Three Kingdoms: My Strategy Simulator

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Liu Bei looked surprised, and then said with some displeasure, "It's fine if others keep persuading me, but Zikun, don't you know what I'm thinking?"

"The turbulent times are not over yet, the great cause has not been accomplished, we should fight against the Han thieves in the north as soon as possible and support the Han Dynasty. How dare we have the thought of enjoying ourselves?"

After hearing this, Li Ji explained.

"My lord, you have misunderstood. Ji naturally understands that your will is strong and cannot be shaken by external factors, but others may not know this, especially Cao Cao and Lu Bu. This is a perfect opportunity for the plan of repairing the plank road in the open while secretly marching through Chencang."

"Ok?"

Liu Bei was slightly startled, put down the wine cup in his hand, thought for a while, and then asked.

"Zi Kun, is this intended to confuse Cao Cao and Lu Bu, making them mistakenly believe that I am content to enjoy myself and no longer have the ambition to fight the Northern Expedition?"

"Goodbye, my lord."

Li Ji offered a little flattery, and then briefly explained the current situation of the Han Dynasty to Liu Bei.

It has been nearly two years since Liu, Cao and Lu gradually formed a three-way balance of power after swallowing up the two states of Yu and Xu.

Regarding the changes in the princes, Youzhou gradually began to be incorporated into Liu Bei's rule. Liu Zhang also gradually established his advantage in the dispute between brothers and gradually took control of Yizhou. Zhang Lu of Hanzhong repeatedly used military forces against Yizhou but to no avail.

Ma Teng, Han Sui and the remnants of Dong Zhuo in Liangzhou and Sanfu were provoked by Chen Gong to split and fight again after the Western Liang army they formed years ago was defeated by Lu Bu.

During the nearly two years when the Liu, Cao and Lu families were recuperating, the princes located on the west side of the Han Dynasty remained in disarray. They were almost completely left behind and had no possibility of participating in the struggle for hegemony.

In domestic affairs, Lu Bu undoubtedly developed the worst due to the backlash of his regicide, but the Bingzhou Wolf Cavalry under his command, which had fought in the south and the north for many years and repeatedly defeated the Xiliang Iron Cavalry, had gradually become the best cavalry in the world.

Especially when the cavalry of Youliang and Two States had suffered heavy losses, they suddenly became the only cavalry group of sufficient size in the Han Dynasty.

Relatively speaking, although Cao Cao lost Xun Yu, he had many good administrators under his command. In addition, with the foundation of the "military farming system" laid by Xun Yu earlier, his domestic development was undoubtedly much stronger than that of Lu Bu.

Cao Cao might still be quite tight on money, but at least the food and grass shortage had been completely relieved.

The development under Liu Bei's rule can be completely summarized in six words: "beginning to show signs of prosperity." Not only did it develop in people's livelihood, but even the aristocratic families in Jing and Yang states, following the example of the aristocratic families in Yu and Xu states, began to try to go out to sea.

Nearly 80% of the useful land in Yizhou has been taken away by aristocratic families for development.

As long as the wealthy and powerful families can truly gain benefits from it, they will enter a virtuous circle, and gradually transform from leeches lying on the big men's bodies into eagle claws and fangs that expand outward.

However, it was precisely because Yangzhou was already prosperous and peaceful, and Liu Bei had decided to establish his capital south of the Yangtze River, that Liu Yu became very worried.

It only takes another year, and once the various policies under Liu Bei's rule are further accepted and supported by the people, the political situation will be further stabilized.

In addition, the various states and counties have gradually completed the implementation of the military household system, and the military households also need sufficient time to train their troops.

Finally, Li Ji added with a smile.

"In a year at the earliest, or a little over a year at the latest, it will be time to lead a large army to the north, clear the world, and unify the country."

"But the two thieves Cao and Lu also know the threat from the lord, and they may have made an alliance in secret and are ready for war at any time."

"Therefore, my lord, if you can create some illusions, even if it only has one or two percent effect, it will be great."

Liu Bei couldn't help but nod in agreement. "What Zikun said makes a lot of sense."

It doesn't matter whether Cao and Lu are completely convinced, but as long as they can make them relax a little and their subordinates become a little careless, that would be great. Of course, this was just a suggestion made by Li Ji.

Li Ji is now following the upright kingly way and intends to unify the world with his absolute strength. Such a suggestion is just a casual move that comes to him suddenly.

However, Liu Bei was quite concerned about this.

But knowing that Li Ji was busy on weekdays, he probably had no time to further consider and study such trivial matters, so he simply summoned his trusted advisers such as Xu Shu, Jian Yong, and Jia Xu to discuss the matter.

But there are some difficulties, that is, Liu Bei will become the King of Han and the banner of the Han Dynasty.

If he were to indulge in wine and women and sell official positions and titles like the late emperor, it would indeed be easy to display the late emperor's legacy, but it would also greatly damage his reputation in the eyes of the people. This is something Liu Bei was unwilling to accept, and it would be a case of losing the big picture for the small.

This is enough to make the two thieves Cao and Lu behave in a paralyzed manner. The news must be spread within a certain level and will not spread to the people. Even if it spreads to the people, it will not cause any waves.

This degree is undoubtedly not so easy to grasp.

However, with Xu Shu's advice and Jia Xu's occasional additions, Liu Bei gradually came up with a plan.

At the same time, the auspicious day for Liu Bei to become king was also finalized.

It was set on August 5, which was also the time when Emperor Guangwu Liu Xiu rebuilt the Han Dynasty. Liu Bei proclaimed himself king on August 5 to make his ambitions clear to the people of the world.

However, news came back from Sili that Lu Bu, despite numerous criticisms and even the threat of troops stationed on the border, fabricated a story about his ancestry as a descendant of King Wuling of Zhao and proclaimed himself King of Zhao.

Li Ji, who knew about this, couldn't help but sneer and commented.

"I will destroy this false king."

Although Li Ji could guess that Lu Bu would most likely choose to declare himself king in order to eliminate the notoriety of being a Han minister who killed his king, he was still both angry and amused by Lu Bu's crude political tactics.

After returning the throne to King Wuling of Zhao, Li Ji was really amused.

Why didn't Lu Bu choose to go all the way in one go and directly say "After Yanhuang"? This would at least make it impossible for people to refute it. It would be really a waste of time.

Soon after, when Li Ji asked Gu Wei to bring a series of arrangement documents regarding the coronation ceremony to meet Liu Bei.

Liu Bei was obviously also sulking about Lu Bu's becoming king, but when he saw Li Ji, a smile appeared on his face.

"My lord, are you angry with Lu Bu?" Li Ji asked.

"The one who understands me is Zi Kun."

Liu Bei sighed and said, "If we don't curb this trend as soon as possible, I'm afraid it won't be long before another clown will continue to claim to be king or emperor."

Although during the reign of Emperor Ling of Han, there was a rebellion in Xuchang in the south where a man proclaimed himself "Emperor Yangming" and in the north Zhang Chun colluded with foreign races and attempted to establish himself as emperor, these were minor problems confined to one state.

But Lu Bu's influence was enormous. He claimed to be king like a thief without following political rules. He was no different from those rebels. He continued to rub the little face that was left in the Han Dynasty.

"My lord, please don't be upset. As long as you become king, you can let the world know that the Han Dynasty still exists..."

After a pause, Li Ji continued.

"Besides, Lu Bu is just about to die and it is unknown. My lord, please wait for a few more years. I will capture Lu Bu and bring him to you. You will decide his fate." (End of this chapter)