Lin Yu’s initial surprise gave way to a gleam of excitement, his eyes lighting up with a newfound zeal. A smile played on his lips as he declared, “Prefect, the opportunity we’ve been longing for has finally arrived!” “Opportunity? What opportunity?” Cao Cao inquired, his face a canvas of confusion.
“Prefect, do you recall why I was so insistent on bringing you to Dongjun initially?” Lin Yu countered, a knowing smile gracing his features.
“Was it not because we had nowhere else to settle?” Cao Cao questioned, his tone laced with uncertainty. After the campaign against Dong Zhuo had ended, most territories had already been claimed by other warlords. Cao Cao, unwilling to take refuge under another’s wing and yet not powerful enough to contend for land with his peers, found himself in a precarious situation. It was under Lin Yu’s guidance that Cao Cao managed to seize Dongjun, a prefecture without a prefect, from Liu Dai by leveraging the Imperial Seal and with Yuan Shao’s support.
“What you say is only part of the story. In truth, I have been anticipating this day,” Lin Yu stated, his expression turning solemn as he spoke deliberately. “I foresaw the westward march of the Yellow Turban Army from Qingzhou, which is why I chose Dongjun.” Despite the series of events that had already attested to Lin Yu’s acumen, Cao Cao still harbored doubts.
“How could you have predicted this, sir?” “It’s quite simple, really. It was a matter of analysis,” Lin Yu replied with a faint smile. “Consider, Prefect. The million-strong Yellow Turban rebels in Qingzhou do not engage in any form of production. Their resources will inevitably be depleted sooner or later. Where else could they turn?” Cao Cao fell into deep contemplation.
After the Yellow Turban Rebellion of old, the rebel forces in other prefectures had been suppressed. Only those in Qingzhou and Xuzhou had managed to persist. However, due to Tao Qian’s fierce suppression in Xuzhou, the Yellow Turban Army there was forced to flee into Qingzhou, merging with the forces there. With a million mouths to feed and no productive activities, they survived solely by plundering. Soon, they faced the specter of resource exhaustion.
In desperation, the leaders of the Yellow Turban Army had attempted to move northward, only to be brutally repelled by Gongsun Zan and returned in disarray. To the north were Yuan Shao and Gongsun Zan, to the south was Tao Qian of Xuzhou, and to the east was the devastated Qingzhou. Under these circumstances, the Yellow Turban Army had but one viable path to survival - westward into the prosperous Yanzhou.
“Sir, you are truly a master of strategy!” Cao Cao praised sincerely. Lin Yu’s ability to assess the situation so astutely filled him with admiration. “The Prefect is too kind,” Lin Yu accepted the compliment without demur. In truth, all these deductions were based on Lin Yu’s knowledge of history.
“The Yellow Turban Army approaches with great menace. If Liu Dai chooses to hold his ground and defend the city resolutely, when the rebels exhaust their provisions, they will crumble without the need for an assault,” Lin Yu continued, analyzing the situation for Cao Cao. But then, he shifted gears. “However, in my view, it will be an Herculean task for Liu Dai to hold firm.”
“Why so?” Cao Cao inquired, his curiosity piqued. Any person of even moderate wisdom would opt to avoid combat when faced with the million-strong Yellow Turban horde. Just as Cao Cao had previously dealt with the Black Mountain Bandits by evading their main force and targeting their lair instead.
“It’s simple - the local noble families in Yanzhou,” Lin Yu said, a sardonic smile playing on his lips. “Prefect, do not overlook the fact that the situation in the other counties and prefectures of Yanzhou differs greatly from that in Dongjun.” Cao Cao was taken aback, and then realization dawned. When the Yellow Turban Army invaded, not only would the common folk suffer, but the interests of the noble families would also be severely impacted.
After Cao Cao entered Dongjun, he had eliminated several powerful noble families led by the Huang family. Hence, when the Black Mountain Bandits attacked Dongjun, even with their interests at stake, the noble families dared not pressure Cao Cao to dispatch troops. But the situation in Yanzhou was another matter entirely. One must understand that Liu Dai’s ability to maintain his position as prefect and rule effectively was inextricably linked to the local noble families of Yanzhou.
Even if Liu Dai wished to avoid battle, those noble families, loath to see their interests damaged, would force him to sally forth and engage the enemy. “Liu Dai is a bumbling fool. With his limited capabilities, he stands no chance against the Yellow Turban Army,” Lin Yu declared. “Once he fails, Prefect, what do you think his next move will be?” Lin Yu asked slowly.
“Of course, he will seek reinforcements,” Cao Cao replied without hesitation. “And where will he look for them?” “Well…” Cao Cao paused for a moment. Catching Lin Yu’s intent gaze, a sudden spark of inspiration flared in his mind, and he exclaimed, “Could it be me?” “Precisely!” Lin Yu clapped his hands and laughed. “Liu Dai’s only recourse is to turn to you, Prefect!”
The potential sources of reinforcement for Liu Dai were none other than Yuan Shao and Gongsun Zan in the north, and Yuan Shu and Tao Qian in the south. However, these were all cutthroat individuals. Once invited into Yanzhou, driving them out again would be an arduous task. Compared to Yuan Shao and the others, Cao Cao was undoubtedly the most prudent choice. His victory over the Black Mountain Bandits in the previous encounter had already demonstrated his prowess. Moreover, he was nominally Liu Dai’s subordinate, and his power was not overly formidable, thus alleviating Liu Dai’s concerns.
The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.
