The Three Kingdoms: The entire Cao Cao camp thought I was weak and frail.

Cao Cao was also stunned. He stared at Guo Jia's serious face for a long time before finding his voice: "Fengxiao... isn't it crowded there?"

"It's not crowded." Guo Jia turned his head and smiled at Xun Hao, revealing his teeth. "It's just right."

Xun Hao could feel the warmth emanating from the person beside him, a mixture of dust and a faint scent of soapberry, enveloping him completely. He lowered his eyes, looking at Guo Jia and his brother's arms almost touching, and his gaze darkened.

The next moment, he subtly moved towards Xun You on the other side, making room for one person to pass through.

This gesture is like a silent invitation.

Guo Jia understood almost immediately.

He glanced at Xun Yu, whose face was ashen, and then stood up decisively and sat in the seat that Xun Hao had vacated.

This put him at a distance from Xun Yu, but brought him closer to Xun Hao.

Guo Jia even put his arm on Xun Hao's desk, and the two practically shared the same table. Xun Hao was right next to him, and their energy levels continued to rise.

Xun Yu: "..."

He felt he was being nosy and meddling in their affairs.

Cao Cao, watching this scene, laughed even more heartily. He waved his hand, signaling everyone to quiet down: "Alright, alright, sit down. Fengxiao, besides the matter of Rencheng, did you discover anything else during your inspection tour?"

When serious matters were mentioned, Guo Jia's expression became more serious.

"Reporting to my lord," Guo Jia readily replied, "I have already inspected the three counties of Dongping, Taishan, and Jiyin. In Dongping and Taishan, under your sagacious authority, the officials are diligent, the 'Qingtian' policy is being implemented smoothly, and the people are loyal. Only the prefect of Jiyin seems to be outwardly compliant but inwardly defiant. I observe that under his jurisdiction, the granaries are dilapidated, the fields are overgrown, a stark contrast to the neighboring counties."

The atmosphere in the council chamber became serious again.

Xun Hao had been listening quietly, but suddenly spoke up: "My lord, Yanzhou has just been pacified, and this is the time to establish authority. If we do not take swift and decisive action against officials who harbor disloyalty, I fear that other places will follow suit, and our decrees will be difficult to implement beyond Puyang."

Cao Cao nodded in deep agreement: "What Yanruo said is very true. However, we still need to consider who to send to handle this matter."

"General Cao Hong has been quite idle at home lately, so it would be a good opportunity for him to make a trip to Jiyin to stretch his muscles and bones." Xun Hao's gaze fell squarely on Cao Hong.

Cao Hong, who was yawning listlessly, suddenly snapped back to reality. How could he be idle? He was busy training his troops every day!

He was about to retort when he saw Xun Hao slowly extend a finger towards him.

That finger, fair and slender, waved in front of him.

Cao Hong's mind went blank for a moment as he instantly recalled the three conditions he had promised with a firm hand outside Shanyang City.

This kid, he's already used one? Using it for this kind of menial errand?

Cao Hong felt a lump in his throat, unable to breathe. He looked at Xun Hao's calm and collected face, his teeth itching with hatred.

Under the watchful eyes of everyone, Cao Cao's questioning gaze was already fixed on them.

After hesitating for a long time, Cao Hong finally squeezed out a sentence through gritted teeth. He stood up abruptly, clasped his hands in a fist salute to Cao Cao, and said in a booming voice, "This humble general volunteers to go to Jiyin to share the burden of my lord! I will surely execute those two-faced traitors on the spot!"

The indignant tone of his voice made Xiahou Dun, who was standing to the side, shrink back involuntarily. What had triggered Zilian's anger?

"Zilian is brave, but the governor of Jiyin is cunning. I'm afraid Zilian might be easily deceived if he goes alone." Cao Cao pondered for a moment and then made a decision. "Fengxiao, you are most familiar with the situation in western Yanzhou. Go with Zilian so that you can look out for each other."

Upon hearing this, Xun Hao frowned.

He painstakingly set a trap, even using a favor to get Cao Hong to volunteer, only to have Guo Jia get dragged into it by a single word from his lord.

What's this? Buy one get one free?

Guo Jia was also taken aback. He had just returned and hadn't even finished a sip of hot tea, and now he was going on another long journey? He subconsciously looked at Xun Hao, only to see that the other man had his eyes lowered, making it impossible to see his expression, but the tightly pursed lips betrayed his displeasure.

Guo Jia's mood inexplicably improved.

Just as he was about to accept the order, a weak voice came from the corner.

"My lord," Xi Zhicai slowly stood up. He looked much better today and seemed more energetic. "Thanks to Physician Hua's skillful hands, my health has improved considerably. Staying cooped up in the mansion all day is making my bones rust. Why don't I accompany General Zilian on this trip, as a way to relax and clear my head, and take care of this errand along the way?"

Cao Cao looked at Xi Zhicai and saw that although his face was still pale, his eyes were clear and he no longer looked sickly and frail as if he might collapse at any moment. He was quite gratified.

"Zhicai's health is paramount; this trip..."

"It's alright." Xi Zhicai waved his hand, interrupting Cao Cao's concerns. "With General Zilian here, I'm just offering suggestions and advice; it won't be tiring. Besides, I also want to see what the situation will be like after the Qingtian plan is implemented."

He glanced at Guo Jia meaningfully as he spoke. Guo Jia understood immediately, knowing that Xi Zhicai was trying to help him out of a difficult situation.

"In that case," Cao Cao pondered for a moment and finally made his decision, "then Zhicai and Zilian will go to Jiyin together. Fengxiao, you don't need to make another trip, but there are still a few counties in Yanzhou that have not been inspected. You need to find out the situation there, compile it into a book, and report it to me."

This means he still needs to complete his previous "assassination" mission.

Guo Jia's heart skipped a beat. He suddenly realized that his lord had far too few capable civil officials who could handle things independently. Relying on just a few of them for everything would only lead to their exhaustion sooner or later.

He stepped forward and bowed to Cao Cao: "My lord, I have something to say, but I don't know if I should."

"Please feel free to speak."

"Now that Yanzhou has been newly pacified, everything is in need of rebuilding, and this is the perfect time to recruit talented individuals. When I was in Yingchuan, I had several classmates and friends who were all capable of governing the country. For example, Chen Qun, also known as Chen Changwen, is a man of refined taste and lofty ideals, skilled in governing the people's livelihood, and has a Legalist style; there is also Zhao Yan, also known as Zhao Boran, who is exceptionally intelligent. If we can invite them to come, they will surely be able to share the burden for our lord."

His words made Cao Cao's eyes light up.

What Cao Cao lacks most right now is talent! Especially talent in domestic affairs who can govern the region. Although Xun Yu is a capable advisor, he is not able to handle everything alone.

"Fengxiao is absolutely right!" Cao Cao was overjoyed and immediately said, "Quickly write a letter to invite them to come."

Distant water cannot quench immediate thirst; Guo Jia still needs to embark on a long journey.

Inside the council hall, with Cao Cao's command "Disperse, everyone," the crowd felt as if they had been granted a pardon and rose to take their leave.

Guo Jia let out a long sigh of relief, turned his head, and met Xun Hao's clear eyes.

"Let's go," Guo Jia's voice softened unconsciously, "Let's go back."