The Three Kingdoms: Hindsight is 20/20, and the Three Revivals of the Han Dynasty

Chapter 155 It wasn't about getting something for nothing; it was Zhuge Liang's strategy to raise funds and supplies (5th update)
Having received instructions, Jiao Chu and Zhang Nan hurriedly came to find Yuan Xi and reported the news that Liu Bei was about to go to Changshan State to cultivate land.

Upon hearing this, Yuan Xi immediately became anxious: If General Zuo goes to Changshan State to cultivate land, wouldn't I have to return to Youzhou again?

During his trip to Ye City, Yuan Xi not only gained no benefits, but was also constantly reprimanded by Yuan Shang and Lady Liu. In order to find out Yuan Shang's secrets for Liu Bei, Yuan Xi endured humiliation and bowed and scraped to Yuan Shang or Lady Liu every day.

To outsiders: Yuan Xi was the son of a great general, the governor of Youzhou, and married a woman of exceptional talent and beauty, surnamed Zhen, who was also incredibly wealthy. He was a true winner in life!
The bitterness she felt was known only to herself: she was treated like a servant by Yuan Shang, and in Madam Liu's eyes, she was "born of a maid." She married a beautiful and talented wife, but she could hardly see her all year round. Moreover, this beautiful wife was often ordered around and made difficult by Madam Liu, and she was even coveted by Yuan Shang. The so-called winner in life was nothing but a miserable maid's vain fantasy before her death.

With Liu Bei in Ye City, Yuan Xi could still confide his troubles and find some comfort and relief.

If Liu Bei went to Changshan Kingdom, Yuan Xi wouldn't even be confident that he could stay in Ye City for three days!

What are your intentions in staying in Ye City for three months after you left Youzhou?
"Does General Zuo have anything you need me to do?" Yuan Xi suppressed his inner anxiety and asked Generals Jiao Chu and Zhang Nan in a seemingly calm manner.

Without hesitation, Jiao Chu said, "The military advisor Zhuge instructed the two of us to come and tell him, 'We have heard that Governor Yuan's wife is from Zhongshan. Why don't you take her back to Zhongshan to pay respects to your ancestors?'"

Upon hearing this, Yuan Xi was overjoyed.

What a brilliant idea!
If I take my wife back to Zhongshan, I can not only stay outside Ye City with a legitimate reason, but also assist Liu Bei, and save my wife from being tormented by Lady Liu again.

Yuan Shang showed no brotherly affection, and Lady Liu did not regard Zhen Mi as her daughter-in-law. This time, returning to Zhongshan is like a fish returning to the sea, no longer subject to the control of that mother and son!
Overjoyed.

Yuan Xi was troubled again.

Although Zhuge Liang's suggestion was good, Lady Liu might not agree to Zhen Mi returning to Zhongshan to pay respects to her ancestors.

Thinking of this, Yuan Xi hurriedly went to find Liu Bei again.

Upon learning that Liu Bei was enjoying a drink with an old friend in his tent and forbade anyone to disturb him, Yuan Xi turned to Zhuge Liang.

Zhuge Liang had anticipated Yuan Xi's arrival and already had a plan to address Yuan Xi's concerns: "Governor Yuan can go and find Yuan Shang, and tell him that Yuan Tan heard that the Left General was highly regarded by the Grand General, and secretly transported a batch of grain to Youzhou for the Left General as a gesture of appeasement. If Yuan Shang hears this news, he will definitely be angry with Yuan Tan. Governor Yuan can then take this opportunity to request permission to return to Zhongshan, claiming that he wants to use the power of the Zhen family of Zhongshan to secretly allocate money and grain to the Left General, in order to win over the Left General for Yuan Shang. However, to avoid being discovered by Yuan Tan, Governor Yuan must take his wife back to Zhongshan to pay respects to their ancestors as a cover. I predict that Yuan Shang will definitely agree."

Upon hearing this, Yuan Xi clapped his hands and laughed, "Strategist Zhuge's plan is brilliant! In this way, I don't need to face Lady Liu directly; Yuan Shang will take care of it for me!"

As Yuan Xi left happily, a smile appeared on Zhuge Liang's lips.

This wasn't the first time Zhuge Liang had used the tactic of getting something for nothing.

If Liu Bei had received financial assistance from the Zhen family of Zhongshan, he would not have needed to rely entirely on Shen Pei for grain supplies.

If Shen Pei were to try to embezzle Liu Bei's 10,000 new soldiers and use a treacherous scheme to cut off Liu Bei's food and supplies, Liu Bei would not be left to sit idly by and await his doom.

