By the banks of the Ying River, Xu Shu rode at full gallop, hundreds of hooves thundering behind him.
As he gradually felt the approaching hoofbeats, Xu Shu increased the pace of his whip, then steadied his hand on the bundle in front of him, before slowly moving it to the sword at his waist. His heart was pounding in his throat.
The pursuers were all fierce warriors under Cao Zhang…
As they drew nearer, they drew their bows and shot. Xu Shu heard the whistling sound of arrows and flung himself off his horse, rolling on the ground to avoid the feathered shafts. But his horse was hit by several arrows and collapsed with a mournful cry.
As Xu Shu landed, his hair crown fell off, his hair scattering, leaving him looking somewhat disheveled.
The pursuers closed in. In despair, Xu Shu ran towards the Ying River…
The pursuers reached the riverbank. Xu Shu’s legs were already half submerged in the water. The pursuers drew their bows and aimed at Xu Shu, the sound of them being drawn filling the air. Xu Shu could only retreat step by step.
The leader of the pursuers shouted, "Hand over the seal, and we shall spare your life!"
In his desperate situation, Xu Shu panted slightly. He let out a soft breath and shouted, "Is this all you can do?"
Heh…
The leader of the pursuers sneered, "Mr. Xu, the era of your Long Xiao Battalion is over. I respect you as a man and advise you to see sense. If you continue to resist, we will release the arrows."
"Is that all?" Xu Shu took out a sandalwood box from his bundle. "Here, take it!"
Immediately, he held the sandalwood box in his palm and walked towards the knights, step by step. "However, I want to hand it over to General Ziwen personally. You cannot monopolize this credit."
"Haha, good!" The leader of the pursuers laughed.
He didn't mind sharing some credit with Xu Shu… "Now, at a time when talent is needed, General Ziwen’s command lacks founding merits like Mr. Xu, who is skilled in strategy!"
The leader thought Xu Shu had surrendered… His eyes gleamed.
Xu Shu also walked up to him, step by step. Under the guard of a few knights, he remounted his horse. However… his gaze was fixed on the west side of the official road.
Alas…
He sighed, his gaze shifting. It seemed… Xu Shu’s eyes held a different kind of depth.
…
…
The sandalwood box was opened, and it was empty!
Cao Zhang was furious… With a slap, he sent the leader of the pursuers to the ground. The leader quickly got up on his knees.
Cao Zhang, still enraged, drew his sword and was about to stab Xu Shu.
Xu Shu stood defiantly, fearless. "The imperial seal is now in the hands of the Long Xiao Battalion. If you kill me, you will be committing treason? Do you really want to think about this, young master Ziwen!"
Cao Zhang abruptly sheathed his sword. He pondered for a moment and then asked angrily, "Who? Who is your accomplice? Who sent out the imperial seal!"
Xu Shu remained silent.
Cao Zhang grabbed him by the collar. "If you don't speak, I'll kill you!"
"General Ziwen…" Ding Yi, standing beside him, his eyes darting, suddenly realized something and quickly said, "General, it's… young master Ziyou. Ever since the King of Wei died, young master Ziyou has been nowhere to be found. He is a student of the Imperial Academy and a member of the Long Xiao Battalion. It must be him… it must be him…"
Hmm…
Hearing the name "Ziyou."
It was obvious that Cao Zhang paused… He hadn’t expected there to be another Cao Ang!
Cao Ang, Cao Chong…
With a bang, Cao Zhang slammed his fist heavily on the table. The muscles in his cheeks twitched. He was like an enraged lion!
"It enrages me, it truly enrages me!"
…
…
In the dark dungeon, Cheng Yu and Xu Shu were both bound to separate torture racks. Cheng Yu’s shoulder wound was already a bloody mess. Two executioners, holding whips, lashed at Cheng Yu and Xu Shu respectively. Although both tried their best to endure the pain, they couldn't help but let out low groans.
Cao Zhang paced down…
After watching for a while, he raised his hand to stop them.
"I will ask you one last time, where is Ziyou? Where is the imperial seal?"
Cheng Yu weakly replied, "Your Lord is not the crown prince, and you should not inquire about the imperial seal… My Lord, do not sink deeper into the mire of treason."
Cao Zhang sneered, "Xu Yuanzhi, your parents and children are still in Yingchuan near Xudu, aren't they? Must you force me to act against them?"
Xu Shu instinctively struggled in pain…
At this moment, Cao Zhi and Cao Pi appeared at the prison gate. They had been invited by Cao Zhang, a move intended to intimidate.
"How is it? Tell me… where is Ziyou? Where is the imperial seal? Otherwise… your old mother!"
