Chapter 363 Guo Jias First Move - Part 1 (2/2)
”Zhang Tong's movement is according to our prediction. His territories are in chaos, and they are in the middle of infighting. We can ignore their military movement for now since they won't attack us any time soon.”
Chen Gong pointed at Xiaopei, ”This city should be our next target of expansion because of the chock points and our scattered borders. Unfortunately, attacking this commandery head-on is also not advisable. Yan Liang is known to be a fierce warrior, and his 50,000 soldiers are not to be underestimated.”
Afterward, he pointed at Shouchun, located south of Xiaopei, ”These territories are under minor governors, and we can conscript them into our forces. I believe we should continue devouring the little fishes as we stabilize our domestic power.”
Cao Cao leaned forward, interested in the suggested policy, ”Are you saying that we should absorb all small territories before we can deal with Yuan Shao?”
”Yes, that's my thought.”
Cao Cao glanced at the others, ”A bit shallow. We don't have enough resources to invest, and we don't have enough soldiers to garrison all of these cities. I'll keep that plan for now. Does anyone else want to comment about a better move? Putin, are you up for it?”
Pu Jing shook his head, ”We don't even need to attack any city. Instead, planting spies and sowing discord among former subordinates of Tao Qian and Yuan Shao's men is more worthwhile. We can let Yuan Shao developing those cities for us while we're concentrating on developing ours. Once our spies raised hell within their ranks, we can make some of them switch sides and surrender their cities to us.”
Chen Gong stared at Pu Jing with widened eyes in astonishment. He lowered his head and pondered, simulating scenarios along with Pu Jing's plan. In a few seconds, he sighed in resignation as this Pu Jing had a better insight than himself.
'Winning a war without bloodshed. I'm not at that threshold yet.'
Cao Cao nodded at Pu Jing as he satisfied with the suggestion. Still, he had not had enough of brainstorming.
”Anyone else wants to show off your skills? This is your golden chance for a promotion and recognition!”
Many officers hesitated as they had the same thought as Chen Gong. In their point of view, there was no other move aside from absorbing weaker forces before they could square against giants.
For half an hour, many chance seekers tried their luck by commenting on their plans. However, Cao Cao and Pu Jing always came up with the worst-case scenario that could happen along the way, which rejected all of their ideas.
Cao Cao leaned back on his chair, giving up on these people.
”I'll give all of you another chance. If you can't come up with a better plan than Putin, I'll follow his plan and the credits will be given to him.”
Everyone sulked in silence, thinking that they were no match against this immortal strategist beside Cao Cao.
Then, a young man stepped forward.
”May I try?”
Pu Jing raised his eyebrows and nodded at this young man. He would be a fool if he did not allow this person to display his skill.
The young man was none other than Guo Jia, who Pu Jing had barred this legendary strategist back in Xuchang from migrating to the north. In the end, Pu Jing had to bribe Guo Jia with wines, wages, and other perks, so this genius could favor Cao Cao over Tong.
Cao Cao also heard about Guo Jia's potential from Pu Jing. He leaned forward again and gestured.
”Go on.”
Guo Jia smiled. He walked toward the strategic map and moved Cao Ren's piece toward the north, landing on Pingyuan. Meanwhile, he placed each token on the middle of Yuan Shu and Yuan Shao's territory.
”Huh? What's this?”
Guo Jia laughed, ”We don't attack Yuan Shao or Yuan Shu. We ally with them and attack Zhang Tong.”
”Huh!?”
Cao Cao stood up, ”Are you stupid!? Zhang Tong is having troubles from the infighting, and their forces will eventually split to pieces. Why should we help Zhang Tong unifying his men by giving them an enemy!?”
Pu Jing also frowned. He was 70% with Cao Cao, while his 30% agreed with Guo Jia. Although Tong might self-destruct from his government system, waiting for Tong to die was not the only option to conquer the north.
”Because their self-destruction is guaranteed, we have to split the cake as soon as possible. Once their officers get used to the new system, they will start expanding their territories again. This time, Zhang Tong will target us.”
”…”
Guo Jia pointed at Luoyang, ”From our report, Sun Jian's son killed Zhang Tong's wife, Hua Shi. Right now, Sun Jian has become Yuan Shu's general, so both sides will not join hands as long as Sun Jian's family are still working for Yuan Shu. We can use this fact to force an alliance.”
Cao Cao and Pu Jing liked what they heard, but there were problems.
Pu Jing pointed at Luoyang, ”From what I heard, Yuan Shu is not good with his internal management. What benefit do you have from this alliance?”
”Oh that, we want Yuan Shu to waste his gold and soldiers. We're going to manipulate them into attacking Henei while we move our forces from Chenliu and Puyang to strike Ye Commandery.”Find authorized novels in Webnovel，faster updates, better experience，Please click for visiting.
”What about Yuan Shao?”
”Once he realizes that we are attacking Pingyuan, he will move naturally. He probably won't join our raid, but he will attack Beihai of Kong Rong instead.”
Guo Jia laughed as he continued, ”Once Ye City falls, Zhang Tong will truly self-destruct. Oh, and also, we can start preparing our forces in Xuchang, so we can attack Luoyang at any opportunity.”
Pu Jing frowned. He was somewhat disappointed with Guo Jia.
'This plan is shallow and lacks depths. Is this really the legendary Guo Jia?'