Yuan Shao, the father of Fanghua in the Three Kingdoms

Chapter 1098 Doubt

Tian Feng and his men proposed some ideas, but they were rejected one by one in the discussion. Ju Shou said in embarrassment: "Although I am the supervisor of the army, I am not sure how long it will take for some of the marching routes just now. The generals who actually lead the troops know best in this regard."

Seeing that it was getting dark, Yuan Xi stood up and said, "I don't have a very complete grasp of the exact data of Jizhou's terrain. I am not a general who has been fighting outside for many years, so I can only estimate the approximate time. But a few days' difference may completely change the situation on the battlefield."

"Right now, the only person in Jicheng who has fought in Jizhou is Jun Yi Zilong. Let me ask them to come over tomorrow so that we can brainstorm together."

"Everyone, go out and have a rest today. I have to go to the military camp now, so I won't keep you for dinner."

Ju Shou and the other two hurriedly gave way. Yuan Xi escorted them out the door and watched them get on the carriages. Ju Shou and Tian Feng went first. Yuan Xi finally stopped Zhuge Liang and said, "Military advisor, don't take all the burden on yourself. It's too tiring and not good for your health. You still have a long life ahead of you."

"It is also very important to stay at home and accompany Mrs. Huang more. It is also very important to have a harmonious and happy family."

Zhuge Liang agreed with a wry smile, thinking that he could not compare with his lord. His lord's harem was about to explode. Looking at his lord like this, he was probably an anomaly in that he could still maintain a certain degree of harmony.

Yuan Xi sent Zhuge Liang to the carriage. After the carriage left the door, he turned around and shouted, "Cao Xian, you don't learn your lesson again!"

When Cao Xian, who was hiding behind the corner, was discovered, he screamed and ran away with the girls behind him. Yuan Xi shook his head helplessly, thinking that Cao Xian had been like a child king for so many years and could get along with everyone.

Look at the figures just now. The people who ran away with her were all girls from the Yuan family. They really had no one to learn from and had to follow Cao Xian. They were probably being cheated without even knowing it.

He thought about it and went to the military camp outside the city. He wanted to discuss with Zhao Yun about expanding the scale of conscription in Youzhou. After all, Zhao Yun was still the governor of Youzhou in name.

However, Yuan Xi also knew that Zhao Yun would not be able to hold the position of Youzhou Governor for long. If he could gain Jizhou next year, he would have to reappoint officials and arrange for internal and external affairs officials. By then, the civil service system directly under Yuan Xi would be in charge of Youzhou affairs, and Zhao Yun would be transferred to the corresponding series of military generals and focus on military affairs.

This was also the first step for a prince to imitate the imperial court system for division of labor. Yuan Xi increasingly felt that he was getting closer and closer to that position.

But every step after that was extremely difficult, because it was tantamount to making an enemy of the whole world. If there was no help from others, Yuan Xi would have collapsed on the road long ago.

Fortunately, he is not alone. After tireless recruitment, half of the heroes in the world are now under his command. Whether he can make it to the end depends on the crucial battle of Jizhou.

At present, there are four kingdoms coexisting. Except for Liu Bei, who was granted the title of king but has not actually established a complete country and is still weak, the other three kingdoms have their own strengths.

The Wu State had many talented naval commanders, but the tradition of counselors was basically cut off. However, the civil service system composed of major families in Jiangdong and people from Jiangbei had a strong foundation, so it excelled in internal affairs.

Of course, Wu's military was rather weak. Like Jingzhou, it was good at defending but not aggressive enough. Especially after losing the lower reaches of the Yangtze River, it was already on the verge of extinction and at the end of its road.

The Wei State, led by Cao Cao, was full of talented people, and both its domestic and foreign affairs were remarkable. These people's character might not be very good, but their talents could not be ignored. Although there were internal struggles, under the suppression of Cao Cao's personal abilities, the subordinates were relatively honest on the surface.

Of course, the situation in Wei State has quietly changed. The officials in Cao’s camp have formed cliques for personal gain, and even the Cao and Xiahou clansmen are no exception.

The cause of all this was naturally the deterioration of Cao Cao's physical condition and the fact that he had not yet selected a crown prince.

In the mansion on the high platform of Yecheng, Cao Cao was talking to Zhong Yao who had come secretly from Huaicheng.

Among Cao Cao's subordinates, the one who was most compatible with Cao Cao was probably Zhong Yao. He later became the Grand Marshal, the first of the Three Dukes in Wei State before Cao Cao's death. It can be seen that he was highly valued by Cao Cao. The reason why he was not an important minister entrusted with the care of the young emperor might be because Zhong Yao himself was the core of the Yingchuan faction and could not move up any further.

The reason why Zhong Yao was appreciated was not only that he was an indispensable talent for Cao Cao to stabilize the rear, but also that he was proficient in calligraphy, which was similar to the interests of Cao Cao, who was a student of Cai Yong and loved poetry and calligraphy.

In history books, the most famous thing Zhong Yao did was that he was fascinated by calligraphy and borrowed the original calligraphy of Cai Yong from Wei Dan.

But Wei Dan was stingy at that time and did not agree to lend it. Zhong Yao was so angry that he beat his chest and vomited blood. Later, Cao Cao saved him with the Five Spirit Pills. After Wei Dan's death, Zhong Yao dug up Wei Dan's grave and obtained Cai Yong's authentic works, so his calligraphy improved further.

