Cao Cao’s Residence, Xuchang.
As dusk approached, Cao Cao put down the bamboo slips in his hand and asked Xu Chu, who stood beside him, "Has Lu Sinong arrived yet?"
Cao Cao was in excellent spirits today. In the afternoon, he had personally gone to the kitchens to prepare some beef dumplings, waiting to enjoy them with Yu'er at dinner.
"Someone has already been sent to fetch him," Xu Chu reported truthfully. "However… something of no great significance, yet not entirely trivial, has occurred at the Imperial Academy. Lu Sinong is likely delayed because of it."
The Imperial Academy?
Cao Cao's eyes immediately lit up with interest.
"Tell me about it."
"It's about Yang Xiu, the son of Grand Commandant Yang Biao. He proposed to withdraw from his studies, and for that, Lu Sinong severely punished him. I heard he was beaten until his skin split and his flesh bled. The matter even alerted Lord Man." Xu Chu recounted faithfully.
Heh, Cao Cao's eyes darted.
Withdrawal from studies? Beaten until his skin split and flesh bled for withdrawing from studies? And this person happens to be Yang Xiu, the son of the Grand Commandant, why does it seem so much like revenge?
Was it because of Yang Xiu's offense during the sacrificial rites that Yu'er acted this way?
With this thought, Cao Cao continued to ask, "How was it handled in the end?"
"Lord Man has had Yang Xiu thrown into prison, and I hear he is to be rigorously interrogated."
This…
Cao Cao's eyes narrowed as he pondered…
He pondered this matter, or rather, he pondered Yu'er's intentions.
Even if it were revenge, with Yu'er's intellect, how could he seek revenge so openly? Furthermore, given his current status, this would invite criticism from the court and the public, which was completely contrary to Yu'er's usual conduct.
"When Lu Sinong punished Yang Xiu, did he mention anything?" Cao Cao pressed.
Xu Chu pondered for a moment. "He did mention something. Lu Sinong's stance is that this matter is not over. If Yang Biao does not resign his position as Grand Commandant, Lu Sinong will continue to beat Yang Xiu."
Huo…
As these words escaped his lips, Cao Cao's brow furrowed even tighter. What was going on? Why would Yu'er do this? Could it be… that there was a deeper meaning?
Cao Cao was a man of exceptional intelligence.
He meticulously reviewed the entire sequence of events.
Suddenly, he understood. Cao Cao understood everything.
He knew it. When had Yu'er ever been so violent? With his brains and his status, if he truly wanted revenge, wouldn't he be able to think of a hundred ways?
Openly retaliating, this seemingly most violent act, was in fact Yu'er's way of warning the Yang family, of warning Yang Biao that a great calamity was coming.
It seemed Yu'er had calculated that he, Cao Cao, would move against the Hongnong Yang clan!
As for… forcing him to resign his position as Grand Commandant.
Heh, it appeared to be an unreasonable demand, but only Cao Cao knew that this was the only strategy to prevent Cao Cao from completely breaking with the Hongnong Yang clan.
Of course, from Cao Cao's perspective, he did not wish to completely fall out with the Hongnong Yang clan, as this would be tantamount to confronting the Han court.
However, the title of Grand Commandant felt like a mountain pressing down on him, making it difficult to breathe.
If he didn't seize this opportunity, leveraging Yuan Shu's relationship with Yang Biao, to bring down this mountain?
Would there ever be such a good opportunity again?
If Yang Biao were sensible and voluntarily resigned, that would be for the best.
However…
*Hoo.*
Cao Cao exhaled. Yu'er's clumsy acting, his painstaking efforts… he wondered if the Hongnong Yang clan would be able to discern it.
"Heh heh…"
Having understood the reason behind it, Cao Cao smiled faintly. "For the sake of not making my relationship with the court too awkward, Lu Sinong has gone to great lengths! Then…"
At this point, Cao Cao looked out the window. "I wonder how the Hongnong Yang clan will decide?"
