Mythical Three Kingdoms

While Liu Bei and others were celebrating their great victory and Ma Chao was excitedly challenging the top warriors of the Central Plains, Cao Cao, stationed in Guanzhong, finally received the intelligence from the North: Yuan Shao was dead, the hero who once commanded the entire nation was gone.

Upon receiving this news, all of Cao Cao’s civil and military officials gathered to take orders from him.

”Benchu has fallen...” Cao Cao said despondently. In this lifetime, Yuan Shao had never shown any signs of decline. Even in Cao Cao’s presence, he could still be considered a strong adversary. But now, just like that, he was dead.

”My lord, our army is not yet fully prepared, but given the circumstances, we should start making preparations,” Cheng Yu immediately stood and said.

”No need for that. Liu Bei’s army will cease its operations,” Xun Yu uncharacteristically spoke before anyone else could.

”Relying on others for everything is not a good strategy,” Fan Qin said with a frown.

”No, on the contrary. If Liu Bei continues to expand, he will eventually overextend himself. He needs to maintain internal purity. If Liu Bei doesn’t recognize this, someone else will,” Xun Yu said slowly, ”But from now on, we must accelerate our actions.”

There wasn’t a trace of worry on Xun Yu’s face, which put everyone else at ease. Among Cao Cao’s forces, the one who gave the most reassurance was Xun Yu. It could be said that as long as Xun Yu stood firm, Cao Cao’s army would always have the strength to fight on.

But only Xun Yu himself was aware that the banner of the Han Dynasty was gradually shifting toward Liu Bei. If this trend continued, the Han Dynasty he sought to preserve would be overtaken by another Han Dynasty.

Cao Cao’s meeting didn’t last long and ended with few participants even speaking. This was also why Xun Yu rarely spoke early; when he did, it was conclusive!

”Wen Ruo, Gong Da, you two stay.” As the meeting concluded, Cao Cao asked Xun Yu and the others to remain, while Fan Qin left unceremoniously.

”Now that no one else is around, Wen Ruo, what would be the most correct course of action if we want to contend with Liu Bei?” Cao Cao asked, casually sitting at the desk and looking at Xun Yu.

”First, we must ally with the Yuan Clan to curb Liu Bei’s development. We have to annex Yongliang. Whether it’s Liangzhou, which produces the valiant warriors of Xiliang, or formidable generals like Ma Chao and Pang De, these are resources we need,” Xun Yu said slowly. ”To defeat Liu Bei, we must integrate all the available power.”

”I will handle negotiations with the Qiang people,” Zhong Yao said with a smile. Having entered Cao Cao’s highest decision-making circle, he had gained Cao Cao’s deep trust, and likewise, Zhong Yao was awed by Cao Cao’s ambition and had wholly aligned himself with him.

”The land we stand on was once the territory of Tyrant Qin. It is home to the most ferocious soldiers and the most fearless warriors. However, these soldiers need my lord to stir their blood. If my lord could reinstate the Twentieth Level Nobility system...” Chen Qun said slowly, glancing at Cao Cao.

If there was one area where Chen Qun could surpass Xun Yu, it was in governance. But governance reforms were not enacted unless absolutely necessary, and now, Cao Cao was nearing that point of necessity.

Chen Qun no longer had much to worry about. He no longer needed to bear the burden of the Chen Family. Though he disliked admitting it, he had to concede that his cousin Chen Xi’s brilliance was dazzling to the point of making others lose their composure. The halo of being the Chen Family Head had gradually faded from him.

”The greatest strength of Liu Bei’s faction lies in its ample money and grain. Whether it’s Jizhou and Yuzhou, which he recently claimed, or Qingzhou and Xuzhou, which he held for some time, all are key grain-producing regions. It is evident that Liu Bei has consistently prioritized protecting these productive lands, and every battle he fights is known for its swift results,” Xun You said slowly, casting a helpless look at Cao Cao. Once, they too had such an opportunity...

All wars, when fought to the late stages, boil down to a contest of money. Cao Cao, who had little faith in Yuan Shao, hoped Yuan Shao could stall Liu Bei, simply because Liu Bei was too wealthy!

Now, although Cao Cao had consolidated all of Yongliang and had both civil and military talents following him, his forces, though perhaps slightly weaker than Liu Bei’s, were not far behind. However, Liu Bei’s financial and grain production capacity far exceeded the combined total of all the Feudal Lords. Liu Bei had nearly taken all five major grain-producing regions!

”We need to be prepared to send troops to Bingzhou at a critical moment. At the very least, we must secure the lands south and west of the Yellow River. Even if it means an early confrontation with the Xianbei, it is necessary,” Cheng Yu said slowly. ”We will claim these areas in the name of the state. They can submit, or they can perish.”

”So be it,” Du Xi, who had remained silent, now spoke slowly. Without securing the Yellow River as a defensive line, Liu Bei’s strength would prove to be a troublesome problem. As for other locations, did anyone really think passing through Hangu Pass was that simple?

”The Qiang, Xiongnu, and Xianbei must be dealt with all at once, along with resolving the Ma Clan and Han Sui issue. We will give the Qiang and Hu the opportunity to rebel and observe the Ma Clan’s response!” Sima Lang said quietly, voicing a plan that Sima Yi had conveyed to him upon learning of Yuan Shao’s fall.

”Leverage Lü Bu’s strength? But doing so will strain our relationship with the Yuan Clan,” Chen Qun said, frowning.

”No, this is precisely what we aim for. Yuan Tan will now want to rid himself of that burden. Their forces can no longer support so much territory. With their thousand-mile-long frontline against Liu Bei requiring massive troop deployments, we can trade supplies for those regions,” Xun Yu said slowly. It was clear he had chosen to back Yuan Tan and focus on building Cao Cao’s power.

”Once Yuan Tan withdraws, Lü Bu’s rear will become entirely exposed. No matter how superhumanly strong Lü Bu is, he won’t be able to deliver on his promises. Our arrival will force him to rely on us,” Cao Cao added. He could see the possibility of subduing Lü Bu, though Chen Gong remained a persistent obstacle!

”Gongtai will never allow this to happen,” Xun You said slowly. Given Chen Gong’s pride, he would never take a step backward. Even if Cao Cao admitted his mistakes and offered Chen Gong a way out, Chen Gong would rather die proudly on the Jade Steps.

”Then we go to war. We cannot allow a thorn in our rear. But diplomacy first, then war—we’ll state our position clearly!” A momentary look of bitterness crossed Cao Cao’s face, but it soon returned to his usual expression.

”So be it. Let’s hope Gongtai can understand,” Sima Lang said with a bitter smile. ”However, if possible, please let me try persuading him and the Marquis Wenn. Admittedly, I do not like the Marquis Wenn, but I can’t deny that since his arrival in Bingzhou, the once-rampant Xianbei and Xiongnu have significantly diminished. I ask you, my lord, to grant me an opportunity to persuade him—not for his martial prowess, but for the sake of the people he has saved!”

”Boda, you shall go immediately. If nothing unexpected happens, Liu Bei’s forces will remain inactive until April next year,” Xun Yu said after catching Cao Cao’s gaze and interpreting his intent. (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)