The afternoon, with sparrows and orioles chirping, saw sunlight spill into the tranquil courtyard. This was the Palace of Prince Wei, located west of the imperial city. Now, the fate of hundreds of lives rested in the hands of its master, who controlled the life and death of dozens of condemned prisoners with a mere gesture.
Outside a side hall, Xu Chu’s report reached them.
"My King of Wei, the first death row inmate, after a brutal axe blow to the skull, perished instantly. It seems his own subconscious struggles caused blood to splatter. The second inmate lasted for half an incense stick's length, his life extinguishing as Hua Tuo's axe made contact. The third..."
Xu Chu reported, his gaze fixed on the hall within.
There, Hua Tuo was performing his third surgery.
An axe to the skull was different from scraping bone to heal poison, and even more so from disemboweling. The head possessed far more nerves than the body, thus, even the slightest misstep could prevent a person from ever waking again.
However…
Evidently, the third attempt yielded better results than the previous two.
It had already been half an hour, and the "surgery" was still ongoing.
Just then.
Another Binhu armored soldier rushed in, "My King of Wei, the Marquis of Southern Hunt requests an audience…"
Hmm…
Upon hearing this news, Cao Cao immediately recalled the message sent by Yu'er earlier. He wished to marry Cai Yan.
Of course, this matter was quite shocking, but for Cao Cao, it was not entirely unacceptable…
Cai Yong was the representative of the northern literati, and Cai Zhaoji, as his daughter, held a special status. If Yu'er were to marry Miss Cai Yan, it would greatly benefit his position among the literati and scholars.
Of course, delving deeper, there were many more advantages…
However, Cao Cao had no time to ponder this, for at that moment… Hua Tuo’s first "axe to the skull" operation had already begun…
It could be said that, compared to Yu'er marrying Cai Yan, Hua Tuo’s axe in hand was far more gripping to Cao Cao’s heart.
"Let him in!"
Cao Cao’s gaze remained fixed on the hall where Hua Tuo was.
Before long, Lu Yu arrived…
Seeing Cao Cao’s appearance, he was about to bow.
Unexpectedly, Xu Chu immediately gave him a significant look…
Lu Yu understood and sat down on a stone bench in the courtyard, waiting quietly for Cao Cao…
Doctors from the medical department, in an orderly fashion, brought in water and took out the hand sanitizing knives and axes that needed cleaning.
Finally…
After another full half hour had passed.
A Binhu armored soldier came to report, "My King of Wei, Hua Tuo's surgery is complete. After the executioner’s axe opened the skull, it has been sutured shut."
This…
Cao Cao’s eyes widened considerably.
His gaze held a trace of disbelief, but more so, it was filled with genuine shock. It had worked… it had truly worked!
Hoo…
Cao Cao let out a long sigh.
He eagerly asked, "Is… is this successful?"
"Not yet!" Hua Tuo was not present, and Lu Yu spoke at the opportune moment. "Suturing is just the first step. Whether he lives depends on further observation for some time… the specific reasons are complex. In short, it’s best to observe for a few more days!"
The reason Lu Yu said this…
Was because, in this era, without advanced medical technology, Hua Tuo’s exquisite skills might make skull opening not a problem, but after opening and suturing the skull, there would be many issues. The biggest problem was infection. Skull surgery, even in later generations, was extremely difficult.
Furthermore, facing the hard skull, whether it could be opened was a huge unknown, let alone succeeding in one or two attempts.
Of course…
Lu Yu was not doubting the profound and extensive medical knowledge of China. China's traditional medicine, with thousands of years of inheritance, possessed a unique medical theory. Through generations of exploration and research, it might have reached levels we cannot imagine. It was only due to its loss that it seemed as if our traditional Chinese medicine was inferior to Western medicine.
Take Hua Tuo as an example. A large portion of the "Qing Nang Shu" was lost. The few pages that remained, detailing techniques for castrating cattle and spaying chickens, had been in use for over a thousand years and were so legendary that Western medicine found them inexplicable.
