Chapter 1

In the first year of the Jian'an era, early spring.

In Nanyang Commandery, within Shunyang City.

Looking around, the streets of the city were desolate, with few people. The few passersby hurried along, fearing to invite trouble.

At this moment, inside the general's residence.

Dozens of people were dressed in white, their faces filled with sorrow. Among them, a beautiful woman knelt on the ground, looking at the man covered in white, occasionally covering her face with her sleeve and sobbing softly.

Zhang Xiu pursed his lips. Although he had been here for half an hour, he was still a bit flustered.

From his memories, he knew that the man lying in front of him was Zhang Ji, and the beautiful woman kneeling beside him was Lady Zou.

The many strong men below were all Zhang Ji's subordinates, and the one leading them was the notorious strategist Jia Xu. Jia Xu's eyes were deep, as if he was calculating something.

And he, Zhang Xiu, was Zhang Ji's nephew.

Zhang Xiu vaguely remembered that under the coercion of a group of dog readers, he stayed up all night, writing ten thousand words every day, until he finally died from overwork, spitting out three liters of blood and dying at his keyboard.

Who would have thought that when he opened his eyes, he was really in the late Han dynasty, and even possessed the body of the Northern Land Spear King, Zhang Xiu.

As for the current situation, it was that Zhang Ji's army had run out of food, left Guanzhong, moved to Nanyang, and failed to capture Rang County, leading to Zhang Ji's death from an arrow wound, resulting in the scene before him.

If his memory served him right, Zhang Xiu, who was himself, would next lead the army to become a vassal of Liu Biao, guarding Nanyang for him.

The following spring, Cao Cao would lead an army to attack. Zhang Xiu, following Jia Xu's advice, would surrender to Cao Cao, but Cao Cao's fondness for other men's wives, particularly Lady Zou, would anger Zhang Xiu, leading to the deaths of Dian Wei and Cao Ang.

Thinking of this, Zhang Xiu glanced at the woman beside him. Her peach cheeks and almond face were stunning, evoking a strong sense of possession. It was no wonder Cao Cao couldn't control himself.

"Everyone, General Zhang Xiu is a man of righteousness and is Zhang Ji's nephew. It is only right that General Zhang Xiu should lead us," Lei Xu stepped forward, spreading his hands and speaking boldly.

"That's right, a son should inherit his father's legacy, which is in line with heaven's will. We should all recognize General Zhang Xiu as our leader," Zhang Xian echoed.

These two were Zhang Ji's trusted lieutenants.

The others looked at each other, then lowered their heads and clasped their fists, their expressions resolute and cold, and they all shouted, "We pay our respects to our lord. We hope our lord will remain steadfast and avenge General Zhang Ji."

Zhang Xiu's face twitched, and he pressed his hands down to feign calm. His adaptability was quite strong, after all, he had written novels about the Three Kingdoms in his previous life and had a deep longing for that era.

"The revenge for my uncle, I will remember it in my heart. However, our army is exhausted and short of supplies. The most urgent task is to bury my uncle and solve the food problem before we can think about other matters."

As he spoke, Zhang Xiu waved his hand, signaling his guards to carry Zhang Ji's body out of the general's residence and to have Lady Zou escorted to her room to rest.

After doing this, he turned his gaze to Jia Xu, who was known as the most cunning strategist in the world, with a reputation for never making a mistake. Among all the strategists of the Three Kingdoms, he could rank in the top five.

However, although Jia Xu was extremely intelligent, he did not serve him. Historically, it was Jia Xu who advised Zhang Xiu to surrender to Cao Cao the following spring. He needed to think of some countermeasures.

"Mr. Wenhe, what are your thoughts on the current situation?"

Jia Xu slowly raised his head, his wrinkled eyes narrowing, and his eagle-like, sharp eyes looked at Zhang Xiu.

Strange, very strange.

He had known Zhang Xiu for some time, but the latter had always been rash, with the habits of a Xiliang bandit. This time, however, he knew how to avoid confrontation and even sought his advice, which was very strange.

"General, the most urgent task is to find a place to settle. Nanyang is a strategic location, with Cao Cao to the north and Yuan Shu to the east, and the generals of Guanzhong can attack Nanyang at any time.

However, our army is exhausted and short of supplies, and only this place can serve as a base. General, you should write to Liu Biao, offering to become his vassal and guard Nanyang for him, defending against external threats."

"Guard Nanyang?" Zhang Xiu raised an eyebrow and asked, "But Mr. Wenhe, although Nanyang is a strategic location, it is also a populous commandery with fertile land and is known as the imperial hometown. How can Liu Biao entrust it to me?"

Jia Xu shook his head and smiled lightly.

"Not so, Nanyang is indeed good, but it is a strategic location. Jingzhou may appear stable, but it is actually rife with family conflicts. Moreover, southern Jingzhou is not under Liu Biao's control. How can he send troops to guard Nanyang?"

"I believe that as long as General writes to him, Liu Biao will gladly accept, and Nanyang will belong to you." Jia Xu bowed and smiled, a cunning smile curling at the corners of his mouth.

