Three Kingdoms: My Strategy Simulator

Wu County, the Jia residence.

Jia Xu was reclining on a couch, with fragrant tea and desserts arranged on a table beside him. He occasionally hummed some Wu tunes, enjoying a rare moment of leisure.

Compared to two months ago, Jia Xu was noticeably rounder, and even his complexion had lightened considerably.

For the past two months, Jia Xu's mood had undoubtedly been quite good. He was free from the burden of paperwork and the distractions of Zikun, and his daily attendance at the government office was almost a mere formality.

He received his salary as usual, had little work to do, and unlike Liu Bei, who was always concerned about the war in the southern part of Wu County, Jia Xu knew that dealing with that small area was a piece of cake for Li Ji and would not amount to much.

With such a relaxed and comfortable life, how could Jia Xu not gain weight?

Just then, Jia Mu walked in briskly and said.

"Father, the gatekeeper reports that Master Zikun has come to visit?"

Hearing this, Jia Xu's hand, which was holding a teacup, trembled slightly.

"Refuse him!"

Jia Xu blurted out the answer.

Jia Mu asked, puzzled, "Why won't you see Master Zikun, Father?"

"Li Zikun was married yesterday, and he's rushing over to visit today. How could it possibly be good news?"

Jia Xu judged with considerable certainty, and then began to speculate.

"Could there have been some major changes in the southern part of Wu County? With Li Zikun's abilities, such a mistake shouldn't have occurred!"

"But it's definitely not good news! Mu'er, go and stop Li Zikun. Just say that your father had a banquet last night and caught a cold, and is too ill to see guests."

After saying that, Jia Xu quickly climbed off the couch and began to hastily tidy up the table full of various fruits and snacks, which made Jia Mu stare blankly.

This made Jia Xu slightly dissatisfied with Jia Mu's slowness, and he said, "What are you still standing there for? Go quickly, otherwise the gatekeeper will definitely not be able to stop Li Zikun."

"Yes, Father."

However, just as Jia Mu cupped his hands and retreated towards the door, Li Ji's footsteps could already be heard in the distance.

"Wenhe!"

Under Jia Xu's gaze, Jia Mu quickly closed the door and went to meet Li Ji.

"Master Zikun, Master Zikun, please be quiet. My father caught a cold last night and tossed and turned all night. He only managed to fall asleep just now, so please don't wake him."

Jia Mu's faint voice came from outside the room, which made Jia Xu feel a little relieved. After tidying up the miscellaneous things, he lay back on the couch, covered himself with a quilt, and pretended to be asleep.

"Wenhe is ill? Has a physician examined Wenhe?" Li Ji asked.

"A physician has already come to the door, saying that my father needs to rest more these days and should not overwork himself, nor is it appropriate for him to see guests."

Jia Mu's voice continued to reach Jia Xu's ears, which made Jia Xu quite gratified. It seemed that his son knew how to act at critical moments.

"Is he really so ill that he can't see guests?" Li Ji asked, his voice seemingly carrying a hint of doubt.

"He can't."

Jia Mu sighed and answered loudly, but his head was nodding up and down.

Jia Mu's mouth said no, but his head was nodding repeatedly. Guo Jia, who was following behind Li Ji, didn't quite understand what he was seeing, but he was greatly shocked.

Whose son is this Jia Mu? Why does this filial piety feel a bit like it's changing towards Li Ji?

And Li Ji naturally understood very well. His tone suddenly rose, and he said with a bit of sadness.

"I didn't expect that Wenhe was still full of smiles at the banquet yesterday, but today he's already bedridden. The world is unpredictable! No, I must see Wenhe today no matter what, otherwise, who knows, next time we might be separated forever."

After saying that, Li Ji strode towards the door.

Jia Mu also pointed the way for Li Ji while shouting with a bit of panic, "Master Zikun, Master Zikun, you can't do this. Disturbing my father might worsen his condition."

Jia Xu could hear the movements outside the house very clearly.

As the door was forcibly pushed open, Jia Xu, with his back to the door, quickly closed his eyes, adjusted his breathing, and pretended to be asleep.

Jia Xu expected that Li Ji, if he had any conscience, would cautiously test the waters if he wasn't sure whether he was really sick or pretending, and then consciously leave.

However, what Jia Xu never expected was that Li Ji had already received a definite answer from his good son.

Therefore, after entering the room, Li Ji looked at Jia Xu, who was lying on the couch seemingly seriously ill, and immediately began to cry exaggeratedly.

"Wenhe, ah, Wenhe, the world is unpredictable. Just now, Nephew Mu said that you were seriously ill, and I didn't believe it, but I didn't expect you to really be bedridden."

"Alas, alas, how painful, how sad. I pity you and me, who have a close friendship, like brothers, but today we have encountered such a great disaster. How should I deal with myself? Could it be that the heavens are jealous of talent, and the heavens want to leave me alone to assist Lord Liu in his great cause?"

Hearing this series of words, Guo Jia only felt that they were touching, but also felt that something was not quite right.

Then, Li Ji's tone changed and said.

"Wenhe, rest assured, I will go and invite Zhang Zhongjing for you, and let him cure your illness no matter what, and then go and call Lord Liu and the others, so that you can explain everything you haven't finished saying clearly."

