Chapter 6: I Am Not Interested in Money

Since arriving in Lu County, Xiahou Dun had been burning with anger, and now that he finally saw Lu Chuan, he could at last take action.

“Corrupt official! Watch out for my blade!”

At last, I've been waiting for you!

Xiahou Dun swung his sword and charged straight at Lu Chuan.

At this moment, Lu Chuan was still dressed as a scholar, looking thin and frail, as if a mere touch could topple him.

In contrast, Xiahou Dun was tall and robust, appearing every bit a fierce general.

So Xiahou Dun didn’t take Lu Chuan seriously at all. Such a delicate scholar could be taken down with one hand!

Lu Chuan’s guards reacted swiftly, but instead of stopping Xiahou Dun, they charged at Cao Cao, shouting to summon nearby soldiers.

Cao Cao sneered. How dare a mere guard make a move against him?

He was one of the eight commanders of the Western Garden, personally appointed by Emperor Ling. He had experience on the battlefield, having fought the Yellow Turban rebels and now raising troops to oppose Dong Zhuo. Though he couldn’t claim to be as fierce as Xiahou Dun, he was no ordinary guard to be trifled with.

Drawing his sword, Cao Cao intended to subdue the guard first, assuming Xiahou Dun would succeed on his side.

But just as he unsheathed his sword, a scream came from nearby.

“Hey! Ouch! Let go of me!”

That voice sounded strangely familiar.

Surprised, Cao Cao looked in the direction of the cry and saw that Lu Chuan had actually subdued Xiahou Dun!

What was going on?

Xiahou Dun, though not the best in the world, was a first-rate warrior. Few under Cao Cao’s command could match him. How had Lu Chuan, who appeared to be a mere scholar, managed to capture him so swiftly?

Lu Chuan himself was helpless.

He had heard from his guards that some merchants from out of town wanted to see him, offering a ten-thousand-coin notification fee. He had just tidied himself up to see who they were and if there was any profit to be made.

Who would have expected the visitor to attack as soon as they met?

Since the other party struck first, Lu Chuan had no choice but to defend himself.

To be honest, in Lu County, apart from Dian Wei, no one dared to make a move against Lu Chuan.

Even Dian Wei couldn’t gain any advantage over him.

Although Lu Chuan looked frail, the strength within him was terrifying.

Where did such terrifying power come from?

The system offered no clear explanation, but Lu Chuan understood it was directly related to his remaining lifespan.

When he first transmigrated into Lu Family Village, he had less than a year to live, and his body was frail—he couldn’t carry a burden or even farm properly.

But as he continuously gained lifespan with the system’s help, his physical quality steadily improved, along with his strength and reflexes.

Now, with over two hundred years of life remaining, his physical constitution naturally surpassed that of ordinary people, possessing strength comparable to Dian Wei, which was no longer surprising.

If one must explain it, it was that strong vitality granted longevity, and conversely, those with long lifespans inevitably possessed powerful vitality.

The direct manifestation of vitality was strength.

Xiahou Dun, though brave, was prejudiced. Seeing Lu Chuan’s scholar’s attire, he assumed he was just a bookish youth and underestimated him. Thus, Lu Chuan defeated him with a single move, leaving no chance to resist.

Lu Chuan grasped Xiahou Dun’s wrist with slight force, causing the sword in his hand to fall to the ground.

“Who are you? Why do you intend to harm an official of this government?”

Lu Chuan’s face was stern but puzzled. Since his transmigration five years ago, he didn’t recall any living enemies. Why would someone attack him on sight?

Xiahou Dun tried to protest, but Lu Chuan’s grip was like a vice, holding his wrist so tightly he couldn’t exert any strength. The defiant words died on his lips.

Facing a single guard, Cao Cao felt no pressure, but seconds later, more than a dozen guards arrived from different directions, armed with spears, swords, and shields, encircling him tightly. He knew he was trapped.

He never dreamed that the frail-looking Lu Chuan could capture Xiahou Dun in a single encounter.

Judging by appearances was truly unwise.

“Lord Lu, please wait! It’s a misunderstanding! All a misunderstanding!”

After failing to assassinate Dong Zhuo, Cao Cao was wanted by him and had fled, enduring much hardship. He understood when to admit defeat.

If he and Xiahou Dun didn’t quickly submit, the mere charge of attempting to kill a court official would cost them their lives.

Though Cao Cao had thousands of troops outside the city, they couldn’t arrive immediately. Meanwhile, Lu Chuan could end their lives with but a thought.

“A misunderstanding?”

Lu Chuan’s gaze settled on the short, dark-skinned man before him.

“You say it’s a misunderstanding? Who exactly are you? Confess truthfully! Otherwise, don’t blame me for using harsh methods!”

“It really is a misunderstanding, sir!” Cao Cao responded swiftly. “We are merchants from out of town. The one who disrespected you was my guard. He dared to act because he couldn’t bear to part with the ten-thousand-coin notification fee. To show our apology, I’m willing to offer twenty thousand coins. Please accept it as a token of our remorse.”

Now that they were in his hands, Cao Cao knew refusing would be unwise.

But Lu Chuan was not convinced.

“An apology? Twenty thousand coins? Do you take me for a beggar? Let me make this clear: I, Lu Chuan, am not interested in money!”

Both Cao Cao and Xiahou Dun sneered disdainfully.

If you’re not interested in money, then why did you even accept a ten-thousand-coin notification fee?

Clearly, you’re obsessed with wealth!

“What? Don’t believe me?”

Lu Chuan hated being doubted.

He swore by heaven—he truly wasn’t interested in money.

Since transmigrating five years ago, as long as he kept developing agriculture, commerce, military, and culture, he could continuously gain lifespan and strengthen himself. So he preferred to invest the money he earned into production and construction.

Letting money circulate created more value.

Leaving it idle in the treasury was wasteful.

“No! No! We believe you! Absolutely believe you!” Cao Cao quickly backtracked. “Since you’re not interested in money, how can we earn your forgiveness? We are foreigners unfamiliar with your rules. It was a momentary impulse. Please forgive us.”

Lu Chuan looked at Cao Cao and then Xiahou Dun. Both were handsome men, not petty thieves, so he lowered his guard somewhat.

Besides, other merchants from outside had quarreled over the ten-thousand-coin notification fee before, so Xiahou Dun’s attack wasn’t entirely incomprehensible.

He casually pushed Xiahou Dun aside.

“If you want me to let you go, it’s simple. Just invest one million coins in Lu County! I also think the city walls are a bit small and insufficient to face the coming chaos. I plan to expand them—what do you think?”

Cao Cao and Xiahou Dun exchanged surprised looks.

The walls of this small county were already as grand as those of Luoyang, yet he still thought they were inadequate?