There is no harm in visiting the temple without a purpose.
Jingshen Zheng Xuan's visit to the Marquis of Baima was for three matters.
Firstly, to thank Lu Yu for his "papermaking" and "printing" techniques...
No one understood better than Jingshen what the inheritance of culture meant to an empire.
Precisely because of this, it was no exaggeration to say that in his opinion, the invention of "papermaking" and "printing," and the popularization of paper, had profound significance.
— It could extend the dynasty's destiny!
— It could influence public opinion!
— It could be passed down for ten thousand years!
— It could change everything.
It was no exaggeration to say that Zheng Xuan was now thoroughly obsessed with papermaking and printing... even more so than with classical studies!
Secondly, Zheng Xuan harbored a small ambition.
He had an idea to establish Lu Yu as a benchmark, a benchmark like himself "Zheng Xuan" twenty years ago, inspiring scholars and Confucian students throughout the land to emulate him... to do things that were useful to the common people.
Of course...
Cai Zhaoji also proposed to thank Zheng Xuan for bestowing the courtesy name.
Lu Yu, courtesy name Ziyu. Cai Zhaoji herself felt this courtesy name was quite fitting and appropriate.
Next was the third matter, and the most important one for Zheng Xuan's trip.
"Chief Director Cai, this third matter also concerns 'Lu Ziyu.'"
Zheng Xuan spoke...
Heh, Cai Zhaoji chuckled inwardly.
Frankly, hearing Zheng Xuan say "Ziyu" felt quite novel to her.
Of course... ever since her brother Yu's identity as Yinlin became a secret known to everyone, anyone who spoke with her would deliberately revolve around her brother, even "Jingshen" was no exception. Cai Zhaoji had grown accustomed to this!
"Mr. Zheng, please speak freely." Cai Zhaoji gestured.
Zheng Xuan's gaze fell upon Cao Zhi. "Zijian? Why don't you pay your respects to Chief Director Cai!"
As the words fell...
Cao Zhi rose abruptly and respectfully bowed to Cai Zhaoji.
"This student Cao Zhi pays his respects to the Grand Academy's Chief Director Cai!"
Ten years old, Cao Zhi had just turned ten this year.
Although in ancient times, people could go to battle at twelve, at this age, he still looked a little too young.
"Zijian is my elder brother's fourth son, there is no need for such a grand ceremony..." Cai Zhaoji indicated that Cao Zhi need not be so formal.
But Cao Zhi still completed the ceremony with full decorum.
"Haha..." Zheng Xuan rose abruptly, as if he were standing up for Cao Zhi.
Slowly walking to the center of the hall, Zheng Xuan then spoke: "In this era, there are many poets, but the poetry of Kong Rong, Chen Lin, Wang Can, Xu Gan, Ruan Yu, Ying Yang, and Liu Zhen can only be considered second-rate. And there are only three people in the world who can be considered first-rate!"
It seemed he had veered off course.
Cai Zhaoji didn't know why Zheng Xuan brought up poetry, but... since Jingshen was speaking, she decided to just listen and see what Zheng Xuan intended to discuss.
"The one who can compose first-rate poetry is Cao Mengde, that is, Miss Cai's elder brother, my former disciple. His poetry is ancient, heroic, and powerful, imbued with a poignant atmosphere, with a spirit that swallows mountains and rivers, possessing an aura of looking down on the world!"
"The second is Lu Ziyu. The collection 'Three Hundred Poems' that he authored contains poetry that is sometimes grand and powerful, sometimes sorrowful and desolate. It includes lines like 'Don't you see the Yellow River coming from the heavens?' with its magnificent phrasing, and it can also create scenes like 'The white sun sinks behind the mountains, the Yellow River flows into the sea,' which are so leisurely and picturesque! His poetic style is unpredictable, and even after my decades of meticulous study of texts, I am amazed by such divine skill and unpredictable phrasing and word choice!"
Although she didn't know what Zheng Xuan truly wanted to say...
