Chapter 863: Scheming for Ye City

"Xun Shen is a madman!" Chen Xi angrily threw the report onto the table. Thousands of Yuan Shao's soldiers, instead of killing, had been roaming and destroying, and several fires had left many of the people who had worked hard for half a year with nothing.

"Zi Yang, stop pacing around, you're making me dizzy!" Fazheng said, feeling a bit nauseous as he watched Liu Ye circle around in front of him.

"These aristocratic families, none of them are decent! When they really set their minds to it, the livelihood of the common people is of no importance!" Liu Ye said angrily. Having experienced hardship during his youth, he fully understood what it meant for crops painstakingly grown over half a year to be burned down in one fell swoop.

Cough, cough! Chen Xi coughed twice, reminding them that he himself came from an aristocratic family.

"I wasn't talking about you, I meant Xun Shen," Liu Ye hastily corrected, realizing his slip of the tongue, which only made the situation more awkward for Chen Xi.

"Forget it, say what you like, but let's focus on resolving this matter first!" Chen Xi waved his hand, indicating not to worry about such details, then sighed.

"My suggestion is to return fire with fire!" Fazheng said bluntly, without even thinking.

"Go play somewhere else! ‘Return fire with fire’—the people in Ji Province may not be suffering terribly now, but if you do that, they'll definitely end up in hardship!" Chen Xi said with frustration. Fazheng’s suggestion was clearly a poor one.

"Alright, enough joking around. Let's build some beacon towers. They don't need to be large, just small ones. With infantry encircling and wiping out the enemy, we can trap them," Fazheng suggested, smiling. After learning about Xun Shen's tactics, Fazheng had been considering how to counter them. The beacon towers, used for signaling in the north, had left a deep impression on him.

"Hmm, that’s actually a good plan, but it will take too long," Chen Xi frowned. "Ji Yin is in the middle of the summer harvest. If we let them harass us for another ten days, even if we solve the problem, it will still be a heavy burden. A county's relief grain isn't much, but it's a huge hassle."

"Then how about I go attack Puyang?" Fazheng suggested with a smile. "A two-pronged approach will be far more effective than sitting idly by."

"Have you thought this through? Once you attack Puyang, it means you’ll have to follow through with the entire plan. One misstep, and you could find yourself in a dangerous position," Chen Xi warned, staring at Fazheng. Attacking behind enemy lines was risky, especially in such a critical location.

"Don't worry, as long as you buy me three days after I leave, I'll be safe all the way," Fazheng said calmly, indicating that he was confident in his plan.

"Alright, after you leave, I'll lead a strong assault against Xun Shen," Chen Xi agreed. "What's your plan?"

"I’ll first make a feint at Puyang, then lead the army through Cao Cao's territory and directly strike at Ye City!" Fazheng replied casually, showing no sign of tension. "I've already scouted the route; it's not as dangerous as it seems. In fact, it might turn out to be surprisingly easy."

"Hmm, compared to Zichuan's proposal of going through Baima, your method is indeed more secure. Once Cao Cao enters Guanzhong, he’ll likely move his administration to Sili, and now is the perfect time for it," Liu Ye remarked thoughtfully.

"Indeed. Chenliu is currently in the midst of Cao Cao’s troop rotation, making it an excellent opportunity. However, if Xun Shen reacts, it could be dangerous for you," Chen Xi added, still feeling concerned. "It’ll be hard for us to contain Xun Shen on this side."

"No, you’re mistaken," Fazheng shook his finger, his face full of confidence. "We don't need to hold Xun Shen back. What you mentioned earlier about the four southern counties of Ji Province gave me an idea."

Liu Ye glanced at Fazheng, who was sitting confidently, and couldn’t help but feel a little awestruck. This was the same person who had once been so inexperienced, and now he was standing on equal footing with him, competing without falling behind.

"All we need to do is sever Ye City, and that will be enough to cut off Yuan Shao's primary supply line for grain. It doesn’t matter where the supply route is; in the end, it all passes through Bohai, Qinghe, and Wei Commandery!" Fazheng said with a satisfied grin.

"Yuan Shao’s greatest strength is his large number of cavalry, but that’s also his greatest weakness. He has so many that not even the wealthiest of the nine provinces, Ji Province, can sustain them," Fazheng declared confidently.

"Overturn Bohai, cut off Qinghe, and seal Ye City, and Yuan Shao’s weakness will be exposed!" Liu Ye finally grasped the plan. Unlike Chen Xi’s grand strategy of encircling Yuan Shao, Fazheng's goal was simpler: to stop Ye City from sending out supplies.

"As for Xun Shen pursuing me, that’s unlikely. In everyone’s mind, the greatest value of Ye City lies in the Xuanyuan Cauldron. But Ye City has high walls and deep moats, and it’s impossible for a force of less than ten thousand to take it. And since Yuan Shao made it his administrative center, it’s certainly been fortified," Fazheng said with a sly grin.

"Xun Shen is too cautious and wise, which means he understands what’s important. Compared to fruitlessly besieging me, it’s much easier for him to decide what to prioritize!" Fazheng’s confidence was now so overwhelming that it was hard to look him in the eye.

"Yes, Xun Shen is too smart, and he knows how to weigh his options. So, if you successfully surround Ye City, he’ll actually take his time, knowing that Yuan Shao’s trusted general, Jiang Yiqu, is overseeing the transport of supplies there. Jiang is a calm and steady man, so Xun Shen would certainly trust him," Liu Ye said with admiration, realizing that Fazheng's brilliance was now beginning to eclipse his own.

"You’re right. To Xun Shen, blocking us is more important than destroying you. As for the grain supply, it can be easily borrowed from Bohai or Qinghe," Chen Xi added, clearly impressed. Fazheng had become incredibly capable!

"The key is timing. If you can secure Bohai and Qinghe when I reach Ye City, Yuan Shao will be finished!" Fazheng said seriously. "I trust that with Zichuan’s strategies, this can be done?"

"Consider it done. When you depart, take the two eagles with you. Once you start attacking Ye City’s supply routes, send one of the eagles with a message, and I’ll move into action!" Chen Xi sighed. "It’s time to make our move on the chessboard."

"I knew you’d come to this decision!" Fazheng sneered. "Do you have any other tricks up your sleeve? Hand them over, and I’ll take care of it."

"If anyone in Ye City writes to you with the character ‘Gen’ at the beginning of their name, saying they can take the city, go ahead and act," Chen Xi said after some hesitation. After weighing the situation, he decided to reveal his final card.

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