Chapter 818: The Crow’s Mouth

Grand strategic plans and development strategies—these have been repeated throughout history. As long as you provide the correct methods, someone will naturally execute them. For a time traveler, these tasks are as simple as basic math.

However, it’s the trivial, chaotic, and messy small matters that can be the most frustrating. Even a so-called "master of national studies" would find it hard to compete with a member of an aristocratic family in this regard because the knowledge a scholar studies is ingrained as second nature for the aristocrats. In such a contest, do you really think you have a chance to win?

“I need to be careful about this in the future. One careless slip while spouting quotations, and I could expose myself—what a pitfall,” thought Chen Xi, his expression calm but with a firm resolve in his heart. He realized that their side needed a pillar of support, and he was that pillar.

"Let’s head over to find Lord Xuande in a bit. You, with your crow’s mouth, had to bring up the floating bridge. If you hadn’t mentioned it, the enemy might not have even thought of it. But now that you’ve said it, I think there’s a good chance they’ll consider it," sighed Chen Xi as he lifted his wine cup.

"Huh?" Guo Jia stood up with an awkward expression. He realized that his own spiritual talent might have played a part. Although he had used it ruthlessly before and couldn’t actively control it anymore, that didn’t mean it wouldn’t occasionally activate on its own. A fifty-fifty chance…

As Guo Jia had predicted, while Liu Bei’s side was still pondering how to approach the battle, Yuan Shao was already seething with rage. Though he had managed to maintain a dignified composure when Liu Bei retreated, once he returned to camp, Yuan Shao’s fury completely exploded.

The deaths of Zhou Ang, Chen Fu, and even Xin Ping were not significant losses. For Yuan Shao, who commanded thousands of generals and had a multitude of advisors, they were acceptable casualties. What truly enraged him was the humiliation he had suffered at the banquet.

After calming down Yan Liang and Wen Chou, Yuan Shao angrily issued an order to forcibly cross the Yellow River the next day.

Of course, Ju Shou and Tian Feng immediately pointed out the dangers, but they could not sway Yuan Shao. Although Yuan Shao was skilled in military strategy and understood the principle that a king should not act out of anger, in moments of fury, who cares about such things?

Tian Feng and Ju Shou’s attempts to persuade him not only failed, but they were also harshly scolded by Yuan Shao. Their error was in highlighting the dangers without offering solutions, which only added fuel to the fire.

On the other hand, Xu You, with a quick glance, proposed delaying the crossing by claiming unfamiliarity with the Yellow River’s current conditions and suggesting a survey of the waters, which could buy them two or three days. Xu You calculated that by then, Yuan Shao would have calmed down and the matter would be forgotten.

Among the advisors, the only one who might have supported forcibly crossing the Yellow River was Xin Pi, as his brother had recently been killed by Jia Xu’s crossbow attack. However, despite his anger, Xin Pi, being just as wise as Ju Shou and others, managed to suppress his hatred and not let it cloud his judgment.

With Xu You buying time under the guise of surveying the waters, the others went back to their respective duties after the meeting. Officials like Tian Feng and Ju Shou had it relatively easy, relaxing with books, reviewing scriptures, and preparing themselves mentally for the upcoming battles.

Even Shen Pei was no different, casually flipping through a finely bound edition of The Book of Songs annotated by Zheng Xuan from Taishan. It had cost him quite a bit when he bought it, but for someone like Shen Pei, it was worth every coin.

"Zhengnan, reading The Book of Songs again? Why not pick up The Spring and Autumn Annals for a change?" Feng Ji walked in unannounced, laughing heartily. Neither of them minded such informal visits.

"Take a seat, Yuantu," Shen Pei glanced up at Feng Ji and pulled over a chair for him. Ever since Chen Xi introduced the use of chairs, outside of formal occasions where kneeling and using tables was still the norm, people generally preferred sitting on chairs and using desks for comfort. Few traditionalists objected, as human nature always seeks a better life.

"How about offering me something to eat?" Feng Ji teased, grabbing a piece of salted vegetable from Shen Pei’s plate and crunching it loudly. "Why don’t you add some meat to this? It’s seriously lacking in flavor."

"Plain as it is, this well-made salted vegetable has its own merit," Shen Pei retorted good-naturedly, closing his book and placing it aside. Despite his words, he ordered his attendant to bring some cured meat from the kitchen.

Soon enough, the meat was served, and the two men chatted and laughed heartily, reminiscing about old feuds and rivalries.

"Here, I brought a new book I picked up in Taishan," Feng Ji said, taking out a book wrapped in fine silk and handing it to Shen Pei. "Ah, these books are truly remarkable. Taishan really does have many scholars."

"So what? In the end, only one side will stand victorious," Shen Pei remarked as he rose to accept the book, handing Feng Ji The Book of Songs in exchange, inviting him to read it.

"True enough!" Feng Ji laughed as he accepted The Book of Songs, while Shen Pei began reading the Sun Bin Art of War he had just received.

As they read, Feng Ji accidentally knocked over The Book of Songs, and it fell to the ground with a thud. Shen Pei, startled, quickly bent down to pick it up, only to freeze in place as he turned it over in his hands.

"Hey, Zhengnan, what’s wrong?" Feng Ji asked casually, noticing Shen Pei’s sudden pause, a hint of apology in his tone.

"‘Wen Ding established good omens, meeting him at the Wei River. A bridge of boats was built, its glory hidden!’ Hahaha! Of course! Of course! Heaven’s mandate truly rests with my lord!" Shen Pei suddenly laughed wildly, as if he had had a revelation.

"What are you talking about?" Feng Ji asked, confused by Shen Pei’s strange behavior.

"My lord can cross the Yellow River tomorrow!" Shen Pei declared triumphantly. "Come, let’s inform the lord immediately. The mere Yellow River cannot stand in the way of his majesty!"

"Huh? You’re not making any sense," Feng Ji rubbed his forehead, exasperated. He took The Book of Songs from Shen Pei’s hands, and after reading the passage himself, he, too, had an epiphany. "Ah, I see now!"

"I told you, you should read The Book of Songs more often, but you didn’t believe me," Shen Pei laughed heartily. Sometimes, an idea remains elusive until you hit upon it, and then everything suddenly falls into place.

With this revelation, Shen Pei and Feng Ji rushed to inform Yuan Shao about the floating bridge. Yuan Shao was overjoyed upon hearing it and immediately ordered that the bridge be constructed overnight in preparation for crossing the Yellow River and engaging Liu Bei’s forces in battle.

"Well done, Zhengnan! It was the right decision to choose you as my chief strategist!" Yuan Shao patted Shen Pei on the shoulder, pouring him a cup of wine with a smile.

Shen Pei, his face flushed with excitement, felt immensely satisfied with Yuan Shao’s praise. After all, recognition of his abilities was something he had always longed for.

"My lord, I, Shen Pei, will never disappoint you!" Shen Pei replied solemnly.

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