Moreover, at the Da Wen Kou cultural site in Shandong, excavated 5,000-year-old primitive human skulls indicated that trepanation existed in ancient times.
Lu Yu had personally seen this when visiting the "Da Wen Kou cultural site." The opening in the skull was located on the parietal bone, close to the occipital bone, with a smooth and uniform arc-shaped cross-section. This suggested that the person who underwent the surgery survived for a long time after the operation.
In other words… Hua Tuo's mention of "axe to the skull" likely had precedents.
Furthermore, according to foreign magazines, the Russian Sputnik news agency reported that surgical instruments, including saws for cutting bone, tweezers, and other tools, as well as a "lancet" similar to a modern scalpel, were discovered in Siberia, dating back 2,500 years.
These instruments predated Hua Tuo’s birth by six to seven hundred years, perhaps suggesting that surgical operations existed there at that time.
In other words… the wisdom of the ancients should never be underestimated.
Of course…
Having said that, Lu Yu still dared not speak definitively. He would observe further, observe more…
Just now, he had heard from the Binhu army that all these skull-opening subjects were death row inmates. The Great Wei had no shortage of anything else, but death row inmates… were enough to satisfy the "experimental mice" for "axe to the skull." When it was finally perfected, and Hua Tuo mastered the art of axe trepanation, that would be the best time.
"Ziyu is here!"
Hearing Lu Yu's words, Cao Cao finally spoke.
However, at this moment… his eyes sparkled with an exceptionally brilliant light, full of vision and anticipation.
"My King of Wei, this axe to the skull operation should not be rushed… perhaps it would be best to let the divine physician Hua try for half a year to ensure there are no issues…"
"I know!" Before Lu Yu could finish speaking, Cao Cao waved his hand. "You are here for Cai Yan, aren't you?"
This…
Lu Yu lowered his head slightly, his gaze deep, "Perhaps I have only made a mistake that any man would make!"
"Hahaha…" Cao Cao laughed heartily.
He stood up from the stone bench, walked towards Lu Yu, and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Ziyu, your request, according to reason, I should not refuse, but… you must think carefully. If Cai Yan does not enter the Marquis’s mansion as your wife, then you can still have multiple wives in your mansion. However, if Miss Cai Yan truly enters the mansion, then no matter how many wives you have in the future, everyone will know with certainty that the true wife is only Miss Cai Yan!"
Hoo…
Cao Cao's words were a reminder.
Lu Yu bit his lip slightly. This was not a difficult choice, but it was a foregone conclusion.
If Lu Yu were to officially recognize Cai Yan, then… what would Ma Yunlu, who was intended to marry him as his wife, think? And what about Sun Shangxiang, in the alliance with the Sun clan of Jiangdong?
These noble ladies of prominent families… to go to a mansion to be a "concubine" bearing the title of "Madam," they might not easily accept it.
Of course…
Lu Yu’s stance remained resolute.
"Ever since the third year of Dongping, when I and Sister Zhaoji entered Cao Ying, you should have known of the affection between Sister Zhaoji and me… Now, this is just a natural progression. Sister Zhaoji is not young anymore, and she is carrying my child. She deserves to be the true Madam of the Southern Hunt Marquis’s mansion!"
Hoo…
This time, it was Cao Cao who sighed deeply.
The true Madam of the Southern Hunt Marquis’s mansion?
Heh heh… She would be the Crown Princess of Great Wei, the future Queen of Wei, and even… the Empress who would grace the realm!
The difference in these titles… was more than a thousand miles apart!
"Then it shall be as you wish!"
Cao Cao pondered for a moment and agreed to the marriage. "However, with so many matters at hand, I fear we will not have the time for a formal wedding ceremony for you two! The originally planned establishment of the Crown Prince at the Bronze Sparrow Terrace has also been postponed due to the betrayal from Xiliang!"
