South to Xinye!
As expected, as it should be.
Lu Yu’s eyes flickered, watching the energetic demeanor of his good elder brother, Xiahou Dun, beside him, he mused inwardly, this time with their brothers united, perhaps this ever-losing general could achieve a victory?
Let him also taste the flavor of victory.
Thinking of this…
Lu Yu couldn’t help but recall the historical Xiahou Dun.
Although in many people’s ingrained impressions, he was the foremost fierce warrior of Great Wei, in reality… ever since the counterattack on Puyang, when an arrow struck his eye, Xiahou Dun became ‘Blind Hou Dun’. He rarely fought on the battlefield again, serving as the chief logistics captain of Cao Cao’s camp.
As the saying goes, “Before the troops move, the provisions must go first!”
“Blind Hou Dun” was quite skilled at logistics.
During a locust plague, he led the army and civilians to dam the Taishou River, forming a pond. He personally carried soil and led soldiers to plant rice and cultivate fields, thus avoiding the danger of food shortages and benefiting the populace!
The heavy burden of transporting provisions on many occasions was also borne by him alone, earning him considerable merit during those times.
However…
Whenever Cao Cao felt that ‘Blind Hou Dun’ was capable again and entrusted him with important tasks, he would unfailingly bring about a defeat.
The Battle of Bowangpo was the most humiliating of all his defeats!
With this thought…
Lu Yu smacked his lips and fell into contemplation.
He wondered, this time at Bowangpo, could they win?
Likely, they could win?
Xiahou Dun, unaware of Lu Yu’s thoughts, slapped Lu Yu on the shoulder. “What? Do you think your elder brother can’t protect you? Why does it look like… you don’t have much confidence in your elder brother!”
“Ahem…”
Lu Yu coughed lightly. “Elder brother, of course I have confidence, but… we cannot underestimate Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang! Moreover, Liu Bei has Guan, Zhang, and Zhao under his command!”
“Those brats? What’s there to fear?” Xiahou Dun waved his hand. “Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Zhao Yun, I’ll deal with them. As for that little Zhuge, isn’t there you? You and I, brothers, with combined strength, are invincible under heaven. Those brats will crumble at the first touch!”
Xiahou Dun exuded great confidence…
Uh…
Lu Yu scratched his head slightly, appreciating Xiahou Dun’s inexplicable self-confidence!
However, Lu Yu’s gaze settled on the vast “map” hanging on the wall of the School of Affairs Office!
—Bowangpo!
—Burning Bowangpo?
This time, who would burn whom, was uncertain!
With this thought, Lu Yu smiled heartily.
“Elder brother Xiahou? When shall we inspect the army?”
“I called you to go together!”
As he spoke, Xiahou Dun grabbed Lu Yu’s arm and pulled him outside…
Uh…
Lu Yu was a bit bewildered; he thought the matters of the School of Affairs Office were not yet arranged!
As he was being pulled outside, Lu Yu instructed, “Fengxiao, Yuanzhi… you… you handle things as you see fit…”
“Once the Longxiao Camp navy is almost trained, go and test your skills against the Yamatai Empire!”
Leaving only these two sentences, Lu Yu had already been pulled out of the School of Affairs Office, and no one could hear his voice anymore.
Guo Jia, Ju Shou, Cheng Yu, Xu Shu exchanged glances…
They first shook their heads, then chuckled softly.
Ju Shou was quite envious. “Ziyu’s relationship with these meritorious officials from Qiao and Pei is truly excellent. Such a situation never occurred in Yuan Shao’s camp back then!”
Guo Jia nodded. “How could someone good at winning hearts not be liked by others?”
Outside the gate, the sun shone brightly…
Yet countless armored soldiers had already assembled, awaiting only the command of General Xiahou Dun and Marquis Baima Lu Yu!
South—to Xinye!
Of course…
The newly established Longxiao Camp “Flying Team” was also among them!
However, they were very low-key!
So low-key that they had almost no presence…
…
…
Two thousand Xiliang soldiers, having passed through Tongguan and Hangu Pass from the lands of Yong and Liang, arrived majestically before the city of Luoyang.
At the city gate, Cao Cao, along with his civil and military officials, had assembled with music to welcome them.
The common people gathered in a dense crowd.
