"Lord Cao, if you want these three hundred thousand Yellow Turban soldiers to surrender, you must fight them even more fiercely, make them suffer unimaginably, and push them to the brink of collapse."
"It's like taming wolves; you have to make them remember this 'pain' for a lifetime, so they will be more loyal and obedient... Lord Cao, you should know this better than I do," Lu Yu added.
"I understand," Cao Cao nodded, then he proactively pushed the tea towards Lu Yu. "Have some tea to moisten your throat. Compared to those moth-like rebels, I'm more curious about what the third and fourth pieces of the puzzle are for achieving hegemony!"
Hearing this, Lu Yu looked up. As they talked, Old Cao's perspective had broadened considerably.
With this thought, Lu Yu took a sip of tea.
"Lord Cao, think about it. A large number of common people can enrich the soldiers, and loyal warriors can lead troops into battle. However... relying solely on these two pieces of the puzzle still lacks organization and discipline! To compete with the warlords in this chaotic era, you are still outnumbered and isolated!"
The meaning of these words was obvious: he, Cao Cao, needed more strength, especially capable, willing-to-cooperate, and organized aristocratic clans.
Lu Yu's words struck a chord with Cao Cao.
Cao Cao had already discovered this point; otherwise, he wouldn't have issued several successive decrees seeking talented individuals, the purpose of which was precisely to find these capable, willing-to-cooperate clans.
But...
Cao Cao's brow furrowed slightly. "Young Master Lu, Young Master Lu, how could I not know the influence of these aristocratic clans?"
"But in the thirteen provinces of the Great Han, the prominent regions of the aristocratic families are none other than Runan, Yingchuan, Nanyang, Dong Commandery, and Jizhou... The scions of various clans have likely already placed their bets separately, each supporting their own master. I am a step too late!"
As Cao Cao said, for instance, the talents of Runan either became Yuan Shao's "Run-Ying" clan and went north to Jizhou, or they supported Yuan Shu in the contest for the Central Plains.
The talents of Dong Commandery, such as Chen Gong (Chen Gongtai), had already broken with Cao Cao and left him.
Nanyang was a hotbed of heroes with complex factions, some defecting to the Governor of Jing Province, Liu Biao, or pledging loyalty to the Yuan brothers...
The only ones remaining were the talents of Yingchuan. A year ago, Cao Cao had heard that Xun Kan, one of the three renowned Xun brothers from Yingchuan, was serving as the chief advisor under Yuan Shao.
As a representative of another Run-Ying clan, he had single-handedly helped Yuan Shao 'secure' Jizhou and 'persuaded' the civil and military officials under the former Governor of Jizhou, Han Fu, to pledge allegiance to Yuan Shao. Did this signify that the Yingchuan clans had already sided with Yuan Shao?
It could be said that in today's world, apart from those who lived as recluses or possessed extraordinary abilities, all the clans that could be allied had already found their patrons.
This was Cao Cao's most helpless predicament.
Clans, he wanted to find capable, organized, and cooperative clans, but... where were they? He was ultimately a step too late!
Thinking of this, Cao Cao's brow furrowed heavily, and his expression became exceptionally grim.
In stark contrast to his distressed appearance, Lu Yu's expression was very relaxed, exceptionally relaxed.
He raised his hand and said with a smile, "Not late, not late at all. Right now... there is a capable, organized, and cooperative clan that is desperately searching for a wise lord. As the saying goes, they are far away, yet right before your eyes..."
Ah... Ah...
Cao Cao thought Lu Yu was referring to himself?
But... Yu'er, you are of the Cao family, how can you be considered a clan?
Immediately, Cao Cao's expression changed.
Seeing Cao Cao's expression, Lu Yu realized... Old Cao had misunderstood and quickly explained.
"Lord Cao, please don't misunderstand. I am referring to Mr. Xun Yu and Mr. Xun You. Aren't they the Yingchuan clan and the Yingchuan talents that Lord Cao has been desperately seeking?"
Xun Wenruo? Xun Gongda?
Cao Cao paused slightly. If Lu Yu had not appeared, he would certainly be holding detailed discussions with Xun Yu and Xun You at this very moment!
