The Battle of Guandu was the first of the three major battles of the Three Kingdoms. After this battle, no force in the north could contend with Cao Cao.
However.
A huge problem still lay before Cao Cao!
As the saying goes, a rich man is a man, but a poor man struggles.
In ancient times, it was easy to be a god of slaughter, but it was incredibly difficult not to be a tyrannical ruler, and the most crucial point was grain.
Without grain, tens of thousands of people surrendered, hundreds of thousands of mouths to feed, besides "burying them all," what other choice was there?
Everyone knew that killing surrendered soldiers was inhumane, but not killing them meant they couldn't be fed… could they wait for them to mutiny!
*Huff…*
Lu Yu let out a breath.
Just then, Dian Wei entered the chamber.
"Young Master Lu, the great battle has concluded. All remnants of the Yuan army have either been annihilated or surrendered. The battlefield is now in its final stages."
Hearing this, Lu Yu nodded.
Despite the numerous coincidences that led to the great victory at Guandu, Lu Yu was not surprised at all. Yuan Shao had two fatal weaknesses!
First – his stubborn arrogance!
He had initially ignored Tian Feng's advice and later disregarded Ju Shou's strategy.
To take a step back, if he had heeded Tian Feng's suggestion to bide his time and wait for the opportune moment,
The Battle of Guandu would not have started so quickly!
If he had listened to Ju Shou, then at least Yan Liang and Wen Chou would not have been defeated so swiftly, nor would they have lost the initiative in the first engagement!
After all, Yan Liang and Wen Chou were more formidable than Zhang He and Gao Lan. More importantly, they were loyal and earned Yuan Shao's unconditional trust.
Second, Yuan Shao could not manage his subordinates. It was no exaggeration to say that Yuan Shao had talented individuals under him: Guo Tu, Feng Ji, Tian Feng, Shen Pei, Xu You, Guo Tu, Ju Shou…
But Feng Ji and Tian Feng had a poor relationship;
Shen Pei and Xu You were also at odds;
Not to mention the group of esteemed scholars from Jizhou like Ju Shou and Tian Feng, who were mortal enemies with the Ru Ying faction led by Guo Tu…
Each of these individuals was talented on their own, but within Yuan Shao's ranks, they all acted for their own benefit.
On the surface, they all served Yuan Shao, but in reality, almost all of them were Cao Cao's spies. They did little for Yuan Shao, but they provided Cao Cao with many favorable opportunities!
Within Yuan Shao's camp, there were simply too many cliques, much like six girls in a dormitory forming seven group chats, feigning sisterly affection while scheming against each other. Could their relationships be good?
Conversely…
Every weakness of Yuan Shao was a strength of Cao Cao, and every strength of Cao Cao could lead to Yuan Shao's downfall.
Whether Lu Yu was present or not, the outcome was predetermined.
However…
Lu Yu's appearance prevented many unnecessary pitfalls and preserved more of their fighting strength and military supplies!
"Perhaps, this is fate and destiny!"
With a final sigh, Lu Yu stood up…
Regardless, this great battle had entered its final phase, but a new challenge had also quietly emerged.
"Let's go… let's go see the battlefield!"
He called out, and under the escort of Dian Wei and the Dragon Cavalry, Lu Yu headed towards the dilapidated great encampment of the Yuan army.
Along the way, he saw widespread misery and rivers of blood.
What a battlefield of Asuras under the blood-red setting sun!
…
Liu Bei had once sought refuge with Yuan Shao. It seemed he had also passed on his "escape" skills wholeheartedly.
In the entire Yuan encampment, not only Yuan Shao and his three sons fled quickly, but even the strategists ran with a spring in their step. Perhaps… they had been prepared all along.
Thinking this way, Ju Shou seemed rather naive…
His speed of escape was far inferior to others, even slower than Guo Tu.
Almost simultaneously…
Lu Yu and Cao Cao, positioned on opposite sides of the battlefield, both noticed him.
