"Madam Yin!"
Lu Yu was not unfamiliar with her. In later generations, Madam Yin was prominently listed among all those with the surname Yin in the Weibo posts of the Chinese Yin Clan Ancestral Association.
Her given name was "Xin." She had a son, He Yan, with her former husband, He Jin.
Because He Yan was considered He Wei's "child conceived after his father's death," he grew up pampered in the "Great General's" mansion.
Alas, good times were not long to last...
After the Great General He Jin was killed by the Ten Eunuchs, Madam Yin raised her young son, He Yan.
Although Madam Yin was a mother, she had a fleeting encounter with Cao Cao in the Great General's mansion. Her beauty, undiminished from that time, still captivated Cao Cao, and she was now brought into the Sili-du (Minister of Works) mansion, becoming a favored concubine of Cao Cao.
Speaking of... He Yan.
Lu Yu's impression of him, besides Wushi San (Five-Stone Powder), was summarized by four characters: "Powder-Adorned He Lang."
Also, when Cao Cao adopted him, he wanted He Yan to change his surname to "Cao." However, He Yan disagreed, stating that the surname "He" held higher status than "Cao." Fortunately, Cao Cao's affection extended to He Yan, and he didn't hold the childish sentiment against him.
It was rumored...
During the Yue Dan Ping (Monthly Review) competition, He Yan took the stage.
Sister Zhaoji's private evaluation of him was that he was handsome and graceful, even more so than a woman! More alluring than a woman!
This...
When Lu Yu discussed this with Sister Zhaoji, he instinctively shivered.
Of course...
If history were to follow its course, Cao Cao would also marry his daughter, Princess Jinxiang, to him.
Then...
As expected, Madam Yin would not only become Princess Jinxiang's stepmother but also her mother-in-law. In short, as the saying goes... the Cao family's relationships had long been a chaotic mess!
This time...
Madam Yin's "presumptuous" inquiry to Lu Yu was naturally related to her son, He Yan.
At this moment, she leaned forward, her mouth almost reaching Lu Yu's face.
This startled Lu Yu.
"Madam Yin, please mind yourself. I, Lu Yu, am not that kind of person."
"Young Master Lu misunderstands. Madam must whisper this to you." Madam Yin lightly bit her lip and then brought her mouth close to Lu Yu's ear again. This time, Lu Yu did not dodge.
He felt a gentle whisper enter his ear.
At first... it seemed nothing special, but as he listened, his eyes widened, and finally... Lu Yu's mouth also gaped open in disbelief.
"What? Madam Yin? Is that true?"
"It is basically confirmed, but this matter is too significant... so... I, as a mother..." Madam Yin trailed off.
"Gulp..."
Lu Yu swallowed. No wonder historical records described He Yan as "Powder-Adorned He Lang." Knowing one's child best is a mother's intuition. It turned out... this kid... was truly gay!
Ahem...
Clearing his throat, Lu Yu stood up abruptly. "Madam Yin, please rest assured. I came here today specifically to give Young Master He a great opportunity. But... since Madam Yin has spoken so... During this period, if he is gay, I will send people to straighten him out!"
Ah...
"Gay? Straighten out?" Madam Yin blinked, seemingly not understanding the two words Lu Yu mentioned.
As her question escaped, Lu Yu snapped back to attention.
He quickly corrected himself. "Madam Yin, please be at ease!"
As he spoke...
Tap, tap...
Footsteps were heard from outside. Many footsteps. Lu Yu turned his head to look.
Good heavens!
Several servants were supporting a young master. This young master was dazed, walking and rambling to himself, his eyes glazed as if he were in a state of bliss or dying... a complete "opium addict" appearance.
"Madam Yin, is this Young Master He?" Lu Yu asked curiously...
"Yes!" Madam Yin nodded. "This child, ever since some time ago... I... I denied his relationship with a servant. He has been... has been taking Wushi San all day! I... I..."
Uh...
Lu Yu keenly noticed the keywords: servant, relationship. He could sense that Madam Yin felt utterly exasperated!
It turned out her son was quite eccentric!
"Ahem..." Lu Yu coughed. "Madam Yin, just hand him over to me. I will arrange for the divine physician Zhongjing to treat him properly..."
Lu Yu always felt that men who were effeminate had too much estrogen in their bodies. This was a sickness and needed treatment.
"Then... I will trouble you, Situ Lu."
"Rest assured." Lu Yu smiled slightly. "Divine Physician Zhongjing will be very gentle."
With that, Lu Yu beckoned. His Long Xiao Qi (Dragon Elite Cavalry) guards went to lift He Yan and take him to the medical office.
