113 Xu You's Betrayal and False Accusation of Ju Yi

At that moment, Ju Shou stepped forward to Yuan Shao’s side and whispered, “My lord, Yuan Hao’s analysis is correct; this is most likely a stratagem of deception.”

Tian Feng called it a scheme of treachery, and Ju Shou agreed it was a ploy to sow discord.

Among Yuan Shao’s strategists, if one were to speak of true skill, it was undeniably Tian Feng and Ju Shou who possessed the greatest talents.

With both chief advisors declaring this to be a trick, Yuan Shao found himself at a loss.

Most crucially, after Tian Feng’s thorough analysis, everyone present began to harbor doubts about the letter.

Yuan Shao was an extremely suspicious man. Although Tian Feng’s reasoning was sound, Yuan Shao still harbored some suspicion toward Xu You.

Xu You, Yuan Shao, and Cao Cao had grown up together. To put it plainly, when they were young, the three of them had even once spied on a widow bathing.

In terms of their relationships, Xu You’s ties with the other two were equal.

Thus, Yuan Shao believed it was still possible that Xu You might defect to Cao Cao.

If Xu You could betray him, he could certainly betray Yuan Shao.

It was often said that Cao Cao would rather betray the world than let the world betray him.

One must ask, among all the warlords vying for supremacy, who did not possess such a ruthless nature?

Without a cold heart, how could one conquer the realm?

Yuan Shao initially intended to execute Xu You, severing any chance of his defection to Cao Cao.

However, now that doubts had arisen regarding the letter, the evidence was insufficient to justify Xu You’s execution.

After much deliberation, Yuan Shao made a decision and commanded, “From today onward, Xu You is to be confined within this camp. No one is to see him without my express order.”

“Everything shall wait until I uncover the truth,” he declared.

With that, Yuan Shao turned away in frustration, preparing to leave.

One must admit, Xu You’s luck was quite remarkable; twice he had faced death, yet both times he managed to save his life.

Just as Yuan Shao was about to step out of the tent, Xu You suddenly spoke up, “My lord, I harbor a doubt in my heart. If I do not speak, it may become a hidden danger!”

Hearing this, Yuan Shao’s anger flared. He thought to himself, “Hidden danger? Xu Ziyuan, you yourself are a danger.”

Although inwardly resentful, Yuan Shao nonetheless retorted sharply, “Let me hear it, then. What further evasions do you intend to offer?”

Evasions?

From Xu You’s perspective, his was not evasion but a reasonable doubt.

“My lord, among us, there is indeed someone colluding with Cao Cao, but it is not I, Xu Ziyuan; it is another!” After saying this, Xu You scanned the room until his gaze landed on Ju Yi.

However, Yuan Shao was still brooding, paying no heed to Xu You’s eyes.

Yuan Shao thought, “If it’s not you, Xu You, who else but myself?”

“Speak!” Yuan Shao snapped, waving his sleeve angrily. “Tell me—I want to see what kind of feeble excuses you make.”

Pointing sharply at Ju Yi, Xu You declared with firm voice, “The one allied with Cao Cao is no other than General Ju Yi.”

The moment Xu You finished speaking, there came a sharp sound as Ju Yi drew his sword.

Pointing the blade at Xu You, Ju Yi’s eyes blazed with fury as he shouted, “Xu Ziyuan, are you desperate or mad?”

“Do you have any proof for your baseless accusations? Do you think my lord would be fooled by you?”

Since suspecting Xu You’s possible defection, Yuan Shao had subconsciously inclined to trust Ju Yi.

Thus, upon hearing Xu You accuse Ju Yi of colluding with Cao Cao, Yuan Shao immediately spoke, “General Ju Yi has been loyal and steadfast to me. Without him, I would not have uncovered your deeds.”

“Xu You, do you truly think I am so foolish as to not see through your personal vendetta?”

“Please, my lord, hear me out!” Xu You bowed respectfully toward Yuan Shao and continued, “Yuan Hao has made it clear: this letter is suspicious; it is a trick by Cao Cao to sow discord.”

“If this is a stratagem, how did General Ju Yi know of it? Furthermore, the timing of Ju Yi’s leading you here was impeccably precise. Had it been even a few breaths later that night, the letter would have been reduced to ashes.”

“Therefore, I must suspect that Ju Yi’s timing was premeditated and that he plays a crucial role in this plot. I fear this scheme is a conspiracy between Cao Cao and General Ju Yi.”

“Who knows after killing me, Xu Ziyuan, who General Ju Yi will target next for Cao Cao?”

There was no need for further words—Xu You’s tactics were exceedingly clever.

In a short time, he had turned the tables masterfully, and the logic of his entire argument was quite plausible.

Ju Yi’s arrival at that precise moment was indeed suspicious and understandably aroused doubt.

Not only did Xu You seize the initiative, he also cast Ju Yi into opposition with most others.

By accusing Ju Yi of colluding with Cao Cao and suggesting that after his death Ju Yi would continue to eliminate others, Xu You sent a chill through Yuan Shao’s camp.

After all, with Xu You gone, no one knew who Ju Yi might target next.

Yuan Shao was naturally suspicious; apart from himself, he doubted everyone.

Now, even Tian Feng and Ju Shou seemed suspect—otherwise, why would they repeatedly plead for Xu You?

The more Yuan Shao thought, the deeper his suspicion grew, and he vented his anger upon Ju Yi.

“Ju Yi, what do you have to say in response to Xu You’s accusations?” Yuan Shao asked sternly.

An explanation?

Yuan Shao actually demanded an explanation from Ju Yi.

Though Yuan Shao’s tone was not harsh, the words stung Ju Yi deeply.

Suspicion?

As Yuan Shao posed the question, Ju Yi felt his heart turn cold.

He thought, “My lord, your question shows your doubt in me.”

“I have followed you for so many years, marching south and north, fighting east and west. I dare not claim countless merits, but surely I have my share of hard work.”

“Yet now, this is how you repay me—with suspicion.”

At that thought, Ju Yi considered, “I might as well end it all myself.”

Without hesitation, Ju Yi drew his treasured sword and pressed it across his own throat.

(End of chapter)