Mythical Three Kingdoms

Chapter 553 - 526: Yuan Shao’s Hand

Sunx Qian stood up and reported on all the materials consumed this year, as well as those stored, while Jia Xu, Liu Ye, and others capable of understanding began to calculate upon hearing the accurate data. Soon after, they glanced at each other with joy in their eyes, both excited by what they realized.

"The situation is just as it is," said Lub Su calmly. "Zichuan’s initial estimates were not far off. After next year’s summer grain is stored, we will have enough food to fight for ten months without respite!" For this day, they had made many preparations. Other Feudal Lords were excited to have a three-month supply of extra food, yet they were storing several times that amount.

"Total war, starting from the borders of Bingzhou and continuing along the borders of Jizhou, on all fronts!" Li Youu tapped on the table in front of him and said. Although he had not previously displayed his strong military insight in front of Liu Bei, spurred by Lub Su’s words, Li Youu couldn’t help but speak out.

Liu Ye was initially startled, but the next moment he understood what Li Youu was planning. He looked at Li Youu with an amazed and skeptical expression. He had never thought that Li Youu would have such a remarkable insight, a strategy that surpassed all of the plans that had crossed his mind before.

"Yuan Benchu’s power is no less than ours, also encompassing two and a half provinces. His Jizhou is indeed the essence of the north, not only the best grain-producing area but also a horse-breeding region. Similarly, the southern part of Bingzhou has always been the essence of the Three Jins. However, due to the lack of strong military forces to suppress the Northern Frontier Barbarians, the population of Bingzhou was too small and grain production was limited. But now, if my estimate is not wrong, Tian Yuanhao and others should be relocating people to Bingzhou," Li Youu said as he stood up, disregarding Liu Ye’s reaction.

In fact, when Li Youu saw Liu Ye’s expression, he knew he had gone a bit overboard. After all, without experience in such matters, even someone as strategic as Liu Ye would have a hard time thinking of this. However, since he had already started speaking, to leave it unfinished would draw more attention. It was better to leave a deep impression on them.

"Youzhou, Bingzhou, and Jizhou are all horse-producing areas. Moreover, Yuan Benchu himself has a well-trained army and ample provisions. The natives of Bingzhou may not openly express their satisfaction or dissatisfaction with Yuan Shao’s full-fledged resistance against the Xianbei, but as long as Yuan Shao helps them completely clear the area north of the Great Wall by a hundred miles, the Bingzhou natives will voluntarily join him!" Li Youu expressed inwardly with a sigh.

It had been the case with Dong Zhuo in the past as well; initially, he relied mainly on infantry, and Li Ru did the same thing that Tian Feng is doing now. In Xiliang, with less than a third of the Qiang People, Han people utterly overwhelmed the Qiang, and that was how the Xiliang Iron Cavalry gathered. When Dong Zhuo left, the Xiliang men followed him on horseback, and they became the most elite Flying Bear Army under Dong Zhuo’s command!

The men of the Border Commandery value loyalty. If Yuan Shao were to put an end to the war with the Hu People, allowing the commoners of the Border Commandery to overwhelm the Barbarians, then these people would devote their lives to Yuan Shao!

The truly elite cavalry of the Late Han—whether it’s the Xiliang Iron Cavalry, the Bingzhou Wolf Cavalry, or the White Horse Righteous Followers—were all self-recruited in this way. In terms of loyalty and bravery, this type of cavalry was inordinately outstanding, and naturally, their combat power also reached the top level of the frontline.

This is also why the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry, despite having a massive equipment advantage, were barely stronger than the Xiliang Iron Cavalry, but their numbers were only a fraction of the Xiliang Iron Cavalry. A group made up of warriors motivated by great rewards can never surpass the courageous who follow out of faith and righteousness.

"By then, we expect we’ll mainly be dealing with cavalry, and I estimate the enemy’s combat power will not be less than our present two great cavalries," said Li Youu calmly. "From this perspective, we are not at an advantage in terms of military strength or troop types, we’re even at a disadvantage. However, our side has enough valiant generals."

"Wen Ru, we can consider your plan, but now is not the time for us to go into all-out war with Yuan Shao. We will study it when the time comes. For now, let’s listen to Zijing’s report," Liu Bei said with a smile. It wasn’t time for a full-scale war yet.

"Yes." Li Youu quietly returned to his seat.

Li Youu knew he had been hasty, but he understood even clearer that Yuan Shao wouldn’t send away the Bingzhou Wolf Cavalry who had defected. After all, no matter what, these border commandery stalwarts who brought their own horses and pledged allegiance could, with a bit of training, easily outperform most of Yuan Shao’s troops. Moreover, these men came to repay a debt of gratitude, which guaranteed their loyalty to a great extent.

"Ha, Wen Ru, you’re still very impressive," Chen Xi whispered.

"Horses consume too much grain. Unless you have a mascot like you, otherwise it’s simply unaffordable to maintain more than 20,000 cavalry, not to mention the exponential increase in grain consumption once combat begins," Li Youu whispered back. Thus, the two of them skipped out right under Liu Bei’s nose.

"So you mean we should attack proactively, let them push us out, and then hold our ground after being driven back to our borders," Chen Xi frowned and said, "I don’t feel that’s necessary. I admit that if it really comes to a head-on collision, our chances of winning against Yuan Shao aren’t great due to his numerical and military type advantages. But if we were to use spies, we could directly steal at least half of Jizhou."

"If we use them from the start, we won’t be able to severely damage the enemy, and don’t you think that as our power has changed, a lot of dregs have mixed in with us?" Li Youu said with narrowed eyes.

"If we launch the attack and get driven out, it would probably send shockwaves throughout the world. If Yuan Benchu puts on a show of momentum, I’m not talking about anything else, but let me ask you, is Yuan Benchu a mighty lord?" Chen Xi also had his considerations; while Li Youu’s method was good, it was too risky.

"In Luoyang, the only hero who dared to point his sword at Dong Zhongying. Given his performance in the north now, let’s put it this way, if it weren’t for Lord Xuande and Cao Mengde, I think he’d have the greatest possibility of pacifying the world," Li Youu said earnestly.

"In fact, if Meng De hadn’t massacred Xuzhou, I would have been most optimistic about him, followed by Yuan Benchu. However, if we’re comparing who could seize the world in the absence of Lord Xuande, I’d bet on Yuan Benchu," Chen Xi nodded.

Chen Xi now seriously doubted whether Yuan Shao had consumed something like Tiangang Righteous Water; the man seemed unnaturally heroic, with an imposing spirit, astonishing courage, trusted his subordinates unconditionally, and had won over both civil and military members under his command—an enhanced version of Cao Cao at his peak! And what was most important was that Yuan Benchu had good cards in hand, overall he was not intimidated by Liu Bei!

"Zichuan, I admit you indeed have extraordinary talent, but Lord Xuande’s foundation is too weak. You have brought him from nothing to this point, which is beyond anyone’s expectations. Unfortunately, you started from scratch, whereas Yuan Benchu inherited a Jizhou with a solid foundation," Li Youu said with a wry smile.

"I know, Ju Gong did build Jizhou up quite well," Chen Xi nodded and replied, "I’ll think about your tactic later." (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to vote for it at Qidian ). Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please go to m.qidian.com to read.)