— A laborer, a laborer's spirit, laborers are superior to men!
Lu Yu pondered...
Liu Bei was so skilled at escaping, faster than a rabbit...
He had tried, Cao Cao had tried, but damn it, they couldn't catch him, and they might never catch him.
So.
Why not change the approach.
Damn it, if Liu Bei was good at running, then... let Liu Bei run, run to Bashu, run to establish Shu Han, as long as... one of Lady Gan or Lady Mi's bellies could carry a bun, then Shu Han would unite the world, and wouldn't they still be working for Old Cao?
Of course...
Lu Yu's analysis was based on a different interpretation of some details in ancient texts.
For example, Guan Yu's crossing five passes and slaying six generals was not in the official history, and when Guan Yu bid farewell to Cao Cao, Old Cao generously recited a line—"They each serve their own lord, do not pursue them!"
Of course, this is not the main point.
The main point is that according to the official history, Guan Yu did leave Cao Cao, but there is no record indicating that he left with Lady Gan and Lady Mi.
On many forums in his previous life, there was a saying that Cao Cao only let Liu Bei's two wives return around the eleventh year of Jian'an.
Precisely...
The year after they were sent back, Lady Gan gave birth to Liu Chan, that big fat boy.
Whether it's true or false, this rumor... gave Lu Yu a new perspective.
If this "bun" in Lady Gan's belly was truly Cao Cao's seed, then it would be a grand game!
And all that followed...
For instance... Zhao Zilong under Changshan Slope, carrying the young lord and killing his way through Cao's camp seven times, with Cao Cao steadfastly refusing to release arrows.
This action... was deeply meaningful and justifiable.
Recalling that when Zhao Zilong rescued his lord alone and handed the child back to Liu Bei, Liu Bei directly threw Liu Chan to the ground. Was this behavior normal? Even a tiger wouldn't eat its cubs! Doesn't this suggest that Liu Bei also had a trace of suspicion and disdain for this child?
Not only these...
Historically, after Cao Cao captured Hanzhong, Bashu was in great shock and the people were in panic.
Everyone thought that Cao Cao would definitely use his victorious army to conquer Bashu, to eliminate Liu Bei in one go, and a large amount of data analysis indicated that it was indeed a great opportunity for Cao Cao at that time, but Cao Cao only left a sentence, "Having obtained Long, do you still wish for Shu?" and then directly retreated!
Even... from that time on, Cao Cao always adopted a defensive stance towards the land of Bashu.
Can it be understood that he considered his relationship with Liu Chan... and figured that Liu Bei would eventually fall, and when he fell, Liu Chan would ascend the throne, wouldn't Shu then be Wei, and Wei then be Shu?
Also... in the late game, Liu Chan feigned madness, but repeatedly thwarted Zhuge Liang's plan to march out of Qishan, ultimately indirectly leading to Zhuge Liang's death, and then... when the mighty Wei army was pressing down, the general Jiang Wei was still fighting bravely on the front line, but he, Liu Chan, directly surrendered.
Even... in the end, he was happy in Cao's camp and lived a good life in Shu!
These all have a hint of profound meaning!
Wait...
Lu Yu thought of something else.
What's more, Liu Chan was the longest-reigning monarch in the Three Kingdoms period, for a total of forty-one years. Even excluding the time Zhuge Liang managed Shu, he reigned for twenty-nine years!
Considering that Lady Gan was held by Cao Cao for so many years, coupled with Old Cao's unique taste and passion for "married women," and Old Cao's skill in wooing women...
Also, Liu Bei married quite a few wives in his lifetime, but why did he only have one son, Liu Chan?
Was he really impotent in that regard...
But if he was impotent in that regard, how did Liu Chan appear out of thin air? Then there is only one truth.
Uh... it's possible.
With a gulp, Lu Yu swallowed.
Isn't all of this a bit too coincidental?
And too suggestive?
Of course...
Whether Liu Chan's surname was Liu or Cao, keyboard historians on the internet have differing opinions, and it is almost impossible to verify now!
But...
Lu Yu, or rather Old Cao... could completely make Liu Chan's surname "Cao," and... the operation would not be difficult.
At this moment...
Not only Lu Yu, but Cao Cao's eyebrows twitched, and he fell into contemplation. His expression held a hint of pleasant surprise and excitement.
— Lady Gan ran off with the bun!
— He, Cao Cao, is the boss!
— Liu the runner is the laborer!
