Mythical Three Kingdoms

Jia Xu and Li Youu were unaware of these developments; their current task was to arrange everything properly to lure the situation into unfolding as they had envisioned.

”Zichuan truly has grand ambitions,” Mann Chong said as he looked at the proposal in Chen Xi’s letter, a glint of hope flashing in his eyes. ”Who was it that first spread the legend of the Heaven-Man Dual Cauldrons, or where did it originate from?”

”I don’t know,” Jia Xu shook his head expressionlessly after seeing Mann Chong’s gaze, indicating that he was also in the dark.

”If even Wen He doesn’t know, then things really do get interesting. If it’s not someone’s grand scheme, then it may very well be true,” said Mann Chong, his stern expression giving way to a trace of fervor. To have both law and human culture exist in harmony was the enduring dream of the Legalist School; Mann Chong wouldn’t miss such an opportunity for anything.

”Perhaps,” Jia Xu glanced at Li Youu and spoke succinctly. Although Jia Xu hadn’t discovered the source of the rumors, they were now widespread, and the spreader had successfully evaded his informants. Therefore, Jia Xu could only suspect those around him.

”We will know in due course,” Li Youu lifted his eyelids and spoke calmly. The Heaven-Man Dual Cauldrons were buried by him, the rumors were spread by him, he would surely know. ”I believe that it’s appropriate for morality, law, and civilization to coexist.”

”Thank you,” Mann Chong understood from Li Youu’s words that he agreed with engraving the laws on the Heaven-Man Dual Cauldrons when the time came. In doing so, the legal standards for the entire world would be established alongside the Dual Cauldrons.

”We’ll discuss this later. For now, we should deal with the rebellion first. The aristocratic families have split into three categories. Boning, you will handle the third category,” suggested Jia Xu upon hearing Li Youu’s words. He then turned to Mann Chong, ”Wen Ru, you will manage the second category, and Zizhong and I will visit the last category once everything is completely settled.”

”Leave it to me. I will make them clearly understand their mistakes,” Mann Chong once again assumed a stern expression.

”Report!” Just as Li Youu was about to speak, a messenger rushed in with a red-sealed letter.

”It has begun...” spoke Xun Yue, who had been silent and standing like a wooden figure until now. A red envelope signified an urgent situation second only to the most critical; the event they were awaiting had occurred.

Jia Xu would not let the letter be read aloud this time. He took it, quickly scanned the Hexagram Statement, swiftly deduced the Hexagrams, then translated them into numbers, and briefly perused the Classic of Poetry.

”It has started, just as we anticipated. The Yuan Family from Yuzhou has sent out troops. However, insider news indicates that Duke Zhou has also agreed to dispatch troops, meaning the military power of the Yuan Family from Yuzhou will far exceed our estimates,” Jia Xu calmly announced, tossing the letter onto the table.

”The gap in our troop deployment in Xuzhou is quite significant,” Xun Yue said with narrowed eyes, then turned to look at Li Youu. ”The aristocratic families of Xuzhou will undoubtedly have some real defectors. The second category will certainly see some fall out of their ranks.

”The battle to advance north requires internal unity. It’s better to eliminate these hidden dangers early on. As for the shortfall of troops in Xuzhou, hasn’t Zijing already departed for Yanu? What is this minor difference in military strength?” Li Youu countered sharply; indeed, his actions were rather pressing, but had the aristocratic families not entertained the idea of overpowering him from the outset, would he have had to resort to such ruthless measures?

Xun Yue was taken aback by Li Youu’s words. It was true that Lub Su had indeed led troops to Yanzhou, but what did the upcoming battle in Xuzhou have to do with it?

Then Xun Yue suddenly remembered something. Not long ago, after Lub Su had arrived in Linyi, they conducted a rotation of guards: Gan Ning and Fa Zheng went to Shanyang, while Zhuge Liang and Taishi Ci headed to Jiyin.

”You’re insane!” Xun Yue suddenly realized what was going on and looked at Jia Xu and Li Youu in shock.

”It seems that Xiuruo has figured out what’s happening,” Jia Xu said calmly, unconcerned that Xun Yue was able to deduce the plan from its outcome after the reveal.

”What if one corps can’t hold Xiapi? Do we need such a risky plan to bet on such an eventuality? The Yuzhou Aristocratic Family, even if they were inclined to gild the lily, would never do such a thing!” Xun Yue said angrily. Being born into an aristocratic family, he understood them well—the Yuzhou Aristocratic Family would never betray Yuan Shu at this juncture!

”A risky plan? On the contrary, after this strategy, Yuan Gonglu will be out of history,” Jia Xu said placidly. Fa Zheng’s plan was insane, but undeniable, this one move would be enough to cripple Yuan Shu beyond recovery.

”Out of history?” Xun Yue almost laughed in anger. ”Do you really think Yuan Shao can’t see this is a golden opportunity? If our war with Yuan Gonglu doesn’t end in a resounding victory for our forces within three months, then we may as well prepare to fight to the death with the entire Yuan Family. At least I don’t see our army easily defeating Yuan Shu’s hundred-thousand-strong army. That’s a hundred thousand men, not pigs!”

”Within a month, Yuan Shu will exit history, as for why, we once fought over Yuzhou, and this time, it’s good that we cut off the link between the State of Liang and Runan. Liu Jingsheng will naturally know what to do, and Liu Jiyu will also know what to do,” said Jia Xu calmly. ”We’ll take everything north of the Huai River!”

Xun Yue silently analyzed what Jia Xu had said. He had been too worried to think clearly before, but after Jia Xu pointed things out, Xun Yue immediately realized that for Zhou Yu, who was currently in Shouchun, the most important thing in Yuzhou was Sunx Ce, not the Yuzhou army attacking Xuzhou.

Even if he found out the supply lines of the hundred-thousand-strong army were cut by Liu Bei, Zhou Yu would not hesitate to rescue Sunx Ce because if Sunx Ce was not saved and Liu Bei intervened, making the situation clear, Liu Biao, Liu Zhang, and Liu Bei’s Vice Army, if they had any sense at all, would definitely eliminate Sunx Ce at all costs.

More importantly, the current situation within the Yuan Family was definitely one of rejecting Sunx Ce, which means if Zhou Yu didn’t go to rescue Sunx Ce, the Yuan Family would surely abandon him. This would necessitate that the rescue could only personally be led by Zhou Yu, and it could only be Zhou Yu’s Navy.

Thus, this situation would basically guarantee the security of Fa Zheng and Gan Ning’s campaign to take control of territories north of the Huai River. As for the rescue of Sunx Ce, Zhuge Liang would naturally handle Zhou Yu’s Navy once they landed.

As for Xun Yue’s concern about one corps not being able to hold Xuzhou, it is indeed a valid point, but one corps should be able to hold Xiapi for a month, which is enough time for Fa Zheng and Gan Ning to push from Runan to Xuzhou and completely cut off Yuzhou’s route of retreat.

”Encirclement and annihilation, Yuan Gonglu has spread himself too thin, getting cut through the middle, unable to tend to both ends...” Xun Yue murmured to himself. ”Such a vicious strategy. It was you who orchestrated Yuan Gonglu’s relocation of his capital, wasn’t it? Had you calculated all the way to the present back then?” (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to cast your votes at Qidian (qidian.com). Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)