Chapter 38

Chapter 672: Jin Yilu Faces a Dilemma! (1)

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Yiyang City, Ji Province.

The Guandong Army had been continuously battling Dong Zhuo's forces. However, the situation was neither good nor bad. The two armies were engaged in a war of attrition.

Because of this, military strategy meetings were held daily in Yiyang City to find a way out.

Even with the full participation of the 36 strategists of the Art of War, the debates were intense, but no conclusion was reached.

Today's meeting also ended without a conclusion. Jin Yilu rubbed his ear and slowly made his way out of the crowd.

"This won't do. Everyone knows how the battle is going, don't they? If we keep fighting a war of attrition with Dong Zhuo's army, we won't be able to cross the Eight Passes."

"We're not continuing this fight by choice. There's no other way. The bravery of Li Jue and Guo Si rivals that of our lord's generals, Anliang and Wenqiu. The forces are also evenly matched..."

"There's no solution... no solution..."

Even after the meeting ended, the strategists continued to gather in small groups and discuss. Jin Yilu, seemingly indifferent, passed by them but tried to listen to their conversations as much as possible.

But everything became meaningless when he saw Yuan Tan from a distance. While the intentions of the Ji Province faction could be understood at any time, the intentions of the Yi Province faction could only be discerned now.

Jin Yilu quickly surveyed Yuan Tan and the people around him.

'Why is Yuan Tan with Feng Qi? Could Feng Qi have joined Yuan Tan?'

Yuan Tan had the support of the Yi Province faction. He should be with people from Yi Province. But he was with Feng Qi, who was from Xiang Province.

Jin Yilu had every reason to suspect that Feng Qi, who had maintained neutrality, might have become a supporter of Yuan Tan.

"Our lord is now in a deadlock. Who would have thought that Li Jue and Guo Si's army would hold out so well?"

"As the eldest son, I want to suggest a breakthrough. What should we do?"

"We need to change our approach. As it is..."

Yuan Tan and Feng Qi fell silent as Jin Yilu approached. They seemed wary of him overhearing their conversation.

But it didn't matter. Jin Yilu had picked up on a few clues.

For a moment, Feng Qi's gaze swept over Jin Yilu. It was a very brief moment, but it felt like an eternity to Jin Yilu.

'That man is always unsettling to deal with.'

He could mock the world with his silver tongue, but he avoided Feng Qi's gaze. It felt as if Feng Qi could see right through him.

Among countless strategists and scholars, Feng Qi was not the best. Could anyone truly stand out in a world filled with renowned advisors?

Still, Jin Yilu highly regarded him because he did not pursue personal gain.

Those blinded by personal desires cannot see or hear clearly.

'Mr. Yuan is a man who thinks only of his loyalty to Yuan Shao, not of succession. That's the problem.'

Breaking into an unguarded vault is easier than breaking into one where someone is on guard. If Feng Qi were to support Yuan Tan, Jin Yilu would have to reassess the situation from the beginning.

'That man is completely unreadable. It's said that it's harder to understand a person's heart than the depths of the sea, but even that seems easier compared to him.'

Feng Qi was also concerned about Jin Yilu.

He did not particularly support any of Yuan Shao's three sons. He stayed out of the succession struggle because he had no interest.

But he knew the situation. And he knew that Yuan Xi was too weak to enter the succession struggle...

But the situation had changed. Everything changed after Jin Yilu arrived.

Jin Yilu gave a light nod to them and passed by.

'Good, it was natural.'

* * *

"I must reiterate that I have no desire to get involved in the succession struggle."

"I understand. There's no need to say more. I know you are loyal only to your father. I won't put you in an awkward position regarding the succession."

"Thank you, Lord. However, when I saw Mr. Jin's eyes, it seemed he was suspicious of us..."

"Mr. Jin? 'Xi's' advisor, don't worry. He's not a threat. My younger brother can't even think about succession. He only thinks about surviving when my older brother or the youngest takes the throne."

Yuan Tan still didn't take Yuan Xi and Jin Yilu seriously. Although Yuan Xi's influence had grown, it was only compared to before.

