Inside Yangping Pass, within a hidden underground altar, torches burned brightly, making it seem like daytime.
Countless ghost soldiers stood guard around the perimeter.
Within, Zhang Lu, the leader of the Five Pecks of Rice sect, was discussing important matters with the sect's Jìjiǔ (祭酒).
"Does the Saintess mean to persuade Celestial Master Zhang to surrender himself and the Five Pecks of Rice sect to Great Wei?" asked Yang Bai, the Jìjiǔ.
Yang Bai was the younger brother of Yang Song, one of Zhang Lu's strategists. He possessed some martial skill, and historical records mention him holding his own against Wei Yan for ten rounds before retreating unharmed.
"Wei's Crown Prince Cao Yu is young and handsome, and skilled in psychological warfare. My daughter went to Tan Jiangdong, and now she's a bit like 'a grown girl who won't stay home.' I've gathered you all here today to ask for your opinions on this matter... what do you think?" Zhang Lu said loudly.
This…
Yang Bai was a warrior and didn't understand these matters. He scratched his head, "If we surrender without a fight, will Great Wei look down on us?"
His brother, Yang Song, waved his hand, "Not at all, not at all. Surrendering without a fight will preserve Hanzhong and the Five Pecks of Rice sect to the greatest extent. If we truly fight to the bitter end, the animosity between both sides will escalate... which is not ideal!"
Zhang Lu listened silently to their conversation, his gaze shifting to another person…
—Yan Pu!
Historically, Yan Pu was the most comfortably living strategist in the entire Three Kingdoms story, even marrying Ma Chao's wife…
Truly a Cao thief on a smaller scale!
Compared to the few plot points related to him in "Yǎnyì" (演绎), historical Yan Pu… it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that he, single-handedly, extended the existence of Zhang Lu's faction.
Once, after Zhang Lu dug up a jade seal and planned to proclaim himself king, Yan Pu believed that the timing was not ideal for such a declaration.
Additionally, he proposed that although Hanzhong had steep terrain, proclaiming kingship at that moment would inevitably arouse jealousy and invite disaster. He also put forward a strategic proposition similar to "build high walls, store abundant grain, and delay claiming kingship."
Zhang Lu heeded his advice and did not proclaim himself king, thus allowing him to comfortably stay in his territory, away from war, and live peacefully for several decades.
This also led to the increasing prosperity of the Five Pecks of Rice sect…
Zhang Lu's subordinates were already lacking in strategists, so he naturally listened to Yan Pu and trusted him implicitly.
As Zhang Lu's gaze fell upon him, Yan Pu hesitated for a moment, then slowly uttered a sentence: "Better to be a dog at the feet of the King of Wei than a marquis with ten thousand households under the 'Great Ear'!"
Upon hearing this…
The entire hall erupted in commotion.
Yan Pu slowly paced, unhurriedly beginning to elaborate on his reasons.
…
…
At the foot of what would later be named "Zilong Mountain."
The cavalry was encamped here. In a large tent, Lu Yu sat alone, while Bu Lianshi stood up, her face full of doubt.
Due to the long journey, Lu Yu had not brought any female companions, so the task of taking care of his daily life naturally fell to Bu Lianshi…
However, the closer they got to Hanzhong, the more heavy Bu Lianshi's heart became.
She could no longer suppress her curiosity and asked, "Is His Highness the Crown Prince so certain that Celestial Master Zhang will meet you? And that he will surrender himself, the Five Pecks of Rice sect, and Hanzhong city to Great Wei?"
Indeed…
Despite Lu Yu mentioning it numerous times, Bu Lianshi still couldn't believe it.
"Heh…" Lu Yu smiled faintly. He took a sip of tea and explained with a smile, "This is actually very simple. Hanzhong city is currently bordered by Great Wei to the north and Bashu to the east. On one side is the deterrence of the King of Wei, and on the other is the threat of Liu Bei. Zhang Lu himself defected from Liu Yan of Yizhou, and his mother and brother were tragically killed by Liu Yan's son, Liu Zhang. Bashu is a place of sorrow for him, and he is at odds with the officials in Yizhou. If he wants to surrender, Great Wei is the only option."
