Chapter 7: The Eighteen Warlords—All Incompetents

“I am a reasonable man and would never coerce anyone! So let me confirm once more: you are willingly investing one million coins in Lu County for its development, correct?”

Lu Chuan wore a serious expression; to an outsider, it might seem as if he were negotiating with Cao Cao and Xiahou Dun.

Cao Cao felt a bitter pang in his heart.

Isn’t this coercion?

If he dared refuse, Lu Chuan would surely capture both him and Xiahou Dun in an instant and subject them to harsh interrogation.

Cao Cao didn’t fear torture; he was an ambitious youth determined to restore the Han dynasty and would not shrink from such setbacks.

But if he, the esteemed Imperial Agricultural Commandant of Han and initiator of the campaign against Dong Zhuo, were to be captured alive by a mere county magistrate, wouldn’t that be humiliating?

This was not like when he fled alone in Zhongmou County, without any allies, and could be easily caught by any county official.

Now, commanding thousands of soldiers and accompanied by formidable generals like Xiahou Dun, Xiahou Yuan, Cao Ren, and Cao Hong, to fall into Lu Chuan’s hands would be utterly disgraceful.

He could not afford to lose face.

Therefore, he had no choice but to agree for the time being, to placate Lu Chuan.

As for the one million coins?

He truly did not have that kind of money.

Before he exhausted his family fortune recruiting troops, the Cao family could have produced one million coins easily, but not now.

Unless his father, Cao Song, sold off the ancestral home.

But Cao Cao had no intention of actually paying Lu Chuan one million coins.

As long as he could keep Lu Chuan steady, he could later have Xiahou Yuan and Cao Ren lead their armies from outside the city to crush Lu County effortlessly.

Since Cao Cao never planned to pay, no matter what Lu Chuan demanded, he would not refuse.

Lu Chuan’s thinking was simpler: he wasn’t afraid Cao Cao wouldn’t pay. Since the man was in his grasp, without seeing the one million coins, neither Cao Cao nor Xiahou Dun could leave.

Lu County was his creation, and no one understood its capabilities better than he.

He dared to have the city gate guards stop Cao Cao, showing he did not take Cao Cao’s several thousand troops seriously.

A few thousand soldiers? To attack Lu County was a mere fantasy!

If nothing else, as long as Lu Chuan shut the gates, Cao Cao’s forces would be helpless.

Lu Chuan had never heard of anyone breaking such a sizable fortress with just a few thousand troops.

Even without using the city walls, he still did not regard Cao Cao’s army of several thousand as a threat.

Did they think he had wasted these five years?

Cao Cao nodded repeatedly. “Yes, yes! Lord Lu, you are absolutely right. I am willing to invest one million coins in Lu County’s development, without any coercion whatsoever!

The moment I saw Lu County, I was deeply attracted by it. Such a thriving county, full of vitality everywhere, exudes a sense of flourishing prosperity!

Compared to the suffering outside, Lord Lu, your governance has truly made Lu County a land that all yearn for!

To be able to invest here is my great fortune!”

Once he accepted the reality of submission, Cao Cao seemed like a different person.

Lu Chuan smiled.

When Cao Cao and Xiahou Dun first arrived, he had indeed suspected their identity and thought of the thousands of troops outside.

After all, Cao Cao and Xiahou Dun were striking figures, and Xiahou Dun was notably brave, clearly no ordinary men.

But seeing Cao Cao’s compliance dispelled his doubts.

Who was Cao Cao?

The fierce man who defeated Yuan Shao, unified the north, and laid the foundation of the Wei dynasty—a renowned military strategist, politician, tactician, and literati—he surely carried an aura wherever he went. How could he ever show submission?

Impossible!

Absolutely impossible!

The image of the Wei Martial Emperor in Lu Chuan’s mind was not such a man!

“Well, well! Since you have such intentions, let’s go inside and discuss the investment details.”

Mentioning investment, Lu Chuan’s tone became warm as he personally led Cao Cao inside.

Xiahou Dun was displeased but dared not act.

Captured by Lu Chuan earlier, though caught unprepared, when he tried to struggle he found Lu Chuan’s strength impressive.

Without a proper weapon—his sword was taken—and on Lu Chuan’s turf, what chance did he have?

Any rash move now would forfeit even the chance of investment.

Cao Cao felt stifled; he never imagined he would suffer such indignity.

But Cao Cao was, after all, Cao Cao—both cultured and martial, able to endure and adapt. He quickly found a new excuse.

Lu Chuan was so formidable that if he could recruit him and Dian Wei, how could great things fail?

For now, he was merely pretending to be a merchant, probing Lu Chuan’s true intentions, waiting for the right opportunity to recruit him.

Though he had lost this round, he bore no grudge.

If this plan succeeded, no one would mock Cao Cao’s temporary defeat; instead, they would praise his magnanimity, tolerance, meritocracy, and discernment!

This was the script Cao Cao envisioned.

“Lord Lu, you mentioned earlier plans to expand the city walls. Is that true?”

Cao Cao opened the topic, feeling the current walls were large enough and expansion unnecessary.

Lu Chuan nodded. “Of course! As the magistrate of Lu County, it is my duty to ensure its safety. Otherwise, how can you merchants invest your money here with peace of mind?

If you do not invest, how will Lu County’s economy develop?

Without economic support, Lu County will slowly decline into an ordinary county.

To be honest, I am considering whether to strengthen the walls or even build an outer city based on the current county town. That would provide more room to grow.

Of course, as you know, building an outer city is a huge project. When you merchants invest with me, making a profit will be all but guaranteed!”

Several question marks appeared over Cao Cao’s head.

An outer city on top of Lu County’s current scale?

Are you serious?

Lu County was already comparable to Luoyang in size. Building an outer city would surpass Luoyang!

You’re just a small county magistrate, yet your county is larger and more prosperous than Luoyang? What is this?

Aren’t you afraid the emperor—

Uh!

Never mind, the emperor likely has no interest in these matters now.

“Lord Lu, with Lu County already so large, is expansion really necessary?”

“Of course! Without expansion, how can we face the coming chaotic times?”

“Chaotic times?”

Cao Cao frowned.

Dong Zhuo’s tyranny was indeed troublesome, but he did not believe the entire realm would descend into chaos.

He had raised the banner against Dong Zhuo, gaining the support of Yuan Shao, Yuan Shu, Gongsun Zan, and others. With so many warlords marching on Luoyang to restore the emperor, what could Dong Zhuo do?

Once Dong Zhuo was defeated, the emperor would still be the Han emperor; the world would still be Han’s. What chaos?

“Lord Lu, isn’t this talk of chaos a bit far-fetched?”

“No, no! Not at all!”

Lu Chuan shook his head. “You are a traveling merchant and must know about Dong Zhuo’s tyranny and Cao Cao’s uprising against him, right?”

Cao Cao straightened his chest. “Naturally! Cao Cao’s actions align with heaven’s will and the people’s desires. Followers abound; defeating Dong Zhuo is just a matter of time!”

“Ha! What a joke! Simply a joke!”

Lu Chuan shook his head again. “Relying on those scheming warlords to defeat Dong Zhuo and restore the Han is a joke! I’ll say it plainly: including Cao Cao, every one of the warlords who joined the campaign against Dong Zhuo is a failure and a fraud!”