"Bang!"
The wine in the goblet was drained in one gulp, but the goblet was then slammed heavily onto the table.
"If it's about drinking today, I, Sima Yi, will accompany you to the end. But if the Second Young Master mentions the Heir Apparent again, and tries to sow discord between me and my esteemed teacher, then... Sima Yi begs to be excused!"
Huu...
As Sima Yi finished speaking, Cao Pi's expression turned extremely unpleasant. He knitted his brows, but soon, he regained his composure. "Why haven't we had a drink today? I'm already drunk, drunk..."
As he spoke, Cao Pi refilled Sima Yi's goblet. "Doesn't Fourth Brother have a poem? 'The bright sun shines on youth, timely rain quiets flying dust. Cold ice repels the fiery scene, cool breeze drifts past my body. Pure wine fills the golden cup, delicacies are arranged. The men of Qi present rare music, the singer emerges from Western Qin!'"
"Borrowing Fourth Brother's poem, Lai Zhongda, you and I shall drink... Today, we will not discuss state affairs!"
He had been shut out.
Cao Pi quickly changed the subject. He couldn't afford to offend Sima Yi, who was under Lu Yu.
But...
The key to vying for the position of Heir Apparent was Lu Yu!
Without his support, or even the support of his subordinates!
...Cao Pi was in a difficult position.
"Fetch me a bowl!" Sima Yi commanded. "Since the Second Young Master says so, then today, we shall drink until we are dead drunk!"
As he spoke, he took a bowl from a guard, filled it to the brim, took a deep breath, and drank it down under Cao Pi's watchful gaze.
Cao Pi could only clap his hands and praise.
"Sima Zhongda's heroism is boundless! He truly is the White Horse Marquis's right-hand man!"
For a full hour and a half...
Outside the post station, Cao Pi helped the completely inebriated Sima Yi into the carriage. He shook his head, trying to dispel his own drunkenness. Sima Yi leaned in the carriage, his drunken murmurs slurred, fragmentarily reciting the poem from the banquet: "Pure wine fills the golden cup, delicacies are arranged. The men of Qi present rare music, the singer emerges from Western Qin!"
While reciting, Sima Yi headed towards the city. The School Office had its own dedicated residence!
Sima Yi did not need to spend the night at the post station!
Huu...
After he left, Cao Pi sighed with helplessness, "Even when leaving, he can't forget to recite Fourth Brother's poetry?"
Cao Zhen and Wu Zhi came over.
"How did the Second Young Master's conversation with Sima Zhongda go?"
Wu Zhi asked first.
Cao Pi shook his head helplessly, "The people under the White Horse Marquis are all unfathomable, neither humble nor arrogant. It's too difficult to ascertain the White Horse Marquis's stance!"
"Then..." Wu Zhi started, but noticing Cao Zhen, he swallowed his words.
"Zidan is one of us, you can speak freely!" Cao Pi waved his hand.
Wu Zhi paused. "If we cannot gain the support of the White Horse Marquis, then there is only another way?"
"What way?" Cao Pi and Cao Zhen asked in unison.
"Eliminate all potential rivals, and then... only the Second Young Master will remain!" Wu Zhi's eyes narrowed. "You already have the rat and the snake in your hands, Second Young Master. When the season is dry and windy, the snake and the rat can achieve great merit!"
Hiss...
At these words, Cao Zhen gasped.
Cao Pi's eyes narrowed. Without being able to ascertain his father's choice for Heir Apparent!
With Cao Chong favored, and Cao Zhi having a close relationship with the White Horse Marquis!
If he wanted to contend for the Heir Apparent position, then he could only... take a perilous gamble!
"Creak"!
Cao Pi instinctively clenched his fists, his eyes chilling.
He remained silent, but his heart was filled with a murmur— "A man who is not ruthless cannot achieve great things"!
...
...
Luoyang City, White Horse Temple.
Even when Dong Zhuo burned Luoyang to the ground, the White Horse Temple did not suffer major damage. It was nestled amidst pine, bamboo, and cypress trees, resplendent and magnificent.
The mountain gate bore a golden plaque. In front of the temple stood several huge bronze incense burners, from which curling smoke emanated, carrying a faint, ethereal fragrance!
Ascending the steps, one entered the temple gate, passed the spirit screen, and was met by three halls housing the Buddha.
On this day, Cai Wenji specifically came here...
Speaking of which, after Great Wei established its capital in Luoyang, according to her brother's wishes, while retaining the Imperial Academy in Xudu, a new Imperial Academy was to be established on the banks of the Luo River and on Yongqiu.
Cai Wenji came for this matter...
