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

Chapter 59 Borrowing Grain

Yuan Tan never expected that Cao Cao's food shortage had reached such a point.

Asking yourself for 100,000 shi of grain and fodder is like discarding a donkey after it has served its purpose!

I've given you everything, what am I going to eat?

He glanced at Guo Jia, and the Master of Emotions immediately understood:

"What my lord says is all true. Our Qingzhou army is exhausted from our long journey, suffering from acclimatization issues, and many are sick and in need of medicine. Furthermore, the provisions we are carrying are the soldiers' own rations. If we were to ask them to hand them over, it might incite a mutiny. It's not that we are unwilling to help Lord Cao, but rather... our treasury is empty."

This statement was half true and half false, linking the "lack of food" with the "exhausted soldiers from a long journey." It was both a complaint and an implication to Cao Cao: if the pressure is too great, this army may become unusable.

Xun Yu was a man of great stature; how could he not know that this was merely an excuse?

His sharp gaze swept over the Qingzhou army.

Despite the long journey, their armor was still gleaming and their morale remained high, indicating that they were far from being short of supplies.

But he didn't point it out, he just smiled calmly:

"I will certainly report Lord Cao's concerns to you truthfully. However, the military situation is urgent; Shouchun is a fortified city with high walls and deep moats, and we still need the brave soldiers of Qingzhou to fight valiantly. As for the order to attack the city..."

"Tan Yi has an inescapable duty to attack the city!"

Yuan Tan immediately responded, his tone resolute, deftly brushing aside the topic of "borrowing grain."

"Please inform Lord Cao that our Qingzhou army will immediately march to the east gate, establish camps, and manufacture weapons, without delaying the battle! As for provisions... I will do my utmost to procure them, and any savings I can spare will be supplied to the royal army first!"

That's a well-chosen statement: I agree to attack the city; I haven't said I won't lend grain, but it has to be "raised," and the amount will depend on the situation. This avoids a complete breakdown in relations while firmly safeguarding one's own lifeline.

Xun Yu gave Yuan Tan a deep look, then glanced at Guo Jia, who remained silent beside him. A trace of recollection flashed in his eyes, and he finally couldn't help but speak:

"Fengxiao! Several years have passed since we last met. I never expected to see you again in this war-torn land of Huainan!"

He was a close friend of Guo Jia, and naturally knew early on that Guo Jia had defected to Yuan Tan.

While offering my silent blessings, I also felt a pang of regret.

He knew Guo Jia's talent; in the entire Central Plains, there were probably very few people who could compare to him.

He originally planned to recommend Guo Jia after Cao Cao had settled down, but Yuan Tan beat him to it.

Yuan Tan, as the world says, is a lecherous and vulgar fellow.

Xun Yu always felt that Guo Jia was blind, that he was casting pearls before swine.

But what I see today doesn't seem as bad as the rumors say.

Furthermore, considering that the opponent previously defeated Lü Bu and Zhang Fei, it is likely that the opponent has been hiding their true strength.

The reason why people always hide their talents is that they want to conceal their true intentions.

I'm afraid Yuan Tan has quite a few schemes in mind.

Xun Yu's move surprised many of Yuan Tan's generals who were unaware of the situation.

What was Xun Yu's status?

Cao Cao's chief strategist, the Minister of the Imperial Secretariat, a figure revered by scholars throughout the land, treated a seemingly unrestrained young strategist with such courtesy.

Seeing that Xun Yu had spoken first, Guo Jia's languid smile became more genuine, and he returned the greeting respectfully:

"Brother Wenruo! Five years have passed since we parted in Shanyang. Your demeanor is even more refined than before, and you hold a high position, managing affairs across the land—a well-deserved honor. As for me, I am down on my luck in the martial world, but fortunately, you have taken me under your wing, and I have found refuge here."

Xun Yu gave Guo Jia a deep look, his tone tinged with regret:

"I have long known of Fengxiao's talent. Years ago in Yingchuan, I sat with Fengxiao, Zhicai, and others discussing the affairs of the world—how delightful that was! It's just a pity..."

