Chapter Thirteen Two Do's and One Don't

  Cao Cao, well-versed in the art of war, even with a small force of only 3,000 men, assigned tasks to each unit. Xiahou Yuan led the vanguard, Cao Ren and Cao Hong formed the central army, while Xiahou Dun brought up the rear. The troops marched towards Xiangyang in an imposing manner.

  As Li Yu couldn't ride a horse and wasn't in good health, Cao Cao had to prepare a carriage for him. He lay down comfortably on the quilt in the carriage and fell fast asleep.

  "Ah, Wei Dao! This is Wei Hong! The one who helped me raise an army," Cao Cao introduced him to the person riding alongside, Li Yu stuck his head out of the carriage in a daze: "Greetings, my lord, Lord Wei Hong!"

  Take a closer look at Wei Zuo, who is called Wei Zi in the official history. He was a filial and incorruptible man from Chenliu. Wei Zi used his family's wealth to support Taizu (Cao Cao) when he first raised an army, and had 5,000 soldiers under him. When Zhang Miao and Wei Zi led reinforcements to help Cao Cao attack Dong Zhuo, they were defeated by Xu Rong and died in battle.

  Hmmm! He doesn't look bad, Li Yu thought to himself.

  "Isn't General Wei under Governor Zhang's command? How can he come?" Li Yu said with a tilted head; "This is the master I worship, don't look at his young age, he has great talent. The multiplication table of 99 that I showed you was created by him!" Cao Cao hastily said.

  "Oh!" Wei Hong was greatly surprised: "I've seen you, sir. Your great talent is admired by me. I came here under the order of Lord Taigong!" "How dare I, how dare I? The great name of Wei Hong has been heard by me long ago. My boss often says that you are generous and open-minded, with a deep understanding of justice!"

  The sedan chair was carried by people, and Li Yu, Cao Cao, and Wei Hong were all boasting at the same time, so the atmosphere became lively.

  To say that Chenliu County is not far from here, it's just a day's journey by day and night.

  As they approached Zizhu, Li Yu called out to Cao Cao: "Your Excellency!", "Hm? What is it?" Cao Cao rode his horse closer. "It's like this, we're about to arrive at Zizhu, I wanted to say that there are two options for Your Excellency, one is to do something and the other is not to do it!"

  "Oh? Wei De, tell me, what is 'two do's and one don't do'?" Cao Cao also became interested.

  "Haha!" Li Yu smiled: "If not, then, since there are so many lords from various regions, as the saying goes, 'a snake without a head cannot move', so it's necessary to elect an alliance leader. Although Lord Cao is the initiator of this alliance and nominally represents the Han Emperor, don't compete with others for this position. It's just a useless thing, not worth fighting for, and might even offend people! That's why, if not..."

  "Hmm! Good metaphor, haha!", and the originality of this sentence wasn't even ruined by you. Thinking about it, Li Yu also secretly prayed that he wouldn't end up like Yang Xiu, that unlucky guy.

  Cao Cao sneered and smiled: "Those people, who isn't a high-nosed guy! As a eunuch's descendant, I'm despicable in their eyes. How could I possibly become the alliance leader? Continue speaking!"

  "My lord, there's no need to belittle yourself like this. One's birth doesn't represent everything; it's talent and virtue that do. Time will tell. Secondly, the various lords on different roads will inevitably have their differences. My lord must be a good mediator, for not only can you make people owe you favors, but also leave a way out for yourself!" - Li Yu

  "Retreat! ... What does this mean, Wei De? Are you saying... if they fight among themselves and are then attacked by the Western Liang army?! Ah! ——", thinking of this, Cao Cao took a deep breath, indeed worthy of Cao Cao, understanding at once.

  Li Yu nodded: "I'm afraid of producing such fools, implicating everyone!", "What's the other one doing?"

  "Support Yuan Shao as the alliance leader!" Li Yu smiled with narrowed eyes, Cao Cao felt that Li Yu was not sincere: "Please, Lord Hua, enlighten me!"

  "Firstly, the name of the four generations of the Yuan family is very loud! Secondly, although Yuan Shao is a concubine son of the Yuan family, compared to that idiot Yuan Shu, he is much better. The lord has a good relationship with him and he won't do anything harmful to the lord. As for thirdly... does the lord really want to hear?" Li Yu sold a suspenseful look.

