Three Kingdoms: I, Yuan Shu, Loyal Officials of the Han Dynasty

Chapter 53 Jiang Gan Steals the Book and Returns
Before the sun rose, and with the morning chill and heavy dew, Jiang Gan took advantage of the dawn to escape back to Cao Cao's camp.

When he came to find Xi Zhicai, he saw that the candle was about to burn out, the documents were piled up, and the sick scholar was wrapped in a fur coat and leaning against the bed, busy dealing with various matters, and had not slept all night.

Upon seeing Jiang Gangui, he forced a faint smile despite his illness and asked, "How is the situation?"

Although Jiang Gan was worried about Xi Zhicai's health, he dared not delay due to his heavy responsibilities, and hurriedly said to him:
“The great thing is accomplished!
Contrary to what outsiders like us know, Sun Ce was not always grateful for Yuan Shu's kindness and could not bear to betray him. Instead, he harbored ambitions to establish his own power early on.

My classmate and close friend Zhou Yu had repeatedly plotted for him to break away from Yuan Shu and establish his own power base, but each time his schemes were seen through, and therefore he failed.

Jiang Gan then recounted the details of events he had learned from Zhou Yu, such as presenting the imperial seal, crossing the river to rescue his mother, and persuading Taishi Ci, before bowing respectfully.

"I have done my duty without failing."

Even without anyone's help, Zhou Yu has repeatedly tried to help Sun Ce establish his career. Now that he hears that I want to help him succeed, why don't we hit it off immediately?
Even when Sun Ce was plotted against and imprisoned, the task of rescuing him was handled personally.

I risked my life to infiltrate Yuan Shu's camp, and was entrusted with a perilous mission: to secretly affix the imperial seal to Zhou Yu's rescue of Sun Ce, so that we could launch an uprising three days later, coordinating with our army from within and without to decisively defeat Yuan's forces.

Upon hearing Jiang Gan's words and seeing his confident and eloquent speech, Xi Zhicai looked at him with surprise. Although he felt that things were going too smoothly and had some doubts, he still smiled gently and encouraged him.

“Excellent. I have long heard that Ziyi is eloquent and persuasive. This time, he went to Yuan’s camp and accomplished such a great thing in just one night.”

If we can truly defeat Yuan Shao in one fell swoop this time, Ziyi will be credited with the greatest merit. When our lord returns, I will personally petition for your reward.”

Upon hearing this, Jiang Gan showed a hint of joy on his face, but more than anything, he seemed hesitant and reserved, wanting to praise him but not daring to say it directly.

Xi Zhicai could naturally see that, and although he didn't know what else he wanted to say, he nodded in agreement.

"There's no need for this between us. If Ziyi has anything else to say, feel free to speak frankly."

Jiang Gan couldn't wait any longer, his face barely concealing his joy.

"I have an unexpected surprise on this trip. You would never guess, strategist. Besides Zhou Yu and Sun Ce, who else have I told you about?"

"Oh?"

"His first name is Lei Bu, and his second name is Chen Lan."

"What? How could this be?"

Seeing that even the usually composed strategist Xi Zhicai was completely stunned, Jiang Gan was quite pleased and began to recount the story to him.

"Military Advisor Xi, you may not know this, but Lei Bu and Chen Lan are perhaps as you say, exceptionally talented, with the style of famous generals of the past, and hailed as unparalleled generals."

However, talent is not the same as character. Although these two men were talented, they were actually morally corrupt, ignorant of loyalty and righteousness, and lacked respect for hierarchy.

Several years ago, when Generals Lei and Chen were guarding Runan, they had already harbored rebellious intentions, often selling military equipment and provisions privately, and secretly helping Liu Xun to establish his own regime.

Even now, although the two of them have repeatedly devised ingenious strategies to attack and defend Yangdi with General Yuan Rang, Yuan Shu, being jealous of their talents, not only failed to entrust them with important responsibilities, but also took advantage of Liu Xun's death to strip them of their military power and demote them to personal guards.

Once they held power and were at the mercy of others, how could these two disloyal and unrighteous men not harbor resentment?

I went to speak with them personally and persuaded them to surrender to Cao Cao. They will cooperate with us in three days.

"What...?"

