Mythical Three Kingdoms

Chapter 1391: Chapter 1343: Suppressing All Four Fronts

”The battle at the border of Jizhou seems alright, but compared to Xiaoo Zhi, Yuanzhi still lacks some refining,” Chen Xi casually put aside the intelligence sent from the North,

”Given the current situation, this is the best outcome. The standoff between both sides is better than both sides battling and pointlessly depleting military forces,” Jia Xu checked the intelligence sent by Fa Zheng and was quite satisfied, at least he managed to scrape some benefits before leaving.

Though without Fa Zheng’s elaboration, Jia Xu could sense the conspiracy theory part within. However, conspiracy from the enemy is truly beneficial, if there’s an advantage to be gained, then take it, there’s no need to say more.

”Recently, intelligence from Northern Youzhou also arrived. The spy inserted under Yuan Tan’s command received first-hand information, the Xianbei have moved southward, but Yuan Tan is more competent than we thought,” he said after compiling the intelligence.

”So, does that mean Yuan Tan has sent troops to the North?” Chen Xi raised an eyebrow and said, though they have almost exerted no effort now, and despite this, Yuan Tan could still manage to send a little force northward, it’s indeed impressive.

”Sheni Pei personally went to the North, accompanied by a force of seven thousand troops,” Jia Xu calmly handed the latest intelligence to Chen Xi and said.

”Yuyang Yuxi, indeed a nice place, and seven thousand is indeed a considerably large force, but the Xianbei people aren’t foolish, why battle there?” Chen Xi sneered and said, the most difficult aspect of dealing with cavalry is their mobility.

Even if the Xianbei couldn’t defeat the Han Dynasty, as long as the Xianbei shamelessly avoid close combat with the Han Dynasty, for Han to win is very difficult. The seven thousand troops under Sheni Pei’s command are indeed sufficient to break several tens of thousands of Xianbei, but why would the Xianbei engage in a decisive battle there, are they out of their minds?

”Just doing what one can, maintaining the people’s reputation in Youzhou, otherwise, they would truly suffer a complete defeat, perhaps even blame us,” Li Youu sneered and said.

”Ugh, it’s not really blame, we are somewhat involved with this, but that’s fine, once Youzhou is pacified everything will become clear,” Chen Xi indifferently said, ”By the way, I heard Sunx Bofu’s envoy arrived.”

”Indeed, Zhang Hong and Zhang Zigang have arrived,” Lub Su said without raising his head, ”They still want to discuss the issue of the Money Exchange with you. Handle it as you see fit.”

Mentioning this had to touch upon Lub Su’s mentality, Zhang Zhao and Zhang Hong not bothering with Liu Bei back then was something Lub Su knew too. Note that even Lub Su, who was initially just a local tyrant, didn’t quite wish to come to Liu Bei, this pauper.

But sometimes fate is more important than ability, Lub Su was reprimanded by his grandmother and came regardless of his feelings, so now he is Liu Bei’s right-hand man, an indispensable figure in governing his territory.

While Zhang Hong and Zhang Zhao, worn out for three years, although now sheltered under Sunx Ce’s command, the gap compared with Lub Su and others now is extremely large.

”Me discussing with him?” Chen Xi considered, ”Forget it, just randomly find someone capable to meet Zhang Hong, where’s Jiangh Gongyan? Have him go, lay out our terms clearly, willing to cooperate fine, unwilling let it be.”

”I thought you would treat them as Cao Mengde’s envoy,” Lub Su said in surprise, knowing that Chen Xi treated Liu Ba very courteously, even allowed access to the Library Pavilion, yet why the difference with Zhang Hong.

”Nothing much, Liu Ba is now like a semi-insider, although under Cao Cao’s rule, unable to convey any information due to principles, he can still do many things and he’s considered a talent that can be nurtured,” Chen Xi shrugged and said.

Speaking of Liu Ba, he is still learning more about the operation of the Money Exchange under Liu Bei, although it is just talk, Liu Ba already knows all he should.

Liu Ba is now more focused on observing Liu Bei, possibly due to the crushing capability demonstrated by Chen Xi earlier waking Liu Ba up, now he lacks interest in helping anyone dominate, instead, he’s intrigued by the nationwide empire plan proposed by Chen Xi intending to enrich the populace.

Chen Xi is confident that Liu Ba is basically harmless now, although due to his principles, defection is impossible, it is almost assured that at a necessary time, Liu Ba will push on the unified path. Cao Cao is talented, but in this era Liu Bei is even more so.

”It’s just a pity Liu Zichu and Cao Mengde are eyeing each other,” Chen Xi helplessly said, ”However, it’s also good. This way, when Liu Zichu speaks at a crucial time, it will have a greater impact on Cao Mengde. Frankly, characters above Yuan Benchu’s level shouldn’t be consumed in civil wars.”

”Had I known the world was this vast, the heroes of the Central Plains trapped in a corner, should have broken free long ago.” Xun Yue sighed deeply, then mused, ”Back then Yuan Benchu described the Central Plains as a dish, competing for the strongest, with others as whetstones for the strongest, which indeed had reason, yet it’s a pity he didn’t see beyond the Central Plains.”

”His whetstone theory was once imparted to Lord Xuande,” Chen Xi recalled the casual talk at the heart of the Yellow River, Jia Xu used a hand crossbow to deal with Xin Ping.

”Let’s not talk about these. Ziyang mentioned that Cao Cao has new movements, seemingly not wanting us to smoothly take Youzhou,” Jia Xu said after closing the dossier, looking at everyone.

”At this point, anyone with ambitions for the world doesn’t want Lord Xuande to take Youzhou, likewise those who aspire to be local tyrants don’t want Lord Xuande to take Youzhou, but does Cao Mengde dare to dispatch troops?” Chen Xi coldly laughed and said.

”If it’s just Cao Mengde, it might be just posturing, but I suspect Sunx Bofu won’t remain calm,” Li Youu suddenly raised his head and said.

”It’s within expectation, Sunx Bofu’s command has talents, knowing what to do, but General Guan and Fengxiao are in Yuzhou, Xiuruo, Yuanlong are their reserves, moreover Xingba and Ziyi are all south of the Yangtze River Estuary,” Chen Xi nodded to show he understood.

Speaking of which, Chen Xi guards heavily against Sunx Ce, disregarding others, Cao Cao himself is mostly a calm yet not devoid of wisdom figure, but when it comes to Sunx Ce, never guess the thoughts of a fool, especially when this fool lacks neither money nor troops.

Thus Chen Xi guards heavily against Sunx Ce, Guan Yu, Gan Ning, Taishi Ci, Guo Jia, Xun Yan, Chen Deng, this group is blocking across the Yangtze, if Sunx Ce truly dares to mobilize all of Eastern Wu’s forces to attack Yuzhou, then Chen Xi will immediately mobilize Yiizhou’s troops to pacify Yangzhou.

In short, in Chen Xi’s previous plan, the southern forces deployed must be able to coordinate with Yiizhou if necessary, like extinguishing Yuan Shao, a decisive move.

Know that the forces deployed in Yuzhou are no less than those suppressing the North’s Youzhou, if Sunx Ce doesn’t act, why would Chen Xi put so much effort into Yuzhou?