Chapter 42

Chapter 676: The Guanxi Army to Hanguan, the Guandong Army to Shangshan! (2)

---------------- 676/753 ----------------

At Yuan Shao’s words, a smile spread across Guo Tao’s lips.

"If there is a proper way to conquer the world, wouldn’t it be the words of this Confucius?"

However, Yuan Shao shook his head.

"Though not incorrect, it doesn’t apply to me. Consider my age. Reviving Yanzhou will take at least a few years. By the time Yanzhou becomes my foundation...”

Yuan Shao, like Yuan Shu, believed he didn’t have much time left. Given his age, it was understandable.

Life is fifty years. With no certainty of living longer, he had to conquer the world as soon as possible.

Thus, even if Yuan Xi’s words were right, Yuan Shao couldn’t accept this strategy.

"I think it would be good to entrust the difficult task of founding a dynasty to this Confucius."

Guo Tao subtly suggested Yuan Xi. Yuan Shao didn’t seem to mind, showing no particular reaction.

Instead, Yuan Shao changed the subject.

"Ultimately, we must use our father-in-law’s army."

"It sounds like you don’t care whether they perish or not. Am I wrong?"

"It would be best if they fight each other to the death. However, we can’t afford to lose them in vain."

Once an arrow is shot in battle, it can’t be retrieved. But if it can cut off the enemy’s breath, even if it can’t be reused, it won’t be a waste.

"I understand. Before the First or Third Confucius and their people move, I will send someone to find out which part of Lü Bu’s territory has weak defenses."

"Do you know where to look?"

"I heard that this Confucius’s strategist is a merchant named Junshang. He is a great merchant, comparable to the Lu Ye Merchant recommended by the First Confucius, and has already been listed as a potential Junshang with Lady Liu’s recommendation."

"You mean Mr. Jin? I’ve heard of him. He has also traded with Lü Bu, right?"

While saying this, Yuan Shao didn’t show any suspicion towards Jin Yilu. It’s an unwritten rule that Junshang can trade with anyone.

Of course, it must end with just trading...

* * *

Jin Yilu’s room.

Jin Yilu had prepared the bait and waited for someone from Yuan Shao or Lady Liu to take the bait.

Yuan Tan is excluded.

Since Yuan Shao has returned, Yuan Tan will be cautious. If Yuan Shao learns that Yuan Tan’s spies are active in the city, it could lead to a major misunderstanding.

If rumors spread that Yuan Tan is using assassins to kill Yuan Shao and take his place, Yuan Tan will be finished.

Jin Yilu acted as usual.

He always left his room at the same time. Yet, for several days, there was no news.

‘Is someone watching this room? Is there someone following me?’

Jin Yilu, lacking martial arts skills, couldn’t tell if he was being watched.

If he could just know whether someone was watching him or not, it would be better, but he couldn’t, so he could only seethe inwardly.

‘I hate waiting. I need to set a trap for the latecomers. For now, I’ll sleep...’

Jin Yilu drank heavily and went to bed early. In the morning, the fake ledger and letters he had carefully prepared on the desk were still there.

But something was different. Jin Yilu had placed the letter slightly askew yesterday, but now it was neatly arranged.

Jin Yilu’s expression brightened upon seeing this.

‘Finally, someone came!’

Jin Yilu rubbed his palms together and smiled silently.

* * *

Guo Tao didn’t sleep all night.

The reason he stayed up all night was because of Jin Yilu’s ledger.

The people who searched Jin Yilu’s room were sent by Guo Tao. They moved before Lady Liu’s side did, and the results were satisfactory.

They obtained a ledger and a letter from Jin Yilu’s room, had them copied, and then returned them to their original places. All of this happened within an hour.

But Guo Tao’s work began from there.

He examined the copied ledger to find the weakest defense among Youzhou’s Zhuo commandery, Jizhou’s Zhongshan, Shangshan, Juelu, and Zhao.

As he flipped through each page of the ledger, Guo Tao’s expression darkened.

‘Even if Lü Bu has obtained Hedong, he shouldn’t be this poor if he has just a bushel of grain in Bingzhou.’

