"Do you know my master?"
"I call Madam Yan my aunt, and Master Tong is someone I admire, but..."
Lü Lingqi and Yuan Fang's conversation was brief.
Yuan Fang deliberately dangled a hook.
"But what?" Lü Lingqi's curiosity was piqued.
"Knowing too much won't do you any good..." Yuan Fang took a bamboo slip from his sleeve and handed it to Lü Lingqi. "Please trouble the young lady to deliver this to Master Tong. It is of great importance... If it is too late, I fear Master Tong and Madam Yan will regret it for the rest of their lives!"
This...
Hearing this, Lü Lingqi's expression changed drastically. She wanted to ask more.
However, Yuan Fang had already turned to leave.
How could Lü Lingqi let him go? She immediately raised her spear to block him, but to her surprise... Yuan Fang, as if he had eyes in the back of his head, flashed his body and dodged Lü Lingqi's spear like a ghost.
"Perhaps I am not a match for Miss Lü, but Miss Lü cannot stop me either... If you have any questions, it would be best to have Master Tong and Madam Yan ask me!"
Among the Eight Wonders of the Water Mirror, only two were masters of both literary and military arts. Demon King Yuan Fang was one of them, and the other...
As soon as the words fell!
Yuan Fang had already vanished before Lü Lingqi's eyes.
Phew...
Lü Lingqi let out a soft sigh. She instinctively felt that this "Yuan Fang" was not weak in martial arts, but she didn't know how strong he was!
With this thought in mind... Lü Lingqi's mood became somewhat complicated as she weighed the bamboo slip in her hand, which felt increasingly heavy.
If... the thing that would make her regret it for the rest of her life was failing to save her father from Cao Cao and Lu Yu!
Then... what could make her master and mistress regret it for the rest of their lives?
For a moment, a large question mark appeared between Lü Lingqi's sharp sword-like eyebrows!
...
...
South of the Yellow River.
The rain was trickling down. Spears, halberds, swords, and sabers gleamed with a chilling light under the wash of the rain. Over forty thousand bright and orderly sets of armor displayed the might and majesty of the Yuan army!
The rain grew heavier. The birds and eagles had long since hidden in the woods, but the sound of countless marching Yuan soldiers shattered the tranquility of the place.
Countless birds scattered, and even the eagles were startled, letting out trembling cries!
Four hundred and fifty thousand Yuan troops had crossed the Yellow River.
Yuan Shao was filled with pride and was about to give the order to immediately attack Yan Jin, but... just then, a scout galloped forward.
"Report... Report..."
"Cao's army has retreated... Cao's army is retreating from Yan Jin in batches towards Guandu with the common people! The civilians are walking very slowly, only able to cover dozens of li a day!"
The scout delivered the intelligence he had gathered.
Upon hearing this...
Zhang He bowed and said, "Lord Yuan, this is a heaven-sent opportunity... Lu Yu abandoned the city and stockade to evacuate the civilians towards Guandu, and is retreating in batches with concentrated forces... If we send cavalry to pursue them now, we will surely achieve a great victory!"
As soon as these words were spoken...
Yuan Shao nodded slightly and was about to give the order to dispatch troops to pursue!
There were two benefits to doing so...
First, to annihilate Cao's army escorting the populace, thereby eliminating their effective strength.
Second... to cut off Cao's retreat, separating the city and stockade of Yan Jin from Guandu!
It could be considered a clever move!
"Issue the order..."
Yuan Shao uttered two words, but... before he could finish, he suddenly remembered something.
Wait...
In the past, didn't Wen Chou chase after Cao's army, which was retreating with the civilians, and then carelessly underestimate the enemy and fall into a trap, only to be annihilated by Cao's army led by the Dragon Cavalry, and even Wen Chou himself lost his life!
The current situation was so familiar...
Still the familiar escape with civilians, still the familiar tactic of luring the enemy to attack!
This...
At that moment, Yuan Shao's eyes narrowed.
"Cease the attack for now... Lu Yu must have set up ambushes along the way. This is his stratagem of luring the enemy deeper!"
Yuan Shao uttered, seemingly quite pleased with himself. "How could I, Yuan Shao, fall for this brat's trick... Hmph... Order the three armies to camp where they are. I want to see what tricks this Lu Yu has up his sleeve!"
