Mythical Three Kingdoms

Chapter 1304: Chapter 1258: With an Ulterior Motive

”Zheng Nan, are you sure we should raid the camp? Not to mention anything else, Xu Shu is quite formidable in all aspects, and the camp defenses are extremely well-fortified. Even if we discount Xu Shu’s damnable spiritual talent, just the camp defenses alone won’t let us gain any advantage.” If Xun Shen wasn’t very familiar with Sheni Pei, based on Sheni Pei’s current actions, he would certainly suspect that the other side had already defected to Liu Bei.

”I know it will fail, but how can success come without failure?” Sheni Pei said calmly. ”From what you’ve said before, after Xu Yuanzhi defeats us, he will definitely pursue for a few miles.”

”That’s true, but a few miles’ distance is not an ambush; that’s called a frontal assault. And Xu Shu’s spiritual talent should be the ability to see through the vulnerabilities in formations. On the front, we can’t defeat him.” Xun Shen said helplessly.

Although they had a considerable force, it was far from the scale of the twenty-five thousand deployed in the decisive battle in Yanzhou against Yuan Liu. With too few troops, if Xu Shu’s spiritual talent broke through all the way, the formation would be shattered before they had time to curb it.

”Don’t worry, as long as he pursues a few miles, once out of the camp, I will naturally be able to defeat him.” Sheni Pei said with a somewhat dejected expression. If possible, he truly hoped there would be no need to use this spiritual talent. Unfortunately, with Yuan Benchu dead, Sheni Zhengnan must protect the foundation of the Yuan Family even if it costs him his life.

”That’s good then.” Xun Shen appraised Sheni Pei from head to toe and said.

”After this battle, I’m counting on you to hold the western region of Youzhou. I must return to Youzhou and oversee the North.” Sheni Pei’s expression was slightly downcast.

When Yuan Benchu headed south, they were full of ambition, with no shortage of valiant generals and many wise strategists. Never did they expect to lose so much in the battle of Yanzhou.

”As long as I’m here, Xu Shu will never breach Youzhou.” Xun Shen solemnly assured Sheni Pei, then changed the subject, ”How’s our internal investigation going?”

”We’ve conducted a thorough investigation. Internally, things seem fine. The Tian Family appears to have some ties to Liu Bei. I’ve already made a deal with Fuyu and the rest; we’ll have results soon.” Sheni Pei paused in silence, not saying what Xun Shen wanted to hear.

Even though Sheni Pei knew what Xun Shen wanted to hear, he couldn’t say it. It wouldn’t bother him with others, but he discovered links between Cao Cao’s side and Xuu You, as well as the small machinations between Gao Gan and Cao Cao. Sheni Pei had always trusted these two implicitly, and now...

In the end, Sheni Pei could only stop the investigation and leave trusted individuals to keep an eye on Gao Gan and Xuu You. Though he was willing to trust these two, the current circumstances left him no choice but to be cautious. However, Sheni Pei was relieved they were all in contact with Cao Cao.

This was probably also due to Xuu You and Gao Gan indeed having some ties with Cao Cao, making it relatively easier to blend in on Cao Cao’s side.

Though Sheni Pei didn’t respond directly to Xun Shen’s question and changed the topic instead, Xun Shen could make some guesses from Sheni Pei’s words. Perhaps, certain people should not be investigated further.

Xun Shen, being upright, did not fear shadowy suspicions and aimed to be loyal to Yuan Shao rather than die a martyr’s death. Anyway, whether it was on Cao Cao’s side or Liu Bei’s side, the Xun Family had very senior officials. Even if they were defeated, at worst, they would just retire for a while, and their safety would absolutely not be an issue.

Since this was the case, and Yuan Shao had treated him so well while alive, Xun Shen had no thoughts of defecting. At least not until the Yuan Family was utterly doomed; Xun Shen would never let go, and with no threat to his personal safety, what did Xun Shen have to worry about?

Being very clear on Sheni Pei’s character, Xun Shen knew he was someone bound by principles and would never think of defecting. Thus the inability to investigate further likely indicated issues with certain individuals. This was indeed a deeply troubling issue.

However, Xun Shen was not a fool and naturally knew some topics shouldn’t be broached. Since Sheni Pei changed the subject, he followed along with the new topic, ”The Youzhou Tian Family? If things are as we suspect, the Tian Family won’t be easy to deal with.”

”Whether it’s easy to deal with or not isn’t particularly our concern. The survival of Fuyu and the Three Hann States doesn’t really matter to us.” Sheni Pei replied coldly, recalling the issues with Gao Gan and Xuu You, and feeling somewhat brooding inside.

”Indeed.” Xun Shen nodded in agreement, acknowledging the rationale in Sheni Pei’s words.

Perhaps it was because Sheni Pei was under immense pressure recently, with too much on his mind, that after much hesitation, he revealed part of the truth to Xun Shen, ”Gong Ren is a traitor. Zhouping did not show any issues, but precisely because he was too clean, I feel he has a problem.”

Xun Shen’s eyes showed a trace of disbelief, looking at Sheni Pei incredulously, ”Does this mean we have no newcomers available at all?”

”It seems so. While Gong Ren erased many traces, there were still some signs left, and when compared repeatedly, some issues were evident. So Gong Ren sought a lifelong ambition, while Zhouping...” A cold gleam flickered in Sheni Pei’s eyes.

”In my impression, he hasn’t done anything outstanding, but at the same time, he hasn’t harmed us either.” Xun Shen said with a frown.

”He certainly hasn’t, and I should say he’s always completed the tasks we’ve given him, never exceeding our expectations.” Sheni Pei looked intently at Xun Shen, ”That’s precisely the biggest issue. He’s always been within our expected range.”

Xun Shen furrowed his brow, pondering, before his frown slowly relaxed, and he smiled, ”Indeed, he never exceeded our expectations, nor ever fell short. It’s like he’s done it many times before.”

”Such an unrealistic situation can only have two explanations: either he’s hiding his true self, or he’s done it countless times.” Sheni Pei said with utmost calmness, looking at Xun Shen.

”So he’s probably hiding his true self.” Xun Shen’s expression turned slightly pained. He had always held Cui Zhouping, a gentleman of refined manners, in high regard. But after Sheni Pei pointed this out, Xun Shen suddenly realized the truth.

Although Xun Shen knew that hiding one’s true talents might not be problematic, for Cui Jun to maintain such a demeanor effortlessly means that even if he’s weaker than himself, he’s definitely among the first-class rank of civil officials in the world.

This is already a frightening level, and with such capabilities, Cui Jun has not shown it but instead sought to earn loyalty from the Yuan Clan through other means. This is wrong, very wrong.

For someone without abilities, loyalty is just loyalty. For someone capable, seeking favor from superiors, loyalty becomes their tool. Obtaining the Yuan Clan’s recognition through foolish means versus using one’s abilities, the latter is faster and more accurate. Yet Cui Jun, a sage, chose the former, which is not the mindset of a sage; it indicates ulterior motives!