"Water, water..."
Inside a luxurious five-carriage procession on the official road from Yanzhou to Xudu city, a faint voice emerged.
This was Cao Cao's carriage, and the one tending to him was his most trusted clansman, Xiahou Dun.
It was known that Xiahou Dun was the only clansman permitted to freely enter and exit Cao Cao's sleeping quarters; others, even Cao Ren, were not allowed.
"Water... I'll get water right away... Brother, just bear with it, bear with it!"
Even Xiahou Dun, who was usually as steadfast as iron, panicked upon seeing the extremely weak Cao Cao lying in the carriage. His thick brows furrowed into an inverted V.
Cao Cao's army had brought physicians, but...
How could these physicians cure Cao Cao's head ailment? Moreover, this "outbreak" was particularly severe.
For such symptoms, one would probably need to seek out "Medicine Immortal" Lu Yu and "Medicine Saint" Zhang Zhongjing.
"Tap, tap..."
Footsteps echoed.
Xiahou Dun dared not be careless. Without informing the Tiger Guards surrounding the five-carriage procession, he personally alighted from the carriage to fetch water, believing it would be faster.
However, by the time the water was brought back, Cao Cao was nowhere to be found inside the five-carriage procession.
"Brother? Brother..."
Xiahou Dun called out, but there was still no answer.
What was going on? Xiahou Dun was flustered. He looked around, but his brother was nowhere to be seen.
Just as he was about to shout,
"General Xiahou... it's best not to shout," a Tiger Guard quickly reminded him.
"Why? Do you know where my brother went?" Xiahou Dun turned and asked urgently.
"Cao Sikong has already departed on a swift horse, heading towards Xudu city," the Tiger Guard replied truthfully.
What?
Xiahou Dun was somewhat bewildered. Hadn't his brother been in unbearable pain and extremely weak just moments ago? Yet now... he had already left for Xudu?
"Explain yourself clearly," Xiahou Dun continued to ask.
"General Xiahou, please calm your anger..." the Tiger Guard bowed his hands. "Cao Sikong specifically asked me to deliver a message to General Xiahou: please lie in the carriage in his stead. He has urgent matters to discuss with Situ Lu, so he rode ahead on a swift horse with the Tiger Guards! From now on, General Xiahou in this five-carriage procession is Cao Sikong!"
"But... Brother's head wind hasn't healed yet, and it's going to be dark soon. Brother never travels at night."
Xiahou Dun continued to ask.
The Tiger Guard replied unhurriedly, "Cao Sikong only asked me to tell General Xiahou one thing: a person's feet are whiter than their face and hands!"
Uh... this...
Xiahou Dun scratched his head. Why would feet be whiter than face and hands? What did that mean?
Besides, what did feet have to do with anything?
"General Xiahou, from now on, you need to lie in this five-carriage procession..."
Hoo...
Xiahou Dun let out a long sigh.
This time, he was truly dizzy.
...
...
This day was already the end of the year.
The Dragon Mighty Camp and the Imperial Academy were bustling with activity. Many soldiers and instructors were experiencing such a plentiful New Year for the first time. Barrels of delicacies were placed inside and outside the kitchens; none of the usual fare was present, only dishes with unidentifiable names.
There were also chickens, ducks, fish, sheep, dogs, and venison...
Occasionally, there were a few pots of beef. One didn't know which unfortunate cow had blundered into the path of a blade and met its end.
These dishes...
They were lined up barrel by barrel. It was winter, so there was no worry of the wine and meat spoiling.
Moreover, tonight... they would be heated.
Very much anticipated...
With such countless delicacies and fine wines, to experience such a bountiful year in these turbulent times was truly a great blessing.
Of course.
This happiness might be commonplace for the noble families of the past, but for these soldiers and instructors, it was incredibly precious!
Lu Yu had specifically instructed that the soldiers of the Dragon Mighty Camp and the instructors of the Imperial Academy bring their families. Lu Yu had even hired some singing girls for performances.
This could be considered... an early era of cultural performance?
Undoubtedly, all of this added a touch of splendor to the end of Jian'an year three, and to the "mighty and vigorous" Jian'an year four.
Besides this.
As the year drew to a close, the Dragon Mighty Camp also began to distribute military pay, and the Imperial Academy paid its instructors. This truly kept the old master Cao Song quite busy.
Both the Dragon Mighty Camp and the Imperial Academy had dedicated accounting offices. Clerks meticulously calculated the sums, which reflected the great merits the soldiers had earned. These merits were converted into money and grain, and for those who had achieved great feats, there were even fields and deeds!
Especially for the Dragon Mighty Camp, due to their outstanding achievements in the past two years, this accounted for a considerable expenditure.
The clerks called out individual names, distributing five-zhu coins, grain, and land deeds in due course.
At this moment...
