The afternoon was filled with the chirping of sparrows and orioles, the sunlight casting its glow upon the tranquil courtyard.
The inscription “Sikong Mansion,” adorned with golden edges, stood out with exceptional prominence. Now, this residence, situated to the west of the Imperial City, held a position where any command issued from within could stir the hearts of the entire Xu Du, and indeed, the entirety of the Han Dynasty.
Holding dominion over the world’s affairs, the master of this house currently held the lives of not just hundreds, but thousands, in his hands! The fate of the Central Plains, its rise and fall, hinged entirely upon his single thought.
But…
Despite this, within this solemn and imposing mansion, in a study room.
Cao Cao was engaged in a game of Go with Jia Xu.
This period was quite sensitive, as Xi Zhicai, Xun You, and Xun Yu were all scholars from Yingchuan.
Currently, Xun Yu, the leading figure among the esteemed scholars of Yingchuan, had not clearly declared his allegiance. Therefore… the only person Cao Cao could discuss matters with was this newly appointed “strategic advisor” whom Yu’er had highly praised – Jia Xu, known as Wenhe.
During their game, Xu Chu would occasionally deliver messages.
“Reporting to Commander Cao, Situ Lu and Lord Xun eliminated Dong Cheng, Wang Zifu, Wu Shuo, and others. After that, Lord Xun confined himself to the Imperial Secretariat and no longer met visitors!”
“Understood!”
Cao Cao responded, a flicker of disappointment evident in his eyes.
He placed the first black stone on the “Tianyuan” position of the Go board. The game mirrored his state of mind. Now that the internal strife was quelled, his next objective was to dominate the entire board!
Jia Xu hesitated slightly before placing a white stone in a corner, adopting a posture of territorial consolidation. The disparity between their positions was immediately apparent.
Xu Chu’s voice continued to echo.
“Kong Rong, along with several elder officials, have all submitted memorials pleading for Sima Fang’s innocence.”
“That’s not surprising,” Cao Cao mused. “Among the top aristocratic clans of our Great Han, besides the Yuan clan of Runan and the Yang clan of Hongnong, comes the Sima clan of Henei. The disciples and former subordinates of the Sima family are spread throughout the realm. It’s expected that someone would plead for them.”
Having spoken, Cao Cao placed another stone.
Jia Xu flicked a white stone, then asked with curiosity, “Commander Cao, do you believe Sima Fang was involved with Dong Cheng?”
“Involved? Heh heh.” Cao Cao sneered. “Who is Sima Fang? When I was young, it was he who recommended me to serve as the Northern Commandant of Luoyang. In a sense, he is my benefactor! Yet, even my former benefactor, Cao Cao, can’t simply say his relationship with Dong Cheng today is more than mere involvement.”
“Could the Yue Dan Ping have set up ambushes even off the stage? How could Sima Fang escape responsibility? For such a person, it is better to kill the innocent than to let the guilty go!”
Cao Cao’s tone was chilling, but his eyes were flickering with something else!
Sensing the look in Cao Cao’s eyes, Jia Xu’s mind whirred.
“Then why did Commander Cao spare Sima Zhongda alone? Not cutting the roots and eliminating the grass seems unlike Commander Cao’s usual practice.”
“Haha…” Hearing this, Cao Cao burst into hearty laughter. He looked meaningfully at Jia Xu and asked with amusement, “Doesn’t Wenhe know?”
“Should this old minister know?” Jia Xu’s reply was also layered with meaning.
This lord and advisor were playing a game of riddles!
Cao Cao patted the shoulder of the old man feigning ignorance. “Wenhe, if you didn’t know, that would be truly surprising!”
This…
Jia Xu’s eyes fixed. He genuinely hadn’t known, but seeing Cao Cao’s expression and hearing his tone, even not knowing turned into knowing.
“It’s because…”
Jia Xu began his sentence but then cast his gaze towards Xu Chu.
Cao Cao gestured with his hand. “Zhongkang also knows Yu’er’s identity. Wenhe, there’s no need to hide it from him. Speak freely!”
Upon hearing this, Jia Xu looked deeply at Xu Chu…
Not many people knew of Lu Yu’s background, but if Xu Chu knew, it meant… this “Tiger Fool” and Cao Cao’s relationship went beyond mere master and servant!
“Haha…”
With a faint smile, Jia Xu truthfully stated, “It’s because Commander Cao wishes to leave this benevolence for the eldest son?”
Pausing at this point, Jia Xu continued, “Commander Cao’s heart is as clear as a mirror. To unify the world requires might, but governing the world cannot do without benevolence and righteousness!”
As these words left his lips, Cao Cao’s eyes widened.
Comforting!
