Three Kingdoms: The Peerless Strategist of Wei

Chapter 82 I will make up for the money I lost by taking it from the Zhen family!

"The Zhen family has some nerve, daring to steal our business!" Zhou Tai immediately became furious.

Lu Lingqi also sneered, "Gu Lang, you were still scheming to expand the Gu family's business to Hebei and get a share of the pie from the Zhen family, but you didn't expect them to raid our backyard first."

"In business, it's all about who can offer the best value for money. If the Zhen family's goods are better than the Gu family's, and they steal our market, that's one thing," Gu Cheng said, his tone shifting, a cold glint in his eyes.

"But the lake salt in Hebei is expensive and of poor quality, yet the government of those two prefectures still wants to purchase salt from the Zhen family. It must be because a big shot in Xudu secretly instructed them."

Lu Lingqi and Zhou Tai suddenly realized. Zhou Tai asked in surprise, "Liheng, what is your status now? How dare someone disrespect you? Who is so blind?" "The tallest tree in the forest is the first to be felled by the wind. There are plenty of people who don't like me." Gu Cheng said dismissively, waving his hand and saying, "Youping, go and find out which big shot the Zhen family has gotten involved with." "I'll take care of it right away," Zhou Tai agreed.

Lu Lingqi retorted, "So, we're just leaving this matter like this? The salt trade in both prefectures has been snatched away by the Zhen family just like that?"

"Of course not."

Gu Cheng sneered: "The Zhen family broke the rules first, using such underhanded methods to steal my business, so don't blame me for being ruthless!"

Lu Lingqi sensed a chilling killing intent emanating from him and couldn't help but shiver. That evening, Gu Cheng entered Liyang, telling Lu Lingqi to find a place to stay while he, accompanied by Xu Chu, went straight to see Cao Ang. "Brother Gu actually took the initiative to see me! It's truly a miracle! Please come in and take a seat!" Cao Ang was overjoyed to see Gu Cheng in person and warmly invited him in. "Lord Cao has made my Gu family so much money; I can't just have the eldest son come to me. I have to give him a return visit," Gu Cheng said with a smile, sipping his tea. "A return visit?" Cao Ang looked blank. Gu Cheng laughed and asked, "Eldest son, what are Lord Cao's plans for the upcoming battles?" He returned to the main topic.

Cao Ang's bewilderment vanished, replaced by a relaxed smile.

"Yuan Shao is dead, and Yuan Tan and Yuan Xi have also perished. Now, only Yuan Shang remains in the Yuan family. It is only natural that he should announce in Ye City that he will succeed Yuan Shao as the Grand General and issue a proclamation to the four provinces to pledge allegiance to his new lord."

"However, the Yuan family's 100,000-strong army has been annihilated, severely weakening them. Yuan Shang, on the other hand, is mediocre and lacks the ability to turn the tide." "Father plans to rest in Liyang for a few days before immediately marching north to capture Ye City." "Once Ye City is captured, the situation in Hebei will be settled!" Cao Ang then truthfully explained Cao Cao's strategy. "Ye City is the heart of Hebei; attacking it is indeed the right move," Gu Cheng nodded in affirmation, but added, "However, the Yuan family's foundation is extremely strong, and Ye City is one of the most fortified cities in the land. If Yuan Shang is determined to defend it to the death, it will likely be another protracted war."

"There's nothing we can do about it." Cao Ang's face showed confidence: "Father said that as long as we can capture Ye City, it's worth it no matter how great the price or how long the battle is."

"That's not necessarily true!" Gu Cheng smiled slightly, his eyes and tone carrying a deeper meaning.

Cao Ang became alert and hurriedly asked, "Brother Gu, what are your thoughts? Please speak freely." Gu Cheng took a sip of tea and spoke slowly.

"What the warlords of the land would most like to see is Yuan Shao and Cao Cao fight to the death, neither able to swallow the other, so that they can continue to occupy their own territories and live in peace."

"But now Yuan Shao is dead and his name is forgotten, Cao Cao's army is at the gates of Ye City, and the pacification of Hebei is just around the corner. The situation in the entire north has changed dramatically in just one year."