Many people shed tears. On those faces, darkened and tired from daily training, beneath the scars from fighting on the battlefield, rows of white teeth were revealed.
They smiled, but their eyes were moist.
Cao Song had a feeling...
These five-zhu coins and grains were rightfully theirs, yet distributing them felt as if he, Cao Song, were bestowing charity. Alas... in these turbulent times, the demands of the common people and soldiers were too low, and what his grandson had ordered to be distributed far exceeded their expectations.
Finally...
"New Year's Eve"!
Ah, no... to be precise, in this era, it was called "Zhuchu" (驅除 - driving away evil)!
It was time to drive away the "evil spirits of plague" by beating drums.
"Dong dong dong..."
The drums thundered, and deafening drumbeats echoed throughout the Dragon Mighty Camp and the Imperial Academy. Even in the villages along the Ying River, many drums sounded "rumbling"... These were the villagers who had profited handsomely from the Imperial Academy!
Xu Shu and his mother were among them!
At this moment, Xu Shu was personally beating the drum, and while doing so, he couldn't help but glance at his mother's face. His mother was smiling, and Xu Shu knew this was the smile of her seeing him "abandon the darkness and embrace the light."
A single thought of freedom...
A single thought of divinity or demonism...
At this moment, Xu Shu still felt a lingering fear. If he hadn't returned to his mother's side, hadn't seen the changes in the village, and hadn't pledged loyalty to Lu Yu, then this New Year... his mother would likely have spent it in tears.
"Heh heh"...
Xu Shu smiled faintly. He had finally made the right choice.
Wasn't this kind of happiness, like a utopia in this world, what the common people in these chaotic times pursued?
...
At this moment, Lu Yu was not present in the Dragon Mighty Camp or the Imperial Academy.
Cao Xiu, Dian Wei, and the others were more than capable there. New Year's Eve was for spending time with family. He stood in the Situ Mansion, quietly watching Zhao Ji jie and Da Qiao, Xiao Qiao, making dumplings.
Even Diao Chan, who rarely went out, had joined them.
Laughter and cheerful conversations filled the air.
It had to be said...
Because of Lu Yu, dumplings and the "cold-dispelling Jiao Er soup" had become essential items for almost every household, especially at the end of the year.
Families reunited to make and eat dumplings, creating a warm and harmonious atmosphere.
Only Lu Yu, however, looked up at the full moon in the sky, his heart filled with emotion.
It was a pity that after coming to this world, he had been separated from his birth mother before they could even meet. It was truly regrettable. As for a father... he didn't even know who it was. Of course, even if he did, it wouldn't matter. Lu Yu had no intention of taking care of a deadbeat father in his old age.
The good thing was... as he had journeyed along, Lu Yu's family had grown.
Zhao Ji jie, who doted on him!
Da Qiao and Xiao Qiao, who doted on him in a special way that required friction!
And then...
Diao Chan, who made his mood improve just by looking at her every day!
Living in the Situ Mansion, these... were all considered Lu Yu's family.
Besides them, there was Old Cao, his good brother Xiahou Dun, his junior brother Zhang Zhongjing... as well as Xi Zhicai, Xun Yu, Xun You, Jia Xu, Guo Jia, and others who had intricate connections with him – his "friends"!
As for those called "subordinates," there were far too many...
Thinking of it this way...
Lu Yu felt that living here was at least ten times more comfortable than in his previous life.
In the courtyard outside the main hall, at a stone table... Xiao Qiao and Xiao Qiao were making dumplings while secretly glancing at Lu Yu, who was lost in thought in the main hall.
It had to be said.
The way her husband concentrated and thought seriously was indescribably handsome, possessing a unique charm.
Occasionally... Zhao Ji jie and Diao Chan jie would say something with a light laugh, but Da Qiao and Xiao Qiao were oblivious, their gazes fixed on her husband, their imaginations soaring. On this New Year's night?
Who among them would go...?
A bold idea emerged: could they go together?
...
"Hahaha..."
Suddenly, a hearty laugh echoed from the pavilions.
Following closely was the sound of "tap, tap" footsteps...
Everyone looked towards the source of the laughter. Who else could it be but Cao Cao?
"Brother..."
Cai Zhao Ji spoke subconsciously, her eyes filled with surprise. After all, the news from the front line yesterday seemed to indicate that her brother's head ailment had flared up, and he was rushing back, expected to arrive no earlier than tomorrow morning, the first day of the New Year.
How...
Had he returned now? And in such high spirits?
"Younger sister? You don't welcome me, Cao Cao?" Cao Cao asked heartily, his eyes, however, fixed on Lu Yu in the direction of the main hall.
Lu Yu was also surprised...
Old Cao? Why is he here?
Wasn't he faking his head ailment? This... appearing so lively here, what if this information reached Jiangdong? Wouldn't that just increase the game's difficulty?
