Mythical Three Kingdoms

”The timing—Governor of Chen Commandery is betting on the opponent’s resolve. Since the challenge is issued in the afternoon, it will probably be during the Wei Hour.” Chen Deng had yet to answer, but Gan Ning had already reacted, his expression toward Chen Deng growing more solemn.

”The Wei Hour leaves only a little over an hour until nightfall. If the challenge leads to a battle formation, engaging for an hour before retreating is the most reasonable scenario. However, the opposition will surely stall you, then dispatch forces to attack Xiapi,” Gan Ning observed with a note of admiration, speaking to Zhang Fei.

”Exactly. In that scenario, they’d stall us and then launch a nighttime assault on Xiapi. That would be the most logical choice. Battling us might yield no conclusive results and would be a waste of effort. On the other hand, taking Xiapi would likely succeed. If Xiapi is captured, they will gain a foothold in Xuzhou.” Chen Deng nodded as he spoke.

”Even more crucially, if Xiapi is taken, attacking us afterward will become much easier, and they might even seize victory in one swift stroke,” Gan Ning said, glancing at Chen Deng with notably more admiration in his expression. He appreciated capable individuals like this.

”How about this? Today, we send them a battle proposal, inviting them to meet us for a formation battle tomorrow during the Wei Hour, on the plains eighty li south of Xiapi City.” Chen Deng looked toward Zhang Fei and proposed, knowing he needed to make preparations to ensure the city could withstand any assault should Zhang Fei be absent temporarily.

”Sounds good. Leave the rest to us. I’m certain Xiaoo Zhi will flawlessly carry out your strategy,” Gan Ning nodded in agreement.

”Then that settles it.” Chen Deng refrained from saying more, considering it a subtle test for Fa Zheng. If Fa Zheng couldn’t handle such matters, it might be better to withhold deeper strategies in the future—Chen Deng just didn’t feel entirely at ease.

”Yide, I’m going to report to Xiaoo Zhi now. I might need to come back later,” Gan Ning said to Zhang Fei, waving him off as he prepared to leave.

”Won’t you have a meal before you go?” Zhang Fei asked.

”No need. Pack me two roast chickens, and if you’ve got beef, throw in a couple of steaks,” Gan Ning promptly turned back and requested some provisions from Zhang Fei.

”Beef, we have plenty; a plump ox recently ’died’ not long ago.” Zhang Fei chuckled lightly, clearly implying that its death wasn’t accidental.

”Give me two cuts from the ox’s back, plus a roast chicken. That’ll suffice—it’s just for me and Xiaoo Zhi, no need to share with others.” Gan Ning replied bluntly, showing no inclination for the communal spirit Hua Xiong employed, where generals ate and lived alongside their soldiers. For Gan Ning, rewards and punishments were clear-cut.

Soon after, Gan Ning left with roast chickens and beef in hand, while Zhang Fei fetched paper and ink, writing feverishly. The gist of the message read: Yesterday, your Yuzhou Army, led by Li Yan, set up a challenge formation, but I shattered it. Today, take a day off, and tomorrow, witness my army’s formation techniques at such-and-such a location. If you dare, send a reply!

After the declaration was delivered, Li Tong immediately gathered Li Yan and others for discussion. They weren’t afraid of Zhang Fei per se, but rather deliberating on whether expending forces in Xuzhou was worth the effort, as they were steadily retreating toward the Yangtze River Mouth anyways. There was no need to fixate on Xuzhou unnecessarily.

A group of seven or eight individuals debated endlessly without reaching a conclusion. These figures had once been personally picked by Zhou Yu in Yuzhou and Jingzhou. Loyalty wasn’t an issue, and their competency was evident, which made resolving disputes among them even harder.

”Zheng Fang, why haven’t you spoken up yet?” Li Tong asked, observing the generals’ arguments and finding himself equally indecisive. Should they fight a battle, winning or drawing to leave gracefully, or maintain their current strategy of retreating gradually without any victories, under the guise of Zhou Yu’s long-term plans?