The completion of Wushi San required both Zhang Zhongjing and He Yan. This was the true purpose of his visit.
One must know...
Wushi San was originally named "Hanshi Tie" (Cold Food Paste), a prescription drug from Zhang Zhongjing. Although it had certain toxicity, its purpose was to attack poison with poison, and it cured many people!
However, it was later improved by He Yan to include some aphrodisiac properties. Coupled with excessive intake, it led to subsequent symptoms of delusion and poisoning, effectively becoming a slow-acting poison!
Lu Yu's mind recalled two formulas for Wushi San. One was proposed by the "Little Immortal" Ge Hong during the Eastern Jin Dynasty, consisting of "cinnabar," "orpiment," "alum," "green vitriol," and "lodestone."
The other was proposed by the renowned physician Chao Yuanfang of the Sui Dynasty, which included "calcite," "sulfur," "quartz," "fluorite," and "redstone."
In addition to these, there was also Zhang Zhongjing's original formula and He Yan's improved version. Which version it was still needed to be verified by the medical office. Time was tight, and the task was urgent!
Of course...
Regardless of which version, the medicinal properties were intensely hot and fierce, causing the body to heat up after consumption and producing a short-term effect that confused the mind. In reality, it was chronic poisoning.
He didn't even have time to eat the roasted meat.
Lu Yu bid farewell to Madam Yin...
A group of Long Xiao Ying (Dragon Elite Camp) armored soldiers escorted He Yan to the medical office, where Zhang Zhongjing had already been informed.
Lu Yu specifically stayed at the Sili-du mansion to wait for Cao Cao's return. He planned to tell Cao Cao his method of trading with the Three Hu tribes, exchanging Wushi San for horses, and thus destroying the Three Hu tribes over four "Five-Year Plans."
Along with this, Lu Yu had an idea: in the Central Plains, on all lands inhabited by Han people, on all territories controlled by Cao Cao, the use of Wushi San would be strictly prohibited, with severe penalties for violators!
This was a slow-acting poison.
It could be used to deal with the intractable "Three Hu problem," but it must never be allowed to backfire on the common people of the Great Han.
In Lu Yu's eyes, the Han compatriots of this era must not repeat the absurd stories of the Wei-Jin period and be brought down by a mere Wushi San, becoming walking corpses!
He needed to make this clear to Cao Cao...
The Wei-Jin spirit of the historical era was pathological, but the spirit of the Great Wei in this life must be upright and striding forward!
With this thought in mind.
Lu Yu bypassed the corridor and headed towards the main hall of the Sili-du mansion. He intended to wait for Cao Cao here.
Unexpectedly, as he rounded the corridor, he ran into Madam Ding.
That's right...
She was the principal wife of Cao Cao in the Sili-du mansion, Madam Hui Ding. In the past, Lu Yu had even helped her with a gynecological problem...
Along with her was her sister, Dingxiang, the wife of Xiahou Yuan.
Seeing Lu Yu...
Ding Hui didn't react immediately, but the lively and active Ding Xiang quickly stepped forward, grabbed Lu Yu's hand, and pulled him to her and her sister's side.
"Doctor Immortal Lu, long time no see..."
"As expected of Doctor Immortal Lu..."
Ding Hui and Ding Xiang spoke in unison, which completely bewildered Lu Yu.
What... what was going on?
Before he could ask again... Ding Xiang touched Ding Hui's belly. "Doctor Immortal Lu, Sister is pregnant..."
Uh...
Lu Yu blinked and instinctively asked, "Old Cao's?"
As the words left his mouth, Lu Yu felt it was redundant. Wasn't it obvious? If not Old Cao's, whose could it be?
No wonder Madam Ding Hui's complexion was flushed. Where was the usual icy demeanor? She looked completely refreshed, as warm as spring had arrived.
So she was pregnant...
"Doctor Immortal Lu really knows how to joke..." Madam Ding Hui smiled slightly, not offended. "Why didn't you send someone to inform me when you came to the Sili-du mansion today? If we hadn't met, how could I have thanked Doctor Immortal Lu."
Madam Ding Hui could even express gratitude, which showed the immense pressure this usually cold and aloof madam had endured.
"Congratulations, Madam Ding!"
"If it's a boy, it should be the legitimate son!" Lu Yu added.
Unexpectedly, upon hearing this, Madam Ding's expression turned serious. "What legitimate son or not, the husband's eldest legitimate son is Ang'er!"
It was clear that Madam Ding's attitude towards Cao Ang had not changed just because the child in her belly was her own.
Of course, Lu Yu was just probing.
He wished Cao Ang were the crown prince!