Xu Shu immediately realized that his mother had received great kindness from Ziyu and was so resolute. If she knew… that Xu Shu had betrayed Lu Yu, betrayed the Long Xiao Battalion… then… his mother would never live!
He silently closed his eyes and murmured, "Mother never allowed me to eat 'perch,' because 'perch' sounds like 'Ziyu's' name!"
Cao Zhang roughly lifted Xu Shu's face and demanded, "What do you mean!"
Xu Shu weakly said, "The founding of Great Wei was not easy. It involved the King of Wei, the Marquis of Southern Hunting… so much merit, so much effort, and such a foundation. General Ziwen, do you truly want to destroy Great Wei?"
Cao Zhang was enraged… He gave another order.
"Hit… hit them hard!"
The whip was raised, and blood splattered…
On the other hand, Cao Pi, outwardly appearing shocked, was inwardly as steady as could be.
The more arrogant Cao Zhang was now, the greater the backlash he would face in the future.
This younger brother was, after all, strong in limbs but simple in mind!
Cao Pi was waiting, waiting for an opportunity, or rather, for an opportunity for the Long Xiao Battalion and Cao Zhang to suffer mutual losses. At that time, the merit of eliminating rebels would be his, Cao Pi's. The situation in Xudu city was constantly changing…
There were not only Cao Zhang's soldiers but also his own hidden guards. He still had to endure for some more time.
As for Cao Zhi, he had been observing at the door for a while. Unable to bear it any longer, he stepped forward to intervene.
The executioners dared not disobey and stopped whipping.
Cao Zhi roared at Cao Zhang, "Mr. Xu is right, Third Brother… Do you really want to let Father King and countless uncles' efforts go to waste?"
Cao Zhang glared, "I am doing this for you!"
Cao Zhi shook his head with tears, "Internal strife among brothers will only divide Great Wei. This makes loved ones grieve and enemies rejoice! How did Yuan Shao's vast enterprise perish? How did Liu Biao's enterprise fall? Third Brother, we cannot follow their path! Third Brother, give it up… I would rather die than be the Lord of Great Wei, and you… you should stop as well!"
Cao Zhang was furious, "If you weren't so incompetent, wouldn't the position of Crown Prince be undecided? You are unworthy of being Father King's son. Now that I have soldiers and power, and occupy advantageous terrain, why shouldn't I contend!"
Cao Zhi shed tears… "If Third Brother truly kills Commander Cheng and Mr. Xu… then… there will be no turning back!"
Cao Zhang sneered, "Do you think I have any way back now? Jian, I'm telling you, you will be the King of Great Wei, whether you want to or not! There's no room for negotiation!"
He waved his hand…
Two personal guards then escorted Cao Zhi away.
Cao Pi also took a final look around the place, his mind already calculating.
"He only knows how to be reckless and not adapt. What method should I use to deal with my third brother? As long as he dies a violent death, his troops… can then be smoothly taken over!"
With this thought…
Cao Pi thought of something…
Ziwen is fond of martial arts, but he also enjoys playing chess. If he doesn't play for a day, he feels restless. Catering to his preference, a poisoned date would be enough to end his life!
…
…
On the official road from Xudu City to Henei Commandery.
At the exit of an endless forest, there was a faint rustling sound from the dense thicket.
A weary Cao Ang emerged from the woods, dragging his heavy legs. He glanced back. To avoid the pursuers… he had abandoned his horse and chosen to enter this dense forest.
There were wild beasts everywhere… Many paths required climbing. Who knew if he could get out.
But…
This was the only chance to safely deliver the imperial seal.
"Mr. Xu…"
The filial Cao Ang was still worried about Xu Shu, who was acting as bait… his safety.
But in an instant, his eyes moved forward. When he parted ways with Mr. Xu, Mr. Xu had solemnly entrusted him… his safety was not important, but the imperial seal was heavier than Mount Tai.
In the current chaotic situation, with the position of Crown Prince undecided, whoever held the imperial seal… held the power to decide the heir!
Xu Shu seemed to have more to say, but due to the time constraint, he only patted Cao Ang's shoulder, urging him to hurry!
Whoosh…
Thinking of this, Cao Ang felt the heavy responsibility!
He carried the entire Great Wei on his shoulders!
His gaze looked forward… Henei Commandery was still more than ten li away…
Mr. Xu had said that the Long Xiao Battalion had secretly arrived here.
With this in mind, Cao Ang gritted his teeth, enduring his fatigue, and forced himself to stumble forward. For a person's legs, ten li was not a short distance, let alone for… the present Cao Ang, who was at the end of his rope!
