Mythical Three Kingdoms

Chapter 1291: Chapter 1245: Testing the Waters

”Yide, you came alone this time. Lord Xuande surprisingly didn’t assign a military advisor to you?” Tian Yu asked the question he had always wanted to ask.

Fortunately, Tian Yu was familiar with Zhang Fei; if someone else had asked, Zhang Fei would surely have suspected that they were questioning his capabilities.

”Isn’t that exactly it?” Zhang Fei tossed his head in the direction of Zhuge Liang, indicating that Tian Yu should formally greet Zhuge Liang.

”What is that?” Tian Yu hadn’t realized yet that Zhuge Liang was actually the military advisor.

”It’s him.” Zhang Fei pointed at Zhuge Liang, who then stood up and greeted Tian Yu, ”Zhuge Kongming of Xuzhou greets General Tian.”

”Hiss!” Tian Yu drew a sharp breath, such a young military advisor for such a vast army, he didn’t believe the people from Mount Tai hadn’t investigated him, and with Zhang Fei commanding over sixty thousand troops, such a military advisor definitely held significant authority.

Moreover, this battle was against the Northern Barbarians, especially after Xuu Zijiang’s persuasive talk. All the Feudal Lords realized that the external battle had to be fought and fought well, hence it was of utmost importance. And given the current situation...

”National Consent, rest assured, since Zichuan has sent Kongming, his capabilities are certainly adequate.” Zhang Fei explained half-heartedly upon noticing Tian Yu’s surprise.

”General Tian, don’t underestimate me.” Zhuge Liang showed a warm smile.

”It’s not underestimation, but rather Little Military Advisor, you are simply too young. War is a significant affair of the kingdom, a matter of life and death, survival and annihilation, must be scrutinized carefully. A military advisor so young forces me to be cautious.” Tian Yu didn’t conceal his thoughts.

Regarding war, Tian Yu maintained his caution; thus, Gongsun Zan entrusted the scarce garrison soldiers of Youzhou to Tian Yu, not fearing they would be ruined.

”Indeed, that’s the case, which is why I am here only to advise, while decision-making power rests with General Zhang.” Zhuge Liang nodded in agreement rather than showing dissatisfaction with Tian Yu’s words, acknowledging the necessity of caution in warfare.

Afterwards, Tian Yu said no more, holding doubts about Zhuge Liang, this young, perhaps even youthful military advisor, yet maintaining an attitude of execution towards Liu Bei’s appointment, doing his duty regardless of right or wrong.

”But National Consent, rest assured, young civil officials at Mount Tai are numerous, and those appointed as military advisors are all reliable; Kongming is far more outstanding than you imagine.” Seeing Tian Yu remain silent, Zhang Fei defended Zhuge Liang.

Zhang Fei was quite aware of Mount Tai’s own situation, due to Chen Xi’s reason, Mount Tai’s leadership was considerably youthful, yet their capabilities were not diminished due to age; those discovered by Chen Xi couldn’t be described merely as ’genius’.

”I trust Lord Xuande’s vision and Marquis Chen’s appointments.” Tian Yu solemnly replied, ”I maintain a skeptical attitude only due to caution in warfare, but once the war begins, I trust you can exceed my expectations; for by then, any high-level mistake would cause considerable losses in comrades.”

As the process of unifying the world advances to the present, the recognition of Liu Bei’s vision and Chen Xi’s abilities among people is equivalent; after all, Liu Bei appointing the youthful Chen Xi is the best representation of his vision, and Liu Bei’s current momentum in uniting the world is Chen Xi’s most perfect answer.

Zhuge Liang smiled without saying anything, he already knew this as when he watched Chen Xi by the Yangtze River, Chen Xi was like a bright moon, while the subordinates were stars; not that the starlight wasn’t dazzling, but because the moon was too bright, causing the stars to pale in comparison!

”National Consent, any recent unusual activity in the North? Has Liaodong experienced any major incidents? Our primary goal this time is to protect Liaodong.” Zhang Fei changed the subject since Zhuge Liang hadn’t yet displayed his capabilities, he couldn’t guarantee anything.

”No, my falconers have been watching Liaodong through their war eagles; should the snow cease there, if there’s potential for Hu people to move south, I’d head north; currently, no danger has arisen at Liangg Mao.” Tian Yu didn’t dwell on past occurrences, smoothly transitioning with Zhang Fei’s change of topic.

”Are they primarily defending Xuantu or Xiangping?” Zhuge Liang asked.

”Xuantu.” Tian Yu replied, raising a brow.

”This indicates that Fuyu, the Three Hann States attacking Liaodong seems more likely due to promises made by Yuan Tan, though whether those promises were real or empty is unknown.” Zhuge Liang chuckled while speaking.

”Indeed.” Tian Yu nodded; Zhuge Liang pointing this out didn’t surprise him, considering for his age it was quite impressive, yet for someone promised and recognized by Liu Bei and Chen Xi, it was insufficient.

”Are they stationed closer to Fuyu or Xianbei?” Zhuge Liang asked Tian Yu.

”Near Fuyu.” Tian Yu slowly replied.

”Yuan Tan apparently knows about you, oh, I mean us now. External threat stabilization prioritizes internal peace, Yuan Tan isn’t foolish either.” Zhuge Liang remarked cautiously.

”What are you saying?” Tian Yu looked at Zhuge Liang in confusion.

”Isn’t it obvious?” Zhuge Liang’s face was calm, ”When the Gongsun Family still held Liaodong, Fuyu and others conquered it, yet only Gongsun Gong and Liangg Mao managed to quickly stabilize Xiangping, counterattack Xuantu, in such an icy winter, not even renowned generals of old could achieve this!”

Tian Yu was taken aback, realizing the city of Xuantu wasn’t large in view but in the icy winds of the Northern Frontier, it’s not easily conquered, and Gongsun Gong and Liangg Mao’s speed was indeed too swift.

”You’re saying Fuyu withdrew voluntarily?” Tian Yu frowned, ”But how does that suggest we’ve been exposed?”

”It’s not exposure, it’s impending exposure. Fuyu withdrawing from Xuantu must yield greater benefits, they wouldn’t withdraw from Xuantu due to threats.” Zhuge Liang stated slowly, ”And for Fuyu to trust Yuan Tan’s words, only one possibility remains, Fuyu is in cahoots with Xianbei.”

Zhuge Liang’s insight woke Tian Yu to realize that Fuyu and the Three Hann States are weak to Yuan Tan, yet even so they wouldn’t abandon Xuantu solely based on Yuan Tan’s promises!

Surrendering must involve real benefits, yet Tian Yu hadn’t received any news of Yuan Tan gifting Fuyu provisions!

Given the Tian family’s local tyrant position in Youzhou, Yuan Tan might conceal for a while but never for long, thus Yuan Tan could have only given Fuyu and the Three Hann States empty promises!