Towards the end, Cao Cao’s words were tinged with a gnawing resentment.
"My King of Wei…" Lu Yu softly said, "The priority is to quell the hidden danger of Xiliang first!"
As he mentioned this, Lu Yu actually thought of Yang Xiu… perhaps more than that, he thought of another disciple.
"I have the same intention."
Cao Cao's spirit suddenly lifted, but…
Hmm…
Subconsciously, Cao Cao placed his hands on his forehead. It seemed that whenever he exerted himself, the inescapable issue of his headaches would arise.
The headaches had developed into a severe condition.
"Alas…"
Cao Cao clenched his fist and slammed it onto the table, his brows furrowed.
"Due to my headaches, I fear I cannot personally lead the campaign into Xiliang."
"My King of Wei, in my opinion, perhaps we could dispatch General Yuan Rang to lead twenty thousand troops from the front, advancing towards Tong Pass via Wuguan!"
"And I will lead the main force of the Dragon Soaring Camp, three thousand cavalry, taking a smaller path to attack from the flank!"
Lu Yu suggested.
Cao Cao strained his eyes open. "Are you confident!"
"Ninety percent!" Lu Yu appeared exceptionally confident…
Although there were no excessive words or explanations, Lu Yu’s words inexplicably boosted Cao Cao’s confidence.
"Zixiao…"
Cao Cao called out.
"Your subordinate is here." Cao Ren quickly stepped forward.
Cao Cao then gave his order, "Transmit my royal decree. During these days, due to my headaches, I wish to rest quietly… The authority of the Regent's Mansion shall be entrusted to Lu Ziyu for overall coordination. All troop movements shall be executed upon Lu Ziyu's written order! Disobeying this command will result in execution!"
"Yes!" Cao Ren cupped his hands…
He trusted Lu Yu to lead the troops.
And what Lu Yu was most reassuring about was his ability to recognize and employ talented individuals, as well as his skill in attacking the enemy’s mind. At least in terms of formulating grand strategies, he had never made any mistakes.
Not long after, Cao Cao returned to rest. Lu Yu and Cao Ren bid farewell to Cao Cao and slowly exited the King of Wei’s palace.
Walking side by side, Cao Ren asked Lu Yu.
"Ziyu, how do you plan to fight this battle?"
"This…" The sudden question caught Lu Yu off guard as he pondered how to answer. He then let out a cheerful laugh, "This battle, frankly, doesn't even require me. Even a dog tied up for command could win… it's a sure victory!"
As he said this, Lu Yu displayed a disarmingly innocent smile.
This, however, left Cao Ren bewildered…
Indeed, the Marquis of Southern Hunt still maintained his usual confidence and commanding presence…
If anyone else had said that even a dog could win, Cao Ren might have given them a good beating. But Lu Yu’s words… hehe, Cao Ren believed him.
…
…
Xiliang, atop Tong Pass.
A huge map was hung up, and Han Sui and Ma Chao were discussing military matters with their generals.
Sima Yi was also present, but he stayed far behind everyone else.
The westward advance to Xuchang City, which was ultimately an assassination attempt on Cao Cao that failed, ended with various warlords harboring ulterior motives, leading to much fanfare and little substance, leaving behind a mess.
It was obvious to anyone that Great Wei would not stand for such a clandestine act.
Ma Chao said coldly, "If the Cao army wants to come, let them come. It's a good opportunity to fight them below Tong Pass…"
His words were quickly met with the agreement of many generals…
"Hmph, once they reach Guanzhong, even dragons must curl up and tigers must lie down."
The speaker was Cheng Yin… a man from Hedong, recorded in historical narratives as one of Ma Chao’s "Eight Valiant Generals." But in reality, what were these "Eight Valiant Generals?"
Did Ma Chao deserve that title?
