At this very moment.
Yang Xiu’s expression was as uncertain as the changing weather, as if he had seen a ghost.
That’s right, in his memory, Lü Bu was already dead! His head was severed by the executioner’s blade at Bai Gate Tower, and his head was sealed in a wooden box. The tombstone in front of the grave outside the city was personally inscribed by Chancellor Cao. He should have been a headless spirit!
So…
Who was appearing before him?
This bearing, this physique, this face, and most importantly… he had a head!
Wasn’t this Lü Bu, Lü Fengxian, to the life?
Having tricked Lü Bu for so long, how could Yang Xiu not recognize Lü Bu’s appearance? He would recognize him even if he were turned to ash…
Instantly, Yang Xiu shivered all over. “Commander… this… this…”
Stammering for a long time, Yang Xiu couldn’t utter a single word. He was panicked, not just panicked, but terrified… He felt like he was about to wet himself.
“Young Master Yang, I remember all the good deeds you’ve done. Today, I’ll personally accompany you to Bing Province. Aren’t you excited? Aren’t you surprised!”
Lü Bu spoke.
It was better if he hadn’t spoken. Once he spoke, Yang Xiu felt like he had already wet himself. He wasn’t excited; he felt like he was finished, completely finished.
“Marquis Wen, I… I… we each serve our own master. This matter of your demise at Bai Gate Tower, you can’t blame me!”
Yang Xiu blurted out…
Along with it, he fiercely pinched his thigh. The intense pain that followed was heartbreaking.
This was not a dream; it was real. Lü Bu had come to claim his life.
But there was a head for every debt, a master for every wrong. What kind of person was he, Yang Xiu? If someone was going to claim a life, there were countless people in front of him. Why come for him?
“General Fengxian, don’t scare this student from the Imperial Academy. He was pampered since childhood and hasn’t seen much of the world. He’ll get scared.” Lu Yu said, trying to comfort him as he noticed Yang Xiu’s pants were a bit damp.
“Has Young Master Lu mistaken someone?” To his surprise, as soon as Lu Yu finished speaking, Lü Bu immediately retorted, “The tomb of Lü Fengxian, General Fenwei of the Han Dynasty, is buried outside Xiapi City. Who is Young Master Lu referring to as ‘Fengxian’?”
At this point, Lü Bu’s eyes narrowed. “There is only Lü Ying here, no Lü Bu, and certainly no Lü Fengxian!”
Whoa… these words spread.
Lu Yu was slightly surprised. Lü Bu was getting into character quickly!
Lü Ying, this name… low-key, luxurious, and profound. As expected… after his demise at Bai Gate Tower, Lü Bu… no, Lü Ying’s wisdom had soared!
“Ahem… sorry, sorry, it should be… Guard Lü Ying. Please don’t scare this student from the Imperial Academy.” Lu Yu apologized with a slight bow.
Then, he turned his attention back to Yang Xiu. “Dezu, you are an intelligent person. You know what should be said and what should not be said!”
“The mission to Bing Province will be carried out by you and Lü Ying. You will be in the light, and Lü Ying will be in the dark. Discuss matters with each other. As for the mission…”
As he spoke, Lu Yu turned around and picked up a simple map of Bing Province from the table.
It was drawn by himself, not very precise, but the general locations of the commanderies and counties were marked.
As Lu Yu unfolded the map, Yang Xiu’s mind was racing.
He was indeed a smart person. He immediately understood the meaning of Commander Lu’s words.
Lü Bu hadn’t died at all!
Who knew which unlucky fellow had perished at Bai Gate Tower?
Recalling everything that had happened yesterday, Yang Xiu suddenly understood. No wonder countless loyal and righteous people from Bing Province had surrendered unexpectedly and explicitly wished to join the Dragon Soaring Camp. He had been wondering why, and the reason was this!
Brilliant… this was simply brilliant!
He had deceived almost everyone, and thus, for Lü Bu, for the surrendered generals of Bing Province, for Chancellor Cao, and even for Commander Lu, it was a cause for great joy!
With this realization, Yang Xiu looked at Lu Yu with admiration!
