Chapter 353
Chapter 353 – Sima Yi's Potential
"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?'
