Jizhou, Yecheng, the prison…
Tian Feng, who had been curled up in a corner of the prison, heard the drumbeats from outside the city, his eyes narrowed, and a sense of foreboding arose.
“Jailer, jailer!” he called out loudly… “Outside, why is there the sound of drums and horns?”
“The lord is holding a oath-swearing ceremony for the campaign against Cao! Sacrificing to heaven, earth, and the spirits of our ancestors!” the jailer replied truthfully…
This…
Tian Feng’s face suddenly turned ashen white as paper.
“The lord, the lord is really going to campaign?”
“Yes, the three young masters Yuan Tan, Yuan Xi, and Yuan Shang have mobilized one hundred thousand troops each from Qing, You, and Ji provinces to assist the lord. Now the lord has a veritable army of five hundred thousand! Invincible!”
Alas…
Hearing this, Tian Feng sighed.
“An army of five hundred thousand, but all for show! All for show!”
“Today… today this is still the lord’s army of five hundred thousand, but tomorrow, perhaps… perhaps under the insidious tactics of Yin Lin, it will become Cao Cao’s army of five hundred thousand!”
Thinking of this…
Tian Feng’s eyes were cold. “Quick… bring me ink and brush, ink and brush! I want to submit a memorial to the lord to offer advice!”
“Military advisor… please give up! You… you are in this prison precisely because of this advice!” the jailer said truthfully.
“I… I…” Tian Feng’s expression changed drastically. “I would rather die for my advice, but… but I will never be silent! Bring… bring me ink and brush!”
Seeing Tian Feng’s determination, the jailer dared not hesitate…
He ran quickly to fetch ink and brush.
Just then…
Outside the prison, a young master and a middle-aged man passed by the prison…
“Young Master Sima, you are asking for Military Advisor Tian Feng? He is currently imprisoned here!”
This middle-aged man was none other than the proprietor of the wine shop, and the one walking slowly with a crutch beside him, who else could it be but Sima Zhongda himself!
Hoo…
Hearing that Tian Feng was imprisoned here, Sima Yi paused for a moment. He raised his head and silently noted the route.
“I understand! Thank you…”
“Ahead, after crossing the street, is the Xu residence. Young Master Sima, I can only help you this far.” The wine shop proprietor’s eyes narrowed. His words were pregnant with meaning.
Sima Yi nodded.
“I will handle the rest… If I get any information, I will send it out immediately! Commander Lu has ordered that the Xu family must be won over!”
At this, the wine shop proprietor nodded heavily, and looked at Sima Yi one last time. From beginning to end, this Young Master Sima had been extremely resolute, never showing the slightest hesitation!
—What a fine student!
…
In Yecheng, the Xu residence was located on the east side of the city.
Just like in Xudu City, the east side of the city was where the residences of high officials and nobles were located…
Sima Yi looked at the luxurious decoration of the Xu residence, the crimson doors wide open, the opulent silhouette, and the simply astounding height of the threshold.
“Indeed…”
Sima Yi murmured to himself…
“What?” the wine shop proprietor beside him asked.
Sima Yi waved his hand, indicating it was nothing…
He could not speak now; he had to pretend to be mute and crippled!
In fact, his murmured “Indeed…” was a reflection of how, when he had set out from Xudu City, Commander Lu had specifically told him that Xu You was a person who cared immensely about appearances, and his residence would undoubtedly be built magnificently.
Seeing it today, it was exactly as Commander Lu had predicted. And this… inexplicably increased Sima Yi’s confidence.
He waved his hand, signaling his intention to enter.
“I’ll wait for you here… If you don’t get hired, we’ll think of another way.”
As the wine shop proprietor finished speaking, Sima Yi smiled slightly, then, leaning on his crutch, stepped in step by step.
Because of prior arrangements, the doorkeeper did not trouble Sima Yi… he merely inquired.
“You are called ‘Mas,’ are you not?”
Sima Yi pointed to himself… as if agreeing. In this era, there was no sign language; a mute person had to express themselves more through body language!
“Go in, let our young master have a look!”
The young master the doorkeeper spoke of was Xu Yuan, Xu You’s nephew… a notorious bully in Yecheng!
Of course, with his uncle’s status, no one dared to cause him trouble!
Sima Yi looked up towards the main hall ahead, and could vaguely see a young master and a physician sitting there… It was likely that the young master was Xu Yuan!
Hoo…
He let out a soft sigh.
According to the proprietor, although this Xu Yuan was a bully and a wastrel, he was particularly meticulous when selecting servants for his household!