From this incident, we can see that although Zhong Yao and Cao Cao had a common hobby, which was tomb robbing, we can also see that his character was very extreme. This was one of the reasons why Cao Cao did not dare to entrust his son to Zhong Yao.

Now Zhong Yao spoke to Cao Cao, "No matter what, Dong Zhao cannot be trusted."

"He absolutely cannot be a person to be entrusted with the care of an orphan."

Cao Cao asked in return: "Why?"

Zhong Yao said without hesitation: "Because there is a high possibility that he is a traitor."

"Do you have any evidence?" Cao Cao continued to ask.

Zhong Yao shook his head, "No."

"From beginning to end, he did not reveal any evidence."

Cao Cao snorted. "How can you accuse others without evidence?"

Zhong Yao's expression remained unchanged, "I naturally have my reasons." Cao Cao became interested, "Tell me about it."

Zhong Yao said word by word: "Although he escaped from Yuan Shao, he stayed in Youzhou for two years, and it is very likely that he was in Beixincheng."

Cao Cao heard this and said disapprovingly: "Of course this cannot be used as evidence. Just because they live in the same city or under the same roof, does that mean they are definitely in the same group?"

"If that were true, the three Yuan brothers wouldn't have fought among themselves like that."

Dong Zhao said sternly, "I'm afraid you forgot one thing."

"That fierce tiger can observe the stars."

"Whether this rumor is true or not, I would like to believe it is true. If he didn't have the skill of stargazing, how could he have gotten so many advantages from you, sir?"

Cao Cao's face froze. The rumor about the evil tiger observing the stars had been spreading like wildfire within the Taiping Dao, overshadowing Cao Cao's reputation and making him extremely unhappy.

This has become a source of worry for him. If it is just a rumor, it would be fine. But if it is true, doesn't it mean that Xionghu is the one destined to succeed?
People of this era believed in prophecies very much, and Cao Cao was no exception. His royal title, Wei, was specially chosen because it was in line with the intention of Dangtu Gao, the one who would replace the Han Dynasty.

So although Zhong Yao's words just now were a disguised compliment to Cao Cao, they still aroused Cao Cao's displeasure. He said in a deep voice: "Even if that fierce tiger can observe the stars, so what? Over the years, both sides have won and lost, and I have never seen that I can't beat him!"

Zhong Yao said, "I want to ask you a question."

"How does a fierce tiger recognize people?"

Cao Cao's face froze, and then he sighed, "I have to admit that Xionghu is better than me in this area."

"Over the years, those people he found have all caused me considerable losses."

"What worries me even more is that the people he recruited are all very young. This means that in the next few decades, these people will continue to be my enemy. This is my biggest headache."

Zhong Yao said, "That's it."

"I just think that Dong Zhao is a talented person no matter where he is. How could he be missed when the ferocious tiger is so close?"

Cao Cao straightened up, then nodded and said, "Yuan Chang's angle is very interesting."

Then an idea came to Cao Cao's mind. Zhong Yao's doing this meant that he had already acknowledged the premise that Xionghu knew the art of stargazing.

Will he betray me in the future just to take sides?
Cao Cao knew that Zhong Yao was very similar to himself, too similar. From the tomb-robbing incident, it could be seen that he would do anything to achieve his goals, just like him, as if they were cast in the same mold.

But because of this, Cao Cao remained on high alert. The more someone resembled him, the more likely they were to turn around and betray him one day, just as he had betrayed the emperor and Yuan Shao.
Thinking of this, Cao Cao nodded and said, "I've taken note of Yuan Chang's words. When I have time, I will investigate him carefully."

After hearing this, Zhong Yao guessed that Cao Cao might want to reveal the matter. After all, given Cao Cao's physical condition, how could he have the time?
If there is really time, can you transfer yourself from Sili?
Thinking of this, Zhong Yao still did not give up. He said, "I suspect Dong Zhao. Although it is just a guess, if I really look for evidence, there may be some."

Cao Cao became interested, "Oh?"

"What else do you have in mind?"

Zhong Yao said in a deep voice: "I heard that it was Dong Zhao who brought poisoned wine to execute Empress Fu."

Cao Cao looked a little unnatural, because as a minister who personally executed the queen, Cao Cao was unprecedented. So when he saw Zhong Yao mention this matter, Cao Cao was also taboo in his heart.

Zhong Yao did not seem to look at Cao Cao's expression, but said: "I also heard that Xiong Hu proclaimed himself the King of Jin. Where did he get the edict?"

"I have heard about the contents of this edict. According to what is said in it, this is probably written by the emperor himself, right?"

Cao Cao's face became even uglier after hearing this, but he hadn't guessed what Zhong Yao meant, so he said, "Say whatever you want to say."

Zhong Yao heard this and said, "The last thing is that Lord Xun died in Shouchun."

"Although Xun Lingjun and Ming Gong are not on good terms, he has always been quite loyal. Why did Ming Gong send him as an envoy, and why did he die in Shouchun?"

"Excluding the fact that the evil tiger took action, this is all too much of a coincidence, isn't it?"

"These three things seem to be unrelated, but I always feel that something is wrong. I have been thinking about them day and night, and finally I have guessed some possibilities that may not be true."

(End of this chapter)