Zhang Xiu's eyes narrowed, thinking that Jia Xu was indeed not simple, summarizing the current situation in Jingzhou in just a few words. However, he suspected that Jia Xu was suggesting he guard Nanyang to eventually surrender to Cao Cao!

Truly a cunning old fox!

"Mr. Wenhe, your words have enlightened me."

"However, Mr. Wenhe, Nanyang is a strategic location with no natural defenses. Serving Liu Biao would mean working for him. Moreover, Cao Cao has the ambition of a hero. How can he tolerate a rival rising in his territory?"

As he spoke, Zhang Xiu stared intently at Jia Xu, his expression serious.

Others might not know who Jia Xu was, but Zhang Xiu, familiar with the Three Kingdoms, knew him well.

Jia Xu, the cunning strategist, was a self-interested person. His joining Zhang Xiu was merely mutual exploitation. To get him to reveal his true intentions, some means were necessary.

Seeing Zhang Xiu's serious gaze, a hint of surprise flashed in Jia Xu's eyes. He thought, when did the martial Zhang Xiu become so intelligent? To think of Cao Cao's invasion after proposing to serve Liu Biao?

Not simple at all. Could there be a high-level advisor helping him?

After all, both Zhang Ji and Zhang Xiu had always followed his advice, but now he was being questioned.

Of course, he did indeed want to use Zhang Xiu to surrender to Cao Cao. If Zhang Xiu could be persuaded to surrender, it would be a great achievement, like climbing a ladder quickly.

As for Zhang Xiu's fate, it was of no concern to him.

A hint of ruthlessness flashed in his eyes, and Jia Xu feigned confusion, "I do not understand General's thoughts."

"Mr. Wenhe, what do you think of Jingzhou?" Zhang Xiu asked suddenly.

"Jingzhou?" Jia Xu was taken aback, but then he relaxed. The seven commanderies of Jingzhou were already dominated by seven major families, and even the imperial relative Liu Biao was just using their power. How could a mere Xiliang warrior like him have any influence in Jingzhou?

(Note: Jingzhou actually had eight commanderies, with Zhangling Commandery being separated from Nanyang during the late Han dynasty, so it is generally referred to as Nanyang.)

"General, Jingzhou is naturally excellent. The seven commanderies of Jingzhou are fertile and rich in resources. If we could establish ourselves there, it would be ideal. However, Liu Biao has ten thousand troops..."

Jia Xu did not elaborate, but looked up at Zhang Xiu.

"Ha ha, Mr. Wenhe, do not be suspicious. I was just asking casually." Zhang Xiu laughed heartily and then said, "By the way, Mr. Wenhe, please take care of the negotiations with Liu Biao."

"General, that is my duty." Jia Xu bowed, but his perception of Zhang Xiu had changed.

"Alright, everyone, you may leave." Zhang Xiu waved his hand and, as he turned, said in a deep voice, "Hu Che'er, stay behind."

After everyone left, Hu Che'er clasped his fists and asked, "Lord, what is it?"

"How are the troops and how much food do we have left?" Zhang Xiu asked in a serious tone.

In times of chaos, food and people were key. Since he was here, he needed to make plans and not just live day by day.

Hu Che'er looked rather dejected and sighed, "Lord, our Xiliang warriors are either dead or scattered, and we have fewer than five thousand men and only a thousand horses. As for food, we can only last for three days at most. If this continues, we may..."

"Fewer than five thousand?" Zhang Xiu was taken aback. Although he was familiar with the historical timeline, he did not know the exact numbers at different times. No wonder Zhang Xiu had surrendered; how could five thousand men stand against Cao Cao?

"Alright, I understand. Tell them to stay focused. Food supplies will arrive soon."

After saying this, Zhang Xiu left.

Sigh, what a headache. This Xiliang army was practically destitute, and the only thing of value was the thousand horses.

Nanyang was a plain, and these thousand horses were the foundation of his self-sufficiency.

However, a thousand horses were not enough to stand against Cao Cao, and Cao Cao's army would arrive in the spring. He needed to do something during this period, or history would repeat itself.

Walking,

The county office's backyard was in ruins, and the county magistrate had died in the war. There were only a few hundred households left in the city, and they were all starving and living in misery.

Back in his room, Zhang Xiu felt a mix of emotions.

He sighed, thinking that the Three Kingdoms were not as simple as described in novels. Not to mention other things, just controlling Jia Xu was difficult, let alone competing with heroes like Cao Cao and Liu Bei.

Moreover, these people had talented subordinates. Even Liu Bei, the least fortunate, had two loyal generals, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei. His own subordinates were either incompetent or disloyal, and Jia Xu had his own hidden agenda.

How frustrating, it was like a hell mode!

But then again, where was the standard system in穿越 novels? Could he really compete for the world without a system? It would be hard to even survive.

"Ding, the chaotic system is activating."

Note: Zhang Xiu's hell mode, the system helps him through the early stages, adding some drama and anticipation. This is an intelligent and enjoyable novel. If you don't like it, please don't criticize.