However, inexplicably, before setting off, she had a dream. She dreamt of a golden person, with a beam of white light above its head, flickering and swaying. As Cai Wenji was about to ask who it was and where it came from, the golden person suddenly ascended into the sky and went west.
Upon waking, Cai Wenji broke out in a cold sweat...
She had also asked some scholars from the Imperial Academy, but no one could interpret the dream. However, Zhong Yao, the Minister of Justice, offered a suggestion: "In the West, there is a god called Buddha. The golden person in your dream going west might be Buddha calling you!"
At that time, Cai Wenji was also astonished...
After all, Buddha... was a completely new realm to her.
However, Zhong Yao did seem to know something. He explained in detail.
It turned out that Buddha was born in the country of Tianzhu and was a prince!
He was deeply sympathetic to the suffering of the common people. When he saw their pain, he was unwilling to enjoy himself in the palace. He was determined to find a way to free the people from life's suffering. As a result, he found... Buddhism!
Cai Wenji found it quite interesting...
So, she perused a large number of classics.
She learned that Buddhism was brought from Tianzhu during the Yongping era of Emperor Ming of Han by the Han envoys Cai Ying and Qin Jing, who endured immense hardships. Initially, it was a Buddha statue and the Forty-two Chapters Sutra. They also invited two "Samanas" from Tianzhu to preach. Emperor Ming of Han ordered these to be enshrined in the Honglu Temple at that time, which is the present-day White Horse Temple in Luoyang.
Therefore, Cai Wenji, upon arriving in Luoyang, immediately rushed to the Grand Hall of the White Horse Temple, wanting to pay homage to Buddha... and seek guidance from the Buddha.
Before her stood a statue of Shakyamuni, with many standing figures on either side. Cai Wenji did not know much about Buddha, only that one could burn incense and make wishes...
Holding incense and candles, she knelt devoutly on the prayer mat before the Buddha statue. After kowtowing several times, the matters in her heart churned.
Indeed...
What she was thinking about was not just the golden person in her dream, but also her... special relationship with Yu Di.
Like a sister, but not quite a sister...
Like...
"Buddha is merciful. May Buddha bless me, bless Yu Di, bless Great Wei... and bless all the common people in the world!"
After much thought, Cai Wenji finally prayed.
At this point, she became tongue-tied... She wanted to ask the Buddha something, but found it difficult to speak.
"Dong..."
Just then, the bell of the White Horse Temple chimed, its resonance lingering in her ears for a long time.
"This maiden..."
A venerable monk approached Cai Wenji.
Cai Wenji, imitating other pilgrims, clasped her hands together and bowed to the monk...
The monk asked, "Young lady, what brings you here?"
"Not long ago, I dreamt of a golden person. When I asked who it was and where it came from, the golden person suddenly ascended into the sky and went west," Cai Wenji recounted truthfully.
The monk observed Cai Wenji for a moment, then clasped his hands together.
"Young lady, you only care about the dream, but have you not noticed your own changes?"
"Changes?" Cai Wenji was startled; she didn't quite understand.
The monk did not elaborate, merely chanting softly, "The body is the Bodhi tree, the mind is like a bright mirror. Constantly wipe it clean, and do not let dust adhere."
As he spoke, the monk's gaze shifted downwards, towards Cai Wenji's abdomen.
However, it was only for a moment before he raised his eyes again, smiling, and added, "Here is another sentence for you: Bodhi originally has no tree, nor a bright mirror stand. Originally there is nothing, where can dust adhere!"
With that, the monk slowly walked towards the door.
This...
Even for the talented Cai Wenji, she was at a loss for words at this moment. She didn't know what these Buddhist phrases meant?
"Originally there is nothing, where can dust adhere!"
She unconsciously lowered her eyes, but didn't notice her body, thinking that... the monk had been looking at the ground!
Dust?
Dust on the ground?
Cai Wenji scratched her head.
Just then.
"Chief Cai... Chief Cai!"
A hurried voice came from the entrance of the Grand Hall, breaking the serene quietness of the ancient temple...
Cai Wenji looked up. It was Cao Xiu calling out.
"General Cao? You..."
"It's Ma Teng of Xiliang, bringing his daughter Ma Yunlu, who has traveled from afar. The King of Wei is currently receiving Ma Teng, but his daughter is to marry into the White Horse Marquis's manor. Therefore, the King of Wei wishes to invite Chief Cai to accompany him in welcoming them!"
Cao Xiu blurted it all out in one breath...
Cai Wenji blinked her big eyes. She... as the White Horse Marquis's sister, or rather, Lu Yu's elder, was to go and welcome this Xiliang County Princess?
Both marrying into the White Horse Marquis's manor, this Xiliang County Princess had quite a bit of face!
However...