The previous two times... whether it was Yan Liang attacking Baima or Wen Chou attacking Nanban, Yuan Shao had suffered from a hasty attack.
This time... he had learned to be smarter and intended to attack slowly!
Just then.
"Report... Report..."
Another scout galloped forward.
"A thousand meters outside Yan Jin city, three ceremonial umbrella canopies are erected. Lu Yu is sitting under the canopy, enjoying the rain and sipping tea. Cao's camp... Cao's camp has sent someone to invite Lord Yuan, saying that Situ Lu has a message, inviting Lord Yuan to meet under the canopy. He asks if Lord Yuan dares to go!"
Huo...
Ceremonial umbrella canopies, Lu Yu, enjoying the rain, sipping tea!
This...
Yuan Shao's eyes rolled.
Xu You, however, suggested, "Lord Yuan, this Lu Yu is always full of schemes. Inviting Lord Yuan to meet under the canopy might contain hidden dangers. Lord Yuan need not bother with him. Immediately dispatch troops in two routes, one to charge Yan Jin and capture Lu Yu along the way, and the other to pursue the Cao army retreating with the civilians... This move will surely lead to great victory!"
"No..."
Unexpectedly, Yuan Shao, who was sitting in his five-horse carriage, suddenly stood up!
He stood at the front of the carriage... gazing into the distance, towards the three conspicuous ceremonial umbrella canopies outside Yan Jin city...
He could vaguely see raindrops falling from around the canopies, and the rainwater on the ground making a "pitter-patter" sound, ceaselessly!
Yuan Shao sighed, "Is this the Hidden Dragon? Hehe... I've heard that this Hidden Dragon has been revealing heavenly secrets since his birth, predicting everything without error, and has never lost a battle! The Monthly Review says—he who gains the Hidden Dragon can bring peace to the world, hehe!"
Speaking to this point, Yuan Shao let out a cold laugh and continued to sigh, "In today's battle, I, Yuan Shao, will surely achieve a great victory, and the 'myth' of the Hidden Dragon, who has never lost, will be overturned! Similarly, today's battle will surely be recorded in history, passed down to future generations, and become a topic of discussion and focus in every street and alley, during leisure chats, and meals throughout the thirteen prefectures of the Han Dynasty!"
"Moreover, our army's heavenly might is vast, and victory is assured... I want to defeat the Hidden Dragon with honor, letting the world know that the Hidden Dragon may be able to bring peace to the world! But only I, Yuan Shao, can bring order to the world, open the river of history, and cast the die!"
At the height of his excitement...
Yuan Shao pointed at Lu Yu under the ceremonial umbrella canopies: "I will enjoy this rain, and I will also have a cup of tea with the Hidden Dragon, so that the world won't say that I, Yuan Shao, bully the small, am not chivalrous, and dare not accept an invitation!"
Uh...
Hearing this, Xu You was stunned!
What is this?
What? What? What? You're doing what?
Xu You's forehead was covered in a line of black...
In the midst of a battle between two armies, what chivalry are we talking about? They haven't even taken Xuchang yet! The world hasn't been settled yet! Yuan Shao... is already seeking some empty fame!
Xu You was about to suffer from social anxiety, but as a strategist under Yuan Shao, he knew his lord's thoughts were naive and simple...
But he absolutely could not refute it...
Otherwise... Tian Feng's imprisonment and Ju Shou's dismissal from military power would be a precedent.
Uh...
Xu You, against his better judgment, bowed and said, "Lord Yuan, your insight is brilliant! This move will surely be passed down through history!"
As expected, as soon as his words fell...
The first flatterer in Yuan's camp, Guo Tu, whom Lu Yu identified as a "traitor," had already arrived with his sycophancy.
"On the eve of a great battle, Lord Yuan, fearless and courageous, sips tea and enjoys the rain with the cunning and treacherous Hidden Dragon. Lord Yuan's 'chivalry' will be spread throughout the world! Lord Yuan's courage will also be passed down for eternity, to be admired and worshipped by future generations!"
Hehe...
Hearing this, Xu You could only "hehe," he was truly speechless.
He was truly a clever fellow, rushing to flatter first...
This is the culture of Yuan's camp, this is the way to survive in Yuan's camp, the way to get promoted... The louder the flattery, the more stable the position!
