The candle on the desk was lit, even though Lu Yu had left long ago.
But... Cao Cao remained kneeling there.
This night, his entire being was shaken, astonished. His mind was deafeningly loud.
Many people!
Actions!
According to what Yu'er had described, the conduct of the Jingzhou nobles had completely redefined his understanding of "madness"!
Madness... it was truly too mad.
For the first time, Cao Cao felt that compared to the games played by Madam Cai, he, Cao Cao, was merely a bumpkin from the countryside, utterly weak!
With a "gulp," he instinctively swallowed.
Cao Cao's heart was still pounding.
But just a moment ago, he had still waved his hand, telling Yu'er to go ahead and do as he pleased!
And according to Yu'er's plan, to take Jingzhou, all that was needed was... to eliminate this aging Liu Biao, and to capture Madam Cai, who was still alluring yet licentious. Everything else would then be justified.
"Clack!"
Cao Cao's heart pounded again.
At this very moment.
Xu Chu entered the pavilion. "It's getting late, Prime Minister. To which lady's court will you retire tonight?"
Hiss...
Cao Cao's eyes narrowed sharply. A bold idea sparked in his mind.
"Go and summon Madam Yin, Madam Du, Madam Zou, Madam Bian, Madam Liu... tell them to come and see me!"
Ah... ah...
Cao Cao's words truly stunned Xu Chu.
Xu Chu's eyes nearly popped out of his head. He looked at Cao Cao in disbelief, even wondering in his heart, what was wrong with the Prime Minister today?
Had the Prime Minister gone mad?
As if noticing Xu Chu's astonishment.
Cao Cao stood up, smiled, and patted his shoulder.
"Zhong Kang, do not worry. I merely wish to experience the way of the Jingzhou nobles. Just do as I command!"
Erk...
Xu Chu remained looking bewildered.
"Hurry..."
Cao Cao gave Xu Chu a forceful push. Xu Chu then ordered the Imperial Guards to divide into five groups to notify the five ladies.
Even so, Xu Chu remained rooted to the spot.
Muttering to himself.
"What has happened to the Prime Minister?"
"Has the Prime Minister opened the door to a new world?"
As for Cao Cao, he continued to smile. Compared to the ultimate extravagance of these "Jingzhou nobles"...
Cao Cao was more concerned about how Yu'er would use this to take Jingzhou without shedding a drop of blood!
This was crucial for the current situation!
...
...
In Xuchang, at the Marquis of Baima's estate.
In a serene courtyard, Xiahou Juan was embroidering patterns onto a cape for her husband, Lu Yu. Her movements were light and swift, appearing full of spirit, but... due to her lack of experience, she always made mistakes. Thus, she would embroider, then unpick, then embroider again.
Outside the door...
Cai Zhaoji gracefully walked towards Xiahou Juan's courtyard.
As she walked, she asked the maid beside her.
The maid reported something.
"Young Master Lu has been back for seven days. For five of those days, he did not summon any of the ladies. On the remaining two days, Miss Da Qiao stayed at 'Yi Shui Yi Fang' for one day, and Princess Wannian stayed overnight in the young master's chambers when she brought the food box for one day!"
Upon hearing this...
"Alas..." Cai Zhaoji shook her head.
Yu-di had finally returned, yet he still left many ladies to wait alone. How could this be?
If it were anyone else, it would be fine!
But it was Xiahou Juan... she was the legal wife!
Now, Yu-di visited her court so infrequently.
Then, in the future, when that Xiliang woman, Ma Yunlu, moved in, she would be another wife. Considering Ma Yunlu's fierce Xiliang nature, what status would Juan'er, with her unassertive disposition, possibly have then?
Speaking of which...
At the Marquis of Baima's estate, whether it was wives like Liu Xue and Xiahou Juan, concubines like Da Qiao and Xiao Qiao, or even guests temporarily residing there like Diao Chan and Xiao Lingju, they all got along harmoniously with Cai Zhaoji!
Perhaps because Yu-di was always absent, there was a rare absence of scheming among the women in the Marquis of Baima's estate.
Instead, there was a camaraderie of sisters who could talk about anything!
All the women were connected through Yu-di, and by some unspoken understanding, they had developed many bonds with each other.
Take... Xiahou Juan!
Cai Zhaoji liked her the most.
Diligent and capable, even as a wife of the Marquis of Baima, she still went to pick firewood on Rang Mountain every few days. This thriftiness was ingrained in her very bones.
Truly lovable!
But... what Cai Zhaoji found frustrating was that she was too unassertive.