  "Hmm! Of course! Wei De, don't be ambiguous when speaking, it's making me uncomfortable!" Cao Cao said gloomily.

  "Cough, cough! Because I believe the greatest enemy of our lord in the north is him. You will have to fight him sooner or later, but I look down on that embroidered pillow case of his. Let him be proud for a few years first, and then take care of him!" Li Yu was still talking to himself. Cao Cao had already been startled by his words and was coughing violently!

  "What was said today, cannot be spread out!" After Li Yu had spoken for half a day and was about to fall asleep again, Cao Cao lightly said a sentence, then he himself went somewhere to digest Li Yu's words.

  Li Yu is absolutely provoking, he has been constantly using language and psychological hints to stimulate Cao Cao's ambition, letting him contend for the world! This is in line with Li Yu's interests.

  Just as Cao Cao was about to launch an attack on Zizhong, the various "NPC representatives" who had received the edict to discuss the bandits had already arrived with their troops.

  First town, Nanyang representative, later General and Nanyang Governor Yuan Shu. Second town, Jizhou representative, Jizhou governor, Han Fu. Third town, Yuzhou representative, Yuzhou governor, Kong Rong.

  The fourth town, Yanzhou representative, Yanzhou governor, Liu Dai. The fifth town, Henan representative, Henan county magistrate, Wang Kuang. The sixth town, Chenliu representative, Chenliu magistrate, Zhang Miao.

  Seventh town, Dongjun representative, Dongjun Taishou, Qiao Mao. Eighth town, Shanyang representative, Shanyang Taishou, Yuan Yi. Ninth town, Jibei representative, Jibei Xiang, Bao Xin.

  The tenth town, Beihai representative, Beihai Taishou, Kong Rong. The eleventh town, Guangling representative, Guangling Taishou, Zhang Chao. The twelfth town, Xuzhou representative, Xuzhou Cishi, Tao Qian.

  The 13th town, representative of Xiliang, Governor of Xiliang, Ma Teng. The 14th town, representative of Youzhou, Inspector of Youzhou, Gongsun Zan. The 15th town, representative of Shangdang, Governor of Shangdang, Zhang Yang.

  The sixteenth town, Jiangdong representative, Wu Cheng Hou Changsha governor, Sun Jian. The seventeenth town, noble family representative, Qi Xiang Hou Bohai governor, Yuan Shao;

  In addition to the initiator of the alliance, the grassroots representative, and the Marquis of Pingdu, Cao Cao, there were eighteen vassals in total.

  The troops from all directions, with varying numbers, some three million strong, others one or two million, each brought their civil and military leaders to gather for the alliance.

  Upon learning of Cao Cao's arrival, the various lords all came out of the city to welcome him. "Meng De, you're looking well?" A man wearing a brocade robe and armor walked at the forefront, shouting loudly;

  "Hurray! Brother Yuan Shu, brothers are very good, just waiting for everyone to come and discuss the great righteousness together, and unite to overthrow Dong Zhuo!"

  Watching Cao Cao enthusiastically greeting each of the vassals, Li Yu also secretly observed the appearance of these famous people.

  These people can be roughly divided into several types, with representatives such as Liu Dai, Governor of Yanzhou, Han Fu, Governor of Jizhou, Tao Qian, Governor of Xuzhou, and Kong Rong, Governor of Beihai.

  Fierce and brave type, representative characters: Ma Teng, Governor of Xiliang, Sun Jian, Governor of Changsha, Gongsun Zan, Governor of Youzhou.

  The Xiao Bai Lian type: Qi Xiang Hou Bohai Governor, Yuan Shao; Shanyang Governor, Yuan Yi; Nanyang Governor, Yuan Shu. The three members of the Yuan family are all quite good-looking, probably due to their mother's cells being very good!

  The rest of them are not worth mentioning! They're all just common faces playing supporting roles!

  Li Yu also paid special attention to Liu Bei, one of the three big bosses of the Three Kingdoms and the invincible Little Qiang. As expected, he stood behind Gongsun Zan with Guan Erge and Zhang Sanbo, they were not considered vassals, so they were not included.

  Liu Bei! A small white face with an inexplicable temperament that is very attractive. Just as Li Yu was looking at him with narrowed eyes, Liu Bei and Guan Yu, Zhang Fei also felt someone watching them.

