Chapter 1005: Played for a Fool

"By then, we won't need to take the initiative; the warlords in Guanzhong will fall into chaos first."

"Ma Teng, to prove his innocence, and Han Sui, to consolidate his position, will inevitably have a struggle."

"And we can sit on the mountain and watch the tigers fight, and when they are both hurt, we will send troops to take them down in one fell swoop!"

After Jia Xu finished speaking, the entire main hall fell into silence.

Including Dong Zhuo, everyone’s eyes on Gu Yi changed.

Originally, they thought Gu Yi had only proposed a slightly immature strategy.

But after Jia Xu’s explanation, they suddenly realized.

It turned out that behind this strategy, there was such deep calculation!

Dong Zhuo could not help but pat Gu Yi on the shoulder and laughed loudly:

"Good! What a good strategy of conferring titles to alienate Ma Teng!"

"I really didn't expect that my prospective granddaughter-in-law’s husband would have such deep schemes!"

"If this plan succeeds, you will be credited with the first merit!"

Facing Dong Zhuo’s praise, Gu Yi just smiled slightly and said humbly:

"The Prime Minister praises me too much."

"I just proposed a rough idea; the specific implementation still requires everyone’s joint efforts."

Hearing this, Dong Zhuo laughed loudly:

"Good! Not arrogant or impetuous, truly a talent worth cultivating!"

"Wenhe, this matter will be handled by you and Yi together."

"Must ensure that this plan is foolproof!"

Jia Xu bowed to accept the order:

"Obey!"

In the following time, the four discussed this strategy in more detail.

Including how to issue an imperial edict in the name of the court, how to ensure the edict could be successfully delivered to Ma Teng, and various situations that might be encountered later, all were arranged in detail.

……

A few days later.

An imperial edict issued from Chang’an City crossed thousands of mountains and rivers and finally reached Ma Teng.

When Ma Teng saw the content of the edict, he was stunned.

He never expected that Dong Zhuo would recognize his identity as a descendant of Ma Yuan in the name of the court and even confer upon him the title of General Who Guards the West!

For a time, Ma Teng’s heart was filled with mixed feelings.

He felt both surprised and terrified.

What was surprising was that his efforts for so many years had finally been recognized by the court.

What was terrifying was that he did not know what Dong Zhuo was planning and why he would suddenly show such favor to him.

Ma Teng read the edict several times and could not find any flaws.

In the end, he could only suppress the doubts in his heart and decided to wait and see.

However, the news spread very quickly.

Not long after, Han Sui and other warlords in the Guanzhong region learned the news that Ma Teng had been conferred the title of General Who Guards the West.

For a time, the entire Guanzhong region was shocked.

Han Sui was even more anxious, like an ant on a hot pot, spinning around.

He immediately sent someone to contact Ma Teng, wanting to figure out what was going on.

But Ma Teng refused to see him, only sending back a sentence:

"I am a descendant of Ma Yuan, conferred by the court, and I am a minister of the Great Han!"

This sentence made Han Sui completely panic.

He understood that Ma Teng wanted to compromise with Dong Zhuo!

Once Ma Teng really surrendered to Dong Zhuo, then they, these Guanzhong warlords, would be finished!

Han Sui did not dare to delay in the slightest and immediately summoned other warlords in the Guanzhong region to discuss countermeasures.

After some discussion, they decided to unite to fight against Dong Zhuo and Ma Teng together.

However, just as they were preparing to send troops, another piece of news came.

Ma Teng actually led his troops personally and killed toward their territory!

……

Inside Chang’an City.

Gu Yi and Jia Xu sat in the study, tasting fragrant tea, listening to the reports from their subordinates.

"Lord, Lord Jia, Ma Teng has led his troops to set off and has engaged in a fierce battle with Han Sui and other Guanzhong warlords."

"The current battle situation is deadlocked, but Ma Teng seems to have the upper hand."

Hearing this, Gu Yi smiled slightly:

"It seems that our strategy has already succeeded more than half."

Jia Xu also nodded:

"Ma Teng’s move is undoubtedly showing his position to Dong Zhuo."

"At the same time, it has also completely angered Han Sui and other Guanzhong warlords."

"Next, we only need to wait for the opportunity to sit back and reap the benefits."

Gu Yi picked up the teacup, took a light sip, and his eyes flashed with wise light:

"Wenhe, what do you think we should do next?"

Jia Xu pondered for a moment and spoke slowly:

"Lord, I think we should make two-handed preparations."

"On one hand, continue to closely monitor the battle situation in the Guanzhong region and be ready to send troops at any time."

"On the other hand, we should also start preparing for the attack on Liangzhou."

"After all, Ma Teng and Han Sui are only our first-step goals."

"The real purpose is to take down the entire Liangzhou!"

Hearing this, Gu Yi flashed a trace of appreciation:

"Wenhe’s words are very true."

"However, the attack on Liangzhou still needs long-term planning."

"Currently, our main task is to settle the chaotic situation in the Guanzhong region first."

"After Ma Teng and Han Sui decide the winner, we will formulate the next plan according to the actual situation."

Jia Xu bowed to accept the order:

"Obey!"

……

Time passed like a white horse passing a crack.

In the blink of an eye, several months had passed.

The battle situation in the Guanzhong region finally decided the winner.

After a fierce battle, Ma Teng finally defeated Han Sui and other Guanzhong warlords and successfully unified the entire Guanzhong region.

However, just as he was preparing to show his loyalty to Dong Zhuo, Dong Zhuo’s army had already quietly approached his territory.

Ma Teng suddenly realized that he had been calculated by Dong Zhuo after all!

But it was too late to regret at this time.

Facing Dong Zhuo’s army pressing on the border, Ma Teng could only resist to the death.

However, he was not Dong Zhuo’s opponent after all.

After a bitter battle, Ma Teng was finally defeated and captured.

When Ma Teng was escorted to Chang’an City, he saw Gu Yi and Jia Xu standing on the city tower.

At that moment, he understood the truth of everything.

It turned out that from beginning to end, he had been played for a fool by these two people!