Nine out of ten gamblers lose; I've run into a jerk!

Chapter 204 Turning the Enemy to a Surrender

After seeing the doctor off and confirming that Lin Youniang was alright, Tao You left the room, forcing herself to stay awake and prepare to continue handling Tao Yang's funeral arrangements.

Upon reaching the front yard, he was surprised to find that Guo Yu had not yet left. He apologized, saying, "I have been busy with many matters and have not been able to entertain you properly. Please forgive me, Military Advisor Guo."

Anyone with common sense would have taken their leave at this point, leaving the others to handle their private matters behind closed doors, since Tao Yang's death was far from honorable.

But Guo Yu, who usually seemed understanding, was acting out of character. Instead of leaving, he ignored Tao You's pale face and asked, "What are your plans, Sanlang?"

Tao You frowned, really not wanting to face this problem, but knowing she couldn't escape it.

He couldn't defend himself against Tao Yang's death, and his stepmother wouldn't let him off easily. Even if his father was willing to believe him and protect him, he would only transfer him away from the core of Tao's power. Under Anguo's system, as an illegitimate son, he had no future to speak of and would have to live the rest of his life in fear of his stepmother's revenge.

Despite this, facing Guo Yutao, she still forced herself to say, "I did not harm Seventh Brother, it's all a misunderstanding..."

"Misunderstanding?" Guo Yu scoffed. "Do you think Madam Tao would believe that? I'm afraid you won't even have a chance to defend yourself before you die without knowing why!"

Tao You sighed, "How could I not know? But I must go back and face all of this. Perhaps my stepmother will listen to my explanation?"

It's unwise to leave your fate in someone else's hands.

Tao You smiled wryly, "What can we do about it?"

"Since things have come to this, why not try something new? I have grand plans in mind. Would you be willing to join me in achieving great things?"

Tao You sensed that Guo Yu was implying something, and a glimmer of hope arose in her heart. "Please, Advisor, teach me."

Guo Yu looked at Tao You and uttered two words.

"Destroy An!"

Tao You immediately took several steps back, his eyes wide with disbelief. Recent events flashed through his mind, and a layer of cold sweat broke out on his back. Anguo was easy to defend but difficult to attack, and he knew all too well what role he could play in it.

"Is Commander Lu planning to send troops to Anguo?"

Guo Yu shook his head. "Heroes grow old and lose their ambition. Commander Lu is old and has long lost his drive. He has been guarding Pingshan Pass all these years, so I have no opportunity to use my skills and have not made any contributions. If I waste my years like this, when will I be able to restore the Guo family's honor?"

"Joining the army..."

Guo Yu lowered his eyelids, looking somewhat forlorn. "The Guo family has declined. Otherwise, I wouldn't have had to join the army to make a living. Isn't our instant connection due to our shared misfortune?"

Tao You, however, was skeptical that this was Guo Yu's spur-of-the-moment decision. "Mobilizing the three armies is no easy task. If you could persuade Commander Lu, why wait until today?"

"Hahaha~ So this is a golden opportunity!"

Guo Yu's eyes gradually turned fervent. "General Lu doesn't need achievements, but General Shen does. I'm confident I can persuade her to send troops. No young general can refuse to launch the first war of annihilation in nearly ten years!"

Tao You was utterly shocked. This man had schemed against everyone's hearts in order to realize his own ambitions!

“Sanlang, Tao Yang is dead. Even if Madam Tao spares your life, what difference does it make? Anguo is conservative and rigid in its rules and regulations. You have great talent and ambition, but nowhere to use them. Are you really willing to live a mediocre life?”

Tao You fell silent, her hands clenched into fists in her sleeves, her heart churning like a surging tide.

Guo Yu continued, "Sanlang, Xuanguo is different from Anguo. Even a son of a concubine can become an official and make a name for himself. This is an opportunity to change your destiny. After you succeed, wealth, honor, high office, and generous salary will be within your grasp. At that time, who will dare to look down on you?"

Tao You raised her head and glared at Guo Yu: "How could I commit treason and betray my clan! If I did, I would become a sinner for all eternity!"

"A sinner for all time?" Guo Yu said leisurely, "History books are too thin. Countless outstanding people throughout history have failed to leave a single word in them. One should not underestimate oneself, but one should not overestimate oneself either."

"..."

"Ahem~" Guo Yu coughed lightly and returned to the main topic, "The world will eventually unite after a long period of division. Anguo is able to live peacefully in a corner not because it is so strong, but because the other countries are temporarily unable to spare any resources. But as long as the outside world is unified, they will eventually take back Anguo. You should also understand that Anguo has no hope of becoming a hegemon."

Tao You remained silent. Anguo was mountainous with little land, and its population and army were weak. The upper echelons were aware of this drawback. Last year, they joined forces with Di and Jing to attack Xuanguo, hoping to seize a piece of Xuanguo's territory to serve as a base for expansion. Only in this way could they have the capital to contend for the world. But clearly, this attempt failed.

"As the saying goes, a good bird chooses a good tree to perch on, and a wise minister chooses a good lord to serve. Now is the time for Xuan Kingdom to rise, and it is recruiting talents from all over the world. If Sanlang can achieve great things that will last for thousands of years, then you will be on the first page of the Tao family genealogy!"

What do you mean by being unworthy of our ancestors? You are the ancestor!

Tao You's heart pounded. What man could resist the temptation of creating a separate family genealogy? He was torn between his love for his country and his personal life and future.

Guo Yu knew that it was difficult for ordinary people to break through their psychological shackles and take that step, so he pressed on, saying, "Sanlang, time waits for no one. Once Tao Yang's confidant returns to Anguo, and we miss this opportunity to catch him off guard, you will be completely worthless and have no chance to recover."

"Think it over carefully. Do you want to sacrifice yourself for Anguo and Taoshi, who don't value you, or seize this rare opportunity to achieve great things? Such opportunities only come a few times in a lifetime."

Tao San closed his eyes, his brows furrowed, caught in a great struggle.