Thinking about it, the Xiliang County Princess Ma Yunlu was backed by the entire Yongliang region. This concerned the stability of Great Wei's rear. As her brother had said, she absolutely could not be treated with disrespect.
"Alright..." Cai Wenji paused slightly. "May I return to my manor to change my clothes before going to welcome them?"
"There's no time! Chief Cai, please come with me directly..."
Cao Xiu said urgently.
Ma Teng and Ma Yunlu had traveled from afar; they could not be kept waiting!
...
...
Jingzhou, Cai Manor.
In the evening, Cai Madam had been staying at the Cai Manor during this period.
At this time, she had just finished bathing, wearing only her inner garments, her long hair cascading down her shoulders, sitting before the mirror and combing her hair.
"Tap, tap, tap..."
Hurried footsteps sounded from outside the door.
"Clang!" Cai Mao burst through the door and saw Cai Madam, sighing. "Sister... why are you here? Something big has happened!"
"Where else should I be?" Cai Madam's tone was calm...
She continued to comb her hair as if nothing had happened.
It seemed that ever since she had met Cao Cao that night, she had become more concerned about her appearance.
In stark contrast to her composure, Cai Mao was almost frantic.
"Just now, Liu Jingsheng... Liu Jingsheng couldn't catch his breath in one go! Now... a group of doctors are trying to save him! Sister... stop combing your hair, quickly... quickly return to the yamen!"
As he spoke, Cai Mao reached out to grab Cai Madam's hand. This was a time of dire urgency.
Cai Madam flicked her sleeves, shaking off Cai Mao's hand.
"Sit down..."
"Sit... sit down?" Cai Mao felt speechless. The entire Jingzhou was in chaos, yet his sister remained so calm.
"Don't worry, he won't be saved," Cai Madam said gracefully...
"Ah..." Cai Mao was stunned.
Cai Madam's voice continued. "This time, the medicine contained a large amount of eel and Jīnghuā. Jīnghuā combined with eel is as poisonous as arsenic. That old geezer won't survive!"
"Sister... this..." Cai Mao's pupils widened. He felt as if he was suffocating.
"Gulp!" Cai Mao swallowed, his throat seemingly choked. He drained a bowl of water from the table, forcing himself to calm down. "Sister? What... what are you doing?"
"Isn't it obvious!" Cai Madam slowly rose, her sleeves fluttering lightly. "In the current situation, Liu Jingsheng cannot hold onto Jingzhou. So, either we follow Tao Qian's example and cede Xuzhou to Liu Bei! Or... we submit to Great Wei, submit to the King of Wei!"
Cai Madam inserted a jeweled hairpin...
She continued, "Obviously, Liu Bei supports the eldest son Liu Qi, while the King of Wei supports me and Cong'er!"
Uh...
At these words, Cai Mao understood, yet he also seemed not to understand. "Sister? When did you... make this decision? Have you... met the King of Wei? What if..."
"There is no 'what if'!" Cai Madam's tone was decisive. "I have already met the King of Wei. He is more spirited, more valiant, and more majestic than I imagined!"
In fact, Cai Madam wanted to express that Cao Cao had fulfilled all her fantasies about men.
"Then... but you didn't even discuss it with me! Poisoning Liu Jingsheng, what if it's discovered..." Cai Mao asked hurriedly.
"It won't be discovered," Cai Madam wiped the back of her hand with a handkerchief. "This time, it was done meticulously. I have already killed the person who administered the poison, and all the blame will fall upon that person! Moreover, you should know that our worry is not internal to Jingzhou, but rather—Liu Bei and Liu Qi!"
Hearing this... Cai Mao looked at his second sister in shock!
"Let's go!"
Cai Madam then walked towards the outside. "It's time to establish Cong'er as the Heir Apparent. Also, do not announce the death of that old geezer yet."
"Why is that?" Cai Mao asked quickly.
Cai Madam smiled faintly. "Let that Liu Bei gloat for a few more days; his great calamity is about to arrive!"
As she spoke...
A sharp glint flashed in Cai Madam's eyes, a sharpness like a knife.
...
...
School Office, Luoyang City.
Several school officials were arranged in order, reporting the recent intelligence from across the land.
The leading officer reported, "In Donghai Commandery, Xuzhou, the Dragon Swift Camp navy has significantly increased its naval combat capabilities through whale hunting training! The deputy commander of the navy, Gan Xingba, governs with strict discipline, but... he is addicted to gambling. Every time training is completed, he leads a group of pirates to gamble heavily in Donghai Commandery, Xuzhou, losing a considerable amount of money."
Upon this report...
Xu Shu's eyes darted. "Zi Yu? Should we remind this Gan Xingba?"
"No need!" Lu Yu shook his head. "The system of recommending the virtuous for four hundred years of the Han Dynasty has always been that only the virtuous should hold office. However, training a navy requires individuals like Gan Ning, who are addicted to gambling!"
