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Chapter 133: Disturbed Heart

As Chen Xi came to his senses, his right hand was already touching the little girl's cheek, which made him feel a bit embarrassed. However, he quickly regained his composure. When had he ever been so infatuated with a woman?

Since he had already touched her, Chen Xi didn't want to show whether it was intentional or accidental. Trying to remain calm, he said, "Zhen Mi? You indeed have a good face."

Zhen Mi blushed. Though young, she understood that her appearance shouldn't...

Chapter 132: Using Power to Suppress

Chen Xi and Zhao Yun entered the mansion, and soon the servants of the Zhen family surrounded them. However, the skill difference was vast, and within moments, Zhao Yun had subdued them all.

"Madam, this is no way to treat guests!" Mi Zhu called out loudly, knowing full well that the Zhen family couldn't be unaware of the commotion in the front hall.

"Why shouldn't we treat uninvited guests like this?" Zhang Shi's voice came from the central hall.

"Zhang Shi, if you...

Chapter 131: The Depths of Aristocratic Families

"What!" Madam Zhang slammed her hand on the table when she heard that her family’s assets were valued at 770 million. She angrily scanned the gathered family heads and glared at Ju Shou, her chest heaving in fury as she recalled the recent events.

"Fine! Well done, Hebei aristocrats and Yuan family of Yuzhou. The Zhen family concedes defeat. Mi Zizhong, grant us a ten-day grace period. Our Zhen family can still come up with a mere two billion coins!" Madam Zhang shouted, her ...

Chapter 130: Two Giants in Court

"Madam Zhen, do you have any objections? I will not be one-sided. If there are any discrepancies, please inform me now," Ju Shou said calmly, showing no favoritism.

Madam Zhang smiled and responded, "These land deeds and IOUs were indeed issued by my Zhen family. Although I am curious how these debts and deeds came to be, this is not the place to discuss that. Please, Ju Gong, convert them to silver and cash value."

It was clear that Madam Zhang admitted the Zhen family�...

Chapter 129: Everyone is Calculating

When Madam Zhang saw Ju Shou and the heads of various influential families sitting inside the prefectural office, she had a bad feeling, but her confidence as a member of the Jizhou nobility prevented her from thinking too deeply about it.

After receiving Yuan Shao's letter, it didn’t take long for a conflict to erupt between the Mi and Zhen families. This gave Ju Shou pause, prompting him to investigate. Or rather, Mi Zhu had intentionally sent signals to the Jizhou authorit...

Chapter 128: The Importance of the Zhen Family in Jizhou

Hua Xiong led his mounted infantry towards Yanzhou, equipped with the latest intelligence. Cao Mengde had already become the governor of Yanzhou, and Chen Xi, having defeated the Yellow Turbans in Qingzhou, had ordered Hua Xiong to pass through Chenliu quickly without causing any trouble. He had also dispatched Zang Ba as a precaution.

If Zang Ba left Taishan to meet Hua Xiong, it would mean that relations with Cao Mengde were deteriorating. Therefore, unless absolutely necessa...

Chapter 127: Desperation Breeds Change

But before Yuan Shao could send out the letter to Ju Shou, a second piece of intelligence arrived. If the first report left Yuan Shao merely shocked, the second one made it clear that Liu Bei was now qualified to stand alongside him. Even if there were differences in strength, Liu Xuande had now become the lord of a state!

"Yuan Hao, take a look at this report," Yuan Shao said bitterly. He regretted not recognizing that young man’s talents earlier.

Tian Feng read throug...

Chapter 126: Deep Regrets

"Do you know who I am?" Li Ru asked in surprise, looking at Cai Yan.

"I do not know. However, those who dare to come to the Cai family at this time are either my father's close friends or righteous men who once received his kindness. Either way, for me now, they are important aids," Cai Yan, her eyes slightly red, shook her head and replied.

"Your father, Cai Bojie, once said he had a daughter of both talent and beauty. It seems he was right. Would you be willing to come ...

Chapter 125: Promising Her a Lifetime of Glory

Hua Xiong didn't ask more questions, as he understood the wisdom of these two far surpassed his own. With Li Ru also advising him, he knew he wouldn't be led astray.

"I will go and pray then. Since we are here, it’s best not to challenge the Emperor's authority. Strategist, please rest well. If you need anything, please send someone to inform me. I will not neglect my duties." Seeing Li Ru remain silent, Hua Xiong bowed and slowly exited.

"I still don't know how you man...

Chapter 124: A Strategic-Level Talent

Chen Xi led an army of twenty thousand infantry and cavalry toward the border between Jizhou and Qingzhou. As they approached Jizhou, he realized it was already May, and his wedding would likely need to be postponed.

"Sigh, ending this chaotic world is truly difficult," Chen Xi mused, gazing at the clouds in the sky. He had been using his mental talent continuously, though he still wasn’t entirely clear on its precise nature. However, he had a general understanding. Historica...