However, hearing the foremost literary figure of the era – Zheng Xuan – praise and extol her brother Yu in such a manner, Cai Zhaoji felt a warmth in her heart.
This was the brother she had raised!
"Mr. Zheng flatters me..."
Cai Zhaoji waved her hand with great modesty.
Zheng Xuan's words continued, "Whether I flatter or not, the scholars of the world will pass judgment. When Marquis Lu's 'Three Hundred Poems' are printed and spread throughout the thirteen provinces of Han, perhaps, after the 'Medicine Immortal,' the world will bestow another title upon Marquis Lu – the 'Poetry Immortal!'"
Having said this, Zheng Xuan changed the topic, his eyes turning towards Cao Zhi.
"As for the third person of first-class literary talent, it is this Cao Zijian... Although Cao Zijian is only ten years old, his mastery of poetry already surpasses mine. His poetry has a noble spirit, resplendent language, brilliance that transcends ancient and modern times, and is truly outstanding!"
The praise stopped abruptly.
It seemed Zheng Xuan had deliberately curbed his excessive praise for Cao Zhi.
It wasn't as vivid as his praise for Cao Cao and Lu Yu, and appeared somewhat... thin, done to avoid suspicion!
And Zheng Xuan's voice continued.
"Cao Mengde, Lu Ziyu, and Cao Zijian. The poetry of these three gentlemen is like the relationship between Confucius and Zhou, or the dragon and phoenix among mythical beasts. If Cao Mengde has reached the hall, then these two young masters, Lu and Cao, have entered the inner chamber, while the rest of the scholars in the world are, at best, seated in the corridors!"
"It is for this reason that I heard Marquis Lu has gone to Xuzhou. Coincidentally, the newspaper office in Xuzhou is in need of an editor-in-chief. I believe Cao Zijian is the most suitable candidate, and I have come specifically to ask Miss Cai! Let Cao Zijian manage the Xuzhou newspaper office; it can be considered following Marquis Lu, and if he can learn even a little, he will benefit greatly!"
Ho...
Upon hearing this, Cai Yan finally understood.
The purpose of Zheng Xuan's visit, his talk about "paper" and "role models," were all secondary. The most important, the core reason was here: he wanted to introduce Cao Zhi to her brother Yu!
This...
Cai Zhaoji, being so intelligent, immediately grasped Zheng Xuan's intention.
Although her brother Yu was outstanding... and exceptional... it could not be changed that he was not his elder brother's son and could not inherit his elder brother's throne. Therefore... in the future, among the Confucian scholars and literati, a new leader would inevitably have to be supported!
Currently, this leader could be Zheng Xuan, or Cai Yan, or Lu Yu...
But what about later? Fifty years from now?
The variables in this chaotic era were too great. Zheng Xuan had set his sights on Cao Zhi. He believed that... among Cao Cao's sons, Cao Zhi had the closest relationship with the literati, and was the only son who could vigorously develop classical learning and Confucianism and value scholarship!
In other words, Zheng Xuan intended to support Cao Zhi as the heir apparent!
Moreover...
Zheng Xuan had already begun to prepare for his hundred years after death and for the hundred-year plan of classical studies!
Having figured this out, Cai Zhaoji bit her lip slightly...
This expression carried a hint of profound meaning.
Of course, Cai Zhaoji knew that currently... within Cao Cao's camp, if there was anyone intending to contend for the position of heir apparent, they must first be connected to her brother Yu!
Her brother Yu held too many resources, and gaining his favor and support was crucial!
Hoo...
With this thought, Cai Zhaoji let out a soft sigh.
"Since Prince Cao Zijian has this intention, and Mr. Zheng has personally proposed it, how could I dare to refuse? Everything will be as Mr. Zheng wishes. Let Prince Zijian go to Xuzhou; it can also be considered helping my brother Yu."
As these words were spoken...
Zheng Xuan's eyes suddenly widened.
