NOVPUBIn the Cao residence of Yanzhou, Chenliu, Xi Zhicai lay on the sickbed. He wasn’t in his usual residence, or rather he didn’t want a residence. By now, he could clearly sense his life slipping away, not more than three months left.
"Cough cough cough." Xi Zhicai struggled with a few coughs, and Cao Cao, who had been anxiously waiting, hurried in upon hearing this.
"Zhicai, do you feel any better?" Cao Cao asked, looking at Xi Zhicai’s pale complexion and somewhat desolate expression, his hand holding a handkerchief trembling slightly, with a glimmer of hope. He so wished for Xi Zhicai to recover.
"My lord, let Zhongde come in; I have instructions for him," Xi Zhicai gestured with his hand. He was aware of his condition; had it not been for Hua Tuo’s presence at the beginning, he would have already died. Perhaps if Hua Tuo could be summoned now, he might live another ten years, but was that possible? Hua Tuo didn’t leave Mount Tai, and there were guards around him all the time. After the prescription that cured typhoid was widely promoted in Qingzhou, Hua Tuo was enshrined in a Living Temple.
"Zhicai!" Cao Cao called out in annoyance as he saw Xi Zhicai starting to handle military affairs again. Xun Yu and Xi Zhicai were the true strategists who had joined him during his most difficult times and had greatly assisted him.
"My lord, there are some things that must be done. You should go to Guanzhong now; this is our last chance. Wen Ruo and Yuanchang have laid everything out. What happens next is up to you, not lingering here because of my illness. The delay in the ’Support the King’ efforts has been too long. If Yuan Liu succeeds in exterminating Lyu, we will have no chance left," Xi Zhicai gasped, his breathing now much more labored, each breath feeling like a heavy pull.
"..." Cao Cao’s eyes reddened but he held back tears, "I’ll go out; you rest well."
Cao Cao made sure Xi Zhicai was lying down, then covered him with a blanket and silently walked out. The moment he closed the door behind him, he had a feeling that this might be the last time he saw Xi Zhicai.
Soon after, Cheng Yu walked in. Xi Zhicai opened his eyes but did not try to sit up, "Zhongde, how is the preparation going?"
"Everything is arranged according to your instructions, waiting for the right moment," Cheng Yu said with a lowered head, a glint of cold light flashing in his eyes.
"Can Gongtai be persuaded?" Xi Zhicai asked.
"According to the message from Ziyuan, Gongtai gave no reply. We went too far in Xuzhou. Gongtai admires the lord’s spirit and valor, but Ziyuan informed us that Gongtai is likely considering joining Liu Xuande," Cheng Yu sighed. It’s a pity about Chen Gong. He once was a senior minister under Cao Cao but unfortunately parted ways with Cao Cao due to their incompatible personalities.
"Tell Chen Gongtai, Li Wenru is Li Ru, and Jia Wenhe is the Prime Minister’s Chief Historian under Dong Zhongying! Lyu’s demise is a given if he goes there," Xi Zhicai spoke calmly.
"What? How is that possible?" Cheng Yu was shocked, then a look of joy crossed his face, "Hahaha, Liu Bei is a Han Imperial Kinsman, yet he harbors a traitor like Li Ru who caused the Young Emperor’s death. Publicizing this will certainly have a remarkable effect."
"Stop dreaming; there’s no evidence, and whether Li Wenru caused the Young Emperor’s death is still debatable. What’s more important now is Li Wenru’s identity as Cai Bojie’s friend and Cai Zhaoji’s uncle. Aside from Cai Zhaoji, no one else can challenge that identity. As for rumors, they are hard to argue against. We can only pass this information to Gongtai for him to judge," Xi Zhicai said with his eyes closed.
"That’s a pity," Cheng Yu understood that it was hard to challenge Li Youu, given his double identity as Chen Xi’s friend and Cai Bojie’s friend, as well as Cai Zhaoji’s uncle. These identities were enough to clear him of many troubles.
"My life won’t last much longer, and after that, the success of our lord’s dominion will depend on you all," Xi Zhicai said, his face pale. "At present, Liu Xuande and Yuan Benchu are both dominating figures. In the northern Central Plains, there are three granaries and three horse breeding grounds, which means that whichever of the two prevails will gain an advantage that we will find difficult to match."
"If Sili Yongliang, Hanzhong, and Yizhou were connected, we could only manage to defend ourselves. Hopefully, by then, either Liu Jingsheng or Sun Bofu will be able to rise with the situation and take control of the southeast. If so, with the natural barrier of the Yangtze River on their side, and us drawing on the power of the mountains and rivers, we might still have a chance to struggle for domination," Xi Zhicai said with a wry smile, fully aware that Jizhou, Qingzhou, Yanzhou, and Xuzhou were the Provinces and Counties with the most populous Central Plains People.
Cheng Yu bowed his head, feeling immense pressure. Unbeknownst to him, Liu Bei had grown into a formidable force.
"Summon Wen Ruo, Gong Da, and Huber," Xi Zhicai said, noting Cheng Yu’s look of awe.
Cheng Yu nodded, promptly gathering Xun Yu, Xun Youi, and Fan Qin. After exchanging glances, all four remained silent, until Xi Zhicai finally spoke up.
"Wen Ruo, Gong Da, Huber, the three of you are the ones I find the most inscrutable among our lord’s followers. None of you have given your best, and while I don’t know each of your reasons, I hope that after my death, you will wholeheartedly assist our lord instead of holding back as you are now. Gong Da, for the matter in Xuzhou, I’ll apologize on our lord’s behalf," Xi Zhicai said, struggling to sit up. He bowed deeply to Xun Youi, who nodded repeatedly, indicating that he would certainly do his best in the future.
"Huber, to be honest, I find it hard to believe. Can the Fan Family truly command you? They lack the constant stream of talents that the Xun Family has, nor do they possess the terrifying foundation of the older generation. How exactly do they direct you?" Xi Zhicai asked, his eyes cold as he gazed at Fan Qin.
"No one commands me, I came of my own volition. As for your doubts, I can only say sorry," Fan Qin replied with a cavalier demeanor.
"That’s good," Xi Zhicai said, nodding his head. "After I die, I ask that you bear a heavier burden."
"Gong Da, Huber, you two may leave first. I suspect Wen Ruo has something to say to me." At the brink of death, many matters can be seen in a different light. Having gotten satisfactory answers, Xi Zhicai sent Xun Youi and Fan Qin away.
After Xun Youi and Fan Qin had left, only Xi Zhicai and Xun Yu were left in the room. Xi Zhicai looked at Xun Yu, "Wen Ruo, we have known each other for twenty years, haven’t we?"
"Yes, it’s been over twenty years," Xun Yu nodded.
"After my death, who should take over my position?" Xi Zhicai asked. "Also, Wen Ruo, it’s time for you to give your all."
"Gong Da will take over as your strategist. It’s a pity about Fengxiao; otherwise, he would have been the best choice to succeed you," Xun Yu said, sighing as he looked at Xi Zhicai, feeling that his carefully laid plans had been shattered by unforeseen events.
"After my death, I will use a ’Spiritual Talent,’ and then it will be up to you. If I’m not mistaken, you can activate it, can’t you?" Xi Zhicai asked, having never been sure of Xun Yu’s limit, especially since he himself had only recently realized that he was not able to fully exploit Xun Yu’s ’Spiritual Talent.’
(To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to vote for it at Qidian (qidian.com) with recommendation tickets and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)