At this moment, a thought spontaneously arose in Cao Cao's mind. Since Yu'er had gone this far, if the Hongnong Yang clan was sensible and Yang Biao voluntarily resigned his position as Grand Commandant, the matter would be over.
If the Hongnong Yang clan remained insensible, then it would be a different story…
Cao Cao wouldn't mind flaying the entire Hongnong Yang clan.
In fact…
Historically, Cao Cao, in order to weaken the imperial court's power and to remove Yang Biao from his position as Grand Commandant, had made a great fuss about Yuan Shu's marital ties with Yang Biao. Yang Biao was imprisoned, and Man Chong was ordered to torture him.
Man Chong's severe torture led to widespread criticism throughout the court, and all the Han officials harbored deep resentment towards Man Chong.
However, in the end… despite the severe torture, Yang Biao did not confess to any wrongdoing, demonstrating his lack of collusion with Yuan Shu. Man Chong reported this truthfully to Cao Cao, and only then did Cao Cao release him.
At that moment, Man Chong was praised by the Han officials, who understood his efforts and felt he had saved Yang Biao.
Now, compared to Man Chong's act of saving Yang Biao, Lu Yu's methods were quite moderate…
The more uncharacteristically he acted, the more baffling it seemed. Both the Yang family and the Han court would scrutinize and ponder the reasons behind it.
The problem with anything was that it invited scrutiny…
Yang Biao was not foolish, and the Han court was certainly not short of intelligent individuals.
As long as they could be made to think in this direction, Yang Biao would have a very high probability of choosing to protect himself by extricating himself from the situation.
Cao Cao's mind was as clear as a mirror. On the surface, Yu'er was making a fuss without reason, but in reality, he was helping the Yang family, and also helping him, Cao Cao.
Just as he was thinking this…
"Reporting to Commander Cao, Lu Sinong has arrived…"
A Huxiang Army soldier hurried in to report.
"Haha…" Cao Cao let out a hearty laugh. "Quickly, let him in. And tell the kitchens that they can start cooking the dumplings."
…
…
Taiwei Manor, Xuchang.
"Resign?" Grand Commandant Yang Biao repeatedly uttered these three words.
At this moment…
There were many Han officials within the Grand Commandant's manor, all feeling indignant on Yang Biao's behalf.
"In the very capital, there is lawlessness! How dare Lu Yu resort to personal torture against Dezhu! How dare Lord Man imprison Dezhu! This is utter lawlessness, utter lawlessness!"
"Grand Commandant resigns? Hmph, how dare Lu Yu say such a thing… In this great Han empire, it is not up to him alone to decide! Who does Lu Yu think he is? Is he some heavenly king! He is openly seeking revenge and is despised by the world!"
A series of reprimands came from the mouths of the Han officials.
Previously, due to the Emperor's instruction, the Han officials had held a favorable opinion of Lu Yu. But unexpectedly… as the Grand Minister of Agriculture and the Head of the Imperial Academy, he could commit such an act of personal revenge!
"Grand Commandant Yang must absolutely not resign. Tomorrow, we shall argue before the imperial court. I refuse to believe that Lu Yu can cover the sky with one hand!"
This…
Yang Biao's brow remained tightly furrowed. He had already thought about this matter countless times.
It was outrageous, in short, it was completely outrageous.
Lu Yu, Lu Sinong, Lu Chief Officer!
Yang Biao considered himself to understand him quite well. It would be no exaggeration to call him shrewd, intelligent, and exceptionally strategic.
Would such a youth who had toyed with Lü Bu, Yang Feng, and Zhang Yang, such a person so highly regarded by Cao Cao, and whom the Emperor and Empress had instructed to be courted, openly retaliate against Yang Xiu in such a manner? Using such clumsy tactics!
This was completely out of character, it was simply absurd.
When something is out of the ordinary, there must be a reason…
Yang Biao could not help but think about it, repeatedly.
"What else is Grand Commandant Yang thinking about? The Grand Commandant definitely cannot resign. Now… we shall draft a memorial, and tomorrow we shall jointly submit it. Let's see how that Lu Yu refutes it!"
