Mythical Three Kingdoms
Chapter 968 928: The Pitfall of the Central Plains

Chen Qun paused slightly, looking at Xun Yu. Such a definitive conclusion was not something Xun Yu, who was usually cautious, could easily arrive at.

"Chen Xi's Spiritual Talent restricts speed, but if we protect him, the Great Han Dynasty will face no calamity for a hundred years. Everyone knows which choice to make." Xun Youi said confidently. Chen Xi's Spiritual Talent was something they were all aware of.

"So the biggest issue lies in how he has been continuously solidifying Liu Bei's foundations, making them thicker and stronger. This ensures that every time he takes action, he doesn't have to worry about the rear, and their successors are gradually emerging as well." Zhong Yao said admiringly. To be fair, he truly respected Chen Xi, who was his fellow countryman.

"Using momentum to suppress others, ever since breaking the Yellow Turbans in Qingzhou, they have never used risky strategies again. It's not that they can't; it's just that they seek stability. Open and straightforward actions without the need for any ingenious strategies—using sheer momentum to suppress is already enough to crush the Four Directions completely." Du Xi said helplessly.

The value of ingenious strategies lies in finding flaws. With Chen Xi's method of using momentum to suppress others, you simply cannot find any flaws.

"What we need to do next is to strengthen our own power." Xun Yu said calmly. "Only when our strength reaches a certain level can we actually influence the entire situation. At the necessary moment, Lord Cao can request the Emperor to grant titles to Sun Ce and Zhou Yu."

"That's fine." Cao Cao nodded and said. Forming ties with Yuan Shu was necessary. Moreover, with Yuan Shao dead, even though Yuan Shu wasn't fond of Yuan Shao, his anger might still be boundless. The relationship between Yuan Shu and Yuan Shao was not something that could be explained simply as mere enmity.

Zhong Yao tapped the table for a long while before speaking. "Let's open the trade routes in Youfufeng and do nothing else."

"Hanzhong, after all, is easy to defend but hard to attack." Xun Yu said helplessly. "Zhang Ren is indeed a renowned general, but Zhang Lu has repeatedly fortified the land of Hanzhong. Taking it is no simple task."

"First, seize Xiliang and incite a rebellion among the Qiang People. If we keep procrastinating, once Liu Bei takes action and the Qiang capitalize on the momentum to rise up, even defending will overburden our forces. It's better to control all uncertainties in our hands." Xun Youi said in his usual confident tone.

"What Gong Da said makes sense. Although we haven't yet fully integrated the power of Yongliang, the Qiang and Hu tribes are similarly unprepared. With intelligence from Hann Sui, the Qiang and Hu would likely be more complacent. Thus, our forces can acquire a strong military advantage. Although Xiliang is a harsh and barren land with few people, they are all warriors." Cheng Yu nodded in agreement.

Hann Sui's supposedly hidden actions were known to everyone present, which was why Chen Xi and his group had always dismissed Hann Sui's attempts to outplay Xun Yu, Xun Youi, Cheng Yu, and the others intellectually...

"Yuanchang, do you have anything to add?" Cao Cao asked, noticing Zhong Yao's furrowed brows.

"The Qiang People submit to strength; this is common knowledge. This is why the Xiliang Iron Cavalry—led purely by Han commanders—can still command the Qiang. However, such submission can only be described as submission to martial force," Zhong Yao stated slowly. Having loafed in Chang'an for years, he was certainly aware of the Qiang and Hu's nature.

Seeing others staring at him, Zhong Yao no longer feigned ignorance and revealed what he knew. "Submission to martial force is absolute submission. When the Xiliang Iron Cavalry dominates decisively, the Qiang and Hu won't dare cause trouble. Even if the opponent maintains their commanding strength, the tribes will continue to submit. But this submission does not rule out rebellion."

"The Qiang and Hu, after all, differ from the Han People. They can submit to Han rule, but it's difficult for them to truly integrate with Han culture. Based on my estimates, even with the strong pressure of the Xiliang Iron Cavalry forcing assimilation, it would take two to three generations of absolute power to complete the integration." Zhong Yao said helplessly.

Did people really think Zhong Yao was just Cai Yong's die-hard fan, doing nothing every day but studying Cai Yong's calligraphy? Quite the contrary, this guy, in his idle moments, would also contemplate ways to strengthen the nation.

"Evidently, this kind of submission can only be called reverence. But based on my years of understanding of the Qiang and Hu, I've found that the Qiang and Hu are capable of being beaten into submission from body to mind to soul." Zhong Yao said with a peculiar expression. When he had first realized this, he had found it quite strange.

"Is there really such a method?" Cao Cao was stunned for a moment, then delighted. Although the combat power of the Qiang and Hu was average, they were still human. If they could be genuinely subdued, then giving them land to farm would free up more manpower for training. Anyway, the Qiang and Hu had a population of two million, and Yongliang was currently a vast land sparsely populated!

"This method is actually similar to the previous one, where we suppress the Qiang and Hu into submission. The difference is that this task must be performed by a Qiang tribe itself. Because in their myths, a king would emerge who defeats all the warriors and unifies the Qiang and Hu." Zhong Yao said, curling his lips.

"You mean to support one tribe so that it can defeat all the others?" Xun Yu asked, tilting his head. His understanding of the Qiang and Hu was shallow. To be honest, those who truly understood the Qiang and Hu were limited to Fa Zheng, Li Youu, Jia Xu, and Zhong Yao—all of whom had spent over a decade mixed in that remote region.

"It's worth a try, although the hope remains slim. This form of submission involves defeating all the courageous warriors among the Qiang and Hu tribes. That is to say, aside from battles in formation, it includes individual combat—winning over a hundred high-intensity duels. Scenarios where nine people fight against one could even emerge." Zhong Yao said, curling his lips.

"Ah, if only Elai could participate." Cao Cao sighed. Such high-intensity continuous battles posed no pressure for Dian Wei. Similarly, in close-quarters combat, Dian Wei truly wouldn't fear taking on several opponents alone.

"This kind of combat can only be participated in by the Qiang People. Additionally, from what I've learned, the Qiang and Hu's alliance site—their sacrificial ground—is guarded by three Qiang warriors who defend its altars. These warriors possess Inner Qi Manifestation." Zhong Yao said, curling his lips. "This is why no one has succeeded so far. During such battles to select a king, even the Great Sacrificial Rite elders who oversee the altars would step into the fray."

At this point, even Cao Cao's face was twitching slightly. While the Inner Qi warriors among the Qiang and Hu might be subpar, three of them? Moreover, Zhong Yao had clarified that during these king-selection battles, group combat scenarios were entirely acceptable.

"Who could accomplish this?" Cao Cao said helplessly.

"Lyu Bu could." Dian Wei, standing silently like a door guard at the back, suddenly spoke up. "As long as the three are not top-tier Inner Qi Manifestation warriors, I can manage to win. If they are merely three with Inner Qi Manifestation Perfection, and they aren't regularly battling top-tier warriors like those in the Central Plains, it's possible I could even slay them."

Dian Wei's words made Cao Cao fully understand why it was said that in the Central Plains, half the heroes must fall—only those who survive the bloodshed could surpass others in ability. Even warriors of the same tier, those who gained experience from desperate clashes in the Central Plains would definitely be the strongest of their kind. (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, you're welcome to vote on Qidian.com with recommendation and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile readers, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)