Mythical Three Kingdoms-Chapter 717 - 682: Yuan Shao’s Ruthlessness
Tian Feng loosened his grip on the wooden box, and Xuu You excitedly began to admire the Precious Jade. As he admired it, his temperament transformed from the previously sleazy to something more dignified and impressive.
Witnessing Xuu You’s increasingly evident transformation, from a crowned monkey and a greedy scoundrel to a man of noble aura and overwhelming presence, Tian Feng finally felt at ease.
"I thank Yuanhao for bestowing this treasure upon me," Xuu You said, putting away the Beautiful Jade and pushing back his hair crown. His whole demeanor became heroic, erasing his previous sleaziness and greed, and his eyes ceased to blend other colors.
"Ziyuan, I want to confirm one more thing, can you really deal with Chen Zichuan?" Tian Feng asked, looking at Xuu You who now appeared almost like a Divine Being.
"Without attempting, who could know?" Xuu You replied with a slight smile on his lips. "Before clashing with Chen Zichuan, I doubt there’s anyone in this world who dares claim they are sure to beat him."
"So I entrust this to you not expecting you to defeat him but to suppress him. If you can hold him off for two months, upon your return to Jizhou, I’ll bestow upon you a Luminous Pearl," Tian Feng nodded slightly, signaling his approval of Xuu You’s response. The more they understood Chen Xi, the more they realized his formidable nature.
"I will do my best, and I will perform some irrational actions, but I need Yuanhao to cover for me," Xuu You declared, his eyes remaining absolutely clear, unaffected by the mention of the Luminous Pearl.
"No problem, as long as you can handle him, I’ll cover for all your actions," Tian Feng assured solemnly. Xuu You’s resourcefulness was a headache for many, and in certain situations, he could act like a madman, making insanely brilliant moves that proved exceptionally effective.
"Then it’s settled. I want seven thousand Bingzhou Wolf Cavalry, and Wen Chou as the General Commander of my forces," Xuu You stated his terms immediately after receiving the answers he wanted from Tian Feng.
"Are you sure seven thousand Wolf Cavalry will be sufficient?" Tian Feng frowned. "Chen Zichuan tends to ensure an unbeatable position before seeking victory. Cavalry can’t attack cities—if he decides to hold out in New Linyi City..."
"Once he is defending Linyi, a large army going there would be no use either," Xuu You interjected, interrupting Tian Feng. "Rather than that, it’s better to wager that Chen Zichuan, in his ambition to establish a stronghold in Eastern Commandery, won’t engage in a major battle at Linyi."
"That indeed could be a strategy," Tian Feng mused for a while before raising his head. Xuu You’s point made sense.
"Moreover, you have to confront Guo Fengxiao. Although plots and schemes have little effect on you, and stratagems are almost useless, Guo Fengxiao is not an easy opponent. It’s not hard for you to defeat him, but to annihilate him..." Xuu You spoke earnestly, his strategic prowess unquestionably among the best in the world at that moment.
"It requires a thunderous strike to completely exterminate at one go!" Xuu You raised a finger and explained, "With my current intelligence, facing you, I would only need at most three failures to deduce the potential of your Spiritual Talent. You’re very aware of the effect of Guo Fengxiao’s Spiritual Talent—once activated, no amount of preparation will suffice."
Tian Feng frowned, recalling the intelligence reports sent over by Cao Cao’s side, which recorded two Spiritual Talents, one of which was Guo Jia’s, and the other was Chen Xi’s.
"Alright, I’ll be careful. I’d rather suffer minor defeats than give him the chance to use his Spiritual Talent," Tian Feng nodded. "You should be cautious with Chen Zichuan as well; I’ve heard he’s protected by some reclusive expert."
"I will," Xu You nodded and said, "but that kind of person would absolutely not get involved in war. I’ve already learned from some channels that there are quite a few hermits in the world. They only emerge for events that could influence the overall situation of the world, and Chen Zichuan is one of them."
"One of them?" Tian Feng furrowed his brows, as this was the first time he had heard such a secret; and Chen Zichuan, a figure capable enough to forge an era of imperial prosperity, was just one of them?
"Yes, indeed one of them. Overlords of the world, the true overlords from ancient to present, do not die from assassination precisely for this reason," Xu You vaguely explained, "The Lord also has them by his side, but they do not participate in wars, only emerging when necessary to protect certain individuals."
Tian Feng uttered an "oh" and said nothing more.
"Write the military order. I will take Wen Chou and go to Linyi. Although that nail doesn’t have a great impact, it’s indeed not good to remain lodged there!" Xu You said with a cold laugh, as he had already had his plan in mind. Filled with the satisfaction of possessing treasures, he was confident enough to wrestle with any strategist in the world.
Tian Feng quickly wrote the military order and handed it to Xu You. Xu You had already made himself very clear earlier, and Tian Feng knew how to deal with Guo Jia.
"Alas, I wonder how the Sili mission is faring for Youruo and Zhongjian," Tian Feng muttered to himself as he stood on the city wall.
After handing the military order to Xu You and watching him go to Wen Chou’s military camp, then observing Xu You and Wen Chou leading seven thousand Wolf Cavalry on their way, Tian Feng felt considerably reassured. However, Xu You’s remark that mighty lords have hermit protectors awakened his curiosity about Xun Shen and Chunyu Qiong, who had already gone to Sili. After all, if the feudal lords have such protection, what about the Emperor?
It’s worth mentioning that the grand situation of this era has been ever-changing. Yuan Shao, though powerful, has never gained an overwhelming advantage. So, when Ju Shou proposed going to Sili to welcome the Emperor into Ye City, everyone gave it a little thought and agreed.
Regrettably, before Yuan Shao could decide whom to send to Sili, he received intelligence that Liu Ye and others, who appeared to be attacking him, were in fact going to support the king. With this, Yuan Shao no longer hesitated and promptly dispatched Xun Shen and Chunyu Qiong to Sili. One was a former member of the Eight Schools of the West Garden, and the other a trusted strategist; with one in charge of literature and the other of martial affairs, he felt quite assured.
Yuan Shao’s eagerness also stemmed from being intimidated by Liu Bei. After all, if Liu Bei managed to take the Emperor to Mount Tai, then his just cause for unifying the world would be lost, as would his confidence in attacking Mount Tai. Moreover, what’s crucial is that Yuan Shao was not yet prepared to claim the title of Emperor.
Therefore, Yuan Shao’s orders for the troops going to Sili were essentially to seize the Emperor if possible, and at all costs, prevent Liu Bei from doing so.
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For Yuan Shao, having the Emperor in Cao Cao’s hands would be more beneficial than in Liu Bei’s. Similarly, for Liu Ye, having the Emperor was a nuisance, and it would be troublesome if Yuan Shao got hold of him; thus, it would be better to hand over the Emperor to Cao Cao.
The secret order Yuan Shao gave to Chunyu Qiong was, if things did not succeed, to kill the Little Emperor and the ministers. As for who would take the blame, it would surely fall on Cao Cao, Yuan Shao, Liu Bei, and Li Jue, all bearing it together.
This showed Yuan Shao’s determination. Of course, these words were only confided to confidants like Chunyu Qiong, as if others discovered he was plotting to kill the Emperor, they would certainly rise against him. (To be continued. If you like this work, I invite you to cast your recommendation and monthly votes at Qidian (qidian.com). Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)
