In the heart of the central army camp,beneath the canvas that billowed with the breath of the wind,Cao Cao sat upon the main seat,his eyes tracing the lines etched on the bamboo slips before him.A sigh escaped his lips,a whisper of helplessness that danced through the air.

Xiahou Dun and Xiahou Yuan,stalwart figures in the hall,caught the echo of his sigh and felt the pull of concern."Brother Mengde,what weighs so heavily upon your heart?"they inquired,their voices a duet of brotherly worry.

Cao Cao glanced at them,a bitter smile playing on his lips."Do you not see the cause of my sighs,my brothers?"he replied,his voice a tapestry of unspoken burdens.

Having narrowly escaped the clutches of Luoyang,he had raised the banner of righteousness,rallying soldiers and horses to stand against the tyrant Dong Zhuo.Though his father,Cao Song,had poured the family's wealth into this endeavor,it was but a drop in the ocean of military needs—abyssal pits of equipment,pay,and provisions that threatened to swallow their resources whole.Before the first march could be made,the coffers were near drained.

The Xiahou brothers scratched their heads,their faces etched with the frustration of impotence,unable to offer more than shared concern.

Cao Cao let out another sigh,this one heavier than the last.

At that moment,the thunder of footsteps announced the arrival of Cao Hong,his burly figure casting a long shadow as he entered.

"Greetings,my lord!"Cao Hong saluted,his hands clasped in respect.

"Zilian,in the privacy of our counsel,we are still brothers,"Cao Cao said,a smile breaking through the clouds of his sorrow.Though Cao Hong's talents were not the most dazzling,his loyalty was as steadfast as the northern star,and he had given his all to support this uprising.Their bond was one of blood and shared purpose.

"Brother Mengde,there's a refugee causing a stir at the camp gate,demanding to see you,"Cao Hong reported,his voice a drumbeat of urgency.

"Brother Mengde has a mountain of matters to attend to.How could he spare time for a mere refugee?"Xiahou Dun shook his head,his words a gust of skepticism.

"But that man claims to hold the key to your troubles and insists that you would wish to meet him,"Cao Hong echoed the refugee's bold words.

Cao Cao's heart skipped a beat,a spark of curiosity igniting within.After a moment of contemplation,he spoke,"Zilian,bring this man to me."

"Yes,sir!"Cao Hong clasped his hands,accepting the order,and strode out with purpose.

As he left,Xiahou Dun couldn't help but shake his head."He's just a common refugee.Brother Mengde,there's truly no need to give him credence."

Cao Cao merely offered a faint smile."If that man did not possess some measure of confidence,would he dare to make such a boast?It costs nothing to lend him an ear."

...

On the other side,Cao Hong returned,his gaze upon Lin Yu a mixture of surprise and respect."You were right.Lord Cao wishes to see you!"

Lin Yu,however,remained as calm as still water,merely nodding in response."Then let us proceed."

Under the watchful eyes of the refugees and able-bodied men,Lin Yu followed Cao Hong,strutting into the military camp with a swagger that belied his status.As he approached the central army tent,the reality of his impending meeting with Cao Cao settled upon him,a cloak of nervous anticipation.

Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.

After all,the man he was about to face was none other than Cao Mengde,a historical titan,a chancellor of peace,and a warlord of chaos!

Inside the tent,two men clad in military attire stood to one side,their faces bearing a striking resemblance—undoubtedly the Xiahou brothers.On the high platform sat another man,dressed in civilian garb.He was not the epitome of handsomeness,with a stocky build and a full beard.Yet,his eyes were as bright as twin stars,radiating a charm that drew one in,coupled with an aura of heroism.One glance was all it took for Lin Yu to recognize this man as Cao Cao.

"Lin Yu pays his respects to Lord Cao!"Lin Yu bowed,his respect not feigned.

Cao Cao and the Xiahou brothers exchanged glances,a silent consensus passing between them.This Lin Yu was no ordinary refugee!

