The atmosphere at the banquet,already lively with the pledges of loyalty from Xun Yu,Guo Jia,and Xi Zhicai,reached a new height of exuberance.Guo Jia,after downing his cup of wine in one gulp,said with a faint smile,"There's something that puzzles Fengxiao.May the lord grace me with an answer."
"There's no need for such formality,Fengxiao.Speak freely,"Cao Cao replied with a chuckle.
"As we entered the city,we saw the government's notices,urging the people to reclaim wasteland and recruiting scholars from humble families.I wonder whose brainchild these people-benefiting policies were?"Guo Jia inquired nonchalantly,his countenance calm.Yet,his eyes were fixed intently upon Cao Cao.
"Well,in truth,they were the outcome of discussions among myself and my subordinates,"Cao Cao offered a rather ambiguous response.
Despite having imbibed a fair amount of wine,he still bore Lin Yu's instructions in mind.
"Yes,indeed,they were the result of our collective deliberations,"Xiahou Dun,Xiahou Yuan,and several others chimed in with nods.
Apart from these kinfolk and generals,the rest of Cao's troops either knew not of Lin Yu's existence or only recognized him as Dian Wei and Zhao Yun's elder brother from the grand display during the campaign against Dong Zhuo a few days prior.
Before this evening's banquet,Cao Cao had already enjoined them not to mention Lin Yu casually.
"I see,"Guo Jia nodded.
Xun Yu and his companions were no simpletons.These generals under Cao Cao were valiant on the battlefield,yet it was nigh impossible for them to conceive such advantageous policies for the populace.
However,since the three had just arrived and Cao Cao was reluctant to be forthcoming,they chose not to probe further.
...
Early the next morn,Xun Yu,Guo Jia,and Xi Zhicai assumed their new roles.
To demonstrate his respect for them,Cao Cao relieved the original county magistrate of his post and appointed Xun Yu as his deputy.
Guo Jia and Xi Zhicai,both possessing remarkable military acumen,were appointed as military advisors and libationers.
After concluding their first day's work,the three gathered for a meal.
"The lord's vision far surpasses that of Yuan Shao,"Xun Yu mused with a sigh.
They had known Cao Cao for but a day at most,yet he already held them in such high esteem,entrusting them with significant positions such as county magistrate and military advisor and libationer.
"However,I'm somewhat perplexed.Why did the lord inform me and Zhicai today that he'd arrange for a physician to examine our health in the next two days?"Guo Jia queried,a look of surprise on his face.
"I'm equally bemused,"Xi Zhicai added,his expression one of confusion.
"Perhaps the lord noticed that you two didn't seem in the best of health and was concerned,"Xun Yu said with a smile."It's a sign of his care for you both."
"Maybe so,"Guo Jia said,shaking his head and not dwelling on it further.
"When I took up my post today,I observed something rather odd,"Xun Yu suddenly announced.
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Noticing his air of mystery,Guo Jia and Xi Zhicai were piqued and promptly asked,"What was it?"
"I noticed that the officials under the lord's command were employing a numbering system known as Huaxia Numerals,"Xun Yu said as he dipped his finger in water and inscribed the numbers from 1 to 0 on the table.
After his brief elucidation,the astute Guo Jia and Xi Zhicai quickly grasped the utility of these numbers.
"Brother Wenruo,you must admit that this numbering method is far more concise,compact,clear,and comprehensible than the conventional ones.It also greatly facilitates statistical work,"Guo Jia said,nodding in approbation.
"Moreover,the manner in which they manage logistical supplies is also different from what we're accustomed to."
"They segregate income and expenditure,recording them in two separate account books."
"When auditing the accounts,one simply needs to calculate each book independently,then summarize,and finally compare with the supplies in the warehouse,"Xun Yu explained deliberately.
Xi Zhicai's eyes brightened,and he couldn't help but praise,"This accounting method,when combined with the Huaxia Numerals,truly simplifies complex matters and alleviates a great deal of workload!But I wonder who devised these two methods?"
"I inquired of those clerks,and they all claimed it was the prefect who invented them,"Xun Yu replied.
Just then,Xi Zhicai noticed Guo Jia stroking his chin,deep in thought.
"Fengxiao,what's on your mind?"
"Do you recall at last night's banquet when we asked about the people-benefiting policies and how evasive the lord seemed?"Guo Jia said softly.
"Of course.What of it?"
"Is there a possibility that the person who furnished the lord with these beneficial policies and the one who invented these two accounting methods is one and the same?"Guo Jia's words froze Xun Yu and Xi Zhicai in their tracks.
"Why do you entertain such an idea,Fengxiao?"Xun Yu couldn't help but ask.
"Today,as we took up our positions,we've more or less met all of the lord's subordinates.Among them,who do you think could be the originator of the beneficial policies and the new accounting method?"Guo Jia countered.
"This..."The two furrowed their brows and pondered for a while,then both shook their heads.
They had encountered all of Cao Cao's subordinates during their assumption of office that day.
There were numerous brave and capable generals,proficient in combat.
Yet,not a single one among them could be described as highly intellectual.
"In my view,there must be another advisor under the lord's command.This person is of a retiring nature and shuns the limelight.All the prior strategies were his suggestions,"Guo Jia said with a laugh."But this is merely my speculation.It might not be accurate!"
"What you suggest isn't implausible,"Xun Yu and Xi Zhicai nodded slightly,looking rather approving.
After all,Guo Jia was the most brilliant among the three and had an uncanny ability to detect the slightest of clues.
If Lin Yu were privy to their conversation,he would surely look heavenward and sigh,"I've hidden myself so well,yet you still managed to uncover me!"
"Hearing you speak thus,I'm rather intrigued to make the acquaintance of this person,"Xun Yu admitted,a touch of temptation in his voice.
If things were as Guo Jia described,and all these were the work of one individual,based on that person's talent alone,he would be no less remarkable than himself!
It would be a genuine pity not to get to know such a talented soul!
"However,this person prefers to keep a low profile and shuns public appearance.We can't force the issue.If we attempt to seek him out by coercion,I fear we'll only incur his displeasure,"Guo Jia cautioned,shaking his head.
"You're right.But now that we're all serving under the lord's command,there's ample time,"Xun Yu smiled.
He didn't believe that the person behind Cao Cao could remain hidden indefinitely!
...
Following the addition of Xun Yu,Guo Jia,and Xi Zhicai,Dongjun's development pace quickened significantly.
Whether in military affairs or internal governance,everything was proceeding in an orderly fashion!
Cao Cao was highly gratified.At the same time,he didn't overlook Lin Yu's contributions and dispatched Dian Wei on several occasions to present him with various delicious delicacies as a token of gratitude.
However,this idyllic period was short-lived.Soon,Cao Cao received an urgent missive.
The Heishan bandits were invading Dongjun!
...
In the main hall.
Cao Cao stared at the silk scroll in his hand,his visage gloomy."What are your thoughts?"
Guo Jia stepped forward calmly and said softly,"My lord,in my opinion,the Heishan bandits'current assault must surely be a consequence of your raid on the Huang family's residence previously."
"With winter fast approaching,bereft of the support from the Huang family and other noble clans,the Heishan bandits simply won't survive the cold season."
"The safest course of action would be to defend the city and refrain from engaging the Heishan bandits in open combat."
"As the weather grows colder,they will crumble of their own accord!"