SFS Chapter 1249 Zhou Yu Spy on the Secrets of Borrowing Money and Goods
Chapter 1249 Zhou Yu Spy on the Secrets of Borrowing Money and Goods
The guards rushed back to Xuzhou and reported Xu You's demands one by one. After listening, Cao Ang slammed his fist on the table and shouted angrily, "Outrageous! Xu You has already received ten cartloads of valuables, yet he still dares to make exorbitant demands!"
The bamboo slips on the table rattled under the impact. He clenched his fists, his knuckles turning white. He had heard of Xu You's greed before, but he hadn't expected him to be so audacious. But then he thought, Tian Feng was good at strategizing, and Ju Shou was skilled in military command. If the two of them could surrender, Cao Cao's forces would be like wings. Not to mention fifteen cartloads of wealth, even more would be worthwhile.
But... he walked up to the treasury ledger, looked at the densely packed deficit figures, and his brows furrowed again. The previous collection of ten cartloads of goods had already emptied most of Xuzhou's grain reserves and treasury stocks; now, to collect another fifteen cartloads, let alone gold, silver, and silk, even grain would be difficult to gather.
"Fine, I'll beg you one more time, Father." Cao Ang gritted his teeth, picked up his pen, and wrote another letter, his words full of earnestness: "Father, Xu You has demanded another fifteen cartloads of wealth. Although he is insatiable, Tian and Ju are both capable men of the state. If we can bring them under our command, it will be better than having a thousand troops. The Xuzhou treasury is empty. I earnestly request that you send grain and wealth as soon as possible to help me accomplish this great task."
After the letter was sent, Cao Ang waited day and night in his residence, but instead of his father's reply, he received news of Cao Cao's personal expedition to Runan. It turned out that Cao Cao's illness had eased slightly, and upon hearing that Liu Bei had entered Sichuan, he assumed that Runan's defenses were weak, so he personally mustered troops and marched to Runan to attack.
A few days later, Cao Pi's reply finally arrived. Unfolding the letter, the handwriting was neat and precise, yet it carried an indescribable air of estrangement: "I am aware of your good intentions, brother. However, Father is away on campaign, and the consumption of provisions and military equipment is enormous. I am also struggling to manage resources in the rear. Fifteen cartloads of supplies are a huge sum, truly difficult to raise. You may decide for yourself, brother; if it is impossible, there is no need to force it."
"Make your own decision?" Cao Ang slammed the letter on the table, his chest burning with anger and frustration, almost bursting. As the garrison commander of Xuzhou, every move he made required his orders; how could he possibly have the right to "make his own decision"? Cao Pi's words, seemingly understanding, were in fact a clear and decisive way to cut off his path.
Ma Yunlu walked in carrying a cup of hot tea. Seeing his ashen face, she said softly, "Husband, please don't be angry. Could it be that my second brother's actions are...deliberately making things difficult for me?"
Cao Ang remained silent for a long time before slowly shaking his head: "Perhaps... but Father has always been eager to find talented people, and he would never miss out on such a talent because of this little bit of money. Perhaps the situation at the front is really critical, and he can't take care of things here." Even so, he felt as if a huge rock was pressing on his heart, making it hard to breathe.
Just as he was feeling annoyed, a scout rushed in: "General, Xu You's men are urging us again at the post station. They say they'll only wait three days. If the money doesn't arrive within three days, the matter will be called off!"
Cao Ang suddenly stood up, walked to the window, and looked towards Ji Province in the north. He could almost see Tian Feng's fortitude in prison and Ju Shou's worries, and he could also recall the words that Ju Shou's son, Ju Hu, had sent through a messenger: "If you can save my father, I am willing to surrender with my whole family."
Seeing Cao Ang's furrowed brows and troubled expression, Ma Yunlu gently patted his arm and said, "Husband, if you think this is something that should be done, then go ahead and do it. Although most of the things in my dowry storeroom are women's items, there are also quite a few gold, silver and jade items. You can take them and take inventory, and put together what you can use first."
Cao Ang was taken aback upon hearing this, and quickly waved his hand: "That's your dowry, how can you touch it? Besides..."
