Chapter Fifty-Five: Crossing Swords with Jia Xu

After a short while, within the manor.

Chu Feng strode forward, Xu Chu following closely behind, while Zhang Xiu and Jia Xu rose to greet them.

Chu Feng first glanced at Jia Xu, then turned his gaze to Zhang Xiu. Zhang Xiu stood eight feet tall, with the broad shoulders and stout waist of a tiger; though his beard was unruly, he possessed a certain heroic air.

To be honest, Chu Feng felt a peculiar connection to Zhang Xiu—after all, he had previously written a story embodying Zhang Xiu, which even brought to mind Lady Zou.

“I have long admired the renowned General Zhang; meeting you today, I see your commanding presence and vigor—truly a man of extraordinary talent!” Chu Feng said heartily.

“General Chu overpraises me. I am but a homeless dog, dependent on others—how dare I claim to be a hero?” Zhang Xiu waved modestly, then gestured for them to sit.

“General, your peace in Nanyang and victory over Cao Cao are known to all. If you are not considered a hero, then who in this world could possibly bear the title?” Chu Feng replied with a smile.

He knew Zhang Xiu would eventually pledge his loyalty somewhere. Whether Zhang Xiu could be persuaded to join him would depend on whether Chu Feng could win his heart today.

“Heh, Youwei, General Chu speaks true; you need not be so modest,” Jia Xu interjected, his eyes narrowing as he stroked his beard and smiled.

Then, his tone shifted.

“But General Chu, may I ask the purpose of your visit to Nanyang? Surely you did not come here just for this?” Jia Xu looked at Chu Feng with a faint smile.

He feared Chu Feng might sway Zhang Xiu with just a few words. Zhang Xiu was straightforward and prided himself on chivalry, and Chu Feng had the means to manipulate him effortlessly.

Moreover, Zhang Xiu of Nanyang was Jia Xu’s own bargaining chip. He could almost guarantee that Cao Cao and Yuan Shao would eventually clash, and Zhang Xiu would become highly sought after.

If Zhang Xiu joined Yuan Shao, Cao Cao would be endangered.

If Zhang Xiu joined Cao Cao, he would relieve Cao Cao’s worries.

No matter whom Zhang Xiu pledged to, Jia Xu would maximize his own benefit.

Listening to Jia Xu, Chu Feng looked over, their eyes meeting. Both wore smiles, but beneath their gaze, each had his own agenda.

“Damn it, this old schemer!” Chu Feng cursed inwardly. Jia Xu was a true double-edged sword, always acting for his own benefit, regardless of whether his allegiance brought profit to his lord.

Before Guandu, he led Zhang Xiu to several victories over Cao Cao.

During the standoff at Guandu, Yuan Shao sent envoys to recruit Zhang Xiu, who was about to agree. Jia Xu openly rebuked the envoy, saying Yuan Shao had no room for talented men—thus offending Yuan Shao directly.

Consequently, when Zhang Xiu asked where to go, Jia Xu suggested Cao Cao. Zhang Xiu worried, having killed Cao Cao’s son, that he would not be accepted, but Jia Xu persuaded him otherwise.

Upon surrender, Jia Xu was granted the title of Captain of the Guards and Marquis of Duting, later promoted to Governor of Jizhou. Clearly, Jia Xu had already been in secret contact with Cao Cao before surrendering—otherwise, how could the subordinate of a mere capitulator attain such status?

Liu Ye’s position upon surrender was nowhere near as high!

Of course, Zhang Xiu’s death in the Records of the Three Kingdoms is described as sudden. The contemporary Wei Chronicles add:

General of the Five Offices, Cao Pi, repeatedly invited Zhang Xiu to banquets, but would burst out in anger: “You killed my brother—how can you face others?” Unsettled, Zhang Xiu took his own life.

Wei Chronicles fill a gap here, and are highly credible—though belief is up to interpretation.

“I presume, sir, you are the famed ‘Poison Scholar’ Jia Xu?” Chu Feng smiled gently.

