Yang Xiu arrived outside the Yanque Tower, his horse dusty from the journey.
Arranged by Lady Cai's maid, he gained entry as he had wished.
The Yanque Tower was filled with a faint, elegant incense, but Yang Xiu's mood was extremely tense. He looked around, only to find it completely different from his imagination.
"May I ask, sister, I've heard that Xiangyang's Yanque Tower is a place for scholars and poets to compose verses and offer congratulations with poetry and wine, but… within it…"
Yang Xiu didn't finish his sentence, spreading his hands… his meaning was unmistakable.
Within this Yanque Tower? Where were the scholars and poets?
… Nor were there verses being composed; all that met his eyes were handsome youths and women over thirty with their charm still intact.
They drank together, chatting intimately…
From time to time, suggestive actions would be exchanged. If a woman and a young man saw eye to eye, they would support each other and head upstairs.
Everyone knew what they were going there to do!
Scene after scene unfolded before Yang Xiu's eyes.
It was simply…
This Yanque Tower was simply… a replica of a brothel, a pleasure house.
The ones coming here for pleasure were the women, and the ones selling their smiles were the handsome men.
Yang Xiu felt his worldview shattering…
"Heh heh…"
Seeing Yang Xiu's astonishment, Lady Cai's maid chuckled, "Scholars and poets composing verses and offering congratulations with poetry and wine is just a pretense. Many young gentlemen also feel reserved when they first come here, but… you'll get used to it. Young Master Yang might as well look around and find a lady with whom fate has entwined you."
"But… apart from your lady, I don't recognize any of them…"
Yang Xiu replied.
The maid smiled sweetly. "It would be troublesome if you recognized these women. This place is meant for finding pleasure, for fleeting encounters. No one asks for names, no one asks about the past! Young Master Yang might as well think of this as a dream!"
Uh…
Now, Yang Xiu understood!
This wasn't just a replica of a brothel; it was a paradise for handsome youths and beautiful women to indulge!
"Thank you, sister…"
Yang Xiu cupped his hands, and the maid smiled and left.
Hoo…
Yang Xiu exhaled deeply, feeling a sense of wonder from the bottom of his heart.
"Zhu Long's intelligence was not wrong… Lady Cai certainly knows how to have fun!"
…
…
In Xuchang City, at the White Horse Marquis's residence.
Lu Yu was writing some new policies.
It seemed that after the pacification of the northern territories, he had some new ideas and was putting them to paper!
His elder sister, Cai Zhaoji, a rare sight, personally ground ink for him. Looking at her brother's handwriting, it was like returning to the days when she taught him the "Feibai" calligraphy style.
Incense smoke curled in the room, a scene of quiet serenity.
Suddenly, with a "bang," the brush in Lu Yu's hand snapped… this was very unusual.
Cai Zhaoji showed a hint of surprise.
Lu Yu, however, smiled faintly.
"It seems this new policy is destined not to be accomplished overnight!"
Speaking of which…
Lu Yu stretched, looking up at Cai Zhaoji. "Sister? Why do you have time to accompany me today? Is the Imperial Academy on holiday?"
"Can't I come to accompany my brother Yu for a chat even if the academy isn't on holiday?" Cai Zhaoji retorted, revealing a hint of melancholy in her words.
She looked like a wronged little wife who had been confined in the cold palace for many years.
"Sister? I didn't mean that." Lu Yu scratched his head, explaining… It seemed that in front of Cai Zhaoji, he always felt like he hadn't grown up.
Of course…
For some reason, Lu Yu would sometimes think back to that night…
It was for this reason that his heart held many unspoken feelings for his sister!
However, these feelings were repeatedly buried due to Zhaoji's deliberate avoidance.
"Alright, Sister has something serious to tell you!"
Cai Zhaoji's expression turned serious…
"Something serious?" Lu Yu looked up.
Cai Zhaoji's words tumbled out, "Sister has procured another wife for you! Approved by the Son of Heaven, three wives for a marquis's household, this is a great honor for our White Horse Marquis's residence!"
Ah…
Ah…
Cai Zhaoji's words left Lu Yu almost stunned.
"A wife? Another wife?" Lu Yu spread his hands. "How did a marquis's household suddenly end up with three wives? Whose daughter is it?"
Lu Yu was very curious…
Of course, he had seen through such matters. The Han Dynasty emphasized political marriages and matching families.
If someone broke these inter-class alliances, it would often become explosive news of the era.
For example…
Zhuo Wenjun and Sima Xiangru!
And breaking these classes often required something special from the man or woman.
Still using the example of Zhuo Wenjun and Sima Xiangru.
