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

28

What makes you think you can poach talent from Lu Feng's ranks?

Who knows?

Zhao Yun shrugged indifferently: "Some people just have a protagonist's illusion, always thinking that the whole world should revolve around them."

"Perhaps after successfully conning Guan and Zhang, they started to think they were something special?"

In short, Zhao Yun had a very bad impression of Liu Bei.

This was partly influenced by Lu Feng's early teachings.

It allowed Zhao Yun to shed his naivety and see through Liu Bei's hypocrisy.

"interesting!"

Guo Jia, who was listening nearby, stroked his chin and said, "If that's the case, Liu Bei has probably tested all of our lord's civil and military officials! Not just the generals, but even the strategists!"

"This guy tried to get close to me before, but his tricks were no match for mine!"

This alone is enough to show that Liu Bei was ambitious and had ulterior motives.

There are a few here.

Its dough is so thick that it is unparalleled in the world.

If these people are not mediocre, they will surely become heroes.

No wonder people say: "No one in the world can rival him."

"Huh?" Xu Chu and Zhao Yun both stared at Guo Jia in astonishment: "Xuande actually wants to recruit Fengxiao? Does this boy think his talent surpasses yours?"

Zilong frowned and said, "To specialize in sowing discord and to exploit talented individuals is certainly not the behavior of a gentleman."

Fengxiao calmly said, "This man outwardly appears benevolent and righteous, but inwardly harbors treachery. Gentlemen, please do not be deceived by him."

The two generals nodded in agreement.

Xu Chu then asked, "In your opinion, how much longer can Xuande hold out?"

Fengxiao shook his head: "Within ten days, Tao Gongzu will certainly not dare to send reinforcements again, lest he anger Gonglu."

"In my humble opinion, if they had surrendered to our lord earlier, the Tao family might have been able to preserve their wealth and status."

Zilong pondered, "However, the fact that Gonglu has dispatched 300,000 troops to attack Xuande seems suspicious. Could it be... that his intention is to target Xuzhou?"

Fengxiao raised his cup and laughed, "Zilong, you are wise. Gonglu's move is precisely to seize Xuzhou as his base."

"He also knows that Yuzhou alone is no match for our lord, so he wants to first seize Xuzhou to bolster his forces."

If Yuan Shu gains control of Xuzhou, his power will greatly increase, which will be detrimental to us.

This man is a warmonger, levying exorbitant taxes and levies in Yu Province, disregarding the people's livelihood and causing countless people to be displaced. Recently, many refugees from Yu Province have poured into Jiujiang and Lujiang, all due to Yuan Shu's actions. If Xu Province falls into his hands, it is feared that the same fate as Yu Province will be repeated, and the people will suffer.

This situation was by no means what Zhao Yun and his men wanted to see. In their eyes, Xuzhou should have been obtained by Lu Feng long ago, and Yuan Shu should not have been allowed to lay his hands on it.

"Don't worry," Guo Jia said calmly. "Tao Qian will definitely fight Yuan Shu's army with all his might. Even if he sees our lord as a major enemy, he will adjust his strategy in the face of Yuan Shu's threat. Besides, our army hasn't even launched an attack on Xuzhou yet."

"However, we must also plan ahead. If Tao Qian fails to resist effectively or acts recklessly, our army should immediately send troops to seize Xuzhou before Yuan Shu."

Zhao Yun and Xu Chu both agreed.

At the same moment, inside Wancheng in Nanyang, Yuan Shu's envoy was negotiating with Lü Bu: "Lord Wen, my lord wishes to bring forward the wedding and has specially ordered us to escort your daughter there. We have brought 200,000 shi of grain as a betrothal gift, hoping that Lord Wen will grant our request."

"Two hundred thousand shi?" Lü Bu secretly marveled at Yuan Shu's generosity. Having already agreed to the marriage alliance, he readily agreed: "Since Yuan Shu is so eager, this matter..."

Before he could finish speaking, Chen Gong rushed in and solemnly advised, "My lord, you must not agree! The ceremony for a prince requires six months of preparation. Now that you are a powerful warlord, and Yuan Shu has even usurped the title of emperor, how can you be so hasty? Do you perhaps underestimate your lord and think that your daughter can be married off so easily?"

A cold glint flashed in Chen Gong's eyes as he reached out and grabbed the envoy.

Upon seeing this, Lü Bu frowned, vaguely sensing that Chen Gong's attitude was abnormal, but he did not ask immediately. Instead, he turned to Yuan Shu's envoy with a gloomy face.

He has always valued his reputation, and if what Chen Gong said is true, there is absolutely no reason for him to agree to this.