The one who spoke was Dong Cheng…
Among the Han officials, he was one of the few with some military power, and therefore… his attitude was more resolute.
At this moment…
*Thump thump…*
Footsteps sounded outside the door.
"Hush…" Yang Biao immediately signaled, and everyone's spirits were immediately on edge, feeling an inexplicable fear.
"Cough cough… cough cough cough…"
Two short and three urgent coughs seemed to be a secret signal.
"Grand Commandant Yang, my master has instructed me to give this to you."
Upon hearing this, Yang Biao dared not delay… He quickly opened the door, scanned his surroundings to confirm no one was following, and then accepted the bamboo slips with both hands.
The messenger lowered his head after delivering the slips and left quickly.
Yang Biao then cupped his hands in a salute.
After doing so, he carefully carried the bamboo slips back into the room.
"Could this bamboo slip be…" Dong Cheng seemed to have realized something.
"That's right…" Yang Biao nodded, and then unrolled the bamboo slips.
But as soon as he unrolled it, he was startled.
Because… the contents of the bamboo slips were none other than evidence that Cao Ren, Cao Cao's cousin, was currently collecting evidence of the close ties between the Hongnong Yang clan and the Runan Yuan clan.
This included correspondence, messengers, and the marriage alliance between the two parties…
This…
At once, Yang Biao's eyes widened.
At this moment, he understood, he completely understood…
The Runan Yuan clan had produced a false emperor and a traitor. As the Hongnong Yang clan, which was closely associated with and even had a marital alliance with the Runan Yuan clan, if they were to be framed, could they clear their names? Could they explain themselves clearly?
It seemed that Cao Cao was planning to act against him, using the incident of Yuan Shu declaring himself emperor as an excuse to target his position as Grand Commandant.
Then…
Thinking along these lines, Lu Yu's act of holding Yang Xiu hostage to force Yang Biao to resign his position as Grand Commandant took on a profound meaning.
When something is out of the ordinary, there must be a reason…
The "reason" was here all along.
… He understood, Yang Biao completely understood.
This was not an open beating of his son; this was clearly a reminder to Yang Biao, and to the entire Hongnong Yang clan.
Just imagine, if this incident at the Imperial Academy had not happened today…
Beneath the calm surface, how would His Majesty have used the "Fu family" connection to secretly investigate, and naturally, there would be no discovery of Cao Ren secretly investigating the Hongnong Yang clan.
The final outcome would most likely be… a thunderclap out of the blue, and the Hongnong Yang clan would be annihilated in an instant.
*Hoo…*
Yang Biao let out a long sigh.
At this moment, he could fully appreciate Lu Yu's painstaking efforts.
If it weren't for Lu Yu, perhaps tomorrow… it would be he, Yang Biao, who would be thrown into prison. And… once this crime was pinned on him, he might never be able to clear his name.
It was truly painstaking for Lu Sinong, to have gone to such lengths to save their Hongnong Yang clan.
"Grand Commandant Yang… what does this letter say?" Dong Cheng hurriedly asked.
"It wants me to resign!" Yang Biao replied…
"This… is His Majesty's intention?" Dong Cheng asked incredulously, as did all the Han officials.
"That's right," Yang Biao explained. "His Majesty has ascertained that Lu Sinong is not harming Dezhu, but is saving our Hongnong Yang clan. At the same time… he is also trying to prevent the Han court and Cao Cao from falling out… From this perspective, His Majesty and the Empress have indeed discerning eyes. Lu Yu is indeed a talent who can be, and is worth, courting!"
With that, Yang Biao cleared his throat and recounted the entire incident.
Including why Lu Yu acted out of character and resorted to personal torture against Yang Xiu?
Including why Lu Yu didn't remind Yang Xiu verbally, but instead used such a violent method…
This was because, even if Yang Xiu were intelligent, the person Lu Yu wanted to remind was not Yang Xiu, but Yang Xiu's father, Yang Biao, and even the entire Han court.
*Hoo…*
As he patiently explained the intricacies of the matter, Yang Biao sighed repeatedly.
The Han officials also suddenly understood; they had misunderstood Lu Yu.
