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

"Father, uncles, have you ever considered why Zhang Chun dares to be so audacious?"

"Why? It's nothing more than coveting the wealth of the Xun family!"

"Not only that." Xun Hao shook his head. "I've investigated. Zhang Chun was originally an official in Taishan County, but he was dismissed for corruption and abuse of power, which led him to Zhongshan. He is extremely ambitious and has been secretly recruiting soldiers and colluding with the Wuhuan people. This time, he detained our caravan not only for the goods, but also for the warhorses we purchased from Youzhou."

This news was like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, creating ripples everywhere.

"What? Colluding with the Wuhuan?"

"Is he planning a rebellion?"

Xun Hao ignored the gasps of the crowd; he simply activated the [Legacy Plan]. In his mind, all the information about Zhang Chun—the structural diagram of his fortified stronghold, even the sordid deal between him and the local governor over the spoils—clearly surfaced. A familiar, sharp pain surged from the depths of his soul; he endured the dizziness and continued:

"Zhang Chun's fortified village appeared sturdy, but it was actually weak inside. Its food reserves were only enough for half a month. He and Zhang Ju, the governor of Zhongshan, were merely using each other. Zhang Ju was greedy for money, and Zhang Chun was ambitious for power. Their alliance was fragile and easily broken."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over everyone present, before unveiling a plan that left everyone speechless.

"Therefore, we don't need to deal with them. Let's just fight them directly."

"Fight?" Xun Chen was the first to object. "Ah Hao, we can't act recklessly! Our men are far away in Yingchuan, how can we fight?"

"Who said we have to fight it ourselves?" Xun Hao's lips curled into a cold smile. "We can use someone else to do the dirty work."

He pressed the thin stick in his hand heavily on the map, pointing it at another name—Gongsun Zan.

"Gongsun Zan is currently a surrendered military officer stationed in Liaoxi, specializing in suppressing the Wuhuan. He hates the Wuhuan people to the core. Zhang Chun, on the other hand, is colluding with the Wuhuan, harboring treacherous intentions. If this news reaches Gongsun Zan's ears, what do you think he will do?"

The council chamber was deathly silent. Everyone was speechless, stunned by Xun Hao's insane and audacious plan.

Using Gongsun Zan's knife to kill Zhang Chun's chicken. This...this is simply a fantasy!

"Why should Gongsun Zan believe our side of the story?" someone questioned.

"We don't need him to believe us. We just need to present the evidence to him."

"Where did this evidence come from?"

"The evidence lies in Zhang Chun's fortified village," Xun Hao said, as if stating something perfectly ordinary. "His correspondence with the Wuhuan people is hidden in his secret chamber."

"Alright. I'll take some men to the north right away." Xun Chen trusted his younger brother immensely, and Xun Hao also demonstrated his wisdom through his actions.

"Not only that." Xun Hao shook his head. "Elder brother has a second matter to attend to on your journey."

"Oh?"

"In Zhang Chun's fortified village, there are not only letters, but also a large amount of gold and silver treasures that he has amassed over the years. Once Gongsun Zan's troops arrive, the two sides will inevitably engage in a fierce battle. At that time, you should lead your men and take advantage of the chaos to bring back our caravan and goods, as well as... Zhang Chun's treasures."

"hiss--"

A collective gasp filled the council chamber.

This isn't just using someone else to do the dirty work. This is murder, robbery, arson, and while doing the deed, they also seize all the other party's possessions!

Ruthless! Absolutely ruthless!

All the elders felt a chill run down their spines as they looked at the pale-faced, thin-bodied boy. They had never imagined that this usually quiet, aloof, and frail young master would possess such ruthless methods and insane decisiveness.

Xun Kun looked at his youngest son and made the final decision: "Do as Ah Hao says!"

Once the plan was set, Xun Chen immediately led one hundred of the Xun family's most elite guards and rode at full speed to Ji Province.

Half a month later, an urgent letter from Jizhou arrived at Xun's residence.

"Successful. Goods have been retrieved."

It worked!

Ten days later, a large convoy of cars drove into Yingchuan City in a grand procession. Leading the way was none other than Xun Chen, who looked travel-worn.

He not only brought back the detained caravan and its intact goods, but also fifty cartloads of gold, silver, jewels, and silks. These were all "borrowed" from Zhang Chun's treasury.

The Xun family not only didn't suffer a loss, but actually made a fortune. Overnight, they wiped out the century-old Zhang family of Zhongshan. This swift and decisive action instilled deep fear in all forces that harbored ill intentions towards the Xun family.

The wheels of history, in the end, continue to rumble and roll along their inherent trajectory.

In the sixth year of the Zhongping era, Emperor Ling of Han died.

The news sent shockwaves through the land. Then, a series of earth-shattering events followed in quick succession, leaving everyone breathless.

General He Jin was lured into the palace and killed by eunuch Zhang Rang and others.

The brothers Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu raised their newly formed army in the Western Garden, stormed into the palace, and killed more than two thousand eunuchs, regardless of age; they killed anyone without a beard.

Blood flowed like a river within the city of Luoyang.

Dong Zhuo of Xiliang took advantage of the chaos to lead 3,000 iron cavalry into the capital and confronted Ding Yuan, the Commander of the Imperial Guard.

When these messages reached Yingchuan like snowflakes, the entire Xun family was plunged into tremendous shock and panic.

Xun Kun held the secret report in his hand, his hands trembling uncontrollably. He sat blankly in the hall, his mind replaying his youngest son's words of dissuasion. Regret, fear, and worry intertwined, making this usually composed man feel helpless for the first time.

Xun Yu's correspondence ceased after He Jin's death.

The informant in Luoyang risked his life to send back news that after Dong Zhuo entered the capital, in order to win over the hearts of the gentry, he forcibly recruited a group of famous scholars from all over the country, such as Xun Yu and Chen Qun.

Nominally a distinguished guest, but in reality a hostage, his every move was under the surveillance of Dong Zhuo's army, and he had no way to escape.

"Father..." Xun Chen's voice was somewhat hoarse, "Luoyang has become a den of tigers and wolves, Wenruo..."

"It's all my fault! It's all my fault for not listening to Ah Hao!" Xun Kun slammed his hand on the table, his eyes bloodshot. "I'm the one who ruined Wen Ruo!"

"Father, panicking is useless."

"When Dong Zhuo entered the capital, he deposed and installed the emperor. He was nominally a Han official, but in reality, he was a traitor to the country. However, he had just seized power and his foundation was unstable. What he feared most was losing the hearts of the scholars in the land. Therefore, he would not easily take action against a famous scholar like his brother. Instead, he would pretend to be respectful to scholars and treat them as honored guests."

"My brother is nominally a hostage, but in reality, he's just a facade used by Dong Zhuo to create a false impression of peace. As long as this facade remains effective, my brother is safe for the time being."

"But we can't just sit here and wait to die. We must send someone to infiltrate Luoyang, secretly provide support, create chaos, and rescue my brother."

"I'll go!" Xun Chen immediately stepped forward. "I'll take men!"