At this moment, Lu Yu's eyes were closed, as if… meditating on something.
Of course…
No one dared to disturb him in this state.
The chemical equation for the combustion of white phosphorus is P4 + 5O₂ = 2P₂O₅!
The effect… is to be able to ignite instantly under extremely covert conditions…
Therefore, as long as enough white phosphorus can be extracted from flint and steel, and it is placed in an environment below 40°, ignited by flame… or rather, by a fire arrow, instantly reaching a high temperature above 40°, then… the effect of white phosphorus, while not an explosion, would cause a blaze that covers everything in an instant, with flames soaring into the sky. Just imagining this scene is exhilarating!
It can be said…
This white phosphorus is simply a divine artifact for fighting a large force with a small one!
"Young Master Lu… this…"
He Yan pondered for a long time before finally replying, "Extracting this white powder from flint… seems feasible, but it's hard to say. After all… no one has ever tried to extract it before, so perhaps there's at most a fifty percent chance!"
No one has tried it? Fifty percent chance?
Heh heh…
Upon hearing this, Lu Yu chuckled.
It would be strange if no one had tried it!
Otherwise, why would Qin Dynasty tombs be riddled with white phosphorus? Why would they ignite instantly upon contact with torches, causing royal tombs to burn and burying nearly thirty tomb robbers in an instant!
Furthermore…
From ancient texts, Lu Yu could discern some battles in which white phosphorus had been involved.
For example, the Battle of the Thirteen Soldiers Returning to Yumenguan – the Thirteen Great Han Soldiers Fighting to the Death in Shule City!
Facing the onslaught of tens of thousands of Xiongnu cavalry, the defending general Geng Gong shot an arrow and shouted, "This is a heavenly arrow of the Han Dynasty! Those who defy it will face divine retribution!"
Immediately following this, torrential flames erupted from the ground trampled by tens of thousands of Xiongnu cavalry, incinerating several thousand barbarian cavalry and also serving to divide the battlefield.
Thinking back now, it is highly likely that white phosphorus had been deliberately spread on the ground by Han troops in that battle.
The reason why white phosphorus has become so unfamiliar in this era is likely that the technology for extracting it has not been passed down.
However, since it appeared in ancient texts, it proves that it can be extracted.
This is already sufficient theoretical basis. All that is needed next is practice.
"Uncle Ping, how about this… I will prepare a special workshop for you!" Lu Yu's eyes were incredibly firm as he looked at He Yan, his tone quite meticulous. "During this period, you don't need to do anything else or worry about anything. Just help me try to extract this white phosphorus in there!"
"White phosphorus?" He Yan asked in return…
Lu Yu then snapped back to attention.
In this era, there was no concept of this white powder. They only knew that flint contained it but didn't know its name was white phosphorus!
Speaking of the origin of the name "white phosphorus," there is a beautiful legend.
Simply put.
In the seventeenth century, a bored "foreigner" was dabbling in alchemy, trying to turn stone into gold…
Then…
The "foreigner" thought the color of urine was similar to the color of gold, so he collected fifty barrels of "golden legend" quality urine.
He mixed it with sand and other substances and heated it…
The result was as expected…
Naturally, he did not refine gold, but the blue-green flame made him dance with excitement!
Moreover… this green fire did not generate heat and did not ignite other substances; it was a cold light, so he named this substance after the Western meaning of "cold light" – phosphorus!
He even wrote a book detailing the recipe for this urine with "golden legend" quality.
Of course… none of this is the main point. The main point is that Lu Yu, out of curiosity, had actually read this book and memorized the recipe.
It was a recipe with a peculiar aroma.
"Well, it doesn't have a name anyway. For the sake of convenience, let's call this white powder… white phosphorus from now on!"
He explained casually.
"Uncle Ping, come closer…"
Lu Yu continued to beckon He Yan…
He Yan quickly walked to Lu Yu's side and cupped his ear. Lu Yu then whispered the method for refining phosphorus to him, which was essentially the ratio of urine to sand and various other messy substances.
Would it work?
Lu Yu wasn't sure… the book said so, anyway.
It was a flavorful method, in addition to extracting white phosphorus from "flint" and "steel"!
As for He Yan…
He listened intently at first, but… as Lu Yu continued to speak, when he heard about the golden liquid, he almost broke down. Although his sexual orientation was somewhat unconventional, this "He, who adorns himself with powder" was a clean-loving "little shou" who had an innate aversion to such dirty things.
Lu Yu didn't care about these things… he told them all in one go.
"Do you understand?"
Uh…
He Yan swallowed, feeling a bit nauseous, but facing Lu Yu's question, he could only nod.
"I understand."
