In the Zhongzhi Mansion of Ye City.
The atmosphere was as heavy as it could be…
Xu Yuan and all the clansmen of the Xu family were escorted here. Their faces had already turned as pale as paper. It was evident that Ye City's Prefect, Shen Pei, held a power they could not defy!
“Still not confessing?”
Shen Pei rebuked sternly, his gaze fixed on the accounts on the desk. Over the past five years, the crimes of Xu You's embezzlement of military supplies were laid bare, one by one.
These revelations filled Shen Pei's chest with rage.
“I never imagined that your Xu family had embezzled as much as seven hundred thousand piculs of grain in these five years… Just recently, when Lord Yuan was locked in battle with Cao Ze at Guandu, the frontline was stockpiling grain… Your Xu family even embezzled two hundred thousand piculs from this batch alone. This is simply insane!”
Shocking…
Although he had harbored suspicions about the Xu family before, seeing the black accounts truly sent a tremor of shock through Shen Pei.
This was no longer mere embezzlement; it was like digging at the very roots of the Four Northern Provinces, like orchestrating the downfall of the Yuan clan!
“Thud…”
Finally, a member of the Xu family could not bear the oppressive atmosphere. He immediately knelt, his gaze complex, and said, “Prefect Shen, this embezzlement of military grain, we… we were acting under orders!”
“Scoundrel, acting under whose orders?” Shen Pei asked coldly. “The frontline military grain is of utmost importance, yet your Xu family colluded, lining your own pockets. Were you acting under Lord Yuan’s orders? I tell you, you are making things difficult for hundreds of thousands of soldiers on the frontline. Yuan Gong and Cao Ze are fighting at Guandu, and the stalemate here hinges on grain! If the grain supplies fail, then Cao Cao’s northern expedition to Jizhou will be unstoppable, and the situation in the Four Northern Provinces will be destroyed in an instant!”
“I…”
At this, the members of the Xu family were all ashamed. Some of the more timid ones reported truthfully, “Prefect Shen, this has nothing to do with us. It was the Xu clan elder. Seeing that a major battle was imminent, no one would carefully check the grain supplies, so they embezzled from the grain sent to the frontline, selling it to merchants for gold and silver… and also… also selling it overseas.”
“Bang…”
Shen Pei slammed the table, his eyes burning with an increasingly uncontrollable rage.
He stared coldly at Xu Yuan.
“Well done, Xu family! To think our lord still considers Xu You a strategist. Guards… interrogate them immediately, confiscate the Xu family’s property, and transport all confiscated grain to the frontline! Present Xu You’s crimes in detail, along with the evidence, to our lord!”
“Yes!” the yamen runners responded in unison.
In a single day.
The entire Ye City was in an uproar. Prefect Shen Pei sealed the Xu family's businesses and arrested hundreds of their retainers and associates. During the interrogations… they provided further evidence of the Xu family's repeated embezzlement of military grain.
Upon closer inspection…
It was not just military grain, but also warhorses, fabrics, and even… the trafficking of slaves. The military supplies embezzled by the Xu family far exceeded double the amount recorded in the accounts!
The final quantity, the confiscated amount, even shocked Shen Pei himself.
Indeed… this money and grain were enough to support the annual expenses of a legion of two hundred thousand men!
It was shocking; the Xu family was truly driven to madness!
The next day!
An urgent dispatch was sent from Ye City to Guandu.
Of course, Sima Yi was fully aware of this matter!
At this moment, he was also furiously writing. He had to send the events that had transpired here back to Guandu, to Chief of Staff Lu, as this was the final link in his mission.
*Hoo…*
Putting down his brush, the urgent dispatch was completed. Sima Yi opened his eyes and looked out the window.
It was as if he could see the imminent changes in the skies of Ye City!
…
…
At Guandu, the grand camp of Cao's forces, the confrontation between Cao and Yuan had already reached July.
July of this year was scorching hot, as if the entire land pulsed with a hidden desire.
“Good…”
Lu Yu placed an urgent dispatch on the desk.
This was an urgent message from Sima Yi, detailing the changes that had occurred in Ye City, Jizhou, in the northern territories.
—The Xu family had been investigated, and Shen Pei had recovered over three hundred thousand piculs of grain and ten million coins from the Xu family's shops and granaries. The gold, silver, and jewels, as well as silks and satins, were beyond counting.
In Lu Yu's view, this was both expected and logical.
This stratagem had been in motion since Lu Yu had instructed Zhong Yao in Guanzhong to let Shen Pei go.
