Chapter 44: Hiding Something

When Yuan Xi transmigrated, he had many thoughts. Could he, with a tiger-like body, shake things up and have Cao Cao and Liu Bei come to serve him?

Later, he understood that this was impossible.

Those two were outstanding figures of their time, and would never willingly be subservient to another. Yuan Shao couldn't even subdue them, let alone himself?

Cao Cao, needless to say, went from initial repeated defeats to ruthless actions, using any means necessary. In a few years, surrounded by various heroes, he conquered Yan Province, Xu Province, and Yu Province, and laughed last.

Liu Bei, each time relying on different lords, could secretly cultivate his own power and continuously grow stronger even under constant suppression, which was considered the ultimate.

But Yuan Xi's identity as a son of the Yuan family destined him not to seek refuge with either of them.

Cao Cao was impossible, at least before Yuan Shao's death. Afterwards, there was the precedent of Yuan Tan surrendering and then rebelling.

Although Cao Cao was quite generous to surrendered generals, Zhang Xiu betrayed Cao Cao several times, and Cao Cao still treated him well, granting him a fief of two thousand households, which was the highest among Cao Cao's subordinates.

However, there were many different accounts of Zhang Xiu's death afterwards, some saying he died of illness, others saying he committed suicide after being humiliated by Cao Pi, and Cao Pi even killed Zhang Xiu's son for treason.

Liu Bei, although seemingly tolerant, would likely be beaten badly for another twenty years according to historical developments. If Yuan Xi followed him, he didn't know when he would lose his life.

Moreover, a great man born between heaven and earth, how could he live under someone else's thumb for long?

Besides, his starting point was so high, why not take a gamble!

So, after thinking it over, Yuan Xi finally decided to honestly cultivate the land in You Province first, and then look for opportunities.

That being said, You Province needed a large number of talents, especially fierce generals who could resist foreign tribes, so that the people could live and work in peace.

Therefore, Yuan Xi set his sights on someone he had initially ruled out.

Someone who was now almost at the end of his rope, someone everyone was shouting to kill.

Lu Bu.

Initially, Yuan Xi had directly crossed out this option, because Lu Bu was almost the worst ally.

Not to mention that he had betrayed and killed his lords many times, he had also fallen out with Yuan Shao, and Yuan Shao had even tried to assassinate him.

Under such circumstances, joining forces with Lu Bu was simply making things difficult for himself.

However, Yuan Xi later discovered that this seemingly worst choice, although very risky, also had high returns.

Because Lu Bu was from Liang Province, and the generals he associated with were all fierce men who fought against foreign tribes.

Moreover, supporting Lu Bu in establishing himself in Yan Province could simultaneously suppress the surrounding lords and leave himself room to develop.

You Province and Yan Province were separated by Ji Province, so he shouldn't be easily backstabbed by Lu Bu?

Moreover, there were many inside stories about Lu Bu's disloyalty. Yuan Xi had probed Yuan Shao and found that things were not as simple as they seemed on the surface.

But Yuan Xi would not completely trust Lu Bu, so he decided to act under a false identity.

The key to everything was Dong Zhao.

Dong Zhao's younger brother, Dong Fang, was now a strategist in Zhang Miao's army, and according to historical developments, in a few months, Zhang Miao and Chen Gong would welcome Lu Bu to rebel against Cao Cao, triggering the chaos in Yan Province!

At that time, Cao Cao was attacking Xu Province for the second time and massacring the city. After hearing the news, he rushed back to Yan Province and fought with Lu Bu for more than a year.

Yuan Xi's current plan was to bring the chaos in Yan Province forward, and also prevent Cao Cao from massacring Xu Province for the second time, so that Lu Bu and Cao Cao could restrain each other, and also leave a hidden chess piece.

Of course, the idea was beautiful, but there were many variables in actual operation. What Yuan Xi was using now was a letter that he had previously asked Dong Zhao to write to Dong Fang.

The content was very simple, with only a few sentences.

My brother recently encountered a great talent, whose talent and knowledge can be used by Prefect Zhang Miao. I hope you will recommend him.

Now everything is ready, only the east wind is lacking. The affairs of Beixin City have also been temporarily entrusted to Yuan Tan. If everything goes smoothly, he can set off in the next few days!

At this time, Yuan Tan found Xun Chen's guest house in the mansion. When he entered, he found that he was holding the two women he had just taken away, their clothes disheveled.

At that time, the gentry valued women, which was not a big deal, and would even be praised as a good story, the so-called elegant demeanor of famous scholars.

The most typical example was Guo Jia.

