In the stable behind a tavern in Ye City, Jizhou, Sima Yi paced restlessly, as if engaged in a final internal struggle.
He turned to see his white steed gazing at him and, with a sigh of emotion, stepped forward to stroke its mane.
"If you don't enter the tiger's den, how can you get the tiger's cubs?"
"If I don't enter the Xu mansion, how can I get the ledger!"
Sima Yi finally made his decision. He sat down, picked up a piece of firewood from the corner, and brought it down hard on his own leg. Amidst the searing pain, he leaned back sharply. With a crack, the firewood broke.
"Clop... clop..."
"Thump... thump..."
The white steed shifted restlessly, its hooves stamping, accompanied by heavy whinnies, before letting out a piercing neigh to the heavens...
Sima Yi, however, was sweating from the pain.
But even after all this, when he touched his leg, it remained intact, showing no sign of injury or disability.
How could he possibly enter the Xu mansion like this?
Sima Yi sighed in frustration, "I never imagined this leg was so sturdy. If I don't break my leg to earn merit now, then how will I protect the Sima clan in the future!"
Hoo...
As he spoke, Sima Yi let out a long breath, murmuring, "Even if my leg is broken, if my neck is severed... I'll be gone!"
Indeed... in this chaotic world, if you are not ruthless to yourself, someone else will be ruthless to you, and the pain then will be ten, a hundred times greater than it is now!
Clearly, Sima Yi had grasped this truth.
He scanned his surroundings, as if searching for something. Finally, he spotted a discarded iron tether for a horse. He stared intently at the iron bar, his eyes reflecting a gaze of unwavering resolve mixed with a hint of hesitation and pain.
At last...
He grabbed the iron bar...
The white steed seemed to sense something, becoming increasingly agitated, snorting and stamping, trying to break free from its tether!
Hoo...
Sima Yi resolutely sat in the open carriage, urging the horse on as he drove.
"Faster... faster."
Even as they neared the street, seeing no one around, Sima Yi fiercely lashed the horse with his whip. The white steed, in pain, ran even faster... and the carriage, as if out of control, careened onto the bustling, crowded street.
The horse galloped like a madman.
Just then... Sima Yi, feigning a loose rein, suddenly tumbled from the carriage. The wheel rolled over his right leg... "Ah!" Sima Yi let out a heart-wrenching scream, and the white steed simultaneously let out a shrill neigh!
"Guest... guest..."
At this moment, the tavern keeper saw the scene unfold. Though momentarily startled, his reason prevailed as he shouted and rushed towards Sima Yi.
Sima Yi, writhing in pain, rolled on the ground...
Even the white steed, no longer whipped, seemed to calm down, kneeling on one leg, tears welling in its eyes...
"Guest, guest... your family perished in the war, and you fled here. How could... how could such a calamity befall you again!"
The tavern keeper deliberately spoke these words.
This was the prearranged plan: to disguise Sima Yi as a pitiable mute, orphaned by war, who had unfortunately broken his leg...
Suddenly, more and more people from the surroundings gathered, offering their sympathy. Sima Yi, still gasping for breath, his lips moving, could only stammer out incoherent sounds...
He appeared to be a mute.
His every gesture, however, silently questioned: "Is it broken? Is it broken?"
This question, only the tavern keeper understood!
He never imagined that a person could be so ruthless to themselves!
"It's broken, it's broken..."
He whispered back...
Despite his continued groans of pain, a faint smile played on Sima Yi's lips, as if to say, "It's good that it's broken, it's good... I finally fell from the carriage and had my leg crushed by the wheel!"
Next...
The plan could proceed. He would have a chance to enter the Xu mansion and carry out his mission!
...
A day later.
Inside the tavern, Sima Yi lay in bed, his face pale... his leg now splinted.
The tavern keeper entered with medicine, looking at Sima Yi with feigned sympathy. Sima Yi struggled to sit up and, seeing no one around, reached out to take the bowl of medicine.