"The warlords of the land are wary of Cao Cao's swift defeat of Yuan Shao, and they will surely take action to delay Cao Cao's unification of the north." "If Cao Cao's campaign in Ye City lasts too long, I fear there will be changes in the south." Gu Cheng pointed his wine cup slightly southward.

Cao Ang was suddenly enlightened and frowned, saying, "Brother Gu, do you mean you're worried that Liu Biao and Sun Ce will take advantage of Father's army being in Hebei to invade from the north?"

Gu Cheng nodded.

"Sun Ce is known as the Little Conqueror, his military tactics are ruthless and invincible. If he were to lead his army to invade Huainan, it would indeed be a headache." Cao Ang's eyes first showed fear, then turned to contempt: "But Brother Gu, are you sure Liu Biao, that self-serving traitor, would dare to lead his army north?"

Gu Cheng said calmly, "Liu Biao lacks the courage, but Liu Bei might not dare to." "Liu Bei?" Cao Ang's expression changed slightly, and he asked suspiciously, "According to my spies, Liu Bei has moved his troops from Runan to Xinye, seemingly showing signs of allying with Liu Biao. In that case, he becomes Liu Biao's henchman. If Liu Biao dares not invade the north, what can he do?"

"Liu Bei didn't go to Liu Biao in defeat and desperation; he took in 10,000 remnants of the Yellow Turbans and went to Xinye. His strength should not be underestimated." "Cao Cao destroyed Yuan Shao too quickly, and the threat to Jingzhou is imminent. I believe the people of Jingzhou must be very afraid and urgently need a lord who can help them resist Cao Cao and protect Jingzhou."

"Liu Biao clearly doesn't have that kind of talent, and Liu Bei just happens to appear in Jingzhou at this time." "Young Master, think about it, what if those people in Jingzhou are thinking of changing their lord?" Gu Cheng asked meaningfully after his analysis.

Cao Ang's body stiffened: "Brother Gu, do you mean that the people of Jingzhou might be colluding with Liu Biao from within and without, to help Liu Bei ascend to the throne?"

Gu Cheng nodded slightly: "I'm just speculating, but if I'm right, and Liu Bei takes control of Jingzhou, given that big-eared scoundrel's ambition, he'll definitely take advantage of Cao Cao's presence in Hebei and immediately march north, heading straight for Xuchang!"

Cao Ang seemed to be deep in thought, and a shadow gradually fell over his face.

"If that's what you mean, Brother Gu, then Father's attack on Ye City cannot be delayed for too long; it must be captured quickly..."

Cao Ang realized what was happening and cupped his hands in greeting: "Brother Gu must have a good plan to help Father take Ye City as soon as possible. Please enlighten me." Gu Cheng had been waiting for him to say this.

"All of Hebei's grain reserves were burned at Wuchao. Yuan Shang simply cannot collect enough grain from the various counties in a short period of time to support his defense of Ye City."

"Therefore, if Yuan Shang does not want to give up Ye City, he must find another source of food and obtain enough food to defend the city as quickly as possible."

He sipped his tea and said unhurriedly, "Find another source of grain?"

Cao Ang looked suspicious: "Besides forcibly requisitioning grain from various counties, what other sources of grain could Yuan Shang have?" Gu Cheng smiled and countered, "Has the eldest son forgotten that the wealthiest family in the land, the Zhen family, is based in Hebei?" "The Zhen family?"

Cao Ang suddenly realized: "Brother Gu is right. Although the counties in Hebei are short of grain, the Zhen family is the richest family in the land and must have countless grain reserves. If the Zhen family is willing to hand over these grains, Yuan Shang will have enough grain to defend Ye City in a short time!"

"As expected of the eldest young master, he understands immediately," Gu Cheng said with a smile, offering a few words of flattery. Then...

A cold glint suddenly flashed in his eyes: "Therefore, if Cao Cao wants to quickly capture Ye City, he must first cut off Yuan Shang's supply lines, and he must first strike at the Zhen family!"

