"Wenhe, what do you think?"
Cao Cao's question suddenly turned to Jia Xu. Jia Xu was startled, feeling as though Old Cao asked him about everything.
What could he think?
He could only stand and see!
Did he think he could sit and see, or lie down and see?
In reality... Cao Cao now had many strategists around him, but most of them were talented individuals from Yingchuan. If one were to truly distinguish themselves from the Han court, or if their identities were clean, there weren't many.
If historical records were to be followed, Cheng Yu... undoubtedly fit such a description.
However... the current Cheng Yu was a Sima in the Long Xiao Camp. Cao Cao desperately needed someone like that, someone he could discuss matters with at any time.
As for Jia Xu, he was just the right fit in every aspect.
Seeing Jia Xu hesitate, Cao Cao added, "Wenhe, Master Situ Lu always says you don't give your all, yet you're always involved. Shouldn't you show your skills once in a while? It's clean to hide your feet in socks, but they get quite smelly, haha, haha..."
Hmph... with words like that, no matter how much Jia Xu wanted to remain idle, he couldn't.
"Chancellor Cao, isn't this asking the obvious..." Jia Xu lightly waved his hand. "Isn't it that whatever Chancellor Cao wants, Master Lu acts upon? If I were to analyze it afterward, wouldn't that be redundant?"
As these words left his mouth...
Cao Cao and Jia Xu exchanged glances.
Haha... hahahaha... both burst into hearty laughter.
However, after his laughter, Jia Xu maintained his usual composure and calmness. He did not forget to add,
"Chancellor Cao, you must think carefully... Liu Bei is not Dong Cheng, after all. While Master Lu intends to act against him, can Chancellor Cao truly make a move?"
This...
Jia Xu's last sentence served as a reminder to Cao Cao.
Liu Bei was indeed different from Dong Cheng. Liu Bei had a reputation for benevolence and righteousness among the common people. In the past... Cao Cao had asked Xun Yu, Xun You, and Xi Zhicai.
Should Liu Bei be used, or should Liu Bei be killed?
In the end, Yu'er proposed a strategy: use Liu Bei first, then kill Liu Bei...
Now, the question was the same, but as Cao Cao prepared to make the decision to kill Liu Bei, he couldn't help but feel apprehensive, worried that because of him, his hard-earned reputation for seeking talent within the Han Dynasty would be completely ruined.
This was a matter of pulling one thread and affecting the whole tapestry, but Yu'er had reached this point; he was forcing Cao Cao's hand. If he didn't act, he had to act!
Hoo...
With a sigh, Cao Cao suddenly stood up.
"It seems I must pay a visit to this Liu Xuande! Let's see if he is as adept at hiding his intentions and as unfathomable as Yu'er says!"
With that said...
Cao Cao rose and headed for the door. One of his hands was clenched into a fist, seeming to hold boundless killing intent, while the other was open, as if still maintaining a sliver of mercy. It seemed... regarding the issue of Liu Bei, he was still contemplating. Xu Chu and a contingent of elite guards quickly followed...
Jia Xu's eyes narrowed slightly.
In truth...
In his heart, it was better to confine Liu Bei than to kill him.
As long as Liu Bei was locked within Xu Du city.
Why risk incurring the wrath of the world for one person?
Besides, Xu Du city wouldn't lack this one person's grain!
...
...
On the outskirts of Xu Du city, in a plum grove.
At this moment, the plum trees were growing quite vigorously... Liu Bei was also tending to them as usual, content and happy.
This was feigning foolishness, pretending to have no ambition, to make Cao Cao lower his guard!
And it seemed...
The Liu Bei cultivating today was vastly different from the Liu Bei of yesterday. He seemed somewhat disoriented, which was due to consuming the Five-Stone Powder.
This Five-Stone Powder had extremely potent medicinal properties. It could make melancholy, depression, gloom, fear, worry, and panic... all disappear, leaving only the word "pleasure."
