On the official road from Youzhou to Liaoxi, the rain intensified. The accumulated water from the downpour formed shallows, obstructing the marching route.
Hoofbeats "tok tok," the procession stretched. Cao Cao sat in his carriage, his expression devoid of any joy.
Behind him followed the horses of his civil and military officials. Every face looked grim, yet their gazes were all fixed on Cao Cao, as if awaiting his decision.
"Report, Prime Minister, a Wuhuan outpost has been discovered at the pass fifteen li ahead!"
"Report, Prime Minister, Wuhuan ambushes have also been spotted in the steep mountain valley ahead!"
Consecutive scouts galloped across the shallows, relaying the gathered intelligence to Cao Cao. Cao Cao's expression remained as calm as ever, as if his face were carved from stone, yet it held a peculiar composure.
He dismounted his carriage and approached the scouts, stroking the horses wading through the shallows. The deepest water almost submerged the horses' bodies, and their continuous snorts indicated their discomfort.
Of course, if the warhorses were in pain, the riders were equally so. Such accumulated water made further marching impossible.
Whoosh...
A long sigh escaped him.
Cao Cao put on an expression of prolonged hesitation and indecision.
"Fetch a wooden plaque!"
"Yes!"
Immediately, Tiger Guards went to fetch brushes and ink, while others brought a heavy wooden plaque.
Thump...
Cao Cao walked with heavy steps to the plaque and made a sweeping gesture with his hand.
A line of magnificent and powerful seal script appeared on the plaque:
"Now, in the summer heat, the roads are impassable. We shall wait until autumn and winter before advancing again. Yuan's remnants, young Tadun, await their execution!"
Once the plaque was finished...
Cao Cao ordered the Tiger Guards to erect it beside the marching road ahead.
A soldier who could read explained to his comrades, "The Prime Minister means that due to the hot weather and impassable roads, our army is returning. We will come again after the summer rainy season. The Wuhuan should prepare diligently and be ready!"
This...
Caused the entire army to erupt in shock!
This was a retreat!
After the grand oath-taking ceremony in Ye City, and a campaign with three hundred thousand troops, it ended with a whimper like thunder before rain – a retreat?
All the soldiers were bewildered...
Xiahou Yuan was also bewildered. Just last night, his elder brother Cao Cao had laughed upon hearing about the flooded roads, so why today was he so somber and determined to retreat!
This... this...
Xiahou Yuan felt utterly confused.
At this moment.
"The Prime Minister commands: Retreat to Youzhou, and launch another northern expedition when the weather is crisp and clear in autumn!"
"The Prime Minister commands: Retreat to Youzhou, and launch another northern expedition when the weather is crisp and clear in autumn!"
The voices of the Tiger Guards spread throughout the entire army...
They were really retreating?
Retreating... retreating?
In an instant, the morale of the three hundred thousand soldiers plummeted. Endless bewilderment and confusion filled everyone's eyes.
...
...
Nanyang, Wolong Ridge.
The floorboards creaked with every step as Cui Zhouping paced restlessly in his thatched cottage, hands clasped behind his back. He hesitated at the doorway, shook his head, and finally turned decisively to face Zhuge Liang.
"Kongming, this matter is strange!"
"Why is Zhou Ping so flustered?" Zhuge Liang poured Cui Zhouping a bowl of freshly brewed tea, gesturing for him to sit.
"News has arrived from the northern frontier..." Cui Zhouping had no appetite for tea. He frowned and said, "Cao Cao took an oath in Ye City and led three hundred thousand troops on a northern expedition against the Wuhuan, but he was thwarted by heavy rain and flooding. He merely left a wooden plaque, stating that the army could not advance and would fight again in autumn?"
Upon mentioning this...
Cui Zhouping looked utterly perplexed. "In any battle, one must strike while the iron is hot. If that fails, the momentum wanes, and then it is exhausted. Let alone floods, even mountains of knives and seas of fire, Cao Mengde should have pressed forward. I simply cannot fathom why he would retreat, and even announce his intention to fight again in autumn? After autumn? Will the army still have morale? Moreover... what reason is there to inform the enemy of your plans for autumn?"
Cui Zhouping was a stubborn man. If he couldn't figure out a problem, he could ponder it for days.
And this matter concerned the barbarians! Which Han person didn't wish to drive the barbarians out of the Western Regions?
However...
Zhuge Liang already knew about this matter that Cui Zhouping was bringing up.
Unlike Cui Zhouping's brow furrowed with doubt, Zhuge Liang appeared much calmer.
"Does Zhou Ping believe that Cao Cao should not have been hindered by the water? And that Lu Ziyu should not have anticipated the continuous heavy rain during the northern expedition?"
"Precisely!"
"Haha!" Zhuge Liang picked up the feather fan from the table. He didn't fan himself but fanned Cui Zhouping.