Now... this crown prince of the Great Wei was still his student. Wouldn't Lu Yu be a "Grand Tutor" second only to one person and above ten thousand in the future? His position would be extremely stable?
"We are also very grateful for Young Master Lu's guidance of Ang'er. Young Master Lu is a benefactor to us mother and son!" Madam Ding Hui added again.
"I dare not accept!" Lu Yu cupped his hands, feeling somewhat embarrassed.
Just then...
"Hahaha, what are you talking about?" a strong and powerful voice echoed from not far away.
With this distinctive, almost magical voice, who else could it be but Cao Cao?
However...
Upon hearing her husband's voice, Madam Ding quickly added to Lu Yu.
"My husband doesn't know yet. Young Master Lu, please don't let it slip..."
"Oh..." Lu Yu nodded, thinking that Madam Ding probably wanted to wait until her pregnancy was further along and more stable before announcing the good news to Cao Cao.
"I didn't expect my husband to return so early!" Madam Ding walked towards Cao Cao with a smile.
That's right... with a smile. It was worth noting that, whether by hearing or by seeing, Lu Yu had never seen Madam Ding Hui smile at Cao Cao before!
Historically, she was even a wife who divorced Cao Cao.
Her temperament had changed drastically!
Indeed, the crystallization of love could transform a woman into a completely new person.
"I just met Young Master Lu and was chatting with him about Ang'er's studies... I didn't expect my husband to be back."
Hearing this, Cao Cao nodded...
Then his gaze turned towards Lu Yu.
"Did you receive the military tally from yesterday?"
"Received it!" Lu Yu replied without hesitation...
"Is it useful?"
Uh... Cao Cao's question left Lu Yu unsure how to answer. Should he say it was useful? Or not useful?
"Hahahaha..." Cao Cao burst into laughter. He walked up to Lu Yu and patted his shoulder. "I, Cao Cao, have always trusted those I employ and not employed those I distrust. Since I handed the military tally to you... it means I have entrusted my complete trust to you."
Speaking of this, Cao Cao asked again.
"Is everything going smoothly?"
"Smoothly." Lu Yu nodded. "After three days, Situ Cao can march forth..."
"Hahahaha..."
Cao Cao laughed heartily. Others might not understand Yu'er's deployment, but he could see it clearly. There was no need for Cao Cao himself to personally deal with Liu Bei. Yu'er's arrangement was to mobilize the entire force and annihilate them with overwhelming speed. This was to allow him, Cao Cao, to vent his anger!
"Hahahaha..."
With continuous laughter, Cao Cao patted Lu Yu's shoulder again, then signaled Madam Ding to go back first, and then grabbed Lu Yu. "Let's go to my study to chat!"
Chatting...
In terms of strategy, there was little left to discuss.
The only thing Lu Yu needed to mention was dealing with the Three Hu problem. It was possible that this time, he could even use Wushi San to force the Southern Xiongnu and Xianbei to march against Yuan Shao!
Lu Yu was certain that trying Wushi San would be either a one-time occurrence or countless occurrences...
As long as the Hu tribes had tried Wushi San in the past, they would surely not be able to quit. They would inevitably become Lu Yu's pawns.
Heh heh...
"Please be my pawn again!"
"This time, the Han will not lose!"
...
...
In a wine shop on the west side of Xuchang city.
A light rain was falling outside today, making a pattering sound. However, in the secret chamber beneath the wine shop.
Snap... snap.
Yang Biao was whipping Yang Xiu with tears streaming down his face.
The rattan whip in his hand landed on Yang Xiu's back again and again. Several bloody marks had already appeared on his back, yet Yang Xiu knelt there stiffly.
"Rebellious son? Rebellious son? How could you utter such treasonous words as 'the Han dynasty is about to fall'? How could you say 'heaven's mandate belongs to Cao, and Cao's dynasty will replace the Han'? Have you studied the words of the sages in vain all these years? I... I will whip you to death, you rebellious son!"
Yang Xiu staggered from the blows and fell forward, but stubbornly gritted his teeth and knelt up again.
"Father, you must understand that if it weren't for your son, our Hongnong Yang clan would have been annihilated, just like... like the maternal uncle Dong clan, with nine generations implicated and not a single creature left alive! Father is still alive, he should be grateful to his son!"
"I would rather the Hongnong Yang clan be annihilated, I would rather die, than... than uphold the justice in my heart! I also know what it means to be loyal to the ruler and love the country! But you... you have sold your conscience and acted as a accomplice. You... you have disgraced the reputation of our Yang family's four generations as dukes and ministers! Do you know that your mother was once a princess of the Han dynasty?"