The greatest crisis within Yuan's camp had always been internal, stemming from the irrationality of the mid-level organizational structure and the disharmony of the strategist team. The Ru Ying faction and the Jizhou talents viewed each other as mortal enemies, with Guo Tu and Ju Shou, Tian Feng and Feng Ji, Shen Pei and Xu You being at loggerheads.
Admittedly, each of these individuals was talented on their own, but when combined… it spelled disaster!
“Commander Lu seems quite excited?” Cao Xiu asked from the side.
Lu Yu did not reply. Instead, he traced a path with his index and middle fingers on the map, towards the direction of Wuchao and Yougu.
He added meaningfully, “This place is about to be fully illuminated!”
“Illuminated?” Cao Xiu asked, confused.
Lu Yu then walked to another side of the map and said gravely, “Go and tell Commander Cao to be alert these few days. An old friend will be defecting from darkness to light!”
*Heh…*
An old friend?
Cao Xiu scratched his head, but still responded with a “Yes,” and hurried out of the tent.
Lu Yu, on the other hand, let out a long sigh. He walked to the entrance of the tent and looked up at the sky…
— “Sima Zhongda, I truly never expected your greatest skill to be that of a spy!”
— “If we win at Guandu this time, your contributions, Sima Zhongda, will be immeasurable!”
…
…
That night, within the vast encampment of Yuan’s army, stretching for hundreds of miles.
In a secluded tent.
Before a table, Yuan Shao and Yuan Fang sat on opposite sides… a pot of wine and two goblets were placed on the table.
The two men met each other's gaze, yet remained unusually silent.
“What? Leaving?”
After a long while, Yuan Shao spoke first.
Yuan Fang took a sip of wine. “I have devised all that needs to be devised. There is no point in staying here any longer. Besides, father has already figured out Cao’s supply routes, right? There’s no need for me to make further arrangements!”
As Yuan Fang said…
He had meticulously planned the Wuchao area. While Wuchao was indeed storing all of Yuan’s grain, it was connected to the camps of Zhang He and Gao Lan. Both of these camps were cavalry units. As soon as there was any change at Wuchao, they could provide immediate support.
Furthermore, outside the Yougu valley of Wuchao, countless watchtowers had sprung up. It could be said that the entire map of the area was illuminated. If attacked, warning could be sent back immediately! It was foolproof!
It could be said…
Yuan Fang had played a clear hand for Yuan Shao, yet his intention was clear: he wasn't afraid of Cao Cao attacking, but afraid of Cao Cao not attacking.
And… even if Cao Cao truly did not attack, in a protracted war where grain reserves were the deciding factor, how could Cao Cao compare to Yuan Shao!
“You still cannot forgive father, can you?”
Yuan Shao squinted, his expression complex.
“Heh heh, does forgiveness matter?” Yuan Fang shook his head. “Besides, what would I do if I stayed? Fight with your legitimate sons for the position of heir?”
“The position of heir to the Four Northern Provinces, heh heh, while that position is indeed prestigious, your son has no interest in it.”
Yuan Fang and Yuan Shao had too many grievances and entanglements.
Now, he had come to help because he realized that the decisive battle between Cao and Yuan threatened the survival of the Yuan clan, but this did not mean he had forgiven Yuan Shao.
The current situation was as stable as a mountain. Yuan Fang did not want to have too many entanglements with Yuan Shao!
“Alright…” Yuan Shao hesitated for a long time before finally speaking, his expression exceptionally complex. “Where are you going this time?”
“Luoyang… to pay respects to my mother!” Yuan Fang murmured, then suddenly stood up, picking up his prepared package.
He turned his back to Yuan Shao.
“If this battle is won, then father’s unification of the realm will face no further obstacles. When father ascends to the throne, your son only hopes that father will give mother, and the woman your son once loved, an identity, an explanation!”
Yuan Fang’s identity was too special.
He was the illegitimate son born to Yuan Shao and his sister-in-law.
Let alone the customs of the world, even in the ancestral temple, Yuan Shao would be spat upon by thousands.
Even though Yuan Shao highly valued this son…
It was impossible for Yuan Fang to be officially recognized as the heir!
Of course, besides this layer of entanglement, there was another woman, and that was the greatest obstacle between Yuan Shao and Yuan Fang.
“Good, I promise you!”
Yuan Shao nodded heavily.
At this moment, Yuan Fang had already reached the entrance of the tent.
“Your son thanks father. Father, please be careful. Cao Cao will surely counterattack before his grain runs out, and that will be their last chance, and also father’s chance. Father must seize this opportunity!”
With that said, Yuan Fang had already walked out of the tent.
He did not belong here. He belonged to two women: one was his mother… and the other was… was…
*Stomp, stomp…*
The sound of footsteps faded into the distance. Yuan Shao bit his lip, his gaze complex as he watched his son gradually disappear into the darkness. This brief reunion was like every snapshot of their father-son meetings in the past.
