The chill of the encroaching winter had seeped into the very bones of the Cao Army Camp,stirring within Lin Yu a whimsical desire for the comfort of a hot pot meal.He set about procuring a table,deftly hollowing out its top to create a makeshift platform.Upon this,he placed an iron pot,nesting a basin of charcoal fire beneath it.In short order,the water within the pot began to roil and bubble merrily,a symphony of warmth in the cold embrace of the season.

Lin Yu reclined leisurely on the couch,directing Zhao Yun,"First,add the large bones to make the broth,and then introduce the hot pot base."The air soon filled with an alluring fragrance,an invisible siren's call that beckoned and enticed.

"Oh...what a divine aroma!"Even Zhao Yun,usually as calm as the still surface of a deep lake,found himself involuntarily swallowing hard,his mouth watering at the tantalizing scent.

"This is but the prelude.When combined with sesame paste later,it will be even more delectable!"Lin Yu laughed heartily as he artfully placed the prepared ingredients into the pot one by one.

Just as he judged the moment to be ripe and was about to grasp his chopsticks,a flurry of footsteps approached from without.In the next instant,the tent curtain was swept aside,and Cao Cao entered with a broad smile adorning his face.Judging by his demeanor,it was evident that he had concluded some sort of clandestine"arrangement"with Yuan Shao.

"Sir,I bring great tidings.I just...Is this the Ancient Stew?"Before Cao Cao could complete his sentence,his nose twitched as his eyes alighted on the hot pot before Lin Yu.

"Well...you could regard it as such,"Lin Yu nodded.

"Why does it smell so heavenly?"Cao Cao's Adam's apple bobbed as he,too,struggled to resist the urge to salivate.

In truth,a manner of eating similar to hot pot had already existed in ancient times.The ancients had named it"Ancient Stew"because when food was dropped into the boiling broth,it would emit a"gudong"sound,thus inspiring the name.

"I simply added a few spices,"Lin Yu said with a smile."If Lord Cao has no objections,would you care to join us for the meal?"

"That would be splendid!"Being a connoisseur of fine cuisine,Cao Cao naturally would not decline such an inviting offer.He settled himself with a thud,picked up a piece of meat,and popped it into his mouth.

The moment the food touched his tongue,a symphony of flavors—spiciness,sourness,and the rich,creamy essence of the sesame paste—exploded upon his taste buds simultaneously.

"Oh my!This is sheer ambrosia!"Cao Cao couldn't help but exclaim in rapture.

With just this single bite,the chill of the weather was banished,and a warm glow suffused his entire body.Without a moment's hesitation,he snatched up his chopsticks once more and continued to feast with gusto.

My duck intestines!Lin Yu lamented inwardly,yet he could only shake his head in resigned amusement.

Just as he was about to beckon Dian Wei and Zhao Yun to take their seats,he looked up to find that they had already seated themselves at the table at some point,voraciously devouring the food alongside Cao Cao.Heartless scoundrels!Lin Yu quickly joined them,seizing his chopsticks.

When Cao Cao was perspiring profusely from the heat of the meal,he gradually laid down his chopsticks,a look of lingering satisfaction on his face."Sir,you are truly remarkable.Even this Ancient Stew you've prepared is a masterpiece!"

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"Lord Cao,you are too kind,"Lin Yu hastily waved his hand,fearing that Cao Cao might request another such meal.After all,he had but a few bags of hot pot base remaining.

"Lord Cao mentioned good news earlier?"Lin Yu deftly changed the subject.

Cao Cao slapped his forehead and chuckled."It's all because of your culinary prowess,Sir,that I nearly forgot the matter of import!Sir,you are a genius.After I proposed presenting the Imperial Seal to Yuan Benchu,he agreed to all our conditions!"

Lin Yu merely smiled faintly,not betraying excessive excitement.

The Imperial Seal was a symbol of the Son of Heaven's identity.Only with it could one ascend the throne and become emperor in a legitimate manner.Having witnessed the chaos that had befallen the world,Yuan Shao had already nurtured grand ambitions within his heart.How could he resist the allure of the Imperial Seal?

