Mythical Version of Three Kingdom

Chen Xi was completely unaware that Hua Xiong had hit the jackpot. Li Ru, originally planning to take this formation to his grave, decided to teach his best technique to Hua Xiong after seeing the quality of his elite soldiers. Of course, Li Ru wouldn’t tell Hua Xiong what the formation was; he would just guide him step by step, knowing Hua Xiong’s intelligence was too low to fully grasp it. If Hua Xiong could master a few of the sixty-four variations and one or two killer moves, that would be sufficient.

Li Ru had no hope that Hua Xiong could learn all sixty-four variations. Unless Jia Xu’s brain was transplanted into Hua Xiong’s body, that would be a pipe dream.

During their daily marches, Li Ru constantly explained how to use and change formations. Jia Xu, believing Li Ru was nearing the end of his life and had no need to keep these secrets, listened with great interest. Over ten days, Hua Xiong was thoroughly confused, while Jia Xu nearly reverse-engineered the formation from Li Ru’s explanations.

Cao Cao, in Yanzhou, was angrily sweeping through the Yellow Turbans. The Yellow Turbans had devastated Yanzhou while foraging for food, leaving Cao Cao with a mess when he assumed his post as Governor. Every region needed food, but he had none.

Cao Cao had hoped for assistance from Yuan Shao, who was engaged in battle with Gongsun Zan. His advisors assured him that Gongsun Zan would eventually be defeated, but that was in the future. Yuan Shao couldn’t help now. Yuan Shao’s family was wealthy enough to ignore spring planting, but Cao Cao couldn’t afford that luxury.

This left Cao Cao with two choices: steal or borrow. After becoming Governor and realizing how prosperous Taishan was, he saw that Chen Xi was extraordinarily capable and Zhao Yun was a nearly unrivaled warrior who could also manage agriculture and lead cavalry. On learning about Taishan’s grain production, Cao Cao’s eyes turned red with envy. Taishan’s grain production was immense, far more than they could consume. Without further ado, Cao Cao requested grain from Taishan, only to have the promissory note stopped by Lu Su before it even reached Liu Bei.

If Liu Bei hadn’t received the note, it didn’t matter. Once he did, Cao Cao would have a just cause. Meanwhile, Liu Ye and Lu Su were organizing relief efforts for Yanzhou’s people.

Upon learning of this, Cao Cao was furious and prepared to attack Taishan. However, Lu Su and Yu Jin were also ready to defend, creating a tense standoff. The Yellow Turbans took advantage of this, attacking Yanzhou and seizing every grain they could find.

”Xiaozhi, how is the plan going?” Chen Xi checked the time, feeling that time was running short. If Fa Zheng didn’t come up with a solution soon, he would take matters into his own hands.

”Zichuan,” Fa Zheng sighed bitterly. He had devised many strategies, but none met Chen Xi’s requirement of minimal losses and maximum gains without some flaws.”Tell me your plan,” Chen Xi said, disappointed.

Fa Zheng bowed and began explaining his strategy.

”That works. Why overthink it?” Chen Xi’s frown deepened as he listened. ”Whether it’s breaking their army, driving their soldiers, or demoralizing them later, it’s all fine. Overall, there’s no problem!”

”What if they see through it?” Fa Zheng asked, bowing.

”All strategies have the potential to be seen through. What matters is using the right strategy against the right enemy. The Yellow Turbans are commoners turned bandits with no knowledge of military tactics. This strategy is enough! A strategist’s plan doesn’t need to be flawless; it just needs to defeat the enemy. We can’t waste more time. I’ll take charge. You watch and learn!” Chen Xi sighed, disappointed in Fa Zheng.

”Drum the assembly!” Chen Xi ordered, walking to the central tent and taking his seat.

Within the time it took for an incense stick to burn, all the generals assembled in the central tent. Chen Xi’s stern gaze swept over them.

”Since we left Taishan and entered Qingzhou, you all have wanted to battle the Yellow Turbans. However, with a million Yellow Turbans pouring out of Qingzhou, I was cautious. Now the situation is clear. Will you help me defeat the Yellow Turbans in Qingzhou?” Chen Xi said boldly, raising his sword.

”Leave it to me! I’ll skewer one with my spear! Two with one thrust!” Zhang Fei thumped his chest.

”Does the strategist have a plan to defeat the Yellow Turbans?” Guan Yu ignored Zhang Fei and gestured to Zhao Yun, who stood and asked.

”The Yellow Turbans are nothing. If I didn’t want to incorporate their able-bodied men, I would have already crushed them!” Chen Xi boasted. During this time, although he left the planning to Fa Zheng, he had not been idle. He had embedded spies among the Yellow Turbans, some of whom had risen to the rank of centurion.

”Generals, hear my command. Yun Chang will stay with the central army, following my lead to defeat the Yellow Turbans in Qingzhou. Yide, Zilong, and Ziyi, each take one thousand cavalry to drive the fleeing Yellow Turbans. Do not kill them; just drive them to collide with the main Yellow Turban force. Zhongtai will lead the infantry as the rear guard, re-establishing settlements and incorporating refugees into the army. Food will be distributed as needed!” Chen Xi commanded with a calm expression. He wanted to say that internal conflicts over food were severe among the Yellow Turbans. Once a major defeat occurred, they might all scatter.

”Yes!” the generals responded loudly.

”Zichuan, are you sure about this? I haven’t devised the best plan yet,” Fa Zheng asked worriedly after the generals left.

”There’s no more time. We must eliminate the Yellow Turbans by mid-May, or even if we win, it’ll be a burden dragging us down! Remember, all tactics ultimately serve the final strategy. Sometimes, sacrifices are necessary for the strategic goal. Tell me, what is our objective?” Chen Xi, still calculating the days, explained, understanding the urgency.

”To bring peace to the world and restore the Han dynasty!” Fa Zheng replied without hesitation.

”Restoring the Han dynasty requires people. Therefore, our ultimate goal can be rephrased as minimizing casualties. If we don’t resolve the Yellow Turbans by mid-May, even with my abilities, it will be too late for agricultural production. We won’t be able to plant summer crops, meaning we’ll have to feed nearly two million people without food until June next year!” Chen Xi said grimly. Even if Tao Qian was generous, asking him to provide food for two million people for a year was impossible!