Three Kingdoms: Start by marrying Cai Yan, then vie for supremacy.

7

"This outcome was indeed unexpected." Chen Gui stroked his long beard and sighed, "I thought it was a golden opportunity to weaken Lord Wu, but alas..."

As the head of a prominent family in Xuzhou, and bordering Qingzhou, Chen Gui had always regarded Lu Feng as a thorn in his side. If he could take this opportunity to eliminate this threat, the new policies would not affect Xuzhou. Unfortunately, things did not go as planned.

"Indeed." Tao Qian's expression was grave, and he felt even more frightened when he thought of the garrison in Langya. "I originally thought that the troops stationed in Langya were just second-rate forces from Qingzhou, but who knew they were actually elite troops! Fortunately, we did not act rashly..."

Back when he was fighting against Dong Zhuo, he had personally witnessed the mighty armies under Yuan Shao and Gongsun Zan crumble before Lu Feng's eyes, a sight that sent chills down his spine.

"Why should my lord belittle himself?" Cao Bao raised his chin disdainfully. "If it weren't for the incompetence of Yuan Shao and his ilk, I would have already led my army to raze Qingzhou to the ground!"

Tao Qian completely ignored these arrogant words. He knew Cao Bao's capabilities perfectly well; if Cao Bao hadn't come from a powerful family in Xuzhou, why would he have been given military power? In the end, his own control over Xuzhou was limited.

"Mr. Hanyu," Tao Qian looked at Chen Gui with deep concern, "once Lu Feng consolidates Yanzhou, his next move will inevitably be to target Xuzhou. What should we do?"

The answer is self-evident. From the moment Lu Feng stationed his troops in Langya, Tao Qian had already seen through it—this was clearly picking on the weak.

In Lu Feng's eyes, Tao Qian was an easy target.

Chen Gui stroked his beard and pondered for a moment before saying, "The only way to counter Lu Feng now is to unite with Yuan Shu and Liu Biao. If the opportunity arises, we can also try to form an alliance with Yuan Shao and Gongsun Zan."

"Lu Feng's power is formidable, and he is not someone that any single lord can rival. He threatens all the lords and powerful figures in the land. Unfortunately, many are still unaware of his danger, and we must remind them."

Since fighting alone is insufficient to withstand the onslaught, the only way to protect oneself is through alliances, or even by attaching oneself to a stronger power. Yuan Shu, born into a prestigious family, was undoubtedly a suitable choice.

Tao Qian immediately approved, "Alright, it's settled then!" He then looked at Chen Gui, "I wonder if we could ask Yuan Long to go on a mission to facilitate this?"

He had no more suitable candidates under his command. Chen Gui was getting old, and his son Chen Deng was more suitable, as his talent was no less than his father's.

"Very well, then let my son go." Chen Gui did not refuse.

"Haha, thank you for your trouble, Brother Hanyu!" Tao Qian said with a smile.

The backyard of the Marquis of Wu's residence—

Over the past few days, Sun Shangxiang had become familiar with Huang Yueying and the others, and followed them around every day. She pleaded and begged Huang Yueying for a set of tailor-made armor and weapons, which made her look heroic and valiant, yet also a bit playful and cute.

"Sister Yan, I want to join the Azure Bird Guard and learn martial arts from Sister Jiu'er, is that alright?" Sun Shangxiang blinked her eyes, looking at Cai Yan with anticipation.

"Hmm? Does your mother know about this?"

Cai Yan thought Sun Shangxiang was a very interesting girl, completely different from other girls.

This little girl doesn't like pretty clothes; she just loves playing with knives and guns, just like a tomboy!

Sometimes Cai Yan couldn't help but think that Sun Shangxiang must have been born into the wrong family; her personality clearly belonged to a man.

"Hmph!" Sun Shangxiang raised her head defiantly. "Second brother can't control me! Eldest brother is away recently; if he were home, he'd let me have my way! He loves me the most! As for Mother..." Her voice trailed off, "...maybe she won't object?"

Actually, Lady Sun had never really approved of her daughter learning martial arts, but Sun Ce doted on his younger sister, so she had let her have her way over the years. Besides, with war and chaos raging, learning some self-defense skills couldn't be a bad thing.

"However..." Cai Yan smiled and reminded him, "The training is going to be tough! Especially the Bluebird Guard's recruit camp, where you have to complete at least three months of basic training before you can leave. Are you sure you want to give it a try?"

She deliberately spoke with a straight face, but it made Du Yan and Zou Qian next to her cover their mouths and giggle—they never expected that the usually composed Sister Yan would have such a mischievous side.

