The Cao Cao of Chenliu was suddenly seized by an abrupt jolt in his heart; originally discussing the affairs for the upcoming year with Xun Yu and others, Cao Cao couldn’t help but feel sowhat dazed.
"Lord?" Xun Yu asked in a soft voice.
"For so reason, I feel rather uneasy," Cao Cao said, frowning at Xun Yu.
Just then, an urgent report ca from outside the door, "An ergency report from Mount Tai!"
Cao Cao suddenly stood up, his body involuntarily swaying, [Please, don’t let it be about Zhicai!]
"Read it!" Seeing the expression on Cao Cao’s face and rembering that Zhicai had coughed up blood before, Xun Yu’s complexion turned pale. He was feeling a sense of foreboding, yet he maintained the deanor required of him and spoke to the ssenger.
"Governor Chen reports that Strategist Xi has vomited blood and fallen into a coma again," the ssenger read, and at this news, Cao Cao’s small stature shook, "Zhicai..."
"Fortunately, Physician Hua in Qiaoo County has treated him and has already stabilized his condition. However, it is feared that a long period of recuperation will be necessary before he recovers," the ssenger delivered a twist just as tears were about to fall from Cao Cao’s eyes.
"Can’t you just say it all at once!" Xiahou Yuan’s heart had tightened at the ssenger’s words; Xi Zhicai was far too important for Cao Cao’s camp. But the sudden turn in the report made everyone who was anxious heave a sigh of relief. Because of this, although Xiahou Yuan was scolding the ssenger, he didn’t have much anger, and instead, there was so sense of relief.
"Does this an Zhicai’s condition has been stabilized?" Cao Cao asked, relieved.
"Strategist Xi’s condition has been stabilized by Physician Hua and he has just regained consciousness not long ago, but according to Physician Hua, it is best not to travel by carriage for the ti being due to the consecutive injuries to his vital energy," the ssenger seed quite astute, likely having been specifically instructed by Chen Qun on how to relay the ssage.
"How skilled is this Physician Hua?" Cao Cao inquired.
"Lord, Hua Tuo’s dical skills are unmatched in the world, beyond the reach of ordinary people. With Physician Hua attending, Zhicai will be free from illness, and it is also very likely that his previous hidden injuries will be completely healed," Cheng Yu, who was well aware of the world’s wonders, stood up and explained.
"That’s good, that’s very good," Cao Cao finally reassured, "Since that’s the case, I will write a letter myself to Liu Xuande, asking him to look after him for a while."
Having confird that Xi Zhicai was out of danger, Cao Cao naturally assud his previous feeling of unease ca from Xi Zhicai, and now that he was assured, he felt at ease.
After most civil officials and military generals had left, Cao Cao kept Xun Yu, Xun You, Cheng Yu, and Zao Zhi in the room.
"Speak, what exactly happened to Zhicai? Zhicai has never exhibited such a condition before this, why did he insist on going to Mount Tai?" Cao Cao’s piercing gaze swept across Xun Yu and the others.
"Lord, to understand the matter, we must start with Zhicai’s Spiritual Talent..." Xun Yu sighed, laying out the entire situation. Cao Cao was taken aback ti and again; certainly, no top sage would reveal their Spiritual Talent to others, as it was their greatest secret. Yet, what Xi Zhicai had done was to go to Mount Tai to reveal the secrets of others.
"Alas, I am still too weak, or else why would Zhicai need to go to such lengths! When Zhicai arrives, I must warn him not to continue acting this way!" Cao Cao sighed, having tolerated Xi Zhicai’s actions too much.
"Lord, the three of us speculate that Zhicai might be able to discern others’ Spiritual Talents through his own Spiritual Talent, yet he may not truly understand his own, or else such incidents should not have occurred. After all, Zhicai has used the Spiritual Talents of the three of us before without any such mishaps," Xun Yu sighed as he shared their collective conjecture.
"I’m afraid it’s exactly as you say," Cheng Yu nodded and spoke, "Logically speaking, Wen Ruo’s Talent ranks among the strongest of our age, and there has been no such situation when Zhicai used Wen Ruo’s Spirit Talent. It started happening only after arriving at Mount Tai, suggesting that he knows others but not himself."
Cao Cao sighed, "If that’s the case, I shall pen a letter to Zhicai, asking him not to probe any further, just to be safe."
"There’s nothing else we can do," Cheng Yu sighed with a tinge of reluctance, "Knowing the adversary’s Spiritual Talent would make future confrontations so much easier. Alas, ’tis a pity."
"How is the arrangent of the farmland for next spring coming along in Zao Zhi?" Cao Cao turned and inquired of Zao Zhi.
"We are only short of draft cattle. The wastelands in Yanzhou have already been cultivated and will be ready for seeding next year. If all goes well, we should be able to harvest five million hu of military grain next sumr," Zao Zhi reported calmly. The farming from the previous year, although stunted by the defeat of the Yellow Turbans, produced so yield, which was just enough to support Cao Cao’s army for several tens of days of battle.
"How did Liu Xuande acquire draft cattle?" asked Cao Cao, intrigued. Both of them were poor, so it was strange that Liu Bei had so many.
"I am not sure, but I have already sent soone to investigate," Zao Zhi answered calmly. Although a low-profile figure, his importance to Cao Cao was no less than that of the Two Xuns, and he could exercise the powers they held as well.
"Very well," nodded Cao Cao, "Wen Ruo, has there been any new intelligence from Yuanchang in Chang’an?"
"Liangzhou’s Ma Shoucheng and Hann Wenyue have combined forces of a hundred thousand to campaign against the rebels," Xun Yu spoke dispassionately, believing that Ma Teng and Hann Sui themselves were rebels, and their actions were not in support of the Emperor.
"Is there an opportunity for us?" Cao Cao’s face lit up with excitent as he asked Xun Yu, coveting the Xiliang Iron Cavalry.
"The ti is not right. If I’m not mistaken, both Ma Shoucheng and Hann Wenyue are dood to defeat. Of course, even if they happen to win by chance, it would only prolong the chaos in Liangzhou into Yongzhou, which is not beneficial for the Emperor," Xun Yu shook his head, seeing the situation very clearly. In his view, Ma Teng and Hann Sui may have abundant troops, but their commands were not unified, with each faction following its own orders—anathema to military strategy. Furthermore, their adversary was Dong Zhuo’s forces, experts in Xiliang Iron Cavalry and Qiang Cavalry combat, leaving little to no chance of victory.
"What a pity, such elite forces not at my disposal," sighed Cao Cao, deeply conflicted about the cavalry situation.
"Lord, please be patient for a while longer," the usually reticent Xun You finally spoke up, "Yuanchang has his own plans, and Li Que and Guo Si are no match for him."
Upon hearing this, Cao Cao felt much reassured. Unsure of Zhong Yao’s reasoning, as a fanatical admirer of Cai Yong, under the continuous communication with Xun Yu and others, he shalessly defected to Cao Cao’s side.
When he had nothing better to do, he would stir up trouble for Guo Si using Li Que, then trouble for Pan Chou using Guo Si, and turn around to let Zhang Ji trouble Li Que. In short, under Zhong Yao’s occasional ddlings, Dong Zhuo’s once harmonious remnants now nursed so discord. However, since they once relied on each other on the battlefield, having shielded one another from enemy swords and eaten from the sa pot, their minor disagreents had not yet sparked conflict, but the thorn was already lodged deep in their hearts. (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please support by voting on . Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please visit m.qidian to read.)
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