Some men die, but they still live; some men live, but they are already dead.
Take Bian Rang, for instance, that notorious scold. His death was a certainty, the only question was how he would meet it.
Of course, Lu Yu had already chosen the most fitting end for him.
"Lord Cao, Bian Rang is, after all, a renowned scholar of the realm. To openly execute him would undoubtedly instill panic among the clans of Yan Province. We must embrace the Son of Heaven to command the unsubmissive, cultivate agriculture to stockpile military provisions, and prioritize stability in all matters."
Up to this point, Lu Yu's tone was impeccably serious, but his voice then took on a hint of playfulness… "Furthermore, why must one use a butcher's cleaver to kill a chicken? Can a kitchen knife not slaughter a chicken?"
Hmm… a kitchen knife, to kill a chicken?
Cao Ren and Cao Hong hadn't quite grasped the meaning yet, but Cao Cao suddenly understood.
A kitchen knife killing a chicken? Haha… hahaha!
In that moment, Cao Cao felt a surge of exhilaration.
He had been overthinking. Yu'er was hardly sentimental. This was a plan of borrowed blades, a scheme of cunning. The boy had a touch of the insidious, a hint of the 'ambitious schemer'.
Cao Cao's eyes narrowed slightly as he pondered the matter.
Yu'er's words were not without merit. The immediate priority was stability. Why tarnish his reputation by killing a renowned scholar?
As for… borrowing blades, it was indeed a bit devious, but… Cao Cao found the idea excellent!
Having fully comprehended the plan, Cao Cao burst into hearty laughter.
"Zixiao, Zilian… issue an order. Send this Bian Rang to Chang'an. Let him serve as an official in the imperial court!"
Serve as an official in the imperial court?
Cao Hong was still somewhat bewildered. Cao Ren, however, smacked his forehead. So that was the meaning of Lu Yu's "why use a butcher's cleaver to kill a chicken"! Bian Rang was the "chicken," his elder brother Cao Cao the "butcher's cleaver," and Chang'an, naturally, was a large "kitchen knife"!
A brilliant idea!
The current Chang'an, the current imperial court, was under the control of the Xiliang generals Li Jue and Guo Si. Bian Rang, being so adept at "scolding," would surely continue to speak without restraint once he arrived there… Li Jue and Guo Si would never tolerate him.
Borrowing blades to kill, brilliant… absolutely brilliant!
Of course… Cao Ren only grasped the first layer. According to Lu Yu's conception, Bian Rang, with his title of "renowned scholar," should naturally be utilized.
If all went as expected… Bian Rang would be executed by Li Jue and Guo Si!
This would further alienate the Xiliang generals from the hearts of the people, the scholars, and the clans. It would also provide the necessary conditions for the subsequent deployment and planning to welcome the Son of Heaven back.
Lu Yu mused that Cao Ren and Cao Hong were unlikely to comprehend his profound intentions. As for Cao Cao, no matter which level he was on, Lu Yu felt he himself was operating on a higher plane.
After discussing this matter… they engaged in further casual conversation.
At Cao Cao's invitation, Lu Yu and Cai Zhao Ji dined with him at the yamen.
Cao Cao’s palate was truly bland. The dishes here were certainly not as lavish as those at the residence of Chenliu’s wealthiest man, the Wei Mansion. It was better than nothing, he supposed!
However… Lu Yu found the pace of events incorrect!
He had accomplished so many great deeds, breaking the Yellow Turbans, pacifying them, weakening the clans, exiling renowned scholars… But… where were the rewards? Had Old Cao shown no appreciation for what he deserved, and even what he didn't?
Lu Yu didn't care about an official position or two, but… what about material rewards?
While living at the Wei Mansion was quite pleasant, it wasn't his own home. Old Cao should at least reward Lu Yu with a grand residence, otherwise, many things that could only be unlocked when he was alone with his sister would be inconvenient!
Speaking of which, wasn't Old Cao usually quite generous? Why was he now remaining silent about rewards?