Guo Jia was known as a genius, who could predict everything, but he was even more famous for being impeached by Chen Qun for misconduct.

It is said that he was addicted to alcohol and lust, and liked beautiful women. Cao Cao's daughter, Cao Jie, once said that Guo Jia's companions were different every time he appeared.

These habits were the Wei and Jin demeanor that was passed down to later generations, and were praised by the gentry.

Seeing that Xun Chen should have finished, Yuan Xi said, "There are some military affairs outside. Please come out and take a look, sir."

Xun Chen understood, stood up, and the two women hurriedly helped him put on his clothes. Xun Chen laughed and slapped the buttocks of the two women, "The night is long, you wait for me in the room."

The two women blushed and agreed.

Xun Chen followed Yuan Tan out of the mansion. The two asked people to prepare a carriage, and soldiers guarded both sides. The carriage slowly drove on the streets of Beixin City.

Xun Chen smiled at Yuan Tan: "These women have their charms. The eldest son can bear it."

Yuan Tan smiled bitterly: "I dare not delay important matters."

He repeated the conversation with Yuan Xi just now to Xun Chen, without missing a word, obviously with good memory.

After he finished speaking, he said: "Please advise me, sir, how much truth does my second brother have?"

Xun Chen stroked his goatee and sighed: "Some truths, some lies, I can't tell for a while."

"But the second son of Yuan has great ambitions."

Yuan Tan nodded: "I am now also grasping at straws in desperation. Otherwise, who else can I rely on in the Yuan family besides my second brother?"

Xun Chen waved his hand, "Let me ask first, do you think the second son of Yuan is colluding with Gongsun Zan?"

Yuan Tan hesitated and said: "I don't think so."

He suddenly realized that when Yuan Xi was talking to him, he was just drawing a big pie for himself, and lightly covered up the matter!

Shouldn't be?

Seeing Yuan Tan's expression, Xun Chen said: "It's not a big deal. Since the second son of Yuan is going back to Ye City, let General Gao lead troops and fight the White Horse Righteous Volunteers here in Beixin City, and you can see the clues."

"Anyway, Gao Lan is Yuan Shang's man, so it's a good time to test him."

Yuan Tan nodded: "Gao Lan is suspicious, but he went too far, and he didn't even move when he saw beauty, revealing his flaws."

Xun Chen nodded: "The second son of Yuan told the eldest son so many things, including the rescue of Cao Cao's family. Regardless of whether it is feasible, the eldest son is not afraid that I will report to my brother Xun Yu?"

Hearing this, Yuan Tan said lightly: "Since I trust you, sir, of course I will not doubt the people I employ."

"Moreover, I believe that what I can give you, sir, is much more than what Cao Cao gives Xun Yu."

Hearing this, Xun Chen nodded and smiled: "The eldest son is indeed straightforward."

"The lord sent the eldest son to investigate Beixin City, probably to make the two sons suspicious of each other, so as to pave the way for the third son."

"This is a dilemma. I had a headache before I came."

"But I didn't expect that before I could take action, the second son had already solved the matter by seventy or eighty percent."

"Although the third son needs to be guarded against, the second son must also be guarded against."

"However, the second son's reckless killing of the gentry is a stain, and I am afraid that his achievements will be limited in the future."

"The eldest son's situation is unfavorable, but as a strategist, it is of course more interesting to turn the tables from a disadvantage."

"Since the eldest son appreciates me so much, I will definitely help the eldest son win the position of the head of the Yuan family!"

Yuan Tan was excited and knelt down and said: "Everything is up to you, sir!"

I am afraid that Yuan Shao would not have thought that Yuan Tan had completely bought Xun Chen!

Yuan Tan was smug in his heart. Since Yuan Shang could deceive his father and change the information of Beixin City beyond recognition, he could naturally hide the matter of privately buying Xun Chen.

Yuan Tan had long known that Yuan Shang was playing tricks on the food and grass in Beixin City, but he did not inform Yuan Xi.

Yuan Xi did not join forces with him at that time, so what did it have to do with him?

However, now that he and Yuan Xi are united, Yuan Shang's handle is very useful.

Yuan Tan, Yuan Xi, and Yuan Shang all have their own secrets that cannot be easily revealed.

How could anyone who can compete for the head of the family be naive.

Yuan Xi was also pretending. He seemed to be recklessly killing the gentry, but in fact, he was not relying on the gentry at all.

Although the gentry are too powerful to get rid of, it is impossible to completely abandon the gentry if you want to win the world.

He called Zhao Yun, Qu Yi, and Wu Zhao to arrange the matter of leaving Beixin City.