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

"Report! Urgent report from the southern front! Upon hearing of Sun Jian's death, Yuan Shu's army was thrown into chaos, and with Liu Biao cutting off their supply lines, they withdrew their entire army yesterday!"

The crisis on the southern front is over!

"Good!" Cao Cao slammed his fist on the table. "Pass on my orders!"

"All troops, prepare for battle!"

"Three days later, we will march on Xuzhou!"

Once the order was given, no one raised any objections.

Upon receiving the message, Chen Qun folded the silk paper again and tucked it into his bosom.

He stood up and dusted off non-existent dust from his robes. "Change your clothes."

"Go to the governor's mansion."

Inside the governor's mansion, the lights were on.

Tao Qian was restless, while the military generals led by Cao Bao and the civil officials led by Mi Zhu were arguing fiercely below the hall.

Sun Jian's death and Yuan Shu's withdrawal shattered all of Tao Qian's reliance on others.

"My lord! Now that Cao Cao has no worries about the south, he will surely march east! We must immediately prepare to fight him!" Cao Bao's voice boomed, and his face trembled with pain.

Mi Zhu frowned and retorted, "Fight? What can we use to fight? Cao Cao's army has just won a victory and their morale is high. Our Xuzhou troops have been out of practice for a long time. How can we be a match for them? To start a war now is tantamount to throwing an egg against a rock!"

"Are we just going to release them like this? And even apologize? What about the reputation of Xuzhou?!"

Just then, a servant rushed in, "My lord, something terrible has happened! Chen Qun, the envoy from Cao Cao's camp... he... he's broken in!"

Before he finished speaking, Chen Qun, covered in dust, appeared at the entrance of the hall.

"The residence of Prefect Tao is truly bustling."

Tao Qian was both shocked and furious. He stood up from the main seat and shouted, "Chen Changwen! What right do you have to break into my residence in the middle of the night?!"

Chen Qun seemed not to hear his question. "The war on the southern front is over. I wonder if you, my lord, now have some free time to discuss with me the old master's return date?"

Tao Qian's face flushed pale and then flushed again. He suppressed his anger and said, "Chen Qun, don't be so arrogant! Lord Cao is eating and drinking well in my Xuzhou. When did I ever say I wouldn't let him go?"

"Oh?" Chen Qun raised an eyebrow. "In that case, I'm relieved. But, sir, you've been a guest in Xiapi for quite some time; you can't go back empty-handed, can you?"

Inside the hall, everyone thought they had misheard.

Cao Bao's eyes widened, pointing at Chen Qun in disbelief: "You... what did you say? You want more?"

Chen Qun ignored him, only looking at Tao Qian in the main seat, and continued slowly, "The old master is advanced in years and suffered a fright in your esteemed place. As the host, it is only reasonable for you, Your Excellency, to send some gifts to soothe his nerves and express your condolences. This is both proper etiquette and will enhance Your Excellency's reputation for benevolence. What do you think, Your Excellency?"

"Bullshit!" Cao Bao finally couldn't hold back any longer. "We've already done him a huge favor by not killing him! You dare to come asking for things? I think you're tired of living!"

Mi Zhu, Chen Gui, and the others looked grave. They hadn't expected Chen Qun to be so audacious in his demands.

Tao Qian was so angry that his lips were trembling. He pointed at Chen Qun, but couldn't utter a single word.

Chen Qun ignored the half-drawn blade, his gaze never leaving Tao Qian.

"It seems that you, my lord, believe that Yanzhou is powerless to protect my lord's father?"

Before he could answer, Chen Qun continued, "No wonder, after all, even the magistrate's distinguished guest was disturbed by 'fierce bandits' in Xuzhou. It is clear that the banditry in Xuzhou has indeed reached a point where it must be dealt with."

He abruptly changed the subject, and his voice became serious.

"Our lord, out of compassion for the difficulties faced by the magistrate, has specifically instructed his troops that if the magistrate requires assistance, our army from Yanzhou is ready to immediately march to Xuzhou to help him quell the bandits within his territory and restore peace and order to the people of Xuzhou!"

