Xu Zhou, Dong Hai Commandery.
At this moment, Lu Yu stood with his hands behind his back, gazing out the window at the sea breeze, his eyes narrowed slightly.
Meanwhile, Himiko, the queen of the Yamatai Empire, knelt on a rush mat, quietly awaiting the decision of Alliance Leader Lu.
Finally…
After a long silence.
Lu Yu spoke, "I can send troops to help you defeat the rebellion in Kunou and assist you in reclaiming Yamatai!"
Himiko appeared somewhat surprised, but she seemed exceptionally perceptive. No one helps others for no reason. "Alliance Leader Lu, perhaps you would state your conditions…"
"Shipbuilding blueprints," Lu Yu stated immediately. "I need blueprints for ships capable of long-distance voyages!"
Hoo…
Upon hearing this request, Himiko clearly hesitated, as if harboring some unavoidable difficulty!
"What? Is it not possible?"
Lu Yu's words followed in quick succession…
"No!" Himiko shook her head. "Previously, we sought help from General Gongsun in Liaodong, and General Gongsun was also quite interested in these shipbuilding blueprints. As for the Kunou rebellion, these blueprints are also their objective!"
"And these shipbuilding blueprints are the absolute secret of our Yamatai Empire…"
As an island nation…
Yamatai's reliance was on ships capable of ocean voyages, carrying thousands of people, conquering the seas, and sailing through wind and waves. Therefore, they would not use them as exchange unless absolutely necessary.
"Your Majesty, perhaps you should reconsider!" Lu Yu's tone was very calm. "Think about it, even if I were to send people to aid 'Yamatai,' the existing ships are far from sufficient. More warships would need to be built in the dockyards before we could sail there. Your Majesty should know that once these warships are built by the Han, their craftsmanship will no longer be a secret!"
Lu Yu spoke with great fluency…
Utterly candid.
Since it was a collaboration, it naturally had to benefit both parties!
"This…" Himiko's brows furrowed. "I need to discuss this with my people."
"Very well!" Lu Yu nodded. "I await your news!"
Having said this, Lu Yu turned around, "We in the Great Han have a saying, 'Is it not a joy to have friends come from afar?' Since you have come, there is no need to be polite. I will lift your restrictions today. Your Majesty and your people can wander around Xu Zhou and experience the vast cultural heritage of our Great Han!"
"Young Master Lu is too thoughtful!" Himiko added…
Lu Yu smiled in response and then walked out of the inn!
As dusk began to fall, it seemed some of the torches outside the inn had been extinguished by the sea breeze. Under the scattered lamplight, Himiko stood up and walked to the window, her eyes gazing intently at Lu Yu, who was gradually walking away.
A rather old witch slowly emerged from the inner hall.
"Does Your Majesty intend to agree to him?"
"Grandmother…" Himiko bit her lip. "Do we have a choice…"
"But… these shipbuilding blueprints are inscribed on…" The witch tried to speak, but Himiko quickly interrupted her. "I know… let me think about it again."
"Alright… alright…"
Amidst trembling voices, the candlelight in the inn was extinguished. It seemed the queen of the Yamatai Empire was going to sleep!
However… only her personal maid knew that this was the prelude to the queen's divination!
Everything was so peaceful, yet so turbulent!
…
…
"What?"
As the moon climbed, Lu Yu was suddenly awakened by a voice.
"Feng Xiao has intestinal paralysis?"
Lu Yu's brows furrowed into an almost inverted 'eight,' looking out the window incredulously.
Outside the window, Dian Wei's voice followed.
"The news just came. Lord Xun has already sent a letter to invite the divine physicians Hua Tuo and Zhang Zhongjing from Ye City, but this intestinal paralysis…"
Dian Wei paused at the end of his sentence. He wanted to say that intestinal paralysis was an incurable disease, but he then remembered that Guo Feng Xiao was someone Lu Yu valued, so saying so… was not appropriate!