"Very good," Lu Yu patted his shoulder. "If you need manpower, select them from the Dragon Soaring Battalion, the Medical Office, the Blacksmith's Forge, the Workshop, and the Imperial Academy. Anyone you select must come and assist you… Also, if you need money, inform General Cao Xiu, and he will inform Old Master Cao. I will also brief them in advance… everyone, everything must yield to your extraction of 'white phosphorus'!"
The extraction of white phosphorus, or rather the refinement of white phosphorus, was a matter of immense importance…
It was so significant that this substance could influence the final outcome of a battle involving hundreds of thousands of soldiers!
It was just… unexpected that He Yan turned out to be one of the few scientific talents.
"Young Master Lu…" He Yan wanted to agree, but… it seemed he had something else to say.
Yet…
The words got stuck in his throat, making it difficult to speak.
"You're going to mention the Five-Stone Powder, aren't you?" Lu Yu could guess what it was from his constipated expression.
This…
He Yan lowered his head, not daring to meet Lu Yu's gaze.
"That substance is already banned throughout the Central Plains. The most important of the five medicinal ingredients, 'Alum,' has also been confiscated and stored in the treasury throughout Duke Cao's territory. Apart from the amount supplied to the Southern Xiongnu, not a single extra portion will be issued."
Lu Yu's tone was exceptionally firm, but his gaze towards He Yan… held a hint of earnestness.
"The Five-Stone Powder can easily destroy a person. If you don't believe me, let's wait and see. In a year's time… you'll see what the Southern Xiongnu look like, and what the Hu people look like!"
"Understood… Understood…"
Although still somewhat unwilling, how could He Yan dare to defy Lu Yu's wishes?
Besides, in his most glorious moments, he was merely a pseudo-Hidden Dragon, while Lu Yu was a true Hidden Dragon. The words of a Hidden Dragon could reveal heavenly secrets… He Yan believed his words.
"Junior Disciple Zhongjing…" After instructing He Yan, Lu Yu turned and continued to instruct Zhang Zhongjing. "For Uncle Ping's addiction, I need you to take extra care!"
"Naturally!" Zhang Zhongjing agreed.
"Then I trouble you, Junior Disciple Zhongjing." Lu Yu had always been very polite to Zhang Zhongjing…
After saying all this, he looked at He Yan deeply again, then reached out and patted his shoulder. "This white phosphorus is entrusted to you. If you can refine it in large quantities, then… when Duke Cao unifies the realm in the future, you will be credited with the greatest achievement!"
Whoa… the word "greatest achievement" startled He Yan a bit.
Actually… for He Yan, his position was also awkward. As Cao Cao's adopted son… many people were outwardly respectful, but who knew what they whispered behind his back?
And his mother, Lady Yin, there were many women in the Duke's mansion's back courtyard. In terms of scheming, how could his mother compete with those ladies!
To allow her to live a carefree and good life, He Yan could only make himself more useful.
— The foremost merit!
The greatest achievement in unifying the realm…
This… even if it was just Lu Situ speaking, it was still incredibly weighty.
…
…
Xiapi City, at the foot of Yunlong Mountain.
Five chariots were parked here, with banners flying on both sides and soldiers standing in formation.
Cao Cao, however, occasionally glanced towards the mountain, appearing calm and composed…
And standing by his side was a "newcomer" – Zhang Liao, Zhang Wenyuan.
On Lu Yu's orders, Zhang Wenyuan had rushed from Xuchang City, seven hundred li away, specifically to deliver a letter to Cao Cao!
Just then…
Xu Chu approached Cao Cao with heavy footsteps, bowed, and saluted.
"Reporting… Guan Yu's seventh charge into our formation was once again repelled by our ten thousand arrows! Guan Yu's troops have suffered many casualties. It seems he is no longer able to charge."
Hearing this, Cao Cao picked up his teacup and took a slow sip.
He then put down the teacup and said unhurriedly, "There is no water source or food on the mountain, so I expect Guan Yu and his men will not be able to hold out for long!"
After saying this, Cao Cao paused, turned to look at Zhang Liao, and said, "Wen Yuan, your young master stated in his letter that you have a good relationship with Guan Yunchang, is that right?"
"Yes!" Zhang Liao nodded. "Does Duke Cao forget? In the past, at Bai Men Tower, when Duke Cao wanted to behead me, Zhang Liao, it was Guan Yu who dissuaded Duke Cao. Guan Yu is a loyal and righteous person, with exceptional martial arts skills. This subordinate is an old friend of his!"
Cao Cao nodded.
"Very good, then…"
"In the letter brought by Lu Situ, there was content related to Guan Yu. You saw it yesterday! Apart from that one sentence, was there nothing else?"
Cao Cao asked Zhang Liao.
Zhang Liao frowned slightly. According to Lu Yu's instructions, after capturing Xiapi City, there were details on how to proceed south from Guangling, how to conquer Jiangdong, how to cooperate with the Lu family, and how to assist the Lu family.
