"What else?" Seeing the gloom in Jia Xu's eyes, Cao Pi guessed that he might have another move in reserve.
Jia Xu stroked his beard and sneered. "Does Your Majesty still remember the task the late emperor entrusted to this old subject?"
"Yan Cai is already handling the cultivation of agents, but Liu Bei's ruler and ministers are presently harmonious, Crown Prince Liu Shan's position is firmly secure, Wu Yi is simply no match for Lan Tian, and Lady Sun has been neglected because she has borne no son. I fear they will be of little use anytime soon." Cao Pi shook his head repeatedly.
Jia Xu smiled mysteriously. "Liu Bei's military edge is at its height right now. Sending agents to spread rumors and sow discord would indeed be difficult to pull off. But this old subject has prepared a fire that can keep Liu Bei tied down."
"What fire?" Cao Pi asked excitedly.
Jia Xu replied, "The large number of agents this old subject previously sent into Shu were, for the most part, exiled to the various commanderies of Nanzhong as penal labor after they incited Wu Yi and Lady Sun and were captured. Yet among them are no lack of clever men. In Jianning, Yuesui, Zangke, and other places, they have contacted several leaders of powerful clans. These people all intend to raise troops against Liu Bei and submit to our orthodox Great Wei."
"Oh? That truly is a happy accident. But I fear they may not be sincere," Cao Pi said, delighted by what he heard.
Jia Xu nodded. "Your Majesty need not concern yourself with whether these people are sincere. Nanzhong is a harsh land of poor mountains and foul waters. While Liu Zhang and his son held Yi Province, neither dared extend a hand