The night had fallen, and Cao Cao sat in his study, gazing at the descending darkness as if lost in thought.
Just then, Xu Chu entered to report.
"Prime Minister, Lu Ziyu requests an audience…"
Cao Cao suddenly felt a surge of spirit.
"Summon him!"
He strode back to his chair, his former imposing presence transforming into threads of kindness… the kindness of an old father seeing his son. Big Wind Novel
Lu Yu entered, holding a map with both hands, his steps solemn.
"Prime Minister."
"Sit down and speak!"
…
An案牍 before them, Lu Yu and Cao Cao knelt.
Compared to the formal kneeling where the buttocks rested on the ankles, the upper body was straight, and hands were placed on the knees, their current posture of sitting on the ground appeared very relaxed.
"Many things have happened recently, and I thought it was time we discussed them in detail."
Cao Cao had a premonition that Yu'er had already understood his thoughts, and his arrival tonight was precisely to help him sort out the current, not overly complicated, "chaos."
Lu Yu unfolded the map in his hands and began, "Before we get to business, your subordinate must first beg the Prime Minister's forgiveness…"
"Is it about Mu'er?" Cao Cao countered…
Lu Yu nodded.
"Haha." Cao Cao let out a hearty laugh. How could he not know Mu'er's thoughts?
The girl had always run to Cai Yan's side when she was young, and now she was engrossed in the forging workshop. Cao Cao worried about the lingering affection she might still hold for Yu'er in her heart.
Now it was good…
Zhuge Kongming, no… it should be Zhuge Jun.
Last night, Mu'er had returned after leaving, and this major matter that had been buried in Cao Cao's heart was finally settled.
As for Zhuge Liang, Zhuge Jun… it was just a name, Cao Cao felt it was not important!
What was important was that Yu'er, this disciple, was a talented individual! Mu'er marrying him was not a waste of her talents!
Cao Cao couldn't be happier!
"What forgiveness? You chose a good husband for Mu'er, and I, as her father, am overjoyed. How could I blame you!"
"However, you are Zhuge Jun's teacher, so the betrothal gifts must come from you."
This…
Lu Yu had initially expected Old Cao to be angry, but Cao Cao's attitude surprised him greatly.
"Does the Prime Minister truly not blame me?"
He asked.
"Let's talk about something else!" Cao Cao didn't want to dwell on the matter and changed the subject.
At this moment, the map on the table had been spread out.
Cao Cao extended his hand towards the Ying River.
"The Sun family from Jiangdong sent an 'elephant.' Ziyu, tell me, is this a display of power?"
"No!"
In response to Cao Cao's question, Lu Yu immediately shook his head.
Speaking of elephants, one had to mention the climate of the Han Empire and the migration of elephants.
During the reign of Emperor Wu of the Western Han, the climate was generally warm. Bamboo could be distributed to the northernmost grasslands, and lychees were widely planted in Chang'an City. Hanzhong was also inhabited by rhinoceroses and elephants… in considerable numbers.
It could be said that the Guanzhong Basin at that time was similar to Sichuan in later generations…
The Mu Us Desert of later generations was still a temperate grassland at that time.
However, with the arrival of the Little Ice Age, by the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty, the climate became increasingly cold and erratic…
This caused large areas of northern grasslands to degenerate into deserts, and the so-called elephants and rhinoceroses could only migrate long distances southward. Therefore, in the Central Plains and the northern territories, in Cao Cao's view, elephants were a "huge" rarity!
"'The intended meaning is not in the wine.' Jiangdong sending an elephant is a goodwill gesture. Since ancient times, people have been willing to collect rare birds and exotic beasts. For a dynasty, rare birds and exotic beasts are auspicious signs. Perhaps the Prime Minister can understand it as a congratulatory gift from the Sun氏 of Jiangdong to celebrate the Prime Minister's great victory at Guandu!"
