Chapter Fifteen: Dong Zhuo’s War Potential

… Chen Xi sighed and began introducing Liu Bei to the formidable men of Yingchuan. “There are some who are not famous, yet any one of them, so long as his lord gives him sufficient authority, would be enough to establish himself as a regional power.”

Chen Xi’s greatest advantage was that he knew the future prospects of everyone. He also knew the abilities of all those whose names had entered history. After all, these men had been tested by history itself—some had proved themselves through achievements on the battlefield, while others had demonstrated their abilities in the affairs of the rear.

For the same reason, Chen Xi knew very well that the earliest strategist under Cao Cao, Xi Zhicai, and the five strategists who came afterward would probably be difficult to recruit.

Under Chen Xi’s introductions, Liu Bei’s eyes shone. Whether it was Chen Xi’s assessment of Xun Yu’s political strategy, his affirmation of Xun You’s resourcefulness, his analysis of Guo Jia’s wild and unrestrained way of thinking, or his description of Cheng Yu’s ruthless methods and numerous taboos, everything opened Liu Bei’s eyes. If these men truly possessed the abilities Chen Xi attributed to them, then any one of them, given even a single suitable platform, would be enough to turn the world upside down.

“Zichuan, you seem to know these men very well.” Liu Bei smiled. He very much wished to win such people over, but after hearing Chen Xi’s words, he estimated that only the uncle and nephew, Xun Yu and Xun You, offered any real hope. Of course, he also understood that even that hope rested on the fact that he was a kinsman of the Han imperial house—and that he would need a territory of his own.

“More or less. I have at least some impression of nearly every capable man under Heaven. To be frank, Dong Zhuo actually had a very good chance of defeating all the warlords of the realm. Unfortunately, his ambitions grew too vast, and he lost his way. He was no longer the brave warrior of Xiliang he had once been. The life of Luoyang had intoxicated him.”

A trace of pride appeared on Chen Xi’s face, but it was soon replaced by a hint of regret.

“Dong Zhuo actually possesses such strength?” Liu Bei raised an eyebrow, clearly skeptical.

“Indeed. He possesses such strength. He has the finest cavalry under Heaven. He commands the greatest martial general in the realm. At his side are two civil officials who rank among the ten greatest under Heaven, one of whom may even rank among the top three. He also holds the natural defenses of the Xiao and Han Passes, along with the strategic advantages of western Qin. Had he not been bewitched by the prosperity of the eastern passes, and instead proceeded cautiously and methodically, he might well have swallowed the entire realm as the Qin kings once did. Even now, though Dong Zhuo is lost in pleasure, should he awaken, he would still retain the strength to seize the imperial cauldron and capture the realm’s great prize.”

Chen Xi spoke with a sigh.

As for Li Ru, Chen Xi found him difficult to evaluate. Judging by Dong Zhuo’s present strength and the plans he had made before entering Luoyang, Li Ru’s ability would rank among the top ten even across the nearly century-long period stretching from the Yellow Turban Rebellion to the fall of western Shu. Yet after entering Luoyang, Li Ru seemed to have entered a period of confusion, and his strategic acumen declined in a straight line.

One had to understand that Li Ru had single-handedly raised Dong Zhuo from a mere warrior of Xiliang into the most powerful warlord of the late Eastern Han. Even when the eighteen allied lords marched against Dong Zhuo, Dong Zhuo still possessed the ability to annihilate every hero beneath Heaven. In that respect alone, Li Ru’s strategic brilliance absolutely belonged to the very highest tier of the entire late Eastern Han.

Most importantly, Chen Xi knew that Li Ru had once seen through the famous chain stratagem in history. He had spoken plainly to Dong Zhuo about it, but Dong Zhuo had ignored him. Li Ru had consequently already concluded that Dong Zhuo was doomed to die. When Lü Bu killed Dong Zhuo and began searching for Li Ru, Li Ru had already fled Luoyang and joined Li Jue. Later, when Cao Cao dealt with Li Jue, the man vanished without explanation.