In their love story, a major premise was Sima Xiangru's extreme handsomeness and attractiveness, which was similar to you viewers in front of your phone screens!
"Sister, stop playing coy? Whose daughter is it?"
Lu Yu asked curiously…
"A Commandery Princess from Xiliang, a descendant of General Fubo, Ma Yuan's daughter—Ma Yunlu. She's from a military family, isn't she? It seems we don't have any descendants of military families in our White Horse Marquis's residence yet!"
Cai Zhaoji stated gracefully.
Hiss…
Lu Yu let out a breath.
—Ma Yunlu!
Speaking of which, this name was not unfamiliar. In letters sent back by Zhong Yao in the past, this female general from beyond the frontier was repeatedly mentioned. He used the description—sword-like eyebrows, cold eyes, and heroic spirit!
Subconsciously, Lu Yu would associate it with the robustness of women from Yong and Liang.
That's right, women from Xiliang, bordering the Qiang tribes, are very robust… To what extent?
When Xiliang women were farming, they would carry a long spear with them. With the sound of a gong, if the Qiang attacked, the women would grab their spears and fight the Qiang to the death!
Based on this culture, the Xiliang Commandery Princess Ma Yunlu.
Lu Yu mused, if she were to come to the White Horse Marquis's residence, wouldn't it be a scene of chaos!
But…
Lu Yu looked up. "Sister Zhaoji? This is likely your brother's idea, isn't it?"
"Does whose idea it is matter?" Cai Zhaoji blinked her eyes. "Don't act ungratefully when you've benefited. Ma Yunlu represents hundreds of thousands of Xiliang cavalry and the Guanzhong Plain. Marrying her will do you no harm."
Despite Cai Zhaoji's usual lack of involvement in political affairs, she was extremely insightful about the influence a woman behind a political marriage held!
Moreover…
Haven't past marriages already proven this point?
Yu'er married Princess Wannian, which allowed him to gain the support of the Emperor and Han officials;
Yu'er married Xiahou Yuan, which allowed him to gain the support of the warriors from Qiao and Pei;
Even she, Cai Yan, if not for the relationship between her and Yu'er, would the scholars of the north support the development of the newspaper, and would they allow Yu'er's public opinion offensive to sweep across the land?
Even Diao Chan and Ling Ju;
Even Da Qiao and Xiao Qiao… which of their behind-the-scenes forces had not helped Yu'er?
In the end, no matter how many wives a marquis's household had, it was merely a political necessity!
Cai Yan was extremely clear about this!
"Why aren't you speaking?"
"Since Sister Zhaoji has said so, what else can I say?" Lu Yu spread his hands…
"Tell me what you think?"
Cai Zhaoji's question echoed again, and Lu Yu smiled faintly. "How do I think? I stand and watch… If you really want me to say it, marrying a hundred wives is not as good as one sister!"
Hoo…
As the words left his mouth, Cai Zhaoji's face flushed slightly.
She turned away, appearing somewhat shy. "When did Brother Yu learn to be so glib…"
"Heh heh…" Lu Yu smiled faintly, not replying…
Cai Zhaoji, however, felt an inexplicable ambiguous atmosphere in the air. She moved her delicate steps and swiftly "escaped."
Lu Yu would often recall that night of passion; how could she, Cai Zhaoji, not be stirred in her heart because of that night!
…
…
In Jingzhou, Yanque Tower!
Lingering smoke, whispered murmurs, women and youths sketched an ultimate scene of 'wine pools and meat forests,' like a dream.
In this wine building, handsome young men like Yang Xiu naturally attracted the attention of countless women.
Many times, Yang Xiu would blush.
He searched everywhere for Lady Cai, but… there were too many women; where was Lady Cai? Who knew…
Just as Yang Xiu was at his wit's end,
He suddenly noticed a barely visible note in the fruit platter on the table beside him. At the end of the note, it clearly read two characters—"Chicken Rib."
Instantly…
Yang Xiu's spirit perked up.
Following the instructions on the note, he made an excuse to go to the privy…
Behind the privy in the courtyard, a large hand quickly pulled him in.
—"Zhu Long! What are you doing here?"
That's right… The person before Yang Xiu was Zhao Yun, Zhao Zilong!
Zhao Yun looked around cautiously to ensure no one was noticing them, then spoke, "Zhuge Kongming has assigned me a task: to collect evidence of Lady Cai's 'disregard for marital fidelity'…"
Ah… disregard for marital fidelity?
Yang Xiu was startled, but he quickly calmed his agitated heart. He seemed somewhat surprised, yet under these circumstances, Lady Cai's behavior seemed entirely reasonable.
"Then, have you collected any?"
Yang Xiu retorted.
