Wang Yue actually had another plan, one no less effective than Jia Xu's: force Sun Quan and Zhang Zhao to attack Jizhou, sparing no lives in the assault. That would surely let them wipe out Cao Pi ahead of schedule and eliminate the threat for good.
Of course, there was a chance Sun Quan would defect straight to Cao Pi. But if that happened, Jiangdong would be completely pacified, and they could focus all their strength on dealing with Cao Pi.
Still, the plan was simply too ruthless. Wang Yue worried that proposing it would damage his image, so he said nothing. He intended to carry it out later.
Fa Zheng was already exceptionally skilled at devising ingenious schemes, and he thought this plan was excellent. He immediately said, "Your Majesty, Earl of Fangcheng's plan is a good one. The Yuan family has been a pillar of the realm for four generations, with students and former retainers spread throughout the land. Though they are no longer what they once were after their clash with Cao Cao,
"the Yuan clan and the Cao Wei faction have become mortal enemies. If Great Han truly makes use of the Yuan family, it will surely win the support of the powerful clans.
"But there is a drawback: this would allow the powerful clans of Yuzhou to rise again. In time, they might grow too powerful to control."
Wang Yue had prepared for this, and replied with a smile, "Your Majesty, I don't think we need to fear these clans. The Yuan family became so powerful because their connections gave them control over a vast number of books.
"After unifying the land, Your Majesty need only establish schools of Chinese classics in the various provinces and commanderies, then select officials through the imperial examinations. In