Subconsciously, drops of sweat trickled down Lu Yu's forehead.
It was Cai Zhao Ji who spoke, "How could we not welcome you? If Brother can come... our Situ Mansion is honored. It's just, Brother's head..."
"Haha..." Hearing Cai Zhao Ji ask about his head ailment, Cao Cao replied with a laugh, "Yes, I did have a headache recently, or rather, my head was splitting with pain, but it's all better now!"
"When my head wind acts up, it's like this: when it hurts, it's like mountains roaring and seas surging, like being chopped by knives and axes. But once it's gone, it's as if nothing happened. Besides, I was in a hurry to come back... to eat a bowl of dumplings made by Younger Sister! Thinking of that, my headache is completely gone. Haha! Hahaha!"
Another burst of laughter followed.
It was clear that upon returning to Xudu and arriving at the Situ Mansion, Cao Cao's mood had greatly improved.
"Greetings, Cao Sikong..."
At this moment, Diao Chan, Da Qiao, and Xiao Qiao gracefully rose and paid their respects.
Cao Cao glanced at them, then at Lu Yu, and felt... Yu'er was truly living a very "happy" life. However, these women were still too young; they were not Cao Cao's preferred type... too tender.
Speaking of which, it was strange. Despite being father and son, their preferences in women were completely different!
"Alright, no need for formalities..." Cao Cao waved his hand. "Do what you were doing. Don't feel constrained just because I, Cao Cao, have arrived."
"Brother, why don't you sit for a while..." Hearing this, Cai Zhao Ji said gracefully, "I'll have the servants put the dumplings in the pot..."
She mused in her heart that if her brother had rushed back so eagerly, he must have ridden his horse at full speed and must be hungry, so she quickly called for the servants.
Who would have thought...
Cao Cao waved his hand.
"We can eat dumplings later, but there are some things I need to ask your brother first!"
Upon hearing this, Lu Yu had already walked up to Cao Cao. Hearing his words, he extended his hand and said, "The main hall is empty. Cao Sikong, please..."
Cao Cao nodded, and the two walked towards the main hall together.
Da Qiao and Xiao Qiao both watched them leave, a hint of doubt rising in their hearts.
It was the New Year.
Why had Cao Sikong rushed here so urgently? Did he have important matters to discuss with her husband?
Diao Chan, however, felt a slight surprise. Cao Cao, who was always rumored to be cunning, indifferent, and suspicious, was so amiable and friendly to everyone in the Situ Mansion.
Even... there was a special light in his eyes when he looked at Lu Yu.
Diao Chan instinctively felt that the relationship between Cao Cao and Lu Yu was not merely that of a lord and his advisor; their friendliness was more like that of family.
...
...
In the main hall of the Situ Mansion.
Cao Cao and Lu Yu took their seats respectively. Lu Yu poured a cup of tea for Cao Cao. Cao Cao took it and sipped it. Seeing a hint of worry in Lu Yu's eyes, he immediately said.
"Don't worry, Yuan Rang is lying in my five-carriage procession. Right now, Yuan Rang is me, Cao Cao, and I won't show any flaws!"
With these words spoken...
Lu Yu finally felt a bit more at ease.
"Cao Sikong's planning is indeed thorough. But Cao Sikong never travels at night... why were you in such a hurry to return this time..."
"Two matters," Cao Cao said without concealment. "If these two matters are not clarified, I'm afraid I won't have a comfortable New Year!"
"Cao Sikong, please speak freely..." Lu Yu also poured himself a bowl of tea.
"Regarding Guan Yu and Liu Bei's two wives..." Cao Cao got straight to the point. "Leaving Liu Bei's wives Gan and Mi is understandable, but Guan Yu..."
"Zhicai explained it very clearly. He formed a sworn brotherhood with Liu Bei when he was insignificant. For years, he followed Liu Bei through campaigns and hardship, loyal and devoted. How could such a person possibly be loyal to me, Cao Cao? For this very reason, why did you send Wen Yuan with a letter, asking me to let him go?"
Guan Yu's matter was what Cao Cao found most perplexing during this time.
Even while feigning a severe headache from his ailment, as he lay in the carriage, Cao Cao's mind was consumed by this issue.
He couldn't understand why Lu Yu kept Guan Yu.
What was Guan Yu's value?
And as these words left his mouth, Lu Yu blinked his eyes. As expected...
He had figured that Old Cao would return and immediately ask him about this.
"Does Cao Sikong believe Guan Yunchang is useless?"
"He is useful, but if he cannot be used by me forever, then he is useless!" Cao Cao's tone carried a hint of ferocity.
"Then what about Liu Bei's wives, Gan and Mi? Does Cao Sikong think they are useful?" Lu Yu continued to ask. Compared to Cao Cao's serious expression, his words were spoken with a smile, quite fitting for the New Year's atmosphere.
