“Those words sound strangely familiar…”
Looking at Yan Liang, Lu Bu frowned and fell into thought.
“My lord!” Seeing this, a middle-aged scholar quickly rose and bowed to Yuan Shao.
“This subordinate believes that Ji Province has not yet been fully pacified. Bohai remains in Gongsun Zan’s hands, and Zhang Yan of the Heishan Army continues to lead raids and plundering. It would be unwise to launch a campaign into Yan Province at this time.”
“My lord, Master Yuanhao’s words are mistaken!” Another scholar stood up after hearing this.
He bowed to Yuan Shao and immediately voiced his disagreement.
“Our army’s momentum is at its peak. That Heishan bandit Zhang Yan is nothing more than a minor skin disease. As for Gongsun Zan of You Province, he is merely a grasshopper after autumn—he won’t last much longer.”
“The Qing Province Yellow Turbans are ravaging the commanderies of Yan Province.”
“This is precisely the perfect opportunity for my lord to march into Yan Province and establish a foothold in the Central Plains. Once Yan Province is secured, Qing and Xu Provinces can be taken in rapid succession.”
“At that point…Gongsun Zan will be nothing more than dry bones in a grave, to be dealt with however my lord sees fit.”
“Gongze’s reasoning is sound!” As soon as the scholar finished speaking, another man stepped forward and bowed.
“This subordinate, Feng Ji, concurs.”
“We concur as well!”
After Feng Ji voiced his support, several others also stood up and endorsed Guo Tu’s proposal.
“My lord.” Just as Yuan Shao was being pulled in different directions, yet another senior scholar rose and bowed.
“This subordinate believes that Ji Province has only recently been pacified, and spring plowing is now underway.”
“It is truly not the time for large-scale military campaigns. As for the situation in Yan Province, my lord should remain unchanged and adapt to whatever developments arise…”
…
Watching the scholars speak freely one after another—each side convinced of its own correctness—Yuan Shao felt increasingly dazed.
His mind became muddled.
Beside him, Lu Bu felt his scalp go numb.
Looking at the assembled scholars and strategists, he felt as though he were staring at a pack of terrifying beasts.
“Enough!” Unable to endure it any longer, Yuan Shao rose to his feet and waved his hand.
His mind was already a complete mess.
“I am somewhat tired. Let us end today’s banquet here.”
“The matter of sending troops can be discussed tomorrow.”
With that, Yuan Shao rose and headed toward the side hall.
“We respectfully see our lord off!”
Although the scholars still disagreed with one another, they all quieted down and joined the military officers in bowing respectfully.
After Yuan Shao departed, the civil and military officials gradually dispersed.
Leaving the Governor’s Residence with lingering fear, Lu Bu shook his head.
“These scholars are terrifying.”
Earlier, he had been just like Yuan Shao.
Listening to the scholars’ analyses and trying to think things through himself.
When there were only two or three speakers, he could still keep up.
He could even form opinions of his own.
But as more and more scholars joined the discussion… Lu Bu’s brain simply crashed.
He forgot all of his earlier analyses and conclusions.
By the end, he realized he had analyzed absolutely nothing.
What Lu Bu did not know was that this was only the beginning.
The next day, Yuan Shao once again gathered his officials for collective deliberation.
By nightfall, no conclusion had been reached.
On the third day, they pooled their wisdom again.
Still no result.
The fourth day was exactly the same.
By the fifth day, Lu Bu stopped attending altogether.
Inwardly, he found himself admiring Yuan Shao.
Perhaps, he thought, this was simply the daily life of a great lord.
……………….
Meanwhile, in Neihuang.
“Miaocai!”
The moment Cao Cao saw Xiahou Yuan return, he immediately asked:
“What did Brother Benchu say?”
“After all these days, has he sent troops yet?”
“…” Xiahou Yuan opened his mouth, unsure how to explain.
In the end, he could only tell the truth.
“My lord, ever since Yuan Shao received the request for aid, he has spent every day gathering his civil and military officials to discuss the matter.”
“But even before I departed, no decision had been reached.”
After hearing Xiahou Yuan’s report, Cao Cao also fell silent.