"Zijian, why don't you kowtow and thank Chief Director Cai."
With a clatter, Cao Zhi knelt, kneeling motionlessly.
To be honest, he was not an ambitious person, but the scholar faction and the Confucian faction had their ambitions; they had to support a trustworthy leader.
Of course...
It was a pity that Lu Yu was not surnamed Cao, otherwise, this position of heir apparent? Would there be any need to contend for it?
In the eyes of Zheng Xuan and countless literati...
The position of heir apparent was full of variables! Perhaps... if the right person was chosen, the common people could live better lives one day earlier, and the status of scholars would only rise higher and higher!
"Thank you, Chief Director Cai. Your humble servant will not disgrace the mission..."
Although Cao Zhi was young, his tone was quite firm and confident. He had long wanted to be by Lu Yu's side, not for any other reason, but because 'Three Hundred Poems' attracted him so much that he dreamed of seeking advice from Lu Yu!
...
...
At the border between Yanzhou and Xuzhou.
Passing through Mount Tai Commandery, ahead lay Langya Commandery.
Tonight, the Dragon Riders' cavalry camp was stationed here.
The light of a new moon leaked through the tent flap of the central command tent. Lu Yu stood alone in the tent, hands behind his back.
Just moments ago, he had received the latest intelligence from Guandu.
The forty thousand surrendered soldiers of Yuan's army had returned. Cao Cao personally welcomed them, personally cooked porridge for the soldiers, and served bowls of it to them. This hot porridge, in the drizzling rain, warmed the stomachs of the forty thousand soldiers of Yuan's army, and also warmed their hearts.
Upon hearing this report, Lu Yu smacked his lips repeatedly...
Old Cao truly was an Oscar-level actor...
This move of feigning weakness to overcome strength was truly his unique style, inimitable... Lu Yu was so impressed he wanted to give him a double thumbs-up!
There is no comparison, there is no harm!
Of course...
Heh heh...
Lu Yu also chuckled. He mused to himself that if his side had not managed to raise grain for these forty thousand people, then... overnight, Old Cao would likely have turned into a demon king!
Massacring surrendered soldiers...
Old Cao wouldn't blink an eye when doing such a thing.
With this thought, Lu Yu shivered all over and suddenly felt the pressure was a bit too great...
His trip to Xuzhou, he was holding the lives of forty thousand people in his hands!
Of course, Old Cao was also gambling, staking his hegemony with Lu Yu, betting on victory... If he won, the northern territories would belong to Cao; if he lost, it would be a song of "starting all over again"!
Hoo...
He let out a soft breath.
Lu Yu closed his eyes and made a rough calculation in his mind.
Including the surrendered soldiers, if Old Cao had six hundred thousand troops, it would be no less. According to one jin of grain per person per day, that would be over one hundred million jin a year...
Converting it to shi, it would require over one million shi annually.
Considering the northern expedition against Yuan Shao would last at least three to five years, and factoring in the annual land tax received in the central plains, a conservative estimate would be at least three million shi!
This was no small sum. During the frequent wars of the past, Dong Zhuo's minting of small coins led to a collapse in grain prices. Gongsun Zan had stored three million shi of grain in Youzhou, which was enough to stabilize grain prices there... Who knew how long it took Gongsun Zan to accumulate these three million shi of grain; a conservative estimate would be several years!
Of course...
Lu Yu knew Old Cao's strength.
In fact, there was no need to help Old Cao fight battles east and west like in those transmigration novels, making Old Cao and his advisors seem like idiots, which was completely unnecessary!
One must know...
As long as you can supply Old Cao with sufficient grain and fodder, that guy, Old Cao, can conquer the entire northern region in minutes!
Old Cao still had that strength.
It's just that even the cleverest housewife cannot cook without rice, grain and fodder... grain and fodder...
"Sigh..."
Lu Yu sighed again. The pressure was immense!
However, before coming... Lu Yu had devised a series of strategies...
As for the effectiveness...
