Mythical Three Kingdoms

Cao Ang heard and smiled embarrassedly, while Xiahou Shang’s face clearly darkened.

”I took a look, Cao Zidan is a talent worth cultivating. As for the others, I think you all haven’t even learned the most basic things on the battlefield.” Sima Yi coldly said.

”You!” Xiahou Shang was furious and instantly wanted to retort.

Cao Ang held back his brother and did not get angry at Sima Yi’s mockery. Instead, he respectfully said, ”Zhongda, none of us here have been on the battlefield. If we make any mistakes, I hope you will not hesitate to teach us.”

Sima Yi looked at Cao Ang with slight surprise. He found that Cao Ang was completely different from Cao Cao. Although he had been aware of this for a long time, the difference was so great that Sima Yi slightly doubted if Cao Ang was really Cao Cao’s biological son.

”Alright.” Sima Yi nodded and said.

Sima Yi was also stimulated by Zhuge Liang’s accomplishments and thought about what he had done for such a long time. Therefore, he was keen to show his capabilities this time and was noticeably more agreeable.

Later, under Sima Yi’s hands-on instruction, Cao Ang and others finally learned how to set up camp. During this process, Cao Zhen could be said to have been able to draw inferences; although he had many reckless suggestions, he was able to use his brain quite a bit, to Sima Yi’s satisfaction.

The finished camp was much better than before. Even the newcomers who didn’t understand military matters could now see that this camp was far superior to the previous one.

”This will barely do.” Sima Yi glanced around and said casually, while Xiahou Shang’s eyes flared with determination, deciding in his heart to study military strategy intensely once he returned.

Sima Yi tossed and turned all day and came back with a group of newcomers to set up camp, exhausted to the bone. Confirming that this camp could ensure he wouldn’t be captured after sleeping overnight, Sima Yi prepared to return to his tent to rest.

However, before Sima Yi could lie down to rest, Cao Ang came to visit Sima Yi with Cao Zhen, who had performed exceptionally well today. At that moment, Sima Yi really wanted to throw the two brothers out.

”Sorry to disturb you, Zhongda.” Cao Ang said awkwardly as he looked at Sima Yi, who was sleepy and had his hair disheveled.

”If you think you’re disturbing me, then just leave.” Sima Yi, already extremely tired, said. Did they really think he had a good temper? In the past two days, he had only been motivated after being provoked by Zhuge Liang, who was about to be ennobled, and so decided to work hard and show what defeating one hundred thousand Southern Huns singlehandedly looked like.

Cao Ang felt extremely awkward hearing this but still took a cushion and sat in front of Sima Yi. He discovered that Sima Yi’s personality was completely different from what he had come to understand.

”You want to ask about the details of that matter I told you about when I returned?” Sima Yi understood what Cao Ang wanted to ask even before he opened his mouth.

”Yes, because it is a significant matter, and after your previous actions, Zhongda, I’m certain our group doesn’t understand military matters, strategic command, or troop management. A twenty thousand-strong force can’t be compared to even five thousand elite troops...” Cao Ang said somewhat helplessly, but was interrupted before finishing.

”Forget about five thousand elite troops. If it were truly five thousand elite cavalry, a single charge would be enough to rout your twenty thousand miscellaneous soldiers.” Sima Yi said tiredly with his eyes closed, ”War is not a matter of mere passion; martial strength is important, but leadership is even more so.”

Cao Ang felt even more embarrassed but still spoke up, ”That’s why I want to know the relevant details. Otherwise, I truly feel uneasy. After leaving my father’s shelter, I’ve realized my fragility. Thinking back to Boren’s plans now, it seems meaningless even with troops.”

On that day, when the Cao Army arrived at Qiyuan County, Sima Yi looked at the nearly scatterbrained Han Army that could barely form any formation and held little hope. This group of second-generation Cao Army personnel had never engaged in command and battle, even ignoring the most critical aspects of war: leadership and caution.