He enjoyed speaking with intelligent people. Everything he had in his heart had been articulated by Jia Xu…
To unify the world, to clear the internal dangers, he, Cao Cao, could operate under the principle of “rather I betray the world than the world betray me,” and establish his hegemony through might. However… the continuation of that hegemony lay in civil administration, in virtue!
In summary, it meant: my son can use civil rule and virtue to prolong the foundation for ten thousand years, while I shall use might to create this world!
Jia Xu’s words had pointedly clarified the differing roles of Cao Cao and Lu Yu, and consequently, their differing attitudes towards these Han officials.
“Haha…”
“Hahaha…”
Cao Cao clapped Jia Xu on the shoulder once more.
“Jia Wenhe, Yu’er said you were poisonous! But I find you to be utterly insightful, haha!”
With that said…
Cao Cao was about to place a stone to continue the game.
But at this moment.
“Big brother, big brother…”
Cao Ren hurried in…
Seeing Cao Ren, Cao Cao raised his eyes. “Has the Provost Office found out anything?”
“Sort of.” Cao Ren didn’t know where to begin. “Many matters have accumulated due to the deployment of the Yue Dan Ping! This morning, Zi Lian and I sorted through them, and quite a few major events have occurred recently!”
Hmm…
Major events?
As these words were spoken, Cao Cao’s interest was immediately piqued, and he forgot about the game, turning sideways.
“Since Wenhe is here, Zixiao, please elaborate.”
“Let’s start with Guanzhong… Han Sui and Ma Teng have both sent their sons to Xu Du!”
“It seems Commander Zhong Yao has stabilized the Guanzhong situation! And he proposed fulfilling the task mentioned by Situ Lu – persuading the lords to send their sons to Xu Du!”
Ho… Guanzhong? Persuading lords to send emissaries to Xu Du?
Upon hearing this, Cao Cao suddenly stood up.
Subconsciously, he uttered three words: “Westward Coercion?”
That’s right…
In Yu’er’s grand strategy formulated in the past, it included five elements: “Eastward Gaze,” “Westward Coercion,” “Southward Flank,” “Northward Harmony,” and “Central Stability.”
Currently, the “Eastward Gaze,” “Southward Flank,” “Northward Harmony,” and “Central Stability” were mostly completed. The only missing element was this “Westward Coercion,” the mollification of the Guanzhong warlords!
This matter was crucial for the western gateway of Cao’s camp, and it could not be taken lightly!
Moreover…
According to Yu’er’s plan, all these grand strategies had to be completed before his decisive battle with Yuan Shao!
The sooner, the better!
And now… what Zi Xiao had just said!
“Persuading the lords to send their sons to Xu Du!”
Cao Cao took a deep breath, his eyes widening considerably. He stared at Cao Ren, repeatedly asking, “Zixiao, you… you say that again? How is Guanzhong?”
It was evident that Cao Cao was extremely excited and agitated. This feeling was akin to reaching for the Dragon Balls in Dragon Ball, finally finding the seventh one after possessing six!
“Big brother…” Cao Ren continued, “Ma Teng has dispatched his son Ma Tie, and Han Sui has also sent his son Han Jin. They have already departed from Guanzhong. In about ten days, they will arrive at Xu Du City. Commander Zhong Yao sent an urgent report stating that Guanzhong is pacified, and the entire city of Chang’an is completely under his control!”
As these words were spoken again…
The entire study fell silent!
Cao Cao’s pupils contracted sharply, as if he had seen a ghost. He stared dumbfoundedly, and it took a long while for him to recover from the shock.
Westward Coercion… has Guanzhong truly been brought under control?
For a moment, he recalled Yu’er mentioning the “Westward Coercion” strategy in the past, and his description of those warlords of Guanzhong who respected might above all else and never reasoned.
Of course, that was not important. What was important was… the person Yu’er had specifically recommended to accomplish this “Westward Coercion” task was a lecturer from the Imperial Academy!
A legendary master calligrapher, and my former senior fellow student – Zhong Yao!
He was sent with authority to Guanzhong to contend with these brute warlords!
At that time, Cao Cao had felt this recommendation was too hasty… and he hadn’t held much hope. Cao Cao had even made preparations for subsequent actions. The Sanfu region lacked grain; as long as the western front was stable, he was willing to expend a certain amount of money and grain to exchange for peace in this area!
But…
Zhong Yao had accomplished it!
Not only had he accomplished it, but he had done so with such outstanding excellence!
Crucially…
How on earth did he achieve it?
In his memory, Zhong Yao had merely held an imperial edict and had no more than fifty Dragon Cavalry with him? And with that, he had secured Chang’an City and pacified Guanzhong?
