Cao Cao's expression suddenly turned peculiar.
*Hoo...*
A sigh of relief.
Before him was not just an urgent dispatch, but a dispatch of victory!
Cao Cao quickly picked up the tea cup from his desk. The tea inside had long gone cold, but he paid it no mind. He drank it in one gulp, then looked up and instructed Xu Chu.
"Is there any of the wine we bought from the Imperial Academy Winery last time?"
"Ah... ah..."
Hearing this, Xi Zhicai and Xun You were stunned. Had Cao Sikong reached the point of utter despair, needing alcohol to drown his sorrows?
"Yes... yes..."
Xu Chu, without overthinking, replied truthfully, "It's all... stored in the wine cellar. But didn't Cao Sikong order this morning that no one, from the officials to the soldiers, is allowed to drink during this period?"
*Cough cough...*
Cao Cao let out a "Hmm," then, with a smile, retorted, "Did I say it was starting today? Didn't I say the ban on alcohol begins tomorrow! Now, bring the wine first, let me and Zhicai and Gongda have a good drink."
Hearing this, Xi Zhicai's eyes flickered. He knew about the alcohol ban issued that morning, and he also knew about the renowned wine from the Imperial Academy Winery.
Because of its far superior aroma and potency compared to ordinary wines, each jar was extremely precious, with limited daily supply.
If not for his good relationship with Cao Hong, who sold the wine, it would have been incredibly difficult to obtain a single jar!
But... that's not the point...
The point is...
Xi Zhicai froze. "Cao Sikong? Is it... not time for drinking?"
Cao Cao suppressed the excitement in his heart.
To be honest, he wasn't someone who readily showed his emotions, but today... the excitement and elation he felt within were simply irrepressible.
"Haha, let's drink first!"
"Yes!" Xu Chu responded again and went to fetch the wine.
And while Xu Chu was fetching the wine...
Cao Cao leaned back in his chair, feeling a profound sense of relief. His hand rested on the desk; it was indeed a great relief.
This victory dispatch had shocked him immensely...
On one hand, the great victory at Guangling City, which had severely wounded the Jiangdong forces, had undoubtedly... completely reversed the current situation!
It could even be said to have thwarted the enemy's "Five-Pronged Attack on Cao" plan, and also boosted the prestige of Cao's army!
On the other hand, Sun Ce had been assassinated by Xu Gong's three retainers and was in a coma...
Then... what would happen next.
Jiangdong would inevitably fall into chaos. Amidst such chaos, how could they possibly have the time for another northern expedition? Or to attack Guangling or Lujiang Commandery again...
The benefit of this was that Cao Cao not only wouldn't need to reinforce these two areas, but... he could also redeploy troops from here to assist!
It could be said that the entire situation had taken a positive turn due to the Guangling victory and Sun Ce's assassination.
As for...
The person who deserved the greatest credit for this Guangling victory and the assassination of Sun Ce, Chen Deng had clearly written it – Situ Lu's brilliant stratagem pacified the world, and his leftover pouch broke Jiangdong!
Haha...
During this time, Yu'er seemed to have taken no action, yet his actions were precisely "hearing thunder in silence," proving that when he struck, he struck with earth-shattering force!
And the most crucial point wasn't even this. Cao Cao knew Yu'er's character all too well. Since he had planned this, what about other fronts...
Thinking of this, Cao Cao narrowed his eyes!
If one also considered that the "culprit"... or rather, the "instigator," Xu Shu, was being introduced to the Situ's mansion by Lord Xun, then...
Instantly, Cao Cao felt a considerable sense of ease, truly a relief!
It was as if the entire predicament had been effortlessly resolved.
In just a moment of thought, Xu Chu returned with the wine, a whole large jar of excellent distilled liquor.
"Come..."
Cao Cao personally poured a bowl for everyone in the study, even Xu Chu.
"Today is a joyous occasion, Zhongkang, have some as well..."
This...
Xi Zhicai, Xun You, and Xu Chu exchanged glances but dared not drink.
It was Xi Zhicai who spoke, "Cao Sikong... at this time, this... this wine? We dare not drink it!"
Hahahahaha...
Cao Cao burst into hearty laughter. He directly handed the urgent dispatch to Xun You. "I won't read this urgent dispatch. You read it yourselves!"
Xi Zhicai's expression stiffened. The more Cao Cao acted this way, the more he felt that something major had happened, something so significant that Cao Sikong had "given up treatment"!
He quickly moved closer to Xun You, reading along and reciting aloud. The more he read, the more his heart was shaken, the more his emotions surged!
Finally... when he reached the last sentence, "Situ Lu's brilliant stratagem pacified the world, and his leftover pouch broke Jiangdong!"
Xi Zhicai forgot all about drinking, slapped the table with a "pa," startling Xun You beside him.
