The Three Kingdoms: I, Yuan Tan, intercepted Guo Jia's...

Chapter 91 Liu Ye and Jia Xu Join Us

Outside Hefei, in the central command tent of the Yuan-Liu allied forces.

The walls of Hefei were covered with banners and the garrison was clearly prepared to defend the city to the death.

The atmosphere inside the Allied Forces' main tent was heavy.

Yuan Tan and Liu Bei sat side by side in the main seats, while below them, fierce generals such as Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Zhang He, Zhao Yun, and Yan Liang, as well as strategists such as Guo Jia, Lu Su, and Jian Yong, gathered together to discuss strategies for attacking the city.

"Big brother! Yuan Qingzhou!"

Zhang Fei's voice boomed like thunder, breaking the silence first.

"Hefei is nothing to worry about! Give me, Old Zhang, five thousand elite troops, and within three days, I will raze this city to the ground and twist that bastard Liu Xun's dog head off!"

Guan Yu slightly opened his phoenix eyes, stroked his beard, and said:

"Third Brother, you mustn't be reckless. Hefei is a fortified city, and a direct assault will result in heavy casualties. However, our army has just won a victory, and morale is high; a slow attack might lead to unforeseen circumstances. I, Yunchang, am willing to lead the vanguard, build siege ladders and battering rams, and launch a strong attack on the east gate!"

Zhang He also stepped forward and said:

"This humble general seconds the suggestion! Our army, riding high on its great victory, should press on with this momentum! We can divide our forces to feign attacks on the north and south, while our main force launches a fierce assault on the east gate, day and night, to exhaust the defending troops and surely break through!"

Most of the generals in the tent nodded in agreement, favoring the use of superior forces to crush the enemy.

Even Guo Jia lightly waved his feather fan, frowning as he said:

"Although Liu Xun is mediocre, a cornered dog will fight like a cornered beast. A direct attack is the worst possible strategy, but at the moment... there seems to be no foolproof plan. The only option is to launch a swift and decisive attack to prevent Lü Bu or Sun Ce from coming to our aid."

Just as everyone's opinions were converging, Yuan Tan was secretly lamenting his predicament.

Hefei was a city with high walls and thick ramparts, where Sun Quan later suffered repeated defeats.

If I were to launch a full-scale attack, I don't know how much funeral expenses I would have to pay.

I'm very poor, you know?

Just then, a guard outside the tent announced loudly:

"Your Majesty, Mr. Jia Xu requests an audience, saying he has important business to discuss, and he has brought someone with him!"

"Mr. Wenhe?"

Yuan Tan and Liu Bei exchanged a glance, both surprised.

Since Jia Xu was treated with great courtesy in the army, he has lived a secluded life. Why is he taking the initiative to request an audience today?

"Please come quickly!"

The curtain was lifted, and Jia Xu walked in slowly, still with that calm and collected demeanor.

Behind him followed a scholar of about thirty years old, with a thin face and calm eyes; it was Liu Ye, also known as Liu Ziyang!

"Mr. Wenhe, who is this...?"

Yuan Tan's gaze fell on Liu Ye, and he felt that this man had an extraordinary bearing and was definitely not an ordinary person.

Jia Xu bowed slightly, his voice calm:

"My lord, Lord Xuande. I was surveying the terrain outside the camp today when I happened to meet this gentleman. I observed that he was very knowledgeable about geography, so I would like to introduce him to you."

He stepped aside to let Liu Ye pass.

"This is Liu Ye, also known as Liu Ziyang, a famous scholar from Huainan."

"Liu Ziyang?!"

A chorus of gasps immediately rose from inside the tent!

A glint flashed in Guo Jia's eyes, Lu Su paused in stroking his beard, and even Guan Yu was slightly moved!

Liu Ye was highly respected among the scholars of Huainan, and was renowned for his talent and wisdom!

Wasn't he working for Liu Xun in Hefei?

How did you end up here?

Yuan Tan suddenly stood up, his face instantly filled with surprise!

How could he not know Liu Ye's talent?

This was an important strategist and inventor under Cao Cao in history!

He suppressed his excitement, quickly stepped down from the main seat, personally took Liu Ye's hand, and spoke earnestly:

"Could it be Mr. Liu Ziyang, a man of exceptional talent? I have long admired him, but have never had the chance to meet him! Your arrival is like a timely rain after a long drought! Please, take a seat!"

