Three Kingdoms: I, Yuan Shu, Loyal Officials of the Han Dynasty

Chapter 115 Does my lord know Sima Zhongda?

"Eliminate it?"

Xun You looked up at Cao Cao in surprise, "Is my lord joking?"

At this moment, Cao Cao's gaze became intriguing. "Since we can't figure out Yuan Shu's plan, why should we fall into his trap?"

Whatever his previous plans and schemes were for, Fengxiao was undoubtedly the key figure in them.

If that's the case, why don't we break free from the game he's set up?

If Fengxiao is indeed Yuan Shu's strategist, his death will rid me of a great scourge.

Even if that's not the case, whether Yuan Shu wanted Fengxiao to join Cao Cao's camp or had other schemes, the outcome would inevitably fall on Fengxiao.

Since neither of us can figure out his game, why not smash the board and leave him with no moves?

Xun You sighed upon hearing this. When the two were playing chess, he couldn't understand the other's intentions and was always worried that he would fall into their trap no matter what move he made.

Overturning the chessboard and starting a new game is indeed the only helpless solution under such circumstances.

"If my lord is to undertake this matter, he must not do it himself, after all, there's the matter with Wenruo."

"I know this myself, and there's no need for us to take action."

Now that Fengxiao is in Yuan Shao's camp, if he were to leak the detailed intelligence we have gathered about his plans for Yuan Shu, how could Yuan Shao possibly tolerate him?

If we can truly eliminate Yuan Gonglu, this mastermind, then we will be rid of a major thorn in my side.”

Xun You: "."

Xun You remained silent, head bowed, seemingly lost in thought.

Cao Cao gave him a deep look, knowing that if Zhi Cai were here, he wouldn't need to worry about these private matters.

Just like the previous relocation of the people of Yingchuan to Luoyang, or Dong Zhuo's relocation of Luoyang to Chang'an, he first used military force to coerce the aristocratic families of Yingchuan to move their people to Luoyang, and then used the pretext of the emperor's arrival to suppress them.

He then lured them with the promise of a meteoric rise to a prominent family in the capital, appeasing them with the benefits of official positions throughout the central court, thus completely binding these people of Yingchuan to the Luoyang court.

Xi Zhicai took the blame for forcing the aristocratic families of Yingchuan to relocate to Luoyang, which naturally angered them.

When Cao Cao arrived in Luoyang, he presented the emperor to the Han court, which consisted of only a handful of officials.

Cao Cao used people from the Yingchuan aristocratic families to fill the entire central court—such an act of benevolence was something he did.

It should be noted that when the emperor traveled east from Chang'an, he was accompanied by a large entourage of tens of thousands of people.

When they arrive by ferry from both sides of the Yellow River, how many will be left?
The vacancies left by the officials who died along the way were all filled by talented individuals from prominent families in Yingchuan.

It could be said that the current imperial court is more like the Yingchuan court than the Luoyang court.

Through this strategy, Cao Cao, the emperor, the court, Luoyang, and the Yingchuan aristocratic families were completely bound together by interests.

Even if the relocation from Yingchuan caused them great dissatisfaction, the Yingchuan aristocratic families could only suppress their anger. After all, the majority of the central government was composed of their own people, and protecting the court was protecting themselves.

For Cao Cao, who held the emperor hostage to command the feudal lords, protecting the court was protecting Cao Cao, because it was also his court.

The interests of those who suppress local separatist forces such as the Yuan brothers and ensure that the imperial decrees are implemented throughout the land are currently aligned.

Thus, in Luoyang at that time, a delicate balance was formed among Cao Cao, the Yingchuan aristocratic families, and figures such as Grand Tutor Liu Yao and Grand Commandant Yang Biao, who were brought by the emperor during his eastward flight.

The shady schemes and intertwined interests involved are often beyond the scope of written description.

Therefore, Xi Zhicai did not specify the plan in his memorial, but Cao Cao understood it when he saw the plan for establishing a foundation in Guanzhong.