A mute person was to prevent servants from speaking carelessly!
A cripple was to prevent servants from moving around carelessly!
Everyone in Yecheng knew that a great secret was hidden within the Xu residence, but… what was this secret? No rumors had leaked out.
…
In the Xu residence, within the main hall.
“You are ‘Mas’?” Xu Yuan looked at Sima Yi, circled him with great interest, then squatted beside him, looking at his leg. “Recently, Administrator Shen has been paying a lot of attention to our Xu residence. You are not the first, nor the last. However, I will tell you, people like you who think they are clever often meet a bad end!”
Xu Yuan’s eyes were filled with hostility…
As expected…
Sima Yi’s eyes opened. He muttered to himself, it seemed… the Yecheng Prefect Shen Pei and Xu You’s discord, which Commander Lu had mentioned, was also true!
He dared not speak, and could only wave his hands, indicating… he was not!
Xu Yuan smiled and said, “Whether you are or not, is not decided by you waving your hands…”
He pointed at the splint on Sima Yi’s leg and coldly ordered, “Someone, remove it!”
Sima Yi feigned terror…
While Xu Yuan coldly laughed, “What? Did Administrator Shen not tell you? If you’re acting, you must go all the way!”
Now… Sima Yi was confused, and could only shake his head repeatedly, showing a fearful expression!
The guards removed Sima Yi’s splint and untied the bandages. Visibly… the wounds on Sima Yi’s leg were gruesome!
And the physician beside Xu Yuan reached out and gently touched Sima Yi’s leg bone. Sima Yi’s forehead beaded with sweat from the pain. The physician nodded.
“Young Master Xu, this leg is indeed broken!”
Xu Yuan said indifferently, “I didn’t expect Administrator Shen to be so considerate this time. But even if the leg is broken, I’m curious if your throat is also mute?”
As he spoke, Xu Yuan opened the cloth bag hanging from the physician, picked out a needle, and the needle tip gleamed with a cold light under the bright sun.
Sima Yi felt an inexplicable fear, but reason still held sway in his mind.
Making muffled sounds, like a mute person making a fearless resistance.
“Make him behave!” Xu Yuan shouted, and his guards stepped forward to grab Sima Yi’s arms.
And the silver needle in Xu Yuan’s hand grew closer. He deliberately moved the needle very slowly, as if to torment this “mute” person and see if he was truly “mute”!
Facing the cold, flashing silver needle, Sima Yi remained unmoved. Xu Yuan suddenly pierced his right leg with the needle, and blood flowed freely.
“Mmm…”
Still enduring… not making a sound, Sima Yi could only let out muffled “mmm” sounds.
Xu Yuan’s eyes narrowed instinctively, and he exclaimed, “Kid, you can endure quite a bit!”
He applied a little more force, and the entire silver needle was almost fully inserted into the wound on his right leg. Yet Sima Yi still only let out those muffled “mmm” sounds, never a cry!
Hoo…
This time, Xu Yuan let out a sigh.
He nodded, pulled out the needle. “It seems you are not Administrator Shen’s man! Very good… starting tomorrow, go and help in the kitchen! Don’t worry about the salary, our Xu family is not short of money!”
With that said…
Xu Yuan walked out of the main hall. Sima Yi was already sweating profusely, his entire back was wet. Who knew… how agonizing the pain was when the silver needle pierced the wound just now!
But… he endured it, he truly endured it!
If not for this experience, he, Sima Yi, would never have imagined that he could endure to such an extent!
However… at least, the outcome was good!
He… he had successfully infiltrated the Xu residence!
…
…
On the official road from Jizhou to Liyang City.
The sound of countless armored soldiers marching, the hooves of horses, the neighing…
It almost shook the entire plain!
In the center of the army of five hundred thousand, a five-horse carriage was advancing.
Besides the Grand General of the World’s Army – Yuan Shao Yuan Benchu – who else could be in this carriage!
At this moment…
His expression was strange. One hand held a bamboo slip, and the other was clenched into a fist. His entire expression conveyed but one word – anger!
Yuan Shao was furious…
“My lord? What makes you so angry?” Xu You rode his horse to Yuan Shao’s five-horse carriage… Through the window, he saw Yuan Shao’s bitter face!
“That brat Tian Feng, he insulted me again! To this day, my army has taken Liyang without shedding a drop of blood, yet he still submits a memorial asking me to cease hostilities and stop the war! He is lamenting! Disrupting my army’s morale! His intentions are punishable!”
