Six hundred and sixty thousand pieces of gold for a single person.

Shu County served as the administrative seat of Lujiang, its walls towering and thick, protected by a surrounding moat. It was a fortress, with the Huai River running through the city and feeding into the moat, ensuring the waters within never ceased their flow. These waters linked countless counties and could even reach the Yangtze, making the region's transportation by water exceptionally prosperous. Trade flourished, and, untouched by the ravages of war in the south, its population remained abundant. Thus, though the sky had darkened, taverns and eateries bustled with activity, and vendors in the marketplace continued to peddle their goods.

Blacksmiths, cloth shops, and rouge stores stayed open for business. Aside from Qiao County in Pei and Chenliu County—the seat of Chenliu—Cao Hong had never seen such a thriving county. The landscape of the south, with its clear mountains and winding rivers, brought him a sense of comfort upon entering the town, an inexplicable feeling of returning home.

Cao Hong's ancestral home in his previous life was in Yunnan, while Lujiang lay in what is now Anhui—a great distance apart. This sense of homecoming must have sprung from the memories within his current body, not his own. The mysterious feeling of returning made him think of his true homeland, Yunnan, which at this time was under the administration of Yizhou, governed by Liu Yan, a member of the imperial clan. Yet Yunnan was remote, and Liu Yan might not have much influence there.

"Yunnan now must be a wild, untamed place. If I live long enough, I must visit it someday, see what my homeland looked like two thousand years ago," Cao Hong mused quietly.

The banquet at the prefectural office had been meticulously prepared. Not long after Cao Hong and Sheng Meizhen arrived, the feast began. Cao Hong sat at the guest position to the left, Sheng Meizhen below him, and Liu Xun presided at the main seat. The civil and military officials of Lujiang accompanied them below, a high honor indeed. Typically, inviting a guest’s female companion to such a banquet signified treating the guest as family; having subordinates attend as well showed extraordinary courtesy.

Lujiang’s climate was humid, its land rich with waters and countless lakes, abundant in freshwater fish of exquisite flavor. The banquet featured various fish dishes, the rice soft and fragrant, revealing the quality of Yangzhou’s famed produce.

After three rounds of wine, Liu Xun spoke: "Brother, I have yet to ask what brings you back to Yangzhou?"

Cao Hong thought, "Here it comes." News of Cao Cao’s defeat had spread across the land, and his own return to Yangzhou naturally drew Liu Xun’s inquiry—a subtle test to see whether the Cao family would rise again or lie low in obscurity.

Cao Hong replied forthrightly, "Brother Zitai, to be honest, I have returned to Yangzhou to recruit troops for Brother Mengde. I plan to pour all my wealth into gathering elite soldiers and then head north to replenish Mengde’s forces."

Liu Xun’s expression shifted, and he smiled, "So you wish to sell your assets in Lujiang as well?"

Cao Hong nodded, "Exactly."

Liu Xun said, "If there’s any way I can assist, do not hesitate to ask!"

After Cao Hong thanked him, Liu Xun spoke no more of the matter and turned the conversation to wine and merriment.

Seeing Liu Xun’s manner—so like a modern red-capped merchant, asking casually in front of colleagues and subordinates, then moving on, while conducting private transactions to avoid gossip—Cao Hong, a seasoned mercenary, saw through the act at once. Liu Xun was clearly interested in acquiring Cao Hong’s assets for himself, rather than under the prefecture’s name, and that was why he refrained from pressing the issue further.

As expected, when the banquet was over and Cao Hong and Sheng Meizhen prepared to return to their villa in Shu County, Liu Xun accompanied them out of the prefecture, saying with a smile, "It was a pleasure to see you today, Brother Zilian. The banquet wasn’t quite enough—I’d like to join you at your residence for a few more cups. What do you think?"

The invitation was direct. Cao Hong agreed with a smile, and Liu Xun, delighted, ordered a carriage drawn by four horses, riding with Cao Hong, while Sheng Meizhen took their original carriage. Together, they went to the villa Cao Hong had purchased.

This villa, located on the back street of a pawnshop registered in Cao Hong’s name, was intended for convenience during account audits. Situated in an eastern quarter near the market, it was a prime location—a short walk to the bustling center.

Cao Hong had three such villas in Shu County, each worth fifty thousand coins, managed by the shopkeepers he left behind, with a few servants to guard the doors.