Of course, their attention was drawn for a reason. Among the many prisoners, he was undoubtedly the most striking figure.
"I have been captured, I have not surrendered…"
Ju Shou shouted with all his might, his voice tearing.
This earth-shattering cry drew both Cao Cao and Lu Yu towards him.
Lu Yu saw Cao Cao and bowed respectfully. Cao Cao gestured for him not to stand on ceremony…
Xu Chu, however, scratched his head.
"Is this fellow an idiot? He's already captured! And he's still shouting, 'I have been captured, I have not surrendered.' What's the use of that?"
Xu Chu's words echoed the unspoken question in the hearts of all the soldiers.
Some recognized him as Ju Shou, an important strategist for Yuan Shao, but… why did Yuan Shao's strategist look so foolish? Had he been kicked by a donkey?
As soon as these words were spoken…
Cao Cao's lips curled slightly, and he casually asked Lu Yu.
"What do you think, Minister Lu?"
"Let him shout," Lu Yu replied with a faint smile. "He's not shouting for us to hear. These words, if they reach the ears of the defeated Yuan soldiers and are then relayed to Yuan Shao through them, then… Ju Shou's family in Jizhou will be safe! Ju Shou is truly a wise man!"
Heh…
With Lu Yu's explanation, Xu Chu and the soldiers suddenly understood. They all murmured that Ju Shou had quite a bit of substance in him.
Just then.
Cao Cao burst into laughter and walked up to Ju Shou.
In fact, Ju Shou was also a student of the Imperial Academy, in the same year as Yuan Shao and a year ahead of Cao Cao…
There were many student associations in the Imperial Academy, so Cao Cao and Ju Shou were naturally acquainted. They could be considered friends, with a long-standing acquaintance, and naturally, Cao Cao knew Ju Shou possessed genuine talent.
In fact… deep down, Cao Cao admired him and wished to recruit him.
"Stop shouting, everyone has already run far away."
Cao Cao personally helped Ju Shou up and untied him… "Brother Ju, we have been in different camps these past years. It's been a long time since we've been in contact. I didn't expect to meet you like this today, captured by me."
Ju Shou was incredibly shrewd…
He understood the double meaning in this single sentence. Cao Cao's words were laden with intent, on the one hand, trying to persuade him to surrender, and on the other, giving him a show of dominance.
However, Ju Shou was a man of great integrity. He raised his head and looked coldly at Cao Cao.
"Yuan Benchu did not listen to my counsel, while you, Cao Cao, could heed the words of Hidden Dragon. This is why I suffered such a defeat today, and why I could not display my abilities, thus deserving this fate of being captured by you!"
"Haha…" Cao Cao pulled Ju Shou up and personally dusted off his clothes. "Yuan Benchu lacks brains and doesn't know how to employ talent, which is why he suffered this defeat. But I, Cao Cao, am different. If I find talent, I will listen to them wholeheartedly. Why doesn't Brother Ju join my camp, serve in the same court as Hidden Dragon, and plot the conquest of the realm with me, Cao Cao!"
Cao Cao loved and cherished talent.
These words were already giving Ju Shou considerable respect.
However, upon hearing this, Lu Yu shook his head.
He thought that Old Cao was a bit too naive.
Amidst the great victory, many potential crises were masked by the dazzling facade of success. Old Cao had not yet realized the gravity of a certain matter.
Indeed, provisions were the immediate priority.
But there was something even more important that would soon occur and erupt within Cao's camp! Even more so… it could easily lead to mutiny!
—Troop morale!
That's right…
With Zhang He and Gao Lan bringing forty surrendered soldiers, and provisions being stretched thin, troop morale was a significant unstable factor.
After all, although they had followed their general to surrender in a fit of passion, their parents, wives, and children were still in Jizhou, still in the northern territories… They might not have thought of this in the short term, but over time… homesickness would spread!
