Chapter 9

"Uncle, I wish to hear the details." Xun You looked curiously at Xun Yu.

Xun Yu stroked his beard and began to speak. "In recent years, while serving as the 'Guardian of the Palace' in the imperial court, Cao Cao's reputation has been as loud as thunder. Who doesn't know that in his youth, he was a hot-headed young man, relying on his father Cao Song's protection to fear no authority, causing trouble everywhere. If he had only provoked the powerful and the gentry, it would have been fine, but he even meddled in the emperor's sale of official positions!"

This...

Xun You's eyes darted, seemingly realizing that this had nothing to do with the commentary on the *Art of War* or the understanding of a fifteen-year-old child.

Just as he was puzzled, Xun Yu continued.

"It was precisely because Cao Cao, as a Censor, submitted a memorial to the emperor, angrily condemning the sale of official positions, that he was harshly reprimanded by the emperor, leading to his demotion and return to his hometown, where he studied military strategy for ten years with a calm heart."

"Thanks to Cao Song's high position, having served as a doctor at the Imperial Academy and as the Grand Administrator, he hired over thirty clerks to copy ancient texts, producing more than thirty volumes of military books, which were sent to Qiao Pei for Cao Cao to read."

"Amidst the ups and downs of his career, with a calm heart... even so, Cao Cao spent ten years in seclusion in Qiao Pei, studying history and military strategy, and only then did he provide commentary on the *Art of War*, write his insights, and compile them into *Essentials of Military Strategy*, also known as *Thirteen Chapters of Sun Wu*..."

"Uncle, I once had the honor of seeing his commentary, which not only includes the rules of war but also the principles of life—knowing when to advance or retreat, recognizing success and failure, and understanding honor and disgrace! It is truly profound..."

Oh... hearing this.

Xun You suddenly understood. "I understand what you mean, Uncle. Cao Cao, after experiencing the ups and downs of his career and ten years of calm study, was able to gain insight into the *Art of War*. A fifteen-year-old boy in the Qiao Pei military camp, guided by the talented Cai Yan, even if he had studied military books since birth, would certainly not have such a deep understanding of the *Art of War*!"

"Lord Wei's decision to have us test him is unnecessary..."

Hearing this, Xun Yu stroked his beard again, pleased that his nephew Xun You fully grasped his meaning, saving him the need for further explanation.

However... there is one more point.

The *Art of War* is profound and vast. Even Cao Cao, who provided commentary, would not have claimed to fully understand it without experiencing the Yellow Turban Rebellion and receiving guidance from the 'War God' Huangfu Song. How could a fifteen-year-old boy possibly achieve such a level of understanding!

"Uncle, since we are going to the military camp, let's test him. Even if he cannot fully understand, he might still be a promising talent. In today's world, talent, especially young talent, is indispensable!"

"I think the same."

Xun Yu and Xun You exchanged a glance, and no more words were needed.

Speaking of which, the Xun family of Yingchuan, being a prominent clan, had specialists teaching them Confucianism, ethics, and military strategy from a young age...

Xun Yu and Xun You, being exceptionally intelligent, were once-in-a-century talents in the Xun family. If anyone truly understood military strategy, it was them!

...

That night, three carriages entered the Qiao Pei military camp.

The roads in Yanzhou were not well-maintained, with many potholes, so the carriages moved slowly.

When the carriages stopped, the doors opened, and Cao Ren and Xiahou Yuan discovered that not only had Wei Hong arrived, but there were also two distinguished, scholarly-looking men.

Since the Han Dynasty, Confucians had held a high status, especially in Yanzhou, where there was a desperate need for talented individuals. Cao Ren and Xiahou Yuan naturally treated Xun Yu and Xun You with great courtesy.

"Lord Wei, I didn't expect you to come in person!" Cao Ren personally greeted Wei Hong, who was their 'golden sponsor.' Even Cao Cao treated him with great respect, let alone Cao Ren.

"General Cao, I am also curious. A fifteen-year-old boy claiming to have read a thousand books and to understand military strategy is truly unbelievable." Wei Hong stroked his beard. "General Cao is kind-hearted, but don't let yourself be deceived. I have brought two scholars to test him."

This...

Cao Ren scratched his head...

Since it was Wei Hong's intention, he could not refuse.

"Lord Wei, the two scholars, this way please..."

Cao Ren led Wei Hong, Xun Yu, and Xun You into the main tent.

Lu Yu and Cai Zhaoji were already waiting there. Wei Hong scanned them; their clothing was not particularly fine, but the two siblings' faces and demeanor—one graceful, the other handsome—were quite striking.

However, Cai Zhaoji exuded a scholarly aura, while the young boy...

He was... plain and unremarkable, indeed!

Yes, this was not an era of judging by appearance. Such a young boy could be found in any private school, truly plain and unremarkable!

"Cai Yan, this is Lord Wei Hong from Chenliu, and these two are..."

Cao Ren introduced them, but... he had only just met Xun Yu and Xun You and did not know their names, making his introduction somewhat awkward.

However, Lu Yu bowed. "I have heard of Lord Wei Hong, Mr. Xun Yu, and Mr. Xun You..."

Hiss...

Cao Ren and Xiahou Yuan were both taken aback.

How did this young man know Xun Yu and Xun You's names?

More importantly, were the names correct?

Xun Yu and Xun You were also surprised. They had never met this young man, and at this time, they were unknown. They certainly did not have their names written on them...

So... the question was...

How did this young man recognize them?

Almost everyone was stunned, but Wei Hong was the most bewildered!

Others did not recognize Lu Yu, but he knew him all too well.

The fifteen-year-old boy in front of him, no... wasn't he 'Yin Lin'?

After searching for years, he never expected to find him in Cao Cao's camp, and more importantly... he... he was dressed so shabbily?

This was Yin Lin! How could Cao Cao treat him like this?

Wei Hong was about to speak, but he stopped himself. He wondered if this was a deliberate arrangement by Yin Lin. If he revealed himself rashly, it might ruin Yin Lin's plans, which would be... well-intentioned but counterproductive.

With this thought, Wei Hong raised his eyes... and saw Lu Yu winking at him, clearly recognizing him.

After all, in his previous life, Lu Yu was the 'strongest brain' and the 'brain king,' with an extraordinary memory. He would not easily forget a face he had seen before.

Lu Yu was genuinely worried that Wei Hong would not expose his identity.

If it were known that 'Yin Lin' was in Cao Cao's camp, the saying 'a precious jade invites envy' would apply, and Cao Cao and Yanzhou could become targets!

The situation might then develop in an extreme direction, which was not what Lu Yu wanted to see.

Fortunately...

Wei Hong was not stupid. Seeing his silence, Lu Yu felt relieved.

...

At this moment, Xun Yu stepped forward.

"Surely, this must be the learned and knowledgeable Master Lu Yu?"

"Xun Yu would like to ask, how did Master Lu Yu know our names upon first meeting? Have we met before?"

Xun Yu's eyes narrowed, and he looked extremely curious.

"Of course not!" Lu Yu replied. "As for how I know your names, well..."

Lu Yu's eyes moved downward...

Below the waist, above the legs...

This...

Xun Yu was immediately embarrassed!

What... was this?

Could he recognize people by looking at this part?

...

...