Unbelievable…
This was too unbelievable!
Of course, Cao Cao could never understand the pain of a man who had many concubines but could not bear children for a long time.
As a descendant of the prestigious Zhong family, Zhong Yao could not tolerate others pointing fingers at him!
It was precisely for this reason…
When Zhong Yao arrived in Guanzhong in the past, Lu Yu had specifically sent someone to tell him.
The task would be completed… and he would definitely help him cure his andrological problems, allowing him to have two chubby sons in three years!
If it were anyone else saying this, Zhong Yao would have just listened. But Lu Yu was different. He was a legendary physician who treated andrological issues, a man who could even cure typhoid fever!
It was for this reason that Zhong Yao went all out, he pushed himself!
A person’s energy can often be boundless. If this surge of energy, combined with the hopeful prospect of curing his andrological ailments, then this energy could be described in three words: “invincible”!
Residing in Guanzhong, surrounded by formidable enemies, any warlord could easily crush Zhong Yao’s cavalry into dust.
Yet, in this situation, the master calligrapher Zhong Yao remained unhurried, analyzed calmly, and maintained his composure!
He projected an aura of being completely unfazed, as if Mount Tai were collapsing before him.
He identified the two most powerful lords in the region – Han Sui and Ma Teng!
He learned of the complex relationship between these two…
First, they became sworn brothers, then they turned into sworn enemies. Han Sui killed Ma Teng’s wife, and Ma Teng was driven out of Liang Province by Han Sui, forced to flee back to Guanzhong in disgrace.
Thus, Zhong Yao visited both Ma Teng and Han Sui separately!
With incredible eloquence… he managed to persuade both sides to cease their hostilities and make peace. Then, with an imperial edict, he smoothly transformed them from the irregular forces of Guanzhong into regular troops, rallying under the banner of the Emperor!
In this way, those minor warlords flocked to join them, and those warlords who were disobedient, when they were attacked, it was considered an imperial decree to punish rebels, aligning with heavenly justice!
The cooperation between the two sides could not have been more tacit!
In the end, Han Sui and Ma Teng were unwilling to let the other occupy Chang’an. After weighing their options, they actually gifted the city of Chang’an to our master calligrapher – Zhong Yao!
Along with this, Zhong Yao also persuaded Han Sui and Ma Teng to send their sons to Xu Du as hostages, in exchange for the court’s moral support, as well as trade between Guanzhong and the Central Plains!
By all accounts, these were tasks that were impossible to complete, yet he managed to do it!
Both for himself and for his “little brothers,” Zhong Yao had achieved it!
“If this is the case, Guanzhong is pacified, then… then…”
Cao Cao took several deep breaths and said in a voice tinged with trembling, “Next, our forces should march north. I, Cao Cao, can finally engage Yuan Shao in a decisive battle!”
Yes…
This was what excited Cao Cao the most.
From his past defeat at Xingyang, to the betrayal of new recruits while mustering troops in Yangzhou, to being reduced to a “watchdog” for Yuan Shao in the southern territories of Shang Commandery when he had nowhere else to turn, to now, the former watchdog had leaped to become a colossal power vying for control of the Central Plains. All hidden dangers had been eliminated. His former junior brother had become his formidable rival, awaiting this one battle to decide the fate of the world!
“Excellent… excellent!”
“Haha… hahaha…”
Cao Cao’s demonic laughter resounded once more…
In fact, Jia Xu was also exceptionally surprised upon hearing that Guanzhong was pacified.
But… it seemed that in Cao’s camp, all impossibilities were not surprising, because the most impossible events were hidden within Jia Xu’s own mind.
– The “Hidden Dragon” that could bring peace to the world, he could be Cao Cao’s eldest son. Could there be anything more inconceivable? More absurd?
In any case… this matter was simply absurd!
“Hahahaha…”
The demonic laughter echoed throughout the Sikong Mansion…
After a brief moment, as the laughter subsided, Cao Cao continued, “Anything else? Besides this great joyous occasion? What else is there?”
“There are three more matters, all related to the situation in the north!” Cao Ren truthfully reported. “The first is in Yanmen Commandery, Bing Province. A legion suddenly assembled, repelled the invading Xianbei barbarians, and drove them back. Now… they firmly hold Yanmen Commandery in Bing Province. I hear this military force grew from a few dozen people to hundreds, then thousands, within days, and now likely numbers in the tens of thousands!”
This…
Cao Cao’s eyes blinked…
However, he still tapped his forehead and asked with confusion, “What does this have to do with us?”
“It does! It has a great deal to do with us!” Cao Ren raised his voice slightly. “Their banner… is none other than ‘Dragon Cavalry Camp.’ This means, inexplicably, Yanmen in Bing Province has been occupied by Situ Lu’s Dragon Cavalry Camp!”
