's words were like a splash of cold water.
"I am ashamed to say, even in poetry, it was Young Master Lu who learned by himself. Father was too busy with court affairs to care for his younger brother, and I could only offer him occasional guidance. But ever since he was ten years old, I could no longer guide him." Cai Zhaoji continued, "As for military strategy, though it may seem unbelievable, he never had a teacher. His literary talent and military strategy were entirely gleaned from books; he was self-taught!"
Hoh, unable to guide him in poetry, and self-taught in military strategy?
Cao Ren and Xiahou Yuan were both stunned. Everyone knew that Miss Cai Yan was a talented woman of her time. Her statement that she could no longer guide Lu Yu five years ago carried significant weight...
Furthermore, the concept of being self-taught in military strategy... this was...
"Could Miss Cai Yan elaborate? Regarding your brother's self-study of military strategy?" Cao Ren asked urgently...
"I recall... when Lu Yu was nine years old, he had already self-studied 'Guiguzi,' 'Sima Fa,' and 'Wei Liao Zi';"
"By the age of ten, he had mastered 'The Seven Military Classics,' 'Wu Zi Bing Fa,' and 'The Art of War';"
"In the twelfth year of his age, he began to study the 'Preparedness' chapter of 'Mozi,' 'Liù Táo,' and 'Sān Lüè'!"
"By the thirteenth year of his age, he was already able to provide translations for these military texts. His translations... even for obscure military strategies, he could elucidate them with simple and direct language, making them understandable even to me, a mere woman, at a glance!"
"Father once said that Young Master Lu was a military prodigy rarely seen in a hundred years!"
Hoh... Good heavens!
Cai Zhaoji's words left Cao Ren and Xiahou Yuan staring in stunned silence.
If what she said was true, then... what Lu Yu was showing now was merely a drop in the ocean, a corner of his vast knowledge.
At fifteen years old, without any guidance or tutelage, he could comprehend so many complex military works?
Mercy me...
"Miss Cai Yan, is everything you said true?" Cao Ren's eyes widened like bells...
"It is true. The generals can test my brother on any of the military texts. If he cannot answer, I, this humble woman, am willing to accept punishment!" Cai Zhaoji stated with certainty.
Huuu...
Another series of heavy sighs!
At this moment, Cao Ren and Xiahou Yuan's feelings were incredibly complex and excited.
Indeed, history had its share of exceptional youths. Laozi could discuss fortune and misfortune from a young age, Gan Luo became Prime Minister of Chu at twelve, and Lord Mengchang's words enlightened his father at five...
But... these were all rare talents encountered once in a century! To think that now... Cao's camp had gained another one. At fifteen, he had mastered military strategy, possessed insight into ever-changing situations, truly remarkable, Lu Yu!
Ancient people often believed in spirits and deities, and Cao Ren and Xiahou Yuan were no exception. For a moment, they even thought... Lu Yu was a powerful arm bestowed by Heaven upon their elder brother, Cao Cao, to achieve his hegemonic ambitions!
As they stood there in a daze, Cai Zhaoji's words continued.
"Oh, I almost forgot to report to the two generals."
"When my younger brother was fifteen, he synthesized and integrated various military texts, and orally dictated a completely new military treatise, claiming it to be more specific, more practical, and more operable! It was named..."
At this point, Cai Zhaoji paused. "It was named 'Thirty-Six Stratagems.' Young Master Lu dictated it, and I recorded it word for word and have kept it safely."
The moment she said this...
Cao Ren and Xiahou Yuan could no longer maintain their composure. Almost simultaneously, they both rose abruptly. "Where are the bamboo slips of 'Thirty-Six Stratagems' that the lady recorded?"
In unison...
One who could analyze 'The Art of War' so thoroughly, and one who could deduce the outcome of battles from the theory of the 'Complete Victory' chapter, how could the military strategy he wrote, summarized, and compiled not make their hearts pound with excitement?
This was pure curiosity, an immense thirst for knowledge!
"'Thirty-Six Stratagems'... it is still in the tent where my brother and I originally stayed. I will go and retrieve it now..." Cai Zhaoji spoke gracefully and was about to leave.
The original tent referred to the dilapidated small tent in the logistics department of the Qiao Pei military camp, where Lu Yu and Cai Zhaoji had lived for several months.
"Miss Cai Yan need not go. I will send someone!" Xiahou Yuan clapped his hands and immediately instructed his personal guards to fetch the bamboo slips.
Because of Lu Yu, Cai Zhaoji's status in Cao's camp was not low. Moreover, in Xiahou Yuan's opinion, her status was likely to continue to rise, and uninterruptedly!
As the saying goes, a mother's status is elevated by her son; an elder sister can similarly achieve nobility through her younger brother!
Now... why should such a trivial matter as "fetching an item" trouble her personally?
...
Not long after, an armored soldier returned with a stack of thick bamboo slips.
The words "Thirty-Six Stratagems" were inscribed on the bamboo slips. The handwriting was clear and elegant, most likely carved by Cai Zhaoji herself, and the text within was as flowing and powerful as the external inscription, penetrating deep!
As they slowly unrolled them, Xiahou Yuan and Cao Ren's eyes were completely fixed on the characters...
However, the content that caught their attention differed.
Xiahou Yuan was particularly intrigued by stratagems in "Thirty-Six Stratagems" such as "Crossing the Sea Under a Guise," "Pulling the Firewood from Under the Pot," and "Capturing the King by Capturing the Leader." His temperament was impatient, and his marching style emphasized speed, aiming for a swift kill. Therefore, he was particularly interested in stratagems related to "divine speed" and "rapid movement."
Cao Ren's temperament was calmer. The stratagems he subsequently read were "To Be in a Strong Position by the Enemy's Fatigue" and "To Turn the Tables on the Host" and "To Close the Door to Catch the Thief." These stratagems were more defensive, which suited his strategy of using defense to attack and his impregnable formations in marching and fighting!
But... without exception, at this moment, Cao Ren and Xiahou Yuan were overjoyed.
It was as if a door to an entirely new world had suddenly opened before them!
Bizarre, yet so dazzling, brilliant, and captivating!
...
...