The Three Kingdoms: I, Yuan Tan, intercepted Guo Jia's...

Chapter 10: A Garden of Gentle Breeze Day and Night, A Knife of Corruption in the Faces of Beauty.

Ye City.

Yuan Tan held the heavy bronze seal of "Governor of Qingzhou" in his hands.

As I walked out of the governor's mansion, which was filled with the smell of Chinese medicinal herbs,

He felt that even the air he breathed in carried an unprecedented sense of freedom.

boom!

As soon as he returned to his residence, the door to his study was tightly closed.

Yuan Tan slammed the imperial seal heavily on the table, unable to contain his elation any longer. He punched the table and growled:

"We did it! George, we did it!"

His face was flushed with excitement as he paced rapidly around the room.

I've been here for over a month now, and I feel like I'm being weighed down by a heavy burden almost every day.

Only today did he suddenly feel a sense of enlightenment.

"Qingzhou! I can finally go back! With this title and the power to establish my own government and command troops, let's see who can still treat me like a caged bird!"

Xinpi stood to the side, a smile of undisguised satisfaction on his face.

But he was always calm, and after Yuan Tan had calmed down a little, he stepped forward, bowed, and spoke with unusual clarity:

"Congratulations, my lord, you have achieved your goal! However, my lord, at this moment, you must not be complacent or careless in the slightest!"

Yuan Tan paused, looking at Xin Pi:

"Why do you say that, George?"

"My lord,"

Xinpi had sharp eyes.

"At this moment, Qingzhou is not a secure foundation, but a raging volcano! Lü Bu and Chen Gong are watching us closely, their bravery and cunning known throughout the land."

The powerful local figures, harboring ulterior motives, are observing the changing winds; moreover, there is the city of Ye...

He lowered his voice and subtly pointed in the direction of the governor's mansion.

"Countless eyes are watching as our lord, Ziran, falls into an abyss of no return! To rejoice now is premature. The real hardship has only just begun."

These words were like ice water poured over his head, instantly calming Yuan Tan down.

He took a deep breath, walked up to Xin Pi, straightened his clothes, and bowed deeply to Xin Pi.

"I was able to escape this prison entirely thanks to your guidance, sir, which helped me devise a strategy during my difficult time. The road ahead is fraught with danger, and I, being young and inexperienced, humbly request that you not abandon me, but formally assist me, oversee the shogunate's strategic planning, and lend me your support so that we may work together to achieve great things!"

This is a formal invitation, no longer the previous status of a guest advisor.

Xin Pi looked at Yuan Tan, who had shaken off his dejection and whose eyes were now burning with determination, and his heart was also filled with excitement.

Without further hesitation, he straightened his clothes, performed the full ceremony of worship, and spoke in a steady voice:

"I, Xin Pi, Xin Zuozhi, pay my respects to my lord! I am willing to serve you like a dog or a horse, assisting you in conquering the world and achieving your great ambition!"

"Great! Great! With George, I'm like a fish in water!"

Yuan Tan was overjoyed and helped Xin Pi up with both hands.

"From this day forward, I hereby appoint you as my Assistant Prefect, entrusting you with overall administration of the state and advisory duties!"

With the roles of ruler and subject established, their relationship became even closer.

After Xinpi stood up, he immediately said:

"My lord, now that the titles and positions have been established, the most urgent task is to consolidate our foundation. Pi Zhicai excels at planning the overall situation and coordinating internal and external affairs."

However, to establish oneself in the fierce and dangerous land of Qingzhou, and even to contend with the heroes of the world in the future, one still needs an invincible sword and a brilliant advisor capable of devising ingenious strategies and making decisive judgments.

"Sir, you mean..."

"Guo Jia, Guo Fengxiao!"

Sinpi's eyes lit up.

"His talent and strategy surpass Pi's tenfold! If Fengxiao were to come out of seclusion, our lord's great undertaking could be accomplished! At this moment, our lord is already the governor of a prefecture, with real power and reputation. We should go and visit him again. Sincerity can move even metal and stone!"