Yu-di had returned, and she still did her own duties, managing the Marquis of Baima's estate, but unlike Princess Liu Xue, she never brought food or soup.
Nor did she, like Da Qiao, seek her husband's attention and care by practicing medicine.
This was no longer a matter of lacking schemes; such an unassertive nature was a great disadvantage in a "grand household"!
"Alas..."
Cai Zhaoji sighed again.
With this thought, her footsteps paused, and she immediately turned around.
"Wasn't Miss Cai going to Madam Xiahou's place?" the maid quickly asked.
"What's the use of me going?" Cai Zhaoji shook her head. "Yu-di going once is equivalent to me going a hundred times. Lead the way, to Yu-di's study! I'll see if I can drag him out!"
"Yes!" The maid softly uttered, smiling slightly, and took the lead!
The night at the Marquis of Baima's estate had just begun!
...
...
In the study, Lu Yu was writing a letter to Yang Xiu.
Half an hour ago, Cai Zhaoji had arrived here.
She patiently waited for Lu Yu to finish his letter, then asked aloud, "Yu-di, I've been reading recently and came across Emperor Wu's 'Tuien Ling' (decree for extending favor). I don't quite understand it. Yu-di is quite familiar with these books, perhaps you could enlighten me, how about it?"
Heh...
Lu Yu was slightly curious.
"Even ancient texts have things that Sister Zhaoji doesn't understand? Tell me about it!"
Cai Zhaoji smiled slightly and said, "Yu-di, tell me? Why did Emperor Wu implement the Tuien Ling?"
"Well..." Lu Yu smacked his lips. "The Tuien Ling, as the name suggests, is for the feudal lords to bestow private favor, enfeoffing their sons as marquises. In this way... in name it is bestowing kindness, but in reality, it weakens the power of the feudal kings! This proposal met Emperor Wu's need to consolidate imperial power and also avoided the possibility of armed rebellion by the feudal kings!"
Having said this, Lu Yu looked up and continued, "After the implementation of the Tuien Ling, all the collateral branches of the feudal kings could be enfeoffed as marquises. Many kingdoms were subsequently divided into several marquisates. According to Han regulations, marquisates were subordinate to prefectures and were equivalent in status to counties. Therefore... the land directly controlled by the imperial court expanded! In this way, the Han Empire 'did not promote or demote, and the vassal states naturally divided themselves.' This is the brilliance of the Tuien Ling!"
Upon mentioning this...
Lu Yu looked at Cai Zhaoji with curiosity.
Logically, his sister was a renowned talented woman in the world. Lu Yu felt that she should not be unaware of the Tuien Ling!
A soft sigh escaped her.
Cai Zhaoji put on an interested expression.
She nodded slightly, "After Yu-di explained it, I understand. However... the books also mention something else when discussing the Tuien Ling. After the first generation of feudal kings died, the heir apparent inherited half of the feudal king's territory, and the remaining territory was equally inherited by the feudal king's other sons, excluding the heir apparent!"
Cai Zhaoji was correct.
The Tuien Ling was like slowly boiling a frog. The first generation's power was halved, the second generation was further weakened... the third, fourth, and fifth generations... By today, the power of the Han feudal kings had become negligible!
This was a "ploy," yet even knowing it was a ploy, it was of no avail.
Just as Lu Yu thought of this...
Unexpectedly, Cai Zhaoji immediately asked, "The ancient texts mention two specific names when discussing these matters. I've forgotten them. Yu-di likely remembers them, could you tell me?"
Hmm...
Lu Yu did not think much of it and immediately replied, "After the first generation of feudal kings died, the heir apparent inherited half of the feudal king's territory. This was known as 'Yulu' (dewdrop or favor), and the remaining territory was equally inherited by the feudal king's other sons, excluding the heir apparent. This was known as 'Jun Zhan' (equal distribution). Sister Zhaoji, when did you become so interested in the policies of Emperor Wu's reign? Is it content from recent lectures at the Imperial Academy?"
Lu Yu asked curiously.
Cai Zhaoji, however, nodded slightly and did not answer Lu Yu. Instead, she softly hummed.
"So, this is Yulu and Jun Zhan..."
Ah... ah...
Instantly, a sense of foreboding arose in Lu Yu's heart.
Cai Zhaoji's words continued. "The feudal kings are like Emperor Wu's concubines. If a certain concubine solely receives the Emperor's favor, then the entire empire will suffer. The Tuien Ling emphasizes 'Yulu Jun Zhan' (equal distribution of favor). Yu-di explains it so eloquently, but when it comes to himself, why..."
