"Uncle, during this time, Situ Cao has treated you and us sisters well. In reason and sentiment, we sisters should express our gratitude in person. This would also fulfill the courtesy of your elder brother, wouldn't it?"
"Moreover... Situ Cao is now allowing us to leave. This is kindness, and how can one not express thanks when indebted?"
The "affection" and "kindness" mentioned by Madam Gan… these two words carry significant weight.
In the end, Cao Cao was unwilling to let Madam Gan depart.
And how could Madam Gan bear to part with Cao Cao?
He was the one in her heart!
If she could see him one last time, let it be so…
"Yes, sister-in-law is right. Guan Yu was negligent…"
Before Madam Gan could finish speaking, Guan Yu nodded, immediately dismounted, turned the carriage around, and led the horses back.
The carriage drove back…
Seeing this, Cao Cao felt a pang of emotion.
He could guess this was "Mei'er's" request.
Even after their intimacy last night, was Mei'er still reluctant to part?
Cao Cao's expression became momentarily distant, but then he deliberately shouted towards Guan Yu, "Yun Chang… have you made up your mind to return?"
"No…" Guan Yu cupped his hands. "Situ Cao's heavenly grace has moved the two sisters to personally thank the Situ!"
Saying this, Guan Yu lifted the carriage curtain. Madam Gan, assisted by him, slowly alighted and walked before Cao Cao, bowing in greeting…
"This humble woman, Gan Mei, pays her respects to Situ…"
The unspoken meaning was—Mei'er is bidding farewell to her beloved one last time!
"It is Madam Gan. Madam Gan, there is no need to bow to me…"
Cao Cao stepped forward.
The unspoken meaning was—Do our relations require such formality?
"During my stay in Xudu, I have received much care from Situ Cao for my uncle and us sisters. This humble woman has no way to repay it, and can only offer a deep bow of thanks upon parting. I will also forever remember Situ's kindness!"
—During this time, Mei'er was happy, but… this happiness is to fade today. However, my lord, please do not worry. Mei'er remembers Yun'er's words, 'If two people truly love each other, what need is there for constant togetherness?' Mei'er knows what she must do and will do it well!
"Madam, you must also take care of yourself! In this chaotic world, women often face greater injustices. Madam, fare thee well!"
—Mei'er, pay attention to the child in your womb! Your task is not easy… When you return again, I, Cao Cao, will cherish and protect you all the more!
Madam Gan spoke three sentences, Cao Cao responded with three phrases.
The meaning behind their words was profound… with hidden depths!
However, Guan Yu and Madam Mi could not hear so much.
They only felt Madam Gan was dignified and grateful, and Situ Cao's image inexplicably seemed much taller.
Finally, Madam Gan bowed… performing the ritual, then raised her eyes to gaze deeply at Cao Cao, imprinting his not-so-handsome face in her memory. Then, without looking back, she boarded the carriage again.
Following that, Guan Yu cupped his hands once more, remounted his horse… along with the coachman, the five of them slowly departed!
As for who those five were?
—Guan Yu, Madam Gan, Madam Mi, the coachman…
And… and…
The carriage passed a dirt embankment and began its descent. The embankment blocked Cao Cao's view. He rushed forward, climbed the embankment, and gazed from afar at the receding carriage.
In his mind's eye, he saw the woman in the conspicuous, vibrant robe, her skin like freshly fallen snow under the candlelight!
Gradually, gradually…
The carriage vanished into a plum grove.
"Someone…" Cao Cao called out.
"My Lord," Xu Chu and a group of Tiger Guards stepped forward.
"Level that plum grove for me!" Cao Cao commanded.
Ah… ah…
Xu Chu and the Tiger Guards were taken aback.
Xun Yu remarked with emotion, "Does Situ Cao dislike the plum grove for obstructing his view of Guan Yun Chang?"
As the words left his mouth,
Xi Zhicai tapped his forehead and quickly stepped forward, "Situ Cao, a mere Guan Yu? It's hardly worth it?"
"You don't understand!" Cao Cao flicked his sleeves and turned around.
He closed his eyes, as if… to calm his agitated heart.
One breath, two breaths…
Ten breaths, twenty breaths!
It took Cao Cao a full hundred breaths to emerge from his melancholy over Madam Gan's departure.
For those hundred breaths, he was a man who had lost his beloved woman!
But after those hundred breaths, he transformed back into the wise, valiant, and fearless overlord!
"Whoosh…"
Suddenly, Cao Cao lifted his head, his eyes snapping open.
"Where is Zhong Kang?"
"Your subordinate is here," Xu Chu replied.
Cao Cao immediately ordered, "Are the arrangements made along Guan Yu's route of departure?"
