Three Kingdoms: My Strategy Simulator

As soon as these words were spoken, Li Ji, who was riding a horse, subconsciously pulled the reins and stopped.

Li Ji did not answer Liu Bei directly, but asked, "My lord, how about letting the army rest for half an hour before continuing on our journey?"

After obtaining Liu Bei's permission, Li Ji immediately ordered the entire army to rest on the spot, and then ordered all guards including Xu Chu and Zhou Tai to retreat to a distance of 150 steps.

After the others had retreated, Li Ji, who had dismounted from his horse with Liu Bei, said with a sullen face.

"I object to the decision that my lord has just made."

"I have made up my mind. There is no point in opposing me." Liu Bei scolded.

"I object!" Li Ji repeated again.

Seeing this, Liu Bei also frowned and said, "Li Zikun, don't forget that I am the lord. Do you want to... disobey me?"

Seeing that Liu Bei was using his status to pressure him, Li Ji also refuted in a stern manner.

"This is a willful act, ignoring good advice, and is not what a wise leader should do. Bofu and Gongjin are enough to hold back Cao's army for a while. It is the safest approach for me to personally assist the lord in advancing north to Yishui."

Liu Bei retorted in a stern tone. "Zikun's suggestion is certainly good, but I have my own considerations and will not adopt it."

This sentence made Li Ji a little anxious.

Li Ji knew very well that Liu Bei insisted because he was worried about the outbreak of the plague and his own safety.

Li Ji might have been deeply moved by this, but how could he accept letting Liu Bei take greater risks for this?

Liu Bei regarded Li Ji as his brother, and Li Ji also regarded Liu Bei as a like-minded friend.
Originally, during the heated debate outside Xia Pi City, Li Ji even wanted to leave Liu Bei in Xia Pi and lead the army into Donghai County himself.

It was only under Liu Bei's insistence that Li Ji had to give in, and considering that if Liu Bei stayed by his side, the risk would be minimal.

However, what Li Ji did not expect was that Liu Bei would forcibly interfere with his military strategy for the first time at this moment.

And seeing that Liu Bei had no intention of reasoning at all, the anxious Li Ji could only start to argue and asked back.

"If you don't believe in my ability and judgment, why do you want me to be your military advisor and commander-in-chief? It would be better for me to step down and live in seclusion in the mountains."

Liu Bei's expression twitched and he retorted, "These are two different things. Why do you confuse them, Zikun?"

If Liu Bei did not trust Li Ji, how could he be willing to risk his own life to protect Li Ji's safety?

When it comes to military and political matters, Liu Bei's trust in Li Ji is unbreakable.

But the plague is a natural disaster and a man-made calamity. In Liu Bei's impression, Li Ji is still the weak scholar who would fall ill at any time.

But Liu Bei had his own persistence, and Li Ji also had his own considerations.

There are many uncertainties ahead. How can Li Ji let Liu Bei lead the troops alone?
If Liu Bei encountered any accident, the blow to Liu Bei's group would be immeasurable.

Li Ji's position in Liu Bei's group may be unparalleled, but Liu Bei is always the banner that truly unites people's hearts.

Just like the banner of aristocratic families held high by Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu, the banner of meritocracy held high by Cao Cao with the help of Xun Yu, and the banner of the imperial court held high by Lu Bu after he controlled Sili...

Different lords hold high different banners, and attract completely different types of loyal talents. For example, Xun Yu could not accept Liu Bei no matter what, and Zhuge Liang despised Cao Cao.

The banner of supporting the Han Dynasty and treating people with benevolence that Liu Bei held high also unknowingly attracted many like-minded civil and military officials.

Some of their ideas are not completely consistent, but the civil and military officials who joined Liu Bei for other reasons, under the influence of Liu Bei, would unconsciously work towards the goal of holding high the banner.

Therefore, once the lord encounters an accident, the entire group will often fall apart.

Therefore, whether out of selfishness or public interest, Li Ji could not agree with Liu Bei's decision, and said sternly, "My lord, do you really want to force me to die for my advice?"

As soon as these words came out, Liu Bei's originally hard attitude softened instantly, and he said urgently, "Zi Kun, don't be impulsive."

Li Ji bowed and said, "My lord, please take back your order."

Liu Bei subconsciously turned his back, waved his hand, and refused. "Impossible!"

Immediately, without waiting for Li Ji to continue speaking, Liu Bei, who had his back to him, tightly gripped the hilt of the sword at his waist and continued speaking.

"Da Ye can do without Liu Xuande, but it cannot do without Li Zikun."

"The people of Xuzhou must be rescued, and Zikun must not take any risks. Zikun should stay here to cover the rear and stop Cao Cao. This is the best solution for Yubei."

Li Ji's eyes twitched, and he gritted his teeth and said, "This is just a last resort."

"The worst strategy is not the worst, and this is also the truth."

Liu Bei said this with emotion and closed his eyes slightly.

At this moment, Liu Bei unconsciously recalled what Cao Cao said yesterday:

[If I kill Li Zikun, Guan Yu, and Zhang Yide, will you be able to remain calm? ]

No one is perfect, and Liu Bei knew he couldn't do it, and he even felt a little afraid about it.

For the sake of his great cause, Liu Bei was not afraid of death, but he could not accept anything happening to Li Ji, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei.

Therefore, even though Liu Bei knew that Li Ji's decision was the best, he always insisted on his own decision.

Thinking of this, Liu Bei said slowly.

"If Zikun still objects, then don't blame me for ordering Zhongkang to tie Zikun up by force."

At this moment, Li Ji looked at Liu Bei with his back to him, and he seemed to have lost all his strength and means.

No matter how clever and eloquent Li Ji was, it was obvious that Liu Bei knew everything, but he still insisted and even resorted to force Li Ji to submit. What else could be said?
After a long silence, Li Ji finally spoke slowly.

"In that case, my lord, please leave me 10,000 soldiers and horses."

"Ten thousand?"

Liu Bei shook his head and said.

"Cao has an army of 50,000 soldiers, plus Zhu Ling's 10,000 soldiers, totaling 60,000. How can 10,000 be enough to stop them? That leaves 50,000 soldiers for Zikun."

Leekie retorted.

"The number of troops is not important for the rear guard. If the lord continues to advance north, the key is to quickly break through the blockade of 30,000 Cao troops with the force of thunder. This requires more troops, at least twice as many as the enemy."

"So my lord, please give me at most 20,000 troops. That is the limit. No more."

Liu Bei sneered and said, "Compared to Zikun, I don't really claim to know military skills, but at least I have been around Zikun for many years. I can easily defeat Cao's army of only 30,000. Zikun doesn't need to worry."

Hearing these words, Li Ji's heart skipped a beat unconsciously.

If this was Liu Bei's consolation, it would be fine. But Li Ji was afraid that if Liu Bei was really so confident, the master and his minister might really fail in Xuzhou. (End of this chapter)