"Is there a chance?"
Sima Yi was asking if he could enter the Xu mansion.
The Xu mansion was extremely well-known in Ye City. Disability and muteness were hard requirements, but even fulfilling these preconditions required significant bribes to gain entry.
After all, although Yuan Shao had many advisors, Xu You had followed him since his days in Bohai, making him one of the earliest meritorious officials...
This trust was something no other advisor could match.
As such, the Xu family's status was far higher than that of Ju Shou, Tian Feng, Guo Tu, or Feng Ji. Gaining entry would undoubtedly require considerable effort.
"Sit still," the tavern keeper instructed, then said loudly, "We do have some connections in Ye City, so it shouldn't be difficult to arrange for you to apply as a servant for the Xu mansion, but..."
"But what?" Sima Yi asked, though his eyes remained determined despite his apparent weakness.
"But all servants of the Xu mansion must be personally selected by Xu You's nephew. That nephew, 'Xu Yuan,' is no easy fellow. Furthermore, the Xu mansion conceals too many secrets, so..."
The tavern keeper did not finish his sentence...
Sima Yi, however, was unconcerned. He waved his hand, "Just make the arrangements, and leave the rest to me... consider this my last resort!"
"I doubt you'll pass Xu Yuan's scrutiny!"
Sima Yi chuckled wryly, "If you don't enter the tiger's den, how can you get the tiger's cubs? The Xu mansion wants servants who are mute and disabled, likely to prevent information leaks. This itself indicates they have something to hide. Now that my leg is half-crippled, they should lower their guard against me, shouldn't they?"
The tavern keeper suddenly felt a pang of sympathy. "Let's hope so... But I truly never imagined that Situ Lu would have such a 'ruthless' subordinate!"
"Haha..." Hearing this, Sima Yi laughed aloud. "How could I possibly presume to be a subordinate of Director Lu? I am merely a student from the Imperial Academy! If I can complete this mission and earn merit... perhaps I, Sima Yi, will have the honor of becoming his subordinate!"
Hoo...
The tavern keeper let out a sigh and shook his head, murmuring, "What a strange person."
"Keeper..." Sima Yi seemed to recall something and asked, "Has the decisive battle between Cao and Yuan begun?"
"Both Cao Cao and Yuan Shao are currently mustering their troops. The decisive battle has not yet commenced..."
As he asked this, Sima Yi's expression turned considerably more serious.
But upon hearing the keeper's answer, he let out a long sigh, as if relieved!
After all, Lu Yu had given him a time limit for his mission: it had to be completed during the decisive battle between Cao and Yuan.
And now... he hadn't even entered the Xu mansion yet.
The thought weighed heavily on Sima Yi's mind.
Just then, a sudden loud "boom!" startled Sima Yi, causing the medicine he held to spill. He craned his neck to look and saw that it was the soldier-like figure from the secret chamber yesterday. He had forcefully pushed open the door, looking at them with great excitement.
Sima Yi quickly composed himself and, in his weak state, asked, "Brother, is there an urgent matter?"
The soldier announced loudly, "...The Xu mansion happens to need a handyman in the kitchen. I've already made arrangements. Can Young Master Sima try tomorrow?"
"His leg isn't... yet," the tavern keeper said, frowning...
"No matter!" Sima Yi waved his hand. "Tomorrow is perfect. Time is tight, so sooner is better than later..."
Hoo...
The tavern keeper sighed again...
At this moment, he truly admired this Young Master Sima. He couldn't quite understand, nor fathom, what kind of strong heart this Young Master Sima possessed.
Just then...
—"Cough cough..."
A cough from outside the window was followed by a very low, faint voice.
—"Young Master Tian, this is from my elder brother, Ju Shou... he asked me to give it to you!"
—"Young Master Ju? Why... why are you giving me these jewels?"