Upon reaching Henei Commandery, countless Long Xiao Battalion soldiers stood guard around the perimeter, their presence imposing.
After a long journey, Cao Ang's hair was disheveled, his clothes tattered, and an immense weariness washed over him, causing him to sway precariously…
The Long Xiao Battalion soldiers saw the disheveled man approaching and stepped forward. "Henei Commandery is sealed. Who are you, daring to trespass here?"
Cao Ang said weakly.
"I… I am Cao Ziyou. I want to see Master Lu. Quickly… quickly report… quickly…"
As soon as he finished speaking, his legs gave way, and he collapsed to the ground.
The Long Xiao Battalion soldiers quickly helped him up and parted his scattered hair.
"It's young master Ziyou! Quickly… quickly report!"
…
…
The Long Xiao Battalion had arrived at Henei Commandery half a day ago.
While much had happened in Xudu City during this half-day, Henei Commandery remained calm.
Apart from the increasing number of troops secretly arriving, which led to the continuous expansion of the military camp, this commandery bordering the Three Commandery region had not reported any disturbances.
Lu Yu was also here. He, along with Yang Xiu, Sima Yi, Ju Shu, and Guo Jia, arrived at a section of the military camp. The great changes in Great Wei had made him appear much more weathered.
The Long Xiao soldiers outside the tent bowed in unison as they saw Lu Yu. Cao Ang inside the tent seemed to sense something and, with the support of soldiers, weakly staggered up from his bed.
The moment Lu Yu saw Cao Ang, his extremely fatigued face and the dust all over him pained Lu Yu greatly.
"Ziyou… where are Commander Cheng and Yuanzhi?"
Cao Ang quickly said, "It… it was they who told me to leave the city. Commander Cheng said that the most urgent thing was to get the King of Wei's funeral carriage and the imperial seal out of Xudu City. Then Great Wei would not collapse. But… but…"
As he reached the end, Cao Ang choked up slightly…
Lu Yu quickly asked, "But what?"
"I fear that Mr. Xu and Commander Cheng have fallen into the hands of Third Brother… their situation is extremely dangerous!"
Cao Ang gritted his teeth.
He reached into his embrace and took out the imperial seal, which he had held tightly even in his unconscious state…
Lu Yu took the imperial seal with trembling hands, his eyes filled with tears.
He could feel it.
For this, how many people had paid how much hardship!
"Rest well, I will handle the rest, Master." Lu Yu patted Cao Ang's shoulder and turned around… With the imperial seal in hand, he had more things to do.
"Master Lu…"
At this moment, Cao Ang called out…
Hmm…
Lu Yu paused.
Cao Ang's voice followed immediately. "Master Lu, can you promise me, no matter… no matter what, spare… spare Second Brother and Third Brother… at least, let… let them live."
When he said the last seven words, "at least… let them live," Cao Ang's tone was full of pleading.
Lu Yu turned back, looking again at this filial and kind young master, his heart filled with mixed emotions.
How he wished he could tell the truth…
"Actually, I made a bet with the King of Wei!"
"And my wager was you!"
"From the very beginning, I wanted to choose you, Cao Ang, as the heir!"
With this thought…
Lu Yu recalled the night before his western campaign.
In the King of Wei’s palace in Xudu City, Xu Chu quietly led Lu Yu into a hidden room… The room was dilapidated, but inside, Cao Cao was kneeling, as if he had been waiting for Lu Yu for a long time.
It was known that during the day… Cao Cao had been suffering from a "head wind" so severe that he was in agony.
Almost everyone in the King of Wei’s palace knew that the King of Wei’s head wind had flared up more intensely than before.
"The King of Wei's head wind?"
"Although I did some acting during the day, this time the head wind attacked me more severely than ever before, I know it in my heart."
Cao Cao's voice was extremely weak: "Ziyu, in my current condition, it is time for me to consider the future of Great Wei."
"What does the King of Wei mean?"
"Among my many sons, in your opinion, Ziyu, who is most suitable to be the future Lord of Great Wei?"
Hearing such a question suddenly.
Lu Yu pondered for a moment before speaking, and the name he uttered greatly surprised Cao Cao.
"The eldest son, Cao Ang, Cao Ziyou!"
"Although Ziyou is not the legitimate son, he is the eldest. If there is a legitimate heir, he inherits; if not, the eldest inherits. This has been the case since ancient times… Yuan Shao’s vast northern territory collapsed within a few years, and so did the struggle between Liu Biao's two sons… these are close at hand! Looking further back… when Qin Shi Huang died, the world fell into chaos because the second son succeeded him!"
Lu Yu's words were reasoned and well-founded.
"Then why did you choose Cao Chong to accompany you on the western campaign?"