Lu Yu spoke eloquently…
Cao Cao's eyes darted around. "Is it that simple?"
Cao Cao seemed incredulous…
Lu Yu smiled slightly. "Perhaps there is a deeper layer. With Sun Ce's demise, Sun Quan and Sun Yi, as successors, both wish to gain the court's support! And the court is in the hands of the Prime Minister… this is significant. Perhaps, by sending the elephant, the various clans of Jiangdong also want to test the Prime Minister's intentions."
Lu Yu's words were also speculation…
But it was highly possible.
Originally, with Sun Ce's demise, the situation in Jiangdong suddenly became much more complicated. For the four great families of Wu Commandery and the four great families of Kuaiji, it didn't matter who became the leader!
What mattered to them were their own family interests, meaning as long as they didn't antagonize Cao Cao and bring trouble upon themselves, they could support them.
Sending an elephant was merely a show…
More profoundly, the envoy sent with the elephant would surely bring the attitudes of the four great families of Wu Commandery and the four great families of Kuaiji.
And who would become the master of Jiangdong, with Zhou Yu supporting Sun Quan, and the Lu family supporting Sun Yi? The court's vote, or rather… Cao Cao's vote, was extremely precious!
"You mean, the Sun family wants the court's support?"
Cao Cao spoke again.
"Precisely," Lu Yu nodded. "Because of the 'Three Mutual Laws' and the 'Abolition of Governors and Establishment of Herdsmen,' locals cannot serve as governors in their own prefectures. Therefore, Sun family members cannot serve as governors in Jiangdong. This means their rule over Jiangdong is not legitimate, which is why Sun Ce was so insecure, leading to continuous conflicts with the powerful families of Jiangdong, and ultimately being assassinated!"
"And going forward, the Sun family still needs to resolve this so-called 'illegitimate and improper' issue. Therefore, they need the court's support. If the court does not support them, the major clans of Jiangdong will still view the Sun family as rebels, and the Sun family will not be able to stabilize their position in Jiangdong!"
*Hoo…*
Hearing this, Cao Cao narrowed his eyes.
Lu Yu's analysis was very astute, which reminded Cao Cao of Gongsun Zan.
In the past… Gongsun Zan was powerful in Youzhou, but what was the outcome? It was also because of the "Three Mutual Laws" and the "Abolition of Governors and Establishment of Herdsmen" that Gongsun Zan, from Liaoxi, could not be a hegemon of Youzhou.
He forcibly did so, violating the prevailing conventions of the world, and was resisted by the various clans of Youzhou. Liu Yu was the leader of these clans. Gongsun Zan, out of insecurity, killed Liu Yu, which led… the clans of Youzhou to defect and support Yuan Shao, helping Yuan Shao pacify the northern territories.
Many people only saw the battle of Jieqiao and the Battle of Wangjing between Gongsun Zan and Yuan Shao, but the deeper reason behind it was still the "Three Mutual Laws" and the "Abolition of Governors and Establishment of Herdsmen"!
It was the support of the aristocratic families!
Gongsun Zan was like this, and so was Sun Ce…
Unfortunately, the Sun family of Jiangdong today has seen this clearly, perhaps with the hint from Lu Yu's maternal family, the Lu family.
So…
"The court naturally supports Sun Yi. Let's grant Sun Yi the title of Governor of Yangzhou as an exception!"
Cao Cao spoke.
Love me, love my dog… Since it was the object of support from Yu'er's maternal family, Cao Cao naturally did not begrudge him rewards.
Who would have thought.
"Not good," Lu Yu shook his head directly. "If the Prime Minister does this, it would be tantamount to abolishing the 'Three Mutual Laws.' This overturns common understanding, and the court cannot set such a precedent! However…"
"However, what?"
