Liu Bian at the start, so you're called Dong Zhuo, right?

Cao Cao did not stop walking, but looked up into the hall.

In the hall, Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu were sitting at the table, and judging from their appearance, they had been there for some time.

The person who spoke earlier was Yuan Shu.

"Gonglu, say no more. Since Mengde invited me here, he must have something to say."

Yuan Shao then looked up at Cao Cao, cupped his hands, and said:

"Mengde, it's been a long time."

His tone was gentle, as if he were truly old friends having a late-night chat.

"I should apologize for disturbing you so late at night," Yuan Shao smiled. "I've just heard that you've been quite busy in Luoyang lately, and even the Crown Prince... has been getting closer to you."

Cao Cao paused almost imperceptibly.

Yuan's spies were indeed numerous.

His expression remained unchanged, still bearing that casual smile, as he cupped his hands in reply:

"Brother Benchu, you're quick to get the news."

"However, it's not really a matter of 'getting close'. It's just that a few days ago, by chance, His Highness the Crown Prince appreciated me and temporarily appointed me as a guard, to follow orders."

Yuan Shu scoffed from the side, his eyes like knives:

"Wei Shuai? You, Cao Mengde, are quite capable, even managing to climb up to the Crown Prince's palace."

Cao Cao ignored Yuan Shu, simply set down his teacup, and said in a calm tone, "It's my duty."

Yuan Shao merely smiled, a smile neither deep nor shallow, as if he had circled the words on the tip of his tongue before slowly saying:

"The duty of guarding the capital can be considered both light and heavy."

"The Crown Prince always prioritizes stability when it comes to employing people. The fact that His Highness is willing to put you in a close position shows that what you've been doing lately is more than just 'small business'."

Cao Cao became more cautious.

Yuan Shao did not mention paper, soap, or the Tongsheng Society.

Let's start with the Crown Prince.

This is asking about the root cause—

Who is really standing behind you? Is that card in your hand yours, Cao Mengde's, or the one in the Eastern Palace's?

Cao Cao looked directly at Yuan Shao, his smile undiminished:

"Brother Benchu ​​is overthinking it."

"The Crown Prince is the Crown Prince, and Mengde is Mengde. If I am appreciated, I will do my duty; as for other matters, Mengde dares not presume or speak recklessly."

After listening, Yuan Shao remained silent and smiled.

He picked up his teacup and gently blew away the foam, as if trying to hear Cao Cao's words "can distinguish clearly," or as if he simply didn't believe them.

The only sound in the hall was the soft clinking of teacups.

Yuan Shu, unable to contain himself, tapped his fingertips on the table and said coldly:

"Brother, why are you beating around the bush with him? I'll just ask one question—will you give me the paper or not?"

Yuan Shao then raised his eyes, his gaze falling on Cao Cao. His expression remained gentle, but now held a hint of composure, as if he were about to get to the point.

"The highway is impatient."

"Since Mengde is able to gain the favor of the Crown Prince and establish rules in both markets, he must have some tricks up his sleeve."

"We can discuss the paper matter later," he said with a smile. "But I'd also like to hear first—what will Mengde offer you in return for wanting the Yuan family?"

After Cao Cao finished saying "I can distinguish clearly," the hall fell silent for a moment.

Yuan Shao still held his teacup, looking at him with a half-smile.

Yuan Shu, however, could no longer contain his anger, and the tapping of his fingers on the table grew louder: "Stop beating around the bush! The paper—are you going to give it to me or not?"

Cao Cao then raised his eyes, his tone unhurried, as if he were talking about a trivial matter unrelated to himself:

"The paper isn't mine."

Upon hearing this, Yuan Shu's expression immediately changed.

"Not yours?" He slammed his hand on the table. "Cao Mengde, you invited my brother here just to trick the Yuan family!"

Cao Cao didn't even glance at him, his gaze fixed steadily on Yuan Shao.

"Brother Gonglu is in a hurry because he's treating paper like a commodity," Cao Cao said calmly. "But paper is a precious commodity, and since it's not in my possession, I dare not make promises lightly."

Yuan Shu laughed angrily: "Then why did you call my elder brother here?!"

Cao Cao finally raised his eyes, his gaze turning colder, but he still spoke to Yuan Shao:

"I invited Brother Benchu ​​here to talk about 'decency'."

Yuan Shao's eyebrows twitched slightly, finally revealing a hint of interest: "Decent?"

"I can't give you paper," Cao Cao said frankly. "But I can give the Yuan family some dignity—and even elevate their dignity to a higher level."

Yuan Shu sneered from the side, "Cao Mengde, you only rely on your mouth—"

Yuan Shao raised his hand and gently pressed down, causing Yuan Shu's voice to stop.