This…
Bu Lianshi bit her teeth slightly. Although Lu Yu's reasoning was sound, she still felt… the reasons weren't sufficient?
Would Celestial Master Zhang surrender just based on this?
As if sensing Bu Lianshi's doubt, Lu Yu continued, "Of course, these are not the only reasons… For something like this, Zhang Lu will definitely ask for the opinions of his subordinates. And he has only two strategists: one is Yang Song, and the other is Yan Pu. Yang Song is greedy for money; I've already sent people to secretly contact him and offer him vast amounts of gold and silver. As for… Yan Pu, he is a smart man. He knows better than I do what kind of development and resources surrendering to Great Wei can bring to the Five Pecks of Rice sect. He… and his lord, can leap over the dragon gate with this, no longer being frogs in a well in the corner of Shu!"
After saying all this, Lu Yu was actually thinking about the so-called "company mergers" in later generations. Zhang Lu's company was on the verge of bankruptcy. Now, a leading enterprise and a developing, relatively smaller company came to acquire it. Whom would a normal person choose?
Could a small company offer the same terms as a large company?
Seek advantage and avoid harm, choose the greater of two benefits!
Lu Yu was clear about this, and the strategists under Zhang Lu were also clear-headed!
Just as they were discussing this…
"Report…" Dian Wei entered the tent and reported, "Within Yangping Pass, a cavalry unit has arrived here, stating they have something to report to His Highness the Crown Prince on the orders of Celestial Master Zhang."
"Bring them in!" Lu Yu immediately ordered… everything was as expected.
Not long after…
More than a dozen women entered the large tent, accompanied by a group of ghost soldiers of varying sizes carrying several large chests. The woman in the lead gave a signal, and these large chests were all opened.
And as soon as they were opened, a strong light burst out, blinding Lu Yu…
What is this?
Gradually adapting to the light, Lu Yu's eyes saw the chests filled with… gold, agate, coral, luminous pearls… and even many treasures and jade!
It's worth noting that Lu Yu, as the Crown Prince of Great Wei, never lacked money…
However, many of the novel items within these chests were introduced from the Western Regions, brought into the Han Dynasty along the Silk Road.
And the quantity…
What a grand gesture!
Lu Yu remained silent, his eyes narrowed… The woman in the lead then said softly, "His Highness the Crown Prince is a guest from afar. These are considered a meeting gift from Celestial Master Zhang. Also… these more than ten women have been trained and will surely relieve Your Highness the Crown Prince of the fatigue and dust of the journey."
Hoo…
This…
Lu Yu subconsciously focused his attention on the words "trained." What did "trained" mean? He wondered if he was thinking too much.
Of course… Lu Yu knew a lot about the Five Pecks of Rice sect.
Cao Zhi's "Biàn Dào Lùn" (辩道论) mentioned— "There are alchemists in the world, and our king has summoned them all."
This indicates that Cao Cao particularly favored Daoist priests, both by adopting their alchemical arts for longevity and by standardizing and guiding them to promote the destiny of the Cao clan.
"Bówù Zhì" (博物志) mentioned even more exaggeratedly.
—(Cao Cao) was fond of longevity methods, understood medicinal formulas, and summoned alchemists; Lujiang's Zuo Ci, Qiaojun's Hua Tuo, Ganling's Gan Shi, Yangcheng's Xi Jian, all came without exception.
This was equivalent to Cao Cao establishing Daoist schools in Great Wei based on these Daoist arts and alchemists. This was a groundbreaking event, no less than building a "Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry" in a "Muggle" world!
And among the Daoist arts… the one most popular among the masses was not its medical arts or Yin-Yang techniques… but "Fang Zhong Shu" (房丶中丶术)!
Even… in Great Wei, eunuchs would learn it… they played very "wildly"!
Of course, Lu Yu's understanding of the "Fang Zhong Shu" in Daoism was only at the level of ancient books and literature… but from the words "trained" spoken by the female Daoist disciple earlier, one could discern some clues!
It's the Daoists who play the "wild" games!
