Three Kingdoms: A Million Soldiers Grown from the Fields

Chapter 261 Conspiracy

The busy atmosphere of spring planting has not yet completely dissipated, but the vast fields outside Jinyang City are already covered with a delightful new green.

With the summer solstice approaching, the sunlight has already become quite scorching.

Inside the study of the former general's mansion, the cool air emanating from the ice chest barely dispelled the summer heat.

Zhang Xian's finger moved slowly across the map, covering the northern frontier, Liangzhou, Sili, and Jizhou.

His gaze was sharp, like an eagle circling high in the sky, scrutinizing every corner of the chessboard and every potential piece.

"Is it time for Fengxiao's military strategy class to conclude today?"

Zhang Xian asked without looking up, his voice steady.

Xun Yu, standing to the side, bowed slightly: "Reporting to my lord, it is true. The first batch of three hundred elite soldiers have completed their training in basic military strategy and military formation simulations by Fengxiao. General Gao Shun will then intensify their training in actual combat."

Generals Lü Bu and Zhao Yun will also take turns teaching specialized subjects such as cavalry warfare and surprise attacks.

"Mm." Zhang Xian nodded.

"Tell him to come see me immediately after he's done."

In the afternoon, Guo Jia, feeling slightly tired, entered the study.

"My lord, you summoned me? Is it to test Xiao Jia's teaching results? Those brutes... uh, those elite soldiers, now they can command a square formation and a cone formation quite well, at least they won't let their own men collide with each other."

Guo Jia greeted him with a smile, found a place to sit down, and unceremoniously picked up a cup of cold tea from the table and gulped it down.

Zhang Xian ignored his joke and pushed a thin file in front of him: "Take a look at this."

Guo Jia put down his teacup and curiously picked up the dossier to unfold it.

It contained not military reports, but rather a list of personnel and some basic background information, as well as a rough map of Youzhou, highlighting places like Yuyang and Youbeiping.

"This is..." Guo Jia's smile gradually faded, and his eyes became focused.

“These names are all the fathers, brothers, and relatives of Zhao Shi and Zhao Hu, whom I brought from that small mountain village.” Zhang Xian’s voice was steady.

“In the early years, the village could not make a living, so many men went to Youzhou to make a living. Many of them joined the service of Gongsun Zan, who was then the chief clerk. Most of them were low-ranking members of the White Horse Volunteer Army or soldiers of the border army.”

Guo Jia, being exceptionally intelligent, immediately understood: "Does our lord intend to bring these people back?"

"This is one purpose: firstly, to strengthen the grassroots level of our army, and secondly, to reassure Shi Tou and the others." Zhang Xian tapped Youzhou on the map with his finger.

"More importantly, use this as a stepping stone. On the surface, you will be on my orders to make friends with Liu Yu and Gongsun Zan in Youzhou to discuss how to deal with the remnants of the Xianbei and maintain peace in the northern border."

Liu Yu was benevolent and advocated appeasement, while Gongsun Zan was radical and loved conquest. It was no secret that these two had differing ideologies.

A glint flashed in Guo Jia's eyes, and a playful smile appeared on his lips: "When the snipe and the clam fight... does my lord want me to... add fuel to the fire, or take the opportunity to catch some fish?"

"Go with the flow, no other action is needed," Zhang Xian said calmly.

"Liu Yu needs external support to counterbalance Gongsun Zan's military power group, while Gongsun Zan needs provisions and weapons to maintain his strong military force. He may be interested in the new military equipment in Bingzhou."

Your task is to use the resources we have and the potential for military merit as a pretext to bring back these former subordinates and establish contact with both Liu Yu and his forces.

"Find out their backgrounds, the depth of their conflicts, and the composition of their personnel, especially Gongsun Zan's arrogant and fierce generals; identify which ones can be won over and which ones require vigilance."

He paused, looking at Guo Jia: "Bringing back the old subordinates is also a test. If they agree, it shows that their control over the grassroots is limited, or that they intend to do me a favor."