  "Big brother, look at that little guy, he seems to be up to no good," Zhang Fei said in a low voice. Although it was said softly, his voice was actually quite loud and immediately attracted everyone's attention.

  "Who is so ignorant of the rules, shouting loudly!" Yu Zhou governor Kong Xiu said discontentedly.

  "What did you say?" Zhang Fei was indeed hot-tempered, and immediately puffed out his chest and glared with wide eyes. "Third Brother, you must not be rude!" Liu Bei hastily came forward, bowed his head, and paid respects.

  "This is my fellow student and sworn brother, Liu Bei, Liu Xuande!" Gongsun Zan introduced: "Now temporarily serving as an official under me, Xuande is still a member of the Han imperial clan!"

  "Oh? But isn't that the Yellow Turban rebel, Liu Xuande!" Cao Cao had indeed heard of his great name and immediately stepped forward to pay his respects: "Is Xuande still a member of the Han imperial family?"

  "Don't listen to his nonsense, Your Excellency!", Li Yu thought to himself. If you let him make the name of Han's royal relatives a reality, it would be a great threat to Cao Cao. Therefore, Li Yu stepped forward: "Don't think that just because you have the surname Liu, you can arbitrarily claim kinship. Have you been recognized by the current emperor?"

  "Wah wah wah!" Zhang Fei shouted loudly: "You little brat, I...I'll poke a few transparent holes in you!", even Guan Yu opened his phoenix eyes and burst into light, Li Yu suddenly felt a surge of murderous aura rushing towards him.

  Xiahou brothers and Cao's brothers, Xu Chu and others who admired Li Yu very much would not let them treat Li Yu like this. They all snorted in anger, with a bad face wanting to come out and confront them, but Cao Cao waved his hand, indicating that it was unnecessary.

  "Third brother, you must not be rude! Whether it is or not, there will be evidence to prove it!" Liu Bei still knew what was good for him and realized he was in the wrong. He indeed had no right to say such things without imperial endorsement.

  "Whoa!" Li Yu secretly took a deep breath, and the clothes on his back were all wet. The Second Master's killing intent was indeed strong, and in just an instant, he felt like his head was going to be chopped off. He touched his head, still intact, and let out a sigh of relief.

  "Who is this again?" Yuan Shao asked.

  "A minor clerk under General Cao's command, I have had the pleasure of meeting all of you gentlemen!" Li Yu composed himself and executed a polite bow.

  "This is Li Yu and Li Huai De of Qiao County, my brother-in-law, who has great talent. I have called him to help me with my cause!" Cao Cao thought to himself, "It's not easy to find such a talented person, what if you guys snatch him away?"

  "Brother-in-law?" Li Yu was stunned for a moment, but didn't pay much attention to it. He thought it was just Cao Cao's excuse, but what he didn't expect was that this title would soon become a reality!

  Lao Cao's abacus was clicking away rapidly, and upon hearing that Li Yu hadn't gotten married yet, he thought to himself: An opportunity has arrived! As long as I can tie him to the chariot of the Cao Corporation, what's there to fear that he won't put in his utmost effort?

  "Oh!" Hearing Cao Cao say that, Yuan Shao was surprised for a moment, and then he didn't mind anymore. After all, his camp was full of talented people and brave generals, so Li Yu, a young man who hadn't even grown a full beard yet, wasn't worth paying much attention to.

  The atmosphere was awkward for a moment, then it became lively again. Cao Cao took the opportunity to come to Li Yu's side: "Huaide, why are you so rude and offended Gongsun Zan!"

  Gongsun Zan was indeed very unhappy, staring at Li Yu with a scowl, while looking at Cao Cao's unsuspecting face. Li Yu sighed and whispered in Cao Cao's ear: "Your Excellency, look at this man, his demeanor is extraordinary. I spoke to him like that, but he reacted as if nothing had happened. It's clear that his character is extremely resilient and able to endure humiliation. I'm sure this man will definitely be your greatest enemy. Absolutely cannot let him take the title of Han Imperial Family for real, or else... humph, it will be a great disaster!"

  "Ah!" Cao Cao also looked at Liu Bei in surprise, but he seemed to have taken Li Yu's words lightly and only felt grateful for Li Yu's help.