It was like being able to indulge in ecstatic bliss alone, so intoxicating that it felt like dying and coming back to life, incredibly convenient...
It was somewhat similar to opium in later generations.
Seeing his elder brother Liu Bei in this state, Zhang Fei frowned and complained, "Second Brother, the two of us should be commanding armies, and if we die, it should be on the battlefield, how exhilarating! But our elder brother, first he's farming, and now he's taking drugs... I... I really want to..."
Zhang Fei wanted to say that he really wanted to wake him up with his snake spear.
Guan Yu, however, reached out and stopped him.
"Third Brother, Big Brother must have his difficulties. At least... this Five-Stone Powder can make our Big Brother happy for a while. He hasn't had an easy time either!"
"Second Brother... you..." Zhang Fei looked at Guan Yu with confusion.
Guan Yu remained expressionless.
There were things he could see but could not speak!
Just then...
Liu Bei, lost in a daze from the Five-Stone Powder, was circling in the plum grove.
He seemed to have fallen into a hallucination...
"Look, how fertile this soil is! How well this plum grove is growing... keep planting, keep growing, the higher it grows, the better!"
Da da da...
At this moment, the sound of horseshoes echoed from a distance.
It seemed...
These horseshoes pulled Liu Bei slightly out of his illusion. He subtly squatted on the ground, quickly took two lumps of mud from the soil, and smeared them on his face.
"Liu Xuande..."
From atop his tall horse, Xu Chu's voice called out.
Liu Bei turned around, his senses clearing somewhat. He respectfully cupped his fists and asked, "General, why have you come here?"
"Chancellor Cao has an order, he asks you to come immediately!" Xu Chu instructed.
"Then General, please wait a moment, allow Liu Bei to change his clothes..." Liu Bei subconsciously glanced at his mud-stained clothes and intended to change.
Who would have thought that Xu Chu would directly stop him? "Chancellor Cao only said for you to come immediately, he didn't say you had to change! Please..."
As he spoke, Xu Chu gestured... the carriage was ready!
"Damn it all..." Zhang Fei grumbled inwardly. Even a guard of Cao Cao dared to be so disrespectful to his elder brother. He really wanted to pick up his eight-foot snake spear and poke a hundred holes through this guy!
Yet, he was still stopped by Guan Yu.
"Alright..." Liu Bei agreed, instructed his two virtuous sworn brothers to tend to the vegetables diligently, and then boarded the carriage.
...
...
The rain pattered, and tonight Xu Du city was covered in dark clouds. In the Sima mansion, Zhang Chunhua looked at Sima Yi with a worried expression, while Sima Yi sat before his desk, repeatedly copying Liu Bei's handwriting.
Zhang Chunhua hesitated for a moment and then asked, "Zhongda? Why are you always copying Liu Bei's handwriting?"
Hoo...
With a soft exhale.
Sima Yi put down his brush.
He did not answer immediately but... carefully examined the handwriting he had copied!
It seemed... he was not very satisfied. He shook his head, took out a new bamboo slip, and prepared to continue practicing.
While unfurling the bamboo slip, he replied, "It's because of the Imperial Edict on the Belt!"
"Imperial Edict on the Belt?" This was the second time Sima Yi had mentioned the Imperial Edict on the Belt...
Zhang Chunhua's eyes narrowed.
"The Imperial Edict on the Belt? It wasn't found in the mansion of Uncle Dong Cheng. How could you have it?"
"Whether I have the Imperial Edict on the Belt is not important!" Sima Yi explained. "As long as this Imperial Edict on the Belt has Liu Bei's personal signature, Chancellor Cao and Master Lu don't care about the Imperial Edict on the Belt; what they care about is... finding a reason to kill Liu Bei!"
This...
Zhang Chunhua paused. "You mean to exchange Liu Bei's life for your father's life?"
