Yuan Xi and Yan Rou agreed to incorporate the soldiers under his command into the army, still under the command of Yan Rou, and accompany Yuan Xi to Jicheng to meet Zhao Yun.
Afterwards, he trained his troops in Jicheng, selected elite soldiers, and then obeyed orders and prepared to deal with the Black Mountain bandits.
After defeating the Black Mountain bandits, Yan Rou can return to Shanggu County to recruit soldiers. As for Xianyu Fu, he will recruit some soldiers for Yuan Xi, and then lead the remaining soldiers to garrison Yuyang to prevent Chanyu Tadun from coming from Liaoxi via Youbeiping County.
Yan Rou listened to the arrangements and understood that from then on, he would follow Yuan Xi and lead an army alone to help defeat the Black Mountain bandits in Bingzhou.
He thought that this ferocious tiger of the Yuan family had a big appetite, as there were hundreds of thousands of Black Mountain bandits!
Yan Rou's previous position as Wuhuan Captain was still undecided. Yuan Xi told Yan Rou frankly, "Under the current situation, if Brother Yan were to take over as Wuhuan Captain again, I'm afraid he would be criticized."
"If Brother Yan wants to take this position legitimately, he needs to make meritorious contributions before being formally listed."
"What do you think about this, Brother Yan?"
After hearing this, Yan Rou did not answer immediately, but started to think about it.
His position as Wuhuan Captain was actually not legitimate, because the original Wuhuan Captain Xing Ju was killed by Yan Rou using the Xianbei people.
Although there are many hidden stories in this matter, it is not a glorious thing after all. Although Yan Rou and Liu Yu have a good relationship and Liu Yu did not pursue the matter any further, it is still a concern for Yan Rou.
Yan Rou was a smart man, so when he heard Yuan Xi ask him to be the governor of Shanggu, he knew that Yuan Xi had some considerations in mind about the Wuhuan commander.
Therefore, he could not show any desire for this position at this time, because this official position was too sensitive. With this title, he could legitimately recruit Donghu people such as Wuhuan, Xianbei, etc.
In any lord's consideration, such a position can only be held by a confidant.
Yan Rou had no doubt that if he worked wholeheartedly for Yuan Xi in the future, he would be able to regain the title sooner or later with his own strength, but not now. He had to prove his strength and loyalty to Yuan Xi first.
Yan Rou thought that Yuan Xi was indeed an extraordinary person. Before coming here, she thought the best case scenario was that Yuan Xi would still let her serve as the captain of Wuhuan in order to win her over.
But now the other party took away this official position without hesitation, on the one hand to test his loyalty, and on the other hand out of confidence in his control over the situation.
The other party does this because he thinks he can suppress me!
Is this the arrogance of the children of aristocratic families towards the border warriors, or is it an action based on an assessment of the current situation?
Yan Rou felt that the latter was more likely.
Because in the past two years, Yuan Xi's reputation as the fierce tiger of the Yuan family has risen like a comet, bringing great shock to Youzhou.
Although Yuan Xi did not launch a major war in Youzhou, the things he did in Qingzhou, Jizhou and Xuzhou shocked Yan Rou and Xianyu Fu.
Taking Qingzhou from Tian Kai and Liu Bei, taking Yijing from Gongsun Zan, defeating the Black Mountain bandits, and repelling the Jiangdong tiger Sun Ce, this series of achievements made no one dare to underestimate him.
Yan Rou and Xian Yu Fu knew that Yuan Xi had many talented people under his command. From Zhao Yun to Taishi Ci, to Liu He and Tian Yu, they were all outstanding people. What's more, Yan Rou and Xian Yu Fu were all subordinates of Liu Yu before, and were even lower than Liu He. So how dare they be arrogant in front of Yuan Xi?
What's more, the key point that Yan Rou was controlled by was that Yuan Xi had the support of Yuan Shao.
Even if Yan Rou had ulterior motives, there was still some possibility that he could cause trouble under Yuan Xi, but if he faced Yuan Shao, he would only be crushed.
