Chapter 5: Destination, Ru Nan!

  "Master Hou, the sun is shining on your butt again, it's time to get up!" Ling'er called out beside Lu Rui's bed.

  Lü Rui rubbed his eyes, looked at his body, and indeed the sunlight had come in. It was time to get up. He had eaten too much yesterday, so today he wanted to eat something light. Lü Rui said to Ling'er: "Ling'er, instruct the kitchen to prepare some light breakfast for me. After I take a bath, I'll have my meal."

  "Miss Diao has already prepared something in the kitchen, she said Master Hou ate too greasy last night, so today she's making something light and refreshing." Ling'er said calmly.

  Diao Chan can cook? I wonder how skilled she is? As a servant girl of Dong Zhuo, cooking should be a necessary skill, otherwise Dong Zhuo wouldn't have become so fat!

  Lü Bu came to the main hall after taking a bath, and Yan's family was already waiting there. Oh no, I forgot that as the master of the house, I didn't come to have dinner, and Lü Bu's family who were dependent on others didn't dare to eat either. Letting people go hungry is a bit embarrassing!

  Lü Rui smiled and asked: "Has Eldest Sister also gotten up?"

  Yan's wife curtsied and said: "I'm not like Master Hou, who is busy with official duties. I got up early!"

  "An'er wishes Father good health!"

  Lü Rui almost stumbled again, and immediately put on a mature look, saying: "Hmm, An'er doesn't need to be polite!" Ugh, being a father is really annoying!

  "Alright, everyone sit down and have your meal!"

  Lü Rui sat down, and everyone began to eat. Lü Rui took a bite of the dish, huh? This dish has a unique flavor, although it's a light dish, but unlike usual, it doesn't feel like it's scraping the stomach, and there's even a hint of meat flavor?

  Lv Rui asked: "Who made this porridge? Why does it have a meat flavor but no meat is visible?"

  Diao Chan walked out from the side, bowed and said: "Your Excellency, this porridge was made by Diao Chan. First, fresh meat is used to make broth, then filtered to remove minced meat, leaving only the meat soup, and finally cooked with the meat soup."

  "So that's it! No wonder it tastes like this. I didn't expect Diao Chan to have such culinary skills?"

  "Marquis Hou, you're joking! Back when we were at the Dong Manor, Diao Chan's cooking was just average and couldn't even catch the eye of the master of the house!" What? This delicious food, Dong Baozi actually looked down on it? That means there must be something even more delicious, no wonder he's so fat. The people of Chang'an lit lanterns for several days before they could use up his belly fat, and it turns out it was from years of accumulation!

  "Son, pay your respects to Uncle Cao!" Originally intending to practice martial arts, but after breakfast, Lü Rui was summoned by Cao to the main hall of the central army.

  "Ah, Rui'er has arrived? Please sit down!" Cao looked at Lü Rui for a moment, then let him take his seat. Lü Rui glanced around the room and saw only Man Chong, Zhu Ling, and one other person he had not met before, who was probably Cao's newly appointed strategist.

  "Rui'er, this is Liu Xun, Liu Zi Yang, the newly appointed advisor of Zhongfu. Rui'er must learn from him well!" It was actually him! The number one intelligence expert of the Three Kingdoms, a veteran of three dynasties of Cao Wei, if Cao's father and son had listened to Liu Xun's advice, Cao Wei would have unified the Three Kingdoms long ago!

  "It turned out to be Mr. Liu, under Lu Rui, and later I will ask for more advice from you, sir!"

  "Master Hou is being polite, Zi Yang had long heard that Master Hou was exceptionally intelligent, and now that he has met him, Master Hou indeed has a majestic aura and is a rare talent among men!"

  "Mr. Liu is being polite!" It turns out that Liu Ye was also a good bootlicker, no wonder he could serve three dynasties with favor, his mouth must be useful!

  "What did you mean by asking me to bring the child here?" After exchanging pleasantries, it's time to get down to business.

  "Does Rui'er know which family is the first family in Yuzhou?"

  "Isn't Ru'nan the old home of Yuan Shao's two brothers?" Lü Rui cupped his hands and said, "Uncle, the Yuans of Ru'nan have produced three high officials in four generations, they are the most prominent family in Ru'nan!"

  "Yes, Rui'er is right. Zhongfu and Benchu were originally good friends, but now the situation in the world is gradually becoming clear, and Benchu will eventually become a great enemy of our army. Xunan is located in the abdomen of Xudu, if later two armies confront each other, Xunan has changed, our military situation is worrying, what does Rui'er think we should do?"

  Lao Cao wants to test himself again? Lü Rui's eyes rolled around, and he cupped his hands, saying: "Uncle Zhong, I think we should take the initiative to eliminate the Yuan family's influence in Runan."

  "Ah, Rui'er is right. This time, your uncle has appointed Bo Ning as the governor of Junan, and your uncle also used his influence to get you an official position as the chief historian of the Junan governor's office. This time, you will go with Bo Ning, and learn from him!"

