"Mr. Guo... I... My name is Hu Yan Mu!"
"Oh, Hu Yan Mu, is it? Alright... Business is business. Our Zhen family won't bully you. Just like with the Xianbei, one thousand horses a year, but... you'll have to clear the trade routes for us!"
Guo Jia's frivolous demeanor vanished, his words coming out like a barrage, giving Hu Yan Mu no time to think.
And yet...
The oppressive aura here left Hu Yan Mu gasping for air.
"One thousand horses? That... that's how much... how much Wu Shi San it translates to?"
"That's easy to discuss, we can negotiate," Guo Jia raised his hand. "It's just... if the trade routes aren't open... then it becomes troublesome!"
"But... Mr. Guo, between our Xiongnu and the Central Plains lies Bing Province. Bing Province is... Yuan Shao's territory!"
Mentioning Yuan Shao, it was obvious Hu Yan Mu lacked confidence. After all, they had been beaten badly by Yuan Shao over the years!
It could be said that...
Yuan Shao's grand strategy towards the three Hu tribes was not to provoke the most powerful Xianbei, to form strategic alliances with the middle-ranking Wuhuan through marriage, and as for the weakest of the three, the Southern Xiongnu, he would beat them until they begged for mercy.
Because of this, the Southern Xiongnu harbored considerable resentment towards Yuan Shao!
Even... fear.
"Oh dear, is that so... then there's nothing we can do," Guo Jia shook his head. "It seems I'll have to have a good chat with the Khan of the Xianbei, after all, they don't fear Yuan Shao."
At this point, Guo Jia looked up at Hu Yan Mu, then helplessly spread his hands. "What a shame, what a shame."
Saying that, he waved his hand.
"Eldest Miss, Second Miss, let's go..."
Guo Jia turned to leave. Zhen Tuo was bewildered. They had come to talk business, but... Guo Jia was too much, too disrespectful.
Conversely, Zhen Jiang seemed to understand something and linked arms with Zhen Tuo. "Let's go, let's go..."
As she left, she couldn't help but shake her head at Hu Yan Mu. "Uncle Hu Yan, I apologize... Currently, all of the Zhen family's business is managed by Mr. Guo. This was decided by Mother, I..."
Before Zhen Jiang could finish speaking...
"Wait... Mr. Guo, please stay." Hu Yan Mu's broken Chinese sounded out again, "Mr. Guo, we can discuss anything!"
He still couldn't bear to part with the Wu Shi San...
The temptation of this substance was too great, not just physically, but mentally. Moreover... this was an opportunity for Hu Yan Mu to become the foremost Hu merchant among the three tribes. How could he let such an opportunity slip away!
"Why stay?" Guo Jia moved the wine gourd from his mouth. "Didn't you say it yourself? Bing Province is Yuan Shao's territory, and your Southern Xiongnu dare not do anything to Yuan Shao... What's there to discuss? Let the Xianbei have this Wu Shi San!"
"Mr. Guo misunderstands!" Hu Yan Mu quickly corrected himself. "Currently, Yuan Shao is leading three hundred thousand troops south, intending to contend for the empire with Chancellor Cao. At this juncture, we can indeed help Chancellor Cao, but this matter is of great importance, allow me to report it to the Khan!"
This...
Guo Jia paused, feigning a conflicted expression. He deliberately hesitated for a long time before nodding.
"Fine, but report quickly. The Xianbei have the same rhetoric as you. There isn't much time left for you Xiongnu!"
Still arrogant, still nonchalant...
"Okay... okay... Mr. Guo, please wait a moment, Young Ladies of the Zhen family, please wait a moment. Allow me to come and go, come and go..." Hu Yan Mu's voice became urgent.
As he spoke, he scurried out of the large tent.
It was strange... Who would have thought that the Southern Xiongnu, who never treated Han people as humans and plundered and burned on Han territory, would be so firmly controlled by Guo Jia at this moment!
Of course...
In Guo Jia's opinion, this was simply too easy. Dealing with these brawny but witless barbarians, he only needed to exert thirty percent of his strength, which was enough. As for the remaining seventy percent, he was here to woo the ladies!
"Hee hee..."
Once Hu Yan Mu's footsteps faded, Zhen Jiang couldn't help but let out a soft chuckle.
Zhen Tuo, however, broke out in a cold sweat.
"Sister, why are you still laughing?"
Zhen Jiang looked at her sister, then at Guo Jia, and teased, "I'm laughing because I have a good brother-in-law..."
"Sister~"
This sudden remark made Zhen Tuo's face turn crimson.