"Sister, Yu-di wouldn't misunderstand what I'm saying, would he!"
Erk...
After going around in circles, it was here all along.
"Sister..." Lu Yu looked up.
This was quite awkward. The sister he loved and cherished the most was asking him to "Yulu Jun Zhan."
... This matter was preposterous!
"Cough, cough..."
He let out a cough. Lu Yu was about to speak.
But he was interrupted by Cai Zhaoji again.
"Go to Juan'er's place tonight! It's so late, and Juan'er is still embroidering patterns on your cape. Besides, she is a noble lady of the Xiahou clan. You've been back for several days and haven't spent time with her. What will your elder brother say? What will Generals like Qiao Pei say?"
This...
Lu Yu was about to agree. After all, his sister had said it all. If he delayed further, it would seem impolite!
Just as he was about to open his mouth...
"Young Master..."
A voice came from outside the door.
Hearing that it was Dian Wei's voice, Lu Yu knew it must be something urgent, so he called out.
"Commander Dian? What is it?"
Hearing the report, Cai Zhaoji sat quietly to the side, no longer bothering Yu-di.
When it came to important matters, Cai Zhaoji knew her priorities!
Dian Wei said loudly, "The cavalry from Yamatai Kingdom has arrived in Xuchang. As soon as they settled at the guesthouse, they sent someone to request an audience with the Young Master!"
Whoa...
Hearing this news, Lu Yu was slightly surprised.
He had been contemplating when to set off for Donghai Commandery in Xuzhou again. Now that they had come to Xuchang, it saved him a lot of trouble.
"Where are they?"
"At the guesthouse, awaiting the Young Master's arrival!"
"Then..." Lu Yu glanced at the sky. It was indeed late. Logically, he should go and accompany Juan'er. However... the ships of Yamatai Kingdom were related to the future maritime navigation of Great Wei, related to naval warfare, and related to connecting the entire world as one. This was of great importance! Lu Yu dared not delay.
He looked at Cai Zhaoji.
"Sister, how about... tomorrow!"
This sentence naturally referred to going to Xiahou Juan's place tonight.
"Tomorrow will have its own ladies," Cai Zhaoji replied without hesitation. "Is it proper for important matters to be discussed late at night? Are they really discussing important matters?"
"... This... it concerns Cao Ying's navy!"
Hearing Yu-di say this, a trace of suspicion flashed in Cai Zhaoji's eyes. After a moment of contemplation, she asked, "The envoy from Yamatai Kingdom is a woman, isn't she?"
Erk...
Lu Yu froze.
From this freeze, Cai Zhaoji had already divined the answer. "Looking at Yu-di's expression, I can tell he probably won't be back tonight! I said as much, why else would Yu-di go out so late!"
"Sister Zhaoji, these are envoys from Yamatai Kingdom... proper people!" Lu Yu explained.
Cai Zhaoji waved her hand, not believing him at all.
"Aren't there enough ladies and concubines in the Marquis of Baima's estate for you to favor? You have to go and meet women from other countries late at night... Yu-di, logically speaking, you've grown up, and I shouldn't advise you on such matters, but... women you marry should ultimately be thoroughly vetted. Be extremely cautious with women of ill repute!"
My goodness...
Lu Yu immediately felt a sense of helplessness!
He wanted to explain. He, Lu Yu, was a very proper person. The education he received by Sister Zhaoji's side since childhood meant that he would not do anything that violated his principles.
But just at this moment...
An explanation would seem like an excuse.
"How about this... Sister Zhaoji, you won't believe me if I explain too much. Why don't you accompany me? There, Sister Zhaoji will know that I am truly discussing important matters late at night!"
There were such vivid examples from his past life!
A celebrity couple met late at night and stayed for several hours, claiming to be discussing scripts.
Was it possible that they were genuinely discussing scripts?
Why did public opinion always go astray?
Lu Yu wanted to prove to Sister Zhaoji!
Men and women meeting late at night can indeed discuss important matters!
As for Cai Zhaoji, her eyes darted for a moment, and then she settled her gaze. "Alright, then Sister will accompany you. Yu-di, just treat me as a maid! It won't affect you!"
Saying this, Cai Zhaoji took the cape from the maid and made as if to go with Lu Yu to meet the envoy from Yamatai Kingdom.
...
...
In Xuchang, the guesthouse on the outskirts of the city had been booked by the Yamatai Kingdom's caravan.
In the courtyard of the guesthouse, sacrifices of cattle and sheep, and jade gui of five colors were displayed.
A bonfire was lit, with thick smoke billowing. Under the direction of a ghost-faced priest from Yamatai Kingdom, some kind of ritual seemed to be underway.
