NOVPUBChen Xi didn’t pay too much mind to Zhuge Liang’s behavior; the man was simply studying what he enjoyed. As for military formations, Chen Xi’s own level was akin to a Spearhead Formation. When it came to the other potent formations, he had realized that mastering them would definitely require a substantial amount of effort.
Regarding formations, Chen Xi had inquired about them. Most military generals knew only a handful of conventional formations. As for high-level tactics like the Eight Gates Golden Lock, even Liu Ye had a superficial understanding. Of course, someone like Guo Jia, who understood Mystical Tactics, was not included, as his advanced cultivation was precisely in these areas.
Similarly, learning this stuff was troublesome. First, you needed a teacher, and this prerequisite alone eliminated over ninety-nine percent of people. Few knew about formations and even fewer were willing to teach them. After all, these were the last-resort weapons. Apart from some fools who would show off their new skills right after learning them, anyone with a brain would keep them well hidden.
It was for this reason that Chen Xi found it so amazing that Li Youu was willing to teach Zhuge Liang the Eight Gates Golden Lock, to say nothing of the full range of transformations and the methods of further deductions. It was practically as if he was passing on his mantle to Zhuge Liang.
With so much information, plus the Qimen Dunjia he had obtained from Guo Jia, Chen Xi reckoned that Zhuge Liang could probably work out the Eight Formation Diagram on his own, so he felt embarrassed to disturb him any further.
After Chen Xi had walked a few steps towards Guo Jia’s place, Guo Residence’s steward told him Guo Jia had gone to see Xi Zhicai off. Chen Xi found this rather odd and promptly borrowed a carriage from Guo Residence, heading straight to the West Gate of Fenggao. However, by the time Chen Xi got there, Guo Jia was already on his way back.
"Hey, why are you drinking again?" Chen Xi jumped off the carriage and snatched away the wine jar from Guo Jia, who was holding his horse and drinking inattentively.
"Zhicai has left," Guo Jia said with a sigh.
"Huh? Wasn’t he fine just a few days ago?" Chen Xi was startled.
"..." Guo Jia looked at Chen Xi wordlessly.
"It’s your fault for not clarifying," Chen Xi said somewhat awkwardly, "Why didn’t you take me with you to see him off? I should’ve bid farewell to Chen Changwen too. Thanks to him, we now have quite a few mid-level civil officials."
"He wrote in the letter he sent me that he didn’t need to see me, so I knew he had already left when he sent it. I chased after him on horseback for more than ten miles but didn’t catch a glimpse of his carriage. He really didn’t hold back, did he?" Guo Jia said gloomily. Did Zhicai not even want to see him one last time?
"He probably didn’t want you to see his face as he left, considering how close you two were," Chen Xi suggested, handing the wine jar back to Guo Jia.
On the other hand, Xi Zhicai, sitting inside the carriage, was chatting idly with Chen Qun and Sima Lang. After recovering enough to get out of bed, Xi Zhicai immediately found the letter he had vomited blood over before sending to Cao Cao. However, he didn’t notify Chen Qun to deliver it to Yanzhou; instead, he ordered a guard to take it there.
After ensuring his health issue was not serious and following another examination with Hua Tuo, who confirmed he just needed more rest and should not overexert himself, Xi Zhicai no longer wanted to stay at Mount Tai.
One reason was that if he couldn’t acquire the spiritual talent of the people of Mount Tai, it meant he was just wasting time. There were many matters in Yanzhou that needed his attention. Another was his wish not to let Guo Jia continue with his ill-omened remarks; if one actually took effect, he would die an extremely aggrieved death.
Moreover, he had gained a Sima Lang, as well as two potential sages, an equivalent to a walking Library Pavilion in Cai Yan. Xi Zhicai felt his trip had been very rewarding. Although he had coughed up blood twice, Cao Cao’s ambition had advanced a step further, making it worth it.
As for gathering intelligence, Chen Qun had already collected all he could, after all, Mount Tai itself was intent on displaying some of its treasures.
One could say that aside from replicating Mount Tai residents’ Spiritual Talent, which he failed to achieve, all other objectives had been more than fulfilled. Though it wasn’t perfect, Xi Zhicai viewed his return as coming back loaded with spoils. There was nothing left to regret.
"Changwen, concerning the intelligence you’ve collected on Mount Tai, how does it compare to our Yanzhou, and what else do we need?" After some casual conversation, the topic naturally shifted to more serious matters. Sima Lang had been convinced by Chen Qun to join Cao Cao during this period.
"Our biggest gap with Mount Tai lies in reserves. Chen Zichuan has prepared for almost everything one could think of. The reserves in Mount Tai could almost handle a drought, snow disaster, or plague throughout the entirety of the governed region," Chen Qun said with a wry smile, "to be praised as being well-prepared before disaster strikes is indeed no mistake."
