My father-in-law Guan Yu, I persuaded Liu Bei to launch a surprise attack on Xiangyang at the beginn

Chapter 125 My Lord, times have changed! Liu Bei: March eastward, conquer Jiangdong, and destroy Sun Quan!
Everyone was surprised.

Even Liu Bei was surprised. He obviously did not expect that Xiao He's strategy would go against the opinions of most people.

Xiao He sighed softly.

He disagreed with Zhuge Liang, but he did not think there was anything wrong with the Longzhong Plan.

In fact, the prescription Zhuge Liang prescribed was exactly the most suitable for the actual situation at that time.

The situation at that time was that Sun Quan was strong and Liu Bei was weak, and Cao Cao was blocking the north. The only direction for expansion was to the west to the weaker Liu Zhang.

There was also the precedent of Emperor Gaozu going north from Hanzhong, regaining control of the Three Qins, and using Guanzhong as a backing to destroy Xiang Yu in the east, which coincided with Liu Bei's expansion direction.

In this way, with both reality and theory, and the combination of theory and practice, the Longzhong Strategy came into being.

But the problem is that Emperor Gaozu did not have Jingzhou at that time, so he could travel light and focus on heading north to seize Guanlong.

The Longzhong Plan requires the control of the two states of Jing and Yi.

If you march north from Jingzhou, you will have to give up your advantage in water battles, fight against Cao Wei's cavalry on the plains, and also be on guard against Sun Quan's ambush. You can imagine how great the pressure is.

This was the reason why the Bearded Man failed in his Northern Expedition and lost Jingzhou.

If you don't march north from Jingzhou and just want to defend Jingzhou, how many troops will you leave behind to guard it?

In any case, Sun Quan is determined to take Jingzhou. If you leave too few troops, you won't be able to defend it. If you leave too many troops, it will hinder the northern expedition in the direction of Yizhou.

Jingzhou is the foundation of your Liu Bei's career. Most of your advisers and generals come from Jingzhou, and you cannot give up Jingzhou.

In this way, Jingzhou could not be abandoned, it was difficult to defend, and it was impossible to attack, so it became a useless place.

Sun Quan's obsession with winning Jingzhou was the most fatal weakness of the Longzhong Plan.

Moreover, with Liu Bei's temperament, it is impossible for him to follow Sun Quan's example and betray his friend and attack Liu Zhang who had just helped him.

Back then, Liu Bei also lingered in Yizhou for almost three years, and only turned against Liu Zhang after Liu Zhang took action first.

But during these three years, Cao Cao not only completely pacified the north, but also dealt with a large number of pro-Han forces, sat on the throne of King of Wei, and even pacified Guanlong and captured Hanzhong.

The Cao family has firmly established its rule in the north. Even if Cao Cao dies, no one can shake the foundation of the Cao family's rule in the north.

In this case, what would happen even if Liu Bei took Yizhou?

What Xiao He needs to do now is naturally to make up for the shortcomings of the Longzhong Plan based on the current new situation.

"Bowen, go on. What are your reasons?"

Zhuge Liang raised his feather fan and urged softly.

There was more than just surprise in Wolong's eyes, but rather a hint of understanding, as if he had figured out some of the deeper meaning behind Xiao He's words.

"Military Advisor Kong Ming's Longzhong Plan was certainly correct. After all, the Central Plains is vast and flat. If we want to compete with Cao Cao for supremacy in the Central Plains, we must have a strong cavalry."

"Only by seizing Guanlong and obtaining the strong horses from Xiliang can we build up a large number of cavalry and have the confidence to confront Cao's cavalry head-on."

Xiao He naturally first affirmed the Longzhong Plan, and then changed the subject:
"However, if my lord wishes to seize Guanlong, he must first avoid being held back by Jingzhou. This is why military advisor Kong Ming mentioned the need to ally with Sun Wu in the Longzhong Plan."

"However, as everyone has seen in the current situation, Sun Quan is determined to seize Jingzhou. This man is also fickle and treacherous. There is absolutely no way we can mend our old ties with him."

"Then, if the lord goes west to take Yizhou, or north to attack Guanlong, Sun Quan will definitely mobilize all the troops in Jiangdong and seize the opportunity to retake Jingzhou!"