"Even if Wenhe unfortunately passes away in the end, you can leave without regret, and with your friendship with me, I will definitely raise your wife and children in the future, treating them as my own."

Hearing this, Jia Xu knew that he could no longer pretend.

Otherwise, if Li Ji really invited Zhang Zhongjing and Liu Bei, then the atmosphere would really be built up to that point, and it wouldn't be appropriate not to die.

"Cough, cough..."

Jia Xu pretended to cough and woke up from his dream, weakly saying.

"Who is it? It turns out it's Zikun."

Cooperating with Jia Xu's performance, Li Ji squeezed Jia Xu as much as possible, strode forward and sat on the edge of the couch, holding Jia Xu's hand and saying in a sad tone.

"Wenhe, Wenhe, I'm late, I'm late."

It's just that Li Ji's acting skills are far inferior to Liu Bei's, and tears can't come as soon as he says so, so he can only cover his face with one hand to avoid his expression from breaking down and laughing.

However, Jia Xu looked at Guo Jia, an outsider, in the room, and still had to save some face. He waved his hand at Jia Mu and Guo Jia and said.

"You all go down first, I have something to say to Zikun... cough, cough... words."

"Yes, Father."

Jia Mu bowed and cupped his hands in response, and then led Guo Jia out of the room, not forgetting to close the door.

After Jia Mu and Guo Jia left, the weakness on Jia Xu's face disappeared, and he lifted the quilt and sat up directly, saying.

"Alright, you Li Zikun are really shameless, an unwelcome guest, I can't push you out."

"Wenhe, these words have deeply hurt my heart. I regard you as an elder, so even in the joy of my honeymoon, I don't forget to visit you."

Li Ji replied with a bit of sadness.

Jia Xu naturally didn't believe this at all.

Instead, he bent down and moved the tea sets, snacks, fruits, and the like from under the couch back to the table, and then poured a cup of tea for Li Ji, saying.

"Since it's a honeymoon, why doesn't Zikun stay at home with his beautiful wife and come to my place?"

Li Ji's expression became serious, and he said solemnly.

"Naturally, I have important matters to discuss."

This made Jia Xu's expression also become upright, looking at Li Ji in front of him.

And Li Ji pondered for a while, and then said, "I have already told Lord Liu that the chaotic world is coming, and Lord Liu has decided to emulate the ambition of Emperor Guangwu."

Immediately, a bit of joy couldn't help but be revealed between Jia Xu's eyebrows, understanding how significant this change in Liu Bei's attitude would be.

"Only Zikun can persuade Lord Liu like this. If it were someone else, I'm afraid they would be dragged down and beheaded by Lord Liu as a rebellious subject."

After a pause, Jia Xu suddenly realized something, narrowed his eyes, and said, "Zikun's intention in coming here should be more than just to inform me of this news, right?"

"The overall situation of the war in the southern part of Wu County has been settled. The governor of Kuaiji County has been captured. For the development of Kuaiji County, and also for the livelihood of the people, I intend to 'control Kuaiji by holding Guo Yi hostage'."

Li Ji still had that serious tone, saying words that shocked Jia Xu. Before Jia Xu could react, Li Ji continued to say.

"Soon, I will go to Kuaiji County to oversee the overall situation, so this time I came here specifically to hand over all official duties to Wenhe."

Immediately, Jia Xu's face completely collapsed.

If it were that silly boy Jia Mu, he might think that this was because he was deeply trusted by Li Ji, and that he was about to be given great importance and entrusted with heavy responsibilities.

However, how could Jia Xu not understand that no one could replace Li Ji's position in Liu Bei's group.

Not only is Li Ji's ability irreplaceable, but more importantly, Liu Bei's trust in Li Ji is irreplaceable.

Some things that Li Ji touches, in Liu Bei's eyes, are insignificant trifles, but if someone else touches them, it might be fatal.

Furthermore, Li Ji holds the seal of the governor, the seal of the deputy governor, and the military talisman. Even if these three things were given to Jia Xu, would Jia Xu dare to take them?

But without these three things, even if Li Ji handed over all official duties, would Jia Xu dare to take them over?

Therefore, Li Ji is completely retreating in advance, seemingly taking the initiative to sit in Kuaiji County, but in reality, he is hinting at Jia Xu in his words.

For a time, Jia Xu's resentful eyes looked as if he had lost his wife yesterday, and he even snatched back the cup of tea he had just filled for Li Ji and drank it all in one gulp.

"I knew you Li Zikun wouldn't visit unless there was a reason. Good things never come when you deliberately show up."

"Wenhe, why do you slander me so much, ruining my reputation?" Li Ji asked back, seemingly puzzled.

"Alas! I might as well really be seriously ill."

Jia Xu sighed and said, "Zikun, you don't need to pretend. Tell me, what is the situation in Kuaiji Commandery?"

Immediately, Li Ji, with a knowing smile, didn't push his luck and proceeded to give a detailed account of the current situation in Kuaiji Commandery.

Throughout the entire process, Jia Xu listened silently, analyzing to himself.

After Li Ji finished speaking, Jia Xu asked, "As for Gan Ning and Jiang Zhi, why have I never heard of them before?"

(End of this chapter)