Can Yang Xiu and Lu Bu take Hukou Pass?
The answer is yes.
But can Hukou Pass be taken? Lu Yu felt it was uncertain!
After all, Hukou Pass was historically defended by Gao Gan, with far fewer troops than the current hundred thousand. Gao Gan's combat effectiveness was also far inferior to Han Meng.
But... it was such a pass that Cao Cao dispatched Yue Jin and Li Dian to attack, and there was no progress for a long time.
Cao Cao himself attacked, ordering "all who break the city will be buried alive," and then surrounded Hukou Pass so tightly that for three months, it dragged on. A force five times larger could not break it.
And their own losses were heavy...
From this, it can be seen that Hukou Pass is a tough nut to crack.
Even Old Cao couldn't take it, so Lu Bu and Yang Xiu had no chance.
"Young master, if Hukou Pass is broken, it will undoubtedly open up a second battlefield, which will be of great benefit to the northern expedition!"
Ju Shou was too familiar with the four northern prefectures. Every word he spoke could take Yuan's life.
Lu Yu shook his head slightly...
"Our righteous army in Yanmen can consider ourselves lucky if we can take Bingzhou. This Hukou Pass is a natural barrier; it's not easy to break it."
"How about letting me go?" Ju Shou volunteered. "If Young Master Lu trusts me, then let me try."
This was the first time Ju Shou had actively volunteered...
After all, he was a surrendered general, and moreover, he was a "surrendered general" who Cao Cao had ordered to be beheaded; he was already a "dead man." If he went out, he would first have to gain the trust of Cao Ying, and then... he would have to make people believe he was still alive. The latter was fine, but gaining trust was too difficult.
Who would have thought...
As soon as he spoke.
Lu Yu smiled heartily and said, "Mr. Ju, I was waiting for you to say that. If you go to Hukou Pass, let alone Han Meng and a hundred thousand soldiers, even if Wen Chou were resurrected with a million soldiers, they couldn't stop you!"
Lu Yu knew clearly that if Yuan Shao could bring the four northern prefectures under his control, "Wen" relied on Ju Shou and "Wu" relied on Qu Yi. Naturally... it was the same in reverse. With Ju Shou taking the lead, the barrier of Hukou Pass would immediately shatter.
"I'll just write a letter."
Lu Yu immediately took up his brush, wrote the letter entrusting Ju Shou to Bingzhou, and handed it directly to Ju Shou, telling him to deliver it to Yang Xiu there.
After finishing these things, Lu Yu cupped his hands and bowed to Ju Shou.
"Mr. Ju, this trip is extremely dangerous... How about I send Dian Wei with the elite Dragon Soaring Camp to protect you?"
"Impossible..." Ju Shou was greatly surprised.
Dian Wei escorting him... Was Young Master Lu going too far?
Who was Dian Wei? The ancient "Evil Vice"! The strongest warrior of the current era...
As Young Master Lu's personal guard, having him protect himself was an overwhelming honor!
"Although the journey is long, the road from Henei to Yanmen is now clear. I can change horses at the post stations along the way and disguise myself. With too many people, it would be more dangerous."
"Then let's just take Dian Wei alone," Lu Yu said with firm conviction, not like he was joking. He patted Ju Shou on the shoulder. "Mr. Ju, I'm not just doing this to protect you. You understand the deeper meaning, don't you?"
This...
Ju Shou wanted to say something.
However, Guo Jia immediately understood Lu Yu's intentions.
"What a wonderful 'ancient Evil Vice' escorting 'one who is determined for the north.' Such a deployment is brilliant, exquisite, and unparalleled..."
Ju Shou looked back at Guo Jia. From his laughter, he seemed to have understood Lu Yu's so-called deeper meaning...
By dispatching Dian Wei as an escort, Young Master Lu was intending to show the generals in the northern regions the preferential treatment given to "surrendered generals."
Imagine, Ju Shou, whom everyone thought was dead, was alive. That was surprising enough, right?
But he was also entrusted with an important task!
And he was escorted by the ancient "Evil Vice." This was not just a matter of face; it was to reassure the military officers in the northern regions who wanted to surrender but dared not.
This was a tactic of psychological warfare. From a strategic perspective, it was ten or even a hundred times more important than capturing a mere Hukou Pass!
Hoo...
Ju Shou exhaled. He felt... he had been manipulated by Lu Yu once again.
"Alright, Young Master Lu, I'll do as you say. I will set off immediately."
Ju Shou bowed slightly.
Lu Yu then summoned Dian Wei and instructed him to escort Mr. Ju to Bingzhou and ensure his safety along the way.