Since Sima Yi's resting room was a hidden chamber within the tavern, its window was also concealed. Those inside could see outside, but those outside could not see inside.
Therefore, the speakers outside were unaware that their conversation was being heard in the hidden chamber.
"Shh..." Sima Yi put a finger to his lips, his ears perked up... his curiosity piqued.
After all, several names were mentioned, such as Ju Shou, Young Master Tian, and Young Master Ju... this inevitably made Sima Yi think of the prominent families of Jizhou – the Tian and Ju clans!
—"When my brother accompanied Lord Yuan on his campaign, he specifically instructed me, saying that he might not survive this expedition and that keeping this wealth would be useless, so he asked me to distribute it among his close friends! Now that Young Master Tian's father is imprisoned... this money will be useful to Young Master Tian and the Tian family!"
As these words were spoken, the tavern keeper recognized the voice and quietly reminded Sima Yi.
The speaker was Ju Zong, Ju Shou's brother.
Analyzing his words, the person addressed as Young Master Tian was Tian Lin, the son of Tian Feng.
Hmm...
Sima Yi nodded and continued to listen to their conversation.
"Why is General Ju Shou so dejected?" Tian Lin asked curiously. "Lord Yuan is marching with over five hundred thousand troops south, while Cao Cao's forces along the Yellow River number no more than a hundred thousand. In terms of troops and provisions, Lord Yuan holds all the advantages. Why does the Ju family need to squander their fortune and be so pessimistic?"
"I also asked my brother about this," Ju Zong replied, shaking his head. "My brother's insight is ten times mine. He stated... that this situation, which appears to be 'Yuan strong, Cao weak,' is merely a facade, a deception orchestrated by Yin Lin."
"...Clearly, Cao Cao has the advantage. Firstly, the Emperor is in his hands, and righteousness is on his side; secondly, Zheng Xuan is in Xudu City, so the scholars' hearts and the people's hearts are in Xudu City. Furthermore, Yin Lin is with Cao's army... In these past years, Yin Lin's strategies for Cao Cao have been unassailable and victorious, virtually unstoppable. In the entire Yuan camp? Your father has been imprisoned by Yuan Shao, so... who is Yin Lin's opponent?"
"Not to mention the northern provinces of Bing and Yanmen, Gongsun Zan's You Province soldiers, Zhang Yan's Black Mountain Army, the righteous men of Yanmen, and Qu Yi's elite vanguard – each of them is a formidable force. Conversely, Lord Yuan has been constantly at war for years. Although he has conquered the four northern provinces, his soldiers are weary, and their morale is low. Such an army might fight well when things are going smoothly... but once the situation turns unfavorable, it could... it could collapse like a landslide!"
Reaching this point...
"Alas," Ju Zong sighed, lamenting, "My brother has always been clear-headed. His analysis of the situation... has never been flawed! This battle, he said, will end in defeat, and there will be no victory. Therefore, there will be no victory! Our Ju family has made thorough preparations, and your Tian family should also prepare!"
Huo...
Hearing these words, Sima Yi felt a surge of satisfaction.
He even felt that... it wasn't just the Xu family...
The Ju clan, and even... the Tian clan, these prominent families of Jizhou... could be potential allies.
That's right...
How could he, Sima Yi, limit himself solely to completing the task assigned by Director Lu?
He wanted to emulate Yang Xiu Yang Dezhu and Cheng Yu Cheng Sima... to exceed expectations! To make Director Lu look upon Sima Yi with newfound respect!
...
...
In Xudu City, the Situ's Mansion.
The severe winter had passed... and spring was gradually arriving.
In the courtyard, fish were already beginning to swim in the pond.
Lu Yu and Cai Wenji stood by the pond. From a distance, Lu Yu appeared refined, while Cai Wenji looked serene... a perfect couple feeding the fish.
After feeding the fish...
Lu Yu turned his head, his smile gradually fading, his tone becoming more serious and meticulous.
