Mythical Three Kingdoms

Lofty strategic planning, development blueprints—these are patterns history has repeated over and over again. As long as you offer the correct method, naturally someone will execute it. To a transmigrator, it's as simple as one plus one.

But it's the minutiae, the trivial, messy little matters that truly leave one powerless. No so-called scholar of national studies can compete with an aristocratic family member in the same realm of expertise, because what you've researched is merely their ingrained habit. Do you honestly think you stand a chance of winning in such a contest?

[I must be vigilant about such matters in the future. If I start spouting nonsense and quote the classics carelessly, I'll risk exposing myself—what a trap.] Chen Xi maintained a composed demeanor, but inwardly resolved himself. This side needed a pillar to anchor them, and he would be that pillar.

"Let's go see Lord Xuande together in a while. You, my friend, have a mouth fit for a raven's tongue. If you hadn't said anything, the opposition might not even have noticed the concept of a pontoon bridge. But since you opened your mouth, I now think there's a high probability they'll actually come up with it." Chen Xi raised his wine cup, sighed, and remarked.

"Ugh?" Guo Jia stood up abruptly, his face full of embarrassment. He thought of his own Spiritual Talent. Though he had played a heavy hand with it last time, rendering it unable to be actively controlled, it didn't prevent occasional events from being unexpectedly driven by his talent—a 50/50 chance...

Just as Guo Jia had foreseen, while Liu Bei's side was still deliberating how to execute their plans, Yuan Shao had already plunged into a rage. Though he maintained the dignity of a monarch as Liu Bei withdrew, once back at camp, Yuan Shao's fury erupted entirely.

The deaths of Zhou Ang, Chen Fu, and even Xin Ping weren't major concerns. For someone like Yuan Shao, who commanded a thousand warriors and strategists as abundant as raindrops, these losses were bearable. The real issue was that he had been humiliated at the banquet.

Suppressing his anger, he comforted Yann Liang and Wen Chou, then issued an order to forcibly cross the Yellow River tomorrow in his rage.

Of course, Ju Shou and Tian Feng promptly pointed out the peril involved, but they still couldn't dissuade Yuan Shao. While Yuan Shao was indeed proficient in military strategy and understood the principle of "a king must not raise troops in anger," when his rage flared up, who cared about these sentiments?

Tian Feng and Ju Shou's attempts at persuasion not only bore no fruit but even earned them a verbal lashing from Yuan Shao. To be fair, their failure stemmed from pointing out risks without proposing solutions, effectively pouring oil on the fire.

In contrast, Xuu You's eyes darted craftily. He used unfamiliarity with the Yellow River's conditions as a pretext, suggesting reconnaissance on the river's hydrology to delay action for a day or two. According to Xuu You's calculations, Yuan Shao would likely calm down after three days and drop the matter altogether.

Among Yuan Shao's strategists, the only one who might truly support a forced crossing of the Yellow River was Xin Pi. This was due to his brother's recent death—being shot by Jia Xu with a repeating crossbow. However, Xin Pi, no less a sage than Sheni Pei and others, ultimately suppressed his hate, refusing to let vengeance cloud his judgment.

With Xuu You buying two or three days by stalling, the others dispersed after the meeting to handle military affairs. Meanwhile, high-ranking civil officers like Tian Feng and Ju Shou found leisure in moments of respite: flipping through books, skimming through classics, and tuning their mental states for the upcoming battle.

Sheni Pei was much the same as the others, casually paging through an exquisite Mount Tai edition of Zheng Xuan's annotated Classic of Poetry. Purchasing the book back then had cost him a considerable sum, but the investment was entirely worth it for someone of his stature.

"Zheng Nan, you're reading the Classic of Poetry again. Switch to the Spring and Autumn Annals for a change." Fengg Ji pushed back the tent flap and entered with a grin. Neither of them minded the other casually coming and going without invitation.

"Yuantu, have a seat." Sheni Pei looked up and saw Fengg Ji. He dragged a reclining chair over for him. Ever since Chen Xi had popularized chairs, apart from formal occasions requiring traditional kneeling at low tables, casual moments had become all about comfort with tables and chairs. Few old pedants complained about it violating ancient customs—the human instinct was always to seek a better life.

"Won't you treat me to something to eat?" Fengg Ji reached into Sheni Pei's dish of pickles and grabbed a piece, chewing noisily. "Why don't you mix some meat into this? It lacks any richness."

"Even as-is, it's quite good. The refined salt makes it excellent." Sheni Pei snapped his book shut, placing it aside with mild annoyance. Nevertheless, he ordered the guard outside to cut a plate of meat and bring it over from the kitchen.

Not long after, the cured meat was prepared. The two began idly chatting, reminiscing about past rivalries, breaking into hearty laughter despite themselves.

"Here, something new I picked up over by Mount Tai." Fengg Ji pulled out a silk-wrapped book and handed it to Sheni Pei. "Ah, the craftsmanship of these writings is indeed extraordinary. Mount Tai has no shortage of sages!"

"What of it? There's only room for one of us to stand eternally." Sheni Pei stood up, accepting the book and then passing his Classic of Poetry to Fengg Ji, signaling for him to appreciate its contents.

"True enough!" Fengg Ji smiled as he took the Classic of Poetry, while Sheni Pei opened the book titled Sunx Bin's Art of War and began reading.

"Whoa!" Amid a careless moment from Sheni Pei and an inattentive gesture from Fengg Ji, the Classic of Poetry toppled to the ground upside-down. Sheni Pei immediately felt an pang of distress, bending rapidly to retrieve it. The moment he turned it over, he froze on the spot.

"Hey, Zheng Nan, what happened to you?" Fengg Ji, noticing Sheni Pei's odd reaction, asked casually, his tone carrying a hint of apology.

"'Wen Ding, auspicious; the bride arrives at the Wei; boats constructed for bridges, brilliance concealed!' Hahaha! So this is it. This is it—indeed, the Mandate of Heaven is upon my lord!" Sheni Pei burst into wild laughter as realization struck him.

"What's wrong with you, Zheng Nan?" Fengg Ji looked at Sheni Pei's erratic demeanor with concern. "What exactly are you talking about?"

"Tomorrow, our army shall cross the Yellow River!" Sheni Pei exclaimed with laughter. "Come, follow me to see the lord. Would the mere Yellow River dare bar the majesty of my lord?"

"Uh? Your words make absolutely no sense—they're completely disconnected." Fengg Ji groaned, rubbing his forehead, grabbing the Classic of Poetry from Sheni Pei's hands and flipping through it himself. Moments later, comprehension dawned upon him. "Oh, I see!"

"I've been telling you all along to study the Classic of Poetry more, but you wouldn't believe it." Sheni Pei laughed heartily. Sometimes understanding eludes you entirely, but once you grasp it, everything becomes effortless.

Once the realization hit, Sheni Pei brought Fengg Ji along to meet Yuan Shao. After reporting the pontoon bridge matter to him, Yuan Shao was overjoyed and immediately ordered the bridge to be constructed overnight, preparing to cross the Yellow River the following day to face off against Liu Bei.

"Zheng Nan, well done. Indeed, you were the right choice for my mastermind!" Yuan Shao praised Sheni Pei, patting his shoulder and pouring him a cup of wine with a laugh.

Sheni Pei's face lit up with excitement. He felt fully satisfied with Yuan Shao's praise. What he'd longed for most was acknowledgment of his abilities.

"My lord, I, Sheni Pei, shall never disappoint you!" Sheni Pei declared solemnly.(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 read on m.qidian.com.)