Dealing with such a far-sighted, self-serving, and cunning scholar was no easy task; to win him over, one must do the opposite of what is expected.

Fine birds choose their perch wisely!

Simply flattering him would not win his recognition. When Yuan Shao tried to recruit him at Guandu, Jia Xu mocked him—clearly, he was not swayed by mere praise.

Jia Xu’s eyes narrowed. The title “Poison Scholar” carried both praise and scorn. “General, your knowledge of me is a blessing. As for the title ‘Poison Scholar,’ it is but a rumor among the troops, hardly worth taking seriously.”

“Haha, on the contrary! Without your stratagems, would the Han Dynasty have fallen to such chaos? Would Guanzhong be deserted and barren?” Chu Feng replied, staring directly at Jia Xu with a smile.

Jia Xu: “…………”

“Of course, dynasties throughout history always unite after long division, and divide after long unity. Your strategy merely hastened the cycle—perhaps a villain through the ages, or perhaps a name for the history books!” Chu Feng laughed loudly, offering Jia Xu a way out.

Jia Xu’s eyes darkened further. He had lived half his life, yet from this young man’s words, he sensed something uncanny, as if Chu Feng saw through him completely.

“Whether a villain or a name in history, it will be up to posterity to judge—there is no need for General to trouble himself!” Jia Xu replied with a gentle smile.

“Haha, well said, well said.”

“General Zhang, to be frank, I am passing through here on my way to visit Governor Liu of Jingzhou. I heard of your extraordinary prowess, famed as the Spear King of the North,”

“My subordinate here is eager to test his skills against yours, and I myself delight in befriending men of chivalry, so I made the detour to visit you,” Chu Feng said loudly, laughing.

“Oh?”

Zhang Xiu’s eyes lit up.

He loved nothing more than a contest. Men of Xiliang befriended one another through martial skill and respected strength above all. Anyone who became a leader in Xiliang must have been a formidable warrior in his youth.

Even Fat Dong Zhuo was unbeatable when he was younger!

Jia Xu’s eyes narrowed, pondering for a moment, then inwardly cursed. This young man had found a perfect way to entice Zhang Xiu—truly cunning.

He spoke up at once: “My lord, General Chu is heading to visit Governor Liu and cannot stay long. Perhaps…”

“Ah, a simple contest won’t delay us much!” Zhang Xiu waved his hand in refusal, then laughed: “General Chu’s proposal suits me well—please, let us proceed!”

Xu Chu was not to be outdone: “Please!”

Zhang Xiu and Xu Chu strode ahead, while Chu Feng deliberately lagged behind. Jia Xu glanced over, and their eyes met; Chu Feng gave an enigmatic smile and walked on.

Watching Chu Feng’s back, Jia Xu sighed: “Ah!”

This first encounter had let the young man prevail. No, he could not let Chu Feng spoil his plans.

A short while later, at the training grounds.

The soldiers in the camp had heard there would be a contest and all gathered around. Many were Xiliang men by birth, naturally combative—especially excited to see Zhang Xiu himself participate.

In the entire camp, no one could best Zhang Xiu. Only Hu Che’er could barely hold out for dozens of rounds, so they were curious who the challenger might be.

In the clearing, Xu Chu nodded at Chu Feng reassuringly, then seized his broadsword and mounted his horse. Opposite, Zhang Xiu took up his steel spear.

“Who is this challenger, daring to face our lord?”

“Our lord’s steel spear sweeps the north—no one can match him. How many rounds do you think this challenger will last?”

“Hard to say. That fat fellow has a waist as thick as ten barrels—he must be a powerful man. The lord may not win easily.”

Hearing their chatter, Chu Feng smiled and shook his head. Zhang Xiu was indeed strong, but the Tiger Marquis Xu Chu was stronger; in this contest, Zhang Xiu would surely lose.

He glanced over at Zhang Xiu.

Zhang Xiu

Martial Skill: 103

Command: 85

Strategy: 34

Administration: 37