Mythical Three Kingdoms

The rebellion of the aristocratic families, which was originally unpredictable as to when it could occur, finally found its opportunity thanks to the crafting and waiting of Jia Xu and others. Yuan Benchu’s side unexpectedly ignited this conflict now instead of during the predicted great battle between the two sides.

”Go inform Mann Boning,” Jia Xu ordered as he walked out of the Political Office. He instructed the Tiger Guard to secure the entire Political Office and sent a messenger to notify Mann Chong.

”The timing is even better than we thought,” Lub Su said with a look of surprise on his face.

”The thing we feared most didn’t happen; this is indeed good news,” Jia Xu also said with a sigh. They had originally been prepared for Yuan Shao to activate this move after the great battle between Yuan Liu had truly begun. This early activation was simply better than they could have ever hoped for.

”Their standpoint is different from ours; the designer’s calculations are aimed not just at us, but also at this location,” Li Ru said, pointing at a spot on the map, as a smile spread across the faces of the other two.

”The Yuan Family really is like mud that cannot support a wall; I don’t believe the Strategists under Yuan Shao’s command would act against the Yuan Family’s main branch without his hint. Indeed, the previously weak Yuan Shao can no longer contain his desires after becoming powerful,” Jia Xu said with a coldness on his face.

In the past, Jia Xu had a favorable view of Yuan Shao and thought that even if the latter was doomed to fail, Yuan Shao would fall like a hero. However, with each dispatch of intelligence received, he completely let go of the last bit of respect he had for the increasingly mediocre Yuan Shao.

[Fengxiao, have you truly surpassed human limits in understanding the human heart, understanding Yuan Shao’s nature the moment he acquired Jizhou?] Jia Xu thought silently to himself.

Jia Xu didn’t hold much awe for Guo Jia, and other than Guo Jia’s grasp of human nature, nothing else seemed particularly outstanding to Jia Xu. In fact, he could easily avoid every one of Guo Jia’s schemes, as they were all aimed at human nature.

Now that he was witnessing Yuan Shao’s progressive decline, Jia Xu could not help but let out a long sigh; he had underestimated Guo Jia in the past. Such mastery over the human heart might be something even he couldn’t evade.

”Not necessarily, Yuan Shao hasn’t fallen that far yet,” Li Youu shook his head, recalling vividly the incident in Chang’an, when Yuan Benchu was the only one to draw his sword against Dong Zhuo. All other warlords paled in comparison at that moment, and Yuan Shao’s conduct since then has truly been fitting of a Mighty Lord.

”Perhaps he wants to use this opportunity to compel the Yuan Family, drawing them into the war against our army, thus forcing them into a position where they have no choice but to fight together with all their might,” Lub Su also spoke well of Yuan Shao. In his view, Yuan Shao and Liu Bei’s ideals might differ, but both were worthy of the title of hero.

Jia Xu glanced indifferently at the two men without further explanation. What kind of person Yuan Shao really was would become clear as events unfolded; there was no need for this discussion now. With the support of the Yuan Family and the possibility of taking over the entire Yuan Family, Yuan Shao must feel powerful enough to push against the world.

[When the momentum is adverse, it serves as an example to the world; when it prospers, all troubles come to an end—these words hold true. Yuan Benchu’s current behavior has begun to significantly differ from his past, and his pride may well lead him into a desperate situation.] Jia Xu spoke dispassionately of the current situation to Li Youu and others, but his thoughts had completely drifted away.

”If there is a rebellion by the aristocratic families this time, I will handle it myself,” Li Youu said calmly. ”Currently, the roots of the Families of Qingzhou are mostly in Fenggao, and this location is also the core of our army. If we can take it, it would also be a morale boost, so if they are not foolish, attacking Fenggao is the optimal choice.”

”Retain only a three-thousand-strong city management force, evacuate Fenggao, as for Zichuan at the time of Fenggao’s construction, one street had been specially fortified, and now those reinforcements have hindered Fenggao’s development. It’s mostly the aristocratic families’ storefronts on South Street; if I’m not wrong, should a conflict really break out, it would start here.” Lub Su, having been dealing with official affairs, was very clear about the entire layout of Fenggao.

”Three thousand is enough. Although urban combat will weaken the combat power of our troops, our advantage over the enemy is quite apparent,” Li Youu said calmly. Having truly seen brave elite soldiers, he understood what the three thousand men in Fenggao meant.

”Then there’s the final question, how should this matter be handled?” Lub Su looked at Li Youu and asked.

”Separate, compensate, reestablish the main family.” Li Youu did not speak; this time, it was Jia Xu who took over the conversation and answered for Li Youu.

”Not exterminate the clan?” Lub Su glazed at Jia Xu and then turned his head to look at Li Youu, staring intently at him. As the executor of this task, Li Youu’s agreement was essential.

”Not exterminate the clan,” Li Youu stated evenly and, seeing Lub Su still looking at him, he sighed deeply, ”Zijing, although I sometimes may be a bit too ruthless, I am not one to fail to distinguish right from wrong. I still know how to act in a way that benefits our lord.”

”Then I’ll leave it to you,” Lub Su said quietly, withdrawing his gaze without continuing to stare at Li Youu.

”Prepare to inform Chen Yuanlong that he must be aware of the situation in Jizhou and ready himself for the impact of the Xuzhou aristocratic families and the invasion of the Yuan Family from Yuzhou,” Li Youu said slowly after Lub Su withdrew his gaze.

”Chen Yuanlong...” Lub Su frowned, ”Can we trust this person? If there’s still doubt, I recommend Mann Boning. I felt the strategy proposed by Fa Xiaozhi at the beginning was too risky, can we really trust him?”

”We can trust him,” Li Youu said tersely.

”At this time, Boning’s presence in Xuzhou is too conspicuous, and if someone with intentions notices him, it will inevitably cause trouble,” Jia Xu explained, ”Besides, Chen Yuanlong is not ambitious about the world; everything he plans is for the sake of his family. This is his Achilles’ heel. With the Chen Family currently prospering, and him serving as the Assistant Officer of Xuzhou and Xiapi Prefect, an invasion from the Yuan Family offers him no benefits.”

”In that case... let’s go with that,” Lub Su hesitated but eventually nodded, accepting Jia Xu’s explanation.

In fact, Lub Su also knew that Mann Chong couldn’t leave Mount Tai right now, especially since the ideal time for the publication of Chong’s code of law coincided with Li Youu’s campaign to annihilate all aristocratic families. The code developed by Mann Chong comprised many ideas and theories, incorporating customary law and case law among many other incomplete thoughts summarized by Chen Xi.

When Xun Yue received the code from Mann Chong, he was utterly astonished. He had always regarded Mann Chong as nothing more than a cruel official, but after getting his hands on that code, Xun Yue never underestimated him again. In his view, Mann Chong was simply a genius with peculiar habits. (To be continued. If you like this work, we welcome you to come to Qidian ) to cast your recommendation votes and monthly votes. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)