Chenliu Commandery, Cai Residence…
Cai Zhaoji had already prepared the front hall and instructed a maid to serve tea to Xun Yu. Following that, she waited by the courtyard gate for her brother's arrival.
Xun Yu sat inside, waiting patiently.
Meanwhile, Cao De and Cao Anmin also waited outside the gate. Cao De, in particular, kept his head down, afraid of being recognized…
However, his peripheral vision kept glancing towards the courtyard gate. Approaching his benefactor, his heart inevitably stirred.
Just then…
“Brother Yu, you’re finally here. Vice-General Xun has been waiting for a long time…” Lu Yu finally appeared. Cai Zhaoji hurried to meet him, tidying his clothes as she whispered a mild complaint…
Xun Yu now held a high position in Cao Ying, and Cai Yan admired him as a talented individual. Making such an important person wait for her brother… Cai Zhaoji felt it was quite discourteous.
“Oh… I’m here now?” Lu Yu smiled at Sister Zhaoji. “The forging in the backyard is also at a critical stage. I’m a bit tied up… Sister Zhaoji, let’s not chat for now. I’m going to see Vice-General Xun!”
With that, Lu Yu stepped across the courtyard and headed indoors.
Seeing Lu Yu arrive, Cai Zhaoji was finally relieved. She then slowly walked towards the kitchen, intending to personally prepare some refreshments for her brother and Vice-General Xun.
However, Cao De, in the courtyard, heard Lu Yu and Miss Cai Yan’s conversation and confirmed that the person arriving was indeed his benefactor.
He immediately looked over with immense excitement. But with just one glance, he froze. Subconsciously, he turned around to avoid Lu Yu seeing his face.
In his haste, as Lu Yu passed through the pavilion courtyard, he didn’t notice Cao De and Cao Anmin guarding a corner, directly entering the main hall.
Only after Lu Yu had completely passed did Cao De turn around, poking his head inside to look.
Cao Anmin, standing beside him, was not surprised by this action. This was arranged by Vice-General Xun beforehand – just to see his benefactor from afar and avoid meeting anyone to protect his identity!
Thinking this way, his father's actions were not out of line. But precisely at this moment, Cao De spread his hands and firmly grasped Cao Anmin’s shoulders.
What followed was a voice that was not loud, but every word carried significant weight and certainty.
“My son, remember this clearly: no matter what, you must join the Dragon Soaring Camp!”
His gaze was earnest, his tone grave…
Cao Anmin shivered. Such a heavy tone was a bit strange!
It wasn’t that Cao Anmin was thinking too much. The reason his father spoke so was not merely because Lu Yu was his benefactor, but more importantly, Cao De had recognized Lu Yu…
No, he wasn't just young master Lu! He was Yin Lin!
At the end of the second year of Chuping, Cao De, on his grandfather’s orders, carried gold, silver, jade, and silks, along with abundant provisions, to Pengcheng Commandery in Xuzhou to aid Yin Lin and his sister. He also intended to inquire about his elder brother Cao Cao’s strategy to break the current predicament, given Cao Cao was then residing in Dong Commandery…
And it was Yin Lin’s few words that helped his elder brother secure Yanzhou and break the deadlock.
Cao De would never forget Yin Lin’s face, nor his deep eyes…
And today, Yin Lin, who had gifted him words back then, wasn’t this Lu Yu, young master Lu, who had just hurried into the main hall?
Good heavens, Yin Lin was under his elder brother’s command, and his elder brother… his elder brother was likely completely unaware!
This…
The reason Cao De deliberately turned his head was that he didn’t want Yin Lin to recognize him. He was even more hesitant to reveal Yin Lin’s identity directly, lest… Yin Lin was playing a grand strategy, and his sudden action might disrupt it.
Making his son Cao Anmin join the Dragon Soaring Camp was a no-brainer. Working under Yin Lin, his future would undoubtedly be limitless.
And the most pressing matter…
Besides reminding his son Cao Anmin, he had to go to Xuzhou. Even at some risk, he had to inform his elder brother Cao Cao of this matter!
