Chapter 1017: Chapter 973: Intervening in Youzhou

When Ma Chao returned to Xiliang, Chen Xi also received accurate information from the North. As Guo Jia had predicted, the entire Northern Grasslands had collectively seen snowfall, and the Xianbei people were already showing signs of restlessness.

“It really never ends, does it? This time, we have no choice but to fight.” Chen Xi said with some frustration. He had been resting at home for a while, but this matter was significant enough that it pulled him away.

With the suppression of bandits by Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Hua Xiong, and others, the situation in Jizhou had begun to stabilize. At least the depletion rate of Spiritual Capacity was starting to show a slight decline. It was estimated that in a few months, it could be replenished back to Chen Xi’s Spiritual Capacity.

“Let’s fight. I’m already fed up with these guys from the North.” Jia Xu said with a smile, though his words carried an infinite chill.

“I’m just afraid Yuan Tan doesn’t have Yuan Shao’s audacity. If he collaborates with the Xianbei, although it wouldn’t impact the battle situation much for us, it would be a disaster for the northern citizens.” Li Youu slowly opened his mouth to speak, while Lub Su, like last year, had brought his quilt to the government office.

“We can send a letter to Yuan Tan, promising not to take action against them within a year as long as he doesn’t let the Xianbei into Youzhou and Bingzhou.” Chen Xi thought for a moment and proposed a suggestion that left everyone speechless.

“Do you think Yuan Tan, upon hearing this news, will threaten us by letting the Xianbei into Youzhou and Bingzhou?” Liu Ye rolled his eyes and said, “In my opinion, that’s almost guaranteed. That guy is far from Yuan Shao!”

“Without saying, he might still let them in, so it’s better to just tell him.” Chen Xi spread his hands with an indifferent expression.

“That’s why I suggest we might as well ignore him and let them be. We’ve delivered the message. With Sheni Pei, Zhang He, and others, as long as they want to defend the North, it will be effortlessly done; at most, there will be gaps in the defensive line.” Liu Ye calmly said, “Do you think they prefer having gaps in the Northern defense line or the Southern one?”

That’s just ridiculous; gaps in the Northern defense line mean harm to the citizens of Youzhou and Bingzhou. If gaps appear in the Southern defense line, wouldn’t it mean immediate peril for their stronghold?

Even if Yuan Tan is far from Yuan Shao, he wouldn’t be foolish enough to gamble on such a thing. No monarch would place their safety in the hands of someone else’s mercy; even if Liu Bei’s benevolence is recognized by everyone, Yuan Tan wouldn’t risk becoming the unlucky one.

Aside from the divinely focused Guo Jia and the wandering Fa Zheng, everyone else wore a speechless expression. This was truly a deadlock; Yuan Tan wouldn’t dare to gamble!

“Hey, Fengxiao, say something, why just listen to us!” Chen Xi seemed dissatisfied looking at the serene Guo Jia.

“Actually, what we should do now is strike at Youzhou.” Guo Jia slowly spoke.

Guo Jia understood Yuan Tan as well. That guy wouldn’t care about the people’s lives. He would surely put all efforts into defending the southern line. As for the North, Yuan Tan would definitely make good propaganda.

For example, he would claim that because Liu Bei allied with the Xianbei, Yuan Tan was helpless to rescue the people, that he failed the Northern citizens, etc. Whether these things truly happened, under Yuan Tan’s rule, whatever he said was the truth.

“Since Yuan Tan lacks the troops to defend both the Northern and Southern lines, let’s ensure he has enough forces to guard them both. Along our army’s extensive defense line, without deploying hundreds of thousands of troops, how could he defend it? So let us help him reduce the line to within three hundred li, and naturally, he’ll have enough troops.” Guo Jia slowly suggested.

Persuading the enemy with words is of no use. Making the enemy follow your plan step by step through force fits Guo Jia’s temperament more.

Moreover, Yuan Tan has not yet fully grasped the situation after the chaos due to Yuan Shao’s death. Although Youzhou was given to Yuan Tan by Yuan Shao, it was granted not long ago, and capturing the moment to strike and cut down all of Youzhou is not impossible.

“Directly take over the entire Youzhou?” Chen Xi tapped the table, continuously contemplating this issue.

“It’s a very good strategy. As Fengxiao said, as long as we act quickly and take down Youzhou, Yuan Tan will have enough troops to guard both North and South flawlessly.” Jia Xu said with a smile, greatly supporting the conquest of Youzhou. You must know that Youzhou and Jizhou share a comprehensive border, all part of the defense line.

“The biggest issue is that we can’t make a move now.” Fa Zheng said with a smile, “Breaking contracts is something best avoided.”

“Xiaoo Zhi, you’ve misunderstood. Fengxiao never said we’d make the move. Fengxiao likely wants to use the strategy of borrowing another’s hand to kill.” Li Youu said slowly, understanding what Guo Jia intended.

“Yes, there’s another Gongsun in the North. This Gongsun Shengji is known for being very accommodating.” Guo Jia said with a smile, not believing that extending Yuan Tan’s battle line by another thousand li or more wouldn’t overstretch his already scarce troops.

“That seems feasible, but I’m not sure if this person would agree.” Chen Xi said uncertainly, acknowledging the man’s capabilities.

“It’s not about agreeing or not; it’s about whether he will act. Given General Gongsun’s intelligence, he will surely choose the most correct course of action.” Liu Ye also realized Guo Jia’s plan. Shortly after the war between Yuan and Liu ended, Gongsun Du’s envoy had already appeared in Ye City, currently left waiting at the post station.

“That would be perfect then,” Chen Xi said with a smile. When one’s power grows strong enough, others will indeed come forward to surrender themselves.

[Wow, this is a good start. The Gongsun clan in Liaodong indeed knows the situation well. Next, we must continue to strengthen our power. In the coming great battle with Sunx and Cao, it cannot be as difficult as the recent struggle with Yuan and Liu. The final battle must end in an easy victory to subdue them, which is crucial for intimidating them.]

Chen Xi quietly surveyed the group in front of him. After a fallout with Zhen Mi, rare was the smile that appeared on his face.

Though not the best team, it is sufficient. Sometimes things not going as planned is normal. Chen Xi had also carefully reviewed the intelligence on Cao-Liu, and it indeed seemed powerful. Even each historical occurrence alone was more than enough to easily defeat all the Feudal Lords.

However, only with such strength does Chen Xi have the confidence to keep moving forward. If the reality were as underwhelming as having a few million in population as recorded in history, then Chen Xi could only admit that he was truly a failure.

He alleviated plagues, avoided the decimation of ten dead in seven or eight, prevented the destruction of grain-producing lands, and averted the tragedy of parents eating their children; it could be said Sun Ce and Cao Cao were so strong mostly because Chen Xi held back. If the historical plagues, famines had occurred, now the world would have barely twenty million people, most of them being Liu Bei’s, with Sunx and Cao being just a fraction.

In such circumstances, even if the civil officials and military generals under Cao and Sun flipped over ten times, it would be meaningless.

(To be continued. If you enjoy this work, you are welcome to Qidian (wuxiaworld.site) to vote for recommendations, monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.wuxiaworld.site to read.)