Hoo…
In contrast, Lu Yu was panting heavily, wearing an expression of utter confusion and speechlessness!
It wasn't that he felt intestinal paralysis was an incurable disease and was saddened by it!
After all… intestinal paralysis, this was appendicitis, and a complete cure would be a very common minor surgery in later generations!
Similar to circumcision…
These ancient people did not know, but Lu Yu was very clear about it!
Speaking of circumcision, that was a brand new story for Lu Yu… at least, he had considerable experience with it.
But the key issue was that this was ancient times, and medical equipment was insufficient.
One must know that cutting out the appendix is different from circumcision. If the circumcision is not done well, at most, the foreskin can be discarded… But the appendix requires an incision in the abdomen, and the prerequisite for surgery is an absolutely sterile environment. Otherwise… the appendix might be removed, but bacteria would remain… leading to a more tragic death than appendicitis!
Of course… the main point was not this. The main point was… why was Guo Feng Xiao so troublesome? Lu Yu had already considered his poor health, which was why he had arranged for him to work in the School of Investigations. Whether it was pacifying the four prefectures in the north or campaigning against the Wuhuan, Lu Yu did not dare to send him!
To exaggerate slightly, for this sickly talented individual…
Lu Yu practically held him in his palm for fear of dropping him, and held him in his mouth for fear of melting him. But how did it end up… causing problems?
Where exactly did the problem lie?
"Alas, if I had known this, I really should have taken a knife and removed it while he was sleeping…" Lu Yu complained helplessly.
There were only a few conditions that could lead to intestinal cancer!
Irregular diet, daily revelry, unrestrained marital life every night, naturally leading to low immunity!
Coupled with alcoholism, it was likely that Guo Jia's stomach and intestines were already in a mess due to alcohol!
Of course, even if it followed the historical trajectory, Guo Jia was like this…
According to ancient records, the army discipline in Cao's camp was always strict, but Guo Jia, Guo Feng Xiao, was an exception.
Bringing women into the military camp;
Revelry throughout the night;
Drinking alcohol in the army…
Anything related to gambling, women, or drugs, Guo Jia was involved in all of them!
For anyone else… being killed by Cao Cao a thousand times would not be excessive.
But by chance, Cao Cao showed Guo Jia special consideration!
He even said, "This is an extraordinary person, and should not be judged by common standards!"
Even Chen Qun, who was responsible for enforcing military discipline in the army, repeatedly impeached Guo Jia. The result was that Cao Cao praised Chen Qun, but after the praise, there was no further action. Cao Cao chose to forget about dealing with Guo Jia!
"Alas…"
Thinking of this, Lu Yu sighed again.
Guo Jia in history was spoiled by Cao Cao, and Guo Feng Xiao here was spoiled by his Lu Zi Yu!
To put it nicely… it was that changing one's nature was as difficult as changing the mountains and rivers!
To put it bluntly, it was that a dog could not change its habit of eating excrement…
Guo Jia, Guo Feng Xiao, this was deserved. Lu Zi Yu truly owed him!
"Issue an order to the Dragon Soaring Battalion. Depart immediately and return to Xu Du!"
Lu Yu immediately gave the command…
Dian Wei still wanted to ask another question, as the matter with the Yamatai Kingdom did not seem to be fully resolved, but… the words remained on his lips, and he swallowed them back!
Evidently, he realized that in Young Master Lu's eyes, the Yamatai Kingdom… was far less important than Guo Feng Xiao.
Perhaps… it could also be understood that no empire could compare to any brother in the Dragon Soaring Battalion or the School of Investigations!
It was a calm night…
The Dragon Soaring Battalion quickly assembled, their agile hooves breaking the quiet night!
…
…
Outside the pass, in Xiliang, Tianshui Commandery.
Ma Teng and Ma Chao sat on Persian stools with great composure, silent, their gazes despondent, as if they had something on their minds.
Ma Yunlu entered with a platter of crystal clear, large horse milk grapes and placed them before her father and brother.
