Chapter 48: Diverting to Yuzhou

If I updated more frequently every day, would I get more votes...

The army had been on the move for over half a month. Had it not been for the infantry dragging them down, they would have reached Mount Tai by now. Chen Xi had already indulged in every fantasy he could imagine along the way; all that remained was boredom.

"Lord Xuande, we are only in Chenliu right now. At this rate, it will take another half a month to reach the administrative seat of Taishan Commandery," Chen Xi said, sprawled on his horse without a shred of dignity. Regardless, Liu Bei already knew he was lazy.

"Mhm. We will reach Fenggao in about twelve or thirteen days. When we arrive, I intend to appoint you as the Commandery Assistant, Zichuan. I hope you will not decline," Liu Bei said with a smile. He greatly admired Chen Xi's abilities. He had heard a saying that those with profound strategic insight rarely lack political acumen, and vice versa. In his eyes, Chen Xi was a man of profound strategic insight, so his political skills would likely be excellent as well. As for testing him, Liu Bei saw no need.

"Even if you didn't mention it, Lord Xuande, I would have set my sights on that position. After all, compared to military strategy and grand schemes, I have more confidence in how to generate wealth and make the territory prosperous," Chen Xi replied without any hesitation. He wasn't the type to play the game of polite refusal only to accept with hidden glee later.

"Zichuan, more proficient in politics?" Liu Bei was startled, then inwardly delighted. To him, Chen Xi was the type of person who struck with precision; if it were said his politics were stronger than his strategy, it wouldn't be an exaggeration—at the very least, they wouldn't be weaker. And he had seen Chen Xi's schemes; they were nothing short of terrifying!

"I suppose so. At least it's more hands-on than grand schemes or military strategy," Chen Xi sighed. His schemes relied more on historical momentum and the forced stitching together of people's personalities. Truthfully, he had never dealt with such things before; at most, he had read about them in books. As for politics, simply put, it was about how to make the people under one's rule prosperous. He at least had a sense of how to do that, which was much better than mere armchair strategizing.

"That is excellent indeed." Liu Bei didn't say much more, but the look of joy on his face made it clear he was in high spirits.

"Lord Xuande, let's go to Yingchuan. With your current prestige, we might be able to recruit one or two of those men I mentioned to you before," Chen Xi said after a period of silence, changing the subject. A "dream lineup" once again flashed through his mind. Regardless of the probability, it was always good to chase a dream.

"Yingchuan?" Liu Bei glanced at Chen Xi, then looked back at the long marching column, a surge of heroic ambition rising in his chest. "Let's go! We'll detour through Yuzhou and take advantage of Yuan Shu while we're at it. After all, I acted as a mediator between him and Sun Wen-tai. It wouldn't be out of line to ask him for some supplies!"

"Not out of line at all. If we go to Yuzhou, even if we don't get those talents from Yingchuan, we can head to Qiao County in Qiao Commandery. There is a general there considered to be one of the top tier in the world. I suspect even Third Brother wouldn't be able to beat him right now," Chen Xi smiled. Seeing Zhang Fei pricking up his ears to eavesdrop, he added in a sly tone.

"What? Zichuan, who did you say I couldn't beat?" Zhang Fei's booming voice instantly cut Liu Bei off.

Chen Xi sized Zhang Fei up from head to toe for a long time before sighing deeply. "It really is a losing battle. Just looking at your build, Third Brother, you're a step behind. Your strength is a step behind as well. Sigh..."

Chen Xi was clearly teasing Zhang Fei. He had no idea how big Xu Chu actually was; he only knew that historical records described the man as "over eight feet tall, with a waist of ten circumferences, a majestic countenance, and peerless strength." Looking at Zhang Fei, he was certainly sturdy, covered in knots of muscle, and had even undergone a recent growth spurt—his arms were now comparable to Zhao Yun's legs. He was clearly a fierce warrior, but there was still a gap between him and a "ten-circumference waist."

Speaking of the others—Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Zhao Yun, and Hua Xiong—if these four experts stood together, Zhang Fei looked like a hunk of iron meant to crush people to death. Guan Yu looked like a great blade, fierce, powerful, and heavy. Hua Xiong was similar to Guan Yu, essentially a weakened version of him. As for Zhao Yun... well, as long as Zhao Yun didn't say anything, others would absolutely mistake him for a civil official.

"Tell me where he is and what his name is! I, Old Zhang, will make him understand that strength and physique are not necessarily linked!" Zhang Fei brandished his fist, the air cracking from the force, before baring his white teeth in a grin.

"You'll see him in a few days when we pass through Qiao Commandery. He will teach you the meaning of brute force," Chen Xi said casually, turning his head. As he turned, he noticed Guan Yu was using a silk cloth to wipe his Green Dragon Crescent Blade, Zhao Yun was polishing his long spear, and Hua Xiong was breathing on his great saber. Were they planning to practice against each other?

"Actually, there is also an expert here in Chenliu. I reckon in a one-on-one, Brother Yun is the only one among us who could guarantee a safe retreat. It's a pity that fellow has disappeared somewhere. Sigh..." Chen Xi said helplessly. He truly wished Dian Wei would jump out in the middle of the road to rob them, or perhaps chase down a tiger that had lost control of its internal energy and beat it senseless.

Guan Yu had become even more imposing. It was said that he and Zhang Fei had been constantly improving lately, likely because they had encountered so many experts on this journey. As for Zhao Yun, he was the same as always—impossible to sense his aura, appearing weak as can be, yet exploding with power the moment he struck.

Zhang Fei was still obsessed with this Xu Chu fellow. He had made up his mind to rush him the moment they met, regardless of the consequences, to prove that his strength was the greatest in the world—the kind of strength even Lu Bu acknowledged.

Well, regarding this matter, Chen Xi didn't bother explaining. He knew one thing for certain: if Zhang Fei truly went head-to-head with Xu Chu in pure brute strength, he might even lose his underwear. From any angle, that was not human strength.

Of course, even if Zhang Fei used every trick in the book, he still wouldn't win. There was a greater than ninety percent chance of a draw.

Xu Chu's brute strength was enough to make almost anyone he fought feel nauseated—with the exception of Lu Bu, Zhao Yun, and Dian Wei. Lu Bu represented the perfect combination of technique, strength, and speed; Zhao Yun represented the perfect combination of extreme speed and technique; and Dian Wei represented the perfect combination of extreme strength and speed.

These three could all find ways to counter Xu Chu's abnormal strength. Especially Dian Wei, who was likely the only one capable of using brute force to make Xu Chu feel nauseated. Usually, it was Xu Chu who used his strength to nauseate others, but historically, he encountered Dian Wei right at his debut. In a contest of raw power, Xu Chu gained no advantage, while Dian Wei likely just felt he had finally met someone who could match his strength.

When strength reaches a certain level, many techniques can be ignored. This was why Xu Chu could duel many people without losing; as for why he didn't win, it was simply because his speed was too slow.

A ten-circumference waist sounded impressive, but such a physique was fatal to speed. If not for Xu Chu's strength being truly immense, it would have been extremely difficult for him to become a top-tier general. As for Dian Wei, his strength might have been only slightly greater than or even roughly equal to Xu Chu's, but because of his speed, his overall combat effectiveness far surpassed Xu Chu's. That was the difference.