Winter plum and frozen snow, cold frost falls on the ground, all things are desolate.
Huang Yueying was led into the main hall.
She spoke without reservation, stating her desire to see all inventions similar to the "steam water lifting machine" under Great Wei's rule.
Of course, because this was in Zitong, many inventions could not be transported here.
However, Lu Yu still sent the Hu Ben Army to place several books before Huang Yueying.
Huang Yueying then began to read them carefully.
Under the watchful eyes of Liu Ye, Ma Jun, and Zhuge Jun, she read meticulously, occasionally opening her mouth.
"Water and fire are in harmony, and earth is tempered, is this the process of making ceramics?"
"Stone arch bridge? Arch bridge? Is this central arch bridge even better?"
"Tuan Gang, Guan Gang, the application of 'rouzi' in smelting, and the production of 'jintong'. No wonder the weapons of the Wei army can cut iron like mud."
Before Huang Yueying were books such as "Tiangong Kaiwu," "Mengxi Bitan," "Nongzheng Quanshu," and "Dayan Li," encompassing various fields like astronomy, geography, architecture, and technology.
According to the original trajectory of history, these books were all from later dynasties, written by great individuals.
But due to Lu Yu's existence, they appeared ahead of their time.
Even Lu Yu himself previously believed that the age of steam and technology would eventually arrive, but certainly not so soon.
However, he ultimately underestimated the wisdom of the ancients!
To some extent, lacking the distractions of the outside world, the ancients' focus far surpassed that of later generations; all they lacked were "theory" and "direction."
Lu Yu's existence precisely provided the theory and direction.
Take "Tiangong Kaiwu" for instance, with its eighteen volumes and one hundred and twenty-eight illustrations, the entire book covers agricultural and handicraft production techniques such as machinery, bricks, tiles, ceramics, sulfur, candles, paper, weaponry, gunpowder, textiles, dyeing, salt production, and coal mining.
Lu Yu could not possibly personally oversee all these details...
But since the imperial examinations, a large number of commoners had entered officialdom, and countless "craftsmanship geniuses" like Ma Jun had entered the Ministry of Works...
It could be said that in the past five years... the entire technological tree of Great Wei had developed by leaps and bounds.
Even steam had begun to be practical, and "major inventions" like the steam water lifting machine had been manufactured!
Of course, to Liu Ye, Ma Jun, and Zhuge Jun, these might not have felt particularly significant; was it rapid progress? They were already accustomed to it.
Accustomed to the invention and creation of new things.
But for Huang Yueying, she felt that her past five years had been spent in stagnation;
She felt...
All her lifelong pride in "artisanship" and "craftsmanship" had now become a joke.
From "Tiangong Kaiwu" to "Mengxi Bitan," every invention and creation recorded within stunned, shocked, and deafened Huang Yueying.
She felt like she was going insane.
This was not a fear of Cao Wei's might or a worry about Shu Han's destruction, but rather something that transcended factions and circumstances, genuinely seeking well-being for all people.
Gulp...
Huang Yueying instinctively swallowed, feeling as though she was truly going "mad," about to descend into delirium over these incredible inventions and their achievements.
"How is it?" Seeing the shock on Huang Yueying's face, Lu Yu attempted to break her train of thought.
This...
Emerging from her contemplation of one "great" invention after another, Huang Yueying bit her lip, "Although I don't want to admit it, seeing this... seeing this, I know... Shu Han... Shu Han has already lost. This realm will eventually belong to Wei!"
"I wasn't asking about that," Lu Yu slowly walked up to Huang Yueying. "I am asking, have these actions by Great Wei served the welfare of the common people, and have they opened the way for eternal peace?"
This...
Huang Yueying suddenly realized that the emperor of Great Wei before her had elevated his vision to a height that perhaps even her husband could not reach.
- Seeking the welfare of the common people and opening the way for eternal peace, was this not precisely what her husband had been striving for, wishing to achieve but being powerless to do so?
Huang Yueying pursed her lips and murmured, "How did you achieve these?"
Clearly, she was asking about these inventions, these great works.
This...
Although Lu Yu could not speak the absolute truth, in fact, many people had asked similar questions, and he answered them with practiced ease.
"In fact, to answer Madam Huang's question, this requires introducing a new question, which is the needs of the common people. When a person lives in this world, what they first need is food, water, clothing, and a place to dwell. These are the most basic needs of the populace. Further up, there is the need for stability, security, protection, and freedom from fear and anxiety!"
Lu Yu began to guide, using the theory of needs to guide Huang Yueying. "If all these are met, then further up, there are social needs. People need to establish emotional connections and relationships with others, simply put, they need friends and family. If all these are also met, then higher up is the need for respect, to make people believe in their own strength and value, and this can also make people more capable of striving and possess extraordinary creativity."
Having said this.
