Chapter 21: Cao Cao Enters Yanzhou, The Rogue Army

  At the time when Lü Bu was sleeping soundly in the Hou Mansion, Lü Bu did not know that Tian Feng had already begun to pay attention to Cao Cao and Lü Bu. Just as Cao Cao's army marched out of Dongjun to quell the Yellow Turbans, Tian Feng also began to devise a new strategy for Yuan Shao to capture Ji Province!

  At night, in Yuan Shao's study, Yuan Shao looked at Tian Feng and asked: "Yuan Hao, recently our army has been short of food, and the expenses have not been enough for a year. I wonder if you have any clever plans?"

  Tian Feng cupped his hands and said, "My lord, in recent years the Bohai region has been in great turmoil, with Yellow Turbans rising up everywhere. It is no longer a place where our army can take refuge. I suggest that my lord seek another destination."

  Yuan Shao was taken aback and said: "Abandon Bohai? But where should our army go?"

  Tian Feng smiled and said: "Has the lord forgotten the bet he lost to Lü Bu in the Youzhou army camp?"

  Yuan Shao rolled his eyes and stared at Tian Feng. No, Han Fu's Ji Province had many soldiers and generals, and was very rich. The bet he made with Lv Rui in the game of Go was several times his own wealth, but Han Fu lost without even a hint of regret, showing just how wealthy Ji Province was. But could his own troops from Bohai really take down Ji Province?

  Yuan Shao asked: "Yuan Hua, what clever plan do you have to take over Ji Province?"

  Tian Feng cupped his hands and said: "My lord, I have two plans that can be carried out simultaneously to capture Ji Province."

  Yuan Shao hastily asked: "What plan?"

  Tian Feng said: "One is to support the new lord, leading troops into Ji Province, and two is to ally with Gongsun Zan in the north, with Gongsun Zan as the vanguard to attack Ji Province."

  Yuan Shao listened and thought for a moment, then said: "Please, Yuan Hua, dispel my doubts!"

  Tian Feng said: "In the past, Xu You and Yuan Shu joined forces to overthrow the incompetent Emperor and establish Liu Yu of Youzhou as Emperor. Now, we can use the same trick again, join hands with Han Fu, suggest making Ye City the new capital, and welcome the new Emperor. Han Fu will certainly let our lord lead troops to Ye City to assist. At the same time, our army can divide Hebei into two parts as bait, secretly join forces with Gongsun Zan, Governor of Beiping, to attack Hebei. When Gongsun Zan attacks Hebei, Hebei will certainly dispatch heavy troops to resist in the north. By then, when our great army arrives at Ye City, how can Han Fu resist?"

  Yuan Shao listened and clapped his hands, laughing loudly: "Good! Let's follow Yuan Hua's plan!"

  Yuan Shao was plotting to seize Ji Province, while Cao Cao led a large army in the borders of Yan Province, campaigning east and west, pacifying the Yellow Turbans, and successively defeating Yu Du, Bai Shuo, and the Xiongnu Urho's troops that invaded Yan Province, greatly boosting his military strength and shaking Yan Province with fear.

  The imperial court, in order to reward Cao's achievements, first agreed with Yuan Shao's petition and promoted Cao to the position of Governor of Dongjun. Not long after, due to the death of Liu Dai, the governor of Yanzhou, Chenliu Zhang Miao and other prominent families jointly petitioned for Cao to become the new governor of Yanzhou. After the imperial court approved, Cao became the governor of Yanzhou and issued a proclamation seeking talented individuals. Immediately, talented people from all sides flocked to join him, and ugly old Cao's face was filled with joyful smiles every day!

  Not long after Cao entered Yanzhou, Cao ordered Cao Chun to go to Fan County to pick up Lü Rui and bring him to Puyang, because Lü Rui was about to turn six years old and it was time for him to start school. Since there was nothing else to do in Fan County, Lü Rui brought Dian Wei, Murong Ping, Ling'er, and three hundred guards with him to Puyang. After crossing the Yellow River, they arrived in Puyang within half a month.

