Chen Xi was equally helpless. Lu Bu's overwhelming strength had caught him off guard, just as it likely troubled Yuan Shao's side now. However, compared to Yuan Shao's reported heavy losses, Chen Xi couldn't help but inwardly chuckle a bit, despite trying to maintain his usual calm demeanor. Liu Bei's forces had suffered over two thousand casualties, but Yuan Shao's situation seemed even more dire.
"Manru, do you have any accurate information on the Formation Breaker?" Chen Xi turned to Li You and asked.
"Even if I did, it wouldn't matter. The growth rate of Gao Shun's Formation Breaker Camp is terrifying," Li You replied, shaking his head. "That's why I suggested long ago that we shouldn't engage Lu Bu in open field battles. We need to use strategy. If the Formation Breaker Camp charges through, it'll be hard for us to stop them."
"I think instead of worrying about Lu Bu's Formation Breaker Camp, we should discuss whether or not to send Zilong to Yanzhou," Jia Xu interjected. "The White Horse Volunteers have been fully trained."
"The White Horse Volunteers can handle the Wolf Riders, as long as they don't act recklessly," Lu Su added. "I also agree that we should send Zilong to Yanzhou, leaving Xuzhou unguarded."
"Now we only have one internal threat left. Once it's dealt with, we can focus on Yuan Benchu," Chen Xi nodded, and everyone turned their attention to Li You.
"The timing isn't right. Yuan Shao is currently stretched too thin. Even if he gets help from Yuan Shu, Yuan Shu isn't in the right mindset to seize Xuzhou now," Jia Xu sighed, answering before Li You could speak.
"How about we try talking to Lu Bu?" Li You unexpectedly suggested, surprising Chen Xi.
"Talking?" Zhuge Liang looked up at Li You. "Although I'm not fond of Lu Bu's ways, Guo Jia's letter revealed several issues."
"We could try talking to Zhang Liao, Chen Gong, and Gao Shun," Lu Su said. "Lu Bu is powerful, but he isn't someone who can be easily subordinated."
"Offer him a price, then?" Li You rarely showed such a sinister smile. "If that's the case, why not offer a high price?"
"That's not a bad idea," Jia Xu, who had worked alongside Li You for many years, quickly grasped his meaning and coldly nodded in agreement.
"This plan could work. We could negotiate with Lu Bu and his key generals, like Zhang Liao, Chen Gong, and Gao Shun. If that doesn't work, we can approach others like Cheng Lian, Hao Meng, or Cao Xing. They may be second-tier generals, but they're all highly skilled in their own ways," Chen Xi suggested with a smile. He had neither a strong liking nor disliking for Lu Bu, but he knew that Lu Bu could never truly integrate into their group.
"Indeed, Chen Gong is a good choice," Lu Su agreed.
"I don't have much to do lately, so I'll go personally. Chen Gong has a good reputation and won't harm me," Liu Yan said, his face showing a hint of pride. Thanks to his connection with the imperial family and his successful ventures, Liu Yan had recently been granted a noble title. He had become somewhat thick-skinned and complacent with his success.
"That works. Spend more time with Chen Gong. If he joins our side, many of Lu Bu's other men will follow," Chen Xi nodded in agreement.
"Also, you should reach out to Xu Zi and Chen Kongzhang soon," Liu Yan suddenly remembered.
"Why?" Chen Xi asked curiously.
"I've persuaded Xu Zi to resume his Monthly Commentary and publish a comprehensive review. Kongzhang is planning to help with some editing, so..." Liu Yan hinted with a knowing expression.
"You can do that?" Zhuge Liang asked, puzzled.
In Zhuge Liang's memory, Xu Shao's Monthly Commentary was a highly prestigious activity, and Xu Shao himself was known for his strong character among the literati. When threatened by Cao Cao to provide an evaluation, Xu Shao had complied reluctantly. He had described Cao Cao as a capable minister in times of peace and a hero in times of chaos. This statement neither flattered nor insulted Cao Cao, who had forced him into giving the evaluation by threatening him with a sword. Xu Shao's integrity remained intact, but the incident had made him more cautious, and he had ceased his Monthly Commentary afterward.
Now, hearing Liu Yan's suggestion to influence Xu Shao's evaluations left Zhuge Liang astonished.
"He's been living off me, so of course, he needs to show some bias. However, I can only suggest it. Xu Zi will only favor you if the two candidates are of similar caliber. Congratulations, Kongming, you've made the list," Liu Yan chuckled, bowing slightly to Zhuge Liang.
Xu Shao wouldn't compromise his integrity, but when evaluating two closely matched individuals, he might be open to a bit of persuasion.
"Huh?" Zhuge Liang was momentarily stunned, then a smile crept onto his face. He quickly suppressed it, returning to a calm demeanor, though the hint of delight in his eyes was unmistakable. When Xu Shao had visited Xuzhou, both he and Pang Tong had sought an evaluation but had received none at the time.
"Will there be many people on the list?" Chen Xi asked curiously.
"Many. There will be evaluations of civil and military officials, young talents, weapons, fine horses, and even beauties," Liu Yan said, his expression shifting as he mentioned the last categories.
Seeing the group's puzzled expressions, Liu Yan clarified, "The first three categories will be evaluated by Xu Zi, while I arranged for the evaluations of weapons, horses, and beauties under his name. But rest assured, his reputation won't be tarnished."
"Oh? And how do you determine the rankings for weapons, horses, and beauties?" Chen Xi asked, raising an eyebrow. It seemed like Liu Yan was just trying to pass the time. After all, how could one possibly evaluate all the beauties in the land?
"Hmph! Over the years, I've traveled all across the thirteen provinces of the Han Empire—north to Youzhou, south to Jiaozhou, west to Shu and Yongliang, and east to Qingzhou and Jizhou. You believe me, right?" Liu Yan boasted proudly.
"We believe you," the group nodded in agreement. Liu Yan had indeed been traveling constantly in recent years.
"Hmph! Everywhere I went, prominent figures would gather, and beauties rarely came from poor families. There's a certain air about them that sets them apart, so..." Liu Yan explained confidently, and the group nodded along, completely unaware that they had veered off from discussing how to deal with Lu Bu.
"Who's ranked first?" Jian Yong asked, voicing the curiosity of all the men present.