Mythical Three Kingdoms

Chapter 1386: Chapter 1338: Fa Zheng’s Doubts

That night, Gao Fan followed Xuu You’s orders to lead a troop out from the opposite direction of Fa Zheng’s camp from the north of the city. Unlike the previous small batches leaving through tunnels, this time, although careful, the large numbers naturally drew the attention of Fa Zheng’s scouts.

”What’s going on? Is there any critical intelligence report?” Fa Zheng rubbed his eyes, stretched lazily, and asked in a sleepy tone. He was at an age where he loved to sleep.

”It’s like this...” The Military Marshal clasped his fists and reported back to Fa Zheng.

Suddenly, Fa Zheng, who had been drowsy, snapped awake. ”That’s odd, now that Xuu Ziyuan has the advantage, why take the risk of deploying troops? Does he plan to utterly defeat me? It doesn’t seem possible, maybe he has some other tactic?”

”Go, notify all the officials above Six Hundred Stones to come for a discussion, I’ll notify General Huang and General Zhang.” Fa Zheng stood up, donned his velvet robe, and headed towards the Central Army Tent. Just what is Xuu You planning?

When Fa Zheng arrived at the tent, Huang Zhong and others were already seated inside awaiting him. By now, no one in the army dared to underestimate Fa Zheng’s youth, given his impressive achievements laid bare for all to see.

”General Huang, what do you make of the earlier intelligence?” Fa Zheng asked somewhat gravely, facing off against Xuu You was indeed challenging.

Especially in such a deadlock situation, differing completely from those unexpected attacks, the competition now was in patience, and unfortunately, Fa Zheng, still a young man, was not famed for his patience.

”Given Xuu You’s prior performance, there’s no need for such behavior; securely holding Beixin City is hardly problematic. At this moment, deploying troops—if he wins, so be it—but if we counter them, wouldn’t it provide us the opportunity to capture Beixin?” Huang Zhong contemplated aloud.

”General Huang’s words are certainly sensible.” Fa Zheng nodded in agreement. Xuu You already holds the advantage; continuing to dig in would make it extremely difficult for Huang Zhong’s side to break through. On the contrary, taking a risky initiative could potentially give Fa Zheng the chance to exploit a failed attack.

”So how should we respond?” Huang Zhong enquired, with a hint of excitement.

”No, we need to think more about what their true intentions are,” Fa Zheng was curious about Xuu You’s seemingly illogical moves.

Since the two armies came into conflict, Xuu You’s strategies appeared very straightforward, yet such simplicity was rare, as Xuu You only acted against what Fa Zheng found unfavorable, which was a significant factor in the current impasse.

”By logic, if Xuu You’s main aim is to secure Beixin City and prevent our incursion into Youzhou, he has already fulfilled such a task. Doing anything further could be seen as unnecessary excess.” Fa Zheng tapped his fingers lightly on the table.

Fa Zheng, unlike some, did not pretend or boast of mystic intimidation; rather, he clearly laid out facts and reasoning for all to understand the choices made.

”Unless their ultimate goal is not merely defending against our invasion of Youzhou.” Zhang Yan picked up the conversation.

”It’s possible the Northern Barbarians are advancing southward; Xuu You may not have much time left to continue the standoff with us.” Fa Zheng replied, albeit puzzled, ”But I’m rather curious; is Xuu Ziyuan truly someone who empathizes with the common folk?”

Just then, the War Eagle used to convey messages flew back to Fa Zheng’s camp from the north, perching on the shoulder of the Falconer. Subsequently, a message from Zhuge Liang from Youzhou successfully delivered to Fa Zheng, Xu Shu, and Ye City.

”Report, Military Advisor Fa, General Huang, General Zhang, there’s news from Youzhou.” As Fa Zheng pondered whether Xuu You’s actions were flawed, the Scout Sima suddenly presented a piece of intelligence.

”Read it.” Looking at those present, Huang Zhong immediately commanded.

”On April 18th, observed Xianbei Major Tribe north of Raole Water, Xianbei has begun moving south.” The Scout Sima swiftly read out.

Everyone suddenly stared peculiarly at Fa Zheng, as Fa Zheng had only just stated a possible guess, and before One Incense Stick’s Time had passed, northern intelligence was delivered, confirming Fa Zheng’s conjecture.

”It seems there’s no difference from Military Advisor Fa’s predictions.” Zhang Yan remarked with admiration; in the military camp, capable individuals quickly gain respect.

Fa Zheng slightly frowned, not because he doubted his guesses, but in his understanding, Xuu You was not one typically prioritizing the populace.

”What should we do now?” Huang Zhong asked, slightly frowning, ”Should we first attack that troop already out of the city or let them go to alleviate our standoff pressure at Beixin?”

Truthfully, when Xuu You went mad, it was terrifying, especially when leveraging superior forces. Despite Huang Zhong’s valor and Fa Zheng’s intellect, they hadn’t fully gained the upper hand, rather due to occasional defensive counterattacks by Xuu You, the pressure was tremendous.

”Xuu You wishes to play games? I’ll play with her, she took advantage before, this time I’ll make her spit it back out!” Fa Zheng suddenly smiled as he spoke, ”I bet the opponent won’t take the land route north!”

”General Huang, lead your troops to the Yishui River Crossing; it’s highly probable they’ll choose the water route.” Fa Zheng smirked coldly, ”Now that the northern ice caps have likely completely melted, without our marines in the north, the water route is the fastest and safest.”

”Even if Xuu You intends to provide aid, the force he can dispatch won’t be extensive; maintaining Beixin City remains his primary goal.” Fa Zheng sneered, ”General Zhang shall stay with me at Beixin City; I won’t be reassured without witnessing the opponent’s reaction firsthand.”

”In such a divided deployment, if Xuu You learns of the situation and emerges in full force, Xiaoo Zhi you might be struggling.” Huang Zhong furrowed his brow.

”Xuu You wouldn’t dare; if he fully emerges, Beixin City would undoubtedly be vulnerable and empty. Should I ambush from outside, losing Beixin means almost losing Youzhou set before us. Xuu You won’t gamble; given Beixin City’s significance, he must retain over ten thousand troops in the city.” Fa Zheng explained.

”The troops he’s deploying now are no less than five thousand; Beixin City’s forces are continually depleted, currently only slightly above twenty thousand. Although Southern Youzhou and Beixin’s forces totaled fifty thousand, Beixin’s forces are just this much.” Fa Zheng detailed the troop deployments in the vicinity.

”That means Xuu You can muster at maximum five thousand for deployment; if any more, Beixin could face a single battle capture possibility, a scenario Xuu You absolutely cannot accept.” Fa Zheng grinned, ”With such strength, though I may not achieve victory, I’m certainly undefeated.”

”Since Xiaoo Zhi is so confident, I’ll proceed to Yishui for an ambush against the opponent.” After brief contemplation, Huang Zhong decided to speak, ”Everyone else ensures the safety of Military Advisor Fa.”