Chapter One Hundred and Twenty-Five: Jiayu Understands the Other’s Heart

Although the common saying goes, "There is no first in literature, and no second in martial arts," in the hearts of countless people, whether it concerns the pen or the sword, there is always a scale upon which they measure and weigh the great figures.

In the chaotic late Han Dynasty, as warlords rose and stars of war shone brightly amidst blood and slaughter, there was no shortage of brilliant scholars who possessed profound strategies and masterful intellects.

In Zhang Yu’s eyes, if one were to ask who truly deserved a perfect score for intelligence, it would not be Sima Yi, the "ninja" who outlived Cao Cao and Cao Pi to seize supreme power; nor would it be the "Fair Zhou Lang," whose beauty and talent were as renowned as his own; nor would it be the king-making talent Xun Yu, or the "Fledgling Phoenix" Pang Tong, who had yet to spread his wings...

There were only three: Zhuge, Jia, and Guo.

Zhuge Liang had already been mythologized by later generations, draped in layers of iridescent light that made one instinctively want to pay homage. While his unorthodox strategies might have been slightly inferior to the other two, he was undisputed as the premier master of statecraft and governance. To the vast majority, he stood as immovable before all other scholars as Lu Bu did before the warriors of that age, so a perfect intelligence score seemed beyond question.

As for Jia Xu and Guo Jia, as previously noted, they shared one greatest commonality—the trait that made them truly formidable: their calculations never missed a beat.

Guo Jia’s predictions were always godlike, his words always hitting the mark, while Jia Xu was deeply calculating, possessing an uncanny insight into the human heart. People know that even the wisest may err—much like Zhuge Liang’s regret over the loss of Ma Su—yet looking back at the lives of Jia Xu and Guo Jia, they left behind almost no errors at all. That was truly terrifying.

"Brother Fengxiao, has the hospitality of the Zhang estate been to your liking?"

On a cool late-summer evening, two young men strolled through the spacious courtyard, chatting idly.

One was dressed in elegant white, the other in a refined green robe. Both were tall and upright, yet both carried the delicate air of a scholar. The man in green had an unrestrained charm, handsome and dashing in his own right, though he appeared somewhat ordinary compared to the exquisite features of his companion in white.

"You are being too modest, Yulang. Coming all the way from Yingchuan to see you and receiving such warm hospitality from your parents is more than enough for me; it far surpasses the most extravagant feasts in the world."

"Brother Fengxiao, that is pure nonsense," Zhang Yu said with a nod and a smile. "If my calculations are correct, you are on your way to Hebei to pledge your allegiance to Yuan Benchu."

Zhang Yu struck a mysterious pose, casting a "you know what I mean" look at Guo Jia without saying another word. Conversations between intelligent men were best kept subtle, leaving much to the imagination.

Guo Jia’s expression did not change upon hearing this, nor did he ask what "nonsense" meant. Instead, he smiled back at Zhang Yu. "Then tell me, Yulang, why have I come to Lunu City instead?"

*The most annoying thing is being asked a question in return...* Zhang Yu decided to take a gamble. "Then, Brother Fengxiao, do you know why I have yet to enter government service?"

"With fine wine, beautiful maids, and vast wealth, what is there to gain from serving in office?"

"Why not stay here with me, Brother Fengxiao? We can share fine wine, you can use my wealth as you please, and as for the maids... Chunfang is quite lovely. We brothers could drink and laugh together every day, discussing the world—would that not be wonderful?" Zhang Yu tugged at Guo Jia’s sleeve, laughing.

"Alas, I cannot! My wish is for all the people of the world to have fine wine and a little wealth to spare; I fear that is something I could never achieve just by drinking with you, Yulang."

"What do you think of Chunfang?"

"Uh—" Guo Jia, usually unflappable, was momentarily choked by the sudden shift in topic. He had not expected such a leap in thought.

"...She is lovely," Guo Jia replied slowly, regaining his composure.

"And what do you think of Yuan Shao?"

"Yuan Benchu is a hero of his time, like the most dazzling sun in the sky today. In my view, he is the one who will eventually unify Hebei."