This…
Before Xu You could speak, Yuan Tan, his eldest son, riding a horse beside the five-horse carriage, shouted, “Father Marshal, after sacrificing to heaven, earth, and ancestors, there is still one thing missing to consecrate the banner. I request Father Marshal to use Tian Feng’s head to consecrate the banner! To show our military might!”
The reason why the eldest son Yuan Tan proposed this.
Was that… while factions abounded among Yuan Shao’s strategists, these Yuan family young masters had already been secretly recruiting strategists.
The eldest son Yuan Tan had recruited Guo Tu, Xin Ping, and Xin Pi;
The second son Yuan Xi was more casual, not recruiting strategists, but instead recruiting some military men!
The third son Yuan Shang, being Yuan Shao’s favorite son, had Feng Ji, Shen Pei, and others supporting him!
It could be said that Tian Feng did not belong to any of the three sons’ factions. The Yuan family had always adhered to the principle of “what cannot be obtained, must be destroyed”… Therefore, using Tian Feng to consecrate the banner…
Yuan Tan spoke without any hesitation.
“No, no…” Xu You quickly waved his hands. “The war has not yet begun, and beheading a strategist first is not a good omen! In my opinion, it would be better to wait until Lord Yuan achieves a great victory and returns triumphantly! At that time… let that trivial Tian Feng, who only knows how to boast, but is actually pedantic and short-sighted, and narrow-minded, personally witness the lord’s brilliant achievements! His great accomplishments! At that time… at that time it will not be too late for the lord to grant him death by his own hand!”
Hoo…
As these words fell, Yuan Shao let out a sigh.
Indeed, these words sounded very pleasing!
Of course, this was related to Xu You’s skill in “flattery” reaching a “minor success” stage.
“Good…” Yuan Shao nodded and said, “When this general returns triumphantly, I will place Cao Thief’s head before Tian Feng, and shame him to death!”
“This is excellent, this is wonderful!” Xu You continued to say…
As these words were spoken, Yuan Shao, of course, laughed heartily. But Guo Tu, another strategist beside him, was displeased. If Xu You’s flattery skill was only a minor success, then Guo Tu’s flattery skill was truly top-notch!
How could he be outdone?
Guo Tu was indignant… so he spoke.
“My lord, look…” Guo Tu waved his hand to draw Yuan Shao’s attention.
He continued, “Our vanguard army set off at Chen Shi. It is now past noon, and the rear army has just left the city. The front and rear are connected for nearly a hundred li!”
“My lord… an army like this, mobilized entirely, fifty thousand strong, surging like a tide, who in the world can produce it? Who can command it? Haha, in today’s world… only Lord Yuan can do it! Such a magnificent sight is truly rare in ancient and modern times, a wonder of the world!”
As expected…
“Hahaha…”
Guo Tu was indeed the number one flatterer in Yuan Shao’s camp, the “true spy” identified by Lu Yu. His words made Yuan Shao’s heart blossom with joy!
“Hahaha…” Yuan Shao laughed, and said with emotion, “Cao Cao withdrawing his Liyang army must be because he already knows the direction of our military might! Frightened by rumor… haha… hahahaha!”
On this side, Yuan Shao and a group of strategists were laughing heartily.
On the other side, with a sigh, Ju Shou sighed long and hard, shaking his head.
Optimistic…
Yuan Shao was too optimistic!
He was blinded by the army of five hundred thousand but overlooked the enemy’s strength!
An arrogant soldier is bound to lose… an arrogant soldier is bound to lose!
Every time he thought of this, Ju Shou felt uneasy. Looking at the people around Yuan Shao, none of them pointed out the crisis; everyone was vying to flatter him? An army like this? Can such a lord win?
“Alas…”
Another sigh of helplessness.
Just then…
“Report… my lord…” a scout rushed forward, stopped in front of the five-horse carriage, and announced loudly, “This place is more than two hundred li from Xudu City, more than ninety li from Baima Fortress, and more than a hundred li from Guandu!”
“According to intelligence from spies on the southern bank of the Yellow River, General Yan Liang has surrounded Baima Fortress. Cao Cao has not sent troops to rescue Baima Fortress. Instead, he has assembled his army at Yan Jin, seeming to have the intention of forcing a crossing of the Yellow River to attack our main army!”
Hmm…
As these words fell, Yuan Shao’s eyes narrowed slightly!
He thought about Cao Cao abandoning “Liyang,” abandoning rescuing “Baima,” and stationing his troops at “Yan Jin.”
“Not good…”
Yuan Shao instinctively murmured.
“My lord…” Xu You and Guo Tu were about to speak.