Yuan Tan clapped his hands loudly: "That's exactly right! There's no time to lose!"

……

It's still that quiet mountain path, still those few bamboo groves and thatched cottages.

But this time, Yuan Tan's state of mind was quite different.

The first two times were desperate struggles and tentative attempts, but this time, it was a solemn invitation bearing the seal of a regional lord and sincere intentions.

The wooden door remained ajar, and it was the same old servant who opened it.

But this time, upon seeing Yuan Tan and his entourage carrying gifts, the old servant already knew their purpose and bowed, saying:

"Please wait a moment, sir. Please come in."

Yuan Tan's heart skipped a beat. He suppressed his excitement, straightened his robes, and stepped inside.

The thatched cottage was still simply furnished. Guo Jia was sitting by the window with a game of chess in front of him and a pot of wine that was still warm beside him.

He did not pretend to be absent today; he simply looked up at Yuan Tan with clear, bright eyes that seemed to see right through people's hearts.

"Mr. Guo!"

Yuan Tan bowed in greeting.

"I regret that I was unable to see your esteemed presence on my previous two visits. Today, I have come again with the seal of the Prefect of Qingzhou, not to show off, but because my circumstances have improved and I have established some foundation."

"I humbly request that you, sir, come out of seclusion to assist me. I, Xiansi, will certainly treat you with the utmost respect and follow your every word!"

Guo Jia did not answer immediately, but pointed to the opposite side of the chessboard:

"Please have a seat, young master."

He poured himself a cup of wine, pushed it towards Yuan Tan, and then slowly took a sip before saying leisurely:

"I am aware of your sincerity, young master. Xin Zuozhi has also written to me many times, praising your ambition. However, I have a question: does your intention to go to Qingzhou seek temporary peace, or do you aspire to dominate the world?"

As a modern man, Yuan Tan was not actually very enthusiastic about fighting for supremacy.

His initial goal was simply to escape Ye City and hold onto his small territory in Qingzhou.

But the general trend of the world is vast and unstoppable.

If he remains complacent and waits for other warlords to grow stronger, he, a small warlord confined to a corner of Qingzhou, will naturally face certain death.

Furthermore, Guo Jia was such a prodigy that even his own father looked down on him. If he were to show even the slightest sign of complacency, he would likely be kicked out on the spot.

So Yuan Tan took a deep breath, and the performance began again.

He said in a deep voice:

"The world is in chaos, the Han dynasty is collapsing. How can a man born into this world remain subservient to others for long? I am not talented, but I am unwilling to sit idly by and watch my country perish and my people be displaced."

I am willing to wield my sword to cleanse the wicked and purify the world! Even if my strength falls short, I will strive to earn a place in history!

"What a wonderful cleansing of all evil, a purifying of the world!"

Guo Jia clapped his hands and chuckled, a hint of admiration flashing in his eyes.

"Your ambition is commendable, sir. However, knowing is easier than doing. Are you aware that Hebei, though seemingly powerful, is actually as precarious as a pile of eggs?"

"Please enlighten me, sir!"

Yuan Tan leaned forward, listening attentively with great respect.

Guo Jia put down his wine cup, dipped his finger in the wine, and began to write on the table. His voice was not loud, but every word was precious:

"The young master's predicament stems primarily from both internal and external factors. Internally, Yuan Shang, Lady Liu, and Shen Pei regard him as a thorn in their side and are determined to eliminate him."

"Outside, there's the wolf of Lü Bu, the covetous eye of Cao Cao, and the fence-sitting warlords. If you, my lord, return to Qingzhou, it will be like a child carrying gold in a bustling marketplace—extremely dangerous."

Therefore, Jia's plan for the prince boils down to just three words: "Delay the struggle for succession!"

"Slowness does not mean inaction, but rather not being eager for momentary fame or momentary pleasure. As long as Yuan Shao is alive, the young master will always be a 'son'."

