Choose Liu Bei at the start, I am the only one who knows the plot of the Three Kingdoms.

"Shiji, all you know is to ask Shizai. Don't you ask how we are?"

After Gu Rubing finished speaking, he laughed loudly and patted Zhong Hui on the shoulder.

Zhong Hui gave an awkward smile.

Of all the Lie Wang's camp, he had the best relationship with Deng Ai. Ever since he learned that Deng Ai had been captured, he hadn't slept well for a single day.

After all, Zhong Hui was a smart man, and he knew clearly what the other side's purpose was in capturing Deng Ai.

If the other party makes an exorbitant demand and Gu Rubing refuses, it's not impossible that the other party might kill Deng Ai in a fit of anger.

Zhong Hui became increasingly frightened as he thought about it, so when he saw Gu Rubing, especially when he saw that Deng Ai was not following behind Gu Rubing, he felt very depressed.

"My lord, you misunderstand! I'm more worried about your safety!"

Looking at the forced smile on Zhong Hui's face, it looked worse than crying.

"Alright, Shiji, don't worry, Shizai will be back soon. But before that, we need to evacuate Yizhou and Jiaozhou, and prepare 30 million shi of grain. Then Shizai will be back."

Zhong Hui never imagined that bringing Deng Ai back would require such a heavy price.

What surprised him even more was that Gu Rubing actually agreed to such a difficult request.

When Guan Yu heard this request, his expression was not good.

He didn't feel anything in other places, but in Jiaozhou, they had been stationed there for half a year.

Moreover, Zhuge Liang had been continuously improving the defenses of Jiaozhou for the past six months, and now he was about to retreat, which made Guan Yu somewhat unwilling.

Gu Rubing could also see Guan Yu's resentment, but there was nothing he could do about it.

Soon, news of a full-scale retreat was sent out, and Gu Rubing led Zhong Hui and the others to evacuate Yizhou and enter Jiangling City.

After receiving the order to retreat, Zhuge Liang immediately withdrew all the defensive lines to Lingling.

Currently, almost all of Gu Rubing's troops are in Jingzhou.

After all scheduling is complete.

Cao Cao, along with Jiang Wei, Deng Ai, and others, began the handover work at the border between Ba Commandery and Nan Commandery.

Gu Rubing led Zhao Yun, Pang De, and Guan Yu to Cao Cao.

"King Lie, aren't we supposed to be handing over the reins? Isn't this a bit too much of a show?"

When Cao Cao saw Zhao Yun and Guan Yu appear, a look of fear immediately appeared on his face.

Even Xu Chu and Dian Wei behind him couldn't help but tighten their grip on their weapons.

After all, judging from the lineup behind Gu Rubing, they didn't look like they were there to replace someone; they looked like they were there to kill someone.

"King Wei, don't worry. I have no intention of attacking you. It's just that things haven't been very peaceful lately, which is why I brought more men. In my opinion, as long as they don't have any ill intentions towards me, they generally won't be afraid of me, unless they have some other thoughts about me. Does that mean King Wei is afraid?"

"Ah? Haha, King Lie, you really know how to joke. How could I have any other thoughts? I just came to ask."

Seeing Cao Cao's awkward smile, Gu Rubing sneered.

The time I was ambushed must have been orchestrated by Cao Cao. If it weren't for Cao Cao, how could Sun Jian possibly mobilize Dian Wei and Xu Chu?
Soon, Jiang Wei sent Deng Ai to Gu Rubing's side.

"Your Highness, the person has been safely delivered to you. What happens after that is none of our business."

Gu Rubing nodded.

Seeing that everything was alright, Cao Cao breathed a sigh of relief and was about to turn and leave when...

Gu Rubing's voice suddenly came from behind.

"Wait a moment."

Upon hearing this, Cao Cao's expression immediately changed.

Xu Chu and Dian Wei drew their weapons and looked at Gu Rubing warily.

"Oh, what's going on here? King Wei, you've got quite the airs. Do you think you can be threatened by your men just because someone calls you?"

Cao Cao realized that he had indeed overreacted.

He waved to Xu Chu and Dian Wei who were standing to the side.

The two immediately put down their weapons.

"Your Highness has misunderstood. May I ask what business you have with me?"

"It's nothing much, I just wanted to tell you that you can just find someone to take the territory of the Anluo Empire yourself, but whether Sun Jian is willing or not, I don't know."

"Understood, thank you, King Lie!"

After saying this, Cao Cao quickened his pace and led his men away quickly.

"Hmph, Cao Cao, do you think that what happened last time is over? Wouldn't that make me too easy to bully?"