During the Chu-Han contention, why was the tactic of "Surrounding the enemy and singing their homeland songs" so effective?
… It was precisely due to this sentiment of homesickness.
If this emotion was not handled properly, it could lead to mutiny among the three armies.
As expected…
Just as Lu Yu anticipated.
Facing Cao Cao's olive branch, Ju Shou repeatedly waved his hands. "Commander Cao, please forgive me. My uncle and brother are still in Jizhou and are still in Yuan Shao's hands. If I were to join you? Then… Yuan Shao would likely kill them all. I am grateful for Commander Cao's regard, but I only wish for my own death, for that would be my good fortune!"
This…
Cao Cao sighed, finding it a pity…
"If I had met you earlier, why would I, Cao Cao, worry about the realm not being pacified?"
Immediately, Cao Cao turned around, preparing to leave.
But at that moment, a voice called out, "Mr. Ju, do you not worry about your family? I have already arranged for people to rescue your family…"
"This…" Ju Shou was startled. His gaze turned towards the handsome young man in his early twenties. "You are… Hidden Dragon, are you not?"
Ju Shou uttered this sentence subconsciously.
"I am Lu Yu. Greetings, Mr. Ju…" Lu Yu slightly bowed in greeting.
Ju Shou's eyes narrowed. "Are what you just said true?"
"Absolutely true!" Lu Yu nodded. "Mr. Ju might not know, but I have planted a chess piece in Jizhou."
The chess piece Lu Yu referred to was actually Sima Yi.
But Cao Cao did not interpret it that way.
"Hahaha…"
He burst into laughter. "Brother Ju, you probably don't know yet, but Guo Tu, Guo Gongze, is the chess piece planted in the Yuan camp by Minister Lu."
Ah… Guo… Guo Tu?
Ah… ah…
As these words left his mouth, Ju Shou was greatly shocked.
In an instant, all of Guo Tu's actions flashed before his eyes, and all his doubts were resolved. So… so he was… a spy?
Shocked, Ju Shou felt… if this news were to spread, he and his companions would be stunned!
Preposterous, this was already outrageously preposterous!
But strangely… it seemed to be within reason!
Guo Tu… Guo Gongze, he wasn't stupid or foolish at all. He… he was very shrewd!
"Ahem…"
Lu Yu coughed appropriately. Things had gone off track. He realized the rhythm had been completely hijacked by Old Cao…
However, he didn't need to explain much. After all, using "Guo Tu" to cover for "Sima Yi" was a welcome development.
Even if Yuan Shao heard about it, it wouldn't matter…
"Mr. Ju, rest assured, not only your family but also Xu Ziyuan's family, and even Tian Feng's clan, I will do my best to rescue them! However, I hope for Mr. Ju's cooperation…"
*Huff…* Ju Shou let out a slight breath. "How should I cooperate?"
"Firstly, we must spread rumors that Mr. Ju has been beheaded by Commander Cao at the gate of the encampment. Only then can Yuan Shao in the northern territories relax his vigilance against the Ju family… Secondly…"
Lu Yu beckoned Ju Shou closer and quietly narrated his plan in detail.
And it was precisely this plan that made Ju Shou feel completely at ease. It turned out that Hidden Dragon had meticulously considered every step.
"As expected of Hidden Dragon, truly… Hidden Dragon who can pacify the realm!"
With praise, Ju Shou turned to Cao Cao and asked, "Since my family is safe, I have a word… Ju Shou must speak it…"
"Brother Ju, please speak freely!" Cao Cao gestured.
Ju Shou's eyes turned cold…
"Although the decisive battle between Cao and Yuan has reached its conclusion, Commander Cao needs to quickly resolve two problems. First, provisions… the provisions for four hundred thousand Yuan soldiers. Second, troop morale. The families of every Yuan soldier are in the northern territories. How to appease their feelings is even more critical than provisions!"
