Mythical Three Kingdoms

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After returning to the camp, Chen Xi’s mood was quite sour. True, he hadn’t had the purest of intentions when he sent that letter to Lyu Bu, but overall, he hadn’t meant to harm Lyu Bu. It was more an opportunistic move.

On the other hand, who would remember such a petty, opportunistic act? Of course, Chen Xi admitted that his actions had a significant impact on Lyu Bu, but that had nothing to do with him, right? Lyu Bu’s downfall was due to his own inner weaknesses; how could that be related to Chen Xi in the slightest?

”It’s a pity, Zichuan, if you had guessed what Lyu Bu was up to just one quarter hour earlier, we would have already absorbed him by now,” Guo Jia also felt conflicted. Looking back calmly and thinking it over, they had missed a golden opportunity. Had they understood Lyu Bu’s intentions then, he would now be on their side, with a fair chance of controlling him.

”Easy for you to say,” Chen Xi retorted half-heartedly. ”Who could have predicted that such a minor incident would lead to this outcome? It was completely unforeseen. But at least it turned out relatively well.”

”That’s true. If it weren’t for Zhang Wenyuan’s loud shout earlier, we’d probably be facing Lyu Fengxian and Yuan Benchu now. In this light, the outcome wasn’t too bad. But why do I still feel frustrated?” Guo Jia grimaced. ”The duck that was already in hand flew away. Ah, it’s truly a tragedy!”

”Enough, stop making a fuss. This is already a good outcome. Without today’s development, we would have inevitably clashed with Lyu Bu sooner or later. Now, at least, we can save some effort. If we’re frustrated, let’s go fight Yuan Shao. He’s the real enemy,” Chen Xi said irritably.

Guo Jia wasn’t the only one frustrated – so was Chen Xi. It was so close. If only he had realized sooner, he could have tricked Lyu Bu into joining them. No matter the method used afterward, as long as Lyu Bu could let go of his inner demons and return to Bingzhou, even if he found out Chen Xi had deceived him, he wouldn’t hold a grudge.

”Is this what you call displacing anger?” Guo Jia teased with a cheeky smile.

”This is called strategy, understand?” Chen Xi said sternly. ”Attack Tian Feng’s stronghold, create an opportunity for Lyu Bu to get lost, and see if he has the guts to return to Bingzhou!”

”He will surely go back,” Zhao Yun interjected confidently. ”At his level, once he’s made up his mind, there’s no turning back.”

”Bingzhou, eh? That’s not easy to fight,” Chen Xi mused. ”If he truly goes back to Bingzhou and wins back his hometown, I’d let bygones be bygones. When I meet him, I’ll salute him first.”

”That place is tough to conquer,” Guo Jia remarked, pulling a face. Unlike the trifling Northern Frontier Youyan, that area is considered one of the most fertile lands – the Hetao Plain. Through the ages, that land has been fought over countless times: Wuyuan, Dingxiang, Yunzhong, Shuofang. The Hetao Region’s location is precisely why the Han Dynasty fell whenever it became weak!

It is comparable to a grain-producing area, where the Han Dynasty and the Hu People have clashed innumerable times, each scrambling for control over the Hetao Region at any opportunity. It can be said that the strongest forces of the Huns and the Xianbei were stationed right there.

”Difficult to conquer? To be honest, whether it’s us or Yuan Benchu, as long as we secure the Central Plains, we would definitely try to reclaim that land. It’s just that Yuan Benchu currently has no interest in reaching out for that place. He has enough food and territory, and there’s no need to exhaust his strength against the Hu People. Or perhaps he doesn’t want to weaken his forces in a northern campaign against the Hu People, and give us an opportunity,” Chen Xi said with a cold laugh.

