Chapter 1292: Chapter 1292
Since it was an empty promise that yielded a real result, it meant that in the eyes of Fuyu and the Three Hann States, this promise was achievable.
And considering the comparative strength between Yuan Tan and Fuyu and the Three Hann States, for Fuyu and the Three Hann States to believe that the promise could be fulfilled, there could only be one explanation: Fuyu and the Three Hann States had already colluded with the Xianbei.
Only then could Fuyu and the Three Hann States reach an agreement with Yuan Tan, and what Yuan Tan promised that would make Fuyu and the Three Hann States believe they could obtain something while Yuan Tan was fighting fiercely with the Xianbei, with a bit of thought, it becomes clear.
Considering all factors, it can’t be too far, can’t be too difficult to attack, and it can’t belong to Yuan Tan, removing it would still benefit Yuan Tan. Besides the already fallen Gongsun Yuan in Youzhou, even thinking with one’s toes, it’s obvious—it’s the Tian Family!
Since when the Gongsun Family fell, the Tian Family became the local tyrant in Youzhou, and although Yuan Tan couldn’t guarantee how much military force Tian Yu had, the promises given to Fuyu and the Three Hann States were probably conclusions drawn by his strategists through speculation from other channels.
If so, then how is this different from being exposed? Fuyu and the Three Hann States not attacking the Gongsun Family of Liaodong but instead detouring under the leadership of Yuan Tan’s guiding party to attack, would hardly be surprising to Tian Yu, and given the combat power of Fuyu and the Three Hann States, they might struggle against regular troops, but against the aristocratic family’s private soldiers, there’s little issue.
The gap between the aristocratic family’s private soldiers and national regular troops is about the same as the gap between commoners and aristocratic family private soldiers, and under the guidance of the guiding party, Fuyu and the Three Hann States attacking unexpectedly is not an issue at all.
It could be said that with Tian Yu outside, the possibility of the Tian Family being wiped out by Fuyu and the Three Hann States is not small. Just like stated before, for the Yuan Family to hide the Tian Family in Youzhou, over time, it is impossible, but in the short term, to deceive the Tian Family is definitely not a problem.
"So Yuan Tan should have prepared to deal with the Xianbei." Zhuge Liang slowly said, not needing to say another word, Tian Yu also understood.
Fuyu and the Three Hann States, unsurprisingly, are Yuan Tan’s pawns introduced into Youzhou to eliminate the Tian Family. No matter whether Tian Yu is holding onto Gongsun Zan’s legacy or not, Yuan Tan wants to purge the Tian Family.
It not only supplements the household but also unifies the interior and prevents incidents like the Zhen Family’s from happening again. Purging the Tian Family brings many benefits to Yuan Tan. Even if Yuan Tan suspects Tian Yu inherited part of the Gongsun troops, even without suspicion, purging the Tian Family is normal.
"Yuan Tan is ruthless!" Tian Yu, having sorted out Zhuge Liang’s words, instantly understood Yuan Tan’s intentions, and also the opportunistic ideas of Fuyu and the Three Hann States.
From Fuyu and the Three Hann States’ perspective, since the Xianbei were heading south and as Yuan Tan was dealing with Liu Bei while also having to contend with the Xianbei, his military forces were spread thin, and at that time, opportunistically taking the Tian Family was more worthwhile than occupying Xuantu.
What’s more, Yuan Tan gave Fuyu and the Three Hann States very detailed records of the Tian Family, giving rise to the idea of seizing the Tian Family while Yuan Tan was in a stalemate with the Xianbei, with military forces stretched thin, and then dividing the spoils and retreating to the North, waiting for the dust to settle between the Xianbei and Yuan Tan.
Whoever wins would become the suzerain, and by that time, whether it’s the Xianbei or Yuan Tan, neither would be interested in accounting for those small matters from before. The benefits fall into the pocket; why not take them?
