I did it all for the Han Dynasty!

Chapter 430 Jia Xu Makes His Move (4k)

"What brings you here, Master Jia?"

Lu Su was still somewhat wary of Jia Xu.

After pacifying Jingzhou, Lu Su learned the whole story behind Jia Xu's gift of the horse, and he was somewhat puzzled.

Jia Xu, for his own sake, completely put himself in Liu Pan's clutches! If Taishi Ci hadn't been in Yuzhang at the time, Lu Su wouldn't know if he could have returned to Jiangdong.

In addition, Jia Xu was older and more experienced, so Lu Su was still somewhat intimidated when he encountered Jia Xu.

Is Shen Pei serving Yuan Shao?

Lu Su shook his head.

Shen Pei, as the Minister of the Imperial Secretariat of Northern Zhao, was a leader of the Hebei literati and was relied upon by Yuan Shao from the beginning, leading his staff. Such a person was equivalent to Xun Yu under Cao Cao, and would not easily appear on the battlefield.

"Has Zijing seen Yuan Shang?"

Lu Su shook his head again.

"I have not seen Shen Pei and Yuan Shang. I suppose they are still in Ye City, behind Yuan's army."

Jia Xu only asked these two questions, and then remained silent.

Instead, Pang Tong slammed his palm down: "Lord Jia is right!"

"No matter where Yuan Tan hides, his Guanzhong army still needs to eat!"

"If we can't find them on the battlefield with scouts, we should be able to find them in the logistical records!"

Pang Tong became inexplicably excited!

None of the others sitting here were fools; they all figured out the reason!

Shen Pei, that's the Minister of the Imperial Secretariat of the Northern Zhao!
The intelligence resources they possess are enough to make the Han Dynasty envious!

Logically speaking, it would be impossible for a high-ranking official like Shen Pei to leak secrets.

In particular, Shen Pei's personality has always been described as "rigid", "unapproachable", "fierce and upright", and "possessing the integrity of the ancients"!
In general, he was no different from Zhang Zhao.

It was precisely for this reason that Yuan Shao dared to entrust all the political affairs of Northern Zhao to Shen Pei.

Trying to get information out of him is simply a pipe dream!
But just now Jia Xu asked someone else!

Yuan Shang!

Throughout Hebei… no! Throughout the entire country, who doesn't know that Shen Pei, this native of Wei Commandery, supports Yuan Shang?
If Yuan Shang forces Shen Pei to change his mind, will Shen Pei change his ways or continue to uphold his integrity?

Jia Xu then slowly uttered another sentence—

"We can spread the word that His Majesty has offered to make peace with Yuan Shao, but Yuan Tan is desperately trying to stop him because he wants to defeat His Majesty himself and seize the position of Crown Prince..."

Instantly, everyone's gaze towards Jia Xu changed!
Murder, but also punish!

Everyone could imagine how devastated Yuan Shang must have been upon hearing this news!
Especially since this news is 70% true and 30% false.

Because Liu Miao did indeed send Lu Su to Yuan Shao's camp to seek peace.

And Yuan Shao did indeed inexplicably reject Liu Miao.

Liu Miao certainly couldn't have said that he was trying to verify how long Yuan Shao could live.

Yuan Shao obviously couldn't possibly reveal this news himself in a big way.

However, the rumor spread by Jia Xu provided a very good explanation for this matter!

Yuan Shao refused Liu Miao's request for peace because Yuan Tan strongly opposed it.

But the worst was yet to come.

"If Hebei can indeed send intelligence, then after defeating Yuan Tan, we can expose this matter, causing Yuan Shao and Hebei to distrust each other and completely lose their will to fight. Ideally, Ye City would even rebel directly..."

Upon hearing this, Liu Miao unconsciously clapped his hands.

Hearing this, the others also applauded Jia Xu, and the clapping quickly turned from a few scattered sounds into a thunderous roar! Amidst the enthusiastic applause, Jia Xu gave a shy and embarrassed smile, then quickly disappeared into the background, as if he had nothing to do with the atmosphere...

"Okay! Let's do it Wenhe said!"

Liu Miao chuckled mischievously as he stroked his chin.

"One is a father who is about to die, and the other is a son who is about to lose his position. I'd like to see which of these two will go mad faster!"

However, there is still one problem.

That is, how to transmit intelligence to Hebei...

Without prior arrangement, everyone thought of a good friend of a high-ranking Han official!
Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

"no!"

In Yuan's camp, Xu You resolutely rejected Lu Jun's request!

To avoid being exposed, Xu You only dared to light an oil lamp in his tent and place it behind a screen. There was almost no light, and he couldn't see the face of the person opposite him at all.

