Chapter Fourteen: The Conspiracy of the Future Leaks

  At this time, Yang Hong (assuming the character is Zi Lu) spoke out and analyzed: "Your Excellency! I think it's still better to send troops."

  It can be used to connect with old allies and strengthen relations. Although our army is now the strongest in the world, owning the richest land in the center of the world. But to achieve great things, at the beginning, we still need allies to help each other. In accordance with the principle of "distant alliance and nearby attack", connecting with Gongsun Zan in a distant place to attack the alliance of Yuan Shao and Cao Cao is indeed the best strategy.

  Secondly, we can also use this great war to train our soldiers, with the aim of training a crack troop. Incidentally, we can also plunder and loot to replenish our military funds.

  "Three, we can take the opportunity to eliminate two latecomers. In the future, there will be fewer opponents. As for the occupied territory, it is undoubtedly our own. Hehe. I think that as long as all of you generals work hard, our lord will surely have another batch of gains!"

  Yuan Shu was overjoyed: "Good, Zi Lu, you said it well! Those two minor devils, Yuan Shao and Cao Cao, one is just a house slave of mine, the other is only a minor official from humble beginnings. What virtue do they have to be on an equal footing with me?"

  "These two insignificant men, secretly occupying high positions, really make me so angry that I can hardly eat my meals. It's better to eliminate them soon and vent the evil air in my chest."

  "Your Excellency!" said Yan Xiang, "Isn't it unwise to send troops out so hastily?"

  "There are three reasons: Firstly, the teacher has no reputation; Secondly, now that the two states have just been newly established, state affairs still need to be rectified and people's minds stabilized. Thirdly, although there are many soldiers, they lack training and there are too few elite troops. I fear it would be disadvantageous in battle! In my opinion, it is better to first govern internally, train strong soldiers well, and then make plans for the next step."

  It is also very reasonable for one, two, and three.

  General Ji Ling immediately retorted: "Yan Xiang, don't speak nonsense in front of our lord. The soldiers under the command of us several people have been training day and night, and now they are already proficient in battle arrays, waiting to go into battle for our lord and make achievements."

  "Why are you so belittling us? Are you jealous of our achievements?"

  The others on the side also followed suit, and together they shouted for Yan Xiang to come out.

  Yuan Shu waved his hand impatiently: "Yan Zhuo, you don't understand military affairs, just focus on your clerical work."

  Yang Hong feared that the argument would continue, so he quickly changed the subject: "Master, why did you let Sun Ce go to the barracks and collect the old army of the defeated general? Didn't we discuss it before and decide not to let him bring back the defeated general's old army?"

  Yuan Shu laughed and said, "Zilü, you're overthinking! I think Bofu is nothing more than that. Compared to his father Wentai's strong and brave character, he falls short by a great distance. This person seems to have only slightly stronger martial skills, but no great abilities, and won't accomplish anything big!"

  "Besides, they are just over a thousand miscellaneous soldiers, even if he is given to him, he can't stir up any big waves. It's still possible to achieve the effect of one arrow and three birds. Why wouldn't I be happy to do so?"

  I'll also let him take the post of Huaiyi Colonel, so that he can thoroughly devote himself to me. In this way, I will have another brave general, isn't it a win-win situation? His father only helped me conquer half of the territory, and now let him continue to help me conquer the world!

  "As long as we control the grain and fodder supply, no matter how heroic they are, father and son will only be able to serve my Yuan family as oxen! Haha!"

  Thinking of delightful things, I couldn't help but laugh out loud nonstop.

  Everyone bowed their heads: "My lord, you are brilliant! Your plans are thorough and your calculations are divine. We are far inferior to you, my lord. That Sun Bofu will certainly not escape the palm of your hand."

  After laughing, Yuan Shu ordered everyone to make preparations for the expedition, choose a day to set out for Yan Province, and eliminate Cao Cao and Yuan Shao, these two small villains who dare to offend their superiors.

  Sun Ce and Zhou Yu moved to a small camp outside the newly established independent camp of Yuan Shu's army, where they were both busy chatting about their respective situations and interesting encounters after parting ways. Unbeknownst to him, he almost got "screwed" by Yang Hong again. Fortunately, Zhang Yun's kind words earlier, combined with Yuan Shu's "wise and mighty" actions, saved him.

  Sun Ce told Zhou Yu about the events that had taken place since he left Shucheng a year ago, and his past conversations with Zhang Hong. The key point was to establish himself in Jiangdong and wait for the right moment.

  Zhou Yu nodded in approval and continued to analyze: "Yes, this Zhang Song is indeed a man of great talent as everyone says. He has a very clear understanding of the situation. Bo Fu, you are lucky to have him as your strategist, it's like adding wings to a tiger! You also know that Dong Zhuo was killed by Lü Bu just the other day! Perhaps our opportunity is coming soon."

  "If I'm guessing right, Dong Zhuo's subordinates won't give up easily. There must be formidable figures in the Liangzhou army who will lead them to avenge Dong Zhuo and refuse to accept the imperial court's reorganization."

  "In the next two years, the world will surely be in great chaos. In this era of collapse of the dynasty, the court does not treat the people as human beings, and the hearts of the people will naturally no longer turn to the court, otherwise there would not have been a huge rebellion of millions of Yellow Turbans."

  Sun Ce nodded in admiration: "Gong Jian, your insight is truly too accurate. I also thought of some, but not as detailed as you. Go on, your analysis, I love to hear the most. It's really a hero's vision!"

  Now Sun Ce, who knew some history, was in an era without phones, TVs and satellites. The masters could only use their brains to deduce the most likely events based on existing data and information. Sun Ce thought that he could analyze as accurately as Zhou Yu, but few people could do it.