Speaking of this, Lu Yu smiled slightly. "Yuan Zhi, go to old Master Cao and extract more money, and send it to Gan Xingba. Since he loves to gamble, let him and his brothers enjoy themselves to their heart's content."
"Hahaha..." At these words, Guo Jia burst into laughter. "That's right, it's just gambling. As long as we can win battles, not let soldiers die in vain, and train an invincible navy, what does spending a little more money matter? When has our Dragon Swift Camp ever been short of money?"
At these words...
Xu Shu was speechless. Lu Zi Yu and Guo Fengxiao... were not ordinary strategists. They seemed to be extremely adept at winning by unconventional means and valued merit over virtue when selecting personnel! They played by completely different rules!
However...
Xu Shu spoke again. "I finally understand why Zi Yu appointed this Gan Xingba as the deputy commander of the navy. However, I am curious, who has Zi Yu chosen as the commander of the navy?"
"Can Yuan Zhi not guess?"
Lu Yu asked with keen interest.
Xu Shu waved his hand. "If only I could turn into a worm in your belly, then I could guess your thoughts!"
Speaking of this, Guo Jia proposed two names. "Could it be the Governor of Jingzhou's navy, the highly skilled naval combatants Cai Mao and Zhang Yun?"
At these words...
Lu Yu immediately replied, "Are they even worthy?"
Guo Jia was directly silenced...
"Don't panic!" Lu Yu said with a smile. "It won't be long before this God of War in the Water returns to his post!"
Speaking of this...
Lu Yu gestured for the second school official to report.
The second leading officer stepped forward. He reported on the matter of Ma Teng and Ma Yunlu of Xiliang traveling to Xudu City. The King of Wei and the Chief of the Imperial Academy, Cai Yan, were welcoming them, which showed them great respect.
Lu Yu nodded, saying nothing...
He naturally knew that this Ma Yunlu was another person who would enter the White Horse Marquis's manor...
However, he had heard that this girl was quite fierce.
Lu Yu was very worried that she would turn the White Horse Marquis's manor upside down!
Next was the third leading school official. He reported that Sima Yi had gone to Ye City, where Cao Pi had hosted a banquet for him, and the two had enjoyed themselves over drinks, seemingly having a very pleasant time.
Along with this, the school official unfurled a scroll, which depicted Cao Pi helping the drunken Sima Yi into a carriage, bidding him a reluctant farewell.
Upon seeing this scene, Lu Yu smacked his lips and murmured softly.
"It seems... someone is restless!"
"Speaking of which..." When this topic came up, Ju Shou couldn't help but interject, "What are your thoughts on the selection of the Heir Apparent, Zi Yu? After all, the destruction of the Yuan clan was not solely due to the Battle of Guandu, but more so due to internal strife, the struggle for Yuan family succession. This must be treated with utmost seriousness! The four seas are not yet settled, and Great Wei has just been established; it cannot withstand too much upheaval!"
Ju Shou's words were logical and reasonable, each sentence carrying significant weight.
Lu Yu nodded and then shook his head.
"How would I know who the King of Wei has chosen?"
"Otherwise, shall we change plans... and secretly retrieve the imperial decree behind the King of Wei's palace plaque, see who this chosen person is, and then place a hefty bet? How about it?"
Lu Yu said jokingly.
Xu Shu quickly waved his hand. "This is not funny. Our School Office should not get involved in the succession dispute! After all, this is the King of Wei's family affair."
As soon as he finished speaking...
"Zi Yu, Zi Yu..."
A rough voice boomed from outside the door, incredibly loud. It could be heard from three streets away. It was the Great General—Xiahou Dun!
This was the first Great General appointed by Cao Cao after the founding of Great Wei!
Holding the mighty armies of Great Wei, he was not exaggerating to say that he was second only to Cao Cao in the entire Great Wei!
However...
Why was he here at the School Office?
"Hahahaha..."
Before seeing him, Xiahou Dun's hearty laughter could be heard. "Virtuous brother, on this trip south... Elder Brother has ordered you and me to go together. With our brothers united, that 'big-eared thief', that Zhuge child, won't they be easily captured!"
So it was...
Because of the matter of heading south!
Speaking of which, Xiahou Dun had just received a military order from the Overlord's Mansion to immediately mobilize troops and head south to Xinye!
This time, in addition to being assigned Yu Jin and Li Dian as deputy generals, he was also assigned a chief advisor, his virtuous brother—Lu Yu!
Xiahou Dun had long wanted to campaign with this virtuous brother.
Of course...
He knew that this virtuous brother was rather timid and that he would certainly take good care of him and protect him!
...
...