Free Web NovelChapter 154: Hefei, A Strategic Location!
Long Chen, though deeply eager to secure Guo Jia’s allegiance, knew that haste makes waste.
Especially with a genius like Guo Jia, whose wisdom bordered on the supernatural!
He needed to proceed gradually.
He clasped his hands and asked, "What does the gentleman think of Jiujiang County?"
Guo Jia smiled lightly and gently waved his fan, "Which aspects of Jiujiang County does the general wish for me to discuss? The customs and culture, or its strategic position?"
Upon hearing this, Long Chen’s eyes brightened. freewёbnoνel.com
"I hope the gentleman can enlighten me!"
Xizi, standing nearby, also looked hopeful.
He too wanted to see if his old friend had grown in knowledge and wisdom over the years!
Guo Jia first remained silent, then noticed a wine cup on the table, already filled with fine wine.
He sat down by the table, picked up the cup, and drank it all in one go.
"Ah! Good wine! Excellent wine!"
Seeing this, Long Chen clasped his hands warmly, "If you like it, I can gift you a few bottles!"
"Fengxiao, this is my lord’s treasured wine! A gift from the emperor! You are indeed fortunate!"
Xizi, who also loved wine, assisted Long Chen enthusiastically.
Guo Jia then clasped his hands and solemnly said:
"With such fine wine, I shall offer my views on Jiujiang County for the general."
"Jiujiang County, bordering Xuzhou and Yuzhou to the north, and Lujiang County to the west!"
"It is the dragon’s head of Yangzhou, holding a strategic position as the gateway to Yangzhou!"
"If utilized well, it can be an excellent strategic point for expansion!"
"But if misused, it will become a stepping stone for other provinces to invade Yangzhou."
"How it is utilized depends on the ambition of the one who governs it..."
Having said this, he thoughtfully glanced at Long Chen, who was listening intently.
Long Chen’s mind was already in turmoil.
Guo Jia truly lived up to his reputation as a genius, his insights into Jiujiang County striking directly at the core.
As the saying goes: hit the snake at its seven inches!
Guo Jia was precisely the person who could pierce through the clouds and see the essence.
In later years of the Three Kingdoms, why did Sun Quan only manage to hold his vast territory in Eastern Wu, without expanding northward?
Largely due to his personality and capabilities.
Sun Quan had the ability to maintain what he had but lacked the drive for conquest.
The historical anecdote of Sun’s 100,000 troops being defeated by Zhang Liao’s 800 cavalry best illustrates Sun Quan’s abilities.
In simple terms, Sun Quan once had the momentum to attack Cao Wei in the north, leading 100,000 troops with half of the twelve tigers of Jiangdong.
But he was terrified and exhausted after Zhang Liao’s surprise attack with just 800 cavalry!
After this battle, Sun Quan rarely had the ambition to invade Cao Wei territory...
Now, Guo Jia’s remarks highlighted that the use of Jiujiang County, whether good or bad, had much to do with its ruler’s vision.
However, Long Chen had full confidence in himself and even more in his fierce generals and wise advisors.
He couldn’t help but think to himself:
"I am not like Sun Quan, content with maintaining what he has. My future achievements will surely surpass his!!!"
After a pause, Guo Jia continued:
"Speaking of the core areas of Jiujiang County, Hefei stands out!"
"Hefei is the gateway to Shouchun, the heart of the Jianghuai region."
"Hefei is situated between the Feishui and Shishui rivers, with well-developed water and land transportation."
"Whoever controls Hefei gains strategic superiority in the Jianghuai region."
"Currently, Hefei is under the general’s control, providing a significant advantage for future conquests in the Jianghuai area!"
"So the general must protect Hefei well!"
"With Hefei, you can always pose a threat to Xuzhou, the Central Plains, and the Nanzhong region..."
Guo Jia spoke eloquently, his words flowing like a river!
Truly a genius!
Long Chen thought to himself.
This is exactly the kind of strategic talent he urgently needed!
Guo Jia’s performance only intensified his desire to secure Guo Jia’s service.
He even had a fleeting thought: If I cannot secure Guo Jia’s service, then I must ensure he doesn’t leave alive!!!
A hint of murderous intent flickered in his eyes but was concealed by the spiritual energy from the divine-level cultivation technique, the Dun Jia Heavenly Book.
As a result, Guo Jia did not perceive the impending danger to his life.
Speaking of which, Long Chen had been practicing the Dun Jia Heavenly Book for quite some time now.
He had almost mastered the Earth Evasion technique and had now started practicing the Human Evasion technique!
The Human Evasion technique allows one to capture the essence of human spirit, the purest breath within the human body, which can be used to refine one’s limbs and bones.
It also makes oneself more spiritually vibrant and rejuvenated!
This control over one’s aura was why Long Chen could hide that brief murderous intent.
After listening to Guo Jia’s speech,
Long Chen sincerely applauded and praised:
"Sir’s talent is comparable to that of the ancient Zhang Liang (Zifang)!"
"I don’t deserve such praise."
"Today, it is already late. Sir, please rest in the residence tonight. Tomorrow, Zizai will show you around Jiujiang County."
Long Chen clasped his hands and smiled.
This display of courtesy already softened Guo Jia’s attitude towards Long Chen.
"Ding! Guo Jia’s favorability towards you has increased to 60."
To understand Long Chen’s current status,
He was a second-rank General Who Pacifies the South of the Han Empire!
A general responsible for defending the empire’s southern territories!
Although without real power, his rank was exceptionally high!
In addition, Long Chen currently controlled three counties: the gateway of Yangzhou, Jiujiang County; the elite military region, Danyang County; and the coastal Wu County!
The significance of these three counties was incredibly high!
In other words,
Long Chen ranked among the top three lords south of the Yangtze River.
The first place was temporarily held by Jingzhou Governor Liu Biao, who controlled six counties in Jingzhou, commanding over 500,000 elite soldiers and countless armored warriors.
However, if you look beyond appearances and examine the essence, you’ll find that Jingzhou is actually controlled by influential aristocratic families.
Moreover, there is the Nanyang Governor Yuan Gonglu, whose family has held high-ranking positions for four generations, watching from the north like a tiger.
To the east, the fierce tiger of Jiangdong, Sun Wentai, the Governor of Changsha, occupies his territory.
Therefore, Liu Biao’s hold on Jingzhou is significantly diluted and lacks the solid foundation that Long Chen possesses.
Currently, Guo Jia holds no official position and comes from a humble background.
Long Chen’s respectful attitude towards talents made Guo Jia’s eyes shine with admiration, valuing Long Chen even more.
Moreover, Guo Jia, who had a keen understanding of human nature, could see that
Long Chen indeed had the qualities of a great leader, though it remained to be seen if he had the ambition to match...
He decided to find an opportune moment to inquire further. If Long Chen did possess the ambition of a great leader, then working alongside his old friend Xizi under such a master to achieve great deeds would be worthwhile...
Guo Jia thought silently.
...
...
The night gradually swallowed the day, like a beast of chaos...
After settling Guo Jia, Long Chen was also exhausted.
Rushing back from Danyang County today had taken a considerable toll on his energy.
Now that night had fallen, it was time to return to his residence and have a deep conversation with his beloved Chan’er.
To ease the fatigue of the day.
Thinking of this, a peculiar expression appeared on Long Chen’s face.