"When that happens, will my lord save you or not?"

"If we rescue them, we won't be able to fully concentrate on the Northern Expedition to Guanlong. If we don't rescue them, Jingzhou will be in danger of falling again."

"If we do this, we'll have to fight Sun Quan repeatedly in Jingzhou, wasting not only our manpower and money, but also our most precious time, giving Cao Cao time to pacify Guanlong and secure his position in the north!"

"By then, even without Sun Quan holding us back, can we, with the troops of Jing and Yi, really defeat the united north?"

Xiao He pointed out the biggest flaw of the Longzhong Strategy in one breath.

There was a lot of discussion in the hall.

Liu Bei stroked his thin beard, frowned, and seemed to be thinking about something.

Zhuge Liang held his feather fan in the air without shaking it, and pondered over what Xiao He said, his eyes seeming to have received some inspiration.

"Brother, what Military Advisor Bo Wen said is right. Sun Quan is a dog that will never change its bad habits. If we go to take Yizhou, this bastard will definitely take the opportunity to steal our Jingzhou."

"We still have to listen to Military Advisor Bo Wen and destroy that son of a bitch Sun Quan first!"

Zhang Fei jumped up and excitedly agreed with Xiao He.

"Bowen's ability to judge people surpasses Liang's, and his grasp of Sun Quan is indeed beyond Liang's reach."

Zhuge Liang also nodded slightly and said:
"When I first proposed the Longzhong Strategy, I believed that Sun Quan had the spirit of a powerful leader and was determined to rule the Central Plains. He would definitely choose to form an alliance with you, and the two families would jointly march north to destroy Cao Cao."

"What Liang hadn't anticipated was that Sun Quan was not only short-sighted but also capricious. Forming an alliance with him would be like courting disaster."

"In this case, we naturally have to make some adjustments and can no longer stick to the Donghe and Sunwu plans that Liang had outlined earlier in the Longzhong Strategy."

Say it.

Zhuge Liang stood up and bowed to Liu Bei:

"Liang believes that the Lord should indeed follow Bo Wen's strategy and postpone the conquest of Bashu in the west. Instead, we should first destroy Sun Quan and take Jiangdong, thus eliminating the worries of our northern expedition to the Central Plains!"

Zhuge Liang revised his Longzhong Plan!

It was done quickly and decisively, without any hesitation or concern for face.

Xiao He nodded slightly and couldn't help but secretly admire Zhuge Liang's broad mind and magnanimity.

If it were someone else, he would most likely know that his strategy had loopholes, but in order to defend his prestige and face, he would rather stick to his own path and even stick to his own opinion.

He truly is a prime minister of all times. Being a colleague with such a person is like being bathed in spring breeze...

The two military advisors agreed with each other, and Liu Bei naturally became clear-headed and enlightened.

"I have no desire to seize Liu Jiyu's legacy. Since both military advisors Bo Wen and Kong Ming strongly advocate attacking Sun Quan first and taking Jiangdong, I will follow their advice!"

Liu Bei made the decision, but he did not forget to ask Fa Zheng:
"Xiaozhi, what do you think of what Bowen and Kongming said?" Fa Zheng's strategy was rejected by Xiao He, but there was no displeasure on his face. Instead, he looked admiring.

He is proud of his talent and arrogant, but he is arrogant towards those who are not as smart as him.

As for the two people in front of me, I only feel admiration and respect.

At that moment, Fa Zheng laughed heartily, stood up and bowed to the two of them:
"Military Advisor Kong Ming possessed the generosity of Xiao He, and Military Advisor Bo Wen possessed the ingenuity of Zhang Liang. Today we understand why Yuzhou was able to defeat Cao Cao, Sun Quan, and Liu Cong with just a small corner of Xiangyang, ultimately dominating Jingxiang."

These words of praise clearly showed that he was impressed by Xiao He's decision-making.

Liu Bei no longer had any worries and said happily:

"Okay, since everyone has no objections, then let's make it a deal."

"Once the surrendered soldiers have been reorganized and the various counties in Jingzhou have been pacified, we will mobilize our entire army and march eastward as soon as possible!"