"The Prime Minister does not need to enfe}_appoint him as governor. Instead, grant Sun Yi the title of General Who Pacifies the Barbarians, concurrently serving as the Prefect of Kuaiji. The Sun family is from Fuchun County, Wu Commandery, and serving as the Prefect of Kuaiji is not contrary to the 'Three Mutual Laws.' Also, grant Lu Xun the title of Prefect of Yuzhang Commandery, which is similar. Even… the four great families of Wu Commandery can be granted official titles, allowing them to serve as prefects of other commanderies, thereby winning over hearts. However, do not grant any titles to Zhou Yu and Sun Quan!"
Lu Yu's tone gradually became serious…
This…
Cao Cao narrowed his eyes even further. He was a smart man.
From Lu Yu's words, he immediately understood the deeper meaning.
Granting titles to Sun Yi and the four great families of Wu Commandery would lead to a deep entanglement between the Lu family-supported Sun Yi and the various families. Their opponents would be the Huaiyin generals led by Zhou Yu!
Speaking of Huaiyin generals, they were mainly composed of three parts: first, Sun Jian's old subordinates such as Cheng Pu, Han Dang, and Huang Gai; second, those who followed Sun Ce to pacify the six commanderies of Jiangdong, such as Zhou Yu and others!
Third, the advisors surrounding Sun Quan, such as Lu Su…
It should be known that in the early days of Eastern Wu, important matters were dominated by these Huaiyin factions…
But their appearance greatly threatened the interests of the original clans of Jiangdong.
It was no exaggeration to say that Sun Ce was a sacrifice!
And according to Lu Yu's statement, Sun Quan represented the Huaiyin faction, while Sun Yi represented the various clans of Jiangdong… Analyzing it this way, the court should indeed support the various families!
And this appointment, once transmitted to Jiangdong, would inevitably lead to the Huaiyin civil and military officials and local magnates becoming sworn enemies… Coupled with the Lu family stirring things up, the waters of Jiangdong would be easily muddied, which Cao Cao welcomed!
"Haha…" Thinking of this, Cao Cao burst into laughter. "Ziyu, your strategy is quite insidious!"
"I dare not!" Lu Yu waved his hand. "It is merely following the trend."
"Furthermore, Prime Minister Cao's urgent task now is the northern expedition. There can be no trouble in the south. Let Jiangdong become more chaotic. The more chaotic it is, the more we can benefit from it!"
"Haha…"
Cao Cao laughed again, his hand moving from the "elephant" on the Ying River to the northern territories, to Ye City and Nanpi City.
"Ziyu, I have read the letter you sent earlier. A 'slow' plan, is it?"
Regarding the northern expedition, Cao Cao was actually quite eager…
But he also knew that even a centipede dies hard. The Yuan clan had been deeply rooted in the northern territories for many years, and their influence was intricate. It was not as simple as just launching a northern expedition to conquer them.
But… was the strategy of digging canals and a slow plan proposed by Yu'er a bit too conservative?
One should not forget that the hearts of the people in the northern territories were unsettled, and a large number of surrendered soldiers from the Yuan army in Cao's camp were eager to fight, their morale reaching its peak.
Shouldn't they seize Ye City in one go and cut off the Yuan clan's supply lines in the north?
Of course…
Cao Cao did not voice his thoughts. He merely gazed at Lu Yu, wanting to hear his eldest son's unique perspective.
"Prime Minister, do you not remember what happened when Lu Bu and Liu Bei occupied Xuzhou?"
"You mean, one of Yuan Tan or Yuan Shang will imitate Liu Bei and defect to me?"
Cao Cao's eyes widened.
Yu'er's prediction was too bold…
One should know that he, Cao Cao, was the enemy of the Yuan family. How could any of Yuan Shao's sons defect to him, Cao Cao? This was too absurd.
It was as absurd as recognizing a sworn enemy as one's father!
Of course…
Cao Cao could not believe it, but for Lu Yu, this was a foregone conclusion.
The highest realm of internal strife was not brothers turning against each other, but after brothers turning against each other, seeking aid from an enemy… Such things, the sons of the Yuan family were truly capable of.
