Mythical Three Kingdoms-Chapter 1513 - 1456: Failed Negotiations

Gao Shun said no more; as long as Zhuge Liang wasn’t risking his life on a gamble, it was best to be cautious on the battlefield.

Zhuge Liang looked at Gao Shun, puzzled. He had thought the other would ask about his previous disappearance. Unexpectedly, the question was so simple, which made Zhuge Liang somewhat unaccustomed, leaving the explanations he prepared unsaid.

What Zhuge Liang didn’t know was that in the eyes of people like Gao Shun, some things are considered unique skills—if seen, they pretend not to have seen, so naturally, they wouldn’t ask Zhuge Liang about it.

And if they truly wanted to know, they could ask Chen Gong about what they observed. If Chen Gong deemed it sharable, he would inform Gao Shun, avoiding any displeasure.

As for what Chen Gong didn’t know, it was considered even more of an exclusive skill and thus shouldn’t be questioned. Gao Shun had principles regarding this.

"Report, Military Advisor Zhuge. Upon tallying, our army killed more than four thousand six hundred Northern Huns, with no prisoners. Our losses were over thirteen hundred." The quartermaster reported to Zhuge Liang, devoid of the previous disregard.

Indeed, the fastest way to establish authority on the battlefield is to win a victory. The larger the victory, the stronger the authority, as seen now; not one of the soldiers assigned to Zhuge Liang by Zhang Fei dared to underestimate him.

"Record the names of the fallen soldiers and collect the bodies; burn the Northern Huns’ corpses on the spot." Even though Zhuge Liang persuaded Jinn Hedan and others to surrender at the last moment, he showed little respect after their deaths. They were, after all, mortal enemies.

After burning the Huns’ corpses, Zhuge Liang headed to Jicheng with Gao Shun, while Fa Zheng was already inside. Jia Xu, Xun Shen, and others were engaging the surrenders along the way, and since not all were cavalry, they were still on the road.

As for Huang Zhong leading the rear army, he was still on the official road without knowledge that the first battle against the Northern Huns had ended under the newborn sun.

"General Yuan." Fa Zheng commented to Yuan Tan, who was wrapped in bandages, "After these days, what are your thoughts?"

"Nothing to say, national grudges!" Yuan Tan half-closed his eyes, faintly exuding a sense of oppression. At this moment, Yuan Tan carried a bit of the aura Yuan Shao had during the establishment period.

[No wonder the Yuan Family of Four Generations Three Dukes can continue without decline, they truly have some capability. Yuan Benchu can be called a hero of the world, Yuan Gonglu obstinately adhered to his heart, and Yuan Xiansi also possessed such momentum.] Fa Zheng marveled.

"In today’s world, what does General Yuan make of the situation?" Fa Zheng queried.

"The Yuan Family is tied down, the world’s heroes are mediocre!" Yuan Tan’s sharp eyes swept over Fa Zheng. After experiencing life-and-death decisions, Yuan Tan’s belief became translucent, leaving no fear.

Death held no terror for Yuan Tan. Even if he died, the Yuan Family would continue, and he already left his mark in the spirit of the Yuan Family.

"Yes, that’s about right. I wonder if General Yuan is willing to choose another path?" Fa Zheng continued.

Yuan Tan regarded Fa Zheng with interest. Though seated in the main seat, he knew well that since Liu Bei’s army entered Jicheng, he was essentially a prisoner—a choice he made himself, with no regrets.

"What path?" Yuan Tan asked. Though indifferent to life or death, he knew that his battlefield in Jicheng left everything he wanted to for the Yuan Family. There’s no legacy more important than spiritual inheritance.

"Is General Yuan not curious why the Rear General (Yuan Shu) would endorse my lord’s beliefs?" Fa Zheng countered. He understood the previous situation; Yuan Tan had shouted something, indicating another fool in the Yuan Family.

After pondering, Yuan Tan said, "Please explain!" This time, he sat upright, no longer lax.

"Because my lord wants to follow the ancient sages’ path, and the Rear General likewise. However, our ways differ, but eventually, we convinced the Rear General." Fa Zheng said with solemnity.

Yuan Tan was startled, showing disbelief. However, such words couldn’t be deceitful, and more so, Yuan Shu wasn’t the type to listen, a person who purely followed his route, leaving others to observe.

Such obstinate fanatics have two outcomes: either they conquer the world to become sages leading humanity, or they’re destroyed by the world, becoming objects of contempt for future generations.

"I see, no wonder Uncle would say such things." Yuan Tan sighed after a pause. "The path of ancient sages is indeed most fitting for us aristocrats, but alas..."

Fa Zheng remained silent, knowing what Yuan Tan was about to say, who then spoke outright, "I cannot let go of my father’s death!"

"Externally, I can set aside my father’s revenge, for compared to the blood feud of national extinction, my father’s revenge can wait. But..." Yuan Tan sharply stared at Fa Zheng, "My father died from a covert arrow!"

Fa Zheng helplessly pressed his temples, saying, "But you yourself are in our hands now, and speaking of this is pointless, a death wish."

Yuan Tan looked nonchalantly at Fa Zheng, leaving Fa Zheng at a loss for words. Frankly, if Yuan Tan hadn’t resisted, even letting the Northern Huns pass through Jicheng, Fa Zheng felt no pressure to kill Yuan Tan.

However, the situation was that Yuan Tan and Sheni Pei staked the Yuan Family’s lives to lure the Northern Huns into Jicheng, disrupting their forces and creating conditions for defeating them.

Killing Yuan Tan now wouldn’t sit well with Fa Zheng, who’d protect him, just as Yuan Tan said—national grievances!

"I find I can’t talk with you. I heard Sheni Zhengnan fell unconscious before the battle ended; is he better now?" Fa Zheng changed the subject, frustrated, aware of Yuan Tan’s mindset, though confronted with his father’s grudge.

"No good, Zhengnan’s issues are more in here." Yuan Tan shook his head, pointing at his head, having grown more respectful towards Sheni Pei, considering abilities and loyalty, the biggest asset left by his father.

"If he’s alive, it’s no issue. I’ll report to our lord and request Physician Hua or Dr. Zhang for treatment." Fa Zheng had heard of Sheni Pei’s situation and from Yuan Tan’s look assumed he was likely in a vegetative state—a term Chen Xi coined for Zhou Tai.