"Everything is prepared. We will ensure their speed while also creating some obstructions… so it doesn't appear too easy." Xu Chu reported truthfully.
"Very good!"
Cao Cao patted Xu Chu's shoulder. This was the strategy of "pretending to retreat to advance." The prerequisite for not arousing Liu Bei's suspicion was that Guan Yu's journey could not be too smooth!
Of course, for this purpose… it was also gratifying to see a few turncoat generals meet their end by Guan Yun Chang's blade.
"Remember, if there is any news of Liu Bei's whereabouts, you must find a way to get it to Yun Chang's ears immediately!"
"Yes!" Xu Chu cupped his hands.
It seemed Cao Cao worried more about Guan Yu's departure than Guan Yu himself!
After these words…
Cao Cao’s mood brightened considerably, and he turned to leave.
Xu Chu added at the opportune moment, "Then… this plum grove? Does my Lord still wish to level it?"
"No need!" Cao Cao smiled faintly. "Besides blocking my sight, can it not also be used for 'looking at plums to quench thirst'? Haha!"
Thinking of "looking at plums to quench thirst," Cao Cao recalled Liu Bei, who used to plant plum trees and leeks on the outskirts of Xudu…
Liu Bei, Gan Mei!
The wheel of heaven turns, who can escape its grasp?
With that thought…
"Hahahaha…"
A hearty laugh erupted once more.
In mere moments, Cao Cao seemed like a completely different person.
Xi Zhicai was puzzled. He found Cao Cao's expression and actions peculiar and strange today…
Xun Yu stroked his beard meaningfully.
He mused inwardly, "It seems, in the eyes of this father and son duo, Liu Bei poses a far greater threat than Yuan Shao does currently!"
Thump… thump…
Cao Cao's footsteps as he walked away began.
As he walked, Cao Cao did not forget to inquire, "Yuan Rang? I heard Yuan Shao's army is gathering again and marching south? Is this true?"
"It is true. This is an urgent dispatch received this morning…" Xiahou Dun did not dare to conceal it.
"Good!" Cao Cao paused. "Immediately relay an order to the entire army. I, Cao Cao, will personally lead. The hundred thousand people of Xudu will march to reinforce Guandu. Situ Lu set a good example for us. Next, it is our turn to settle the score with Yuan Shao and decide the fate of the realm!"
This…
As Cao Cao's words fell, a stir rippled through the assembly.
Huo…
Marching out with the entire populace?
This…
Xi Zhicai frowned slightly. This seemed rather risky. Was Situ Cao truly not afraid of Yuan Shao dispatching troops to circle around to Henei and launch a surprise attack on Xudu from there?
Just as Xi Zhicai was about to offer a word of caution…
Xun Yu waved his hand.
He whispered an explanation, "Zhicai, everything happening now is still within the chessboard laid out by Situ Lu!"
He paused at this point, patted Xi Zhicai's shoulder, and continued, "The Chu River and Han border, black and white stones are locked in a fierce battle!"
Hoo…
Hearing this, Xi Zhicai exhaled. The current battlefield situation? Still within the chessboard?
This…
What a grand and astonishing game had Lu Yu devised?
As for Cao Cao, he was actually more concerned about Liu Bei's whereabouts now.
Damn it… where had this "Liu the Fugitive" run off to now?
Guan Yu and the two Madams Gan and Mi had to be delivered to Liu Bei within a month!
…
…
On the border between Yuzhou and Yang Province.
In the Huai-Ru region, on the outskirts of Runan City, amidst the mountains, there were over ten large and small mountain strongholds. These strongholds all proudly flew the Yellow Turban Army banners.
Such small factions were numerous throughout the Central Plains, making complete eradication impossible.
Liu Bei was currently within one of these strongholds.
These strongholds were established by the Yellow Turban leader Liu Pi.
Combined, the ten-plus strongholds numbered over thirty thousand troops.
In the past…
The Dragon Falcon Battalion had broken through Huai-Ru, killed "Heaven Snatcher Yaksha" He Man, persuaded He Yi to surrender, and recruited Xu Chu… only Liu Pi had escaped, and since his escape, he had hidden in these mountains…
Mountain warfare was the Cao army's greatest weakness.
Coupled with Liu Pi's relative quietude, no one had paid him much mind.
However, the recent arrival of two individuals had changed the situation.
The first person was Zhang Fei!
He had directly defeated Liu Pi and become the chieftain of these strongholds!
The second person was Liu Bei…
With the impending decisive battle between Cao and Yuan, Liu Pi had long ago sent a letter to Yuan Shao, requesting him to send someone to lead these thirty thousand troops… and the person Yuan Shao sent was Liu Bei!