"These were supplied from the Western Regions. They are sweeter than those from our Yongliang. Father and brother, please try them!"
Logically speaking…
Since the Princess of Xiliang, who was doted upon by everyone, had spoken, her father Ma Teng and her brother Ma Chao should have shown some respect and taken a bite.
However… they both lifted their eyes slightly and remained silent.
"Father, brother… what's wrong?"
Ma Yunlu asked urgently…
"Alas…" Ma Teng, who had been silent for a long time, sighed and pointed to an imperial edict on the table.
Ma Yunlu understood and immediately unfurled the edict…
But it was better that she didn't unfurl it. Upon unfurling it, Ma Yunlu's eyes widened, revealing a hint of surprise.
"Wei Wei? That is one of the Nine Ministers… in charge of imperial guards!" Ma Yunlu exclaimed, "Why has His Majesty conferred the title of Wei Wei upon Father?"
One must know that Ma Teng's ancestor was the General Fubo, Ma Yuan.
In the late Xin Dynasty, Ma Yuan defected to the Longxi warlord "Kui Xia" and was greatly valued.
Later, he surrendered to Emperor Guangwu Liu Xiu and made outstanding contributions to the unification of the Eastern Han.
After the establishment of the Eastern Han, Ma Yuan continued to lead troops in battle, defeating the Longqiang in the west, conquering Jiaozhi in the south, and attacking the Wuhuan in the north. He rose through the ranks to become General Fubo, was enfeoffed as the Marquis of Xinxi, and was known throughout the ages as "Ma Fubo"!
Back then, when his name was mentioned, everyone would give him a thumbs-up and say, "Still valiant in old age," and "Invincible hero." His daughter had even served as empress.
However, the Ma family of Maoling, Fufeng, began to decline from the grandson's generation. By the end of Emperor Ling's reign, Ma Teng was merely a military official in the provincial and commandery administrations. Later, he rebelled against the Han with Wang Guo and Han Sui, and was eventually pacified by Dong Zhuo.
In the first year of Xingping, he followed the Xiliang warlords into Chang'an, attempting to kill Li Jue and Guo Si, but was ultimately defeated and had to return to Liangzhou!
It could be said that due to this series of actions, the Ma family's reputation in the Yongliang region had hit rock bottom.
And Ma Teng himself felt… he had failed his ancestors and General Fubo Ma Yuan!
For this reason, in recent years, he had repeatedly assisted Cao Cao and the Han court… his sole aim was the conferment of titles by the Han court to wash away his past crimes of rebelling against the Han.
However… for this imperial conferment, the title of Wei Wei, one of the Nine Ministers, Ma Teng and Ma Chao could not be happy.
"If Father can be ranked among the Nine Ministers of the Great Han, then our ancestor General Fubo, knowing this in the underworld, would surely be greatly comforted?" Ma Yunlu continued, seemingly quite pleased for her father.
"Sister Lu…" Ma Chao explained. "This is not the court conferring the title of Wei Wei upon Father, but rather Cao Cao conferring it upon Father!"
"What's the difference?" Ma Yunlu countered.
Hoo…
With a sigh, Ma Teng stood up.
"Lu'er, let me ask you, what has Cao Cao done these past few years?"
"Pacified the four prefectures in the northern border!" Ma Yunlu replied without hesitation. "And quelled the Wuhuan, bringing the Liaodong region back into Han territory. Currently, the entire northern border has been completely incorporated into Han territory!"
"The four northern prefectures, Liaodong, and Liaoxi are not incorporated into Han territory; they are under Cao Cao's control!"
Ma Chao interrupted.
"This…"
Before Ma Yunlu could speak, Ma Teng continued, "That's right, currently, of the thirteen prefectures in the world, eight are in Cao Cao's hands! Next, Cao Cao will inevitably march south to Jingzhou!"