"Brother Gu is right." Cao Ang nodded repeatedly and then asked, "Then, Brother Gu, how do you think we should eliminate the Zhen family?" "The Zhen family are from Zhongshan, so their roots must be in Zhongshan, and their grain reserves must also be in Zhongshan." "Lord Cao can send a light cavalry force to bypass the counties of Ji Province and launch a surprise attack on the Zhen family, burning all their grain reserves to the ground."

"Yuan Shang will surely concentrate all his remaining troops in Ye City, leaving the other prefectures with empty armies and no power to defend against him." "As long as we cut off the Zhen family's food supply, Yuan Shang will be without troops and food, and Ye City will surely fall within two months!" Gu Cheng calmly offered Cao Ang a plan.

"The Zhen family is like Wuchao. Brother Gu's plan is a reenactment of burning Wuchao. It is indeed a ruthless plan to cut off the enemy's supply lines!" Cao Ang's eyes gleamed with excitement, and he couldn't help but click his tongue in admiration. Gu Cheng, however, changed the subject: "However, I would like to arrange for Xu Chu to lead a team of my Gu family guards to Zhongshan with this light cavalry. I wonder if the eldest son would agree?"

"Brother Gu, why are you also sending people to the Zhen family?" Cao Ang asked, his eyes filled with doubt.

"To be honest, young master, although my plan was to help Cao Cao break through Ye City, I also had my own selfish motives involved. I hope you will forgive my arrogance."

Gu Cheng looked somewhat apologetic.

Cao Ang became even more curious and asked, "I wonder what you mean by 'selfish motive', Brother Gu?" "The Zhen family has somehow gotten in touch with some powerful figure in Xudu, which has caused the governments of Chong and Yu prefectures to stop purchasing my Gu family's salt and instead spend more money to buy Zhen family's lake salt."

"So, naturally I'll make up for the money my Gu family lost by taking it from the Zhen family!" Gu Cheng spoke frankly with Cao Ang and told him the truth.

Cao Ang's face darkened: "Who dares to be so disrespectful to Brother Gu and do such a thing? I will inform my father and he will be severely punished!"

"Currently, Lord Cao is focused on conquering Ye City and taking over Hebei. There's no need for me to trouble him with my personal matters." "Young Master, you only need to send Xu Chu with the army to Zhongshan, and I will naturally recover the money my Gu family lost," Gu Cheng said with a faint smile.

Cao Ang readily agreed, saying, "Brother Gu, rest assured, leave this matter to me. Brother Gu, just have your men prepare to depart at any time!" That very day, Cao Ang met with Cao Cao and presented Gu Cheng's plan. Cao Cao found it highly advisable and ordered Zhang Liao, who was familiar with the terrain of Hebei, to lead seven hundred elite cavalry on a detour to the Zhen family in Zhongshan. Gu Cheng, on the other hand, arranged for Xu Chu to accompany Zhang Liao with over fifty Gu family guards. The group left Liyang and traveled north day and night.

Ye City, the General's Mansion.

Yuan Shang sat high on his throne, looking down at his advisors and generals below, a flicker of excitement in his eyes. "Gu Cheng, Gu Cheng," he said, "I should thank you, really. If it weren't for your treacherous schemes that helped me kill Yuan Tan and Yuan Xi, and incidentally send my father to his death, how could I, Yuan Shang, have so easily inherited the four provinces of my Yuan family!"

The more he thought about it, the more smug he became, a barely perceptible sneer flashing across his lips. "My lord... my lord!"

"Cao Cao has already captured Liyang, and his army will soon be at Yecheng. Our entire army was wiped out at Guandu, and we simply don't have enough time to recruit new soldiers to defend Yecheng. We have less than ten thousand men!"

"We must be prepared to defend Ye City to the death, and fight a bitter battle," Tian Feng's grave reminder pulled Yuan Shang back from his reverie. The smile vanished from his face, replaced by a shadow of gloom. Yuan Shang suddenly realized that although he had inherited the Yuan family's legacy, he had inherited a crumbling mess. If he couldn't hold Ye City, he wouldn't be able to hold his position as Grand General for long; Cao Cao would soon send him to the afterlife to reunite with his deceased father and brothers.