"You arrogant brat!" Cao Bao was utterly enraged. He charged at Chen Qun, sword in hand. "Today I'll kill you, you ignorant messenger, and see what Cao Mengde can do to me!"

"stop!"

A sharp shout came not from Tao Qian, but from Chen Gui, the head of the Chen family of Xiapi, who had been silent all along.

Chen Gui stood up and stepped between Cao Bao and Chen Qun. He shook his head at Cao Bao, then turned to Tao Qian, who was in the main seat, and cupped his hands, saying, "My lord, in war, envoys are not to be killed. Mr. Chen is a renowned scholar; if he is harmed, your reputation will be ruined!"

Mi Zhu immediately stepped forward and echoed, "Lord Chen is absolutely right! My lord, please reconsider!"

Inside the hall, the distinction between the two areas was clear.

The group of military officers, led by Cao Bao, all glared angrily, their faces filled with murderous intent.

Meanwhile, the gentry of Xuzhou, led by Chen Gui and Mi Zhu, all wore somber expressions, pondering and calculating their options.

They knew very well that once Cao Cao's army entered the territory, the situation in Xuzhou would change drastically.

However, if they did not give in, given Cao Cao's current momentum, the consequences of resisting would only be more dire.

Tao Qian stood frozen in the main seat, his old face turning a deep liver color.

Chen Gui and Mi Zhu exchanged a glance, both seeing the intention to back down in each other's eyes.

We must not get involved in this mess again.

Chen Qun's gaze swept around the hall, taking in everyone's expressions.

He gave Tao Qian, who was in the main seat, a perfunctory bow.

"It seems that Your Excellency will need some more time to discuss with your generals how to entertain my master. Therefore, I will not stay any longer."

After saying that, he straightened his robes, turned around and left.

That straight back, under the murderous gaze of Cao Bao and the others, did not hesitate for a moment, as if he were just visiting a neighbor.

"Sir, shall we return to the inn now?" a servant asked in a low voice.

Chen Qun didn't stop; his gaze fell on a magnificent mansion at the end of the street. "No," he uttered a single word, "to the Chen residence."

The attendant was taken aback. Wasn't Chen Gui still at the governor's mansion discussing matters with Tao Qian?

Chen Qun offered no explanation.

Upon arriving at the Chen residence, after the announcement was made, the main gate slowly opened, and a tall, upright young man came out to greet them.

"My father is still at the governor's mansion discussing matters and is unable to come to greet you. I hope Mr. Changwen will forgive me." The young man bowed respectfully, his manners impeccable. He was Chen Gui's son, Chen Deng.

"It's alright." Chen Qun looked him over and nodded slightly. "It's my fault for disturbing you so late at night."

Inside the living room, a maid served hot tea.

Chen Deng personally poured Chen Qun a full cup and said with a smile, "Sir, your visit so late at night must be about my father's matter. Rest assured, my father always puts the big picture first and would never allow Prefect Tao to do anything foolish."

Chen Qun looked directly at Chen Deng and said, "Brother Yuanlong is a man of few words, so I won't beat around the bush. I've come here to save Brother Yuanlong's life."

Chen Deng paused, then smiled.

"Sir, you jest. I am safe and sound in your residence; what danger could there be for my life?"

"Being in the mansion doesn't guarantee safety. Brother Yuanlong, have you been suffering from frequent abdominal cramps and insomnia lately? Judging from your complexion, your forehead is dark and your eyes are bluish, which are signs of stagnant illness."

The smile on Chen Deng's face froze.

Chen Qun didn't stop. "Brother Yuanlong is a great lover of sashimi, especially raw river delicacies. Am I right?"

He consulted numerous renowned doctors about his severe abdominal cramps, but none could offer a solution, attributing it to a chronic illness.

Apart from his parents and a few close confidants, no outsider could possibly know about this! As for his fondness for raw fish, that was simply a personal quirk.

How did Chen Changwen, whom he had never met, know this?

"Who...who are you?"

Chen Qun did not answer, but instead took out the small brocade pouch from his bosom.