Battle Royale of the Sinners

"Report, we found Gongsun Du's army. He is heading east toward Ganling City!"

Sima Fang and the 8-year-old Sima Yi were overseeing the reserve forces of 10,000 trainees and 10,000 anti-riot policemen.

These policemen had been trained in Julu, which Sima Fang transferred them to Ye City along with him. Now, he could use these policemen to administer the officials and maintain order in Ye City.

As for Julu, Zhang Jiao took over his position as the Minister of Justice. Sima Fang trusted this former Yellow Turban founder since he always rejected all proposition about the Yellow Turban revival.

"Do not engage in a fight. Pressure Gongsun Du to the east. Drive them to Fagan County!"

Fagan County located south of Ganling City. As Tong had not integrated all territories in Ganling Commandery into a part of his kingdom, Fagan County was still not under his rule.

Sima Fang wanted to use Gongsun Du as a tool to wither all resistance within Fagan County. Since there might be a greedy mayor or a short-sighted governor, Gongsun Du could fight them in their stead. Then, Tong and others could occupy those territories later.

Meanwhile, Sima Yi observed his father and the soldiers. He kept glancing back and forth between the empty strategic map and his father's face.

Noticed his son's reluctant, Sima Fang looked at Sima Yi.

"If you have something to say, say it out loud, Zhongda."

Sima Yi flinched. He was scared of his father as Sima Fang was strict with his teachings and Sima Yi's upbringings.

"I-I-I think it's a bad idea, father. Err, if we let them loose, they will recruit more soldiers in Fagan and use them against us."

"They don't have enough supplies and gold. How can they conscript soldiers? If they do, they will be committing political suicide."

"Political suicide or not, they will forcefully conscript peasants and enslave the local people. Father, you must not allow them to occupy any county or a city. We should force them south beyond the Yellow River and let them pester Cao Cao and Zhang Miao instead."

Sima Fang narrowed his eyes. Although he did not know what Te Langpu had taught him when they were in Julu, this child revealed his potential as a promising scholar lately.

Sima Yi always came up with new ideas when Sima Fang encountered a problem. The father had consulted with his son many times, which he realized that Te Langpu influenced his son's way of thinking.

One of Sima Yi's weird motto was "Think outside the box," which was unusual for a scholar like Sima Fang.

"Let's send 10,000 policemen to occupy Fagan before Gongsun Du, father. We don't have to govern the city. We can just bribe the mayor or the governor there with our excess food, so we can place our banners there for a few months."

"Zhongda, that won't be enough to force them down south. Their home base located in Beiping and Xiangping, so they will have to find their way north eventually."

"Exactly. Because their goal is north, they will head south."

"Huh? You don't make any sense here, Zhongda."

"Warlords aren't stupid or naïve, father. Gongsun Du has limited supplies and soldiers while he wandered in their enemy's territories. They won't want to fight us or plow through our lines of defenses. If they do, our Silver Axe Legion is waiting for him, and he will be trapped again. Instead of breaking through our lines, they will look at the Yellow River as their haven since they can fish for food. While they are at it, they will attempt to sail toward the eastern sea, so they can sneak along the coastline to Xiangping. On their journey, they will eventually cross with Cao Cao and Zhang Miao, which will give Gongsun Du another headache."

Sima Fang frowned as he looked at the sparkling eyes of his son. He seemed to be enjoying this.

He wanted to believe in his son, but this idea still came from a child. Furthermore, this matter involved many people, so Sima Fang could not use his judgment alone.

Without a solution, Sima Fang consulted it with the real experts.

A minute later, Sima Fang told everything his son said to the clan chat.

Xun Yu: "That's an interesting proposal."

Jia Xu: "Your son is smart."

Ju Shou: "I can't find a better move than this. Please arrange your troops according to your son, sir Sima."

Sima Fang was speechless by their quick reaction and answers.

Sima Fang: "Are you sure? He's only eight this year, and he has never led a troop."

Li Feihong: "I think you should follow your son's suggestion. He's right in a sense. We don't want him to forcefully conscript soldiers from Fagan County or nearby counties even if they will weaken their remaining resistance forces."

Li Feihong: "I've picked up and carrying Mountaineer, Ghost, and the Immortal Legion with me. I'm at Liyang ATM. Do you want me to deploy any force in any location?"

Ju Shou: "Deploy our Ghost at Liyang, please. Have Zhang He follow Gongsun Du from behind. Also, please move ahead to Fagan County and place the Mountaineer there. Send Zhang Liao to take over Fagan County before Gongsun Du's forces arrive. As for senior Sima, you don't have to move east. Please continue barricading the northern lines."

Li Feihong: "Will do."

Again, Sima Fang was astonished by their quick response and efficiency, especially Li Feihong's ability to transfer troops with his teleportation skills.

'Military wise, their foundation is solid, but their domestic improvement and human assets can't keep up with the expansion. We need more talented officers to govern these cities and counties.'

'Once Zhang Tong returns, I will ask him to transfer Lu Zhi and Ju Shou to the domestic division. We have more than enough talented strategists.'

Sima Fang turned to his son, "We'll follow what you suggested. If this campaign succeeds, I'll give this credit to you."

The child shook his head, "No need! I enjoy working behind the scenes. I don't want a promotion or a position in the court."

Sima Fang's frown deepened as he stared into the eyes of Sima Yi.

"Why?"

"Getting recognition is fine, but getting too much attention to oneself is bad. It attracts jealousy, envy, and troubles!"

Listening to his son's weird vision, Sima Fang mouth curled in a faint smile.

"You sounded like you were an elite politician. Where did you learn that?"

"Err, I observed everyone in the court and came up with this myself. I've seen too many infighting among the officers lately, and the source of the conflicts are mostly petty reasons."

"…"

Sima Fang wanted to comment and compliment his son, but he chose not to. Since Sima Yi had an interesting mindset for a politician, the old father would not spoil it or let Sima Yi get on his high horse.

Then, Sima Fang recalled that he had just reported that this idea came from his son. He smacked his forehead in regret.

'I'm stupid. I shouldn't have bragged it to the others.'

Even if Sima Fang was always serious and stern, the pride of having a good son got the better of him, and his tongue slipped.

'I need to control myself more.'

Little did he know, Tong, Friday, Li Feihong, and Te Langpu had been keeping tabs on his family. Everything they did was under their surveillance.

.

All their conversation in the clan chat did not escape Tong's eyes.

He had recovered from his grieve over Hua Shi and He Xing's death, and he was recollecting his future plans. Then, Sima Yi was mentioned during this chaotic period.

'I wonder if he's usable now. Should I use him before he comes of age?'