Dian Wei was also somewhat astonished. He couldn't figure out why his young master treated such a surrendered general so kindly.
Scratching his head, Dian Wei stopped thinking.
He was already used to it. Whatever his young master asked him to do, he would do it. He often couldn't fathom his young master's thoughts.
As Dian Wei and Ju Shou left.
Guo Jia stood up, glanced at Lu Yu, and then at Liu Xue. "The Ministry of Personnel issued an imperial decree this morning. Ziyu's wedding with the princess and the Xiahou clan is set for three days later. I heard there are many wedding rituals. Don't Ziyu and the princess need to prepare?"
Guo Jia reminded him with a smile. "I heard that Xiahou Juan alone spent two days memorizing the rules..."
Heh...
Speaking of the wedding, it seemed everyone knew when and where it would be.
Only Lu Yu was the last to know, which was quite ironic...
He glanced at Liu Xue.
"Does the princess need to prepare?"
Liu Xue shook her head. "I have lived in the palace since childhood and have learned these rituals too many times. It's just a matter of order, so there's no need for special preparation."
Hearing this, Lu Yu spread his hands towards Guo Jia. "If the princess doesn't need to prepare, why should I? On the wedding day, I'll do whatever I'm told... As for things before the wedding, I can't get involved! Let the Minister of Ceremonies and the Grand Astrologer, who are responsible for the rituals, handle it!"
This wedding was like a small interlude.
For Lu Yu, perhaps marrying one woman would have some feeling, but marrying two... seemed to have lost some of that feeling!
Changing the topic, his tone became serious.
"Fengxiao, our plan for today should be told to Minister Cao..."
"Haha..." Guo Jia laughed directly. He revealed something from his embrace, and Lu Yu was greatly surprised...
It was a military tally!
Cao Cao's military tally, which could mobilize troops from various camps in Cao's army.
Of course, due to Cao's strict military discipline, a mere military tally could not mobilize large armies. It also required Cao Cao's personal handwritten order.
Hiss...
As Lu Yu was still surprised, Guo Jia spoke:
"This military tally was sent to the School of Surveillance by the Tiger Guards early this morning. He sent word saying that Ziyu would definitely need it!"
"Minister Cao knows what you want to do, Ziyu. He has already informed Cao Ren, Cao Chun's Tiger Leopard Cavalry, Xiahou Yuan's Swift Camp, and Xiahou Dun's Qingzhou Army. Besides them, the Yan Province Army, Xu Province Army, and Zhang Xiu's Western Liang cavalry are all ready, just waiting for your command."
Heh...
Old Cao was well-informed, Lu Yu knew that, but he never expected that such a secret operation would be known to him in advance...
It seemed there was a "bad person" in the School of Surveillance...
Why did Guo Fengxiao seem to be getting closer to Old Cao recently?
Was this a case of like attracting like?
Of course, that wasn't important...
It was good to have Old Cao's eyes in the School of Surveillance? That way, Old Cao wouldn't be suspicious of him.
In fact, Lu Yu didn't have many thoughts, and wouldn't have many thoughts.
"Fengxiao, alright, issue the order immediately. Tell the Leopard Cavalry, Swift Camp... as well as the Dragon Soaring Cavalry and the Western Liang Cavalry to select elites with good horsemanship and prepare. We'll start the action the day before my wedding!"
This...
Guo Jia's eyes rolled.
"The day before the wedding? Isn't that a bit too late?"
Lu Yu shook his head. "It's also not good to do it too early; it's easy for spies in the northern regions to discover. Besides... haven't you heard that my prospective father-in-law... Xiahou Yuan's marches are five hundred li in three days and a thousand li in six days?"
Lu Yu paused at this point.
"It's over a hundred li from here to Guandu. A day and a night is enough for my prospective father-in-law to lead this elite cavalry to Liyang!"
Guo Jia calmed himself. If it were according to Xiahou Yuan's marching speed, the time might be... just right!
However, Xiahou Miaocai would miss his daughter's wedding.
"I'll go arrange it now..." Guo Jia murmured and immediately left this royal estate.
In an instant, the room, which had been buzzing with discussion, was left with only Lu Yu and Liu Xue.
Lu Yu stretched lazily. All matters had been delegated, and he felt a sense of relief!
"Puff..."
Instead, Liu Xue smiled.
She gracefully shifted her position and began to massage Lu Yu's shoulders and neck from her previous position of grinding ink.
Along with it, her soft female voice followed.
"I finally understand why everyone says my husband is cunning and plans flawlessly?"
"Why?" Lu Yu asked curiously.
Liu Xue's fingers slid through his clothes and into his chest. "Because my husband always hides things, whether it's his thoughts or his desires, he hides them deeply..."