"Kongming, why are you fanning me? I truly cannot understand this matter," Cui Zhouping's eyebrows almost formed an inverted 'V'.
"I am letting you feel the cool breeze so you can maintain your composure," Zhuge Liang said with a smile.
"..." Cui Zhouping was speechless.
Just then, Zhuge Liang's voice followed, "Zhou Ping, shall I tell you a story about Lu Ziyu?"
"Is Lu Ziyu related to this campaign against the barbarians and the retreat?" Cui Zhouping quickly asked. Da Feng Novel Network.
Zhuge Liang did not answer but merely waved his feather fan, speaking to himself. "It was before the Battle of Guandu. Cao Cao was campaigning in Wancheng, and Zhang Xiu, at Jia Xu's suggestion, surrendered the city!"
"I know this!" Cui Zhouping wanted to interrupt, but Zhuge Liang held his mouth with his feather fan, signaling him to listen patiently. "Logically speaking, this should have been a straightforward surrender of Wancheng. However... in reality, this surrender was fraught with undercurrents! And the most turbulent was the scheme of the 'poisonous strategist' Jia Wenhe!"
Hmm...
Cui Zhouping perked up his ears. He heard a different account of the Wancheng campaign than what he knew.
"Jia Wenhe is one of the strategists I have always admired. If he were to simply surrender to Cao Cao, he would never rise to a high position. For this very reason, he devised a plan, a strategy of surrendering and then betraying, with the aim of inducing Cao Cao to take Zhang Xiu's aunt, Lady Zou, thereby persuading Zhang Xiu to ambush Cao Cao. At that time, Liu Jingzhou's reinforcements were already on their way... Cao Cao was in extreme peril!"
Upon saying this, Zhuge Liang paused.
Cui Zhouping suddenly realized, "I remember now... there was indeed such an event. When I visited the Cai family, the eldest son of the Cai family also mentioned it. But in the end... didn't Zhang Xiu not rebel? Liu Jingzhou's troops also came up empty! Zhang Xiu truly defected!"
"That was because Jia Wenhe's poisonous scheme was effortlessly defused by Lu Ziyu," Zhuge Liang nodded. "As for the reason, it was simply because Lu Ziyu punished a young lord from Qiao Commandery!"
"Young lord from Qiao Commandery? Who?"
"Cao Cao's nephew, Cao Anmin, son of Cao De!" Zhuge Liang blurted out without hesitation. "Lu Ziyu intentionally placed Cao Anmin by Cao Cao's side. As expected, Cao Anmin invited Zhang Xiu's aunt to Cao Cao. Normally, given Cao Cao's temperament, he would have taken this Lady Zou. But unexpectedly... when Zhang Xiu broke into Cao Cao's guesthouse, he found Cao Cao posthumously enfeigning Zhang Ji, granting Lady Zou the title of nobility, and severely punishing Cao Anmin!"
Hiss...
Cui Zhouping's eyes widened. After Zhuge Liang's detailed explanation, he suddenly understood and exclaimed, "A magnificent stratagem of influencing the mind!"
"Indeed, it is a stratagem of influencing the mind!" Zhuge Liang continued. "Cao Anmin was imprisoned, but this appeased Zhang Xiu's heart... resolving this great disaster silently! And before entering prison, Lu Ziyu specifically told Cao Anmin something that made the whole matter crystal clear!"
"What did he say?" Cui Zhouping quickly approached Zhuge Liang, his eyes filled with eagerness.
Zhuge Liang unhurriedly took a sip of tea, then slowly replied, "Lu Ziyu said, 'The black you see is not black, and the white you speak of is not white!'"
Huo...
Upon hearing this, Cui Zhouping gasped. As a friend of Zhuge Liang, he was naturally intelligent and sharp.
He immediately grasped Zhuge Liang's meaning.
So, this was the trap!
"Kongming has laid so much groundwork, and what he wants to say is actually this last sentence, isn't it..."
Cui Zhouping asked this, and Zhuge Liang did not reply. He slowly rose, gently stroking his feather fan, and looked towards the northern frontier. "What Zhou Ping can think of, the Wuhuan can also think of. What Zhou Ping cannot understand, the Wuhuan naturally also cannot understand. Yet, Cao Cao's retreat was so well-executed!"
"Erecting the wooden plaque was meant to inform the Wuhuan that they were retreating! Although it seems somewhat false, it makes Cao Cao appear either foolish or malicious! But the Wuhuan are simple-minded, they will believe Cao Cao is foolish and will pay a heavy price for this assumption!"
Upon mentioning this...
Zhuge Liang's eyes narrowed into slits.
Whoosh...
Cui Zhouping finally understood. "No wonder the Long Xiao Battalion is not participating in this northern expedition against the Wuhuan! Heh heh... so that's how it is! So that's how it is. I never expected that these three hundred thousand northern expeditionary troops would be paving the way for the Long Xiao Battalion! But..."
