"Xuzhou's Tao Qian would be the best choice, but since Taishan County, the gateway to Xuzhou, is in Liu Xuande's hands, we can't border them directly. Thus, borrowing grain is out of the question," Xun Yu said calmly. "So, like Liu Xuande, we must use weakness to pressure strength. We'll target here."
Cao Cao stared at the spot on the map where Xun Yu pointed. "Yuan Shu is indeed a good choice, but I fear I can't handle it alone!"
"Liu Xuande borrowed Gongsun Zan's strength, why can't we rely on Liu Biao? You must know that Nanyang, a wealthy region, is under Jingzhou's control, and Liu Biao has consolidated his rule there," Xun Yu said with a smile.
"Really?" Cao Cao asked in surprise.
"Even if it's not true, Zhicai will make it so. I've heard Yuan Shu plans to adopt Sun Jian's eldest son as his godson. Given Yuan Shu's loyalty and Sun Ce's fierceness, a conflict with Liu Biao is inevitable!" Xun Yu explained the current situation with a calm demeanor, intending to open a route to Liu Biao while simultaneously making Runan a detached territory of Yuzhou. Then, he would seize the opportunity to plunder resources, taking all the money, grain, and people.
Cao Cao's gaze followed Xun Yu's finger to Fan County. He estimated that only three thousand men would be needed to capture the city, which would effectively eliminate ninety percent of Yuzhou's Runan!
Sliding his gaze along Xun Yu's finger, Cao Cao saw the ultimate target: Xuzhou. Taking Runan would directly border the wealthy Xuzhou. He acknowledged that Taishan's soldiers were tough, but those from Dan Yang, weakened under Cao Bao's command, were experienced soldiers. A campaign from here could strike East Sea and Pengcheng, putting Tao Qian directly under Cao Cao's blade!
"However, challenging both Xuzhou and Yuzhou simultaneously is somewhat…" Cao Cao pondered for a long time, almost agreeing with Xun Yu's strategy but hesitating because, despite its weaknesses, Xuzhou still had soldiers and grain. Moreover, since Dong Zhuo's fall, Yuan Shu had become one of the top powers in the land.
"There's no need to worry. Nanyang is the richest place in the realm. As long as Liu Biao shows the slightest hint of ambition, Yuan Shu won't tolerate it, even if that region is technically part of Jingzhou!" Xun Yu smiled. "As for Tao Qian, if it were ten years ago, I wouldn't dare underestimate him. But now, he's like the setting sun, devoid of his former sharpness, merely a pushover."
With Xun Yu's assurances, Cao Cao no longer worried. He desperately needed a fertile region. Without such a place, he would never feel secure. Borrowing grain from others was not a long-term solution; no warlord aiming for the realm would put their lifeline in another's hands.
While Cao Cao began scheming against Yuan Shu, Chen Xi, returning to Fenggao, was already worried about what to do next. The shortage of officials was severe.
With about 1.4 million Yellow Turbans, according to Han dynasty standards, they needed about 1,400 officials and at least 7,000 clerks. However, even 7,000 clerks wouldn't suffice. According to Chen Xi's calculations, 7,000 clerks would barely manage Qingzhou's agricultural affairs. As long as no significant issues arose, the administrative framework could function.
This was the downside of lacking local noble families. With local gentry, you could simply hand over people to them, and they would handle everything, as the gentry had an inherent system for managing large populations. For instance, if you threw 300,000 refugees into the Zhen family's territory, they'd automatically organize everything. Of course, if you dumped a million, even the Zhen family would be overwhelmed.
When Chen Xi returned with the troops, he was welcomed by Liu Bei himself, along with other civil and military officials, giving him the full honors. Normally, Chen Xi didn't care much about such formalities...
The latest news was that Guan Yu's wife, Hu, had come from Hedong with their son, Guan Ping, after hearing about Guan Yu. However, the young man, who resembled his father greatly, seemed intimidated by Guan Yu's imposing presence and didn't dare approach him. Guan Yu, on the other hand, inadvertently pressured his son with his silence.
Seeing the fourteen-year-old Guan Ping already at the Refining Qi into Gang level, Chen Xi could only marvel at the genetics. In the future, with more training, Guan Ping might not match his father but could still rival Hua Xiong. His physique and muscles were impressive. Who said Liu Bei had no successors? Guan Ping alone, with his high martial prowess, was enough to rival two members of the Cao and Xiahou families.
To Chen Xi, physical strength and combat ability were innate traits. To excel further, one needed reformation. However, leading troops, strategizing, and planning could be developed later. While not everyone could become a genius, competent middle-level talents could be trained, and Chen Xi was confident in this. Just like universities in later times could produce batches of mid-level talents, but training a genius was less reliable.
With a height of about 1.8 meters, robust muscles, and a single garment, calling Chen Xi, Zhang Fei, and others uncles created a strong sense of dissonance. Guan Ping seemed around fourteen; according to Zhang Fei's boasting, he should be ready for battle by sixteen...
Having killed people, Guan Yu had been a fugitive for fourteen years. Seeing his son, Guan Ping, made him quite excited. Liu Bei, Zhang Fei, Zhao Yun, and Tai Shici were equally enthusiastic. These bachelors were thrilled to have a nephew.
Back in Fenggao, after handing over command and returning to camp, Chen Xi felt a great sense of relief. Without a word, he ordered his carriage to take him home. If he could ride a horse, he wouldn't mind galloping home.
As for the prohibition against galloping in the city, Chen Xi could ensure it didn't apply to him. Secretly observing a few times, he found that causing injury while galloping was unlikely unless the city was overcrowded during festivals. But even then, a sane person wouldn't gallop.
However, just before reaching home, his carriage was stopped by Lu Su. Seeing the short distance remaining, Chen Xi ignored Lu Su. Passing by one's home without entering was something Dayu did; Chen Xi couldn't do that. A few words of affection with his wife were worth more. The lack of such words once led to an extra son eight years later. Alas.
Now that Lu Su was the governor of Taishan, Chen Xi was essentially unemployed. Any issues were Lu Su's problem, not his. With Guo Jia, Liu Ye, Lu Su, and Man Chong in Fenggao, there was nothing that couldn't be resolved.
With such reassurance, Chen Xi ignored Lu Su's antics. Covering his ears, he pretended not to hear. He'd have a good time with his wife, take a bath, sleep, eat some buns and porridge in the morning, then leisurely go to the government office to handle affairs. That was the way to go. Listening now meant no rest. Out of sight, out of mind.