Bai Xiaowen smiled and said, "I can already guess a thing or two, but to pool everyone's wisdom, I should still ask Xun Yu and the others for advice. After all, they're my first team of strategists."
Bai Xiaowen immediately sent military officers to invite Xun Yu, Lou Gui, Dong Zhao, and Sima Yi—the four talented men—from among the carriages of the officials. He asked them:
"It's been a day since our army left Xudu and headed north. Before this, enemy troops repeatedly blocked our way, but after we passed through Xinzheng, we traveled a hundred li without encountering a single enemy soldier. All four of you are men who carry stratagems in your hearts and armies in your minds. What do you make of this?"
The four men remained silent, as though they still hadn't adjusted to their new identities.
That was perfectly normal. Lou Gui and the other two had all been talents from Xudu whom Xun Yu had brought over as agreed. Lou Gui was essentially a hermit; Sima Yi had yet to enter official service, while only Dong Zhao currently held an official post.
After being chosen by Bai Xiaowen, they were probably bewildered deep down.
Bai Xiaowen had actually wanted to choose even better talents, but by now, most of the worthy ministers and strategists in Xudu had been taken away by Cao Cao. He had no choice but to settle for the next best thing.
Lou Gui and Dong Zhao were both ordinary scholar-type Boss Tiers. They were the sort of talents who could handle government affairs and administer commanderies and counties, but were unsuited for combat.
As for Sima Yi, Bai Xiaowen had nearly refused to believe his eyes after using Insight on him. For a time, he thought he had made a