Eastern Han Dynasty, not the Three Kingdoms

Jia Xu paused slightly, and continued with a serious expression: "That Yuan Gonglu is nothing but a withered bone in a tomb, and it is difficult for him to achieve great things. Since the lord has analyzed him in such detail, I will not repeat it here. Let's turn our attention to the current emperor. Since he returned to the capital Chang'an, the situation seems to be different. Although Chang'an's military strength is relatively weak, it can skillfully control the four major states and counties of You, Bing, Jingji, and Liang. Look at the troops and horses gathered in these four states. In Youzhou, the cavalry led by Gongsun Zan is an unparalleled elite force. Wherever their cavalry gallops, it is like a hurricane sweeping across the land, and no one can stop them. In Bingzhou, Lu Bu is the best in the world for his extraordinary bravery, and that hand... The Zhongfang Tianhuaji, seemingly capable of annihilating all enemies, commands a fearsome reputation. In the capital, the three brothers Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei share a sworn brotherhood, a bond stronger than gold. Each possesses unparalleled courage, truly rare and formidable generals. And our Xiliang's Jin Ma Chao is even more renowned as the mighty General, once a formidable figure in foreign lands. His Xiliang cavalry, like a raging sandstorm, crushed enemy forces wherever they went. The emperor's ability to harness these diverse personalities, extraordinary abilities, and ambitions to his advantage—a skill and strategy that truly embodies the spirit and grandeur of a Han Dynasty revival.

Zhang Ji shook his head and smiled bitterly, "Although the Emperor appears to control powerful generals from all directions, the power structures of You, Bing, and Liang provinces are complex and intertwined, each harboring its own agenda. Gongsun Zan and Yuan Shao are constantly feuding, Lü Bu is erratic, the loyal Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei are confined to the capital, lacking sufficient troops, and Ma Chao is loyal and righteous, with his heart set on Liang. The Emperor is merely relying on his position to temporarily maintain a delicate balance with all parties. Undercurrents surge within this dynamic, and crises abound. The slightest misstep could shatter this seemingly stable situation. If Ah Xiu hopes to rely on the Emperor to seek a way out, I'm afraid it will be extremely difficult. If she's not careful, she'll be caught in the vortex of power struggles, from which she'll be doomed."

Jia Xu also sighed, "My lord, you are right. Although the emperor has this plan, he is weak and cannot truly control these arrogant and powerful generals. Moreover, there are many princes now, and many of them are eyeing the emperor covetously. If you join them, you will not only have to deal with the pressure from various princes, but also have to deal with the delicate relationship between the emperor and the generals. Such a dangerous path is truly unwise."

Zhang Ji said with a hint of helplessness, "If you say so, doesn't that mean the world will never be clear?"

Jia Xu looked at Zhang Ji and said calmly, "General, you might as well take a longer-term view. The situation underway is complex and complicated. Let's not talk about other people for now, let's just focus on Xiliang. Xiliang's Ma Chao is now not only a powerful figure in Xiliang, but also renowned throughout the northwest. If Ma Chao truly gives up hope in the emperor in Chang'an and resolutely returns to Xiliang, establishing steady and steady operations, you know, Xiliang's 300,000 cavalry are truly elite, a reputation well earned. Even if Ma Chao himself lacks the ambition to conquer the Central Plains and dominate the world, with his prestige and troops in Xiliang, he is undoubtedly the King of the Northwest. Moreover, Ma Chao cares deeply about the people of the world. If he can defend Xiliang and the northwest, observing the fierce battles in the Central Plains, then when the Central Plains truly rages and all forces are exhausted, the Xiliang cavalry will surge forth with their vast army. Who in the world can withstand their might then? General, don't forget that there is someone in Xiliang."

Zhang Ji's heart moved, and he asked tentatively, "Sir, are you talking about Li Ru and Li Wenyou?"

Jia Xu nodded slightly and said, "That's right. I've rarely admired others in my life, but Li Ru's determination and strategy, as well as his decisiveness and ruthlessness, have earned my sincere admiration. With his counsel in Xiliang, Xiliang will never be confined to one area. They will definitely make inroads into the Central Plains when the time is right."

Zhang Jishen nodded in agreement. "That's true. Mr. Li Ru was once known as the 'poisonous scholar who caused chaos in the country.' While that title is somewhat malicious, it also speaks volumes about his profound wisdom and strategy. But are you certain that Ma Chao will be forced by the emperor, completely disillusioned with him, and return to Xiliang?"

Jia Xu smiled softly and said, "My lord, you didn't attend the banquet yesterday, so you're unaware of Ma Chao's past in Xiliang. The Emperor forced his beloved to marry him, and Ma Chao went so far as to antagonize the Emperor over her, even demanding he make her his empress. Such treason is unforgivable in the eyes of the Emperor, and Ma Chao must be well aware that the rift between him and the Emperor is irreparable. Add to that the current expedition to Yangzhou, and these other unfavorable factors, and Ma Chao's resentment towards the Emperor will only deepen. Returning to Xiliang is very likely his next move."

Zhang Ji suddenly realized something and sighed, "If that's the case, then the chances of Ma Chao returning to Xiliang are quite high."

Jia Xu shook his head slightly, staring at Zhang Ji and saying, "Wait a minute, General. Don't forget, that 'troublemaker' Li Ru wouldn't just sit there and wait for death. He must have already made many plans."