The content of the ledger was truly shocking. While Youzhou was an exception, the amount of armor and weapons entering Zhongshan, Shangshan, Juelu, and Zhao was alarmingly low.

Conversely, the consumption of military provisions was enormous.

The difference between the estimated army size based on the level of armament and the size of the army based on the consumption of provisions was significant.

This suggested that either the army was enormous but poorly equipped, or the provisions were being misused.

‘Where is Lü Bu using the provisions? Or does he really have so many troops but lacks the resources to equip them?’

The fact that neither option could be confirmed was a bigger problem.

When faced with a difficult problem, the solution is to take a step back. Sometimes, stepping away from the problem and doing something else can lead to a solution.

So, Guo Tao shifted his attention to the copied letter.

If he hadn’t faced this problem, he probably wouldn’t have read this letter now.

In any case, Guo Tao opened the letter Jin Yilu had written to someone.

[It is truly regrettable that the trust we have built up is only this much.

While merchants thrive in war, they also have principles to uphold.

Merchants can supply both armies in conflict, but they must not sell information obtained through trade.

I, who have made this my lifelong principle, could not hand over information about the Guandong Army. To hold a grudge and cut off trade because of this is disappointing and painful.

As a scholar who has studied classics, I dare to advise General Lü.

Just as Lu Ye informed the Guandong Army about your information, you should be aware that at any time, information about your army could be passed to the Guandong Army.]

* * *

Yuan Shao clutched Jin Yilu’s letter and raged.

"There is a code of conduct in business, but it seems the only thing they see is wealth! Disgusting! Despicable! Cowardly!"

Yuan Shao cursed the Lu Ye Merchant with the lowest words he could use. Given that he had read Jin Yilu’s letter, his reaction was understandable.

"Lord, please calm down."

"Master, am I calm now?"

Yuan Shao’s eyes darted back and forth.

"That’s right! Liu Zihui or someone like that is supporting the elder, so all this is related to the elder."

Yuan Shao suspected Yuan Tan. Guo Tao went further.

"Now all the doubts are resolved. Indeed, the First Confucius is seeking to profit from the chaos. He encouraged Lady Liu to achieve success with the Wang of Hjian, while secretly passing information to Lü Bu through the Lu Ye Merchant."

"Does this mean he’s playing both sides?"

"It’s a possibility. Everyone needs a backup plan, doesn’t they? If he doesn’t inherit the throne...”

Guo Tao trailed off. He couldn’t bring himself to tell Yuan Shao that his sons might fight to the death.

But that’s how power works.

To maintain one’s power, one must eliminate potential competitors and threats.

Even among brothers, there are no exceptions. One might even raise a sword against one’s father. That’s what a chaotic era is.

"Master, what should we do with these people? I want to capture them all and execute them immediately."

"Lord, please calm down and handle them one by one. Absolutely do not eliminate them all at once."

"Is there a reason for that?"

Guo Tao extended his index finger.

"First, if you don’t execute the First Confucius, you will lose the respect of your subordinates. Second, if you act now, the roots will disappear."

"Liu Zihui is not here, so you’re saying to wait until he arrives?"

"That’s right. The Lu Ye Merchant has committed treason. This is something a Junshang should never do. A Junshang must take a customer’s secrets to the grave."

Guo Tao advised to attack Liu Zihui.

There was a just cause, and they didn’t have to pay the Lu Ye Merchant’s bills, making it a two-for-one deal. Guo Tao added one more point.

"Proceed with the plan to have the Wang of Hjian attack Lü Bu’s territory."

"Is it necessary to proceed if Lü Bu knows?"

"Assume the Lu Ye Merchant’s issue is resolved. When the Wang of Hjian attacks Lü Bu’s territory, what will Lü Bu think?"

Yuan Shao slapped his knee at Guo Tao’s words.

"He will think the Guandong Army is using the strategy of feinting east and attacking west. Ingenious...! Ingenious...! I will allow the Wang of Hjian to attack."

* * *

Jin Yilu was having a secret conversation with Yuan Xi in his room.

"So, the Wang of Hjian won’t