Mythical Three Kingdoms

In truth, Chen Xi had long noticed this issue. Sometimes, due to his own intellect, he couldn’t determine the actual situation, but because of his grasp of others’ temperament and abilities rooted in history, he would form vague conjectures. Yet, these conjectures often lacked a rigorous basis.

This kind of situation was truly troubling. After knowing the result, simply deducing the process could sometimes prove impossible because of its complexity. Even if Chen Xi explained it, he might not be able to convince anyone else.

However, later, Chen Xi stumbled upon a realization: just because he couldn’t deduce something from the result didn’t mean others couldn’t. For individuals like Jia Xu, only a slight hint was needed for them to analyze and make sense of the situation, naturally filling in the gaps of reasoning.

Moreover, with Chen Xi’s consistently fearsome reputation for extraordinary capabilities, any suggestive statements he casually made would instinctively compel others to reflect on them.

”Be careful when the time comes.” Chen Xi waved his hand casually and said nothing further. For these people, as long as they were prepared, it would not be easy to bring them down with any schemes. They might not win, but holding their ground wasn’t difficult at all.

Liu Ye tilted his head, watching Chen Xi’s departing figure. In the end, he didn’t speak, silently contemplating how he should confront Xun Shen, who might already be lying in wait for him across the river. Truth be told, if not for Chen Xi’s ambiguous warning, Liu Ye wouldn’t have considered the possibility that Xun Shen was already on the other side.

[It’s likely that Yuan Shao and Cao Cao have reached some sort of agreement; otherwise, Xun Shen wouldn’t have returned so swiftly.] Based on the danger across the river, Liu Ye inferred Xun Shen’s presence and subsequently pieced together the dynamics between Yuan and Cao.

[No, it’s more likely that there’s an understanding between Xun Shen and Xun Yu. That would explain why Xun Shen passed through Hangu Pass.] Liu Ye mulled over it silently. From just Chen Xi’s vague hint, he instantly deduced numerous interconnected details.

[However, if this were merely cooperation between Xun Shen and Xun Yu, given Cao Cao’s paranoia, leaving this unacted upon would become a thorn in his heart. Likewise, if Xun Shen is this meticulous, it’s unthinkable that he acted without Yuan Shao’s directive.] Liu Ye began to systematically organize the relationships.

[So, this suggests that Xun Shen acted under Yuan Shao’s orders, while Xun Yu is likely operating on Cao Cao’s behalf.] Liu Ye thought with some headache. There weren’t many people he truly feared, but both Cao Cao and Xun Yu undeniably made the list.

[That said, Cao Cao has plenty of things to deal with at the moment, like the internal issues concerning Ma Teng and Han Sui. Although those two lack strategic brilliance, their strength is not to be underestimated. While Cao Cao’s civil officials and military generals are exceedingly capable, his soldiers fall short compared to Li Jue’s forces from before. Dealing with Ma Teng will still take some time.] With this realization, Liu Ye felt somewhat relieved.

[As for Hanzhong…] Liu Ye pressed his temples as he pondered with a slight headache.

Previously, Liu Zhang deployed forces along two routes. The Eastern Route Army, led by Yan Yan with 30,000 soldiers, departed from Jiangzhou, circumvented Jingzhou, and attacked Shangyong. In the end, everyone became aware, and Sun Ce intercepted them. It could be considered a loss in troops and resources, although they did manage to secure territory west of Yiling, making it not a total failure.

Of course, if one considered Zheng Du being captured and the subsequent defection of Liu Ba’s forces, who marched northward to Sili, the losses were substantial. Yet Zhang Song’s trickery, combined with real territorial expansion of a hundred li, lent credibility to the achievements.

Liu Zhang, though regretful about the loss of Zheng Du, did not punish Zhang Song or Yan Yan. Instead, he arranged for Zheng Du’s family to be treated kindly and dispatched envoys to Jingzhou in an attempt to negotiate Zheng Du’s return with Sun Ce. From this perspective, Liu Zhang, though soft, exhibited benevolence.

As for Liu Ba, Liu Zhang didn’t hold a profound impression of him. Although Liu Ba had arrived over a year ago and indeed demonstrated ability, Liu Zhang didn’t feel he was irreplaceable.

After all, Liu Ba had initially fled from Jingzhou and taken refuge here. Now that he had left, Liu Zhang didn’t have much to say, at most lamenting the fickle nature of people.

Thus, Liu Zhang had no intention of recalling the Western Route Army. Zhang Ren, Wu Yi, and Meng Da each showcased their talents, first taking Mianyang and then launching a campaign against Nanzheng with great momentum. If they could seize Nanzheng in one decisive move, Liu Zhang stood a significant chance of claiming the entirety of Yizhou.

[Under such circumstances, it’s inevitable that Zhang Lu and his forces would seek assistance from Yongliang. Although Li Jue and the others are no longer in the equation, there’s still Cao Cao and Ma Teng. Compared to the Central Plains battle involving us and Yuan Shao, Cao Cao would undoubtedly see the strategic importance of Hanzhong, and Han Sui would surely suggest that Ma Teng deploy troops to Hanzhong as well.]

Liu Ye’s thoughts wandered further and further, eventually elevating to a consideration of the entire realm’s situation as he began pondering his next moves.

[If things proceed as expected, Hanzhong’s plea for aid will almost certainly spark conflict between Ma Teng and Cao Cao. With that, I can be at ease.] Liu Ye cast a casual glance at the opposite side of the Yellow River, then turned and left, finding that Chen Xi was nowhere to be found.

Just as Chen Xi had sensed, and as Liu Ye had speculated, Xun Shen had indeed already returned to Puyang in Yanzhou. However, he remained in secret, waiting for the vice army of Liu Bei to cross the river so he could deliver a fatal strike.

”Advisor, why do you look so troubled?” Guo Yuan inquired.

”Cao Mengde has grown too powerful,” Xun Shen sighed. Having seen Xun Yu’s carriage at Hangu Pass, he realized he was already under Cao Cao’s scrutiny. Though anticipated, the actual encounter left him unsettled—Cao Cao’s power was surging at an alarming rate.

”Is it not a good thing for the Minister of Works to grow strong? He’s been a close friend of our lord since childhood and has long been an ally,” Guo Yuan asked naively.

Though Guo Yuan wasn’t unintelligent, Zhong Yao had only ever taught him battlefield strategies—not politics. With Zhong Yao’s wisdom, it was clear that Guo Yuan had no aptitude for politics. In contrast, focusing on military strategy gave him at least some potential for success.

”It is good, but being too strong is not,” Xun Shen sighed, recalling his earlier encounter with Xun Yu at Hangu Pass. In an unguarded moment, he realized he could no longer gauge Xun Yu’s thoughts.

”Never mind. Just focus on defending the riverbanks. I will handle the rest,” Xun Shen said, shaking his head without elaborating further. The question Xun Yu had asked him at Hangu Pass still lingered in his mind.

”Is Yuan Benchu truly the wise lord you deem most fit?”

After Guo Yuan left, Xun Shen muttered Xun Yu’s plainly spoken question to himself, but his heart surged in turmoil!

”It matters not whether he is or isn’t. How could I, Xun Shen, waver because of you?” Xun Shen steadied himself, inhaled deeply, and quelled his thoughts. Certain matters, once unraveled, could never be put back together. (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please visit Qidian [qidian.com] to cast your recommendation votes or monthly votes. Your support is my greatest motivation. For mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)