Cui Zhouping suddenly thought of something. "But the main roads are flooded, and three hundred thousand troops cannot pass? How will the Long Xiao Battalion reach the Wuhuan? Could there be a small path?"
Upon hearing this...
Zhuge Liang smiled faintly. "Paths are rigid, but people are flexible!"
Upon saying this...
Zhuge Liang's feather fan stopped, and he sighed, "The northern frontier is about to be pacified. The next stage will be the storm in Jingxiang!"
Hearing Zhuge Liang's tone, Cui Zhouping was suddenly startled.
"Is Wolong planning to emerge from seclusion?"
"Emerge from seclusion?" Zhuge Liang stretched his arms. "If I don't move my muscles and bones soon, Wolong will truly become a lazy dragon!"
Upon saying this, his gaze suddenly became meaningful, as if he had already calculated that the person who would invite him out of seclusion was about to arrive!
Heh...
Jia Wenhe is no match for Lu Ziyu!
Then... how many rounds can Wolong fight against Lu Ziyu?
And what about Jun Di? To what extent has he grown now?
...
...
North of Youzhou, south of Liaoxi.
Fleeting clouds arrived with hardship at a secluded mountain valley, where wind and rain, along with aspirations, were faintly visible within the mist of the valley.
It was hard to imagine that within this valley, on the border between Youzhou and the Wuhuan tribes, there existed such a paradise.
Even more unbelievable was that within the valley, there was not only the scenery of a village but also city walls, schools... and even a place specifically for educating farmers and rectifying customs.
Arriving here truly felt like stepping into a paradise.
At this moment, Cheng Yu alighted from his carriage. He stood before the city gate and pondered for a long time before coming back to his senses.
Half a month ago, he had received a secret letter from Lu Yu, asking him to inquire about a person named "Tian Chou" among the elders of Youzhou and to obtain an item from him.
He had initially thought this was a routine and unremarkable task.
But upon arriving at this paradise, Cheng Yu was astonished.
All the fame, fortune, and reputation in the mortal world seemed like fleeting clouds passing by here, drifting away.
Cheng Yu had personally witnessed numerous schools and residences within this valley...
He even learned through conversations that this place had a unique legal system, which strictly stipulated monogamy with no concubines, even for marriage!
Murder, arson, and theft would be punished. The laws here were interpreted, decided, and executed by the common people themselves...
The entire mountain was orderly, making one feel as if they were living in a dream.
"This..."
Cheng Yu murmured. Speaking of which, this was not his first time venturing behind enemy lines to persuade surrender, but such a beautiful environment was truly a first.
"May I ask, strong man? Is Mr. Tian Chou here?"
Cheng Yu presented his visiting card...
The strong man guarding the city gate was startled and glanced at Cheng Yu out of the corner of his eye.
"Who are you, sir? And why do you inquire about the master of this valley?"
"Please inform him, Cheng Yu, Lieutenant General of the Han Left, Marquis of Anguo, Commandant of the Long Xiao Battalion, and acting official of the Imperial Secretariat... has come to visit on behalf of my young master, Lu Ziyu!" Cheng Yu recited a long string of titles.
"I can't remember so many!" The burly man at the gate scratched his head. Being far removed from the secular world, these titles were naturally unfamiliar to them.
"Then... just say Cheng Yu has come to visit on behalf of my young master, Lu Ziyu!" Cheng Yu simplified it.
"Wait here!" The burly guard agreed and was about to walk inside.
Who would have thought...
At this moment.
"Don't go..."
A middle-aged man, dressed in a purple casual robe and holding a teacup, walked over slowly. His round face was full of interest, and he gazed at Cheng Yu meticulously.
"Who are you, sir?"
Cheng Yu blurted out instinctively.
The middle-aged man walked over steadily, handed the teacup to the gate guard, and bowed slightly, acknowledging Cheng Yu.
"I never imagined that the renowned Cheng Yu, Commandant Cheng, would come to seek a rustic like me, Tian Chou. I am truly flattered!"
Huo...
Cheng Yu's eyes widened. With the other person saying this, it was likely... he was the master of this paradise, Tian Chou!
It seemed there was no trace of the recluse's dust and grime, nor did he appear particularly profound. His appearance was ordinary and grounded.
However...
Cheng Yu's discerning eye could tell that such people should not be underestimated!
"Cheng Yu pays his respects to Master Tian..."
"Please come in!"
Tian Chou spread his palms and led Cheng Yu to the hall.
Speaking of this Tian Chou, he was a famous hermit of this place. He had once been the right-hand man of Liu Yu, the Governor of Youzhou. Liu Yu was not adept at warfare, but he was skilled in politics, economics, and coordination. Serving under such a person, Tian Chou was deeply influenced by his surroundings and was unswerving in his loyalty!