Yuan Tan still had the support of the Yi Province faction, and Yuan Shang was the heir backed by the Ji Province faction.

But Yuan Xi still lacked a support base. After all, Yuan Shao's base was only in Yi and Ji Provinces, so one of Yuan Tan or Yuan Shang would have to fall for Yuan Xi to gain a foothold.

"Very well. I will share my thoughts."

"I will listen attentively. Please offer your wisdom."

"Our lord is currently engaged with Li Jue and Guo Si's armies, but the outcome is not clear. We shouldn't fight them. We need to target another place."

"Another place... Where should we go? Should we turn our forces to attack another gate of the Eight Passes?"

Yuan Tan suggested attacking another gate instead of the Shoushu Pass. But Feng Qi shook his head.

"It will only extend the front lines."

"Why do you think so? I thought it was a good plan."

"Does Dong Zhuo lack capable men? Look, Li Jue and Guo Si are as brave as our lord's generals, Anliang and Wenqiu, and neither can gain the upper hand. But..."

Yuan Tan easily understood what Feng Qi was implying.

Dong Zhuo had many outstanding heroes under his command.

"Then where should we attack?"

"I can only say this much. We need to target another place."

The reason Feng Qi didn't provide more details was obvious. But Yuan Tan didn't realize it. He knew that asking more wouldn't get him an answer.

'I'll ask Mr. Zhongzhi (Xinping).'

* * *

Jin Yilu arrived at Yuan Xi's residence and waited for the master to return, lost in thought.

'Target another place?'

He didn't know much about military strategy, but he knew the situation was not in favor of the Guandong Army. If one approach didn't work, trying another was a natural strategy.

Moreover, the Guandong Army had abundant resources, both in manpower and supplies.

'Wait... Do we really need to target another gate of the Eight Passes?'

One corner of Jin Yilu's mouth curved into a smile.

"Ah, Mr. Jin. I'm sorry for being late."

When Yuan Xi entered, Jin Yilu immediately put on a serious expression.

"Master, the situation is not good."

"I already know that Father is very angry with the current situation."

"Should I repeat what everyone already knows to you, Master?"

Yuan Xi changed his expression and asked.

"What's the problem?"

"Master, it seems that Lord Yizhong is about to make his move."

Yuan Xi bared his teeth.

"I'm not a threat to my elder brother yet... He's too hasty to attack me already."

Although Jin Yilu was an outsider, Yuan Xi spoke ill of his elder brother in front of him. Jin Yilu waved his hands.

"He's not targeting you but the third son."

"How so? The momentum of the Yi Province faction is strong, but it's not as strong as the Ji Province faction. My elder brother knows that the troops and supplies come from Ji Province..."

"But among the scholars, there are more from Yi Province."

Yi Province was one of the thirteen provinces with the most talented people. It was also the province with the most officials in the imperial court.

Moreover, Yuan Shao was also from Yi Province. It was obvious whose words he would listen to more.

"We can use others' swords to strike. Besides, it's not a one-time deal."

"A strategy of indirect assassination... Even if he sends assassins to target the youngest, it won't succeed. I don't understand why he's thinking this way."

"Lord Yizhong probably doesn't intend to harm the third son directly. He likely wants to reduce the influence of those supporting the third son."

Yuan Xi tilted his head and looked at Jin Yilu.

"Most of those fighting the Xiliang soldiers are from Ji Province. Many die every day. The longer the war drags on, the more advantageous it is for my elder brother."

"Master, you know that this alone won't achieve his goal."

Jin Yilu met Yuan Xi's gaze head-on.

"Lord Yizhong has many scholars on his side. They will certainly try to move the army of the Prince of Handan."

Liu Jian, the Prince of Handan, was the father of Yuan Shao's wife, Lady Liu. He was Yuan Shao's father-in-law.

His army was the backbone of the Ji Province faction. As long as the Prince of Handan's army held strong, Yuan Tan would not be able to challenge Yuan Shang.

"How will he move the Prince of Handan's army?"

"Isn't this the best time to expand the Guandong Army's influence? Dong Zhuo's army is under attack from both the Guandong and Guanz