"We need to force him to mobilize the troops from Fenggao. Liu Bei’s rise to power has been too rapid—his military strength is formidable, and his subordinates are fierce warriors. This is why the aristocratic families under his rule do not dare to act recklessly. But if the forces maintaining control at Fenggao are drawn away..." At this moment, Xu You’s eyes revealed no attempt to conceal his thoughts—cold and calculating.

"With the forces maintaining central power at Fenggao drawn away, and with our overwhelming military strength, I refuse to believe that the aristocratic families of Xuzhou, Qingzhou, and Yanzhou won’t make a move. Liu Bei’s wealth and power have been built by sucking the lifeblood of these families!" Xu You sneered, resorting to underhanded tactics when he couldn’t win directly.

In this state of mind, Xu You’s intelligence could be considered among the top in the world. The level at which he was operating was no longer focused on winning individual battles but on how to gain greater benefits in each campaign, influencing the overall situation and shifting the balance of power in the world.

Xu You was no longer concerned with the gains or losses of a single city or territory. Instead, he focused on achieving his broader strategic goals. He was willing to sacrifice certain assets to achieve specific objectives.

Xu You’s current strategy involved sacrificing the aristocratic families of Qingzhou and Xuzhou to gamble on toppling Liu Bei’s foundation. If successful, the most powerful force in the world would collapse, and there would be no stopping Yuan Shao’s path to unification.

At this moment, Xu You’s calculations were not about the gains and losses of the eastern district of Linyi. He was contemplating the entire Qingzhou and Yanzhou under Liu Bei’s rule, as well as the Yuan family elders. The world’s fate, once it fell into Yuan Shao’s hands, would bring Xu You immense benefits.

Xu You’s strategy involved using others’ lives to gamble on his own rise to power. This was his plan—to shift the burden of his problems onto others, using the smallest amount of force to achieve his goals, or rather, to steal the final prize through this calculated means.

However, Xu You was not like Jia Xu, who left no way out for his pawns. Xu You’s methods were more akin to a merchant’s trade, using the cards he held to drive others to act, thereby obtaining what he wanted. Though a cunning strategist, he always left a glimmer of hope, but that hope was merely a means to better control his pawns.

[Yuan family elders, I have laid everything out for you. Now it’s up to you to make your choice,] Xu You thought as he looked back toward Xuzhou, sneering inwardly. Once he had stirred up all the dissatisfied aristocratic families under Liu Bei’s rule, he couldn’t believe that the elders of the Yuan family in Yuzhou would pass up such a golden opportunity.

[Xuzhou is a huge trap—let's see how many people fall into it this time. These weakened internal aristocratic families are too insignificant as leverage. Moreover, this strategy will undoubtedly provoke Liu Xuande’s wrath. If he launches a desperate counterattack, it could be quite painful. Yuzhou elders, it’s time for you to make your sacrifice. The Yuan family only needs one leader, and that is my lord, Yuan Benchu!]

In Liu Bei’s eyes, Yuan Shu in Yuzhou was a fattened pig ready for slaughter. Similarly, Xu You saw Yuan Shu as a juicy piece of meat. What Xu You intended to do was shift the ensuing anger from the upcoming war away from Yuan Shao and onto Yuan Shu. Only by doing so could he align more closely with Yuan Shao’s interests and the Yuan family’s shared goal of destroying "Liu."

Although Yuan Shu was a tempting prize, Xu You did not believe that a weakened Liu Bei could swallow him whole. Even if Liu Bei managed to devour Yuan Shu in one gulp, he wouldn’t be able to digest it. Even if Liu Bei attempted a plundering strategy like Cao Cao had once employed, he wouldn’t be able to sustain his already weakened state.

Wen Chou was not entirely oblivious. Xu You’s words made it clear that this was a no-holds-barred plan. Xu You intended to completely destroy Liu Bei’s foundation. Even if the plan failed, a province-wide rebellion among the aristocratic families would still damage Liu Bei’s base.

Realizing this, Wen Chou’s eyes lit up with excitement. He suddenly understood that all the blame he had been shouldering was not a burden but rather proof of his achievements.

"Dammit, from now on, if the strategist says go east, I won’t head west!" Wen Chou swore, pounding his chest in agreement.

"Enough with the talk. Soon, I want you to lead the charge into Feicheng. Don’t let anyone escape," Xu You ordered, glancing at Wen Chou without much interest in his pledge. When it came to commanding fierce generals, Xu You had his own philosophy—achieve victory.

"No problem," Wen Chou promised confidently.

Seeing Wen Chou’s confidence, Xu You didn’t say anything more. The real test had not yet begun.

"Come with me," Xu You said as they entered Jibei. He dispersed most of his troops, leaving only five hundred soldiers to follow him toward Feicheng. After stopping at the last resting place, Xu You turned to Wen Chou and instructed him.

"Uh, okay," Wen Chou replied, still puzzled, but he followed Xu You.

This time, Xu You rode without any pretense, clad in silk robes on a tall horse, followed by Wen Chou, exuding an aura of menace, and seven or eight soldiers dressed in simple clothing with weapons in hand. They looked every bit like a noble scion on an outing.

Without any disguise, they made their way to Donglin Township, outside Feicheng, where a powerful family resided. Although the family wasn’t well-known, Xu You deemed them sufficient for his plan. He wouldn’t have concocted such a scheme without the necessary research—hence his confidence.

"We’re here," Xu You said as he led his horse onto a country path, arriving at the gate of the He family. 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

"Strategist, why are we suddenly here?" Wen Chou asked, confused.

"To recruit allies and spread the word," Xu You replied calmly.

"May I ask if Old Master He is at home?" Xu You dismounted and bowed politely to the gatekeeper.

As a rule, a family’s gatekeeper might lack in other areas, but one quality they must possess is good judgment. Although the He family’s gatekeeper had never seen Xu You before, the air of authority in Xu You’s movements made him immediately aware of the man’s significance.

"Sir, please wait in the main hall. I will fetch the master at once," the gatekeeper said, noticing the menacing aura emanating from Wen Chou. Understanding that these were either fierce generals or trusted retainers of a noble house, he dared not delay. After ushering them into the main hall and offering tea, he quickly went to inform the head of the He family.

The head of the He family, realizing the importance of such visitors, did not dare to delay. After changing his clothes, he came out to meet Xu You. Such was the plight of a small household: though they could wield power in their local area, they had to set aside their pride and show humility in front of true noble houses.

"Master He, I’ve heard that your youngest son serves as a quartermaster in Feicheng. Is that true?" Xu You asked, his presence radiating an authority that sent a chill down the spine of the He family head, who had already noticed the seal hanging from Xu You’s waist.

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