With Yin Lin by his side, his elder brother could not remain ignorant and miss out on this “talent for pacifying the world”!
*Hoo…*
At this moment, Cao De’s chest heaved. He felt his entire body tremble. His eyes kept looking towards Lu Yu’s, no… towards Yin Lin’s receding figure!
Precisely at that moment, as Lu Yu bowed to Xun Yu from the side, the jade pendant on his chest was revealed.
It was better if this jade pendant wasn’t shown. Once it was, Cao De’s face instantly lost its color. His legs, uncontrollably, took a few more hurried steps towards the main hall. These few steps allowed him to clearly see the small seal script carved on the jade pendant – "Jili"!
That’s right… "Jili" of Cao Aman, Cao Jili…
At this moment, Lu Yu was cupping his hands in greeting, unaware of Cao De’s actions outside. But Xun Yu was genuinely startled. His greatest fear was Cao De rushing in and directly calling out “Benefactor,” causing unforeseen events.
After all, although Lu Yu knew Cao De was alive, his guards following Lu Yu did not… Lu Yu might not reveal it, but what if others leaked it?
Better safe than sorry!
Xun Yu immediately walked to the door, gave Cao De a meaningful look, and then quickly closed the door…
Cao De, meanwhile, remained stunned on the spot, his entire demeanor as if struck by a rolling thunderbolt on a clear day.
The jade pendant, inscribed with "Jili" – a milky white jade pendant…
Cao De was too familiar with this jade pendant. It was left to him by his elder brother Cao Cao’s mother, Lady Ding. The inscription "Jili" was his elder brother’s childhood name. Cao Cao was originally named Cao Man, with the courtesy name Jili.
The reason Cao De was so familiar with this jade pendant was that his father Cao Song, to embody the auspicious meaning of "double happiness," had specifically asked Cao De’s birth mother, Lady Zou, to imitate Lady Ding and also have a milky white jade pendant of the same material made for Cao De.
Cao De subconsciously took out his own jade pendant from his怀. This jade pendant was also inscribed with two characters – "Wuji"!
Cao De, courtesy name Wuji!
Indeed, Cao Cao’s childhood name "Jili" meant great fortune and prosperity, while Cao De’s childhood name "Wuji" was the six characters his father Cao Song had bestowed upon him – "no suspicion, no apprehension"!
Deeper meaning was that he should not suspect his elder brother, nor be apprehensive of his elder brother, symbolizing fraternal harmony.
Of course, these were not the main points. The main point was… Cao De had heard his elder brother Cao Cao mention that when he was the Magistrate of Dunqiu, he had given this "Jili" jade pendant to a woman from Dunqiu County, as a private engagement for life.
Later, due to the implication in the case of Empress Song, to protect this woman, Cao Cao did not take her with him when he returned to the imperial capital, nor did he report her matter to his father. He only told his brother Cao De… to keep an eye on this woman if he had the chance. At that time, Cao Cao also told Cao De that when he left Dunqiu, this woman was already pregnant.
In an instant, all the clues were connected like pearls strung on a thread.
No wonder Cao De was currently as if struck by lightning, speechless for a long time.
Lu Yu is Yin Lin… this news was already explosive enough!
But… compared to Yin Lin being Cao Cao’s illegitimate son, it seemed… the weight of the previous piece of news was somewhat insufficient.
This matter was too big. It was so big that Cao De dared not make a decision. He had to tell his grandfather Cao Song and his elder brother Cao Cao about these two matters immediately!
*Stomp… stomp…*
Taking a step outside, Cao De felt his legs were weak. If the evidence hadn’t been so conclusive, he still wouldn’t believe it.
Who wouldn’t believe it?
Benefactor Lu Yu is Yin Lin… and Yin Lin is… he is Cao De’s own nephew! Yin Lin should even call him Uncle!
*Gulp* – he swallowed a mouthful of saliva.
*Hoo… hoo…*
Continuous gasps for breath kept coming out.
“Father… Benefactor is inside. You don’t have to… don’t have to get this excited!” Cao Anmin quickly supported his father Cao De.
He muttered to himself, even if it was a life-saving grace, it shouldn't make him so agitated that he couldn’t breathe, right?