However... the strategy of 'protracted war' proposed by Lu Yu was too eye-catching, and he, Cao Cao, could not resist... he had to rush over immediately.
Setting aside other unexpected pleasant surprises, the mere conversation with Lu Yu made Cao Cao feel that it was "worth the trip."
As for Xun Yu and Xun You, whom Lu Yu had mentioned, could this indirectly indicate... that the Yingchuan clans had abandoned Yuan Shao and switched their allegiance to him, Cao Cao?
One must know that Xun Kan, one of the three renowned Xun brothers, held a high official position under Yuan Shao in Jizhou. Yuan Shao's power was immense, with many soldiers, generals, and abundant provisions. He would be a more sensible choice for the Yingchuan talents, wouldn't he?
As if sensing Cao Cao's doubt, Lu Yu added.
"Lord Cao is likely thinking, 'Xun Kan holds a high official position under Yuan Shao, so the Yingchuan talents should naturally flock to Yuan Shao to seek fame and fortune. Why would they come to Yan Province?'"
After posing the question, Lu Yu paused. Seeing Cao Cao perk up his ears, he then answered loudly, "Lord Cao must know that Yuan Shao has a multitude of talented individuals under his command. His advisors include 'Run-Ying clans' who have followed him for many years, such as Xu You, Guo Tu, Feng Ji, and Xun Kan, as well as newly joined Jizhou talents like Shen Pei, Ju Shou, and Tian Feng..."
"In terms of mid-level organization, Yuan Shao's ranks... can be described as overcrowded. The talents of Yingchuan are mostly intelligent individuals. How could they not realize... that instead of adding to Yuan Shao's already abundant resources, it would be better to seize the opportunity when Lord Cao's household is in need to offer help?"
"Xun Yu and Xun You are merely the stepping stones. If Lord Cao entrusts them with important responsibilities, then following this Yingchuan network, you will gain a large number of remarkably capable strategic talents. And the Yingchuan talents are the third piece of the puzzle for Lord Cao to achieve hegemony."
Lu Yu's words were logical and well-reasoned. He had read too many analyses concerning the "Three Kingdoms" period.
Among them, there were naturally explanations as to why many Yingchuan talents chose to join Cao rather than Yuan.
A small number of historians believe that Xun Yu had predicted early on that Yuan Shao would ultimately fail, and since Cao Cao and Yuan Shao were still in the same camp, it was understandable for him to join Cao Cao.
However, in reality, more historians believe that it was because Yuan Shao's ranks were overcrowded and his factions were complex, which made the Yingchuan talents hesitant, and they turned to support Cao Cao, whose factions were purer and who was still in a developing upward phase...
The goodwill of offering help in times of need could also make the cooperation between both parties closer and foster greater trust between them.
Lu Yu's analysis for Cao Cao was based on what he considered to be the correct theory. Judging by Cao Cao's appearance, he was clearly receptive.
"Young Master Lu, these words of yours are worth more than ten years of my reading!"
Cao Cao suddenly stood up...
The support of aristocratic clans that he had been desperately seeking but could not obtain, who would have thought it was so close at hand.
At once, Cao Cao understood.
It could be said that Xun Yu and Xun You were the vanguards of the Yingchuan talents, coming to Yan Province to test Cao Cao's strength and see if he was as eager for talent as his "decree seeking talents" suggested...
The clans of Runan, Nanyang, Dong Commandery, and Jizhou might have already made their choices, but the Yingchuan clans were still observing. This presented an opportunity, a golden opportunity, for Cao Cao!
His cooperation with the Yingchuan clans was a perfect match.
After thinking this through, Cao Cao felt quite exhilarated. However, what made Cao Cao even more excited than the Yingchuan clans was Lu Yu.
Such a clear and insightful analysis, so logical and well-supported, as if he had completely grasped the other person's state of mind.
Cao Cao considered himself quite skilled in psychological tactics, but compared to this eldest son, he felt he had to concede defeat.
The seeds sown fifteen years ago had truly taken root, sprouted, and grown robustly today!
As the saying goes, "I planted a seed, and it finally bore fruit. Today is a great day." At this moment, Cao Cao's mood was as bright and radiant as a "little apple"!
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