Chapter 4: Knowledge is Power

"Alright, today I'll show you a small trick that will open your eyes," Lin Yu said as he picked up a sturdy stick and gestured for Dian Wei to step back.

Dian Wei looked puzzled, not understanding Lin Yu's intentions.

Lin Yu inserted the stick under a huge boulder, using it as a lever, and found another rock nearby to serve as a fulcrum. Then, with a forceful push, the boulder, weighing hundreds of pounds, began to move slowly under Dian Wei's astonished gaze!

"How is this possible?!" Dian Wei exclaimed in disbelief.

How is it not possible? Archimedes once said, "Give me a lever long enough and a fulcrum, and I shall move the world." Lin Yu released the stick and laughed, saying, "Brother Dian Wei, it seems you've lost this round!"

"You… you're using cunning!" Dian Wei, though not understanding the principle of the lever, knew that Lin Yu had played a clever trick and naturally refused to admit defeat.

It seemed that Dian Wei was not only physically strong but also had a sharp mind. Lin Yu stroked his chin, thinking of another way to convince him.

"Since you're not convinced, shall we continue the competition?" Lin Yu proposed with a smile.

"Agreed!" Dian Wei responded immediately, then added, "But this time, we compete on my terms."

"What terms?" Lin Yu asked.

"It's simple. If you can move me from here to the barracks, you win!" Dian Wei came up with a straightforward challenge. The distance from here to the barracks was three hundred paces, and he, being robust and well-trained in martial arts, could stand firm on his horse stance; how could Lin Yu possibly move him to the barracks?

"Really? Any method I use is acceptable?" Lin Yu inquired.

"Absolutely!" Dian Wei nodded confidently.

Hearing this, Lin Yu felt secretly delighted. He had been worried that Dian Wei would propose some outrageous challenge, but it turned out he was walking right into Lin Yu's trap.

"Well, this… it's a bit difficult," Lin Yu feigned a troubled expression.

"Master, you might as well give up," Dian Wei couldn't help but chuckle.

"I indeed cannot move you from here to the barracks," Lin Yu said to Dian Wei, "but moving you from the barracks here is quite easy."

"What's the difference between the two?" Dian Wei looked bewildered.

"The difference is huge; you'll see if you try," Lin Yu used a bit of reverse psychology.

"I'll try then!" As a warrior, Dian Wei fell for Lin Yu's bait and obediently followed him into the barracks.

"Master, hurry up and start; it's almost mealtime," Dian Wei urged.

However, Lin Yu clapped his hands and laughed, "Brother Dian Wei, you've already lost!"

"Lost? You… you're cheating!" Dian Wei's words were cut off as he realized he had been tricked by Lin Yu, staring at him indignantly. Lin Yu had deliberately said that to lure him into the camp.

"How am I cheating? You said yourself that no matter what method I used, as long as I got you to the barracks, I'd win," Lin Yu looked at Dian Wei with an innocent expression.

"We agreed to a test of strength, and this has nothing to do with strength at all!" Dian Wei said angrily.

"How is it not related? Haven't you heard that knowledge is power?" Lin Yu said seriously.

Dian Wei: "…"

"Brother Dian Wei, from now on, you follow me. As long as you're with me, I won't treat you poorly," Lin Yu said with a smile, patting Dian Wei on the shoulder.

Although Dian Wei thought Lin Yu was cheating, he was a straightforward person. He accepted defeat, even though he was extremely reluctant.

Lin Yu naturally noticed Dian Wei's reluctance, but he had to be insistent, especially since Dian Wei's martial arts skills were exceptional. Gaining his allegiance was like having an additional safeguard. Lin Yu decided to treat him well in the future.

With these thoughts, Lin Yu led Dian Wei towards his tent.

At the entrance of the tent stood a soldier who, upon seeing Lin Yu, immediately approached, "You must be Mr. Lin Yu."

Lin Yu nodded, "That's correct, and you are?"

"Reporting to the master, I am a personal guard of Lord Cao. Today, Lord Cao went hunting and bagged a deer, which he specially ordered me to deliver to you," the soldier said, handing over the deer.

Lin Yu understood that Lord Cao had taken his advice and happily replied, "Please convey my gratitude to Lord Cao for his kindness!"

After leaving the deer, the soldier took his leave.

"Dian Wei, go and clean this deer, and we'll have a feast tonight," Lin Yu instructed.

Dian Wei agreed and was about to leave with the deer.

"Wait!" Lin Yu suddenly called out to him.

"What's up?" Dian Wei looked puzzled.

"What do you plan to do with the venison?" Lin Yu asked.

"What else can be done but clean it and boil it," Dian Wei said matter-of-factly.

In that era, there were no iron pots or seasonings, so cooking methods were very limited.

Lin Yu was glad he had asked, or else the delicious venison would have been wasted.

Lin Yu thought for a moment and said, "First, clean the deer, and then bring the venison to me."

Dian Wei didn't understand what Lin Yu was up to but followed the order.

In no time, he returned with the cleaned venison in a wooden basin.

By then, Lin Yu had already prepared the fire and was roasting the venison on a stick over the flames.

Dian Wei curled his lips, thinking Lin Yu was just going to roast the venison.

Lin Yu noticed Dian Wei's expression but said nothing, secretly laughing: Don't drool later!

Soon, the venison was cooked, and the fat dripped onto the fire, sizzling.

Seeing this, Lin Yu took the venison off the fire.

Dian Wei thought they could start eating immediately, but Lin Yu put the venison aside and went into the tent.

He then came out with a small bag of something.

In Dian Wei's puzzled gaze, Lin Yu sprinkled some powdery substance onto the venison.

A gust of wind carried a unique fragrance mixed with the aroma of the roast, wafting towards them.

Dian Wei's brain was stimulated by the scent, and his mouth quickly began to water. He stared at the venison, swallowing his saliva, "What is this stuff? Why does it smell so good?!"

Lin Yu just smiled without speaking and cut a large piece of venison, placing it in front of Dian Wei.

Smelling the aroma of the food, Dian Wei didn't care about anything else and cut a small piece of venison to eat!

Despite being scalded and grimacing, he couldn't help but exclaim, "It's… it's so delicious!"

Dian Wei could swear that this was the best meal he had ever had in his life! He almost wished he could swallow his tongue!