With this thought, Lu Yu cast a hopeful gaze at Old Cao…
He pondered that when things were out of the ordinary, there was usually a reason. Could this fellow be wary of his knowledge and harboring murderous intent?
Cao Cao's grand undertaking had only just set sail. Surely Old Cao wouldn't become so suspicious at this stage, would he?
Of course…
Lu Yu was unaware that Cao Cao's thoughts were entirely different from his own.
Cao Cao was racking his brain, wondering what official title would be suitable for Lu Yu.
Firstly, Lu Yu knew nothing of martial arts; he was certainly not suited for fighting on the battlefield.
Lu Yu was also astounded by his insight into current affairs, but battlefield command, with its unpredictable changes, was not his forte either. A strategist during wartime wouldn't work!
Besides, Cao Cao was reluctant to send his guilt-ridden son into dangerous territory.
However… if it were internal affairs, it would be improper to bestow too high a rank, given his youth. Cao Cao had experienced this drawback in his own youth; being in a high position too early often led to losing one's way.
A lower official title wouldn't do either… it still needed to be helpful to Yu'er. From the perspective of his old father, Cao Cao, it was difficult to decide on an official title for Lu Yu…
However, for a reward… Cao Cao had prepared a surprise for Lu Yu. This surprise was waiting just outside the gate!
"Very well, let us conclude for today," Cao Cao said, finishing his cup of wine. "Accepting the surrender of the Yellow Turbans, appeasing the clans, and with various other matters… I shall not detain my dear sister for further discussion at my residence."
With that, Cao Cao intended to personally escort Cai Zhao Ji and Lu Yu to their carriage.
"Brother, please do not trouble yourself… my brother and I know Lu, there is no need for you to see us off," Cai Zhao Ji said with a graceful bow, then led Lu Yu out.
Hiss.
Lu Yu felt a sense of great strangeness. He felt as though his value had been completely extracted and then he was cast aside, much like a man’s post-coital clarity.
The critical question was, what was going on? Where were the rewards? The house? The carriage? The woman?
Even now, Cao Cao remained silent about it. This was unscientific!
Helpless, Lu Yu was pulled out of the yamen by Cai Zhao Ji. To be honest, Lu Yu felt quite disappointed. When he had decided to join Old Cao, it was because he valued his eagerness to recruit talent and his willingness to reward them generously.
Especially when it came to talented individuals, he would cherish them as if they were fragile porcelain, holding them gently in his hands.
For example, Guo Jia often drank and frequented women in the military camp, and despite multiple reports, Old Cao had never said a word. Even when the prohibition on alcohol was enforced later, Guo Jia’s wine gourd was never empty.
This was evident…
Why was it that when it came to him…
As if sensing Lu Yu's dejection.
Cai Zhao Ji gently stroked Lu Yu's head, "What's wrong, little brother? You seem unhappy…"
"Sigh…" Lu Yu sighed. He couldn't feel happy; it felt like free labor. "Sister Zhao Ji, forget it, let's not talk about it. I'm sad, I'm blue!"
Sad? Blue?
What was that? Cai Zhao Ji was utterly bewildered…
However, she was accustomed to it. Lu Yu often uttered inexplicable words. Sometimes, she could understand them from the context, but other times… Cai Zhao Ji would ponder them repeatedly yet remain unable to decipher their meaning.
Just then.
"Stomp…"
Uniform footsteps echoed in the night. Lu Yu rubbed his eyes. Before him stood over a thousand men, standing at attention as if awaiting something.
And as Lu Yu appeared, they all stepped forward in unison.
"Stomp, stomp…"
More crisp footsteps. Lu Yu was startled. What was going on? Standing at attention in the middle of the night? Marching in step?
Before Lu Yu could ponder further…
"Greetings, Miss Cai Yan! Greetings, Young Master Lu!"
*Clap…*
Over a thousand people collectively saluted Lu Yu and Cai Zhao Ji.
Their voices were perfectly synchronized, just as these thousand men were saluting their general!
…
…