"So…" Ma Yunlu interjected. "So Cao Cao is conferring the title of Wei Wei upon Father, wanting to lure Father into Xudu City, so as to ensure the safety of Guanzhong!"
Ma Yunlu understood.
No wonder such an imperial edict had suddenly appeared.
"Then… then what does Father intend to do?" Ma Yunlu continued to ask.
"What can we do?" Ma Chao preempted. "Currently, Cao Cao controls the court, and this edict is justice and righteousness. The reason we can establish ourselves in Guanzhong and become the head of the Guanzhong aristocratic families? Is it not by relying on the support of the court? If we disobey… then…"
Although he did not finish his sentence… Ma Chao's meaning was perfectly clear.
They knew it was a "stratagem," but… they still had to fall into it.
As for Ma Yunlu…
Her large eyes blinked repeatedly. After a moment, she finally spoke, "I have a method…"
"What method?" Ma Teng and Ma Chao both looked up.
"Father, why not marry me off to Lu Zi Yu!"
Ah…
Ma Yunlu's words were like a bolt from the blue.
Before Ma Teng and Ma Chao could recover, Ma Yunlu continued, "If I, your daughter, marry Lu Zi Yu, I will be the Third Madam of a Marquis's mansion. Cao Cao values Lu Zi Yu the most. Out of consideration for this relationship, he will certainly not make things difficult for Father, nor dare to confine Father. And as long as I and Father are in Xudu City, then Brother can be as firm as a rock and as stable as a mountain in Yongliang! Father and I can also use all our connections to help Brother grow in Yongliang!"
"Conversely, as Brother's strength grows, my status in the White Horse Marquis's mansion and Father's status in the court will become more stable. The Ma family and the Cao family can then be eternally allied and live in peace!"
Women from outside the pass were different from women inside the pass. When it came to marriage, they spoke their minds, driven by preference…
They would never consider a daughter's shyness or modesty!
At this moment, Ma Yunlu blinked her eyes repeatedly…
At least, she did not reject Lu Zi Yu, and even had a little admiration for him. However, she probably did not know that a kind of liking begins with admiration!
Heh…
Don't say it, although Ma Yunlu's words were astonishing, yet… every sentence of it was reasonable and well-founded.
In simple terms, Cao Cao used "Wei Wei" as bait, intending to lure Ma Teng into the capital and confine him.
But if there was the relationship between Ma Yunlu and Lu Zi Yu…
How would the Dragon Soaring Battalion view it if Cao Cao confined Ma Teng?
How would countless court officials and generals who had countless connections with Lu Zi Yu view it?
Even… how would the court view it?
This was a situation where pulling one thread would move the entire tapestry. Cao Cao would not be foolish enough to do this!
Therefore… the Wei Wei would no longer be bait, but a genuine Nine Minister… the true rise of the Ma family of Maoling, Fufeng, the true restoration of their ancestors' glory, and their best countermeasure against Cao Cao's actions!
However…
"Sister Lu? You have never met Lu Zi Yu!" Ma Chao posed a question.
"Does this White Horse Marquis, with such a great reputation, even need to be met?" Ma Yunlu smiled playfully. "It's just… I wonder if becoming the Third Madam of a Marquis's mansion will disrupt their rules in the inner regions!"
"Haha… this is not a problem!" Ma Teng immediately waved his hand.
Evidently, he was wholeheartedly in favor of this marriage.
Ma Teng stood up and walked to Ma Yunlu. "If Cao Cao can use the court as a pretext and offer 'Wei Wei' to lure me into the capital, why can't I offer my precious daughter to lure his most valued White Horse Marquis to come and marry her?"
Speaking of which…
"Hahahahaha…"
Ma Teng burst into laughter, and as he laughed, he walked out of the military tent to find a scribe… he wanted to formally reply to this imperial edict!
Indeed, Lu Zi Yu was renowned throughout the world?
But… Lu'er was the Princess of Yongliang, and behind her were one hundred thousand Xiliang Iron Cavalry!
The Third Madam of a Marquis's mansion!