Zhao Yun nodded. "She's in the fourth room on the left side of the third floor!"
"There's a ladder from the back courtyard that leads to the third floor. Go there, and you'll see for yourself!"
Uh…
Yang Xiu's heart skipped a beat.
Zhao Yun patted his shoulder lightly. "I've already obtained some proof. When I return to Xinye, I will certainly hand it over to Kongming. He intends to use this… to ruin the reputation of the Cai family and support Liu Qi as the Crown Prince of Jiangdong!"
Speaking of which…
Zhao Yun paused. "All of this, including what you are about to see, must be reported to Commander Lu immediately, so he can be prepared!"
Despite being shocked, Yang Xiu solemnly nodded.
Afterward, they separated. Yang Xiu walked out of the rockery and then headed to the ladder in the back courtyard…
This place was extremely hidden, presumably scouted and arranged by Zhao Yun in advance.
Following the ladder, Yang Xiu reached the third floor…
He poked through the window paper and was shocked to see…
"One, two, three… four… five…"
Yang Xiu's pupils widened…
At this moment, he finally understood what "elite circle is truly chaotic" meant!
His worldview was about to collapse!
…
…
Five days later, in Xuchang City, White Horse Marquis's residence.
An urgent letter was delivered to Lu Yu's desk…
As he unfolded the letter, Lu Yu felt a shiver run through his body. Was Lady Cai that "uninhibited"?
For a moment, he even thought of… a famous club in Modu before his transmigration!
Who would have thought that this wife of the Governor of Jingzhou, a woman from the prestigious Cai family!
She… she possessed such an obscene side.
Thirty like a tiger…
Thirty like a tiger!
Clearly… Liu Biao, who was over sixty, couldn't tame this tigress!
"Hoo…"
Lu Yu let out a long breath, murmuring to himself:
—"The elite circle in Jingzhou is truly chaotic!"
Speaking of which, he suddenly looked up. "School Captain! Where is the Prime Minister now?"
"In the Hegemony Mansion!"
Dian Wei replied without hesitation.
The Hegemony Mansion mentioned by Dian Wei here was an office recently established by Cao Cao, possessing immense power…
Simply put, the so-called Hegemony Mansion was an affiliated institution where Cao Cao, centered around himself, managed various military affairs in the territories under his jurisdiction, replacing the various officials of the court.
Although the "Hegemony Mansion" had not been formally established before, it had always existed within Cao Cao's camp in essence.
This was because, under normal circumstances, the positions managing military affairs in the Han court were the "Grand General" and the "Grand Commandant." The Grand General was fine; Cao Cao appointed Xiahou Dun, but the Grand Commandant… had been vacant ever since Yang Biao resigned.
Even at the farthest extreme, how could Cao Cao allow the court to dispatch his troops and truly participate in military and state affairs?
Therefore…
Cao Cao established the "Hegemony Mansion," where all military matters were decided by him in this mansion!
Hiss…
Upon hearing that Cao Cao was in the Hegemony Mansion,
Lu Yu added another question.
"Is the Prime Minister discussing important matters with the civil and military officials?"
"No, the Prime Minister is alone in the Hegemony Mansion." Dian Wei replied.
"Then, lead me there!" Lu Yu's eyes narrowed.
Having received this crucial intelligence from Jingzhou, delivered by "Chicken Rib,"
Next, the winds and clouds of Jingxiang were churning, and heading south… was certainly on the agenda!
…
…
As Lu Yu arrived before the Hegemony Mansion, he saw the guards in the corridors each holding halberds, the edges of their armor and weapons glinting coldly.
Lu Yu smiled faintly. He hadn't expected that after the School Affairs Office, Old Cao would establish another Hegemony Mansion to manage military affairs, and such a majestic corps of guards!
He was about to enter when he heard voices from within.
"Having obtained Hebei, out of thirteen provinces in the realm, the Prime Minister alone possesses eight. He should be enfeoffed as a Duke, establish his capital in Ye City, and appoint an heir early!"
This voice…
Lu Yu was familiar with it; it belonged to several important officials from Hebei.
"Please, Prime Minister, establish the state and appoint an heir soon!"
Another voice echoed…
This was the resounding agreement of other Hebei officials.
Hearing this…
Cao Cao seemed to pause, his tone carrying a hint of coldness and decisiveness. "Alright, alright, each of you is more anxious than I am. All of you may leave. This matter will be discussed again later!"
The Hebei civil and military officials retreated. Upon seeing Lu Yu, they were slightly surprised.
Xin Pi walked up to Lu Yu and first paid his respects.
"We advised the Prime Minister to advance further, but it seems he is not happy! Does White Horse Marquis know the Prime Minister's intentions?"