This idea is brilliant...
Not only brilliant, but also very satisfying and exciting... Aren't you, Liu Bei, good at concealing your thoughts? Isn't your level of psychological warfare higher than his, Cao Cao's?
Heh heh... then be higher.
No more competition... Cao Cao mused, I'm not playing with you anymore. The so-called era of great contention, contention is non-contention, and non-contention is contention!
Anyway...
If this plan is carried out, won't your Liu Bei ultimately be working for him, Cao Cao? Whatever, Cao Cao wishes for Liu Bei to establish a great cause, and he might even help him when the time is right!
"Hahaha..."
For a moment, Cao Cao's beard twitched, and a meaningful smile appeared.
However...
The theory is one thing, but the actual operation...
You must know...
The idea of laborers and bosses mentioned by Yu'er, the idea of Lady Gan "running with the bun," are ideal states, but there are too many details to pay attention to.
One mistake could reveal the flaw, and the effort would be in vain. And the first step... is a big problem?
Are Lady Gan? Lady Mi? Are they chaste women? Will they submit to his, Cao Cao's, whatsit?
If this step fails, the entire plan... will be stillborn.
Thinking of this, Cao Cao's eyes narrowed.
Just then...
Lu Yu's words followed.
"Sikong Cao, actually... this matter is not difficult to operate."
He did not ask if Cao Cao wanted to do it.
There was no need to ask. As long as it was a married woman... it held infinite temptation for Cao Cao... After all, "Cao the scoundrel" is a symbol that exists forever, and Old Cao is the originator of this "Cao the scoundrel" symbol!
"Sikong Cao might as well think, why is it that Liu Bei, even after the age of forty, still has no children? Doesn't this suggest that he must have neglected his wives? Coupled with his constant fleeing, his legs might be strong, but his kidneys are weak... Moreover, he 'dines at the same table' and 'sleeps in the same bed' with his brothers Guan Yu and Zhang Fei. As Liu Bei's wife? On the surface, she wouldn't say anything, but inwardly, she would inevitably feel some discomfort... even..."
At this point, Lu Yu paused, and a bold guess blurted out: "Liu Bei is likely gay!"
"Gay?"
Cao Cao was stunned. He didn't understand what Yu'er's so-called "gay" meant for a moment.
On the contrary, Lu Yu tapped his forehead. This term was too advanced... Old Cao couldn't understand it yet!
"The meaning of 'gay,' you see, is a colloquialism from some remote villages..." Lu Yu repeatedly explained: "It means a man has no interest in women, but is interested in men. Corresponding to Liu Bei, it can be understood that he and Guan Yu and Zhang Fei are true loves, and those Lady Gan and Lady Mi are just... uh... tools, yes... tools for uniting the commoners of Xuzhou!"
As these words blurted out.
Lu Yu felt it was a waste of talent, because comparing the heavenly beautiful Lady Gan and Lady Mi to "tools" was too much of a waste.
Of course, compared to Lu Yu, Liu Bei was even more excessive!
Thinking about it this way, Lu Yu was saving fallen women... no, more accurately, saving "comfort women"... What a glorious and great undertaking this is.
Anyone who has read the Three Kingdoms knows...
Cao Wei likes married women;
Eastern Wu likes little girls;
Shu Han is all gay...
For such a concept of "gay," the first to come to mind are Liu, Guan, and Zhang, the three sworn brothers of the peach garden!
Hearing this, Cao Cao's eyes flickered repeatedly, and his face even turned red and purple, as if it were congested. He suddenly understood.
What Yu'er said today was a bit wicked, but... he, Cao Cao, liked it very much, and could even be a bit more wicked!
"Sikong Lu, in your opinion... Lady Gan and Lady Mi are not chaste women? They won't refuse to die?"
Cao Cao retorted...
He was already asking for details of the strategy.
"Definitely not..." Lu Yu answered with great certainty. "Whether a woman is 'chaste' depends on who she is with. Liu Bei treated them poorly... he doesn't deserve their chastity! However... Sikong Cao, I have a suggestion?"
"Just say it."
"Sikong Cao must care for Lady Gan and Lady Mi with concern and love..." Lu Yu's tone was exceptionally serious. "Whether it is Lady Gan or Lady Mi, they are very pitiable. By Liu the runner's side, they were abandoned every now and then, and fell into the hands of others. They never felt the concern and love from their husband. Women like them are the most deprived of love!"
Lu Yu said this as if he were a complete emotional master...