Yuan Shao put down his teacup, his gaze becoming more focused: "Tell me, what is this about decorum?"

Cao Cao did not answer, but instead took out a piece of glue paper from his sleeve.

He did not unfold it immediately, but only let Yuan Shao glimpse the four characters on the paper: "The Method of Refining Rock Sugar".

Yuan Shao's eyes narrowed.

"Rock sugar?" he repeated, as if weighing the weight of the word.

Cao Cao recalled Liu Bian's words about rock sugar and laughed, "This world has plenty of maltose and rock sugar, which are murky and sticky, and are considered vulgar for use in tea or medicine."

"Rock sugar is different—it's crystal clear like jade, sweet but not cloying, and can be added to soups, teas, medicines, and even as a gift."

He paused, then continued:

"The Yuan family needs to maintain a good image, and this is the perfect gift. If you give it to high-ranking officials or renowned scholars for intellectual discussions, people will only say: 'The Yuan family is indeed wealthy; new and interesting items enter the Yuan family first.'"

Yuan Shao's interest became even more apparent.

Yuan Shu found the words grating and sneered, "You think you can get rid of the Yuan family with a piece of scribbles?"

Cao Cao ignored him and spoke directly to Yuan Shao:

"If Brother Benchu ​​wants this method, there are three conditions."

Yuan Shao slightly raised his hand: "Go on."

Cao Cao recalled Liu Bian's words to him and held up one finger:

"Firstly, the Yuan family must restrain Yuan Shu. From now on, they must not take any action against the Tongsheng Society through official documents, market officials, brokers, or any other means."

Yuan Shu's face darkened, and he was about to lash out when Yuan Shao glared at him, causing him to swallow his words.

Cao Cao extended his second finger:

"Secondly, the students of the Imperial Academy—I need Mr. Yuan to recommend them."

"Secondly, I don't ask the Yuan family to do anything for me, I only ask that they open this door: let those 'famous' connections in the Imperial Academy connect with the Cao family. Recommend a few teachers and talented individuals who are willing to write and make a name for themselves, so that their relationship can be respectable and their interactions can be dignified. From then on, this favor—the Yuan family will remember it, and the Cao family will remember it too."

He paused deliberately at this point, allowing the words "Imperial Academy" to take hold in Yuan Shao's mind.

The third finger slowly descended:

Thirdly, from this point on, the Yuan family owes the Cao family a favor.

Yuan Shao looked at the unfurled paper, remained silent for a moment, and then suddenly smiled.

"Mengde, Mengde," Yuan Shao sighed softly, "you're taking the sweetness in exchange for the Yuan family setting the rules for you."

Cao Cao laughed and said, "If Brother Benchu ​​feels it's a loss, you are free not to exchange it."

Yuan Shao picked up the teacup and gently rubbed the rim with his fingertips.

He neither immediately agreed nor immediately refused.

The hall was quiet for a while before a sound finally broke out.

"I, the Yuan family, will take on this deal."

"Good! Brother Benchu, that's straightforward!"

Cao Cao immediately slammed his hand on the table and handed over the crystal-making method.

"Original Source, this method is the only one of its kind in the entire Han Dynasty. You must keep it safe."

Yuan Shao nodded: "That's natural."

He put the crystal-making method into his pocket and cupped his hands in a respectful gesture towards Cao Cao:

"Since the matter has been settled, I won't bother you any longer."

"Let's go, highway."

Cao Cao escorted the two men to the gate of his residence. Watching the Yuan family carriage depart, he turned to his steward and said:

"Send someone to Chengde Palace to deliver a message to His Highness the Crown Prince."

"Just say that the original plan was agreed upon, and the highways were forced to comply."

-

Inside Chengde Palace, Liu Bian finished reading the short note, paused his fingertips on the table, and then gently exhaled.

Yuan Shao's agreement meant that the Yuan family's "face" was temporarily secured; no matter how arrogant Yuan Shu was, he could only grit his teeth within the gate and dare not go too far.

Next, all that's needed is to produce the woodblock prints, and then the Yang family can be brought in as well.

If everything goes smoothly, we can begin to enact the "law".

Liu Bian tapped the table lightly with his fingertips, as if setting a rhythm for himself.

"If all goes well—"

He spoke to himself softly, his eyes filled with calm and decisiveness:

"Then it's my turn to change the route."

First, the Crown Prince would conduct a trial lecture, selecting the most capable to serve as lecturers; then, he would widely solicit questions on the classics and policy issues, finalizing the examination papers and assigning titles; finally, under the guise of "selecting officials," he would dismantle the invisible wall of social status.

Let scholars across the world no longer be judged solely by family background or exam scores.