To openly contend with Yuan Shang now would be tantamount to rebellion, internal strife, giving others ammunition against us, and courting our own destruction. What you, my lord, must do is solidify the foundation of Qingzhou and cultivate relationships with heroes from all over the land!

He drew a circle on the table:

"Qingzhou is your sanctuary, your granary. Upon returning, do not rush to contend with Lü Bu; instead, consolidate your foundation."

Strengthen city defenses, train elite troops, recruit displaced people, and promote agriculture and sericulture—make Qingzhou a unified entity! A clean and efficient government, full granaries, and a powerful military are the foundation of our stability.

He then drew a few more arrows:

"Towards others, maintain a low profile and be patient. Towards Lü Bu, temporarily avoid his sharp edge, even offering him money and provisions, feigning compliance, and making him contend with Cao Cao, Liu Bei, and others."

"We must be even more respectful to Ye City, always acting under the guise of 'sharing the father's burdens,' so that Shen Pei and others cannot find any fault with us. When Hebei is in turmoil, Yuan Shang, lacking both virtue and ability, will be no match for you, young master. At that time, the people of Hebei will naturally submit. This is a victory without fighting!"

Guo Jia's eyes gleamed as he continued:

"Once the foundation is solid, military action should not be rushed. We should first take Langya and Dongwu to consolidate our flanks and assimilate their strengths. Then, we may either head west to contend with Cao Cao for Yan and Yu provinces, or head south to plot against Xuzhou."

But remember, the priority should be accumulating strength! Until the world changes dramatically and your strength surpasses all others, never reveal your ambition to dominate the world, lest you become a target of everyone!

This discourse is insightful and combines short-term survival with long-term strategy. It is both pragmatic and visionary, completely surpassing the plans of Yuan Tan and Xin Pi.

Guo Jia is truly amazing!

No wonder later generations said, "If Guo Jia hadn't died, Zhuge Liang wouldn't have emerged!"

This foresight is no less remarkable than Zhuge Liang's Longzhong Plan.

Yuan Tan was deeply moved and broke out in a cold sweat, as if an invisible hand had suddenly parted the fog before his eyes!

He suddenly stood up, bowed deeply to Guo Jia, and said in an excited voice:

"Sir's words are truly invaluable, like clearing away the clouds and revealing the sun! They have enlightened my mind! With your help, how can I not achieve my great cause!"

"I earnestly request that you, sir, come out of seclusion. I, Xiansi, wish to serve as your military advisor and chief strategist, and all military and political affairs in the prefecture shall be decided by you!"

Guo Jia looked at the undisguised fervor and sincerity in Yuan Tan's eyes, and recalled Xin Pi's letter regarding Yuan Tan's previous behavior.

Finally, he smiled slightly and drank the remaining wine in his glass in one gulp.

"Jia, I am but a recluse from the mountains. Since you, sir, have shown me such kindness and visited me three times, how could I not repay your kindness?"

Just as Yuan Tan was overjoyed and brought Guo Jia back to Ye City to make preparations for his new post,

Inside Shen Pei's residence, however, the scene was quite different.

The flickering candlelight illuminated the grim and furious faces of Shen Pei, Guo Tu, and Shen Rong.

"Outrageous! This brat actually got Qingzhou!"

Shen Pei slammed a secret report onto the table, his chest heaving violently.

He had planned everything, but he hadn't anticipated that Yuan Shao would be so decisive while ill, nor had he expected that Yuan Tan's performance would have such an effect.

Now, he could easily see that Yuan Tan's previous displays of interest in beautiful women were likely just an act to deceive him.

And he actually took it seriously.

The thought that he had been so clever all his life, only to be outmaneuvered by a simple-minded warrior, made Shen Pei feel extremely uncomfortable.

This is utterly disgraceful!

Guo Tu stroked his rat-like whiskers and said in a sinister tone:

"Brother Zhengnan, please calm down. Even if Yuan Xiansi gains official recognition, he is still just a fledgling bird, his wings not yet fully grown. Qingzhou is a red-hot iron; if he can't handle it, he'll only burn himself!"