"Otherwise… Commander Cao will inevitably follow in the footsteps of the god of slaughter, Bai Qi, burying these four hundred thousand surrendered soldiers and earning the name 'god of slaughter.' Or, the armies will mutiny. Cao Gong may have won the Battle of Guandu, but in the end, it would be better if he had not won."
Hiss…
As these words left his mouth, Cao Cao gasped!
Lu Yu was also deeply impressed…
As expected of the wisest man in the northern territories, his thoughts were completely aligned with his own.
…
…
On the outskirts of Runan City, Liu Bei in the mountain stronghold was very happy.
Lady Gan, escorted back by his second brother Guan Yu, her belly had already swelled…
She was now five or "six" months pregnant!
Speaking of which…
Since Lady Gan's return, Liu Bei had cherished her greatly.
Especially after learning that Lady Gan was pregnant.
This made Liu Bei, who had been drifting for most of his life, feel a sense of home and warmth for the first time.
"He… he moved in my belly again!"
Lady Gan placed her hand on her stomach… and murmured softly. She could most directly feel the child's playfulness and liveliness… truly resembling its "biological father"…
"Sister-in-law, I, Zhang Fei, think that this child is so active at such a young age, imagine when he grows up… he will definitely be a good material for martial arts. Let him learn from me, Zhang Fei, and I guarantee I'll teach him to be an enemy to ten thousand!"
Rarely…
Zhang Fei even started using idioms, which showed… that Liu Bei's entire group was quite pleased!
Speaking of which…
Historically, Cao Cao released Guan Yu and Liu Bei's two wives at different times. Guan Yu was in the fifth year of Jian'an, while the two sisters-in-law were only released in the eleventh year of Jian'an…
However, this time, due to Lu Yu's arrangements, Cao Cao's ghostly maneuvering, and Lady Gan's unreserved seduction of Liu Bei…
It was a seamless transition…
So that Liu Bei did not perceive the slightest difference or strangeness!
"Big Brother, these are gifts from Liu Pi and Pei Yuanshao for all thirty thousand soldiers in the stronghold, for Big Brother…"
Guan Yu stroked his beard and pointed to the boxes behind him, introducing, "This is a Jade Ruyi, this is green tea, and… this is a helmet captured by Liu Pi from Runan named 'Emerald Gold Crown,' it is very valuable!"
Following Guan Yu's gaze, Liu Bei, Zhang Fei, and Lady Gan all looked at the treasures behind them…
Zhang Fei scratched his head and asked with interest, "Why are all these treasures so greenish!"
In ancient times…
Green was just a color, without so many added connotations.
Just like ten years ago, "doing hair" was just doing hair, and "group sports" were just sports events… these fashionable phrases were endowed with new, extraordinary meanings because of a certain person or event.
"Green is good…" Liu Bei picked up the greenish "Emerald Gold Crown" and put it on his head, then turned to Lady Gan, "Madame, how do I look wearing this crown?"
"I didn't expect my husband to suit this color of hat so well!"
Lady Gan smiled sweetly…
Zhang Fei exclaimed, "No wonder Brother Er always wears a green hat, hehe. Today, seeing Big Brother wear it, I finally understand. Green hats look good! Ah… hahaha… Tomorrow, I'll follow Big Brother and Brother Er and get myself a green hat to wear!"
"Hahahaha…"
This remark made Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Lady Gan all laugh heartily.
However…
No one knew that Lady Gan's laughter contained loneliness and a woman's perseverance.
After a while…
"Husband… I dreamt of a white dove last night!" Lady Gan spoke. "It flew to the roof of the county office, cawed loudly more than forty times, and flew towards the west."
"A while ago, I also dreamt that I swallowed the 'Big Dipper' into my belly, and that's how I became pregnant with this child. The Big Dipper… the Big Dipper, sometimes, I wonder if we should name our child 'Adou'."