Cao De waved his hand. “Your father… your father will go first. My son Anmin… you… you must remember to join the Dragon Soaring Camp, absolutely, absolutely!”
This…
Cao Anmin paused. “Father, although Vice-General Xun has closed the doors and windows, will Benefactor still walk through the courtyard after the meeting? Won’t Father take another look?”
“No need to look!” Cao De waved his hand. “I have more important things to do!”
The so-called more important things naturally referred to returning to Mount Tai Commandery to see his father, and then going to Xuzhou to see his elder brother. This matter was too big. Cao De dared not write it in a letter, so he had to go in person.
Benefactor Lu Yu…
Ah, no, it’s Yin Lin. He… he is a member of the Cao family! What benefactor or not, it’s too distant. They are family. This affection is much deeper than the identity of “Benefactor”!
“Father, so urgent?” Cao Anmin was still a little confused. How could his father, who was always calm and composed when encountering things, become so flustered and nervous now?
Cao Anmin was a bit puzzled…
“My son, let me nag you one more thing.” Cao De seemed to have thought of something and hurriedly instructed, “If you join the Dragon Soaring Camp, it will be your good fortune. No matter when, you must protect young master Lu’s safety, even at the cost of your own life, because… because he is…”
Cao De almost blurted out, “Because he is your elder brother!”
Ultimately, as the words reached his lips, he quickly changed them.
“Because, because he is the benefactor of our Cao family. The disciples of our Cao clan must abide by it – the four words ‘know gratitude and repay it.’ Do you understand!”
“Your son understands!” Cao Anmin quickly agreed…
Cao De nodded, patted Cao Anmin’s shoulder one last time, and hurried out of this pavilion courtyard.
As he walked, he was still pondering this matter, considering how to bring it up with his grandfather and elder brother…
Wait…
Suddenly, Cao De remembered another thing. He seemed to recall that on the way to Chenliu Commandery, someone mentioned to Vice-General Xun that Madam Ding had deliberately asked Mu’er to apprentice under Miss Cai Yan, intending to use this means to interact with Lu Yu, fostering a childhood sweetheart relationship of innocent intimacy…
Mu’er… elder brother’s eldest daughter – Cao Mu!
Lu Yu… perhaps elder brother’s eldest son – Cao Yu!
This…
Cao De gasped for air. Sister-in-law, sister-in-law, aren’t you messing around! If they really become childhood sweethearts, your elder brother might even want to divorce you.
If Sister-in-law insists on her way, and Elder Brother still doesn’t know Lu Yu’s background, then… then there will be great trouble.
At once, Cao De no longer dared to delay and sped like lightning towards the carriage outside the gate.
Of course, Cao De was also in a hurry and confused. He recognized this milky white jade pendant, so how could his elder brother Cao Cao not recognize it?
…
In the main hall of the pavilion, there was a table with fruits, snacks, and hot tea.
After the maids had arranged everything, they all slowly retreated, leaving only Lu Yu and Xun Yu in the entire pavilion, both kneeling on either side of the table.
“Lu Official, it’s been a long time!” Xun Yu began politely…
“Vice-General Xun is in charge of Juancheng affairs and also the defense of Yanzhou’s northern border. You are a very busy person… unlike me, a闲人 (idle person). Naturally, we don’t see each other often!” Lu Yu replied with a smile…
Saying this, he proactively pushed Xun Yu’s tea cup closer. “Vice-General Xun, you’re here for more than just chatting, so don’t hesitate to speak directly. What stage has the Xuzhou situation reached? Has Duke Cao encountered any difficulties again?”
This kid…
Xun Yu mused. He wanted to chat more casually, engage in some small talk… but Lu Yu gave him no opportunity. So, Xun Yu didn’t hesitate either. He took out Cao Cao’s personal letter from his sleeve and handed it to Lu Yu.
“Lu Official, please take a look at this…”
Lu Yu slowly unfolded it. It was written in Cao Cao’s handwriting, and the content… was from Cao Cao’s perspective, stating a dilemma and asking for Xun Yu’s opinion.
