The Three Kingdoms: The entire Cao Cao camp thought I was weak and frail.

Guo Jia raised an eyebrow, signaling him to continue.

"Bo Fu and I have come to Chang'an not only to pay tribute, but also to seek a formal appointment from the court for Bo Fu," Zhou Yu said earnestly. "Only in this way can we rightfully command the various tribes of Jiangdong after we cross the river to the east, and guard the southeastern gateway for the court."

This was their true objective. Without the imperial court's appointment, Sun Ce was merely a general under Yuan Shu. Even if he led his troops back to Jiangdong, his authority would be illegitimate, making it difficult to gain the respect of the people.

"Yanruo and I do indeed have some influence with Minister Wang." Guo Jia put down his teacup, his peach blossom eyes sweeping over Zhou Yu and then over Sun Ce, a cryptic smile playing on his lips. "However, this matter of introduction isn't as simple as just asking. What kind of status does Minister Wang hold now? The line of people seeking an audience with him could stretch from the gate of his mansion to the city gate. And, Brother Gongjin, have you forgotten that just a few hours ago, your good brother tried to stab both of us to death in the carriage?"

"Now you want us to pave the way for you?" His smile deepened, but his eyes turned cold. "There's no such thing as a free lunch."

Upon hearing this, Sun Ce's anger flared up again: "What do you mean?"

"Bo Fu!" Zhou Yu shouted, stopping him.

He turned to Guo Jia, his expression unchanged: "I understand what you mean, Mr. Fengxiao. There's no such thing as a free lunch. What kind of reward do you two desire?"

Xun Hao looked at Zhou Yu and said calmly, "The introduction is possible. But we have conditions."

Zhou Yu's expression turned serious: "Please speak, sir."

"First, in the future, if Cao Cao and Yuan Shu ever clash, I hope General Sun can stand aside and do nothing." Xun Hao's gaze fell on Sun Ce. "Your father fought alongside my lord, and we remember that friendship. We don't ask General Sun to help Cao Cao; we only ask that you not become his enemy."

"Secondly, if Yuan Shu leads the Hu people into the pass, I hope General Sun can lead his troops to resist and protect the people of the Central Plains."

The anger in Sun Ce's eyes had not completely subsided, and a hint of astonishment followed.

He had expected the other party to propose harsh conditions such as dividing up the territory and demanding money and supplies, but he did not expect these two conditions to be so easy.

"Why should I listen to you?" Sun Ce blurted out.

"Just because you bear the surname Sun and are the son of Sun Wentai. Your father fought for the country, his blood staining the battlefield. What was it all for? Did he want to see the iron hooves of foreign tribes trample into the Central Plains and oppress the Han people?"

Zhou Yu's eyes showed surprise. He had previously thought Xun Hao was just a man of great wisdom and resourcefulness, but now he realized that this man's vision and perspective far exceeded his imagination.

I promise you.

To Zhou Yu's surprise, it was Sun Ce who spoke this time.

A deeper meaning appeared in the young general's eyes. "If that day ever comes, and Yuan Shu dares to bring the barbarians into the country, I, Sun Ce, will be the first to lead my troops and behead his dog!"

His words were menacing, yet they carried weight.

"Now that the terms have been agreed upon," Guo Jia lazily straightened up, patting imaginary dust off his sleeves, "then tomorrow, Yanruo and I will make a trip to the Situ residence. As for whether it will work out, that depends on Situ Wang's mood and your own fate."

Zhou Yu bowed deeply to the two of them, saying, "Thank you."

Although reluctant, seeing his close friend's reaction, Sun Ce stiffly clasped his hands in a fist salute and managed to squeeze out two words: "Thank you."

After the two had finished getting ready, they met up with Sun Ce and Zhou Yu, prepared generous gifts, and went together to the Situ residence.

At the gates of the Situ Mansion, carriages and horses streamed in, and officials came in an endless stream to pay their respects. Wang Yun now held immense power and influence in the court, enjoying unparalleled prestige.

Guo Jia presented his calling card, and the gatekeeper, seeing that it was Cao Cao's envoy, dared not neglect him and hurriedly went in to report.

Before long, the butler came out to greet them personally and led them to a side hall to wait.

"Gentlemen, Lord Situ is currently discussing matters with Marquis Wen. Please wait a moment."

Marquis Wen, Lü Bu.

Sun Ce's brow twitched almost imperceptibly. He harbored an unyielding pride towards this general who was hailed as the greatest warrior in the land.

Guo Jia calmly took his seat, picked up his teacup, and remained composed.

Xun Hao's gaze, however, seemed to casually sweep over the furnishings in the hall. He was familiar with this side hall. It was in this very mansion that he and Guo Jia had been ostensibly entertained by Wang Yun, but in reality, they had been placed under house arrest.

Time has passed, and things have changed.

Just then, a series of heavy footsteps approached from afar. Immediately afterwards, a tall and burly figure appeared at the entrance of the side hall.

The newcomer was dressed in a brocade robe and wore a golden crown. He had a handsome face and an air of untamed arrogance between his brows. It was none other than Lü Bu.

His gaze swept across the hall, and when he saw Xun Hao, he frowned: "This gentleman, I feel like I've seen him before."

Guo Jia immediately stood up and subtly blocked Xun Hao's view, separating him from Lü Bu's line of sight.

Fengxiao was also blinded by concern; hiding at this time would only arouse Lü Bu's suspicion.

I thought he had grown up a bit in the last two years and Lü Bu wouldn't recognize him, but I didn't expect his memory to be so good. He truly deserves to be called a divine archer who can hit the bullseye every time.

Xun Hao pondered for a moment, then peeked out from behind Guo Jia and bowed slightly to Lü Bu, saying, "The world is vast, and there are many people who look alike. Perhaps it is because I have an ordinary face that Marquis Wen has mistaken me for someone else."

"That's not right." Lu Bu's brows furrowed into a deep frown.

The atmosphere instantly became tense. Just then, Wang Yun arrived late. His gaze swept over the people in the side hall and finally landed on Lü Bu. "I am truly getting old. We came out of the council hall together, and I arrived a few steps later than Fengxian."

This was a sign of dissatisfaction with Lü Bu's unchecked access to the Situ Mansion. However, Lü Bu failed to grasp the underlying message, his eyes still fixed on the silhouette behind Guo Jia, deep in thought.

Sun Ce crossed his arms and watched the scene with great interest.

He was hoping that Lü Bu and Cao Cao's envoy would quarrel, and that Lü Bu would fight Dian Wei on the spot so he could watch the spectacle.

"Fengxian, you must have mistaken me for someone else," Wang Yun said slowly, stroking his beard. "I do recall now. Back when you were in Luoyang, you and Xun Yu (Xun Wenruo) were officials in the same court."

Lu Bu thought for a moment and nodded.

He didn't have a deep impression of Xun Yu, but he had indeed met him.

"That's right." Wang Yun clapped his hands. "The members of the Xun family all look quite similar. Yan Ruo is Xun Wen Ruo's younger brother. He looks familiar to you, so you must have mistaken him for his older brother."

Lu Bu felt something was amiss, but Wang Yun had already paved the way for him, and if he continued to argue, he would seem petty.

Guo Jia immediately seized this opportunity and fulfilled his promise to introduce Sun Ce, the General Sun Bofu, as promised at the inn: "This is Sun Wentai, the fierce tiger of Jiangdong who once broke through Hulao Pass."