Mythical Three Kingdoms

At this moment, Cao Ang appeared exceptionally silent. After a long while, he heaved a long sigh, ”I understand. Is this all the military force I can deploy?”

”Yes, and even this amount of force should not be so extensively used.” Sima Yi looked at the young generals behind him. Cao Ang’s charisma was indeed high; merely with a single command, all civil and military officials under Cao Cao, as well as all males over sixteen from the Cao Family’s main branch, had come.

Based solely on this, Sima Yi knew that as long as Cao Ang does not die, no one could shake his position; he was the core of this group, and they represented his team.

”Brother Sima, you may very well clarify everything.” At this moment, Xun Yun, riding a small horse, coughed lightly and said to Sima Yi, ”Zixiu, you really don’t need to cause such a massive disturbance. The Southern Huns are actually just a disorderly mess under the momentum of our Han Dynasty.”

”In fact, you only need one letter to persuade the top three tribes.” Xun Yun said, slightly breathless. His health was truly poor, and Xun Yu originally wanted to send him to Ye City for Hua Tuo to treat him, but feared the toll of travel and the change in climate would harm his eldest son.

”What good is a letter when we could forcefully press them to cooperate with us?” Sima Yi sneered and said, ”A single letter cannot achieve the result you want.”

”Actually, one letter is sufficient; a single letter is more than enough to buy ten days to half a month of time, and it would not take Father and Lord Cao that long.” Xun Yun slowly shook his head, expressing his disapproval of Xiahou Shang’s arrogance, and similarly disliking Sima Yi’s gloominess.

Xun Yun’s meaning was clear. A single letter could order the Southern Huns, and even if Huchuquan had lost absolute control over them, he would still be capable of holding the Southern Huns back for half a month. And in half a month, Cao Cao and others, upon getting the news, could deploy large cavalry forces. Not to mention, White Horse can definitely make the round trip.

Under such circumstances, Chang’an doesn’t need to do anything else to achieve a result. As for whether the Southern Huns would be destroyed or leave the three tribes to migrate into the Central Plains, it wouldn’t concern Xun Yun.

”Is it truly so simple?” Cao Ang asked in disbelief.

”Indeed it is. The Southern Huns coming south to plunder is definitely not the intention of the Chanyu and the Left and Right Virtuous Kings; they are even trying to restrain their subordinates because the present momentum of the Han Dynasty is too strong, and the leaders of such tribes must know how to choose wisely,” Xun Yun said calmly.

”However, among those who would make such a choice, it might only be these three by now. The others have likely been killed, right?” Sima Yi spoke with a touch of mockery in his voice.

”Yes, in other tribes, there is no lack of individuals with such insight, but under the chaotic military discipline of the Southern Huns, they meet only one end: death. Yet, although the core forces of the three Southern Hun tribes have diminished, their strength may not have declined; this is the change brought by military discipline.” Xun Yun did not deny this, but continued following Sima Yi’s words.

”So wouldn’t it be a perfect opportunity to join them to annihilate other tribes? If I’m not wrong, these three tribes are also close to breaking point, and quite a few of their soldiers have been taken away, leaving them with a considerable amount of resentment,” Sima Yi said coldly.

”In that sense, you do have a point. However, among those under twenty-five years old, aside from Ma Mengqi, who commands troops with sheer martial force, the only ones genuinely capable of leading troops might be Chen Zichuan and Zhou Gongjin. Present company, I’m afraid, cannot.” Xun Yun remained calm.

”Cao Zixiu, now it depends on your choice. Which one will you choose?” Sima Yi asked Cao Ang, while Xun Yun helplessly shook his head on the side, having already predicted the outcome.

”Zixiu, my health is not suitable for warfare. I am here only to clear your doubts. Since you have already made up your mind, I shall leave first. As for the think tank, I recommend Sima Zhongda, using his strategies should ensure safety; as for military officers, there’s Cheng Wu and Cheng Boxiong, sons of Elder Cheng.” Xun Yun bowed and left without waiting for Cao Ang to speak.

”You’re not going north with me?” Cao Ang looked at Xun Yun in confusion, noticing for the first time just how clever Xun Yun was.

”If I go north with you, there’s a chance I might die from acclimatization.” Xun Yun spoke about his fears indifferently. ”So I’ll stay behind to ensure your supplies and weaponry, so you have no worries behind you.”

Cao Ang felt a bit awkward, but watching Xun Yun bow slightly and ride away with a distant expression, he didn’t press further.

[Members of the Xun family truly seem unpleasant.] Sima Yi thought silently as he gazed at Xun Yun’s retreating figure.

[My body still cannot handle Spiritual Talent; I’m already faintly touching it, and I can even sense my talent is Exhaustion, but my body is too frail...] Xun Yun faintly sensed the malicious gaze from Sima Yi, feeling somewhat helpless.

[In my generation of the Xun family, perhaps only three, including me, can awaken Spiritual Talent. I, myself, could die from any minor illness anytime. Is the Xun family going to decline in my generation?] Xun Yun thought silently, [I must find a way to treat my illness...]

Just then, a gust of wind blew, and Xun Yun suddenly felt dizzy. His vision went black, and he fell toward the ground. Fortunately, Dian Wei’s son, Dian Mann, reached out to catch him; otherwise, Xun Yun might have died today.

”This is not good; Changqian has fallen ill!” Dian Mann cried out frantically, startling Cao Ang and the others. If the eldest son of the Xun Family Head were to die, it would certainly be a major issue.

A group of people, disregarding everything else, scrambled to bring Xun Yun to the Minister of Ceremonies, finding an outstanding healer to stabilize his condition.

[I should stay away from Xun Changqian in the future. If he dies beside me, it would be really problematic.] Sima Yi thought quietly. He could vaguely detect Spiritual Talent in Xun Yun, and the fact that his intelligence was not inferior told a lot.

Once Xun Yun woke up, the group finally felt at ease. Cao Ang did not dare to bring up the issue of having Xun Yun accompany him north anymore; this sickly man, if he truly died, they would have no way to explain it to Xun Yu.

”Cough, cough, cough, Changqian, rest well. Don’t worry about the Southern Huns; Sima Zhongda will manage everything. Have a good rest, I’ll have people prepare various tonics for you. Just rest well and take your medicine, don’t worry about us.” Cao Ang said immediately upon seeing Xun Yun awake.

”I fainted again?” Xun Yun said with some helplessness, ”It seems I won’t last much longer. Zhongda, it’s up to you now, don’t overdo it.”

”I’ll be careful, so rest easy,” Sima Yi raised an eyebrow and said, afraid that Xun Yun might die while talking to him.