Chapter 32: Becoming an Apprentice

  Wang Can's voice was not loud, but it was sharp and decisive, with a sense of determination and confidence in his tone.

  Cai Yong and the middle-aged man heard this, their faces suddenly became very strange.

  Cai Yong let out a sigh, and his eyes revealed a hint of desolation. His gaze turned to the man who had just entered the hall, with a hint of pleading in his eyes.

  A middle-aged man with an odd expression and a complex look on his face.

  However, the man's expression immediately returned to calmness, and he smiled and asked: "Why did Li Ru want to kill Shao Di?"

  Wang Can's eyebrows slightly furrowed, and a thoughtful expression appeared on his face. Combining the man's previous actions, he had an implicit answer in his heart, but Wang Can didn't reveal it, continuing to say: "Dong Zhuo deposed Emperor Shao Liu Bian, enthroning Chenliu King Liu Xie as Emperor Xian. Although this move intimidated officials, Emperor Shao was the legitimate heir appointed by Emperor Ling. No matter what Dong Zhuo did, Emperor Xian's origin would always be illegitimate. Even though many officials feared Dong Zhuo, there were still many who sympathized with Emperor Shao and wanted to change the court officials' minds, acknowledging Emperor Xian as the legitimate emperor. The only way to do this was to kill Emperor Shao, eliminating the only threat to Emperor Xian."

  A middle-aged man sneered: "What's the difference between killing or not killing Xiao Di, doesn't the real power lie in Dong Taishi's hands?"

  Wang Can waved his sleeve and sneered, "This is the theory of martial artists. Only those without brains would say that with great power comes the ability to manipulate people at will. However, truly intelligent and wise individuals would not think this way."

  Wang Can gave the middle-aged man a meaningful look, with a hint of playfulness flashing in his eyes.

  "Oh, why is this?" The middle-aged man looked strange and embarrassed.

  Wang Yun said, "Cutting the grass and eliminating the roots, gathering people's hearts, if the young emperor were to live for just one more day, he would pose a threat to Emperor Xian. The young emperor was the legitimate heir appointed by Emperor Ling, so it is possible that someone might rise up in opposition to Emperor Xian or rescue the young emperor from the palace and enthrone him instead. This would allow them to establish themselves as the rightful ruler, rivaling Emperor Xian who was established by Dong Zhuo. On the other hand, if we kill the young emperor, not only will we eliminate the threat to Emperor Xian, but also force all officials in the imperial court to focus their attention on Emperor Xian. Since Emperor Ling had only two sons, Emperor Xian and the young emperor, both of whom could be emperors, with one of them dead, the remaining one would naturally become the rightful ruler. Regardless of whether the path to the throne was legitimate or not, officials in the imperial court would have no choice but to acknowledge the remaining one as their ruler. Killing the young emperor is like cutting the grass and eliminating the roots, gathering the hearts of all officials, and more importantly, if Dong Zhuo dares to kill even the young emperor, who among the officials would still dare oppose him? These people are all afraid of death!"

  A middle-aged man bowed and asked, "What is your opinion on Wang Can's theory?"

  A middle-aged man sighed and said: "It's a sharp critique that hits the nail on the head!"

  The middle-aged man paused for a moment and asked again: "You've already guessed my identity, haven't you?"

  Wang Can smiled and bowed his head again to salute the middle-aged man, saying: "I am Wang Can of Yuzhang, at your service, Lord Li Ru."

  Li Ru smiled and helped Wang Can up, then walked towards Cai Yong, with a smile on his face: "Mr. Cai, congratulations to Mr. Cai for getting such a good disciple, I am truly envious!"

  "Wang Can said with a serious expression: 'Lord Lang Zhongling, Wang Can is only acquainted with the master for a short time, how can I have such good fortune?'"

  Cai Yong stroked his beard and smiled: "First of all, I'll ask you a question. Are you willing to become my disciple?"

  "This, this..." Wang Can's face turned red with embarrassment, and a helpless expression appeared on his face.

  Cai Yong's expression changed and he hastily asked: "Could it be that you already have a master?"

  Wang Canshan said: "I have never had a master!"

  Cai Yong's expression eased slightly, but he asked again: "Could it be that you originally thought I wasn't worthy of being your teacher?"

  "Sir, sir misunderstands Wang Cai, sir's talent is unparalleled in the world, erudite and multi-talented, well-versed in classics, history, astronomy, music, and skilled in writing poetry and prose. Wang Cai admires sir too much to even think that sir is not worthy of being his teacher, it's not that he doesn't want to, but rather he can't!"

  Cai Yong's expression finally eased up, and he slowly let out a breath.

  Li Ru's face was strange, and he smiled and asked: "You refused to speak first, isn't it because there is something difficult to say?"

