Mythical Three Kingdoms

Under such circumstances, even Dong Zhao, after repeatedly comparing intelligence reports sent by over a dozen spies, couldn’t help but sigh deeply. Truly, fate works in mysterious ways. Clearly, Liu Bei’s army was on the verge of victory, but first, Ju Shou had unexpectedly acquired critical information, then preemptively made arrangements, and now Liu Bei’s army had produced such a despicable individual.

[Alas, divine skills cannot surpass the will of heaven. Chen Zichuan, a genius blessed by the heavens, ultimately finds his plans influenced by someone so contemptible.] Dong Zhao sighed deeply, feeling an overwhelming sense of pity for Chen Xi’s current plight. What’s the use of unparalleled brilliance?

[Since this is the case, I should stop hesitating as well. When this battle concludes, Yuan Shao’s army will undoubtedly dominate, crossing the Yellow River with overwhelming might. No one in the realm will be able to stand against them. With Xiao Pass in hand, controlling Yongliang will become inevitable. Even if Yuan Shu in Yuzhou resists, he will have no choice but to concede.]

Unaware of the situation in the northeastern part of Yanzhou, Chen Xi nevertheless had his calculations. Up to now, with Jia Xu’s strategic guidance arriving, Chen Xi was well aware that the war had reached its decisive juncture.

”Ziyang, Zijian, stay prepared. We are approaching the critical turning point. Attacking Yuan Shao’s main camp, intercepting Cao Cao’s reinforcements, and thwarting Xun Shen’s rescue efforts—these tasks fall on us.” Chen Xi said, looking at Liu Ye and Hua Xiong.

Speaking of Hua Xiong, he had already resigned to having just one surviving nephew, only for another to be miraculously saved. Although Li Li could no longer serve as a soldier due to injuries to his heart and lungs, Hua Xiong was still overjoyed to see one more of his kin alive.

As for continuing to serve in the military, Hua Xiong didn’t place much importance on it. As a Bandits Pacifying General and a Marquis, he had more than enough power to protect his younger relatives. Furthermore, being one of the few remaining direct-line supporters of Li You and Jia Xu’s faction guaranteed their safety.

”Will Cao Cao’s reinforcements really come? He hasn’t even stabilized his control over Guanzhong but is rushing to make a move—it seems a bit too hasty, doesn’t it?” Hua Xiong asked in confusion. Though not particularly adept in politics or strategy, the principles instilled in him daily by Li You and Chen Xi emphasized securing an advantageous position and seeking victory from that.

”He’s coming to mediate. After all, the Emperor has escaped the clutches of bandits, necessitating a broad amnesty. Hence, he’s coming to broker peace between us and Yuan Shao; it’s justifiable. As for the Xuanyuan Cauldron, I doubt he’ll even mention it.” Liu Ye tilted his head upward, speaking steadily.

”Ziyang, focus on one objective. Our forces are insufficient. Suppressing Xun Shen is manageable, but when combined with intercepting Cao Cao’s reinforcements and attacking Yuan Shao’s main camp, the disparity in forces becomes significant.” Chen Xi turned to Liu Ye, his forces along this route having been organized with a comprehensive allocation of generals and soldiers.

Liu Ye frowned, and without much thought, promptly replied, ”Attack Yuan Shao’s main camp. Xun Shen is a tough opponent, but no decisive outcome can be expected in the short term, while Yuan Shao is the source of all problems!”

”I suspect Xun Shen will act just as we would in his place. However, I’m concerned he might deduce something else from our actions,” Chen Xi sighed.

”Even if he does, there won’t be time to act. At that point, we can claim it’s an arrow on the string, ready to be released—he’ll have no choice but to respond in kind. Wen Ze, it will depend on you then,” Liu Ye said as he cast a glance around, finally resting his eyes on Yu Jin. After all, the Qingzhou Soldiers under Yu Jin were disadvantaged in mobility.