Uh...
Wives Gan and Mi? This...
Cao Cao blinked his eyes, coughed, and immediately cleared his throat, muttering to himself, Isn't Yu'er asking the obvious?
In his life, other than vying for supremacy under heaven, Cao Cao's only hobby was collecting the wives of his enemies and taking them as concubines.
Of course, this was partly due to Xiahou Yuan's wife, Ding Xiang.
(For details, please see the extra chapter - "Why Does Cao Cao Favor Married Women?")
But more so, Cao Cao not only wanted to conquer his enemies on the battlefield but also to conquer their wives in the bedroom, delivering a blow from all angles, with no blind spots!
This was a different kind of conquest, and Cao Cao relished it.
"Isn't Situ Lu asking the obvious?" Cao Cao replied with a smile. "I heard that Liu Bei's wife Mi is named 'Lüyun,' the sister of Mi Zhu, the leader of the commoner faction in Xuzhou, and a native of Langya Commandery. She's somewhat of a fellow countrywoman. She's described as ethereal and delicate, preferring to wear green clothing!"
"As for Lady Gan, her name is Gan Mei, from Xiaopei in Xuzhou. After conquering Xiapi, I met this Lady Gan once. She was like frost and snow illuminated by bright moonlight; even white jade would pale in comparison. The common people even called her the 'Wise Lady'."
Heh...
As he said this, Lu Yu was taken aback. He muttered to himself, Old Cao, you truly live up to your reputation as Cao Thief.
After conquering Xiapi city, before anything else was clear, he already knew Liu Bei's two wives intimately. This behavior was very Cao Cao, no, very "Cao Thief"!
"Cough, cough..."
With a light cough, Lu Yu decided not to beat around the bush anymore. "Cao Sikong, a side question... after these few incidents, what do you think of Liu Bei?"
"Just as you said, Liu Bei excels at crying and running away!" When mentioning Liu Bei, Cao Cao felt his mood somewhat collapsing. "When I attacked Xiapi, I had already completely surrounded them, but who would have thought that the long-eared fellow's white horse could leap three zhang and actually escape from desperation? I sent people to pursue him, but where was there any trace of him? He truly runs faster than a rabbit! With such ability, why call him Liu Bei? Let's just rename him Liu Pao Pao (Liu Run-run)!"
Liu Bei had slipped through Cao Cao's fingers twice, which was also an important reason why Cao Cao intended to keep Liu Bei's wives and vent his anger fiercely.
Damn it, you run faster than a rabbit, but your wife probably doesn't. Fine... you ran, so your wife, I'll raise her!
When mentioning Liu Bei, Cao Cao gritted his teeth.
Lu Yu, on the other hand, replied with a smiling face.
"Cao Sikong, please calm your anger... Liu Bei sold straw sandals and mats at street stalls when he was young. This is standard small commodity trading combined with street stall operations. To avoid heavy commercial taxes and bullies, he would often run away at the first sign of trouble... Over the years, he has honed a unique escape technique! Let alone Cao Sikong, even the gods might not be able to catch him when he runs. It's truly superb."
When mentioning this escape technique, Lu Yu thought of street vendors in cities from his past life.
To avoid the city management officers, they would run faster than rabbits! It was just like Liu Bei, no, Liu Bei was just like them, absolutely perfect.
With this thought in mind...
Lu Yu continued:
"Such a person who excels at crying and running away? He gains favor with people through his tears and seeks opportunities through his escape techniques. This Liu Bei is like an unkillable cockroach... If he accidentally finds an opportunity, he might truly rise. And in my opinion, Guan Yu and Ladies Gan and Mi are precisely the breakthrough points for Liu Bei!"
Having said this, Lu Yu paused.
He then meaningfully reminded, "Cao Sikong, Liu Bei must be in his forties this year, right? Yet he has married many wives, why hasn't he managed to have a son?"
"Conversely, on Cao Sikong's side, not to mention Prince Ang and Prince Shuo born to Lady Liu, even Lady Bian has given birth to four princes: Pi, Zhang, Zhi, and Xiong. I hear Madam Du also has one, right? What does this indicate... it means that in terms of having children, even a hundred Liu Beis combined cannot compare to Cao Sikong! Therefore..."
Lu Yu's eyes became determined.
He lowered his voice.
"Liu Bei cannot have sons, why doesn't Cao Sikong help him?"
"Help him have one, and then let Guan Yu escort the 'pregnant wife' back to Liu Bei's side. In this way, even if Liu Bei is good at crying, good at running, and good at surviving in the cracks, and even if he becomes a local overlord in the future, won't he ultimately be working for Cao Sikong's son for his entire life?"
"In the end, who is the boss? Who is the worker? The spirit of the worker!"
...
...