Xun You felt that Xi Zhicai was incredibly uncomposed today!
"Haha..." Xi Zhicai laughed heartily. "Heaven blesses Cao Sikong, heaven blesses Cao Sikong! This is a victory dispatch, a great victory dispatch!"
Xun You, however, frowned in disbelief. "How is this possible... how could it be such a coincidence!"
Xi Zhicai immediately replied with a smile, "What's coincidental about this? The victory dispatch clearly states it! It was Situ Lu's prior arrangements and his clever stratagem, both for the Guangling victory and for the assassination of Jiangdong's Sun Ce! Hahaha... although it's somewhat unbelievable, it... it has indeed solved our urgent crisis!"
Upon hearing this, Xi Zhicai and Xun You exchanged another glance, their hearts filled with excitement.
They had thought that Guangling City was doomed to defeat, and the situation in Xu Province would be irrevocably lost.
For this reason... they had even been willing to gamble on Yuan Shao, Liu Biao, Han Sui, and Ma Teng reacting slowly.
But who would have thought that all that gambling was unnecessary?
Everything had turned around...
The Guangling City, which they thought was prey, had instantly become the hunter, repelling enemies ten times its size, and even... annihilating five times its number in lives!
Even... Sun Ce was half-dead!
Lu Yu... Lu Yu truly was a force to turn the tide!
"Hahahaha..."
As Cao Cao's laughter subsided, he promptly drank three bowls of wine. His excited heart made his hands tremble, and he couldn't help but exclaim, "Good, good, good!"
His lips quivered slightly, whether from the alcohol or some other reason, his cheeks were flushed red!
As for...
What to do next?
Was that something Cao Cao should be considering?
Since Yu'er had already "in silence" pacified the Jiangdong front, then Cao Cao would just patiently wait... He would do whatever Yu'er instructed!
Don't worry about things you shouldn't!
With Yu'er's flawless calculations and his strategy of attacking the enemy's heart, and Xu Shu's own plans to resolve themselves? Could the current situation not be easily handled?
Cao Cao couldn't help but laugh. "Besides Situ Lu, Chen Deng is also quite capable. He is indeed the Governor of Xu Province and the Prefect of Guangling recommended by Situ Lu. This battle has demonstrated our might, and has also shown the various lords who the soft targets are, and who the iron wall is!"
Speaking of which, Cao Cao picked up the wine pot and, in his excitement, poured for everyone again.
While drinking, he did not forget to instruct Xu Chu, "Zhongkang, send some Tiger Guards to the Situ's mansion. If Situ Lu has any instructions, convey them immediately. I imagine his Situ's mansion must be quite 'lively' right now!"
"Yes..." Xu Chu agreed and went to make arrangements.
"Wait."
Cao Cao called Xu Chu back. He had originally intended to have Xu Chu take a few jars of this precious distilled wine as a token of his appreciation.
But on second thought...
This wine was also brewed at Yu'er's Imperial Academy Winery. While he treasured it, Yu'er wouldn't even care about it. He immediately fell silent, unsure of what gift to send.
Stepping forward...
"Like this..." Cao Cao took out his "military token" from his embrace and handed it to Xu Chu along with it. "Give this to Situ Lu. With this, he can mobilize troops from any camp without my permission!"
This...
The moment the military token appeared, not only Xi Zhicai, but even Xun You were taken aback.
This was Cao Cao's military token, capable of mobilizing twenty thousand troops from Cao's camp privately. And he was just... handing it over to Lu Yu like this? Did Cao Sikong trust Lu Yu too much?
Xu Chu didn't find it unusual...
Others might not know Lu Yu's identity, but he did. His father handed the military token to his son, what was so strange about that...
Immediately, Xu Chu took it and left.
"Come..." Cao Cao continued to beckon. "Zhicai, Gongda, you have both worked hard during this period. Haha, I imagine you've both broken out in a cold sweat. Relax today, let's drink!"
Unexpectedly, as soon as these words left his mouth.
"My Lord..."
Xu Chu's burly figure reappeared in the study.
Cao Cao looked up... before he could speak, Xu Chu's words came first.
— "Situ Lu has dispatched an armored soldier from the Dragon Valor Camp to report..."
Hmm...
Upon hearing the words "Situ Lu" and "Dragon Valor Camp armored soldier," Cao Cao's spirit immediately perked up to the highest level.
— "Reporting to Cao Sikong."
This Dragon Valor Camp armored soldier bowed and said, "Situ Lu asked me to convey a message to Cao Sikong, requesting Cao Sikong's approval for two matters."
"What matters?" Cao Cao asked directly.
"First, to dispatch General Zhang Xiu and Advisor Jia Xu with their troops to guard Wancheng!"
