Three Kingdoms: My Strategy Simulator

"Really?" Zhang Fei asked, his voice a mix of surprise and joy.

"What's really?"

Liu Bei, who had caught up from behind with a worried expression on his face, asked Zhang Fei.

"Big brother, it seems Master Zikun already has a plan."

Zhang Fei shouted boisterously, his face full of delight.

As the Yellow Turban bandits acted exactly as Li Ji had predicted, Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei no longer had any doubts about Li Ji's abilities.

Liu Bei was first stunned, then overjoyed. He quickly spurred his horse to Li Ji's side, just about to speak when he suddenly noticed Li Ji swaying as if about to fall from his horse.

"Zikun!"

Liu Bei hurriedly called out, quickly dismounting and supporting Li Ji.

Li Ji, who had just opened his eyes and felt a darkness before him, felt himself recover after several breaths and said,

"Brother Xuande, I am alright."

"Zikun, were you just performing a deduction again?" Liu Bei asked with concern.

These past ten days of acquaintance had given Liu Bei a good understanding of Li Ji's condition. He understood that Li Ji had an amazing talent for deduction, but each deduction also placed a great burden on him.

From the initial fainting upon meeting, to the time his face suddenly turned pale, and now this obvious decline in complexion, Liu Bei, no matter how slow he was, had already realized it.

"It's nothing, I just need to rest for a moment," Li Ji said.

This time, Li Ji wasn't entirely trying to reassure Liu Bei.

Although using the 'Strategy Simulator' to deduce the impact of strategies on wars involving tens of thousands of people naturally created a considerable burden, as long as there was enough interval between each use, Li Ji wouldn't be completely drained right away.

What made Li Ji feel uncomfortable was more the fact that too much information was crammed into his mind at once.

When it's completely full, one would naturally feel a bit dazed.

"Rest, good! Good!"

Even though Liu Bei was extremely anxious about resisting the Yellow Turban bandits, he didn't hesitate to order the soldiers to rest on the spot.

"No, Brother Xuande, we shouldn't waste any more time. We should return to the camp now. I can rest for a moment on horseback," Li Ji said.

Liu Bei hesitated for a moment, carefully observed Li Ji's complexion, and then nodded in agreement.

However, Liu Bei didn't remount his horse. Instead, he directly led Li Ji's horse back towards the camp.

"Brother Xuande, what are you doing?"

Li Ji was a little stunned by Liu Bei's actions.

"I know you are not good at riding, and now you are unwell. I'm worried you won't be able to control the horse, so let me lead the horse for you," Liu Bei replied as a matter of course.

"That's not appropriate. I'm fine," Li Ji quickly said.

Liu Bei said in a tone that brooked no refusal.

"I will remember your kindness to me. What is a mere horse-leading? If I weren't currently lacking in resources, I would certainly have you ride in a carriage, and I would personally hold the whip for you."

This… This…

Li Ji didn't know if Liu Bei was speaking from the heart or putting on a show, but let alone in this era of clear distinctions in etiquette, even in Li Ji's memories of his previous life,

It was always the employees working like oxen and horses, while the boss enjoyed himself with young models, so how could there be a boss like Liu Bei who was willing to lead a horse for his subordinate?

And Zhang Fei, who was following behind, twitched his face a few times, opened his mouth several times, but managed to hold back.

However, Li Ji occasionally heard some of Zhang Fei's soft muttering.

"It doesn't matter, I will always be the most beloved third brother of Big Brother," "When I make great contributions in the future, maybe Big Brother will lead a horse for me once," "Master Zikun is also one of us," and so on…

…

As the group returned to the camp, they quickly summoned Guan Yu to the tent.

Inside the tent, Liu Bei, Li Ji, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei were all present. Liu Bei sat in the main seat, Li Ji on the right, and Guan Yu and Zhang Fei sat on the left.

However, Liu Bei obviously didn't have much awareness of being a lord yet, or rather, in front of Li Ji and his two sworn brothers, Liu Bei had no intention of putting on airs.

After Guan Yu arrived, Liu Bei asked Li Ji, "Zikun, has your health recovered?"

"Brother Xuande, don't worry," Li Ji replied.

Liu Bei nodded and then said, "Good, then how my three brothers and I should act next, we will all listen to your command."

"Since that's the case, then I will accept your offer," Li Ji nodded, then stood up and walked to the center of the tent, in front of the large map of the surrounding terrain of Daxing Mountain that had been prepared in advance. He said,

"I already have a clear understanding of how to break the Yellow Turban bandits' plan."