"Wenji Jie, this time... I will be traveling for at least half a year. I entrust the Situ's Mansion and the Imperial Academy to you."
As he spoke, Lu Yu's gaze met Cai Wenji's eyes...
It was clear that Cai Wenji's gaze flickered. It was evident that she did not wish for her younger brother Yu to be too far from her, even if it was just to the banks of the Yellow River, a hundred miles away.
"Is it the decisive battle between Cao and Yuan?"
After a long hesitation, Cai Wenji finally uttered this question.
Lu Yu shook his head. "It's not the decisive battle between Cao and Yuan, but the decisive battle that will determine the fate of this realm..."
His eyes narrowed...
Cai Wenji added, "Will Yu also be going? Can't you... as before... remain in Xudu and strategize?"
Upon hearing this...
Lu Yu shook his head.
"This battle is too crucial. If we win, then Duke Cao will possess eight provinces. Of the thirteen provinces of the Great Han, he will control more than half."
"Afterwards... whether heading south or campaigning west, all will be smooth sailing!"
"But... if we lose, naturally, these eight provinces of the Han will all fall into Yuan Shao's hands. Not only Duke Cao... but neither you nor I will have peace any longer!"
Lu Yu paused as he spoke of this.
"I must go to this battle! Both for myself, and for Wenji Jie, and for the thousands of soldiers in my Long Xiao Camp, for the countless scholars of the realm, for the future of the Imperial Academy, for the preservation of culture, for the peace of these nine provinces! For decades... the common people have suffered too much. They deserve to embrace an era of prosperity!"
Hoo... Prosperity?
Cai Wenji raised her eyebrows... For the first time, she realized that the little brother from before had truly grown up.
Now, Yu was not just her younger brother, but also the Situ of the Han, the commander of the Long Xiao Camp, and the leader of scholars in the realm. He... bore too many responsibilities.
"Gulp..."
Cai Wenji swallowed, her teeth lightly biting her lip. Her slender hands gently traced Lu Yu's hair and then fell away. Finally... she turned her hands behind her back.
"My brother has truly grown up... He knows to seek well-being for the people in this chaotic world. At last... my efforts to teach you over the years have not been in vain!"
Cai Wenji said with a smile. "It's just that when you are away on campaign, there is so little I can do to help you. I can only... take care of Da Qiao and Xiao Qiao for you, manage the Imperial Academy for you, and handle the affairs of the Situ's Mansion for you, so that you have no worries. Apart from that... apart from that..."
As she reached the end...
Cai Wenji pursed her lips, as if having made a difficult decision. She took out a bamboo slip from her sleeve.
She then spoke.
"This is the last thing I can do for you... Chen Lin's 'Proclamation Against the Rebel' has brought my brother disrepute. I heard at yesterday's meeting that you voluntarily took on the task of retaliating. I was idle last night and also wrote a proclamation..."
Cai Wenji did not speak too explicitly.
In fact, she had written a "Ten Crimes of Yuan Shao." Chen Lin was indeed a talented writer, but Cai Wenji was the most famous talented woman in the realm. Her talent could rival that of Ban Zhao, the imperial tutor during the reign of Emperor He of Han. How could she fear Chen Lin's "Proclamation Against the Rebel"?
Of course...
Lu Yu took the bamboo slip, still somewhat bewildered.
He hadn't expected Sister Wenji to... to have written this "proclamation" overnight!
Without further hesitation, Lu Yu unfolded it...
The more he looked, the more his eyes narrowed, and he gasped.
—The Ten Crimes of Yuan Shao!
If Sister Wenji's "Ten Crimes of Yuan Shao" had merely been a bland statement of Yuan Shao's flaws and ugliness, it would have been one thing. However, Sister Wenji's proclamation was written with such grandeur and sincerity that it made the reader feel as if they were present, ready to curse Yuan Shao to his face!
