A few rays of morning light shone into the prison, only to be swallowed by endless darkness, unable to ripple on the broken mud walls.
It was in this prison.
Yan Liang's words plunged Lu Yu into thought.
Which overlord would allow an "hidden dragon" capable of pacifying the realm to exist?
Lu Yu had pondered this question countless times... but never found an answer.
Throughout history, founding emperors invariably eliminated meritorious officials, the most typical examples being Liu Bang and Zhu Yuanzhang!
Among them, the First Emperor Qin Shi Huang was an exception, yet not entirely.
After all, the unification of the Qin Dynasty was unique, a result of six generations of accumulated effort. While Qin Shi Huang was the first emperor, he couldn't be considered the founder of the Qin Dynasty itself.
Therefore...
A very serious question arises: would Cao Cao kill his founding officials like Liu Bang and Zhu Yuanzhang?
Of course, this involves the reasons why founding emperors kill their meritorious officials.
In the end, when fighting for the empire, the emperor led a group of "underdogs"...
But "ruling the empire" and "fighting for the empire" are entirely different concepts. Emerging from the common populace and enduring harsh environments... made these emperors cruel, suspicious, and paranoid. They understood deception and knew that in this world, only interests mattered, not loyalty!
And these "underdogs" around him had now "successfully counterattacked," becoming powerful ministers... would they harbor ambitions of further advancement?
This was one aspect!
On the other hand, these founding officials, relying on their contributions, were not only arrogant and presumptuous...
Even worse... they would get involved in factional disputes, in succession struggles...
Frankly, they had become too arrogant!
Then, the familiar pattern would unfold: the emperor would make a show of force, killing a chicken to warn the monkeys...
But what followed was their indifference, their increased power and influence, their dominance over the court... and finally, the emperor would make a resolute decision, learn from bitter experience... and decide to kill the meritorious officials!
It seemed that history's cycle always followed this path.
Lu Yu's relationship with Cao Cao was like these cycles...
Extremely sensitive, yet ambiguous!
If Cao Cao truly possessed the realm in the future, would he show mercy to Lu Yu?
Would he leave behind an "hidden dragon" capable of pacifying the realm?
Cao Cao was not Qin Shi Huang; he did not have the accumulated legacy of six generations like the Qin. He also lacked the Qin's tradition of respecting meritorious officials.
It seemed...
If things continued this way, Lu Yu's fate and belonging would not be too favorable!
Moreover, Cao Cao was inherently suspicious. As he aged and his power increased, his paranoia would grow, and in the end... it was highly probable...
But... strangely.
Cao Cao's feeling towards Lu Yu was peculiar. His trust in Lu Yu made Lu Yu feel it was incomprehensible.
Including the Dragon Guard Camp, the position of Minister of Works, and now leading this army of 100,000 at Guandu, and even... this gave Lu Yu an extremely strange feeling!
It was as if old Cao didn't suspect him at all, and trusted him wholeheartedly?
This was not the scent of "birds are gone, the good bow is stored away," nor did it align with "the cunning rabbit is dead, the hunting dog is cooked!"
He didn't understand...
Lu Yu was confused.
In short, he felt that the old Cao beside him and the old Cao recorded in ancient texts had a vast difference in their suspiciousness, especially concerning his own suspiciousness!
Of course...
Trust was one thing, but Lu Yu also had to remain vigilant at all times.
As the saying goes, "If you don't court death, you won't die!"
"Forget it..." Thinking this, Lu Yu said, "General Yan Liang, please stop trying to persuade me... you don't understand my relationship with Chancellor Cao!"
Yes... Yan Liang certainly didn't understand, and Lu Yu himself didn't understand!
"Heh heh... let's wait and see!" Yan Liang narrowed his eyes, not committing to Lu Yu's words.
Lu Yu clapped his hands, "I've prepared wine and meat for you. You'll have to endure staying in this prison for a while. Yuan Shao is still alive... it's not realistic to win you over, so just stay put. When Yuan Shao is gone, I'll let you go back. I'm counting on you to have more descendants of the Yan family then; your Yan family's 'seed' is very good!"
Saying this, Lu Yu suddenly stood up, intending to leave.
"If you need anything, call the jailers. If the wine isn't enough, shout for them to bring more... Although it's damp here, there's plenty of wine! And enough food!"
Hey...
As Lu Yu spoke, Yan Liang felt a moment of daze.
What was going on?
He felt that although he was captured, the treatment as a prisoner was... somewhat bizarre!
Of course...
Yan Liang's cell neighbor was also a big shot - Gao Gan!
