My father Liu Xuande

Chapter 32 Xu Dan's Scheme

While Liu Feng was distributing gifts in the backyard, Liu Bei was discussing military matters with Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Zhao Yun, and Tian Qi.

Chengxian and Lanling were the western barrier of Tancheng and the main route of Cao Cao's previous attack on Xuzhou. Now they are in ruins.

Liu Bei instructed Zhao Yun and Tian Yu that their first priority upon arriving in the area was to pacify the people, and that he would do his best to provide them with food supplies.

In addition, Liu Bei instructed Zhao Yun and Tian Yu to pay attention to the local situation, scout the terrain and roads, and draw maps.

Although Cao Cao in the west has now turned from enemy to ally and is deeply embroiled in the rebellion led by Lü Bu, Liu Bei is still very wary of Cao Cao and has instructed them to pay close attention to the situation in Yanzhou and report any developments to Tancheng immediately.

Tian and Zhao readily agreed, their eyes filled with eager anticipation.

This was the first time that the two of them had independently led troops and taken charge of the administration of a county, a highly tempting challenge for both of them.

As they were talking, a servant suddenly came in and presented a gift.

Everyone here received one; Zhao and Tian received jade belts, and Guan and Zhang received brocade robes.

Only Liu Bei got nothing.

Seeing his trusted subordinates all beaming with joy, even the Second Master stroked his beard with delight, while the Third Master was so happy that he changed his clothes right there in the hall.

Liu Bei was even more unhappy.

This feeling is like both the son's love for him being taken away by his trusted subordinates, and the feeling that his trusted subordinates have been lured away by his son.

Both of these feelings greatly displeased Liu Bei.

So Liu Bei complained indignantly, "Hmph, this unfilial son! He gives gifts to everyone else, but forgets about his old father."

Upon hearing this, the others present burst into laughter.

While Liu Bei was enjoying himself, someone in Tancheng County was getting restless.

This man was General Xu Dan.

He was at this moment summoning his son Xu Ying and his confidant Sima Zhangkuang to discuss matters.

But after the three of them sat down, they just stared at each other, and an awkward silence fell over them.

After a long while, seeing that his son and confidant were still just looking down at each other, Xu Dan couldn't help but complain, "Ying'er, Zhengyan, have you two heard about the rumors about Lord Liu and Cao Jianwei?"

Xu Ying is Xu Dan's son and only son, and he has been pampered by Xu Dan since childhood.

Since Xu Dan followed Cao Bao to join Tao Qian and became one of the three giants of the Danyang Army, Xu Ying's status has risen even higher. No one in Xuzhou City dared to provoke him. He was known as one of the Four Young Masters of Xuzhou, along with Tao Qian's young master, Cao Hong's son Cao He, and Zuo Rong's son Zuo Ying.

In reality, these four people were known as the "Four Dogs of Danyang" by the local people of Xuzhou, which shows how deeply they were hated.

However, among the four, the most arrogant was neither Xu Ying, the son of the martial arts faction Xu Dan, nor Tao Ying, the youngest son of the righteous lord Tao Qian. Instead, it was Cao He, the son of Cao Hong, who was the most arrogant and colluded with the Zuo Camp to commit all sorts of evil deeds.

Most of the evil deeds were committed by these two people, and Xu Ying and Tao Ying were also cursed as "Danyang dogs" along with them.

Xu Ying is a rather introverted person, not very daring, and the kind of person who goes with the flow and has no opinions of her own.

Therefore, when he heard his father's question, although he had heard about it before, he didn't really have any thoughts on it, so he could only continue to lower his head and pretend he hadn't heard it.

Xu Dan glared at his son, then turned his gaze to his trusted confidant, Zhang Kuang.

Unlike Xu Ying, he remained silent not because he didn't want to speak, but because he knew Xu Dan's purpose in summoning him. However, the solution he came up with might not be what Xu Dan wanted.

However, with Xu Dan watching him, he couldn't continue to play dumb, so he could only say, "I have indeed heard about it, but I don't know if it's true." "This matter is certainly true."