"I'm not afraid at all!" Sun Shangxiang retorted firmly.

"Alright, as long as your mother agrees, I'll make an exception and send you to the new recruit training camp," Cai Yan said with a forced smile. "But let me make this clear: whether you stay or leave after three months is entirely up to you. I won't be helping you anymore."

She knew perfectly well how rigorous the Bluebird Guard's training was, and that a six-year-old girl certainly wouldn't be able to endure it for long. Once she'd suffered enough, she'd naturally give up.

"That's great! Thank you, Sister Yan!" Sun Shangxiang cheered, grabbing Cai Yan's hand and trying to run outside. "Let's go tell my mother right now!"

"Hey! Don't go yet! What's the rush? Lunch will be ready soon! Eat first, then we can set off!"

Cai Yan couldn't help but tug at Sun Shangxiang's sleeve.

"Have a meal?"

Upon hearing this, Sun Shangxiang's eyes lit up instantly, her mouth practically watering as she conjured up images of the delicious food at the Wu Marquis's residence. She licked her lips and grinned, "Alright! I'll eat my fill before I go! Hehe!"

"You're such a glutton!"

Cai Yan smiled and poked her forehead.

"Um?"

Cai Yan took the letter and intelligence report, glanced at the battle report, and then handed it to Du Yan and Zou Qian, who were equally curious. Turning to Lu Jiu, she said, "It's finally over! Yuan Shao and Gongsun Zan suffered a great loss this time and lost a lot of things. They shouldn't dare to provoke us again for a while, right?"

As Lu Feng's legal wife, she often kept track of the movements of her forces, including the progress of battles, through her secret guards.

This was also tacitly approved by Lu Feng.

"yes!"

Lu Jiu nodded and said, "This is the same assessment as you, Young Master. We should be able to develop peacefully for the next year or two. Of course, this is on the premise that we do not initiate any war."

But he knew in his heart that it was almost impossible.

Other lords are expanding, and if our prince stagnates, he will only be left behind.

"I'm afraid that won't work."

Cai Yan shook her head and said, "My husband has always had his eye on Xuzhou. He started planning this through Zhen'er's family many years ago. I estimate that he will make his move on Xuzhou within a year."

"Moreover, Lujiang is still not connected to Yanzhou. Taking Xuzhou is imperative."

Having followed Lu Feng for many years, he did not hide many of his plans from her, and even encouraged her to study them.

With Cai Yan's photographic memory, if she hadn't been indifferent to power struggles, she could easily have been a female strategist.

"really."

Lu Jiu nodded in agreement, then frowned and said, "However, the latest news from the Xuzhou secret guards indicates that Tao Qian has been making frequent moves lately, sending Chen Deng as an envoy to Yuan Shu and Liu Biao. Boss speculates that he probably wants to unite with these two families against the young master."

With the assistance of the Mi family, Xuzhou was as transparent to the secret guards, and no matter what happened, they could not hide it.

The situation was the same on Yuan Shu's side.

Yuan Shu initially chose Nanyang as his base for development.

Nanyang was a place that Lu Feng was very familiar with, as he had served as its governor for a year.

Although he was later transferred away, the local secret police system had already taken root.

Currently, many secret guards are lurking among Yuan Shu's various ranks of personnel.

Whether they were civil or military officials or held important military positions, they all had secret agents lurking in the shadows.

Therefore, no move by Yuan Shu's camp could escape Lu Feng's control.

"I see, my husband already knows about this?"

Cai Yan frowned slightly.

This is definitely not good news.

The new policies implemented by her husband had already affected the interests of many powerful clans and gentry.

If Tao Qian were allowed to make contacts in this way, it might actually lead to a coalition of various feudal lords against him.

This was the situation Cai Yan least wanted to see.

"Madam, there's no need to worry! Important intelligence will be immediately reported to the young master by our secret guards. I'm informing you only to keep you informed; the young master and his men have their own solutions."

Lu Jiu smiled and comforted him.

"That's true."

Cai Yan smiled, her expression softening slightly.

She was definitely overthinking it.

"Enough, these things shouldn't concern me. I only need to manage the household affairs and safeguard the foundation of Huang County for my husband."

Cai Yan finally shook her head in relief.

She was never good at these kinds of political maneuvering.

"Sister Yan, when are we having dinner?"

Sun Shangxiang tugged at Cai Yan's sleeve and asked expectantly.

"Is the little glutton hungry? Let's go now."