That's right, after Gao Gan's great defeat at Yanmen, Yang Xiu had the Southern Xiongnu send Gao Gan to Henei, and from Henei, he was quickly sent to Guandu!
He was also imprisoned here now.
However... although both were in prison, their treatment was worlds apart!
Yan Liang had wine and meat, but Gao Gan was miserable...
Every meal was worse than what pigs ate, and most importantly, it was cold... the nights in this prison were exceptionally chilling!
"Young Master Lu... Young Master Lu..." Seeing Lu Yu leave Yan Liang's cell, Gao Gan cried out... "We Gao family are also... also a renowned family in Hebei, couldn't you, for the sake of... for the sake of my Gao family, perhaps... perhaps..."
Gao Gan, who was usually arrogant.
At this moment... he was completely dejected, wilted like a frost-bitten eggplant.
Hoo...
Lu Yu sighed, if he hadn't come to visit, he almost forgot about this guy.
"So it's Young Master Gao..." Lu Yu paused his steps and smiled at him.
As he spoke, he scanned the prison cell.
There was no light, only darkness, no sky, no ground, no himself.
There were constant "squeaking" sounds from this cell, as if rats, cockroaches, and geckos were crawling in the darkness. Living in such a place was truly miserable!
Of course... Lu Yu couldn't be blamed for this; who told your Gao family descendants to not compare to the Yan family's?
They had Yan Zhenqing, one of the four great calligraphy masters, deified in the Song Dynasty!
... Who did your Gao family have?
The only ones Lu Yu could recall were Gao Jianli, and oh... Gao Lishi! At most, add the gambling god Gao Jin!
These... are not enough for you, Gao Gan, to enjoy special treatment in prison!
"Young Master Lu... please, please give me a bedroll, and a pot of wine!"
Gao Gan pleaded pitifully.
"I can give it to you, but... I have one question, and you must answer it truthfully." Lu Yu's eyes narrowed, and he asked a question he was quite curious about. "Young Master Gao? Are you actually Yuan Shao's illegitimate son?"
Ah... ah...
When these words came out, Gao Gan was stunned.
It wasn't that Lu Yu was asking haphazardly.
It was because he felt it was strange. After all, Yuan Shao divided the four northern prefectures among his three sons and a nephew. While dividing it among his sons was understandable, dividing it among a nephew? That was a bit...
Therefore, Lu Yu suspected that Gao Gan might be Yuan Shao's illegitimate son!
"No... no..."
At this moment, Gao Gan kept shaking his head. As he shook his head, he blurted out subconsciously, "I... I'm not that Yuan An? How could I be Yuan's illegitimate son?"
When these words came out, Gao Gan suddenly covered his mouth, realizing he had said the wrong thing.
Lu Yu became curious...
Yuan Fang? Who was that?
There was no such person in ancient texts...
Of course... if he were an illegitimate son, then it would be somewhat understandable!
For example, old Cao... considering his unique preferences and his wild and unrestrained behavior in his youth, who could guarantee that he wouldn't leave his mark everywhere, leaving seeds everywhere...
History books couldn't possibly record every illegitimate son in detail!
Yuan Shao was the "rich, handsome, and powerful" of that era. If he were in the previous life, he would be qualified to be a "sea king"! Having an illegitimate son wouldn't be strange at all!
Suddenly, this Yuan Fang aroused Lu Yu's curiosity.
"Young Master Gao..."
Before the "Young Master" part of "Young Master Gao" could be fully uttered.
"Stomp, stomp, stomp"... Footsteps echoed from the entrance of the prison.
"Commander Lu... Commander Lu!" It was a soldier from the Dragon Guard Camp. Upon seeing Lu Yu, he immediately saluted and reported, "Reporting to Commander Lu, a scout and a messenger are waiting outside the prison, saying they have urgent dispatches for Commander Lu... One is from Yanmen, saying it's a matter of extreme urgency, Governor Yang has been kidnapped. The other... Yuan Shao has made a move and is marching south again!"
What...
Upon hearing these two pieces of news, Lu Yu was somewhat astonished.
These two pieces of news needed to be understood separately!
From Yanmen? Extreme urgency? Yang Xiu was kidnapped?
What the hell, this was a major event!
With Lü Bu there? And someone could still kidnap Yang Xiu!
Also... Yuan Shao marching south, it had only been a month since his last great defeat, and he was here again? It was sunny, the rain had stopped, and Yuan Benchu felt that he was capable again!
Immediately... Lu Yu's brow furrowed.
Without bothering to ask about "Yuan Fang"... he immediately gave an order.