Hoo...
Lu Yu's whole body instantly felt numb. He seemed to be... being tempted!
Princess Liu Xue was truly adept at choosing her timing. After arranging all the matters, Lu Yu, who felt relaxed... indeed had a feeling of "a full stomach leads to lust."
Hoo...
The candlelight was extinguished, a maid pulled down the curtains, and withdrew gracefully.
This...
What did this mean? Did he not know?
If he said he didn't want to, the atmosphere was already set... If he wanted to, was it worth rushing these two or three days?
"There are still three days until the wedding? Is there such an urgent need?"
Lu Yu asked inappropriately.
Liu Xue, however, smiled slightly. "Doesn't the saying in the marketplace describe Princess Wannian as an impatient woman with unfulfilled desires?"
As her voice fell...
The red candle was extinguished. It was afternoon, and it was still very hot. Someone was shamelessly sleeping together.
...
...
Jizhou, Ye City, Ju Mansion.
The study in Ju Mansion was exceptionally spacious, reflecting a broad and magnanimous temperament. The walls were adorned with large calligraphy by famous masters, bamboo slips were piled on the bookshelves, and a broken stone tablet lay on the ground. Da Feng Novel Network.
Ju Shou "before his death" was fond of calligraphy. His style, unlike Cui Yan of the northern school who integrated the strengths of various masters, followed the "flying white" style of Zhong Yao and Cai Yong, which was grand and powerful.
When he returned to his mansion, he spent most of his time in the study.
At this moment, his younger brother, Ju Zong, was crouching on the ground, rolling up his sleeves, and personally wiping the surface of the stone tablet.
He was only in his early twenties, dressed as a scholar, still appearing somewhat immature. Facing the rubbings of the stone tablet left by his brother Ju Shou on the desk, he wiped the stone tablet while shedding tears of emotion.
Behind him stood a man with a stern appearance, dressed in a black robe, with particularly sharp eyes. If described in four words, it would be "eagle-eyed and wolf-glancing"!
Besides Sima Yi, who else could it be?
Sima Yi had come to win him over...
However...
Clearly, Ju Zong did not welcome him.
"Young Master Sima, do you know that before the Battle of Guandu, my brother debated with me!"
Hmm?
Sima Yi raised his head and listened quietly.
Ju Zong's voice continued. "At that time, my brother gave away a lot of his wealth, saying, 'If Duke Yuan wins at Guandu, we will have prestige without limit. But if we lose, we won't even be able to protect ourselves. How tragic!' And I refuted him, saying, 'Cao Cao's soldiers and horses are not as numerous as ours. Why should my brother be afraid?'"
At this point, Ju Zong paused, seemingly saddened by the mention of his "deceased" brother.
He gently patted the dust off his hands and then continued:
"My brother's vision was indeed superior. Even then, he saw Cao Cao's great talent. He told me, 'With the great strategy of Cao Cangzhou, and the capital of holding the Son of Heaven, although we destroyed Gongsun Zan, our soldiers are tired, and our generals are arrogant. The army's decay is imminent. This is what is meant by 'six states like ants, for the weak Ji' [referring to the weakness of the Zhou dynasty].'"
In the debate between Ju Shou and his brother Ju Zong, he mentioned "six states like ants, for the weak Ji," which was a sentence from Yang Xiong's "Fa Yan." Yang Xiong was a Han Dynasty rhetorician, thinker, and good friend of Wang Mang.
It meant that during the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, the six states to the east of Hangu Pass caused great chaos, leading to the decline of the strength and authority of the Ji-surnamed Zhou Heavenly Kings, and in the end, it benefited the Ying-surnamed Qin State, which unified the country.
Ju Shou compared Yuan Shao to the "six states" and Cao Cao to the "Ying-surnamed Qin State," which was a prophetic statement and an extraordinary vision.
However...
At this point, Ju Zong sighed, "My brother saw through all of this, yet he still died by Cao Cao's sword. Young Master Sima, tell me, is this pathetic? Is it ridiculous? Is it comical? Ah... hahaha..."
Towards the end, Ju Zong gave a bitter smile, looking very displeft. He felt it was not worth it for his brother and felt pity.
Hoo...
Sima Yi let out a sigh.
"The fact that Young Master Ju saw me without immediately reporting me shows that Young Master Ju does not have much hope for the current situation of the Yuan clan."
"That's right." Ju Zong stood up and put down his sleeves. "The Xu family and the Tian family had good relations with my brother. They both sent messages to me, telling me that they were saved by you, Young Master Sima!"