  Lü Rui arrived at the Taishou Mansion in Puyang with a group of people. The steward of Cao's mansion immediately took Lü Rui to bathe and change clothes, then after lunch, he took Lü Rui to the main hall to pay respects to Cao.

  Cao sat in the main hall, stroking his beard and chatting with everyone. Lü Rui suddenly jumped over the threshold of the gate, made a ghostly face, and shouted: "Uncle Zhong?"

  Cao saw Lü Rui and excitedly waved his hand, saying: "Come, come, Rui'er, quickly come to Zhongfu."

  Lv Rui ran to the front of Cao, and Cao picked him up in his arms. Then he said to everyone: "Everyone, this is Meng De's adopted son, Lv Rui!"

  Everyone heard this and immediately stood up, cupped their hands and said: "Greetings to the Marquis of Qi!"

  Lv Rui waved his hand, indicating that everyone didn't need to be polite anymore, and the crowd dispersed. Here were Cao's five major strategists in the early period: Xi Zhi, Guo Jia, Xun Yu, Xun You, and Cheng Yu.

  Cao looked at the strategist and then looked at Lü Rui, saying: "Rui'er, you are already six years old, it's time to choose a master to teach your studies."

  Lü Rui nodded and said, "Yes, Uncle!"

  Cheng Yu stepped forward and said: "Your Excellency, let Zhong De ask the Marquis which one of us is suitable to instruct him?"

  Cao looked at Cheng Yu and nodded: "Alright, let Zhongde try."

  Cheng Yu bowed to Cao, then looked at Lü Rui and asked: "I don't know what ambitions the young master has?" (In a Han dynasty aristocratic family, children usually start attending private schools at the age of four for early childhood education. For someone like Lü Rui, who already had a private tutor in Fan County to teach him characters, the word "ambition" was something even a six-year-old child would understand.)

  Lü Bu's eyes sparkled as he looked at Cao, then waved the wooden sword in his hand and said: "I just want to follow Zhongfu's side, help Zhongfu defeat the heroes, and restore the Han dynasty!"

  Everyone listened and nodded in satisfaction. Cheng Yu heard it, smiled and said: "Is Lord Hou going to be a general? Charge into battle? Kill the enemy and achieve merit?"

  Lü Rui hastily shook his head and said: "No, I just want to command from the back, don't want to rush forward, it's deadly!"

  Everyone burst out laughing, it turned out that Lü Rui still knew that people would die in battle. Cheng Yu cupped his hands and said: "Lord Hou is like a strategist, making plans and strategies to defeat the enemy?"

  Lü Rui looked at Cheng Yu and said, "Isn't it the case that strategists don't need to rush to the front lines to fight? Can't they just sit in the military camp and order the soldiers to attack whoever they want?"

  Cheng Yu nodded and said: "Lord Hou, it can also be understood this way."

  Lv Rui listened and scratched Cao's beard, saying: "Zhangfu, then I'll just be an advisor from now on."

  Cao smiled and said, "Alright, alright, my little strategist. Today, I'll let you choose a teacher from among the five people below. You can pick one of them to be your master, and then follow him to learn well." He pointed at the five people on the platform.

  Lü Bu looked at the crowd, Xun Yu and Xun You were too rigid, definitely had a strong scholarly air. Cheng Yu? He was almost an old man, no good, Shi Zhi Cai? Looked very serious! Haha, only Guo Jia, with a wine gourd tied around his waist, a carefree person, it had to be him. Lü Bu pointed at Guo Jia and said: "Zhongfu, I want him, this one with the wine gourd!"

  Cao took a look, Guo Jia? Alright, with his exceptional wisdom and strategic thinking, he's indeed a qualified candidate. Cao patted him on the back and said: "Alright, since that's the case, let's have Fengxiao be Rui'er's teacher."

  Guo Jia immediately stood up and said: "I obey the master's orders!" And so, Lü Rui became Guo Jia's disciple.