To tell the truth, if Yuan Shao really went to fight for the Hetao Region, Chen Xi would waste no time turning around to attack Yuzhou, supporting anything Yuan Shao lacked in his northern campaign without disturbing Yuan Shao’s domains. It’s a pity that Yuan Shao adamantly maintained the Yanmen line and wouldn’t move north, merely eradicating Hu People in the area. Both the Huns and the Xianbei probably understood Yuan Shao’s intentions, which is why they kept to that line, not daring to provoke Yuan Shao carelessly.

”His approach isn’t wrong. After all, for him, containing our development is the optimal strategy, and the Hu People are just a minor nuisance,” Guo Jia nodded in agreement.

Chen Xi remained indifferent to Guo Jia’s contempt for the Hu People. Indeed, there are nearly ten million Hu People on the steppes, but in reality, any feudal lord from the northern regions could send the Hu People running scared, including the likes of Li Jue, who now resided in Sili, with their hands drenched in the blood of the Hu People.

”Let’s set aside these issues for now. We need to go and create an opportunity for him to return to Bingzhou. Once he’s there, how he develops will be up to him,” Chen Xi stood up and said.

”Whether it’s out of anger, strategy, or necessity, fighting Yuan Shao is essential. Since that’s the case, let’s hit him hard. Delaying our plans might lead to unexpected changes. Let’s launch a direct attack. With our superiority in forces and generals, if we still lose after striking first, we might as well not show our faces again!” Guo Jia said calmly, signaling that Lyu Bu’s matter was temporarily closed, and Yuan Shao was the true enemy.

”Right, a direct attack, to avoid any complications,” Chen Xi said with a cold laugh. ”Where is Guan Yu!”

”Your subordinate is here!” Guan Yu immediately stood up and responded.

”Lead two thousand cavalry and three thousand infantry. Once Tian Feng’s stronghold breaks open, charge straight for the command banner and cut it down,” Chen Xi stood up and ordered.

”Yes!” Guan Yu answered.

”Where is Zhao Yun!”

”Your subordinate is here,” replied Zhao Yun calmly.

”Lead the White Horse Righteous Followers to circle the camp and shoot arrows, cut off the enemy reinforcements from the left and right camps, and ward off any stealth attacks!” Chen Xi handed out another Sword Command.

”Yes,” Zhao Yun responded.

”Xuu Chu, you shall lead the Tiger Guard Imperial Guard with the stalwarts. Use the large iron spikes to break through the camp’s defenses!” commanded Chen Xi.

”Yes,” Xuu Chu stood up and responded.

”Chen Chi, you will lead the infantry in a frontal assault. No need for each wave to be overly fierce, just make it relentless like the tide, exhausting the enemy! Make sure to have the Heavy Crossbow Carts properly equipped!” Chen Xi cautioned Chen Chi, ”Fengxiao and I will accompany you.”

”Yes!” Chen Chi stood up and saluted.

”What if someone attacks our rear while we’re all out?” Guo Jia frowned and asked.

”After the battle, head straight to New Linyi City! We will base ourselves on the foundation there. Now that Lyu Bu is about to leave, there’s no need for us to hide anymore. If Yuan Shao disagrees, then let him come and fight for it. Linyi itself is a bridgehead. If we fight there, it will also help stabilize our rear,” Chen Xi replied with a cold smile.

”In that case, this approach will work. A direct move might also speed things up. As for Yanzhou, it looks like we won’t be resting this winter with Yuan Benchu,” Guo Jia nodded and then sighed heavily, remembering the mess Lyu Bu had left behind.

The control of Yanzhou must still be decided by battle, even if Lyu Bu claims to have given it to Liu Bei. Yuan Shao’s territory in Bingzhou and Yanzhou are thoroughly adjacent; Liu Bei, even if he legally accepts it, will at most control only half. (Here’s your chance to grab a cool smartphone! Follow the Qidian Chinese Network official account—add a new WeChat friend, search for qdread, and join right away! There are prizes for everyone, so follow the qdread WeChat official account now!) (To be continued. If you like this work, feel free to cast your recommendation votes and monthly tickets at Qidian ). Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to continue reading.)