Yuan Shao’s words had already cut in.
“Cao Cao can no longer bear it. He will abandon other cities, concentrate all his forces to cross the Yellow River and engage our army in a decisive battle, breaking the cauldron and sinking the boats!”
Yuan Shao’s tone was cold… his words seemed quite certain.
At such a moment, it was best for Yuan Shao’s strategists to remain silent… Since the lord had already made a decision, to question it now would be suicidal!
Evidently…
As strategists around Yuan Shao, those who lacked this foresight had already been imprisoned.
Yuan Shao continued to order, “Since Cao Cao wants to concentrate his forces for a decisive battle with us, then issue an order: move the army westward, camp on the north bank of Yan Jin… set up three large camps, forming mutually supporting positions. If Cao’s army dares to come, then the area north of the Yellow River will be their burial ground!”
“My lord is wise…”
Guo Tu and Xu You uttered in unison.
It was still Ju Shou, his eyes were cold… He vaguely felt that since Cao’s army had given up Liyang, they seemed to have fallen into Cao’s pre-arranged ambush.
Could this be a large net?
Ju Shou thought to himself…
But… in this situation, he could not offer advice. If he openly defied Yuan Shao, the consequence… would surely be the same as Tian Feng’s!
The talented youths of Jizhou had already lost half their number. He, Ju Shou, had to hold on!
With this thought, Ju Shou’s eyes were cold… but he remained silent!
“Understood!” Seeing no one objected, General Zhang He, who was beside him, accepted the order and dispatched a messenger… to relay Lord Yuan’s military order to the entire army!
…
…
North of Jizhou, Feilong Mountain, at a wine shop at the foot of the mountain!
In this era, discussing the situation of the world, drinking and talking, and commenting on the current state of affairs, such “bragging”… has always been very popular in various wine shops and tea stalls!
The wine shop at the foot of Feilong Mountain was no exception…
— “Cao Cao abandoned Liyang, Yuan Shao took Liyang without bloodshed, and besieged Baima!”
— “Cao Cao stationed his troops at Yan Jin, Yuan Shao set up three large camps on the opposite bank of Yan Jin. The two armies face each other across the river… a great battle is imminent!”
— “South of the Yellow River, Cao Cao’s troops shout every day about attacking Yuan Shao’s rear; north of the Yellow River, Yuan Shao’s banners fly high, arrogantly gathering at the north bank of Yan Jin, ready for a decisive battle…”
— “Such a standoff, for a full ten days!”
— “Cao’s army’s blades have never been withdrawn… Yuan’s army dares not slacken!”
These rumors were uttered by burly men…
They had long become the focus of discussion in every street and alley of Jizhou!
And they had become hot topics in the wine shop at the foot of Feilong Mountain.
Hoo…
At this moment, at a table, the man in the white robe and bamboo hat was still there. One hand held wine, and the other rested on the table. His index and middle fingers continuously tapped on the table.
He softly repeated the rumors he had just heard in a very low and subtle voice…
— “The army rushed to Yan Jin… but did not rush to Baima? The army assembled at Yan Jin!”
— “Heh, a simple ‘feint to the east, attack to the west’ strategy!”
Upon saying this…
The man in the white robe and bamboo hat took a sip of wine and shook his head… He continued.
— “Yan Jin, not just Yan Jin… even Cao Cao’s abandonment of Liyang was a bait. This is Yin Lin leading his father into their pre-prepared battlefield! Feint to the east, attack to the west, lure the enemy deep… this is a series of stratagems!”
Analyzing to this point…
He took another sip of wine…
For a moment, he really wanted to find a brush and write a letter, to tell his father all of Cao Cao’s tricks!
However…
He had brought all his “Zhang Zhi brushes” with him, and they were all broken…
As the saying goes, “A ruthless man is not a husband!”
He did not want to leave himself any retreat.
“Although I don’t want my father to lose so many soldiers, but… the fact is, what can end Cao Cao’s life, and Yin Lin’s life, seems not to be the battlefield! But rather…”
The words reached his lips, but he hesitated to speak them!
At this moment… his eyes were cold, and he muttered to himself:
— “Baima Fortress, Yin Lin’s target is Baima Fortress… and Cao’s army’s true objective is Yan Liang… it is this vanguard army of fifty thousand men!”
Upon saying this, he smacked his lips.
Immediately, the corners of his mouth turned up, revealing a pleasant smile.
— “Yin Lin, you probably never imagined that this time… we would kill the same person! Interesting, interesting…”
— “Heh, die then… let all this turn to ashes!”
…
…