  "Yes, Uncle!"

  "Ah, Rui'er, this time you and Benning are going to Runan, be more careful and bring more guards!"

  "Rui'er obeys, thank you Uncle Zhong for your concern!" Then Lü Rui and Man Chong retreated to prepare for their trip to Runan.

  "See you later, Your Excellency!" Lü Rui left, and Guo Jia came out from behind the screen.

  "Many people from the imperial family have secretly protected Rui'er, don't let him make any mistakes!"

  "Yes, I will obey, but, milord, Rui'er is still young and inexperienced. Isn't it too early to let him go out and gain experience?"

  "Doesn't Rui'er have confidence in Filial Piety?"

  "My lord has misunderstood, Rui'er is my junior apprentice. I naturally have confidence in him, but he's still young and inexperienced. If something unexpected happens, I fear it will disrupt your plans for the next hundred years!"

  Filial piety is worrying too much, Rui'er has been learning from Wang Yue since childhood, and his martial arts skills are still good enough for self-defense. With Dian Wei and Shi E by his side, safety is not a problem. Gan Lu was appointed as a prime minister at the age of 12, and Rui'er is still one year older than him. It's time to let Rui'er learn some tricks from Man Bao Ning!

  "Long live our wise and brilliant lord!"

  In Lü Rui's courtyard, the servants were packing up Lü Rui's luggage. In three days, Lü Rui would follow Man Chong to Ru'nan to take office. This exercise might last for several months. Lü Rui was stroking his chin, thinking about the problem in the side hall.

  "See Master Hou!"

  "Has Yuanzhao arrived? Is everything ready?"

  "Yes, Lord Hou! Everything is ready."

  "Does Master Hou seem to have something on his mind?"

  "What...?" Lü Rui looked at Xu Shu and swallowed his words.

  "Is the Marquis doing this for Diaochan? Is he afraid that Prime Minister Cao will make a move when the Marquis is far away from Xudu?" Ugh, Cao's reputation as a womanizer is really bad, even Xu Shu knows what he's thinking.

  Lü Rui nodded and said, "Although Diao Chan is only a concubine, I promised Wen Hou to take good care of her. If I go against her wishes, I would really feel guilty towards Wen Hou."

  Xu Shou smiled and said, "Master Hou is worrying too much. In my opinion, although Lord Siku is fond of women, he is not a person who would force his way. If the girl does not agree, Lord Siku's identity and character should not allow him to coerce her. If Master Hou is still worried, you can take Diao Chan to Runan, anyway, Master Hou also needs someone to take care of his daily life."

  Oh? Lü Bu listened to Xu Shu's words, and thought that although Cao Cao was a man of great power, he seemed to be a man of principle. If it wasn't for mutual affection, Cao Cao wouldn't force anyone. Cai Wenji in history was like this, and the legendary Laiying'er was also like this.

  "However, if I were to bring Diaochan along? Women are not allowed in the army?"

  "Marquis is clever for a lifetime, but confused for a moment. As the Marquis is the Grand Historian and a local official, not a general leading troops in battle, what's wrong with arranging people to serve by his side?"

  It's indeed that those who are in the midst of it are confused, while outsiders see clearly. Alright, bring along Diao Chan and make her a nanny, she can also cook delicious food. "Yuan Zhong, I'm leaving this matter to you to handle!"

  "Yes, I obey!"

  Three days later, Lü Rui and Man Chong led the army to Ru Nan. Shi Ah drove the horse cart, Lü Rui lay in the cart, eating grapes peeled by Diao Chan, feeling very comfortable. It seems that having a nanny by his side was also very useful. From now on, he should focus more on governing the place so that he can bring his wife along!

  At this time, outside the courtyard of the Si Kong Fu, Lü Rui's yard, Cao was pacing back and forth.

  "Ling'er has seen Lord Cao!" Ling'er was startled when she saw Cao and hastily paid her respects.

  "Come on, Ling'er!"

  "Thank you, Sir!"

  "What brings Sir Cai to this place? Lord Hou has already departed for Runan!"

  "Ah, naturally, I know that. I just came to see if there's anything the Madame needs. Rui'er is still young, and might not have thought of everything."

  "Thank you, Sir Sīkōng, for your concern. Before leaving, the young master had already instructed Ling'er, and Diē Qiān's sister has also been informed of the relevant matters."

  "Hmm, Diao Chan? Ling'er, you said that Miss Diao Chan has also been informed of the matter?"

  "Sir, you don't know that Master Hou took Sister Diao Chan to Runan. He said I'm still young and not suitable for long-distance travel, so he took Sister Diao Chan instead."

  "So that's how it is. Now that I know, I can rest assured." Cao Zhi walked away, and Rui'er, you've taken the person away from me too!

  "Ah.........!" Lü Rui let out a loud sneeze in the carriage, was someone cursing me? (First update, thanks to the editor for strongly recommending it again. There will be a second update during the day, thanks to all readers for their great support)