Chapter 874

Jia Xu's coming to serve him was somewhat unexpected to Wang Yan.

Though his family background wasn't particularly illustrious, the Jia clan of Wu Wei was undeniably a major local lineage.

He was a descendant of Jia Yi—Jia Yi needs no introduction; the famous essay "On the Fall of Qin," still taught in textbooks two millennia later, was written by him, and he was known as Jia Changsha. Sima Qian paired him with Qu Yuan in a joint biography, and later generations called them "Qu and Jia." He mastered Confucianism, Legalism, and Daoism—a true master of his age.

Jia Xu's great-grandfather was the Governor of Wu Wei, his grandfather the Inspector of Yanzhou, his father a Light Cavalry General; though not as prestigious as the great clans of the Central Plains, they were still an undeniably prominent family.

Jia Xu himself was no slouch—he rose to the rank of Guanglu Doctor, a proper official of two-thousand-dan status. But everyone knows the current Han court's condition: Li Jue is even more powerful—he holds the titles of General of Chariots and Cavalry, Head of his own office, Commander of the Inspectorate of the Capital, holds the imperial tally, and is the Marquis of Chiyang. What title you hold depends entirely on who controls the Emperor—you can claim any rank you want, even invent one if none exists.

Just like Wang Yan's "Heavenly Martial Great General" title—that was self-proclaimed, not granted by the Han court. Though later, after being exposed as a fraud, the Han court reluctantly recognized it as a nominal title, clearly no one regarded it as such.

Jia Xu had two defining traits: one, his strategies were ruthless—he was called the "Poisonous Scholar." But the name "Poisonous Scholar" didn't originate from the Chinese—it came from Japanese video games, spread widely, and stuck to him. The other was his obsession with survival—he was extremely protective of his own life.

Yet if you look closely, Jia Xu didn't propose many strategies—but every one he proposed succeeded.

Li Jue and Guo Si gathered the remnants of their army, counterattacked Chang'an, drove out Lü Bu, killed Wang Yun and a host of ministers, caused widespread suffering among the people—but Jia Xu himself survived.

When Cao Cao slept with a widow, Zhang Xiu sought revenge and wanted to kill him—Jia Xu devised the plan. In the end, Dian Wei was killed, Cao Cao's son and nephew were killed, and countless soldiers died. Later, during the Battle of Guandu, Jia Xu advised Zhang Xiu to return and surrender to Cao Cao. Zhang Xiu survived, and Jia Xu survived too.

Later, Cao Cao heavily relied on him. After Guandu, when Cao Cao campaigned against Ma Chao and Han Sui, Jia Xu used a stratagem of sowing discord, turning Ma Chao and Han Sui against each other, allowing Cao Cao to successfully seize Liangzhou.

Then he bet on Cao Pi, kept to his duties, avoided factionalism, and refused to seize power—successfully living to seventy-seven.

Though the consequences were indeed severe, it makes no sense to blame Jia Xu for their origins. After all, in the eleven years since Wang Yan's rise, far more people have died because of him—Wuhuan, Xianbei, Xiongnu, Fuyu, Goguryeo, powerful clans, wealthy households, landlords, peasants—the dead are countless.

Especially after the recent war against Yuan Shao—if he hadn't attacked Yuan Shao, the people of Jizhou wouldn't have been forcibly conscripted for grain, forcibly drafted into the army, prevented from spring planting, struck by epidemics from mass deaths, plagued by fleeing soldiers, or ravaged by bandits—then the people of Jizhou wouldn't have died in such numbers.

He is far more ruthless than Jia Xu—his crimes are too numerous to record.

And everyone in the world knows the policies under Wang Yan's rule. Now that Jia Xu has come to serve him voluntarily, he clearly has confidence he won't be killed.

More importantly, he now controls the lands north of the Yellow River—he holds half the empire, his troops are elite, his generals are formidable, and he is clearly the most likely to conquer all under heaven. Jia Xu has broken free from Li Jue and others and seeks a safe new master—he must consider all options, and ultimately choose the most stable patron. Where else could Jia Xu go but to Wang Yan?

The remaining warlords—no matter whom they join—will ultimately be unable to match Wang Yan. Those forced to surrender are worse off than those who come voluntarily now. Jia Xu understands this perfectly.

Wang Yan met Jia Xu a month later.

Jia Xu took a detour, passing through Bingzhou, crossing Juyong Pass, traveling via Jipu, and finally arriving in Zhending. Along the way, he traveled slowly with his entire family, carefully observing the state of Wang Yan's domain. Upon reaching Zhending, he waited several days before being summoned by the Great General.

"Jia Xu bows before the Great General."