Had Lu Yu willingly chosen to bear all the hatred, just to ensure the safety of the Hongnong Yang clan, and the peace between His Majesty and Cao Cao?
Truly painstaking.
"I'm leaving…"
Yang Biao adjusted his robes.
"Where is Grand Commandant Yang going?" Dong Cheng asked urgently…
"His Majesty is still waiting at Changle Palace," Yang Biao replied. "I trouble all of you to spread the word that my son Yang Xiu has been unfilial and has insulted his teachers and ancestors, and that I am too ashamed to hold the position of Grand Commandant, and thus request to resign and return to my hometown tonight!"
To extricate himself from the situation…
Because of Yang Xiu, to extricate himself from the situation, heh heh… Lu Sinong had even thought of the reason for his resignation.
Heh heh…
Upon thinking of this, Yang Biao felt both grateful and helpless.
Of course…
This was already the best outcome for Yang Biao, and for the Han court and Cao Cao… it was a happy ending for all.
The current Cao Cao did not wish to fall out with the Han court.
Similarly, with the traitor Yuan Shu having declared himself emperor in Shouchun, the Han court was still relying on Cao Cao at this moment and dared not completely break ties with him.
As long as this delicate balance was maintained, both sides would benefit. However, if it were broken, it would be a different story.
Balance…
At present, in Xuchang, the most difficult thing to grasp was this subtle balance.
And this… had been handled!
It had been completely handled by Lu Yu!
…
…
As the saying goes, "Dumplings with wine, the more you drink, the more spirited you become."
At this moment, within the Commander's residence, Lu Yu and Cao Cao sat opposite each other. On the table were steaming hot dumplings, and wine, potent liquor.
"Come, let's drink more. I must test Lu Sinong's capacity today."
Cao Cao appeared to be in a good mood…
On the other hand, Lu Yu seemed distracted, drinking without settling down.
"Commander Cao, I have come here to confess my fault." Lu Yu was uneasy about his drinking. In front of Old Cao, he had no intention of concealing his reminder to Yang Biao…
However, this matter had somewhat deviated from Old Cao's original intentions, and therefore… he had to first seek forgiveness.
"Where is the fault? Why do you need to seek forgiveness?" Cao Cao asked with a smile, raising his eyes.
Lu Yu replied truthfully, "Today at the Imperial Academy, I used personal torture to punish Yang Xiu and even threw him into prison. On the surface, it appears to be personal revenge, but in reality… I did it to save the Hongnong Yang family, and also to ease the relationship between Commander Cao and the Han court."
"This matter?" Cao Cao replied with great nonchalance. "I know!"
Ah…
This was completely beyond Lu Yu's expectation…
What was going on? Had Old Cao seen through him?
Lu Yu scratched his head. "Commander Cao knows?"
"I know!" Cao Cao said with a smile. "You saw that I wanted to use the matter of the rebel Yuan Shu declaring himself emperor to implicate the Hongnong Yang clan and remove Yang Biao from his position as Grand Commandant. Therefore, you used this uncharacteristic, violent, and extreme method to warn the Hongnong Yang clan."
"And how could I not know that if I truly fell out with the Hongnong Yang clan, it would be tantamount to a complete break with the Han court! But if I didn't seize this opportunity to bring down Yang Biao, the Han court would always have a powerful minister among the Three Excellencies, which would be like nurturing a tiger that could pose a threat!"
With that, Cao Cao picked up a dumpling with his chopsticks, swallowed it whole, took a sip of the soup, and then continued:
"Lu Sinong, you have done an excellent job with this matter. If the Hongnong Yang clan can appreciate your good intentions, it will not only preserve their family but also save the relationship between the Han court and the Cao clan. However…"
Ah…
Hearing this, Lu Yu felt as if Old Cao could see through him, even down to the color of his underwear.
If Yang Biao had Old Cao's intellect, then the Hongnong Yang clan would have escaped this calamity. And then… it wouldn't matter if Yang Biao realized it later; he could be handed over to Man Chong as usual, beaten half to death, and then released.
