The generals' heated argument dragged on until Ji Ling finally turned to Li Ye.
"What do you think, sir?"
Li Ye stepped forward calmly. "Before I answer, let me ask you all something—are any of you capable of defeating Zhao Yun?"
The room fell silent.
Moments earlier, voices had clashed loudly, but now no one dared respond. The generals exchanged uneasy glances. After a long pause, Qin Yi spoke hoarsely, "If all of us attack together… we might have a better than fifty percent chance."
He hesitated, then added bitterly, "But we'd likely lose half our men."
No one refuted him.
They all knew the truth—Zhao Yun's charges were devastating. The first man to step forward would almost certainly die, and after witnessing that once, no one dared volunteer again.
"And don't forget," Qin Yi continued, "they also have Taishi Ci. His archery is deadly. With the two of them working together… our odds are slim."
The atmosphere turned heavy.
For over a month, Yuan Shu's army had clashed repeatedly with Yuan Xi's forces, yet gained nothing. Despite their superior numbers, they were completely pinned along the Huai River.
Zhao Yun led rotating waves of elite cavalry, striking again and again without rest. When one group tired, another took its place. Their armor was strong, their discipline unmatched, and each charge carved through Yuan Shu's ranks like a blade through mud.
Meanwhile, Taishi Ci's arrows struck with terrifying precision, picking off officers and sowing chaos.
What should have been an overwhelming army had instead become trapped—dragged into a war of attrition they could not win.
Ji Ling's expression darkened.
Even he, commander of the army, lacked the confidence to face Zhao Yun directly. He had once mocked other defeated generals—but now, standing in their place, he finally understood.
Li Ye broke the silence.
"If we cannot win, then staying here is pointless."
He paused, letting the words sink in.
"Our supplies will last no more than ten days. Even if we somehow repel them, we won't have the strength to advance further."
The truth stung.
Retreat meant punishment. Staying meant destruction.
Seeing their hesitation, Li Ye continued, voice firm:
"There are only two options now—continue attacking Guangling, or turn west and strike Xiapi. But one thing is certain: we cannot return empty-handed."
Chen Ji frowned. "If we change targets without orders, won't we be punished even if we win?"
Li Ye let out a cold laugh. "We already disobeyed orders when we failed at Tangyi."
No one argued.
That failure still weighed heavily on them.
Li Ye pressed on, "If we want to survive this, we must achieve merit. And Xiapi… is our opportunity."
He laid out the plan clearly—join forces with Lei Bo and Chen Lan, overwhelm Tancheng, and secure a decisive victory.
The generals slowly nodded.
It was risky—but it was their only path forward.
At last, Ji Ling stood.
"The army will move west," he declared. "Leave a rear guard and march to join Lei Bo and Chen Lan. We take Tancheng!"
Far away in Haixi, Lu Xun read the intelligence report and laughed.
"Our plan to divert the enemy west… has succeeded."
Beside him, Ju Shou nodded.
"To forge iron, one must be strong oneself. Without Zhao Yun and Taishi Ci holding them here, this plan would never have worked."
Lu Xun picked up another report, his expression sharpening.
"There are signs of a locust plague in Yuzhou."
He tapped the bamboo slip lightly.
"In half a month, it will spread across Yuzhou and Yanzhou. When that happens… only our food supply in Xuzhou will remain stable."
Ju Shou's eyes flickered.
"And then?"
Lu Xun smiled faintly.
"Then we strike both sides."
Ju Shou, however, remained cautious.
"Do not forget Sun Ce and Yuan Tan. Their intentions are unclear. In times like these, allies can become enemies overnight."
Lu Xun bowed respectfully.
"I understand."
Yet as he straightened, a shadow of concern crossed his face.
"If they both turn on us at once… can we withstand it?"
Ju Shou answered calmly:
"That is precisely when strategists must prove their worth."
The next day, Yuan Xi reviewed Lu Xun's overnight report.
Dozens of bamboo slips. Every detail accounted for. Every possibility mapped.
After reading, he let out a quiet breath.
"We've truly found a gem…"
According to the plan, all they needed now was patience.
Wait for the locust plague to peak.
Wait for their enemies to weaken.
Then strike.
As footsteps approached, Madam Du entered with tea—only to find Yuan Xi alone.
"Is Madam not here?"
Yuan Xi smiled faintly. "She found reading dull and went to the city wall."
Madam Du froze, suddenly unsure whether to stay or leave.
Yuan Xi looked at her, amused.
"Are you really that afraid of me?"
He gestured lightly.
"Stay. Talk with me for a while."
She hesitated at the doorway—caught between caution and something far more complicated.