“As long as Liu Dai petitions the Prefect for assistance, you can seize this opportunity to supplant him!” Lin Yu’s eyes gleamed with excitement as he spoke with calm deliberation. Historically, it was because Liu Dai launched an ill-fated offensive and perished at the hands of the Qingzhou Army. The noble families of Yanzhou, gripped by panic, then rallied behind Cao Cao, the then prefect of Dongjun, and appointed him as the governor of Yanzhou, thereby elevating him to the status of a warlord. Although Lin Yu was uncertain whether Liu Dai would meet the same fate, he was confident that even if Liu Dai survived, he would come to Dongjun seeking Cao Cao’s aid as he had predicted.
Cao Cao’s breath grew heavy with anticipation. If events unfolded as Lin Yu had analyzed, his fortunes would soar. After all, a prefect governed only a single prefecture, while a governor presided over an entire state. Only by attaining the position of governor could Cao Cao stand shoulder to shoulder with other warlords.
Sensing Cao Cao’s excitement, Lin Yu waved his hand and said with a smile, “These are merely my humble speculations. Whether things will transpire as such remains to be seen. We must await the development of the situation.” Lin Yu had prudently left himself an out, refraining from speaking with absolute certainty. In case the butterfly effect, caused by his time-traveling, led to Liu Dai unexpectedly vanquishing the Yellow Turban Army from Qingzhou, he would avoid the embarrassment of being proven wrong.
“I have the utmost faith in you, sir!” Cao Cao said with solemn conviction. For all of Lin Yu’s analyses were firmly grounded in facts, reasonable, well-founded, and thoroughly convincing.
…
Sure enough, a few days later, news arrived. Liu Dai, the prefect of Yanzhou, engaged in a ferocious battle with the Yellow Turban Army from Qingzhou near Dongping. Ultimately, the main force of Yanzhou was decimated, and Liu Dai perished in the chaos of the fray.
In the main hall, upon learning of Liu Dai’s demise, the atmosphere was electric with excitement. “Heaven truly favors our Lord!” Guo Jia exclaimed, his fist pounding the air in elation. “With Liu Dai’s passing, Yanzhou is left leaderless!” “If the noble and powerful families wish to prevent other warlords from infiltrating Yanzhou, their only option is to implore our Lord to step forward and combat the Yellow Turban Army from Qingzhou!” As he spoke, his eyes turned to Cao Cao.
However, although Cao Cao wore a smile, he did not seem overly exuberant. Guo Jia’s heart stirred, and he asked almost subconsciously, “Lord, did you foresee this turn of events?”
Cao Cao’s expression turned pensive. “I must admit, I had my suspicions, but I could not be certain. Lin Yu’s insights have once again proven invaluable.” He paused, then continued, “Now, we must act swiftly. We must prepare to march on Yanzhou and offer our aid to the people there.”
Guo Jia nodded in agreement. “Indeed, Lord. The situation is ripe for us to seize control. With Liu Dai gone, we can position ourselves as the saviors of Yanzhou, and in doing so, secure a foothold in the region.”
Cao Cao turned to his assembled advisors and generals. “Gather our forces. We must make haste to Yanzhou.” He then looked at Guo Jia. “Feng Xiao, I want you to draft a message to the noble families of Yanzhou. We will offer our assistance in driving out the Yellow Turban rebels and restoring order.”
Guo Jia bowed. “It will be done, Lord Cao. I will ensure that our message is persuasive and highlights our commitment to the people of Yanzhou.”
As the room buzzed with activity and preparations began for the march to Yanzhou, Cao Cao’s mind raced with the implications of the upcoming campaign. This was not just an opportunity to expand his territory; it was a chance to solidify his position as a leader among the warlords of the realm.
Lin Yu, meanwhile, watched the developments with a sense of satisfaction. His strategies were coming to fruition, and he was confident that Cao Cao’s rise to power would continue. He also knew that his own role in this drama was far from over. There would be more challenges, more opportunities to advise and guide Cao Cao, and more moments to shape the course of history.
In the days that followed, Cao Cao’s army mobilized with haste, making their way towards Yanzhou. As they marched, they were met with news of the Yellow Turban rebels’ continued depredations, and the people’s suffering grew with each passing day.
Upon reaching the borders of Yanzhou, Cao Cao’s forces found the situation even worse than they had anticipated. The Yellow Turban rebels, unchecked, had spread terror and chaos, and the people were desperate for relief.
Cao Cao wasted no time in deploying his troops. Under his command, the army engaged the Yellow Turban rebels in a series of battles, each more decisive than the last. The rebels, though numerous, were no match for Cao Cao’s disciplined and well-led forces.
With each victory, Cao Cao’s reputation grew, and the people of Yanzhou began to see him not just as a warlord, but as a liberator. The noble families, recognizing the changing tide, gradually shifted their allegiance to Cao Cao, seeking to secure their own futures in the new order that was emerging.
In the aftermath of the battles, as stability returned to Yanzhou, Cao Cao was indeed appointed as the governor by the grateful noble families, just as Lin Yu had predicted. The move was not without controversy, but with the support of the people and the backing of the local elites, Cao Cao’s position was solidified.
Lin Yu, standing by Cao Cao’s side during the ceremony that marked his ascension to the governorship, couldn’t help but reflect on the journey they had undertaken together. From the brink of obscurity, Cao Cao had risen to become a major power in the land, and Lin Yu had been there at every step, guiding and advising.
As Cao Cao addressed his new subjects, vowing to bring prosperity and peace to Yanzhou, Lin Yu knew that their work was far from over. There were still many challenges ahead, and the path to unification was long and fraught with peril. But for now, they had achieved a significant victory, and the future looked bright.
With the Yellow Turban threat neutralized and his rule over Yanzhou established, Cao Cao turned his attention to consolidating his power and preparing for the next phase of his expansion. And Lin Yu, ever the strategist, was already plotting their next move, always thinking several steps ahead in the game of dominance that was unfolding across the land.