It would depend on whether these powerful families and wealthy merchants in Xuzhou cooperated!
Of course, Lu Yu was not the only one on this trip; there were also Dian Wei, Cao Xiu, Zhao Yun, and a contingent of Dragon Riders...
Previously, Lu Yu had sent someone ahead to Xuzhou. Judging by the time, that person should have already arrived at Xiapi City and met with the Governor of Xuzhou, Chen Deng, courtesy name Yuanlong!
...
...
Xuzhou, Xiapi City!
In front of the administrative office...
"Stomp, stomp, stomp," hurried footsteps echoed.
Chen Deng led the way, followed by numerous officials behind him. Of course, they all appeared flustered. The reason for their flustered state was the arrival of a certain person...
More precisely, the arrival of someone whom Chen Deng dared not underestimate.
As he walked out of the administrative office gate, he saw this person dismount and was about to stride in.
Chen Deng hurriedly stepped forward to greet him: "I didn't expect Commander Cheng to visit today? Is there something going on?"
The Commander Cheng he referred to was naturally Commander Cheng Yu of the Dragon Riders.
One must know that Cheng Yu's status was now more than just a military commander. Earlier, he had been enfelled as General of the East Zhonglang, General of Feiwu, and served in the Imperial Secretariat!
Recently, due to his outstanding merits, Cao Cao had again petitioned to enfeoff him as Marquis of Anguo Ting—this was one of the few individuals in the Dragon Riders, besides Lu Yu, to be enfeoffed as a Marquis!
Of course...
Members of the Dragon Riders often affectionately referred to him as Commander Cheng when they saw him, but behind his back, they called him "Ghost of the Central Plains."
At this moment... the Ghost of the Central Plains met Chen Deng and heard his words.
Cheng Yu paused slightly.
"Are you, Chen Yuanlong, pretending to be ignorant?"
"Commander Lu requested from Commander Cao to come to Xuzhou to raise grain. The entire Han dynasty knows this. Are you, the Governor of Xuzhou, Chen Yuanlong, unaware?"
This...
Chen Deng's eyes fixed. "I... I know!"
To be honest... the Governor of Xuzhou was quite a high official, but... in front of Cheng Yu, he seemed to be a step lower, his tone carrying a hint of subservience and difficulty.
"... Commander Cheng, why don't you tell me? Commander Lu wants to come and raise grain... but... but the key is that my Xuzhou has no grain! Otherwise... shall I take you to the treasury, to the granary, and you can see for yourself... If you can find even a tiny bit, I will send it all to Guandu, how about that?"
Heh...
Facing the "advance party" sent by Lu Yu... this Chen Deng fellow, without a word, immediately started crying poverty.
"Don't forget, your life was saved by Commander Lu..."
Cheng Yu continued to speak...
He was very good at conversation, and usually, his words contained no unnecessary remarks.
Of course, strictly speaking, in the past... Yang Xiu helped to expel the parasitic worms from Chen Deng's stomach, but on whose orders did Yang Xiu act?
The Commander of the Dragon Riders—Lu Yu!
Tracing back to the source, this kindness must be attributed to Lu Yu.
Chen Deng knew this, but... but even the cleverest housewife cannot cook without rice!
" Commander Cheng, please don't joke. Although I, Chen Deng, am not a benevolent and righteous person, I understand the principle of repaying a life-saving kindness with a thousandfold gratitude. However... the Guandu campaign has lasted for over a year and a half. Lord Xun has recruited grain and provisions from Xuzhou seven times. Even the land tax of Xuzhou has been collected up to three years in advance. The granaries are empty? Where is there any more grain? When Prince Lu comes to raise grain, I am truly racking my brains, but I am powerless to help."
This was the truth...
How could Cheng Yu not know that the Battle of Guandu, while ostensibly a contest between Cao Cao and Yuan Shao, and a strategy of Prince Lu, was actually... an underlying competition of grain and supplies between both sides!