  Or maybe Zhuge Liang can do it when he grows up. But now he's just an eleven-year-old kid, and it's already good if he understands things. It's still sixteen years before he makes his historical debut to follow Liu Bei! However, Sun Ce remained skeptical.

  After all, Sun Ce's knowledge of the Three Kingdoms history mostly came from Luo Guanzhong's Romance version, which was just a family saying. Adding to that, the TV series' chaotic changes and this real history compared, it has long been unrecognizable. Taking this to come up with forced analogies is bound to end in disaster.

  Zhou Yu nodded and smiled at Sun Ce: "I've long guessed that Bo Fu would have the same views as me. That's why we're the most kindred brothers! We'd understand each other with just a hint! Haha!"

  "Go away, I'm not like you at all. I've never been good with men. You disgusting guy! Don't sleep in the same bed as me tonight. Go sleep on the floor instead, lest people misunderstand me. Hmph!"

  Sun Ce pretended to be angry and before he could finish speaking, both of them burst out laughing.

  Sun Ce laughed for a while and then let Zhou Yu continue speaking.

  Zhou Yu stopped laughing and continued, "You're still fond of making jokes. If others hear this, it won't be good. My family is already preparing to help me find a match. If they think I'm like that, who would dare marry me? Then I wouldn't be able to get married! Haha!"

  "You're getting married! Good thing! It seems that Gong Jian is also going to grow up and become an adult. Congratulations! If you really can't find a wife, let me help you find the number one beauty in the world to be your wife!"

  Sun Ce patted his chest and guaranteed it.

  It seems that Xiao Qiao cannot be Gong Zhen's legitimate wife after all. Nowadays, people get married early, so let him wait a few more years. Besides, even if he were to marry now, Da Qiao and her sisters are at most only twelve or thirteen years old, which would raise suspicions of ruining young girls. It's better to wait until they grow up a bit before considering it again.

  However, it's possible to find some time to take Zhou Yu together to visit the two of them and cultivate their feelings. I don't believe that two extremely handsome and invincible guys can't captivate two young girls who are just starting to develop romantic feelings."

  "Alright! That's settled then. Whether or not you can find a satisfactory daughter-in-law is up to you, but I'm counting on you to bring one home for me!"

  This sly kid took advantage of me.

  "Alright, enough joking around. Let's get back to business. What we need to do is take this opportunity to greatly develop our own strength. First and foremost, we need to have our own troops, and it seems like you've already solved that problem."

  Although the troops are still weak at present, they were all elite soldiers under the command of the old general. As long as recruits are brought in and strengthened through training, it is not difficult to expand into a team that can conquer and fight well."

  Looking at Sun Ce's nod of approval, Zhou Yu continued: "Secondly, and most importantly, we need to have a sufficient territory for our own development. Without a territory, many things cannot be unfolded, and even more so, people with great talents will not come to us voluntarily."

  Without talent, our future development will be limited. Now the problem is how to get a piece of land. The surrounding lands are all owned by others, and most of them are officials appointed by the imperial court. It seems that we still have to wait patiently for the opportunity to come! This world is not chaotic enough yet!"

  Sun Ce received: "Yes! For now, the timing to occupy Jiangdong is not yet ripe! Not only will the surrounding officials not support us, but Yuan Shu will also not let me succeed."

  It's just the troops in my hands now, and I'm still pretending to be stupid and weak to cheat them back from him. It's just that he thinks he has a lot of soldiers and generals, so he looks down on these defeated soldiers and generals. If he knew that there were so many elite soldiers among them, I'm afraid he wouldn't even want to return these troops to me!

  "This guy's vision is still too short, how can he guess our ambition! It's just unknown whether we can cheat a piece of land from him first. His territory is all fertile land!"

  Zhou Yu received: "The method is good, but if we develop from Yuan Shu's territory. In the long run, it is not conducive to our development and will definitely be suppressed by him."

  Moreover, if we want to get rid of him later on, it will be a bit troublesome in the name of justice. If we bear the name of the master, the impact on us will be too great."

  Sun Ce smiled and said, "This territory is indeed a problem. But to get away from Yuan Shu, I have a plan that will ensure everything goes smoothly! Let him fall into the trap obediently! Heh heh! However, this plan requires something like that."

  Zhou Yu was silent for a moment, then his eyes suddenly lit up.

  Exchanged a smile with Sun Ce.

  Sun Ce said: "You've thought of it too."

  He nodded silently.

  Just as they were about to continue, Lü Meng came in: "Report, my lord, the soldiers on patrol outside just came to report that they saw Sergeant Li Da Gou crawling behind the tent, don't know what he was doing. When asked, he hastily walked away, and when he left, he was still muttering to himself, don't know what he was saying."

  Sun Ce and Zhou Yu were both startled. "This is not good," they thought, "there must be a spy." The two men exchanged a swift glance and immediately stood up.

  Sun Ce couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat.

  "Loudly shouted: 'Where is he? Bring him in.'"

  This must be a spy planted by Yuan Shu in his own camp. I was really too happy to reunite with Zhou Yu today and my vigilance was relaxed, too careless.

  If Sun Ce and Zhou Yu's plan were to be leaked to Yuan Shu, not only would they not be able to gain any territory, but they might even lose their lives on the spot.

  In Chinese history, which ambitious warlord would tolerate a subordinate with even greater ambition than his own?

  Fortunately, today's patrol was arranged on duty, otherwise I'm afraid Sun Ce and Zhou Yu would not see tomorrow's sun.

  Lü Meng saw me ask and hurriedly continued: "I asked the personal soldier who was patrolling, he said he saw him walking towards the main camp entrance."

  Zhou Yu immediately replied: "Immediately let that guard take us to pursue!"