Mythical Three Kingdoms-Chapter 849 - 810: For the Sake of Face

"Is it because of Yuan Shao’s problem? Originally, we were supposed to go to war with Yuan Shao two months later and firmly establish ourselves on the other side of the Yellow River in three months; is it because of Yuan Shao’s presence?" Liu Bei inquired, and understood Chen Xi’s arrangements.

"It’s partly because of that, and partly because of money, but those aren’t the main reasons. The important thing is we have to build other things too, like the Yellow River Bridge. We’re basically out of excellent craftsmen for construction, but we still have to build the North according to Zijing’s steps." Chen Xi said helplessly, not because he wasn’t making an effort, but because the foundation of this world was so poor that he was spread thin.

Lub Su frowned. Compared to Jia Xu and Guo Jia, who weren’t very clear on state affairs, he seemed to understand Chen Xi’s meaning more.

"In short, we can build it, but the value isn’t significant. It would only be worthwhile to construct it when we are stronger; otherwise, for now, it’s just emptying the pond to catch the fish." Chen Xi spread his hands and said helplessly.

"I see." Liu Bei nodded, indicating he understood. Although he wasn’t quite clear on what Chen Xi was talking about, he could comprehend Chen Xi’s actions.

"Rather than talking about these irrelevant things, it’s better to think about how to deal with Yuan Shao. I don’t think the other side will let us easily cross the Yellow River." Jia Xu calmly redirected the topic.

"The Yellow River, our original approach was to send Xingba into the Yellow River, advancing by land and water. However, due to the Xuanyuan Cauldron incident causing many changes, we definitely can’t bring Xingba over now, so we’ll have to rely on ourselves to cross the Yellow River, but fortunately, we’ve already gathered quite a few ships." Chen Xi sighed, the most frustrating thing about the Xuanyuan Cauldron was that it disrupted his steps.

"Fengxiao, you seem a bit distracted." Liu Bei turned to Guo Jia and asked, "It feels like your mind isn’t here."

"I remembered what the Lord said before." Guo Jia touched his chin with a smile on his face, "What the Lord said before was jest, but given Yuan Shao’s courage now, he might want to see the Lord."

"You mean Yuan Shao will come?" Liu Bei was taken aback, finding it hard to believe. Honestly, with Liu Bei’s current disposition, if Yuan Shao dared to duel him, he dared to disregard any manners and finish off Yuan Shao right here.

In Liu Bei’s view now, the face between feudal lords is a joke. What he wants is realistic, that is, for the people to live well. No matter how heroic or brave you are, Yuan Shao, if you dare to come, Liu Bei dares to defeat you.

Reputation? Face? Liu Bei generally cares about these, but in this situation where defeating Yuan Shao would significantly advance his ideals, there’s no discussion about eliminating you.

"I’m afraid he really will come." Chen Xi realized at this time as well. Yuan Shao’s courage is still very strong, and he highly values face. Being so humiliated by Liu Bei, if he does nothing, he’d lose a lot of face.

"But if Yuan Shao comes, he must be fully prepared, probably somewhere over there." Jia Xu pointed at the Yellow River and said, "Take me along when the time comes; I haven’t met Yuan Shao yet. If there’s a fight, it likely won’t happen; we’ll just chat."

"I really hope we can just take down the opponent directly." A cold light flickered in Chen Xi’s eyes; he never felt it was wrong to take down feudal lords, especially the major ones, as there was always a reason for their downfall.

"Zilong, you come with me then." Liu Bei, at this point, roughly understood what was going on, turned to Zhao Yun next to him and said, "Yunchang, you will oversee the main army then."

"Yes." Guan Yu and Zhao Yun bowed in salute simultaneously. fгeewёbnoѵel.cσm

"I’ll go and see this model of the world too." Lub Su said after pondering slightly. He hadn’t seen Yuan Shao either, so he was just going to see a rare creature.

"Zichuan, are you going?" Liu Bei smiled and nodded at Lub Su, then turned to Chen Xi to ask.

"Yes, I also want to see if Yuan Shao has changed over the years. The Yuan leader back then had some bizarre changes during the campaign against Dong; I want to see this time too. The chances to meet are getting fewer." Chen Xi nodded and said. To be honest, Chen Xi was quite curious about Yuan Shao. Back in the campaign against Dong, Yuan Shao had recurring changes, and to think that now he’s so heroic.

"Lord." Liu Yan stepped forward to salute at this time.

Liu Bei felt a bit troubled. There always needed to be a civil official overseeing the main camp; Commander-in-chief Guan Yu was no problem, but precaution against plots was necessary too.

"I’ll stay here; for my memory of Yuan Shao, let it remain as before." Guo Jia gestured for himself to stay.

Guo Jia was somewhat reluctant to see Yuan Shao. When he and Xun Yu left back then, Yuan Shao’s performance was quite different from now. Compared with now and then, even Guo Jia had to admit he misjudged back then.

"In that case, Fengxiao, you and Yunchang stay at the main camp. The others will come with me to satisfy your curiosity about seeing Yuan Shao." Liu Bei said with a smile, bringing Liu Yan, Jian Yong, Sunx Qian, and others to meet this overlord of Hebei.

"Let’s all go to observe Yuan Shao then~" Chen Xi eagerly called to the others, while Jia Xu weakly echoed twice. The others had less enthusiasm, but everyone had an expression as if they were seeing rare creatures.

At Yuan Shao’s camp across the river, they also discussed the outcome. Yuan Shao, being ridiculed by Liu Bei like this, could not tolerate it. Since he couldn’t, and was surely no match, he still had to meet Liu Bei, he definitely had to come up with a foolproof plan.

However, Yuan Shao had plenty of talented people under him, so finding a foolproof plan was not difficult. Soon, a group of people solved the issue and, taking the initiative, sent an invitation to Liu Bei from Yuan Shao.

Of course, for such a formal invitation, although they were taking the initiative, Sheni Pei and others were not willing to make it too much of a pressure on Liu Bei. After all, if they overdid it and Liu Bei didn’t want to come, it would be meaningless.

After Guan Yu and Xuu Chu, the big eaters, finished eating, and after Liu Bei and others had slightly inspected the camp, Yuan Shao’s invitation was delivered over.

"Meet at the river’s center tower ship on the Yellow River at the Chen Hour tomorrow." Liu Bei glanced at it and pretty much understood what Yuan Shao wanted to do, then glanced at Fengg Ji, who was delivering the message, a high-rank civil official.

"Tell Yuan Benchu I’ll be there tomorrow, but are the tower ships from your Jizhou reliable? The wind on the Yellow River has been strong lately; don’t capsized the ship." Liu Bei placed the invitation on the table after closing it and said.

"Lord Xuande, rest assured, Jizhou has abundance of talents; mere tower ships are not an issue." Fengg Ji said neither humbly nor haughtily.

After hearing this, Liu Bei waved his hand to signal Fengg Ji could leave, then when Fengg Ji was about to exit the main tent, Liu Bei’s indifferent voice came through, "I, Liu Xuande, don’t mind this opportunity to swallow up the Northern Three States in one gulp." (To be continued. If you like this work, welcome to visit Qidian.com to vote for recommendations, monthly votes. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please read on m.qidian.com.)