“We are husband and wife, what’s the difference between yours and mine?” Ma Yunlu interrupted him, her eyes warm. “It’s just that some embroidery and jewelry are not suitable for someone as greedy as Xu You. We should choose some hard currency like gold, silver, and silk.” She thought for a moment and then said, “This place is not far from Jiangdong. If my dowry is not enough, I will borrow some from my brother Gongjin. Write a letter with my personal seal and send it to Jiangdong. My brother and Gongjin are sworn brothers, he will definitely agree.”
Cao Ang looked at her, his eyes full of guilt: "I'm making you worry about me again..."
"Stop nagging, let's go check the treasury and see how much is still missing." Ma Yunlu pushed him out, "I'll go get the seal, you hurry up and write the letter."
Just as Cao Ang was about to pick up his pen, Ma Yunlu remembered something and hurried towards the inner courtyard: "Oh right, I have to go check on Rui'er. He should be awake by now."
Their son, Cao Rui, was just one month old, a beautiful and delicate child, the first male heir in three generations of the Cao family. Ma Yunlu had been by his side almost every day these days. If she hadn't seen Cao Ang looking worried about money, she wouldn't have left her son's side for even a moment.
Watching her hurried departure, Cao Ang felt a pang of sorrow. When Rui'er turned one month old, Cao Cao only sent some congratulatory gifts and the name "Cao Rui," neither allowing them to take the child back to Qiao County nor personally visiting his grandson. Ma Yunlu may not have said anything, but how could she not feel resentful? After all, this was Cao Cao's eldest grandson; such disrespect would make anyone suspicious.
"Never mind, let's deal with the immediate matter first." Cao Ang composed himself, picked up his pen and wrote a letter, detailing the reasons and earnestly requesting Zhou Yu to lend him money and supplies. He also attached Ma Yunlu's personal seal, sealed it, and handed it to his confidant: "Send it to Jiangdong by fast horse, and be sure to deliver it to Governor Zhou personally."
After he had made the arrangements, he turned back to the inner courtyard and saw Ma Yunlu holding the infant Cao Rui, sitting on the veranda basking in the sun. The little guy was sleeping soundly, his little face rosy, and Ma Yunlu looked down at him with eyes so tender they could melt your heart.
Cao Ang stepped forward and gently put his arm around her shoulder: "I'm sorry you had to go through this."
Ma Yunlu shook her head and looked up at him: "As long as Rui'er grows up safely, as long as you can focus on your work, I have no grievances." She paused, her voice lowering, "It's just... if only Father could see Rui'er with his own eyes."
Cao Ang felt a lump in his throat, but couldn't find the words to comfort him. He knew his father was seriously ill and engaged in war, and perhaps he really couldn't spare the time, but this estrangement from his eldest grandson was like a thorn stuck in the hearts of the couple.
The warm sunlight under the eaves shone on Cao Rui's little face and also on Cao Ang's heavy heart. He gently stroked his son's soft baby hair and made a silent vow: no matter how difficult it was, he would bring Tian Feng and Ju Shou back and defend Xuzhou.
Inside the Xuzhou treasury, Cao Ang personally inventoried the dowry, selecting gold and silver utensils, silk fabrics, and other valuables, filling ten carts. He summoned Xu You's messenger and said in a deep voice, "Send these ten carts back first. Tell Xu You that the remaining five carts will arrive within five days. Tell him not to be impatient." Seeing the abundance of valuables and having received a definite date, the messenger stopped pressuring him and led the caravan north.
Meanwhile, in Wu County, Jiangdong, Zhou Yu unfolded Cao Ang's letter and, seeing Ma Yunlu's personal seal attached at the end, raised an eyebrow. He muttered to himself, "The Cao family would actually lack fifteen cartloads of valuables? That's quite strange."
Xiahou Shang, standing beside him, cupped his hands and said, "Commander Zhou, our lord (Cao Cao) was seriously ill some time ago, but he has recovered considerably. Hearing that Liu Bei has entered Sichuan, our lord has determined that Runan is undefended and has personally led a large army to Runan."
Zhou Yu picked up his teacup, seemingly casually, and asked, "Why didn't the eldest son accompany the emperor?"
“My brother is stationed in Xuzhou, a vital stronghold in the southeast, and cannot be attacked for the time being,” Xiahou Shang replied. “Besides, my brother and his wife have just had their first son, so it is not convenient for them to travel far.”
A glint flashed in Zhou Yu's eyes, and he pressed on, "When Lord Cao went on his campaign, who was stationed at the main camp in Qiao Commandery?"
