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Chapter 43: The New Governor Takes Office

“Feng Xiao is quite right,” Cao Cao said with a smile as he slowly recounted Lin Yu’s prior analysis. The room echoed with admiration for Cao Cao’s foresight and strategic acumen.

“Our Lord truly has excellent judgment!”

“Nothing can elude our Lord’s foresight!”

Everyone couldn’t help but exclaim in admiration. However, Guo Jia was stunned, disbelief clouding his eyes. Based on his understanding of Cao Cao, although the latter was intelligent, he could never have planned so far in advance. It must be that elusive mastermind behind the scenes! Guo Jia felt as if a bucket of cold water had been doused over him, extinguishing his initial excitement. His expression turned from elated to downcast. That mysterious person had outmaneuvered him at every turn, leaving him with a bitter taste in his mouth, as if he were on the verge of spitting blood in frustration.

Cao Cao, oblivious to Guo Jia’s countenance, addressed the group in a solemn tone, “All of you must prepare at once. We may depart for Changyi at any moment.”

“Yes, sir!” they replied in unison.

Cao Cao paused briefly, then turned his gaze to Guo Jia.

“Feng Xiao.”

Guo Jia jolted slightly before realizing he was being addressed. “Please give your commands, my Lord.”

“Go to Changyi on my behalf to evaluate the situation there.” Although the situation had unfolded as Lin Yu and Guo Jia had predicted, Cao Cao was not one to sit idly by. He thus tasked Guo Jia with going to Changyi to win the support of the local noble families.

“Your subordinate shall obey,” Guo Jia replied.

After Liu Dai’s demise, the entire upper echelon of Yanzhou was in turmoil. Officials such as Bao Xin, the Chancellor of Jibei, and Zhang Miao, the Prefect of Chenliu, had initially intended for Cao Cao to succeed Liu Dai. With the added persuasion of Guo Jia, who had a knack for understanding human nature, the noble families in Yanzhou soon reached a consensus and dispatched Chen Gong to welcome Cao Cao. Thus, Cao Cao successfully assumed Liu Dai’s position and became the Governor of Yanzhou.

After the banquet with the Yanzhou noble families, Cao Cao made his way alone to the main hall. He seated himself in the chair that had once belonged to Liu Dai, his heart swelling with excitement. Previously, despite having a certain reputation, he had not held a prominent position and was merely considered Yuan Shao’s subordinate. From this day forward, he was now a force to be reckoned with among the other feudal lords. Speaking of which, he owed this all to Lin Yu. Had it not been for his guidance, Cao Cao would never have achieved such heights. Such an outstanding talent had been overlooked by Liu Bei. Perhaps it was fate that had decreed Lin Yu to assist him in his grand pursuits. Lost in these thoughts, Cao Cao’s smile faded, and he called out,

“Dian Wei!”

“Your subordinate is here!” Hearing the summons, Dian Wei entered with long strides.

“How has your eldest brother been settled?”

“Replying to our Lord, I have settled him as per your instructions,” Dian Wei said. When setting off for Changyi, the capital of Yanzhou, Cao Cao had specifically ordered Dian Wei to bring Lin Yu along and ensure his proper accommodation.

“That’s good,” Cao Cao nodded. He had initially planned to retire for a rest, but on second thought, he felt it necessary to visit Lin Yu to express his gratitude.

“Let’s go. Let’s pay him a visit,” he said to Dian Wei.

Cao Cao and Dian Wei made their way to Lin Yu’s residence under the cover of night. Lin Yu and Zhao Yun were in the process of tidying up. Lin Yu had no qualms about relocating to Changyi. After all, if he wished to expand and fortify his Moutai wine business, he couldn’t remain confined to Dongjun indefinitely.

Seeing Cao Cao and Dian Wei arrive, Lin Yu quickly set aside his work and, along with Zhao Yun, saluted. “Greetings, Prefect… Oh, forgive me. It should be Governor now!” Lin Yu said with a smile.

“You mischievous Lin Yu, are you jesting with me?” Cao Cao feigned anger.

“Governor, you misunderstand. Your subordinate has no such intention,” Lin Yu replied earnestly.

The two looked at each other and then burst into laughter.

“I owe my position as Governor of Yanzhou to your assistance, sir. I am well aware of this, and I will never be ungrateful in the future,” Cao Cao said solemnly as soon as he was seated.

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“Governor, there’s no need for such formality. It is my honor to be of service to you,” Lin Yu said with a smile, waving his hand.

After some pleasantries, Lin Yu’s expression grew serious. “However, even so, Governor, you must not let your guard down.”

Cao Cao’s smile vanished, and he nodded. “Yes, the million-strong Yellow Turban rebels are still a menacing threat. We can’t afford to be complacent.”

“Governor, you’ve misconstrued my meaning. I’m not referring to the Yellow Turban rebels,” Lin Yu said.

Cao Cao was taken aback. He had assumed that Lin Yu was warning him about the Yellow Turban rebels who had slain the previous Prefect Liu Dai and were currently ravaging Yanzhou. But from Lin Yu’s words, it seemed there were other, more perilous concerns.

Seeing the confusion on Cao Cao’s face, Lin Yu elaborated, “While the Yellow Turban rebels may seem a formidable danger, with your wisdom, Governor, dealing with them won’t pose an insurmountable challenge. The real threat lurks within Yanzhou itself.”