Lin Yu had retrieved the Imperial Seal from Luoyang City precisely to facilitate this deal between Cao Cao and Yuan Shao.Cao Cao used the seal to secure Yuan Shao's robust support for his appointment as the Prefect of Dongjun.With Yuan Shao's backing,even if Liu Dai was seething with discontent,he would not dare to cause trouble openly.That was sufficient.

"Sir,for your invaluable assistance,Cao Mengde will forever hold you in the highest regard and never forget your kindness!"Suddenly,Cao Cao's expression grew solemn as he saluted Lin Yu with the utmost gravity.

Lin Yu quickly reached out to support him."Lord Cao,you are overly courteous!It is my honor to serve you."

"Sir,rest assured.If I achieve great success in the future,I will surely not treat you unjustly."

Lin Yu felt a sense of relief wash over him.All his efforts on behalf of Cao Cao were,after all,aimed at securing a better life.With Cao Cao's promise,as long as he didn't make any blunders,a life of wealth and honor was all but guaranteed.

Cao Cao and Lin Yu's group did not hasten to depart from Luoyang but remained and established a camp there for the time being.

A few days later,the messenger dispatched by Yuan Shao to Chang'an City returned with the official document from the imperial court.To mollify Yuan Shao and Cao Cao,Dong Zhuo readily consented to their requests.After all,regions including Dongjun,Yanzhou,and Yuzhou had largely slipped from the imperial court's control.Rather than incurring the enmity of Yuan Shao and Cao Cao,it was more prudent to oblige them and prevent further attacks on Chang'an.

Subsequently,Yuan Shao hosted a grand banquet and invited Liu Dai and Cao Cao to attend.

When Liu Dai learned that Yuan Shao had recommended Cao Cao for the position of Prefect of Dongjun,his countenance immediately darkened.You see,he had intended to appoint his subordinate general,Wang Gong,to the post.Never had he expected Cao Cao to intervene in such a manner.Losing such a significant territory without cause,how could Liu Dai be anything but aggrieved?

However,he knew full well that Yuan Shao's banquet was a veiled warning,cautioning him not to make a move against Cao Cao.Liu Dai could do naught but swallow his ire and endure the situation.

After the banquet,Cao Cao and Lin Yu's entourage returned to their tent.

"Judging by Liu Dai's expression,he surely harbors a deep-seated hatred for us,"Cao Cao said slowly,his face etched with solemnity.

You see,Liu Dai was the Governor of Yanzhou,and Yanzhou was under his jurisdiction.Now,even before Cao Cao's troops had reached Dongjun,they had already managed to offend Liu Dai.This was an inauspicious sign.

"Have no fear,Lord Cao.Liu Dai is a bumbling incompetent,not worthy of our concern,"Lin Yu said with a dismissive smile.

If Liu Dai were truly capable,he would not have fallen victim to the Yellow Turban Army.Once they reached Dongjun,as long as they developed with patience,when the Yellow Turban Army from Qingzhou invaded Yanzhou,that would be their moment to rise.

To avoid any further complications,early the next morning,Cao Cao led his troops towards Dongjun.

After several days of arduous marching,the group finally arrived in Dongjun.

Dongjun was situated in Yanzhou.Although it did not rival Yuzhou in prosperity,it boasted fertile land and a large population.

However,due to the ravages of war in recent years,much of what Lin Yu beheld along the way were desolate landscapes and sparse settlements.The common folk he chanced upon were wan and emaciated,their eyes dull and listless,as if all hope had been drained from them.

Seeing such a heart-rending sight,Lin Yu felt a sharp pang in his chest and heaved a sorrowful sigh."When the country prospers,the common people endure hardships;when the country declines,the common people still suffer!"

"Brother,your words are filled with such poignant wisdom!"Zhao Yun was deeply moved,his voice sincere with admiration.