NOVPUBChen Xi and Jia Xu, together with a group of people, were discussing how to handle the imminent situation in Xuzhou. Although "warfare ceases in winter" was generally the rule during this period, thinking of Cao Cao’s character, including Jia Xu, everyone could only sigh and say that there was a ninety percent chance that he would start fighting directly if this matter arose.
"Zichuan, there might be a problem with your arrangement," Lub Su looked at the military deployment chart drawn up by Chen Xi and asked with some confusion, "This posture is just short of outright stating that Xuzhou is doomed to lose. Among the thirty thousand elites of Danyang, half of them are veteran warriors who had fought with Tao Qian in Xiliang, and the rest are experienced soldiers from the campaigns to pacify Quexuan. Even if Tao Gongzu is getting on in years and his subordinate officers are fighting on instinct, they wouldn’t lose to the extent of the situation you’ve outlined."
Liu Ye and others, including Zhuge Liang, all stood up to examine Chen Xi’s arrangement, and the unanimous conclusion was that unless Tao Qian lost his mind, it was impossible for his entire army to collapse. These were all battle-hardened elites; losing that badly wouldn’t be easy.
"There’s a saying called ’forewarned is forearmed,’ Kongming, you should understand this, right? Anticipate the problem before it arises," Chen Xi turned his head to glance around at everyone, finally setting his sight on Zhuge Liang. This was the only character who might side with him, as the others definitely wouldn’t believe.
Being well-prepared indeed has its merits, but there’s no need to go to such lengths," Zhuge Liang commented, not directly answering Chen Xi’s question but instead inquiring about something else. "I was also observing while you were discussing earlier. Based on your earlier military deployment, General Guan in Licheng, General Zang, Military Advisor Guo, the Tuntian Soldier Corps arranged in Western Qingzhou, the three corps from the Central Government led by General Yu, including the Navy deployed at sea, you are planning to push all the way to the coast within three months after the start of spring," Zhuge Liang said while pointing at the map’s arrangements.
"Correct," Chen Xi nodded, "That is our pre-established strategy from early on, and for reasons I think you would understand with your intelligence."
"In terms of military strength, you could flatten Qingzhou this year, but you won’t be able to manage it, right? There isn’t enough food, officials, farm tools, seeds, and housing," Zhuge Liang confidently said, looking up.
"Absolutely correct," Fa Zheng said with interest as he watched Zhuge Liang. The stronger the opposition, the more value there was in dealing a solid blow. It was for this reason that Fa Zheng’s gaze began to carry a hint of malice, preparing to find an opportunity to practice his skills and derive some pleasure from bullying a smart kid.
"Within three months, flatten the territory all the way to the coast, with the Tuntian Soldier Corps following up and consolidating territory as they go. And now, Marquis Chen is recruiting a large number of provisional officials in preparation for that time. The massive stockpile of food and farm tools are also for then, right? By the middle of April to the middle of May next year, it will be enough to pacify the region and then take advantage of the summer planting season. There won’t be the bad consequences of internal turmoil due to poor governance after conquering the territory this year," Zhuge Liang spoke with increasing confidence, while Fa Zheng looked at his expression with slowly mounting malice.
"It’s mostly like that. If we haven’t conquered it, then it doesn’t belong to us, and we can justifiably ignore it. But once we conquer it, we can’t avoid managing it. We can’t shoulder the burden of over a million people for six or seven months, so I’d rather set up porridge sheds to have them feel grateful than conquer the place and then have to toil and trouble myself with their curses. Unfortunately, man’s strength sometimes comes to an end!" Chen Xi said with a shrug.
Seeing the strange looks from others, Chen Xi said helplessly, "I’ve never claimed to be the self-sacrificing type. Save yourself before saving others. If you can’t even preserve yourself, how can you go about saving others? But such situations won’t arise in the future. With Qingzhou almost entirely in our grasp, along with our strategic reserve resources, as long as no one intentionally destroys the food-producing lands, natural disasters won’t have too much of an impact."