After Liu Yu was killed by Gongsun Zan, he led his family into seclusion.
Yuan Shao heard of his reputation and summoned him several times... but Tian Chou refused to even see them.
Instead, he led his clansmen to establish this paradise in the valley.
Over the years, as Yuan Shao and Gongsun Zan vied for Youzhou, the common people suffering from the chaos heard of Tian Chou and this paradise. Word of mouth spread, and they flocked to join him. In just a few years, this economically prosperous paradise grew from a few hundred households to over five thousand, and its influence continued to expand.
Therefore, Tian Chou built city walls, established schools, and formulated laws. The historical records state, "Chou then formulated laws for restraint, for mutual killing and injury, for theft, and for disputes, with severe punishments leading to death, and lesser punishments involving atonement, totaling more than twenty articles!"
Everything in the valley was orderly, earning the respect of the Wuhuan, who dared not plunder freely!
Yuan Shao had invited him to emerge from seclusion three times, even having a general's seal carved and sent to him... but Tian Chou had repeatedly refused!
Logically speaking, Gongsun Zan killed Liu Yu, and Yuan Shao defeated Gongsun Zan. Tian Chou had indirectly avenged himself, but... he still refused to emerge.
No one knew the reason.
In front of a study...
Tian Chou and Cheng Yu sat kneeling opposite each other.
"Commandant Cheng has come to my humble abode, Tian Chou. What is the matter?"
Cheng Yu got straight to the point. "Young Master Lu said that Master Tian possesses a treasure that can aid us in our northern expedition against the Wuhuan!"
Tian Chou paused, his hand holding the ancient book faltering, and asked in surprise, "What object?"
"My young master did not say!" Cheng Yu spread his hands...
"Haha..." Tian Chou laughed. "Well said, the all-knowing Yin Lin, even calculating my Tian Chou's actions?"
Tian Chou waved his hand. "Your young master? How could he be so certain that I would give it to him?"
This...
Cheng Yu's eyes narrowed, and he immediately replied, "My young master did mention it, perhaps, a little!"
"Perhaps you could elaborate!" Tian Chou poured Cheng Yu a cup of tea.
"Master Tian is from Youbeiping Commandery, correct?" Cheng Yu raised his teacup and continued, "And Youbeiping Commandery happens to be within the Wuhuan's sphere of influence! For thirty years, the Wuhuan have not shown much courtesy to the people of Youbeiping Commandery..."
Whoosh...
Upon saying this, Tian Chou's eyes suddenly opened wide, and his entire body seemed to tremble.
Cheng Yu's voice continued.
"The Wuhuan have always taken what they desired from the Han people. If they couldn't get it, they would snatch it. If they were resisted, they would resort to murder and arson! Master Tian's parents and many of your clansmen perished at the hands of the Wuhuan, did they not!"
Klank...
As Cheng Yu's words delved deeper, Tian Chou's expression became increasingly stern, as if... that painful memory had been brought back to the surface.
Cheng Yu noticed the change in Tian Chou's expression.
From these subtle changes, he could judge that what Young Master Lu had mentioned about Tian Chou's past... was true!
"Your houses were burned by the Wuhuan, your property was looted, and in the end, people were killed. Yet, after Gongsun Zan retreated, the four northern prefectures fell into Yuan Shao's hands. And Yuan Shao was allied with the Wuhuan, closely related... how could he help Master Tian avenge his grievances?"
"And this is also why Master Tian would never join Yuan Shao!"
Cheng Yu spoke a great deal in one breath...
Tian Chou's eyes gradually opened wider and wider. He looked at Cheng Yu, pondered for a long time, and then finally spoke.
"Cao Mengde's thirty thousand troops on the northern expedition against the Wuhuan also seem to have retreated! Lu Ziyu's need for this object is no longer relevant!"
Whoosh...
Cheng Yu let out a quiet sigh. He suddenly stood up, his eyes narrowing, and his tone turning cold.
"Although I, Cheng, do not know what this object of Master Tian's is, but..."
Cheng Yu deliberately paused, and then walked up to Tian Chou.
He lowered and softened his tone!
"Duke Cao's thirty thousand troops have retreated, but the actions of the Long Xiao Battalion have just begun!"
Whoosh...
This time, Tian Chou suddenly understood something.
He also stood up, turned his back, and paced back and forth.
Ten breaths, twenty breaths, thirty breaths, even a hundred breaths... for a full hundred breaths... only then did he steady himself.
"We have waited for this day for a long time!"
"Where is Young Master Lu? I will only entrust this object to him personally, to be at ease!"
Huo...
Cheng Yu's eyes darted.
This matter... seemed, perhaps, as if it had succeeded!
Of course... Cheng Yu was even more curious about what the "object" in the hermit Tian Chou's possession was!
...
...