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Chapter 39:The Military Strategy for Wine

"Greetings,Prefect."With a respectful salute,Lin Yu retrieved a bottle of Moutai from within his robes and placed it upon the table."This is a new-brewed white liquor of mine,named Moutai.I've brought it especially for you to sample,Prefect."

Cao Cao,being one with a fondness for the drink,made no demur.With a smile,he said,"I am eager to taste this fine liquor you've crafted,sir."As he spoke,he procured a wine cup and slowly decanted the clear white liquor from the bottle.As the crystal-clear liquid flowed,a strange yet delightful aroma of the wine suffused the air in an instant.

Cao Cao inhaled deeply,and his eyes widened in surprise."Such clear and transparent white liquor exists?"Without a moment's hesitation,he grasped the cup and downed the liquor in one swig.Spicy!That was Cao Cao's initial thought.But after that brief burst of heat,a soft,delicate,and elegant flavor unfurled,leaving an aftertaste that seemed to linger on indefinitely.

"This wine...is veritably nectar!"Cao Cao extolled as he promptly poured himself another cup and consumed it with relish,his face a picture of enjoyment.Witnessing Cao Cao's high praise of the Moutai,Lin Yu couldn't help but feel a surreptitious sense of pride.It seemed that his objective for the day might well be within reach.

"Prefect,truth be told,I have not come solely to present this wine today.In fact,I have a further request.""Sir,you are overly courteous.Pray,tell me what it is.""I wish to open a wine shop to sell this wine.I humbly seek your permission,"Lin Yu explained.

Due to successive wars,the common folk had been displaced,and most of the prefectures and counties were suffering from food shortages.The tragic sight of the people starving to death was all too common.Consequently,after assuming control of Dongjun,Cao Cao had issued an edict prohibiting the use of grain for winemaking,and those who defied the order would face severe punishment.Lin Yu's visit today was to obtain Cao Cao's consent.

Cao Cao was startled for a moment and then chuckled."Previously,I bestowed numerous rewards upon you,yet you showed no interest.Why,then,this newfound aspiration to sell wine?"Little do you know that your rewards are but trifles.Selling wine can yield great wealth!In ancient times,agriculture was emphasized while commerce was repressed,and the ancients lacked a clear understanding of business.But Lin Yu was well aware of the potential power of a prosperous business.Hadn't the Mi family in Xuzhou risen through commerce?

"This can be considered one of my hobbies,"Lin Yu replied with a smile."If the Prefect consents,I am willing to contribute 30%of the profits!""That will not be necessary,"Cao Cao said,shaking his head as he did not place great importance on the Moutai business."It's just that we have recently recruited tens of thousands of Black Mountain Bandits.The newly reclaimed wasteland has yet to yield a harvest,and food remains in short supply."

"Moreover,I have just issued an order prohibiting winemaking.Were I to agree now,I fear I would be accused of being fickle in my decrees..."Lin Yu's brow furrowed slightly.From Cao Cao's words,it seemed he was not inclined to grant permission for winemaking.But before Lin Yu could voice his thoughts,Cao Cao continued with a troubled expression,"However,in the great victory at Puyang,though others may be unaware,I know full well that you,sir,are the true hero."

"I feel rather remiss for not having rewarded you more handsomely.Logically,I should accede to your request."Cao Cao's words left Lin Yu bewildered.Lord Cao,are you agreeing or not?

In Lin Yu's perplexed gaze,Cao Cao sighed and suddenly changed the subject."By the way,where is the military strategy you compiled last time,sir?"A light of understanding dawned in Lin Yu's mind.So that's what you're after,you wily one!Very well.That military strategy was intended for you all along,Lord Cao.Since you desire it,I shall present it to you.

After a brief moment of hesitation,Lin Yu extracted a small booklet from his bosom and handed it to Cao Cao.Cao Cao grasped it as if he had discovered a priceless treasure and hastily tucked it into his robes.Then,with a solemn expression,he said,"Although the population in the prefecture has increased significantly,there is still sufficient food.Since you have made this request,sir,how could I refuse?"

"Sir,you may proceed without worry!"Lin Yu couldn't help but feel a mix of amusement and exasperation.You didn't say that just a moment ago,Lord Cao.You change your stance so quickly!"Thank you,Prefect!""Very well,you may take your leave,"Cao Cao said,impatiently waving his hand.Lin Yu,being perceptive,took his leave.

After Lin Yu's departure,Cao Cao hastened to retrieve the military strategy from his robes and began to peruse it page by page with great care.Although Lin Yu had not studied military strategies in his previous life,hadn't he witnessed them in action even if he hadn't experienced them firsthand?He had recorded the military training methods he had personally encountered,as well as those he had gleaned from television and books.

"The first step in training soldiers is to impose strict discipline upon them.Temper their characters to forge soldiers who are obedient,patient,resolute,and upright..."Cao Cao's eyes sparkled with excitement.One must understand that in ancient times,the common people were not well-educated,and ordinary armies were scarcely better than the Black Mountain Bandits.Most suffered from poor military discipline.When the situation was favorable,they could hold their own.But when at a disadvantage,they were naught but a disorderly rabble.With even a slightly stricter discipline and strict adherence to orders,they could be transformed into an elite force.And according to the methods described by Lin Yu for training soldiers,regardless of combat effectiveness,they would surely be able to achieve strict obedience to orders.

Stolen story; please report.

