Chapter 262: Yuan Shu’s Reckless Gamble…

Xu Shu took the books and slipped back to continue studying. As for Pang Degong's advice to pay attention to the world situation, Xu Shu had little interest. Coming from a background as a street thug, Xu Shu's primary hobby was taking advantage of opportunities. In his view, understanding the world's affairs was unnecessary since other knowledgeable people would have that covered. Anyone with some ability could talk circles around it.

Since anyone with some weight could discuss these matters, why bother himself with the effort? As for having unique insights, weren't they just minor details? As long as the main direction was right and the strength was sufficient, wouldn't it be possible to just bulldoze through? And when the time came to meet Liu Xuande and impress him with talk about world affairs, Xu Shu already had his material prepared.

Xu Shu had friends like Cui Zhouping and Shi Guangyuan, who were skilled at discussing world affairs. And if that wasn't enough, he had Pang Degong and Sima Hui (Shuijing) to consult. When he decided to leave, they would surely give him pointers on what to watch out for. With these four talking about the world's situation, Xu Shu figured their views would be 90% similar, with some personal touches. By listening to each of them along the way and adding his observations, he'd have his grasp of the world's affairs covered.

If Pang Degong knew what Xu Shu was thinking, he would probably slap him. How could someone be this lazy?

Meanwhile, back in Nanyang, Lü Bu had already taken half of the benefits from Cao Cao, but since Cao Cao was rather stingy and only gave him half, Lü Bu was told he'd get the other half after beating up Yuan Shu. Seeing through this, Lü Bu immediately turned around to find his brother Zhang Yang. Who in their right mind would fight Yuan Shu head-on, especially under Cao Cao's watchful eye? Lü Bu thought, "Do you think my intelligence is as low as yours, Cao Cao?"

Witnessing this, Cao Cao was furious and nearly sent his troops to block Lü Bu. Fortunately, Xun Yu managed to calm him down. However, after being tricked by Lü Bu, Cao Cao finally gave up on the idea of recruiting him. Calling Lü Bu untrustworthy, a "three-family slave," and a "father-killer," didn't change the fact that Lü Bu had outwitted him.

Looking down from the walls of Wan City at the seemingly endless ranks of Yuan Shu's forces, Cao Cao finally realized the vast difference between him and this extravagant warlord. The reason he had managed to suppress Yuan Shu earlier was due to the chaos that Liu Bei had caused in Yu Province, preventing Yuan Shu from mobilizing his forces.

Now, by the end of autumn, Yuan Shu had spent months restoring order in the chaotic Yu Province. No longer needing troops to suppress internal unrest, Yuan Shu did not hesitate to mobilize his army, preparing to give Cao Cao a thorough lesson. Of course, this was partly due to being humiliated by Lü Bu.

"This army must be at least 100,000 strong," Cao Cao said with a gloomy expression as he wiped the sweat from his brow. The sight was terrifying. It wasn't just because Yuan Shu could easily defeat Liu Biao, but also due to his overwhelming strength.

"Including the main force and auxiliary troops, it totals around 120,000. After restoring order in Yu Province, Yuan Shu immediately mobilized his forces. It seems Lü Bu's departure may be related to this," Xizhi Cai observed with interest as he watched the vast army below. He was particularly fascinated by the sheer amount of resources Yuan Shu must have to sustain such a force.

"So, what do we do now? This is far beyond our initial estimates. We thought Yuan Shu would only send 30,000 troops against us, but now it's 120,000. If they keep pressing day and night, traitors will inevitably emerge within Wan City since we've only just taken control," Cao Cao said with a bitter smile. Just a few months ago, he had been filled with confidence, thinking he could easily defeat Yuan Shu. But now, he realized it had all been an illusion.

"Rest assured, my lord. The situation is still within our control, and this farce should come to an end. It's time to stop playing games with Yuan Shu," Xizhi Cai said with a cold smile. They had anticipated this outcome and had prepared countermeasures. Did Yuan Shu really think having a large army meant being strong?

"Sigh, the strength of the Yuan family is truly formidable. Yuan Benchu defeated Gongsun Zan and now controls both Ji and Bingzhou. Yuan Gonglu defeated Liu Biao, and if Liu Xuande hadn't intervened in Yu Province, Yuan Gonglu would already control three provinces," Cao Cao said, enviously gazing at the seemingly endless barracks of Yuan Shu's troops. Tens of thousands of veteran soldiers were a world apart from his own hastily assembled, barely trained forces.

"Unfortunately, Yuan Gonglu fails to understand the times and military strategy, squandering a great opportunity," Xizhi Cai said with a tone of regret. Yuan Shu's displayed strength was indeed enviable, but he lacked true military genius. His best general, Ji Ling, was merely a competent commander, far from being among the elite.

"Fails to understand military strategy?" Cao Cao perked up. Did this mean that Xizhi Cai had a plan to defeat Yuan Shu?

"Indeed. Yuan Gonglu truly believes that with winter approaching, no one will launch an attack? The only force capable of invading his territory, Liu Xuande, is not strong enough. Why would he assume such an advantage? By fully committing his forces to the attack, he has left his rear defenseless. Yuan Gonglu's borders are far too extended," Xizhi Cai said with a cold smile.

In Xizhi Cai's view, the time had come to end this farce. The soldiers had already faced bloodshed, and it was time to initiate long-term, small-scale battles in southern Nanyang. These continuous skirmishes would serve multiple purposes: weakening the local noble families loyal to Yuan Shu, replenishing Cao Cao's not-so-wealthy treasury, and gradually solidifying their control over Nanyang.

At the same time, it would give Liu Biao a glimmer of hope, encouraging him to keep resisting Yuan Shu, thus further draining Yuan Shu's strength. And of course, it would also provide an opportunity to train their forces using Yuan Shu's troops as practice dummies. The inevitable hell that southern Nanyang would become didn't concern Xizhi Cai; the fate of enemy noble families meant nothing to him. Even if some of their own noble families were wiped out, it wouldn't bother the cold-hearted strategist.

"Don't worry, my lord. Within three days, the outcome will be clear. However, after this, Yuan Gonglu will likely relocate. Runan is indeed a great place, but it's been stripped bare by Chen Zichuan. I wonder what Yuan Shu will find to bring back," Xizhi Cai said with a sigh, finding Yuan Shu's thinking to be riddled with flaws.

"Cut off the supply route from Runan?" Cao Cao suddenly realized the plan, quickly understanding everything. He had been intimidated by Yuan Shu's 100,000-strong army, but now it made sense. If Yuan Shu committed such a large force, wouldn't his rear be vulnerable? Grabbing a pen, Cao Cao eagerly scribbled the plan to cut off the supply route onto his undergarment. This would be his ace move in the future—simple, direct, and lethal!