This was a sin… and also fate!
When did that night happen… why couldn't he control his surging blood?
How could he, Yuan Shao, commit the mistake that every man in the world would make?
And why did he, time and again, sink further into this mistake, making one wrong move after another!
“*Hoo…*”
With a long sigh, Yuan Shao picked up the wine pot and drank it all down, his gaze lost as he watched his son’s figure, which was gradually disappearing into the darkness.
And at that moment.
— “Report… Report… Urgent from Ye City, Prefect Shen… Prefect Shen’s personal writing, an urgent matter to report to Lord Yuan!”
A great halberdier handed a letter to Yuan Shao.
Yuan Shao’s expression turned cold as he slowly unfolded it.
The more he read, the more…
With a “bang,” Yuan Shao punched the desk. His mood was already agitated by Yuan Fang's departure, and now… his anger was even more ignited!
— “Bold! The villain dares to be so audacious!”
— “Summon… Summon the generals of all camps, and all strategists to… to the central military tent to discuss… to discuss matters!”
Yuan Shao’s words were like a roar.
At this moment, he was furious beyond measure!
At this moment, he wished he could tear that person in half!
…
In the central military tent of Yuan’s grand camp.
Upon hearing of the council, Xu You excitedly strode into the command tent. He had been waiting for such an opportunity, because… he had obtained a crucial piece of intelligence.
Of course, Xu You was also a little suspicious. He hadn't even told Yuan Shao about this matter yet, so why… was Yuan Shao gathering all the civil and military officials in advance?
“Does Lord also know about that matter?” Xu You asked excitedly…
For a moment, countless eyes converged on him.
Yuan Shao also slightly raised his eyes, but did not speak.
Xu You, quite excited, continued, “My spies in Xudu City have discovered that the hundred thousand troops Cao Cao previously sent to Guandu were dispatched from Henei, Lujiang, Yuzhou, and Xuzhou. Lord… the opportunity has arrived!”
“What opportunity?” Yuan Shao asked back coldly.
“Henei is empty, Sili is empty, and Xudu City is empty!” Xu You proclaimed. “Cao Cao has gathered all his forces, intending to make Guandu the site of the decisive battle. He plans for a quick victory, but Lord’s hundred-li fortified line and watchtowers give Cao Cao no chance. Thus, Cao Cao's rear is empty. My spies in Xudu have informed me that Xudu City currently has only three thousand men!”
“If we dispatch a swift cavalry unit for a surprise attack on Xudu overnight, we will surely capture it… and as long as we occupy Xudu City and welcome the Son of Heaven to punish Cao Mengde, Cao's army morale will be greatly weakened, and our army can attack Guandu with one decisive blow.”
Having said this, Xu You paused.
“Let’s say, for the sake of argument, that Guandu is not fallen, then… Cao Cao will be caught between two fires, exhausted from rushing back and forth. We can take the opportunity to first advance into Yanzhou, forcing him to tighten his defenses, expand our territory south of the Yellow River, and thus… the Central Plains will be within our grasp!”
As he spoke, Xu You gestured with his finger towards the hanging map, and with a wave of his sleeve, he painted a grand blueprint, as if the army could advance to Xudu at any moment.
Unexpectedly…
At this moment.
With a “snap,” a bamboo slip was heavily thrown at Xu You.
Immediately after, Yuan Shao suddenly stood up, glaring at Xu You with furious eyes… “Surprise attack on Xudu? Humph! Even now, you still want me to surprise attack Xudu?”
“Lord…” Xu You was slightly astonished. He did not understand, but still tried to persuade, “This is an opportunity, a battle opportunity that comes once in a millennium. If Lord does not believe me, just give me five thousand troops, give me a general, and I will capture Xudu City for Lord, leaving that Cao Aman homeless!”
— “Enough!”
This time, before Xu You could finish speaking, Yuan Shao’s cold voice cut him off. “Xu Ziyuan, from the time I, Yuan Shao, left Luoyang to enter Bohai, you have followed me. Even if… Ju Shou, Feng Ji, Guo Tu, Tian Feng held higher positions, you were still a strategist in my eyes, the head of all strategists.”
“I trusted you. Over the years, I have entrusted you with the heavy responsibility of transporting the grain and provisions of the army. But I never imagined that this trust would lead you, Xu You, and your Xu family to become so lawless. What’s worse… at this critical juncture deciding the fate of the realm, during the Battle of Guandu, you have caused such a catastrophe.”
Ah… ah…
Xu You was completely bewildered.