  In the following days, Guo Jia taught Lü Bu some knowledge of private school teachers at his own mansion, writing characters, recognizing characters, and reading books. Seeing that Lü Bu basically knew everything, he also had a bottom line in his heart. On the seventh day, when Guo Jia saw Lü Bu arriving at the mansion, he said: "Lü Er, bring your guard with you and go out with me for a trip. The rest of the people will stay in my mansion."

  Lü Rui nodded and said, "Yes, Master." Then he took Murong Ping and followed Guo Jia out of the mansion. Lü Rui and the two others followed Guo Jia to a place, where Guo Jia pointed and said, "Today, we will teach here."

  Lü Rui looked up and saw, unexpectedly, that this was the temple. So they came here to teach? No wonder they couldn't bring Ling'er, it's not suitable for a young girl after all. Tian Wei also couldn't be brought along, he would scare people too much, and it would be too showy as well.

  Then, Guo Jia and the other two entered the brothel. The madam saw Guo Jia and immediately took three steps forward in two strides to greet him: "Lord Guo, you've arrived?"

  Guo Jia stroked the old madam's hand and said: "Sister, you've aged again?"

  The old woman clapped her hands and said: "You're so dead set on it, I can tell you're young! The elegant seat has already been reserved for you."

  Lü Rui took a look and said, "Ah, it's an old customer, the rogue Guo Jia, indeed very promiscuous!" After the three of them entered the private room and sat down, several girls came in to serve them. Guo Jia listened to a few small tunes and then let the girls leave. Then he asked: "Rui'er, do you know why I brought you here?"

  Lü Rui thought to himself: "No way, he's not going to teach me how to gamble, am I still so young? How can I take action?" Lü Rui shook his head and said: "Rui doesn't know, please instruct me, Master."

  Guo Jia looked at Lü Rui and said: "Rui'er, what changes did the few girls have from entering to leaving? And what changes did the young servant have?"

  Lü Rui was taken aback, wasn't he just listening to the song? Why should he pay attention to the changes in Ji girl and Xiao Shuai? Lü Rui shook his head and said: "Master, Rui doesn't know."

  Guo Jia tapped the gourd with his thumb, opened it and took a sip of wine, saying: "Rui'er, let me tell you, the girl who played the piano just now had her fingers scratched, and the tune behind was already changed. The singing girl's red affairs were insufficient, and the tone was not high. The little servant who served us deducted the wine and dishes behind, and the quantity was insufficient."

  Lv Rui was taken aback and stared at Guo Jia with wide eyes, Guo Jia was indeed not simple, able to discover so many things from just a small tune!

  Looking at Lv Rui's disbelieving expression, Guo Jia smiled and said: "Rui'er, since you want to assist the lord with strategy, you must observe the subtleties and discover the unusual. If two armies are arrayed against each other, you can discover the enemy's weaknesses and break them! If two armies send envoys, you can discover the enemy's weaknesses and attack them! If we are defending a city, you can discover our own weak points and guard against them! If you infiltrate the enemy camp, you can discover the places where the enemy can be taken advantage of and plot against them! This is why I brought you here!" Lv Rui listened and suddenly understood. Guo Jia was training his observational skills! Observational skills are very important for a strategist. Without them, how can one devise strategies? How can one take action after planning? Lv Rui clasped his fists and said: "I understand, Master!"

  Guo Jia smiled and took out the wine money, saying: "Rui'er, today's lesson is over, let's go, to another place."

  Lü Bu looked at the wine and dishes on the table, "Haven't eaten yet? Already leaving? At least let me have a taste." Guo Jia looked at Lü Bu gazing at the wine and dishes on the table and said, "Rui'er, do you know why I always carry wine with me?"

  Lv Rui shook his head, Guo Jia said: "Feng Xiao loves wine, everyone knows, if you harm Feng Xiao, isn't it easy? Strategists must always have a sense of crisis, in the land of smoke and flowers, most people's hearts are confused!" After finishing speaking, he sang a song and left.

  Lü Ru looked at him with a face full of admiration, and followed Guo Jia from behind. Well, the ancient strategists were indeed formidable, especially someone like Guo Jia who could even teach so impressively!

