Chenliu City
"Report! A man named Xi Zhicai has arrived outside the city. He claims to be a strategist from Luoyang and has come to join the allied forces." Shortly after the Xiliang army retreated, a soldier ran in to report while the feudal lords were discussing their strategy.
"Xi Zhicai, why is he here?" Cao Cao was taken aback upon hearing this.
Seeing that Cao Cao knew of Xi Zhicai, Yuan Shao asked gently, "Brother Mengde, do you know this man?"
Upon hearing this, Cao Cao quickly replied, "Lord Yuan, I do indeed know something about this man."
Upon hearing this, Yuan Shao asked, "What are this man's abilities?"
The other warlords also looked at Cao Cao.
Seeing that all the lords were looking at him, Cao Cao continued, "This man is indeed a strategist, but I do not know the extent of his strategies. However, I was able to escape before my assassination attempt on Dong Zhuo failed, thanks to his secret reminder."
“Since he has done such a righteous deed to assist Brother Mengde, he must be a hero who cares deeply about the world,” Yuan Shao said to Cao Cao, then instructed his soldiers, “Summon him in.”
"Thank you, Lord Yuan." Cao Cao quickly replied upon hearing this, then waited in silence, pondering the purpose of Xi Zhicai's visit.
Cao Cao did not mention Wang Han, but he had his own thoughts. When he was at Dong Zhuo's mansion, Cao Cao knew that Xi Zhicai was Wang Han's strategist. He even noticed from Lü Bu's behavior that Lü Bu was somewhat afraid of Wang Han, and Lü Bu was very polite and cautious in his words.
Knowing that General He Jin wanted to recruit Wang Han, Lü Bu had specifically researched Wang Han. Although he thought the rumor that Wang Han could lift ten thousand catties was just an exaggeration, Wang Han must have possessed extraordinary skills or abilities; otherwise, General He Jin wouldn't have gone to such lengths to recruit him, and Lü Bu wouldn't have shown fear. However, he didn't know exactly what Wang Han's extraordinary abilities were. General He Jin kept it a secret very well; apart from a few close confidants, no one else knew, and the rumors circulating were exaggerated. Lü Bu must have known something, but given the circumstances at the time, he certainly hadn't informed Dong Zhuo.
After General He Jin died, Dong Zhuo wreaked havoc in the capital, and the matter of He Jin recruiting Wang Han was left unresolved. No one among his confidants spoke out, and they even covered up the traces of General He Jin's recruitment of Wang Han. They even discovered that some of General He Jin's confidants were working as servants in Wang Han's residence, which was probably to prevent anyone from recruiting Wang Han and to keep him hidden for the Han court to recruit later.
He hasn't mentioned Wang Han yet because he wants to see what extraordinary abilities Wang Han possesses, so he can recruit him himself.
"Xi Zhicai greets Lord Yuan and all the prefects and governors." While Cao Cao's thoughts were wandering, Xi Zhicai had already arrived at the main hall, bowed to the various lords, and then smiled at Cao Cao, saying, "Lord Cao, how have you been?"
"Thanks to Brother Zhicai for informing me beforehand last time, otherwise Cao Cao would probably be a wronged soul today." Cao Cao said happily, "Now that we meet again, I must drink with you to thank Brother Zhicai for saving my life."
Upon hearing this, Xi Zhicai smiled and said, "Lord Cao is too kind. I truly admire Lord Cao's righteous act of assassinating Dong Zhuo without regard for his own life. I was very concerned about Lord Cao's safety after our hasty farewell last time. Today, I naturally want to have a good drink with Lord Cao. Since I am here today, I would like to offer my advice and suggestions. I hope Lord Cao will not find it offensive."
"Welcome, welcome!" Cao Cao was overjoyed upon hearing this. Xi Zhicai's words meant that among the many warlords, Xi Zhicai or Wang Han temporarily favored him, and he could take this opportunity to build a good relationship with them.
"Please wait a moment while you two reminisce. Let's continue our discussion on how to defeat Dong Zhuo," Yuan Shao said.
"Yes, yes, yes." Cao Cao knew this wasn't the time for reminiscing, so he quickly nodded and continued to tell the other warlords about the troop deployments and defenses he had discovered while serving under Dong Zhuo.
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"My lord, you're back." At Wang Han's residence, Zhang Shan rushed forward to greet him, saying, "Lord Wang Yun and Miss Diao Chan have been waiting for you for quite some time."
"Mr. Wang Han, you're finally back." Wang Yun, who was waiting at Wang Han's residence, quickly came out with Diao Chan upon hearing the voice. After seeing Wang Han, Wang Yun couldn't wait to ask, "Mr. Wang Han, Yuan Shao, whose family has held high office for four generations, has gathered eighteen warlords in Chenliu to prepare for a joint attack on Dong Zhuo. When will you make your move?"
Upon hearing this, Wang Han said, "Once the eighteen warlords have deployed their troops under the walls of Luoyang, I will strike and kill Dong Zhuo, then smash the city gates and let the righteous army into the city."
"Mr. Wang Han, could you please move forward?" Wang Yun asked. After Dong Zhuo's occupation of the capital, he was genuinely afraid that the warlords would do it again.
"Why in advance?" Wang Han asked, feigning ignorance.
"Alas!" Upon hearing this, Wang Yun sighed, "Although Yuan Shao has the reputation of being from a family that has held high office for four generations, I am really afraid that something like Dong Zhuo's will happen again. The Han Dynasty can no longer withstand such turmoil."
"..." Upon hearing this, Wang Han remained silent and began to ponder carefully.
“Mr. Wang Han, I will not hide it from you now. Originally, I wanted to wait until you killed Dong Zhuo before I spoke.” Seeing Wang Han’s silence, Wang Yun decided to reveal his last trump card and said, “General He Jin visited my residence before he was killed by the Ten Attendants.”
Upon hearing this, Wang Han looked at Wang Yun curiously, not understanding why Wang Yun would bring up General He Jin at this time.
"General, why have you come to my residence? There is something that you may not like, sir." Wang Yun looked at the document and took out a contract from his bosom, saying to Wang Han, "General, why have you come to my residence? You have come to propose marriage to me on behalf of you, sir, so that my daughter may marry you. This is the contract that was signed at that time."
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