As he spoke, Jia Xu immediately knelt and kowtowed, paying full ceremonial homage, showing clear awareness of his submission.

He was tall and stout, slightly plump, with a mustache on his upper lip, a goatee on his chin, long sideburns hanging down, loose skin, and a benevolent, gentle appearance. He began as a military officer—without a strong body, he couldn't have done it. Even Cao Cao was quite formidable in his youth, having ridden out to suppress the Yellow Turbans; Jia Xu's height was therefore natural.

He was forty-eight years old. Aging brings weight gain and wrinkles—it was normal. Overall, Jia Xu showed no extraordinary physical traits; he merely ate and lived well, appearing twenty years younger than men his age.

Wang Yan studied Jia Xu's appearance, then waved his hand: "Rise. Sit and speak."

"Thank you, Great General."

Jia Xu rose and bowed deeply again before sitting squarely across from the desk, carefully accepting the tea offered by the bodyguard.

Wang Yan sipped his tea and smiled: "Why have you come to serve me, Wenhe?"

"Having surveyed all the warlords, I saw that the empire will surely fall to you, so I came to offer my aid. After Wang Yun plotted and killed Dong Zhuo, I already intended to join you, but at the time I had no way to escape, so I joined Li Jue and Guo Si to gather the remnants and counterattack Chang'an. Later, when Li and Guo turned against each other, I maneuvered between them, taking many actions to protect the Emperor. Now that Li and Guo have broken apart and the Sili region is in chaos, I finally found my chance to escape—and now, blessedly, I stand before you, Great General."

"I know your rules: you execute unjust powerful clans. Though I come from a prominent family, Liangzhou is poor and sparsely populated. Though we have household slaves, we never harmed the people, never took pleasure in oppressing them. Moreover, our family rules are strict—any evil-doers are few. Should you one day take Liangzhou, kill whomever you must."

Without Wang Yan needing to ask, Jia Xu spoke first—emphasizing honesty, directness, simplicity.

Wang Yan nodded with a smile, then said: "I have another rule in my domain: anyone who comes to serve me, no matter their former rank, must begin at the lowest level to learn my laws and systems. You know Lü Bu—after fleeing Chang'an, he came with his remnants and served as a mere soldier. Only recently, during the campaign against Yuan Shao, did he rise to Captain. You, Wenhe, will begin as a Ting Chief. After six months, you'll join my staff at the General's Mansion. Will you accept?"

This rule had to be established: no matter how great your ability, no matter how glorious your past, everyone must start at the bottom. First, to understand the grassroots, to learn the laws and systems through direct experience. Second, to break the arrogance of superiority.

Jia Xu claims he doesn't harm the people—not out of kindness, but out of high-class arrogance. He merely never directly oppressed the people, yet his indirect harm was considerable. Otherwise, how could a fifty-year-old man look as youthful as a thirty-year-old peasant?

It's the same logic as capitalists: they never personally beat anyone, even provide jobs and wages—but they still exploit workers' value, still extract wealth through financial means. Even if one works hard, saves diligently, abstains from smoking and drinking, spends nothing extra, one is still exploited, becoming another's wealth.

Frankly, Wang Yan's main goal was the second: crush their arrogance, force them to serve the people with clenched teeth. If they refuse to obey Wang Yan's will, no matter how great their talent, what good is it?

So far, only Lü Bu has objected to his arrangements—and he was beaten severely until he submitted. That was only because Wang Yan wanted to recruit Lü Bu; otherwise, when Lü Bu protested, he would have been dead already.

Since he came, he can't leave easily. To refuse service and live as a farmer? Impossible. His words weren't a question—they were a decree. Like government leaders two millennia later, except in their world, it affects reputation and career prospects; in Wang Yan's domain, it affects life itself.

Clearly, Jia Xu understood—he shook his head repeatedly: "I leave all arrangements to the Great General. I will give my utmost."

He didn't waste words—he knew all this before coming. Such things couldn't remain secret; high-ranking officials discussed them, local officials talked openly, merchants traveled back and forth—it spread easily. Besides, not long ago, Lü Bu beheaded Yan Liang, adding another legendary feat to his record, and the tale spread even further.

He believed he had talent. As long as Wang Yan didn't make this forty-eight-year-old man fight on the front lines wielding a sword or show off his "Lightning Five-Strike Whip," he didn't care. He'd also confirmed: Wang Yan had great vision—or he didn't need to confirm it; who else would dare recruit Lü Bu? Who else would give Lü Bu command?

So he wasn't worried—he'd rise to high rank eventually. After all, starting from the bottom and moving to the center meant promotion. He knew that Guo Jia in Bingzhou rose the same way, as did Guan Ning and others—now all held great power.

