The Rebellious Officials and Traitors of the Late Han Dynasty

Chapter 493 Liu Bei's Delusion

Shi Xie immediately ordered envoys to be sent to the southern barbarians to try to unite them to fight against Qin Shou's southward army. At the same time, Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang also began to arrange defenses in full swing to prepare for the upcoming war.

In Cangwu City, Liu Bei stood on the tower, looking at the mountains and rivers in the distance, frowning. Although Zhuge Liang proposed a strategy of holding on and delaying, he was still a little uneasy. After all, Qin Shou's troops were far superior to theirs, and Wei Yan, Huang Zhong and others were all brave and good at fighting. The situation in Jiaozhou was not optimistic.

"My lord, don't worry too much." Zhuge Liang walked to Liu Bei's side and said softly, "Although Qin Shou has many soldiers and generals, his army has come from afar and it is difficult to get food and grass. In addition, the climate in Jiaozhou is hot and the miasma is everywhere. There must be epidemics in the army. We just need to hold on to the city and delay for a while. When their morale is low, we can wait for an opportunity to counterattack and we may have a chance of winning."

Liu Bei nodded, but there was still a trace of worry in his eyes: "Kong Ming, that being said, Qin Shou's navy has already moved south. If Gan Ning's navy joins the army, our army will be attacked from both sides. Although the Jiaozhou navy is familiar with the local waters, it is limited in strength after all. I am afraid it will be difficult to resist Gan Ning's attack."

Zhuge Liang smiled slightly and waved his feather fan. "My Lord, you are right. Therefore, I have ordered people to speed up the deployment of water forts and set up ambushes using the complex waterways of Jiaozhou. Although Gan Ning is good at water battles, the waterways of Jiaozhou are winding and full of reefs. If he is not familiar with the terrain and attacks rashly, he will be in trouble. In addition, I have ordered people to set up fire attacks along the coast. When his navy approaches, we can burn his ships in one fell swoop."

Liu Bei felt relieved after hearing this and nodded, saying, "Kong Ming is indeed a man of foresight. I feel at ease with you here. It's a pity for Cao Aman. If he could hold on for a little longer, allowing us to lay out our plans in Jiaozhou, I think we would be able to relax a little more."

Although he and Cao Cao do not get along, now is a critical moment of life and death. If Cao Cao is there, they can still occupy Jiaozhou and deal with the enemy.

"Don't worry, my lord. I have looked at the map provided by Shi Xie and found that there is still vast land in the south of Jiaozhou. After Qin Shou withdraws his troops, we can leave Jiaozhou and advance southward. We may be able to create a new world for ourselves." Zhuge Liang comforted him.

Liu Bei nodded, feeling sad. He knew that there was a vast land south of Jiaozhou, but he had no intention of using it.

Jiaozhou has a sparse population, a hot climate, and rampant miasma. Liu Bei didn't need to think about the situation in the south of Jiaozhou to guess what the environment there was like.

If possible, he would never go there, but if he got rid of that place, where else could he go?
Liu Bei looked outside, a trace of confusion on his face. He thought that he was originally a citizen of Zhuo County, in the northern border of the Han Dynasty, but now he was in the southernmost part of the Han Dynasty, thousands of miles away from home. He would never have the chance to see the big mulberry tree again in this life.

"Kong Ming, Jiaozhou?"

Liu Bei suddenly asked.

Zhuge Liang instantly understood what Liu Bei meant, but still shook his head. Shi Xie had a high prestige in Jiaozhou and had many elite soldiers and generals under his command. The terrain and people were all in the hands of the other party. It would be very difficult to seize Jiaozhou.

"What a pity." Liu Bei sighed, "I'm afraid that our Han Dynasty will really fall into the hands of traitors."

Zhuge Liang showed a trace of sadness on his face, but more of hatred. At this moment, Shi Xie summoned all the members of the Shi clan to gather in the meeting hall in Cangwu City.

Shi Xie sat in the main seat, his eyes swept over everyone, and he slowly said: "Everyone, Qin Shou's army is heading south, Jiaozhou is in danger. I have gathered everyone today to discuss a countermeasure. Whether to fight or surrender is related to the life and death of hundreds of thousands of people in Jiaozhou. Please speak freely."

Although he and Liu Bei agreed to advocate war, he knew the situation in Jiaozhou. This time he did not summon officials from Jiaozhou, but instead summoned members of the Shi clan to discuss the matter.

There was silence in the hall. After a moment, Shi Xie's younger brother Shi Yi stood up and said, "Brother, Qin Shou has many soldiers and generals, and his generals Gan Ning, Wei Yan, Huang Zhong and others are all brave and good at fighting. Although our army has the advantage of terrain, the disparity in strength makes it difficult to resist. In my opinion, it is better to surrender temporarily to save the people of Jiaozhou, and then make a comeback when the time is right."

As soon as Shi Yi finished speaking, a low voice of discussion broke out in the hall. Some people nodded in agreement, thinking that a head-on fight would be like hitting a rock with an egg; others showed indignation on their faces, obviously unwilling to surrender.

At this time, Shi Xie's third son Shi Hui stood up and said in a deep voice: "Uncle, what you said is wrong! Although Jiaozhou is remote and sparsely populated, it is mountainous and dangerous, and filled with miasma. Qin Shou's army has come from afar and will definitely not be able to adapt to the local climate. As long as we hold on to the city and delay the time, when their food and grass are exhausted and their morale is low, we may have a chance of winning. What's more, Liu Bei, Zhuge Liang and others have formed an alliance with our army. If we can work together, we may be able to repel Qin Shou!"

Shi Hui had his reasons for resisting. Although he was ranked third, he was favored by Shi Xie. Once Shi Xie died, he would be the ruler of Jiaozhou. In this case, how could Shi Hui surrender? Wouldn't it be great to establish a separate state and become a king?
Shi Hui's words resonated with many people, especially the young generals, who echoed: "Third Master is right! How can the people of Jiaozhou surrender so easily? Even if we fight to the last soldier, we must make Qin Shou pay the price!"

Shi Xie nodded slightly, turned his gaze to his counselor Huan Lin, and asked, "Duke Huan, what do you think?"

Huan Lin pondered for a moment and said slowly: "My lord, in my opinion, both fighting and surrendering have their pros and cons. If we surrender, although we can be saved for a while, no one can be sure of the fate of Jiaozhou in the future; if we fight, although the chances of winning are slim, if we can unite with Liu Bei, Zhuge Liang and others, and take advantage of the favorable terrain and people, there may be a glimmer of hope. Moreover, Qin Shou is an ambitious man. Even if we surrender, he may not treat the people of Jiaozhou well. Instead of waiting to die, it is better to fight!"

What about treating the people well and the fate of Jiaozhou? These are all nonsense. In the end, you still have to protect your own life and wealth. If you surrender to Qin Shou, these things may not be kept.

After hearing this, Shi Xie's eyes flashed with determination. He stood up and said loudly: "Everyone, my Shi family has guarded Jiaozhou for generations and is deeply loved by the people. Today, Qin Shou's army is approaching. If I surrender, I will not only be ashamed of my ancestors, but also the people of Jiaozhou! I have made up my mind and swear to fight Qin Shou! Even if I fight to the last soldier, I will never surrender!"

Upon hearing this, everyone in the hall stood up and said in unison: "We are willing to fight to the death with our lord!"

In the end, Shi Xie decided to fight to the death and never surrender.

(End of this chapter)