Young and impetuous, Shen Rong said urgently, "Uncle, Mr. Guo, are we just going to stand by and watch him grow stronger? We must find a way to restrain him!"

"Control? Of course we must control them!"

A cold glint flashed in Shen Pei's eyes.

"Not only must we restrain him, but we must also kill him in Qingzhou! Only in this way can we eliminate future troubles and allow the Third Young Master to rest easy!"

He lowered his voice and told the two of their three wicked schemes that he had long considered:

"First strategy: cut off their supply lines! Rong'er, you're in charge of this. Give him only one month's worth of rations for the three thousand soldiers he's assigned, and no horses! They'll all be infantry. Let's see how he fights against Lü Bu's cavalry."

Subsequent supplies will be delayed under the pretext of Yellow Turban raids! If he wins, there will be no food to expand his army; if he loses, there will be no food to hold the position! He will be starved and die in Qingzhou!

A ruthless glint appeared in Shen Rong's eyes: "Nephew understands! We'll make sure they can't even find a grain of rice!"

"The second strategy is to disrupt the morale of their army!"

Shen Pei looked at Guo Tu.

"Gongze, go and do it immediately. After Qu Yi's death, gather three thousand of those unruly and resentful veterans of the Vanguard Battalion, along with those troublemakers and ruffians in the army, and assign them to Yuan Tan!"

These men may be brave in battle, but they are unruly and disregard military discipline. How can Yuan Tan, a mere figurehead governor with no real power or influence, be controlled? Let his forces descend into chaos first! These three thousand elite soldiers are not an asset, but a powder keg planted beside him!

Guo Tu chuckled wickedly:

"Brilliant plan! This is called 'using soldiers to control soldiers,' letting him reap what he sows!"

"The third strategy is to destroy their will and fighting spirit!"

Shen Pei gave a final, cold laugh, his gaze sweeping across the dark night sky outside the window.

"I will personally devise this plan. Wasn't Yuan Xiansi busy selecting dancers these past few days? It's time to put those two Wuhuan dancers, whom I have carefully trained in my household, to use."

Tomorrow, under the guise of congratulations, I will present him with these two beauties as a "gift." Day and night in their gentle embrace, their allure will be like a poisoned dagger. I want to see how much heart he still has left for military campaigns and grand schemes!

This plan startled even Guo Tu.

Although he was also a strategist, he was far less capable than Shen Pei in using underhanded methods.

He asked himself if he were in that situation, he would probably be completely clueless and just wait to die.

Thinking of this, he said with delight:

"Brother Zhengnan's strategy is flawless! Yuan Xiansi is doomed this time!"

Upon hearing this, Shen Rong was somewhat displeased and immediately let out a strange cry:

"No! No! If Uncle doesn't want those twin beauties, he can give them to his nephew. Why let Yuan Xiansi have them?"

Shen Rong had seen those two Wuhuan sisters before; if not stunningly beautiful, they were at least rare beauties of their time.

As a nephew, he knew he had no hope of getting it, so he naturally had no other thoughts about it in the past.

But judging from my uncle's words today, it seems he intends to give these two beautiful sisters to Yuan Tan?

That good-for-nothing eldest son?

This is absolutely outrageous!

I, Shen Rong, haven't even gotten there yet, how could you, Yuan Xiansi, have a share of the spoils?

Upon hearing this, Shen Pei flew into a rage:

"Rong'er! I'm offering this captive for the sake of my Shen family's eternal prosperity! If you want a woman, can't you find one that suits your taste in Ye City?"

"In that case, Uncle, why don't you go to Ye City and find a woman for Yuan Xiansi? These Wuhuan sisters are perfect for you, my nephew!"

Upon hearing this, Guo Tu burst out laughing.

Feeling utterly humiliated, Shen Pei kicked Shen Rong in the face.

"Get out! Don't embarrass me here!"