Chapter Thirty-Four: Slaying the General to Inspire Awe, Strategic Planning with Lu Zijing

“General Chen, what do you think of Qian Mountain?”
Chen Lan’s body trembled, cold sweat beading on his forehead as he looked at Chu Feng, who was gazing at him with amusement. He hurriedly cupped his hands and replied, “I am dull-witted and do not understand what you mean, young lord.”
“General Lei, why don’t you explain it to him?” Chu Feng raised an eyebrow and smiled, turning to Lei Bo.
Of course, he wasn’t sure if the two harbored rebellious intentions at this moment, so he was testing them, probing their true intentions.
Upon hearing this, Lei Bo was shocked.
He and Chen Lan had plotted to set themselves up after Yuan Shu’s defeat by Lü Bu, but since Yuan Shu’s forces still existed, they dared not act. According to the records, after Yuan Shu was defeated by Cao Cao, the two deserted with their troops.
Now, at dusk, Yuan Yao had been killed, Shouchun was in turmoil, and their conspiracy deepened, even mentioning Qian Mountain. This left him with no way to explain himself.
“Lei Bo, you betrayed me?”
Chen Lan was terrified; even a fool would realize the truth had come out, and it was Lei Bo who had betrayed him. Without hesitation, he drew his sword to kill him!
“Chen Lan, listen to me!”
Lei Bo drew his sword in defense, speaking urgently.
“What is there to explain? I treated you as a brother, yet you betrayed me. You deserve death!” Chen Lan declared firmly.
“How wonderful!”
“I was only testing you, but I see you both indeed intend to rebel—an unforgivable crime.” Chu Feng clapped and laughed, then turned to Zhao Fan, “Fan, seize them!”
Zhao Fan nodded.
The two were merely third-rate generals and no match for Zhao Fan; in a short while, both were subdued.
“Take them away. They will be executed tomorrow afternoon!”
Watching them being led off, Ji Ling was stunned for a moment. This eldest son was certainly remarkable, and the officer at his side was likely more skilled than himself.
“Young lord, how did you know?”
“Heh, paper cannot contain fire. I can tell loyal from treacherous at a glance!” Chu Feng chuckled. “Ji Ling, take the seal and go to their camp to seize their troops and prevent mutiny!”
“Moreover, tomorrow you are to oversee their execution, and after the beheading, carry the seal north yourself to summon Zhang Xun and his army back to prevent unrest!”
Chu Feng instructed.
Although Zhang Xun was loyal enough, he was not absolutely so. When Cao Cao surrounded Yuan Shu, Qiao Rui died in battle, Zhang Xun fled, and after Yuan Shu’s death, he sought to join Sun Ce with his troops.

He was an ordinary officer, but now commanding three armies, a mutiny would spell trouble. It was best to secure the territory by consolidating the forces.
“Rest assured, young lord. I will take troops to seize the rebels at once,” Ji Ling replied, cupping his hands, then strode off, sword at his side.
As Ji Ling departed, Zhao Fan sheathed his sword and spoke gravely, “Lord, I have already sent swift riders to pursue our eight hundred armored men, but even so, our loyal followers are few. I am concerned…”
“Don’t worry, I am fully aware. Also, after taking over the imperial city tomorrow, send someone to execute Yuan Yao’s mother and her entire line, by order of my father.”
Chu Feng’s voice was icy. He was not bloodthirsty, but in chaotic times, mercy becomes cruelty to oneself. If Cao Cao had not spared talents like Liu Bei and Guan Yu,
things would not have come to this.
“Yes!” Zhao Fan replied, cupping his hands, then added, “But lord, Yao’s mother is the legal wife of Lord Yuan. If she is executed so abruptly, it may provoke unrest among the soldiers.”
“My father’s order—what does it have to do with me?”
Zhao Fan sighed; his lord was truly ruthless, showing no mercy, as if he were not Yuan Shu’s son. Yet, he liked it.
Indeed, Chu Feng was not Yuan Shu’s son.
“Go, and when Zhang Xun’s troops return, I will summon all governors and prefects. Any who dare rebel will be executed!” Chu Feng’s voice was cold and decisive.
Time was pressing,
He must seize control everywhere with thunderous methods.
Later generations knew Yuan Shu’s claim to the throne was formidable, but few realize that his constant warfare drained his forces. Even after establishing his regime, Cao Cao ignored him;
there was never any so-called coalition of lords to attack him.
At this moment, Yuan Shu’s territory consisted only of Jiujiang Commandery, then Lujiang, half of Pei, and half of Runan—barely three commanderies, all weary and depleted, the people destitute!
Among them, Runan, Pei, and Lujiang were only half-dependent, meaning they could rebel at any time. As for Xu Province’s Guangling, all records show that
when Liu Bei lost to Lü Bu, Yuan Shu rejected him.
After Yuan Shu claimed the throne, Guangling’s governor Wu Jing fled to Sun Ce, and Cao Cao appointed Chen Deng as Guangling’s governor. When Yuan Shu campaigned against Lü Bu, Guangling showed no sign of military action.
When Cao Cao attacked Lü Bu, Chen Deng led his army to assist, indicating that Guangling was under Yuan Shu’s control for only a brief period. As for Danyang, he had no real control there at all.
“Lord, circumstances have changed; we must lay new plans!” After much contemplation, Lu Su spoke up. In his view, occupying Jiujiang was not necessarily advantageous.
“What is your opinion?” Chu Feng asked.
“Lord, Jiujiang, though valuable, is a land of constant warfare—not a place for a firm foundation. To the north is Cao Cao, commanding the emperor to rule the lords; to the south is Sun Ce, esteemed by the gentry of Jiangdong.”
“Both men are ambitious and will not allow you to grow strong; they may join forces against you. In my view, the urgent task is to ally with Lü Bu and Liu Biao to resist Sun Ce and Cao Cao.”