Yuan Shao’s eyes became bloodier and more crimson. He pointed at the bamboo slip on the ground. “Look at this document. Over the years, your Xu family has embezzled hundreds of thousands of piculs of grain and over six thousand fine Uighur horses, as well as countless gold, silver, jewels, and rare antiques. Just in this Battle of Guandu alone, you pocketed two hundred thousand piculs of grain and sold it to merchants and overseas… It is shocking. If it weren't for conclusive evidence, I wouldn't have known that you, Xu You, were so devoid of humanity! A great villain disguised as loyal, a great deception disguised as truth! It seems you will not be satisfied until you see my, Yuan Shao’s, downfall!”
— “Lord…”
— “I… I truly do not know about this!”
Xu You was still arguing… “This must be Shen Zhengnan framing me. He… he has a long-standing grudge with me. His goal is… to disrupt military morale. Lord must absolutely not fall for it!”
He said it like that…
But when he saw the figures on the bamboo slip that Shen Pei had confiscated from his home, and the irrefutable evidence recorded in the account books, Xu You’s heart suddenly turned cold, chilling him to the bone.
As for the other strategists, they were gloating inwardly, but outwardly feigning sorrow.
Guo Tu lamented, “Xu Ziyuan, our lord has treated you so well… and you… you have done this. Alas… alas… greed is truly insatiable, like a snake swallowing an elephant.”
Feng Ji, with a look of complexity on his face, said, “Ziyuan, our lord has already shown this bamboo slip to us. Shen Zhengnan interrogated according to the law, and all the Xu clan members have confessed. Even your nephew has been thrown into prison to keep that little man Tian Feng company!”
“Oh my, the bamboo slip alone records that the grain seized from your residence amounts to hundreds of thousands of piculs. You are undermining our lord, undermining the foundation of the Four Northern Provinces!”
Kicking a man when he is down… Among Yuan Shao’s strategists, Guo Tu was the most adept at flattery, while Feng Ji was the most skilled at kicking a man when he is down.
“Lord, you… you believe me.”
Xu You’s eyes were filled with shock and anxiety.
After all, among Yuan Shao’s aristocratic clans, besides the upright Shen Zhengnan, which family had not embezzled grain? How could it only be the Xu clan?
But precisely…
At this critical juncture, especially when Xu You was offering advice and strategy, aiming to annihilate Cao Cao with one decisive blow, this… this would be a devastating blow to the Xu family, no… to the Northern Territories, to Yuan's army.
“Guards, drag Xu You out and beat him to death!”
Yuan Shao roared.
After all, his magnanimity was no larger than a little finger, and he could not stand being deceived.
Coupled with Yuan Fang’s departure, Yuan Shao thought of the past, and his mood was already heavy… This punishment was even more severe, leaving no room for leniency.
“Lord… Lord…” Xu You hugged Yuan Shao’s leg. “It doesn’t matter if Lord kills me, but… but Xudu is empty now, it is the best time to send troops, the opportunity… this opportunity is fleeting!”
“If… if we give up such an opportunity, then… then this battle will inevitably drag on for a longer time. Lord Yuan’s grain supply is ample, but… but the location of the Wuchao granary has been leaked, and ultimately… ultimately there will be variables!”
Xu You was so flustered that he even mentioned the location of the Wuchao granary in front of so many people.
After all, this was a trap Yuan Fang had set for Yuan Shao, and it should not have been spoken of so openly.
“Drag him out… beat… beat him to death…” Yuan Shao became even more enraged.
As these words left his mouth…
“Lord, Ziyuan has followed Lord for many years. If he has no merit, he at least has… has worked hard!” Zhang He cupped his hands and advised.
Gao Lan also added, “Lord, at this time of need for talent… we must not kill a strategist. This is… causing joy to our enemies and sorrow to our friends!”
“Humph…”
Yuan Shao glared coldly at Xu You. “Your head will be dealt with after I have annihilated Cao Cao… Guards, drag Xu You out, give him thirty strokes, and strip him of all his military command! All grain and troops will be under Gongze’s command!”
“Yes!” Guo Tu agreed, a smile flickering across his lips.
Previously, Ju Shou’s troops had also been temporarily under his command…
And now, Xu You’s troops were also under his command. This showed that after Xu You, he, Guo Tu, had successfully risen to power. In Yuan’s camp today, he, Guo Tu, was the true strategist!
Thinking of this, Guo Tu’s eyes narrowed, and his heart was filled with excitement.
A strategist…
Heh heh… He had to perform well!
As Guo Tu’s thoughts raced…
Yuan Shao’s cold voice sounded again. He pointed at Xu You’s nose and cursed:
— “Scram!”
— “Get out!”
…
…