Even though he had thought highly of Commander Lu before, after this incident, he felt… his admiration and respect had deepened even further, like a torrent of the Yangtze River, endless, and like the flood of the Huangpu River, unstoppable.
This was definitely the right person to follow!
With this thought, Yang Xiu humbly cupped his hands in a salute to Lü Bu. He was proud, but compared to the even prouder Lü Bu, he surrendered… he was willing to be a subordinate!
Mainly, he was afraid Lü Bu would beat him up!
After all, if Commander Lu beat him, it would at most be superficial injuries. But if Lü Bu beat him, who knew – it could be fatal!
Lu Yu opened the map and slowly spread it out. Lü Bu leaned closer and said seriously, “Young Master Lu, what exactly is the mission? You might as well tell me directly!”
Yang Xiu also leaned in front of the table…
The two of them saw Lu Yu’s finger on the map, moving from Xiapi City, slowly inching further away, eventually crossing countless mountains and rivers, passing through numerous passes, and finally settling near Yanmen Pass in the border region.
Lü Bu’s eyes immediately sharpened.
Yanmen Pass was where he had defended against the barbarians, honed his martial skills, and made his name.
For some reason, his heart was touched!
Lu Yu pointed here. “It’s right here. I can’t be precise about the exact location, but… I expect that within a few months, Yuan Shao will have annihilated Gongsun Zan in You Province, and Qu Yi with his Vanguard troops will have made great contributions. Some commanderies and counties in Bing Province will be granted to him as fiefs by Yuan Shao!”
Mid-sentence, Lu Yu paused, as if giving them time to think.
Lü Bu’s eyes darted around.
“Is the mission to eliminate Qu Yi?”
Hearing this, Yang Xiu was slightly stunned. He pondered… this mission seemed a bit difficult!
The Vanguard Camp was as famous as the Vanguard Camp. Qu Yi was the commander of the Vanguard Camp. It was said that he was highly skilled in martial arts and well-versed in troop management. Most terrifyingly, he never took off his armor, and was always surrounded by a large number of personal guards. Even with an unparalleled warrior like Lü Bu, assassinating him under the escort of so many personal guards would be extremely difficult!
Yang Xiu wanted to question it, but then he thought, how could he refuse a mission assigned by Commander Lu?
Didn’t he kneel in vain yesterday? Didn’t he fail to grasp the true meaning of learning from shame?
Just then, Lu Yu’s words followed.
“This mission is not to assassinate Qu Yi, but to save him when he is in a desperate situation, and also to save the Vanguard Camp. Ideally, help them cross the Yellow River to the south and join Cao Ying!”
This…
Yang Xiu stammered, “But? Commander Lu just mentioned that Qu Yi has just made great contributions and was granted this area. How could he be…?”
Yang Xiu couldn’t help but ask. Although Lü Bu didn’t speak, his brow was tightly furrowed.
For him, assassinating someone was simpler than saving someone.
Moreover, according to Lu Yu’s intention this time, it wasn’t about saving one person, but an entire camp. Most importantly, this camp might not even be willing to be saved, and they might not have the opportunity to save them!
Seeing their hesitation.
Lu Yu’s tone was exceptionally firm. “Don’t worry. When Qu Yi and the Vanguard Camp first arrived in Bing Province, they were meritorious officials, but soon, they will become rebels. In short, just trust me!”
Qu Yi…
To be precise, it was Qu Yi and the Vanguard Camp!
Indeed, it seemed they were still Yuan Shao’s elite forces, and Yuan Shao still entrusted them with important tasks. Qu Yi was even on par with the ‘Four Pillars of Hebei’: Yan Liang, Wen Chou, Zhang He, and Gao Lan. He appeared to be an impenetrable force!
And Qu Yi and the Vanguard death warriors…
Whether in terms of commanding ability or combat effectiveness, they were top-notch existences of this era!
But unfortunately, Qu Yi was arrogant and indulgent due to his merits. His arrogance was even more exaggerated than Lü Bu’s or Yang Xiu’s.
People with this kind of personality were often masters of courting death!
Furthermore, Qu Yi never considered himself a subordinate general of Yuan Shao. In his opinion, their relationship was merely a cooperation.
To elaborate, it all began from when Yuan Shao planned to take Jizhou.