  Wang Can cursed Li Ru in his heart, he had just managed to persuade Cai Yong not to take him as a disciple for the time being. He would wait until he met Dong Zhuo and got rid of his identity as a Yellow Turban bandit before coming back to pay his respects. Now Li Ru had intervened, making Wang Can extremely embarrassed. As a Yellow Turban bandit, this was something that couldn't be avoided. Wang Can sighed inwardly, his face showing a helpless expression, saying: "Sir is a renowned figure in the world, everyone says 'Flying White is unparalleled' Cai Bojie is a rare talent of the ages, and I also deeply admire you, sir. However, sir is an official, while I am a bandit. If sir were to take me as a disciple, it would certainly stir up a huge commotion. Sir should not insist on this."

  Helpless, Wang Can had no choice but to reveal his identity, but the tragic route could still be taken.

  He first praised Cai Yong, and then considered everything for Cai Yong. He thought that even if Cai Yong didn't accept Wang Can as a disciple, he wouldn't make things difficult for Wang Can. As soon as Wang Can's words fell, Li Ru let out a cry of surprise.

  "For a thief?" Li Ru was taken aback, his eyes fixed on Wang Can, with a hint of disbelief in them.

  Wang Can wore a white robe, with an air of dignity and elegance, looking like a refined and handsome man. How could he possibly be a thief?

  Cai Yong's face changed, and he said: "Thief? How could it be a thief? Besides, even if it is a thief, it doesn't matter. Your identity is unknown to anyone, and Lang Zhongling will not publicize it either. You come to me as your master, and I naturally won't publicize these things. As long as you don't say anything, no one will know."

  "It's not just ordinary bandits, it's the Yellow Turbans!"

  "Yellow Turban Bandits?"

  Cai Yong and Li Ru's faces showed surprise, then Cai Yong hastily said: "This is not a big deal, the Yellow Turban affair has passed for so many years, besides you are only in your early twenties, at that time of the Yellow Turban rebellion, you were just a juvenile (men aged 15-20 are called juvenile), it had no impact on you."

  Li Ru's face showed a thoughtful expression, and he suddenly asked: "You won't be the leader of the Yellow Turbans, will you?"

  Wang Can nodded and said, "Lord Lang Zhong's words are correct. I am indeed the leader of the Yellow Turbans in Yuzhou. This time I came to Luoyang to prepare for surrendering to the imperial court. However, no matter what, the title of 'Yellow Turban Bandit' is something that cannot be erased. Therefore, sir, please do not force me. If I were to become your disciple, it would have a great impact on you, and I would not be able to stay by your side for long. I must return to Yuzhou."

  Wang Can's face was sincere, and he bowed to Cai Yong.

  "You take me for what kind of person? I am not one who fears death and seeks fame, I have only one sentence: are you willing or not to accept me as your master?" Cai Yong rebuked with a face full of anger.

  Wang Cai was stunned, he didn't expect Cai Yong would really take him as his apprentice?

  But would Cai Yong, such an old fox, be sincere?

  Li Ru saw Wang Can stunned, stretched out his hand and pulled Wang Can's sleeve, Wang Can suddenly reacted, knelt down with a thud, bowed three times to Cai Yong, and said respectfully: "Student pays respects to teacher!"

  Li Ru's eyes sparkled and a faint smile appeared on his gloomy face.

  Towards Wang Can, Li Ru was filled with good feelings, considering him a kindred spirit. Especially when Wang Can mentioned the four great merits that Li Ru had established for Dong Zhuo, it struck a chord in Li Ru's heart. Moreover, Li Ru was not a person who cared about status, so he didn't mind Wang Can's identity at all, which is why he strongly promoted Wang Can to become a disciple of Cai Yong.

  Actually, Li Ru had another idea: Wang Can would become a disciple of Cai Yong, and Cai Yong was serving under Dong Zhuo.

  In this case, Wang Can was also required to be loyal to Dong Zhuo. When Wang Can revealed his identity as a Yellow Turban from Runan, Li Ru became even more eager to win him over. As long as Wang Can acknowledged Cai Yong as his master, the bond between them would be established, and since Cai Yong could not leave Luoyang, even if Wang Can had business to attend to in Runan, he would still have to obey Dong Zhuo's arrangements with Cai Yong held hostage in Luoyang.

  Li Ru thought to himself that he had made a clever move, and his heart became even more pleased.

  Cai Yong was overjoyed in his heart, and hurriedly pulled up Wang Can who was kneeling on the ground, laughing loudly: "Good, good, Teacher has such a student, it's really a heavenly gift to me..."

  Wang Cai was also overjoyed, with Cai Yong as his teacher, at least Wang Cai's future would be a little broader.

  Li Ru said at this time: "First of all, since you are entering Luoyang to surrender to the imperial court, when do you plan to visit Dong Taishi?"

  PS: Today's fourth update, first update, roar twice, this is the greatest support for me, please collect and hide.