Wang Yan nodded in satisfaction: "Rest well these days. Once settled, I'll assign you duties. Go."

Jia Xu rose, bowed deeply, turned, and left the study, following the bodyguard out of the somewhat dilapidated General's Mansion.

This meeting with the Great Rebel Wang Yan surprised him—its duration was brief, Wang Yan showed none of the virtuous ruler's demeanor, none of the ancient king's reverence for talent. He didn't even ask for his advice on future strategy, didn't treat him with special regard—instead, he immediately sent him off as a Ting Chief.

But then he reconsidered and understood: Wang Yan had built his power step by step himself—he knew exactly how to proceed, needed no one else's counsel. As for assessing his ability, his competence would reveal itself in his work. Empty words, no matter how dazzling, meant nothing without real talent.

Most importantly, Wang Yan was a commoner by birth, rose through rebellion, disdained ritual and law—why would he waste time on empty formalities? Whether he could succeed depended only on whether he could do the work well.

Leaving the General's Mansion, he followed officials to claim housing, brought his entire family from the guesthouse, began moving in, cleaning, and officially settled in Zhending—beginning a stable new life under Wang Yan's rule.

He had two sons and grandchildren, but those didn't matter. Wang Yan knew his situation well, and his sons were both literate and martial—they'd find their places anyway…

Wang Yan truly had no patience to speak much with Jia Xu—even if he were Jia Xu, it made no difference.

He had reached this point—why pretend to be a humble, virtuous ruler? Since his rise, he'd never played that game: either coercion, or semi-coercion, only a few came willingly. Now, all came willingly.

His domain flourished in scholarship. Policies supported them in deepening their chosen paths. Besides, his power was now overwhelming—his domain was the safest, most prosperous, most stable. Let them leave? They wouldn't go.

He no longer paid attention to Jia Xu's affairs—he continued his work.

Another autumn harvest arrived. Though Jizhou had replanted grain, it still couldn't meet its population's needs, and winter preparations loomed. Though Jizhou wasn't as cold as the northeast, winter still killed people. In recent months, brick-burning, glass-making, and house-building had been widespread—now came the large-scale transport of coal, harvest collection, and supply coordination.

Also, the Jizhou militia must be assembled and trained intensively—this too required coordination.

Most importantly, land expansion—this must proceed. Bingzhou still held vast lands to seize, and farther still, the Liangzhou he longed for—where cotton could be grown.

Ma Teng and Han Sui were now at war with each other—just sworn brothers, already turned enemies, attacking each other. But for the past two years, Wang Yan lacked the conditions to mobilize—he could only trade for some cotton with Han Sui, far from enough, but better than nothing.

In truth, even if he had the conditions to launch an army, once his forces moved, the scene was unimaginable: Han Sui, Ma Teng, Li Jue, Guo Si—all would immediately forget their feuds, unite as one, and crush him together—no chance of benefiting from their conflict. But now, with Ma Teng and Han Sui fighting each other, draining each other's strength, it suited his interests perfectly.

The Henan region was the same: since Yuan Shao fled and seized Luoyang, he's been fighting Cao Cao. It's been six months now, with no truce—indeed, after the autumn harvest, with more grain, they're fighting even harder. Overall, Cao Cao now holds the upper hand.

Cao Cao is stronger than Yuan Shao—undoubtedly. Cao Cao is a military strategist, highly cunning—he devises plans constantly, and they work well. Moreover, he has a host of capable ministers like Xun Yu and Xun You, and generals like Xu Chu, Cao Ren, and Xiahou Dun—all talented. Losing Guo Jia isn't critical.

Yuan Shao had just suffered a new defeat and lost several war generals, so naturally he was at a disadvantage. But because he was now in a moment of life-or-death struggle, his subordinates were unprecedentedly united; together, they were more than sufficient, and rare indeed was the consistency of opinion among them, so Yuan Shao could make decisions, and thus he held his own against Cao Cao.

On the Jiang Nan side, Liu Bei, no longer what he once was, unleashed his true potential with his two sworn brothers. But unfortunately, the gap in hard power could not be bridged. Yuan Shu was no true fool—he had no shortage of capable men under him.

Moreover, Yuan Shu's forces were greater, and he possessed the Danyang troops, a famously formidable army. Although Liu Bei also had Danyang troops inherited from Tao Qian, his total forces remained insufficient. He had only Guan Yu and Zhang Fei as capable war generals, and a handful of strategists like Mi Zhu and Sun Qian.

Yuan Shu indeed had no war general capable of matching Guan Yu or Zhang Fei, but he had many generals who could hold their own independently, and no shortage of strategists. Liu Bei fought with great difficulty—he had no choice but to fight, and the situation was once far from favorable…