Mythical Three Kingdoms

Chapter 1126: Chapter 1082: Unyielding

In short, Cao Ren was so frustrated he almost coughed up blood, but he had to admit, Lü Bu, ranked 36 on the military general ranking, truly wasn’t overrated. Killing ten thousand single-handedly, it was honestly already impossible to play happily.

At this point, Cao Ren no longer held any intention of subduing Lü Bu; he only hoped to achieve his initial goal, which was to fully swallow the Western Xianbei.

But when he sent someone to Jiuyuan, the news he received nearly infuriated Cao Ren to death. It wasn’t that people were unwilling to help; Chen Gong simply said that their forces were insufficient as they were focusing all efforts on reclaiming their homeland.

In the end, which is more important, homeland or annihilating the Xianbei? For people of this era, there’s no need to think twice; land is far more important than destroying the enemy, especially when the victory is practically assured, all the land swallowed becomes one’s own.

Cao Ren shared this view; he did want Lü Bu’s help. The problem was Chen Gong clearly stated that Lü Bu was still sweeping the Xianbei from the front lines, and the orator sent by Cao Ren was left with no options.

Nonetheless, Chen Gong, to show gratitude for Cao Cao supplying them with provisions, planned to lend Cao Ren his only general, Chengg Lian, to which Cao Ren naturally declined.

Having one more or one less Chengg Lian made no significant difference. Although Cao Ren understood Chen Gong’s goodwill, there wasn’t much he could do, as Chen Gong himself was evidently powerless despite having the will.

Now, Cao Ren was thoroughly out of options. To have his thirty thousand troops engage the Xianbei in a non-decisive field battle outside the Great Wall, he thought it best to give up. Even if the Xianbei’s morale was low, they still had over two hundred thousand men—it wasn’t child’s play.

On Liu Bei’s side, he naturally didn’t know the twists and turns between Cao Ren and Chen Gong. Although people like Guo Jia and Jia Xu, who were adept at understanding people, could guess part of it, accurately reconstructing the psychology of Cao Ren and Chen Gong was still somewhat challenging.

”So, does this mean Cao Cao’s campaign against the Xianbei failed?” Chen Xi said with a look of helplessness. He had insight into the importance of restoring territory versus eliminating the enemy’s living forces, but unfortunately, he wasn’t the one leading this war.

”Basically, it’s a failure. If Lü Bu doesn’t help him block the Xianbei from the rear, the result is already doomed. At most, they’ll inflict thirty to fifty thousand Xianbei casualties, but within a few years, the Xianbei people definitely won’t step into Bingzhou,” Li Youu said with a look of lament.

”Next, it depends on whether Cao Ren has enough courage. If he does, he should persistently engage the Xianbei army in low-intensity skirmishes to train his soldiers,” Yu Jin spoke up at this time, being quite talented in drilling soldiers.

”No training is more refining than battle; these low-intensity skirmishes not only result in minimal casualties but also aren’t too poor in piling up battle experience,” Yu Jin said, drawing on his own experience.

Yu Jin used to hold back from eliminating the Black Mountain bandits, just to lower the intensity of the war, stretch the timeline, and allow more new soldiers to gain combat experience in battle.

”Is that so,” Chen Xi thought for a moment and understood what was happening, ”Then I suppose Cao Ren would indeed follow to keep harassing the Xianbei.”

Chen Xi’s estimate was very accurate. Although doing this was extremely risky, after weighing the combat power of both sides and the current situation of Cao Cao, Cao Ren still chose to engage the Xianbei in sustained low-intensity combat.

Well, what can be said, sometimes when you even give up, heaven gives you a surprise. Just when Cao Ren was pressing the Xianbei out of Bingzhou, he encountered great joy!

”Does this mean that next year, the Xianbei tribe will definitely band together to attack Youzhou?” Zhang Fei suddenly had a brainwave and asked with a conflicted expression.

”Naturally, as long as the Xianbei have brains, they certainly won’t attack Bingzhou,” Jia Xu said, wearing a naive expression on his pudgy face, which annoyed Zhang Fei.

Zhang Fei nearly spat blood onto Jia Xu’s face. Jia Xu was one of the plumpest strategists under Liu Bei, even Mi Zhu couldn’t match him. But when an insidious person like him put on an innocent face, it was clearly a trick!

”That’s exactly right, Yide. The future of Youzhou next year is up to you,” Liu Bei nodded in agreement, acknowledging the truth in Jia Xu’s straightforward words, the Xianbei won’t attack Bingzhou.

”Go to Youzhou in advance early next year to make arrangements. Once the new year is over, third general, you’ll head there,” Chen Xi said, undisguised in his amusement, ”At that time, we’ll be cheering for you.”

”Hah!” Zhang Fei exhaled, ”Watch as I poke dozens of holes in the Xianbei!”

”That’s the spirit you need to have,” Chen Xi said with a smile. When Lü Bu’s intelligence came, Chen Xi’s first thought was that Zhang Fei had found his match.

No matter if you call Zhang Fei simple or straightforward, one thing about him never changed: he refuses to lose, especially to Lü Bu. No matter how many defeats, he always catches up head-on. Although it seemed he hadn’t closed the gap now, at least it hadn’t widened!

Zhang Fei’s first reaction upon hearing the news about Lü Bu was that Lü Bu had grown stronger again, and he needed to work harder. Since Lü Bu could defeat the Xianbei, Zhang Fei believed he could do it too, and even better!

This was why a slightly worried Zhang Fei now had eyes burning with fighting spirit; he just wanted to go up against Lü Bu.

Even if Lü Bu had turned over a new leaf, and few mentioned his deeds of killing Ding Yuan and Dong Zhuo, mostly sighing at the unrighteous deeds of the past, he did well in guarding the northern frontier now, and his martial force was undoubtedly unmatched.

Once the Bingzhou battle was known everywhere, likely, no one would mention Lü Bu’s past. Righteousness can wash away all sins, this was destined.

But in Zhang Fei’s eyes, displeasure is displeasure, and he wouldn’t hide it. Even if he acknowledged Lü Bu’s martial prowess, it was absolutely impossible for him not to compete with Lü Bu.

Dislike means dislike. I, Zhang Fei, want to fight with you, Lü Bu. That’s the reality. If I can’t beat you now, I’ll keep working hard. If you perform well, I’ll perform even better, and one day, I’ll catch up!

Zhang Fei never concealed his thoughts, nor did he disdain to hide them. Even if mocked because of failure, he would buried his head in hard work until reaching his goal one day.

Therefore, when Zhang Fei learned that Lü Bu had overthrown the Xianbei, he erased any doubts about himself within him. Since Lü Bu could do it, then he too must be able to do it, and do it better; otherwise, how could he speak about surpassing?

Chen Xi saw the battle intent burning in Zhang Fei’s eyes, which brought back memories of Zhang Fei and Lü Bu’s story, vastly different from the disdain of his former life, the dissatisfaction with Lü Bu’s integrity, and strength. In this life, Zhang Fei’s feelings towards Lü Bu were far more complex.

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