Naturally, the imposing armies arrayed on both sides were indispensable—this was to showcase the military might of Great Wei!
Ma Teng, Ma Tie, and Ma Yunlu rode their fine steeds at the forefront of the Xiliang army. Ma Yunlu gazed at the vast Luoyang city before her, her heart filled with a mixture of unfamiliarity and awe, and she couldn’t help but sigh, “This is Luoyang city? It looks so much more magnificent and beautiful than the cities in Yongliang!”
“But… I remember Father mentioning that Luoyang city was burned down by Dong Zhuo in a great fire, wasn’t it? How has it recovered so quickly?”
Hoo…
Ma Teng exhaled, filled with emotion.
“Since King Wei gained Lu Ziyu, swept across the northern territories, and unified the Central Plains, he alone occupies eight of the thirteen prefectures of the Han dynasty. Let alone rebuilding a city like Luoyang, even if the entire Sili region were destroyed, rebuilding it would be a matter of mere moments for him.”
Once upon a time, Ma Teng had harbored thoughts of whether he might have the opportunity to enter the Central Plains and claim a share of the spoils.
But… at this present moment, seeing such imposing soldiers and such towering city walls, Ma Teng couldn’t help but feel a surge of emotion…
He, or rather, their Xiliang, was far behind.
Even though he had unified Guanzhong over the years due to the Emperor’s enfeoffment, even if all the warlords in Guanzhong were combined, they would still not be a match for Great Wei.
The gap was too great.
“Little sister…” Just then, Ma Tie spoke, “That Marquis Baima Lu Ziyu is the person most valued by King Wei. Marrying into Marquis Baima’s mansion, you will enjoy endless glory, but more importantly, as long as you are there, Xiliang and Great Wei will never have conflict!”
This…
As Ma Tie’s words reached Ma Yunlu’s ears, she instinctively felt a sense of emptiness.
“Being a wife, if one is confined to the mansion, it would be too boring.”
Ma Yunlu pouted her small lips. “If one could fight on the battlefield, that would be truly interesting. Being caged like a bird, how boring would that be!”
“Haha…” Hearing this, Ma Teng laughed. “Lu’er will likely be disappointed. I’ve heard that Lu Ziyu is an extremely cautious person; he won’t go to the battlefield! If you marry him, you’ll have no chance to go to the battlefield either!”
“Boring…” Ma Yunlu complained…
She was not a woman who lacked propriety. She understood the significance of her marriage to Lu Ziyu more clearly.
It was just that she, a princess of the horseback, who lived a life of wielding a long spear and galloping on horseback, was suddenly to live a life of tranquility… Ma Yunlu found it rather unaccustomed.
“Enough said, King Wei is waiting ahead!”
Ma Teng pointed forward…
Instantly, the two thousand horsemen dismounted. Ma Teng, Ma Yunlu, and Ma Tie also dismounted and walked. They proceeded step by step towards the west gate of Luoyang city.
“Shoucheng brother!”
From a distance, Cao Cao could be seen running to greet Ma Teng. He opened his arms wide, looking nothing like a King of Wei… he was clearly a child overjoyed.
“Greetings, King Wei…”
Ma Teng, Ma Yunlu, and Ma Tie quickly clasped their hands in greeting.
Cao Cao immediately helped Ma Teng up, gesturing for the imperial guards beside him to help Ma Yunlu and Ma Tie up. Cao Cao said with great pleasure, “These formalities are for those scholars and officials. Both you and I come from the military, so we don’t adhere to these customs! Moreover, your daughter is about to marry Ziyu, so we are family from now on, family.”
Cao Cao placed his hand on Ma Teng’s. Cao Cao acted as if he were seeing a long-lost close friend.
“King Wei…”
For a moment, Ma Teng didn’t know what to say.
Cao Cao, holding Ma Teng’s hand, led him towards Luoyang city. “Brother Shoucheng, to wait for you, I’ve opened twenty jars of thirty-year-old fine wine, all waiting for you. I’ve also prepared two tables of food, one in the style of Xiliang, and one in the Central Plains style. Haha, tonight we shall not return until we are drunk!”
As he spoke…
The two entered the city side-by-side, witnessed by countless soldiers, common people, and officials!
This left Ma Tie and Ma Yunlu looking bewildered…
Evidently, Cao Cao’s enthusiasm was somewhat beyond their expectations.
