Mythical Three Kingdoms

Chen Xi handled most of the issues concerning the aristocratic families in Mount Tai. After sending Lul Xun and Lu Yu to Qingzhou, he began managing the political matters left behind by Lub Su. Though his finesse in details was not outstanding, the overarching structure was flawless—after all, in terms of vision, no one could rival his foresight.

The remnants of the previous rebellion had been largely quelled, and the aristocratic families had come to understand the boundaries set by Liu Bei and Chen Xi. While the conditions weren't entirely favorable, they were far from disastrous. At the very least, neither Liu Bei nor Chen Xi had any intentions of eradicating the aristocratic families, merely wishing they could better align themselves with the societal framework.

"What's the matter, Wen He?" Chen Xi asked Jia Xu, who appeared slightly perturbed. There was a peculiar expression on his face that Chen Xi couldn't quite place.

"Take a look at Yuan Shu's intelligence report yourself." Jia Xu said calmly as he handed over a letter from intelligence personnel to Chen Xi. "Once you read it, you'll understand."

Perplexed, Chen Xi accepted the letter and quickly skimmed through its contents. Then, raising his head, he looked at Jia Xu. "The situation on the battlefield matches your assessment exactly. But this Yuan Gonglu—it's as if he's suddenly possessed by something."

"After stepping down and witnessing the lives of the lower-class citizens and the behavior of the aristocratic families, his worldview must have been completely overturned. Yuan Shu is truly an eccentric figure. His principles are difficult for someone like me to comprehend, but he undoubtedly has his own set of principles," Jia Xu said plainly. It didn't take much thought to piece it together.

"So Yuan Shu issued a Talent Recruitment Order? Following in the footsteps of us and Cao Mengde, he's the third to dare attempt such a thing. However, unlike the dire situations we and Cao Mengde faced at the time, Yuan Gonglu's approach can, to some extent, be considered a humbling gesture to broaden his means." Placing the report aside, Chen Xi chuckled lightly, showing little concern. Yuan Shu's response was too belated.

"Sunx Ce and Zhou Yu's control over Yuzhou, Yangzhou, and northern Jingzhou is steadily increasing, and Yuan Shu seems to trust the two of them implicitly for some obscure reason," Jia Xu said, frowning. "This makes it unlikely for us to plant a seed of discord in Yuan Shu's mind."

"The human heart is inherently ambiguous and elusive," Chen Xi replied, unperturbed. "Our aim is merely for the land north of the Huai River. That way, when we march north, we can establish defenses along the Huai River. Stationing troops across the river would mean we'd have nothing to fear from a vulnerable rear defense."

"However, Pang Shiyuan's defeat at the hands of the Yizhou Army is unexpected. By your earlier projections, this shouldn't have happened," Jia Xu said, knitting his brows. "And what's more disconcerting is the manner in which he was defeated—it was utterly disastrous. Based on the intel we've received, I simulated a scenario, and it appears his defeat was genuine."

"Defeat only paves the way to eventual triumph. We are well aware of the capabilities of the three in Yizhou; they are no trifling opponents. Even if you or someone else went in their place, unless extremely cautious, victory would still be elusive. As for Pang Shiyuan, I suspect he took a gamble," Chen Xi said calmly.

"I have my doubts as well, but our primary focus does not lie in Yizhou. If my predictions are correct, Yuan Shao is about to make a move," Jia Xu said solemnly, looking at Chen Xi. "It won't be long now. If nothing unexpected happens, he will strike during the scorching heat of summer."

"Sustaining himself at our expense?" Chen Xi nodded slightly, expressing some frustration. Yuan Shao's rear was virtually without issues, whereas Liu Bei's rear still had minor disturbances.

"When the time comes, I'll accompany our Lord to the front. You will remain in the rear, managing logistics and dispatch," Jia Xu said, a glint flashing in his eyes. "Yuan Shao has been dulling our vigilance all along, and as for Gongsun Bogui's front, it's likely Yuan Shao intends to settle things in one decisive strike. Otherwise, he wouldn't have delayed until now."

"I've already sent envoys to Youzhou, but my hopes aren't high. Previously, both Lord Xuande and I wrote letters to Gongsun Bogui, outlining the current situation and encouraging him to board a ship bound for Qingzhou. As for the Northern Frontier, once we've defeated Yuan Shao, Gongsun Bogui can still roam freely and suppress the Hu People. Unfortunately, though the letters were delivered, no reply was received," Chen Xi sighed.

While Chen Xi was uncomfortable with Gongsun Zan's extreme ethnic policies, he understood that from the perspective of this era, Gongsun Zan's approach was effective. Moreover, when Gongsun Zan began his campaign of slaughtering Hu People, there was indeed no personal gain involved. By many measures, he was deserving of the title "hero."

"Still, he has agreed to send his wife, concubines, and children into our care, effectively entrusting his affairs to Lord Xuande. Yet, he refuses to leave himself. The old adage—'Too rigid, and it shatters'—fits perfectly in this case. Alas!" Chen Xi said helplessly, deeply wishing he could save Gongsun Zan.

"There's nothing else we can do. So be it," Jia Xu said, expressionlessly. He had foreseen Gongsun Zan's demise long ago. For certain generals, death meant more to them than a life of disgrace. "When he has completed all his preparations in the Northern Frontier, that will likely be the time of his death."

"At the very least, Gongsun Bogui never once violated his vows. Even when invading the Central Plains, he never ceased his resistance against the Hu People," Chen Xi said calmly. "When there are no other options, to end one's life in a grand spectacle is also an achievement. At least, the people of the Northern Frontier will remember him."

"For someone who has lost the will to live, even if we want to save him, there's nothing we can do. But his demise does lighten our burden to some extent," Jia Xu sighed. It wasn't that they wouldn't save Gongsun Zan—it was that Gongsun Zan himself refused salvation. He would rather perish with the Northern Frontier.

"You should head to the front with Lord Xuande ahead of time. Originally, the plan was to wait until all preparations were complete before engaging Yuan Shao. I even prepared a few contingencies—but alas, man proposes, and heaven disposes," Chen Xi said while shrugging, then turned to look at Li Youu, who was reviewing documents with an impassive expression. As expected, Li Youu didn't join the conversation at all.

"To have delayed things until now is already a blessing from above. Furthermore, compared to Yuan Shao, we are sufficiently prepared. At least, by my assessment, we can plan for Lord Xuande to lead publicly, while Yuan Shao may secretly mobilize troops without formal approval," Jia Xu said calmly, his Spiritual Talent allowing him to foresee outcomes as long as there was sufficient intelligence.

"It will ultimately depend on how broad-minded Yuan Shao is. But even if Tian Feng and others are entirely loyal, they may still be a thorn in Yuan Shao's heart. Have you pushed the situation step by step until it's about to erupt?" Chen Xi said with a faint smile as he looked at Jia Xu.

The terror of cunning strategy didn't lie in battlefield tactics or overturning one or two wars. The scariest part lay in men like Jia Xu. Every step they took forced the opposition to follow, and in doing so, the opposition ended up exactly where they wanted them to be. Wars that were supposed to be straightforward clashes of might would ultimately turn into a one-man chessboard, with Jia Xu pitting himself against himself. (To be continued. If you enjoyed this work, please visit Qidian (qidian.com) to cast your votes and support the author! Mobile readers, please visit m.qidian.com to continue reading.)