Chapter 41

Chapter 675: The Guanxi Army to Hanguan, the Guandong Army to Shangshan! (1)

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Jin Yilu, having finished preparing to execute the Guiji plan, called out to Wu Yan.

"Wu Yan."

Wu Yan was startled just by Jin Yilu calling his name.

"Startled... Who said they were going to eat you?"

Wu Yan, embarrassed, bowed his head deeply. Jin Yilu then placed his arm on Wu Yan's shoulder.

"The last incident was something I didn't expect either. Remember, I risked my life to save you."

At this, Wu Yan suddenly stepped back from Jin Yilu. He then began to show off his boxing skills.

Jin Yilu had seen the martial arts of warriors like Lü Bu and his subordinates, who were worthy of being called valiant. He knew very well that Wu Yan's skills were poor.

Wu Yan probably knew his skills were not impressive. Jin Yilu had already figured out why he was acting this way.

"Are you saying you'll use your boxing skills to fight back if they try to capture you again?"

Wu Yan nodded repeatedly. Jin Yilu shook his head and said,

"Your skills will only get you beaten more. You might even lose your life."

Jin Yilu gestured for Wu Yan to come closer. He then pointed to the letter on the desk and said,

"When Yuan Shao returns to Yiyang, dangerous people will come to get this. From today, you must not enter this room. You must not guard the door all night. Do you understand?"

Despite Jin Yilu's words, the loyal Wu Yan pounded his chest, indicating he would protect it by any means.

"I know how loyal you are. But you must stay alive to enjoy wealth and honor with me. Once you die, it's all over. You don't want to be beaten to death again like last time, do you?"

Wu Yan, finally realizing the danger, shook his head vigorously.

While his loyalty to Jin Yilu was commendable, he definitely wanted to avoid a repeat of his previous experience.

"Since I don't know what you might do, I'll tell you what to do from now on. Go to this pavilion and loiter around the kitchen, pick up some food, and do the same at Lord Yu's quarters. Stay in crowded places and go back to your room before sunset, locking the door tightly."

Jin Yilu gave such detailed instructions because he didn't know what Wu Yan might do.

He couldn't tell Wu Yan everything. Therefore, Jin Yilu had to be meticulous to ensure Wu Yan's actions didn't become a variable.

Most importantly, he didn't want Wu Yan to be captured again and suffer the same fate. Wu Yan was the only servant Jin Yilu could take with him without worry, so he cherished him greatly.

* * *

Yuan Shao, after inspecting the stagnant front lines, returned to Yiyang in a great rage.

Among those who greeted him were Lady Liu and his eldest son, Yuan Tan, while Yuan Xi stood a bit further away.

Just by seeing this, Yuan Shao sensed that something had happened while he was away.

'The eldest and the lady are standing together? The second son looks dejected, standing in the corner. It seems the eldest and the youngest are ganging up on the second son.'

In the past, he would have ignored such matters.

He never thought about succession. He believed there was no need to consider it while he was still alive and well.

But now, things were different. Yuan Xi, as a minister, was quite useful, unlike the eldest, who only caused trouble, and the youngest, who was still too young and inexperienced.

He felt more at ease entrusting tasks to Yuan Xi.

This must have made it seem to Yuan Tan and Yuan Shang's supporters that Yuan Shao favored Yuan Xi.

"Lord, I welcome your safe return."

"Did you wish for me to die?"

"That's not it, but..."

"I don't want to hear it!"

In fact, there was no reason for him to be so angry.

Yuan Shao didn't intend to be this harsh. But he was also annoyed by Yuan Tan, who was fighting over succession despite having a righteous father.

He also found Lady Liu, who was standing close to Yuan Tan, distasteful, probably because she had been bickering with her stepson and had found some common ground.

"Lord, why are you so angry?"

Lady Liu clung to Yuan Shao, her flawless, spotless skin and evident figure under her clothes making any man go wild.

But her great beauty was of no use to Yuan Shao.

"Lady, I'm very tired now. Let's talk tomorrow."

Yuan Shao dismissed both Yuan Tan and Lady Liu and headed straight to his quarters, taking Guo Tu with him.