Guo Jia, on the other hand, sat calmly on the bamboo chair, tilting his wine gourd to his lips. It seemed the last drop of wine had been drunk, leaving him somewhat dispirited.
Of course, there was wine in the tent, the unique mare's milk wine of the Southern Xiongnu.
However... after tasting distilled nectar, who would still drink this "watery wine" that only women drank? Simply put – it was uninspired!
"What do you think, Miss Zhen Jiang?" Guo Jia asked with interest.
"With Mr. Guo here, I believe... the task assigned by Minister Lu can be successfully completed," Zhen Jiang said with a smile.
"Haha..." Guo Jia grinned, chuckling lightly. "Miss Zhen Jiang seems to be thinking of Minister Lu at all times?"
This...
This time, Guo Jia's sudden remark caused Zhen Jiang's cheeks to turn as red as Zhen Tuo's, like purple-red apples, or rather... like Red Delicious apples!
Just then.
"Mr. Guo... the Great Khan requests your presence!"
Hu Yan Mu rushed back, making a "please" gesture like a Han person.
Guo Jia nodded and prepared to leave the tent...
Zhen Tuo, however, grabbed his arm, seeming worried. Guo Jia smiled slightly and whispered three words into her ear – "Steady as a dog!"
That's right...
In Guo Jia's eyes, he wasn't just here to complete Lu Yu's task, he was here to exceed it!
This was because he was the manager of the Imperial Academy Brewery, a brother who had "experienced" pleasures with Lu Yu.
No brotherhood, no trickery!
...
...
Guangzhong, Shang Commandery, Xiliang Army Camp.
Hiss...
Hearing the continuous urgent reports, Han Sui and Ma Teng couldn't help but gasp.
It was no wonder they were like this...
The so-called five-pronged attack on Cao, Sun Ce of Jiangdong was defeated and injured!
Liu Biao of Jing Province was hesitant to advance...
Liu Bei of Xuzhou was being attacked by Cao Cao's army, the situation could only be described by four words: "highly perilous"!
And as for Yuan Shao...
Heh heh... Han Sui and Ma Teng could only "heh heh." They were stationed in Guangzhong, very close to Bing Province, how could they not know that Yuan Shao's rear was about to face trouble? The three armies of Bing Province were already restless.
Gongsun Zan of You Province's Wangjing City, the Black Mountain Army at the border of Changshan and Zhaojun in Bing Province, and... Yanmen, that army which had grown from dozens of Dragon Cavalry into an army of over twenty thousand soldiers, a force not to be underestimated. They might be silent, but once they acted, they would soar!
Thinking about it with their toes...
These three forces were going to launch a surprise attack on Yuan Shao's rear, this was a move to raid Yuan Shao's base camp!
Heh heh...
As a result... let alone Yuan Shao's three hundred thousand troops marching south.
Now... he should be considering how to defend against the incoming onslaught from his rear!
"Father, Uncle..." Ma Yunlu quickly entered the main military tent, holding an urgent dispatch. "According to our spies in Henei region, it is said that... the Southern Xiongnu have also made moves. They are gathering troops, arraying forces at the border of Jizhou, and it seems... they also intend to take advantage of the chaos to raid Ye City!"
Raid?
The moment this word was uttered, Han Sui and Ma Teng's eyes involuntarily narrowed.
Raid... was this word too conservative?
At this time, with the three armies attacking Yuan, how could the Southern Xiongnu be merely raiding? This was pre-meditated... It might even be someone's scheme, the fourth army attacking Yuan, intending to drive Yuan Shao to despair!
Hoo...
Ma Teng let out a long sigh. "Are there any other urgent dispatches?"
He asked Ma Yunlu...
Ma Yunlu shook her head. "No, but... just a moment ago, Mr. Zhong proposed to see the two generals?"
"Quick... quickly summon him." Han Sui was a little flustered and hurriedly ordered.
But as soon as the order left his mouth...
Ma Teng grabbed Han Sui's arm. "Wen Yue? Given the current situation, the five-pronged attack on Cao was so easily resolved by Cao's camp, and now... four forces are appearing in the northern regions to attack Yuan. Does... does Wen Yue not understand the current situation?"
The moment these words were spoken... Han Sui gasped.
He no longer had time to send for Zhong Yao.
After all, the offensive and defensive postures of Cao Cao and Yuan Shao were reversed! At least in the current situation, Cao Cao was the king!
"Let's go... let's go to Mr. Zhong's tent!"
Han Sui and Ma Teng exchanged glances and strode out. Yes... in the current situation, their Guanzhong army was about to move, but whether to move against Cao Cao or Yuan Shao, that was a whole new story!
