Xinye City, Jing Province.
Outside the medical hall, chaos reigned. Countless physicians bustled about with basins of water and towels, while Liu Bei, Zhuge Liang, and others watched with anxious anticipation. Several renowned folk doctors from Xinye City had been summoned inside.
At this moment, the distinguished scholar of Jing Province, Pang Degong, arrived with his son, Pang Anmin, asking anxiously, "Shiyuan? Where is Shiyuan?"
Liu Bei replied with deep apology, "Shiyuan's arm... it's... gone!"
"You... you... you... alas..." Pang Degong's eyes blazed, uttering the word "you" thrice in succession, leaving only an unending sigh.
After they stormed into the medical hall.
Zhuge Liang's brow furrowed tightly, and he murmured, "Pang, Ma, Xiang, Xi... it is truly a pity... the Pang family can no longer serve Lord Liu."
"Alas..." Liu Bei sighed helplessly. "Who would have thought of that... that divine sword from heaven?"
Zhuge Liang quickly asked, "Does my lord confirm it was not a killer? Nor an assassin?"
"Many stable hands were there," Liu Bei stated truthfully. "There were no assassins at all. This... this sword truly seemed to fall from the sky!"
Zhuge Liang said in a low voice, "My lord, stay here. I will investigate this matter!"
By Pang Tong's bedside, several doctors were busy. His arm had been pierced by a sword.
Amputation... seemed to be the only option.
Pang Tong's eyes were tightly shut, clearly unwilling to accept this.
Pang Degong hurried to the bedside and took his nephew's other hand. He looked at his most beloved nephew with both affection and sorrow, gazing upon this rising star of the Pang family, the future hope of his clan.
"Shiyuan, how are you? How are you?"
Pang Tong shook his head, tears falling, "It's the horse, the DeLao horse... it... it brings disaster to its master!"
Pang Degong did not understand. Pang Shiyuan quickly added, "Father, I inquired. Shiyuan was riding Lord Liu's DeLao horse when... when the divine sword from the heavens pierced his right arm!"
"DeLao horse? Bringing disaster to its master?" Pang Degong repeated. "Divine sword from the heavens?"
At this moment, his mind buzzed. He simply could not connect his nephew's injury with some supernatural, heaven-sent sword.
At this moment, in a clean room within the medical hall.
...Five stable hands were already gathered here.
They all looked bewildered, as if they had seen a ghost.
And standing before them was the imposing Zhang Fei. He looked furious, like an enraged lion.
He refused to believe in any such "divine sword from the heavens," but... before countless witnesses, the rising star of the Pang family had indeed been struck by a sword.
With a "bang!"
Zhang Fei kicked the stool in front of him, his voice filled with anger.
"A sword suddenly materialized out of nowhere like a magic trick? And then fell directly, hitting Pang Shiyuan's shoulder? Hmph... hmph... heh heh!"
Zhang Fei let out a series of cold laughs. He felt that their words were insulting his intelligence.
While he didn't possess much intelligence to begin with, the idea of a "divine sword from the heavens" was simply too outrageous. If someone had such skill, why wouldn't they just strike him, Zhang Fei, directly?
"Pa..."
Zhang Fei whipped the ground with a willow branch. "Speak the truth, or the next whip will be on you!"
At these words...
With a "pat," all the stable hands knelt.
"General Zhang... General Zhang, the divine sword from the heavens... this... this is also witnessed by Lord Liu. General Zhang can... can go ask him!"
"Yes, Mr. Shuijing once said that the DeLao horse has tear troughs and white spots on its forehead, and is a horse that brings misfortune to its master. Young Master Pang forcefully rode this horse, and thus... was struck by the divine sword!"
Zhang Fei's willow branch was already raised high...
The education he had received made it impossible for him to believe such prophecies.
"General Zhang, wait..."
Just then, a voice called out. Zhang Fei turned his head. Who else could it be but Zhuge Liang?
Seeing Zhuge Liang, Zhang Fei placed his hands on his hips, looking unconvinced.