"this......"

The envoy panicked and hurriedly apologized, saying, "How could I dare to mean such a thing! My lord only hopes to establish a marriage alliance with the general as soon as possible..."

"Since this is a marriage alliance, we should follow proper etiquette!" Chen Gong interrupted sharply. "Such hasty actions would only damage my lord's dignity!" He then flicked his sleeve and shouted, "Take this message back to Yuan Shu immediately!"

"Yes, yes..." The messenger bowed and retreated, drenched in cold sweat.

"Wait!" Chen Gong suddenly added, "You were offended by your words just now, so leave these money and grain as an apology!" Before the other party could react, he waved his hand to signal his servants to confiscate all the valuables.

After the messenger left in a disheveled state, Chen Gong turned and stared at Lü Bu: "My lord almost made a grave mistake!"

"What makes you say that?" Lü Bu asked, his face full of confusion. "Wasn't it you who approved the marriage alliance in the first place? I was just about to ask you why you were obstructing it!"

"Times have changed, Fengxian!" Chen Gong stamped his foot and exclaimed urgently, "Back then, before Yuan Shu usurped the imperial title, there were still benefits to forming an alliance. Now that he has defied the world and declared himself emperor, he has become a rat crossing the street!"

"Now that heroes from all over the land are united against the traitor, forming a marriage alliance with him will only drag us into an abyss!"

"Moreover, the world will inevitably classify you and Yuan Shu as equals, and your reputation will certainly be damaged."

Ah!

In fact, Lü Bu's reputation had long been ruined.

It was simply because he had betrayed Ding Yuan and sided with Dong Zhuo.

Although he later regained some of his reputation by killing Dong Zhuo, and given his unparalleled martial prowess, many people still placed high hopes on him.

However, if they were to form a marriage alliance with Yuan Shu this time, it would likely be even more disastrous than before.

This is definitely not what Chen Gong wanted to see.

He was counting on assisting Lü Bu in achieving his grand ambitions.

"I see?"

Although Lü Bu didn't fully understand, he knew that the marriage alliance would do more harm than good at this time. He nodded and said, "Fortunately, Gongtai returned in time, otherwise a terrible mistake would have been made! However, since you've rejected the marriage proposal, is it inappropriate to withhold the betrothal gifts?"

Yuan Shu had previously sent 100,000 shi of grain to arrange the marriage, but now he not only broke the agreement but also embezzled the money and grain. Even with Lü Bu's shamelessness, he couldn't help but feel somewhat guilty.

"Ha ha!"

Upon hearing this, Chen Gong laughed heartily and said, "My lord is far too kind! Yuan Shu harbors treacherous intentions and plots against you. Considering this money and grain as compensation is already lenient with him. How can we possibly return it?"

"My lord, please accept this without worry! Our army is currently short of money and supplies, and with this assistance, the matter of expanding the army will be much easier."

Once the goods were in storage, Chen Gong would never allow Yuan Shu's envoy to bring back even a single item.

"That makes sense!"

Lü Bu stroked his beard and nodded: "Then we'll accept it. But will the marriage alliance be called off? What if Yuan Shu sends someone again? What should we do then?"

Chen Gong calmly replied, "It's alright. Just do as I said before and decline. There's no need to openly break with Yuan Shu. If we delay for a year or two, Yuan Shu's fate will be sealed."

"Oh?"

Lu Bu raised an eyebrow: "Sir, you mean... Yuan Shu won't survive this year?"

"Exactly!"

Chen Gong said decisively, "From the moment he declared himself emperor, his fate was sealed!"

"Is this really true?"

Lu Bu frowned: "Yuan Gonglu now commands a strong army; who can defeat him within a year?"

"Only Lord Wu, Lu Boyan!"

Chen Gong spoke with certainty.

"It's him!"

Upon hearing this name, a cold glint flashed in Lü Bu's eyes.

He still can't forget that figure.

Although they never clashed directly, the bravery of his subordinates Zhao Yun and Dian Wei alone was enough to make people tremble.

"This person is certainly no ordinary individual!"

Lü Bu's expression turned solemn: "In terms of martial arts, he's probably no less skilled than me. I really want to find an opportunity to test my skills against him!"

A fierce fighting spirit ignited in his eyes.

At the same time, I also want to see my mentor Li Yan again.

According to Zhao Yun's words during the campaign against Dong Zhuo, Li Yan is still living peacefully in the territory of Lu Feng.

Chen Gong was surprised to hear this: "The Marquis of Wu's martial arts are so high? Can he be compared to our lord?"

He had always thought that Lu Feng was just a man with many powerful generals under his command.

"You don't understand."