Just as he thought this.
"Hahahaha..." Yuan Shao's laughter echoed out.
Evidently, Guo Tu's flattery pleased him greatly!
"How many people are there with Lu Yu under that ceremonial umbrella canopy?" Yuan Shao asked.
"Only one person, Dian Wei, who is known as the 'Ancient Fierce General'! However, this person is still a hundred paces away from the ceremonial umbrella canopy!"
Hmm...
Hearing this, Yuan Shao's eyes rolled. Upon hearing the name "Dian Wei," his heart inevitably felt a bit timid...
But upon hearing "a hundred paces away," his heart felt much more stable. He immediately called out, "Summon General Zhang He to accompany me. We will also stop a hundred paces away. Whatever the Hidden Dragon does, I, Yuan Shao, will do the same. This is 'chivalry'!"
Speaking of this...
Yuan Shao alighted from his five-horse carriage, mounted his horse...
Zhang He personally went to lead Yuan Shao's horse. The two of them headed towards the ceremonial umbrella canopy a thousand meters outside Yan Jin city, followed by a group of great halberdiers, who stopped a thousand meters away from the ceremonial umbrella canopy!
This was a specific instruction from Yuan Shao...
Reputation!
Chivalry!
He had always been a person who cherished his reputation and adhered strictly to chivalry.
To live honestly, to fight honestly!
"Dada..."
The sound of hooves stepped on the water surface. At five hundred paces, Zhang He stopped. He exchanged glances with Dian Wei, who was not far away.
Seeing that Dian Wei had no intention of coming forward, he simply did not advance either.
Dian Wei, at this moment, narrowed his eyes slightly...
Actually.
When Lu Yu instructed him to do this, he was also having doubts in his heart, fearing that Yuan Shao would be "uncivilized" and send cavalry to charge directly... If that were the case, he, Dian Wei, would have intended to let Lu Yu ride on him and quickly return to Yan Jin city!
But... he didn't expect it.
This Yuan Shao was not bad, at least he was quite "face-conscious"!
</span> Of course...
How could he know that Yuan Shao, from a noble background, valued appearances and empty fame the most? It was precisely such people from noble backgrounds who did not understand what pragmatism was!
However, it seemed that this kind of person was okay to deal with; even knowing it was a trap, they would still go for it!
...
...
Jizhou, Ye City!
On a rainy night... inside the Xu family mansion, roast meat was being cooked on a stove, and steam was rising from a pot of warming wine.
Xu Yuan took the warmed wine from the pot, poured a cup, cut off a piece of roast meat, and placed it on the plate of a "crippled mute."
"'Ma Si,' come eat meat, drink wine... Drink more!"
"Mmm, mmm, mmm..."
Xu Yuan was responded to by husky, mumbling sounds and skillful body language.
That's right, this "crippled mute" was none other than Sima Yi...
At this moment, Xu Yuan personally poured wine for Sima Yi, and he was extremely happy, gesticulating wildly... extremely excited.
"Talent, Ma Si, you are truly a talent!"
"Your discerning eye for horses has helped our Xu family earn millions of dollars!"
"Hahahaha..."
Xu Yuan couldn't stop laughing.
Previously, because he thought Sima Yi understood horses, he had specifically arranged for him to participate in the Xu family's horse business. To Xu Yuan's astonishment, this Ma Si's "horse-judging" skill was unparalleled!
He managed to select thirty excellent horses from five hundred horses and resold them to horse dealers at ten times the price. The horse dealers did not doubt him at all. This alone... allowed the Xu family to earn millions of dollars!
It's important to know that horse prices in the Han Dynasty fluctuated greatly!
From a few thousand coins in the early days to a million coins per horse during the reign of Emperor Ling of Han, it increased by more than tens of times. Although horse prices had fallen back by now, to only tens of thousands per horse, due to the decisive battle between Cao and Yuan, the horse market was extremely popular, especially for good horses... selling for over a hundred thousand per horse was not a problem, and they were available but not in supply!
It was a pity that Xu Yuan did not understand these things and sold good horses and ordinary horses at the same price, losing millions of dollars out of thin air!
No wonder Xu Yuan was overjoyed since "Sima Yi" participated in the horse business.
It was incredible...
