Mythical Three Kingdoms

When Zhang Xiu arrived at the main tent, only Cao Ren was sitting in the main seat, with Cao Hong and Cao Xiu seated lower, while Xun You and others were resting their eyes. Thus, Zhang Xiu sat at the left-hand side alongside the outer generals and also closed his eyes to rest.

Before long, Li Dian, Xu Huang, and others appeared one after another, glanced at Zhang Xiu's position, and sat down in their respective spots. Finally, Xiahou Dun and Xiahou Yuan entered the tent.

The seating arrangement was clear, with the Cao Clan and outer generals each in their own row, quite unlike Liu Bei's side where everyone sat together. It should be said that the Liu Clan offered little support to Liu Bei in terms of military generals.

"The current situation should be clear to you all. I've called you here to ask whether we should pursue the Xianbei beyond the Great Wall and engage them, or ensure the borders remain secure and stay stationed where we are." Cao Ren presented the major issue at hand.

"What is there to say? Staying here and watching the Xianbei leave is not feasible. Was everything we've done so far just to waste our provisions?" Cao Hong immediately straightened his back and spoke.

"If we pursue them now, our forces are insufficient. If the Xianbei People decide to split their forces into two, Bingzhou is bound to fall." Li Dian, being young, didn't consider Cao Hong's reputation.

"So you're saying we should watch the Xianbei leave? They've already plundered some resources. While it's not enough to last winter, it is enough to save some of the young and strong!" The hot-tempered Cao Hong retorted, "Even Lyu Bu achieved such great feats, and are we just to watch?"

"Our army's inadequacy is the main reason affecting our strategy. During the battle of Xuzhou, it was precisely a strategic error that has left us unable to catch our breath until now!" Li Dian, in his youthful exuberance, was unaware of the many scars he opened with his comments.

Instantly, those sitting from Xiahou Dun downwards had darkened expressions, even Cao Ren in the main seat was not pleased, though he maintained a broader perspective. "Enough, there's no point in dwelling on past matters. I didn't call you here to argue."

After being reprimanded by Cao Ren, Li Dian, attending the council for the first time, realized his mistake, opened his mouth, but ultimately chose not to speak further.

"We still have to fight. The situation has reached this point, and if we don't take a gamble, it's hard to reverse the tide," Cheng Yu said, rising with an authoritative tone.

"Cheng Gong, our army is understrength, and the enemy forces are too vast; even after a battle, victory is unlikely," Du Xi shook his head, "Though Mancheng's words are somewhat biased, we can't dismiss them entirely."

"Which battle can claim certain victory?" Cheng Yu said sharply, "Although the Xianbei are numerous, their morale is greatly diminished, and any minor disturbance may cause panic."

"We know this, and Kebinen will surely know as well. Therefore, he should already be rewarding and stabilizing his troops' morale, as I've heard that Helian is not well-regarded," Du Xi replied, shaking his head, "We're not yet at the brink where a gamble is essential."

Cheng Yu and Du Xi clearly couldn't convince each other. After all, whether to engage in battle or to watch the Xianbei retreat both had their advantages, though with varying degrees of risk.

"Counselor Xun…" Cao Ren glanced at Xun You who was silently frowning and asked.

"I'm pondering the purpose of our battle against the Xianbei," Xun You said, frowning deeply.

"Naturally, to defend the borders, consolidate public opinion, and prepare for the conquest of Bingzhou," Xiahou Dun said bluntly, while Cheng Yu and Du Xi pondered with furrowed brows.

"It's to strengthen ourselves to confront Liu Bei," Du Xi quietly voiced.

"We're strengthening our forces and our population, which is to say our overall strength. Indeed, as Mancheng mentioned, we lost our most crucial forces in the previous battle," Xun You too felt a bitter smile tugging at his heart, for if not for this, would Cao Cao have been reduced to such straights?

"We need to drill our troops," Xun You sighed, "Annihilating the Western Xianbei is not the utmost goal; fortifying ourselves is. Therefore, we must fight this battle."

Du Xi was left with nothing to say, "If we are to fight, I propose a full offensive, allowing this news to reach the Xianbei, compelling them to attack once."

"That can only be the way: When false, make it true; when true, make it false," Cheng Yu also nodded in agreement, "It's just a pity that our forces are insufficient, and the Xianbei have yet to fall into our ambush."

"Let's coordinate with the Qiang and Hu People; our strength alone isn't enough," Xun You looked at Cao Ren, "Our primary aim is troop drilling. We needn't press too hard, for Kebinen will naturally sense our apprehension and won't provoke us with his main forces."

"Alright." Cao Ren nodded in agreement. Xun You and Cheng Yu's plan was simple, yet as the saying goes: orders from the top may leave the bottom scrambling. The quality of execution by Cao Ren and others would determine the success of even the best strategies.

"General Zhang, if the Xianbei army assaults, how many of the Xianbei forces could your troops crush through an all-out strike?" Xun You turned to Zhang Xiu and asked.

"Fifteen thousand is manageable; twenty-five thousand can be broken through with losses," Zhang Xiu contemplated slightly before answering.

"Then that will be our plan; the onus will be on you, General," Xun You nodded and said no more.

If Xun You's assessment was correct, Kebinen, who will hear of Bingzhou's vulnerability, would certainly not lead his forces there. Yet those tribes not loyal to Kebinen would surely be egged on, forcing Kebinen to compromise to appease them.

However, Xun You couldn't guarantee how many of such tribes would heed the call, as Cao Cao's side had limited intelligence on the Northern Barbarians. The actual extent of Kebinen's control could only be estimated by the current stability of the Xianbei forces.

Xun You nodded to Cao Ren, and Cao Ren quickly began assigning military duties individually. This battle had to be fought; the new army of the Cao Army needed blooding, or they would become a mere burden.

After swiftly completing the assignments, Cao Ren looked to Zhang Xiu, saying, "General Zhang, please garrison the camp and prepare to repel any Xianbei raids."

Zhang Xiu slightly opened his eyes, showing no dissatisfaction with having the vanguard stationed at the rear. He was no longer that Zhang Xiu; he was Zhang Boyuan, responsible for protecting the Zhang Family.

"Rest assured, as long as I am here, I will not allow the Xianbei to enter Bingzhou," Zhang Xiu said with unwavering steadiness, which made Cao Ren regard him with increased respect.

That night, the majority of the Cao Army withdrew from the Bingzhou Camp, heading outside the Great Wall. Meanwhile, Ma Chao swept from west to east, annihilating the unprepared various Xianbei tribes, and headed straight for their royal court.

However, when Ma Chao reached the Xianbei Royal Court, he only found ruins. If not for the golden eagle ornament on the hacked-in-half Xianbei Royal Tent, Ma Chao could hardly believe that this snow-covered ruin was once the Xianbei Royal Court.

"What happened here?" Ma Chao muttered to himself, staring at the corpse unearthed from the snow. No one within the royal court walked more than ten steps outside its perimeter; everyone was practically executed in an instant. (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, feel free to visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)