Three Kingdoms: Prince of the Great Wei, Prime Minister Cao

Chapter 33: The Once Dignified and Resolute Yu Jin Turns Out to Be a Stubborn One!

On the streets of the city, after Deng Ai, prompted by Cao Pi’s “rebuke,” managed to suppress his instinctual stutter and said, “Deng Ai pays his respects to General Yu,” it not only left onlookers like Zhang Liao astonished and impressed but also deeply moved Yu Jin, who was one of the parties involved.

As a commander who had led countless soldiers, Yu Jin encountered many troops with speech impediments during his military career. Dealing with these soldiers was often challenging, and he even attempted to correct their speech impediments. However, the results had never been satisfactory. This led him to adopt a strict but not overly punitive stance when it came to soldiers with speech impediments. He understood better than anyone else just how difficult it was for someone to overcome their stutter quickly.

However, he also knew that demonstrating the ability to control one’s stutter wasn’t enough to earn his respect and take Deng Ai as a student. Despite his austere and law-abiding nature, Yu Jin was aware of the difficulties people faced in personal development. However, this didn’t mean Yu Jin didn’t understand these matters. He often appeared distant and indifferent due to his disdain for these things, as he didn’t want to be burdened by them.

Facing Cao Ju’s request at this moment, even if Yu Jin’s reaction was initially slow, he grasped the implications swiftly. He knew that if he agreed to Deng Ai’s request and became his mentor, it would appear to outsiders that he was connected with this Eighth Young Master (Cao Ju).

With these thoughts in mind, Yu Jin, who didn’t want to get involved in such matters, was subconsciously preparing to decline. However, before he could speak, Cao Ju had preemptively spoken up.

“General Yu, there’s no need to rush to refuse,” Cao Ju said, “How about you let Deng Ai follow you for a while? You can always send him back if you’re unsatisfied after observing him. At that time, I, this young master, can just put aside my pride and find him another mentor.”

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Cao Ju took a step back in his approach. This one step, however, managed to intercept the words Yu Jin was about to say, suspending them in the air. Not only that, but Cao Ju had switched his addressing of Yu Jin from the initial “General” to “this young master,” incorporating his identity as Cao Cao’s son. While the title change was subtle, the attitudes underlying the two forms of address were vastly different. Whether or not Yu Jin had picked up on this was unclear to Zhang Liao. But at this moment…

Observing all of this, Zhang Liao, who had insight into the situation, couldn’t help but feel anxious on behalf of Yu Jin. If the timing had been right, he really wanted to tug on Yu Jin’s sleeve and remind him, “Wenze, Cao Ju may be the eighth son among the young masters, but he is still the Lord’s son!”

However, Yu Jin seemed unaware of the subtleties of the situation, leaving Zhang Liao exasperated. At this moment, while Yu Jin maintained his silence, he exchanged glances with Cao Ju, who still stood resolute, and observed Deng Ai, who was expectant. After a prolonged silence, the next moment, Yu Jin took a step forward and walked past Cao Ju without any hesitation.

“Very well,” he said, “Let Deng Ai serve as my guard for now. When he has overcome his speech impediment, we can discuss the teaching of military strategies. Otherwise, don’t blame General Yu for not being lenient.”

With these words, Yu Jin departed, leaving Deng Ai delighted and Zhang Liao relieved. As for Cao Ju, he watched Yu Jin’s departing figure with a face full of questions because he never expected…

With his proud and solitary disposition, Yu Jin seemed poised to completely thwart Deng Ai’s aspiration to become his student. Yet, the situation took an unexpected turn, and this man, who one might think was deeply entrenched in his pride, astonishingly agreed to Deng Ai’s request to become his student.

Speaking of Yu Jin, could he be a stubborn tsundere at heart?

With a perplexed expression, Cao Ju couldn’t help but feel a strange sensation. However, it wasn’t entirely unreasonable for him to feel this way. After all, a teacher imparted knowledge and dispelled doubts. The most direct manifestation of teaching is through both words and actions.

Yu Jin demonstrated through actions by allowing Deng Ai to follow him as a personal guard. If Deng Ai paid attention to Yu Jin’s conduct and manner of doing things, he would benefit greatly. After all, it wasn’t just anyone who could handle the position of a personal guard, which involved matters of life and death for the commander. Moreover, when Yu Jin mentioned that Deng Ai could learn military strategies and tactics after he overcame his speech impediment, wasn’t this a veiled way of allowing verbal instruction?

This approach wasn’t closing the door completely on Deng Ai’s path to becoming a student. When these two factors were combined, if this wasn’t the behavior of a stubborn tsundere, then what was?

At this moment, Zhang Liao’s congratulatory voice broke the silence.

“Hehe!”

“Congratulations, Young Master, on achieving your goal and convincing Yu Jin to accept Deng Ai!”

Though Zhang Liao wasn’t entirely sure why Cao Ju held Deng Ai, a speech impediment, in such high regard, it didn’t stop him from taking advantage of the moment while Cao Ju was in a good mood. He joined in the congratulations. Upon hearing Zhang Liao’s words, Cao Ju withdrew his gaze from watching Yu Jin leave. He turned his head and looked at Zhang Liao with a smile.

“General Zhang, in terms of martial arts and cavalry warfare, your skills are unparalleled among the many generals in my father’s command.”

“How about this…”

Cao Ju pointed towards Deng Ai.

“While our forces are on this southern campaign when you find some leisure time, could you offer him some guidance?”

Although Cao Ju had already arranged for Yu Jin to be Deng Ai’s teacher, he wouldn’t miss a chance to catch two rabbits in one shot, especially with Zhang Liao present. Hearing Cao Ju’s words, Zhang Liao couldn’t help but wryly smile. He hadn’t expected that this young master, who had “outmaneuvered” Yu Jin, would now set his sights on him.

However, as he listened to Cao Ju’s words, which didn’t seem in jest, Zhang Liao seriously observed Deng Ai.

“Young Master, forgive my ignorance, but is this Deng Ai truly the unpolished gem you value him to be?”

In response, Cao Ju smiled but didn’t say anything. If the person capable of defeating Shu Han wasn’t an unpolished gem, then in this vast world, there probably weren’t many whom that name could call!