At sunset, in Wuyan City.
Beside a heavily guarded street stood a fairly spacious courtyard.
Within it, uncle and nephew sat across from each other at a stone table.
Both wore grave expressions.
It was as though they were facing a difficult problem, and the atmosphere around them had become unusually quiet.
“Uncle.” Xun You lowered his eyes and spoke after some thought:
“The Han dynasty can no longer be restored.”
“Our lord is decisive and ruthless toward his enemies, yet exceedingly benevolent toward his own people.”
“His prestige within the army has likely already surpassed that of the former Great Virtuous Teacher.”
“After this autumn’s harvest, the lord will completely solve the food shortage problem.”
“I fear that within three years, Qing and Xu Provinces could be conquered in a single campaign.”
“As for Yuan Shu, the fact that he remains alive is also part of the lord’s calculations.”
“Even if Yuan Shu’s reputation is currently at its peak, should war break out between them again, Yuan Shu would undoubtedly be defeated.”
At that point, Xun You stopped speaking.
He had been in Yan Province for less than three months.
Yet he had not been imprisoned.
Instead, he had followed Cheng Yu in handling the military and civil affairs of Yan Province.
He had even participated in the campaign that defeated Yuan Shu’s army.
One could say that Xun You was thoroughly familiar with most of the affairs of Yan Province.
And it was precisely because of this knowledge that he had come to truly understand Yan Province’s potential.
Xun You could state without hesitation:
As long as Zhang Jing did not do anything foolish, the establishment of a great enterprise was inevitable.
Even unifying the realm was not beyond possibility.
Thus, he had already begun to consider fully integrating himself into the regime.
Earlier that day, he had been summoned by Zhang Jing.
The latter had spoken to him about the manpower shortages within the Taiping Administration and asked him to recommend talented individuals.
Given Xun You’s intelligence, he quickly understood the real reason behind the request.
It was also an opportunity— an opportunity to gain Zhang Jing’s trust and completely integrate into the Taiping government.
As for the Han dynasty…
When Xun You had plotted to assassinate Dong Zhuo and was subsequently thrown into prison, he considered that his loyalty to the Han had already been fulfilled.
As for the great clans and aristocratic families…
The Xun clan was different from most noble families.
They possessed very few retainers and had estates no more impressive than those of ordinary local magnates.
The true foundation of the Xun family lay in their descent from Xun Kuang (Xunzi), and in their profound scholarly tradition.
For that reason, Xun You no longer felt any resistance toward joining the Taiping Administration.
And so, the person he most wanted to recommend was naturally his beloved uncle.
“Gongda, give up.” Xun Yu replied calmly:
“No matter what sort of man Zhang Yuheng may be, I will not enter the service of the Taiping Administration.”
“The Emperor still lives.”
“The Son of Heaven remains in Chang’an.”
“So what justification do I have to serve another master?”
The former Xun Yu had once harbored resentment toward Zhang Jing.
But now, that resentment had long since disappeared.
They simply stood on opposing sides and belonged to rival camps.
He understood everything Xun You had said.
Yet he also had his own conviction to restore the Han dynasty.
Even if all his efforts ultimately proved futile, he would accept that outcome willingly.
Xun You sighed softly.
“Then I ask only that you help me write several letters, inviting a few worthy talents to Yan Province, so that they may assist my lord in achieving his great enterprise.”
In truth, Xun You understood his uncle’s character well.
His earlier attempt to recruit Xun Yu had merely been a way of testing the waters.
This request, however, was his true objective.
His uncle’s friends were also his own friends.
If the two of them jointly sent invitations, their chances of success would be considerably higher.
“Very well.” Xun Yu gazed deeply at Xun You.
He did not refuse.
After all, he could understand his nephew’s position.
……………..
Jizhou – Hejian Kingdom
Within the Yuan Army’s main camp.
Inside the central command tent.
Yuan Shao had summoned Lu Bu to Lecheng.
He had decided to share some good news with him.
“Fengxian.” Yuan Shao took a sip of tea and smiled.
“Thanks to your presence in Changshan, those mountain bandits were kept in check.”
“Because of that, I was able to wage war against Gongsun Zan without worries.”
“In this campaign’s victory, your contribution cannot be overlooked.”
Looking at the imposing and domineering Lu Bu before him, Yuan Shao could not help but sigh inwardly.