However, in that case, Old Cao's relationship with the Han court would be irretrievably broken.
"You are worthy of being Commander Cao. My humble tricks cannot escape Commander Cao's eyes."
"Let's not talk about this for now," Cao Cao said, raising his wine vessel. "Come, let's drink!"
This father and son pair thus drank merrily under the moonlight…
And it seemed Lu Yu was waiting, waiting for news, waiting for news of whether the Hongnong Yang clan would be sensible.
Tonight… if the news did not arrive, the Hongnong Yang clan would truly be doomed.
After several rounds of drinking…
Finally… the news arrived.
"Reporting to Commander Cao, the Huxiang Army has just received news. Grand Commandant Yang Biao entered the palace late at night, and he has resigned."
Upon receiving the news about Yang Biao, Xu Chu immediately reported, "Not only that, Yang Biao has publicly stated that because of his son Yang Xiu's lack of virtue, he is too ashamed to hold the position of Grand Commandant and therefore requests to resign and return to his hometown!
Huo… to extricate himself from the situation?
Cao Cao's eyes first narrowed…
Then, they suddenly opened, and his mood also improved greatly.
The mountain of "Grand Commandant" pressing down on him had actually been so easily resolved because of Yu'er's unusual actions.
Without falling out with the Hongnong Yang clan, and without breaking with the Han court.
Had Yu'er provided the best possible answer?
… How refreshing, Cao Cao's mood was naturally refreshed.
"It seems Yang Biao is not without his schemes. Lu Sinong's painstaking efforts have not been in vain," Cao Cao praised Lu Yu generously.
Lu Yu scratched his head. "Everything was within Commander Cao's expectations… After all, Yang Dezhu did not suffer this physical pain in vain."
"Haha…" Cao Cao laughed and patted Lu Yu's shoulder. The two men met each other's eyes and smiled knowingly. "Lu Sinong, because of you, many things have become much easier. Come… drink, drink!"
Yang Biao voluntarily resigned his position, and Cao Cao, as he wished, became the sole Grand Commandant of the Han.
While the strength of the Han court was weakened, Cao Cao's power became further concentrated and strengthened.
And with this matter resolved…
Cao Cao, in his great mood, would naturally shift his strategic focus to the rebel Yuan Shu!
Cao Cao and Lu Yu drank together again.
As the dumplings were consumed and two small pots of wine were emptied, Cao Cao still felt somewhat unsatisfied.
However, he couldn't drink any more, or he would get drunk.
Under the influence of this slight intoxication, Cao Cao brought up his new question.
"Lu Sinong, I plan to immediately dispatch troops to conquer Yuan Shu. What do you think?"
Ah…
This question was caught off guard!
Lu Yu paused for a moment, then waved his hand. "It's too early now… Can we wait a little longer?"
"Wait?" Cao Cao asked back. "Does Lu Sinong intend to wait for the harvest in July? It seems… unnecessary!"
Cao Cao explained, "General Le Jin has already reached Chen State. Just as you said before, Chen State has stockpiled a large amount of military supplies, grain, and equipment… These are enough for us to launch a decisive attack on Shouchun City!"
Upon hearing this.
Lu Yu still shook his head, and he reminded him.
"Commander Cao, although I also mean to wait… I am not waiting for grain or military supplies, but for Yuan Shu's complete defection!"
With that, Lu Yu's tone became considerably more serious, and his demeanor was even more meticulous.
"Commander Cao, we are not the ones in a hurry to attack now? It is Yuan Shu!"
"Because once Chen State is lost, his Shouchun City will have almost no defenses. His entire faction of civil and military officials will surely be demoralized!"
"It is no exaggeration to say that in Yuan's camp now… there are countless people with ulterior motives, and those who are two-faced. If you give them some more time, give them time to think, to strategize, and to surrender, Yuan Shu will soon be abandoned by all."
*Hoo…*
Upon hearing this, Cao Cao let out a sigh. He once again perceived a familiar scent.
A scent of "attacking the enemy's mind" that Yu'er was most adept at.
…
…