Common refugees did not perform such formal salutations,nor did they carry such an air of distinction.He must be a noble scion,aware that Cao Cao was recruiting soldiers and seeking refuge.

With this thought,Cao Cao's demeanor softened further."I heard from Zilian that you claim to alleviate my current troubles?"he asked with a light smile.

"Indeed,that is so,"Lin Yu confirmed,his calm a mask for the strategic mind at work.

"Oh?Then would you first enlighten me on the nature of my troubles?"Cao Cao's gaze was a spear,piercing through to the heart of the matter.

Lin Yu knew that his future within Cao's ranks hinged on the next words he spoke."Undoubtedly,it is the matter of military supplies that plagues Lord Cao."

Cao Cao started slightly."How did you come to know this?"

Lin Yu chose not to answer directly,his silence a strategic pause.

Ridiculous.Raising an army required a fortune.In the brief time it took to traverse the camp,Lin Yu had observed the situation with keen eyes.Only high-ranking generals like Xiahou Yuan and the guards outside Cao Cao's tent were fully armed.Most soldiers were dressed in plain clothes,their weapons naught but iron spearheads affixed to wooden sticks!This was a clear testament to Cao Cao's predicament.

"I wonder,sir,what plan you propose to resolve our military supply shortage?"Cao Cao inquired,his voice a veil of caution.

"It is quite straightforward.Lord Cao need only establish a team of men and appoint a Toujin Xiaowei,"Lin Yu stated,his words a stone cast into still waters.

"Toujin Xiaowei?"Cao Cao,Xiahou Dun,Xiahou Yuan,and Cao Hong exchanged puzzled glances.They were well-versed in the military's Xiaowei ranks.When Emperor Ling of Han had established the Eight Xiaowei of Xiyuan,Cao Cao himself had served as Dianjun Xiaowei.Yet,the title of Toujin Xiaowei was alien to their ears.

"Might I inquire,sir,what are the duties of this Toujin Xiaowei,and how does it address our military's needs?"Cao Cao's expression was a canvas of confusion.

"In the eras of Emperor Wen and Emperor Jing,the people lived in peace and prosperity,the nation flourished,and the custom of extravagant burials was rife,"Lin Yu spoke,his words a narrative of history."Beneath the earth lie mountains of gold,silver,and jewels!"

"Lord Cao need only dispatch the Toujin Xiaowei to reclaim these treasures.Raising an army of ten thousand would be but a trifle;even a hundred thousand could be mustered!"

Cao Cao and the others gasped in unison,their eyes widening in shock.

What Toujin Xiaowei?This was clearly a euphemism for grave-robbing!

"Silence!How dare you suggest such a heinous act?"Xiahou Dun and Xiahou Yuan could not contain their outrage.

Tomb robbing was a practice despised by all,with the imperial court meting out severe punishments to those who desecrated the dead.That Lin Yu had voiced such a notion so brazenly was nothing short of infuriating.

Facing the guards who rushed in with brandished spears,Lin Yu showed no sign of unease.Instead,he met Cao Cao's gaze steadily and asked,"Lord Cao,are you truly going to cast me out?"

Cao Cao remained silent,his eyes a storm of contemplation.

"Lord Cao!"Xiahou Dun's voice was a plea.

Cao Cao silenced them with a slight shake of his head,dismissing the guards.His face was a mask of solemnity."Sir,you have proposed a most audacious plan.Are you not afraid that I will take your head for it?"

"No,I am not,"Lin Yu replied with unwavering calm.

"Why not?"Cao Cao's brow furrowed.

"Those who seek great achievements must not be fettered by trivialities.Lord Cao is known for his thirst for talent.Would you truly take my head for offering a plan?"Lin Yu laughed,his voice a challenge.

A flash of sharp insight gleamed in Cao Cao's eyes.

He regarded Lin Yu with a piercing gaze,then raised his hand and called out,"Zilian!"

"Here,sir!"Cao Hong stepped forward,casting a sidelong glance at Lin Yu.He awaited Cao Cao's command to unceremoniously expel Lin Yu from the camp.