Unlike his usual calm and refined temperament, Li Ji now exuded a sense of confidence and said,

"I intend to divide the soldiers into two groups. Brother Xuande, you will lead one thousand, and Yunchang, you will lead one thousand…"

As he said this, Li Ji glanced at Zhang Fei, who wanted to say something but stopped, and then continued,

"Brother Xuande, you will prepare more fire oil and other things to be buried in the mountain recesses on the left and right sides of this dense forest. When you hear shouts of killing in the dense forest, immediately set fire to the left and right edges of the forest."

Hearing this, Liu Bei frowned slightly, but still couldn't help but whisper,

"Zikun, I also passed by that place just now. There is no wind in that dense forest. Even with fire oil and other flammable materials, without wind, it will be difficult to create a raging fire in a short time."

"It's alright," Li Ji waved his hand, interrupting Liu Bei, and then continued,

"Brother Xuande, just act according to the plan. After igniting the left and right sides of the dense forest, quickly lead those one thousand soldiers to the valley entrance behind the forest to set up a formation, cutting off the Yellow Turban bandits' retreat, and not allowing a single person to escape."

"Yes," Liu Bei replied in a deep voice, although he had many doubts in his heart.

Afterward, Li Ji looked at Guan Yu and pointed to the front of the dense forest, saying,

"Yunchang, you will lead one thousand soldiers to wait here in leisure. When the Yellow Turban bandits are approaching, just charge forward to kill generals and seize flags."

As Li Ji's finger drew a circle on the map, Liu Bei and Guan Yu gradually saw the clue. Obviously, Li Ji was planning to set up a pocket formation in the dense forest in the Daxing Mountain, and was planning to swallow the Yellow Turban bandits in one fell swoop with a weak force of less than two thousand.

However, even though Guan Erye looked down upon the world, he stroked his long beard and said,

"Master Zikun, there are so many Yellow Turban bandits, I'm afraid this pocket won't be able to hold them all, right? If the pocket breaks, not only will Guan be trapped in it, but Big Brother will also be attacked from the front and back. Should we reconsider?"

"Furthermore, Third Brother has already angered the Yellow Turban bandits, and the Yellow Turban crowd is vast and numerous, numbering in the tens of thousands. Not to mention that this dense forest may not be able to accommodate tens of thousands of Yellow Turban troops, the soldiers that Big Brother is ambushing in the mountain recesses on the left and right sides of the forest will probably be easily discovered."

"Please, Master Zikun, explain, otherwise, forgive Guan for not being able to obey."

Li Ji was not angry when he heard this, but instead looked at Guan Yu with a smile.

Among Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei, Guan Yu was undoubtedly the most talented in command, and the problems he pointed out were all crucial points.

Pocket formations are often set up by the side with superior forces to try to annihilate the side with inferior forces.

Now, Liu Bei's force is only two thousand people. To put it bluntly, two thousand people can't even irrigate much vegetable land, but the number of Yellow Turban troops is dozens of times that of Liu Bei's force.

Once a thin-skinned and heavily-filled pocket formation breaks, it will be completely ruined, and Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and the two thousand soldiers will have no chance of survival.

What Guan Yu was most worried about was, even if the pocket formation didn't break, how many enemies could two thousand soldiers swallow?

However, before Li Ji could explain, Liu Bei took the lead in expressing his support.

"Yunchang, Zikun must have a reason for making such a plan."

"Big Brother, it's not that I don't trust Master Zikun. Guan also knows of Master Zikun's abilities, but this kind of plan is really absurd and whimsical," Guan Yu said in a deep voice.

"Zikun's talent is far above you and me, and Zikun is like a brother to me, how could he harm me?"

Liu Bei said, even with a bit of reprimanding tone.

Immediately, Liu Bei took the initiative to express his position to Li Ji.

"I will definitely act according to the plan and will never let any Yellow Turban bandits escape the dense forest. If there is any mistake, you can cut off my head."

Seeing this, Guan Yu gritted his teeth and could only follow suit. "Guan will also act according to the plan, but if Big Brother makes any mistakes, Master Zikun, don't blame Guan for not being merciful."

Li Ji smiled calmly and confidently, and didn't say anything.

The point is, even if Li Ji could try to explain, it would involve a series of deduction-related content, which might only confuse the generals more.

Just like Zhuge Kongming accurately predicting the weather several days in advance each time, initially there were many disbelievers and doubters, but later, even Guan Yu and Zhang Fei were deeply convinced.

Now, Li Ji's idea is also the same…

Since the goal is to become Liu Bei's strategist, then can't always specially explain to the generals every time Guan Yu and Zhang Fei encounter something difficult to understand and difficult to explain thoroughly?

Can explain, but there's no need.

In daily interactions, Li Ji doesn't mind the two sides establishing a harmonious and friendly atmosphere, but when it comes to strategies and military affairs, the relationship between the commander and the executor must be clear.

Moreover, with Guan Yu's arrogance, lowering one's voice will not win his respect and admiration. Only by showing sufficient ability will he listen and obey.

