The Cannon Fodder in Quick Transmigration Refuses the Usual Path

Chapter 575: The Little Cannon Fodder of the Three Kingdoms (17)

"It is evident that in the eyes of that Young Lady in Northern Ji, the threat you bring, Young Master, is far greater than that of the nearby Yuan clan."

Under the dim lamplight, Xun Yu's tone was measured and unhurried, yet his words struck right at the heart of the matter. Within the room, the other assembled strategists also nodded one after another, with a touch of... pride?

Finally, as if fearing his lord might get angry, he didn't forget to lay on a layer of flattery right here:

"Indeed, it is precisely because she understands the threat you pose, Young Master, that the master of Northern Ji was willing to spend such a great price, aiming to temporarily delay your northern campaign."

It must be said, although the outcome was truly rather terrible, some words were also truly pleasant to hear!

Especially when thinking back to those years earlier, when he was suppressed by his childhood friend. Sure enough, not long after, the expression on Lord Cao's face above them unconsciously softened slightly.

Of course, at the same time, his wariness towards this legendary master of Northern Ji grew even deeper. In the darkness, the man's slightly rugged brow subtly furrowed, his broad, calloused hands habitually clasped behind his back:

"I still know a thing or two about Benchu's capabilities, but back then, that person clearly had far fewer men than he did, yet still managed to rout Benchu and the tens of thousands of troops present, scattering them in flight. Although this may not have been without the advantage of terrain, this person..." The expression on Lord Cao's face visibly darkened:

"Is absolutely no ordinary figure!"

"If nothing unexpected happens, they will surely become a major rival for us in the future!" Not to mention other things, just that person's skill with economics and their ability to train soldiers alone is truly difficult to ignore.What does marching and fighting wars rely on? Isn't it equipment and provisions? In the end, the crucial contest still comes down to the quality of the army.

Are ingenious strategies important?

It cannot be denied that at certain times they are indeed very important, but most of the time, the former is the key to victory.

Just thinking about how this figure, earlier, had grown to such an extent right under Yuan Benchu's very nose, Cao Cao couldn't help but feel speechless inwardly.

Even now, when he spoke, his tone carried a touch of frustration at his childhood friend's failure to live up to expectations:

"This nature of Benchu's... it's usually fine, but it's precisely at times when decisive action is needed that he always fails to be resolute!"

"However, Young Master, even so, this move of theirs seems excessively strange!" Below the seating mat, someone also raised a question:

"Clearly, they could have taken advantage of the chaos to carve up the Yuan clan's territory together with you, Young Master. To abandon such a good opportunity to strengthen their own power simply because of this bit of wariness... doesn't it seem a bit..."

As the words fell, not far away, the feathered fan in Xun Yu's hand paused almost imperceptibly for a moment, yet he remained silent for a long while. It was only after everyone had left that he spoke with a complex expression to his lord above:

"Young Master, if I have not guessed incorrectly, in the short term, that master of Northern Ji likely will not recklessly expand her territory."

Or perhaps, this Young Lady's goal is indeed us, yet it is also absolutely not solely us.

"Wenruo means the scholar-official clans?" Being able to reach this point today, it is clear that this Cao Aman before them also possesses sharp insight.

Moreover, to a certain extent, this Boss Cao before them is himself engaged in the same endeavor. Not to mention distant examples, the earlier issuance of the Recruitment Edict was exactly that.

Or rather, the so-called principle of valuing talent regardless of moral virtue. It was itself a form of suppression against the established aristocratic clan system of the time.

Virtue? Filial and Incorrupt? Just ask, who gets to decide these things? Isn't it still those prominent families who control the majority of discourse?

It's just a pity that over hundreds of years, the power of the scholar-official clans and aristocratic families has already become deeply intertwined, where pulling one hair affects the whole body.

In the candlelight, Xun Yu gave an almost imperceptible nod:

"Young Master, regarding this master of Ji Prefecture, there is one point that differs from you and me, and even from all the various factions currently in existence." Without much hesitation, Xun Yu continued quickly:

"That is, from the very beginning, from the start of their uprising until now, their foundation has not been among the aristocratic clans. In fact, the role played by the clans has been minimal. That is to say, aside from a shortage of talent, the possibility of them being constrained by the clans is extremely small."

"But similarly, it is precisely this shortage of talent that also determines their steps cannot be taken too boldly."

Considering the various measures the other side had taken over these years, Cao Cao nodded in agreement. At this moment, he even felt a rare touch of regret inwardly.

If not for their positions being destined to be adversarial...

However, before that, there was one matter currently weighing particularly heavily on Boss Cao's mind:

"Wenruo, you tell me, is that young lady of the Shen clan's medical skill truly formidable to such an extent?"

Xun Yu: "..." What is there to question about this?

"Young Master, haven't you already reached a conclusion in your heart?"

Looking at the person before him, Xun Yu fell silent for a rare moment:

"Not to mention the matter of General Yuan this time, nowadays various regions frequently suffer from rampant epidemics. Yet, the various commanderies near Zhongshan have never had such afflictions in recent years, which shows the prowess of this young lady."

And then there are those wound medicines for the army.

Over these past few years, even they had, to some extent, procured them through various channels at high prices. Of course, something so expensive was destined from the start to be impossible to use on ordinary soldiers, and they couldn't afford the consumption either, so they were mostly used by military commanders.

Just this alone made Xun Yu inwardly grow increasingly concerned.

As the saying goes, it is not scarcity but inequality that is the worry, especially when it concerns matters of life and death. Such differential treatment. Even among the lower-ranking soldiers, there are certainly clever ones, and in the future, they might inevitably think more about it.

And even these... the reason they were able to obtain these medicines at high prices, Xun Wenruo had previously suspected that this might not be without the intention of that young lady.

It seems that in scheming against human psychology, this master of Northern Ji is likely not to be outdone.

Truly a formidable future rival.

Sharing this line of thought was his own lord before him:

"Speaking of which, when disciples of reclusive masters emerge into the world, they mostly assist various heroes, helping them create prosperous eras. Yet this one today is so extraordinarily different!"

"Perhaps there is some reason for it that we do not know!"

Gently twirling the jade cup in his hand, Xun Yu replied softly.

Recalling that meeting several years ago, instinctively, Xun Wenruo did not feel that the young lady was truly a person of great ambition.