“Is King Wei so hospitable?” Ma Yunlu murmured softly.
Ma Tie shook his head. “I don’t know!”
Just then, Cao Xiu approached Ma Tie. “You must be the second young master Ma!”
“May I ask? Who are you?” Ma Tie inquired of Cao Xiu.
“Longxiao Camp, Cao Xiu!” Cao Xiu announced himself…
This announcement caused Ma Tie to freeze.
A man’s reputation precedes him. Who in all the land does not know what the words ‘Longxiao Camp’ signify?
Invincible under heaven!
Victorious in every battle!
The opponent that every military unit least wants to encounter!
Even in recent years… Ma Tie considered the Xiliang Iron Cavalry to be quite formidable, but compared to the Longxiao Camp, it was still like a small offering to a great deity.
“So you are the deputy commander of the Longxiao Camp. I have long admired you… long admired you!” Ma Tie clasped his hands.
“Haha…” Cao Xiu laughed. “My young master has instructed that as the second young master commands the Xiliang Iron Cavalry, you will surely be interested in the military equipment of our Longxiao Camp. He has specifically ordered me to take you to the Longxiao Camp’s barracks to have a look!”
“That would be most welcome!” Ma Tie was overjoyed…
He had long heard that the knights of the Longxiao Camp wore armor that was impervious to blades and spears, and their battle halberds could cut through iron like mud and cleave stone and gold. He was eager to witness it firsthand!
“Please…”
“General Cao, please!”
Now, Ma Tie had also left.
Only Ma Yunlu remained standing there, lost in thought? She felt somewhat neglected… it seemed her father and brother were both highly valued, yet she alone…
Just as she thought this…
A soft and gentle voice came from the side. “The female general must be the Xiliang Princess Ma Yunlu, right?”
Ma Yunlu turned her head and saw Cai Zhaoji, dressed in a green dress, gracefully approaching with light steps.
“Who are you?”
“My name is Cai Yan!”
Ah…
Ma Yunlu was taken aback. Since she was to marry into Marquis Baima’s mansion, some preparatory work was necessary.
Immediately, Ma Yunlu asked in surprise, “You are Lu Ziyu’s sister, Cai Yan… Miss Cai Yan?”
“You shouldn’t call me ‘miss’,” Cai Yan said with a gentle smile. “But it doesn’t matter… Lu’er, you’re new here, and you’ll know how to address me later!”
How to address her?
Sister, of course…
Since you are marrying Brother Yu, you should also call her ‘sister’ as Brother Yu does.
Evidently, Ma Yunlu had not yet adapted to these Central Plains customs of address.
“Luoyang city is different from Yongliang. Let your elder sister take you, Sister Lu, to enjoy the sights? How about it?”
Cai Zhaoji’s voice was always soft and slow, like the song of a lark, making it pleasant and comfortable to hear.
“Then…” Ma Yunlu pursed her lips. “Thank you, sister!”
“Now that’s the right way to address me!”
Cai Zhaoji took Ma Yunlu’s hand and prepared to enter the city.
Just then, suddenly… Cai Zhaoji felt an indescribable sensation in her stomach, as if something was rising. She instinctively covered her chest with her hand.
But this feeling grew stronger and stronger…
And at this moment, she was still holding Ma Yunlu’s hand. If she were to vomit, it would be too impolite.
“Mmm…”
Cai Zhaoji could no longer suppress the feeling. She quickly ran to the side, about to vomit something violently.
However, she couldn’t vomit anything; she only felt extreme discomfort in her stomach, as if she were about to collapse!
“Mmm…”
Another wave of intense sensation.
The other welcoming citizens, officials, and soldiers, seeing Ma Teng enter the city, also entered the city one after another… Few remained behind, and few witnessed this scene.
Ma Yunlu, however, seemed to understand something. She quickly ran to Cai Zhaoji’s side and gently patted her back.
As she patted, she said, “What’s wrong, sister? Why does sister’s condition resemble the symptoms of women in Yongliang who are ‘with child’? Sister, could it be…”
“Mmm…”
Another surge of nausea.
Cai Zhaoji waved her hand quickly, trying her best to speak. “I… I’m fine…”
She covered her chest with one hand and earnestly explained, “Perhaps… perhaps I ate something bad at noon. I apologize… it’s… it’s my fault for being impolite!”
