Chapter 803: Adjustments

"Double-sided coins?" Liu Bei was momentarily stunned before realizing what Chen Xi meant. "You scoundrel, you’ve certainly mastered the art of trickery. Don’t deceive the immortals and spirits."

"I can’t even remember how many times I’ve fooled Immortal Zuo," Chen Xi muttered. Liu Bei, Jia Xu, and Li You all glanced up at the ceiling upon hearing this—were they really in the presence of immortals?

"Immortals, huh!" Jia Xu sighed. He had no reverence for such beings. Back when he confronted Zixu to inquire about the future, his goal wasn’t only to confirm the set course of events but also to ascertain the nature of these so-called otherworldly beings. The results had left him sorely disappointed.

"Let’s stop messing around. I was originally going to ask about who we should leave to guard the south, now that the situation is becoming clearer. After all, Filial Straight (Fa Zheng) has essentially secured the northern Huai River region," Li You said with a sigh. After Chen Xi’s antics, he no longer had the mood to posture.

"Leave the southern defense to Xingba (Gan Ning) and Kongming (Zhuge Liang)," Liu Bei responded almost without thinking, causing Chen Xi and Jia Xu to nod knowingly.

"Filial Straight and Yide (Zhang Fei) will be transferred to Yanzhou, to launch attacks on Bingzhou and guard against Cao Mengde (Cao Cao) from aiding Yuan Benchu (Yuan Shao). I have a feeling that Cao Mengde won’t be so easily defeated. I wonder how Ziyang (Yang Xiu), Zijian (Hua Xiong), and Wenze (Yu Jin) are doing now. As for the forces supporting the emperor in Sili Province... I’m afraid..." Liu Bei trailed off as he looked at Chen Xi with a sigh.

Though Liu Bei couldn’t pinpoint the exact issue, his instincts told him that the loyalist forces would face significant challenges.

"Hmm, Lord Xuande’s words make sense," Chen Xi said calmly with a nod. "But it’s not too serious. At this point, is there anyone who could stop us?"

"True," Liu Bei, who had been somewhat anxious, smiled and nodded, reassured by Chen Xi's words. "Filial Straight is truly impressive. When I was his age, I was still traveling and studying. Now, he’s already begun conquering territories. Indeed, there’s no comparing people."

"Let Ziyi (Liao Hua) remain by the Huai River. It’s not good to keep moving him around. Now that he’s stationed there, give him command of a legion," Chen Xi suggested to Liu Bei. Only Chen Xi could make such a suggestion so freely.

"Ziyi has fought alongside me for many years and should have been promoted long ago. Unfortunately, first the navy was reorganized, and then he was sent to campaign against Yuan Shu. Give him an official commission and the authority to form his own troops, so he can select men at his discretion," Liu Bei replied with a laugh, showing no concern about any ulterior motives on Chen Xi’s part.

"I’m thinking of pulling back Uncle Zhi’s (Chen Dao’s) White Feather soldiers, but I haven’t decided who should replace him." Liu Bei turned to the three men before him for advice. Chen Dao's soldiers were meant to serve as personal guards.

"Tanzi (Li Dian) and Wenze are suitable candidates," Jia Xu suggested after some consideration.

Chen Xi nodded, recognizing that Jia Xu’s suggestion covered all angles. This way, Yu Jin could avoid clashing with the northern elite forces and reasonably advance in rank to become the head of the southern Yu Province army, responsible for defending Huainan. That would become his primary duty.

At the same time, Guan Ping could be promoted from adjutant to commander, and Chen Dao could be elevated from leading half a legion to becoming a general in his own right.

"Wenhe’s suggestion matches my thoughts exactly," Liu Bei said with a hearty laugh.

Chen Xi, uninterested in further discussion, waved his hand dismissively at Liu Bei, leaving the details of troop rotations and reassignments settled.

After Chen Xi, Jia Xu, and Li You left, the three of them shared a quiet sense of reflection. Over the years, although Liu Bei hadn’t accomplished much himself, he had made some progress toward becoming a true monarch.

"Not bad," Chen Xi said with a smile.

"Hardly," Li You replied, shaking his head. "But I don’t have high expectations. As long as our lord remains steadfast in his direction, we’ll be able to handle any challenges that arise."

Jia Xu shot a glance at Chen Xi. "We’ve laid a solid foundation. The remaining task is the goal itself. The conditions to achieve that goal have all been met. Now, it’s just about setting the right direction. So keep an eye on things. I will give my all in the Northern Expedition."

"I will, too," Chen Xi said, turning to look at Jia Xu.

"We’ll see. But I wouldn’t recommend you go to the front lines. Though you’ve won every time, it’s always been dangerously close," Jia Xu said, giving Chen Xi a sideways glance.

While others might not notice Chen Xi’s reckless military strategies, Jia Xu was well aware. However, even though Jia Xu knew the truth, he wouldn’t say it aloud. Liu Bei needed an undefeated figurehead.

"I’m not that foolish," Chen Xi replied, rolling his eyes.

The next morning at the hour of Mao, Wei Yan led his troops on the march. With him were Xu Shu, who had said his farewells to his mother, and Guan Ping, who had said his goodbyes to his parents.

"The time for us to make our mark is here!" Wei Yan roared at the sky as he marched forward, while the 300 elite soldiers beside him kept their eyes fixed ahead, saying nothing. They had no reaction to Wei Yan’s outburst.

"Oh~" Guan Ping howled along with Wei Yan, like a young wolf. The restless energy of youth was on full display in this moment.

"Making a name for ourselves, huh." Xu Shu opened his folding fan slowly, covering the lower half of his face as he let out a wild laugh. The day he had been waiting for had finally arrived.

Seeing Xu Shu’s uncharacteristic behavior, Wei Yan suddenly felt concerned. Was this the same refined, polite Xu Shu he had always known? Now, he was just as brash as Wei Yan. Could he have taken the wrong medicine?

"Advisor, are you okay?" Wei Yan asked, slightly worried.

"It’s nothing. I just heard your words and felt the value of my existence. When our lord promised me a position as his aide back in Yingchuan, I have yet to repay him. Now, at last, I have my chance to repay our lord," Xu Shu said with a gentle smile, folding his fan closed.

"Are you heading to Linyi to join General Lu?" Xu Shu asked with a smile.

"Of course," Wei Yan nodded. "I imagine that soon, Adviser Guo will arrive at Linyi as well. Once we’ve joined forces, we’ll launch the campaign against Yuan."

Having witnessed Guo Jia’s brilliance many times during his stay in Qingzhou, Wei Yan wasn’t about to miss the chance to rely on such a capable strategist.

"If that’s the case, then your dream of making a name for yourself is unlikely to come true," Xu Shu said, looking at Wei Yan. "Adviser Guo is one of the most capable men in the land. As long as you’re under his command, no one will notice you. No matter how well you perform, you won’t escape his shadow."

"Uh..." Wei Yan was taken aback. After a brief moment of thought, he realized Xu Shu was right. Guan Yu and Guo Jia’s partnership was already well-known. Once he joined them, his role would naturally be subordinate. How could he possibly act as an independent commander?

Wei Yan then remembered how Guo Jia and Guan Yu had often given him and Guan Ping opportunities to fight on their own. At the time, Wei Yan had been thrilled. But now, thinking back, he realized that they probably wanted him to grow and become capable on his own.

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