Chapter 28: Lin Yu Being Detected

After Xun Yu, Guo Jia, and Xi Zhicai promised to pledge their allegiance to Cao Cao, the atmosphere of the banquet grew even more lively.

Guo Jia drained his cup of wine in one gulp and said with a light smile, "There's something Fengxiao doesn't understand. May the lord enlighten me."

"Fengxiao, don't be so polite. Just ask away." Cao Cao replied with a laugh.

"When we entered the city, we saw the notices posted by the government, encouraging the people to reclaim wasteland and recruiting scholars from humble families. I wonder whose idea these policies that benefit the people were?" Guo Jia asked casually, with a calm expression on his face. But in fact, his eyes were fixed intently on Cao Cao.

"Well, actually, it was the result of discussions among me and my subordinates." Cao Cao gave a vague answer.

Although he had drunk quite a lot of wine, he still remembered Lin Yu's instructions.

"Yes, it was indeed the result of our joint discussions." Xiahou Dun, Xiahou Yuan, and a few others also nodded in agreement.

Apart from these clan relatives and generals, the rest of Cao's army either didn't know of Lin Yu's existence or only knew that Lin Yu was the elder brother of Dian Wei and Zhao Yun when they made a great show during the campaign against Dong Zhuo a few days ago.

Before the banquet tonight, Cao Cao had already instructed them not to mention Lin Yu casually.

"I see." Guo Jia nodded.

Xun Yu and the others were no fools. These generals under Cao Cao were good at fighting on the battlefield, but it was absolutely impossible for them to come up with such beneficial policies for the people.

However, since the three of them had just arrived, and Cao Cao was reluctant to be straightforward, they didn't want to press the matter further.

...

Early the next morning, Xun Yu, Guo Jia, and Xi Zhicai took up their new positions.

To show his respect for them, Cao Cao dismissed the original county magistrate and appointed Xun Yu as his deputy.

Guo Jia and Xi Zhicai, who were quite talented in military affairs, were both appointed as military advisors and libationers!

After finishing their work on the first day, the three of them got together for a meal.

"The lord's vision is truly beyond what Yuan Shao can match." Xun Yu sighed.

They had only known Cao Cao for a day at most, yet Cao Cao already held them in such high regard and entrusted them with such important positions as county magistrate and military advisor and libationer.

"However, I'm a bit puzzled. Why did the lord tell me and Zhicai today that he would arrange for a doctor to examine our health in the next two days?" Guo Jia asked, looking a bit surprised.

"I don't understand either." Xi Zhicai also looked confused.

"Perhaps the lord noticed that you two didn't look well and was worried about your health." Xun Yu said with a smile. "It's also the lord's concern for you two."

"Maybe so." Guo Jia shook his head and didn't think much of it.

"When I took up my position today, I noticed something unusual." Xun Yu suddenly said.

Seeing his mysterious look, Guo Jia and Xi Zhicai became interested and quickly asked, "What was unusual?"

"I noticed that the officials under the lord's command were all using a numbering method called Huaxia Numerals." Xun Yu said as he dipped his finger in water and wrote the numbers from 1 to 0 on the table.

After his brief explanation, the intelligent Guo Jia and Xi Zhicai quickly understood the use of these numbers.

"Brother Wenruo, you have to admit that this numbering method is much more concise, compact, clear, and easy to understand than the usual methods. It's also more convenient for statistics." Guo Jia couldn't help nodding in praise.

"Not only that, the way they keep track of logistical supplies is also different from what we're used to."

"They separate the income and expenditure and record them in two account books."

"When checking the accounts, all you need to do is calculate the two account books separately, then summarize them, and finally compare with the supplies in the warehouse." Xun Yu said slowly.

Xi Zhicai's eyes lit up, and he couldn't help praising, "This accounting method, combined with the Huaxia Numerals, can really simplify complex things and reduce a lot of work! But I wonder who came up with these two methods?"

"I asked those clerks, and they all said it was the prefect who invented them." Xun Yu replied.

Just then, Xi Zhicai noticed that Guo Jia was stroking his chin, lost in thought.

"Fengxiao, what are you thinking about?"

"Do you remember at last night's banquet when we asked about the policies that benefit the people and how insincere the lord seemed?" Guo Jia said softly.

"Of course I remember. What about it?"

"Is there a possibility that the person who provided the lord with the beneficial policies and the one who invented these two accounting methods is the same person?" Guo Jia's words instantly made Xun Yu and Xi Zhicai freeze.

"Why do you have such an idea, Fengxiao?" Xun Yu couldn't help asking.

"Today when we took up our positions, we've basically met all of the lord's subordinates. Who do you think could be the person who proposed the beneficial policies and invented the new accounting method?" Guo Jia countered.

"This..." The two of them frowned and thought for a while, then both shook their heads.

They had met all of Cao Cao's subordinates when they took up their positions today.

There were countless brave and capable generals who were good at fighting.

But there wasn't a single person who could be called highly intelligent.

"In my opinion, there must be another advisor under the lord's command. This person is low-key and doesn't like to show off. All the previous strategies were also his suggestions." Guo Jia said with a laugh. "But this is just my guess. It might not be correct!"

"What you said is not impossible." Xun Yu and Xi Zhicai nodded slightly, looking quite approving.

After all, Guo Jia was the smartest among the three of them and was best at spotting the slightest clues.

If Lin Yu knew about their conversation, he would surely look up to the sky and sigh, "I've hidden myself so deeply, but I didn't expect to still be discovered by you guys!"

"Hearing you say that, I'm actually quite interested in getting to know this person." Xun Yu was a bit tempted.

If it was really as Guo Jia said, and all these were the work of the same person, just based on that person's talent, he would be no less than himself!

It would be a real pity not to be able to get to know such a talented person!

"However, this person likes to keep a low profile and doesn't want to show his face. We can't force him. If we try to find him by force, I'm afraid we'll annoy him." Guo Jia shook his head.

"You're right. But we're all serving under the lord's command now. There's plenty of time." Xun Yu smiled.

He didn't believe that the person behind Cao Cao could keep hiding forever!

...

After Xun Yu, Guo Jia, and Xi Zhicai joined, the development speed of Dongjun increased significantly.

Whether it from a military perspective or an internal affairs perspective, everything was being managed in an orderly manner!

Cao Cao was very pleased. At the same time, he didn't forget Lin Yu's contributions and sent Dian Wei over several times to bring him various delicious dishes as a reward.

However, this good life didn't last long. Soon, Cao Cao received an urgent message.

The Heishan bandits were invading Dongjun!

...

In the main hall.

Cao Cao looked at the silk cloth in his hand, his face gloomy. "What do you all think?"

Guo Jia calmly stepped forward and said softly, "My lord, in my opinion, the reason why the Heishan bandits are attacking this time must be because of the fact that you raided the Huang family's mansion previously."

"Now that winter is approaching, without the support from the Huang family and other noble clans, the Heishan bandits simply can't survive this winter."

"The safest way is to defend the city and not take the initiative to fight against the Heishan bandits."

"As the weather gets colder, they will collapse without a fight!"