As for the other strategist—Jia Xu—he too had been one of Dong Zhuo’s subordinates. He was certainly not some nameless clerk, as the popular tale portrayed him. Li Jue and Guo Si were generals who each commanded a hundred thousand Xiliang troops, yet after hearing Jia Xu’s words, they suddenly came to their senses and obeyed his direction without a second thought. If Chen Xi had not known Jia Xu’s abilities beforehand, would they really have been so willing to listen?

Liu Bei’s brows drew tightly together.

“The finest elite troops under Heaven, the greatest martial general under Heaven, two strategists among the realm’s top ten, one of whom may even rank among the top three, the natural defenses of the Xiao and Han Passes, and the strategic advantages of western Qin…”

With each phrase, Liu Bei unconsciously furrowed his brow more deeply.

“Leaving aside the finest elite troops under Heaven—who would dare claim the title of greatest martial general? And as for the civil officials among the realm’s top ten, who judged them to be so?”

“The claim regarding the greatest martial general will soon be proven. As for the realm’s top ten strategists, Xuande, consider where Dong Zhuo rose from, how long it took him to rise, and how vast his power is now.” Chen Xi gave a bitter smile. The question was truly difficult to answer, so he could only rely on facts.

Liu Bei pondered carefully, then nodded. “Indeed. To rise from a warrior of Xiliang to the Chancellor who now suppresses all the heroes of the realm—perhaps even the Marquis of Liu was no greater. What a pity that he has pledged himself to bandits!”

“…”

Chen Xi rolled his eyes and said nothing.

He did not agree with that statement. If Li Ru overturned them all, then whoever Li Ru called a bandit would be a bandit. Even those who were not would have to become one.

“As for the other strategist I mentioned, his strength lies in the endless stream of extraordinary stratagems he devises and the fact that his calculations never fail. He should be fairly easy to recruit. Once Dong Zhuo dies, all that is needed is someone capable of giving him a sense of security.” Chen Xi considered the matter, then added a few words about Jia Xu. Jia Xu was comparatively easy to win over, but only someone with sufficient strength could do so. If he looked down on you and felt no sense of safety, he would never follow you.

“His calculations never fail?” Liu Bei stared at Chen Xi in astonishment.

That was the highest praise one could give a strategist. In Liu Bei’s view, if Jia Xu truly deserved such an assessment, then Chen Xi’s earlier judgment had not been exaggerated at all.

“Yes. His calculations never fail. Whether the matter is a minor tactic or the grand momentum of the world, whatever he plans is certain to succeed.” Chen Xi sighed. “One could say that among the strategists who have entered the world at present, hardly anyone can stand against him. Well… the recently recruited Ju Gongyu under Han Wanjie of Ji Province might be able to exchange a few moves with him.”

Chen Xi had originally intended to say that, at this point in time, no one could compare with Jia Xu. Then he remembered that after Pan Feng’s death, Han Fu had summoned Ju Shou from his post overseeing Ji Province. In that respect, Han Fu’s foundations were astonishingly solid. No wonder Yuan Shao wanted to seize them. And when Chen Xi recalled that Zhang He was also under Han Fu’s command, he could not help feeling envious.

Indeed, Han Fu’s foundation was exceptionally substantial.

Liu Bei glanced awkwardly toward Han Fu’s tent. He had spoken quite pleasantly with Ju Shou, but he had never imagined that Ju Shou possessed such extraordinary depth.

“And what about you? What of you yourself, Zichuan?” Liu Bei asked with some curiosity. Chen Xi had spoken at length about many other people, yet had not mentioned himself.

“If we are talking about strategy, I am merely an armchair theorist. If we are talking about governance, then I am only capable of strange and fanciful ideas. As for genuine practical ability, I do not have much.” Chen Xi reflected for a moment before answering helplessly.

“Hahahaha! Why must you be so modest, Zichuan? Have you forgotten that ever since you entered my camp, everything you have planned has come to pass? Why be so timid?” Liu Bei first stared at Chen Xi’s helpless expression in surprise, then burst into hearty laughter.

In his eyes, Chen Xi’s present lack of confidence was merely the result of a young man’s natural reserve. Once he proved his strength, confidence would come to him naturally.

In this regard, Liu Bei was even more confident than Chen Xi himself. At least in Liu Bei’s view, Chen Xi’s words had always proven true, and whatever he planned was certain to succeed.