Tian Feng, Ju Shou, and the other advisers all had great respect for Jia Xu's strategic mind.
At the Battle of Hefei, Jia Xu had done an outstanding job of defending the city—no, he had defeated Sun Ce's army. His ingenious schemes had unfolded one after another, costing Sun Ce nearly half his forces and sending him fleeing back to Jiangnan. It was a remarkable feat.
Even so, Ju Shou said, "Jia Xu and Zhang He have never met. They may find it difficult to work together. I would like to accompany Zhang He's army and offer counsel."
Bai Xiaowen shook his head. "No. I intend to lead the campaign into Jiangnan myself, and I want to entrust Ye Capital to you. How can I let you march south? Ye Capital is the seat of my power. Nothing can be allowed to happen to it."
Ju Shou was somewhat surprised. He also served as inspector of Qingzhou and had come for the Prince of Yan's investiture ceremony. He had not expected Bai Xiaowen to have another assignment for him.
Bai Xiaowen had little choice.
Ordinarily, he could have left Ye Capital in Tian Feng's hands and rested easy.
But Bai Xiaowen's elevation to Prince of Yan and his coercion of the emperor into deposing the empress had stirred undercurrents in Ye Capital. Who knew what the court officials loyal to the emperor were plotting?
Fu Wan's death alone was hardly enough to put him at ease.
If trouble arose, Tian Feng might not be able to hold the city alone.
Bai Xiaowen intended to call Ju Shou in and have him defend Ye Capital alongside his son Ju Hu, one handling civil affairs and the other military matters. Dong Zhao would keep watch on developments at court, while Hua Xin