"Phew~!"

Yuan Shao sank into his chair and sighed deeply. He then said to Guo Tu,

"The situation is not favorable."

"I understand your concerns, my lord. But who would have thought the Xiliang soldiers would resist so strongly?"

"I knew the Xiliang soldiers were strong in open battle, but I didn't know they were also good at defense. Moreover, their military strategy..."

Yuan Shao growled, baring his teeth.

He had many strategists under his command, but they couldn't even capture a single stronghold, which was infuriating.

"Those rats are just wasting grain."

"It's not just about anger. Although Dong Zhuo's influence can't extend beyond the Eight Passes, he is a powerful warlord who controls the emperor. It's not surprising that he has a great strategist by his side."

"It's a pity that a gem like that is with a Guanxi peasant. It's like a pearl on a pig's neck."

Though he didn't know who it was, Yuan Shao wanted the strategist by Dong Zhuo's side. Then he could dismiss all the useless strategists.

"Mr. Guo, how was the atmosphere in Yiyang while we were away?"

Yuan Shao was very interested in the succession struggle among his sons.

Not to decide who would succeed him, but to watch out for any of them who might threaten his position.

"The conflict between the Yuzhou and Jizhou factions is intensifying."

"Then what did we see today? The lady standing close to the eldest must mean they are plotting something."

"It seems related to the report from the Prince of Hjian's camp."

"The Prince of Hjian offered to raise an army to help me. But Qingzhou is not an easy place to take."

Yuan Shao had always excluded Qingzhou from his plans.

To take Qingzhou, which was guarded by Tao Qian, he would need to mobilize all his forces on the front lines against the Xiliang soldiers.

"The strategists are hoping that the Prince of Hjian's army will be the breakthrough we need."

"Then we'll have to fight Lü Bu again? Wait..."

Yuan Shao suddenly held up his palm, signaling Guo Tu to be quiet, and thought deeply.

'The strategists' public opinion must have been orchestrated by the eldest. But why is he trying to give credit to the Prince of Hjian? If the Prince of Hjian succeeds, it will all go to the youngest.'

Yuan Shao was puzzled by Yuan Tan's inexplicable actions.

The Prince of Hjian's success would not help Yuan Tan become Yuan Shao's successor. Yet, if Yuan Tan was behind this, it must have been beneficial to him.

Yuan Shao's gaze turned to Guo Tu.

"Mr. Guo, let's see how the eldest tries to achieve his goals."

Just as he said this, a voice from outside the door called out.

"My lord, order the Prince of Hjian's army to raise and expand your territory!"

"My lord, I humbly suggest that we should look elsewhere instead of focusing on the fight against Dong Zhuo."

Yuan Shao frowned, stood up, and went outside. There, many strategists were kneeling and shouting.

'Is this just a shallow trick? From my own son?'

* * *

"Everyone, go back! I'll hold a council tomorrow, and you can speak then!"

Yuan Shao dismissed the strategists and ordered his subordinate to bring Yuan Xi.

As soon as Yuan Xi arrived, Yuan Shao asked,

"Xi, did you know about this?"

"I don't know what you mean, my lord."

"You know. About what your brother and Lady Liu are plotting."

Yuan Xi dared not answer and remained silent. Yuan Shao then said in a gentle tone,

"It's okay. You can tell me anything."

"I knew, my lord. My brother is trying to have the Prince of Hjian raise an army to expand your territory."

"Indeed. You knew."

Yuan Shao gestured to Yuan Xi.

"What do you think?"

"I am against it."

At this, Yuan Shao suddenly became angry.

"Do you not want my territory to expand?"

Yuan Xi knelt and bowed, saying,

"How could I not? I wish more than anyone for your territory to expand... No, for the whole world to be yours."

"But why are you against it?"

"My lord, while it's true that the front lines are at a stalemate and we need a breakthrough, Qingzhou is not the answer. Tao Qian is not your equal, but he is not an easy opponent."

Yuan Shao nodded repeatedly.

"I never considered Qingzhou. To defeat Tao Qian, we would need at least two hundred thousand troops, which the Guandong army cannot afford."

"Then the only option