Cao Cao turned a few more pages and found the section he had read previously."When the enemy advances,we retreat;when the enemy halts,we harass;when the enemy tires,we attack;when the enemy retreats,we pursue.This is guerrilla warfare!""When our forces are at a manpower disadvantage,we can adopt guerrilla warfare tactics of appearing and disappearing unpredictably,avoiding the strong and attacking the weak,feinting to the east while attacking in the west,engaging when possible and retreating when necessary,confounding the enemy so that they are distracted,attacked from both front and rear,and constantly on the run!""This can be further categorized into raid warfare,ambush warfare,breakthrough warfare,harassment warfare..."

Cao Cao was so engrossed in his reading that he even dismissed the servants who came to remind him of the meal.Upon finishing,he couldn't help but strike the table and extol loudly.The guerrilla tactics detailed in Lin Yu's booklet were simple and straightforward,and were clearly more suitable for Cao Cao's current circumstances than previous military strategies.Were he to face the Black Mountain Bandits again,Cao Cao was confident that he could achieve victory once more by relying on these guerrilla tactics.This was not merely a military strategy;it was his hope in the struggle for the throne.Exchanging permission for Lin Yu to make wine for this military strategy was truly a bargain.After all,every word in this booklet was invaluable.

Cao Cao was beside himself with excitement.Just then,a servant entered to report that Guo Jia had arrived for a visit."Let him in at once!"Cao Cao exclaimed hurriedly.Soon,Guo Jia entered."Greetings,Lord.I have come to report on the matter of reorganizing the Black Mountain Bandits into a new army..."

"Put that aside for now!"Cao Cao waved his hand and quickly handed the military strategy before him to Guo Jia.Guo Jia,bemused by this turn of events,took it and casually flipped through a few pages.His pupils constricted suddenly,and his expression grew solemn.He ceased his cursory reading and began to study it intently.Cao Cao noticed this and an involuntary smile tugged at the corners of his mouth.After Guo Jia closed the booklet,Cao Cao then inquired in a deep voice,"Feng Xiao,what think you of this military strategy?"

Guo Jia looked up,his eyes gleaming with respect and admiration."Lord Cao,this is not just a military strategy;it is a treasure trove of wisdom.The tactics and strategies outlined within are innovative and practical,far surpassing traditional methods.With this,we can train our forces to be more agile,adaptable,and formidable."

Cao Cao nodded,his chest swelling with pride."Indeed,Feng Xiao.This strategy will be the cornerstone of our military might.I entrust you with the task of integrating these principles into our army's training regimen."

Guo Jia bowed deeply,accepting the responsibility with gravity."I shall not fail you,Lord Cao.This strategy will revolutionize our approach to warfare."

As the two men delved into a detailed discussion about the implications of the new military strategy,the implications for their forces and the potential to shift the balance of power in their favor became increasingly clear.The incorporation of guerrilla tactics,the emphasis on flexibility and adaptability,and the innovative training methods were all discussed with enthusiasm.

Cao Cao,sensing the potential of these new strategies,was eager to put them into practice."We must start by selecting a group of our most promising soldiers and begin their training immediately.I want you to oversee this,Feng Xiao.Your understanding of military affairs and your keen mind will be invaluable in this endeavor."

Guo Jia,though honored by the trust placed in him,was not one to be blinded by excitement.He raised a cautionary point."Lord Cao,while these strategies are promising,we must also consider the practical challenges.Implementing such changes will require time,and we must ensure that our forces do not become confused or demoralized by the rapid shift in tactics."

Cao Cao considered this,nodding thoughtfully."You are right,of course.We will proceed with caution,but with determination.We will start small and gradually expand the training to the rest of our forces."

Over the following weeks,Guo Jia worked tirelessly to implement the new training regimen.He selected a group of soldiers,known as the"Flying Tigers,"and began to train them in the art of guerrilla warfare.They learned to move swiftly through difficult terrain,to strike with precision and speed,and to disappear like shadows when needed.

As the Flying Tigers began to master these new tactics,their effectiveness on the battlefield became apparent.They were able to outmaneuver and outwit their enemies,even when faced with larger forces.Word of their successes spread quickly,and morale among the troops soared.

Cao Cao watched the transformation of his forces with pride."This is but the beginning,"he declared to Guo Jia one day."With your guidance and the wisdom of these strategies,we will forge an army unlike any the world has seen."

Guo Jia,ever the strategist,was already looking ahead."As our forces grow stronger,we must also consider our next moves on the battlefield.With the Black Mountain Bandits now under our command,we have a powerful force at our disposal.We should plan our next campaign with care."

Cao Cao agreed,and together with Guo Jia,they began to plot their next moves.They analyzed the geopolitical landscape,identified key targets,and devised a series of strategic campaigns that would allow them to expand their territory and influence.

Meanwhile,Lin Yu,unaware of the full impact of his military strategy,was busy with his own endeavors.His Moutai business was thriving,and the wine was becoming increasingly popular among the nobility and the common folk alike.He was pleased with the success of his venture but also kept a watchful eye on the political landscape,knowing that his fortunes were tied to the rise of Cao Cao.

As the days turned into months,the effects of the new military strategies became more pronounced.Cao Cao's forces,now a formidable army,were ready for the next phase of their campaign.With Guo Jia at his side,Cao Cao led his troops into battle,confident in their ability to face any challenge.

And so,the stage was set for a new era of warfare,one that would be shaped by the wisdom of a modern mind and the ambition of a warlord.The legacy of Lin Yu's Moutai and the military strategy he had inadvertently provided would echo through the annals of history,as Cao Cao's forces marched towards a future of conquest and glory.