Lu Yu's gaze shifted to Zhuge Jun, to Liu Ye, and to Ma Jun.
Indeed, the three of them fell into deep thought.
These words... had touched them.
Just as Lu Yu had said, if the preceding levels of sustenance, safety, stability, and social connection were not met, how could they, or more precisely, how could the countless artisans in the Ministry of Works, dedicate themselves to invention and creation with peace of mind? How could they achieve anything significant?
"Respect, is this the highest level of human needs?" Huang Yueying murmured...
"No, there is still one level above," Lu Yu continued. "That is self-realization! For example, me. I have long ceased to be troubled by sustenance, security, social needs, or respect. So what do I need? It's actually very simple. I need self-realization, to achieve a unified dynasty where everyone has clothes to wear, everyone has food to eat, and everyone can live in a stable environment. I want to use the power of these inventions to combat natural disasters and human calamities, to use this creativity to encompass the four seas, to allow more people to solve their problems of sustenance, security, and social needs, and to allow more people to embark on the path of self-realization!"
This...
Huang Yueying was shocked.
If in the past, in her heart, the highest realm belonged to her husband, who served with utmost dedication until death.
But now... she felt that the man before her, his power, what he wanted to achieve had long surpassed the rivalry between Wei and Shu, had long surpassed the battlefield. His vision... was even higher than her husband's. Perhaps "serving with utmost dedication until death" would pale in comparison to "self-realization."
Hoo...
Huang Yueying let out a long sigh, pursed her lips, "So... what is Your Majesty's purpose in abducting me here?"
"Abducting?" Lu Yu repeatedly shook his head. "How can it be abduction? My command was clearly an invitation, an invitation for Madam Huang to join the Ministry of Works of Great Wei, and to join the story of seeking the welfare of the common people and opening the way for eternal peace!"
"Not only Madam Huang... I have also reserved a position for your husband in the court. I will eventually make him understand that serving with utmost dedication until death should not be for a specific person, but for the common people of this world!"
Every word!
Lu Yu's voice was not loud, but it sounded so resounding in Huang Yueying's ears!
- Was the ideal state he wanted to establish not what her husband had hoped for?
Huang Yueying pursed her lips again, she remained silent for a long time, and then murmured, "Although I know it is wrong and dangerous to think this way... but... inexplicably, upon hearing Your Majesty's words and seeing Your Majesty's works, I have... inexplicably come to anticipate the day Great Wei unifies the realm!" "Hahaha"
Huang Yueying's words undoubtedly revealed her true feelings, and Lu Yu burst into laughter. "I also anticipate that Madam Huang and Prime Minister Zhuge can share some of this not-so-light burden of opening the way for eternal peace!"
"Then...?" Huang Yueying opened her mouth, then closed it.
But she felt inexplicably more at ease within her heart.
Since Lu Yu spoke like this, his intention was likely not to destroy her husband, but to capture him.
At least, her husband would be safe, wouldn't he?
"Madam Huang, if you have anything to say, feel free to ask. It will ease your mind," Lu Yu could see Huang Yueying's concern.
Huang Yueying pondered for a moment, then finally asked, "This humble one is just wondering, how will Your Majesty defeat my husband?"
That...
Lu Yu smacked his lips. "Many things do not require force; they happen naturally!"
...
...
Outside Peishui Pass, a brand-new map was laid out in the center of the main tent.
This was provided by the Zhen family, a complete map of Peishui Pass.
Sima Yi pointed to the map and said, "Generals, please look. The position of the Shu army personnel who are to defect, as agreed with General Xiahou, is here... backed by Amber, bordering the river, easy to advance, difficult to retreat. This is the most vulnerable point in warfare. If this is a stratagem by Zhuge Liang, then General Xiahou's expedition is likely in grave danger!"
The reason for saying this...
Was because Xiahou Dun had arrived with his troops and immediately "boasted."
He claimed to have successfully bribed the defending troops of Peishui Pass and agreed with these defending troops to rendezvous at a dangerous pass, where they would lead the Wei army to launch a full-scale attack on the weak point of Peishui Pass.
Only...
Sima Yi, strictly following his master Lu Yu's orders, always prioritized defense. He proposed that even if defectors were involved, a rash surprise attack should not be undertaken...
It would be sufficient to escort the surrendering troops back to the military camp.
Who would have thought that Xiahou Dun insisted on a surprise attack?
He even proposed that such a surprise attack could capture Peishui Pass a year in advance.
Clearly...
At this moment, Xiahou Dun had lost his senses, to the point of saying.
"Commander Sima, are you trying to steal this general's merit?"
On one side was the Grand General, and on the other was the newly promoted commander...
Sima Yi, after careful consideration, was unable to stop him. However, he advised Xiahou Dun that due to the narrow terrain of the dangerous pass, it could not accommodate too many troops, and for a surprise attack, quality was more important than quantity.