Only after a long pause did he speak in a peculiar tone:
“He and Yuan Gonglu truly are brothers.”
“One excels at planning but cannot make decisions.”
“The other excels at making decisions but cannot plan.”
After a moment of thought, Xiahou Yuan asked:
“Then what should we do?”
“Prepare the army for war.” A ruthless glint flashed through Cao Cao’s eyes as he said gravely:
“No matter what decision Yuan Shao ultimately makes, we must remain ready at all times.”
“If things truly come to the worst…” He did not finish the rest of his sentence.
Because it was the final option—and the most dangerous one.
It could only be said that his allies were such terrible teammates that even Cao Cao was beginning to feel despair.
“This subordinate obeys!” Xiahou Yuan nodded heavily and respectfully accepted the order.
……………..
Yan Province, Wuyan City.
Inside the government hall.
Looking at Cheng Yu, Zhang Jing’s eyes were filled with surprise.
“Is what you say true, Zhongde?”
“I have already verified the matter.” Cheng Yu nodded.
“The person has already arrived in Wuyan.”
“The Xun clan truly is full of surprises.”
After hearing this, Zhang Jing’s expression became somewhat complicated.
A moment earlier, Cheng Yu had informed him that someone had come to deliver grain for Xun Yu.
Not a small amount, either—five thousand shi.
The visitor had only one request: He had to see Xun Yu in person and confirm that he was still alive.
The visitor was none other than a recently released prisoner from Chang’an— Xun You, courtesy name Gongda.
“Accept the grain.” After a moment’s thought, Zhang Jing said:
“Have someone take him to see Xun Yu.”
Grain was one of Zhang Jing’s most urgently needed resources.
As for Xun Yu, he was hardly a bargaining chip.
His imprisonment had merely been something Cheng Yu had done on a whim.
Zhang Jing, however, was selfish when it came to talent.
He simply did not want Xun Yu serving someone else.
At this point, he no longer had any intention of recruiting him for his own use.
He didn’t trust him enough.
But since Xun You had come all the way here… Then he wasn’t leaving either.
Half an hour later, thanks to Cheng Yu’s arrangements,
Xun You was awarded a private prison cell right next door to Xun Yu’s.
“Wait!” Before he could even feel happy, Xun You grabbed the prison bars with both hands and shouted:
“What is the meaning of this?”
“I am not a prisoner! Why are you locking me up?”
“Stop shouting.” A jailer walked over, looking somewhat impatient.
“Let me ask you something.”
“Are you Xun You, courtesy name Gongda, of the Yingchuan Xun clan?”
“Yes.” Xun You frowned and nodded.
“Then we’ve got the right person.” The jailer spoke with complete seriousness.
“You attempted to assassinate Dong Zhuo and are currently a fugitive.”
“Imprisoning you is an act of justice.”
“…”
Xun You felt as though he had been struck by a bolt from the blue.
“Gongda, you shouldn’t have come.”
Just as Xun You’s thoughts were in complete disarray, a hoarse voice reached his ears and pulled him back to reality.
“Uncle!” Xun You abruptly turned around.
The moment he saw the gaunt, emaciated man before him, he immediately recognized him.
With anxiety written across his face, he asked:
“How have you ended up like this?”
“How could they treat you this way?”
Looking at the former pride of the Xun clan— the gentleman who had once seemed as refined as polished jade— now reduced to such a miserable state, Xun You felt a pain so deep it became difficult to breathe.
“Heh.” Xun Yu let out a self-mocking laugh.
“After falling into the hands of the Yellow Turbans, being alive is already not so bad.”
“Uncle, you…” Hearing this, Xun You found himself at a loss for words.
“Gongda, you shouldn’t have come.” Looking at him, Xun Yu spoke gravely.
“With your abilities, once you escaped Chang’an, there was no way you would have fallen into the hands of the Yellow Turbans.”
“The only reason you would come here… is because of me.”
“Uncle, it’s alright. Heaven always leaves a way out.”
Seeing the guilt written all over Xun Yu’s face, Xun You hurriedly tried to comfort him.
“You…” Xun Yu shook his head.
“You simply don’t understand the kind of people these Yellow Turban leaders are.”
— The end of the Chapter–
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