"Discussion Under the Cypress" and "Discussion at Longzhong"
Sorry computer problem for the last couple days....
After being reserved all morning, Yuan Shu completely relaxed upon seeing Xi Zhicai.
He slumped into the seat beside Xi Zhicai without any concern for his image, turned his head, and said:
"Mister, are you a human or a ghost? How do you always know what I'm going to do?"
Xi Zhicai replied:
"This morning, that young swordsman named Shi A came looking for me and said that Yuan Gong intended to introduce you to a renowned teacher. At that moment, I knew you would undoubtedly become a disciple of the great Confucian scholar Cai Yong.
After all, Master Cai is both a close friend of Yuan Gong and a highly respected scholar of this era. He is the most suitable teacher for you.
Given your intelligence, I assumed you would have no trouble extricating yourself from Cai Yong's place. Once you left, you would definitely come to me to discuss the next steps."
With his strategist skill activated, permanently increasing his intelligence by 3 points, Xi Zhicai had become truly terrifying. Paired with his foresight ability, what could possibly escape his insight?
Yuan Shu sincerely sighed, "Zhicai, I'm truly fortunate to have you as my advisor.
Anyone who opposes you would never have a moment of peace."
Xi Zhicai humbly said, "You overpraise me, my lord. I merely deduced this based on observable facts."
Since Yuan Shu had arrived, Xi Zhicai waved his hand to summon the servants to serve the meal, planning to have lunch in the courtyard.
The meal at Xi Zhicai's residence was not extravagant, but it was refined.
Six small dishes—three meat and three vegetable—paired with light rice wine, enjoyed under the shade of pines and cypresses, created a unique and pleasant atmosphere.
Yuan Shu spoke up, "I came today mainly to discuss with you how to develop in the short term.
I want to take this opportunity to cultivate a personal guard force. What do you think, Mister?"
Xi Zhicai took a sip of his wine and said:
"My lord, I strongly support your idea of establishing a personal guard.
Not only can this force protect your safety, but it can also serve as a seedbed for training junior officers."
Yuan Shu asked, "Then how should we go about it?"
Xi Zhicai spoke confidently:
"To develop a strong personal guard, you first need capable generals.
Secondly, you must be willing to invest a significant amount of resources. Both are indispensable.
My lord, you have a trading caravan. How competent is the manager?"
Yuan Shu replied confidently, "When it comes to business acumen, my steward is unmatched in the world."
Regarding Shen Wansan's abilities, Yuan Shu had absolute confidence.
Xi Zhicai nodded, acknowledging Yuan Shu's keen eye for talent.
"In that case, my lord, you can expand your trading caravan across the country. It will not only generate wealth for you but also serve as an intelligence network.
At the same time, the profits from the caravan can fund the army, and the personal guard can provide security for the merchants, honing their combat skills in the process.
These two elements will complement each other. In just a few years, my lord will command formidable forces and gain an advantage when chaos erupts."
Hearing Xi Zhicai's strategy, Yuan Shu's eyes lit up.
"Mister, you are truly a great talent! In ancient times, there was the 'Longzhong Plan.' Today, your 'Cypress Courtyard Plan' is no less impressive."
Xi Zhicai knew Yuan Shu was praising him, but he still asked in confusion:
"My lord, what is this 'Longzhong Plan'?"
Hearing this, Yuan Shu realized he had misspoken. Zhuge Liang was still just a child at this time—where would the Longzhong Plan come from?
However, Yuan Shu was skilled at spinning stories. He smiled and told Xi Zhicai:
"Zhicai, the Longzhong Plan is merely a small anecdote from the Spring and Autumn period. I was just referencing it."
Intrigued, Xi Zhicai said with great interest:
"Oh? My lord, could you elaborate on this 'Longzhong Plan'?"
Having studied history extensively, Xi Zhicai was well-versed in the Spring and Autumn period's historical anecdotes, yet he had never heard of this 'Longzhong Plan.'
His curiosity for new things was quite strong.
Yuan Shu felt a headache coming on. As expected, telling one lie required countless more to cover it up.
To maintain his image as a knowledgeable leader, Yuan Shu had no choice but to continue:
"This Longzhong Plan is actually just a legendary story, lost to official records…"
There was a small country during the Spring and Autumn period that was repeatedly oppressed by its neighboring states.
However, the ruler of this small country was very resolute. Despite suffering repeated defeats, he continued to fight again and again.
Later, a wise man recommended a strategist to him, a person with extraordinary talents capable of great achievements.
To persuade this strategist to assist him, the ruler personally visited the thatched cottage where the strategist lived to invite him into service.
Unfortunately, he was turned away twice and failed to meet the strategist.
On the third attempt, he finally moved the strategist, who agreed to see him.
Inside the thatched cottage, the strategist devised grand plans for the ruler, enlightening him greatly.
Thus, the ruler invited the strategist to serve him, eventually achieving great success.
This is the story of the "Longzhong Plan."
After speaking so much in one breath, Yuan Shu felt thirsty and quickly took a sip of clear wine.
Meanwhile, Xizhi Cai, like a curious child, continued to ask:
"Lord, which ruler from the Spring and Autumn or Warring States period does this story of the 'Longzhong Plan' refer to?"
Yuan Shu thought to himself, "How would I know which ruler it was? I just made it up on the spot. Why take it so seriously?"
He could only answer Xizhi Cai, "It's just a legend. The exact country is no longer traceable."
Xizhi Cai pondered for a moment and said, "If the story of this 'Longzhong Plan' were true, then the fate of this ruler might not have ended well."
Yuan Shu was suddenly startled. "Even this can be deduced?"
Feigning calmness, he said to Xizhi Cai, "Oh? What insightful analysis do you have, sir? Please elaborate."
Xizhi Cai folded his paper fan, tapped it on the table, and spoke seriously:
"If we assume the conditions of this legend to be true, then the ruler of this small country must be an ambitious and tenacious person.
For such a person to suffer repeated defeats, it indicates a severe lack of capable advisors by his side—or perhaps he had none at all.
A ruler so desperate for talent would inevitably listen to every word of the strategist in Longzhong.
On the other hand, this strategist, though possessing world-shaking talents, was someone who held himself in extremely high regard and prioritized stability.
The fact that he tested the ruler twice before even agreeing to a meeting shows how cautious he was by nature. Such a person would undoubtedly seek to control everything because he would not trust others to handle important matters.
At the start of their collaboration, the ruler and the strategist might work seamlessly together and accomplish great things.
However, once their power grew strong, conflicts over authority would inevitably emerge.
When faced with major crises, the ruler might insist on acting on his own will.
At that point, disaster might strike like a collapsing sky."
Xizhi Cai's words left Yuan Shu utterly shocked.
He had merely made up a casual story, yet Xizhi Cai had managed to deduce the entire eventual fate of Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang just from those details.
Truly, a man who could foresee the future.
Yuan Shu couldn't help but feel a moment of silence for Cao Cao.
If that man had lived longer, would Zhuge Liang have even had a chance to shine?
"Lord, do you have something on your mind?" Xizhi Cai noticed Yuan Shu in a daze and asked.
"Ah, it's nothing. I just suddenly remembered the matter of allowing Shi A's master to enter the Yuan residence." Yuan Shu, afraid that Xizhi Cai would press further about the "Longzhong Plan," quickly changed the subject.