Standing atop the city wall, Yuan Xi gazed out at the harbor beyond Haixi City. After a long silence, he said, "If I mobilize all of Youzhou's forces—advance west along the Huai River to Xiapi, then strike north from the Hai River toward Tancheng—what are our chances of victory?"
Beside him, Ju Shou and Lu Xun were both startled. They couldn't understand why their lord had suddenly become so impatient.
Hadn't he previously said he would wait for the locust plague?
Ju Shou recovered first. In a steady voice, he said, "My lord, in these troubled times, those who can protect their own soldiers and people are already exceedingly rare."
"As for the civilians in enemy territory—if we pity them, we will only harm our own men. After all, those civilians are the ones sustaining the enemy's armies."
"I understand," Yuan Xi sighed. "But too many people are dying in this world. We don't know how many will perish before peace is restored… or how many will live to see it."
Ju Shou replied gravely, "That is a burden only the ultimate victor may bear. Until then, no one—save the Son of Heaven—is qualified to carry the entire world in their heart."
"You must recognize your limits, my lord."
Yuan Xi bowed deeply. "Thank you, sir. Your words have enlightened me."
He understood now—Ju Shou was right. He neither had the ability nor the right to save everyone.
Lu Xun stood silently to the side. The more time he spent with Yuan Xi, the more he came to understand his character. If he hadn't heard of Yuan Xi piling up the severed heads of Xianbei tribesmen and Qingzhou pirates into a grisly mound, he would never have associated him with the nickname "Fierce Tiger."
Looking north, Yuan Xi said, "By now, Yang Dao should be arriving from Langya."
"I still don't understand what Xiansi was thinking—bringing someone from the Taishan Yang clan into his ranks. Doesn't he know their ancestral roots lie in Yanzhou?"
Lu Xun noticed the disdain in Yuan Xi's tone and felt uneasy. He had heard of the controversy surrounding the Yang family—particularly the broken engagement with Kong Rong's daughter—and wondered if Yuan Xi's judgment was clouded by bias.
He cautiously advised, "The Yang family is a distinguished clan. I've also heard they intend to form a marriage alliance with the Xin family. Since the Xin brothers serve under Xiansi, this arrangement doesn't seem unreasonable."
Yuan Xi's expression darkened slightly.
Lu Xun couldn't possibly understand—his distrust of the Taishan Yang clan went far beyond mere rumors.
From what Yuan Xi knew of later history, both the Yang family and the Xin brothers would eventually align themselves with Cao Cao. That alone was enough to make him wary.
The Yang clan's rise traced back generations, with a lineage of high officials. Yang Xu himself had once served under General Dou Wu, only to be implicated when Dou Wu's failed attempt to eliminate the eunuchs led to his downfall. After years of suppression during the Party Prohibitions, Yang Xu eventually rose again, becoming a respected official known for his integrity.
Yet despite his upright character, his descendants all went on to serve Cao Wei.
To Yuan Xi, that fact spoke volumes.
It suggested not just coincidence—but long-standing ties.
And that led to a troubling possibility:
What if Yuan Tan's recruitment of Yang Dao wasn't mere coincidence… but part of a deeper connection to Cao Cao?
If so, Yuan Xi's earlier attempts to provoke Yuan Tan into action might already have been exposed.
The thought chilled him.
Yuan Tan, after all, was capable of turning on his own kin. If he could betray family, what was betraying allies?
If that were true, then Yang Dao's arrival wasn't a threat—
It was an opportunity.
Yuan Xi intended to observe him carefully… and uncover Yuan Tan's true intentions.
But even that wasn't his greatest concern.
What truly troubled him was the connection between the Yang clan and Xin Pi.
Compared to the Yang family, Xin Pi was far more dangerous.
A man who could abandon one side without hesitation, sacrifice even his own family for advantage, and yet conceal his true capabilities—such a person was far more terrifying than any open enemy.
Yuan Xi had already made up his mind.
If the opportunity arose, Xu You and Xin Pi would both have to be eliminated.
As Yuan Xi stood there, lost in thought, Lu Xun studied him quietly. His sworn brother carried burdens that even he could not fully grasp.
After a moment, Lu Xun spoke again, curiosity overcoming hesitation.
"I've heard, brother, that you know a mysterious man named Yin Hu—one skilled in observing the stars. I would very much like to meet him someday."
Yuan Xi glanced at him, a trace of helplessness in his eyes.
"You're too clever for your own good… and yet you still believe in such things?"
Of course, he couldn't reveal the truth.
Aside from Lü Bu and a few trusted women, no one knew his true identity.
If that secret came out, it would be utterly absurd.
Patting Lu Xun on the shoulder, Yuan Xi said earnestly, "Boyan, that so-called art of star observation is nothing to rely on."
"According to Yin Hu himself, prying into heaven's secrets shortens one's lifespan. And even then, fate is ever-changing—what you see may not come to pass."
"The only true path for a strategist is to gather intelligence, understand human nature, and make sound judgments."
Ju Shou smiled faintly. "Well said, my lord. Boyan would do well to remember this."
Lu Xun nodded, though the curiosity in his eyes had not fully faded.
Far away in Nanyang, Jingzhou, a young man stood before a star map, deep in contemplation.
After a long while, he suddenly opened his eyes.
"I see it now…"
"I understand!"