Chapter 123: Pressuring Jizhou with Troops

"Well, well, isn’t this the grand leader himself?" Chen Xi greeted Zang Ba with a teasing smile as he entered the tent. Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and others also laughed heartily.

"Mission accomplished without fail!" Zang Ba said, clasping his hands in salute.

"Good. I've already had Fazheng prepare a coffin, a body double, and a eulogy. Your substitute will be buried as a hero," Chen Xi said with a broad smile. They had been searching for a suitable substitute for half a mon...

Chapter 122: The Noble Sacrifice of the Grand Leader

...

Upon seeing the battle report, Cao Cao was utterly terrified. Unlike Liu Bei, who was elated, Cao Cao was paralyzed with fear. He immediately halted his original plan to attack Taishan. Until he understood how Chen Xi managed to capture over a million Yellow Turbans within a month, Cao Cao wouldn’t dare to make any move against Taishan. It was simply too dangerous.

Liu Ye, after reading the report, was left speechless. Didn’t this guy claim his military strategy w...

Chapter 121: I am Chen Zichuan, You are Fa Xiaozhi

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“Strategies are such a hassle. I wonder if Zang Ba managed to bring my two friends back?” Chen Xi glanced at Fa Zheng, who remained silent. Chen Xi chuckled, knowing very well how much this victory would shock the world and elevate his reputation. After this victory, he would stand on par with the likes of Xun Yu and Chen Qun, the sons of noble families.

In this era, Chen Xi had the lineage, the capability, and the background. The distinction between main and coll...

Chapter 120: The Wise and Mighty Leader

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Chen Xi sat in his command tent, waiting for Guan Yu's return. Upon learning that Fu Yun's forces had been scattered, he felt at ease. While such long pursuits might lead to the trampling deaths of thousands or even tens of thousands, the fact that the war could be concluded swiftly with minimal casualties on both sides was a stroke of luck.

As for Fa Zheng, who was staring at the military reports in wide-eyed disbelief, Chen Xi didn't bother to explain. Even if Guo J...

Chapter 119: The Fleeing Yellow Turbans

...

Sure enough, after nearly a hundred moves between Sun Guan and Zang Ba, Zang Ba's spear grazed Sun Guan's ribs, and Sun Guan turned his horse to flee.

"Attack!" Guan Yu roared, and instantly, the entire army's qi surged. A massive blade of light slashed out from Guan Yu's position, leading the entire army forward in a fierce charge!

A colossal green blade, almost three hundred meters long and shaped like Guan Yu's Green Dragon Crescent Blade, sliced through the ...

Chapter 118: The Enemy General Is One of Us

...

"Yunchang, tell Yide not to say anything when he sees what happens in a moment," Chen Xi said, turning to Guan Yu while standing on the carriage.

"Understood!" Guan Yu, as always, was sparing with words.

"Yunchang, go to the front lines. Xiaozhi and I will be enough here. With you and the main army at the front, if it's not safe, then nowhere on the battlefield is safe." Chen Xi indicated to Guan Yu that he could lead the charge and didn't need to stay behind to...

Chapter 117: The Necessity of Literacy

...

"Xiaozhi, distribute the buns to the refugees. Anyone willing to accept Taishan's management gets a bowl of meat soup. Give each soldier three pieces of dried chicken and inform them that if there's no chance to cook tomorrow, they will all eat dry rations. Prepare enough cool boiled water. Tell them they must carry enough dry rations and water, whether in gourds or bamboo tubes. Within three days, I want to see the heads of the Yellow Turban leaders!" Chen Xi instructed Fa...

Chapter 116: Eating Well Is Benevolence

Fa Zheng was no fool. Previously, he had been solely focused on finding the best way to defeat the Yellow Turbans, without considering other issues. With Chen Xi's prompt, he instantly understood the most pressing problem.

The Yellow Turbans had over a million soldiers coming out of Qingzhou. Once they entered Qingzhou, their numbers would swell even more. Including women, children, and the elderly, it could easily exceed two million. Qingzhou, one of the former major grain-pro...

Chapter 115: When Strategy and Tactics Conflict

Chen Xi was completely unaware that Hua Xiong had hit the jackpot. Li Ru, originally planning to take this formation to his grave, decided to teach his best technique to Hua Xiong after seeing the quality of his elite soldiers. Of course, Li Ru wouldn’t tell Hua Xiong what the formation was; he would just guide him step by step, knowing Hua Xiong’s intelligence was too low to fully grasp it. If Hua Xiong could master a few of the sixty-four variations and one or two killer moves,...

Chapter 114: Low Intelligence, Can't Learn

...

"Please point out the mistakes I made earlier, strategist," Hua Xiong requested respectfully, noticing that Li Ru no longer harbored suicidal thoughts. Like most Western Liang generals, he had risen from common folk and banditry, and had little chance to learn military strategy, relying mostly on battlefield experience and Li Ru's guidance.

Jia Xu felt a twinge of envy. Both he and Li Ru were strategists, and he believed himself to be Li Ru's equal in talent, but the ...

