"What brilliant plan does Gongtai have for me? Tell me quickly!"
After witnessing Liu Dai's bewildered and flustered reaction upon seeing the letter left by Zhao Hao, Chen Gong knew that a change in Yanzhou was inevitable sooner or later.
Then Cao Cao rose to power, and a third of Yan Province fell into his hands.
Now that Cao Cao has taken over Yu Province, the land of Yan Province will likely change hands sooner or later.
Therefore, Chen Gong made a decisive move, abandoning his incompetent allies in Yanzhou and fleeing to Xuzhou.
By chance, admiring Liu Bei's benevolence, he decided to take a gamble and serve as Liu Bei's strategist.
"Lord Xuande, now that Yuzhou has been pacified, most of the people of Yanzhou have migrated to Qingzhou."
As long as that scoundrel Yuan Gonglu doesn't covet Xuzhou, then all we need to do is submit a letter to the imperial court, and we'll certainly have a legitimate reason to attack!"
Chen Gong's gaze was fervent as he grasped Liu Bei's hand and continued to offer his advice.
"Zhao Hao has his sights set on conquering the world. Now that his territory has doubled, it will take him at least a year and a half to fully digest it."
This period is a great opportunity for us to develop!
Zhao Hao would certainly not stand idly by and watch the people of Xuzhou grow powerful. Of all the states in the land, Xuzhou suffered the least from the Yellow Turban Rebellion. If Xuzhou became prosperous and its people were wealthy, Zhao Hao would definitely be wary of it.
Therefore, all we need to do is find incriminating evidence against Tao Ying, Que Xuan, and the eunuch Zhao Gao, and send it to Zhao Hao.
The imperial court will certainly bestow upon you an official title and rank, and will also order you to eliminate these unjust individuals, thus achieving a balance of power between us.
Liu Bei nodded, but there was worry in his heart.
"Sir, your plan is brilliant, but I still have some concerns in my heart."
"Please speak, my lord?"
"Well, Tao Gongzu was a benevolent man, but unfortunately his sons and grandsons were not talented enough to shoulder great responsibilities."
Now, instigated by treacherous officials, he has taken over as governor of Xuzhou. As his subordinates, how should we act to avoid harming the descendants of Tao Gongzu? Please instruct me, sir.
"Simply put, when the two armies clash, your two sworn brothers will personally take to the field."
"At that time, the entire army can easily capture Tao Ying from among them!"
Liu Bei stroked his beard and nodded, then continued to ask.
"Yes, my two younger brothers certainly have the ability. Sir, Que Xuan has been managing Xuzhou for many years and has a strong and well-equipped army under his command; while my Xiaopei army is exhausted and has few people."
Without a clever strategy, it might be difficult to succeed.
Chen Gong laughed and quickly explained.
"My lord, Tao Gongzu still has a son named Tao Shang, who is stationed in Guangling to guard against Yuan Gonglu."
When we submit our petition to the court, we only need to state that there is an order of seniority and distinction between the virtuous and the illegitimate.
The imperial court, of course, understood the deeper meaning behind this. A single imperial edict granting Tao Shang the corresponding official rank would surely incite both sides to attack each other, and Pei County, where Your Excellency was located, would become the best candidate for them to vie for aid.
"My lord, shall we go over the following matters one by one?"
Liu Bei suddenly realized that he had thought Chen Gong wanted him to fight Que Xuan, but it turned out to be a scheme to drive one tiger to devour another, causing his brothers to become estranged and fight amongst themselves, so that he could then reap the benefits.
"This plan is brilliant! Gongtai, I'm entrusting everything to you!"
"My lord, you are too kind. It is my duty to devise plans for our lord. I will make the arrangements immediately, and I believe the court will send word soon!"
...
Even Yuan Shu, far away in Huainan, did not forget his mission as the Skeleton King.
These days, aided by a series of inexplicable prophetic pronouncements, Yuan Shu embarked on his path of prematurely usurping the throne and declaring himself emperor.
Although he did not possess the imperial seal, his ambition grew ever larger with the expansion of his territory and the prestige of the Yuan family, which prided itself on being a prominent clan.
Before the court officials had even asked him to ascend to the throne, he had already begun secretly constructing the imperial palace and making dragon robes and other items.
It must be said that Qin Hui was very popular with Yuan Shu. Although Yuan Shu did not grant Qin Hui a high position, neither Yuan Shu's relative Yuan Yin nor his trusted confidant Yang Hong, who had followed him for many years, dared to disrespect Qin Hui.
"When you come, offer me...my lonely honey water!"
"Please wait a moment, my lord, I will go and fetch it."
Qin Hui is now living a rather prosperous life.
All of Yuan Shu's resources have been handed over to him for allocation.
"My lord, in addition to honey water, there is also a feast of dragon fish and dragons prepared for you."
"Singers and dancers, come forward! If you please Lord Yuan, there will be many rewards!"
“Look…”
A scene of singing and dancing, with birdsong and swallows filling the air.
Yuan Shu's good days were not over yet.
Once he completes the process of becoming emperor, his extravagance will likely be even greater.
"Sir, please have pity on us..."
"Honorable sir, my grandfather is starving to death! Please, have some food!"
"My lord, please buy my daughter... otherwise, she'll starve to death with me..."
The city was filled with singing and dancing, but the streets were filled with beggars and refugees.
Outside the city, groups of refugees gathered, and if they were not afraid of the power of Yuan Shu's army, they would probably have rebelled.
Such disregard for the common people means the Yuan family's prestige is worthless.
"Ji Ling...why don't you go and try to persuade Lord Yuan?"
Zhang Xun's hair and beard were turning increasingly white. He looked at the Huainan army, which was eyeing the world, while the people inside were suffering. He felt uneasy.
"Old Zhang, don't you know better than I what kind of person Master Yuan is?"
Zhang Xun frowned slightly. In fact, Zhang Xun had joined Yuan Shu's forces even earlier than Ji Ling.
Yuan Shu was not close to Zhang Xun, simply because he was a gossip who would say whatever he should and nothing he shouldn't.
Even if you are right, how can you expect the audience to accept such a person?
Ji Ling was taciturn, and he did whatever he could for Yuan Shu without saying a word.
This chapter is not finished, please click the next page to continue reading!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