Even an astute strategist like Cao Cao would surely understand this!
…
…
In Xudu City, at the medical office, elegant incense was burning indoors, but outside the window, there was a storm.
In stark contrast to the storm, a man in his thirties lay quietly on a sickbed within the yamen.
He was Guo Jia…
Now, his face was as pale as paper, and he found it difficult even to breathe.
But… inexplicably, he seemed to be waiting for something.
If he did not wait, Guo Jia would likely not be reconciled.
"Cough cough…"
Continuous coughing sounds emanated from the medical office.
At this moment, Hua Tuo and Zhang Zhongjing were also at a loss before Guo Jia…
Intestinal paralysis was an incurable disease…
Let alone the Liang, Han, Wei, and Jin dynasties, even the Tang, Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties had few who could survive such a symptom as intestinal paralysis.
"Cough cough…"
"Divine Physicians, my illness… I understand, it is likely incurable, right?"
A faint voice came from the sickbed.
Hua Tuo and Zhang Zhongjing exchanged glances… After looking at each other, Hua Tuo spoke, "I do have some methods to alleviate your pain, but this intestinal paralysis…"
"Divine Physician Hua, do not force it!" Guo Jia's voice was still weak. "In the past, Zi Yu and I made a pact. I cannot drink alcohol, cannot touch women, and cannot get angry… but… haha, if I lived by these three rules, what would be the point of life?"
"Zi Yu repeatedly advised me to exercise restraint, but I… I would like to exercise restraint, but every time I see those beautiful young women, I cannot bear to see them remain alone and lonely! Haha…"
Rarely…
Even at this stage, Guo Jia could still joke.
"Although Divine Physician Hua and I cannot cure Feng Xiao's condition, it does not mean no one can. In the past… it was the same with the syndrome of febrile diseases. If not for my senior brother Lu Zi Yu's book 'Treatise on Febrile and Miscellaneous Diseases,' how could the plague have passed?"
Zhang Zhongjing was trying to persuade Guo Jia not to give up hope… "Senior brother is known as the divine physician of this era. He will surely have a way, he will surely have one!"
"Haha…"
Facing Zhang Zhongjing's persuasion, Guo Jia only smiled faintly. "Divine Physicians, please do not comfort me. I feel my time is short. I only ask… cough cough… I only ask, cough cough…"
As if thinking of something important…
Guo Jia suddenly coughed.
"Feng Xiao, you should not speak too much. You must calm your mind!" Zhang Zhongjing was still advising.
Guo Jia, however, paid no attention. "Please trouble the two divine physicians to relay to Lu Zi Yu, tell him that he promised me to build a 'Bronze Sparrow Terrace' to gather all the beauties in the world and offer them for my picking. Cough cough… I… I know he was tricking me… but… but I still believed him wholeheartedly!"
"He… he did not disappoint me either. At least… at least when it came to brewing wine, he did not lie to me… I… I personally brewed a batch of wine for him. It is buried under the peach tree in the wine cellar. I originally… planned to drink it together when he returned, but I never expected… never… never expected…"
"Heh heh… life is impermanent, so impermanent… I should return this task of popularizing Maotai wine to him!"
Speaking of which, Guo Jia shook his head as if he had finished his last instructions, leaving only a bitter smile.
"I, Guo Jia, have never believed in fate in my life. Only today do I know that human will… human will ultimately… ultimately cannot conquer heaven."
"I only regret that I cannot drink horses by the Yellow River and sing loudly with Zi Yu, to establish the heart for heaven and earth, to establish the destiny for the common people, and to open up peace for all generations!"
Speaking of which…
Guo Jia's hand slowly fell, and he collapsed onto the pillow, a tear falling from the corner of his eye.
Zhang Zhongjing, Hua Tuo…
As well as Xun Yu, Xun You, Xi Zhicai, and Ju Shou nearby… all cried out in unison.
"—Feng Xiao! Feng Xiao!"
…
…