This "Ma Si" was simply a money tree, he had found a treasure!
"Haha..."
Xu Yuan cut another piece of roasted venison and offered it to Sima Yi.
As the saying goes, "A gentleman stays away from the kitchen."
But... as long as the money was there, let alone a gentleman, even making a ghost work would be fine!
Sima Yi pretended to be mute and naturally dared not speak, only nodding continuously, acting as if he were extremely respectful and grateful... The more he acted this way, the more at ease Xu Yuan felt!
"From now on, in our Xu family's business, the judging of horses will be entrusted to you!" Xu Yuan said with a smile, patting Sima Yi on the shoulder. "I won't treat you unfairly. My uncle is a favored official of Lord Yuan. By following our Xu family, your future and your fortune are limitless! When my uncle returns, I will have him decide to get you a wife. Qiu Xiang, who serves this young master, is quite good. From now on, you will have a family! Haha, hahaha..."
A money tree...
Xu Yuan naturally had to win over "Ma Si" with money, why wouldn't he, since this "Ma Si" had the skill to judge horses!
Heh heh, even a thousand-mile horse needs a discerning eye to sell its corresponding value!
Sima Yi still kept thanking him profusely...
Of course, he could feel that Xu Yuan trusted him more and more.
Besides that, through the sale of horses, Sima Yi had also glimpsed some of the so-called Xu family's "black accounts."
It's important to know that the five hundred horses sold by Xu Yuan were bought by Yuan Shao from the Wuhuan at a heavy price!
In fact, there were a total of twelve hundred horses...
But the Xu family had their ways, and they managed to report nearly double the price through a clerk. Therefore, seven hundred horses were supplied to the army as usual, while the remaining five hundred horses were obtained by the Xu family through empty-handed manipulation.
It was called—"Opening a flour mill with harvested wheat!"
For the Xu family, this was a business with no capital and infinite profit!
Of course...
None of these were important. The important thing was that Sima Yi participated in the horse sale from beginning to end. Only the last step... that is, calculating the total accounts, was handled personally by Xu Yuan in an inn of the Xu family!
This meant that there might be a secret hidden in this inn...
Sima Yi planned to investigate further. If the Xu family's "black accounts" were indeed in this inn, then... it would be time to reel in the net!
"Work hard... work hard!"
Xu Yuan did not know what Sima Yi was thinking. Similarly, Sima Yi's skill in hiding his intentions was so high that it rivaled Liu Bei... How could a mere Xu Yuan see through him?
With such obsequiousness and such forbearance, if it were Yang Xiu...
It would be absolutely impossible to achieve!
But... Sima Yi was precisely such a person who could "endure" and "hide"!
Besides that, he was also a person with a goal. He had to do this...
In this chaotic world, to survive, he had to do this!
Clutching the wine cup tightly, Sima Yi's emotions churned within him for a long time. He could only drink the wine in one gulp...
To silently express the surging emotions within his heart!
...
...
North of the Yellow River, in front of Yan Jin city.
Yuan Shao rode his horse towards the ceremonial umbrella canopy. A dialogue that was watched by both armies, watched by the whole world, and would be recorded in history and passed down for eternity... was about to unfold!
At the same time, Liu Bei, who had crossed the Yellow River, also seized the opportunity and planned to slip away!
Before leaving, he specifically went to a high place... to gaze from afar at the scene under the ceremonial umbrella canopy outside Yan Jin city...
At this moment, Yuan Shao and Lu Yu had already begun their conversation!
And similarly... Liu Bei could clearly see that the two were smiling... smiling exceptionally heartily!
Phew...
He first let out a breath.
Then, Liu Bei shook his head.
He couldn't help but sigh.
"Up to now, Yuan Benchu still hasn't realized the terror of the 'Hidden Dragon'!"
Speaking to this point, Liu Bei's brows furrowed even tighter.
"Just the reputation of a single Hidden Dragon made him afraid to pursue Cao's army, which was fleeing with civilians. Just an invitation from a single Hidden Dragon made him dare to accept it. How many schemes and tricks are hidden within this? Yuan Benchu... Yuan Benchu still knows nothing!"
Shaking his head, helplessly shaking his head...
Allowing the rainwater to fall unceasingly from his bamboo hat.
Just then.
