"Take this gentleman down and temporarily settle him in your army." Cao Cao said unhurriedly.
As soon as these words were spoken, Cao Hong, Xiahou Yuan, and Xiahou Dun all looked astonished. They really couldn't figure out why Cao Cao would keep this audacious Lin Yu in the military camp.
Lin Yu, however, felt at ease in his heart, and the corners of his mouth turned up slightly. Instead of suggesting that Cao Cao seek help from the Wei family as in history, he proposed to form the Toujin Xiaowei. Frankly speaking, it was also a test for Cao Cao. He just wanted to see if Cao Cao was worthy of his following. And Cao Cao's move was enough to prove that he was indeed a powerful figure who would stop at nothing to achieve success, which Lin Yu quite appreciated.
"Your subordinate takes leave for now!" Lin Yu bowed with his hands clasped and then followed Cao Hong out of the central army camp.
After Lin Yu left, Xiahou Dun couldn't restrain his doubts and asked, "Lord, why would you keep such a person in the military camp?"
"This man has an extraordinary way of speaking and seems to be a talented person. Our army is precisely in need of such talents!" Cao Cao explained with a smile. "Moreover, although his plan is bold, it's not unfeasible." That sentence of Lin Yu's, "Those who aim for great achievements should not be bothered by trifles," really hit the nail on the head for Cao Cao. If it weren't for the presence of Xiahou Yuan and the others, Cao Cao would have liked to have a drink and a hearty chat with Lin Yu.
"Lord, do you really intend to send people to rob tombs?" Xiahou Dun asked cautiously again.
"Yes." Cao Cao nodded, his face solemn as he said, "I'll leave this matter to you two. Make sure not to let it leak out."
Xiahou Dun and Xiahou Yuan exchanged a glance and nodded in agreement.
...
Cao Hong brought Lin Yu to a military camp and said casually, "You can stay here. From now on, you'll be responsible for guarding the provisions and supplies." Although he was greedy for wealth, he also looked down on Lin Yu who had proposed that Cao Cao rob tombs. He only kept Lin Yu and sent him to guard the provisions and supplies because of Cao Cao's order.
"Thank you, General!" Lin Yu readily accepted the order. Guarding the provisions and supplies might not bring much power, but fortunately, he didn't have to go to the front line or participate in training. It was really comfortable!
Cao Hong snorted coldly, didn't say any more nonsense, and then walked away with his head held high.
Lin Yu walked into the tent, threw down his backpack, and leaned on the bed, stretching lazily and comfortably. From now on, he would stay here with Lord Cao. He thought to himself that he only had three things to do in the future: eating, sleeping, and fighting against Liu Bei!
Lin Yu hadn't rested for long when he heard heavy footsteps approaching. Immediately after, a burly man walked into the tent and bowed to Lin Yu, saying, "Greetings, sir!"
Lin Yu looked at this man. Seeing that he was tall and strong, exuding an air of domineering and heroic valor, he couldn't help asking, "Who are you?"
"Replying to your question, sir, my name is Dian Wei. General Zilian transferred me here to be at your disposal." The big man Dian Wei replied in a muffled voice.
"Oh, I see." Lin Yu nodded, and then his face changed. He jumped up from the bed and stared closely at Dian Wei, asking, "What did you say your name was?"
Dian Wei was startled, but still answered honestly, "My name is Dian Wei!"
"Dian Wei? Are you the Dian Wei from Chenliu Jivu who killed Liu Yong in the busy market to avenge your friend?"
"Yes, it's me." Dian Wei nodded in response.
Lin Yu never expected that the ordinary soldier randomly assigned to him by Cao Hong would turn out to be the famous Dian Wei! Who was Dian Wei? The saying went, "First Lu Bu, second Zhao Yun, third Dian Wei." He was superlatively skilled in martial arts, only second to Lu Bu and Zhao Yun. His heroic and valiant nature was on a par with Zhang Liao and Xu Chu. Cao Cao even praised him as being like E Lai of ancient times! More importantly, he was extremely loyal. He fought to the death in Wancheng to protect Cao Cao, who had a penchant for other men's wives. Such a renowned hero hadn't even been discovered by Lord Cao yet. If he could manage to recruit Dian Wei first, wouldn't he have an extra guarantee of safety in this chaotic Three Kingdoms period?
Thinking of this, Lin Yu's eyes became fervent. Even though Dian Wei was a big, burly man, he couldn't help but shiver all over when he felt Lin Yu's fiery gaze.
Lin Yu wiped the saliva from his mouth and said smilingly and enthusiastically, "Brother Dian Wei, I've heard of your deeds long ago. Only today did I realize that seeing is believing. Brother Dian Wei is truly a heroic figure!"
Although Dian Wei was extremely heroic, after hearing Lin Yu's flattery, he couldn't help but beam with joy. He pretended to be reserved and said, "Sir, you flatter me too much."
"Not at all, not at all! I'm not flattering you!" Lin Yu waved his hand, not caring at all as he laughed and said, "Brother Dian Wei and I hit it off immediately. Why don't we become sworn brothers today?"
Dian Wei was dumbfounded. They had only met for less than the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, and Lin Yu wanted to become sworn brothers with him?
"Sir, this... Isn't it a bit too soon?"
"Soon? Not at all!" Lin Yu shook his head. Joking aside, if he waited a few more days and Lord Cao met Dian Wei first, he would lose his chance.
Seeing Dian Wei's hesitant look, Lin Yu's eyes rolled, and he immediately had an idea. He chuckled and said, "How about this? Brother Dian Wei, let's have a competition. If I win, you'll recognize me as your elder brother. How about it?"
"How do we compete?" Dian Wei asked hesitantly.
"It's simple. We'll compete to see who's stronger!" Lin Yu laughed.
Dian Wei took a look at Lin Yu's thin arms and legs and immediately laughed, saying, "Alright, let's do it as you said."
Lin Yu also chuckled, thinking to himself: Little guy, let's see how I easily handle you!
...
Lin Yu took Dian Wei out of the military camp and walked around the camp for quite a while, as if looking for something.
Dian Wei got impatient and said, "Sir, we're supposed to compete in strength. Why are we walking around here?"
Lin Yu glanced at him and said casually with a smile, "I'm so strong that I'm afraid I'll hurt you. So I plan to change the way of competing."
Hearing this, Dian Wei curled his lips, looking unimpressed. Joking aside, with your small build, could you possibly hurt me? If it weren't for the fact that Lin Yu was his superior, he would have left long ago!
"Alright!" Lin Yu walked around and his eyes lit up when he saw a huge stone. He pointed at the stone and said to Dian Wei with a smile, "Let's use this stone for the competition. Whoever can move this stone will be the winner!"
Dian Wei took a look and frowned slightly. The stone was quite large. Even if it didn't weigh a thousand catties, it must be eight hundred catties at least. Even with his great strength, he was afraid he couldn't move it.
Seeing this, Lin Yu said with a smile, "Brother Dian Wei, could it be that you can't do it?"
"Whether I can or not, we'll know only after trying!" Dian Wei snorted softly and walked slowly towards the stone. He opened his arms, hugged the huge stone, bent his legs slightly, and shouted, "Up!"
With Dian Wei's roar, his face turned red as he exerted all his strength. But unfortunately, the stone was too heavy. Despite Dian Wei using all his might, he couldn't move it even half a step!
"Brother Dian Wei, your strength needs some improvement. You should practice more." Lin Yu laughed.
Dian Wei let go of the stone and said angrily, "You've got some nerve. I'd like to see how you're going to move it!"