Of course...
In this regard...
He had some experience.
Before transmigrating, there were many emotional programs, and on the internet, there were also many news reports of young boys, girls, married women, and bosses having affairs... And the reason they had affairs was the temptation of the secular world? No... it was because they were unhappy.
Once unhappy, human nature... note that it is human nature, not sex... everyone, don't think wrongly.
In short... it is "human nature" that has weaknesses, desires and unwillingness spread, thus embarking on a path of no return of "infidelity."
Through ancient texts...
Through the records of Lady Gan, Lady Mi, and even Liu Bei... Lu Yu could not help but discover that damn it, Liu Bei was completely not enthusiastic about women!
For example... the famous Sun Xiaomei of Jiangdong.
"Romance of the Three Kingdoms" recorded how she and Liu Bei were so affectionate and devoted, but this was all fabricated, all nonsense!
In fact, in the official history... Sun Xiaomei lived a very tragic life.
Marrying that old scoundrel Liu Bei was already disheartening, and on top of that, Liu Bei was impotent in that regard.
Moreover... he didn't know how to cherish people. This marriage only lasted for two years, after which they parted ways and never saw each other again, considered a decent amicable separation. Even after Liu Bei ascended the throne, he did not give her a title.
Therefore, Lu Yu dared to take responsibility for his words...
Lady Gan and Lady Mi... are deprived of love!
Fahai... no, Liu Bei doesn't understand love!
And isn't Old Cao most skilled at showering married young women, still graceful and alluring married women, with love, giving them infinite love?
One is truly deprived of love, and the other truly gives love. Isn't this a coincidence? It's a perfect match...
Hiss...
Having discussed this point, Cao Cao finally understood completely.
He slowly stood up, hands behind his back, and paced back and forth in the main hall...
No wonder Yu'er asked him to keep Guan Yu.
Yu'er never thought of conquering Guan Yu, but rather Yu'er also regarded Guan Yu as a tool.
— A tool to escort the pregnant Lady Gan and Lady Mi away.
The next tasks were two things...
One was to secretly capture the hearts of the two ladies, at least... to capture the heart of one lady, and even make this lady support his, Cao Cao's, plan.
This is not simple, but as Yu'er said, one must move them with concern and love, so that both their bodies and hearts belong to him, Cao Cao, and they think from his, Cao Cao's, perspective!
The other was Guan Yu.
Cao Cao had to bestow great rewards and accolades upon Guan Yu!
To give the impression that he wanted to keep Guan Yu with immense grace. Of course... Guan Yu would still leave, this point... both Yu'er and Xi Zhicai had made it very clear.
— You can't catch a wolf without sacrificing a child!
Since he was going to leave, he had to leave with value!
At least let him take this "bun" to Liu Bei. Cao Cao could even do a favor, and even... letting Guan Yu go, this one act alone, if handled well, could earn him a great reputation.
What's more...
During Guan Yu's departure, Cao Cao could sacrifice some "fodder." The more effort he put into escorting the two sisters-in-law back to Liu Bei, the more thoroughly Cao Cao's dealings with Lady Gan and Lady Mei could be concealed, and the less suspicious they would be.
For Liu Bei, the return of the two ladies would seem even more precious!
"Good, good, good!"
Finally... Cao Cao spoke, three consecutive "good" words were enough to express the excitement in his heart at that moment.
"Now... even if Liu Bei runs faster than a rabbit, even if he is good at using tears to gain a reputation for benevolence, even if a tiger enters the mountain, a dragon enters the sea, so what? Hahaha... Hahahahaha... None of these can stop the green grass on his head!"
Immediately...
Cao Cao laughed heartily.
Having figured out this course of action, Cao Cao became full of confidence.
As the most outstanding "married woman" killer of this era, as a prolific overlord of this era, Cao Cao had the confidence and assurance... to complete this "very comfortable" action.
Comfortable...
Just thinking about it... his body and spirit felt a surge of exhilaration.
"As for the specifics of how to act... Sikong Cao is the master here, so I won't show off my meager skills..." Lu Yu smiled slightly, concluding the topic.
Chatting with intelligent people is like this.
Lu Yu and Cao Cao actually didn't talk much. Many things... were just a slight hint, and Cao Cao understood.
Of course, even though he understood, this strategy involved a wide range of issues, and the specific actions still needed to be savored slowly.
"Hahaha..."