Xiahou Shang hesitated for a moment, but still replied, "The rear will be managed by the Second Prince Pi."
The tent fell silent instantly. Zhou Yu tapped the table lightly with his fingertips, his mind already racing with calculations. Cao Ang was the eldest son of the legitimate wife and had done nothing wrong, yet he was sent to guard an outlying province, while his second son, Cao Pi, was placed in charge of the central government. The implications of this were intriguing.
"I see." Zhou Yu quickly recovered and smiled at Xiahou Shang, "General, please wait a moment, the supplies will be prepared soon."
Before long, a soldier reported that ten carts of goods had been loaded and were ready to be dispatched. Xiahou Shang stepped forward to take a look and hurriedly said, "Commander, only five carts are needed, this..."
“Ah,” Zhou Yu waved his hand and laughed, “I have a sworn brotherhood with Liang King Ma Chao, and Sister Yunlu is my sister. Now that I have a new nephew, how can I, as his uncle, not give him a congratulatory gift? These ten carts of wealth are my gift to my nephew. General, please accept them.”
Xiahou Shang was both surprised and delighted, and quickly thanked him. Little did he know that Zhou Yu was already calculating the situation in the north. The signs of Cao Cao changing his heir were beginning to emerge, and if discord arose within the Cao family, it would be an opportunity for Xiliang to take advantage of.
The river breeze from Chaisang swept through the water fortress, carrying a damp scent. Ten carts of valuables were heading towards Xuzhou along the waterway, and behind them lay the Jiangdong strategist's accurate assessment of the current situation, as well as an undercurrent that was about to be stirred up within the Cao Wei group.
Inside Xuzhou city, Cao Ang received the supplies sent by Zhou Yu and breathed a sigh of relief. Looking at the ten cartloads of provisions, he felt both gratitude for Jiangdong's assistance and apprehension about the future. The supplies were ready; he just didn't know if the rescue would go smoothly.
Meanwhile, in Wu County of Jiangdong, Zhou Yu spread out a sheet of paper and wrote two secret letters to Ma Chao.
The first letter details Cao Cao's movements: "Brother, Cao Ang recently sent an envoy to visit us. His words revealed some clues. Cao Cao personally led an expedition to Runan, leaving Cao Pi to guard Qiao County, while Cao Ang is still guarding Xuzhou. The eldest son is away, while the second son guards the central government. This is not an ordinary arrangement, and I fear he intends to change the heir. If internal strife breaks out in the Cao family, it will be an opportunity for us."
After finishing writing and sealing the letter, he took another sheet of paper and wrote a second letter: "Regarding the matter of harassing Liu Bei that you entrusted to me before, I have already ordered Gan Ning and Taishi Ci to lead 20,000 naval troops down the river from Yuzhang County. Once Liu Bei's army has passed halfway into Sichuan, we will attack his rear, cut off his supply lines, and delay his journey. Also, the 'paper' you sent last time is thin and light, making it much easier to write on than bamboo slips or silk books. If it can be mass-produced, it will benefit students all over the world, which would be a great achievement. I wonder if this method is ready? Can it be mass-produced? If you need my help, Jiangdong is willing to serve you like a dog or a horse."
Both letters were sealed with wax and given to Zhou Shan, his most trusted confidant, to deliver to Chang'an.
Zhou Shan accepted the order and left, while Zhou Yu stood atop the city wall, gazing at the rushing river. Cao Cao changed his heir, Liu Bei entered Sichuan, and his elder brother was building momentum in Yizhou; the political landscape was quietly shifting. Harassing Liu Bei would both fulfill Ma Chao's request and weaken his power; and if they could control the mass production of paper, it would not only benefit the world but also allow them to control the literary tradition, bringing immeasurable long-term benefits.
The river wind whipped, ruffling Zhou Yu's robes. He knew that sending these two letters would add further uncertainty to the situation in the southwest and the central plains. "Brother, what are your plans?" he thought. "The Cao family is showing signs of internal strife, and at this time, Liu Bei has entered Sichuan from Jingzhou, leaving Jingzhou vulnerable. If we can seize this opportunity to coordinate with Jiangdong and launch two cavalry attacks to take Jingzhou, we can then establish a north-south dominance. Then we can focus on fighting Yuan Shao. I've heard rumors these past two years that Yuan Shao is a womanizer and a drunkard, and his health is failing; he's not a major concern. How much longer will you wait, brother?"