"Gu Cheng, my Yuan family has been forced into this situation entirely because of you! How hateful!" Yuan Shao slammed his fist on the table, cursing through gritted teeth.

Tian Feng sighed, "My lord, now is not the time to hate Gu Cheng. You should immediately send grain supplies to Ye City and intensify the training of the soldiers. Only with well-trained troops and sufficient provisions can we have a chance to defend Ye City!"

Yuan Shang suddenly realized his mistake and immediately ordered that grain and fodder be urgently transferred from various prefectures to Ye City.

Shen Pei, however, said with a bitter face, "The grain stored in my four prefectures was all burned down in Wuchao, and the granaries in each prefecture are empty. There is simply no time to collect more grain in a short period of time."

Yuan Shang panicked and hurriedly asked, "How many months will the grain reserves in Ye City last?" "At most, it will last two months," Shen Pei sighed, shaking his head. Yuan Shang shuddered, a look of horror rising in his eyes, and he froze.

Tian Feng said in a deep voice, "Two months is simply not enough to hold out until something changes in the south and Cao Cao is forced to retreat!" Yuan Shang frowned deeply and remained silent.

The lobby was filled with anxiety and panicked discussion... Suddenly.

Shen Pei's eyes lit up, and he said loudly, "My lord, do not worry, I have a plan to solve the food shortage crisis!" "What plan do you have, Zheng Nan? Speak quickly!" Yuan Shang's eyes lit up.

"Although our granaries in all counties are empty, the Zhen family of Zhongshan is the richest family in the land and must have countless grain reserves." "My lord, you should immediately send someone to the Zhen family of Zhongshan and order Zhen Yao to quickly transport grain to Ye City. In this way, our grain shortage problem will naturally be solved!"

Shen Pei offered a plan. Yuan Shang was overjoyed and jumped to his feet.

Before he could speak, Tian Feng said, "Although the Zhen family has grain, they are merchants by birth and only care about profit. Given the Yuan family's current situation, I'm afraid they might not be willing to lend a helping hand."

Yuan Shang was taken aback, and after standing up, he sat down again. "The Zhen family is after profit, so my lord, we'll give them profit."

"The Zhen family has a daughter named Zhen Mi. She was originally intended to marry the second young master, but the marriage was called off because the second young master was murdered. Why doesn't the lord marry this Miss Zhen and form a marriage alliance with the Zhen family? In this way, the Zhen family will become an in-law of the emperor. If the lord can gain the world in the future, the benefits that the Zhen family will receive will be immeasurable."

"With such a huge benefit offered, I don't believe Zhen Yao can remain unmoved!" Shen Pei sneered, offering yet another scheme in a grand manner. Yuan Shang's eyes gleamed, and he couldn't help but become excited again.

"Zhen must be the most beautiful woman in Hebei. I originally wanted to marry her, but my father betrothed her to my second brother. Now that I have the opportunity to marry her, wouldn't that be exactly what I wanted?"

"I can win the heart of a beauty, receive the Zhen family's grain and supplies, and defend Ye City. It's truly a win-win situation!" Yuan Shang's eyes darted around as he secretly weighed the pros and cons.

He slammed his hand on the table and shouted, "Zhang He, listen to my command!" "Your subordinate is here!" Zhang He immediately stepped forward.

Yuan Shang shouted, "Take a troop of men to the Zhen family in Zhongshan immediately, explain to Zhen Yao the goodwill of our government in seeking a marriage alliance, and make sure to bring the Zhen family's daughter, along with the Zhen family's provisions, to Ye City!"

"Yes, sir!" Zhang He accepted the order and left.

The gloom on Yuan Shang's face vanished, and as he gazed south, a cold smile returned to his lips.

"Cao Cao, even with a strategist like Gu Cheng by your side, you may be able to kill my father, but you can forget about doing anything to me, Yuan Shang!"