The Big Dipper was the imperial star in ancient times, a symbol of the emperor…
The Big Dipper was located in the north, overlooking all the stars, much like an emperor overlooking his empire. Therefore, emperors often referred to themselves as the Big Dipper…
And Lady Gan was not recounting this dream for the first time.
Before… when she discovered she was pregnant, she had told Cao Cao.
Cao Cao had immediately named the child in her belly "Adou."
Of course… the name of the Big Dipper could not be used as a personal name, as it was a serious offense. However… since Lady Gan had dreamt of the Big Dipper, it was a different matter.
But ultimately… using "Adou" as a name seemed a bit too informal, so Cao Cao decided to use "Adou" as the child's nickname, which could be used for both boys and girls!
Originally… this was a little secret between Cao Cao and Lady Gan.
But… now that Lady Gan had voluntarily uttered it, it was as if she was seeking to legitimize "Cao Adou."
"Sister-in-law's chosen name is excellent…" Guan Yu stroked his beard. "Dou, the Big Dipper. Sister-in-law wishes for Adou to restore the Han dynasty, to endure for eternity like the Big Dipper, and to be a wise ruler of great accomplishment!"
Heh…
With this explanation, Liu Bei also felt that the name "Adou" was quite good… quite nice!
He immediately nodded.
"It's just a nickname, let's call him Adou…"
Zhang Fei scratched his head. "This name is good, I feel it's good just reading it!"
As soon as he said this…
"Hahahaha…"
Immediately, Liu Bei, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei… and even Lady Gan burst into laughter.
This time, Lady Gan's smile was knowing. Finally… as she had wished, the child in her belly was named "Adou." This was also a way to fulfill her sincere longing for "that man."
Just then…
"Report…"
A small soldier rushed into the chamber.
Zhang Fei, with his short temper, grabbed the soldier.
"Can't you see Sister-in-law is here? Why are you rushing in, shouting and yelling? What if you startle my nephew?"
The soldier trembled all over…
Liu Bei, however, waved his hand.
"Speak, whatever it is…"
The soldier felt as if he had received a general amnesty. "Yesterday, there was an eclipse. The Cao army and the Yuan army fought each other. I heard they fought ferociously… This must be the decisive battle between Cao and Yuan, but… I don't know the outcome!"
Hmm…
Hearing this, Liu Bei's eyes narrowed.
"And also…" Who knew the soldier's words were not finished yet. "There is a letter from Liu Jingzhou. He… he has agreed to the Lord's request to allow the Lord to welcome His Majesty to Jingzhou…"
This…
Liu Bei's expression became serious. If… if it were only the first point about the decisive battle between Cao and Yuan, he might not have acted rashly.
But… coupled with Liu Biao's request, then…
At this juncture, he could not remain indifferent!
At the very least… he had to show some presence!
In front of the Son of Heaven, and in front of all the people in the world…
"Third Brother, you will be the vanguard. I will give you three thousand cavalry to launch a surprise attack on Xuchang!"
"Second Brother, you will accompany me. We will command the main army, and with thirty thousand troops, we will attack Xuchang… This battle is not aimed at Xuchang, but we must welcome the Son of Heaven!"
Indeed…
Whether Cao Cao won or Yuan Shao won…
In the current state of the world, if mutual checks and balances were to be achieved, the Son of Heaven must be brought to the territory of another feudal lord… Only then could the power of various feudal lords be balanced, and only then would Liu Bei have the opportunity to grow stronger by constantly maneuvering.
—"Madame, I will arrange for a convoy to send you to Jingzhou first. Regardless of victory or defeat in this battle, we cannot stay in Runan…"
—"I apologize for the inconvenience, Madame!"
With his words finished, Liu Bei stood up abruptly and walked out of the chamber.
He didn't even glance back at Lady Gan, or the child in her belly…
The man was all about two words: "heartless…"
It must be said that in terms of capturing a woman's heart, Liu Bei's level was vastly different from Cao Cao's.
…
…