Yan Rou thought of this and immediately lowered his head and said, "I am indeed not suitable to be the Wuhuan Captain. There are many people under your command who are more suitable than me."
After hearing this, Yuan Xi said, "Then who do you think is the most suitable person, Brother Yan?"
Yan Rou thought to herself that this man has pushed me to this point, should I just deal with it casually or tell the truth?
He hesitated for a moment, gritted his teeth, lowered his head and said: "I think that the people of Youzhou are grateful for the kindness of Lord Liu. If Liu Shizhong (Liu He's official position in the Han court) takes this position, it will be able to appease the people."
After hearing this, Guo Jia, who was standing by, raised his eyelids slightly and glanced at Yuan Xi and Liu He.
After hearing this, Yuan Xi smiled and said, "Brother Yan is right. Brother Liu, please take this position."
After hearing Yan Rou's words, Liu He had no time to speak, but Yuan Xi had already made the decision. He could only stand up and said, "I obey your orders."
Tian Yu, who was watching from the side, thought to himself that this was quite interesting, one dared to give and the other dared to take.
Isn't Yuan Xi afraid that Liu He will use this to build up his own power?
Tian Yu quite missed the days when he first served under Yuan Xi.
At that time, Yuan Xi had only Guo Jia as his adviser and Zhao Yun and Taishi Ci as his generals, and his interpersonal relationships were extremely simple.
Guo Jia generally did not deal with military generals. Zhao Yun, Taishi Ci and Tian Yu got along quite well, so Tian Yu lived quite comfortably.
When Tian Yu defected to Yuan Xi because of Gongsun Zan's affairs, he still had some emotional issues. He felt that he was a surrendered general and always felt constrained in doing things.
But later, Tian Yu discovered that Yuan Xi treated him no differently than others. He would neither deliberately appease him nor deliberately suppress him.
Although the mission assigned to me was dangerous, it was indeed impartial and the best decision made based on the battlefield situation. I was indeed the most suitable candidate and there were no other unnecessary considerations.
So Tian Yu gradually adapted to the situation. Apart from some self-warning in his heart as a surrendered general of Gongsun Zan, he soon became Yuan Xi's confidant.
Even when conveying the message to Xianyu Fu this time, Yuan Xi did not say much, obviously trusting himself very much.
But Tian Yu knew that since Liu He, Yan Rou and Xian Yu Fu joined, Yuan Xi's subordinates had actually begun to form their own faction.
This made Tian Yu very conflicted. What should he do in the future?
Should I keep to myself or make friends with one party in private?
Tian Yu suddenly realized that he would be suspected sooner or later.
He has a good relationship with Zhao Yun and Taishi Ci, and also has a good relationship with Yan Rou and Xianyu Fu. If you look at it this way, he is Yuan Xi's subordinate and the one who should be most guarded against.
Thinking of this, Tian Yu thought that it was fortunate that he was still quite useful now, otherwise he would be in trouble.
Forget it, don't think about it anymore. You can't stop things from happening, just let it be.
After everyone left, Yuan Xi and Guo Jia stayed alone. Guo Jia asked the maid to serve wine and said to Yuan Xi, "Would you like some?"
Yuan Xi stretched out his hand for the first time, but then retracted it, shook his head and said, "Forget it."
Guo Jia groaned and poured himself a drink. "My Lord, you saw today that everyone has their own thoughts. Am I right?"
"Young Master is very good at judging people. The people he recruits are all outstanding. But because of this, they all have their own ideas and persistence, which cannot be easily changed."
Yuan Xi nodded and said, "I thought it was too simple."
"I just realized that I know almost nothing about how to control subordinates."
Guo Jia sneered and said, "Forget it. Young Master sees it very clearly, but he just can't bear to do it."
"I have always felt that you are still far from being a qualified lord."
"In fact, you don't need to be open with your subordinates. Just give them what they want, and they will naturally work for you."
Yuan Xi asked, "Any request? Including unreasonable ones?"
Guo Jia sighed, "So you are not a qualified lord. Those who accomplish great things do not pay attention to small details. How can there be anything perfect?"
Yuan Xi asked, "Is this also true of me, sir?"