"Approved," Cao Cao agreed without hesitation.
Then, his eyes narrowed slightly, and he added with curiosity, "And the second?"
"Second... Situ Lu requests Cao Sikong to be prepared to march out with all forces in three days and asks Cao Sikong to personally lead the charge to annihilate Liu Bei, Liu Xuande, with the force of thunder!"
*Hoo...*
Annihilating Liu Bei, Liu Xuande. The moment these words were spoken, not only Cao Cao but also Xi Zhicai and Xun You subconsciously knitted their brows.
Marching out with all forces, with the force of thunder. This...
Xi Zhicai and Xun You exchanged glances, and immediately a trace of doubt arose in their hearts. If they were to march out with all forces, then... what about Yuan Shao's three hundred thousand approaching troops from the south?
Were they to be ignored?
It seemed... under the current circumstances, there was no need for such a gamble.
Unexpectedly, after a moment of deliberation, Cao Cao immediately waved his hand. "Inform Situ Lu that I, Cao Cao, have approved. The army will depart in three days!"
As soon words were spoken...
Cao Cao looked at Xu Chu. "Zhongkang, you and this Dragon Valor Camp general will return together to report to Situ Lu. Tell him that I, Cao Cao, have handed over the military token, along with the authority to mobilize and deploy troops for this operation, to him. From myself, Cao Cao, down to the lowliest foot soldier, all will obey only his command, Lu Yu!"
Whoa...
As these words left his mouth, even the armored soldier from the Dragon Valor Camp shivered all over.
One must know, for Cao Sikong to say such words, it required immense trust!
Of course...
For Cao Cao, upon hearing the words "annihilate Liu Bei with the force of thunder," he felt... his entire being ignited!
Where you fall, you must rise again!
Liu Bei, oh Liu Bei, can you escape once? Can you escape every time?
Haha, haha...
— Cao Cao's smile, uncertain of life and death!
— Cao Cao's smile, heads will roll!
...
...
Xu Du City, Situ's Mansion.
Still the familiar study, still the familiar Lu Yu, still the familiar wine cups and tea sets...
But what was different was that the three people sitting opposite the desk were entirely new.
Young Master of the Hongnong Yang Clan—Yang Xiu!
A loyal and courageous warrior who, in the past, had his heart in Han while living in foreign lands—Yan Rou!
And the last one was none other than Zhao Yun, Zhao Zilong from Changshan, ah no... from Shijiazhuang!
At this moment...
Lu Yu had already had a brief conversation with them, and introduced each other through Yang Xiu.
Yan Rou and Zhao Yun both bowed to Lu Yu...
Of course...
In their eyes, this legendary commander of the Dragon Valor Camp, the Situ of the Han Dynasty, was... too young!
The achievements he had accomplished seemed... not something a young person could accomplish.
And...
What mattered most to Lu Yu was Changshan's Zhao Zilong.
Just for him alone, Lu Yu felt that Yang Xiu's "foraging" expedition into Bing Province this time had been extraordinarily successful.
Of course, Zhao Zilong was as handsome as described in ancient texts, clad in white robes, full of heroic spirit... especially his eyes, which appeared exceptionally resolute.
Besides that, there was a slight impression of a desire to benefit the world and all its people.
"I have noted everything Director Lu has said..."
Yang Xiu said respectfully, cupping his hands.
Just now, Lu Yu had explained their...
To be precise, the mission of Yang Xiu and Lu Bu, and even... the Bing Province Yanmen Legion.
In fact, it was largely similar to what was written in the letter: an all-out offensive from Bing Province towards Yuan Shao's rear in Ji Province, and then... to retreat to the Yanmen region of Bing Province with the troops of Gongsun Zan and Qin Yilu.
This point was extremely important...
The strategy of the five-pronged attack on Cao, devised by Xu Shu, could not defeat Cao Cao.
Similarly, Lu Yu did not expect his devised strategy of five-pronged attack on Yuan to be able to take down Yuan Shao in one fell swoop.
His aim was merely to force Yuan Shao to "choose a question" and thereby achieve his strategic objectives.
Based on geopolitical considerations!
As the saying goes...
Youzhou's Yijing could not be held, because to the north of Youzhou was Liaoxi. The Wuhuan and Yuan Shao there were almost as thick as thieves. Defending Youzhou to the death was only a matter of time for Gongsun Zan's demise!
But Bing Province's Yanmen Commandery was different. Yuan Shao would not rashly attack it...
Firstly, his biggest opponent was Cao Cao in the Central Plains, and he simply didn't have the spare capacity to deal with Yanmen Commandery, which was extremely barren and not worth attacking!