He paused slightly, seemingly unwilling to mention the sadness of Xi Zhicai's untimely death, and then said:

"It's a pity we never had the chance to meet and work together. Now that I see Fengxiao has met such a wise ruler as Yuan Qingzhou, and is able to realize his ambitions, I am very gratified!"

These words, ostensibly a reminiscing and congratulations, were actually meant to clarify past ties, elevate Guo Jia's status, and subtly observe Yuan Tan's reaction.

The intention was to tell Yuan Tan: This man is an old friend of mine, whose talent is extraordinary. It is your good fortune to have him, and I hope you can make good use of him.

However, Yuan Tan didn't need Xun Yu's subtle warnings; he was well aware of Guo Jia's talent.

While secretly admiring Xun Yu's character, Yuan Tan also felt a certain respect for him.

Even though Xun Yu and Guo Jia now belong to different factions, Xun Yu still makes sure to help Guo Jia.

It's just a pity that a powerful family like his in Yingchuan would never look up to him.

It was destined that we were meant to be but not to be together.

Guo Jia was so astute; how could he not understand the deeper meaning behind it?

He laughed heartily, cleverly steer the conversation back to the present: "Brother Wenruo, you flatter me. I have been drifting with the tide, but fortunately I have met a wise ruler, which has allowed me to do my part in this chaotic world. Now that Cao Cao and our lord are working together to punish the traitors, we must unite our efforts and hearts."

Having discussed this much, it was time to ask them to leave.

Xun Yu stopped pressing the matter and cupped his hands in greeting, saying:

"In that case, I will reply to Lord Cao. I hope that Prince Xiansi will soon achieve victory!"

After Xun Yu returned, the smile on Yuan Tan's face gradually faded.

Zhang He spoke first:

"My lord, Cao Cao is utterly shameless! He's actually demanding 100,000 shi of grain from us. Isn't he afraid of forcing us into rebellion?"

Yuan Tan was also suddenly speechless.

How could anyone possibly oppose it?

Should I join my good-for-nothing uncle in a rebellion?

That means all the previous wages were wasted.

However, Cao Cao was indeed using him as cannon fodder, and the key point was that he could hardly disobey him.

If he were to abandon his responsibilities, he could easily stand on the moral high ground and label himself as someone who colluded with traitors.

Coming to Shouchun by myself would truly be a case of trying to steal a chicken but losing the rice instead.

Just when everyone was at a loss,

The commander of the personal guards, Cen Bi, strode inside, his face showing a strange expression, and reported in a low voice:

"My lord! A suspicious man has been captured during a patrol outside the camp. He claims to be a messenger from Shouchun City, with top-secret matters to report to you in person! This man claims... he was sent by Lord Yuan Huan!"

"Yuan Huan?"

A glint of light flashed in Yuan Tan's eyes.

This man hailed from the Yuan clan of Chen Commandery and was considered a core member of Yuan Shu's group. He bore the heavy responsibility of defending the city, and according to seniority, he was Yuan Shu's uncle. What was his intention in sending someone here now?

"Bring him in! Search him thoroughly, but don't make a sound!"

Yuan Tan gave the order.

A moment later, a middle-aged man with a panicked expression and tattered clothes was brought in.

He knelt and kowtowed, then took a small roll of sealed silk from his hair and presented it with both hands:

"I have been ordered by General Yuan Huan to risk my life to leave the city and present this letter to Governor Yuan! The general says that he and the governor of Qingzhou are blood relatives and cannot bear to see the clan members killing each other. He is willing to act as an inside agent to help the governor of Qingzhou achieve the greatest merit in capturing the city, so as to protect the clan!"

Upon hearing this, the people inside the tent reacted with varying expressions.

This news was too sudden and too tempting!

If we can launch a coordinated attack from within and without to capture the city first, we will not only gain the immense wealth accumulated in Shouchun, but also gain tremendous political prestige, completely reversing our current passive situation of being controlled by Cao Cao!

Yuan Tan quickly glanced through the silk scroll. It was indeed stamped with Yuan Huan's seal, and the words were earnest, specifying the contact signal and the method of rendezvous.

He remained expressionless and said gently to the messenger, "Uncle is very understanding and righteous, and I am extremely grateful! You should go and rest first, eat and change your clothes, while I discuss the details of the reception with the gentlemen."