Mythical Three Kingdoms

”Truly insidious,” Xu Sheng remarked as he observed the horse pits. ”Should I order our men to fill these holes?”

”Leave them as they are. We’ll hold our position here until Military Advisor Liu completes the pontoon bridge,” Yu Jin replied, his expression emotionless. ”The enemy’s arrangement here is likely a bait to lure our cavalry into an assault across the river.”

”Heh, with just those tactics? With Marquis Chen on our side, how could we possibly fall for such a ploy?” Mi Fang dismissed the concern without a second thought.

In truth, if it hadn’t been for Liu Ye’s sudden insistence—sparked by Chen Xi’s inadvertent hint—to attack the crossing on the other side of the river, the likelihood of falling for such a trap would’ve been much greater. Even without someone taking the bait, piecemeal river crossings would risk being turned into a war of attrition by Xun Shen’s beacon towers, which would surely leave Liu Ye seething with frustration.

After clearing out the two enemy detachments, Yu Jin immediately set up defensive measures on the spot. He dispatched Mi Fang and others to the opposite shore to escort the Qingzhou Army across and reinforce the defenses, while also sending a message to Liu Ye to continue constructing the pontoon bridge for the eventual river crossing.

Without interference from Yuan Shao’s forces on the opposite bank, Liu Ye’s progress on the pontoon bridge significantly accelerated. Before long, the previously half-built bridge was extended to the other side, allowing large numbers of soldiers to cross the Yellow River.

It wasn’t until this moment that Xun Shen learned Liu Ye had already completed the river crossing. Previously, he had been anxiously waiting for the signal fires that never came. Uneasy, he dispatched scouts, only to discover that Liu Bei’s forces had already crossed the Yellow River en masse.

”Military Advisor, what should we do now?” Chunyu Qiong asked. Unlike the brash and overzealous Guo Yuan, Chunyu Qiong had witnessed Liu Ye and Hua Xiong’s prowess firsthand at Chang’an. While he believed Xun Shen was no match for them in skirmishes, he knew their capabilities could not be taken lightly.

”Defend the frontlines at Puyang. There’s no need for head-on confrontation—hold firm and wait for reinforcements.” Xun Shen remained composed, showing no particular surprise at Liu Ye’s successful crossing. It was merely a matter of time and not a decisive factor.

”Military Advisor, General Guo Yuan requests to engage in battle,” Guo Yuan interjected, clasping his fists in salute before Xun Shen. ”It’s natural for a general to meet advancing forces head-on. Letting the enemy advance unchecked will demoralize our troops. Even in defeat, a hard-fought battle is better than retreating without a fight.”

”Very well. You may choose five thousand troops, with Sunx Zi as your second-in-command, to probe the enemy. However, do not penetrate too deeply into their ranks and consult with Sunx Zi frequently,” Xun Shen instructed after a measured glance at Guo Yuan. While he didn’t elaborate further, he admired Guo Yuan’s boldness.

Guo Yuan flicked his cloak dramatically as he left, while Sunx Zi followed, saluting before preparing to accompany Guo Yuan’s deployment.

”Yana Long, be careful on the battlefield,” Xun Shen called out to Sunx Zi, offering a word of caution. ”Liu Ye is no ordinary adversary. If the initial encounter turns adverse, retreat immediately.”

”I will do my utmost to advise General Guo,” Sunx Zi replied calmly. ”If necessary, I will withdraw westward without hesitation.”

”Very well,” Xun Shen nodded, offering no further instructions. His confidence in Sunx Zi’s capabilities as an accomplished civil official meant there was little need for excessive guidance.

After the two departed, Chunyu Qiong sneered, ”Do they seriously think those two can hold off Liu Ye and Hua Xiong? They could barely stand up to even Yu Jin.”

Xun Shen cast an indifferent glance at Chunyu Qiong. ”Prepare to receive reinforcements from Sili. If it’s the Xiahou Brothers, direct them to Jiyin. If it’s the Xiliang Qiang Tribe, bring them to us.”

Chunyu Qiong felt a tinge of embarrassment but refrained from arguing. He admitted to himself that his fear of Yu Jin and Hua Xiong lingered. Still, the task Xun Shen assigned him suited him well—safe, lucrative, and perfectly aligned with his abilities.

”What if both the Xiahou Brothers and the Xiliang Qiang Tribe arrive simultaneously?” Chunyu Qiong asked, his eyes flashing with calculation.

”If they come at the same time, it’s not your concern. They’ll make the appropriate decisions themselves. Besides, they are allied forces—we need not rely on them for the key battles,” Xun Shen replied curtly, before turning to his defense plan. He began issuing orders for artisans and soldiers to construct fortifications according to his detailed layout.

Ever since doubts about Liu Bei arose, Xun Shen had abandoned hopes of defeating him easily. From the outset, he chose a defensive strategy rather than the aggressive tactics favored by Ju Shou and Tian Feng.

[Take your time. Let’s see what cards you hold before I make my move.] With this thought, Xun Shen placed a Warm Jade Chess Piece he had been toying with for some time onto the celestial center of his board, breaking traditional protocol. [Wen Ruo, I’m quite curious. Have you truly grown over these past years? Don’t prove my expectations correct at the worst moment.]

After crossing the Yellow River, Chen Xi noticed Yuan Shao’s forces acting peculiarly. Instead of launching the frenzied assaults Liu Ye had predicted, they withdrew to fortify their lines and adopted a cautious stance, waiting for reinforcements.

If not for Liu Ye’s scouts scattered far and wide across the opposite bank—discovering numerous small beacon towers—Chen Xi might have begun to doubt his judgments.

”Report! General, Yuan Shao’s forces are advancing to challenge us,” a messenger reported as Yu Jin, having taken on vanguard duties following Chen Xi’s river crossing, pressed forward. Just a few dozen miles in, they received intelligence of an encounter with Yuan Shao’s army ahead.

Yu Jin immediately reorganized his marching formation—previously stretched for the sake of travel—into a compact phalanx, minimizing vulnerability to enemy attacks. Maintaining a steady pace, his troops advanced toward the location identified by the scouting reports.

When Yu Jin’s contingent completed their dense spear formation and appeared before Guo Yuan, the latter found himself momentarily taken aback.

”General, the enemy displays exceptional discipline. It would be wise to retreat after probing them. Their scouts likely cover over thirty miles, and despite receiving reports of harassment, their commander advanced cautiously, a move utterly unexpected,” Sunx Zi remarked, his expression grave.

Guo Yuan did not immediately respond. However, the sight of the opposing forces—meticulous and orderly—convinced him of Sunx Zi’s assessment. His initial plan to ambush Liu Bei’s vanguard had already been foiled by their scouts, and now he faced this prickly hedgehog of an advance guard—utterly infuriating.

”General, shall we send someone to issue a challenge?” Fann Lin turned to Yu Jin for instructions, his gaze fixed on the potential achievements to be gained from slaying one of the enemy leaders.

”No need. Spear men, ready positions. Archers, prepare to press forward. The enemy appears hesitant.” Yu Jin gave the command as he gestured. Drums boomed from the rear, and the soldiers uniformly advanced in the direction of the opposing army.

Yu Jin was well aware of his own limitations. Unlike figures like Hua Xiong or Zhang Fei, he lacked the raw martial strength to wade into a battlefield as an unstoppable force. However, in leading troops into battle, he prided himself on being second to none. To that end, he had long prepared a five-hundred-man elite force dedicated solely to capturing generals and seizing banners! (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please visit Qidian.com to cast your recommendation votes and monthly votes. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com for reading.)