"And another thing! Are you crazy? You dare come here at a time like this? Do you want to die?"

Xu You's face contorted, he gesticulated wildly, and glared at Lu Jun in front of him!
If he were discovered to be in his own tent, he would be in serious trouble, if not dead!

Lu Jun, dressed in the uniform of a Yuan army scout, sighed, "I don't know when I became so bold. Maybe it's from my business experience?"

Faced with Xu You's disdain, Lu Jun was also somewhat dissatisfied: "Lord Xu! If it weren't for me back then, could you have escaped from Ye City to Xuchang? And what about the business in Guanzhong afterward? Wasn't it mostly me who took care of things? How can you turn your back on me now?"

"Okay! Okay! Keep it down! Keep it down!"

Hearing footsteps outside the tent, Xu You quickly covered the lamp with his hand and stared blankly at the tent cloth. Only when the sound outside stopped did he breathe a sigh of relief.

He looked at Lu Jun with a helpless expression: "How could I not remember you? If I, Xu You, were truly the kind of person who would turn my back on someone, I would have handed you over to His Majesty long ago!"

Xu You lowered his voice, his face anxious: "What exactly are you here for? Huh? I'm telling you beforehand, I can't help you with anything right now!"

"Look at what Master Xu is saying!"

"Nonsense! You didn't come here to ask me for a favor, did you? Did you come here to have tea with me?"

Xu You was truly impressed by the ancestor before him.

"I'll hide you for the night! Tomorrow morning, you'd better sneak into the ranks and get out of here! It's not that I don't want to help you this time! If I help you, my head will be chopped off!"

Seeing Xu You so nervous, Lu Jun became even less anxious!
"Master Xu, I have indeed come here with a request."

"roll roll roll!"

Xu You covered his ears: "I won't listen! I'm warning you! If you keep nagging like this and the night patrol scouts hear you, I absolutely won't save you!"

Lu Jun held up his finger: "This amount? You're not even going to help?"

Xu You's Adam's apple bobbed slightly.

However, Xu You still forcibly looked away: "It's not that I don't want to help! It's just that too many eyes are watching me right now!"

Lu Jun extended another finger.

Xu You simply closed his eyes: "No! It really won't do! These days, His Majesty never lets me listen in when he discusses important military and national affairs. This won't do!"

"One price! Ten thousand gold!"

Lu Jun gave his final offer.

"And it's not about having Lord Xu gather any intelligence, it's just about having Lord Xu deliver a few messages to Ye City. This should be a piece of cake for Lord Xu, right?"

Xu You secretly opened his eyes: "Is this true?"

"When have I ever lied to Master Xu?"

Xu You lowered his hands from his ears and picked up the white porcelain teacup on the table: "Tell me what you have to say, and I'll listen."

But after Lu Jun finished speaking, Xu You frowned.

"Has Liu Miao gone mad? Or are you the one who's gone mad?"

"Why would I harm Yuan Tan? Yuan Tan and I are in the same boat now! Why should I help Yuan Shang?" Lu Jun chuckled dryly.

"Xu Gong regarded Yuan Tan as one of his own, but did Yuan Tan regard Xu Gong as his confidant?"

Xu You frowned: "What do you mean?"

"Surely you know that Yuan Tan gave Yuan Shao a list of people involved in smuggling in Guanzhong?"

Xu You nodded: "Of course I know!"

"Doesn't Master Xu think that this is not only Yuan Tan's way of currying favor with Yuan Shao, but also a compromise with the Minister of the Imperial Secretariat, Shen Pei, and others?"

Xu You's brows furrowed even deeper: "What do you mean?"

"Does Master Xu still not understand?"

Lu Jun felt somewhat helpless towards Xu You.

He had no idea how Xu You, with such a lack of vigilance, could thrive in this chaotic world.

"Those things are all evidence of crimes!"

"If Shen Pei dares not use what's inside against Yuan Tan, does he not dare use what's inside against you, Lord Xu?"

"With those things, Shen Pei can issue the order today and execute Xu Gong tomorrow!"

Xu You's expression finally changed.

"Yuan Tan could hand over something that could kill you at any moment to your enemy, yet you think you're on Yuan Tan's side?"

"Shen Pei could kill you in an instant! Don't you really have any reservations?"

Xu You began to panic!
"Impossible! Impossible!"

"His Majesty promised to forgive and forget about me when I surrendered Xuchang! You know that! If it weren't for me, how could Yuan Shao have entered Xuchang?"

"And Yuan Tan! If it weren't for me, he wouldn't have been able to accomplish many things! Moreover, I know all too well what Yuan Tan has done! With him and his son around, I'm naturally safe and sound!"