Just as Zhong Yao had mentioned earlier...
Wait, wait!
Indeed, hearsay is unreliable; seeing is believing!
"Wait..." Ma Teng thought of something. "Where is Shen Pei?"
"Him?"
Mentioning Shen Pei, Ma Yunlu's eyes twitched. "Just now, when daughter passed by Governor Shen's tent, he wasn't inside. It seems... since last night, daughter hasn't seen him again!"
This...
Ma Teng paused and immediately ordered, "Yunlu, immediately relay an order to Meng Qi to pursue north from Shang Commandery! Make sure to bring Shen Pei back!"
Saying this, Ma Teng's gaze fell on the boiling pot outside the large tent.
They had said... they would cook someone!
Even if Shen Pei fled to the ends of the earth, he, Ma Teng, would bring him back. At this time... forming an alliance with Cao Cao was paramount, one must not oppose Cao Cao!
...
...
In front of Xiapi city walls, corpses were strewn everywhere, the scene was one of desolation, and rivers of blood flowed!
Indeed, Xiapi City was sturdy, but Cao Cao's troops were also exceptionally brave. In this sharp clash of attack and defense, both sides suffered heavy losses.
Cao Cao had mobilized his entire army, over one hundred thousand troops. A loss of a few thousand men was bearable for him. But Liu Bei, also with a few thousand men... At this moment, he stood on the city wall of Xiapi, his brow furrowed!
He knew that tonight was merely a rest for Cao's army, and tomorrow... a fiercer offensive would arrive.
"Big Brother, our arrows and grain are running low."
Zhang Fei said with a frown...
Guan Yu's expression was also grim. The weariness visible on his face indicated his grave mood.
Over one hundred thousand of Cao Cao's elite troops were attacking the city with full force, while Xiapi's defenders numbered only forty thousand!
That wasn't the main point; the main point was... the majority of these forty thousand troops were remnants of Yuan Shu, composed of bandits and ruffians, who would turn with the wind and surrender against the tide. They were incapable of fighting tough battles.
If one were to pick carefully, those who did not fear death and were willing to fight numbered less than ten thousand!
"Hold on for a few more days. We've held for seven or eight days. Within this time, Mi Fang should be able to reach Yuan's camp. As long as he can meet Yuan Shao... then Yuan Shao will surely march south with his army!"
Liu Bei tried his best to remain calm.
"I am certain that while Cao Cao may say he fears nothing, in his heart he is already in a panic. Tomorrow... he will surely dispatch a force to reinforce Yanzhou. My two sworn brothers, observe Cao's camp's cooking fires carefully. If the number of troops decreases... we three brothers... can raid Cao's main camp in the evening to buy more time."
According to Liu Bei's calculations, he had to hold out for thirty days... His calculations were precise. Even with the fierce offensives from Yuan Shao, Liu Biao, Han Sui, and Ma Teng's armies, it would take over a month to reach Xudu!
But now...
In only seven or eight days, he, Liu Bei, was already struggling to hold on.
"Big Brother's plan is brilliant." Guan Yu sighed. "Cao's army has been attacking the city for days. They would never imagine that on the night of their siege... our army would raid their camp late at night. If this plan succeeds, I, Guan Yu, will surely take the head of that Cao scoundrel, and Xiapi City will be relieved!"
Hearing this, Zhang Fei scratched his head. "I also think Big Brother's idea is good. Tomorrow we'll raid the camp, watch Zhang Fei run a hundred holes through Cao Cao!"
Hoo...
While Guan Yu and Zhang Fei swore oaths, only Liu Bei let out a long sigh of relief.
Cao Cao's offensive was like a sharp spear; Liu Bei's defense was like a round shield.
However... on the battlefield of Xiapi, it appeared to be a clash between spear and shield.
In reality, the true battlefield was on the Yellow River... it was Yuan Shao's three hundred thousand troops marching south, and Yanzhou... or rather, the Xudu battlefield, was the place where the final victory would be decided!
"Yuan Benchu, oh Yuan Benchu, you won't disappoint me, you definitely won't!"
He murmured to himself...
Subconsciously, Liu Bei bit his lip tightly. Due to the excessive force, he even drew blood.
...
...
Henei region, Southern Xiongnu Royal Tent.
Hahahaha...
From afar, the sound of hearty laughter could be heard, followed closely by the Southern Xiongnu Great Khan and Guo Jia emerging side-by-side.
This was not the first time Guo Jia and the Southern Xiongnu Chanyu had had a long talk.
It could be said that...