"Big Brother always says he is a fish, and the strategist is the water. With the strategist, it's like fish in water. Today... I'll listen to how this case is broken by water!"
Hearing this, Zhuge Liang did not get angry. He walked directly to the five stable hands.
He then beckoned, and a servant handed over the sword... the so-called "heavenly sword" that had fallen from the sky!
"Do you all see clearly? Is this the sword that pierced Young Master Pang's right arm?"
Zhuge Liang inquired.
"Yes... yes..." the stable hands chorused. Although they hadn't observed it closely, the general color and length were similar. Moreover, there were bloodstains on it. If it wasn't this sword, then which one could it be?
Sigh...
Upon hearing this, Zhuge Liang sighed.
Zhang Fei thought Zhuge Liang had discovered something and eagerly asked, "Strategist, what have you figured out? Tell me, don't keep it to yourself..."
"This matter is peculiar!" Zhuge Liang exclaimed.
"Peculiar?" Zhang Fei scratched his head.
Zhuge Liang pointed to the words "Yitian" on the sword's hilt and said with a frown, "Cao Cao obtained two precious swords after smelting the Qingxuan Sword. One is Yitian, and the other is Qinggang. I also had artisans examine this sword, and it is indeed the Yitian Sword that Cao Cao carried with him!"
"What?" Zhang Fei was stunned, his eyes widening... in disbelief.
"Cao Cao's sword? How did it get here? How... did it fall from the sky? And injure Pang Shiyuan!"
Zhang Fei fired off a barrage of questions.
"That I do not know." Zhuge Liang's voice was faint. "However, I have heard that the School of Yin-Yang has a technique that can fly swords to decapitate people! Since this sword is Yitian, I suspect... this is related to Lu Yu, a successor of the 'Yinyang School'!"
*Clang!*
Zhang Fei subconsciously swallowed.
His round eyes widened, almost bursting out... This... this was too bizarre.
A flying sword injuring someone?
So... Lu Ziyu could set fires, poison people, and now he could also injure people with flying swords.
If that were the case...
"Oh... I understand!" Zhang Fei slapped his forehead. "Lu Ziyu's flying sword was meant to strike Big Brother, but this Pang Shiyuan rode Big Brother's 'DeLao' horse, causing the flying sword to mistake its target and pierce Pang Shiyuan's right arm. This means... Big Brother escaped a calamity!"
Heh heh...
Hearing this, Zhuge Liang shook his head helplessly. Undeniably, Zhang Fei's words were imaginative!
However... it seemed there was no other explanation?
After all, Cao Cao's Yitian Sword had truly appeared here?
Zhuge Liang turned and walked to the window... looking up at the dark night, as if there was no trace of light in this endless darkness.
He murmured to himself, "Before, there was summoning wind and rain, and scattering beans to create soldiers in the 'Taiping Yaoshu.' Later... there is Lu Ziyu injuring people with flying swords. It is more difficult to oppose Great Wei, and to oppose Lu Ziyu, than to ascend to heaven!"
For a moment, Zhuge Liang felt like he was about to collapse!
The pressure was too... too immense!
...
...
The sun shone on the tiled roofs. Inside the majestic Wei King's palace with its double-eaved eaves, Lu Yu and Cao Cao sat on opposite sides. Cao Cao personally poured wine for Lu Yu.
Lu Yu took a sip.
He spoke first, "I never expected that with King Wei's intervention, the matter with Lady Cai would go so smoothly!"
"Hahaha..." Cao Cao laughed heartily. "You know how to use people better than I do, and you know how to deal with people better than I do!"
Speaking of which, Cao Cao boldly drained his cup of wine.
"What next? What do you plan to do?"
Cao Cao asked proactively.
Lu Yu replied truthfully, "We just need to wait for news from Lady Cai, and then... we will head south to Jing Province and incorporate the nine commanderies of Jing Province into the territory of Great Wei!"
"What about Liu Bei?" Cao Cao continued to ask.
