Chapter 115: Secret Meeting

Yuan Shao didn't actually know that this was the time Yuan Xi had meticulously sought.

In later history, after Yuan Tan conquered Qingzhou, he was appointed as the Inspector of Qingzhou. To avoid conflict between him and Yuan Shang, Yuan Shao had him adopted by the deceased Yuan Ji.

Now, what Yuan Xi wanted to do was to replace Yuan Tan's position.

Although after adoption, the support from the Yuan family would decrease significantly, and nominally he would still have to obey Yuan Shao as the head of the family, in terms of righteousness, there would be far fewer restrictions!

Therefore, Yuan Xi felt that the best opportunity for his adoption was around half a year from now.

In later history, when Yuan Tan was adopted, the Yuan family occupied the four northern provinces, and the situation was excellent. Therefore, even if Yuan Tan was adopted, the northern situation would not change drastically. Facts proved that this was indeed the case. As long as Yuan Shao suppressed him, Yuan Tan couldn't make any waves.

But despite all calculations, the Yuan clan was defeated at Guandu, and two years later, Yuan Shao died prematurely, leading to infighting between the two sons of the Yuan family, and the situation spiraled out of control.

And the current situation is that the Yuan clan only occupies two provinces, and they still cannot do without Yuan Tan, and they still need him to lead troops to attack.

At this time, Cao Cao had not yet occupied the five provinces and was still struggling to fight against Lu Bu, and had not yet posed a threat to the Yuan family.

Therefore, the current window of opportunity is very ideal for Yuan Xi.

So, under Yuan Xi's instruction, Yuan Tan's confidants began to spread various rumors, which not only praised Yuan Xi's reputation but also subtly mixed in a rumor that the Yuan family was very taboo about.

Back then, regarding Yuan Ji's death, did Yuan Shao have any suspicion?

The rumors spread more and more fiercely in Ye City, and Yuan Shao quickly couldn't sit still.

He had to do something to clarify.

Now, sitting on the seat, Yuan Shao looked at Yuan Xi, indecisive in his heart.

Yuan Xi might achieve far more than this in the future. Was it good or bad to push him away from the Yuan family at this time?

There was also an excuse for adoption. Yuan Shang collected Yuan Xi's remarks in Beixin City swearing by the Yuan family.

This was already considered unfilial, but the matter could be big or small. In fact, upon closer examination, it was not serious at all.

After all, the gentry understood that these things were just superficial efforts. Although they sounded good, few people could actually do them.

What the lord needs is the loyalty of his subordinates, not filial piety. If the gentry only cares about their families, they naturally cannot be completely loyal to the lord.

In later generations, when Jiang Wei abandoned Wei and joined Shu, the Wei state used his mother to coerce him to surrender. Jiang Wei directly replied that he could not be filial, and no gentry dared to say anything at the time.

In the end, the gentry were nothing more than hypocritical and opportunistic.

But Yuan Shao's concerns were not limited to this.

Because Yuan Xi's identity and experience were too similar to Yuan Shao's, Yuan Shao knew very well how much damage he had caused to the Yuan family.

What if Yuan Xi really turned out to be the person prophesied?

Therefore, Yuan Shao was hesitant to make a decision.

Yuan Tan and Yuan Xi bowed their heads to the ground. Seeing that Yuan Shao didn't say a word, they wondered what was going on?

Yuan Shao came back to his senses and said, "You may rise."

Yuan Xi breathed a sigh of relief and then raised his head.

Yuan Shao turned to Ju Shou and asked, "Gongyu, what is the situation in Qingzhou now?"

Ju Shou turned sideways and explained the situation of the several battles in Qingzhou, and finally said, "Currently, except for the Mount Tai bandits between Qing and Xu, most of Qingzhou has been pacified."

"The Mount Tai bandits rarely leave their territory. As long as we don't provoke them, they should not be detrimental to Beihai and other counties for the time being."

When the counselors heard this, they congratulated Yuan Shao one after another.