Immediately, Li Ji looked at Zhang Fei, who was already impatient, and a clear hesitation was revealed on his face.

This was almost a blatant bait, and Zhang Fei couldn't help but bite the hook, taking the initiative to ask.

“Mr. Zikun, what about my task? What am I supposed to do? And those soldiers were all recruited with my family's wealth, why are they all assigned to be led by Big Brother and Second Brother?”

Li Ji pondered for a moment, then said with some hesitation.

“Ji indeed has a crucial task to entrust to Yide, but is worried that Yide will act rashly and not listen to orders. If that happens, not only will the two thousand soldiers be in danger, but Xuande and Yunchang's lives may also be at risk, hence the hesitation.”

Zhang Fei widened his eyes, stood up abruptly, and shouted.

“Does Mr. Zikun look down on me so much? I have always acted meticulously and carefully, how could I be rash and incompetent?”

Immediately, the expressions of Liu Bei and Guan Yu, who were listening from the side, became a bit strange. They exchanged glances, trying to suppress their laughter.

Zhang Fei and meticulousness really didn't go together.

“If Ji needs Yide to tarnish his reputation?” Li Ji asked.

“Reputation is like fleeting clouds to me, as long as it doesn't damage loyalty and righteousness, it's all fine.” Zhang Fei patted his chest and replied.

“If Ji needs Yide to feign defeat and flee?” Li Ji asked.

“Warfare is based on deception, feigning defeat is also fine.” Zhang Fei replied.

“Good.”

Li Ji nodded and said.

“In that case, Ji will hand over all the horses to Yide, and let Yide select those skilled in horsemanship from all the soldiers to form a cavalry, and then have the cavalry under his command ambush on the north side of the Juma River here.”

As he said this, Li Ji took out something from his bosom and handed it to Zhang Fei, saying.

“The day after tomorrow, in the early morning, Yide will lead the Yan Yun Eighteen Riders to the front of the Yellow Turbans, then open this item, and act according to what is written in the brocade pouch inside.”

“Why can't I open the brocade pouch now?” Zhang Fei asked.

Why?

If I open it now and let Liu Bei see the words inside the brocade pouch, I'll lose my image…

Li Ji looked at Zhang Fei with a smile and asked.

“Is Yide willing to obey orders?”

Zhang Fei grinned and said loudly.

“Zhang Fei accepts the order!”

Immediately, Li Ji patted Zhang Fei's shoulders forcefully with both hands and said.

“Yide, you must remember, our lives are all in your hands, be sure to act according to the brocade pouch.”

“Mr. Zikun, please rest assured, even if I die, I will never ruin your grand plan.” Zhang Fei patted his chest with a "thump thump".

After wielding the big stick, Li Ji did not forget to give Zhang Fei two rotten dates, and said.

“Yide, as long as you act according to the plan, Ji guarantees that after this battle, you will surely become famous throughout the Han Dynasty, so that the heroes of the world will hear the name 'Yan Man Zhang Yide' and be terrified, with few daring to compete with you.”

“Really?” Zhang Fei widened his eyes and said happily.

“Really!”

Li Ji replied with a definite tone, and then said. “However, Yide also needs to promise me one thing.”

“Let alone one thing, even ten or a hundred things, I will promise you.” Zhang Fei guaranteed.

“Yide is indeed a loyal and righteous person.”

Li Ji first praised him, making Zhang Fei's heart bloom with joy, then changed his tone and replied.

“That is because Ji deeply feels that his talent is insufficient, and intends to hide behind the scenes, so please do not publicize my role in this plan to anyone.”

However, as soon as Li Ji said this, before Zhang Fei could react, Liu Bei couldn't help but speak out.

“Zikun, how can you do this? This is originally your credit, no one can take it away.”

Li Ji waved his hand and said.

“Brother Xuande, I have made up my mind on this matter, and I am not a person who covets vain fame, please do not persuade me, as long as Brother Xuande can remember Ji in his heart, that is enough.”

“Bei, will never dare to forget.” Liu Bei replied with tears in his eyes.

At this moment, Li Ji's already tall image in Liu Bei's heart was almost instantly elevated to an unprecedented level.

Not seeking fame, not seeking profit, only for some kindness and the great righteousness of protecting the people, Li Ji has been silently giving.

'How can there be a more righteous person in the world than Li Zikun?'

Liu Bei thought silently, but he didn't know that Li Ji's eyes flashed a bit strangely from time to time when he looked at Zhang Fei, his mind full of certain memes.

[What about repaying the favor! In the future, if you cause trouble, just don't mention your teacher.]

Immediately, Li Ji cupped his hands towards Liu Bei and said.

“Whether this plan can succeed or not, next it will all depend on Brother Xuande, Yunchang, Yide, and the many soldiers giving their lives.”