Xu Dan said angrily, "Young Master Liu attended a banquet at the Cao family a few days ago, but Cao Wenwei still wanted to keep it from me. These past two days, my fellow townsmen from Danyang have been coming to tell me that Cao Wenwei has begun to reorganize his troops and may be handing over several thousand men to Lord Liu for direct command. He's trying to put us on the hot seat."

Cao Wenwei is truly despicable! We agreed to stand together through thick and thin, but now he's gone and climbed the social ladder alone, completely forgetting his brothers and allies.

Zhang Kuang stroked the whiskers on his chin. He was short in stature and had a scholarly air about him, making him look more like an official than a warrior.

Although he served as Sima, he was Xu Dan's chief strategist all along.

"Since that's the case, and Cao Jianwei has already married Liu Shijun, then the General of the Central Army should also find another way to protect himself."

Xu Dan rolled her eyes at Zhang Kuang, annoyed. Wasn't that obvious?

If I had a way to protect myself, would I be wasting my breath talking to you here?

At this moment, Xu Ying interrupted foolishly, "Father, I have something to say."

"What's the matter?"

Xu Dan said impatiently, "If you have something to say, just say it."

Xu Ying dared not delay and quickly told the whole story: "Yesterday, I was invited by Cao He to a banquet outside. He asked me to pass on a message to Father, saying that his father, Chief Secretary Cao, would like to invite Father to a banquet on a chosen day."

Xu Dan was somewhat tempted after hearing this.

"You must not go there."

Zhang Kuang, with his sharp eyes, quickly spoke up to advise, "Chief Secretary Cao is like a grasshopper in autumn; he won't be able to hop around for many more days. His past actions were too high-profile, and he has long been a thorn in the side of the Xuzhou gentry, who are determined to get rid of him as soon as possible."

"To ally with Cao Hong now is tantamount to adding fuel to the fire."

Xu Dan was somewhat puzzled: "Zhengyan, you didn't say that a few days ago. At that time, you asked me to recommend Cao Bao as the leader of the people of Danyang, and you even asked me to persuade Cao Bao not to distance himself from Cao Hong. But now why are you telling me not to get close to him?"

"This time, that time."

Zhang Kuang replied, "I said that before because we Danyang people have no relatives or friends in Xuzhou and can only look after each other. If we do not unite and work together, we may be taken advantage of by the people of Xuzhou."

Xu Ying looked surprised and interjected, "So now we don't need to stick together anymore?"

Xu Dan did not reprimand Xu Ying this time, because that was also what he wanted to ask.

Zhang Kuang patiently explained, "Now that Cao Jianwei has withdrawn, he alone holds more than half of Danyang's strength. Without Cao Jianwei, the Danyang Sect has lost its main pillar."

Cao Hong, the former Chief Clerk, held a high position and wielded great power because Tao Gong was still alive and trusted him implicitly. His prominent position made him influential throughout Xuzhou. However, Tao Gong has now passed away, and Governor Liu does not value Cao Hong, instead favoring Chen Deng and Mi Zhu. At this moment, Cao Hong's power is gone, and even his position as Chief Clerk is precarious.

I dare say that if it weren't for Lord Liu's concern for Cao Jianwei and the general's attitude, he would have already stripped me of my position as chief clerk and imprisoned me to await punishment.

"That makes sense, that makes sense."

Xu Dan nodded repeatedly as he listened.

Zhang Kuang's spirits lifted, and he continued, "At this time, Chief Clerk Cao wants to win over the general, but he really wants to take advantage of the general's power. However, he has no benefits to offer the general. Therefore, I advise the general not to get close to Chief Clerk Cao any longer."

Happy Year of the Dragon, dear readers! Wishing you all good fortune, good health, family happiness, abundant wealth, and all your wishes come true in the Year of the Dragon! Please don't forget to continue supporting this author and this book throughout the Year of the Dragon!

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(End of this chapter)