Chapter 1

In the year 192 AD, which was the third year of the Chuping era, the coalition against Dong Zhuo fell apart, and the ten-year period of warlord strife at the end of the Han dynasty began.

In March of the same year, this was the darkest period before Cao Cao's rise to power, and also the most disheartening moment for Cao Cao.

After much effort, Cao Cao had borrowed a piece of land from his senior, Yuan Shao, but now he faced the most severe test.

With few troops, a small city, and living under others' protection, surrounded by powerful enemies...

How to break the deadlock, the 38-year-old Cao Cao was at a loss.

At this moment, a letter from his father Cao Song in Xu Prefecture, Langya, written by his father's own hand, gave Cao Cao a boost.

He secretly set off for Xu Prefecture that night to meet his father.

The reason was that this letter mentioned a name, or rather, a title—Yin Lin!

...

...

"Brother, do you also believe the rumors about Yin Lin, that his words reveal the will of heaven?"

In the darkness, two burly men were riding and talking.

The handsome one was Cao Cao's cousin, Cao Ren, and the other, short and fat with narrow eyes and a long beard, was Cao Cao!

"We have no choice but to believe it!"

Cao Cao said loudly...

"Before the campaign against Dong Zhuo, it was said that Zhuge Xuan of the Zhuge clan in Langya had helped the Yin Lin siblings. Yin Lin suggested that he sell his ancestral property to buy food and horses. Indeed, after the campaign against Dong Zhuo, the prices of food and horses had risen more than a hundredfold! The Zhuge clan made a fortune, surpassing the 'Lu' family and becoming the most famous rich merchant in Xu Prefecture!"

"Also, it was said that the descendants of Wei Qing, the Marquis of Leye in Luoyang, had helped the Yin Lin siblings. Yin Lin advised him to flee from Luoyang. Indeed, Dong Zhuo's tyrannical actions led to the relocation of the capital to Chang'an, and Luoyang was burned to the ground, with bodies strewn everywhere! The Wei family descendants managed to escape!"

"Furthermore, Kong Rong of the Beihai region also received guidance from Yin Lin after helping him. Facing the fierce attack of the Yellow Turbans, Yin Lin helped him secure the brave general Taishi Ci and invited the assistance of Liu Bei from Pingyuan, thus repelling the Yellow Turbans!"

"There are too many rumors about Yin Lin. Since my father's letter mentions Yin Lin's strategy, I, Cao Cao, will believe it and go to investigate. Let's go..."

As he spoke, Cao Cao whipped his horse again...

At this moment...

He was extremely eager to reach Xu Prefecture, Langya, to investigate the hint from his father about Yin Lin.

Perhaps this was the key to breaking his current deadlock!

Or, to put it more boldly, if he could bring Yin Lin under his command, then... the situation in the world would be completely different!

...

In Xu Prefecture, Langya, at the Cao family residence...

"Father, is Yin Lin here?"

Cao Cao rushed in...

He looked anxious and flustered.

In stark contrast, Cao Song was calmly sipping his wine.

"Men De, don't panic..."

"I haven't seen Yin Lin either. I only heard that he is in Pengcheng, so I sent food and silk to him, and asked about the strategy to break your deadlock!"

This...

A hint of disappointment flashed in Cao Cao's eyes.

Yin Lin was not at the residence, what a pity!

But soon, his eyes regained their focus. "Father, what is the strategy Yin Lin suggested to break the deadlock?"

"Yongzhou!"

Seeing Cao Cao's urgent tone, Cao Song did not hide it. "Yin Lin only said that the Governor of Yongzhou, Liu Dai, is about to die, leaving Yongzhou leaderless. Cao Mengde can take advantage of this!"

Sigh...

Yongzhou?

Although Yongzhou was plagued by the Yellow Turban rebellion and was under the threat of Yuan Shu and Yuan Shao, it was undoubtedly a larger territory with a larger population, offering more room for maneuver compared to the Eastern Commandery that Cao Cao had borrowed from Yuan Shao!

However...

How easy would it be to take control of Yongzhou?

"Father, isn't it a bit hasty for Yin Lin to predict that Liu Dai will die?"

"Liu Dai, as the Governor of Yongzhou, is surrounded by countless Yongzhou soldiers. How easy would it be for him to die... If he is unharmed, all of Yin Lin's plans will come to nothing!" Cao Cao asked, frowning, his expression not good.

Cao Song stroked his beard, lifted his wine, and took a sip. "Yin Lin has never been wrong in predicting the state of the world and the fate of people!"