Within Yanzhou? Cao Cao’s brow furrowed in thought.

“Governor, have you forgotten how Liu Dai met his end?” Lin Yu prompted.

Cao Cao was startled. Judging from the outcome, Liu Dai had been killed by the Yellow Turban rebels. But in truth, it was the local noble and powerful families who had sealed his fate.

“Once the Yellow Turban rebel issue is resolved, I fear you, Governor, will find yourself at odds with the local noble families,” Lin Yu sighed softly.

Cao Cao was different from Liu Dai. With his nature, he would never yield to the noble families. For the moment, with powerful enemies at their doorstep, Cao Cao and the Yanzhou noble families were in a harmonious phase, but once the Yellow Turban rebels were vanquished, conflict was inevitable.

After Lin Yu’s explanation, Cao Cao, too, grasped the impending trouble and couldn’t help but frown slightly.

Seeing this, Lin Yu offered some comfort. “However, Governor, there’s no need to be overly anxious. I merely hope you’ll be prepared. For now, the top priority remains dealing with the Yellow Turban rebels.”

Historically, it was because of an irreconcilable conflict between Cao Cao and the local forces in Yanzhou that when he was campaigning against Tao Qian, Zhang Miao, Chen Gong, and others welcomed Lu Bu into Yanzhou. At the most critical juncture, Cao Cao was left with only three counties under his control. Lin Yu didn’t want Cao Cao to repeat this tragic mistake and thus warned him in advance.

“Don’t place excessive trust in local Yanzhou noble families like Zhang Miao and Chen Gong,” Lin Yu cautioned.

Cao Cao had just met Chen Gong that day and had a favorable impression of the eloquent man. He had initially planned to give him significant responsibilities, but after hearing Lin Yu’s words, he abandoned the idea.

“Can’t I even trust Brother Mengzhuo (Zhang Miao’s courtesy name)?” Cao Cao looked at Lin Yu in surprise. After all, he and Zhang Miao were as close as brothers.

Lin Yu countered, “Yuan Benchu was also good friends with Zhang Miao back then. What happened later?”

Cao Cao was left speechless. In the past, the three of them had been as thick as thieves, yet Yuan Shao had later sought to kill Zhang Miao.

“Rest assured, sir. I’ve taken your advice to heart,” Cao Cao nodded resolutely.

The two continued their discussion late into the night, strategizing and planning for the future. Lin Yu shared his insights on how to manage the local nobles and the importance of maintaining a strong military presence to ensure stability in Yanzhou. Cao Cao listened intently, taking in every word, and by the time they finished, he had a clear plan of action.

As the first light of dawn crept through the windows, Cao Cao left Lin Yu’s residence, his mind filled with new strategies and a renewed sense of purpose. He knew that the path ahead would be fraught with challenges, but with Lin Yu by his side, he was confident that they could overcome any obstacle.

In the days that followed, Cao Cao began to implement the plans they had discussed. He strengthened his military, ensuring that his forces were well-trained and ready for any threat. He also took steps to win the hearts of the people, understanding that their support would be crucial in consolidating his rule.

Meanwhile, Lin Yu focused on expanding his Moutai wine business, using the profits to support Cao Cao’s military campaigns and to improve the lives of the people in Yanzhou. He knew that a prosperous economy would be the foundation of Cao Cao’s rule and worked tirelessly to promote trade and industry within the region.

Word of Lin Yu’s Moutai spread far and wide, and soon, his wine was in high demand across the land. The revenue from its sales not only enriched Lin Yu but also provided a steady stream of funds for Cao Cao’s governance, allowing him to invest in infrastructure and the well-being of his people.

As the weeks turned into months, the situation in Yanzhou began to stabilize. The Yellow Turban rebels, facing the might of Cao Cao’s forces and the united front of the local populace, found their advance halted and their numbers dwindling. One by one, the rebel strongholds fell, and peace was restored to the countryside.

Cao Cao, now firmly established as the Governor of Yanzhou, turned his attention to the administration of his territory. He implemented reforms that strengthened the rule of law, improved agriculture, and promoted education. Under his leadership, Yanzhou began to flourish, and the people came to respect and admire their new governor.

Lin Yu, from his position as a merchant, continued to play a crucial role in supporting Cao Cao’s efforts. He used his wealth and influence to mediate disputes, support local industries, and provide relief to those in need. His Moutai wine shop became a symbol of the prosperity and stability that Cao Cao’s rule had brought to Yanzhou.

However, Lin Yu was not content to rest on his laurels. He knew that the future was uncertain and that Cao Cao’s position as a warlord was far from secure. There were many who would challenge his rule, and Lin Yu was determined to be prepared for any contingency.

With this in mind, Lin Yu began to expand his network of informants and agents, spreading his influence beyond the borders of Yanzhou. He knew that information would be key in the coming struggles for power, and he was committed to ensuring that Cao Cao had every advantage in the battles to come.

As the year drew to a close, Cao Cao held a grand feast to celebrate the successes of the past year and to honor the many who had contributed to the prosperity of Yanzhou. Lin Yu was among those recognized, and as he stood before the assembled guests, he could not help but feel a sense of pride and satisfaction.

His journey from a humble merchant to a key advisor to a warlord had been a remarkable one, and he knew that the best was yet to come. As he raised his cup of Moutai in a toast to Cao Cao and the future of Yanzhou, he looked forward to the challenges and opportunities that lay ahead.