"Taptap..."
The sound of consecutive footsteps echoed. Countless armored soldiers stood behind Liu Bei!
Following closely behind...
"Xuan De wants to leave?"
"If Xuan De leaves now? I'm afraid he will no longer belong to Lord Yuan, right?"
A sharp voice echoed out.
This voice was extremely familiar to Liu Bei. It was this voice that had stopped him from jumping off a cliff in the past.
Xu You!
This "strategist" whom Yuan Shao revered, Yuan Shao's most trusted strategist—Xu You!
Immediately, Liu Bei dismounted...
"So it's Ziyuan..."
Xu You took a step forward and pointed at Yuan Shao and Lu Yu, who were already conversing under the ceremonial umbrella canopy. "Xuan De, I find it laughable. As soon as we crossed the Yellow River, Lord Yuan made two major mistakes!"
"First, it was to converse with the Hidden Dragon on the front lines of the two armies! This delayed the battle and missed opportunities!"
"Second, it was to let you, Liu Bei, Liu Xuan De, go! Xuan De... Let me ask you, with this trip to Runan, you probably won't come back, nor will you continue to be attached to Lord Yuan, right? Is that so!"
Phew...
This was a fatal question!
Liu Bei knew the sharpness of Xu You's gaze. He dared not conceal it, but he also dared not answer.
"Haha..."
Xu You let out a sigh of relief. "Xuan De, I just advised my lord not to meet with the Hidden Dragon, and I also advised my lord not to let you go! Unfortunately, what Xu You did not expect was that my lord not only did not adopt my heartfelt words, but instead accused me of judging a gentleman with a villain's heart, and even said... that he wanted to be upright and chivalrous. Xuan De, what do you say... is it laughable or not?"
"Haha... I, Xu You, have become a villain, while you, Liu Bei, and that Hidden Dragon have become gentlemen? My lord's view of people and affairs once again proves... proves that he is a foolish and incompetent ruler, proves that he will perfectly avoid all the correct answers! Proves that the only ones who can survive in Yuan's camp are the short-sighted flatterers who are good at flattery!"
Phew...
Hearing this, Liu Bei let out another sigh. His eyes were cold.
Xu You had spoken to this extent, and from his eyes, Liu Bei could also see his full unwillingness, confusion, bewilderment, and helplessness!
Liu Bei, who was skilled at hiding his thoughts, was also skilled at observing people's hearts. He felt Xu You's dissatisfaction with the current situation!
Fortunately, Liu Bei spoke frankly.
"Brother Ziyuan, I have been a guest in Jizhou for half a year. My greatest realization is that Yuan Shao cannot achieve great things! If I continue to stay here, not only will I achieve nothing, but I will also be in mortal danger! Therefore, I must leave here! Only in this way can I fulfill the Emperor's decree and raise an army to destroy Cao!"
"Similarly... I was once under Cao Cao's command, and for the past half year I have been under Yuan Shao's command. More importantly, I have seen him most clearly, and seen the gap between him and Cao Cao. Yuan Shao's rise depended on his family background and reputation, while Cao Cao's rise depended on talent and the Hidden Dragon!"
"Now that Cao and Yuan are in a decisive battle, although on the surface Yuan Shao has taken two cities! In reality, in just over a month, Yuan Shao has lost a hundred thousand troops and two generals! Coincidentally, Yuan Shao has not taken this as a warning and is still arrogant... This is the most terrifying part of the Hidden Dragon's plan! If the battle continues like this, I, Liu Bei, dare to assert that Yuan Shao will surely lose this decisive battle between Cao and Yuan, precisely because... precisely because of the Hidden Dragon!" Big Wind Novel
Hmm... Hidden Dragon?
At the crucial point, Liu Bei's words stopped abruptly. Xu You, however, frowned and said, "The Hidden Dragon you mentioned, Xuan De? What do you mean... Why would Yuan's army be annihilated because of the Hidden Dragon in the decisive battle between Cao and Yuan?"
Speaking of this!
Liu Bei's eyes were still fixed on the ceremonial umbrella canopy!
Then, he spread his arms, allowing the rain to patter against his sleeves, as if... only the "drip-drip" sound of the rain could interpret his current mood and state of mind!
"Because... because..." Liu Bei finally spoke...
...
...