Three Kingdoms: Daily settlement helps Liu Bei revive the Shu Han dynasty.

Zhu Hao's head was brought back to Nanchang City.

But in order to avoid being accused of murdering a court official,

The "merit" of killing Zhu Hao would only benefit the Hu family.

With his son in Jiang Qin's hands, Hu Shen, the head of the Hu family, had no choice but to accept it.

At this point, the Hu family was completely on Liu Bei's "pirate ship".

Inside the prefectural governor's residence, Zhuge Xuan was discussing the aftermath with Jiang Qin.

Suddenly, footsteps sounded outside the hall door.

Zhuge Xuan and Jiang Qin looked up.

A young man in his twenties walked in through the door, protected by two guards.

He was thin, his face was somewhat pale, and a lazy smile hung on the corner of his mouth.

The fact that this young man could freely enter and leave the prefectural governor's mansion, which was heavily guarded by Jiang Qin's soldiers, meant that his identity was definitely not simple.

Zhuge Xuan stood up and asked, "And you are...?"

Before Guo Jia could reply, Jiang Qin bowed and said, "This general, Jiang Qin, greets Military Advisor Guo!"

Jiang Qin had met Guo Jia once.

At that time, Guo Jia was tied up by Zhao Yun and carried onto the boat by being held under his armpits.

Zhao Yu even kicked him in the butt, so Jiang Qin had a very deep impression of him.

When Guo Jia saw Jiang Qin, he clearly recalled the awkward moment when they first met.

However, Guo Jia, thick-skinned as ever, not only didn't care, but even joked, "Oh! Captain Jiang, it's been a while since we parted on the ship, I didn't expect you to be able to stand on your own now!"

Jiang Qin's lips twitched, and he quickly said, "Military Advisor Guo is joking. This is all thanks to your strategic planning."

Zhuge Xuan was initially somewhat confused.

But when he heard the words "Guo Junshi," he immediately realized who it was.

He cupped his hands in greeting to Guo Jia and asked, "Are you Guo Jia, Guo Fengxiao, the military advisor under Liu Bei?"

Guo Jia returned the greeting, saying, "Indeed. I have long admired your name, Lord Prefect. It is a pleasure to meet you today."

Zhuge Xuan quickly invited Guo Jia to take a seat.

Guo Jia didn't stand on ceremony and plopped down next to the main seat.

Seeing Zhuge Xuan looking at him, Jiang Qin explained, "My lord, the layout of the city these days has been secretly orchestrated by Military Advisor Guo."

The ambush at the water gate, luring the enemy into a trap, and coercing the Hu family were all part of the strategist's plan.

Unexpectedly, Military Advisor Guo secretly came to Nanchang City.

Zhuge Xuan secretly took a deep breath.

He finally understood why Jiang Qin had been able to know Zhu Hao's every move in advance.

Why was Zhu Hao's head delivered to the prefect's mansion not long after he escaped?

It turns out that all of this was because Guo Jia was here, offering advice and strategies!

After Guo Jia sat down to rest for a while, he took out a letter from his sleeve and handed it to Zhuge Xuan, saying, "My lord, this is a letter from my master to you."

Zhuge Xuan took the letter and unfolded it.

The letter was short, but it was clear that Liu Bei's tone was very respectful, even earnest.

The gist of what he was thinking was: I, Liu Bei, and my strategist Lu Yong have long admired Mr. Zhuge.

Xuande is willing to work with Lord Fu to protect Yuzhang and support the Han Dynasty.

I will take care of the Lord's family as if they were my own.

Everything is well, don't worry.

After reading the letter, Zhuge Xuan remained silent for a long time.

His current situation is indeed quite complicated.

First, he was appointed governor by Yuan Shu, but he did not have the approval of the imperial court.

The prefect sent by the imperial court was actually Zhu Hao.

Although Zhu Hao is now dead, the court can send another person at any time.

He had no troops and knew nothing about soldiers.

If it weren't for Jiang Qin, Nanchang would have fallen long ago, and he would have had to continue wandering with his family.

When Liu Bei brought Zhuge Liang and the others to Wanling, ostensibly for protection, weren't they essentially hostages?

But Zhuge Xuan was not angry.

He knew Zhuge Jin.

If Zhuge Jin had not genuinely submitted, he would never have written that personal letter to himself.

Moreover, in that letter...

Zhuge Jin highly regarded Liu Bei.

He even used the phrase "A scholar will die for one who understands him" to describe Lu Yong.