The reunion of brothers naturally involved tears of joy.
Of course, despite the tears, Liu Bei was uncertain about the strategic aspects.
At this moment…
Liu Bei and Zhang Fei stood on a mountain peak.
Zhang Fei loudly proposed, "Elder Brother… Isn't Cao Cao planning to lead a hundred thousand troops to reinforce Guandu? If so, Xudu City will surely be empty. In my opinion, as soon as he leaves, we should immediately lead these thirty thousand troops to launch a surprise attack on Xudu, catching him completely off guard!"
"That way, wouldn't the Emperor fall into Elder Brother's hands? Then Elder Brother can do as Cao Cao does, and we shall control the Emperor, no, we shall act on behalf of the Emperor to command the realm. Who would dare disobey!"
"Third Brother!" Liu Bei waved his hand. "We must not be rash…"
"Does Elder Brother think I cannot take Xudu City?" Zhang Fei retorted.
"No!" Liu Bei shook his head and explained, "Third Brother is valiant, and Xudu City is currently an empty city. Giving Third Brother thirty thousand troops might secure its capture. However, Xudu City is only a hundred li from Guandu, and Cao Cao's reinforcements will arrive quickly. By then… Third Brother will inevitably be surrounded. In such a situation… it would only benefit Yuan Shao in the north, and bring no advantage to you or me."
This…
Zhang Fei's eyes darted around. He didn't quite understand.
"Elder Brother, how would it benefit Yuan Shao? If Cao Cao retreats, won't Yuan Shao be able to attack directly? Isn't that favorable?" Zhang Fei continued to ask…
"Alas…" Liu Bei sighed. "I spent half a year under Yuan Benchu, and I have come to understand him in minute detail. Yuan Shao is indecisive and cannot achieve great things! Even if we were to launch a surprise attack on Xudu, he would surely fail to recognize such a strategic opportunity."
"Even if we take a step back, and he recognizes this opportunity, and with our help, he defeats the Cao thieves, how will he treat the Han court? And the Emperor? In my opinion, compared to Cao Cao, Yuan Shao's ambition is greater! Even… Yuan Benchu's ambition is no less than that of his brother Yuan Shu!"
Liu Bei was adept at concealing his thoughts, but those adept at concealment were also adept at influencing others.
He had long since seen through Yuan Shao's intentions!
In the past, Yuan Shao was unwilling to welcome the Emperor because, under the strategy of welcoming the Emperor, he, Yuan Shao, would at most be a powerful minister!
Even if successful… it would merely be a new cycle in the hundred-year history of the Han dynasty.
Recently, there was Chen Fan and Dou Wu; in the distant past, there were Deng Zhi and Liang Ji. Which powerful minister could enjoy prosperity everywhere and die peacefully in their hometown?
Of course, this was also the greatest point of contention and conflict among Yuan Shao's strategists. Between ability and lineage, new adherents and established factions, respect for authority and proclaiming emperorship, loyalty and grand strategy, Yuan Shao undoubtedly chose the latter…
This was also what Liu Bei saw through and understood about him.
"Let's wait a while longer…" Liu Bei narrowed his eyes. "The situation is not yet clear, and we need to find a new reliance. Welcoming the Emperor or ambushing Xudu are not difficult, but… how to settle the Emperor is a great challenge!"
After a sigh…
Zhang Fei scratched his head, understanding yet not fully understanding.
In any case, Elder Brother was always like this, speaking profoundly and escaping like a rabbit!
Just then.
“…Lord, Lord…” a voice called out. It was Mi Zhu, running quickly from a distance.
Seeing Liu Bei, he called out impatiently, "According to intelligence from our spies, Yun Chang, Yun Chang has taken my little sister… and Madam Gan, they… they have left Xudu City and are heading south through Huai-Ru towards Jingzhou!"
Hmm…
Upon hearing this…
"Second Brother?"
"Second Brother?"
Liu Bei and Zhang Fei exclaimed simultaneously. They looked at each other, their faces stirred.
Yun Chang, Yun Chang has "escaped" from Xudu City?
This… this is a tremendous surprise!
Yes!
Little did Liu Bei know that the surprises Cao Cao and Lu Yu had in store for him were more than just Guan Yun Chang! A bigger surprise awaited him…
The hat on Guan Yu's head, it seemed, would fit Liu Bei perfectly!
…
…
The Yellow River water flowed turbulently.
Perhaps because summer was approaching, it had suddenly turned muddy yellow, like a restless, untamed wild horse galloping forward.
On the south bank of the Yellow River, the bloodstains remained on the city walls of Yanjin and Baima fortresses…
As if to commemorate the battles where blood stained the river, at one time, this place was filled with the scent of blood, and not long ago… this place was filled with the crimson of the setting sun across the sky!