There are no eternal enemies, only eternal interests. And when people are in despair, what can they not do?
Just then…
*Stomp… stomp…*
Heavy footsteps echoed, and Xu Chu quickly barged into the study. "Prime Minister, Lord Xun requests an audience?"
"So late? Why is Lord Xun here?" Cao Cao asked instinctively.
Xu Chu replied truthfully, "Not only Lord Xun, but also a scholar from Yingchuan named Xin Pi…"
*Huo…*
As soon as Xin Pi's name was mentioned, Cao Cao suddenly stood up, feeling as if something had touched his heart.
Xin Pi… Cao Cao was very familiar with him, a former advisor under Yuan Shao!
He was indeed a scholar from Yingchuan, but he also had another identity: an advisor under Yuan Tan. Why did he come here?
Before he could figure out this problem, Cao Cao was suddenly astonished by another matter. He instinctively looked back at Lu Yu.
Yu'er had just said that Yuan Tan… was defecting?
This… Xin Pi, did Yu'er predict correctly?
On the other hand, Lu Yu also faced Cao Cao, merely shrugging.
There was nothing to be proud of; it was only as expected.
"Prime Minister, Xin Pi is a wise man who understands the times. Yuan Tan's 'surrender' has a bit of an ulterior motive to use the Prime Minister, but… Xin Pi's loyalty to the Prime Minister is absolutely true! The Prime Minister can confidently confide in him!"
Uh…
Cao Cao paused, still enveloped in astonishment, but… he quickly emerged from this emotion.
Because Cao Cao remembered another point.
Yu'er had mentioned before that he had people within Yuan's camp…
That's right, Guo Tu, Yuan Tan's chief strategist… He was Yu'er's "biggest spy" hidden in Yuan's camp. With him there, it was not strange that Yu'er could discern Yuan Tan's every move.
"Haha!"
Immediately, Cao Cao burst into laughter.
"Good, Ziyu, I suddenly understand why you wanted to take a 'slow' approach to Ye City. Ha, hahaha!"
For the Yuan clan, this was fratricide, internal strife…
But for Cao Cao, this was like boiling a frog in warm water!
"Have Lord Xun and Mr. Xin wait for me in the main hall!"
Cao Cao commanded and immediately rose…
Lu Yu also stood up and tidied Cao Cao's clothes. This was something done casually…
But in Cao Cao's eyes, his heart felt warm.
This was the first time his son had tidied his clothes for him, this old father. He was gratified, deeply gratified!
"Hahaha…"
Accompanied by a sigh of relief and laughter, Cao Cao walked out of the study!
Lu Yu, on the other hand, walked to the window, watching the moonlight… his gaze turned south.
At this moment, he was still thinking about his "good disciple" Zhuge Jun. He wondered if this fake Kongming could achieve the feat of three visits to the thatched cottage and invite the true Kongming!
In addition, …
Lu Yu was also concerned about the situation at Hukou Pass in Bingzhou. After Hukou Pass surrendered… Lu Bu and Yang Xiu had not sent letters back for a long time.
He wondered what they were doing!
…
…
Feilong Mountain, at the foot of the mountain, a tavern.
Because of the internal strife among the Yuan brothers and the defeat at Liyang, many cities and prefectures in Jizhou had surrendered to Cao Cao, and Changshan Commandery was one of them.
And at this moment…
Lu Bu, Gongsun Zan, Qu Yi, Zhang Yan, and Dian Wei had arrived at Feilong Mountain. The tavern at the foot of the mountain seemed to have heard some wind, and everyone had already fled without a trace.
The place was now surrounded by a group of armored soldiers.
"You… why are you bringing me here?"
Yan Liang was also brought here…
His hands were tied behind his back, and two armored soldiers escorted him into the tavern.
"General Yan's family is also a prominent clan in Jizhou!" At this time, Lu Bu and Yang Xiu were sitting in the tavern. Yang Xiu squinted and spoke first. "If not for that, my young master would not have spared your life!"