Therefore, Xiahou Dun only brought over ten thousand of his own troops. He ordered Sima Yi to be ready to provide support at any time. Once the surprise attack was successful, Sima Yi was to launch a frontal assault on Peishui Pass, a two-pronged approach.
Just this morning, Xiahou Dun's troops departed in great numbers.
Sima Yi then analyzed the situation with Huang Zhong, Qu Yi, Gongsun Zan, and others.
Huang Zhong pondered for a moment, "Commander Sima's meaning is that if this is a deliberate feigned surrender arranged by Zhuge Liang, then once General Xiahou's troops enter the dangerous pass, the Shu army will surround them from both sides, and General Xiahou will have no way to retreat, so..."
"General Huang, please be careful with your words," before Huang Zhong could finish, Sima Yi raised his hand to stop him. "You all know General Xiahou's temperament. He was sworn brothers with His Majesty in the past. Even before His Majesty's identity was revealed, he still called him elder brother. Even if he has not achieved any merits in recent years, the troops of Great Wei are still his, which speaks volumes. If the General wants to do something, we cannot stop him, but at least we can minimize losses! I have already dispatched Cao Anmin with a team of Dragon Cavalry to assist in reconnaissance. Moreover, what if these Shu troops are truly surrendering? Then the General would have achieved a great feat!"
Hoo... Qu Yi sighed, "Victory is easy, but aftermath is difficult... Commander Sima's thoughts are meticulous, I am impressed!"
Sima Yi said sorrowfully, "Currently, because of the cannons, firearms, and flying balls, the three armies of Great Wei are too arrogant, and they look down on Zhuge Liang too much. They even think that unifying the realm is a trivial matter. Perhaps at this time, His Majesty also wishes for Great Wei to lose once, to invigorate the soldiers?"
Having said this, Sima Yi helplessly looked at the map. "But losing is losing... how to lose without losing too many soldiers, that is difficult!"
...
...
Inside Peishui Pass, in the central military camp, Zhuge Liang sat at the commander's seat, his generals stood at attention, ready for deployment.
Zhuge Liang looked even more weathered today than yesterday. Although his body appeared somewhat frail, his eyes were firm.
Suddenly, a scout rushed in, "Report, Xiahou Dun has fallen into the trap and is leading ten thousand troops towards the predetermined rendezvous point."
Zhuge Liang's eyes widened. He waved his feather fan, "Good. Once Xiahou Dun enters the rendezvous area, even if the Wei army is well-equipped, they will be like fish trapped in a jar..."
Speaking of this, Zhuge Liang seemed to suddenly recall something. "Wait, how many troops did you say Xiahou Dun is leading?"
"Ten thousand!"
"Why so few?" Zhuge Liang's gaze was distant. "Are there not one hundred thousand Wei troops outside Peishui Pass? Have they not moved?"
"They have not moved. It is only Xiahou Dun's own troops!"
Zhuge Liang's feather fan, which he had been waving, suddenly stopped. He pondered for a moment before continuing, "The plan will be slightly altered. The one hundred thousand Wei troops must also be lured in!"
As he said this, Zhuge Liang's eyes narrowed instantly.
A sharp glint of brilliance appeared.
It was as if he was saying, "Cao Yu, Cao Yu, Guan Yu defeated you once in Jiangling City. Can I, Zhuge Kongming, also defeat you once!"
...
...
Xiahou Dun, leading ten thousand well-equipped soldiers, was trotting through the mountains and rivers...
Xiahou Dun himself, clad in armor, was arrogant. Cao Anmin led the vanguard, his son Xiahou Mao followed closely. Xiahou En and Xiahou Xuan vigilantly guarded the rear.
Cao Anmin looked at the road ahead from a distance. Mountains and water converged here, with water on two sides and mountains on one. The terrain suddenly became narrow and steep. Cao Anmin, at the front, was startled and shouted, "Halt!"
The following troops slowly stopped...
Xiahou Dun asked the orderly, "What is it? Why have we stopped?"
Cao Anmin had already arrived. "General, this place is surrounded by a lake and bordered by water, easy to enter and difficult to retreat. This is a crucial point for military operations. If we advance further..."
The guiding Shu spy, however, said, "Great General, our general is ahead. He is waiting there to rendezvous with Great General. Today, during the noon shift change, is the best time to launch a surprise attack on Peishui Pass. If we miss it..."
At this moment, a group of horsemen came from the opposite direction. Leading them was the Shu general Deng Fang...
From afar, Deng Fang shouted, "Great General, I, Deng Fang, have come personally to welcome you!"
Xiahou Dun breathed a sigh of relief, a look of pleasant surprise on his face. "General Deng, you have suffered. Once this general captures Peishui, I will immediately request the foremost merit for General Deng from His Majesty!"