"Your Majesty, the King of Wei knows that there are people in the court of Great Wei who are secretly colluding with Xiliang and wish to usurp the throne of Great Wei. I took young master Cao Chong to attract all the attention, to root out these hidden dangers within Great Wei. This mission was perilous… how could I dare to bring the true 'heir'!"
"For this reason, I had to resort to this strategy, in order to protect the eldest son, Cao Ang, and allow him to smoothly become the heir, giving him the most favorable succession. This is good for Great Wei, good for the King of Wei, and the best outcome for me… and for the Long Xiao Battalion. Although young master Cao Chong is filial and kind… in terms of filial piety and kindness, young master Ziyou is no less! If there is no legitimate heir, the eldest inherits, and he rightfully should be the Crown Prince!"
Lu Yu's words were reasoned and well-founded.
He continued, "This expedition to Xiliang, while ostensibly to punish Han Sui and Ma Chao, is in reality… to expose all the hidden dangers within the court of Great Wei. I humbly request Your Majesty, the King of Wei, to assist me in putting on a play, so that all the crises of Great Wei are brought to light! When the crises of Great Wei are resolved, I will also hand over the Long Xiao Battalion and the School of Investigation, returning power to the heir… I will then take Sister Zhao Ji and a host of beautiful wives and concubines to live in seclusion in the mountains, far from worldly disputes!"
As he said these words, Lu Yu realized…
He… the Marquis of Southern Hunting, the Commander of the Long Xiao Battalion, the Grand Censor, the head of the School of Investigation, the leader of the apricot grove, the leader of the literati… the behind-the-scenes mastermind of the Lu family in Jiangdong, the son-in-law of the Xiahou clan!
And in the future… son-in-law of Ma Teng of Xiliang, son-in-law of Sun of Jiangdong… it was not certain if he would be Lu Bu’s son-in-law, but he was the 'close' elder brother of Lu Bu’s daughter Lingju!
These titles, the power they generated, were too great…
This was not just political power, but immense military power…
These… when Cao Cao was in power, when Cao Cao was safe, they would be submerged… but if Cao Cao met with an accident, if the heir of Great Wei succeeded, he, Lu Yu, would be the greatest hidden danger to Great Wei!
For the sake of Great Wei…
And for his own sake.
Lu Yu chose Cao Ang as his successor. This would ensure the continuation of Great Wei, and also ensure… that Lu Yu would have a good end…
Although he did not want to admit it…
But… the time had come… to prepare for a fallback.
Having lived two lives, history was full of ministers whose achievements surpassed their lords. Lu Yu did not want to, and could not, be such a person!
Precisely…
The one who most wished to avoid instability in Great Wei was him…
It was him, the one who had personally supported and established Great Wei!
However…
Cao Cao was silent at Lu Yu’s suggestion.
He remained silent for a long time, as if he had made some kind of decision.
"I also have the idea of eliminating the hidden dangers of Great Wei, but if I put on this act, can the situation in Great Wei be stabilized? Can your Long Xiao soldiers in Xudu City, these School of Investigation officials, these students of the Imperial Academy… can they turn the tide and control the situation?"
"I believe in the Long Xiao Battalion, I believe in the School of Investigation, and I also believe in every student of the Imperial Academy. They are never fighting alone; each of them is full of resilience!"
"I am willing to bet with Your Majesty, the King of Wei. If I win, please Your Majesty establish the eldest son, Cao Ang, as the Crown Prince! Please Your Majesty allow me to hand over the Long Xiao Battalion and the School of Investigation, and live in seclusion, far from worldly disputes from now on! Please Your Majesty grant this!"
"This…"
Cao Cao clearly hesitated, but after a long time, he finally said, "I… I will gamble with you, but I also want you to promise me one thing!"
"May I ask what Your Majesty, the King of Wei, wants?"
"When the hidden dangers of Great Wei are eliminated, and before Cao Ang is established as the heir, and before you resign and go into seclusion, I want to tell a story before all the officials and in front of you. You must listen to this story to the end!"
"If, after listening, you still insist on establishing Ziyou as Crown Prince, and insist on resigning and going into seclusion, then I will abide by your wishes and will not obstruct you!"
"I believe Your Majesty, the King of Wei!"
"Since Ziyu says so, it means you agree!"
Lu Yu did not reply, only nodded heavily…
In his opinion…
Although the world was not yet unified, his mission had been accomplished. Nothing could hold him back anymore!
"When the birds are gone, the good bow is stored; when the cunning rabbit is dead, the hunting dog is cooked…"
These stories must not happen to himself!
…
…
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Chapter 675 My Wager Is You!