At that time, Qu Yi betrayed Han Fu, the Governor of Jizhou. Han Fu sent troops to suppress him but suffered a great defeat.
Coincidentally, Yuan Shao had the intention of taking over Jizhou, so Qu Yi joined forces with Yuan Shao to force Han Fu to give up Jizhou.
From then on…
Although Qu Yi nominally served under Yuan Shao, his Vanguard troops always maintained an independent establishment, similar to Cao Ying’s Dragon Soaring Cavalry!
And Qu Yi and the Vanguard troops were indeed formidable, having successively annihilated the elite cavalry of Gongsun Zan – the White Horse Volunteers!
They also drove the Southern Xiongnu far beyond the northern frontiers!
Even more exaggeratedly, he would be the first meritorious official in Yuan Shao’s conquest of You Province and annihilation of Gongsun Zan.
Logically, Yuan Shao granted him several commanderies in Bing Province. After arriving in Bing Province, he did not restrain himself at all. He became arrogant and indulgent due to his merits, and in the end… he was encircled and suppressed by Yuan Shao’s ‘Four Pillars of Hebei’. Qu Yi and the Vanguard Camp then disappeared from the stage of history.
This was entirely a tragic story caused by arrogance!
Of course…
Lu Yu was best at disciplining such arrogant individuals, such masters of courting death. Moreover, the Vanguard Camp was so powerful, it would be a shame for them to die. If they could join Cao Ying, wouldn’t that be like adding wings to a tiger!
For this reason, Lu Yu decided to try and save them, and also to use Yang Xiu and Lü Bu to test Yuan Shao’s depth.
In any case, both of these individuals were destined to “die” in history. Since they had survived, why not buy a “ganking knife” and go play in the enemy’s jungle!
Perhaps, they could even carve out a path for themselves.
With this thought, Lu Yu’s eyes narrowed. “Guard Lü Ying? This trip to Bing Province will be in enemy territory. There will be some risks. Do you dare to go?”
“Heh heh! Risk?” Lü Bu sneered. “A bunch of rats, I, Lü Bu, go when I want to go, and leave when I want to leave. Who can stop me?”
In other words, Lu Yu could interpret it as – even if thousands of people stood in my way, I would still go!
He then turned his gaze to Yang Xiu. “Dezu? What about you?”
“I…” Yang Xiu instinctively replied. From the bottom of his heart, he was a little scared, but thinking of “learning from shame,” damn it, he had to go for it!
Cupping his hands in a salute, although his body was still trembling, Yang Xiu said with a firm tone, “I… I’ll go!”
Lu Yu was somewhat satisfied then.
“You two go together. At this time, Yuan Shao’s forces and Yuan Ying’s attention will be focused on Gongsun Zan in You Province. During this time, you can familiarize yourselves with the terrain of Bing Province and find a suitable escape route. I predict that the fiefdom Yuan Shao grants to Qu Yi will be near Yanmen. Yuan Shao also intends to use the barbarians to weaken Qu Yi’s strength…”
“And after Qu Yi and the Vanguard Camp arrive in Bing Province, you don’t need to act immediately. Qu Yi and Yuan Shao will definitely clash irreconcilably. You must help him when he is at his most desperate! This way, Qu Yi and the Vanguard Camp will surrender!”
At this point, Lu Yu earnestly instructed Yang Xiu.
“Haven’t you always wanted to revitalize the Yang Clan of Hongnong? Want to honor your ancestors and bring glory to your family? If this mission is successful, you will have made a great contribution. I will personally recommend you to Chancellor Cao, and you will be granted a marquisate, not anything else. You will become the youngest marquis of your Yang Clan of Hongnong!”
Yang Xiu swallowed. With his original intelligence, he would definitely have to get a written guarantee from others, as words were not as reliable as deeds!
But Commander Lu’s promise was as valuable as gold. How could he go back on his word? A written guarantee was unnecessary!
Immediately, Yang Xiu cupped his hands in a salute.
“Yang Xiu, a student of the Imperial Academy… will… will not disgrace his mission!”
Very good…
Lu Yu nodded in his heart. As expected, painting a rosy picture could fill stomachs, as could be seen from Yang Xiu’s expression.
