Mythical Version of Three Kingdom

”So, how about it? With just a thousand men, I can take down a city, capture its highest commander, and send its defense into disarray. I believe Ju Gong knows well what it means for the city’s gates to be breached,” Chen Xi taunted, his face full of mockery. At this moment, Zhang Fei had only five hundred men, but five hundred soldiers who didn’t aim to kill but to disrupt. With the command structure in chaos and the gates breached, their destructive power was immense.

”Hmph, Chen Zichuan, I admit your courage and strategy, but you’ve underestimated the Hebei generals! Just because you temporarily have the upper hand doesn’t mean Zhang Yun and Gao Lan won’t turn the tide once they regroup and return!” Ju Shou coldly replied, feeling heartache as he noticed several fires already starting.

”Relax, relax, Yi De won’t cause too much damage. After all, Nanpi City is also a symbol of Jizhou’s dignity,” Chen Xi chuckled, causing Ju Shou to relax a bit. If Zhang Fei continued, the losses in Nanpi would be significant.

”However, Ju Gong’s hope that Zhang Yun and Gao Lan can accomplish what you wish for is quite naive,” Chen Xi opened his wooden folding fan, hiding his playful expression. ”Nanpi’s military camp is so prominently built. Perfect!”

As he spoke, a massive green light streaked across the sky from the western part of the city, followed by a slight tremor. Chen Xi covered his mouth with his fan, his eyes mocking Ju Shou.

”So, what do you think? But Ju Gong, please abandon the idea of taking me hostage. Unlike you, I don’t have much confidence in survival here. Zhao Zilong has been watching, and the moment you pull out your knife, he’ll split it in two,” Chen Xi finished, retracting his dagger. Zhao Yun would handle guarding Ju Shou.

Soon, Guan Yu arrived with his five hundred swordsmen, escorting Zhang Yun and Gao Lan. He bowed to Chen Xi, ”Mission accomplished!”

”Yun Chang, go stop Yi De. Don’t let him continue the destruction. We need to hold Nanpi. It doesn’t have to be for long, just one day. Even if Jizhou’s other forces respond, they won’t make it in time. The top commanders responsible for local defense are all here, and the command structure has collapsed. I hope Zi Yi can hurry,” Chen Xi calmly instructed Guan Yu, his tone indifferent.

”Chen Zichuan!” Ju Shou shouted angrily.

”Ju Gong, please calm down. Once you’ve made a choice, you must bear the consequences. It’s always been this way. I believe Ju Gong is not someone who shirks responsibility,” Chen Xi replied calmly. As for Zhang Yun and Gao Lan, who were sealed by Guan Yu and thrown aside for Zhao Yun to guard, Chen Xi showed great interest. After all, they were significant catches.”Ah, communication methods are really terrible. Zi Yi probably hasn’t received our message yet. Though I had him prepare, he’s likely still at the Qing-Ji border. Truly a waste of time,” Chen Xi stretched lazily.

”What exactly do you want, Chen Zichuan?” Ju Shou demanded angrily, sensing the situation spiraling out of his control. If Tai Shi Ci really marched from Qingzhou, Jizhou’s army, without its top commanders, would be crushed, leading to Bohai County’s fall and potentially altering the entire Yu-Ji war.

”I could ask you the same thing, Ju Gongyu,” Chen Xi sneered.

”What benefit do you gain if Gongsun Zan takes Jizhou?” Ju Shou questioned furiously.

”It’s better than Yuan Benchu. Gongsun Zan and Xuande share mutual respect and can be trusted as neighbors,” Chen Xi mocked.

Hearing this, Ju Shou finally exhaled a breath of relief. Chen Xi was also wary of Gongsun Zan, which meant there was room for negotiation.

”What do you want?” Ju Shou asked, regaining his composure.

”I’ll take Nanpi City with me,” Chen Xi stated bluntly.

Ju Shou shuddered. This city had taken so much effort to build since Han Fu’s time, and now it was fully established...

”That’s settled then,” Chen Xi smiled, turning around. The current situation favored him, and negotiations were unnecessary. He dictated terms, knowing taking too much could trigger Ju Shou’s defense and collapse Yuan Shao’s already strained defense.

”Yun Chang and Zi Long, guard the four gates. Nanpi City is quite large, and it’s tough to defend with just a thousand men. Hold out for a day. Zi Yi must be rushing here under strict orders. As for other places in Bohai County, they can only stick to their defenses without orders,” Chen Xi sighed. To Zhao Yun, though, his words were full of ridicule towards Jizhou.

”Understood!” Guan Yu and Zhao Yun responded in unison.

All the Jizhou families silently observed, making no moves. As long as Chen Xi didn’t threaten their interests, they wouldn’t intervene. Especially now, it was clear Chen Xi held the advantage. They had no deep ties with the Yuan family, and any disaster Yuan Shao faced didn’t concern them. They could even mock the Yuan family later.

Madam Zhang, seeing the situation, was thrilled. Ju Gongyu was a well-known figure in Jizhou, and his ability was evident from Nanpi City’s construction. Yet, here he was, outmaneuvered by Chen Xi.

Hearing about Chen Xi defeating a million Yellow Turbans had been shocking. But seeing this situation firsthand made Madam Zhang fully understand Chen Xi’s capabilities.

”Mi’er, let’s go home. Chen Zichuan might be a good choice after all. Rather than betting on others, I trust him more,” Madam Zhang smiled, stroking Zhen Mi’s head. ”Mi’er, would you like to visit Taishan? How about we establish a branch there?”

”Taishan?” Zhen Mi nodded, having heard it was a place where emperors offered sacrifices.

”Mi’er, grow up quickly,” Madam Zhang said, smiling. ”You’re so young, yet already have someone interested in you.”

Zhen Mi shyly lowered her head, then hugged her mother, nestling close. ”Mother, since Chen Zichuan left, it feels like home is as it was when Father was alive.”

Madam Zhang remained silent. Through this ordeal, she realized her late husband’s decisions were the wisest. The Zhen family had surpassed the stage of rapid accumulation and now needed stability. Their wealth was beyond ordinary imagination, and there was no need for the previous frantic pace.

Chen Xi was unaware that the Zhen family, after witnessing this scene, had decided to fully support Liu Xuande. His efforts in Jizhou no longer required years of cultivation. At this moment, the seed he planted had sprouted, growing stronger fueled by the Zhen family’s resentment towards the Yuan family and Jizhou nobility.