Three Kingdoms: Madam, I am a decent person

Chapter 508 Xi Zhicai: I have the best of three strategies

The hall fell silent, and no one spoke.

Cao Cao frowned.

His military advisors usually don't like to speak up.

Must name names.

Rubbing his brows in frustration, Cao Cao looked at Cheng Yu and said, "Zhongde, you speak first."

Zhongde is Cheng Yu's courtesy name.

Xi Zhicai and Xun You looked at Cheng Yu.

Jia Xu was like an old monk in meditation, with his eyes closed and not moving a muscle.

Cheng Yu hesitated for a moment, then bowed to Cao Cao and said, "I think this matter needs to be considered carefully."

"Although Hebei is in chaos and Yuan Shao has just died, the country is not leaderless."

"Although Zhang Sui was only Yuan Shao's son-in-law, he was the only descendant of Ding Yuan, the former governor of Bingzhou, and a disciple of Tian Feng, the deputy governor. He was also a native of Hebei."

"Over the years, he emerged out of nowhere, won many battles, and gained a great reputation among civil officials and military generals."

"This time, I haven't heard of any famous civil officials or military generals dying in battle."

"It can be said that Hebei's strength has not suffered much loss."

"Plus he attacked so fiercely this time."

“I think we need to be more careful.”

"At least, we need to prepare enough time to investigate the specific situation in Hebei."

After hearing what Cheng Yu said, Cao Cao nodded silently.

At this time, Xi Zhicai stood up, bowed to Cao Cao and said, "My lord, I have something to say."

Cao Cao looked at Xi Zhicai and said, "Speak."

Xi Zhicai glanced at Cheng Yu and said, "I think it is best to fight quickly and decisively at this time."

"We have been dealing with Zhang Sui for a long time."

"This man is extremely brave."

"Also, I heard that he did a very good job in Zhongshan County. In this chaotic time, there were not even any refugees in Zhongshan County."

"If he is given enough time, I think he will probably be able to quell the rebellion in Hebei."

"Once he has quelled the rebellion, Hebei's troops are already strong."

“Hebei is also a major grain-producing area.”

"We have been constantly at war over the years, but Hebei has been relatively stable, with countless grain and grass stored up."

"By then, Hebei will be united and have abundant food and grass. In contrast, our food and grass are not abundant, and our soldiers are not well trained."

"The outcome of the battle is predictable."

"So, we need to act quickly to prevent this from happening."

After a pause, Xi Zhicai said worriedly, "Moreover, the news from Yecheng that Yuan Shao died in battle has already passed a long time."

"To be honest, I doubt he has put down the rebellion in Hebei."

Xun You looked at Xi Zhicai with a sullen face.

Cao Cao also had a hint of doubt in his eyes and asked, "How do you say that?"

Xi Zhicai pinched his sparse beard and said, "My lord, you should know that Zhang Sui was born under the command of General Yan Liang."

"General Yan Liang commands three thousand elite cavalry."

"General Wen Chou and Yan Liang are like brothers."

"Now that Yuan Shao is dead, Yuan Shao's third son and nephew Gao Gan have also passed away one after another."

"It can be said that who in Hebei is more suitable than him to take over the position of the Lord of Hebei?"

"Under such circumstances, Yan Liang will definitely support him."

"As Yan Liang's brother, Wen Chou will definitely follow Yan Liang."

"Zhang He and Gao Lan were two of the Four Pillars of Hebei. They were both in Xuzhou and on the same boat with him."

"General, Zhang Sui has taken the absolute initiative."

"As for the civil officials, Xu You and Guo Tu were beheaded by Yuan Tan during his lifetime."

"Shen Pei and Feng Ji died in battle one after another." "Only Xin Pi and Xun Chen are left in the Yingchuan faction."

"On the other hand, the two leaders of the Jizhou faction, Ju Shou and Tian Feng, are both natives of Hebei."

"Tian Feng is his teacher."

"Ju Shou and Tian Feng have always been a pair, so we must support him."

"That is to say, Zhang Sui actually has absolute say under Yuan Shao."

"Before, we discussed taking advantage of Yuan Shao's death to march north to attack Hebei. I did not object because I thought that he was young after all and might not react that quickly."

"But in this situation, he dared to come alone with a thousand cavalrymen, and wantonly killed nearly five thousand of our soldiers."

"I feel like he may have completed the integration of Hebei."

"Otherwise, why would a hegemon risk his life to attack us? And he only brings a thousand men with him."

"He is not the King of Chu."

"Moreover, their actions this time are likely to be radical."

Xi Zhicai stopped talking here and began to hesitate.

Cao Cao said unhappily, "Speak!"

Xi Zhicai mustered up his courage, glanced at Xun You and said, "Gongda, I don't mean to boost others' morale and destroy my own prestige."

Xun You had no expression on his face and did not reply.

Xi Zhicai looked at Cao Cao again and said, "I suspect that he was reckless this time and was trying to lure you into a trap."

"He used himself as bait, causing the lord to get angry and lead the army to hunt him down."

"He led us into an encirclement, and then worked together to annihilate us."

Looking at Jia Xu, Xi Zhicai said, "Just like the fire attack on Puyang City before."

"Besides, even if his plan fails, it will actually be beneficial to him."

Cao Cao asked, "What do you mean?"

Xi Zhicai said: "My lord, think about it carefully. He personally lured you to lead the army to pursue. Why didn't he use a general to do this?"

"Because he cherished the lives of his soldiers."

"Even if he fails, the civil and military officials will not complain about him. On the contrary, they will think he is very responsible."

"Everyone will think he has the courage to be the new owner of Hebei."

"If we go north again, all forces in Hebei will put aside their conflicts and unite against the enemy."

Xi Zhicai said this and sighed: "If that's the case, our trip north this time will not only fail to seize Hebei, but may indirectly promote the unification of Hebei."

"If he quickly unifies Hebei, and with Xuzhou and Qingzhou in his hands, he will be able to encircle us."

"And we haven't taken Guanzhong and Liangzhou yet."

"Then aren't we being surrounded by them?"

"He is not Yuan Shao."

"Yuan Shao was blinded by power and unwilling to face the emperor. He also despised the lord, which resulted in us being able to develop peacefully over the years."

"And he—"

Xi Zhicai looked at Cao Cao and reminded him, "My lord, have you forgotten what he did at Hangu Pass?"

"He has always wanted to kill the lord!"

When Cao Cao thought of the scene where Zhang Sui split Dian Wei in half in front of him while he was defending the king at Hangu Pass, a hint of fear flashed in his eyes.

Xi Zhicai continued: "In my opinion, my lord, I have three strategies to choose from: the best, the middle and the worst."

Cao Cao looked at Xi Zhicai.

Xi Zhicai raised his first finger and said, "The best strategy is to march our army north immediately and attack Zhang Sui head-on."

"If Zhang Sui is bluffing, then we will kill him. Hebei will truly be leaderless. My lord, if you take over Hebei, you will truly have the possibility of sweeping across the world. But——"

Xi Zhicai looked at Cao Cao deeply and said, "The possibility is very small, but if it succeeds, the benefits will be the greatest. This is the best strategy."

"Since ancient times, soldiers have always taken risky actions."

"If you don't want to let go of the child, you can't trap the wolf."

"Once this strategy succeeds and we take over Hebei, other places will not be our opponents at all."

(End of this chapter)