"Quick, lead the way!"
Stomp, stomp, stomp...
The rapid footsteps followed closely.
...
...
Xuchang City, on the outskirts of the northern city.
The ancient city walls, refreshed with the changing seasons, were captivating to people's desires and memories.
At this moment, Guan Yu, in a plain outfit, holding the Green Dragon Crescent Blade, escorted a carriage out of the northern city gate. Lady Gan and Lady Mi were both in the carriage, silent... as if each had something on their minds.
Especially Lady Gan, who kept looking towards the city from the carriage window.
Guan Yu rode his horse at the rear.
An hour earlier, he had resigned from his post, hanging up his seal and returning his gold, silver, jewels, and insignia bestowed by Cao Cao within the residence of the Marquis of Hanshou. Previously, he had requested resignation from Cao Cao several times...
Cao Cao was noncommittal, seemingly neither agreeing nor refusing!
Guan Yu could not wait any longer, and today he led his two sisters-in-law out of the northern city gate towards Jizhou.
"Dada..."
As the horse passed the city gate, Guan Yu reined in his horse and looked up at the towering city walls. Cao Cao's numerous favors towards him flashed before his eyes...
He cupped his hands.
"Chancellor Cao! Forgive me! Guan Yu takes his leave!"
He recited a sentence, then reined his warhorse again, chasing after the carriage ahead. Thus, Guan Yu, Lady Gan, and Lady Mi embarked on their return journey.
On the other side...
In the Chancellor's mansion, uncharacteristically, Cao Cao sat alone by the pond, quietly watching the fish in the pond, but his thoughts had already flown to the heavens.
A karmic debt?
As Lady Gan had said, was this a karmic debt?
Or, as Yu'er's deployment suggested, was this merely a link in his grand undertaking?
But... Cao Cao discovered that when it was truly time to part with Lady Gan, he felt a pang of reluctance... Tears involuntarily welled up in his eyes.
Was he smitten? Had he truly fallen for her?
After all, Cao Cao had acted on his desire far more times than he had acted on his emotions in his life.
The first time he fell for someone was Ding Xiang... who was currently Xiahou Yuan's wife!
Back then, in the dawn of his affections, that feeling was something Cao Cao could never forget!
The second time he fell for someone was for Lady Liu, the mother of Cao Ang, Cao Shuo, and Cao Mu...
She was a woman he felt guilty towards for his entire life!
The third time he fell for someone was in Dunqiu, it was Yu'er's mother. At that time, Cao Cao only wanted to cherish and protect this mother and son... but it was against his will. He felt infinite guilt towards Yu'er's mother!
The fourth time...
The fourth time, Cao Cao vaguely felt... the fourth time was now, it was Lady Gan, it was Gan Mei... this was his fourth time falling for someone, falling in love!
This feeling was very peculiar.
It made Cao Cao feel an emptiness in his heart. He hadn't felt this way or been in this state of mind for over a decade.
"She's gone, she's truly gone..."
Cao Cao couldn't help but sigh while looking at the fish in the pond. The servant beside him thought Cao Cao was sighing about Guan Yu's departure, but only Xu Chu knew that it wasn't Guan Yu; it was someone from the depths of the Chancellor's heart who was leaving.
"Report..."
Just then, a Tiger Guard soldier hurried over. Upon seeing Cao Cao, he immediately reported, "Reporting to Chancellor Cao, Guan Yu hung the Grand Seal of the Marquis of Hanshou, bestowed by the imperial court, on the beam. He left all the gold, silver, jade, and servants bestowed by Chancellor Cao in the mansion and left this letter!"
As he spoke...
The Tiger Guard soldier handed a thick bamboo slip to Xu Chu.
Xu Chu unfolded it and presented it to Cao Cao. Cao Cao squinted and only read the first two lines before waving his hand.
This "karmic debt"... or rather, this "plan," had been laid out by Yu'er from the beginning. He, Cao Cao, was merely playing the role he was supposed to play.
Yet, he, who was supposed to cooperate with Yu'er's performance, had to continue acting according to the script.
Thinking of this, Cao Cao let out a long sigh.
He roared to the heavens.
— "Wealth cannot move his heart, titles and emoluments cannot change his aspirations, life and death cannot hinder his actions. For such a person, let alone me, Cao Cao, who can stop him?"
Cao Cao deliberately amplified and deepened his voice!
He wanted to fully express his feelings for Guan Yu, even to the point of letting it spread to Jizhou, and into Liu Bei's ears!
The plan...
Everything was a plan.
But... beneath the plan was loneliness, a different kind of sentiment.