“Internally, we must strengthen the military and restore the people, securing the commanderies. Once our power is amassed, we can resist Cao Cao in the north and campaign against Sun Ce in the south. Moreover, I dare assert, in three to five years,”
“Cao Cao in Yu Province and Yuan Shao in Ji Province will wage a life-and-death war. Lord, we must seize Jiangdong before then, defend the Yangtze and Huai rivers as natural barriers, train a navy, and watch the changes in the central plains!”
“If Cao Cao prevails, you may lead your army north, crossing the river network to invade the heart of the central plains, reaping the rewards as a fisherman. If Yuan Shao prevails, you may ally with Liu Biao to defend the terrain and secure your own territory.”
Lu Su spoke with grave determination, his words ringing with resolve. This was his carefully considered strategy after learning Chu Feng’s identity at dusk.
Hearing Lu Su’s proposal, Chu Feng was dumbfounded; Lu Su’s reputation was well deserved—his words seemed to glimpse the workings of fate.
With a single glance, he nearly predicted the next decade.
“Haha, with Lu Su at my side, why should I fear for the empire’s peace?” Chu Feng declared heartily. He knew full well that Sun Ce, Cao Cao, and Liu Zhang would unite to campaign against Yuan Shu and Liu Biao.
Lu Su had foreseen it all—remarkable!
“Lord, you flatter me. The most pressing task is to recruit heroes widely, train a navy, defend against Cao Cao in the north, and campaign against Sun Ce in the south. Jiujiang cannot be held for long,”
“In the past, Emperor Gaozu secured Guanzhong, Emperor Guangwu held Henei—both established deep roots to control the realm. Lord, you should follow their example. Also, I have heard that Yuan Shu’s chief clerk Yan Xiang retired after Yuan Shu claimed the throne.”
“Now that the regime has fallen, you may visit him in person: firstly, to gain a great talent; secondly, to show the world that you honor and seek out the worthy, inspiring heroes to come to you.”
Lu Su spoke humbly and then offered his advice.
“Yan Xiang? He does have ability. Send someone to look for him, and when found, I will visit him myself and ask him to assist me!” Chu Feng said after some thought.
“Lord, you are wise!”
“Oh, and while searching for Yan Xiang, help me find Zhou Shang and Zhou Yu. When you locate them, report immediately and assign someone to watch over them; any who refuse, execute them!”
Chu Feng suddenly remembered Zhou Yu and spoke sternly.
“Lord, the Zhou family is a noble house. If we act so rashly, it may…” Lu Su frowned.
“No matter. The city is crawling with rebels, countless as fish in the river. My men are protecting them out of respect for talent. As for whether these rebels might kill them, who can say?”
Chu Feng spoke gravely.
His greatest enemies now were Sun Ce and Cao Cao. Sun Ce had many strategists and fierce generals at his side; if a master like Zhou Yu aided him, it would be like letting a tiger return to the mountains!