"My lord, what should we do next?"

Zhao Yun looked at Gu Rubing with a puzzled expression.

"No matter what, the territory of the Anluo Empire belongs to Sun Jian. He promised to give us Nisa before only because he wanted to use us to balance his relationship with Liu Zhang. Now that the matter in Youzhou is over, we have handed Nisa over to Cao Cao. Liu Zhang and Cao Cao are in the same camp. How could Sun Jian just stand by and watch Nisa fall into Cao Cao's hands?"

After Gu Rubing finished speaking, he couldn't help but laugh.

Things did indeed develop as Gu Rubing had predicted.

Upon learning that Liu Zhang and Cao Cao had occupied Nisa City, Sun Jian immediately dispatched Zhou Yu, Huang Gai, and Lu Xun with an army of 200,000 to besiege the city.

Cao Cao and Liu Zhang did not expect Sun Jian to have such a strong reaction.

The two of them only had 50,000 troops in total, and now these 50,000 men are completely surrounded and have been cut off from supplies.

At this rate, it won't be long before the 50,000 people in the city surrender due to lack of food.

In the end, not only will Nisa City not be obtained, but 50,000 people will also be lost.

After careful consideration, Liu Zhang and Cao Cao immediately dispatched the Gu clan to fight.

Gu Rubing was not afraid of the Gu Clan because of Hua Tuo, but Sun Jian did not have any divine doctors and was extremely afraid of the Gu Clan.

They still vividly remember the time when the Gu Clan attacked and wiped out 200,000 of his troops.

Upon seeing the Gu Clan appear on the battlefield, Sun Jian immediately ordered a retreat.

At the same time, Sun Jian also sent people to Jiangling City, where Gu Rubing was located, to request reinforcements.

Gu Rubing looked at the envoy from the Anluo Empire standing in front of him.

"Your King of Wu wants my help? My relationship with your king isn't good. What makes you think I'd help you?"

Upon hearing this, the messenger immediately delivered a letter to Gu Rubing.

"Your Highness, the King said that after you read this letter, he will definitely help us send troops."

"Oh?"

Gu Rubing opened the letter with some curiosity and discovered that it was not written by Sun Jian, but by Zhou Yu.

This passage describes all the benefits of helping Sun Jian.

"Zhou Yu is indeed quite clever." Gu Rubing smiled, then arranged for someone to take the envoy away to rest, while he himself headed to Zhuge Liang's place in Lingling County.

Upon learning of Gu Rubing's arrival, Zhuge Liang immediately led everyone out of the city to welcome him.

"I've met my lord!"

After saying this, Zhuge Liang took the lead and knelt down.

Gu Rubing helped Zhuge Liang up, and after everyone else stood up, he followed Zhuge Liang slowly into the city.

After entering the hall.

Gu Rubing handed the letter Zhou Yu had given him directly to Zhuge Liang.

Zhuge Liang glanced at it briefly.

He then simply put the letter aside.

"My lord, when I learned that you had handed over Nisa City to Cao Cao, I knew that this day would come. I must say, my lord, your decision was absolutely right."

It is indeed rare to receive praise from Zhuge Liang, especially since it is a genuine compliment.

“Now that Sun Jian is no match for the Gu Clan and has been retreating, this is indeed our opportunity. Zhou Yu’s letter says that as long as we help Sun Jian, we will get him to form an alliance with us. In addition, we will take back the port cities of the Anluo Empire and completely sever the relationship between Cao Cao, Liu Zhang and Anluo. These things are completely unimportant to us.”

Gu Rubing thought so too.

With the events in Youzhou over, Sun Jian had become insignificant.

Although we can't eliminate him for the time being, we really don't need to pay attention to him.

As for this ally, he is indeed not important to them.

Especially with an ally like Sun Jian, who's a fence-sitter and completely unreliable, there's absolutely no need for such an alliance.

"In that case, Prime Minister, shall we continue watching the spectacle?"

"Of course not. Isn't this fight between the old man and the clam exactly the result we want to see? Now it's time for us to reap the benefits. Doesn't Sun Jian want our support? If we support them, aren't they afraid of the Gu Clan? Then we'll share some medicinal powder with them. Without the threat of the Gu Clan, I think Sun Jian should be able to take back his territory."

Upon hearing this, Gu Rubing immediately realized what was happening.

Seeing Gu Rubing's expression, Zhuge Liang smiled.

"My lord, you've stayed in Nan Commandery all this time, so you must still want Ba Commandery, right? Now is our chance."

Gu Rubing also understood that now was the right time.

