NOVPUBGan Ning’s fearsome war achievements were being delivered right when Chen Xi was indoctrinating Qu Qi about the weakness of purebred crops compared to the miracles of hybrid vigor, and he was also teaching Qu Qi about Mendel’s pea plant theory.
Qu Qi’s eyes lit up as he listened. Although he hadn’t studied these topics specifically, as a professional agronomist with seven to eight years of experience, of course, he had encountered oddities like purple pea flowers producing white offspring. He had also seen tall pea plants give rise to short ones!
"Zichuan, set aside the intelligence reports. Even though within my clan education I rose to power midway, I still know that right now, Qingzhou’s Mount Tai has seized the early advantage," Qu Qi said impatiently, seeing Chen Xi laughing with the reports in hand. Although his intelligence wasn’t lacking, he spent more energy on farming matters. As for issues concerning the feudal lords, he also had the advantage of being a clear-minded observer.
"Hmph, of course. How could the plan I personally devised have any oversight? Qingzhou’s current situation is indeed superb; we’re not short on money and grain, our soldiers are elite and well-provisioned. We fear no challenges, and that’s why I can afford to take the time to discuss these matters with you," Chen Xi said with a smile, "But truly, Gan Xingba has done me a great favor."
Having said that, Chen Xi passed the intelligence report to Qu Qi, "Take a look. Gan Xingba, worthy of being the Naval Chief, truly has grand courage and a good grasp of timing. It’s a shame he isn’t skilled in commanding large forces."
"No man is perfect, as has always been the case. Still, considering my fellow villager’s performance, he probably couldn’t be more conspicuous. With only three hundred men, he forced Yuan Benchu to retreat. After that, a hundred cavalries raided their camp without a single casualty. Yuan Benchu has made a laughingstock of himself this time," Qu Qi quickly scanned the report and understood the situation, "Yuan Benchu can forget about counterattacking Youzhou now, and his previous plan to use others for his gain, setting himself on the highest moral ground, has been scrapped too."
Chen Xi was startled; Qu Qi got everything just from a glance, "You, my friend, are already no less talented than the average strategist."
"When a family devotes the resources of a hundred years to one person, they need to know a little about everything, right? But..." Qu Qi said with a trace of dejection, which was then dispelled as if he had thought of something, "Let’s continue to talk about these so-called ’basic factors!’ I must cultivate a super variety that combines all the advantages!"
Chen Xi carelessly placed the intelligence report on the table between their chairs, continuing to explain high school biology knowledge about hybrid vigor to Qu Qi. Anyway, he didn’t have that much time, and Qu Qi was so interested it was possible he might have a promising future. But on second thought, even just instilling this knowledge would take a long time, especially since Qu Qi’s foundational knowledge wasn’t up to par.
Chen Xi casually left the intelligence report on the table, unaware that the feudal lords were already shocked by the conclusion of the battle at Jieqiao. The battle shifted from Gongsun’s advantage to Juo Yi’s rise and obliteration of the White Horse soldiers, Yuan Shao’s pursuit, and then the tide turned as Gan Ning’s unexpected assault set Handan ablaze, and a hundred cavalries raided Yuan Camp, establishing Juo Yi and Gan Ning as prominent figures while the rest faded into supporting roles.
In comparison to Juo Yi’s defeat of the White Horse soldiers in the field and annihilating Gongsun during the night, and Gan Ning’s solo burning of Handan and the chaos in Yuan Camp, everyone else became mere extras.
Were the White Horse Righteous Followers strong? This was recognized by all the feudal lords. Gongsun Zan relied on them to dominate all under heaven, yet in field battle, they were staunchly resisted by Juo Yi’s Great Halberdiers, the Vanguard Death Squad charged forth, leading to their complete annihilation without even leaving seed for Gongsun Zan. That night, Juo Yi led the remaining Vanguard Death Squad to break the camp and exterminate Gongsun Zan. For such a person, everyone could only say one word — fierce!
Unfortunately, the excellent situation was ruined by Gan Ning with a single fire, and before leaving, he even gave Yuan Shao a heavy slap on the face, cutting down the Command Banner of the Central Army Tent. A hundred men charged in, and a hundred men came out, unscathed. The impression Gan Ning left on all the Feudal Lords was one of audacious boldness!