However… Lu Yu was not interested in the "trained" ones. From his preference for "pure desire" versus "lustful indulgence" with Old Cao, one could glimpse some hints.
"Bang…"
With a "bang," Lu Yu slammed his fist on the desk, his face showing some anger.
"I, the Crown Prince, have traveled thousands of miles from Jiangdong not for women. Do the Five Pecks of Rice sect and the Way of the Celestial Master take me for someone who lusts after beauty?"
Speaking of which, Lu Yu's gaze turned colder.
"Your Celestial Master Zhang has quite some nerve! Knowing I, the Crown Prince, am here, why hasn't he come to meet me quickly? What… do you think I can't take Yangping Pass by force?"
As he spoke, with another "bang," Lu Yu slammed a ceremonial sword onto the desk. With the violent sound, the entire desk trembled.
This sudden turn of events… startled all the women of the Five Pecks of Rice sect, and even Bu Lianshi turned pale with fright.
But… precisely because Lu Yu refused them, he looked so handsome and charming!
"Hahaha…"
Just then…
A laugh suddenly came from behind these women… Immediately following, these female Daoist disciples parted to both sides, clearing a path, clasping their hands together… facing the center.
And from the group of ghost soldiers who had been carrying the chests, a slightly overweight man emerged with a smiling face.
"Hahaha…"
"What did I, this Celestial Master, say earlier?"
"The Crown Prince has five consorts at home, each as beautiful as a celestial being and capable of toppling cities. If he were to fancy these ordinary women you've arranged!"
This man who called himself "this Celestial Master," who else could it be but the leader of the Five Pecks of Rice sect, Zhang Lu?
"Haha, you are too naive," Zhang Lu said with a perpetual smile. "Why aren't you quickly apologizing to His Highness the Crown Prince!"
Upon these words…
The female Daoist disciples did not speak. Instead, by Zhang Lu's side, those Daoist followers who had carried the chests with him removed their masks.
—"Yang Pu, strategist of Hanzhong and elder of the Five Pecks of Rice sect, pays respects to His Highness the Crown Prince."
—"Yang Ren, general of Hanzhong and left protector of the Five Pecks of Rice sect, pays respects to His Highness the Crown Prince."
—"Yang Song, strategist of Hanzhong and Jìjiǔ of the Five Pecks of Rice sect, pays respects to His Highness the Crown Prince."
—"Yang Bai, Grand Jìjiǔ of the Five Pecks of Rice sect, pays respects to His Highness the Crown Prince!"
In succession, seven or eight people bowed to Lu Yu, announcing their names…
Only then did Lu Yu realize that these Five Pecks of Rice sect followers who transported the chests were all high-ranking figures of the Celestial Master sect.
And this time… while it seemed like an offering of gold, silver, and beautiful women… it actually held a degree of examination for Lu Yu.
"Please, everyone, rise…" Lu Yu greeted them… "In terms of age, you are all contemporaries of my royal father. It is too much for so many elders to bow to me. You flatter me."
"Hahaha…" Zhang Lu smiled at everyone, and only then did they all rise.
Zhang Lu waved his hand again, and the female disciples of the Five Pecks of Rice sect and the group of high-ranking officials withdrew.
In this large tent, only Zhang Lu remained from the Five Pecks of Rice sect.
Zhang Lu continued, "Earlier, my unworthy subordinates acted presumptuously and arranged so many ordinary women. Little do they know, His Highness the Crown Prince has profound vision. Can these ordinary women be compared to the beauties who can stand by the side of His Highness the Crown Prince?"
Speaking of which…
Zhang Lu noticed Bu Lianshi behind Lu Yu and his eyes paused involuntarily.
Bu Lianshi quickly bowed, "This disciple pays respects to Celestial Master Zhang. This disciple… this disciple… apologizes to Celestial Master Zhang, apologizes to the Five Pecks of Rice sect for their cultivation… but… this disciple…"
Bu Lianshi wanted to confess her guilt and explain her unavoidable hardships.