Lu Gongzi had elaborated on all these points, but… regarding Guan Yu, there was really only one sentence in the letter.
It wasn't that… Lu Yu didn't want to say more.
The truth was, he wasn't sure if Old Cao could capture Guan Yu!
History had already deviated. What if Guan Yu died in the chaos? Who could say for sure!
"There was only that one sentence…" Zhang Liao's answer was quite firm.
Hoo…
Cao Cao let out a sigh. He took out the letter from his怀 and his eyes focused on it again.
On the letter, a line of small seal script reappeared—"Duke Cao, try your best to preserve the two wives of Guan Yu and Liu Bei. They will be of great use in future situations!"
Great use?
Cao Cao's brows slightly raised. If he were to parse the words carefully… he really wanted to know what "great use" his Yu'er meant!
Of course, if it were about Liu Bei's wives Gan and Mi…
It could still be understood…
In Cao Cao's mind, he could instantly come up with a dozen uses, a deluge of possibilities.
But… Guan Yu?
Military advisor Xi Zhicai's words were not false…
Indeed, persuading Guan Yu to surrender seemed to have kept him, but in reality, as soon as Guan Yu found out Liu Bei's whereabouts, he would still leave! Keeping him was simply keeping an empty shell!
What did Xi Zhicai say? — A loss-making venture for a trivial gain!
This was also Cao Cao's greatest dilemma.
"Lu Situ really likes to play coy!" Cao Cao remarked, but then… the corners of his mouth curled slightly. Since Yu'er wanted him to stay, then let him stay.
"Alright…"
Cao Cao suddenly stood up, narrowing his eyes. "Wen Yuan, since it is your young master's command, I will trouble you to go up the mountain and try to persuade Guan Yu to surrender? What do you say?"
This…
Zhang Liao showed a distressed expression.
"Duke Cao, this subordinate would absolutely not dare to obey the order. I only learned yesterday when I saw the letter that Young Master Lu intended to spare Guan Yu's life."
"But I understand Guan Yu's temperament. He is the kind of person who would rather die than surrender. Even if I had a thousand mouths, I couldn't convince him!"
Hahaha…
As these words escaped his lips, Cao Cao laughed. He pointed his index finger at Zhang Liao, smiling, and reminded him, "If he were the kind of person you describe, then Lu Situ would not have gone to such lengths to have you deliver this letter."
Speaking of which, Cao Cao carefully instructed, "If he, Guan Yu, insists on seeking death, then tell him that if he dies, he commits three major offenses, and if he does not die, there are three conveniences."
At this point, Cao Cao lowered his voice, and some meaningful words were whispered into Zhang Liao's ear.
Yes…
As long as he could overcome the mental hurdle, Cao Cao letting Guan Yu live… there were more than a hundred reasons he could find!
Of course, at this moment, Cao Cao was more concerned about what Yu'er… truly intended for Guan Yu… and even for Liu Bei's two wives.
What was the "great benefit to future situations" he was aiming for?
Just then.
"Stomp, stomp, stomp…"
The sound of countless footsteps echoed out… Xi Zhicai, Cao Ren, Xiahou Dun, and Xiahou Yuan quickly emerged.
"Duke Cao, you… you still intend to persuade Guan Yu to surrender?"
From a distance, Xi Zhicai shouted, his brows tightly furrowed, his eyes filled with an extremely complex expression, a hint of disappointment that iron could not be turned into steel.
Evidently, he had heard rumors and, together with several generals… had come to persuade Cao Cao once more.
"Zhicai, my mind is made up… Since Lu Situ wants to spare Guan Yu, then I will persuade Guan Yu to surrender, and not only persuade him to surrender, but I will also treat him with the utmost courtesy!"
Speaking of this, Cao Cao changed the subject.
"Since you are all here."
"Zixiao, Miaocai, you two immediately take fifty thousand troops to Guangling Commandery. Chen Deng has prepared warships there, and Liu Xun of Lujiang is also ready. You will all head south immediately to conquer Jiangdong!"
Uh… this…
Upon hearing Cao Cao's words, Xi Zhicai, Cao Ren, Xiahou Yuan, and Xiahou Dun exchanged glances, feeling bewildered.
Wait a moment.
What was going on?
Conquer Jiangdong? So suddenly?
If persuading Guan Yu to surrender was based on Lu Situ's suggestion, then there was some reason!
Then why were they heading south to conquer Jiangdong without any warning?
This…
"Duke Cao…" Xi Zhicai still wanted to ask…
Unexpectedly, Cao Cao waved his hand. "Ask nothing, say nothing. Just execute the order immediately. I know what needs to be done and what shouldn't be done, and so does Lu Situ."
For some inexplicable reason, when the words "Lu Situ also has a plan" were spoken, the surprised feelings of Cao Ren and Xiahou Yuan were somewhat soothed.