This was not a child's play, nor was it a joke. Xuzhou was known as the granary of the empire, and the land tax could be collected up to three years in advance. Then... let alone other prefectures and counties, describing them as "penniless" would not be an exaggeration.
"Commander Lu did not intend to make things difficult for you..." Cheng Yu took a step closer to Chen Deng and patted him on the shoulder.
Being patted on the shoulder by such a "Ghost of the Central Plains"...
It didn't seem like a pleasant thing!
Chen Deng instinctively shivered...
"If Commander Lu has any instructions, Commander Cheng... speak directly!"
Upon asking this, Chen Deng suddenly thought of something and added a question: "Commander Cheng? Where is Prince Lu? Why... did only you come to Xiapi City?"
"Prince Lu entered Langya Commandery from Mount Tai Commandery, and then headed directly east to Donghai Commandery. He is not coming to Xiapi!"
Cheng Yu said truthfully.
According to Lu Yu's instructions, Chen Deng could be trusted... therefore, there was no need to conceal anything from him.
However...
"Donghai..." Chen Deng frowned and blurted out unconsciously, "That place is not as prosperous as Guangling, Xiapi, or Dongguan!"
That's right, Xuzhou was known as the granary of the empire, but the most prosperous places were these three prefectures and counties mentioned by Chen Deng.
Xiapi City was the seat of Xuzhou, the political center, needless to say;
Guangling was the largest commandery of Xiapi City, bordering Wu, with close private business dealings... it was filled with wealthy individuals and could be considered the economic center of all Xuzhou;
As for Dongguan, it bordered Chengyang Commandery of Qingzhou, Mount Tai Commandery of Yanzhou, and Luling State of Yuzhou... it was the place where four prefectures and counties converged, and the place where merchants traveled most frequently. Those merchants there also held a large amount of grain!
But why did Lu Yu not go to these places and specifically choose Donghai Commandery?
One must know that Donghai Commandery was the poorest of the six prefectures and counties of Xuzhou, and the wealthy merchants there were very few... even recruiting them would be as difficult as climbing to heaven!
"Commander Cheng? This..." With this in mind, Chen Deng spoke again.
Cheng Yu stroked his beard and preempted him, "Commander Lu has always been meticulous in his planning. He has his reasons for going to Donghai Commandery!"
Having said this, Cheng Yu paused. Seeing that Chen Deng still looked like a curious baby, Cheng Yu decided to give another reminder. "Of course, I don't mind letting you know that Commander Lu is going to Donghai because there are not too many wealthy merchants or influential families there... and Donghai is by the sea! Living by the sea, just as living by the mountain."
Uh... by the sea?
This...
Chen Deng tapped his forehead, feeling a bit confused.
However, it didn't matter... with such a precedent, he didn't need to doubt Lu Yu's capabilities... there was no need for that!
He should just do as Prince Lu instructed.
Immediately, Chen Deng intended to call for someone. Since Lu Yu had gone to Donghai, how could he, the Governor of Xuzhou, remain in Xiapi City?
"Someone... prepare a horse!"
As soon as the words fell.
Cheng Yu grabbed Chen Deng's sleeve. "What is Governor Chen doing?"
"Going to Donghai?" Chen Deng retorted, "Could it be? Commander Cheng was sent by Prince Lu not to summon me to Donghai?"
This...
Cheng Yu was stunned, then repeatedly waved his hands. "Naturally not!"
In an instant, Cheng Yu's expression became serious.
"Commander Lu instructed me to come here to assist Governor Chen in raising grain in Xiapi City..."
Ah... ah...
Chen Deng felt his forehead tremble.
"But... but Xiapi City has no... (grain)!"
Before he could finish speaking.
With a "slap," Cheng Yu took out something from his怀 and heavily slapped it on the table in front of Chen Deng.
— "Prince Lu said!"
— "With this, we can earn grain while standing!"
Uh...
Chen Deng was stunned!
This thing? Can also earn grain while standing?
...
...