"Then why do you abandon him?"

"The master I seek must be a hero capable of unifying the entire realm, and Lord Benchu, I fear, will be forever shackled by this mere Hebei."

"Are you not afraid, Brother Fengxiao, that I might report these words to Lord Benchu?"

"Then you would be talking nonsense, Yulang."

"Hahahaha!"

The two looked at each other and laughed, sitting down at a pavilion in the courtyard to rest.

"I wonder whom you intend to serve, Yulang?"

"Do you have any suggestions, Brother Fengxiao?"

"Given your current reputation and status, the most suitable choice would be Yuan Shao. Ever since he was in Bohai, he has been known for treating scholars with respect and building widespread friendships. With the prestige of his family—which has held high office for four generations—he can recruit talent with a single call."

"If you recognize Yuan Shao as your lord, you would gain everything you could possibly want."

"But I would eventually lose it all."

"Oh?" Guo Jia’s eyes widened slightly.

"Because Yuan Shao will fail."

"You trust my judgment that much?"

"It is my judgment as well."

Guo Jia sat upright, his casual demeanor vanishing, his eyes flashing with sharp intensity.

"The situation in Hebei is clear. Battles are inevitable between Gongsun Zan and Liu Yu, and between Yuan Shao and Gongsun Zan."

Zhang Yu continued, "Although Liu Yu has the stronger forces and the support of the people, that very support is a double-edged sword."

Guo Jia quickly responded, their thoughts perfectly synchronized: "It is precisely because Gongsun Zan acts so recklessly and without restraint that if one utilizes that fact, Liu Yu is in danger of being toppled."

As if debating, Zhang Yu added, "If Liu Yu is defeated, it will give Yuan Shao enough time to stabilize his foundations in Jizhou. When those two tigers clash, in the decisive battle for the fate of Hebei, Gongsun Zan will undoubtedly be defeated."

"Precisely," Guo Jia agreed. "In terms of subordinates, Yuan Shao’s army is full of talent; in terms of manpower, Jizhou is populous; in terms of righteousness, Gongsun Zan murdered his superior... Moreover, that 'White Horse General' is far inferior to Yuan Shao in character, resembling Dong Zhuo in many ways, if not worse. By any metric, Gongsun Zan has no chance of survival."

"Following that, Yuan Shao will sweep across Hebei. By then, Dong Zhuo’s tyranny will likely be crumbling, and the greatest warlord in the world will emerge," Zhang Yu said, gently waving his feather fan.

"You seem to have missed one, Yulang."

"Who?"

"Your uncle, Liu Bei, Liu Xuande."

Zhang Yu was stunned for a moment, then smiled. He had habitually overlooked this uncle of his, who possessed such astonishing stamina. He wondered how he had been faring lately.

"Though my uncle has the ambition to restore the world, his troops are few and his generals are scarce; I fear he will find it difficult to make a mark."

"Do not try to deceive me, Yulang. In recent years, I have observed the actions of the Imperial Uncle, and he possesses the aura of a true conqueror. With the support of those two fierce generals, Guan and Zhang, once he gains a foothold, he will be like a dragon finding the clouds and rain—he will never be a creature of a mere pond."

*I don’t admit it only because I’m afraid you’ll advise Boss Cao to eliminate him immediately...* Zhang Yu raised an eyebrow. "Since my uncle is such a hero, why don’t you join me in going to serve him, Brother Fengxiao?"

"Haha, that is not impossible. However, choosing a master requires caution; allow me to observe a little longer."

A scene flashed through Zhang Yu’s mind: a stealthy Guo Jia hiding behind a wall, secretly observing Liu Bei...

"However, while I might go to serve the Imperial Uncle, you, Yulang, should not do so for the time being."

"Why?"

"Lord Xuande is on good terms with Gongsun Bo Gui; they once fought together against the Yuan forces at Jieqiao. And Lunu City, Zhongshan State, and Jizhou—they all belong to the Yuan."

Guo Jia left the rest unsaid, but Zhang Yu understood.

"If you were to join your uncle, the fall of the Zhang family would be imminent."