Upon learning the news, Leifu rushed to Lu Li's residence.
Cao Cao actually brought herbs and food to Bingzhou in person, which shocked and even frightened Laifu.
For Laifu, Cao Cao was a terrifying figure.
They were fundamentally at odds and irreconcilable enemies, but to everyone's surprise, Cao Cao not only provided the Yellow Turban Army with food and herbs, but he also personally risked his life!
Such spirit and ambition truly befits a hero.
Upon hearing this, Lu Li smiled faintly and said, "Since Cao Mengde has sent grain and herbs, we should naturally treat him with courtesy!"
Laifu was taken aback, then said, "But Master, Cao Mengde has come here to win people's hearts. If we don't take some precautions..."
Lu Li shook his head and said with a smile, "It's alright. If we were to turn them away, it would make us look inferior!"
Leif opened his mouth as if to say something, but in the end he sighed.
"By the way, I heard that Cao Cao's purpose in leading his army here this time, besides providing relief to the disaster victims, is also to attack Chang'an," Lai Fu suddenly said.
"Um?"
Lu Li's eyes narrowed, and he asked, "Who told you that?"
"A scout reports that Cao Cao has divided his forces into two groups. One group is heading to Bingzhou to reinforce us, while the other, led by Cao Ren, has 50,000 troops and is heading to Chang'an!" Lai Fu said.
Lu Li nodded; he could guess about 80-90% of what was going on with his actions.
Based on his understanding of Cao Cao, he must have wanted to incorporate the Xiliang army in Chang'an, since with Dong Zhuo's death, his Xiliang and Bingzhou armies were essentially leaderless.
"If Cao Cao were to take over Dong Zhuo's army, wouldn't he be even more powerful?" Leif asked worriedly.
Lu Li shook his head and said, "That's secondary. His real target is the young emperor, Liu Bian!"
"Having gone through such a great calamity, he was certain that we would be severely weakened, or even completely devastated, in a short period of time."
"And his greatest enemy in the north is Yuan Shao!"
"Therefore, his ultimate goal was to control the emperor and use him to command the feudal lords!"
After listening, Leif's expression changed, and after pondering for a long time, he said, "Then what do you plan to do, Master?"
"Let's wait and see!" Lu Li said, narrowing his eyes slightly.
Cao Cao was different from Dong Zhuo; his ambition was much deeper than Dong Zhuo's, making him a true tyrant.
Take this recent mission to aid Bingzhou, for example. How many warlords could do that? Yet Cao Cao dared to risk his life alone.
He always regarded Cao Cao as the Yellow Turban Army's greatest enemy and never underestimated him!
"Let's go! It's time for us to meet Cao Mengde."
As soon as Cao Cao entered Bing Province, he discovered that the situation there seemed to be more serious than he had imagined.
Most of Bingzhou was deserted, like a dead city, with a pungent smell permeating the air.
Moreover, it is impossible to survive in such an environment. Not to mention ordinary people, even soldiers cannot last long!
Cao Cao frowned, a faint sense of sorrow rising in his heart.
"Dong Zhuo truly deserves to die!"
He believed that over the years, his control of Yanzhou and his rise to become a powerful warlord had tempered his heart to the point of being hardened, and he would no longer act on emotion.
Seeing the tragic state of Bingzhou, Cao Cao's anger still flared up, and he wished he could tear Dong Zhuo to pieces.
But he had no chance, because Dong Zhuo had already been killed by Lu Li.
"well......"
Cao Cao sighed softly and continued riding forward.
A quarter of an hour later, Cao Cao arrived at the residence of the governor of Bingzhou with 5,000 troops and sent his generals to visit Lu Li.
Soon after, Lu Li came out to greet him personally.
Everyone covered their mouths and noses with silk, which blocked out the pungent smell, but they still felt uncomfortable all over.
Cao Cao, in particular, felt as if his body had stiffened, and every step he took was extremely difficult!
"Brother Mengde, it's been a long time," Lu Li said, cupping his hands in greeting.
Cao Cao dismounted and said bitterly, "Xunzhen, what's that smell like in Bingzhou? It's like vinegar, and like wine, it's awful!"
"It was indeed vinegar and wine. I ordered people to mix the vinegar and wine together and spread it on the streets. This should help curb the spread of the plague to some extent," Lu Li said.
"Seeking the truth... indeed a brilliant idea!" Cao Cao smiled awkwardly.
Lu Li waved his hand and said, "Brother Mengde, what brings you here this time?"
Cao Cao paused for a moment, then said, "I have brought you the necessary herbs and grains with me to Bingzhou, hoping to relieve your urgent needs."
“Brother Mengde, your noble character will surely be remembered by the people of Bingzhou,” Lu Li said sincerely.
"Please come in!"
Cao Cao nodded, then noticed Lai Fu behind Lu Li.
Although Lai Fu was the Celestial Master of the Yellow Turban Army, the one who truly held the reins was Lu Li.
"Laifu, it's been a long time." Cao Cao took the initiative to greet Laifu.
Leif smiled and said, "It's been a long time. Mengde, you're still as dashing as ever!"
After exchanging pleasantries, the three of them entered the hall.
The three sat down as host and guest, and Lu Li said, "Brother Mengde, you've come all this way, you must not have eaten yet?"
"Yes, we've been traveling so fast, we're really starving." Cao Cao laughed heartily, revealing a hearty expression.
Lu Li said, "In that case, let's eat first and then talk!"
Soon, the food and drinks were served.
He even served a bowl of pigeon soup, which was Laifu's favorite, made by Lu Li himself.
"Mengde, try my master's pigeon soup, it's incredibly delicious!" Leifu said enthusiastically.
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