Book One, Chapter 13: Li and Guo’s Internal Power Struggle — Story Mission

Since sending Duan Wei to investigate and oversee the troops of Zhang Ji and Fan Chou, tensions between Li Jue and Guo Si had escalated once again under Jia Xu’s covert maneuvering. Today, Li Jue announced there would be no morning court session, while tomorrow Guo Si insisted on holding one, causing widespread discontent among the officials of the Chang’an court.

As matters unfolded, Jia Xu advised Li Jue, “General, with the Ma-Han allied forces still poised outside Chang’an, it would be wise to ease your strained relationship with General Guo. Since the weather is favorable today and the garden’s flowers have begun to bloom, symbolizing prosperity, why not hold a banquet? Let the wine wash away past grievances—such a gesture could be remembered as a noble act.”

Meanwhile, Emperor Liu Xie, deep in thought within the Weiyang Palace, heard Jia Xu’s strategic counsel, a constant reminder that everything remained under control.

[Ding! Jia Xu has used strategy: Guo Si’s intelligence decreased by 2 points.]

[Ding! Jia Xu has used strategy: Li Jue’s intelligence decreased by 2 points.]

Those whose intelligence lagged behind Jia Xu’s had mostly suffered the maximum debilitation.

Li Jue pondered briefly: “I really don’t understand what’s gotten into Guo Ado lately. He seems like a powder keg ready to explode—his temper grows worse by the day! I’m only inviting him to drink out of respect for Wenhe.”

Jia Xu quickly assumed a look of humble gratitude, “Yes, General, your magnanimity is much appreciated. I will send word to General Guo and arrange the feast at once.”

Thus, under Jia Xu’s orchestration, they attended several banquets over consecutive days, and slowly, their relationship began to mend.

One day, Yang Biao sent his wife to Guo Si’s residence under the pretense of visiting for other reasons. There, she spoke privately with Guo Si’s wife: “I’ve heard rumors that General Guo is entangled with the concubine of the Marquis of Chiyang. Madam, you must be cautious. If the Marquis learns of this, he will surely harm you all. You should sever ties with them early to safeguard your future.”

Guo Si’s wife was taken aback. “I too have wondered why he often stays away from home recently. To think he would commit such shameless acts! If you hadn’t warned me, I wouldn’t have known. I must be vigilant.”

After bidding farewell, Yang Biao’s wife left, and Guo Si’s wife expressed her gratitude repeatedly.

Two days later, Guo Si was to attend another banquet at Li Jue’s mansion.

Guo Si’s wife, Guo Shi, voiced her worries: “Li Jue is naturally suspicious, and with the tension between your armies, what if he poisons your wine or kills you while you’re drunk? What will become of me then?”

Guo Si responded angrily, “Such talk is nothing but a woman’s fears!” Not only did he refuse to heed her, but he also scolded her.

Despite her repeated warnings, he would not listen.

That evening, Li Jue sent a banquet over.

Secretly, Guo Shi laced the food and drink with poison before serving it to Guo Si.

She cautioned him, “You should never eat what others send without care.”

She first fed the food to the dog, which promptly died.

From that moment, Guo Si harbored suspicions toward Li Jue.

Another day, after the court session, Li Jue specially invited Guo Si to a banquet.

After the feast, Guo Si returned home drunk and suddenly suffered severe abdominal pain.

Guo Shi declared, “You have been poisoned!”

She hurried to have an enema administered, causing Guo Si to vomit and recover.

Furious, Guo Si said, “I have jointly governed the realm with Li Jue and trusted him deeply. Who could have foreseen such treachery? If I don’t strike first, he will surely poison me.”

He then secretly mustered his troops, preparing to attack Li Jue.

However, Emperor Liu Xie and his circle had long been monitoring Guo Si’s movements and had already dispatched messengers to inform Li Jue.

Upon learning this, Li Jue was furious. “How dare Guo Ado betray me so!”

He too gathered his forces to eliminate Guo Si.

At that time, tens of thousands of soldiers from both armies clashed beneath the walls of Chang’an, embroiled in a chaotic battle, utterly ignoring the siege laid by the Ma-Han allied forces outside the city.

On the observatory tower of Weiyang Palace, Liu Xie gazed into the distance as Zheng Sen reported, a faint smile playing on his lips.

“Your Majesty, Li Jue and Guo Si have completely fallen out. Their troops are fighting fiercely within Chang’an, suffering heavy casualties,” Zheng Sen said quietly, his eyes gleaming with excitement. “Scouts report that Guo Si is lightly wounded and has retreated westward with his forces. Li Jue has also lost a significant number of men.”

Liu Xie nodded and glanced at Jia Xu, who was resting with closed eyes nearby. “Wenhe, what next?”

Jia Xu stroked his beard and smiled, “Your Majesty need only observe. When both sides have weakened each other, we shall seize the opportunity to reap the spoils.” He opened his eyes, which shone with sharp light. “However…” He paused, “Yang Feng has already been contacted.”

A spark lit Liu Xie’s eyes.

Yang Feng, a former general of the Xiliang army, commanded fifteen thousand elite troops and counted among his ranks the formidable warrior Xu Huang—a rare and invaluable force.

If he could be won over, Liu Xie’s strength would increase significantly.

“What terms does Yang Feng demand?” Liu Xie asked directly.

Jia Xu chuckled lightly. “His request is simple: the title of General of Chariots and Cavalry, and… the head of Li Jue.”

Liu Xie pondered for a moment, narrowing his eyes. “So he wishes to replace Li Jue?”

He stood and walked to the window, gazing at the thick smoke rising above Chang’an. “Tell Yang Feng that when the Ma-Han allies withdraw due to lack of supplies, I want to see Li Jue’s head.”

At that moment, the system notification sounded abruptly:

[Ding! Triggered plot mission: ‘Xiliang Internal Strife’]

[Mission objective: Drive Li Jue and Guo Si to complete rupture and eliminate them.]

[Mission reward: 50 National Fortunes, one Historical Beauty TOP20 Summon Card.]

A trace of delight flickered in Liu Xie’s eyes.

“Xiliang Internal Strife—this must be a storyline generated based on historical trajectory. Historically, in the year 195 and the following year, Li and Guo’s internal conflict forced me to flee to Luoyang. This accelerates the timeline!”

With that thought, Liu Xie turned to Jia Xu. “Wenhe, add fuel to the fire. Spread rumors that Guo Si has secretly contacted Ma Teng and Han Sui to coordinate an internal and external assault to seize Chang’an.”

Jia Xu nodded knowingly and bowed. “I shall attend to it immediately.”

Outside, the wind and snow intensified. Yet Liu Xie knew the storm within Chang’an had only just begun.

“Your Majesty, what next?” Zheng Sen asked softly.

Liu Xie looked out the window, his gaze profound.

“Wait.”

“Wait for the right moment.”

“Wait until Chang’an is completely engulfed in chaos.”