”I’m thinking whether Zhang Fei understands military formations.” Li Yan furrowed his brow as he replied.

”What’s the relevance of that? Even if he doesn’t understand sophisticated formations, surely he knows ordinary Spearshead Formation or Round Formation, right?” Huo Jun remarked with a smile. ”Perhaps he’s just looking for an excuse to provoke a fierce confrontation.”

”No, it’s significant. If Zhang Fei doesn’t understand formations yet proposes a formation battle, then the one actually setting up the formation must be someone else. He’s simply directing the forces, and in Xiapi, the only one skilled in formation battles would likely be Chen Deng.” Li Yan turned his gaze to Huo Jun, his eyes revealing a sense of gravity.

”Why would that be a problem?” Huo Jun still didn’t grasp the implication, looking at Li Yan with puzzlement, only to see Lai Min and Li Tong deep in thought.

Before long, both men’s eyes glimmered with realization, and Li Tong asked, ”Zheng Fang, how probable do you believe it is that Chen Deng will set up the formation?”

”I’m unsure. But I do think preparations are necessary. In case Chen Deng is indeed masterminding the strategy, missing this opportunity would be a grave mistake. What do you two think?” Li Yan said, his meaning clear—double preparations were in order.

”It’s definitely prudent.” Li Tong didn’t hesitate before agreeing. Li Yan’s reasoning was sound, and failing to seize potential opportunities would be unwise.

”However, Zheng Fang, if you go alone, holding off the enemy might not be easy.” Lai Min remarked thoughtfully, demonstrating his slight grasp of formations. While his understanding wasn’t deep, he could follow Li Yan’s dispatches, showing Lai Min’s remarkable prudence.

”General, may I accompany General Li to confront Zhang Fei? Though I’m unworthy, I possess some knowledge of military formations.” Liang Xi, one of Zhou Yu’s handpicked generals from Yuzhou, was undoubtedly capable. Among those present, perhaps only Li Yan outshone him consistently. Seeking powerful allies to follow was Liang Xi’s survival instinct amidst chaos.

”Alright.” Li Tong glanced at Liang Xi. ”Zheng Fang, what do you think of this arrangement—Ziyuu as your second-in-command?”

”If Chen Deng truly sets up the formation, I’ll do my utmost to hold off the enemy. Everything else will depend on you all.” Li Yan nodded, outlining his determination.

Meanwhile, Gan Ning was busy chewing on beef while listening to Fa Zheng’s commentary. Each bite of meat felt more enlightening as Gan Ning absorbed Fa Zheng’s insights on Xiapi City affairs.

”Ah, so that’s the case.” Fa Zheng wiped his mouth with the back of his hand while clutching his beef, chuckling. ”Chen Yuanlong is indeed skilled. Later, after you return to Xiapi, lead nine thousand troops out of the city tonight. By tomorrow night, the results will be revealed. Anyone Zhou Yu favors won’t be inept, but precisely because they’re all capable, they won’t adhere strictly to convention. Such individuals are easy to handle.”

Gan Ning continued gnawing on beef, listening to Fa Zheng’s breakdown, his eyes shining brighter with each word. If Yuzhou Army let greed blind their judgment tomorrow, there was no doubt Fa Zheng would outmaneuver them.

”Once it’s over, I can go home and get married. Should I also wed my sister-in-law while I’m at it?” Fa Zheng joked cheerfully to Gan Ning. Initially, Wang Yi’s cousin from the Wang Family of Fufeng was supposed to be Fa Zheng’s match, but he’d been rejected by the family, and after Jiangg Ying didn’t show up, Fa Zheng had faced double rejection—a rather pitiable predicament.

”When that time comes, I’ll make sure to gift you one bushel of pearls, along with a few pieces of ivory—gold and silver utensils too!” Gan Ning responded with a laugh. ”Though I don’t have many pearls of other colors, I can supply white ones aplenty.”

(To be continued. If you enjoy this story, please visit Qidian (qidian.com) to cast your votes, recommendations, or monthly tokens. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users may visit m.qidian.com for reading.)