"There will be a few tough battles," Lu Yu replied... "Zhuge Liang will likely set up an ambush at Bowang Slope, but with the current strength of Great Wei, defeating them will not be difficult!"
Cao Cao nodded. He paused, refilled his wine cup, and then hesitated, as if he had something to say.
"Does King Wei have something on his mind?"
From Cao Cao's expression, Lu Yu sensed something.
He pondered for a moment, lowering his tone. "Lady Gan is still in Xinye City!"
Uh...
Upon hearing this, Lu Yu's throat felt choked. He hadn't expected Old Cao to play such a brilliant hand! While flirting with Lady Cai, he was still thinking of Lady Gan. He was clearly eating what was in his bowl while looking at what was in the pot. It was admirable!
"What does King Wei mean?" Lu Yu inquired.
"Lady Gan has been in enemy territory for a long time and is already on the verge of collapse. Once the conflict erupts in Xinye, I worry that Lady Gan, a mere woman, cannot withstand this immense pressure, and might meet with some accident amidst the chaos! I cannot bear it!"
Sigh...
Cao Cao's words reminded Lu Yu of the historical Cao Cao's dying instructions to his wives and concubines.
— "You followed me, wearing plain clothes and unadorned shoes, enduring much hardship. Your heroic spirit will eventually fade. What remains after my passing are only some spices, which I distribute to you. You may reside on the Bronze Sparrow Terrace, gaze upon my western tomb, sell incense, buy silk, and make shoes to support yourselves!"
Then he distributed spices to the ladies, saying, "We have spent years together, and I do not wish for you to see me in my final moments of distress. Go, go!"
From these dying words, one could also see how good Old Cao was to his women!
This was definitely not an act!
— Cao Cao could betray the world, but he would not betray his women!
Alas...
Lu Yu sighed inwardly. He asked again, "Does King Wei insist on this?"
"It's not insisting, it's a definite decision to bring Lady Gan back!"
Cao Cao's tone was resolute.
"Then..." Lu Yu's eyes narrowed. "Then let's bring her back?"
"Using this hot air balloon!" Cao Cao countered.
"However, this alone is not enough..." Lu Yu smacked his lips. "Ideally, King Wei would also cooperate!"
"Cooperate?"
"That's right!" Lu Yu nodded. "King Wei should immediately dispatch troops south to Xinye, at least to draw the main forces of Xinye City towards the vicinity of Bowang Slope. This way, the chances of rescuing Lady Gan will be greater!"
"This is easily done!" Cao Cao's gaze became more resolute. "I will send Yuan Rang to lead the troops south immediately..."
"This..."
Hearing that Xiahou Dun would lead the troops, Lu Yu felt a bit apprehensive. "King Wei, if General Xiahou is to lead the troops, could I be a随军参谋 (military advisor)?"
"Ziyu is going to the front line? That's not like you?" Cao Cao asked.
"No!" Lu Yu's mouth curled into a smile. "I'm too afraid of death, so I naturally cannot go to the front line. I can deploy something from the air, but... I will need to ask King Wei for a written decree in advance!"
"Written decree?"
— "That's right! At a critical moment, General Xiahou must listen to me!"
As he spoke, Lu Yu's rolling eyeballs suddenly fixed...
A glint of confident foresight was released from his eyes!
...
...
In Jizhou, Ye City, the Bronze Sparrow Terrace was under construction.
Today, a guest arrived here: Sima Yi from the Bureau of Investigation. He was ordered to inspect the construction progress of the Bronze Sparrow Terrace and also to observe the training progress of the Black Tortoise Pool navy, which was preparing for the southern campaign.
The sound of horseshoes gradually echoed on the official road. Sima Yi, wearing a cloak and accompanied by several investigators, rode in, dust-covered.
Cao Pi had already been waiting here. Upon seeing Sima Yi, he waved, "Zhongda!"
He, along with Cao Zhen and Wu Zhi, went to greet him.