"It can only be this way," Sima Yi nodded heavily. "The assassination plot at the Yue Dan Review clearly indicates Father is not innocent. To save him, it is imperative... imperative to show more sincerity!"
That's right...
Sima Yi understood and realized the word "sincerity" that Guo Jia had finally proposed, especially after that basin of cold water had been poured over his head like a divine enlightenment!
He had already thought of the only way to save his father!
That night...
The candlelight in the Sima mansion never went out. Zhang Chunhua watched Sima Yi with a complex expression, repeatedly copying Liu Bei's handwriting.
Finally, finally.
Sima Yi had copied the handwriting to perfection. His emotions were also a whirlwind.
"Alright, alright..."
"Quick, Chunhua, fetch me a piece of yellow silk!" Sima Yi called out urgently...
Zhang Chunhua was startled. "Yellow silk is only for imperial use..."
"Then... then go steal a piece!" Sima Yi turned around, grasped Zhang Chunhua's hand with utmost seriousness. Now... the only person he could rely on was the famous "Chun" Tai Sui in the jianghu!
"Steal from the imperial palace?" Zhang Chunhua asked back, appearing somewhat surprised.
"No need!" Sima Yi waved his hand. "Just go to Dong Cheng's mansion... I am certain that Master Lu and Chancellor Cao will definitely... definitely leave yellow silk in a prominent location in the Uncle's mansion!"
Hoo...
Zhang Chunhua exhaled heavily.
For a moment, he couldn't quite understand, but... at such a time, what was there to think about?
She immediately went to prepare her night-traveling clothes. As a former knight-errant, traveling at night... and stealing treasures, this was nothing out of the ordinary!
...
...
Xu Du city, Chancellor's Mansion.
Led by Xu Chu, Liu Bei entered the backyard of this residence. There was a lake here, and a pavilion!
It seemed... wine was still warm on the table in the pavilion.
Liu Bei, covered in mud, walked through the Chancellor's Mansion, feeling somewhat nervous. Coupled with the effects of the Five-Stone Powder, his steps were also unsteady. Fortunately, he was skilled in concealing his emotions, and this nervousness... vanished instantly!
Tap tap...
Liu Bei strode forward, turned around a corridor, and saw Cao Cao standing with his hands behind his back, gazing at the sky, seemingly lost in thought.
"Liu Bei pays his respects to Chancellor Cao..."
As the words left his mouth...
Cao Cao turned around quickly, his entire demeanor appearing exceptionally excited. "Xuande, you did something big at home, you thought I didn't know?"
As these words were spoken, Liu Bei felt as though the Imperial Edict on the Belt had been leaked.
He clearly remembered that in the dark chamber of the wine shop, the Imperial Edict on the Belt bore his name, Liu Bei!
His eyes suddenly opened wide, but... Liu Bei's art of concealing his emotions was ingrained in his bones. In just an instant, he calmed himself and, in an extremely peaceful tone, retorted, "May I ask what matter Chancellor Cao is referring to?"
"Farming, planting green plums!" Cao Cao laughed heartily. "A descendant of the Han Dynasty, Lord Liu, admired by everyone under heaven, has actually become a farmer planting vegetables and green plums. Is it that I, Cao Cao, have not supplied you with enough grain?"
"No..." Liu Bei took a deep breath.
So it was about this matter. That was reassuring.
He immediately said with a smile, "Chancellor Cao's care for me is extremely thorough. I have never lacked grain or wine. It's just that when I have nothing to do, I suddenly wanted to eat some fresh leeks and taste some newly picked green plums, so I planted them."
"Haha..." Cao Cao was still laughing.
Seeing Liu Bei answer so calmly, even Cao Cao, who was skilled in psychological tactics, immediately felt a sense that Liu Bei had no further ambitions and was content with his lot, just going through the motions.
As this thought arose...