The Southern Commandery now has 150,000 troops, and Lu Su has gradually transported all the troops from Youzhou.

Even Lu Su is rushing to Nanjun.

Within Jiangling City, there are 150,000 soldiers and generals like Deng Ai, Zhong Hui, and Zhang Liao. Gu Rubing is already determined to launch a full-scale counterattack against Yizhou.

At this time, Cao Cao's mind was focused on the Anluo Empire and the great battle with Sun Jian, so he had no time to care about the affairs of Yizhou.

As Gu Rubing's herbs were continuously transported out from afar.

Sun Jian began a series of counterattacks.

Seeing that Sun Jian had lost his fear of the Gu tribe, Liu Zhang had no choice but to begin sending more troops into the Anluo Empire.

With those seven docks in place, Liu Zhang and Cao Cao's troops could reach the Anluo Empire at top speed.

Sun Jian's goal was simply to take over Nisa City; he had no intention of taking over the seven port cities.

The three parties were locked in a standoff outside Nisa City.

Gu Rubing had already quietly returned to Jiangling City.

At this time, Lu Su finally arrived in Jiangling City.

"My lord, everything in Youzhou has been settled, and the appointment of local officials has been completed. Here is the investigation report on the local officials; please take a look."

After Lu Su finished speaking, he waved his hand, and the soldiers carried over a pile of bamboo slips.

Gu Rubing glanced at a few casually, his mind not on them at all, since he trusted Lu Su to handle things.

"Alright, Zijing, we don't have time to deal with this right now. I trust you to do things. We have plenty of troops and supplies right now. I want to take Ba County. Do you have any ideas?"

"Take over Ba County?"

Upon hearing this, Lu Su walked directly to the map and carefully examined the terrain.

After a long while, Lu Su asked directly, "My lord, who are the people currently stationed in Ba Commandery?"

"Currently, in Ba Commandery, the commander-in-chief is Cao Ren, along with the Xiahou brothers, as well as Jiang Wei, Guo Huai, and others. Cao Cao already had 100,000 troops there. Originally, there were more, but with the rise of Cao Cao and Sun Jian, Sun Jian has called his troops back, which has reduced the number of troops in Ba Commandery."

Upon hearing this, Lu Su immediately analyzed the differences between the two sides.

As a result, Lu Su discovered that it was almost impossible to take over Ba County at this time.

Their only advantage is their numerical superiority, but the enemy is in a defensive posture; even with a numerical advantage of 100,000 against 150,000, the stronger side is still defending the city.

In terms of generals, the opposing side has Cao Ren, the Xiahou brothers, Jiang Wei and Guo Huai, while their side only has Deng Ai, Zhong Hui, Zhang Liao, Wei Yan and Zhang He.

The two sides were almost evenly matched, so neither side had an absolute advantage.

Without an absolute advantage, it would be extremely difficult to take down a city with 150,000 men against 100,000, especially when the enemy is defending it.

Seeing Lu Su shake his head, Gu Rubing knew that Lu Su did not think this was the right time to take action.

But Gu Rubing knew that if he didn't act now, he would basically have no chance of doing so later.

Once the battles between Cao Cao, Liu Zhang, and Sun Jian are over, their chances will be gone.

Just as Lu Su was about to say something, he suddenly turned his gaze to another location on the map.

That is Jianwei Commandery.

Lu Su finally placed his hand on Jianwei County.

Gu Rubing looked at Lu Su's fingers with a blank expression.

Jianwei County itself is somewhat special.

Although there are no natural fortresses, this place is very important to Yizhou, or rather, to its own battle route. Unfortunately, this county can only be used as a place to pass through, and it is impossible to defend it indefinitely.

Therefore, Gu Rubing never focused his attention on Jianwei County.

“Zijing, I want to take over Ba County. Ba County has Jiangzhou City and Linjiang City. Both of these cities are easy to defend and difficult to attack. With these two cities, we will have a safe base.”

Lu Su, of course, understood what Gu Rubing meant, and then waved his hand with a smile.

"My lord, Cao Cao is currently in Ba Commandery with 100,000 troops. It is obviously impossible for us to take him down in a short time. Therefore, we must force him to divide his forces. We cannot defeat this group of people gathered together, but to defeat them, we must defeat them one by one."

Upon hearing this, Gu Rubing seemed to understand Lu Su's meaning.

They must be lured away from Bavaria.

Gu Rubing stared at the map for a long time, then immediately ordered his soldiers to summon Zhang Liao.

Not long after, Zhang Liao walked in.

"My lord, you summoned me?" (End of Chapter)