Sima Yi was quite surprised to see Cao Pi personally greeting him. He quickly dismounted and bowed, but Cao Pi held him up and said, "Sima Zhongda is a distinguished disciple of the White Horse Marquis. You cannot bow to me. If this were to spread, I would have nowhere to hide my face."
Sima Yi smiled. "I initially thought the Second Young Master would be extremely busy overseeing the construction of the Bronze Sparrow Terrace, so I didn't send anyone to notify you in advance. To my surprise, you still came out to greet me personally."
"Zhongda, you are here on behalf of the Bureau of Investigation and have had a arduous journey. I have prepared the finest wine from the Western Regions as a welcome feast for you!"
This...
Sima Yi initially intended to decline.
However, Cao Pi, Cao Zhen, and Wu Zhi directly pulled him into the carriage and headed towards the posthouse.
The finest food and best wine had already been prepared there!
"I wonder what dishes Zhongda prefers..." Cao Pi murmured, "I've only prepared some simple ones... but the 'Roast Lamb,' 'Blanched Pig Liver,' 'Sour Horse Milk,' and 'Sliced Dog Meat with Sauce' here in Ye City are all exceptional!"
As he spoke, Cao Pi proactively poured wine for Sima Yi.
He did not forget to add, "I have also made arrangements for the investigators you brought, Zhongda. You need not worry. Come, first try this wine from the Western Regions. It was specially bestowed upon me by my father, King Wei. I have been reluctant to drink it, and so..."
At this point, Sima Yi took off his cloak and handed it to his attendant, signaling the attendant to withdraw. He then brushed the dust off himself.
However, he did not touch the chopsticks.
"If Second Young Master has something to say, please say it directly. If you don't, I dare not touch this food or horse milk wine!"
This...
Cao Pi's eyes darted around, but he hesitated to speak.
Sima Yi, being so astute, immediately asked, "Could it be about the position of the Great Wei Crown Prince?"
*Swish...*
Seeing through him, Cao Pi bit his lip. "It is indeed the position of the Crown Prince. What do you think, Zhongda?"
"As my teacher sees it, so do I!" Sima Yi immediately replied. "Whom my teacher supports, I will support! Moreover, King Wei has already placed the decree of succession beneath the plaque in the Wei King's palace. If it belongs to the Second Young Master, then it is yours. If not, there is no use in fighting for it!"
Sigh...
Sima Yi's stern words caused Cao Pi's expression to turn somewhat grim.
"But... Zhongda, I know... truly speaking, Zijian is handling the newspaper and is a confidant of the White Horse Marquis. Chong'er is also the most intelligent and most favored by Father. But I... I have neither talent nor a way to curry favor with the White Horse Marquis. I also... I also..."
"Second Young Master, these are King Wei's family matters. My teacher is extremely wise and will certainly not get involved. Instead of hosting this banquet for me, Second Young Master should think more about how to please King Wei."
Sima Yi suggested...
As these words left his mouth, he suddenly stood up and prepared to leave the posthouse.
Unexpectedly, with a "clang," the door was shut and locked from the outside. Everyone in the posthouse had already withdrawn at some unknown time.
Only Cao Pi and Sima Yi remained in this place.
At this moment.
With a "pat," Cao Pi actually knelt down on both knees before Sima Yi.
"Zhongda, you are one of the most valued disciples of the White Horse Marquis. Without your help, I have absolutely no chance of competing for the position of Crown Prince!"
"Today, I want to ask for your help!"
As he spoke, Cao Pi's eyes sparkled with shrewdness. "The benefit is, if I become King Wei... then Zhongda's position will be the same as your teacher's!"
"Zhongda, don't you have ambition and aspiration? Haven't you thought of escaping your teacher's brilliance and achieving and controlling the changes of this era through your own strength?"
— "Only I... can help you, and only you can help me! I am unwilling, and you are unwilling. Are you willing to be forever overshadowed by Yang Dezhu? Don't you want your teacher to look up at you?"
...
...