Hundreds of thousands had perished on the banks of the Yellow River…
It seemed that on the Cao army's side… Lu Yu was calculating everywhere.
While on Yuan Shao's side, he was constantly on the defensive. On the surface, Yuan Shao was losing troops and generals, but in reality… the scale of the battles was not large, far from decisive victories!
Although the winning side held some initiative, the losing side had not been utterly defeated, nor had they collapsed completely.
It could be said that both sides had achieved their testing objectives, and next… it would be a battle of true men!
At the Guandu port at this moment…
Within the yamen, Lu Yu was frowning at two letters before him.
One was from Yanmen, Bing Province…
—Yang Xiu has been abducted by Tong Yuan, his fate is unknown!
Hoo…
Seeing these few words, and after hearing the messenger's report, Lu Yu gasped in shock!
This matter was too grave.
One had to know that although historical records of Tong Yuan were not extensive, he had trained three renowned disciples.
—The Spear King of Xichuan, Zhang Ren!
—The Spear King of the Northern Lands, Zhang Xiu!
—Zhao Zilong of Changshan!
From this, one could also see the unparalleled skill of this person in spear techniques…
And, this was not even the main point. The main point was that two of these three disciples were currently under his command, Lu Yu, especially Zhao Zilong of Changshan, who was now in the Dragon Falcon Battalion.
And he was quite favored…
This was rather awkward!
"This is difficult."
Lu Yu murmured.
Actually, this matter was originally simple.
From the letters, Lu Yu could discern that Tong Yuan abducted Yang Xiu with the aim of exchanging him for Yan Liang, or rather, to save Yan Liang from death.
One had to know…
Lu Yu had no intention of taking Yan Liang's life in the first place.
If Tong Yuan were to visit and truly seek to negotiate, then… there would be much room for discussion!
But unfortunately…
Tong Yuan chose the most foolish method. He had not considered negotiation at all, and instead, had killed over ten Yanmen border guards upon his arrival.
This was almost a declaration of war on one side, and also a one-sided closure of the door to "negotiation."
Lu Yu pondered… anyone with normal emotional intelligence would not do such a thing!
Every time he thought of this, Lu Yu could only shake his head.
Perhaps this was the nature of hermits; hermits were often poor at socializing, out of step with the mundane world, and solved problems in their own way. Yet, their methods of problem-solving were far too naive!
Attempting to use deterrence and intimidation was too innocent, too childish!
The only outcome was that the border soldiers, the Dragon Falcon Battalion, and he himself, Lu Yu… were now in an irreconcilable feud with Tong Yuan!
"What a pity…"
Lu Yu sighed again. He had once fantasized about… bringing this "senior" into his fold!
However, it was a pity that he appeared at the wrong time, in the wrong place, and possessed the wrong personality, making him very difficult to like.
Precisely, such a powerful enemy represented a significant threat.
Facing this threat… Lu Yu felt a chill run down his spine.
Especially himself, his combat power was less than five… If he were alone, wouldn't Tong Yuan instantly defeat him?
Instantly, Lu Yu sensed a sense of crisis.
However, he soon… felt much more at ease.
Not to mention that he was always escorted by Dian Wei. While Tong Yuan was strong, the reputation of "Ancient Evil," Dian Wei, was not just for show!
Besides, if Tong Yuan dared to come, Lu Yu would surely give him a "surprise"!
That's right, he with a combat power of five… had only one way to defeat the overwhelmingly powerful Tong Yuan, and that was… "xx!"
With that thought…
Lu Yu blinked his eyes and immediately intended to draw up a special manufacturing blueprint.
Just then.
Cao Xiu's words came at the opportune moment.
"This time Yuan Shao is marching south with an increased force of six hundred thousand troops. I heard his third son has brought two hundred thousand troops from Qing, Ji, and You Prefectures. In addition, there are two million piculs of grain and fodder. Furthermore, there is a mysterious type of military equipment, which looks very tall, very large… larger than the well-moving siege engines!"
Huo…
Cao Xiu's reminder jolted Lu Yu back to reality…
This was the content of the second urgent dispatch.
If the first urgent dispatch about "Yang Xiu being abducted by Tong Yuan" had made Lu Yu gasp in shock.
Then… this second one was more than just a gasp of shock!
This was a veritable flood of "luck"!
Six hundred thousand troops! And that strange, mysterious military equipment.
That was nothing!
Precisely… two million piculs of grain and fodder.
This… was what Lu Yu had been anxiously awaiting, the opportunity for a decisive victory!
It has come, it has finally come!
…
…