Chapter 55: A Bite as Fierce as a Tiger

The atmosphere fell silent as Yuan Xi uttered these words.

Chen Gong, ever quick to react, spoke up, "Mr. Yin Hu, are you certain of what you say?"

Yuan Xi said with arrogance, "My star-gazing skills have never been wrong."

Lü Bu remained skeptical, "If one could truly see a person's lifespan and the trends of the world, what would be the point of our struggling to survive?"

Seeing that Lü Bu had hit the nail on the head, Yuan Xi said solemnly, "Of course there is a point."

"In this world, there are constants and variables."

"The things I just mentioned are the constants."

"And the paths of Marquis Wen and Mr. Gongtai are the variables."

"If you act in accordance with the trend, you can achieve success; if you go against it, you will be defeated and lose your life."

Chen Gong's face turned grave as he asked, "What is acting in accordance with the trend, and what is going against it?"

Yuan Xi said solemnly, "This time, Your Excellencies' rebellion against Cao Cao to stop his warfare and slaughter is acting in accordance with the trend."

"In the future, if you are faithless and launch a sneak attack on your allies' territory, that would be going against the trend, and it will bring about your own demise. This is fate."

Lü Bu and Chen Gong listened, understanding yet not fully comprehending. They wanted to ask more, but Yuan Xi was unwilling to say more.

Yuan Xi thought to himself that although Liu Bei might also be his opponent in the future, he was, after all, a man of integrity throughout his life. Moreover, he had intercepted Liu Bei's opportunity to recruit Zhao Yun, and even the hundred or so private soldiers that Zhao Yun brought with him could be considered a favor owed to Liu Bei.

Today, Yuan Xi hinted to Lü Bu that backstabbing Liu Bei in the future would not end well, as a way of repaying Liu Bei for his kindness.

In the future, Lü Bu would take advantage of Liu Bei's battle with Yuan Shu to launch a sneak attack from behind, causing Liu Bei to lose Xu Province. This was also a painful lesson in Liu Bei's career.

Therefore, after Lü Bu was captured by Cao Cao, Liu Bei decisively advised Cao Cao to send Lü Bu on his way.

Lü Bu, a dignified general, was so skilled at backstabbing. If Yuan Xi hadn't changed his identity, he would have had to carefully consider whether to use Lü Bu.

Lü Bu and Chen Gong exchanged a glance. Chen Gong understood and began to casually chat with Yuan Xi.

Although Chen Gong's words seemed casual, they contained many probes, including the situation among the scholars in Yan Province, anecdotes about various lords, and the Confucian classics discussed by famous scholars, encompassing almost everything.

This would seem complex and demanding to ordinary scholars, but for Yin Hu, who could observe the stars, there could be no mistakes.

This was a hard test. Since Yuan Xi had portrayed himself as someone who knew astronomy above and geography below, a ridiculous answer would expose his disguise as a recluse.

At this time, it was Wu Zhao's turn to take the stage.

Yuan Xi wore a smug expression on his face and said disdainfully, "Mr. Gongtai's questions are too simple for me to answer. I'll have my wife answer them for me."

Wu Zhao's veiled face blushed. She composed herself and began to answer each question one by one, with extreme propriety and accuracy.

Chen Gong was shocked. Even Yin Hu's wife was so capable. Could Yin Hu himself have mastered the mysteries of heaven and earth?

After a dozen or so questions, Chen Gong's doubts vanished.

This Mr. Yin Hu must be superior to his wife. Even without the ability to observe the stars, his knowledge is no less than my own!

He thought for a moment and said to Yuan Xi, "I would still like to ask, why does Mr. Yin Hu want to help us? What is your motive?"

What Chen Gong couldn't understand was this point. Lü Bu was now a stray dog who had lost all his territory. What good would it do to help him?

If this Yin Hu truly had the ability to observe the stars, joining the two Yuans would be the best choice. Even joining Cao Cao or Liu Biao would be much better than joining Lü Bu.

Yuan Xi listened and said, "What I seek is the stability of the world."

"The key to this is Cao Cao."

"Cao Cao is a man blessed with fortune and destiny, and he is very likely to seize the world in the future."

"But the price will be the devastation of living beings, and everyone here will die, including me."

"I don't want to die so early, so I came to help you all to extinguish this variable."

"The first step is to rely on you all to start an uprising in Yan Province and hinder his progress."