With this thought, Lu Yu turned his gaze back to Lü Bu.
But before he could speak.
Lü Bu spoke first, “Lü Ying! No other request!”
Is it truly no other request?
No…
Lu Yu understood. He said earnestly, “Guard Lü Ying, don’t worry. I will take good care of the people who need to be taken care of! Whether it’s my fiancée, or my concubine, and of course, my younger sister!”
Although he said so…
For Lu Yu, finding Lü Lingqi and taking care of Diao Chan was one thing!
But just the thought of having to take care of a two-year-old little loli made Lu Yu feel a headache. Was he entering the happy life of a “father” in advance?
As expected.
When Lu Yu said this, Lü Bu’s lips curved into a faint smile. This young master Lu… always put him at ease! Entrusting Diao Chan, Lingqi, and Lingju to him, Lü Bu could depart with peace of mind!
Just then…
A rider from the Dragon Soaring Camp reported from outside the tent, “Commander Lu, Chancellor Cao has sent the Tiger Guards. They say they want to invite you to the yamen for a chat.”
A chat?
Lu Yu’s eyes rolled. He muttered to himself that Old Cao probably wanted to discuss the next strategy with him!
Of course…
Lu Yu had previously set the grand strategy of “Eastward Look, Westward Alliance, Southward Flank, Northward Harmony, and Central Pacification.”
Now that Xuzhou was stable, the Central Plains could be considered stabilized.
The “Eastward Look” strategy had been a great success. As for “Northward Harmony,” there was no need to worry for the time being. Yuan Shao would not declare war on Cao Cao before annexing Gongsun Zan.
However… according to intelligence reports, Yuan Shao had already mobilized his troops. Three armies were attacking You Province simultaneously. It would be difficult for Gongsun Zan to resist. The fall of You Province would happen within this half year!
And in the meantime, many strategies needed to be completed – “Southward Flank,” “Westward Alliance,” and “Central Pacification.”
Not to mention “Southward Flank” and “Central Pacification”…
Just this “Westward Alliance” strategy, Lu Yu had already arranged someone!
It’s just that he didn’t know how the great calligrapher Zhong Yao was doing in Bing Province?
And in the south, the alliance to support the Lu family!
And in Sili, Zhang Xiu, who lay sleeping by his bedside, and the great swindler Jia Wenhe…
With Xuzhou stable, next… it would be their turn.
“Tell the Tiger Guards to report back to Chancellor Cao that I will arrive immediately…” Lu Yu replied. Then, he looked at Lü Bu and Yang Xiu again. He would leave first and chat strategy with Old Cao. He left these two to get along here!
After all, these two would be a golden duo in the coming year!
Thump… thump…
Lu Yu strode away.
With his departure, Yang Xiu immediately felt a sense of deterrence from within and without. He even felt… itchy all over!
In short, he was very panicked!
Usually eloquent, he was now speechless, not knowing what to say.
It was Lü Bu who spoke first, breaking the silence.
“Young Master Yang, for this trip to Bing Province, I hope we can cooperate happily! And I hope your wily schemes can deceive more than just that ‘foolish’ Marquis Wen!”
Uh…
Hearing this, Yang Xiu’s heart sank. He immediately replied with a smile.
“Not at all… not at all…”
As the words came out, he felt something was wrong, and quickly corrected himself. “Definitely, definitely…”
Uh… it seemed wrong again.
Instantly, Yang Xiu closed his mouth. At this moment, he finally understood what it meant to say less is more.
At this moment, he decided to be a man of few words in front of Lü Ying.
…
…
Guangzhong, the Sanfu region!
Vast yellow sand, immense desert, here was an environment completely different from the Central Plains. As far as the eye could see, there were no cities or inhabitants for hundreds of miles.
Occasionally, the neighing of horses could be heard. These were horses of merchant caravans traversing this region.
Besides that, one could also see warlords fighting, risking their lives. Some fought for food, some for territory, and some simply because this Guangzhong was a place that valued martial arts.
The just-dispersed cries and sword shadows bloomed again in the wind;
The piled-up corpses were ferocious and terrifying;
The heavy atmosphere was almost suffocating.
Hoo…
At this moment!