Secondly, Yanmen Commandery, where Yang Xiu, Lu Bu, and Gongsun Zan were located, occupied a special position, serving as a buffer zone between Yuan Shao and the Xianbei tribe. Yuan Shao would not bother with the difficult and unrewarding task of conquering it, bordering the Xianbei territory!
These were all based on "geopolitical" deductions.
With this in mind.
Lu Yu re-emphasized, "Indeed, Gongsun Bogui is not an excellent feudal lord. He is too antagonistic towards the scholar class. This is not like a leader, but more like a bandit. However, for the border populace, he is undoubtedly a 'guardian god'!"
"Just because he protects the border populace, we must save him... not only save him, but also save him with all our might!"
Although he said so...
In reality, saving Gongsun Zan was also part of Lu Yu's other calculations!
Speaking of these calculations, one must talk about the renowned General Gongsun Zan.
After killing Liu Yu and taking control of Youzhou, how did he squander such a good hand?
Logically speaking...
Gongsun Zan came from a prominent clan, and it was precisely his status as a scion of a prominent clan that gave him the opportunity to study under Lu Zhi, marry the Prefect's daughter, and enter officialdom.
His early life experiences were those of a scion of a noble family who admired the chivalrous way, yet Gongsun Zan was extremely disgusted with the scholar class, even... to a pathological extent.
The reason for this was none other than the fact that the scholars of Youzhou supported Liu Yu, and Gongsun Zan and Liu Yu were mortal enemies... After defeating Liu Yu, his methods of retaliating against the scholars were simple and crude: he killed them all. This was born out of hatred for scholars, hatred for clans, and hatred to the extreme.
Of course...
If one were to consider it from this perspective.
Perhaps... in the future, when Lu Yu truly had to raise his butcher's knife against the scholar clans and weaken their power, Gongsun Zan might even become a sharp blade!
Even for this reason, Lu Yu intended to keep him alive.
"Your student has understood."
Yang Xiu nodded again.
As for Zhao Yun...
He did not know Lu Yu's thoughts, but upon hearing Lu Yu's words, his heart inexplicably stirred.
Just because of a guardian god of the border populace? Just because... General Gongsun protected the border populace, Young Master Lu would save him with all his might?
Such a righteous person? Is this not the benevolent ruler, the wise lord he had been searching for?
Zhao Yun remained silent, but his mind was in turmoil.
Yang Xiu, however, prompted, "Doesn't Commander Yan have something to report to Situ Lu? Why... why is he not speaking now that he is before Situ Lu?"
That's right...
Yang Xiu's return this time...
There were two main purposes. One was to hear about the Imperial Robe Edict incident. Even a child could guess that his father, Yang Biao, must have been involved. That he wasn't arrested was sheer luck!
But... this luck this time did not guarantee luck next time. Yang Xiu wanted to return to see his old father and persuade him...
As for the second...
It was Yan Rou's mention of resolving the "Three Hu" problem, and even... the strategy for earning tens of thousands of fine horses for Situ Lu!
Yang Xiu had no great concept of the "Three Hu" problem, but tens of thousands of fine horses, this matter was too significant... so significant that Yang Xiu dared not delay, and immediately brought Yan Rou... and had Zhao Yun escort them, rushing back to Xu Du City in seven hundred li urgency.
*Hoo...*
Hearing Yang Xiu mention his name, Yan Rou suddenly stood up and bowed to Lu Yu again.
"I deeply admire the reason why Situ Lu saved Gongsun Bogui. It shows... that Situ Lu understands the suffering of the border populace!"
"If that is the case, then I will not hold back. I have something to report, which concerns the 'Three Hu' problem, and more importantly, tens of thousands of border 'Hu horses.' May I speak?"
Even though Lu Yu was young, Yan Rou felt somewhat nervous in front of him.
Lu Yu, on the other hand, personally poured Yan Rou a cup of tea and presented it to him with both hands.
"Wet your throat..."
"There is nothing that cannot be said. As long as it is good for the border populace, as long as it aims to annihilate the Hu, speak freely. Not only speak, but I, Lu Yi, will spare no effort to support it!"
"Moreover, there are tens of thousands of Hu horses. In this chaotic world, these are priceless treasures!"
As he spoke, a gleam appeared in Lu Yu's eyes.
He had already recalled a person named Yan Rou.
— In his youth, he was captured by the Wuhuan and Xianbei, but later earned their trust... He later served as a Wuhuan Sima. It is heard that this time... in order to save the border populace, he sent a message in advance, thereby avoiding a greater disaster of Hu cavalry descending south.
This was a standard "heart in Han while living in foreign lands" script!
Since he dared to say so...
Perhaps he truly had a method to solve the "Three Hu" problem.
And those tens of thousands of fine horses!
Hearing this number, Lu Yu felt his eyes could emit a green light.
This was a rhythm of "going for broke"!
...
...