Mythical Three Kingdoms

”That’s right, there are some things I’m guessing at, but I can’t guarantee them. Just take what I tell you back with you,” Yi Ji said after relaying Liu Biao’s orders.

”Let’s hear it,” Jian Yong said curiously.

”The Cai Family might be leaning towards Yuan Gonglu,” Yi Ji said with some uncertainty, ”Ever since the incident when we hid in Jingnan to avoid disaster, my lord has been short on money and grain and had no choice but to disband parts of the Navy and reduce it by a great extent. Since then, the relationship between the Cai Family and my lord has become somewhat stiff.”

”This...” Jian Yong nodded without giving an opinion. To him, this seemed like a very normal situation and nothing unusual to comment on.

To Jian Yong, it seemed only natural for a Great Aristocratic Family like the Cai Family to entertain different thoughts when their interests were plundered. He knew that even Chen Xi, who pushed the aristocratic families, did so with visible future benefits in mind. And even then, there were still many short-sighted families who vehemently opposed Chen Xi’s reforms. As for the Cai Family, given what Jian Yong had seen, their reaction seemed normal.

”You don’t understand what I mean. I’m saying that the Cai Family needs to be watched closely by you. If they really turn towards Yuan Gonglu, then my lord isn’t far from falling apart. Just one strike from the Cai Family, coordinating from inside and outside, and Jingnan will definitely be indefensible,” Yi Ji said earnestly.

”In that case, you should ask the Kuai Family or Liu Jingzhou to keep an eye on them, not us. It’s no use us watching,” Jian Yong said, looking puzzled.

Yi Ji felt helpless. There were things he could not say. Although his heart was with Liu Bei, as long as Liu Biao was alive, he was still Liu Biao’s minister, so he absolutely would not do anything to harm Liu Biao. He would still work within his role for Liu Biao. Of course, anything beyond his duties was out of the question.

Because of this restriction, Yi Ji was somewhat embarrassed to directly ask Jian Yong to notify the Government of Mount Tai to be prepared. In case the forces under Liu Biao collapsed, they should promptly extend help and rescue capable ministers and generals like Kuai Yue, Kuai Liang, Huang Zhong, Xiang Lang, and Hann Song, who were Liu Biao’s subordinates.

The current situation was that Liu Biao’s resources were too meager, he was burdened by too many hindrances, and lacking supplies and grain, rather than having issues with his subordinates. If Liu Biao’s forces fell apart, then these capable ministers and generals would inevitably only have the option to scatter in all directions.

In Yi Ji’s view, it would be better for these individuals if Liu Bei made preparations early. Although he had already sent Huang Xu to Mount Tai, should Huang Xu survive, or should he die without Huang Zhong knowing, there was a ninety percent chance Huang Zhong would head towards Mount Tai. Once there, Huang Zhong would surely join Liu Bei.

Of course, Yi Ji also had extensive exchanges with the Kuai Family. If that situation occurred, as long as he made things clear, there was a good chance that the Kuai Family would rally to their side. But Jingnan wasn’t just Kuai Liang, Kuai Yue, and Huang Zhong—there were a whole lot of other people!

Yi Ji alone was certain he couldn’t move all these people; only Liu Bei taking action personally could gather them all. And in terms of abilities, these individuals were not weak. However, with Jingnan being the dragon trapped in the shallows, Liu Biao had no chance to escape and unleash these people’s potential. Thus, if Liu Biao fell, and this group was entirely taken in by Sun Ce, it would be a complete tragedy.

”Forget it, just relay my exact words to Chen Zichuan and the others when you can. Some things are better left unsaid,” Yi Ji said helplessly. He was still Liu Biao’s minister and needed to strategize for Liu Biao.

”Hmm, I will,” said Jian Yong with a smile, not taking Yi Ji’s words to heart, ”Chief Secretary, could you tell me about the virtuous ministers and talented individuals of Jingzhou? I have some free time these days and would like to pay them a visit.”

Yi Ji nodded and began to introduce the reclusive virtuous ministers and noted scholars of the entire Jingzhou to Jian Yong. He mentioned that Jingzhou wasn’t short of second-rate or quasi-first-class strategists. As for first-class strategists, Jingzhou did have some, but those who had grown up in this era had all been taken away by others, and those who hadn’t fully grown yet were unknown to the world.

While Jian Yong was diligently searching for talent in Jingzhou, Zhuge Liang was eagerly awaiting the arrival of his wife. Regarding Huang Yueying, Zhuge Liang had pledged his life to her early on, so he was not worried that she would be unwilling to marry him.

Truth be told, beneath Zhuge Liang’s gentle and elegant appearance, he could take surprising actions when pushed to the edge, especially after being filled with a wealth of new ideas by Chen Xi, Zhuge Liang had developed new perspectives on many matters.

”Kongming, you’ve seemed somewhat distracted these past few days,” observed Lub Su, glancing at Zhuge Liang.

”How can I concentrate when my heart is preoccupied?” admitted Zhuge Liang calmly, not denying Lub Su’s assessment.

”Hahaha, just wait, Anguo is on his way, there will surely be no concerns. However, with this, the Lord will be left without a guard,” said Lub Su with a laugh, trying to comfort him, but then speaking with slight worry.

”You shouldn’t underestimate the city management teams too much. These soldiers are all battle-hardened elites, each having experienced at least fifteen battles, and now they are all equipped with great shields, plate armor, and heavy crossbows that were nurtured to perfection, along with handy close-combat weapons,” said Mann Chong disapprovingly. He had more faith in the city management troops than in the Tiger Guard; these men were all fierce soldiers who came from the battlefield and possessed a military spirit.

”Right, ours is the only team that has a military spirit,” Lub Su looked up and asked, ”How did this military spirit come about?”

”I don’t know; it just appeared out of nowhere. I don’t understand why we have a military spirit; it just suddenly emerged, and I never trained for it. It’s a pity we can’t move beyond this range; otherwise, I would definitely take them out to teach Lyu Bu a lesson,” said Mann Chong with an air of arrogance. He wasn’t merely a strategist; he was the kind of commander-in-chief who could lead troops. Though his martial force wasn’t high, his leadership was certainly sufficient.

A military spirit is essentially a sublimation of will, and the aura enveloping Fenggao City was actually the effect of Liu Bei’s innate talent, a recognition of Liu Bei and Mount Tai by his subordinates. When such recognition evolved into an ardent will, and when this will mingled with glory and sacrifice, it essentially became a military spirit.

However, this mysteriously emerged military spirit, half originated from the fervent recognition of the Government of Mount Tai, led by Liu Bei and Chen Xi, and the other half came from the ever-lasting incense at Jingling Palace, which represented the deceased and the sacrifices made. This was also why this troop with formidable combat capabilities could not march into battle; their souls resided here.

Liu Bei and Chen Xi did not understand the reason behind this; they still strove towards the oaths they once pledged. What they didn’t realize was that as they exerted more effort, a growing number of citizens recognized the Government of Mount Tai, and this recognition, through their efforts, education, propaganda, and sacrificial rites, amalgamated together. They were molding souls, shaping the spirit of a nation!

(To be continued. If you enjoy this work, welcome to Qidian ) to vote for recommendation tickets and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)