Were it not for one Southern Army led by Cao Zhen remaining strictly on guard and advancing cautiously, Sima Yi might have suggested turning back, as they even needed reminders to send out scouts for patrols, which really disappointed Sima Yi about their quality.

It was evident that these second-generation Cao Family members were initially filled with passion but soon treated this as an outing, not feeling the urgency of heading to the battlefield at all.

This kind of mindset was simply courting death. Fortunately, there was a force of more than three thousand elite troops, and the leader on the other side seemed competent. So, Sima Yi did not immediately decide to leave at this point.

With three thousand elite forces, alongside my brain and operations, combined with more than ten thousand pigs charging forward, he could defeat roughly a hundred thousand Southern Huns. Having recently been filled with resentment by Zhuge Liang, Sima Yi acted decisively.

After confirming that Cao Ang set up camp at Qiyuan County, Sima Yi took Cao Ang’s prepared Imperial Edict and, with two private soldiers from the Sima Family, went roughly fifty or sixty li away to the Southern Hun’s camp.

The Southern Huns, being summoned by an edict, were suspicious of Sima Yi, who claimed to be a shi lang. Still, since Sima Yi had only come with three men, they allowed him into the camp.

At that moment, Sima Yi felt that the Southern Huns were indeed so rotten they could hardly be mentioned.

Soon after, under the guidance of a small Hun leader, Sima Yi was led to the tent of Chanyu Huchuquan, where the Left and Right Virtuous Kings of the Southern Huns were also present, along with a faint scent of alcohol in the tent and the dull expressions of the three, which already said too much about their condition.

”Han Envoy?” Huchuquan looked at Sima Yi and inquired.

”Please dismiss everyone else, Chanyu.” Sima Yi looked at Huchuquan with calm determination, his clear eyes explaining everything, which instantly made the three sober up considerably.

Upon hearing this, Huchuquan immediately ordered Liu Bao to patrol in person. Once Liu Bao left the tent and made some arrangements, he entered the tent again, handing Sima Yi a stool, then sat by the Chanyu’s left hand.

”Now, Han Envoy, you may speak,” Huchuquan said to Sima Yi.

”The three of you seem to be in a somewhat unfavorable situation,” Sima Yi smiled lightly, not going directly to the point, and with Liu Bao’s gesture of handing a stool to Sima Yi just now, Sima Yi confirmed that these three were definitely not bold enough to harm him.

”It’s not because...” Liu Qubi spoke immediately, but Huchuquan instantly stopped him from continuing.

”The Han Dynasty need not probe further. Our situation is indeed dire, but thinking that they dare to act against us is too far-fetched.” Huchuquan said with a powerful presence. Hearing this, Sima Yi nodded; so there were two with Inner Qi Manifestation, no wonder they hadn’t been devoured.

”I have a deal to propose to the three of you,” Sima Yi said.

”What kind of deal?” Huchuquan asked.

”Slay those tribal leaders who plunder at will,” Sima Yi said coldly, causing the atmosphere in the tent to tense.

”Not to mention if we kill them, what would we gain? Simply by ourselves, we can’t kill them; otherwise, we’d have acted already.” Huchuquan was not shocked by Sima Yi’s proposal and responded directly.

”I assume you all are reaching the limits of your patience. They’ve drawn away quite a few of your soldiers during this time, and I think it’s left you very uncomfortable. We understand you can’t do it alone, but you must act.” Sima Yi said, looking at the three of them.

”We lack strength,” Huchuquan said, his face looking troubled.

”Then, during our army’s attack, join us in the action.” Sima Yi said, looking at the three of them.

”With the strength of the Han Army, you could accomplish it without us, right?” Liu Bao spoke.

”Indeed, we can accomplish it without you, but if we take action, we won’t care who you are,” Sima Yi said with a sneer. Hearing this, the three were chilled to the bone because if the Han Army acted, there would be no need to distinguish who was who; they would kill them all.

”So, make a choice: follow us to eliminate the traitors or follow the traitors to your deaths,” Sima Yi said coldly to the three of them.