Mythical Three Kingdoms

Jia Xu’s reasoning was not particularly sufficient, but Lub Su and Guo Jia understood after Jia Xu’s explanation that the current situation requires them to maintain a halo of loyalty to the Han Dynasty. Although Liu Bei is indeed loyal to the Han Dynasty, unfortunately, this Han Dynasty is not the Emperor!

At least, now is not the time to attract the Emperor’s attention. This is a consensus among Guo Jia, Jia Xu, and others. As for later, when Cao Cao’s ideas clash with the Emperor’s, there will be more room for maneuvering.

Shenn Sheng’s demise was set a long time ago, at least for now, no one will deviate from it because it concerns the interests of everyone. In the future, it will represent orthodoxy and righteousness, and in more realistic terms, it will allow Liu Bei to act reasonably and legally.

”Prepare yourselves, as the decisive battle can start at any moment. By the way, this is the best opportunity to disrupt Zhou Yu and Cao Cao’s rhythm,” Jia Xu said. As for why he didn’t mention Sun Ce, it was clear to everyone that all of Sun Ce’s strategic decisions originated from Zhou Yu.

Lub Su and Guo Jia exchanged a glance and nodded, able to distinguish between what is important and what is not. If they can eliminate Yuan Shao, their greatest enemy, a step sooner, unifying the realm will come a step sooner, and the revival of the Han Dynasty will also start earlier on the right path. This has always been their goal.

”I’ll personally inform Wen Ru on that side. Wen He, you keep an eye on Yuan Shao. Fengxiao, control the situation on both sides. Remember to stop when it reaches the critical point,” Lub Su said after glancing at both of them.

The next day, Liu Bei’s army launched a major offensive against Yuan Shao’s army. The battle raged from the Chen Hour to the Shen Hour, resulting in mutual damage. Even Guan Yu, leading the School Sabre Bearer in a charge, was shot in the left arm. His opponent Yann Liang also suffered multiple arrow wounds, and after a fierce battle, Yuan Shao retreated ten miles.

Despite such a brutal battle, both sides suffered significant losses. In fact, Liu Bei’s army, which directly attacked Yuan Shao’s camp, suffered greater losses, yet it was Yuan Shao’s army that retreated, not Liu Bei’s more heavily damaged forces.

The root cause can only be attributed to Liu Bei’s army beginning to suppress Yuan Shao’s army in terms of morale, making it difficult for Yuan Shao’s army to notice Liu Bei’s army’s actual battle damage.

”We can’t keep fighting like this!” Tian Feng threw the battle damage statistics directly onto Sheni Pei’s desk. ”Today, over two thousand of our soldiers died in combat, and seven thousand are injured. These are all severely wounded soldiers who cannot fight again soon. If we continue like this, we’ll eventually have no soldiers left to fight!”

”Liu Bei’s side established their medical support system too early and too comprehensively—we find it hard to catch up,” Xuu You said with a bitter smile. Up to now, he had used all his tactics: night raids, harassment, wearing out the enemy, dividing forces, but the opponents led by Guo Jia countered every move and pressed him firmly.

”Gong Yu, do you have any suggestions?” Tian Feng asked Ju Shou.

”The internal line report says Liu Bei’s army is ready for the decisive battle,” Ju Shou said after a moment of silence.

”What a joke. The situation is unclear. Do they think they can defeat us on the battlefield?” There was a moment of silence in the tent, followed by loud reprimands.

”According to the information from my internal line, the enemy’s Vice Army has already reached Jizhou’s Wei Commandery!” Ju Shou said with a frown.

”A surprise attack on Ye City?” Sheni Pei was startled, then said with confusion, ”But Youruo’s letter says that Chen Xi and Liu Ye have been drawn to hold ground at the Puyang front, and the situation has shifted from strategic contraction to a strategic stalemate.”

”I think we all forgot about someone. Liu Bei not only has these five civil officials we’ve seen, but he also has an excellent minister, bedridden at Mount Tai,” Xuu You tapped the table and said.

”Then in that case, who would he entrust his southern line to defend?” Tian Feng asked with a frown. ”Although Fa Zheng is young, given the intelligence we’ve gathered, it appears he was the top decision-maker in pacifying North Huai River and battling Xuzhou, and successfully eliminating the threat from Liu Bei’s south!”

”Having him guard North Huai River, overseeing Xuzhou and Yuzhou, and putting pressure on South Huai River is the most correct choice. Moreover, he’s proven his genius on the battlefield and possesses the qualifications and ability to command all soldiers on the North Huai River front,” said Fengg Ji, though not on good terms with Tian Feng, he agreed with the correct theory, at least for now, party strife was not yet a concern.

”Indeed, restraining South Huai River is vital for Liu Bei. Only in this way can he avoid fighting on two fronts, north and south, and splitting his focus. Therefore, it would be foolish for Liu Bei not to leave someone with sufficient ability and qualifications there, and Fa Zheng and Zhang Fei are the most suitable candidates,” Guo Tu chimed in at this time.

”No, I don’t think so. Logically, the North Huai River line should be entrusted to Zhang Fei and Fa Zheng, one civil and one military, but Liu Bei’s deployment from Yuzhou made me see something different,” Ju Shou suddenly spoke up at this time.

”Are you saying the North Huai River line is given to that barely grown Zhuge Liang? How can that be possible? Even if he had the ability, he wouldn’t be able to control Liu Bei’s third brother. It’s no longer just a matter of ability—there are barely enough people under Liu Bei to command such figures!” Fengg Ji exclaimed in disbelief.

”No, it’s very likely. Yuantu, you’re thinking wrong—young does not necessarily imply lack of ability. This may be problematic elsewhere, but it’s perfectly normal in Mount Tai. Chen Xi was just eighteen when he defeated the Yellow Turbans, Fa Zheng wasn’t yet twenty when he pacified North Huai River and defeated the Yuzhou army. Adding one more Zhuge Kongming wouldn’t be unreasonable!” Sheni Pei said silently, ”Truly, the form of a Heaven-Man!”

”Similarly, it may not necessarily require Zhang Fei to guard North Huai River. Taishi Ci is also a very suitable candidate, and compared to Zhang Fei’s status that makes it difficult to command, Taishi Ci does not have this problem,” Ju Shou said solemnly, ”So now it’s very likely that Fa Zheng and Zhang Fei are the ones raiding Wei Commandery!”

”This isn’t a particularly serious matter,” said Dong Zhao quietly. ”General Jiangh is reliable and steady, and even if Fa Zheng comes up with countless clever schemes, he cannot cause any impact on Ye City. The number of troops in a surprise attack was already decided—they can’t capture Ye City through force, only through stealth!”

”As it is, the grain route of Ye City will encounter problems. Similarly, issues have arisen by Qinghe as well. Zuozhi and Wenbo are no match for Xu Shu and Wei Yan on the opposing side. Yet the grain transshipment by Qinghe, being in the hands of aristocratic families, doesn’t suffer losses. It’s just that with Xu Shu and Wei Yan…” At this moment, Tian Feng suddenly felt a deepening sense of foreboding. The top echelons of Liu Bei’s army are indeed too young compared to theirs! (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets on Qidian.com. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please read at m.qidian.com.)