Cao Cao was still laughing, patting Lu Yu's shoulder. "The dumplings eaten tonight were satisfying... Haha, after talking with you, I, Cao Cao, feel that the New Year has meaning!"
Speaking of this...
Cao Cao suddenly thought of something. He turned around and called out, "Where is Zhongkang..."
"I am here!" Xu Chu stepped forward.
Cao Cao immediately ordered, "Go and instruct them, this year for the New Year, prepare dumplings for Yun Chang, and also for Lady Gan and Lady Mi, and say... that I, Cao Cao, made them myself!"
Ah... ah...
Xu Chu tapped his forehead? Dumplings personally made by Sikong Cao... even if it's fake, does it need to be like this?
Cao Cao saw through his doubts at a glance.
"Just say it like that... Go quickly."
"Yes, yes!" Xu Chu agreed and hurried to arrange it...
Lu Yu's eyes rolled. Old Cao is indeed Old Cao. The New Year has not yet arrived, but... the operation to conquer married women... is about to begin. This is a welcome sight!
Thinking of this...
Lu Yu looked up at the sky.
He pondered the current situation... Old Cao has arrived, and the army has returned.
Then...
The chain reaction for the overall situation will inevitably have two points. First, the Lu family of Jiangdong will rise again, and they will immediately be drawn into the vortex of the Sun family's succession!
The third son of the Sun family, the weakened Little Hegemon Sun Bofu—Sun Yi!
I don't know if Lu Xun, Lu Ji... and Chen Gong can successfully support him to ascend the throne. If he ascends, given his personality similar to the Little Hegemon, the Sun family of Jiangdong and various prominent families will inevitably have friction...
And the Lu family will then be able to benefit from it.
Second, the situation in Jizhou in the north.
I heard that Yang Xiu has arrived at Qu Yi's army and, as expected, has been imprisoned.
Then...
Old Cao's army's return will also eliminate Yuan Shao's last lingering concerns.
Shouldn't he act against Qu Yi?
The moon was bright and the stars were scattered across the sky. Lu Yu's thoughts, however, followed the stars to the northern land.
He murmured in his heart...
"Yang Dezhu, oh Yang Dezhu, your New Year's goods are all prepared, you must come back alive!"
...
...
Bingzhou, a military camp!
This military camp is everywhere visible with the banner of "Qu."
Undoubtedly, this is Qu Yi's military camp...
At this moment, on New Year's Eve, unlike the liveliness in the city, this military camp in the wilderness appears exceptionally quiet. Apart from three or five soldiers gathered together drinking a little wine and bragging about past glorious stories, there is no trace of New Year's atmosphere in the camp.
Of course...
As soldiers of the Vanguard Camp, they were excited because... the retreat of the five bandit armies allowed them to easily reclaim a large amount of land in Bingzhou.
In addition, ...
Yuan Shao promised General Qu Yi to grant him Bingzhou and to memorialize the Emperor to enfeoff him as the Marquis of Bingzhou!
As the saying goes, when one person attains the Way, even his chickens and dogs ascend to heaven...
At that time, Bingzhou will belong to General Qu Yi, and to the Vanguard Camp. They have finally found a place to settle down, can bring their families and children over, and can live a good life.
Gradually, the lamp was extinguished, and the faint moonlight shone through the window of the large tent, falling on the ground like scattered frost. At this moment... who else was confined in this large tent except Yang Xiu, Yang Dezhu?
He had been imprisoned here for half a month...
The meals were getting worse day by day, and the weather was getting colder day by day...
He was originally a proud person, someone who had been pampered since childhood, but who would have thought that he, at this moment, would suffer such hardship without a single complaint.
Perhaps, his pride had been smoothed out by the edges, perhaps, he had grown to a new height.
At this moment...
He curled up his body to retain some warmth, and in his mind, he recalled the words of Chief Lu from his lectures at the Imperial Academy in the past...
— "Without a bitter bone-chilling experience, how can plum blossoms exude fragrance!"
— "When the long wind breaks the waves, I will set my sail high to cross the sea!"
These sentences that Lu Yu had mentioned in class...
At this moment, they were being chanted word by word by Yang Xiu.
Hope...
His heart was full of hope!
Chief Lu said, believe—there is light!
"Dada da..."
At this moment of absolute silence, hurried hoofbeats echoed through the great camp. A secret message from Ye City had arrived here.
And the knight on horseback was still in shock... his terrified eyes carried a single sentence:
— Something big has happened!
...
...