In the Cao Residence of Chenliu, Yanzhou, Xizhi lay on his sickbed. He hadn't stayed in his usual residence, nor did he desire one anymore. Now, he could clearly feel his life slipping away, with less than three months left.
" Cough, cough, cough. " Xizhi struggled to sit up, coughing a few times. Cao Cao, who had been anxiously waiting, quickly entered upon hearing the sound.
"Zhizhi, are you feeling any better?" Cao Cao looked at Xizhi, whose face was pale and expression despondent, his hand trembling as he held a handkerchief. Cao Cao asked hopefully, wishing for his recovery.
"My lord, please have Zhongde come in. I have something to entrust to him." Xizhi waved his hand. He knew his fate. If not for Hua Tuo's presence back then, he would have already been dead. Perhaps if Hua Tuo could be summoned now, he might live another ten years, but was that possible? Hua Tuo never left Taishan, and he was always under protection. After the prescription to cure typhoid fever was widely spread in Qingzhou, Hua Tuo had been enshrined.
"Zhizhi!" Cao Cao was frustrated that Xizhi was still trying to handle military matters. Xun Yu and Xizhi had been the strategists who joined him during his most difficult times, and their help had been immense.
"My lord, there are things that must be done. You should enter Guanzhong now. This is our last chance. Wen Ruo and Yuan Chang have laid the groundwork; the rest depends on you. We've already delayed too long due to my illness. If Yuan and Liu manage to eliminate Lü Bu, we'll have no more opportunities." Xizhi said between labored breaths. Breathing had become increasingly difficult for him, with each breath feeling like a heavy burden.
Cao Cao's eyes reddened, but he held back his tears. "I'll leave you to rest. Take care of yourself."
After helping Xizhi lie back down and covering him with a blanket, Cao Cao silently left the room. As he closed the door, he had a foreboding feeling that this might be the last time he would see Xizhi.
Shortly after, Cheng Yu entered. Xizhi opened his eyes but didn't sit up. "Zhongde, how are the preparations?"
"I've arranged everything as you instructed, and we'll act when the time is right," Cheng Yu said, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.
"Can Gongtai be persuaded?" Xizhi asked.
"Ziyuan's message indicates that Gongtai hasn't given any clear response. We overstepped our bounds during the Xuzhou campaign. While Gongtai admires the lord's boldness and valor, Ziyuan's intelligence suggests that Gongtai might be inclined to join Liu Xuande." Cheng Yu sighed. Chen Gong had once been a key minister under Cao Cao, but their differences had ultimately led them to part ways.
"Tell Chen Gongtai that Li Wenru is actually Li Ru, and Jia Wenhe was Dong Zhuo's chancellor! Lü Bu is doomed if he stays!" Xizhi said calmly.
"What? How is that possible?" Cheng Yu was shocked, but then his face lit up with joy. "Hahaha, Liu Bei, a Han loyalist, has taken in someone like Li Ru, who caused the death of the Young Emperor. If we spread this news, it could have significant effects."
"Forget it. There's no proof, and whether or not Li Wenru killed the Young Emperor is still debatable. More importantly, Li Wenru's current identity as a close friend of Cai Bojie and the uncle of Cai Zhaoji protects him. Only Cai Zhaoji could expose him, but no one else can. We can only provide this information to Gongtai and let him decide." Xizhi closed his eyes as he spoke.
"What a pity." Cheng Yu understood that attacking Li You directly would be difficult. After all, Li You had dual identities: one as a friend of Chen Xi and another as Cai Bojie's close friend and Cai Zhaoji's uncle. These connections shielded him from many potential troubles.
"I don't have much time left. The lord's ambitions will depend on all of you from now on. Before I go, I will pave the way as best I can." Xizhi's pale face showed his determination. "Currently, both Liu Xuande and Yuan Benchu are formidable leaders. Controlling key agricultural regions and horse-breeding lands in northern China gives them significant advantages over us."
"Even if we manage to secure Sili, Yongliang, Hanzhong, and Yizhou, we'll only be able to hold our ground defensively. Hopefully, Liu Jingzhou or Sun Bofu can rise to power in the southeast, leveraging the Yangtze River's natural defenses while we rely on our mountainous terrain to contend for supremacy." Xizhi smiled bitterly. He was fully aware that regions like Jizhou, Qingzhou, Yanzhou, and Xuzhou held the majority of the population in central China.
Cheng Yu lowered his head, feeling the immense pressure. Unknowingly, Liu Bei had grown into a massive force.
"Bring Wenruo, Gongda, and Xiubo here," Xizhi said, noticing Cheng Yu's overwhelmed expression.
Cheng Yu nodded and soon returned with Xun Yu, Xun You, and Fan Qin. The four exchanged glances but remained silent until Xizhi finally spoke.
"Wenruo, Gongda, Xiubo—among the lord's advisors, you three are the ones I find hardest to read. You've all been holding back, and while I don't know your reasons, I hope that after my death, you'll fully support the lord rather than continuing as you have. Gongda, regarding the matter in Xuzhou, I apologize on the lord's behalf." Xizhi struggled to sit up, bowing deeply to Xun You, who hastily nodded, promising to give his full effort in the future.
"Xiubo, to be honest, I've always doubted whether the Fan family truly has control over you. They lack the endless stream of geniuses that the Xun family has, and they don't have the terrifying depth of the older generation. So how do they command you?" Xizhi's gaze was cold as he questioned Fan Qin.
"No one commands me. I came on my own. As for your suspicions, I can only say sorry." Fan Qin replied nonchalantly.
"Very well," Xizhi nodded. "After I'm gone, I ask that you all do your best."
"Gongda, Xiubo, you may leave now. Wenruo likely has something to discuss with me," Xizhi said, having gained the answers he sought. He dismissed Xun You and Fan Qin, leaving only Xun Yu in the room with him.
After they left, Xizhi looked at Xun Yu. "Wenruo, we've known each other for twenty years now."
"Yes, over twenty years," Xun Yu nodded.
"Who should take over my position after I'm gone?" Xizhi asked. "And Wenruo, it's time for you to give it your all."
"Gongda will take your place as chief strategist. It's a shame about Fengxiao—he would have been the best candidate to succeed you," Xun Yu sighed, thinking of how his plans had been disrupted by unforeseen events.
"After I'm gone, I will use a mental ability. After that, it will be up to you. If I'm not mistaken, your mental abilities should be sufficient, right?" Xizhi asked. He had never fully understood Xun Yu's capabilities, and only recently did he realize he couldn't completely grasp Xun Yu's full potential.