Chapter 114: Jia Xu Submits

The next day, Liu Yao received news that a reconnaissance team sent near Jincheng had captured a person—apparently of the Qiang tribe—but for some unknown reason, they had been pursuing him aggressively. The squad leader thought this man might be useful and took it upon himself to bring him back alive.

At first, Liu Yao paid little attention to such a minor figure. However, he soon thought that if he could glean any information from this man, it would be worthwhile. Having nothing better to do, he, along with Guo Jia and Shi A, went to interrogate the captive.

Inside the council chamber of Chang’an’s city defense headquarters, Guo Jia and Liu Yao were sipping tea, while Shi A stood nearby, sword in hand, exuding a cool demeanor.

“Your Highness, the man has been brought in,” reported two guards as they dragged in a man dressed as a scholar. One guard kicked the man sharply in the knee, forcing him to kneel. “Hurry and pay your respects to His Highness!”

The man, flustered, awkwardly mimicked the guard’s words, bowing hastily to Liu Yao. He appeared genuinely frightened.

Liu Yao glanced at him casually and found him utterly ordinary, hardly worth much concern. Yet Guo Jia’s eyes sparkled with interest, as if he recognized a kindred spirit.

“Who are you? Why were you being hunted by the Qiang tribe?” Liu Yao asked, looking down at the man from above.

“Your Highness, my surname is Xu, given name Jia, from Wuwei in Liangzhou. I once studied for a few years and can read and write a little. The Qiang captured me to draft documents for them. But two days ago, I overheard they planned to kill me. I escaped by all means possible and was eventually rescued,” Xu Jia stammered.

“Nonsense! Why would the Qiang dispatch so many people to chase after a mere nobody? Confess the truth, or I’ll have you tortured!” Guo Jia suddenly stood and shouted at Xu Jia.

Liu Yao looked at Guo Jia in surprise, puzzled by his sudden concern for the man. But knowing Guo Jia well, Liu Yao trusted that Guo Jia had his reasons. He fell into thought.

“Sir, I swear I speak the truth. Because I often write documents for them, I learned a great secret of the Qiang. That’s why they want me silenced,” Xu Jia cried in terror.

Before Guo Jia could respond, a sudden flash of insight struck Liu Yao’s mind, causing his heart to tremble. "Xu Jia, Jia Xu… Damn, isn’t he the poison master Jia Xu, also known as Jia Wenhe? No wonder Guo Jia is so concerned—it must be that he senses something amiss. Moreover, Jia Xu is from Wuwei in Liangzhou; there can be no mistake."

Without waiting for Guo Jia to ask about this great secret, Liu Yao commanded, “Guards! Take this Qiang spy and execute him immediately!”

Guards looked at Liu Yao, startled by his abrupt order. Guo Jia was equally surprised; he was about to ask what secret Xu Jia possessed, but Liu Yao had already spoken.

Xu Jia was dumbfounded. He hadn’t expected that revealing he held a secret would lead Liu Yao to want him dead on the spot. He wailed, “I’m innocent, Your Highness! I’m truly not a Qiang spy!”

“Hmph, if you are not a spy, why hide your real name from me? If not out of guilt, then what?” Liu Yao sneered coldly.

Inwardly, Xu Jia was thrown into turmoil, unsure how he had slipped up. Yet he feigned calm and countered, “Your Highness, my name is indeed Xu Jia. I have not concealed it—please judge fairly.”

“Jia Xu, Jia Wenhe. Do you still intend to pretend before me?” Liu Yao bluntly revealed his true name.

At this, Jia Xu could no longer mask his expression, staring at Liu Yao in disbelief. He was just a minor figure, with little renown; he could not fathom how Liu Yao knew his name. His demeanor instantly shifted—from a sly, cowardly man to one calm and composed. Since he had been recognized, continuing to play the fool would only make him a laughingstock.

Jia Xu gave a bitter smile and said, “Your Highness is correct. I am indeed Jia Xu, Jia Wenhe. But I wonder how you came to know my name?”

Liu Yao smiled inwardly. Though he had suspected it all along, he had not been entirely certain and had used this opportunity to test him. To his surprise, Jia Xu confessed willingly.

“I did not know beforehand,” Liu Yao said casually. “I was merely testing you. Although your name, Jia Xu, Jia Wenhe, is not widely known, I am well aware of you. Everyone knows my subordinate Guo Jia, Guo Fengxiao, a brilliant tactician whose strategies often take unexpected turns to triumph. What many don’t know is that there is another mastermind named Jia Xu, Jia Wenhe—known as the poison master—whose schemes are ruthless and deadly, often destroying his enemies utterly, leaving them no chance of recovery. Am I correct?”

“You flatter me, Your Highness,” Jia Xu replied modestly. Since Liu Yao knew every detail about him, any further pretense would be pointless.

Guo Jia looked at the older strategist before him with curiosity. Anyone receiving such high praise from Liu Yao was no simple man. The title “poison master” sent a chill down Guo Jia’s spine.

“Hahaha, Jia Wenhe, you surely live up to my praise. Tell me, would you be willing to serve under me?” Liu Yao asked directly.

Jia Xu smiled bitterly. He had no right to refuse, and refusal would surely mean death. Besides, serving Liu Yao was the only fitting stage for his extraordinary talents. Only a wise lord like Liu Yao deserved his loyalty.

“Xu pays respects to his lord,” Jia Xu said without hesitation, bowing to Liu Yao.

Liu Yao’s heart leapt with joy. Just days ago, he had been pondering Jia Xu, and now Jia Xu had joined his ranks. He had gained yet another top strategist—an exciting prospect indeed.

“Hahaha, Wenhe, you truly understand the first of the five realms of strategy,” Liu Yao praised.

“What are the five realms of strategy?” Guo Jia and Jia Xu asked in unison, then exchanged glances and laughed together. Neither had heard of such a concept and were naturally curious.

Liu Yao explained, “The five realms of strategy are: strategizing for oneself, for others, for the military, for feudal lords and noble families, and for the entire realm.”

“The first realm—strategizing for oneself—is paramount. If a strategist cannot protect his own life, how can he strategize for others, for armies, for nobles, or for the world? This is the foundation. Wenhe, you have mastered this realm deeply. But under my command, you need not be so reserved. Do you understand?” Liu Yao said, looking at Jia Xu intently. Jia Xu was too reserved; without some encouragement, he might never fully reveal his talents.

Historically, Jia Xu served under Cao Cao and rose to the rank of Grand Commandant without ever arousing Cao Cao’s suspicion. Unlike others, who were always distrusted to some degree, Jia Xu earned Cao Cao’s complete trust and lived to the age of seventy—a rare fate for a strategist of his caliber.

Jia Xu nodded in understanding. “Xu understands. From this day forth, I shall devote myself entirely to advising Your Highness, without the slightest reservation.”