But Lu Jun's gaze toward Xu You was filled with even more pity.

"So, Lord Xu, you have rendered great service and also know about Yuan Tan's stains?"

"..."

One sentence left Xu You speechless.

Along with his words, Xu You's face also lost its color.

"Considering that Mr. Xu and I have known each other for many years, I will tell Mr. Xu two things."

Lu Jun gave Xu You two pieces of intelligence for free.

"First, I met Yuan Tan a few times when he was in Jinling. I know that although Yuan Tan was a bit naive in his dealings, his original intentions were good. He really wanted to go through fire and water for the country."

"Once he ascends the throne, he will surely carry out a major overhaul of officialdom! He might even emulate the Han Dynasty by implementing a land redistribution system... At that time, do you think he will let you off the hook, Lord Xu?"

"Furthermore, if Yuan Tan were to truly become emperor in the future, how could he allow anyone to know about his smuggling, treason, and warhorse trading activities?"

Emperors are not allowed to have any flaws.

If so, kill all those who know!
As Lu Jun spoke more and more, Xu You's condition worsened, and even his shoulders began to tremble involuntarily.

"Also, Yuan Shao is dying."

"Ok?"

Xu You suddenly felt a chill run down his spine! He stared intently at Lu Jun: "What did you say?"

"Lord Xu should also know about Lu Zijing's trip to Yuan's camp a while ago."

Lu Jun said unhurriedly, "The purpose is to test Yuan Shao's situation."

"And Yuan Shao's refusal to accept 'what's the point? Doesn't that explain a lot?"

A thunderbolt suddenly exploded in Xu You's mind!

His greatest reliance now is his past relationship with Yuan Shao, namely, the merit of surrendering Xuchang and allowing Yuan Shao to gain the Han emperor's favor.

But now, they're telling him Yuan Shao is dying?
If Yuan Shao were truly dead, without this ultimate protective charm, what would become of Xu You?

Did they wholeheartedly pledge allegiance to Yuan Tan?

But just as Lu Jun said.

Which emperor would allow someone who knows his dirty secrets to live a good life?

Who knows, the first thing Yuan Tan will do after ascending the throne is to target Xu You! And then pin the whole blame for the smuggling in Guanzhong on him!
After all, Yuan Tan had actually handed Shen Pei a dagger that could have killed him!

Xu You was initially somewhat skeptical.

However, considering Yuan Shao's behavior in recent years, Xu You couldn't help but doubt Yuan Shao's health.

For example, Yuan Shao always had a faint herbal scent on him.

For example, Yuan Shao would prohibit anyone from entering his tent for a certain period of time each day.

For example, it seems that Yuan Shao hasn't been with a woman for a very, very long time...

One by one, the details, big and small, were now connected by Xu You, and Xu You had to admit—

Yuan Shao is probably really nearing his end.

Without Yuan Shao as his powerful patron, and without the roots of their childhood friendship, how long could Xu You continue to live happily in Hebei?

The most urgent task is to find a powerful backer as soon as possible!

Xu You originally chose Yuan Tan.

But Yuan Tan's betrayal of his ally this time truly chilled his heart.

That being the case...

However, Xu You still had some doubts in his heart.

The thought of working with Guo Tu in the future made Xu You feel restless and itchy all over!

Lu Jun also noticed Xu You's aversion, but he broke through Xu You's psychological defenses with just a few words.

“Lord Xu, Shen Pei is arrogant and aloof, which is why he often opposes you.”

"But this time... don't you want to see how Shen Pei will choose?"

Xu You's eyes lit up immediately!
Isn't Shen Pei supposed to be aloof and pure? Isn't he supposed to remain untainted by the mud?

Since that's the case, let's drag Shen Pei down with us! Then let's see how arrogant he'll be!
Xu You now felt as if he were looking at a goddess with a haughty expression and full of contempt for him, and his heart was filled with blasphemy!
Aloofness?

If you get covered in mud, let's see how arrogant you are then!
"Hey Hey!"

Xu You's laughter grew increasingly distorted, causing Lu Jun to tighten his clothes, wondering if Xu You had suffered some kind of trauma in Hebei...

"Then, Mr. Xu, shall we settle this matter?"

Xu You immediately became serious!

"Back then, Lu Su publicly humiliated me by holding up a piece of gold with a unicorn's hoof!"

Lu Jun's expression also turned serious: "Lord Xu, are you still not planning to help?"

"No, don't get me wrong."

Xu You said very seriously, "We need to pay more!"

"Then... twenty thousand gold?"

"make a deal!"

(End of this chapter)