Mythical Three Kingdoms

”Indeed, all we are missing now is a unit with a military spirit to serve as the core. Others, like the Qingzhou Soldiers and the Danyang Troops, have basically completed their training. It’s just that we still don’t know in which area their combined forces will excel. One hundred thousand Qingzhou Army members—that’s the culmination of Wen Ze’s hard work,” Chen Xi said, her expression filled with sentiment.

When she first set foot on Mount Tai, she had laid down the pieces of a puzzle to conquer the world. Now, under Chenxi’s arrangements, they were gradually becoming a reality.

”After all, Jizhou is a place with extensive holdings and wealth,” Fa Zheng said, pondering for a long time before he spoke.

”Do you think it’s a joke to claim that the land is the best in the world? It’s the largest grain-producing area, and besides, it’s one of the top four horse-producing regions. Except for the fact that there are many prominent families and people are not united, it can be said to have no flaws at all. My preparations in the early years were just to catch up with them; the preparations of the past two years were to accumulate more than the opposition,” Chen Xi said with a smirk, thinking that Han Fu must have been out of his mind to hand over Jizhou to Yuan Shao.

”So, the current situation is that we have surpassed Yuan Shao in all areas where we can accumulate advantage, right?” Zhuge Liang arrived at this moment and, upon hearing Chen Xi’s words, chimed in to ask.

”Yes, in all areas of possible accumulation, we can say we have comprehensively surpassed Yuan Shao, but…” Chen Xi sighed helplessly, ”geopolitical advantage is what it is, and I have no good solutions for that.”

”We can’t avoid a large cavalry battle in the northern wars,” Zhuge Liang sighed, ”fortunately, it’s not Xiliang Iron Cavalry, or else in a large-scale group battle, our losses would be even more devastating.”

”That’s just how it is. How is the Jig River Crossing coming along?” Chen Xi nodded. She had never denied Yuan Shao’s advantages, but her long-term efforts were not in vain; apart from cavalry, which she couldn’t manage, she had leveled or surpassed in other aspects.

”We’ve taken it over. As expected, you didn’t attack Chiping,” Zhuge Liang nodded, ”I’ve already sent people downstream to Qingzhou to report, and the new grain route is activated. Xu Ziyuan is indeed impressive.”

”Yes, at least he knew to burn the grain and forage at Feicheng, and then to take Chiping and the Jig River Crossing. But that’s not too significant. I prepared three types of grain routes, after all,” Chen Xi said, yawning, ”he’s only cut off two types, let him be. Whoever tries to cut off my supply lines in this lifetime will be unlucky.”

Zhuge Liang was visibly surprised, ”Are you saying you’ve prepared other grain routes?”

”Of course, how could I not prepare for such a glaring vulnerability? Whoever dares to scheme against me, surely I will make them regret it. Of course, last night’s was an accident; one must not underestimate the combat power of cavalry,” Chen Xi said with a prideful air, ”being prepared in advance is not just a playful nickname.”

”Be careful not to get trapped by someone else, that wouldn’t be good,” Zhuge Liang said, slightly annoyed, ”You’re sure we’re not attacking Chiping, right?”

”Chiping is tough to attack, and you haven’t forgotten what our duty is, have you?” Chen Xi said nonchalantly.

”Right, I also agree with you on not attacking Chiping,” Zhuge Liang nodded, ”But I think we should consider what Xuu You really wants to do. Don’t you feel there was something off about the battle last night?”

”What’s off about it?” Chen Xi tugged at the corner of her mouth, ”It’s nothing more than grabbing at straws, killing three birds with one stone. Though Xuu You included me in his targets, it was just by the way. Weakening the Yuan Family of Yuzhou and dragging Yuan Shu into the battlefield between our army and Yuan Shao’s Army was his true objective.”

”Oh, I see,” Zhuge Liang nodded, understanding why something seemed amiss, ”Can we even say that last night’s battle was entirely to draw our attention?”

”Exactly, it would be great if they could eliminate our forces, but if not, then the second best would be to let the noble families under our command know they are coming. Then use the noble families’ counterattack to lure the Yuan Family of Yuzhou into coordinating an attack,” Chen Xi mused half in thought.

”Essentially, it doesn’t really weaken the Yuan Family. Whether the scheme succeeds or fails, it’s advantageous for Yuan Shao. If successful, the Yuan Family unites and the Two Yuans join forces against our army. If it fails, in Xuu You’s eyes, it can still weaken both our forces and Yuan Shu, preparing for Yuan Shao’s unification,” Fa Zheng shook his head; compared to Chen Xi, he had a better grasp on the ambitions of men.

”So last night’s battle is insignificant to Xuu You even if it’s a major defeat,” Chen Xi realized after listening to Fa Zheng, understanding that Xuu You had clearly planned a two-fold scheme. She hadn’t anticipated that their grand army would be broken by Chen Xi, turning what was supposed to be a perfect ending into such a disgraceful retreat.

”We don’t intervene?” Zhuge Liang frowned, knowing full well about Fenggao and the others like Li Youu and Jia Xu. Still, his habit was to give his all, which made him want to lend a hand.

”One should not engage in matters outside one’s official responsibilities; that is not our concern. Our task is to establish New Linyi City. Matters regarding Mount Tai will naturally be dealt with by those people. Kongming, don’t you have faith in them?” Chen Xi’s face clearly showed an unnatural expression.

”I have great confidence in Master Li and Master Jia,” Zhuge Liang shook his head, ”What I meant was, shouldn’t we do more to make this situation easier to handle?”

”No need, Kongming, you need to learn to delegate. Being in a high position doesn’t mean you have to do everything below that position. Rather, you should reasonably distribute your duties to the right people and let them complete them,” Chen Xi sighed.

Having spent so much time with Zhuge Liang, Chen Xi understood him well. Zhuge wasn’t so much power-hungry as he was mistrustful of others. This led him to worry unnecessarily often.

It can be said that much of what Zhuge did wasn’t actually his to do. Many things should have been managed by his subordinates, but Zhuge couldn’t let go, and he involved himself in even the trivial matters, doing them himself. This resulted in him practically doing all the work of his underlings.

”...” Zhuge Liang fell silent, ”I’ve been overly cautious.”

”Caution isn’t wrong, but as a leader, you must trust the talents you’ve selected. Moreover, it’s crucial to position the talents you value properly, allowing them to utilize their skill set, managing them rather than doing the work yourself and letting them watch,” Chen Xi shook her head.

”Indeed, Kongming, you don’t need to be so busy. The six Secretary-General Attendants like Chen Zhen assigned to you are there for you to command, not to create work for you to do,” Fa Zheng interjected, aware of Zhuge’s hard work.

”I will be more mindful in the future,” Zhuge Liang reflected for a while before speaking. (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, welcome to Qidian ) to cast your votes of recommendation and monthly tickets. Your support is my strongest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)