Who Else But Optimus Prime?

Cao Pi saw the troubled look on Jia Xu's face and, mindful of the man's advanced age, comforted him. "I understand this cannot be rushed. Grand Commandant, you no longer command troops and have relatively few men at your disposal. How about I assign you a deputy?"

"Please speak, Your Majesty." Jia Xu appeared open-minded.

Jia Xu was cautious by nature and sparing with his affections. On the small scale, that meant selfishness and self-interest; on the grand scale, it meant exceptional cunning. He was particularly skilled at pursuing advantage and avoiding harm.

Had Cao Cao not valued Jia Xu's talents and, before his death, appointed him one of the State of Wei's ministers entrusted with the orphaned heir—while Cao Pi, repaying that favor, treated the Jia family generously—Jia Xu would not have felt indebted enough to offer counsel so often. Otherwise, he would have long since shut his doors to visitors and ceased involving himself in court affairs.

"Grand Commandant, do you believe Yancai can shoulder such an important duty?" Cao Pi asked.

While Cao Pi had still been Crown Prince, Zhu Shuo, Sima Yi, Chen Qun, and Wu Zhi had been known as Cao Pi's Four Friends. Zhu Shuo and Wu Zhi in particular were Cao Pi's most diehard confidants.

Jia Xu stroked his beard and frowned. "Though Zhu Yancai has a hasty temperament, his loyalty to Your Majesty is unwavering. Moreover, he commands the capital's Imperial Guard, so selecting promising spy candidates would be easy. This old minister believes Your Majesty's choice is most fitting."

Cao Pi nodded in satisfaction. "Then tomorrow, I shall have Yancai pay the Grand Commandant a visit."

"This old minister obeys the decree." Jia Xu clasped his hands and nodded.

"I will invest more into spies. When Jiangdong truly falls into chaos,