Cao Hong’s relationship with Liu Xun was extraordinary. Liu Xun had already notified the servants at the villa of his arrival, so all three households were prepared and waiting. When they reached the entrance, the servants welcomed them inside. Sheng Meizhen, weary from travel and wine, excused herself and went to bathe and rest.

Cao Hong, following his memories, led Liu Xun to the main hall. Once seated, he instructed a servant to bring wine and meat to the camp on the morrow to reward the soldiers from Xiangyi County who had accompanied him, and to fetch Shi A as well. Another servant was told to warm wine and cook meat for Liu Xun.

When all was arranged, Cao Hong dismissed the remaining servants and smiled at Liu Xun, "Brother Zitai, are you interested in my assets?"

Familiarity breeds candor, so Cao Hong got straight to the point.

Liu Xun laughed, "Naturally. Just these three villas of yours are worth over a hundred and fifty coins. Besides, you have ten warehouses, three rice shops, and six pawnshops—all in the busiest parts of town. The warehouses are impressive enough, but the rice shops and pawnshops are gold-plated brands with thriving business—a steady stream of profit. If you wish to sell, why not let me have them at a good price?"

Cao Hong smiled, "That is exactly what I intend."

Liu Xun’s eyes lit up with joy.

But Cao Hong continued, "My purpose in liquidating these assets is to recruit soldiers. Brother Zitai, as the prefect, if I need elite troops, naturally I would turn to you. In truth, I want to exchange these assets for elite soldiers and equipment."

Liu Xun was immediately troubled, "Well… Zilian, you must know that the prefectural troops are under imperial control. I am a government official—I cannot sell them privately. Furthermore, your properties in Shu County, counting shops and inventory, are worth no less than ten thousand taels of gold. Even if exchanged for soldiers and equipment, that could raise at least eight hundred elite troops. If Lujiang suddenly loses so many, the commandant would not be pleased!"

Cao Hong was secretly delighted and replied, "Actually, there’s no need to exchange for prefectural soldiers. If Brother Zitai is willing to part with just one person, I will hand over my Shu County assets."

Liu Xun was stunned, thinking he must have misheard. He never imagined he knew anyone worth so much—was Cao Hong asking him to abduct someone’s daughter? That would be no problem, just send men disguised as bandits. But if that was all, Cao Hong could do it himself—why involve him?

Puzzled, Liu Xun asked, "Who do you mean?"

Cao Hong replied, "I mean Liu Ziyang, the man at your side!"

Liu Xun was astonished, "You want this man?"

Cao Hong said, "Exactly. You are seeking a tutor for your eldest son. I noticed that Liu Ziyang has a noble bearing, speaks with elegance, and is clearly learned—a perfect candidate to be a teacher."

Liu Xun relaxed. So Cao Hong wanted Liu Ye as a tutor. Liu Xun had shown Liu Ye considerable courtesy, largely because Liu Ye had brought nearly a thousand strong men from Zheng Bao’s ranks, bolstering Lujiang’s troops—not because he thought Liu Ye was exceptionally clever. In fact, Lujiang was far from the war’s front lines and Liu Ye only handled minor administrative tasks, with no opportunity to demonstrate his talents, being still quite young. Liu Xun saw little of his value.

Cao Hong had spoken as if he wanted Liu Ye along with the thousand men, which would amount to the illegal sale of government soldiers, making him hesitate. Learning it was only Liu Ye himself, Liu Xun laughed heartily, "That’s no trouble at all. Ziyang has just performed great service, and since he has not yet been assigned a post, if he wishes, he can go with you at any time."

Cao Hong was overjoyed. At last, he had secured a formidable strategist for the Cao clan! With this, Liu Ye would join Cao Cao before Xun Yu or the Guo family, nine years earlier than history recorded, and as a trusted advisor no less. Cao Cao’s trust in him would rise rapidly, far surpassing the latecomers who joined only when his staff of strategists was already abundant.

At this moment, the servant brought warm meat and wine. Cao Hong took up the tripod cup and said, "Then let me toast Brother Zitai!"

Liu Xun laughed, drinking with Cao Hong, his mind already considering, "I wonder if Ziyang is asleep yet? I’ll persuade him to go with Zilian as soon as I return!" Thinking of gaining such a fortune with no effort, he could barely contain his delight.

Cao Hong, too, was elated, eagerly anticipating the brilliant exploits Liu Ye would bring as Cao Cao’s first strategist.