Xi Zhicai saw Yuan Shu entering with Yuan An and turned to him with a warm smile, saying,
"Yuan Gongzi, you're here. I have been waiting for quite a while. Please, take a seat."
Yuan Shu replied, "Then I won't stand on ceremony," and knelt to sit across from Xi Zhicai.
He then turned to Yuan An and said, "Yuan An, place the gift for Mr. Xi on the table, and you may leave."
Yuan An responded, "Yes, Gongzi," placed the 200,000 coins on a side table, and left the room.
Yuan Shu addressed Xi Zhicai, "This is our first meeting. This modest gift is merely a token of my regard."
Xi Zhicai, shaking his folding fan, replied, "Thank you, Yuan Gongzi."
He accepted the money without hesitation, neither appearing greedy nor overly polite, which increased Yuan Shu's favorable impression of him.
Yuan Shu then asked, "I overheard at the door that Mr. Xi already knew I would visit. Is that true?"
Xi Zhicai smiled and explained,
"This morning at Huayu Pavilion, I noticed Yuan Gongzi seemed quite interested in me. After I left, your steward followed shortly after to inquire about me.
Given Yuan Gongzi's temperament, I deduced you would visit as soon as you received the information. I estimated that, after completing everything, you would arrive around the hour of Shen."
Xi Zhicai's explanation left Yuan Shu both astonished and delighted. He was amazed by Xi Zhicai's extraordinary foresight and thrilled that Xi Zhicai did not seem to reject him.
Yuan Shu glanced at the Go board beside Xi Zhicai and remarked, "Sir, you enjoy playing Go?"
"It's merely a pastime. If Yuan Gongzi is interested, why not play a game with me?" Xi Zhicai smiled and pushed the board toward him.
Yuan Shu, not understanding the game at all, quickly shook his head. "You jest, sir. I am truly not skilled in this."
Xi Zhicai didn't mind and, with a glimmer of wisdom in his eyes, asked,
"If all living beings were black and white pieces on a chessboard, would you, Gongzi, be willing to play a game?"
Yuan Shu felt as if Xi Zhicai could see right through him and cautiously replied,
"I am but the least capable of the Yuan family, merely idling under my ancestors' shade in Luoyang. How could I speak of 'all living beings'?"
Xi Zhicai suddenly burst into laughter.
"A cunning wolf in chaotic times, indeed cautious! If Yuan Gongzi were truly an idle wastrel, how could you be here with me now?"
Could Xi Zhicai truly see through me? Yuan Shu thought.
How does he know this? Could he also be skilled in physiognomy?
Xi Zhicai had already surprised Yuan Shu repeatedly. Not only had he discerned Yuan Shu's character as a "cunning wolf in chaotic times," but he did so effortlessly.
This must be the caliber of a top strategist standing at the pinnacle of the late Han and Three Kingdoms era. Truly terrifying.
Yuan Shu steeled his resolve, and for a moment, a trace of killing intent flashed across his face.
If Xi Zhicai could be recruited, so be it. But if not, he must be eliminated early to prevent future threats—especially if he were to fall into Cao Cao's hands.
Xi Zhicai, observing Yuan Shu's expression with great interest, remarked with a touch of admiration,
"Yuan Gongzi, you even entertained the thought of killing me. Indeed, you are decisive."
Yuan Shu adjusted his expression and warmly cupped his hands toward Xi Zhicai.
"Sir, your foresight is extraordinary. I am impressed. Since that is the case, do you know why I have come?"
Xi Zhicai smiled.
"The nature of the Greedy Wolf star is avaricious, particularly toward talents it recognizes as essential. Your visit must certainly be to recruit me."
Seeing how straightforward Xi Zhicai was, Yuan Shu responded.
"Since you are so candid, I won't beat around the bush. I indeed came to invite you to join me. What is your opinion?"
Xi Zhicai did not answer directly but instead smiled and asked Yuan Shu in return.
"If you were to govern a region, how would you do so?"
Hearing this question, Yuan Shu felt a sense of déjà vu—it was just like the question Xu Shao had asked him earlier.
However, Yuan Shu knew he couldn't answer Xi Zhicai the same way he had answered Xu Shao.
He solemnly replied.
"If I were to govern a region, I would train strong soldiers, enrich the people, enforce strict laws, increase the population, and promote education.
I would aim to win the people's hearts internally and fend off enemies externally."
Xi Zhicai nodded with a smile and followed up.
"May I ask, what is your ultimate ambition?"
This was the same question Yuan Shu had brushed off with Xu Shao earlier in the day.
But now, facing Xi Zhicai, with the atmosphere as it was, Yuan Shu decided to be forthright. Whether he succeeded or failed would hinge on this moment.
Without hesitation, he declared.
"The current emperor is foolish and dim-witted, heavily employing eunuchs and corrupt ministers, selling official positions, and making life unbearable for the people.
The Great Han Dynasty has already been fundamentally damaged, and chaos is inevitable—beyond the ability of anyone to reverse.
When the world descends into turmoil, I wish to restore order, unify the realm, and establish a new golden age!"
Hearing this, Xi Zhicai realized that Yuan Shu, who appeared to be just another pampered scion of an aristocratic family, had now laid all his cards on the table.
The choice before him was clear: either assist Yuan Shu or be eliminated by him. There was no third option.
Inwardly, Xi Zhicai mused, what a true Greedy Wolf of the chaotic times!
To foresee the coming chaos demonstrated insight and strategy.
To act as a carefree playboy in Luoyang for so long, enduring mockery without care, showed patience and a broad perspective.
The ambition to unify the realm was grand.
And the killing intent that occasionally leaked from him proved decisiveness in the face of adversity.
He thought to himself, "This is indeed my lord."
Truth be told, Xi Zhicai had little loyalty to the Han Dynasty.
His ideal was to master the art of statecraft and sell it to the highest bidder.
That bidder could be the Han Dynasty or Yuan Shu—it made no difference to him.
Moreover, the opportunity to be part of a legendary feat, assisting a wise ruler in conquering the world, was something Xi Zhicai found deeply appealing.
After Yuan Shu finished speaking, Xi Zhicai stood up, bowed deeply, and firmly declared.
"I now understand your ambition, Lord Yuan. I am willing to devote myself to your great cause, even if it costs me my life!"
Seeing Xi Zhicai pledge loyalty, Yuan Shu was overjoyed.
Was it really this easy to secure a top strategist of the Three Kingdoms?
He couldn't help but recall how difficult it had been for Liu Bei to recruit Zhuge Liang, needing to visit him three times and even cry before Zhuge Liang agreed to serve.
At that moment, the cold voice of the system echoed in his mind.
"Ding! Main Mission One: Talent Recruitment Completed!
Talent Recruitment Level: Epic!
Completion Rate: High!
Reward: 5 attribute points and one Super Item Lottery Card!
(Super items are tools that significantly aid the host's endeavors. The host is advised to use them wisely.)"
Such generous rewards!
As expected, the stronger the talent recruited, the richer the rewards.
Yuan Shu instructed the system to temporarily store the rewards so he could use them later.
The immediate priority was to strategize with the top advisor he had just recruited.
With joy, he helped Xi Zhicai to his feet and said.
"With you, Zhicai, I feel as King Wen felt when he gained Jiang Ziya, or as Emperor Gaozu felt when he gained Zhang Liang!"