Mythical Three Kingdoms

Chen Xi did not dwell too deeply on Jia Xu’s question. Perhaps Jia Xu had entered a state of excitement, or perhaps he had gotten himself into trouble again and wanted to throw the blame out before anyone found out. Who knows?

After all, these matters were not important. The crucial point was that Chen Xi had confirmed Li Youu’s assessment, and Liu Ye had arrived at the same conclusion—Yuan Shao planned to drag things out. In fact, it could be said Yuan Shao intended to ride out this crisis. There’s a high likelihood he’d adopt the strategy of the Zhao State from the past—prolonging food supplies. But compared to Zhao, Yuan Shao’s advantages are even more pronounced; his stockpiles of food can sustain the delay.

To be honest, this was the situation Liu Bei was most unwilling to face, which was precisely why the notion of mediation existed!

If the conflict truly reached that point, imperial mediation would actually become the most beneficial strategy for Liu Bei, allowing him to bypass all troubles. Jizhou, the leader among the Nine Provinces, had the greatest advantage of having money, food, horses, and people!

Even if he couldn’t win on the battlefield, Yuan Shao could stall. To be honest, if Yuan Shao fully consolidated his defenses—constructing beacon towers, trenches, camps, and even something akin to the Warring States’ internal Great Wall—it would be exceptionally difficult for Liu Bei to defeat him. Yuan Shao’s methodically comprehensive defensive stance essentially amounted to shamelessness.

However, anyone must admit that in situations where there are no viable plans, shamelessness that leads to victory would be a course Yuan Shao would pursue without hesitation. Given his boldness, not even a twitch of his brow would reveal weakness. Currently, Yuan Shao’s audacity must be acknowledged—his title as a role model under heaven is no mockery but a statement of fact!

This is precisely why Liu Ye, upon leaving Guanzhong, crafted a strategy for Liu Xie to display the brilliance of the Emperor and the authority of the Han Dynasty. The imperial mediation was not just about appearances; its more significant role was as an insurance policy!

After all, Liu Bei had not adequately prepared for this battle. If the warfare dragged on to a nauseating extent—where Yuan Shao ceased hoping to attack and instead focused entirely on defense—Liu Xie could intervene, mediating the warfare between the two sides. This would allow Liu Bei to withdraw from this quagmire, regroup, and strike Yuan Shao with a single decisive blow after preparing adequately.

The plan was set, but it could not withstand Xun Yu’s sharp perception. Upon noticing this strategy, Xun Yu decisively sought to abolish the insurance prepared for Liu Bei. The moment Liu Bei’s opportunity for victory arrived, Xun Yu played the mediation card. Of course, at that point, the card held no benefit for Liu Bei.

Accurately speaking, at that time, the mediation card would add hesitation to Liu Bei’s position and bring nothing beneficial but instead a definitive advantage to Yuan Shao and Cao Cao. For Yuan Shao, it would buy a moment to catch his breath, which would be enough to counter Liu Bei’s play of the mediation card. Similarly, for Cao Cao, an injured but not slain Yuan Shao better served his interests.

More importantly, with Cao Cao’s years of understanding of Yuan Shao, he knew this man’s potential under the pressure of powerful challenges was astonishing, a talent seemingly born for overcoming obstacles.

Thus, under such circumstances, even a blind man could see that by October, the imperial mediation order would inevitably arrive.

In this scenario, Liu Bei faced two choices: continuing this lukewarm warfare until the mediation order arrived and then turning back, thus having fought a meaningless war; or timing his moves with the mediation order and turning Yuan Shao into history before its arrival!

Such an approach would unleash the full effect of the mediation order. If Yuan Shao was killed in battle without leaving any will, the entire Hebei region—burning in the fires of vengeance—would exhibit a combat power not inferior to Yuan Shao’s living presence!

The Hebei Army, driven by revenge, Yuan Shao’s sons fighting desperately, and exhausting Jizhou’s resources without hesitation—this would ensure that, even if Liu Bei ultimately triumphed, Mount Tai and Hebei would suffer devastating blows, perhaps to the point of Hebei being reduced to mourning clothes in every household.

In such a circumstance, even if Liu Bei annexed Hebei, he would find no peace. It wouldn’t be a prized asset but rather a stale morsel, neither appetizing nor worth discarding. Furthermore, such a battle of mutual ruin would merely benefit Cao Cao and Sun Ce.

Following a catastrophic war, looking back, it is likely Cao Cao and Sun Ce would have already transformed into formidable entities.

If Yuan Shao were defeated and the imperial mediation order arrived, and Liu Bei decisively withdrew, the perfect opportunity to watch tigers fight from the mountain would emerge. With time as a buffer, Yuan Shao’s three sons would inevitably devolve into strife among themselves; anything else would be unexpected!

During such a moment, Liu Bei could watch the Yuan Family destroy itself while suppressing Sun Ce and Cao Cao, leaving room to develop himself.

When the Yuan Family eventually self-destructs, Liu Bei could reach out and inherit Hebei—as it reaches its pinnacle—effortlessly. More importantly, the internecine warfare among the Yuan Shao’s three sons would drain away the goodwill toward Yuan Shao accumulated among the people of Hebei, leaving virtually no resistance when the region is finally seized.

According to Chen Xi’s estimation, Jia Xu likely harbored similar thoughts, thus suggesting this ruthless plan. Indeed, the ruthlessness within the strategy wasn’t only directed at the opposition—it was equally ruthless toward Liu Bei’s forces.

Meanwhile, currently stationed near Puyang, Chen Xi was awaiting the arrival of the mediation delegation. He needed to ensure that these imperial mediators passed through this point at just the right moment. Any deviation—whether too early or too late—would significantly impact the plans for Hebei.

This was why the army needed to retain a top sage along the way, just as a general commander must be paired with an excellent strategist. It wasn’t that the strategist had superior troop-commanding abilities compared to the general, but rather that the strategist’s sensitivity to strategy allowed for a more precise timing of action.

Thus, the strategists of both Yuan Shao and Liu Bei continually calculated timing, constantly evaluating the power dynamics between the two sides and meticulously concealing their final moves.

In this environment, some sharp-eyed military generals had begun to sense the war clouds that seemed ready to erupt at any moment. They, too, prepared themselves, as battles etched in fate loomed on the horizon.

During this phase, both Yuan Shao’s and Liu Bei’s armies initiated their final adjustments. As the last shipment of grain arrived at Ye City, news of disrupted supply routes surfaced simultaneously. In Qinghe, Wei Yan and Xu Shu exerted all efforts to block access, Liang Shao’s supply chain was entirely severed, and the army’s remaining grain could only sustain for four days.

Meanwhile, Liu Bei’s forces also received news that their rear grain supplies had been burned. The provision within Liu Bei’s army was similarly dwindling.

The ministers of both sides restrained themselves, awaiting the opportune moment. Amidst the tense standoffs, a letter arrived at Chen Xi’s position in Puyang. The message contained no preamble, only three words—”Grain exhausted!”

Upon receiving the letter, Chen Xi wasted no time and immediately ordered someone to deliver it to Liu Bei’s camp on horseback. Simultaneously, he commanded Hua Xiong to prepare, while sending a falcon-carried message to Fa Zheng, who was hastening back. The time might have come! (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please visit Qidian.com to cast your recommendation or monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile readers, please read at m.qidian.com.)