Xi Zhicai gasped, his gaze towards Jiang Gan filled with awe and wonder.

"I have always considered Lei and Chen to be my biggest concerns. I never expected that Ziyi would go to Yuan's camp and, while accomplishing great things, also be able to persuade these two men."

I have often heard people say that Ziyi's eloquence is unparalleled in his time, and that he even surpasses Su Qin and Zhang Yi in this regard.

I initially disbelieved it, thinking it was mere exaggeration. Today I understand the meaning of strategic alliances and diplomacy, the art of befriending distant states while attacking nearby ones. No one in ancient times was more eloquent and persuasive than this. Seeing is believing; Ziyi, a renowned scholar from Jiangzuo, truly lives up to his reputation.

Upon receiving such praise from Xi Zhicai, Jiang Gan couldn't hide the smile on his face, but he still forced a smile and looked like he wanted to say something but hesitated.

Looking at this familiar scene, Xi Zhicai felt both helpless and strange. He coughed lightly and asked a question.

"Ziyi, is there still something you haven't said?"

"Hmm~"

Commander Jiang Gan'ang grunted in response, then his expression turned serious, and he lowered his voice.

"I wonder if Strategist Xi knows of this man, Fengxiao? He should be a man of wisdom in this era who is no less than you."

Xi Zhicai, unaware of the situation, stared intently at Jiang Gan, his gaze carrying a profound meaning.

"If anyone is no weaker than me, it must be Guo Jia, Guo Fengxiao. His schemes are unpredictable, and even I dare not say that I am definitely better than him. He is certainly no less than me."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Gan's heart sank as he compared it with what he had seen and heard in Yuan's camp.

Thinking of this critical moment, who else but Jiang Ziyi could help Cao Cao to support his great cause?

He gritted his teeth and, mustering his courage, forced himself to ask.

"May I ask, if Military Advisor Xi is in grave danger, is this the person who will replace him in Cao Cao's camp?"

Upon hearing this, Xi Zhicai's expression changed drastically. The smile that had been on his face vanished instantly, and his eyes became unfathomable as he stared intently at Jiang Gan.

"This matter is top secret, how did Ziyi know about it?"

Upon hearing these words, Jiang Gan felt as if a thunderbolt had struck his ears. His worst fears had indeed come true. He felt that all the clues in his mind were perfectly connected, and the entire chain of events was airtight, leaving no room for any lingering hope.

He looked at Xi Zhicai with a puzzled expression, "Ziyi dares to ask the strategist a question, why him? How could it be him!"

"Our lord has many talented men under his command, and there are plenty who could succeed him as chief strategist. Why did it have to be him?"

As Xi Zhicai listened, he became increasingly alert and quite surprised. Seeing Jiang Ziyi's anxious expression, he knew there must be a reason, so he patiently explained.

"Guo Jia, courtesy name Fengxiao, was a native of Yingchuan. He was a close friend of Xun Wenruo in his youth. The two traveled together, carrying swords and studying, and admired each other's talents."

My illness is known to all. Although my lord may not be able to tell me directly, how can I not plan far ahead for my lord when I am working for him?
With the lord's tacit approval, I discussed the successor with Wenruo several times. Wenruo mentioned Fengxiao, and I knew of his talent. Everyone at the time praised him.

Therefore, Xu Wenruo was allowed to test his heart with a letter, so that he could take over if he could not fathom my intentions, and so that the lord would not be left without a plan in case of emergency.

After speaking, Xi Zhicai, though ill, stared intently at Jiang Gan with a fierce and piercing gaze, his imposing presence resembling that of a dying lion protecting its cub.

"This matter was secretly discussed and planned by Wenruo and me. Apart from informing our lord, how could anyone else know about it?"

Ziyi, where did you hear about this? Tell me!

Jiang Gan did not answer directly, but instead let out a long sigh.

"Military Advisor Xi, is the Guo Fengxiao you mentioned currently in Yuan Shao's camp?"

"So what?"

Xi Zhicai's eyes already showed impatience. If Jiang Gan hadn't just sown discord between Yuan Shu and Sun Ce, and had also managed to turn Lei Bu and Chen Lan against their side, making him a loyal and reliable person, why would he have told him about the secrets here?
(End of this chapter)