No, Cao Cao felt a string in his mind suddenly snap. Yu'er had mentioned Liu Bei's art of concealing his emotions several times, and even stated that his skill in this art surpassed his own in psychological manipulation!
This...
Cao Cao's eyes narrowed. He decided to continue probing.
"How is the growth of the leeks? How does the newly picked green plum wine taste?"
"Very good, the leeks are growing very vigorously!" Liu Bei became animated when mentioning the leeks, as if he had grown taller himself. He smiled and began to explain, "As for the green plum wine, it has already been brewed. Today, I even specially brought a small pot. Chancellor Cao, please taste it!"
Saying that, Liu Bei took out the green plum wine from his robe and showed it to Cao Cao.
"Then today, I am in for a treat." Cao Cao laughed heartily. "It is indeed fortunate to be able to taste the green plum wine brewed by Xuande himself today... Haha... When the leeks mature and are ready to be harvested, remember to leave a basket for me!"
"That is certain!" Liu Bei promised with a smile... "I am deeply honored!"
Thus, the two walked towards the pavilion together.
As they walked, Cao Cao mused, "I remember a while ago, I went on an expedition to conquer Zhang Xiu, right? At that time... it was dry and hot, and the soldiers were parched along the way, unable to even walk. I was anxious, wondering what to do."
When he reached this point, they had already arrived at the pavilion.
Cao Cao gestured for Liu Bei to sit and, without forgetting, patted his shoulder. "Guess what happened in the end?"
"Chancellor Cao found a water source?" Liu Bei asked back...
Cao Cao shook his head. "It was me who thought of you, Liu Xuande, I thought of the green plums you planted, so I raised my whip and pointed into the distance, shouting—Look, there's a plum grove ahead! The soldiers heard this and cheered loudly, their mouths immediately began to salivate, and they desperately ran forward, no longer feeling thirsty. In this way, they managed to reach the next water source! Haha... In reality, there wasn't even a single plum there!"
As these words left his mouth...
Liu Bei's eyes narrowed, and he smiled, "Chancellor Cao's wisdom is extraordinary. The story of 'looking at plums to quench thirst' will surely be passed down as a classic! Generations will remember it!"
"You speak well! Haha..." Cao Cao patted Liu Bei's shoulder again and sat down.
Then...
Cao Cao and Liu Bei exchanged seemingly innocuous, yet subtly meaningful words...
Cao Cao wanted to attack Liu Bei's mind, while Liu Bei wanted to conceal his. After several rounds of drinks, everyone was an actor, everyone was performing brilliantly. While it seemed like a gentle breeze, there was hidden danger. Yet... Liu Bei remained unfazed, without a single flaw.
Just then, a gentle breeze swept through.
Liu Bei sighed with emotion, "What a fine breeze! The wind follows the tiger, the clouds follow the dragon; heroes of dragon and tiger soar through the sky! Today, I am fortunate to be with Chancellor Cao here, boiling wine among green plums, truly a blessing from three lifetimes!"
"Well said, Xuande... you have traveled extensively and met countless people. Tell me, in today's world? Who is the true hero?"
The probing...
It truly began with this question from Cao Cao. He wanted to delve into Liu Bei's innermost thoughts, and these thoughts would be the important basis for his decision to kill or not kill Liu Bei.
"With my humble, unrefined eyes, how can I discern any heroes?"
"Speak, speak..." Cao Cao urged, as if he wouldn't be satisfied unless Liu Bei gave a satisfactory answer today.
"Yuan Shu of Huainan harbored ambitions to become emperor. Although his attempt to claim the throne failed, he once dominated a region, so he can be considered a hero, right?"
"A defeated general, a dried-up bone from the grave! I heard after the defeat at Shouchun city, on his deathbed, Yuan Shu spoke of wanting a bowl of honeyed syrup, but alas... not even this dying wish was fulfilled! He died spitting up three measures of blood! What kind of hero is he!"