Chapter 113: Corrupted from Top to Bottom

...

"Hmm, it seems about time," Jia Xu stood at the entrance of Li Ru's residence, glancing at the moon. He looked around to ensure no one was nearby and then called out softly, "Zi Jian!"

As soon as Jia Xu's voice fell, Hua Xiong descended from the sky, "Is it done?"

"Now go in and carry Wenyou out. I assume taking both of us out of here won't be a problem for you," Jia Xu pointed at the main door of Li Ru's house, signaling Hua Xiong to proceed.

Li Ru's hous...

Chapter 112: Li Ru and Jia Xu

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"Strategist, if you stay here, you'll definitely die. I must take you away. No matter what, both you and Chancellor Dong picked us from among the common folk and bandits. We've repaid Chancellor Dong with our blood over these ten years, and we owe him nothing. But I owe you. When I surrendered to Lord Xuande, I asked him to allow me to recall my old comrades. Luckily, he agreed to my request. If you come with me, I'll treat you as the head of my family. Chen Zichuan's order...

Chapter 111: Can You Guarantee Liu Bei Will Remain Unchanged?

...

On the main road between Qingzhou and Yanzhou, a long dragon-like column was slowly making its way towards Qingzhou. This was Liu Bei’s army sent to suppress the Yellow Turbans.

With Chen Xi as the main commander and Fa Zheng as the strategist, the army boasted deputy generals Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Zhao Yun, and Tai Shi Ci, forming a luxurious force of thirty thousand mixed infantry and cavalry. However, at present, only deputy general Sun Guan and the five thousand i...

Chapter 110: Everyone Overthinks

...

Chen Xi left, leaving Lu Su with a bitter expression. Lu Su was a noble, while Chen Xi was from a prominent family. To Lu Su, it was just that simple.

Picking up the seal left by Chen Xi, Lu Su felt for the first time that his fate had long been determined. For the first time, he felt the terror of a thousand-year-old family. He had previously thought he wasn't far off from Chen Xi, but this time he realized that some people are the ones moving the chess pieces, while...

Chapter 109: Necessary Actions

...

Chen Xi ultimately disclosed his general strategy to Lu Su, as two heads are better than one, and Lu Su, being a strategic expert, could help Chen Xi identify any flaws.

"Now I see. At first glance, this strategy seems hard to implement, but upon careful consideration, it actually fits perfectly. Once achieved, your status will undergo a significant transformation, and by formally joining Lord Xuande, the northern aristocratic families will likely have to reconsider t...

Chapter 108: The Path of Kingship Needs No Allies

Yu Jin was steady, Lu Su was patient and capable, with ten thousand men stationed at the border, firmly entrenched. Even with Xun You, Xun Yu, and Cheng Yu, it wouldn’t be easy for Cao Cao to capture the territory. Defense has the upper hand over offense. As long as the border could be held until Chen Xi returned from subduing the Yellow Turbans, the situation would reverse.

As for the trouble Cao Cao might cause upon becoming the Inspector of Yanzhou, stirring up conflict mi...

Chapter 107: Mobilizing Troops

Chen Xi took the military orders and went outside the city to mobilize troops. Before he even arrived, he saw a cloud of dust and smoke in the distance. Soon after, a horse charged forward and stopped right in front of him. Zang Ba dismounted and saluted Chen Xi.

“Greetings, Governor!”

“That’s enough, Xuanguo. No need for formalities. I want to know if you still have agents in Qingzhou.” Chen Xi asked straightforwardly.

“Yes!” Zang Ba hesitated slightl...

Chapter 106: Returning Gifts and Setting Out

The soldiers of the Xi Liang army were happily feasting on the provisions provided by the bandits of Yongzhou while waiting for them to bring money or grain to buy the horses. In truth, the Xi Liang soldiers had planned from the beginning to double-cross the bandits. With their leader Dong Zhuo about to ascend the throne, they had nothing to worry about.

While the Xi Liang soldiers were boasting and chatting with the bandits, they were also preparing to wipe them out. After all...

Chapter 105: The Terrifying Elite Troops

Huaxiong threw a handful of money and swaggered through the gates of Chang'an. His current appearance was so changed that no one could recognize him unless they were old acquaintances. After hearing that Emperor Xian was to abdicate in favor of Dong Zhuo, Huaxiong understood that the time had come. He also realized that the abdication period would be the death knell for his former lord, Dong Zhuo.

Since arriving in Yongzhou last November, Huaxiong had spent four months consolid...

Chapter 104: The Rampant and Troublesome Yellow Turbans

"Finally, everything has begun. After so much preparation, this day has finally arrived," Chen Xi said, holding the bamboo slip. His face flashed with excitement before calming down again.

Under the leadership of Yellow Turban leaders Chen Bai, Hou Qian, and Fu Yun, more than a million Yellow Turban soldiers surged out of Qingzhou and moved towards Yanzhou in search of food.

"Although we were mentally prepared, this number is just too much," Chen Xi said, staring at the i...