In this chaotic world, whoever has money and provisions is truly qualified to command an army and hold power! Yuan Xi, having received Zhuge Liang's secret plan, came to find Yuan Shang again.

Yuan Xi encountered Shen Pei and Feng Ji again at the gate of the mansion, and he subconsciously became wary.

Liu Bei's decision to establish military farms in Changshan State was based on Feng Ji's suggestion. Now, Feng Ji and Shen Pei have come out of Yuan Shang's residence, which must be part of a scheme.

really.

Before Yuan Xi could speak, Yuan Shang gave him a task: "You've come at the right time! Liu Bei has been tricked by Feng Ji and transferred to Changshan State. You can return to Youzhou as soon as possible and, while Liu Bei is away, replace the confidants of Liu Bei in the seven counties of Youzhou with Yuan family disciples."

Yuan Xi cursed inwardly: That son of a bitch Feng Ji is trying to sow discord between me and the Left General! If all seven counties of Youzhou are filled with Yuan family protégés, will they listen to me or Yuan Shang? Feng Ji is a traitor, a villain, a villain, a rebel!

Seeing the urgency of the situation, Yuan Xi hurriedly advised, "Young Master Shang, you mustn't! I just received news that Yuan Tan, upon hearing that General Zuo is highly regarded by the Grand General, secretly transported a batch of grain to Youzhou to curry favor with him. If I were to replace General Zuo's confidants in the seven counties of Youzhou at this time, Yuan Tan would surely use the pretext of speaking out for General Zuo to lead his army into Zhuojun. At that time, Yuan Tan and General Zuo's confidants would join forces, and I would not only be driven out of Youzhou but also be punished by the Grand General! When General Zuo learns of this, he will also take his anger out on you, Young Master Shang! Who has offered you this foolish plan, intending to help Yuan Tan seize the position of heir?"

Yuan Shang was stunned.

Just now, after being persuaded by Shen Pei and Feng Ji, Yuan Shang only saw the benefits of the seven commanderies of Youzhou but failed to see the risks involved. If he were truly persuaded by Yuan Tan...
A cold sweat broke out on Yuan Shang's feet, and he cried out in alarm, "Feng Ji has ruined me!"

Seeing that Yuan Shang believed his words, Yuan Xi continued, "I have a plan that can help Young Master Shang win over General Zuo to your side! Even if it fails, it can at least keep General Zuo from taking sides!"

Yuan Shang frowned: "What good plan do you have?"

Taking advantage of the situation, Yuan Xi said, "Since General Zuo has gone to Changshan, I must also return to Youzhou. But before returning to Youzhou, I can lie and say that I am taking my wife back to Zhongshan to pay respects to our ancestors, thus deceiving Yuan Tan's spies. In reality, I will use the power of the Zhen family of Zhongshan to secretly allocate money and provisions to General Zuo, in order to win over General Zuo for Young Master Shang. In this way, the grain that Yuan Tan sent to Youzhou will be useless. After returning to Youzhou, I will send the list of grain that Yuan Tan sent to Ye City. At that time, Young Master Shang will deliberately invite Yuan Tan to a banquet to show him the list. I believe Yuan Tan's expression at that time will be quite interesting!"

As Yuan Xi deliberately feigned sarcasm towards Yuan Tan, Yuan Shang was immediately tempted.

But thinking of Shen Pei and Feng Ji's words, Yuan Shang hesitated again: "Shen Pei also told me that we must not let the Left General become too powerful, and we need to find a way to check and balance him."

Yuan Xi laughed and said, "General Zuo's money and provisions in Changshan Kingdom are all provided by the Zhen family of Zhongshan and the Shen family of Wei Commandery. The Zhen family of Zhongshan and the Shen family of Wei Commandery respect the young master Shang. They can cut off the money and provisions whenever they want. How can Liu Bei grow powerful?"

Yuan Xi went to great lengths to dispel Yuan Shang's doubts.

at last.

Under Yuan Xi's reasoned argument, Yuan Shang agreed to Yuan Xi's plan: "If you let Zhen Shi go with you, Mother will definitely blame me. However, considering that you have always been diligent and that you and Zhen Shi have been separated for long periods of time, I will make an exception and plead for you. After the matter is settled, send Zhen Shi back to Ye City as soon as possible. Mother is used to Zhen Shi's service."

Yuan Xi cursed inwardly: My wife is not your maid, why must you make my wife serve you! What a bastard!
The words were on the tip of Yuan Xi's tongue, but his face was full of flattery: "I will definitely not make things difficult for Young Master Shang. After the matter is settled, I will send Madam back to Ye City as soon as possible."

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(End of this chapter)