Chapter 4: The Journey to Luoyang (1) Cao Song

  Lü Bu saw Hua Tuo agree to enter the mansion on condition, gave Hua Tuo three days to deal with his disciples' affairs, and then left the teahouse with Cao Cao. Cao Cao saw Lü Bu's performance and secretly praised him in his heart, wondering if Xu Shu's words were true? It turned out that when Lü Bu had been in Cao Mansion for less than a month, Xu Shu came to visit Cao Cao. Cao Cao still had a good impression of this self-proclaimed "hero of the chaotic world, able minister of the peaceful world" and asked him to read the fortunes of his sons, including Lü Bu. Xu Shu told Cao Cao that all his sons would be dragons and phoenixes among men. When Cao Cao brought over Lü Bu, Xu Shu was stunned for a moment, only saying: The wisest under heaven, none surpass him, the appearance of Taigong!

  Xu Jue's words kept echoing in Cao Cao's mind. If what Xu Jue said was true, then Lü Rui would be the wise man of the future, with the appearance of Taigong? Could it be that Lü Rui is Jiang Taigong? If Lü Rui were indeed Jiang Taigong, wouldn't he be Zhou Wenwang, and Zhou Wuwang just one of his own sons? Thinking this far, a sly smile spread across Cao Cao's ugly face.

  Hua Tuo was now instructing his disciples to follow his instructions, continuing to travel and study medicine in various parts of the Han Dynasty, helping the poor masses with medical treatment. If there were any problems, they could go to Cao's mansion in Qiao County to find him. From Cao's family members, Hua Tuo had already learned that Lü Rui was Cao's adopted son. As for the Cao family, Hua Tuo naturally knew about them, being a fellow townsman, and the Cao family of Qiao County was a prominent local family. Although many disciples did not understand Hua Tuo's behavior, they could only follow his orders as their master's instructions were not to be disobeyed.

  Three days later, Hua Tuo arrived at the inn where Lü Bu was staying. Hua Tuo bowed and said: "Hua Tuo pays his respects to Young Master. From today on, Hua Tuo will be the physician of Young Master's mansion. Please don't go back on your word, let me spread my medical skills far and wide, and pass them down to future generations." Hua Tuo had originally agreed to Lü Bu for two reasons: one was that he really wanted to find a way to prevent plagues, and the other was that he was a scholar who valued his integrity. Since he had lost to Lü Bu, he had to keep his promise. However, after returning home and thinking carefully about Lü Bu's words, Hua Tuo felt that Lü Bu could help him spread his medical skills well, which made him more determined to follow Lü Bu. At this time, the Han Dynasty was in chaos, and to spread his medical skills, he needed a powerful backer. The Cao family was just such a backer, and no matter what the future held for the Han Dynasty, the Cao family would be a strong supporter during Hua Tuo's lifetime.

  Lü Rui glanced at Hua Tuo, then waved the wooden sword in his hand and said: "Old man Hua Tuo, rest assured that I will definitely keep my promise. However, you must bring out all your skills when following me, don't hide anything, otherwise, I'll flay you alive!" After finishing speaking, he brandished his own wooden sword at Hua Tuo.

  Hua Tuo listened, stunned for a moment, then cupped his hands and said: "Yes, young master." Ah, after all, he's still just a three-year-old child, unaware of the weight of promises in Hua Tuo's heart. Since Hua Tuo had agreed, he would do his best. In fact, Hua Tuo didn't know that Lü Rui had already begun to plot against him from now on. Hua Tuo values promises? Heh heh, then just follow this young master and use promises to bind you to death. People who value promises are ancient people; one promise can make a person pay the price for a lifetime.

  Hua Tuo came to surrender to Lü Rui after that, Cao took Lü Rui and Hua Tuo, as well as a group of followers, left Tiger Trap Pass and headed for Luoyang. Because Cao Song had written to say he had paved the way for Cao in the past few days, once they arrived in Luoyang, Cao entered the General's mansion, then Cao Song could retire and return home.

  After a three-day journey, Cao and his entourage arrived in Luoyang. Standing in front of the city gate, Cao recalled his past experiences as the Northern Commandant of Luoyang. He remembered his five-colored baton. Cao was inspired to compose a poem and ordered his attendants to prepare writing materials. As soon as they were brought out, Lü Bu jumped down from the carriage, rolled on the ground, and exclaimed: "Uncle Cao, Uncle Cao! Now that we've arrived in Luoyang, why don't you return home? I want to go home, I want to go home!"