Jia Xu glanced at Chen Xi, his eyes revealing an understanding expression, and he entertained the thought of considering him a kindred spirit.
"Save yourself before saving others. How can you save others if you can’t even save yourself?" Fa Zheng said nonchalantly, "Besides, basically no one could pressure Zichuan to that extent!"
"True, aside from the initial phases, I doubt there will ever be such an opportunity again. So in the future, our behavior will all be about showing great love and benevolence to the people," Chen Xi put away his previous sorrowful expression, saying with a smile on his face.
Actually, Chen Xi knew that his ideology was somewhat similar to Cao Cao’s, as both believed in saving oneself before others. However, he could not agree with Cao Cao on one point: Cao Cao’s self-preservation completely exceeded the normal bounds, to the extent that even before achieving his ideals, Cao Cao’s method of self-preservation was basically to harm others for his own benefit. Chen Xi could not accept this, as he could not bring himself to that level.
"A gentleman trapped in adversity does not harm others to save himself. This is benevolence," Zhuge Liang said indifferently. What was there to discuss about such a matter? He hadn’t done anything to harm others for his own benefit. It was merely self-rescue. Once I myself reach the shore, then saving you can be considered truly virtuous.
"Let’s move on, move on. Let’s not talk about this anymore. I think I’ve done quite well. I also don’t know how many cattle and horses Su Shuang and Zhang Shiping will be able to obtain this time. A round trip beyond the Great Wall takes half a year. After the New Year, we’ll push steadily into Qingzhou. The summer crops will depend on their cattle and horses," Chen Xi said with a wave of his hand, indicating that they should stop discussing this matter.
"Can cattle also be used for farming?" Zhuge Liang asked in confusion.
"It can be done simply by piercing their noses," Fa Zheng said casually.
"Oh." It was unclear whether Zhuge Liang understood or not as he just echoed with a sound of acknowledgement.
"Let’s continue with Xuzhou. Looking at your troop deployment, Zichuan’s arrangement of the Qingzhou campaign can be said to be an unshakable foundation. Therefore, we can only use someone else," Fa Zheng, seeing no one else speak, said to Zhuge Liang with a smile on his face.
"I am inclined toward rescuing. I was born in Xuzhou and am slightly more familiar with the place than you are. Tao Gongzu is a decent person, but after all, he is old and frail. When the time comes to lead troops, it will inevitably be the sons of the aristocratic families. The Chen Family and Zhao Family do not get along with Tao Gongzu. That leaves us with only the Cao Family, and Cao Bao is highly valued by Tao Gongzu," Zhuge Liang stopped there, his gaze fixed on Fa Zheng, having noticed Fa Zheng’s undisguised full malice.
"Cao Bao?" Fa Zheng, after all, had made his way in Jia Xu’s circle and knew some notable figures from various places. Cao Bao’s name had appeared quite often in Tao Qian’s territory. However, based on the information gathered so far, Cao Bao was a noted scholar, a strategist who was good at boasting.
"If it’s this person, then—oh, just as I was about to say it, he has arrived!" Jia Xu was about to speak when out of the corner of his eye, he saw Liu Yan enter with a strange expression on his face.
Suddenly, everyone either turned their heads or looked up to see Liu Yan, and those who were savvy heaved a silent sigh. It was needless to say what the result would be if Liu Yan were to lead troops.
"Weishuo, you’re back. Let me ask you something. Do you have the confidence to lead an army of thirty thousand elite soldiers into battle?" Chen Xi asked outright.
"How could I? If there’s one thing I know about myself, it’s that I particularly understand my own limits. You ask me to brag, chat, and handle publicity, no problem. But leading troops into battle? Absolutely not, out of the question!" Liu Yan shook his head vigorously, "Thirty thousand men wouldn’t be sufficient for my defeats. Who came up with this ludicrous idea!" (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please vote for it at Qidian (qidian.com) with recommendation tickets and monthly passes. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)
