Mythical Three Kingdoms

”It is not that it was so at that time, nor is it so even now,” Jia Xu deliberated for a moment before speaking. Originally, Jia Xu and the others only thought that Yuzhou couldn’t be moved and certainly could not be set ablaze. After much consideration, they ultimately decided to leave behind some strategies for Yuzhou so that the next battle wouldn’t be as troublesome as the first one.

Over time, as their thoughts became more meticulous, they evolved into the current situation where the next step was to split Yuan Shu into three parts.

”A middle-road cut off, a closed door to strike the dog—a indeed good plan,” Mann Chong remarked, nodding. His military strategy was not lacking either, though he had a stronger focus on laws and regulations.

”However, this move has made me see other elements hidden within Xu You’s previous strategy. I fear that the opponent also had intentions of taking down Fenggao and dividing Yanzhou, Qingzhou, and Xuzhou into three major blocks,” Xun Yue pondered before speaking. Sometimes, a single strategy could extend into many aspects.

”To truly put us at a disadvantage, they would have to take over Mount Tai completely. Unfortunately, Mount Tai is the core of our defense. Of course, Runan was once the defensive heart of Yuan Shu, but it’s a pity Yuan Shu gave it up himself, exposing his weakness,” Li You commented with a sneer. When Yuan Shu relocated his base of operations, he never considered that Shouchun was not at all in the center of his territory!

”It is likely that Xu You had such thoughts in mind, but with regard to this matter, he was probably just considering it, unlike us who have made many preparations, just waiting for one decisive strike,” Jia Xu shook his head.

There’s no denying the possibility that Xu You did have such thoughts, but given the strength of Mount Tai’s defenses, Yuan Shao hardly had any chance of taking it by force. How could a sage who plots against others not make extra preparations on their own side? Losing due to one’s own scheme would be a great embarrassment.

”Next, which of you two will lead the team to Xuzhou?” Jia Xu glanced at Li You and Mann Chong and inquired.

”Wen Ru will go. I will hand over my city management troops to him, retaining only the regular garrison soldiers,” Mann Chong said with a stern expression.

”I will calculate the timings properly and return on schedule. As for the city management troops, I only need to take two thousand with me. It is essential to keep at least a thousand to guard the residence of the civil and military officials. In case of any issue, they will certainly be targets,” Li You accepted Mann Chong’s suggestion calmly.

”Strengthen the city’s defenses. The reliability of the aristocratic families is not guaranteed. Yuan Shu of Yuzhou’s cry for support probably means trouble for many aristocratic families, so please be considerate of the stance of the aristocratic families,” Jia Xu said without so much as glancing at Xun Yue, showing no concern for feelings.

”Relocate the families of officials living on the peripherals into the core area. Inform Hanmou to return to Fenggao, and halt any field research for now. Physician Hua should also be called back to the core of the city. For the time being, don’t let him go out. Grand Craftsmen and above should also be moved into the city. Begin enforcing a curfew; the time will be advanced to the third quarter of Shen Hour,” Li You added his directives.

”Agreed,” Xun Yue said, expressing his assent despite his dissatisfaction with the attitude of Jia Xu and Li You.

”Seconded,” Mann Chong stated, raising his hand.

”Whether it is in three days or five, a battle is inevitable,” Jia Xu said with a sardonic smile. Although somewhat urgent, there was no denying that it was good news.

Three days later, the aristocratic families, more or less, had obtained information about Xuzhou. Without Jia Xu deliberately blocking it, the details from Xuzhou that the aristocratic families received became increasingly accurate. Some families, thanks to their connections with the Yuzhou Aristocratic Family, had even obtained the number of troops Yuan Shu had dispatched—eighty thousand!

Such an enormous force, especially while Liu Bei’s Army was engaged in battle with Yuan Shao, was noteworthy. Even though Chen Xi had thwarted Xu You’s large forces, Xu You’s presence led to the diversion of the already limited troops from Mount Tai.

Now that Yuan Shu had dispatched his troops after Liu Bei’s Army had marched into Yanzhou, the formerly strong Xuzhou, which had been weakened by the struggle for Yanzhou, was now facing what could be called an overwhelming force anywhere.

In an instant, the situation changed dramatically, and all the previously devised plans seemed to become worthless like a piece of scrap paper. Many aristocratic families, who had surrendered to Liu Bei’s military strength, saw another chance. The appearance was that Liu Xuande’s forces were stretched thin.

Several families were pondering whether or not to strike him at the heart and deliver a fatal blow to Liu Bei. This was the issue they considered after Li Youu led his troops to rescue Xuzhou. Whether to strike and how to make sure Liu Bei remained in their grasp—these were the questions.

Amidst a series of such questions, the families gathered once again. Unlike before, this meeting was virtually equivalent to a council of the heads of the families.

Regrettably, even before the meeting could commence, the rebellion had already begun. The heads of the arriving families were taken aback upon hearing the clamor of combat outside, realizing they had been outmaneuvered.

”Wang Yu, you deserve to die!” Bai Ying furiously addressed Wang Yu, who sat at the head of the table, realizing that the very convening of this meeting was ill-intentioned.

”Heh, why must you be so?” Wang Yu replied calmly, evidently unaffected by Bai Ying’s chastisement.

”You’re trying to ensnare all our families in a net trap!” Fang Chen also came to his senses and shouted angrily.

”Had you not been so indecisive, I would not have resorted to such measures. We, as families of distinction, should rightfully stand atop the jade steps and look down upon the mortal world. Yet you bowed to Liu Bei’s tyranny for mere trifles, completely disgracing our families,” Wang Yu thundered at the people before him.

”I’ll fight you to the death!” Cheng Hui bellowed. He drew his sword and lunged, only to be met by a man stepping forward from behind Wang Yu. A flash of steel, and with a clang, Cheng Hui’s sword was cleaved in half, and soon his head fell to the ground, his blood spattering the floor, throwing the other heads of the families into disarray.

”Are you Yuan Shao’s man?” Chen Shang took a deep breath and stepped forward.

”Yuan Benchu is also of the aristocratic class, as am I, so why bother with whose man I am. Master Chen, please wait. After tonight, you will naturally be allowed to leave,” Wang Yu said, glancing at Chen Shang.

”Those among you who have sided with Yuan Benchu, stand out now. There’s no need to hide any longer. We are all essentially your hostages,” Chen Shang said, turning to look at the people behind him.

Soon, seven or eight family heads stepped forward, paid their respects to Chen Shang, and then moved to stand beside Wang Yu.

”Very well, very well, truly impressive,” Chen Shang said coldly as he scanned the few family heads who had previously been the main advocates for negotiating with Liu Bei.

”The will of the people, that’s all,” said the silent man who had been watching everything. He glanced at Chen Shang as he spoke.

”Is this so-called will of the people why you need to forcibly enlist our families’ private troops like this?” Chen Shang sneered, unfazed about his own safety. He had learned of Chen Xi’s importance through various channels, and that knowledge served as an amulet for him. (To be continued. If you like this work, please come to Qidian (qidian.com) to cast your recommendation votes and monthly votes. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please read on m.qidian.com.)