  Cao saw Lü Rui, the little demon, making a big fuss at the gate of Luoyang City and was startled. He quickly hugged Lü Rui and said: "Okay, okay, Rui'er, let's go home first, don't cry." Cao broke out in cold sweat, this is Luoyang after all, and the Cao family's large flag on his carriage was still fluttering in the wind. If Benchu, Gonglu, and others found out, he would be in trouble. Old Cao, you came back to Luoyang and put on a show at the city gate, are you afraid we wouldn't know you're back? Don't blame us for asking you for a favor then! According to the rules of aristocratic families, if a young master comes to Luoyang, they must host a grand banquet and invite all their friends in Luoyang. This was the rule during the time of the nobles, but now it's no longer popular among Cao and others. However, if Lü Rui makes a fuss, Benchu will definitely not let him off, and when that happens, won't old Cao be finished?

  Cao picked up Lü Rui and got on the carriage, then headed straight to Cao Song's mansion in Luoyang. Cao Song's mansion was located on the main street of Luoyang, a luxurious mansion, but still had some gap compared to the Cao Mansion in Qiao County. After all, every inch of land in Luoyang is precious. As soon as Cao arrived at the Cao Mansion, the servants led him and others to the front hall, where Cao Song was waiting for him in the main hall.

  Cao Song sat in the main seat of the great hall, waiting for Cao Cao. After Cao Cao entered the great hall with Lü Bu and others, he saw Cao Song and hastily knelt down, saying: "Your son Cao Mengde pays his respects to Father." After finishing speaking, he bowed three times to Cao Song. Although Cao Cao was a spoiled child, he was also a filial son, and in front of Cao Song, he was always respectful and did not dare to be presumptuous.

  Cao Song was originally a big fat man, and after serving as the Grand Marshal in Luoyang for several years, he became even more obese. His body resembled a large water bucket, and his face was also chubby, but not with thick flesh all over, rather it was like a ball, plump and round, just like a Q-version character! Cao Song nodded and said: "Meng De has arrived? Not bad, finally here."

  Cao had not spoken yet, when Lü Rui ran up to him with a swagger, saying: "Old Master, Old Master hug, hug Rui'er." Lü Rui almost fell over, and Cao Song was startled, hastily jumping down from his seat to support Lü Rui before picking him up. He looked left and right, saying: "Rui'er, well-behaved, Grandfather is holding you, did you miss Grandfather?"

  Lü Rui nodded vigorously and said: "Think, think of Grandfather's safety, Grandfather, you don't know that in Qiao County, Rui'er prays to heaven every day for your peace and good health." Cao Song heard this and burst out laughing, saying: "Good, Rui'er, you're really sensible, sensible! Meng De, it's all because of your good teaching!" Cao Mengde was still watching Lü Rui's performance at this time, thinking to himself, This little ancestor is really good at pretending, even better than me Cao Mengde, and can actually make his father so happy, he has a bright future!

  At this time, Cao Mengde remembered something from his childhood. When he was young, his uncle often reported to Cao Song about Cao's misbehavior, and many of Cao's evil deeds were exposed by his own uncle. After finding out, Cao thought of a way to deal with him. One day, Cao went out with his uncle and suddenly pretended to have a stroke. His uncle was shocked and rushed back home to tell Cao Song. Cao Song hurried over with a big belly, panting, and saw that Cao was fine. He asked Cao why he was okay if his uncle said he had a stroke. Cao said it was because his uncle didn't like him, so he slandered him. After hearing this, Cao Song trusted Cao even more. From then on, no matter what Cao did, Cao Song wouldn't believe it. Cao became the most arrogant young man in the Cao family. Now that Cao saw Lü Rui, he finally had a successor.

  Cao Song saw Cao Cao lost in thought, then added emphasis and said: "Meng De?" Cao Cao only reacted at this time, then cupped his hands and said: "Father, I brought some local products from my hometown for Father, please accept them."

  Cao Song nodded and scratched Lü Rui's small nose, saying: "Rui'er, did you bring any gifts for Grandpa this time? Grandpa is looking forward to your gift." Every time Lü Rui saw Cao Song, he could be coaxed into being very happy, and the secret lay in Lü Rui's strange and unusual gifts, which always brought surprises to Cao Song.

  Lü Rui bit her finger, then said: "Ta Ye, the gift I brought you this time is something that has never been given before, it's alive, guess what?" After finishing speaking, she started shaking Cao Song.

  Cao Song was being shaken by Lü Rui, shaking his head and swaying back and forth. Cao Song touched Lü Rui's hand and said: "Slow down, slow down, Rui'er, let me guess, is it a little squirrel? A little crab?" Lü Rui shook her head, and Cao Song said again: "A little wooden bird? A little wooden sword?" Lü Rui shook her head once more, and Cao Song said: "It can't be a little tiger, can it? Grandpa can't fight tigers now."