A few years ago, Gongsun Zan was still the overlord of the four northern states, but now Jizhou and Qingzhou have been occupied, and most of Gongsun Zan's territory is gone!

Yuan Shao nodded in satisfaction: "Good!"

"I plan to mobilize all the troops from Jizhou next spring to attack Yijing and fight Gongsun Zan to the death!"

"But before that, regarding the matter of Cao Cao and Lu Bu fighting in Yanzhou, I would like to hear your opinions."

Pang Ji spoke first: "Cao Cao is afraid he can't hold on."

"I heard that he sent Cheng Yu to Dong'a, killed the people in several cities, and made them into dried meat to serve as military rations."

As soon as these words came out, everyone present showed a displeased expression.

Especially Cheng Yu, he was originally from Dong'a. Doing this kind of thing in his hometown obviously meant that he didn't care about human ethics at all.

Tian Feng said in a deep voice: "Cao Cao is fierce and poisonous, we must guard against him."

Shen Pei disagreed: "He has been reduced to cannibalism, what is there to be afraid of?"

"But Lu Bu surprised me quite a bit. It is said that he hoarded grain in advance and was hardly affected by the locust plague. Although he was defeated by Cao Cao several times, his food and grass are still sufficient, but Cao Cao is about to run out of support."

Guo Tu said: "The matter of eating human flesh is extremely detrimental to the reputation of the Yuan family. If he continues like this, it will not be easy for my Jizhou to explain."

Xu You said: "Cao Cao cannot be destroyed. Lu Bu has a gap with the lord. If he defeats Cao Cao, he will inevitably threaten Jizhou!"

"I hope that the lord will assist Cao Cao with soldiers, money, and food, so that he can fight against Lu Bu, and our army can safely attack Gongsun Zan next year."

Xin Ping sneered: "The lord has already mentioned that as long as he sends his family members to Ye City, he will send troops over, but he is stubborn and would rather eat human flesh than agree."

Everyone was silent. Sending family members to Ye City was equivalent to being a hostage. It was human nature for Cao Cao not to agree.

Everyone discussed, and Yuan Shao couldn't make up his mind. He had sent someone to find Cao Cao according to what Yuan Xi said, saying that he would send half of his family members to Ye City.

When Cao Cao was in trouble, he was once tempted, but after defeating Lu Bu several times, he saw the dawn, so the matter was put on hold again.

He looked at Yuan Xi and said, "Xianyi, what are your thoughts?"

Immediately, everyone looked sideways. Yuan Shao didn't ask Yuan Shang, nor did he ask Yuan Tan, but directly asked Yuan Xi!

Yuan Xi already had an idea in mind and said, "I am willing to go to Juancheng to try and persuade Cao Cao."

As soon as these words came out, everyone looked at each other in dismay.

Yuan Shao looked around at his strategists: "Xian Yi is quite bold. Who among you is willing to go with him?"

For a moment, there was silence at the table, and then a voice said, "I am willing."

Everyone looked and saw that it was none other than Tian Feng.

Tian Feng had recently disagreed with Yuan Shao, repeatedly contradicting him, which had caused Yuan Shao to dislike him. Everyone thought that Tian Feng was eager to perform meritorious service to restore his position?

Yuan Shao thought for a moment and said, "This matter will be discussed in a few days. This victory in Qingzhou is a major event worth celebrating."

"Men, prepare a feast!"

The welcoming banquet continued until late in the evening. Yuan Xi was frequently toasted and could not refuse, so he was forced to drink a lot of wine.

Although rice wine was not easy to get drunk on, he couldn't withstand the excessive amount. He barely managed to hold on until the banquet ended, and he got up and walked back in a dizzy state.

Two maids supported him, and as soon as they turned out of the long corridor, they saw Wu Zhao waiting outside with another maid.

The two maids knew that Wu Zhao was Yuan Xi's personal maid, so they had no choice but to hand Yuan Xi over to her with regret and turned to leave.

Yuan Xi looked at Wu Zhao in a daze and smiled, "You're here?"

He staggered and almost fell. Wu Zhao and the other woman quickly helped him up.

