My brothers are all warriors capable of taking on ten thousand men; I'll roam freely in the Thr

Ji Xuanyuan sat in his study, a newly drafted national document laid out before him.

That was the imperial edict of investiture to be sent to Liangzhou.

Han Sui was appointed Governor of Liangzhou, and given the title of General Who Guards the West, with the same rank as the Three Excellencies.

He picked up his pen, wrote the last word on the imperial edict, and gently blew on the ink.

"Shiyuan, what do you think of this?"

Pang Tong took the imperial edict, read it from beginning to end, and nodded slightly:

"With appropriate wording and a combination of kindness and severity, Han Sui, if he had any sense, would not have refused."

Ji Xuanyuan put down his pen and looked at Guo Jia beside him:

"Fengxiao, has the envoy been chosen?"

Guo Jia's peach blossom eyes curved into a smile: "It's settled. Does my lord still remember a man named Du Ji from back in Chang'an?"

Ji Xuanyuan raised an eyebrow: "Du Ji? Is that the Du Ji who was once the Prefect of Hanzhong and later defected to the imperial court?"

Guo Jia nodded: "Indeed, this man is quick-witted, eloquent, and has served as an official in Liangzhou, so he is familiar with the local customs and culture. Sending him as an envoy to Han Sui is most appropriate."

Ji Xuanyuan pondered for a moment, then slowly nodded: "Alright, let him go."

He paused, then asked, "What about the person secretly contacting Yuan Tan's former subordinates?"

Guo Jia said, "This is even simpler. Yuan Tan has several generals who are originally from Ji Province. They are disloyal to Yuan Tan. After Yuan Shao's defeat and death, they were forced to flee west. They may not have been willing. I have already sent people to infiltrate Liang Province and made contact with them."

A look of approval flashed in Ji Xuanyuan's eyes: "I trust Fengxiao to handle things."

He stood up, walked to the window, and gazed westward toward Liangzhou, his eyes filled with a profound sense of longing: "Han Sui, Yuan Tan... let's see how long you can hold out."

Several days later, in Liangzhou, Jincheng.

Han Sui sat in his residence, with a newly arrived official letter in front of him.

After reading it, he remained silent for a long time, his expression shifting between light and dark.

Governor of Liangzhou.

General Zhenxi.

Equal to the Three Excellencies.

Ji Xuanyuan... actually appointed him to such a high-ranking official position?

Yuan Tan, sitting to the side, noticed Han's unusual expression and couldn't help but ask, "General Han, what did the letter say?"

Han Sui handed him the official letter.

Yuan Tan took it, scanned it quickly, and his face immediately turned ugly.

"Ji Xuanyuan...he wants to bribe you?!"

Han Sui waved his hand and said indifferently, "Bribery? It's not that. He gave me these generals official positions just to keep me in check and make me focus on dealing with you."

Yuan Tan's expression changed: "General Han, what do you mean by that?"

Han Sui looked at him with a complicated expression: "Xiansi, your father and I have a long-standing friendship. Now that you have nowhere else to turn, you have come to me for help. I am taking you in because of my relationship with your father. But you must understand that my first priority is to think about the soldiers of Liangzhou."

Yuan Tan's face flushed red, but he couldn't utter a word.

Han Sui sighed and patted his shoulder: "Don't worry, I won't betray you. Ji Xuanyuan thinks he can make me bow down with just an imperial edict? Not so easy."

He stood up, walked to the window, looked in the direction of Dongfang Shuntian, and murmured, "However... I must see his sincerity."

Meanwhile, somewhere in Liangzhou, in Yuan Tan's army camp.

Several generals were gathered together, whispering amongst themselves.

"Have you heard? Han Sui is going to betray our lord in exchange for Ji Xuanyuan's reward!"

"Really?!"

"Absolutely true! I have a brother who works in Jincheng, and he overheard Han Sui's secret conversation with his confidants!"

"What...what should we do?"

