Mythical Three Kingdoms

Chen Xi did not give much thought to Jia Xu’s question. Perhaps Jia Xu was in his excited phase, or perhaps he had caused trouble again and wanted to throw the blame before anyone found out. Who knows?

After all, none of this mattered. What mattered was Chen Xi confirming Li You’s assessment, and Liu Ye arriving at the same conclusion: Yuan Shao intended to drag the situation out. In fact, Yuan Shao was likely to adopt the same tactic as Zhao State back in the day—dragging out the grain supply—and on top of that, Yuan Shao had an obvious advantage compared to Zhao at the time: his grain resources could sustain the delay far better.

Frankly, this was the scenario Liu Bei least wanted to see, which is precisely why the concept of mediation was introduced!

If Yuan Shao indeed dragged things to that point, the Emperor’s mediation would actually serve Liu Bei best, as it would bypass all troubles. Jizhou—the head of the Nine Provinces—had immense advantages: wealth, grain, horses, and manpower!

On the battlefield, Yuan Shao might be inferior in combat strength, but if he committed fully to fortifying his defense, constructing beacon towers, trenches, military camps, or even Jizhou’s version of the Warring States-era Great Wall, Liu Bei would find it exceedingly difficult to defeat him. This comprehensive defensive approach by Yuan Shao was, in essence, sophistry.

However, anyone must admit that when there are no alternative strategies, employing sophistry to achieve victory is a legitimate tactic. With Yuan Shao’s current resolve, he would enact such measures without even batting an eye. His determination had reached a point where being hailed as a model of the world was no jest but rather truth.

Because of this, when Liu Ye left Guanzhong, he left Liu Xie a strategic outline that could project the Emperor’s glory and assert the majesty of the Han Dynasty. Beyond the surface-level objectives, the mediation decree held a vital aspect: it served as a safety lock.

Should the war devolve into an appalling stalemate—that is, Yuan Shao abandoning hope for a straightforward assault and shifting entirely to a defensive posture—Liu Xie could step in to mediate the conflict. Such intervention would allow Liu Bei to extricate himself from this quagmire, regroup his forces, and strike Yuan Shao down in one decisive push after proper preparation.

This was the plan, but Xun Yu—ever perceptive—recognized this maneuver. Upon noticing it, he decisively aimed to nullify the safety lock intended for Liu Bei. As soon as Liu Bei’s opportunity for triumph approached, Xun Yu would play the mediation card instead. Naturally, at this juncture, such a card offered Liu Bei no benefit whatsoever.

To be precise, the mediation decree at that moment would bring Liu Bei nothing but hesitation and uncertainty. But for Cao Cao and Yuan Shao, it would provide absolute advantages—for Yuan Shao, it would grant at least a brief respite, a no small favor in itself. Likewise, Cao Cao’s best interest lay in seeing Yuan Shao injured but not dead.

More importantly, Cao Cao had spent years studying Yuan Shao. He understood fully that Yuan Shao’s potential, unleashed in response to a powerful adversary, was enough to astonish everyone. That man was seemingly born to face challenges.

Thus, under current circumstances, it was evident even to the blind that by October, the Emperor’s mediation decree would be issued.

Faced with this scenario, Liu Bei now had two choices: continue this lukewarm warfare, only to retreat when the mediation decree landed, rendering the battle meaningless; or aim to sever Yuan Shao’s fate before the decree’s arrival, transforming him into history.

In doing so, the mediation decree would produce its most significant impact. If Yuan Shao fell in battle without leaving a successor, Hebei—bereft of breathing space—would erupt with a combat strength no less overwhelming than when Yuan Shao was alive!

Driven by vengeance, Hebei’s army and Yuan Shao’s progeny would plunge into desperate battle. Even disregarding losses in Jizhou, the resulting devastation—Hebei ground into ruin, potentially to the extent of families donning mourning clothes—would be staggering.

In such a scenario, even if Liu Bei occupied Hebei, he would find no peace. The land would not be a precious territory but rather a tasteless morsel—hardly worthy of consumption, yet wasteful to discard. Moreover, such prolonged warfare would only benefit Cao Cao and Sun Ce.

Likely, after such a catastrophic clash, turning back to look, Cao Cao and Sun Ce would already have grown into colossal entities.

If Yuan Shao were eliminated and the Emperor’s mediation decree arrived afterward, Liu Bei could decisively cease hostilities. At that moment, it would undoubtedly be a prime opportunity to sit back and observe the ensuing tiger fights. With the breathing room granted, Yuan Shao’s three sons would undoubtedly descend into discord—it would be unusual if they didn’t.

During such times, Liu Bei could observe as the Yuan Family self-destructed, while suppressing Sun Ce and Cao Cao, freeing himself to develop further.

Once the Yuan Family obliterated themselves, Liu Bei could extend his hand and easily annex the territory, entering a phase of unprecedented prosperity without lifting a finger. Moreover, the internecine combat among Yuan Shao’s three sons would thoroughly exhaust Hebei’s accumulated prestige. By the time Liu Bei claimed the land, there would be virtually no resistance.

According to Chen Xi’s estimation, Jia Xu was likely holding this very notion, which led to him devising such a ruthless plan. Needless to say, this ruthlessness wasn’t solely directed at the opposition—it was equally harsh for Liu Bei’s Army!

At the same time, stationed near Puyang, Chen Xi was also awaiting the mediation forces. He needed the Emperor’s mediators to pass through his position at precisely the right moment—neither too early nor too late—as timing was critical to the strategy for Hebei.

This explained why this military contingent required the presence of a top-tier strategist. Just as a general commander needed an excellent strategist by their side, it wasn’t because strategists outshined generals in commanding troops, but because strategists possessed heightened sensitivity to timing, ensuring optimal moments for decisive action.

Thus, the strategists on both sides—Yuan Shao’s and Liu Bei’s—continued their meticulous calculations, constantly gauging each other’s strength, while concealing their final hands of cards.

Under these conditions, many perceptive military generals felt the looming clouds of war that could erupt at any moment, and each began to prepare for what seemed inevitable. Some fateful battles were ready to unfold.

During this time frame, both Yuan Shao’s Army and Liu Bei’s Army were making final adjustments to their forces. As Ye City’s last wave of grain deliveries arrived, news simultaneously broke that the supply lines had been severed. Wei Yan and Xu Shu from Qinghe had fully blocked Yuan Shao’s grain supply route, cutting off his provisions entirely. The remaining grain stored within his camp could sustain them for only four days.

Likewise, Liu Bei’s Army received similar news along with their last shipment of grain. Reports came that their rear supply line had been set ablaze, leaving the army with very little grain remaining.

The ministers of both sides restrained themselves, awaiting the opportune moment. Amid the tense standoff, a letter arrived in Chen Xi’s hands at Puyang—a letter from within Yuan Shao’s camp. It bore no sender’s name, no opening or closing remarks, only three written characters—”Out of grain!”

Upon receiving the letter, Chen Xi dared not delay and immediately ordered someone to dispatch it to Liu Bei’s camp via fast horse. Simultaneously, he instructed Hua Xiong to prepare, and sent a message via eagle to the already hastening retreat of Fa Zheng—the time had likely arrived! (To be continued. If you enjoyed this work, please visit qidian.com to vote for recommendations or monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)