While Lu Yu was reading the bamboo slip, Xun Yu roughly outlined the current situation in Xuzhou.
“Recently, it’s been a time of many events. The intelligence from Xuzhou has all been sealed by my men and not disseminated. Lu Official likely doesn’t know what has happened in Xuzhou, right?”
“Five days ago, following the three strategies proposed by Lu Official, the hearts of the people and clans of Pengcheng surrendered. Duke Cao captured Pengcheng without significant troop losses. After a day of rest, four days ago, his forces approached Xiapi City. Currently, Xuzhou’s major regions are under Duke Cao’s control. The only remaining territories are Xiapi City, the administrative seat of Xuzhou, and Guangling Commandery, adjacent to Xiapi City.”
Saying this, Xun Yu paused, as if to give Lu Yu some time to record it.
“Oh…” Lu Yu nodded and retorted, “Are Xiapi City and Guangling Commandery the places mentioned in Duke Cao’s letter, bordering Yuan Shu’s territory in Huainan?”
“Correct,” Xun Yu stated truthfully. “As Duke Cao’s letter says, currently, the world’s largest and strongest forces are still Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu. Duke Cao and Yuan Shu belong to different factions. With our current strength bordering Yuan Shu, engaging in military conflict seems unwise. Duke Cao’s intention is…”
Before Xun Yu could finish, Lu Yu interjected, “It’s a buffer zone, right? Duke Cao wants to have a buffer zone between his territory and Yuan Shu’s, which will avoid many troubles.”
As he spoke, Lu Yu nodded.
Although the history of old Cao’s campaign in Xuzhou had changed drastically due to Lu Yu’s appearance…
Cao Cao did not massacre cities, nor did he lose the already captured Xuzhou territory due to returning to reinforce Yanzhou. He also preserved a large portion of Yanzhou…
This was an extremely optimistic situation…
The decision to be made now was whether to press on and capture Xuzhou, to contend with Yuan Shu.
Or, to retain Xiapi City and Guangling Commandery as a buffer zone, thereby avoiding direct conflict with Yuan Shu’s territory, allowing him to turn his attention to dealing with Lu Bu in the rear of Yanzhou.
Cao Cao’s idea was not without merit. Establishing a buffer zone was a good decision.
It was like in the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, where many large states had smaller states sandwiched between them. This wasn’t because the larger states couldn’t conquer the smaller ones, but rather due to the tacit understanding between the larger states, using smaller states as buffer zones to prevent relationships from becoming too strained, and to avoid unnecessary friction, accumulating strength.
However… the current situation was subtly different from the struggles of the lords in the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods.
Lu Yu continued to read Cao Cao’s personal letter, while Xun Yu’s voice followed.
“A buffer zone is indeed a good choice, but unfortunately, the current situation in Xuzhou is complex. It is not just the game between Tao Qian and his son, Yuan Shu, and Duke Cao. A variable has been added in the middle, and that variable is Liu Bei!”
“Duke Cao is certain that if he withdraws his army, Tao Qian and his son will surely not be able to contend with Liu Bei, and the ownership of Xiapi City and Guangling Commandery will likely fall into Liu Bei’s hands. Liu Bei is an extraordinary person. If he gains control of two commanderies, this will be like nurturing a tiger that becomes a menace to us. For him, it will be like a tiger entering the mountain forest or a dragon entering the sea. It might be difficult to handle him later.”
After Xun Yu finished speaking, Lu Yu had also roughly finished reading Cao Cao’s personal letter.
In fact, the core point rested on one person – Liu Bei!
Let alone Cao Cao, Lu Yu also knew that this fellow was not one to stay under others. If he were truly given two cities and tens of thousands of troops, Liu Bei would become extremely dangerous…
However… while the principle was sound, the reality was not so pessimistic.
Because the two cities offered to Liu Bei were Xiapi and Guangling, and the troops offered to him were Danyang soldiers. This was interesting.
Thinking of this, Lu Yu’s lips curled into a faint smile.
It wasn’t that Lu Yu despised Liu Bei, but rather that the waters in Xuzhou were too deep. Bei Bei, you can’t handle it!
…
…