  Lü Rui broke free from Cao Song and jumped down, shaking his head and saying: "Old Master, you're really stupid. The one who's still alive is this old man." After that, Lü Rui pointed at Hua Tuo.

  Lü Rui's words came out, and Cao Shuang, Cao Cao, and Hua Tuo were all stunned. What is Lü Rui playing at? Is Hua Tuo actually a gift? In his heart, Hua Tuo cursed silently: I am a renowned physician of my generation, yet this young man dares to treat me as a gift! It's infuriating! However, Hua Tuo did not erupt in anger. He knew that the person before him was the Grand Marshal, and if he lost his composure, he might end up being beheaded on the spot.

  Cao Song was also stunned. Did Lü Rui want to give this old man to himself? What use did this old man have? He wasn't a beauty, and he couldn't even be taken as a concubine. Cao Song chuckled and said: "Rui'er, this gift of yours is really unusual. What use does this old man have for the old master?" After finishing speaking, he stroked his beard and looked at Lü Rui, waiting to see how he would smooth things over.

  Lü Rui cupped his hands and said: "Old Master, this old man is a great doctor I recruited from Tiger Gate Pass. He can cure all kinds of diseases and has been invited to the mansion as our resident doctor. The gift I brought for Old Master is not him himself, but his medical skills. As Old Master is getting older, I hope he can take a look at you and ensure your health and well-being, which is also the wish of my father and me."

  Hua Tuo listened and found out that Lü Bu had this intention, suddenly Hua Tuo looked at Lü Bu with different eyes, this son is quite filial. Hua Tuo stepped forward and bowed his hands saying: "Qiao County Hua Tuo, pays respects to General Taoyi." At this time, Hua Tuo was a doctor in Lü Bu's mansion, also considered as Lü Bu's subordinate, seeing Cao Song naturally had to pay respects.

  Cao Song listened to Lü Rui's words and looked at Hua Tuo again. Hua Tuo, the divine doctor of Qiao County, Cao Cao might not know, but Cao Song knew because he was a native of Qiao County, while Cao Cao followed him on his southern and northern expeditions. Hua Tuo, the divine doctor of Qiao County, Cao Song burst out laughing and said: "Rui'er's gift is really special, Grandpa likes it very much, very much! Doctor Hua, come and treat me!" After finishing speaking, Cao Song stretched out his left hand with a fat wrist.

  Hua Tuo bowed to Cao Song and then stepped forward to take his pulse. Cao was surprised, looking at Lü Bu with a mixture of shock and admiration. It turned out that Lü Bu had been playing him all along, pretending to be foolish but actually having an ulterior motive. If the others were as clever as this, old Cao would have been in trouble. Fortunately, this was his own adopted son, who had fooled the old man into a state of confusion. It seemed that even old Cao would benefit from this.

  Hua Tuo felt Cao Song's pulse for a while, then bowed his hands and said: "General, you often eat and drink too much, and don't pay attention to your health. This has affected your body, but please be at ease. I have a prescription that can not only eliminate the excess burden in your body, but also make you feel refreshed and regain your vitality."

  Cao Song's eyes revealed a hint of surprise and delight, thinking to himself that he was beyond help, yet Hua Tuo could see the problem and had a solution. This was an issue that even the imperial physicians in the palace couldn't solve. If it were resolved, wouldn't he be able to regain his happiness? Thinking this, Cao Song revealed a pleased smile.

  Cao overheard Hua Tuo's words and his eyes lit up. Hua Tuo still has such skills? It seems that Rui'er has found a treasure, with Hua Tuo, he can easily deal with the madam in the mansion. Thinking of this, Cao also revealed a hint of a sly smile.

  Lü Rui looked at the expressions of the two, then sighed in his heart and said, "Alas, people from the Cao family are indeed all freaks. Old Hua, you've suffered a lot, so give these two old men some more medicine, their combat power is not ordinary." The Cao family had many children, which was also famous in history, not only because of Cao Cao's romantic affairs but also because almost every shot hit the mark, and they remained vigorous with age. Some sons were even born in the same year as Emperor Wei Ming, and uncles and nephews were born in the same year, which was also a characteristic of the old Cao family.

  Cao Song looked at Hua Tuo, then looked at Lü Rui and said: "Rui'er, come here, come to Taigong's place. You give this good gift to Taigong, think about how Taigong will reward you?" Lü Rui often pleased the elders of the Cao family, got a lot of rewards, money was useless to Lü Rui, hearing Cao Song's words, Lü Rui thought for a moment, then smiled.

  Lü Rui shook his head and said to Cao Song: "Grandfather, I want to practice martial arts and find a master. Can you help me find one? It would be best if it's the emperor's master. I want the number one master in the world to teach me martial arts. Grandfather, can you do that?" After finishing speaking, Lü Rui revealed his shining eyes looking at Cao Song, as if he would burst into loud crying if Cao Song didn't agree.