What a tiger among men.
What a peerless warrior.
The only problem was that his temperament was far too reckless and unruly.
Otherwise, if such a man could truly be brought under his command, they would surely be invincible and unstoppable.
“Hahaha!” Sitting to one side, Lu Bu laughed heartily upon hearing this.
“Honestly, Brother Benchu, having me, Lu Fengxian, deal with those bandits and mountain savages is like using an ox-cleaver to slaughter a chicken.”
“If you had stationed me here in Hejian instead, how could I possibly have let that Youzhou fellow, Gongsun Zan, escape like those incompetents did?”
“Wouldn’t you agree?”
As soon as Lu Bu finished speaking, Yuan Shao himself said nothing.
But the generals under his command immediately glared at him in fury.
They were practically exploding with rage.
This man was simply too arrogant.
If they were capable of defeating him, they would have wanted nothing more than to kill him on the spot and vent their anger.
“Just as Fengxian says.” Yuan Shao laughed it off.
“Having Fengxian deal with those bandits truly was a waste of talent.”
“I have already made up my mind.”
“Since Fengxian is so valiant, and since he has helped pacify Jizhou, I have decided to submit a memorial to the court, recommending Fengxian as Governor of Yan Province.”
“You may take up the post shortly.”
To entice Lu Bu into heading for Yan Province, Yuan Shao did not even bother recommending him for the lower position of Inspector (Cishi).
Instead, he went straight for the title of Governor (Mu) of Yan Province.
A wave of commotion swept through the tent.
The civil and military officials present had heard nothing about this beforehand.
Some quick-witted civil officials, however, immediately saw the brilliance of the scheme.
Their eyes lit up.
Clang!
Upon hearing this, the wine cup in Lu Bu’s hand fell to the ground.
Yet he did not even notice.
Swallowing hard, he stared straight at Yuan Shao.
“Brother Benchu… Are you serious?”
Heaven truly had pity on him.
Lu Bu considered himself unmatched in valor.
He had drifted through life for half his years, his greatest regret being the lack of a territory he could truly call his own.
And now Yuan Shao was recommending him for the position of Governor of Yan Province.
He did not even care what the current situation in Yan Province looked like.
If it was occupied, he would simply lead troops and reclaim it.
With Yuan Shao backing him, whether the imperial court approved or not hardly mattered.
What mattered was that Yuan Shao’s prestige was enormous.
His words carried weight.
In other words, if Yuan Shao gave his support, and Lu Bu succeeded in taking Yan Province, then Yan Province would belong to Lu Bu.
It was really that simple.
“Naturally.” Yuan Shao spoke with complete confidence.
“When a gentleman gives his word, four horses cannot pull it back.”
“And not only that.”
“I will also gift Fengxian fifty thousand shi of grain.”
“Enough to sustain your army for more than a month.”
Lu Bu’s forces consisted of over three thousand Wolf Cavalry and eight hundred members of the Elite Camp.
Their consumption of supplies was enormous.
Even with only four thousand men, they required roughly fifty thousand shi of grain per month.
If those were infantry instead, the same amount could support an army of over twenty thousand.
“Brother Benchu is truly righteous!” Lu Bu’s eyes turned red with emotion.
Rising to his feet, he clasped his hands toward Yuan Shao.
“I, Lu Bu, will never forget today’s generosity.”
“If Brother Benchu ever has need of me in the future, I will spare no effort in repaying this favor.”
At that moment, Lu Bu was genuinely moved.
He thought to himself that Yuan Shao was a man worth befriending.
Not only was he dignified and impressive in appearance, but he also acted openly and honorably.
“Hahaha!” Yuan Shao laughed loudly.
“With those words from Fengxian, I have gained the equivalent of a million soldiers!”
Then he turned toward the assembled officials.
“What are you all waiting for?”
“Pay your respects to the Governor of Yan Province!”
“Greetings, Governor of Yan Province! Congratulations, General Lu!”
“We pay our respects to the Governor of Yan Province!”
“Congratulations, Governor Lu!”
Amid the flattery and congratulations of Jizhou’s civil and military officials, Lu Bu was completely intoxicated by the moment.
He felt as though his life had finally reached its absolute peak.
“Ahahaha! Congratulations to us all, congratulations to us all…”
— The end of the Chapter–
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