A horse caravan of over a hundred people stopped at a post station less than ten miles from a bloody slaughter.
From the carriage stepped out a man in his forties. His facial features were square, his beard long, and his aura was imposing!
He was precisely the newly appointed “Palace Attendant,” “Colonel of Sili,” and the high official who “held the imperial edict to command all troops in Guangzhong” – Zhong Yao!
However, his outwardly calm demeanor… could not completely conceal his inner, inexplicable shock.
His mood was extremely solemn.
Speaking of which.
As a successor to Cai Yong’s calligraphy, a renowned calligrapher of the current era…
Coming to this martial-valuing land of Guangzhong to command all troops in Guangzhong, this matter sounded outlandish!
Once he actually arrived here, Zhong Yao felt it was even more outlandish, not only outlandish but also confusing!
From beginning to end, this matter was absurd!
He was perfectly fine being a lecturer at the Imperial Academy, teaching students calligraphy and nurturing talent, respected by scholars of the world. Wasn’t that good?
Why would he willingly come to such a dangerous place for these “Palace Attendant” and “Colonel of Sili” positions, and for the vision of “achieving great deeds”?
Admittedly, Zhong Yao was a man who loved challenges, but the current situation did not seem like a challenge; it was clearly sending him to his death!
Who knew… if a cold arrow would suddenly fly out, and he would truly return to Guangzhong forever!
Hoo…
He let out a long sigh again.
Zhong Yao regretted coming here.
Of course… even now, he couldn’t understand why the Imperial Academy’s Commander Lu, who had always had sharp and discerning eyes, would recommend such a great calligrapher like himself to Chancellor Cao?
He didn’t seem very capable of fighting, did he?
Of course, in this land, political power couldn’t be produced from a pen!
For a moment, Zhong Yao felt that sending Xu Chu or Dian Wei here would be more reliable than himself!
“This is like getting on a pirate ship, and it’s impossible to get off!”
Zhong Yao’s eyes were solemn. He knew that the purpose of this trip was to stabilize the warlords of Guangzhong and guard the western gate for Chancellor Cao!
But the warlords of Guangzhong, including Han Sui, Ma Teng, Liang Xing, Hou Xuan, Cheng Yin, Li Kan, Zhang Heng, Cheng Yi…
There were too many to count!
They each had at least a thousand troops, and the more powerful ones like Han Sui and Ma Teng might have tens of thousands of troops? Even more exaggeratedly, killing someone here was as simple as killing a chicken, and there would be no trouble!
Might makes right!
Guangzhong was a place where might truly made right!
… But where was he, Zhong Yao?
He glanced back at his horse caravan…
There were only a little over a hundred people. Speaking of which, Commander Lu was considerate enough to specifically dispatch fifty Dragon Soaring Cavalry riders…
Of course, it was also possible that Commander Lu had sent them to keep an eye on him, lest he sneak away!
Besides these meager troops.
Zhong Yao also had an imperial decree appointing him as the Prefect of Chang’an Commandery!
Beyond that, what else did he have?
An inkstone? Calligraphy works?
By what means… could he make these man-eating warlords of Guangzhong listen to him?
Wait!
Zhong Yao suddenly remembered that when he received the imperial edict, Commander Lu had entrusted a small eunuch to give him a brocade pouch, telling him to open it when he was at a loss in the land of Guangzhong.
Now that he had arrived in Guangzhong, and Zhong Yao’s mood was “the mother of confusion opened the door for confusion, confusion to the extreme.” If not now, when?
Perhaps… Commander Lu had a plan?
With this thought…
Zhong Yao carefully took out the brocade pouch from his embrace and then, without hesitation, opened it, quickly unfolding the silk cloth inside, his eyes almost sticking to it.
But the more he looked, the more confused Zhong Yao became. He felt as if his grandmother’s grandmother had come home to confusion!
Because the brocade pouch contained only eight words –
– “Improvise, and adapt to circumstances!”
At this moment, even this usually calm great calligrapher!
His body trembled, his legs staggered, and he almost fell to the ground.
For a moment, Zhong Yao felt like he couldn’t hold it in anymore. He wasn’t here to be an official; he was here to die!
…
…