  Cao saw Lü Rui and thought to himself: This kid is even better at pretending than I am. If his father doesn't agree, he'll probably throw a tantrum again. This kid is more cunning than Cao, using the tactics of crying, making a scene, and threatening to hang himself - methods typically used by women - but on this young man, they seem even more effective. Is this what it means to be a genius? Perhaps only someone like him could pull this off. He's indeed worthy of being my adopted son, Cao Mengde.

  Cao Song wiped Lu Rui's cheek and smiled: "Alright, Rui'er's request, Grandpa agrees. What's the big deal about a martial arts master? This is easy, I'll go find Wang Yue, Imperial Master Wang Yue, unmatched in swordsmanship. This person must be suitable to teach our family's Rui'er."

  Lü Rui nodded his head, returned a courtesy, and said: "Thank you, Uncle Cao." Cao was truly envious and resentful on the side. In those years when he asked Cao Song to find Wang Yue to teach himself, Cao Song did not agree, and he had not succeeded in persuading him with soft and hard efforts. This time, Cao Song actually agreed to Lü Rui? It's really favoring the grandson over the son!

  Cao Song looked at Lü Rui and said with a smile: "Good, Rui'er, let's go to the dining hall for dinner. Grandpa has prepared many delicious dishes for you to eat. Meng De, you all come too." After finishing speaking, Cao Song picked up Lü Rui and walked towards the dining hall in big strides. Cao Cao and Hua Tuo followed behind them.

  After dinner, Cao Song took Lü Rui to the streets of Luoyang for a stroll. Along the way, Lü Rui was extremely happy and asked Cao Song to buy many things for himself. As the capital of the Han Dynasty, Luoyang was one of the centers of the world at that time, with many goods available for purchase, especially from the Western Regions. At night, after returning to the Taifu Mansion, Cao Song personally put Lü Rui to sleep before retiring to bed. This caused the people in the Cao mansion to feel a sense of awe and reverence, as it was unusual for the master of the house to personally care for a child. From then on, Lü Rui became the most favored person in the Cao family, acting recklessly and causing trouble for everyone in the Cao mansion, earning him the nickname "Little Devil of the Cao Mansion".

  The next day, the sun had already shone into Lü Rui's room, and the sunlight was sprinkled on Lü Rui's buttocks. The official was waiting outside the door for Lü Rui. Wang Yue had arrived at Cao Fu, and Cao Xing let the housekeeper go find Lü Rui. After Lü Rui woke up, he brought Lü Rui to pay respects to Wang Yue as his master.

  The housekeeper arrived at Lü Rui's door and saw that he had not woken up yet, so he waited outside. In fact, for the Cao family children, it was a very common thing for the housekeeper to wake them up, but for Lü Rui, the housekeeper did not dare to do so. This was because Lü Rui was different from the others in the Cao family, and Cao Shuang had personally put him to sleep, which was an unprecedented treatment that none of the younger generation of the Cao family had ever received!

  Lü Rui finally got up around lunchtime, and under the service of the maids, she put on her clothes and followed the housekeeper to the main hall. Cao Xiong and Wang Yue were waiting for Lü Rui. After entering the main hall, Lü Rui paid respects to Cao Xiong and then ran to his side.

  At this time, in the hall, there was a person eight feet tall, dressed as a scholar, wearing a long sword, looking like a scholar, not at all like Wang Yue, the first assassin of the Three Kingdoms, whose martial arts were not inferior to Lü Bu. It seems that people cannot be judged by their appearance.

  Cao Song pointed to Wang Yue and said to Lü Rui: "Rui'er, Wang Yue has been recommended by me as a typical military officer, listening to the command of the Taifu government. During this period, he will stay in the government office, you can follow Wang Yue to learn martial arts, Grandpa promised you things, no unfaithfulness, right?"

  Wang Yue bowed and said: "Wang Yue has seen Master Lü, I will definitely teach you well and make you a master of the Jianghu."

  Lü Rui nodded and said, "Thank you, General Wang!" It turned out that Wang Yue was eager for fame and fortune. Although he was the prince's teacher, he was still a Jianghu figure who had not been recruited by the imperial court. Even as the prince's teacher, he was just a Jianghu figure. In the Eastern Han dynasty where aristocratic families stood tall, it was difficult for military men to become officials unless they joined the army. However, Wang Yue did not take this path, so his official career was basically cut off. Cao Song gave Wang Yue such an official position, and naturally, Wang Yue wanted to return the favor by accepting Lü Rui as a disciple, which could also be seen as a way of repaying Cao Song. Thus, Lü Rui became Wang Yue's disciple.