”Xun Shen will certainly take precautions,” Chen Xi frowned and said. While he agreed with the suggestion for Yu Jin to remain near Puyang, relying on Yu Jin alone to capture Puyang was out of the question.

”Xiaozhi will be returning by then. With his reckless boldness, he’ll most likely use the official roads of Jizhou,” Liu Ye said with a bitter smile, reflecting on Fa Zheng’s audacious behavior whenever circumstances allowed it.

”Indeed, Xiaozhi is the archetype of recklessness. Are you suggesting he flank and secure our rear? Hmm, not a bad plan. He might just unexpectedly break through Puyang by using the northern routes controlled by Yuan Shao’s army.” Chen Xi propped his head on his hand, nodding as he spoke. Although Fa Zheng could be erratic, his capabilities were not in question.

”As for Zijian’s role, it goes without saying. The Xiliang Iron Cavalry’s destiny has always been to gallop across the battlefield. They will either vanish into the annals of history, eroded by time, or etch their glory into its chapters with enduring brilliance.” Chen Xi turned toward Hua Xiong, who puffed his chest with pride.

Just as Chen Xi described, the Xiliang Iron Cavalry had borne the weight of warfare since their inception. They would either fight until the end of time or fade into historical obscurity.

From the frontiers to the Central Plains, wherever the Xiliang Iron Cavalry appeared, it became a battleground of chaos and slaughter. In Yongliang, the men had long abandoned their plows and hoes. Their survival hinged on their long spears and leather armor—defeating enemies with their weapons and protecting their homes with their bodies until death met them on the battlefield.

”I hereby request to serve as the vanguard, Military Advisor! As the last remaining leader of the Xiliang Iron Cavalry, I implore you to grant me the chance to prove the invincibility of the Iron Cavalry’s pride!” Hua Xiong dropped to one knee, directly requesting the opportunity to fight. Beyond avenging the Xiliang Iron Cavalry under his command, he sought to reclaim the glory of their legendary charge out of Xiliang, trampling over rivers and mountains.

”At that time, you’ll have no choice but to be the vanguard,” Chen Xi said with a smile. ”Prepare yourself. Since Wen He has sent word about these developments, time must be running short. We’ll also need to carefully monitor the situation in the northeastern part of Yanzhou.”

”We cannot afford to miss the decisive turning point,” Liu Ye said sternly as he surveyed everyone present.

”Report! An urgent message from Mount Tai!” Chen Xi’s trusted aide shouted from outside the tent.

”Bring it in,” Chen Xi said, startled. He exchanged a glance with Liu Ye, both of them somewhat anxious, though their expressions remained composed. He issued the command calmly.

Once the encrypted message was delivered, Chen Xi quickly unlocked the code and deciphered it, then handed it to Liu Ye, who also rapidly read its contents, his brows furrowing deeply.

Such urgent messages typically came in multiple copies, each encoded with numbers. This precaution wasn’t just to prevent loss; they were also designed to be destroyed if intercepted by enemy forces. Despite this, Yuan Shao’s side had still managed to obtain several of these messages over time.

However, Chen Xi’s encoded system was intentionally designed to be fiendishly complex. During this era, unless someone knew the precise assembly sequence, cracking it was near impossible. Even Xuu You and Ju Shou, who had agonized over decoding the messages, were helpless. As such, there was no concern over counterfeited messages.

”Ziyang, what’s your take?” Chen Xi, having no objections to Li You’s assessment in the letter, asked Liu Ye. To be precise, the depth of the analysis exceeded Chen Xi’s own abilities. In most cases, he chose to trust the judgments of strategic minds like Jia Xu and Guo Jia unequivocally.

”Compared to Wen Ru’s caution, I believe Yuan Shao’s plans end here!” Liu Ye lifted his head slowly as he spoke, neither outright denying Li You’s conclusions nor fully accepting them but suggesting that Li You might have been overly cautious.