Mythical Three Kingdoms

Chapter 1556: Chapter 1499: Liu Yu’s Ability

The combat power of such a number of Hu people, when unleashed under the command of the Northern Huns, is far beyond what this army of fifty thousand Han troops can withstand. This is also why Jia Xu is unwilling to confront them head-on and instead opts to create a diversion to draw the Northern Huns’ attention.

Of course, Jia Xu also knows that the Northern Huns undoubtedly have arrangements in place in all aspects, and the forces directly facing him won’t be too numerous. But directly facing him will absolutely be the most elite forces of the Northern Huns, simply because they are the first Han army to appear in the North.

Jia Xu has carefully thought it through. Merely tens of thousands of Miscellaneous Huns alone do not pose a significant threat to this Han army. Similarly, a force of merely tens of thousands of Northern Huns alone would only result in an indecisive victory or defeat.

The only concern is when tens of thousands of Northern Huns lead several tens of thousands of Miscellaneous Huns. The combat power unleashed under such circumstances forces Jia Xu to retreat.

Thus, Jia Xu made one thing clear when he devised his strategy early on: the Northern Huns and Miscellaneous Huns must be dealt with separately. One on one, regardless of which, the Han army is not afraid. But when it comes to fighting both at once, the Han army will undoubtedly struggle to win.

Jia Xu entered the tent, and upon confirming the news, Zhao Yun immediately sounded the drum to convene the assembly. Soon, all the civil and military officials gathered in the camp.

”Everyone has probably been pondering why our army avoids battle?” Jia Xu said slowly as he stood up, lacking any of the previous harshness during debates.

”Master Wen He, I’ve worked with you before, so if you have any strategies, quickly present them. This dawdling won’t help,” Zhang Fei said bluntly in a booming voice upon hearing Jia Xu’s words.

Hearing Zhang Fei’s words, others nodded repeatedly. Although they couldn’t speak so directly, they still felt a considerable grievance since Jia Xu had always been like this, and the military generals in the tent also shared some resentment.

”We fear neither the Northern Huns nor the Miscellaneous Huns alone, but only when both are present, combining the formidable martial force of the Northern Huns with the vast numbers of the Miscellaneous Huns, does it become difficult for our army to make a move,” Jia Xu explained calmly, ”I believe the time has come now.”

On the road north, Chen Xi wore a light expression. Although he worried for Jia Xu and others, he felt very assured in his heart. Regardless, even if he initially harbored the thought of laughing at Cao Cao, he had indeed made preparations in advance.

In Yangzhou, Yuan Shu held a map and sighed repeatedly as he gazed north. After much contemplation, he still hadn’t handed it over to Zhou Yu, as this achievement shouldn’t have belonged to Sun Ce and Zhou Yu from the start.

”The Chen Family is truly fortunate,” Yuan Shu said with a sentimental face, ”Hulai, you go north for me. Though the Yuan Family has entrusted him with the great flag, we cannot merely watch.”

Jii Ling cupped his fists in a salute and would always execute Yuan Shu’s orders without any dissent. As for Yuan Shu’s safety, as long as Yuan Shu remained in Yangzhou, the aristocratic families under his rule would absolutely not stir up trouble.

”Although we estimated early on that the Xuande Guild would take most of the forces away, to the point of not leaving even a few generals for the defense is indeed shocking,” Chen Xi sighed and turned to Hua Xiong.

Hua Xiong didn’t know how to respond to Chen Xi’s words and opted to remain silent.

”Zijian, how about I give you a great accomplishment. Will you do it?” Chen Xi turned to Hua Xiong and continued.

”Marquis Chen, I must go to the front line this time. I want to see how I fare against the Northern Huns Guards,” Hua Xiong shook his head, refusing Chen Xi’s offer.

”Wen Ru’s suggestion?” Chen Xi raised an eyebrow and said.

Hua Xiong remained silent, and Chen Xi showed understanding, not saying much, already having anticipated this early on.

”If that’s the case, I can only entrust it to others. King versus king; some trivial matters have to be handled.” Chen Xi chuckled, ”Last year, in a few months, assembling half of the nation’s aristocrats proficient in Feng Shui to investigate wasn’t merely for fun. Some people in the North should be moved.”

”What’s this?” Just as Chen Xi was heading north, a dark-colored carriage sped along the main road, clearly directed towards Chen Xi.

”Halt!” Chen Xi’s escort set up a formation from afar and shouted at the carriage coming their way. The carriage slowed down from several dozen paces away until it stopped ten paces from Chen Xi. Then, a guard began to announce his name.

But before the announcement was complete, the carriage door opened and a middle-aged scholar in a marquis robe emerged.

Chen Xi scratched his head; he hadn’t seen this person before. But considering the other’s attire, he saluted first, ”Village Marquess of Zhuxie, Xi, greets your Excellency.”

”Marquis Chen, no need for formalities. I am Minister of Ceremonies Liu Yu,” Liu Yu directly introduced himself without any desire for pomp and circumstance.

”Oh, may I know why the Minister has pursued me so far?” Chen Xi asked in confusion.

”Setting out from Chang’an, I happened to see Marquis Chen’s flag and wondered if I might travel with you for a while. I’m also heading to Youzhou,” Liu Yu said calmly, ”Has Liu Xuande already deployed his troops?”

”Lord Xuande has been deployed for many days. I’ve just returned to Ye City and am now heading north to quash the Huns,” Chen Xi said calmly, gesturing for him to proceed.

”Cao Mengde has also deployed his troops,” Liu Yu said as he rode alongside, slightly curious about Chen Xi’s words, and then conveyed another piece of news to him.

”We know about this,” Chen Xi replied with a smile, ”But why the urgent rush to Youzhou by the Minister of Ceremonies?”

”I can persuade the Wuhuan and Fuyu,” Liu Yu stated with a calm expression, prompting Chen Xi to raise an eyebrow.

”King of Wuhuan Xi, Supuwan, greatly admires the Central Plains. I have treated him with courtesy, and he longs to have been born a Central Plains person,” Liu Yu explained as he noticed Chen Xi’s disbelief.

”If I recall correctly, he should be the acting Chanyu of the Wuhuan,” Chen Xi said after a moment of silence.

”Yes, the acting Chanyu,” Liu Yu confirmed after a brief silence, ”But rest assured, although he is from the Wuhuan, his blood and heart belong to our Han Dynasty. He also has a name called Su Puyan.”

Chen Xi felt a sense of admiration for Liu Yu. This move essentially extracted the foundation from the Wuhuan, leaving him still uncertain, ”Minister, given the current situation, there must be no mistake.”

”Rest assured, had I truly been destroyed by that Gongsun Bogui, Su Puyan would avenge me even if he couldn’t defeat Gongsun Zan,” Liu Yu said with great conviction.

Chen Xi looked up at the sky. Now he recalled that after Liu Yu’s death, indeed, the King of Wuhuan Xi fought valiantly to avenge him at the Battle of Bao Qiu, even at the cost of decimating Gongsun Zan’s twenty thousand infantry, which comprised the Wuhuan’s long-established seven thousand elite cavalry...

This certainly made Liu Yu a staunch ally. Although he was a Hu person, he was definitely a high-quality auxiliary army. Liu Yu, this guy, was indeed quite capable.