Mythical Three Kingdoms

Chapter 1766: Chapter 1657: The Powerlessness of Knowing Everything Yet Being Able to Do Nothing

Although Cao Cao’s army numbers are adequate, its combat effectiveness is probably about the same level as that led by Yan Yan and Zhang Ren, and perhaps even inferior. Though training hasn’t been neglected, experience in warfare can’t be trained; the same physical quality doesn’t mean the same combat power!

Upon realizing this fact, Xiahou Dun’s heart sank. He thought they were almost catching up with Liu Bei; even if they couldn’t defeat him, they should be able to hold their ground. Now, thinking about it, the gap between them and Liu Bei’s two hundred thousand elite troops is enormous.

However, Xiahou Dun had no idea that Liu Bei could field forty thousand elite troops, those who had truly been on the battlefield. This doesn’t even count the legions involved in land reclamation; counting those and the militia, Liu Bei could muster an army of a million.

Of course, if Liu Bei were of sound mind, he definitely wouldn’t engage in such fruitless militarism, as it would make little sense.

Even militia, under the leadership of veterans who reenlisted after recruiting age restrictions were relaxed, still held guaranteed combat effectiveness.

That said, every year, some veterans above thirty-two years old and who haven’t met military rank standards are sent back to farming. These people indeed add substantial combat power; after all, even when returning home to farm, they merely leave the front line with reclamation and welcome Tuntian.

Veterans accustomed to military life don’t easily adapt to the peaceful life at home, so they are sent to nearby land reclamation and Tuntian legions as the second line. One, to stabilize their mentality; two, to enable more contact with their families.

This prevents psychological illnesses from emerging. Even during this time, neither Hua Tuo nor Zhang Zhongjing had delved deeply into psychological illnesses, though some shamans were quite adept at treating such conditions.

Chen Xi showed great interest in forming a psychology research institute or something alike, formalizing this group, stopping their antics with ”Great Deity,” and guiding them towards researching psychology. However, it’s evident Chen Xi finds it challenging to direct this group onto the correct path.

However, given this group’s proficiency at psychological healing while performing their antics, Chen Xi didn’t suppress them excessively. After all, Hua Tuo recognized that these people fall under the category of practicing medicine through witchcraft.

This category, so to speak, can genuinely have astonishing effects in auxiliary treatments, akin to psychological suggestions or therapies. However, most in this category turn themselves into lunatics; in simpler terms, most people here already have mental issues.

Seeing that there are indeed skilled ones, Chen Xi allocated some funding to them. In any case, Medical Academy Head Hua Tuo would handle any issues. Since Hua Tuo himself claimed that even though he wasn’t very skilled in divination therapy, he was definitely outstanding.

If you understand, then keep an eye on it; as long as it doesn’t cause fatalities, Chen Xi wouldn’t care much. Allocating funds on time annually suffices, although over time, it seems these Mountain Chiefs and academy heads have learned to scam funds. But it doesn’t matter; a small amount won’t hurt.

Overall, with the addition of the Divination Therapy Institute, some ailments indeed have solutions, and psychological illnesses now have treatment methods. All in all, it’s a cause for celebration.

If you count all these mixed elements, Liu Bei’s million-strong army doesn’t have much water. There’s definitely a hundred thousand highly capable of fighting, a truly elite twenty thousand, then quite capable tens of thousands, with the rest being those who wave flags and shout.

Of course, if these soldiers were complete, Liu Bei would probably recognize mid-level commanders like Bozhang at most, but it’s still an intimidating count.

Nonetheless, Xiahou Dun remained ignorant of these facts, so he retained some confidence in their combat power. If he knew, his first thought would probably be disbelief, for humans tend to measure reality with their own cognitions.

However, reality isn’t like novels that require logical considerations; reality often presents situations stranger than fiction.

After cleaning the battlefield, Xiahou Dun led his troops away directly. Although he didn’t meet Chen Xi, he could provide an explanation after battling the Northern Huns.

On another front, Qiu Linbei was quietly tallying his army from afar, with losses over thirteen hundred. From Qiu Linbei’s perspective, the enemy had likely suffered similar casualties, leaving his heart heavy.

[The strength of the Han Army is nearly comprehensive; encountering any Han Army led by a general exhibits such prowess. We descendants of the Kunlun Deity...]

After this battle, the idea of dealing a major setback to the Han Army largely dissipated in Qiu Linbei’s mind. His contemplation about the Han Court became more sober. He couldn’t help but consider advising Chanyu Huyan Chu to be wary of the Han Army.

Qiu Linbei naturally preferred to mobilize all tribal warriors and leave here, yet now, in his composure, recalling the tribal situation, he knew it’s impossible to persuade the entire tribe to retreat and end this war on his own.

[The Chanyu chose the wisest among us, why can I understand but he doesn’t?] mused Qiu Linbei, his expression slightly somber. [Oh well, let things unfold step by step; after all, the Chanyu wouldn’t harm us.]