Yang Biao's voice was hoarse and filled with emotion. "I... how could I have raised such a disloyal, unfilial, inhumane, and unjust rebellious son like you! Selling your conscience and living a life of苟且偷生 (cowardly survival)! Our Yang family... our Yang family has always been a family of loyal martyrs!"
"Conscience? Reputation? Hahaha..." Yang Xiu laughed. "Father, the mandate of heaven has changed. Such a pathetic Han dynasty is not worth your loyalty, nor is it worth our Hongnong Yang clan to die in vain! A hundred years from now, you will not be praised in the historical records. History will only remember you as an overconfident, defiant, and Heaven-defying failure, and then pass over you with a casual mention!"
"And Situ Cao? And Situ Lu? History will write about their deeds in bold strokes, how they brought peace to the common people for generations, and how they brought hope to this world!"
This... this...
Yang Biao opened his mouth, intending to refute his son's paradox, but the words died on his lips.
It seemed that at this moment, he realized he couldn't refute his son at all. In fact... could the precarious Han dynasty's foundation today be preserved by his Hongnong Yang clan alone?
"Is... is this what the Imperial Academy taught you? I... I truly regret sending you to the Imperial Academy, to Lu Yu's side!" Yang Biao scolded even louder.
"Father... wake up!" Yang Xiu shook his head and said, "This is an era of ambition, strength, and accomplishment. The times create heroes, and the times are the mandate of heaven. Chief Lu has a saying that I keep in my heart – survival of the fittest, adaptation is survival! In the current situation, strength is virtue, and the mandate of heaven for the Han has ended!"
"It has ended!"
Yang Xiu's voice grew louder and louder with each word.
"And Father... hehe, you want to protect such a weak and incompetent emperor, one who is not strong enough to protect the people from above, nor capable of saving his wife from below! He is not worthy of your, nor my, loyalty! Situ Cao is a hundred times stronger than the Son of Heaven, and Situ Lu who assists him... compared to Fu Wan and Dong Cheng, they are like the light of fireflies vying with the bright sun. Following the general trend is obeying the mandate of heaven, and only then can we be worthy of the foundation and reputation of the Yang family's four generations of dukes and ministers!"
"Moreover... hehe, Father, you haven't been to the border regions, right? Father doesn't know the hardships of the border people, right? I didn't understand before, but my trip to Yanmen this time made me realize that blind loyalty will only create a group of 'great scholars' like you, who only know how to serve a sage ruler but bring no benefit to the common people. True heroes and wise men adapt to the times and are like good birds choosing good trees!"
Upon saying this...
Yang Biao felt his spirit shaken by his son's aura. His legs instinctively retreated, and he stumbled, nearly falling to the ground.
Filled with grief and anger, he fiercely threw down the rattan whip.
"You... our paths differ, and we cannot conspire together!"
Tap... tap!
Yang Xiu struggled to stand up. "Father, you are old. Your era has ended. I came here because Situ Lu told me. He even knows that the imperial decree was signed here! Father... don't be deluded anymore! If Situ Lu wants to annihilate our Hongnong Yang clan, it is truly as simple as crushing an ant! I was able to save you this time, save the Hongnong Yang clan this time, but that doesn't mean I can save you every time!"
"Get out... get out... I, Yang Biao, have no son like you. I... I never want to see you again!" Yang Biao roared.
Yang Xiu looked at his father, who had slumped dejectedly onto the chair, with sorrow and turned to leave.
As he reached the door.
Hoo...
He let out a long sigh and left with his final words.
"Father, let's look to the future. The one who will revitalize the Hongnong Yang clan and make the clansmen and former officials of the Hongnong Yang clan grateful and remember us will be me, Yang Xiu, not Father! Time will prove everything. Let's... let's wait and see!"
The night was as dark as ink...
Yang Xiu walked out of the inn. In the light rain, he bowed to the wine shop and then stood up resolutely, intending to leave without looking back.
In his confusion, he didn't know where to go.
He hadn't decided where to go yet.
The light rain had already soaked his clothes. He could only shiver as he walked into the darkness.
When the Hongnong Yang clan was no longer his home, his home seemed to be only the Sili-du mansion, or perhaps... the Imperial Academy by the Ying River, in the land of Yongqiu!
"This time, my choice must be the right one!"
"In the future, the Hongnong Yang clan will... will be grateful for this choice of mine, Yang Xiu!"
His voice was filled with unwavering conviction.
Just then.
"Dezu, have you met Grand Commandant Yang? Is that correct?"
A voice rang out...
Yang Xiu turned his head and frowned. How could it be... it was him?
...
...