The so-called "Eight Valiant Generals" were the eight most powerful warlords in Guanzhong. Han Sui and Ma Chao’s westward advance to Luoyang was simply their attempt to get a piece of the pie!
Speaking of which, who didn't yearn for the decadent pleasures of the Central Plains?
Who was willing to eat sand in Guanzhong?
"I heard Cao Cao has someone named Lu Ziyu, who strategizes and attacks the enemy's mind. Haha… can he figure out what I'm thinking? Which young maiden am I planning to ravish tonight? Can he calculate that? Hmph… I’m eager to meet him!"
The speaker this time was Li Kan.
Also a warlord of Guanzhong…
Besides Cheng Yin and Li Kan, there were also Ma Wan, Yang Qiu, Liang Xing, Hou Xuan, Cheng Yi, and Zhang Heng…
It was no exaggeration to say that they were all people with well-developed limbs but simple minds!
Only Han Sui's son-in-law, Yan Xing, possessed a tiny bit of intelligence, but… it was only a tiny bit, not much.
For a time, all the Xiliang warlords boastfully declared their intention to contend with Cao Cao.
Only Han Sui furrowed his brows, his eyes flickering uncertainly… He had been so easily persuaded by Wang Yue to advance west, but he hadn't considered the consequences… nor had he imagined he would actually become enemies with Cao Cao.
Thinking back now, he felt a bit of fear.
Han Sui was the type of person who never lacked ambition, but at critical moments, he utterly lacked courage.
Now…
Hearing that Cao's army numbered hundreds of thousands and was gradually returning to reinforce, his courage seemed to have turned to dust, dissipating into nothingness.
His gaze swept over everyone in the tent.
His eyes happened to meet Sima Yi's gaze…
"Zhongda… why are you standing at the back? Come here…"
"Tell me, do you have any ingenious strategies to defend against the Cao army!"
Han Sui beckoned Sima Yi…
Upon hearing this, Sima Yi bowed his head and walked forward. First, he cupped his hands and bowed to all the generals…
Evidently, the generals were not impressed.
"Where did this scholar come from? Looking at his appearance, he probably isn't very skilled in martial arts, right? And he came from Guandong, hmph, isn't he a spy?"
One of the Xiliang warlords questioned…
Han Sui quickly introduced, "This person is the second son of the Sima family from Hanoi, Sima Yi, also known as Sima Zhongda. The Sima clan was annihilated by Cao Cao, leaving Zhongda with nowhere to go, so he can only seek refuge with me. He shares the same hatred for the enemy as us…"
Oh…
Hearing this, everyone relaxed their guard against Sima Yi.
"Cough cough…" Sima Yi coughed lightly. "Generals, I dare to ask, what is the difference between the Xiliang army and the Cao army? What are our advantages?"
This…
Yan Xing tried to answer, "Our advantage lies in our invincible Xiliang cavalry, which excels in field battles! Our disadvantage, naturally, is in siege warfare and city defense."
"Precisely…" Sima Yi nodded. "Therefore, stubbornly defending Tong Pass… would mean falling into a defensive battle. In this way, the Xiliang cavalry's strength in field battles cannot be utilized. Are you generals planning to fight the Cao army in street battles?"
Speaking of this…
Sima Yi continued, "Furthermore, Chang'an is a newly conquered city by our army, and the populace is not yet stable. I hear that Wei generals, led by 'Zhang Ji' and 'Zhao Ang,' are lurking within, secretly burning our grain supplies. Thus, our rear is also not stable. This battle hasn't even begun, and we've already lost half of it!"
This…
Unlike the other warlords who were full of righteous indignation, Sima Yi's words were like a bucket of cold water.
But… oddly enough, this cold water was surprisingly sensible.
"Then, Zhongda, what do you suggest? How should we proceed?"
Han Sui asked…
Sima Yi's gaze was deep, and then he softly uttered four words—"Abandon Tong Pass!"
…
…