Lu Yu's eyes flickered…
He knew, but he didn't want to say it. "If even the united Hebei scholars cannot fathom the Prime Minister's intentions, how can I fathom them?"
"White Horse Marquis is too modest," Xin Pi added…
Just then, the Hujun guards at the entrance also noticed Lu Yu and shouted, "The Prime Minister is looking for White Horse Marquis!"
Lu Yu glanced at the assembled men and then walked into the Hegemony Mansion.
Seeing Cao Cao, he bowed.
"Lu Yu pays his respects to the Prime Minister…"
"Sit!"
Changing his previously indifferent demeanor, Cao Cao gestured for Lu Yu to sit.
They both knelt on either side of a table.
"Ziyu, you heard that just now, didn't you?"
"What the Prime Minister said, is it about becoming a Duke, or establishing the capital in Ye City?" Lu Yu retorted…
These were two entirely different concepts.
The first was becoming a Duke…
It's important to know that Dukes have their own fiefdoms, similar to vassal kings. And since Emperor Gaozu Liu Bang, a strict rule was established—anyone who claimed kingship and was not of the Liu surname would be attacked by all under heaven!
It was no exaggeration to say that if Cao Cao were to become a Duke, the authority of the Han court would plummet to rock bottom!
The Han imperial court and Han officials would become even more worthless…
And the officials under Cao Cao's dukedom would be worth a hundred times more!
Of course…
These Hebei scholars had more than just this one objective!
As everyone knows, Cao Cao's achievements today relied on "holding the Son of Heaven to command the lords," with the middle-level civil and military officials centered around the "Yingchuan scholars" and "Qiaopei warriors," and Lu Yu's meticulous strategy and mediation!
Among them, the Yingchuan gentry strongly supported Cao Cao, and there was an unwritten agreement between the two parties!
That was to choose the imperial capital to be near Yingchuan.
This best suited the interests of the Yingchuan gentry!
This was also one of the important reasons why Xuchang City became the imperial capital!
And the Hebei scholars proposing that Cao Cao be enfeoffed as Duke and establish the capital in Ye City…
This, to some extent, weakened the influence of the Yingchuan gentry and strengthened the cooperation between the Hebei clans and the Cao clan.
Their intentions were indeed meticulous…
This was also why Lu Yu did not speak directly when Xin Pi sought his counsel earlier.
"What does Ziyu think?" Cao Cao raised his eyes. "What do you think, should I be promoted to Duke, and should I establish the capital in Ye City!"
Hiss… This…
Lu Yu shook his head, neither agreeing nor disagreeing. He couldn't answer this.
This matter was too sensitive. If he said to remain in Xuchang, he would offend the Hebei scholars; if he said to establish the capital in Ye City, he would offend the Henan gentry led by the Yingchuan scholars!
Faced with a dilemma like his wife and mother falling into water simultaneously… Lu Yu directly chose to avoid it!
"Prime Minister, how can I be sure about such a matter? The implications are too great; the Prime Minister should think carefully and make his own decision!"
Speaking of which…
Lu Yu changed the subject.
"I am here today to report two matters to the Prime Minister!"
"About heading south to Jingzhou?" Cao Cao retorted…
It seemed he had anticipated that Yu'er would discuss this matter with him during this period!
"Kind of!" Lu Yu smiled faintly. "Firstly, my kinsman Lu Xun has successfully become the Grand Governor of Jiangdong, holding seventy thousand troops. This number of troops surpasses even the combined forces of Sun Jian and Sun Ce! It can be said that the situation in Jiangdong is under complete control."
"Good…" Cao Cao's spirits lifted. He unfolded the map at hand…
His finger slid from the four northern provinces to the four central provinces, then along the river, and down to Jiangdong. However, when his fingertip touched Jingzhou, his brow furrowed slightly.
"To take Jiangdong, one must first take Jingzhou! Ziyu, you must have a strategy for heading south to Jingzhou, right?"
This…
Lu Yu smiled faintly.
"I don't have a strategy…"
"But… I have an important piece of intelligence regarding the situation in Jingzhou! If the Prime Minister handles it properly, perhaps… Jingzhou can be taken without a single soldier being shed!"
Hmm…
Cao Cao's brow twitched. "I've long heard that you established the 'Intelligence Department' to collect information!"
"I didn't expect such important intelligence so soon!"
Cao Cao's eyes narrowed into slits. He leaned forward, clearly… anticipating Lu Yu's next words.
"Tell me? What is this intelligence?"
This…
Lu Yu paused for a moment, then spoke.
—"Prime Minister, do you know? What is 'multiplayer sports'?"
…
…