Unexpectedly, Zhang Lu waved his hand, "You have made great contributions today by meeting His Highness the Crown Prince of Great Wei. What crime is there? The Saintess was right; my vision was too narrow. Jiangdong is pacified, Xiliang is quelled, Great Wei prospers… My humble Rice Alliance dared to try to stop it, only to find… it was ultimately like a moth flying into a flame…"
Speaking of this, Zhang Lu's expression became solemn and serious, "Haha, I won't fight anymore, I won't fight anymore… I, Zhang Lu, cannot compare to the Crown Prince of Wei, nor can I compare to the King of Wei. Hanzhong, compared to Great Wei, is like a candle flame next to the vast sun. However, as a Celestial Master, I have hundreds of thousands of followers behind me. How does Your Highness the Crown Prince plan to settle my disciples, how to settle the Five Pecks of Rice sect?"
Upon hearing this…
Lu Yu's eyes narrowed. This was the sentence he had been waiting for!
The settlement of the Five Pecks of Rice sect did not require innovation… because historically, Great Wei handled the matter of settling Zhang Lu and the Five Pecks of Rice sect exceptionally well.
Historically, Cao Cao believed in these Daoist arts. In Cao Cao's "Qì Chūàng" (气出唱), it states, "Riding six dragons, traveling with the wind. Traveling the four seas, descending to the eight kingdoms… Wishing to find a divine person, to ride a cloud chariot, accompanied by white deer, to ascend to the gate of heaven, to bestow divine medicine. Kneeling to receive it, revering the gods. This way, the Dao will come naturally."
Cao Zhi initially did not believe in this, but he did not dare to defy his father… "Fēi Lóng Piān" (飞龙篇) mentions, "Bestow upon me the immortal medicine, created by the Divine Emperor. Teach me to consume it, to return essence and nourish the brain. May my lifespan be as enduring as gold and stone, forever unaging." This also shows Great Wei's recognition of Daoism.
There is even more impressive content… because the Five Pecks of Rice sect's "Fang Zhong Shu" mentions some methods.
Cao Cao decisively drank urine for aphrodisiac purposes!
"Hòu Hàn Shū Fāngshù Lièzhuàn" (后汉书方术列传) records that Gan Shi, Dongguo Yannian, and Feng Junda were all alchemists, and all were skilled in Rong Cheng's (a person's name) techniques of accompanying women. Some drank urine, some hung themselves upside down, cherished vital energy, did not stare extravagantly, and spoke loudly. Gan Shi, Yuan Fang, and Yannian were all employed by Cao Cao, who inquired about their techniques and practiced them!
In simple terms, three alchemists invented two methods for strengthening male potency: one was drinking urine, and the other was hanging upside down. Cao Cao learned their methods and personally "practiced them." The line from "Guī Sūi Shòu" (龟虽寿)—"Nourishing well-being, can achieve eternal life" carries a hint of the hidden meaning of Fang Zhong Shu… Even more exaggeratedly, Cao Cao's habit was passed down to later generations; by Cao Rui's time, he even drank the "holy water" of a peasant woman!
"Sānguó Zhì · Míngdì Jì" (三国志·明帝记) mentions— In the early years of the third year of Qinglong, a peasant wife from Shouchun claimed to have been sent by a heavenly god, named Deng Nü, to guard the imperial palace, cleanse evil, and receive blessings. She gave people water to drink, and used it to wash wounds, many of which healed. Thus, a pavilion was established in the harem, and an edict was issued to praise her.
In summary…
Cao Cao and his grandson… were very "playful" in the realm of Daoism, not Fang Zhong, ah… Daoism!
Even the Daoism in the later period of Wei evolved into "Xuanxue" (玄学), directly entering the imperial court… becoming the empire's ideological theme.
Thinking of this…
Lu Yu suddenly felt a wave of nausea. This was a memory with "flavor"…
But… in conclusion, Zhang Lu, whom he admired, likely wouldn't have imagined how popular his revered Daoism would be in the Central Plains, in Great Wei!
Cough cough…
With a light cough, Lu Yu's expression became solemn.
—"Celestial Master Zhang… perhaps you would listen to me tell a story? A story about Confucian Dao and Buddhist Dao!"
…
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