Lu Bu said in a deep voice, "When martial arts reach a state of perfection, one can naturally sense the opponent's strength. Lord Wu's strength is definitely not inferior to Zhao Yun and others, and may even be stronger! I just don't know if he has broken through to the Supreme Martial Saint realm."

"Putting aside everything else, this person's martial arts talent is truly astonishing. Otherwise, he wouldn't have reached his current position."

Back during the Yellow Turban Rebellion, without exceptional martial arts skills, I would have likely died on the battlefield long ago, let alone be able to take Zhang Jiao's head.

"I see!"

Chen Gong nodded in realization. He hadn't noticed these details before, but Lü Bu had pointed them out.

However, Lu Feng's own martial arts skills are not the key factor; the strength of his troops is the most important.

Chen Gong continued his analysis: "Within a year, the Marquis of Wu will definitely launch an attack on the two provinces of Yu and Xu. That will be the beginning of his sweeping conquest of the world!"

"We must not sit idly by. We should seize this opportunity to take over part or even the entire territory of Yuzhou in order to contend with Lu Feng."

Lü Bu nodded in agreement.

Strengthening our capabilities is indeed the most important thing.

If Chen Gong hadn't stopped him earlier, he would have already led his troops to Yuzhou.

"Taking food from a tiger's mouth? Brilliant! Just what I wanted. I've long wanted to face off against opponents like Lu Feng, Zhao Yun, and Dian Wei again."

"I haven't had a moment's rest these past few months; I've been practicing martial arts day and night. I hope they won't disappoint me."

A fierce fighting spirit ignited in Lü Bu's eyes.

The news of her rejection of the marriage proposal quickly reached Lü Lingqi's ears.

She breathed a sigh of relief, having been preparing to elope: "What a waste of worry."

Then a question arose: "Why did Father suddenly change his mind?"

She couldn't possibly understand it with her mindset.

But it's a good thing overall.

"It's truly unpleasant to be controlled by fate; I really want to break free from this situation."

The girl sighed inwardly.

My time in Nanyang was not pleasant.

Leaving aside the matter of the arranged marriage, Wang Rong has been making things difficult for them recently, causing them great distress.

Unfortunately, her father's indulgence of Wang Rong only fueled her arrogance.

"Perhaps we should take Mother away from here?"

The thought had barely surfaced when it was suppressed—the world is so vast, yet I have no idea where to go.

It takes two days to travel from Yanzhou to Huangxian in Donglai by land wind.

"I haven't been back for several months, and this place has become even more prosperous. Zini's governance is excellent; I was right about him."

He rode his horse to survey the scenery along the way and praised Guo Yuan, who had come to greet him.

"You flatter me, my lord," Guo Yuan replied humbly.

Guo Yuan humbly shook his head and said, "Huang County's prosperity today is entirely due to our lord's wise planning and Mr. Xun's meticulous arrangements! The established strategy has long been perfected, and whoever implements it, as long as they follow the rules, can ensure Huang County's continued prosperity. Ultimately, it is our lord's wisdom and prowess that truly matters..."

He has never liked to boast about his own achievements.

"ha!"

Lu Feng chuckled and waved his hand, "Zini, why be so modest? Your talent is evident to all. The future development of Donglai and even the entire Qingzhou will require your full support. Your achievements are undeniable."

"The most pressing issues at present remain the educational system and talent cultivation. The shortage of mid- to low-level officials has become a major bottleneck restricting expansion—"

"If we expand blindly without considering the foundation, the implementation of the new policies will inevitably be incomplete, sowing the seeds of future problems, which is not what I want to see."

"Therefore, I urge you, Zini, to devote more thought to the matter of talent cultivation."

If there are sufficient talent reserves, it would not be difficult to send troops to the two provinces of Yu and Xu to wipe out Yuan Shu and Tao Qian.

"promise!"

Guo Yuan solemnly accepted the order and kept this important task firmly in mind.

Lu Feng then asked, "Gongda and I have discussed establishing a state school in Yanzhou, on par with Donglai Academy. I wonder if Zini could invite your teacher, Kang Cheng, to serve as its headmaster?"

"The duties of an academy official are different from those of a regular government post; I have never interfered in the internal affairs of the academy. Are you confident about this matter?"

This proposal has been planned for some time. It was not mentioned before because Yanzhou was not yet stable. Now, under the management of Xun You and Xi Zhicai, the new policies are beginning to show results, and the school system is taking shape. It is the right time to establish a state school.

Lu Feng plans to establish higher education institutions in every state to cultivate talents for his conquest of the world. To encompass people from all corners of the land, he must plan ahead.

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