NOVPUB"Indeed, Xun Wenruo." Fan Qin said with a wry smile, "Nothing escapes your eyes. My desire to indulge in music, poetry, and enjoy the splendors of nature really have nothing to do with power, but sadly, families always need someone who can stand tall in the public eye."
"You can do what you like later, but for now, you must help me govern the entire Yanzhou. I want to provide our Lord with a strong rear support," Xun Yu said, staring at Fan Qin.
"I won’t cause any trouble," Fan Qin sighed after a long pause. "Let me handle the governance affairs that Chen Changwen was responsible for before. I will satisfy you."
"Good, after Changwen returns, you can continue doing what you love. But before then, you must do what needs to be done," Xun Yu nodded and said. It should be known that Zhao Yan, Du Xi, and Xin Pi in Yingchuan were figures comparable to Chen Qun, and Fan Qin’s talent slightly surpassed them all.
"Robbing Peter to pay Paul, conquering Guanzhong, forming alliances with Xiliang, raising cavalry, serving the Son of Heaven, ordering the disobedient, issuing imperial commands into Xiliang, pressing down on Hanzhong, forming good relations with Liu Zhang, and conquering Hanzhong with combined forces," Fan Qin said helplessly. "This is the most suitable strategy. If we’re fast enough, unifying the realm will have no obstacles."
"The momentum of Western Qin, huh?" Xun Yu gently tapped his hand that held the teacup. "Are you certain you can be quicker than Yuan Benchu or Liu Xuande?"
"I can’t be sure. I don’t have high hopes for Yuan Benchu, and I think Liu Xuande is somewhat more promising than he is, considering my brother-in-law and my cousin are both in Mount Tai," Fan Qin shook his head and replied. "But even if we can’t be sure, do you have a better choice? At least if we follow my strategy step by step, we can achieve a situation no less than that of Dong Zhongying — with thirty thousand troops locking down Hangu Pass, we’ll have plenty of time to develop troops and farmland."
"Hulao Pass, Hangu Pass is indeed a good plan, and it’s almost no different from the strategy I haven’t mentioned before. However, sometimes it’s not as simple as cutting when you should cut," Xun Yu sighed and said. Not to mention, Fan Qin’s performance already matched that of a top strategist.
"The opportunity will come," Fan Qin said, his head lowered in thought.
Xun Yu did not speak, but he knew that executing Fan Qin’s strategy was just a matter of time; the earlier it was implemented, the greater the risk, but also the greater the potential reward. After all, Dong Zhuo’s remaining forces in Chang’an were still formidably strong. Similarly, successfully absorbing them would have an astonishing effect on their own growth.
Cao Cao was a man of his word and, moreover, intent on avenging his father’s death. He dispatched troops that very day.
Chen Gong sat in his home in silent reflection. He now realized his earlier behavior before Cao Cao had been excessive, as Cao Cao sought vengeance for his father. Though his demands may have been too harsh, Chen Gong couldn’t help but feel when he had sent Cao Cao off earlier, watching the distant procession from atop the city walls, that Cao Cao and he were drifting further and further apart.
Tao Qian, the governor of Xuzhou, received the intelligence around the same time that Cao Song had been killed by Zhang Kai.
"Find Zhang Kai! He can’t have left Xuzhou with all that loot," Tao Qian said furiously, as he could already imagine Cao Cao’s rage upon hearing the news.
"Lord Tao, Cao Jugao has been dead for over a month, and that’s long enough for Zhang Kai to have left Xuzhou," Chen Deng said with his head lowered. "We should think of a way to explain this to Cao Mengde."
Tao Qian was taken aback. His aging mind was becoming inflexible, "Bring me the silks. I must clarify this matter to Cao Mengde, hoping he can understand. Even if it costs more money and grain, it is acceptable."
Chen Deng sneered and promptly withdrew. Based on his current understanding of Cao Cao, he knew that Cao Cao would definitely not retreat. Even if the whole of Xuzhou were handed over to him, the entire Tao family would still have to pay for the burial of Cao Jugao.
However, he would not voice such thoughts. Only when the harsh reality was laid out before him would Lord Tao realize the truth. What were the elite forces of Danyang in Xuzhou for, if not for situations like this? In these cannibalistic times, only martial force could safeguard justice. Proving oneself right would have to come after defeating Cao Cao; otherwise, everything is but an illusion.
By this time, Zhang Kai had already reached the Yangtze River and, contrary to what he had told the steward-like person before, he wasn’t heading straight south to the eastern part of Yangzhou. Instead, he had changed course with the intent of seeking refuge with Yuan Shu in South Huai River.
"Big brother, look quick." As their boat neared Shouchun, a young soldier under Zhang Kai’s command pointed into the distance, where two young girls could be seen frolicking on another boat.
Zhang Kai, who felt queasy from the boat ride, looked where the young soldier was pointing and saw two exceptionally beautiful women, one older than the other, playing on a nearby boat. Having been deprived of female company for nearly a month, Zhang Kai’s lascivious thoughts surged.
After careful observation, noticing that there were not many guards on the other boat, Zhang Kai didn’t hesitate and ordered the boatmen to row with all their might toward the boat. How could he let such easy prey slip away?
"Sister, that boat seems to be approaching us," a girl of about fifteen or sixteen said to her slightly older sister.
The older sister stared at the approaching boat and upon seeing Zhang Kai’s lecherous grin as the distance closed, her heart sank.
"Let’s get going, back to Shouchun!" The older sister understood the situation immediately. Their appearance was extremely alluring to men, which was why they normally stayed at home, played the zither, and read books. They had never expected that a leisurely excursion on the river would turn into such an encounter.
"Get rowing, men, with all your might," Zhang Kai laughed heartily upon noticing the commotion on the other boat. At this distance, with his keen eyesight, he could clearly see the delicate features of the two sisters.
"Bofu, you’ve recovered?" Zhou Yu exclaimed in surprise, looking at the reinvigorated Sun Ce in front of him, "I thought it would take a long time for you to recuperate. I didn’t expect you to recover so quickly. How do you feel about your current strength?"
"I’ve found my path. Even if Youping were to go all out, he would only be slightly better than me at this point. Give it another year, and I will completely surpass him," said Sun Ce as he stretched lazily. After more than two months of contemplation and practice, he had far surpassed his former self.
"Let me show you," Sun Ce said as he warmed up his body, "Hmm, this place isn’t quite suitable. Come on, I’ll take you to the Yangtze River to witness my strength!"
No sooner had he spoken than Sun Ce snatched up the reluctant Zhou Yu, stomped on the ground and flashed over a hundred meters. He followed that with a hundred consecutive leaps, flying straight out of Shouchun City. With a somersault in the air, he stamped down hard, shooting across a large arc, then crashed directly into a small grove outside Shouchun City.
"Pah, pah, pah!" Zhou Yu crawled up from Sun Ce in disarray, "Are you trying to kill me?!" (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please visit qidian.com to cast your vote for recommendation and monthly passes. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please go to m.qidian.com to continue reading.)
