Three Kingdoms: My Strategy Simulator

Chapter 67: A Hint of Housewife Vibe

In an instant, a strange sense of familiarity surged from Li Ji's heart, abruptly jolting him awake from the slightly giddy feeling caused by Cao Cao's impressive praise.

This scene… felt familiar!

It felt like it had just happened recently, like when he tricked Jia Xu into leaving the banquet…

Immediately, Li Ji's footsteps halted abruptly, and he looked at the carriage in front of him with a deep sense of unease.

If he really got into Cao Cao's carriage and ended up drinking a few cups with him, passing out drunk…

By the time Li Ji woke up again, he probably wouldn't still be in Julu Commandery; wouldn't he be directly dragged to Jinan, where Cao Cao was about to take office?

‘Moreover…’

Li Ji looked at Cao Cao beside him, as well as the supported Liu Bei, and couldn't help but suspect that getting Liu Bei drunk was also part of Cao Cao's plan, right?

Hearing that Liu Bei had a great talent under his command at the banquet, Cao Cao was immediately eager and kept urging Liu Bei to drink, and then, when sending Liu Bei back home, he would take the opportunity to…

How did this plot development have a hint of a housewife vibe?

Cao Cao the 'wife-snatcher', his intentions were highly suspicious!

The more Li Ji thought about it, the more he felt something was wrong, and he quickly cupped his fist in salute.

“My lord is still drunk; as his subordinate, I dare not leave lightly. Please forgive me, Mengde.”

Upon hearing this, Cao Cao could hardly restrain the look of appreciation in his eyes.

When they first met, Cao Cao felt that Li Ji was extraordinary and must be talented.

Therefore, when Cao Cao was talking and drinking with Liu Bei at the banquet, he took advantage of Liu Bei's drunkenness to steer the topic to Li Ji, and he easily learned about Li Ji's various achievements from Liu Bei, who was full of pride.

Hearing Liu Bei's words, Cao Cao was almost astonished by Li Ji!

How could such a heaven-defying talent be allowed to be buried?

Immediately, Cao Cao personally helped Liu Bei leave the banquet, taking the opportunity to talk with Li Ji, intending to take the opportunity to invite him to his residence for an in-depth exchange.

Cao Cao felt that his talent must be far superior to Liu Bei, and he would definitely be able to impress Li Ji.

But facing Li Ji's tactful refusal, Cao Cao was not annoyed at all, but rather even happier in his heart.

Having strategies in his chest and loyalty in his heart…

How could he not love such a talent?

“It's fine, it's fine…”

Cao Cao said with a smile.

“The residence that Lord Lu lent to Cao for temporary residence is not far away. Now that Xuande is drunk, Cao originally planned to take Xuande to the residence to sober up for the night. In this way, Zikun can take care of Xuande in the residence, while you and I can have a long talk. How about it?”

??!!

Li Ji.

Was this… robbing someone else's wife… ah no, subordinate right in front of their eyes?!

How could Li Ji not see that Cao Cao was clearly planning to win him over, and even planning to openly swing the pickaxe in front of the drunken Liu Bei.

This was simply not taking Liu Bei seriously at all…

However, given Liu Bei's current shallow foundation, even if Liu Bei and Cao Cao were both commandery governors in terms of official position, Cao Cao at least had the Cao and Xiahou clans behind him. What did Liu Bei have behind him?

There were thousands of impoverished Han imperial relatives in the nearly four-hundred-year-old Han Dynasty. This identity alone would naturally not be taken seriously by Cao Cao.

Therefore, Cao Cao was simply more ruthless than Li Ji. Li Ji at least knew to secretly poach Jia Xu, but Cao Cao was planning to dig right in front of his face.

A large number of thoughts flashed through Li Ji's mind, making him realize that it was not appropriate to enter Cao Cao's residence. Instead, he continued to refuse tactfully.

“I will temporarily accept Mengde's kindness on behalf of my lord, but Mengde has only entered the city today, and I expect the residence has not been tidied up yet. How can Ji bother you at this moment?”

After a pause, Li Ji cupped his fist in salute. “Tomorrow, I will visit Mengde with my lord and thank Mengde for his care and attention.”

Upon hearing this, Cao Cao listened to the seemingly reasonable and impeccable refusal, but in fact, it seemed to hide a few meaningful metaphors.

Having only entered the city today, the residence has not been tidied up yet…

Unstable footing and an uncertain foundation?

Tomorrow, I will visit together and thank you for your care and attention…

You and I know what you want to do. Will my lord hold a grudge and come to make trouble another day? Please stop.

Cao Cao did not show any guilt on his face, but rather said with more praise, “Cao has always heard that Zikun not only has thousands of strategies in his chest, but his tongue is also extremely sharp. It seems that this is indeed the case. Cao was presumptuous, and I hope Zikun will not blame me.”

After a pause, Cao Cao continued, “In that case, Cao will sweep the couch at the residence tomorrow and wait for Zikun to arrive.”

As for Liu Bei, Cao Cao skipped over him, not saying whether Liu Bei would come or not.

In Cao Cao's current view, Liu Bei was just a lucky man with no ability. He accidentally saved Li Ji in Zhuo County and was fortunate enough to have Li Ji advise him all the way, fighting thousands of miles, burning the demonic Zhang Jiao, and making unparalleled contributions to pacifying the Yellow Turban Rebellion.

With such achievements, even if Liu Bei did not have a heart to save the country and the people and assist the emperor in governing the world in the court, he should sit in a war-torn area as a prefect to protect the people and ensure their well-being.