Who could understand the true emotions in Cao Cao's heart during this planning process?
"Brother... Brother..."
Just then, Xiahou Dun, Xi Zhicai, and Xun Yu hurried over.
"Brother, I heard that Guan Yu has left?"
Xiahou Dun shouted.
Xi Zhicai frowned and said, "My lord, Guan Yu will surely go to Yuan Shao if he leaves. If that's the case, Yuan Shao will be like a tiger with wings!"
Upon hearing this, Xiahou Dun exclaimed, "Brother, let me take a squadron of cavalry to pursue and kill him! To eliminate future trouble!"
While Xi Zhicai and Xiahou Dun were ready to act.
Cao Cao, however... he tilted his head towards the void and remained silent for a long time...
One breath, two breaths...
After a full ten breaths, Xun Yu spoke. He knew the inside story, so his words were more in line with this plan. "Chancellor Cao, at this point, rather than regretting or lamenting here, why not bestow another favor upon Guan Yu, allowing him to see his 'good elder brother' within ten days!"
Saying this.
Cao Cao nodded, beckoned, and said, "Let's go, everyone... accompany me to see Yun Chang off! And let me see 'her' one last time."
Stomp, stomp...
Cao Cao led the way, and the group followed closely.
Of course, although he said this, he couldn't help but feel uneasy in his heart. Cao Cao was best at snatching women from other men's arms.
But this time, he had to send the Lady Gan, who was at the tip of his heart, into Liu Bei's embrace. Cao Cao had never done such a thing in his life.
Every time he thought of this, Cao Cao's mood was filled with melancholy.
Yu'er, Yu'er, you've given your father a big problem this time!
...
"Dada!"
"Dada!"
Outside the city, by the ancient road.
Guan Yu escorted the carriage slowly northward...
Just then.
"Yun Chang, Yun Chang..."
Cao Cao's voice echoed. Guan Yu turned his head and saw Cao Cao and a group of knights. His first instinct was to raise his Green Dragon Crescent Blade, adopting a defensive posture.
Cao Cao, however, stopped twenty paces away from Guan Yu and waved his hand. He dismounted alone, took a package from the hands of a Tiger Guard, and ran towards Guan Yu.
"Yun Chang, why are you in such a hurry! What? You can't even wait for a farewell drink from me?"
Cao Cao panted heavily, his eyes fixed on Guan Yu, while his peripheral vision glanced towards the carriage behind Guan Yu...
At this moment, Lady Gan, hearing Cao Cao's voice, lifted the carriage curtain and looked back.
"Reporting to Chancellor Cao..." Guan Yu did not put away his Green Dragon Crescent Blade. He said solemnly, "Guan Yu has an agreement with Chancellor Cao: once he learns of his elder brother's whereabouts, he will go to meet him no matter the ends of the earth. Now... his elder brother's whereabouts have been discovered, therefore..."
Guan Yu paused. "I am rushing to meet him, and I hope you will forgive my haste."
"Yun Chang." Cao Cao nodded, looking up at Guan Yu on his horse. "Since I made an agreement with you, how can I break my promise? It's just that I've already learned that your elder brother is not in Jizhou. Yuan Shao has sent him to Jingzhou... he should be around the Yellow River area. Wouldn't heading north be going in the opposite direction?"
Speaking of this, Cao Cao handed the package in his hand to Guan Yu. "Moreover, whether you go to Jizhou or Jingzhou, this journey is hundreds of miles... You can endure the wind and sun on the road, but how can your two sisters-in-law endure it? You can't let them eat and sleep in the open air, can you? This package contains some gold... Yun Chang, please don't refuse."
While saying this, Cao Cao's subtext was:
Yun Chang... you mustn't refuse! It wouldn't do for my Cao Cao's "woman" to starve, would it? Moreover... she is carrying my Cao Cao's child!
Hoo...
Guan Yu took the package. It was heavy... Thinking that Cao Cao's words made sense, he didn't refuse. He put away his Green Dragon Crescent Blade, cupped his hands, and bowed to Cao Cao.
"We bid farewell here..."
Cao Cao sighed, "May we meet again, Yun Chang!"
As he spoke, Guan Yu had already reined his horse to the carriage...
He handed the package to the two sisters-in-law in the carriage and was about to instruct the coachman to continue forward.
Who would have thought...
"Uncle, wait..."
Lady Gan finally couldn't help but speak. She bit her lip, trying hard to control herself, to prevent the tears that were about to burst forth from welling up in her eyes!
"Sister-in-law, do you have any instructions?"
...
...