That scoundrel Yuan Shu only wanted to use personal connections to seize a prefecture for free.

When Zhuge Jin was in danger and sent a letter asking for help, there was no response whatsoever.

However, Liu Bei was able to send troops to provide support.

Just this sense of loyalty makes him far more reliable than Yuan Shu.

Having figured this out,

Zhuge Xuan put away the letter, stood up, walked to Guo Jia, bowed, and said:

"I dare not disobey Liu Yuzhou's kind offer."

From this day forward, Zhuge Xuan is willing to serve Liu Bei, the Governor of Yu Province.

Guo Jia quickly helped him up: "My lord is very understanding and righteous. I thank you on behalf of my lord."

Zhuge Xuanzhi stood up and looked at Jiang Qin: "Commander Jiang, although Zhu Hao is dead, the hearts of the gentry in Yuzhang are not yet with us. Although I am the governor, my foundation is shallow, and I fear it will be difficult to win their hearts."

Jiang Qin pointed to Guo Jia, implying that there was a top-notch strategist here and that he should be the one to consult.

Guo Jia then took out a scroll of bamboo slips from his robes and handed it to Zhuge Xuan, saying:

"This is a list of aristocratic families in Yuzhang that was secretly investigated."

Seven families sided with the rebels, five remained neutral, and two wavered.

Those who have joined the rebellion have already suffered heavy losses and are no longer a threat.

Among the neutral parties, the Xu family is the leader.

Zhuge Xuan asked, "Is this the Xu family, where Xu Ruzi (Xu Zhi) resides?"

Xu Ruzi is Xu Zhi.

When Chen Fan served as the Prefect of Yuzhang, he did not receive guests, but he set up a couch for Xu Zhi alone, which he would hang up when Xu Zhi left.

The story of "Xu Ru stepping down from Chen Fan's couch" is known to every scholar in the world.

"Exactly." Guo Jia nodded and said, "Xu Zhi was a renowned scholar in Yuzhang. Although he has passed away, the Xu family enjoys a very high reputation among the scholars of Yuzhang. If we can gain the support of the Xu family, the other gentry will surely flock to us."

Zhuge Xuan smiled wryly: "Xu Kun, the head of the Xu family, is a man of high aspirations and never participates in local affairs. I have sent people to invite him many times, but they have all refused to see me."

Guo Jia laughed: "That's because the Prefect didn't offer him any conditions that would tempt him."

Zhuge Xuan thought to himself, "The Xu family is not afraid of power or wealth, and they do not covet fame or fortune. What other conditions in this world could sway them?"

Guo Jia seemed to see through his thoughts and said calmly, "No rush, leave this matter to Huai'an. He has plenty of ways to deal with the powerful families!"

"Lu Huai'an, Liu Bei's chief strategist!" Zhuge Xuan immediately realized.

"Oh, by the way, the lord just sent a letter with two pieces of good news," Guo Jia added immediately.

"What good news?" Jiang Qin asked considerately on behalf of Zhuge Xuan.

"General Guan Yu has captured Qu'a and Dantu, and driven away Sun Ce and Liu Yao. Danyang County is now completely under our control."

Meanwhile, while General Guan was dealing with Liu Yao and Sun Ce, Huai'an personally led his troops in a lightly armed and swift advance, launching a surprise attack on Wu County.

Judging by the timeline, they should have already captured most of Wu Commandery.

"!!!"

Zhuge Xuan and Jiang Qin were both taken aback.

This news is simply too shocking.

Not long ago, Lu Yong pacified the four southern counties of Danyang.

It's only been a little over a month, and he's already taken over Wu County again?

Zhuge Xuan took a deep breath.

He recalled Zhuge Jin's high praise for Lu Yong in his letter, and at the time he thought his nephew was exaggerating.

In retrospect, my nephew not only didn't exaggerate, but actually toned it down...

"Lu Huai'an is truly a remarkable man!" Zhuge Xuan exclaimed sincerely.

"Who says otherwise..." Guo Jia sighed, "I thought that with this plan, I could finally hold my head high in front of him. Who knew that he would turn around and take over Wu Commandery? Alas..."

Jiang Qin thought for a moment and then said to comfort him, "Military Advisor Guo, you are already very capable."

Guo Jia waved his hand.

Then he took out the wine gourd hidden in his bosom.

He pulled out the cork, tilted his head back, and took a big gulp, muttering under his breath:

"I need to ask Huai'an for more deer antler wine when I get back to soothe my wounded heart."

"..."