"Shh! Don't make a sound, we need to prepare early..."

Whispers spread like a plague through the army.

Shuntian, the Grand Tutor's Mansion.

A few days later, Pang Tong came to the study again.

Ji Xuanyuan was reviewing official documents when he saw him enter. He put down his pen and smiled, "Shiyuan, you've come at the right time. I was just about to ask you, how is Kongming doing lately?"

Upon hearing this, Pang Tong's smile faded slightly, and he sighed softly, "My lord, you may not know this, but some troubles have occurred in Kongming's family."

Ji Xuanyuan raised an eyebrow: "Oh? What happened?"

Pang Tong said, "Kongming's uncle, Zhuge Xuan, recently left Xuzhou with Kongming and his brother Zhuge Jun to go to Jingzhou to join Liu Biao."

Ji Xuanyuan was slightly taken aback.

Zhuge Xuan... took Zhuge Liang to Jingzhou?

He secretly calculated the time in his mind.

The first year of Jian'an, 196 AD.

Historically, Zhuge Xuan died in 197.

At that time, Zhuge Liang was seventeen years old. He and his younger brother Zhuge Jun lived in seclusion in Longzhong, farming and studying diligently, until Liu Bei visited his thatched cottage three times.

But now...

Ji Xuanyuan pondered for a moment and said, "Why does Kongming want to go to Jingzhou? Isn't he doing just fine in Xuzhou?"

Pang Tong shook his head: "I don't know the specific reasons either. I only heard that Zhuge Xuan was at odds with some powerful families in Xuzhou, and Liu Biao repeatedly sent people to invite him, so he had the idea of ​​going south."

He paused, then added, "By the way, Kongming's two older sisters are also married. One married Kuai Qi, the younger brother of Kuai Liang and Kuai Yue, and the other married Pang Shanmin, the son of Pang Degong, a cousin of Tong."

Upon hearing this, Ji Xuanyuan nodded inwardly.

Kuai Liang and Kuai Yue were important strategists under Liu Biao in Jingzhou, and the Kuai clan of Jingzhou was a prominent local family.

Pang Degong was a renowned scholar from Xiangyang, and was as famous as Sima Hui, Huang Chengyan, and others.

By establishing marriage alliances with these families, Zhuge Liang effectively integrated himself into the gentry circle of Jingzhou.

He was silent for a moment, then suddenly asked, "Shiyuan, do you think Kongming will come to serve me in the future?"

Pang Tong looked at him and smiled slightly: "Does our lord wish for him to come?"

Ji Xuanyuan did not answer, but looked south with a distant gaze.

Zhuge Liang.

That man who was mythologized in later generations, that famous prime minister who "devoted himself to the cause until his dying breath."

If I could get him...

But then I thought, Zhuge Liang is only sixteen years old now, still a boy.

Historically, he only emerged from seclusion when Liu Bei visited him three times, at which time he was already twenty-seven years old.

Eleven years to go.

How many changes can happen in eleven years?

Ji Xuanyuan withdrew his gaze and shook his head:

"Well, if he comes, I'll welcome him; if he doesn't, it's fate."

Pang Tong looked at him, a complex light flashing in his eyes.

My lord, you are indeed different from ordinary people.

Yanzhou, Changyi.

Meanwhile, thousands of miles away, Cao Cao was facing one of the greatest crises of his life.

Xi Zhicai fell ill.

This core strategist, who had followed Cao Cao for many years, had been overworked ever since the Battle of Guandu.

He single-handedly supported Cao Cao's entire rear by preparing provisions, deploying troops, handling government affairs, and devising strategies.

The Battle of Guandu lasted for eight months, and he didn't get a proper rest for those eight months.

When news of Yuan Shao's defeat arrived, Xi Zhicai finally couldn't hold on any longer.

That day, he was handling military affairs when suddenly everything went black and he collapsed to the ground.

When Cao Cao arrived after hearing the news, Xi Zhicai was already unconscious.

