Chapter 1217: The First Aristocratic Family to Step Forward
Fa Zheng will not wait much longer, he will soon follow the army to the north. Of course, if necessary, Chen Xi might also need to head to Youzhou. Although the Yuan Clan has declined, the foundation Yuan Shao left behind is still there.
"Kongming, if you have no objections, you will oversee the Western Regions. There may not be major wars there this year, but next year there will surely be continuous wars. I will try to send you there by August this year," Chen Xi leaned forward and said to Zhuge Liang.
"It's a pity that the Xiliang Iron Cavalry isn't very suitable for long-distance pursuits. We'll have to wait until the decisive battle to bring them over," Guo Jia said regretfully.
"There's no need to pay too much attention to deploying troops. Once you go to Yuzhou, things may not change for several years. Trust in Sun Ce," Chen Xi wasn't worried about Guan Yu. However, while Guan Yu is brave, he could be at a disadvantage against strategists like Zhou Yu and Pang Tong.
"We are undermanned, and our focus is now on the North. Zhou Yu and Pang Tong are both intelligent, and Sun Ce has matured. It's difficult for me alone," Guo Jia laid out the troubles, but his face showed little fear.
"Xiuruo and Yuanlong are under your command, Xingba and Ziyi will assist from the South," with Chen Xi having the authority to mobilize all civil officials under Liu Bei.
"If necessary, I will activate the spy," Guo Jia said, glancing at Chen Xi.
"Be cautious, you only have one chance. If you use the spy and fail to achieve the desired result, it will be troublesome." Chen Xi thought for a moment, but with Guo Jia's vision, the possibility of playing his trump card too early is slim.
"If I use that spy, it signals the beginning of Sun Ce's downfall," Guo Jia said with a faint smile, but his gaze involuntarily drifted to the silent Jiangh Wan, curious about his reaction after knowing so many secrets.
"Ziyang, the situation in Yanzhou is entrusted to you," Chen Xi said solemnly to Liu Ye, "Cao Mengde is not to be underestimated. Besides deploying large forces in Jiyin, I will also send a considerable number of Tuntian Soldiers to Yanzhou. Hanmou will ensure safety under Lord Xuande's rule and depend on you."
"Oh..." Just then, Zhuge Liang let out a soft call, drawing everyone's attention.
"What's the matter, Kongming?" Chen Xi turned his head to the slightly awkward Zhuge Liang.
"We have gained a new Legion Talent, which reorganizes troops after a defeat," Zhuge Liang said with a smile. His Spiritual Talent was originally to interface with all of our side's Spiritual Talents and Legion Talents.
However, for Zhuge Liang, leveraging a Legion Talent isn't meaningful. As the Legion Talent is a resonance between the soldiers' and the commander's will, he has only the seed but not the resonance target unless he possesses abilities like Chen Xi and Zhou Yu to link warriors' spirits.
Zhuge Liang's Legion Talent is primarily for his trusted aide, supporting only a few hundred people. However, Zhuge Liang can activate many Legion Talents, just like he can with Spiritual Talents...
As for the things Zhou Yu and Chen Xi create by spiritually linking, similar to Legion Talents, they aren't genuinely Legion Talents and can't bestow substantial empowerment to all soldiers, only enhancing their belief.
The essence of a Legion Talent is augmenting the soldiers' belief and intrinsic strength. Unless one's belief influences reality to the point of manifesting Military Spirit, it's merely a morale shift, although morale is quite significant...
"Is it a chaos-type Legion Talent?" Jia Xu quickly deduced potential outcomes based on his understanding of Legion Talents. Such talents are never mediocre and always reflect the bearer's temperament.
"Indeed, it is chaos," Zhuge Liang confirmed after tapping into his Spiritual Talent, "perfect for luring enemies, disrupting formations in direct combat, although it's less effective on Elite Soldiers."
"Elites have battle formations ingrained in their bones. Even if temporarily scattered, they will automatically reform upon impact," Li Youu stated calmly; elite legions, in essence, know tactics without the Chief General's need.
"I wonder who has awakened it," Liu Yan asked curiously, quite envious of Spiritual Talents and Legion Talents, but aware that he himself definitely doesn't have any.
"Alright, everyone, pay attention here," Chen Xi didn't know for the nth time he was clapping for attention, "we can seize any of Kongming's activated Legion Talents since they surely belong to our people. Congratulations are in order when discovered."
"For now, let's discuss our governmental and military affairs. Ziyang, you are stationed in Yanzhou, that's almost certain. Collaborators aren't decided, but you should propose candidates and we'll assist," Chen Xi focused on Liu Ye, knowing Yanzhou's significance.
"Yu Wenze and Chen Shuzhi," Liu Ye thoughtfully chose two usually low-profile generals, both considered stable, and only Yu Jin can effectively utilize the second-line troops from the imminent deployment of many Tuntian Soldiers in Yanzhou.
Of course, if Zhao Yun were an option, Liu Ye would have definitely chosen him; for steadiness, Zhao Yun ranks top among Liu Bei's subordinates.
"That works, don't act in Yanzhou just yet. Secure it, develop it, and eventually, you won't need to transport loads of provisions for an action," Chen Xi understood Liu Ye's choice. As to who Cao Cao might send to guard Chenliu, Chen Xi was uncertain.
Ideally, Chen Xi hoped Cao Ren would be sent to Chenliu. If both sides merely defended, it'd be ideal, as Chen Xi was reluctant to engage in another battle on the sparsely populated Yanzhou. Xun Yu's scorched-earth strategy was indeed executed well back then.
Luckily, Yanzhou is a grain-producing area, relying on population purchase, accepting refugees, and implementing land allocation by head saved the situation; abandoned lands aren't good.
"My next move will be persuading the Chen Family because leading the aristocratic families willingly away demands a role model. Since our Chen Family is currently an emblem, we'll take the lead," Chen Xi glanced around and said.
"Actually, Zichuan, you don't need to do this," Lub Su, despite having no fondness for aristocratic families, had been friends with Chen Xi long enough to think Li You's action was excessive.
"Someone has to go, and I can handle it more smoothly than others, benefiting the state's situation." Chen Xi smiled, declining Lub Su's proposal, believing it beneficial for the Chen Family to lead.