"You have done this much, and I admire you, but... even if my Ju family does not think highly of Yuan Benchu, we will not defect to your Cao camp. Cao Cao killed my brother, and I am powerless to avenge him, but I can choose to protect myself and stay out of it, right? What do you think, Young Master Sima?"
It was rumored throughout Ye City that Ju Shou was loyal to the north and devoted to the country, and was beheaded by Cao Cao at the city gate.
Although he was dead, his reputation for "loyalty and righteousness" remained.
Of course, given the current sentiment in the northern regions...
This so-called "loyalty and righteousness" should be preceded by the word "foolish."
But no matter what, Ju Zong was determined. The Ju family would never defect to Cao!
"Young Master Ju's righteousness, this brotherhood, I, Sima Yi, am truly moved."
Stomp, stomp...
Sima Yi paced a few steps and said with a smile, "However, I have a letter here. Young Master Ju might as well read it before making a decision. Otherwise... if you speak too definitively, you might feel a bit awkward later."
As he spoke, Sima Yi rolled up his trouser leg, took out a piece of paper from his calf, and handed it to Ju Zong.
"Hehe..."
Ju Zong sneered. He took the white paper while saying softly, "Even if it's from Lu Ziyu, or Cao Mengde, the letter is useless to me. I will not surrender. I, Ju Zong, keep my word..."
Before the word "word" in "keep my word" could be fully uttered...
Ju Zong's expression changed drastically. He was shocked, and he felt like he was suffocating.
This letter? The writing on this letter...
Impossible?
Absolutely impossible!
But... but he was too familiar with this "flying white" calligraphy style!
He had been looking at the writings left by his brother every day during this time. Wasn't this the same handwriting?
"Gulp"...
Ju Zong subconsciously swallowed. He stared intently at the letter before him... a letter on white paper.
The first sentence:
— My dear brother Zong, your elder brother is here!
Is here?
Is here!
For a moment, Ju Zong felt like he was going mad. "Is here" meant that his brother was still alive, alive...
He simply couldn't believe his eyes.
Clearly... clearly many messages had come back saying his brother was killed by Cao Cao.
Because of this, their Ju family had become a "loyal and righteous family." Even the three sons of the Yuan family had specifically come to mourn. This... this...
Ju Zong's mouth widened, but he didn't know how to speak.
What exactly? What was going on?
"Continue reading. Haven't you been organizing your brother's notes from before he died? You have a fresh note right in front of you, why aren't you reading it?"
Sima Yi said with a smile.
Ju Zong bit his lip and read line by line.
The more he looked... the more startled he was.
Not only was his brother alive, but he was also doing very well. He had now become a high-ranking official in the School of Surveillance under the Marquis of White Horse, overseeing all officials, and was quite trusted!
This letter contained more than just that!
His brother wanted him to complete a task for the Ju family, and he also said... he also said that once this task was completed, the Ju family would enjoy inexhaustible glory and wealth!
This...
This...
Ju Zong felt his hands tremble, not because he didn't want to complete the task, but because... he still couldn't accept the fact that his brother had come back from the dead. It was too much of a surprise, so much so that he couldn't control himself.
"Sima... no... Zhongda, Zhongda!"
With one word, he was no longer calling him Young Master Sima, but the more intimate Zhongda.
"Hehe..."
Sima Yi smiled faintly. "My master always taught me not to force things!"
"If it is too much of a hardship for the Ju family to defect to Cao's camp, then so be it. The general trend is inevitable, and I can find someone else..."
Uh...
As Sima Yi said this, Ju Zong felt a little awkward, no, extremely awkward!
With this letter from his uncle, the Ju family was definitely going to stand with Cao's camp, ready to go through fire and water.
But...
The atmosphere had become so awkward, he didn't know how to speak.
"Haha"
Just then, "Hahahaha..."
Sima Yi laughed heartily.
"Alright, pack up and do as your brother said. You have a heavy responsibility going to Liyang!"
"If this matter is accomplished, the gates of the northern regions will be wide open, and Cao's camp's iron cavalry will tread across the four prefectures of the northern regions. If it fails, even if Cao's camp wins, it will inevitably pay a very heavy price!"
This...
Ju Zong looked up and gazed at Sima Yi.
The immense burden suddenly pressed down on him, and he became scared... nervous!
"Slap..."
Sima Yi patted him on the shoulder.
"Don't worry, on this trip to Liyang, I will disguise myself as your servant. Few people in Yuan's camp recognize me!"
"Moreover... for this mission, you and I are not alone. Chief Lu has arranged our own people among Yuan Tan and Yuan Shang!"
Thinking of this...
Sima Yi's tone became solemn again.
"Remember, you are not fighting alone!"
...
...