—Traitor Yuan Shao! His crimes are ten!
—First, fawning over He Jin, inviting Dong Zhuo into the capital.
—Second: Disloyal as a subject, abandoning the ruler and fleeing.
—Third: Unfilial as a son, killing his own kin.
—Fourth: Cultivating factions and extorting the common people.
—Fifth: Coercing Han Fu and seizing control of Jizhou.
—Sixth: Plundering counties and annexing land.
—Seventh: Murdering meritorious officials, incurring the wrath of heaven and men!
—Eighth: Cruelly treating colleagues, seizing wealth by force.
—Ninth: Of lowly birth, unfit to usurp a high position.
—Tenth: During the Guandong allied forces' campaign against Dong, scheming against Sun Jian, leading to Sun Jian's great defeat and Dong Zhuo's escape!
Each crime, Sister Wenji described with meticulous detail. For example, the ninth crime, of lowly birth, unfit to usurp a high position...
Under Cai Wenji's brush—"According to the principles of Spring and Autumn, a son is honored by his mother. Shao's mother was a maidservant, making Shao truly of humble origin and unfit to be an heir. By principle, this was improper, yet he occupied the important position of Fenglong, defiling the royal lineage and disgracing the Yuan clan! (Omitted 100 characters hereafter. Cannot create more.)"
Hoo...
Seeing this, Lu Yu's forehead broke out in sweat. Good heavens... If Chen Lin's "Proclamation Against the Rebel" called Cao Cao a "son of a eunuch,"
Then... Sister Wenji was even more exaggerated, directly revealing the background of Yuan Shao's mother, how she went from being a concubine, adopted by an uncle, then adopted back, and thus became the legitimate son – a scandalous maneuver, revealed in detail.
It was truly jaw-dropping, incredibly scandalous!
And the fourth crime, cultivating factions and extorting the common people.
—"Yuan Shao, having raised his army, spent two years, neglecting the nation's plight, widely enriching himself, allocating much of his provisions to non-urgent matters, stripping the wealthy, extorting money through punishment, causing the common people to sigh in misery, and everyone to resent him."
And... the first crime, fawning over He Jin, inviting Dong Zhuo into the capital.
—"Yuan Shao, formerly the Colonel of Sili, at the time of the nation's disaster, when the Empress Dowager held regency and the He clan assisted in governance, Shao solely engaged in wicked flattery, failing to promote the upright, leading to Ding Yuan burning Mengjin and inviting Dong Zhuo, creating the root of chaos."
This intelligence...
Some of it Cai Wenji had collected herself, and some she had noted from conversations with her younger brother Yu, inquiring and seeking evidence... meticulously corroborating it.
If Chen Lin's "Proclamation Against the Rebel" was a mix of truth and falsehood, of substance and illusion... because of its sharp writing style, it made people believe it was true.
Then... Cai Wenji's "Ten Crimes" was conclusive evidence. Each point... was logical and well-supported, making it impossible for Yuan Shao to refute...
What is meant by "facts speak louder than words"? This is what "facts speak louder than words" means!
As Lu Yu read, he became mesmerized...
Originally, to counter the "Proclamation Against the Rebel," Lu Yu had planned to have Zheng Xuan defend Cao Cao during the Monthly Review.
But... now, seeing Sister Wenji's "Ten Crimes"...
Lu Yu suddenly felt that there was no need to defend him!
Come on... let's hurt each other! Since it's not me being insulted, the "Ten Crimes" versus the "Proclamation Against the Rebel"! Let's see if Sister Wenji's "gifted brush wins battles from afar" or if you, young Chen Lin, wield "brush as a knife, ink as a heart-piercer"!
Good heavens...
For a moment... Lu Yu suddenly felt that Sister Wenji was only gentle to him, her brother!
If she were truly angered,
Then it would be fourteen characters—Talented woman Wenji can also be brave, brush and ink together used as weapons!
...
...