Chapter 382 (1/2)

Liu Mang was unhappy with Jia Xu. After all, it was Jia Xu that had caused him so much trouble a little while ago. Naturally, a cunning person like Jia Xu could understand Liu Mang’s thoughts but even then he still could not do anything about it. How was he supposed to know that Liu Mang’s wives would return at that time? Jia Xu could only laugh to hide his awkward feeling.

“You old fox!” Liu Mang was enraged but he could not say anything to Jia Xu then and there. If he were to say anything, both he and Jia Xu would suffer together. “Is Mister Wenhe the one to forget favours here and break his promise to help me unite the land?” As Liu Mang could not speak directly, he beat around the bush.

Jia Xu did not mind as Liu Mang was of a younger generation. It was natural for them to have such temper. On the other hand, Jia Xu would actually be afraid if Liu Mang did not say anything at all and keeps everything in his own heart like Cao Pi. Such a person would deal with Jia Xu privately. Although Liu Mang’s action was a failing as a Lord, for some reason, Jia Xu felt a sense of belonging from this.

“If Milord does not want the world to lose faith in you, you can only reject Yuan Xi’s offer. However, there is no need to kill Yuan Xi’s envoy.” Jia Xu was someone who would not offend others if he could help it. If he needed to offend others, it was better he go all the way and have kill them from the start. That way, there would be no need to worry about a counterattack. If they were to kill the envoy, they would be provoking the Yuan Family into retaliating. After all, Yuan Xi still had good relations.h.i.+p with both his brothers. Although he could not fight for the inheritance, he still had his prestige. To offend Yuan Xi is to offend the whole family.

“If I were to kill the envoy, I would be able to show the world my feelings of grat.i.tude!” It was as if Liu Mang simply wanted to oppose Jia Xu. Although he could show his grat.i.tude by killing the envoy, it would not change the impression the others already have of him by much. That being said, there wouldn’t be any difference even if he doesn’t kill the envoy. Aside from the indecisive Yuan Xi, the other two brothers were short sighted. They were not able to cooperate to fight against Cao Cao and would only die in the end. In such a case, Liu Mang would just offend that person. All he wanted was the provisions.

“Milord. Don’t you want the Guangling and Huaiyin district?”

“Guangling and Huaiyin?” Liu Mang stopped bickering with Jia Xu and started to think when he heard the name of these two places. These two places were important to Liu Mang as they allowed Liu Mang to go out to sea and up to Liaodong where there are a lot of horses. He could also go towards Nanyang where there is fertile land and to ensure that the population does not keep decreasing. Guangling and Huaiyin happened to be ports nearest to Liu Mang’s territory. It was also the reason he had Zhang Liao and the Xiliang Cavalry dispatched to the Lin River.

“Unfortunately, Guangling and Huaiyin is within Xuzhou.” Jia Xu said again with a smile.

Liu Mang’s heart sank. Liu Mang wanted to obtain the port but it was in Xuzhou. He also owed Cao Cao a ‘favour’ so he could not attack Cao Cao when Xuzhou was left empty. Yet, if he were to wait until Xuzhou was fortified, he would never be able to take it. He would also need a year to obtain horses after obtaining the port. To the whole of the Central Plains, every second was precious. Every second had to be used for preparations or they would be defeated.

“If Milord wants Guangling and Huaiyin while keeping your reputation, you can demand this from Yuan Xi’s envoy.”

“Wenhe. What are you talking about?” Liu Mang patiently asked.

“Milord. We cannot attack Xuzhou because it belongs to Cao Cao. However, what if Xuzhou does not belong to Cao Cao?”

“What if it is not?” Liu Mang would receive infamy by attacking Cao Cao. If Xuzhou did not belong to Cao Cao, this wouldn’t be an issue.

“What if Xuzhou belonged to Yuan Xi?”

“Impossible!” Liu Mang immediately rejected this idea. Although Xuzhou was relatively empty, it was still being guarded by some troops. Even though the battle had gone on for so long, Yu Jin continued to watch Qingzhou. Yuan Tan who was in Qingzhou was not able to go against Yu Jin even Yuan Shao was still alive. Now with Yuan Shao dead, the chances of Yuan Tan getting past would be even lower. Yuan Xi was at Youzhou which was even further away. He too would not be able to cross Qingzhou to Xuzhou.