Ah… ah…
As these words were spoken, Cao Cao felt his intelligence was insufficient!
He simply couldn’t connect the cause and effect…
Yanmen in Bing Province? Dragon Cavalry Camp?
If he were to link these keywords together, the only person Cao Cao could think of was Yang Xiu, and Lu Bu… Yu’er had specifically sent them to Bing Province for a mission, but… their mission was to incite enemy generals to defect, not to capture cities!
What was going on?
Were they sent to hunt a wild boar and ended up capturing the enemy’s main city?
The original dozens of people? Expanding to hundreds? Thousands… and even tens of thousands of troops? This matter… was even more absurd than Zhong Yao pacifying Guanzhong, even more absurd than “persuading the lords to send their sons to Xu Du”!
Hoo…
Cao Cao exhaled a long breath. He heavily patted his chest. It seemed… anything connected to Yu’er could not be judged by common sense.
“Anything else? What are the other two matters closely related to the northern situation?” Cao Cao continued to ask.
At this moment, his inner turmoil had calmed down…
It seemed he was ready to listen to the next two “absurd” major events with a peaceful mindset!
“The next is about You Province!” Mentioning You Province, Cao Ren’s forehead was visibly covered with confusion. “Big brother originally predicted that Gongsun Zan’s Yijing City would not last a month. But… according to the latest battle report, Gongsun Zan achieved a great victory! Yuan’s army was routed! Hundreds of thousands of Yuan’s troops retreated thirty miles. It seems… Yuan Shao’s conquest of You Province will not be a swift one!”
This…
Yuan Shao was defeated?
If we say that Zhong Yao’s actions in Guanzhong;
Lu Bu and Yang Xiu’s actions in Yanmen Commandery, Bing Province, while absurd, were still traceable…
But, but Gongsun Zan of You Province? After several consecutive major defeats, he was surrounded by Yuan’s army in Yijing City. The fall of the city and the death of its defenders were only a matter of time. How could… how could he resist?
He even defeated the arrogant Yuan Shao!
“Zixiao, tell me about this matter in detail!”
Cao Cao asked with curiosity…
Cao Ren truthfully replied, “The spies’ reports did not provide much detail, only saying that it seemed to be related to a visitor from the Central Plains?”
“Visitor from the Central Plains?” Cao Cao continued to ask. “Who?”
“This…”
Upon mentioning this person’s name, Cao Ren hesitated, but finally blurted out, “It’s General Qin Yilu, the former husband of your newly taken concubine, Lady Du – General Qin Yilu!”
What?
What?
Hearing this name, Cao Cao was stunned.
Of course, he knew that Yu’er had brought Qin Yilu into the Dragon Cavalry Camp. He had originally thought… this was merely a form of comfort for Qin Yilu’s weak spirit.
Moreover, Yu’er had specifically sent him north. Cao Cao had thought he was just letting him go to fend for himself!
But now… Gongsun Zan’s major defeat of Yuan Shao was related to his own “ex-brother-in-law” Qin Yilu? Good heavens, Cao Cao felt his intelligence was not just insufficient, he felt completely dumbfounded!
What exactly had happened?
“Continue… and the last matter, finish telling me!”
Cao Cao tried his best to maintain a calm demeanor.
Today, things were already so outrageous, there was no harm in hearing one more piece of information.
“The last matter is related to Situ Lu…” Cao Ren announced loudly.
Heh heh…
Hearing this, Cao Cao chuckled.
He muttered to himself, Zixiao, Zixiao, you only know the last matter is related to Yu’er, but you don’t realize that all four matters you reported today are inextricably linked to Yu’er!
As for the last one!
Cao Cao opened his eyes. For a moment, he became curious. What other “absurd” trouble had Yu’er stirred up?
Just as he thought this, Cao Ren’s voice came out.
“Yesterday, spies from Ji Province reported that Yuan Benchu had gone to Zhongshan Wuji County a few days ago to form a marriage alliance with the Zhen family. However… several daughters of the Zhen family, along with most of their wealth, were detained by Situ Lu. According to the old madam, Situ Lu was clearly a peerless… **! He was infatuated with the beauty of the Zhen family’s daughters!”
Uh…
As these words were spoken, Cao Cao wished he could spit out a mouthful of salted soda.
Damn it!
As expected, when it came to Yu’er, things just got more and more absurd!
“Peerless **” even came out!
This appellation was simply brilliant!
Heh heh… Cao Cao immediately chuckled. He mused to himself, that old madam of the Zhen mansion probably didn’t know? What in the world is a peerless **?
…
…