"Zhicai! Zhicai!" Cao Cao knelt before the bed, holding his hand, his voice trembling.

The physicians were in a flurry of activity, some taking pulses, others writing prescriptions, but each of them wore a look of despair.

"My lord..."

An old physician knelt before Cao Cao, his voice trembling, and said, "Sir, this is... a deep-seated illness that has damaged the very foundation of your body... beyond the help of medicine..."

Cao Cao was struck dumb, frozen in place.

"What did you say?!"

The old physician kowtowed repeatedly, crying, "I am incompetent! I am incompetent!"

Cao Cao kicked him to the ground, hissing, "Useless! A bunch of useless trash! Where are the renowned doctors of Yanzhou? Find them all for me! If you can't cure Zhicai, you'll all be buried with him!"

One by one, renowned doctors from Yanzhou were invited, only to shake their heads and leave.

Xi Zhicai's illness was caused by overwork, and he was exhausted and dying.

It's not something they can cure.

Cao Cao stayed by his bedside for three days and three nights without sleep.

Looking at Xi Zhicai's increasingly gaunt face and bloodless lips, his heart ached.

"Zhicai...you can't die...you can't die..."

He murmured, his voice terribly hoarse.

Outside the tent, Cao Ren, Xiahou Dun, and other generals stood silently waiting, none daring to utter a sound.

Finally, someone spoke up.

"My lord."

Cheng Yu stepped forward and said in a low voice, "I have something to say, but I don't know if I should."

Cao Cao looked up at him.

Cheng Yu said, "The famous doctors in Yanzhou cannot cure Mr. Xi, but the world is vast, and there may be someone who can. I have heard that there are two divine doctors in Shuntian, one is Zhang Zhongjing, and the other is Hua Tuo, both of whom are medical sages of their time. If we could invite them here..."

Cao Cao's eyes lit up!

Zhang Zhongjing!

Hua Tuo!

Of course he knew those two names.

When Ji Xuanyuan established the Academy of Natural Sciences in Zhuojun, he invited these two to preside over the Department of Medicine.

Moreover, when Ji Xuanyuan was critically ill and on the verge of death, it was these two divine physicians who joined forces to pull him back from the brink of death.

If we can get them to come, Zhicai might be saved!

But... those are Ji Xuanyuan's people.

Cao Cao stood up and paced back and forth in the tent.

Will Ji Xuanyuan agree?

He recalled the scene in Luoyang where he, Ji Xuanyuan, Sun Jian, and Liu Bei swore an oath facing the Luo River.

"Let us jointly support the Han Dynasty and never invade each other!"

That happened many years ago.

Five years.

Five whole years.

Over the past five years, they have each made progress and achieved success.

Although there were occasional frictions, they never completely broke off relations.

Cao Cao's ability to conquer Yanzhou, advance into Xuzhou, defend Guandu, and hold out until today was largely due to the support of Ji Xuanyuan.

If it were someone else, he might have offered a benefit in return.

But Ji Xuanyuan...

Cao Cao gritted his teeth and made a decision.

"Bring me pen and ink!"

He picked up his pen and began writing rapidly on the paper.

In the letter, he informed Ji Xuanyuan of Xi Zhicai's serious illness after the Battle of Guandu, his words earnest and sincere.

Finally, he said, "Wenlie, I know that I have two divine physicians under my command, Zhang Zhongjing and Hua Tuo, whose medical skills are superb. Now that Zhicai is critically ill and his life hangs by a thread, I am willing to offer you the two prefectures of Pengcheng and Donghai in Xuzhou. Please send these divine physicians south to save Zhicai's life!"

After writing it, he sealed the letter and handed it to the messenger: "Send to Shuntian by express courier!"

"promise!"

Several days later, in Shuntian, at the Grand Tutor's residence.

Ji Xuanyuan was discussing matters with Pang Tong and Guo Jia when a personal guard suddenly reported: "My lord! An urgent message has arrived from Yanzhou, requiring travel 800 li!"