Guo Jia laughed and said, "If I can help you realize my dream, even if you don't understand me, what does it matter?"
"I know you are very afraid of Cao Cao, but Cao Cao is indeed an outstanding person, whether in domestic affairs or military affairs. Why don't you emulate him?"
Yuan Xi thought to himself that Guo Jia's temperament was indeed the most similar to that of Cao Cao. Fortunately, he had intercepted the opportunity, otherwise Cao Cao would be even more difficult to deal with now.
He took the opportunity to change the subject, "Cao Cao has been trying to seize Yuzhou recently. I'm afraid Yuan Shu won't let him go, right?"
Talking about world affairs, Guo Jia became excited and said immediately: "I think Yuzhou will not fight."
"Yuan Shu is a man who appears to be powerful but is actually weak. I'm afraid he will negotiate peace with Cao Cao."
Yuan Xi couldn't believe it. "Cao Cao occupied a county of his. Is he just going to let it go like this?"
"Besides, he has a fierce general like Sun Ce under his command, so we have to fight him, right?"
Guo Jia sneered, "Yuan Shu is now plotting to take over Yangzhou, and I'm afraid he can no longer take care of Yuzhou."
"Excuse me for being blunt, but Yuan Gonglu is far more capable than Benchu Gong. He has been fighting for so long, and there are enemies everywhere. He is even on guard against the Sun family who came to him. This kind of tolerance will cause problems sooner or later."
"Unfortunately, even if we occupy Guangling, it will be difficult for us to go south to get a share of the pie for the time being. The Yangtze River is enough to make it difficult to mobilize food and manpower."
Yuan Xi nodded and said, "The Yangtze River is indeed a natural barrier. It is not easy for either side to attack the other side."
"The key to crossing the river is actually in Jingzhou, right?"
Guo Jia was surprised when he heard this: "Sir, you have a very accurate vision. Jingzhou is indeed the key to the world."
"This is why Lord Benchu had such a brilliant vision. Yanzhou was the key to crossing the Yellow River, and he used Cao Cao."
"Jingzhou is the key to crossing the Yangtze River, and he made friends with Liu Biao."
"If we have these two places, we can rule the world."
Yuan Xi thought that this was the case unless something unexpected happened. However, the situation in these two places in later generations did not develop according to Yuan Shao's idea.
In particular, the feud between Cao Cao and Yuan Shao completely cut off Yuan Shao's plan to move south, which can only be said to be a failure.
In contrast, Cao Cao was surrounded by princes and although he was in danger on all sides, he was also closest to opportunities. He held on to Yanzhou tightly and reaped huge benefits from welcoming the emperor, Yuan Shu's defeat, and finally the capture of Jizhou.
He said, "I am still worried about Cao Cao, so I must deal with the Black Mountain Army immediately."
"It would be best if it could be resolved within half a year."
After hearing this, Guo Jia shook his head and said, "My lord, you are a little anxious. The Black Mountain Army is hiding in the 800-li Taihang Mountains, where the roads are inconvenient. They are just like the Taishan bandits. How can they be so easily wiped out?"
Yuan Xi said in a deep voice: "But I want to try, otherwise I will miss many things."
Guo Jia said, "So what if we defeat the Black Mountain Army?"
"Further south is Hanoi. What else is there besides Luoyang?"
Guo Jia seemed to come to his senses, "Sir, are you hiding something from me?"
Yuan Xi nodded: "Yes, Hanoi Luoyang is my real target, but for some reasons, the details can only be kept secret from you for the time being."
Guo Jia thought that Yuan Xi spoke so seriously, it must be of great importance and involve the life and safety of key figures.
He said, "Even if you don't say it, I can guess what you are thinking."
"I'm afraid Cao Cao also thinks so. He should return to attack Henei County within a year at most."
Yuan Xi thought that Guo Jia was indeed powerful. According to historical developments, Emperor Liu Xie would return to Luoyang in about half a year.
Afterwards, Cao Cao would take action and drive away all the princes around Liu Xie, and start the path of holding the emperor hostage to control the princes.