If they obstruct it... then we can know their strategy. It is of great importance and shows that you, as the Attendant of the General's Mansion, are in charge of this matter.

The specifics of how to proceed are up to you. What I need is intelligence on Youzhou, and... channels to influence or even intervene in Youzhou's affairs if necessary.

Guo Jia put away the dossier, his usual playful smile replaced by a sharp edge: "Jia understands. Making friends is a pretense; the real purpose is to spy and plant spies. Please rest assured, my lord, Jia will not fail in his mission."

He had already begun to plan in his mind what gifts to bring, who to meet first and who to meet later, and how to stir up potential conflict with his words. "Well, you can choose the people you want. Take this as a token of my loyalty and we will depart in three days."

Zhang Xian decisively gave the order.

Guo Jia accepted the order and hurriedly departed to prepare for his journey to the East.

The study had been quiet for a moment when a guard came to report that Zhao Hu had arrived.

Zhao Hu is now a military commander in charge of the first battalion of soldiers at Weize Pass. His face has lost much of its youthful naiveté and gained more experience and composure.

After escorting Zhang Ning to Black Mountain, he returned to Jinyang to report on his duties. He strode into the study, his armor clanging, and bowed meticulously: "My lord, you wanted to see me?"

Zhang Xian looked at him, his gaze softening somewhat.

This was one of the earliest followers of his, an absolute confidant. "Tiger, there's an important matter that requires you to travel west."

Zhao Hu straightened his back: "Please give me your instructions, Your Excellency!"

Zhang Xian gestured for him to come closer and pointed to Liangzhou on the map.

"This place is inhabited by Qiang and Hu peoples, and rebellions are rampant, but it is also the key to future westward expansion and a source of high-quality soldiers."

Zhao Hu's gaze followed Zhang Xian's finger, landing on the vast and chaotic area of ​​Liangzhou.

"The lady's maternal family, the Zou family of Wuwei, is a powerful local clan. Although not a top-tier aristocratic family, it has a deep-rooted foundation."

Given the recent turmoil in Liangzhou, the Zou family must be having a difficult time.

Zhang Xian slowly said, "I want you to lead a team of capable men, disguised as caravan guards, to escort a batch of 'goods' to Wuwei and make contact with the Zou family."

"Goods?" Zhao Hu asked.

"A batch of salt and iron, fine steel knives, white sugar, and... ten powerful crossbows, and five sets of half-body iron armor," Zhang Xian said calmly.

"These are hard currency in Liangzhou, and they are also the military force that the Zou family urgently needs. Your mission is to assist the Zou family in using these supplies and our covert support to increase their prestige in Xiliang."

Zhao Hu's breath hitched slightly as he immediately understood the gravity of the mission.

This is to go to Liangzhou to stir up trouble and lay the groundwork for the lord's future westward expansion strategy!

"The situation in Liangzhou is complicated, with Dong Zhuo, local powerful clans, Qiang tribes... all deeply entrenched."

Your journey is fraught with danger. You must be flexible and adaptable, prioritizing your own safety and the preservation of your strength. Cooperate with the Zou family, but remain vigilant. When necessary, you may make your own decisions.

Zhang Xian's tone was extremely serious: "Remember, you're not going to fight a war, understand?"

Zhao Hu knelt on one knee and said in a deep voice, "This subordinate understands!"

"Get up and go back to prepare. You will lead a battalion and depart in ten days. Wenruo will give you a detailed plan later regarding the route and rendezvous method."

Zhang Xian patted him on the shoulder.

"Come back alive."

After seeing Zhao Hu off, Zhang Xian's gaze returned to the map of Ji Province.

Jizhou, a prosperous land with a dense population and abundant food supplies, is a springboard for future struggles to conquer the Central Plains.

Nowadays, the imperial court's control over local areas is increasingly weakening, and the official positions in various prefectures and counties are either vacant or controlled by powerful clans.

"It's time to test Zhang's reputation in Bingzhou."

Zhang Xian stared at the map, his gaze distant.

(End of this chapter)