"Go down to Jiangdong and destroy Sun Quan!"

All the generals stood up and accepted the order with great enthusiasm.

The plan had been decided, and Liu Bei had to hold a banquet and treat everyone to a meal.

When he was half drunk, Liu Bei forgot his identity as a lord and became possessed by a knight. He held up the wine glass and drank with everyone in turn, sometimes singing loudly and sometimes laughing heartily.

"Bo Wen, I heard that when you drove Lu Su away, you said you wanted to marry the girl from Buzi Mountain. Is that true?"

Liu Bei, whose face turned red from drinking, hooked his arm around Xiao He's shoulder and asked with a smile.

Xiao He was stunned.

Unexpectedly, this matter even reached Liu Bei.

What does it mean when it is suddenly brought up at this time?
Blame himself for acting on his own initiative, refusing Sun Quan's alliance again, and driving Lu Su away?
With Liu Bei's magnanimity, it wouldn't be like that.

"To be honest, lord, this is indeed the case. That blue-eyed man is shameless and has betrayed the alliance twice. I just want to humiliate him."

"He was indeed acting on his own initiative in this matter, and he should have reported this to the Lord first."

Xiao Hesui explained with a smile.

"Bo Wen, you did the right thing. Sun Quan is such a treacherous villain. He really deserves a lesson."

However, Liu Bei obviously had no intention of blaming him.

As the subject changed, Liu Bei's eyes became meaningful.

"A real man should keep his word. Bowen, since you said you want to marry that girl from the Bu family, you should keep your word."

"Your Bowen is Bei's military advisor and a remarkable man of the time. It is only natural that he is surrounded by beautiful women."

"But no matter who you choose to marry, you must not disappoint the one who truly cares about you."

Liu Bei's words were obviously hinting at something, but Xiao He was drunk and was unable to understand it for a moment.

"Bowen, Bowen, you are extremely intelligent and know everything about the world like seeing through fire, but you are too slow when it comes to this kind of thing..."

Seeing that he was not getting the point, Liu Bei could only signal him with his eyes.

Xiao He followed Liu Bei's gaze and his eyes fell on a beautiful figure.

Guan Yinping.

At this moment, the eldest daughter of the Guan family was hiding in a corner, playing with a wine glass in her hand, with her brows lowered, looking as if she had something on her mind.

"Silver screen?"

Xiao He turned around and looked at Liu Bei.

Liu Bei stopped talking, just smiled and patted Xiao He's shoulder, then stood up and left with his wine glass.

Looking at Guan Yinping who was full of worries, and recalling Liu Bei's hints, Xiao He gradually began to understand.

Ever since I met Guan Yinping, every little bit of our daily interactions, her every smile, every thoughtfulness, every resentment...

I remember everything!

Xiao He suddenly realized and finally understood what Liu Bei meant by "Don't let down those who truly care about you."

"I'm really slow..."

Xiao He lightly poked his forehead with his fingertips and laughed bitterly at himself.

The banquet ended and everyone dispersed with great satisfaction.

As usual, Guan Yinping escorted him back home. After entering the Xiao Mansion, she supported him all the way to the bedroom.

"Really? If you can't drink, then don't drink so much. Aren't you afraid of hurting yourself~~"

Guan Yinping muttered to herself as she helped him sit down and turned around to pour him some sobering tea.

Xiao He narrowed his eyes and looked at Guan Yinping's back. At this moment, he suddenly realized that the eldest daughter of the Guan family had a round and smooth figure, with ups and downs, which was not inferior to that of Master Bu Lian.

Perhaps it was the effect of alcohol, or perhaps he understood her feelings, Xiao He's heart was beating fast. He stood up quietly and pulled her into his arms from behind.

"who!"

Guan Yinping was instantly alert, as if her automatic defense mechanism was triggered. She instinctively grabbed his arm with her bare hands, turned around and threw him to her back.

"Ouch--"

Xiao He screamed and fell to the ground with his legs spread out.

Before he could react, Guan Yinping had already pinned his hands above his head and sat on him.

When Guan Yinping saw clearly that the "sneak attacker" was Xiao He, she was stunned at first, and her pretty face immediately turned red to her ears.

(End of this chapter)