Chapter 67: Threat from Sun Ce (fixed)

Before Shen Pei could speak up on the matter, Yuan Shang reported to his father first.

“Father, everything is going smoothly on the front lines.”

“The two generals Yan Liang and Wen Chou, along with Lu Bu and Liu Bei’s armies, have advanced towards Yangzhou together, like a sharp blade through bamboo. Although the false emperor has mobilized troops to resist, they pose no real threat.”

“With Sun Ce also deploying a large army to punish them from Jiangdong, the false emperor’s defeat is only a matter of time now, as we attack him from both sides.”

“In addition, I’ve taken care of all matters regarding the supply of provisions for our troops, the accounting of fallen soldiers, and their compensation; as well as all expenditures and purchases related to military equipment this year.” Yuan Shang concluded.

All these things Yuan Shang spoke of were exactly what Guo Jia had reported to him earlier. He merely repeated it word-for-word.

Yuan Shao nodded deeply, praising him generously, “Not bad, it seems you’ve put your heart into this. You’ve done better than your second brother.”

“From now on, handle all military affairs; it’s time for you to take charge.”

During this period, Yuan Shang’s performance had greatly pleased his father.

He hadn’t expected that his youngest son would be so talented at managing military affairs, surpassing his second son Yuan Xi by far.

Yuan Shang was overjoyed upon hearing these words, exclaiming, “This child will not disappoint Father!”

Previously, he had only been tasked with handling the military matters of Yecheng, but now it encompassed everything—this represented a vast difference between the two! It also showed that his father trusted him more than before.

At this thought, Yuan Shang couldn’t help but turn toward Guo Jia.

The man stood behind the crowd, smiling as usual. He looked rather insignificant.

The imperial palace.

”…This is how it went down. In this battle, Zhang Xiu annihilated Cao Cao’s thirty-thousand-man army, and even his trusted general Dian Wei, eldest son Cao Ang, and nephew Cao Anmin perished.”

After leaving the Yuan Manor, Guo Jia came to report to Liu Xie at the imperial palace. Upon hearing the account, the emperor wore a look like that of a man who had just witnessed a subway accident involving elderly people and cell phones.

It was the legendary incident where one cannonball killed three virtuous men plus a horse—Mr. Cao’s most famous feat! No wonder Ju Shou had entered the palace before Guo Jia arrived to request commendations for Zhang Xiu; it seemed he had been doing so because of this very event.

“It seems Mr. Cao has met misfortune!”

“Yuan Shao truly knows no shame—he must have salted the wound with more salt.”

Liu Xie sympathized with Mr. Cao for a moment before sighing, “Indeed, being kind to your wife is not a good habit. Lust is a blade above all else.”

Guo Jia smiled. “Yes, I am quite surprised as well, as this occurrence is indeed…rather puzzling.”

“Cao Cao suffered heavy losses in this battle, regardless of whether it was due to revenge or protecting his own reputation. He will undoubtedly seek retribution against Zhang Xiu once again.”

“This time, Zhang Xiu is likely doomed,” Guo Jia concluded.

Guo Jia mentally predicted Zhang Xiu’s future fate and concluded that he would die horribly—after all, this was a grievance born of killing one’s own child.

Cao Cao must have been itching to skin Zhang Xiu alive.

“He won’t die,” Liu Xie interjected, dismissing Guo Jia’s prediction with a careless remark. “Relax.”

Guo Jia raised his eyebrow. “What makes Your Majesty say so? Could it be that Zhang Xiu still has some means at his disposal? Do you think Liu Biao will send reinforcements?”

Zhang Xiu’s gamble may have inflicted heavy losses on Cao Cao, but the latter remained alive and would undoubtedly seek vengeance against him tenfold. Moreover, Liu Biao had previously refused to send aid even when Zhang Xiu’s life hung by a thread, let alone now?

Liu Xie smiled as he explained, “Cao Cao is a rare genius, capable of enduring what others cannot. Given his personality, he wouldn’t kill Zhang Xiu. As expected, he’ll forgive Zhang Xiu and recruit him into his army.”

“Indeed, after all, even someone who killed his son, nephew, and trusted general could be forgiven, wouldn’t his reputation soar? Think about it logically.”

As a wise teacher once said, I give anyone who betrays me one million yuan. Why not those who follow me?

Let us applaud!

Of course, Liu Xie was able to make this prediction because in history, Cao Cao never killed Zhang Xiu.

“I believe that’s unlikely, after all, Zhang Xiu must be killed to establish one’s authority.”

Guo Jia did not agree with Liu Xie’s analysis.

Liu Xie shook his head and said, “It seems Fengxiao still lacks the ability to read people’s intentions, or perhaps you simply do not understand Cao Cao as well as you think.”

“Would you care to bet on it?”

Guo Jia nodded without hesitation. “Very well, then I shall bet with Your Majesty that Cao Cao will not kill Zhang Xiu.”

Upon hearing this, a confident smile blossomed on Liu Xie’s face.

Normally, he wouldn’t dare gamble with Guo Jia, given how much smarter the other man was; but now that he’d seen the answer, what was there to fear? He would show him a taste of the devastating power from the future!

After discussing these matters, Liu Xie asked about Yuan Shu’s current situation, and Guo Jia faithfully informed him.

When Liu Xie learned that Yuan Shu was currently besieged by Yuan Shao, Liu Bei, Lu Bu, and Sun Ce, he couldn’t help but feel some sympathy for this Skeleton King.

How tragic—simply too tragic.

But who could blame him for insisting on being such a showoff and declaring himself emperor?

If not him, then who else should everyone attack?

Guo Jia replied, “We need not worry about Yuan Shu; the one we should truly fear is Jiangdong’s Little Conqueror Sun Ce.”

“Yuan Shu was able to occupy such a large territory in Huainan only with the aid of the Sun family’s military efforts. Without their assistance, Yuan Shu will not last long.”

“Sun Ce currently controls six cities in Jiangdong, and once Yuan Shu falls, he will naturally inherit most of his lands without any resistance, becoming the new influential force in Huainan.”

“This war may very well prove advantageous for him.”

Guo Jia’s analysis wasn’t unreasonable.

Regardless of whether it was Yuan Shao, Liu Bei, or Lu Bu, even if they defeated Yuan Shu, who could best Sun Ce, the native power in this region? The young man’s prestige and the Sun family’s foundations were there for all to see.

“Sun Ce?” Liu Xie pondered as he mulled over Guo Jia’s words.

According to historical records, Sun Ce died from a stab wound inflicted by assassins five years later at the age of twenty-six, after which his father-in-law Sun Wudi took control of Jiangdong. Now it was only two years since the beginning of the Jian’an era, three years before Sun Ce’s death.

However, since Liu Xie had already crossed over and altered the course of history, Sun Ce might not die as per original records. If he didn’t…

Liu Xie pondered Sun Ce’s achievements and felt his scalp begin to tingle.

Sun Ce was just as capable as Lu Bu: skilled at both war and politics, with high intelligence and emotional quotient, and without any major flaws aside from dying too early.

But if this guy didn’t die, he would certainly be a formidable threat in the future.

Furthermore, judging by the fact that the Sun family kept the imperial jade seal, they were clearly ambitious and not acting like loyal subjects—they were acting more like potential usurpers.

“Ah, whatever, whatever, these things are too far off.”

Liu Xie gave up on thinking about it; this wasn’t something he could decide anyway, so all he could do now was take each day one at a time.

The most urgent task right now was still to continue biding his time and building his strength!