Three Kingdoms: I choose Xiao Qiao and Da Qiao, why are you crying, Diao Chan?

Chapter 256: Chen Gong is late but wise! (Thanks to Junwet and Zhang Jingjun for their monthly ticket support~)

Looking at the eunuch's smiling face, Lu Bu curled up the corners of his mouth:
"Please rest in the mansion for a few days. I will give you a reply after discussing with the ministers."

The answer seemed familiar, and the eunuch nodded and left as if he had seen it before.

Lu Bu held the imperial edict in both hands and stood there for a long time, as if he was dreaming.

Until Zhang Zhao, the Minister of the Council, stepped forward and bowed:
"Congratulations, my lord, on being promoted to Duke of Chu! The title of Duke is extremely rare in the Han Dynasty.

"The last person to hold the title of Duke was... ahem, I won't mention that."

Even if Zhang Zhao didn't mention it, Lu Bu knew that the previous duke was the traitor who usurped the Han Dynasty - Duke Anhan Wang Mang!

In the eyes of the people of the Han Dynasty, Wang Mang was a real traitor to the Han Dynasty.

And now that he has become the second duke, perhaps it also implies that he will become the second Wang Mang?

But it doesn’t matter.

Anyway, he did intend to replace the Han Dynasty, and there was nothing to hide about that.

The reason why he chose "Chu" as his title was because Lujiang County was where he made his fortune and it was also the territory of the Chu State during the Warring States Period.

Secondly, Chu was one of the Seven Kingdoms in the Warring States Period, just like Cao Cao chose "Wei" as his title.

The State of Wei was also one of the Seven Kingdoms of the Warring States Period.

As for the third point, he felt that Lu Bu in the Eastern Han Dynasty was like Xiang Yu in the Western Han Dynasty, both of whom were the pinnacle of martial arts in the world!

Since Xiang Yu did not defeat Liu Bang and establish the Great Chu, it would be up to him, a person from later generations, to fulfill his long-cherished wish!
The title of Duke represents the name of the country after becoming king or emperor, and is also the name of Lu Bu's current country.

Originally, he didn't think Liu Xie would agree.

But since the other party has agreed, he has to think carefully about whether there is something fishy going on!

Lu Bu immediately led his ministers back to the conference room and began to discuss the matter.

Zhang Hong, who had previously proposed a method to Lu Bu, also looked incredulous.

He thought that the two requests he put forward would make the emperor give up.

But I didn’t expect that the emperor would actually rise to the challenge!

Has the power of our lord in the emperor's heart become so high?
Thinking of this, Zhang Hong stood up and said:
"Since His Majesty the Emperor has agreed to our request, even if we give Hanzhong to the other party, we will not lose anything."

At this time, Xu Shao, who once commented on Lü Bu as "the Demon Lord of Martial Slaughter", stood up and said:

"My lord has a noble appearance and has made outstanding contributions. I think the Emperor must have recognized my lord and agreed to our request.

"My lord, you can rest assured to take over the three counties. When we get these prosperous three counties, our economic development will be further improved!"

After listening to the two people's words, Lu Bu did not respond, but just looked at Chen Gong on his left.

However, Chen Gong was twisting his beard vigorously at this moment, with a thoughtful look on his face, as if he had not figured out what the enemy's plan was.

But Chen Gong knew very well that "when something is abnormal, there must be something wrong"!
The emperor agreed to their request so easily, he must have some ulterior motive!
But what exactly is the intention...

After some further discussion, most people felt that the emperor was sincere and they could take over the three counties with confidence.

Even Gao Shun felt that Lu Bu should seize the opportunity.

Only Chen Gong remained silent, always feeling that something was wrong, but never figured out the trick. Seeing that all his men were overwhelmed by his promotion, Lu Bu dismissed them all, leaving only Chen Gong behind:

"Does Gongtai also think that this matter is too outrageous?"

Chen Gong frowned, revealing a hint of bitterness:
"The current emperor controls Liangzhou and Sizhou, and has more than 100,000 soldiers and horses under his command. There is absolutely no need for him to bow to us.

“Although the little emperor is very young, the political tactics he has demonstrated are quite sophisticated!

"It's impossible to give up such an important place as Hongnong...

"It's just that the relationship between the other party and our army has always been quite harmonious. I can't figure out where the problem lies."

Lu Bu looked at Chen Gong, who was racking his brains but couldn't figure it out, and raised the corners of his mouth slightly, and deliberately gave a hint:
"Tell me, is there a possibility that... the enemy is planning to tear its face off with us?"

As soon as these words were spoken, Chen Gong's eyes began to light up at a speed visible to the naked eye!
He suddenly raised his head and looked at Lu Bu in astonishment, as if he had figured out everything in an instant!
"Yes! Yes, yes...why didn't I think of it!"

Chen Gong stood up and struck the palm of his left hand with the back of his right hand:

"They gave so many benefits that I couldn't imagine what traps they had hidden in them!
"If they have decided to break up with us, then everything would make sense!

“Why are they willing to give up Hongnong County? Because the trap is hidden in this Hongnong County!
“No wonder they proposed that we take over Chenliu and Yingchuan first, then Hanzhong, and finally Hongnong.

"Once they take Hanzhong, they won't give us Hongnong at all!
"Instead, they will set a trap in Hongnong and wipe out the army we sent to take over Hongnong, thus completely breaking off relations with us!"

After listening to Chen Gong's analysis, Lu Bu suddenly understood!
He looked at Chen Gong with admiration, thinking that this guy may be slow but smart!

As long as he is given enough time to think it through, he can think more thoroughly than anyone else!
Lu Bu clenched his teeth, his jaw protruding, trying to suppress the anger in his heart:

"This Liu Xie! I am close friends with him, and he actually tried to play tricks on me? This is unforgivable!"

Chen Gong reminded:
"My Lord, you can now call yourself 'Gu'."

Lu Bu was stunned for a moment, then immediately waved his hand:

"This kind of thing is not important...Now that we have guessed their intentions, how should we deal with it?"

After figuring out everything, Chen Gong felt relaxed physically and mentally, and his expression was much more relaxed than before:
"Don't refuse Chenliu and Yingchuan, which are offered to you.

“Yingchuan previously belonged to Cao Cao, but because it was separated from Cao Cao’s existing territory, the young emperor took the opportunity to occupy it.

“But Yingchuan has many talented people.

"If you can take Yingchuan, you will be able to gain support from many aristocratic families such as the Chen family, the Zhong family, and the Xun family!
"With the help of these talented people, your lord's fiefdom will be more presentable."

Lu Bu nodded slightly, motioning for the other party to continue.

“…After we take Yingchuan and Chenliu, we will do the opposite.

"We ambushed a large number of troops in Hanzhong, but found an excuse to lure the enemy troops into Hanzhong and attack first, so that we would have a reason to counterattack.

"Not only will we be able to wipe out the garrison stationed in Hanzhong, but we can also get two counties and the title of Duke for free. Isn't that a huge profit?"

Lu Bu already understood Chen Gong's plan and continued to ask:

"But how can we legitimately attack the enemy?
"After all, they are the emperor's army. If we attack rashly, I'm afraid it will damage the reputation of our army..."

Chen Gong smiled confidently:
"I have a plan that will definitely give our army an absolute reputation advantage!"

(End of this chapter)