At this point…
Cai Zhaoji quickly ran away. At this moment, she couldn’t bother with Ma Yunlu.
Ma Yunlu’s eyes darted around…
According to the preparations she had made, her future husband Lu Ziyu had two wives and two concubines. If they were vomiting, it would be understandable.
… But, it seemed… Lu Ziyu’s sister, Cai Yan… she was not married? Then… why would she have morning sickness?
Could it be… that she really ate something bad?
Ma Yunlu tapped her forehead lightly. It was her first time in Luoyang, and there were so many new things. Cai Zhaoji’s strange behavior only piqued her curiosity for a moment before her attention shifted elsewhere.
Accompanied by a few maids, she wandered through Luoyang city alone.
The streets were bustling, with shops everywhere selling all sorts of goods!
Compared to the vast deserts and boundless Gobi of Yongliang, this place was simply a paradise… a paradise of indulgence that could make one forget everything and become immersed in it!
At a dumpling stall.
The stall owner was wrapping dumplings, his fingers moving as fast as lightning, stuffing lamb and various warming medicinal herbs into the dough before wrapping them… and boiling them in the pot.
Not long after, fragrant dumplings were placed before Ma Yunlu.
Ma Yunlu had never eaten this before. Upon tasting one, she found it to be a delicacy of the mortal world!
The dumpling stall owner smiled and said to Ma Yunlu, “It seems you’re visiting Luoyang for the first time, young lady. Our dumplings were created by Marquis Baima. Not only are they delicious, but they also ward off the cold… During the widespread outbreaks of the Shanghan disease, these dumplings played a significant role in overcoming it!”
—Marquis Baima…
Hearing this name suddenly, Ma Yunlu was startled. The dumpling stall owner was praising her future husband!
Yes… indeed, her husband whom she had never met.
She hadn’t expected him to be able to create such delicious food.
“Where is the Marquis Baima you mentioned?” Ma Yunlu asked curiously… “Today, the Xiliang generals have arrived, and King Wei is leading the civil and military officials to welcome them. Why is this Marquis Baima absent? Has King Wei gone too? Is this Marquis Baima’s airs greater than King Wei’s?”
“This young lady is perhaps unaware…” the stall owner replied with a smile. “Today… besides welcoming the Xiliang generals and the Xiliang princess, there is another major event!”
“A major event?”
“That’s right. It is ordered by King Wei that General Xiahou Dun lead an army of fifty thousand to march south to Xinye city in Jingzhou!”
“The one marching south is General Xiahou Dun, not Marquis Baima Lu Ziyu!” Ma Yunlu immediately retorted. “What does that have to do with anything?”
“Marquis Baima is the chief military advisor… naturally, he will also be going!” the stall owner explained in detail…
Oh…
Ma Yunlu finally understood.
So that’s how it is…
But then she thought, that’s not right!
Her father and brother both said that this Lu Ziyu was extremely cautious, meaning, he was a coward. Would he go to the front lines of the battlefield?
Immediately… Ma Yunlu’s eyebrows curved.
She realized that suddenly, she couldn’t understand this Lu Ziyu anymore. Was he a coward, and was he also going to war? Was he intelligent, and was he also the inventor of dumplings?
He was too divine! He was everywhere!
Which one was the real him?
As this question arose, Ma Yunlu’s curiosity was about to explode. She wanted to meet this future husband, Lu Yu, immediately, to unveil his so-called “true face”!
Of course…
Ma Yunlu did not know that often, a woman’s admiration for a man begins with curiosity!
“When are they marching south?”
“Right now!”
“East gate?”
“South gate…”
Ma Yunlu and the stall owner had another brief exchange.
With a whoosh, Ma Yunlu hurried towards the south gate.
“Princess…”
The maids behind her quickly followed.
Ma Yunlu instructed, “Don’t chase. Fetch my horse…”
“Princess wants…?”
— “Go and tell Father and King Wei that Ma Yunlu is accompanying the army, and Ma Yunlu wants to protect her husband’s safety!”
With that said…
Ma Yunlu’s lips curved. Compared to being confined in Luoyang, she yearned more for the battlefield…
For the valiant and splendid sight of galloping on horseback!
…
…