"Natural disasters can be disregarded. Chen Zichuan’s Spiritual Talent allows him to change the weather within Liu Bei’s domain, so let’s discuss something else," Xi Zhicai waved his hand dismissively. Chen Xi’s advantage in Spiritual Talent was just too great.
"Change the weather over an entire region?" Chen Qun was momentarily stunned but quickly comprehended, "What we need now is money and grain, a large amount to expand the army, drill soldiers, and maintain stability within our territories, as well as to establish a new household registration system. Moreover, we need to set up a Library Pavilion and improve the treatment of our soldiers."
"All of these require money and grain," Xi Zhicai said somewhat helplessly. Although Cao Cao had some savings, it was still far from the amount Chen Qun mentioned.
"While Zhicai was in slumber, I had already sent intelligence back and suggested to our Lord that we should absorb the Hedong Wei Family. After all, it’s not that our own funds are insufficient, but rather that some families are not lacking in funds," Chen Qun said smilingly. He had already made contact with the Hedong Wei Family at Fenggao, a family that held the position of second amongst the Five Great Merchants for over two hundred years, and continually battled with the Zhen Family.
"That sounds good," Xi Zhicai nodded in agreement. He had witnessed the affluence of the top merchants on Mount Tai, let alone the premier Hedong Wei Family. Should such a family join them, money and grain would certainly not be an issue, as their wealth was enough to support the extravagance of Feudal Lords.
After receiving Chen Qun’s letter, Cao Cao directed the Head of the Wei Family of Chenliu and the Hedong Wei Family to make frequent contact. The Wei Clan of Chenliu and the Hedong Wei were already close, and under the unrestrained efforts of the miraculously-survived Weii Zi, during the family’s New Year gathering, the Hedong Wei Family decisively pledged full support to Cao Cao. After all, the current Feudal Lords in the best position were Yuan Shao, Yuan Shu, Liu Bei, and Cao Cao, with other lords lacking in power and momentum by comparison.
It goes without saying for Yuan Shao’s side, given the hundred-year feud between the Hedong Wei and the Zhen Family; had they joined Yuan Shao, the Hedong Wei might as well have changed their surname. As for Liu Bei, Mi Zhu firmly suppressed the Zhen Family of Jizhou. His astonishing performance completely dissuaded the Hedong Wei from joining Liu Bei.
They had no intention of being devoured by Mi Zhu upon joining; such a wealthy family as the Zhen Family, had it not been for their vast liquid assets, would have perished at Mi Zhu’s hands on a previous occasion. The Hedong Wei did not believe they could withstand strategies like those of Mi Zhu, who they had previously suppressed.
In the end, it came down to Cao Cao and Yuan Shu. With the Chenliu Wei Family, which was as close as kin to them, fervently pulling strings on Cao Cao’s behalf, the Hedong Wei Family joined Cao Cao’s embrace with hardly any objections.
Today marked the banquet where the newly appointed head of the Hedong Wei Family, the elder brother of Weii Zhongdao, Weii Ji, and Weii Boru represented the Wei Family in joining Cao Cao’s ranks.
Just as Cao Cao was enjoying this moment of bliss, a messenger rushed in, "My Lord, terrible news!"
Cao Cao glared gloomily at the messenger. Today was supposed to be a joyous event celebrating the Hedong Wei joining his forces, and now this messenger had disrupted it so thoughtlessly.
"Speak!" A chilling light flashed in Cao Cao’s eyes.
"A month ago, on the border between Lub Kingdom and Xuzhou, your father was slain by Zhang Kai, a subordinate general of Tao Qian!" The messenger bowed his head, not daring to look at Cao Cao, and quickly explained the situation.
Upon hearing this, the entire banquet fell silent. Cao Cao’s vision darkened upon hearing the news, and he collapsed onto the table. Xun Yu and the others frantically rushed to his aid, and after some desperate attempts at resuscitation, Cao Cao gradually regained consciousness.
Clenching his teeth in rage, Cao Cao roared with bloodshot eyes, "Tao Qian let his troops kill my father; this hatred is irreconcilable. I vow to muster the full might of my armies and wash Xuzhou in blood! I shall not rest until vengeance is mine, I swear it upon my very humanity!"
All the military generals present knelt before Cao Cao, with Xiahou Dun, Xiahou Yuan, Cao Ren, and others bellowing with equally bloodshot eyes, "We offer ourselves as the vanguard to cleanse Xuzhou in blood!"
(To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please vote for it on Qidian. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please visit m.qidian.com to read.)