However, Liu Bei's ambition was so small that he asked Lord Lu to submit a memorial to the court recommending him to be the prefect of Wu Commandery in Jiangdong.

How could he know that Jiangdong was sparsely populated and isolated? Was he not greedy for enjoyment?

Facing Cao Cao's invitation, Li Ji cupped his fist and bowed. “I will definitely try my best to ask my lord for leave to visit Mengde tomorrow.”

As for whether he could really get leave, wouldn't that be up to him at that time?

Immediately, Li Ji took Liu Bei from Cao Cao's hands, gave a wink to the ten personal soldiers waiting outside the government office, and then walked towards his own residence.

Julu City was, after all, the former base of the Taiping Dao, so Liu Bei would naturally not travel without personal soldiers, but the personal soldiers were not allowed to enter the government office.

The residence that Lu Zhi arranged for Liu Bei was quite close to the government office.

And Liu Bei, who was more practical, would naturally not specially prepare a carriage or anything, so even walking would only take about an incense stick's time.

Watching Li Ji's back as he supported the drunken Liu Bei leaving, Cao Cao stroked his short beard lightly, his face almost overflowing with appreciation and regret.

Xiahou Dun and Xiahou Yuan, who had been keeping a distance behind Cao Cao, were now much more sober. They stepped forward and asked, “Brother, since you appreciate that Li Zikun so much, why not force him to come to the residence? Can a mere ten guards stop you?”

“Nonsense.”

Cao Cao glanced at Xiahou Dun, who said this, causing Xiahou Dun, who was full of muscles, to shrink his neck, obviously quite in awe of Cao Cao.

“Zikun is a great talent; how can I use force? What I want to get is the heart of Li Zikun.”

After a pause, Cao Cao's face twitched slightly, and he said, “That Liu Daer has no ability, and his words and deeds reveal a bit of shallowness, but his luck is enviable. Not to mention that Li Zikun is a rare talent in the world, even that Zhao Zilong looks extraordinary.”

“It's just that I don't know why Zhao Zilong didn't appear at the end of the banquet. Otherwise, I should have won him over together.”

Upon hearing this, Xiahou Yuan tried hard to recall and replied, “That Zhao Zilong didn't seem to drink at the banquet either. He seemed to have gone out alone halfway, and then he never came back.”

Cao Cao didn't pay much attention to Zhao Yun, but he inexplicably developed a feeling of being attracted to Li Ji, and couldn't help but sigh, “Alas! Liu Daer is just a person with insufficient capacity to choose to live in Jiangdong. Li Zikun has to assist him because of the kindness of saving his life. It is really a great regret.”

“With Li Zikun's talent, assisting in governing a mere commandery in Jiangdong is also a waste.”

“Cao must win the heart of Li Zikun and bring him under his command, first to govern Jinan, and if he is truly a promising talent, then bring him into the court, perhaps to help the Han Dynasty.”

After saying that, Cao Cao stood in place and watched Li Ji's figure disappear completely at the corner before getting into the carriage and taking the Xiahou brothers back to the residence arranged for him to rest.

…

Li Ji, who had been supporting Liu Bei all the way, successfully returned to the residence and arranged for Liu Bei to wash up and change clothes, and then asked the kitchen to prepare a sobering soup.

Only then did he wipe his sweat and walk towards the guest room in the residence.

When Li Ji entered the guest room where Jia Xu was placed, Zhao Yun was also inside, guarding Jia Xu closely, and Jia Xu had lost his previous distraught appearance, sitting calmly and quietly on the couch with his eyes closed.

‘Did he guess my purpose? Or is he simply pretending to be calm?’

Li Ji secretly guessed, then cupped his fist slightly towards Zhao Yun and said, “Zilong, thank you for personally watching Jia Xu.”

“It's nothing.”

Zhao Yun replied quickly.

“Then please Zilong go and rest first, and then arrange for four personal soldiers to guard the door,” Li Ji said.

Zhao Yun nodded slightly, but his departing figure paused slightly, and he whispered in Li Ji's ear, “Mr. Zikun, tonight I will rest next to this guest room. As long as this person makes any unusual movements or noises, it will not escape my ears, and I will never let him escape.”

“Therefore, if Mr. Zikun is tired today, you might as well rest first, and then ask this thief about Mr. Zikun's past tomorrow.”

Upon hearing this, Li Ji naturally heard the concern in Zhao Yun's words and replied, “Zilong, rest assured, I will only ask Jia Xu some trivial matters tonight. The specific matters still need to be discussed tomorrow after my lord wakes up.”

“Mr. Zikun, please rest early too.”

Zhao Yun said, then turned and left, preparing to arrange for four personal soldiers to come and guard this room.

As Zhao Yun left, Li Ji also took the opportunity to sit in front of Jia Xu, his face seemingly still showing anger, and took out a silk cloth from his arms and placed it in front of Jia Xu, saying directly.

"Jia Wenhe, write down the five characters ‘Wuwei Jia Wenhe’ on the silk cloth. I intend to compare the handwriting."

Jia Xu, who had been closing his eyes to rest, slowly opened them and leisurely replied.

"Five characters? That won't do."

Li Ji coldly snorted and placed his hand back on the hilt of his sword, questioning, "Do you really think I wouldn't dare to kill you?"

Jia Xu smiled and replied.

"Li Zikun, stop trying to deceive me. Do you really think I don't know you want to trick me into writing those five characters, and then use them to imitate my handwriting, forging that non-existent swaddling blood letter?"

"At that time, with the evidence in hand, my life would truly be over!"