Although Liu Bei did not know Liu Ye's background, seeing Yuan Tan's courteous treatment and Jia Xu's personal introduction, he knew that this man must be extraordinary, so he stood up and greeted him with a smile.

Seeing Yuan Tan's respectful attitude towards scholars, Liu Ye was deeply moved and bowed deeply.

"I, Liu Ye, a defeated and desperate fugitive, pay my respects to Governor Yuan and Governor Liu! I am ashamed!"

After everyone had finished exchanging pleasantries, Jia Xu finally spoke quietly:

"Does Your Excellency have a plan to breach the city?"

Considering Jia Xu's consistent style throughout history, Yuan Tan asked with some concern:

"Could it be that they're flooding the city?"

Jia Xu was also taken aback upon hearing this, and looked at Yuan Tan with some surprise, saying:

"My lord, is this plan morally reprehensible? It's best not to use it unless absolutely necessary. Besides, storing water will take a long time, and it's not the rainy season yet. If we want to flood the city, we'll have to wait quite some time."

Wow! I thought you, Jia Xu, liked this kind of thing.

So you're worried about offending someone's karma?

Could it be that he's getting old and afraid of dying?

Yuan Tan smiled and led Jia Xu and Liu Ye into the tent to sit down, then eagerly asked:

"What plan should we devise?"

Jia Xu smiled and said, "I wonder if you, my lord, can trust Wenhe?"

I can't trust them, of course I can't trust them!

I can't even trust my own woman!

Although Yuan Tan thought this way, his answer was quite honest:

"certainly!"

Jia Xu immediately showed a look of overwhelming gratitude:

"This humble servant thanks Your Majesty for your kindness."

Hmph, I'm just putting on an act, but I hope you take it seriously.

We're all just using each other anyway. I need your advice and strategies, and you need me to provide you with high-ranking positions and generous salaries.

Yuan Tan waved his hand and continued:

"Wenhe, now you can tell me your plan."

Jia Xu then spoke:

"If our lord is willing to entrust me with three thousand elite troops, and to place them entirely under our command, Ziyang and I will surely be able to take Hefei within a day and a night!"

Liu Ye nodded, "I will certainly live up to my lord's expectations!"

Three thousand elite soldiers? That's a third of my military strength!

But if I go back on my word now, wouldn't I be slapping myself in the face?

There was no reason for Jia Xu to betray him.

Yuan Tan turned to Zhao Yun and said:

"Zilong, select three thousand elite soldiers and place them under the command of Wenhe and Ziyang. Do exactly as they instruct."

Jia Xu shook his head repeatedly:

"My lord! General Zilong's fame has spread throughout the land. I'm afraid he might be recognized. Please find a general whose face you don't recognize."

Damn! The only guys I have around me who are decent are Zhao Yun, Yan Liang, and Zhang He.

If you say Zhao Yun is famous throughout the world, aren't Yan Liang and Zhang He equally famous?

Yuan Tan's gaze swept over the crowd and finally landed on Gan Ning in the corner.

Since he joined Yuan Tan's forces, he has received extremely high honors.

He also received funding from Yuan Tan, who helped him build an online army.

However, no matter how strong the navy was at the end of the Han Dynasty, it could only be considered an auxiliary force at best. If he wanted to make meritorious contributions, he would definitely have to rely on land battles.

Therefore, whenever he had nothing to do, he would always stand behind Yuan Tan and wait for orders. It was just a pity that Yuan Tan seemed to have forgotten about him.

When attacking Xunyang, Juchao, and Shiting counties, they preferred to use Lou Ban rather than let him, the naval commander, participate in the battle.

Therefore, now that he had encountered this opportunity, he immediately stepped forward, defying the crowd:

"My lord! I am willing to lead my troops and cooperate with Mr. Wenhe!"

"good!"

Yuan Tan was overjoyed and looked at Jia Xu again:

"Does Wenhe have any other requests?"

Jia Xu and Liu Ye looked at the burly Gan Ning and both nodded in satisfaction. Then they leaned down and whispered in Yuan Tan's ear:

"You must do this, sir... and then the great undertaking can be accomplished!"