Of course, just being brave and audaciously bold wouldn’t be much to fear. What truly terrified the Feudal Lords was the ability of Ju Yi and Gan Ning to grasp battle opportunities. These two men showed through intelligence that they excelled at seizing fleeting chances in battle and were experts at expanding their victories! This made many heed in fear.
The astonishing courage, coupled with the shocking ability to grasp battle opportunities, made it clear to any astute Feudal Lords that these two individuals were rare military talents capable of achieving what others could not. Coupled with their fearless bravery and their grip on critical battle moments, many dangerous opportunities for victory were forged by such men!
Because of the unexpected turn of events at the Battle of Jieqiao, as well as the twists and turns that followed, all Feudal Lords reported these two names side by side in their intelligence dispatches. Even though Gan Ning only had a humble three hundred routed soldiers reported in the intelligence, while Ju Yi was already a general commanding an army on his own, all the reports equated the two, because they both demonstrated unmatched bravery, and they both showed material befitting of a high-ranking general. All that they lacked was simply destiny and a Lord!
"A good bird chooses the tree where it will nest! Gongsun Bogui, with such a general under his command and yet not making good use of him, deserves his defeat! Send someone to the north to make contact with Gan Ning. I, Cao Mengde, want this wise and brave general!" Cao Cao immediately decided to recruit talent after reviewing the report!
Cao Cao was certain that Yuan Shao was also looking everywhere for Gan Ning, who disrupted his grand plan—not to cause trouble, but with the same intention of winning him over. After all, Gongsun Zan was already declining, and if not this time, there would soon be another. And such a clever and brave general, if missed this time, who knows when another would emerge? Looking at Ju Yi, one could see why Gongsun Zan’s defeat was well deserved.
"My Lord is wise!" Xun Yu said with a smile, "However, compared to him, there is another general that our Lord might want to try to win over?"
As Xun Yu spoke, a trace of wariness flashed through Cao Cao’s eyes. Yuan Shu, with that bit of intelligence, had been played like a fiddle by the luxurious strategy group composed of Xun Yu, Xun You, Xi Zhicai, Cheng Yu, Chen Qun, and others. In the end, he directly turned against Lyu Bu under the walls of Wancheng. If Cao Cao hadn’t also been in Wancheng, the two sides might have already initiated a full Martial Performance beneath its walls!
The outcome, of course, was destined. Lyu Bu, with his own followers, camped against Yuan Shu, and upon leaving, he couldn’t help but rob Yuan Shu fiercely. Naturally, the relations between the two sides became extremely tense, with Yuan Shu having no more tolerance for Lyu Bu, while Lyu Bu also harbored the thought of killing Yuan Shu, seizing Yuzhou, and declaring his independence. Nevertheless, Yuan Shu was still powerful with his extensive army, and it wasn’t easy for Lyu Bu to win. Moreover, to put it bluntly, Cao Cao was like a big pit squatting on the city wall, waiting for the battle below to commence and to collect the spoils of war!
Unfortunately, Lyu Bu was now a tree without roots, a sourceless stream. Even though he managed to rob Yuan Shu when leaving, the daily consumption for men and horses meant that the supplies he looted couldn’t last long. Compelled by necessity, he prepared early to switch battlefields, and now Lyu Bu secretly proposed to Cao Cao that he was willing to help Cao Cao clean up Yuan Shu, provided Cao Cao could supply him with enough food beforehand.
It was precisely because of this opportunity that Xun Yu, feeling that their forces were insufficient, thought it might be worth trying to assimilate Lyu Bu. As for the potential backlash, Xun Yu was not too worried. As long as the core strength was sufficient, there was nothing they couldn’t overcome. Moreover, as long as Cao Cao wasn’t foolish enough to target Lyu Bu’s concubine, Diao Chan, there would be no need to worry about these issues!
After all, Xun Yu believed that with their oversight, if Lyu Bu wanted to rebel, he had to have the capacity to do so. Could Lyu Bu, with his intelligence, withstand their scheming? If Lyu Bu were to join Cao Cao, Xun Yu was confident that within three months, he could neutralize Lyu Bu, absorbing all his soldiers, and if Lyu Bu tried to rebel, he could strip him of everything. Moreover, Xi Zhicai had already declared that he could manage affairs so that everyone, including Lyu Bu himself, would believe any error was Lyu Bu’s own fault!(To be continued. If you enjoy this work, you are welcome to vote with your recommendation tickets and monthly tickets at Qidian (qidian.com). Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please read at m.qidian.com.)