The same applies to this matter. If Zhicai were still alive, whether it was eliminating Fengxiao or leading the Xiongnu and Black Mountain bandits south to Liang, he wouldn't need to say it himself.
Such matters, which might incur the wrath of the people or cause dissatisfaction among Xun Yu, are usually started as soon as he goes on a campaign and are completed by the time he returns. He only needs to hear the results and then express his gratitude.

Although Gongda's wisdom and strategy were no less than Zhicai's, he came from a prestigious family, which made it inconvenient for him to handle many matters.

After a moment's hesitation, Cao Cao turned to ask him. "The matter of Fengxiao is very urgent, and I am grateful for your concern, Gongda."

However, since Zhicai's death, I have often felt that there is no one with whom I can discuss matters.

Now that Fengxiao is no longer of use, and Gongda has traveled extensively throughout the land, he certainly knows that among the extraordinary talents of the world, who can succeed him?

Where are there people with whom one cannot offer advice? Xun You, Xun Yu of Luoyang, and Cheng Yu of Beifang are all people with whom one can offer advice.

Xun You understood his lord's meaning: since there are some things that are inconvenient for you to do, then after you finish this job, you shouldn't do anything in this area anymore.

But before that, you have to recommend someone to take over Xi Zhicai's job in this area.

Xun You pondered for a long time before finally naming someone.

"Does my lord know about the Sima family in Hanoi?"

The Sima family had two sons named Yi, courtesy name Zhongda. Although they were only seventeen years old, they were already quite talented.

His strategic acumen is exceptional, his vision profound, and he possesses remarkable patience and perseverance, making him capable of great things. If Your Majesty utilizes him wisely, he will undoubtedly be no less talented than your son.

"The Sima family of Hanoi?"

Cao Cao frowned upon hearing this, "To devise strategies for me, is he capable of doing so?"

He comes from a prestigious family; how could he possibly be good at those shady dealings?

Xun You blinked, his expression meaningful.

“If the lord were to summon him, he would cleverly avoid it; even if he were to be summoned to his side, he would deliberately hide his shortcomings.”

However, now that our lord has established a stronghold in Guanzhong and made Luoyang his capital, how can we hide from the Sima family in Hanoi?
You Su knew this man was extremely afraid of death; if Your Majesty could be a little firmer, he would surely comply.

Cao Cao: "."

Gongda, you're really taking advantage of a seventeen-year-old to the point of ruining him by finding someone to replace him and stop him from doing all this dirty work.

What do you mean by saying that if I'm assertive, he'll definitely comply?

How tough do I need to be? Like, killing your whole family if you don't comply?
Are you trying to scare children?

Recently, you people from Yingchuan came to Luoyang. Did the Sima family from Hanoi, who lives nearby, provoke you by competing for interests with you?
Regardless, since Xun You had made the recommendation, he had to see for himself whether Sima Zhongda truly possessed talent and ability.

Cao Cao then agreed, and on the one hand, he ordered someone to recruit Sima Yi from Hanoi, and on the other hand, he and Xun You began to make arrangements for the previously discussed matters of rushing to aid Liang, restraining Yuan Shu, and eliminating Fengxiao.

Meanwhile, in the Liang Kingdom.

With Yuan Shu leading his main force north, Liu Bei was forced to flee in defeat. How could Jian Yong possibly resist?

Before long, four of the nine counties of Liang had been captured, and the army's advance was aimed directly at the Liang capital, Suiyang.

Due to the high walls and strong defenses of Suiyang, Yuan Shu, just as he had done when attacking Changping, surrounded it with deep moats and ramparts.

Jian Yong had no connection to Zhang Zhizhu, nor any response from Xuande. By the time he realized something was wrong, he was already surrounded and trapped in the city.

With the troops he has, how can he possibly break through the encirclement?

However, they'll just be living off their savings and waiting to die.

Meanwhile, Yuan Shu surrounded Jian Yong and Liu Bei's main force in Suiyang City, and then sent troops to take the remaining counties.

Soon after, three more counties were captured. Just when it seemed that all nine counties of Liang Kingdom were about to fall, Jian Yong finally received his only hope: reinforcements from Cao Cao's side.

At this time, Yuan Shu, who was in Yuan's camp, naturally also received the relevant intelligence.

(End of this chapter)