Chapter 808: The So-Called Status

Liu Bei, leading his subordinates, found a high hill from which he could spy on Yuan Shao’s camp. Upon hearing this, Yuan Shao immediately ordered a thirty-zhang (about 100 meters) mound of earth to be raised near the riverbank on his side.

Though the task sounded labor-intensive, it only took Yuan Shao's men a morning to complete. Dressed in golden armor and wielding the famous Si Zhao Sword, Yuan Shao led his civil and military officials up onto the platform to observe Liu Bei’s camp.

Without telescopes, Yuan Shao’s attempt to spy on the layout of Liu Bei’s camp across the Yellow River was a joke, but the point wasn’t actually to see anything. Yuan Shao was flaunting his arrogance—this wasn’t sneaky spying; this was an open, brazen display. What could Liu Bei do about it?

"They’re so arrogant," Chen Xi muttered as he and his group sat by the Yellow River, enjoying hotpot in the summer heat with Lu Su’s "artificial air conditioning."

Chen Xi had initially been concerned that people like Jia Xu, accustomed to more refined dining, might not take kindly to sharing food from a communal stone pot. But once the hotpot started and the aroma filled the air, no one seemed to care. After all, most of them had lived through hardship, and Chen Xi was perhaps the only one among them born into nobility. He chuckled to himself.

As for the seasonings, spices like Sichuan peppercorns had been brought over from Luzon by Gan Ning’s fleet. Hotpot, as long as the seasoning was right, was difficult to mess up, and for people of this era, it was a delicacy.

"Let him spy all he wants. Our camps are of the same scale—just the kind that would discourage anyone from launching a direct assault," Jia Xu said casually, picking up a piece of fish and blowing on it before tossing it into his mouth. He glanced across the river at the indistinct figures on the opposite side and continued nonchalantly.

"He’s just retaliating because we took a peek at his camp earlier this morning," Lu Su said with a smile, taking a few bites and feeling a pleasant warmth spread through his body. "After we’re done eating, Zichuan, why don’t you write a letter, and we’ll have Zilong shoot an arrow over there to taunt him?"

Guo Jia remained quiet, engrossed in the meal. His life had always revolved around indulgence, and he had never tasted something so novel and delicious before. His first twenty-four years now felt like a waste, and he deeply regretted it, prompting him to move his chopsticks even faster.

"Let’s finish eating first," Chen Xi said as he dipped a piece of fish into the broth.

The reason they were suddenly having hotpot was because Jian Yong had unexpectedly caught an enormous fish from the Yellow River. Back in the Han dynasty, the Yellow River was still clean, and the fish had only a mild earthy taste. Of course, the fish had nearly pulled Jian Yong and Sun Qian into the river, further proof that as the world's spiritual energy recovered, even the fish had grown more formidable.

"I just hope they let us finish eating in peace," Zhao Yun said, reaching for some vegetables just as he leapt into action. His sword, Yitian, shot out from its sheath, splitting an incoming arrow in two.

Moments later, a hail of arrows followed. Though the arrows weren’t as powerful as those from elite archers, their numbers—well over a hundred—made up for it. Seeing this, Chen Xi swiftly used his spiritual energy to deflect the arrows aside while pulling out his telescope to peer across the river.

Soon, Chen Xi spotted someone on the other side pulling a quiver of arrows and firing them in quick succession with a large yellow bow. Though many arrows fell into the river, the remaining ones were enough to irritate Chen Xi and his group.

"That Zhang He, always so annoying. His archery isn’t even that impressive, yet he insists on showing off," Chen Xi said with a laugh as he tossed the telescope to Guo Jia and resumed eating.

"His archery isn’t bad, but he’s only doing this because he saw both Yun Chang and Zilong here," Liu Bei said with a smile, pointing at the food in the pot.

"But the other side is being petty," Chen Xi said, glancing up at the dark clouds forming overhead. "We’re just trying to have a meal, and they’re planning to make it rain on us."

"Zichuan, do you really expect Yuan Shao to accommodate us? We’re eating, and he’s supposed to let us be?" Lu Su asked with a warm smile, feeling much more comfortable after a few bites.

"You’re right. By the time he reached Yuan Shao’s level, there’s no need to care about appearances or decorum. That’s just for show to others—he can act however he pleases," Chen Xi said with a laugh.

"Exactly. The so-called ‘status’ is merely something that those in power impose on their subordinates. Yuan Shao doesn’t need to concern himself with such trivialities," Jia Xu added casually.

"But I think you all should lend a hand quickly. There are too many of them, and I can’t hold them off on my own," Chen Xi said abruptly, feeling the mounting pressure, and smoothly changing the topic.

"It’s a shame you have a limit to the amount of spiritual energy you can output at once," Guo Jia commented as he pitched in to help. Immediately, the clouds in the sky seemed to surge toward the opposite bank of the river. However, after only five hundred meters, they were held in place again.

"They have quite a few people helping on their side," Jia Xu said, grabbing some cooked fish for himself before joining in. Soon, the clouds grew denser and surged forward once more, but they were soon locked in place over the river, causing Jia Xu to frown.

"Fengxiao, put in more effort! Zichuan, stop eating and help!" Jia Xu complained, picking up his chopsticks again.

"Look who’s talking—you’re not putting in full effort either," Guo Jia grumbled in return.

By this point, Lu Su had returned to normal. As long as the weather wasn’t cold, he was a very capable strategist. "This isn’t looking great. Even though you three aren’t going all out, the other side clearly isn’t taking this lightly either."

"That’s why we need you to help out. Then, let’s give them a proper rainstorm and really annoy them. Everyone knows this is just probing, so no one’s going all out. But if it’s going to be like this, what’s the point?" Chen Xi said with a grin. "Let’s all act together on the count of three. Even if we can’t hurt Yuan Shao, we should at least make him uncomfortable. By the way, Xuande, do you have any messages you’d like me to send to Yuan Shao?"

"Now that you mention it, I do. Should I write it down?" Liu Bei asked, looking up at the sky. Though he was generally even-tempered, being disrupted by Yuan Shao while eating had ruffled his feathers. Not one to shy away from needling an enemy, he immediately decided to join in on Chen Xi’s plan.

"Great," Lu Su nodded in agreement with Chen Xi’s plan, and both Jia Xu and Guo Jia smiled as they nodded as well.

"If you want to deliver a message, I know some secret techniques that can help with that," Zhao Yun said, turning his head. He knew many secret techniques—some taught by Tong Yuan, others that he had come up with on his own, though they held no real combat value.

"Then we’ll leave it to you, Zilong," Chen Xi said with a smile.

"Lord, please speak your message," Zhao Yun said as he mimicked drawing a bowstring, forming a silver-blue arrow made of spiritual energy.

"Great Alliance Leader, it’s been a while. However, I must say, I’m disappointed. You’re not what you used to be. If you want to spy on our camp, just spy on it. But stooping to such disgraceful tactics? If you have the guts, come across the river and face me in single combat tomorrow—no need for any subordinates. I’ll even give you a hand to make it fair. Acting in such a petty manner across the river is shameful. If you’re brave enough, face me like a man!" Liu Bei declared. After all, not being of noble birth meant he didn’t need to pretend in front of Yuan Shao.

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