Zhang Ji's eyes were determined as he spoke with a smile, "If that's the case, I think we should do our utmost to help Ma Chao now. The situation is volatile. Ma Chao is considering returning to Xiliang, and his rift with the Emperor is deepening. If we can offer our timely assistance and work hand in hand with him, then when he achieves great things, Ah Xiu's friendship with him, combined with our support, will surely bring him honor and recognition, as you said before. Don't you think this is a perfect opportunity?"

Jia Xu's expression suddenly changed, filled with panic. He spoke in a hurried and sincere voice, "My Lord, this is absolutely unacceptable! I have come here today to dissuade you from acting impulsively."

Zhang Ji's face was filled with confusion and bewilderment. He frowned and asked, "Sir, now that Ma Chao has decided to attack Yangzhou, at this critical moment, if we all give him our all, isn't that a noble act of helping him in need? Why do you object and think this is inappropriate?"

Jia Xu raised his head slightly, took a deep breath, and said slowly with a serious expression: "My lord, listen to me carefully. General Ma Chao is indeed brave and fearless, famous all over the world, and his reputation can make the enemy tremble with fear. However, this expedition to Yangzhou is hidden with many fatal disadvantages. It is like a reckless beast, stepping into a dangerous quagmire full of traps and dangers without knowing it. There are three main reasons for this: First, the weather is bad. The cold air is like a sharp blade, The road to Yangzhou that Ma Chao's army was heading for was long and difficult, and the soldiers had to travel a long distance. During this long journey, they not only had to resist the invasion of severe cold, but also had to face various difficulties and obstacles that might be encountered during the march. The climate and the road became a heavy shackle that hindered the army's progress; secondly, looking at the geographical advantage, the land of Xiliang was vast, and its soldiers grew up on horseback and were proficient in riding and shooting. The Xiliang cavalry was a sharp weapon for charging into battle, galloping across the plains and deserts with infinite power. The land of Yangzhou is completely different. The rivers are crisscrossed like a spider web. It is the home of the navy. For the Xiliang army, which excels in cavalry, coming here is like a dragon trapped in a shallow beach or a tiger trapped in Pingyang. The advantages of the cavalry are suppressed by this special geographical environment and it is difficult to exert them. The geographical conditions are already at an absolute disadvantage. Thirdly, it is about the harmony of people. Ma Chao's expedition this time was deliberately arranged by the emperor. Let's not talk about the various schemes and calculations behind it. Just talking about the march and the battle, logistical supplies are crucial. It was like the army's lifeline. However, Ma Chao's rear supply lines were extremely long, having to be transported thousands of miles from Xiliang. This not only resulted in enormous losses during transportation, but was also easily intercepted by the enemy, resulting in a shortage of food and military equipment. Upon learning of this, the soldiers' morale was inevitably unsettled, and command became extremely difficult. With the timing, location, and people all missing, this war was undoubtedly a thorny and perilous quagmire for Ma Chao, with little hope of victory.

Jia Xu paused, his eyes full of worry, and continued, "My lord, think about it. If we follow the young master's temperament and send all the soldiers in Wancheng to help, this unnecessary loss will make the strength we have painstakingly accumulated for many years disappear like water. The young master Zhang Xiu's love for Ma Chao is witnessed by heaven and earth, and his sincerity is admirable. But because of this deep friendship, he will definitely support Ma Chao regardless of everything. But if so, the wealth that Wancheng has accumulated over the years in the turbulent times will probably be exhausted in this war. Once it reaches that point, even if there is a chance to return to Xiliang in the future, We have nothing left, nothing in our hands. In this chaotic world of fierce competition and conflict, without the support of our own strength, how can we gain a firm foothold, even the slightest foothold? I know your love for the young master, and that is why I have come to discuss this matter with you. At this critical moment, only you can intervene and admonish the young master, using your prestige and kindness to persuade him with both emotion and reason, so that he will fully understand the importance of caution and must not let a momentary impulse plunge Wancheng into an irreversible and disadvantageous situation.

Zhang Ji frowned, his eyes filled with confusion. He spoke anxiously, "Since the situation is so dangerous, why not persuade Ma Chao not to take such a risky action? He would suffer such a huge loss for no reason. We still want to serve him in the future. Why should we watch his Xiliang soldiers suffer in vain? This seems unreasonable, both morally and logically."

Jia Xu narrowed his eyes slightly, his expression a mixture of doubt and deep thought. After a moment, he spoke slowly, "My lord, think about this. Before General Ma Chao arrived here, with his strategic and cautious mind, he must have made numerous arrangements and carefully considered the overall situation. Yet, despite knowing the difficulties, he resolutely came. I've heard he even sent Xu Huang to Xiliang to request 6 troops for further support. Such a large-scale military operation must have been carefully orchestrated by Mr. Li Ru, Li Wenyou. Since Mr. Wenyou didn't intervene, there must be a deeper purpose behind it. Perhaps he intended to allow General Ma Chao to encounter numerous obstacles in the battle so that he could truly see the true face of the emperor's hypocrisy and political manipulation. Therefore, our troops in Wancheng must not rashly become involved in this battle at this time. A rash entry would not only fail to change the situation, but would also put us in danger and even jeopardize future cooperation with Xiliang."

Zhang Ji was quite convinced by Jia Xu's analysis, and a look of admiration appeared on his face. He said, "Sir, your talent is no less than that of Mr. Wenyou. You are truly a man of great talent. Ah Xiu will need your care in the future. In these troubled times, having you by my side is like a bright light in the dark night, guiding us and helping us avoid many dangerous pitfalls."