  Guo Jia took Lü Rui away from the temple and then took him to the market, wine house, post station and other places where all kinds of people gathered. He let Lü Rui broaden his horizons. Normally, he couldn't go there due to his identity as a marquis's son. With a group of people, it wasn't fun anymore. Now following Guo Jia was quite enjoyable.

  Guo Jia's unconventional teaching benefited Lü Rui greatly, and for the next few months, Guo Jia took Lü Rui on a tour of the city's scenic spots, savoring the local delicacies, admiring the beautiful women, and becoming notorious as the city's most dissolute master-apprentice duo, indulging in food, drink, and merriment every day without ever getting tired.

  That day, Lü Rui followed Guo Jia to the brothel again. Lü Rui and Murong Ping were enjoying delicious food in the outer hall of the private room, while Guo Jia was inside with a prostitute named Xiao Qiu. As Lü Rui ate, he complained, "How despicable! It turns out that Guo Jia is also capable of using public funds for personal gain, bringing me here to learn skills under false pretenses, and taking advantage of the opportunity to have an affair!" Thinking of this, Lü Rui felt infinite contempt for Guo Jia in his heart.

  Just then, Guo Jia let out a loud shout, and Lü Rui covered his ears. Is that it? It's really not suitable for Lü Rui, the soul of a grown man, in such a young body! Only to see Guo Jia walk out with a pleased expression, Lü Rui looked at him: Are you satisfied now?

  Guo Jia sat down, took a sip of wine and said: "Rui'er, can you see the merchants downstairs?"

  Lv Rui followed Guo Jia's pointing and looked over, saying: "I saw it, Master!"

  Guo Jia said: "He claims to be a merchant from Hebei's Ji Province, but he doesn't like noodles and instead likes rice. What is the reason for this?"

  Lü Rui looked at the man and said: "Master suspects he is a southerner?"

  Guo Jia nodded and said, "Not bad."

  Lv Rui doubted: "Master, can't it be concluded that he is a southerner just because of this?"

  Guo Jia said: "Of course not, just now Qiuer and I were talking, and we heard that the sister of the Ji Institute said that for several months this person has been arriving by carriage, not good at riding horses, but likes water. A young girl accidentally spilled a basin of water on him, and he was overjoyed: 'It's been a long time since I've had a chance to play in the water, now I've encountered this water, what a wonderful thing!'"

  Lü Bu's eyes lit up, the ancient people's intelligence personnel were not very professional, and many times they would reveal their true intentions. This person seems to be a southerner, so he is likely to be Yuan Shu or Tao Qian's spy! Or an intelligence liaison!

  Guo Jia looked at him and said: "Rui'er, I've made arrangements, let's go catch people!"

  After finishing speaking, Guo Jia stood up and was about to leave. Lü Rui pointed at Guo Jia's pants and said: "Master, you haven't tied it well!"

  Guo Jia looked down at his lower body, then was shocked and hastily put on his clothes. He looked at Lü Rui and said: "Rui'er, I came here today to attend to official business, but since I've met your wife, you should know what to say. I'm here to catch a spy!"

  Lü Rui nodded and said, "Yes, Master!" But in his heart, he cursed endlessly. Master, you're making me lie to a child, how unscrupulous!

  Guo Jia and Lü Yi soon captured the spies, seized the intelligence. Since Yuan Shao took over Ji Province without losing a single soldier, Gongsun Zan was dissatisfied with Yuan Shao's deception, led his troops to attack Yuan Shao, and allied with Tao Qian and Yuan Shu to prepare for an attack on Cao Cao, take over Yanzhou, cross the Yellow River, and attack Yuan Shao!

  Guo Jia received this intelligence and hastily reported it to Cao Cao. After discussion with his advisors, Cao Cao decided to first attack Yuan Shu in the south before embarking on an eastern campaign against Xu Province. Thus began Cao Cao's first eastern campaign against Xu Province.

  Guo Jia was about to go on a military expedition and couldn't teach Lü Rui anymore, so Lü Rui had no choice but to temporarily return to Fan County. To follow the army on an expedition? That's not possible, that's war, not making money with the sour jujube alliance army, can't go!