Mythical Three Kingdoms

Chen Xi and Zhou Yu, possibly due to their similar ages and equally high levels of insight, communicated very smoothly.

”The likelihood of the opponent setting up like this is quite high.” Zhou Yu frowned repeatedly as he listened to Chen Xi’s analysis, as the strength of the Northern Huns was relatively slightly stronger than theirs.

”Hmm, so I suggest we attack this corner directly.” Chen Xi pointed to a more detailed inferred arrangement on another map and said, ”But of course, what I’m more worried about is this scenario.”

While speaking, Chen Xi picked up a few small branches from the side and arranged them, ”What concerns me is the Northern Huns not having many troops stationed in these three parts, but rather having accumulated a large number of troops in this position. In that case, if we attack one part, the pressure will be much greater.”

Initially, Zhou Yu might have been limited by his perspective and didn’t see it, but after Chen Xi laid it out, Zhou Yu understood the trouble with this setup relying on his experience.

”It seems you understand now.” Chen Xi looked at Zhou Yu and asked.

”It’s indeed troublesome. If you hadn’t pointed it out, I might have found it difficult to notice. But after it’s pointed out, it’s much easier.” Zhou Yu frowned as he looked at a point that didn’t belong to the three parties but appeared to be at the shortest total distance from all three.

”This is considered the optimal solution, and with your experience, you’ll surely be able to find it.” Chen Xi nodded, ”I’m more concerned that the Northern Huns might have such experience too. Well, it’s not exactly worry.”

”In this case, I can only suggest a feigned attack on one route, then a strong attack on another.” Zhou Yu said with a frown. ”If we go for a strong attack like this, it would be like clashing head-on with the Northern Huns, and that kind of battle doesn’t hold much significance.”

”The feigned attack route would be a dead end unless it’s the White Horse.” Chen Xi said in an annoyed tone, ”Why not have your men do the feigned attack?”

Zhou Yu looked at Chen Xi speechlessly; saying such a thing outright was enough.

”Then we can only do it like this.” Zhou Yu took a small branch and marked it twice, stabbing it directly into the possible location of the Northern Huns’ army concentration in the center of the three routes.

”We attack here under the cover of night, no matter what, their troops here can’t possibly be all of their forces. If the Northern Huns’ total strength doesn’t exceed a hundred thousand, then this place can’t possibly have more than twenty thousand.” Zhou Yu said with a proud expression.

”Attack the central command?” Chen Xi rubbed his chin, ”That’s indeed a good plan; I didn’t expect you to have such courage.”

”This so-called optimal solution... who came up with this ridiculous name.” Zhou Yu said in dissatisfaction.

Chen Xi flicked his index finger, pointing at Zhou Yu, then slowly turned it back towards himself. Zhou Yu pulled the corner of his mouth, ”Alright, let’s call it the optimal solution, if you say so.”

”Okay, keep talking, how do we attack this?” Chen Xi saw Zhou Yu’s rather satisfied expression and smiled.

”Although the merits of this tactic are very obvious, its drawbacks are also quite evident.” Zhou Yu’s eyes shone with incredible confidence.

”Let’s hear it.” Chen Xi said calmly, looking at the map he laid out.

”The greatest advantage of this tactic is that wherever you attack, a large number of reinforcements will quickly arrive, maximizing the use of initially small forces,” Zhou Yu pointed to a general area on the map. Chen Xi nodded; that was indeed the case.

”But the drawback of this setup is that if the opponent’s forces far exceed ours, it’s better not to divide the troops for defense; this tactic is only somewhat effective when defending one route,” Zhou Yu said, wagging his index finger.

”Well, isn’t that obvious? Give me two hundred thousand Xiliang Iron Cavalry, and I’ll crush through, no formation or plan would work,” Chen Xi rolled his eyes and said.

”The previous drawback doesn’t matter, the most important one is below. The core of this setup is actually exposed. Once we attack their so-called core, the other parts will hardly be able to send reinforcements,” Zhou Yu said with a cold smile.

”Exactly.” Chen Xi nodded; the core’s value lies in protecting the other points. If the other points were to protect this dispatch center, it would be putting the cart before the horse.

”But don’t forget, this position is essentially bait too,” Chen Xi showed a hint of helplessness on his face.

Zhou Yu’s gaze suddenly turned cold, ”True, one aspect is dealing with ordinary level commanders, as attacking any spot would attract a large number of reinforcements. On the other hand, it seems to challenge us at our level; for us, taking down that point means victory!”

”Yeah, so what will you do?” Chen Xi asked curiously, looking at Zhou Yu.

”Hit the center!” Zhou Yu said with a serious demeanor, ”Even if it’s the elite troops, we might be able to end it once and for all, but why do I feel like you’ve been waiting for me to say this?”

”Hmm, I had planned to set up this kind of formation when dealing with you guys in the future, giving you a king-to-king chance.” Chen Xi smiled at Zhou Yu.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Yu’s face turned a shade darker, but he quickly realized that in such a situation, given his and Sun Bofu’s temperament, they would definitely choose a king-to-king duel.

”What do you think?” Zhou Yu asked, looking at Chen Xi.

”I also think attacking there is better, of course, we’d better be prepared for failure.” Chen Xi sighed and said,

”Although my initial goal was indeed to clear out the Northern Huns’ tribes, after seeing the grassland and river distribution on the map, I realized the situation was somewhat different from what I expected.” Chen Xi said in a tone of utter helplessness.

”Why are you so sure the Northern Huns will act as you predicted? Logically, aren’t your guesses in this relatively more speculative?” Zhou Yu asked with a frown.

”Gongjin, I think you lack thinking from others’ perspectives. If you stayed in such a place for several months, wouldn’t you realize?” Chen Xi said with disdain.

Zhou Yu was slightly displeased, but after thinking about it briefly, he understood; although he didn’t have Chen Xi’s ability to calculate the shortest total distance directly using mathematics, relying on experience, he would have discovered this point and this defensive tactic after months.

After all, this tactic would be the most advantageous for the Northern Huns to guard their tribes from any angle considered. Staying in that place for several months, or even longer, at first might not notice, but with time and experience, this strategy would be chosen.

”I’ve learned.” Zhou Yu made a courteous gesture to Chen Xi after understanding.

”Based on this, we can proceed with the next discussion, which is the most troublesome part.” Chen Xi, who appreciated Zhou Yu’s demeanor, found it satisfactory. Zhou Yu wasn’t petty; in fact, he had quite a decent personality.