"Enough! That's enough for today. We'll discuss this further later."
Yuan Shu knew what Yan Xiang wanted to say, but he didn't want to hear it, so he stopped him from continuing.
The banquet seemed to end rather unpleasantly. It had started well, but Yan Xiang had completely ruined it!
After the meeting, everyone avoided Yan Xiang.
Clearly, Yan Xiang's prevention of Yuan Shu's attempt to become emperor might not have been a good thing.
For Yuan Shu, it might have stopped him from courting death, but it couldn't extinguish his suicidal ambitions. A person's obsession isn't so easily resolved!
In the following days, so-called miracles and auspicious omens appeared one after another, seemingly foreshadowing that Yuan Shu was the true Son of Heaven and should ascend the throne!
Most of his subordinates favored Yuan Shu becoming emperor. Only by becoming emperor would they have a chance for promotion and wealth.
Yan Xiang, on the other hand, was isolated and couldn't even enter the palace. Yuan Shu refused to see him, to avoid further trouble. Out of sight, out of mind.
Poor Yan Xiang, a loyal minister, was isolated and powerless to stop his lord's self-destructive actions.
Meanwhile, Lu Ming had returned to Ji Province.
And, through Han Fu's introduction, he too made a famous "Three Visits to the Thatched Cottage."
This time, however, he wasn't recruiting Zhuge Liang, but rather the unemployed Tian Feng.
In the story, Tian Feng initially served under Han Fu, but he disapproved of Han Fu's inaction and his alliances with powerful clans, lacking any sense of responsibility.
He believed a true lord should lead powerful clans, not be led by the nose.
Therefore, he resigned and returned home, disdaining to serve under Han Fu.
Now, Lu Ming had occupied Ji Province and, over several months, had gradually consolidated his control.
He even relocated the Yang family to Hongnong, giving them a territory and bestowing a marquisate upon Yang Biao.
In a simple house, Tian Feng and Lu Ming sat facing each other, both kneeling on prayer cushions. A teapot and teacups sat on the floor between them.
After pouring Lu Ming a cup of tea, Tian Feng clasped his hands in a fist and asked, "May I ask what the Prince of Qin's ambitions are?"
"To sweep across the eight wastelands, cleanse the six directions, ascend the throne, and unify the land!"
Lu Ming picked up the teacup. Now he could finally speak these words without reservation, not worried about being overheard and accused of treason, nor about being ridiculed for his lack of strength and ambition.
Tian Feng's brow twitched involuntarily. He wasn't too surprised; it would have been surprising if Lu Ming had only wanted to remain in a remote corner.
"Now, King Qin must guard against the warlords of the Central Plains. Occupying Jiangling to the south allows for both offense and defense. To the north lie Yuan Shao and Gongsun Zan; with King Qin's abilities, defeating them should not be difficult."
"After unifying the north, occupying Jicheng will isolate Liaodong."
"Once the Central Plains are pacified, we can march south, seize Shenzhou, unify Shenzhou, and then deal with Liaodong."
"Liaodong is cold and barren, lacking resources, and poses no threat to the war in the Central Plains; it can be dealt with last."
This argument is similar to Jia Xu's; the ability to articulate insight is characteristic of a top-tier strategist.
Great minds think alike; this is the essence of the matter.
Without such talent and insight, one could not utter such words.
"Would Yuan Hao be willing to come out of seclusion and lend me his assistance?" "
Lu Ming seized the opportunity to extend an invitation; he genuinely needed Tian Feng's help.
To govern Ji Province, one needed someone with strong leadership skills.
Bao Zheng was quite capable, but he was needed everywhere, so Ji Province needed someone familiar with the local situation and possessing iron-fisted abilities.
And Tian Feng, from every angle, was an excellent candidate.
Tian Feng pondered for a moment, then declined, instead bowing and saying, "I wonder if Your Highness has a strategy to deal with Yuan Shao and Gongsun Zan?"
Lu Ming was equally frank, "This time, I intend to personally lead the army, first defeating Nanpi and destroying Yuan Shao. Then, I will march north, capture Ji City, and seal Gongsun Zan off in You Province."
"If he's willing to surrender, give him dignity and let him live the life of a wealthy man. If he remains obstinate, send him to his death!"
Tian Feng nodded, then shook his head. "Gongsun Zan is a man of strong character, and now he's even more stubborn and self-willed. Trying to persuade him to surrender is wishful thinking."
"If the King of Qin wants to attack Yuan Shao, he must guard against a sneak attack from Cao Cao."
"Although Cao Cao is the descendant of a eunuch, his intelligence and military strategy are excellent."
"Why not first issue a proclamation denouncing Cao Cao, and then ally with Liu Bei of Xuzhou to attack Cao Cao together? This would both restrain Cao Cao and lull Yuan Shao into a false sense of security, allowing the King of Qin to take Nanpi by surprise!" "
Lu Ming nodded in deep agreement. From the moment Cao Cao was able to launch a surprise attack on Hulao Pass and take Emperor Xian away, he knew that Cao Cao was not to be underestimated.
Moreover, there might even be some Liangshan heroes helping him.
"I wish to recommend Yuan Hao as the Prefect of Ji Province, to handle all affairs of Ji Province on my behalf, including military and political matters."
"The matter of dealing with Cao Cao will be entrusted to Yuan Hao. I wonder if Yuan Hao dares to accept this important task?"
Tian Feng waved his sleeves, respectfully bowed to Lu Ming, and after rising, clasped his hands and bowed again, "I am willing to serve the King of Qin with utmost loyalty!"
"Good. This time I will send you 20,000 men, with Xu Rong and Zhou Cang assisting you. Although these two are not peerless warriors, they are calm and composed, and not easily lured and annihilated."
"If Yuan Hao has any talented people to recommend, please speak frankly." "I don't use those I doubt, and I don't doubt those I use. As long as they are loyal and capable, I will promote them and give them important positions!"
Lu Ming was overjoyed. Although he was quite confident in recruiting Tian Feng, he couldn't say it was a sure thing. Now it seemed Tian Feng had realized the situation.
He didn't prioritize family connections; that was the advantage of being from a humble background.
No one knew that Lu Ming had sent someone to assassinate Cheng Yu.
Such a talent who wouldn't serve him but instead helped the enemy was best left to die.
"If my lord encounters Junyi during the attack on Nanpi, give him this letter and tell him that I am waiting in the city for him to abandon the darkness and join the light." "
Tian Feng knew quite a few people, at least some of the capable ones.
He knew Junyi Lu Ming, a famous general from Hebei, a rare talent.
First he served under Yuan Shao, and later, he even defeated Gongsun's invincible White Horse Cavalry elite troops, despite being outnumbered.
He was a skilled and courageous general, repeatedly achieving military exploits. In his early years in Liangzhou, he was proficient in Qiang warfare tactics and led Yuan Shao's elite troops."