Mythical Version of Three Kingdom

Chen Xi left, leaving Lu Su with a bitter expression. Lu Su was a noble, while Chen Xi was from a prominent family. To Lu Su, it was just that simple.

Picking up the seal left by Chen Xi, Lu Su felt for the first time that his fate had long been determined. For the first time, he felt the terror of a thousand-year-old family. He had previously thought he wasn’t far off from Chen Xi, but this time he realized that some people are the ones moving the chess pieces, while he was just a piece on the board.

”So, this is the power of a thousand-year-old family? Separating the best and the strongest to gamble, the one who leaves gains freedom, the one who stays gains the family, and the one who survives becomes the head! No wonder a thousand-year-old family has such audacity!” Lu Su muttered to himself, then shouted out loud, venting his inner dissatisfaction.

Chen Xi didn’t know that his words made Lu Su feel like he was not an abandoned child of the Chen family but a young master chosen to demonstrate the grandeur of a thousand-year-old family. To Lu Su, Chen Qun, as the head of the Chen family, seemed to have chosen the family, while Chen Xi chose freedom. The clash between the best and the strongest, with the survivor becoming the patriarch—this was Lu Su’s impression.

Lu Su quickly adjusted his mindset. Even if he felt like a pawn in Chen Xi’s grand scheme, the overall strategy had no flaws, and he couldn’t let personal grievances affect public duty.

I am Lu Zijing, my intellect is not inferior to anyone. I will break through these constraints! Lu Su’s eyes gleamed with determination, his spirit reignited by the pressure and shock Chen Xi’s plan had given him.

Chen Xi had no idea that his words had led Lu Su down this path, but even if he knew, he wouldn’t explain. The beginning and the end were already set; the process might change, but not the conclusion. Words were less effective than actions. Lu Su, being perceptive, would eventually see the purpose behind his actions.

Chen Xi went to find Liu Ye with the transfer order, but Liu Ye suggested that instead of going to Qingzhou with Chen Xi, he should stay and manage the aftermath of the battle with the Yellow Turbans. Liu Ye believed that defeating the Yellow Turbans wasn’t the goal; it was about turning them into population for Taishan. He expressed confidence in Chen Xi’s success, indicating he didn’t plan to go.

”Fine.” Since Liu Ye was unwilling, Chen Xi had to abandon the idea of Liu Ye’s help. ”Stay with Lord Xuande and guard the Qingzhou-Yanzhou border.””Chen Xi, you know what I mean, right?” Liu Ye said, half-jokingly, ”You cleared the border, so there’s no major trouble. You placed Lord Xuande there as a fallback in case of failure to defend against Cao Cao, right?”

”Come on,” Chen Xi rolled his eyes. ”You’re overthinking this. Do you think Cao Cao can defeat us? He can’t spare the effort.”

”What’s strategic depth?” Liu Ye caught on to the unfamiliar term.

”It means the breadth, the distance that can be used for evasion, withdrawal, and movement,” Chen Xi waved it off. ”Stop overthinking. Cao Cao is formidable, but he can’t easily defeat Yu Jin and Lu Su.”

”Chen Xi, you’re from Yingchuan. You should know their capabilities. Although I don’t want to admit it, they are each on par with me,” Liu Ye said, pulling at his hair with a wry smile. He knew his own talents, but facing someone as nearly perfect as Xun Yu, he realized the gap between him and the top talents of the world.

”I have a rough idea of their capabilities. They are among the top figures of our time,” Chen Xi nodded. ”But if Zijing is just defending, they can’t do much.”

”Zijing is too rigid,” Liu Ye directly expressed his opinion.

”You may not believe it, but Zijing’s ability is not inferior to theirs. He reacts slower but is very stable. He’s not good with cunning strategies, which is why I don’t leave you, Guo Jia, and Fazheng with him. Your cunning plans might be countered, but Zijing and Wen Ze are steady and seek victory through stability,” Chen Xi waved off Liu Ye’s concerns. ”But since you don’t want to go, just make sure to follow Zijing’s command. If you disobey and he punishes you, don’t blame me.”

”Alright,” Liu Ye agreed after some thought. He still had doubts about Lu Su’s capabilities. Lu Su seemed wooden, rarely showcased his talents, and apart from his strong judgment, he hadn’t demonstrated much.

Having given his instructions, Chen Xi turned to leave. Since Liu Ye was uneasy, he wouldn’t take him along. Taishan had other strategists. Guo Jia staying with Liu Bei ensured there was no trouble. Chen Xi’s only choice left was Fazheng.

”Xiaozhi, wake up!” Chen Xi called outside Fazheng’s room, discarding any semblance of formality.

”What’s up, Chen Prefect?” Fazheng, with disheveled hair and wrinkled clothes, poked his head out of the window, groggy and disoriented.

”I’m going on an expedition. I need a strategist. Do you dare?” Chen Xi asked.

”What? What, what?” Fazheng was initially confused but quickly woke up, shouting, ”Say that again, say that again! I’ll be right down, wait for me!”

A series of clattering sounds followed from the second-floor loft, then the thud of footsteps on the stairs.

With one boot on, Fazheng, looking disheveled, stood before Chen Xi, excitedly asking, ”Say that again, what do you need me to do?”

”Alright,” Chen Xi ignored the excited Fazheng grabbing his sleeve, and repeated slowly, ”I’m going on an expedition. I need a strategist. Do you dare?”

”Dare!” Fazheng exclaimed excitedly.

”Then let’s go. If we don’t capture Qi and Jibei counties, you’ll be held accountable,” Chen Xi looked down at the excited Fazheng. ”Sigh, I don’t know if you’re on par with Guo Jia.”

”I won’t lose to him!” Fazheng, like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, retorted.

”Oh, I hope so,” Chen Xi turned to leave. ”We depart tomorrow. If you’re not at the north gate by the hour of the dragon, I’ll leave without you. Understand the consequences of violating military law.”

”I’ll be there! Don’t worry!” Fazheng shouted excitedly, ”I’ll prove that choosing me as your strategist is your best decision this expedition. Hahaha, I, Fazheng, finally have my chance.”

”Though I hate to burst your bubble, the others find this task so easy they didn’t want to come. So, don’t get too excited. Wash up and continue your nap. Choosing you as a strategist, I’m speechless...” Chen Xi yawned, pouring cold water on Fazheng’s enthusiasm.