One should know...
From ancient times to the present, Yamatai Kingdom had always maintained its unique "underworld" traditions!
Even their sacrifices were to cattle, horses, and snakes.
And in stark contrast to the ritual outside the guesthouse...
Inside the guesthouse, a large wooden tub was placed in the room. The four sides of the tub were draped with light gauze, like mist and smoke... The steam from the hot water filled the room, making it ethereal like a dreamscape.
The Queen of Yamatai Kingdom was bathing in this wooden tub. The gradually rising ripples painted the scene with a magnificent beauty, and on Himiko's back, a special scroll seemed to be imprinted!
Within this were the sorceries used by Yamatai Kingdom to enchant its people...
And also... the manufacturing diagrams of Yamatai Kingdom's pride, their ocean-going ships!
The moon was rising...
Lu Yu and Cai Zhaoji, led by a group of maids, entered the guesthouse and went up to the third floor. Even before entering the room, Lu Yu felt the scorching steam from within?
Considering that Yamatai Kingdom's rituals were quite eerie... Lu Yu didn't pay much attention.
Cai Zhaoji, however, blinked her eyes...
A different thought seemed to arise in her mind. Could this steam be...
Indeed...
When the maids led Lu Yu and Cai Zhaoji inside.
The first thing that met their eyes was a graceful jade body... lying there!
At this moment...
Lu Yu was stunned. His eyes widened.
Cai Zhaoji was also too shocked to speak.
It seemed... Yu-di was indeed here to discuss important matters!
"Cough, cough..."
Cai Zhaoji coughed repeatedly, covering her mouth in shock. She hurriedly turned around and sighed in a very light and faint voice, "Yu-di... is truly a simple and proper person, isn't he..."
With these words...
A hint of playful reproach appeared in her eyes. She shook her head and whispered, "Yu-di has grown up, Sister can't control him anymore!"
With that sentence uttered...
Cai Zhaoji slowly walked out of the guesthouse, not forgetting to close the door behind Lu Yu!
Hoo...
Hoo...
A gentle breeze kept blowing out. Cai Zhaoji leaned against the door, her heart filled with indescribable emotions at this moment!
...
...
In Jingzhou, Xinye City.
A song of "Feng Qiu Huang" was reaching its climax when the zither music suddenly became uncontrollable, playing faster and faster, more and more urgently.
With a "zheng" sound, a string snapped. Zhuge Liang, looking somewhat annoyed, pushed the zither off the table.
At this moment.
Tap, tap...
Footsteps were heard from outside the door.
"Kongming, why are you so sad?" Liu Bei walked in quickly and knelt down in front of Zhuge Liang.
"My Lord..."
Zhuge Liang was about to bow, but Liu Bei raised his hand slightly, indicating that he should not be constrained by such etiquette.
"Does Kongming have something on his mind?" Liu Bei asked again.
"I suppose so!" Zhuge Liang's eyes narrowed. "Zilong has returned!"
"Then... did Zilong find out about Madam Cai's actions?" Liu Bei hurriedly asked.
His expression suddenly became very tense.
The problem before him now was this:
To gain Jingzhou through righteous means, he must help Young Master Liu Qi ascend to the throne. But to help Liu Qi ascend, the Cai family's reputation must be ruined, and the breakthrough point was Madam Cai.
Therefore... upon mentioning Zilong, Liu Bei's heart became anxious.
"The news is true," Zhuge Liang said softly. "An opportunity has also appeared... however, Madam Cai is my wife's aunt. If things are done this way, what about my wife..."
Speaking of this, Zhuge Liang paused for a moment.
Liu Bei also fell silent. He knew that this mental hurdle had to be overcome by Kongming himself.
Finally, after a long silence, Zhuge Liang's expression gradually softened. He spoke, "Forget it. The matter will proceed according to the plan. If Madam Cai's reputation is not damaged, then My Lord will have no opportunity to rule Jingzhou!"
"We don't have much time left! I will order Zilong... to proceed with the next step of the plan!"
Hoo...
Hearing this, Liu Bei's eyes narrowed. He cupped his hands and bowed to Zhuge Liang.
"Thank you, Kongming!"
The real Liu Bei, his desire for Jingzhou, this resting place, had reached an almost obsessive level!
He would not, as portrayed in dramas, cede it again and again!
Beneath the facade of benevolence and righteousness...
Even if it was "a man of ambition must be ruthless," he had to possess Jingzhou!
Especially since Kongming's words were so apt.
— A man of ambition must be ruthless!
...
...