Although the Tian Family isn’t like the Zhen Family which could support a third of Jizhou’s strength, the Tian Family is far wealthier than the mere tens of thousands in Xuantu. Hence, under these circumstances, Fuyu and the Three Hann States naturally considered this to be a worthwhile venture.
Of course, not long after Fuyu and the Three Hann States withdrew, all kinds of detailed information about Yuan Tan’s guiding party and the Tian Family were sent north of Xuantu. The transaction between the parties was considered finalized, and similarly, in private, each side couldn’t help but laugh at the other’s folly.
"It’s not a matter of ruthlessness; it’s more that Yuan Tan has utilized their side’s advantages to the fullest. Sometimes being weaker is also an advantage, at least others aren’t worried about being double-crossed in dealings with you." Zhuge Liang said with a smile, Yuan Tan’s strategy seemed more like using the situation to his advantage. Nᴇw novel chapters are publɪshed on 𝘯𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭·𝓯𝓲𝓻𝓮·𝙣𝙚𝙩
"However, now that we know their possible scheme, it becomes much simpler." Zhuge Liang looked calm and collected; breaking the game is something anyone can do; as a strategist, his role was more to sort through the situation.
"Fuyu and the Three Hann States, hm? Very well, if Yuan Tan spent much effort bringing them in, since they intend to deceive the world , I should play a trick of swapping posts for beams. Tomorrow I’ll send my brother under the guise of a merchant to Mount Tai!" Tian Yu said with a cold smile.
"Such a big gift, how could I not accept? General Zhang, please allow me to deploy troops to my home, to await the arrival of Fuyu and the Three Hann States!" Tian Yu turned to Zhang Fei and said.
Yuan Tan, you planned to swallow our Tian Family, didn’t you? Well, I’ll now evacuate the people, then station garrison soldiers at home, waiting for the Hu people you lead to take the bait!
Let’s see if your unexpected move overcomes my higher strategy. Anyway, Liu Bei has arrived, so Tian Yu doesn’t mind ending the pretense with Yuan Tan, switching sides is not a problem, who fears whom?
Zhang Fei was naturally calming Tian Yu while promising to investigate before deploying troops, in fact, he was laughing in his heart. He knew Zhuge Liang was never just an ordinary young man; Chen Xi was like that, Fa Zheng was like that, Zhuge Liang definitely wouldn’t lose face.
"Compared to this shallow method, I am more curious about Yuan Tan’s strategy against the Xianbei. Since the other side can promise Fuyu and the Three Hann States with the Tian Family, and Yuan Tan’s side can ensure that Fuyu and the Three Hann States would do so, they must have follow-up measures." Zhuge Liang’s eyes flashed with peculiar light.
"To defeat the Eastern Xianbei easily while most of their energy is held by our side, and still have the strength to obliterate Fuyu and the Three Hann States, to completely stabilize their territory and the Northern Frontier, that’s not something that previous plans could compare with." Zhuge Liang said solemnly, this is the core issue.
While Zhuge Liang was contemplating the hidden tactics of Yuan Tan’s side, Fa Zheng advancing from the Bohai Sea direction had already confronted Xuu You; both were notorious for their ingenious strategies.
Likewise, Xu Shu and Wei Yan advancing from Zhongshan were intercepted by Xun Shen and the two brothers of the Lyu Clan. However, unlike before, this time Xun Shen and Xuu You had no intention of attacking or probing; they both silently defended their lines.
As a result, although the generals on Yuan Tan’s side weren’t courageous enough, they successfully blocked the advances of Huang Zhong and Wei Yan with solid defensive lines.
As Xuu You and Xun Shen gradually adapted to the opposing strength, the encounters between the parties grew increasingly vivid, and even when Sheni Pei brought the main army, Xuu You and Xun Shen were able to suppress Huang Zhong and Wei Yan’s two corps by relying on their numerical advantage.
As a trade-off, Yuan Tan’s Northern Frontier defenses were becoming increasingly thin, even though there were early reports in Yuan Tan’s realm that he was recruiting soldiers!