"Then, Yuan Shao of Hebei? His ancestors held four generations of prominent positions, his army was well-supplied, he occupied Jizhou, a vast territory, and plotted to control the empire. He must be considered a hero, right?"
"He's not even a fart! Yuan Shao had ten times the troops of Gongsun Zan, yet he couldn't even conquer Youzhou. Just a few days ago, he suffered a major defeat. In such a situation, let alone a hero, he doesn't even deserve to be called a bear!"
"Then... there is another person, listed among the Eight Virtuous Ones of the era! He shook the nine commanderies of Jing and Xiang. He... can he be considered a hero?"
"Haha, Liu Biao is merely a parlor guest, all name and no substance. He is far from being a hero..."
"Then what about Liu Zhang of Yizhou? The peerless Lu Bu? Gongsun Zan of Youzhou... They must be heroes, right?"
"Some have courage but lack strategy, some misjudge people, some are timid as mice. Are they not heroes?"
"Then... what about Sun Bofu, the leader of Jiangdong? He inherited his father's ambitions, swept through the six commanderies and seventy-two counties of Jiangdong, possesses the courage to face ten thousand men, and is revered by thousands. He must surely be considered a hero?"
When Liu Bei mentioned Sun Ce, Sun Bofu, Cao Cao seemed to recall something.
He beckoned Liu Bei to lean closer, and said with a smile.
"Xuande, I'll tell you a secret. This Sun Bofu, who can face ten thousand men, is about to become a cripple! Master Lu told me this. Soon... very soon... haha... Whether he was a hero before, I, Cao Cao, don't know, but in the future, he won't even qualify to call himself a bear!"
This...
Upon hearing this, Liu Bei suddenly paused.
Sun Bofu is about to become a cripple?
Who would believe such a statement?
But precisely because Cao Cao said it clearly, and it was predicted by Lu Yu, this... almost divine figure, he had never predicted incorrectly.
Cough cough...
With a light cough, Liu Bei composed himself and continued, "Then... what about the warlords in Guanzhong like Han Sui and Ma Teng?"
"Does Xuande not know that Master Lu recommended Zhong Yao to lead a hundred horsemen to Guanzhong, urging them to 'persuade your envoy to send their sons to Xu Du'? Han Sui and Ma Teng have already sent their sons to me. In my eyes, they are mere incompetent followers, petty men, hardly worth mentioning! They are not heroes!"
This...
Liu Bei was dumbfounded. He had mentioned almost all the lords in the empire. Who else was left? Only you, Cao Cao, right?
If you want to show off, just say it directly!
Why be so subtle?
Come... please begin your performance!
Immediately, Liu Bei shook his head. "I truly do not know? Who can be considered a hero?"
Just as he reached this point, Liu Bei's eyes spun.
He suddenly thought of something.
With great interest, he added, "Chancellor Cao, do you think Yin Lin is a hero?"
This was a double entendre...
The news that Lu Yu was Yin Lin had almost become an open secret throughout the Han Dynasty.
As such, Liu Bei decided to reveal it...
He simply asked, in your opinion, Cao Cao, is Yin Lin a hero?
Of course...
This question also held a deep meaning for Liu Bei.
Cao Cao's question was about which of the current lords could be considered a hero?
If Cao Cao said Yin Lin was, then... regardless of Lu Yu's current status, Cao Cao would always treat him as a "lord," and a lord was a threat!
This also fit Cao Cao's inherently suspicious nature.
Liu Bei also preferred to believe this!
Not acting against Yin Lin now was simply to extract more value from Yin Lin.
If Cao Cao said no, then... it would be enough to witness Cao Cao's confidence and reassurance in Lu Yu... if these two worked together wholeheartedly, this was what Liu Bei worried about the most!
Indeed...
This boiling wine among green plums was Cao Cao testing Liu Bei!
Had Liu Bei not also been testing Cao Cao?
So the question arose...
"Does Yin Lin... count as a hero?"
...
...