"But..." Cao Cao spoke again... "The prediction that Liu Dai will die is still a bit hasty!"

Just as he finished speaking...

"Report..."

A member of the Cao family rushed into the hall.

"Old Master, Young Master, we have received accurate news from Yongzhou. Governor Liu Dai fell off his horse while fighting the Yellow Turbans and was killed by them... The Yellow Turbans are strong, and now Yongzhou is leaderless and in grave danger!"

"The major families are discussing and plan to elect a new Governor of Yongzhou to take charge!"

Sigh...

Upon hearing this...

Cao Cao's face froze.

"Liu Dai, the Governor of Yongzhou, really fell off his horse and died? Yongzhou is leaderless?" Cao Cao stared at Cao Song, his body seeming to collapse into the bamboo chair, as if drained of all strength!

"Men De, now you must believe in Yin Lin's words, right?" Cao Song asked.

"This..."

Originally, Cao Cao had some reservations about Yin Lin's predictions about Yongzhou.

But now... the facts were clear, more convincing than any argument!

"Yin Lin truly has the ability to foresee the future!"

"Father..." Cao Cao sprang up, his spirit renewed. "Does Yin Lin have any other hints? How should I take control of Yongzhou?"

Cao Cao's ears were almost touching Cao Song's mouth...

His face was filled with eagerness—eagerness for Yin Lin's guidance, not for his father's words!

"Men De, the family member I sent also asked Yin Lin, and his response was a series of questions!" Cao Song's eyes narrowed.

"Questions?" Cao Cao asked eagerly...

Cao Song's tone became serious, and his words were precise.

"Who pretended to offer the Seven-Star Sword to assassinate Dong Zhuo?"

"Who initiated the coalition of eighteen warlords against Dong Zhuo?"

"When Dong Zhuo burned Luoyang and took the emperor to Chang'an, who among the eighteen warlords pursued him?"

"It was all me, Cao Cao!" Cao Cao answered instinctively...

"Then..." Cao Song continued. "Who is the old classmate of the Governor of Chenliu, Zhang Miao, who holds the highest office in Yongzhou? Who is the Jibei Inspector, Bao Xin, who became friends at first sight?"

"It was all me, Cao Cao!" As he spoke, a smile appeared on Cao Cao's face. At this moment, he had some understanding!

Yin Lin's hints were already quite clear...

Assassinating Dong Zhuo, leading the coalition against Dong Zhuo, and pursuing Dong Zhuo—these actions had made Cao Cao's reputation resound throughout the nine provinces, and the people of Yongzhou naturally trusted him;

The most influential families in Yongzhou, such as the Governor of Chenliu, Zhang Miao, and the Jibei Inspector, Bao Xin, provided the necessary connections for Cao Cao to take control of Yongzhou. In this case... the Governor of Yongzhou, he, Cao Cao, was the rightful choice, no one else could take his place!

Sigh...

Realizing this, Cao Cao took a deep breath.

The shadows in his heart dissipated like dust...

However...

His expression was still filled with surprise, not only because of the accuracy of Yin Lin's hints but also because of the profound insight and judgment of "Yin Lin"!

At just fifteen years old, he could see through the state of the world;

Living in Xu Prefecture, he had a clear understanding of the situation in Yongzhou!

What kind of insight and judgment must he possess?

No wonder the monthly evaluations said—those who gain Yin Lin can end the chaos and dominate the world!

For a moment, Cao Cao was extremely curious and eager about "Yin Lin"!

"Father, please keep searching for Yin Lin. If you find any trace of him, even if it's a thousand or ten thousand miles away, I will personally visit and ask him to come out of seclusion and help me!"

"The monthly evaluations do not deceive me; those who gain Yin Lin can gain the world!"

After saying these words, Cao Cao calmed his excited heart.

The most urgent task was to return to the Eastern Commandery and invite Zhang Miao and Bao Xin to discuss the plan to take control of Yongzhou.

Yin Lin has already given such clear hints; if he still fails to take control of Yongzhou, he, Cao Cao, would want to slap himself!

"Clatter, clatter, clatter..."

The sound of hooves echoed, and Cao Cao and Cao Ren, two riders, disappeared into the night on the official road.

"Phew..."

Cao Song watched Cao Cao's departing figure and muttered, "Rumors say that Yin Lin is also seeking a hero. Who will this hero be?"

"When the dragon roars, the heavens change; when it meets Yin Lin, it becomes a dragon!"

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