Who knew what schemes Lu Yu was cooking up again.
But… even with their toes, they knew that this time… someone in Jiangdong was bound to suffer.
…
…
Jiangdong, Wu Commandery.
In a residence, this was the original Lu family mansion… it had been sold previously in exchange for grain and money.
It was used for trading with the four major families of Jiangdong for "Qionglong Mountain," "Shenting Ridge," and "Yan'ou Ridge."
Now, this mansion had been secretly reclaimed by Lu Xun.
Not only that…
The troops under his command had increased by more than five thousand in just one month.
This included purchased troops and retainers of Xu Gong, Yan Baihu, Liu Yao, and Wang Lang…
This involved a very practical issue.
That is, after their "lords" died, everyone originally gathered together to avenge their lords, and the enemy was, without exception, the one known as the Little Overlord of Jiangdong, Sun Bofu.
For this noble ideal, they could eat coarse grains, endure hunger, and endure poverty.
But…
The current Sun Ce had been assassinated and was bedridden. Rumors in the market said… he was on his last breath.
This could be considered a great revenge achieved!
Revenge had been exacted, and then… the practical problem arose. They needed to fill their stomachs, and they had to shed their identities as mountain bandits. They couldn't be surrounded by officials forever, could they?
The simplest method was to become a retainer of a new rising power and serve them.
And the Lu family… was it not a rising new power?
Of course…
They didn't know why the Lu family had suddenly become so wealthy, nor did they care. Following the Lu family meant they had meat to eat. This was enough to attract more and more retainers to pledge their loyalty here.
"Hahahaha…"
At this moment…
Inside the main hall of the Lu family mansion, Lu Xun, Lu Ji, and Chen Gong were laughing heartily.
They had just heard the news that the Cao army in Lujiang was making moves, and the Cao army warships in Guangling were already poised for action, appearing to be heading south to Jiangdong.
And this… was precisely what the current Lu family most welcomed.
Of course.
Jiangdong was now in chaos. If it weren't for the shrewd methods of Lady Wu, who had great prestige in Jiangdong, and who had swiftly eliminated several minor families, coupled with the arrival of veteran officials like Cheng Pu, Huang Gai, and Han Dang leading troops from various commanderies to Wu Commandery to stabilize the situation, it was unknown… how much trouble would have erupted due to Sun Ce's assassination and Sun Quan's recent defeat.
And these…
In the eyes of the Lu family, the situation was developing favorably.
"Mr. Chen, the current situation is developing in a good direction, but… when will our Lu family volunteer to meet the advancing Cao Cao?"
Lu Xun asked proactively.
Chen Gong, however, waved his hand unhurriedly. "There's no hurry to volunteer. The current situation appears stable, but in reality, it's Lady Wu relying on veteran officials and the major families to mediate!"
"Don't look at these veteran officials as having some ability. In the eyes of the four major families of Wu Commandery and the four major families of Kuaiji, they are nothing. With the Cao army marching south, most families do not want to resist, while Lady Wu and these veteran officials are determined to resist! And they can't spare their hands… When they are arguing fiercely and the great edifice is about to collapse, then the Lu family will make its move. This is…"
Speaking of this…
Chen Gong paused, as if he could let Lu Xun and Lu Ji speak the final sentence.
Lu Ji was exceptionally intelligent. He immediately exclaimed loudly.
"This is what elder brother mentioned in his letter—to rescue the sinking ship and support the collapsing building…"
"Only through a battle in such a situation can the Lu family regain the trust of the Sun family and legitimately accumulate troops!"
Lu Ji was a child prodigy. Although he didn't talk much on weekdays, he understood the situation thoroughly in his heart.
However…
Lu Xun raised a question.
"Mr. Chen? But… there is one problem. We currently have soldiers, grain, retainers, and a strategist like Mr. Chen, but we desperately lack… martial men. As the saying goes, a thousand soldiers are easily obtained, but a general is hard to find. A cowardly army leads to a cowardly unit; a cowardly general leads to a cowardly whole!"
Lu Xun's question was particularly pertinent.
Who would have thought…
"Hahaha…" Chen Gong immediately burst into laughter. As he laughed, he took out a letter from his懷. "Look at this!"
"What you can think of? Lu Situ has already planned for you. This letter contains information about two top martial artists within Jiangdong!"
"This letter clearly states that in the past, they both wished to pledge allegiance to Sun Bofu, but due to Sun Bofu's defeat in Lujiang, they continued to wait and see. Now that Sun Bofu has been assassinated, they have still not met a wise lord. Haha, since it is someone mentioned by Lu Situ, they must be peerlessly brave. These are two brave generals bestowed by heaven upon your Lu family!"
Whoa…
Upon hearing this…
Lu Xun and Lu Ji exchanged glances.
Who were they? They sounded… very powerful!
…
…