Ji Xuanyuan raised an eyebrow, took the letter, and opened it to examine it closely.

With just one glance, his brows furrowed.

Is Xi Zhicai critically ill?

Cao Cao was willing to exchange two counties in Xuzhou for Zhang Zhongjing's southward journey.

He handed the letter to Pang Tong and Guo Jia.

After reading it, both of them had solemn expressions.

Guo Jia sighed softly: "Xi Zhicai... This man is an old friend of mine. He is indeed exceptionally talented. Cao Cao's success today owes much to him. If he dies, it would be like losing an arm for Cao Cao."

Pang Tong nodded: "Cao Cao's letter is sincere and earnest. He is willing to exchange two counties for Xi Zhicai's life, which shows how much he values ​​him."

Ji Xuanyuan remained silent.

He just stared at the letter, remaining silent for a long time.

The land of two prefectures.

Pengcheng and Donghai are both prosperous places.

When he and Cao Cao jointly conquered Xuzhou, they agreed to give these two counties to Cao Cao.

Cao Cao's willingness to present this as a gift demonstrates his sincerity.

But Ji Xuanyuan, is he the kind of person who would take advantage of someone in distress?

He recalled the scene in Luoyang where the four of them swore an oath.

Cao Cao's sharp eyes and his face that always carried a hint of cunning.

And then there's the phrase "Never invade each other."

If he takes these two counties today, how will he face Cao Cao in the future?

If he doesn't accept Xi Zhicai, Xi Zhicai will die, Cao Cao will be severely weakened, and how long can Yanzhou hold out?

He, Ji Xuanyuan, needed a powerful Cao Cao, not a crippled one.

He needed Cao Cao and Sun Jian to keep an eye on Yuan Shu and Liu Biao in the south, and to watch over Jiangdong in the east.

Once he has consolidated the north, he will then march south in one fell swoop.

If Cao Cao falls, who will share the burden of his fate?

Ji Xuanyuan took a deep breath, picked up his pen, and wrote a reply on the paper: "Brother Mengde, I have read your letter. Mr. Zhicai has worked hard for the country and has fallen ill from overwork. I am heartbroken to hear this. You are willing to exchange two counties for the divine physician to come south, which shows your sincerity. However, we are allies and are fighting against Yuan Shao together. Mr. Zhicai has fallen ill because of fighting against Yuan Shao. If I were to take advantage of your misfortune and seize your territory, how would I be different from a beast? I do not need the two counties. I will send the divine physician Zhang Zhongjing south to treat Mr. Zhicai. I hope that you and Mr. Zhicai can recover from the illness as soon as possible and regain your former glory."

"Your younger brother, Xuanyuan, bows his head."

After finishing writing, he sealed the letter and handed it to his personal guard: "Send it back to Yanzhou by express courier, and also summon Mr. Zhang Zhongjing to see me."

"promise!"

A moment later, Zhang Zhongjing arrived at the study.

Ji Xuanyuan explained the whole story, and Zhang Zhongjing nodded after listening, saying, "Rest assured, my lord, I will pack my things and head south to Yanzhou."

Ji Xuanyuan grasped his hand and said solemnly, "Mr. Zhongjing, I will be eternally grateful if Mr. Zhicai can be saved."

Zhang Zhongjing smiled slightly: "I will do my best."

Several days later, in Changyi, Yanzhou.

When Cao Cao received the reply, he was completely stunned.

He held the letter and read it three times, his eyes gradually reddening.

"Wenlie...Wenlie..."

He murmured, his voice choked with emotion.

Cheng Yu, standing to the side, said softly, "My lord, the Grand Tutor's noble character is truly admirable."

Cao Cao nodded, carefully folded the letter, and put it into his pocket.

"Pass down the order to prepare to welcome Doctor Zhang. Also..."

He paused, then his voice deepened: "From this day forward, Ji Xuanyuan will be my true brother, Cao Cao."