Yang Xiu was speaking the truth…
Why was Wen Chou killed so quickly?
Why was Yan Liang spared his life?
Ultimately, it was about whether you had a background.
The Yan clan was a major clan in Jizhou. Killing Yan Liang would not be conducive to Cao Cao's conquest of Jizhou…
Moreover, in the current situation, Yan Liang alone could not solve any problems.
"What exactly do you want to say?"
Yan Liang looked at Yang Xiu with a frown…
"This is Feilong Mountain. Your sister is on the mountain. Of course, your brother-in-law Tong Yuan is also on the mountain."
Yang Xiu smacked his lips. "Actually, Young Master Lu never intended to kill you. But your brother-in-law made a grave mistake to save you, killing dozens of brothers at Yanmen Pass without asking for reasons! This is a debt of blood!"
"However, every wrong has its cause, and every debt has its owner. You don't have to repay this life, General Yan! But, the grievances between us and your brother-in-law Tong Yuan must be settled!"
Having said this, Yang Xiu turned his eyes towards Lu Bu.
Lu Bu showed no signs of joy or anger, his eyes merely narrowed slightly…
Indeed, he had brought many men to surround Feilong Mountain, but he did not intend to let so many people rush forward, or to shoot Tong Yuan with countless arrows!
For the new and old grudges, he, Lu Bu, would settle them personally!
"Let him go up the mountain!"
Lu Bu's voice rang out…
Several armored soldiers untied Yan Liang's ropes.
Lu Bu's voice rang out again.
"Tell that old dog Tong Yuan that I am waiting for him here!"
"I will not, like him, involve innocent people. As long as he comes, I can at least ensure the safety of his family!"
Cold words were spoken.
And the Fangtian Huaji beside Lu Bu gleamed with a dazzling light!
Yan Liang's heart felt a chill. He couldn't help but ask one more question.
"Who are you? So I can bring your name to my brother-in-law!"
"Hmph!" Lu Bu snorted coldly. "Just say that Li Yan's disciple has come to claim his life!"
The former "Number One Halberd Under Heaven" Li Yan…
This was Lu Bu's master. Similarly, Li Yan was also Tong Yuan's senior brother. They both studied under Yu Zhenzi, with Li Yan specializing in the halberd and Tong Yuan in the spear!
Li Yan taught disciples like Lu Bu, and Tong Yuan taught disciples like Zhao Yun, Zhang Xiu, and Zhang Ren…
The martial arts of these individuals were all passed down!
Recently…
Lu Bu had specifically visited his second master's wife in Bingzhou, that is, Li Yan's wife, the second daughter of the Yan family, Yan Yu!
From her, Lu Bu learned more about the grievances between his master and Tong Yuan…
This time, he, Lu Bu, came to challenge Tong Yuan with his halberd, for both justice and personal revenge!
Thinking of this…
Lu Bu's eyes grew colder and colder. The day had finally arrived!
…
Feilong Mountain!
No wind, very quiet. The cold wind was like a knife, each blade aging people!
"They've come!"
The silver spear flashed, Tong Yuan raised his spear, his eyes narrowed, and he walked down the stone steps step by step.
The "God of Spears" and the "Number One Halberd Under Heaven" – this was a destined confrontation, an unavoidable duel!
"They've finally come!"
His lips parted slightly, Tong Yuan's expression rippled.
"I have lived in seclusion for many years. Those I wish to kill will surely die. Li Yan's disciple, my senior brother's disciple? Hmph, what can you do to me?"
Strange…
The peculiar, stubborn character inherent in reclusive individuals.
At this moment, it was fully displayed on Tong Yuan.
He had been erratic his entire life, never restrained by worldly laws. Except for his senior brother Li Yan, no one had ever stopped him.
Good!
So be it, let the battle reach its climax!
…
…