For the past seven or eight days in Henei, the Southern Xiongnu Great Khan had summoned Guo Jia to his tent almost every day!
"Brother Fengxiao, I like you..."
"The matters you proposed, I sent people to inform them days ago. Our Xiongnu army has already arrayed at Jizhou, waiting only for Brother Fengxiao's command. Haha, our Xiongnu people will surely not disappoint Brother Fengxiao!"
As he spoke, the Southern Xiongnu Chanyu patted Guo Jia's shoulder.
The two were as close as brothers, exceptionally familiar and intimate.
It wasn't that Guo Jia and the Southern Xiongnu Chanyu knew each other before...
But rather, Guo Jia had an exceptional understanding of "gambling, drinking, and drugs," which greatly pleased the Southern Xiongnu Chanyu. A single Wu Shi San had allowed Guo Jia to let the Southern Xiongnu Chanyu experience seven or eight kinds of ultimate pleasure.
Therefore...
At this moment, the Southern Xiongnu Great Khan addressed Guo Jia as a brother.
Of course... the Southern Xiongnu Chanyu would never have dreamed that his brother was giving him Wu Shi San with the intention of poisoning and controlling him like boiling a frog in warm water, and even controlling his tribe!
"Great Khan Hu Yan speaks his mind, how could I, Guo Jia, not believe him? Haha... then it's settled."
Guo Jia said with a smile, "The Wu Shi San from beyond the frontier will only be sold to Great Khan Hu Yan by the Zhen family, and the price will be as the Great Khan Hu Yan just mentioned. However, the annual transaction volume of ten thousand horses is the Zhen family's bottom line!"
At this point, Guo Jia paused.
"However, King Hu Yan, rest assured, whether it is Minister Lu or Chancellor Cao, they can send letters of alliance, and the Southern Xiongnu and our Great Han will forever maintain good relations! Just like Wang Zhaojun crossing the frontier in the past! With this, King Hu Yan can confidently strive for hegemony beyond the frontier. The original names of the three Hu tribes are all 'Xiongnu'!"
Facing the Southern Xiongnu Chanyu, Guo Jia's words were neither humble nor arrogant...
Yet...
The Southern Xiongnu Chanyu extremely enjoyed listening to his words.
As for Wu Shi San, for the Southern Xiongnu Chanyu, it was not only a spiritual enjoyment but also a means to realize his dream.
In the past, the Xiongnu royal court was destroyed, and the Xiongnu were divided into three. Whether it was the Wuhuan or the Xianbei, they would claim to be branches of the Xiongnu.
And the Southern Xiongnu considered themselves the orthodox line... Therefore, in their subconscious minds, they wanted to conquer the Xianbei and Wuhuan and restore the glory of the former Xiongnu royal court.
However, among the three Hu tribes, the Southern Xiongnu were the weakest, and the Southern Xiongnu Chanyu's dream was merely a dream.
But...
Because of Wu Shi San, everything was possible. Only those who had tasted Wu Shi San would know... how powerful it was!
Therefore...
Guo Jia, or rather Lu Yu, was no longer just a business partner to the Southern Xiongnu Chanyu, but could be said to be a "hope"!
"Don't worry, although ten thousand horses is not a small number, through selling this Wu Shi San, our Xiongnu earns far more than ten thousand horses beyond the frontier. Brother Fengxiao can be assured of this."
The Southern Xiongnu Chanyu said with a smile, "However, Brother Fengxiao, can you really supply such a large quantity every year?"
"Haha..." Guo Jia said with a hearty laugh, "I, Guo Jia, never deceive friends! Chanyu Hu Yan is my friend, Guo Jia!"
The moment these words were spoken...
The two looked at each other.
Then... "Hahahaha..." another round of hearty laughter ensued.
"If Brother Fengxiao hadn't brought two women, elder brother would definitely send you a hundred Hu Ji..."
Uh...
The moment these words were spoken, Guo Jia actually felt tempted.
He lightly patted the Southern Xiongnu Chanyu's back. "Brother Hu Yan, when the trade route is opened, just secretly send them to Xudu City for me! No joke, after you mentioned it, Brother, I really want to experience what it's like to have ten times the exotic charm, ten times the soaring feeling!"
"Hahahaha..."
The moment these words were spoken, the two men who were proficient in "gambling, drinking, and drugs" once again shared a knowing laugh.
However, amidst this laughter...
Cao's camp obtained horses as desired, the Southern Xiongnu obtained Wu Shi San as desired, both sides formed an alliance to jointly resist Yuan Shao, and opened up the trade routes!
Who profited?
And who was the biggest loser?
...
...