"Cao Cao will attack Xu Province in the near future. The sooner you all prepare and collude with various parties, the greater your chances of winning."

Lü Bu and Chen Gong listened, their faces showing even greater shock, but their hearts had already been moved by Yuan Xi.

Chen Gong said softly, "I understand what you mean, sir, but how can you prove that what you say will definitely happen?"

Yuan Xi smiled and said, "Indeed, if we wait until Tao Qian dies three months later, it will be too late. After all, the opportunity lies in these few months."

"I'll just say one thing: a locust plague may occur in the near future. I hope you two will prepare early to avoid a shortage of food when you raise your army."

Lü Bu scoffed, "I used to farm when I was a child. Locust plagues usually occur in June or July. It's already September. How is that possible?"

Yuan Xi stood up and smiled, "Please wait and see, Marquis Wen."

"Farewell."

The two were greatly surprised that Yuan Xi left as soon as he said he would.

Chen Gong stood up and said, "Isn't Mr. Yin Hu going to meet with Meng Zhuo (Zhang Miao)?"

"Why not stay for a few more days?"

Hearing Chen Gong's words, Yuan Xi raised his head, "Someone is waiting for me."

"If I don't go back, there will be some trouble."

Chen Gong understood and smiled wryly, giving up the idea of keeping Yuan Xi.

He said, "How will we see you again in the future?"

Yuan Xi smiled, "Everything that needs to be said has been said."

"Everything I do is for the sake of opposing Cao Cao. If my predictions come true in the future, and you two need me to offer advice, I will naturally appear."

After speaking, Yuan Xi led Qu Yi and Wu Zhao onto the carriage with a leisurely air.

Lü Bu thought for a moment, came out, and mounted his horse, "I'll see you off, sir."

Yuan Xi knew that Lü Bu was still worried about him and was afraid that he would cause trouble in Puyang City, so he insisted on seeing him out of the city to be at ease.

However, Lü Bu dared to ride his horse openly in Puyang City, indicating that he had already gained Zhang Miao's trust. In other words, the Yan Province gentry had already privately betrayed Cao Cao.

Riding his horse, Lü Bu escorted the three people out of the city. He clasped his fist at Qu Yi to bid farewell, and finally couldn't help but say to Yuan Xi, "Mr. Yin Hu, you seem very wary of me?"

Yuan Xi listened and said in a deep voice, "Indeed."

"Because everyone who has cooperated with Marquis Wen has died."

A complicated expression flashed across Lü Bu's face, with anger and entanglement, but in the end, he snorted coldly, "How many people in the world understand me!"

Yuan Xi listened and said, "Does Marquis Wen feel that it is somewhat unfair?"

"The gentry of the world are all in factions. Those of humble origins like Marquis Wen can only wait bitterly for opportunities, acting against their will and even crossing the line."

Lü Bu was furious, "Ignorant child, how dare you say such a thing!"

Yuan Xi suddenly laughed, "Marquis Wen, are you trying to say that killing Ding Yuan and Dong Zhuo were all acts of following orders, but you can't tell anyone, so you feel very stifled?"

Lü Bu was shocked, "How do you know?"

This was a great secret. His star-gazing skills are real!

Yuan Xi sighed, "Marquis Wen, you have taken the blame for the world at the risk of great disapproval. It is indeed somewhat unfair."

"But Marquis Wen, you still think too simply. Anyone can kill Ding Yuan and Dong Zhuo, but you, Marquis Wen, cannot, because in that case, there will be no way out."

Yuan Xi thought to himself that Dong Zhuo and Lü Bu were clearly trying their best to please the gentry, but they both killed the patrons who had promoted them, committing the greatest taboo of the gentry. It would be strange if there were no inside stories.

"I'm afraid that after Dong Zhuo's death, Marquis Wen was afraid that he would be the next one, so he took advantage of the defeat and fled Luoyang, right?"

Lü Bu was shocked, dismounted his horse, approached the carriage, clasped his fist and said, "Where should Bu go in the future? Please give me guidance, sir."

Yuan Xi thought for a moment and said, "I still say the same thing, no matter what the reason, Marquis Wen must not betray his allies in the future, or there will be a disaster."

"I hope Marquis Wen will take care of himself."

Yuan Xi told Qu Yi to drive the horse away. After walking a long distance, he looked back and found that Lü Bu was still standing there, his figure getting smaller and smaller, as if he was somewhat lonely.