Cai Yan affectionately tapped Sun Shangxiang's nose, led her to her feet, and called Du Yan, Zou Qian, and others to go to the dining hall together.

Inside the residence of the Prefect of Chenliu in Yanzhou,

Lu Feng also received a secret report from the guards regarding Tao Qian's unusual movements.

"That Tao Qian is indeed cunning and shrewd!"

Lu Feng handed the intelligence to Guo Jia: "Look, someone can't wait to jump out."

Guo Jia glanced at the document and chuckled, "The idea isn't bad, but it's a pity that Yuan Shu and Liu Biao were overestimated."

"However, my lord, while Yanzhou is safe, Lujiang needs to be guarded against. Tao Qian's instigation may very well provoke them to send troops."

Currently, Taishi Ci and Huang Zhong only lead 20,000 soldiers, plus more than 20,000 troops stationed in Lujiang, making their forces truly strained.

Lu Feng pondered for a moment: "Now that Yanzhou is pacified, we can transfer Gan Ning to lead the Vermilion Bird Camp to reinforce Lujiang by sea. We can also have Taishi Ci assist Huang Zhong in holding the city. If we have the strength, we might as well take Jiujiang County."

"Let's leave Qiao Commandery alone for now, lest we be at the mercy of Yuan Shu." Having just acquired Yan Province, Lu Feng hoped to buy time to develop it before planning to take over Xu Province next year.

Guo Jia understood and smiled, "Since Tao Qian is so eager to die, let's make an example of him. Such an incompetent ruler should have given way long ago."

Lu Feng nodded: "Xuzhou is a waste in the hands of mediocre people. By the way, could we recruit the Chen family father and son?"

Currently, Qing and Yan provinces are facing a severe shortage of talent. If it weren't for Zheng Xuan's recommendations of several individuals, the administration would have already become dysfunctional. Planning ahead is the best course of action.

Guo Jia chuckled and cupped his hands in greeting, saying, "Rather than resorting to arms, it would be better to send an envoy first. If we can select an eloquent and persuasive person who can appeal to emotions and entice with benefits, this matter has great potential!"

"The Chen family, father and son, have long resided in Xuzhou and have deep roots there. Moreover, both are discerning individuals and will surely grasp the essence of our lord's wise new policies."

"I am willing to personally go and persuade him; I earnestly request your permission!"

—In reality, I've been exhausted from days of paperwork and am just looking for an opportunity to escape. Wouldn't it be wonderful to wait until the busy period of government affairs in Yanzhou is over?

"Don't even think about taking a break," Lu Feng said with a sneer.

Guo Jia chuckled and said, "It's not that I'm being lazy. Among the key officials in the central government, Gongda and the others are too busy to handle everything. Although I am clumsy in political affairs, I am capable of undertaking important tasks in persuasion."

Seeing his worried expression, Lu Feng finally agreed: "Xu Zhongkang will accompany you and protect you. Even if something unexpected happens, your escape should be no problem."

Guo Jia's face lit up with joy upon hearing this: "How about we set off within the next few days?"

"Immediately muster one hundred personal guards and two secret agents, and head straight for Taishan County." Lu Feng dipped his brush in ink. "After meeting with Xu Chu, we will have a hidden agent to help you infiltrate Xuzhou."

Regardless of success or failure, we must always avoid Tao Qian's notice.

Newly Compiled

Guo Jia grinned and darted out the door with light steps, as if a vicious dog were chasing him.

Lu Feng chuckled as he watched his retreating figure, wondering if this kid was worried that he might change his mind.

He picked up his pen and wrote several secret letters, then summoned Lu Yi: "Quickly send these letters to Xu Chu in Qingzhou; he will act according to the plan." He then handed over a second letter: "Give this to Huang Zhong and instruct him to strictly follow the instructions in the letter."

"And these two letters, send them to Gan Ning and Taishi Ci respectively." Lu Feng carefully explained the last two letters before waving for Lu Yi to leave.

As I woke up, the system notification sounded as expected: [Ding! You have been granted a monthly sign-in opportunity. Do you wish to use it?]

"Use it." Lu Feng's thoughts stirred slightly. "Hopefully, I can get something useful this time."

[Ding! Congratulations on obtaining: Improved version of Three Smiles Carefree Powder]

Lu Feng stared at the celadon bottle that had appeared out of thin air in his palm, raising an eyebrow slightly: "Isn't this the ** from Ding Laoguai in martial arts novels? What's different about this improved version?"

Upon closer inspection: This poison can be precisely controlled to determine the timing of its onset; the larger the dose, the faster the death.