Wu Zhao said with concern, "Why did you drink so much?"

Yuan Xi waved his hand and said, "I can't help it. Help me to that living water."

The two women supported Yuan Xi, and Yuan Xi knelt by the stream, forcefully using his fingers to induce vomiting, bringing out the wine and a lot of food from his stomach.

He felt his mind clear up a lot and sighed, "What a waste of food."

Wu Zhao sighed, "Why do you have to do this? Wouldn't it be fine to just go back and rest for a night?"

Yuan Xi shook his head and said, "Drinking too much will numb my mind. I still have a lot of things to do."

He felt the maid supporting his arm tighten her grip. He turned his head and looked, finding that she had applied heavy makeup. Her features looked somewhat familiar, and he asked in confusion, "You… ?"

Wu Zhao quickly said, "Let's talk inside."

Back in the room, Yuan Xi washed his face a few times and drank two cups of hot tea, and his mind finally cleared completely. He stared at Zhen Mi in surprise and said, "Why are you here?"

Zhen Mi wiped off the messy heavy makeup on her face, revealing her stunning beauty, and whispered, "I just wanted to see if the young master was still alive."

When Yuan Xi heard Zhen Mi say that she had had several nightmares about his death, he chuckled, "Don't worry, miss. I'm not that easy to kill."

"But if the Old Madam knows you're here, I'm afraid she'll blame me again."

Zhen Mi lowered her head and chuckled, "Didn't the young master say that everyone can pursue freedom? I wanted to see you, so I came."

Yuan Xi saw Zhen Mi kneeling on the mat, her figure slender and graceful, her smile like a flower. Even in rough servant's clothes, she could not hide her captivating charm, like a red plum blossom about to bloom in a snowy world.

He smiled and said, "Miss, you still remember my words."

Zhen Mi had a hint of smugness on her face, "I remember every word the young master said."

"Just like the sugar cake you made that time, it was so memorable. But I've tried to make it several times since then, and I can never find that taste again."

Yuan Xi smiled, "The future is long. There will be plenty of opportunities to make it for you in the future."

Zhen Mi's face turned red, "I've remembered your words. Oh dear."

She suddenly realized, "I heard the young master enter the city and wanted to see you once before going back. But I've been waiting for so long, I'm afraid my mother has already found out and is throwing a tantrum."

"I have to go!"

Yuan Xi also laughed and called Wu Zhao in from outside, saying, "You send Miss Zhen family back."

Wu Zhao nodded. Seeing Zhen Mi reluctantly bid farewell to Yuan Xi, she sent her to the back door, where the Zhen family's carriage was already waiting.

Wu Zhao said, "Miss, please wait a moment. I'll go get another carriage."

Zhen Mi smiled and said, "Why bother with so much trouble? Sister, come with me in the carriage, and I'll have someone send you back. Wouldn't that be easier?"

Wu Zhao thought that this would be convenient, so she followed Zhen Mi into the carriage.

The hooves of the horses echoed on the streets of Ye City. Zhen Mi suddenly turned her face and said, "Sister, what is your relationship with the young master?"

Wu Zhao was flustered by Zhen Mi's sudden question and said, "I am just the young master's maid."

Zhen Mi looked Wu Zhao up and down, doubting, "You're lying."

"Although I don't go out, I'm not stupid."

Wu Zhao thought that youth was truly wonderful. Once upon a time, when she was young, she also had the desire to monopolize the things she liked.

She whispered, "No matter what I am, I am just an outsider. The young master belongs to you."

Hearing this, Zhen Mi chuckled, "Sister, you've misunderstood. That's not what I meant."

"I know that even if I marry the young master in the future, I probably won't be able to follow him back to You Province. I can only stay in Ye City, waiting for his return day after day, going through brief reunions, and then separating again, just like my fourth sister."

"So I'm very envious that you can be by his side. I just want to hear about the happy things when you are with him."

"That way, it's as if I've become you, spending those times with the young master and sharing the same joy."

Wu Zhao couldn't help but be moved.