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

Suddenly, a bold conjecture popped into Xiao He's mind.

However, he immediately realized that this conjecture was self-contradictory.

For example, Liu Shan's dislike of servants kneeling before him, his pronouncements that people are equal regardless of social status, and his unprecedented actions such as providing free education for all citizens raise serious suspicions.

But why did he then want to build the Grand Canal?
If Liu Shan was truly as Xiao He suspected, he should have understood the enormous drawbacks of forcibly constructing the Grand Canal.

Judging from Liu Shan's behavior at the time, it was clear that he hadn't considered that much.

When he proposed a compromise of slowing down the construction of the canal and taking twenty or thirty years to complete it, Liu Shan outwardly agreed, but the dissatisfaction in his eyes did not escape his notice.

In that case, wouldn't this conjecture be self-contradictory?
"It seems that things may not be as I suspected. We should observe more and not jump to conclusions..."

Xiao He muttered to himself, nodded slightly, and temporarily suppressed his worries.

However, when the Grand Canal was mentioned, Xiao He felt another layer of worry.

Judging from Liu Shan's behavior at the time, he was clearly not satisfied with the plan to spend his entire life building the Grand Canal, and was somewhat eager for quick results.

Being overly ambitious and eager for quick success is a dangerous sign.

What if Liu Shan passes away and becomes emperor, and in a moment of madness decides to follow Yang Guang's example and forcibly conscript millions of laborers to build the Grand Canal?
Wouldn't the newly established Shu Han Dynasty follow in the footsteps of the Sui Dynasty and perish after only two generations?

That's pretty cool!

The Han Dynasty was not just Liu's dynasty; it was built by all the heroes and patriots of the land who fought alongside Liu.

The foundation that everyone worked so hard to build, the country that was finally revived, how can it be ruined because of your ambition?

"Although the position of Crown Prince has been established, it is still uncertain who will inherit the throne after Liu Bei."

"It seems we must listen to his words and observe his actions regarding this Crown Prince..."

A long-absent cold glint flashed in Xiao He's eyes.

...

The strategies and tactics for attacking Wei and destroying Cao have been agreed upon, and the next step is to prepare for the western expedition.

With Liu Bei's edict issued, large quantities of grain and military supplies began to be transported from various prefectures to the border counties.

Jinyang, Luoyang, and Wancheng were key grain storage locations for the Han army.

According to Xiao He and Zhuge Liang's assessment, since Cao Cao had already built fortifications at Puban Pass, he should have determined that the main direction of the Han army's attack was Puban.

However, at the suggestion of Xiao He and others, Liu Bei still adopted corresponding deceptive tactics.

As a result, the amount of grain transported to Luoyang and Wancheng was twice that of Jinyang.

The purpose, of course, was to mislead Cao Cao into making the wrong judgment by showing the amount of grain and fodder stockpiled, so that he would think that the Han army's attack direction was along the Tongguan and Wuguan lines.

Meanwhile, with Pang Tong's advice, the Han army launched a propaganda offensive before embarking on its western expedition.

At Liu Bei's behest, Xun Yu wrote a "Letter to the People of Yong and Liang," which was copied more than 300,000 times and distributed to the various prefectures of Yong and Liang by spies.

The proclamation first listed Cao Cao's various crimes, such as massacring cities, usurping power, and oppressing the people.

Secondly, he respectfully informed the people of Yong and Liang provinces that the Emperor of the Han Dynasty's expedition to Yong and Liang was aimed at eliminating Cao Cao and his followers, not at harming the people of the two provinces.

Finally, he solemnly warned the people of the two provinces not to aid and abet the tyrant and be buried with Cao Cao. He also warned that wherever the Han army's Heavenly Masters went, anyone who was willing to abandon darkness and surrender to the Han Dynasty would be pardoned.

Those who remain obstinate and stubbornly resist, fighting to the death for the Cao family, will be killed without mercy.

Thanks to its powerful network of spies, this proclamation, which combined both kindness and threats, quickly spread throughout the two prefectures of Yong and Liang.

Even in Chang'an, the capital of Wei, the proclamation was posted all over the streets and alleys.

In an instant, Chang'an was shaken, as were the two prefectures of Yong and Liang.

Within the territory of Wei, people were filled with fear, as if a storm was brewing.

Chang'an, the imperial palace. In the dim candlelight, Cao Cao's face, ashen and grim, was illuminated.

At this moment, he was flipping through a document titled "A Letter to the People of Yong and Liang" that had been confiscated.

Cao Cao gritted his teeth, his eyes blazing with fury.

In war between two countries, it is not a new tactic to start by attacking public opinion. Over the years, Liu Bei has also issued many proclamations to sow discord among the people of Cao Wei.

But this time it's different.

This proclamation was written by Xun Yu.

That was his former strategist, the head of Cao Cao's civil officials, and the leader of the scholars in the Central Plains!

Now, however, he has written this proclamation as a representative of the surrendered officials of Wei, listing his various crimes and calling on the soldiers of Yong and Liang provinces to resist his tyranny!

Liu Bei is blatantly slapping him in the face!

It was the kind that hurt twice as much.

Below the imperial steps.

The officials were all whispering among themselves, clearly discussing Xun Yu's proclamation.

Xun Yu still held considerable influence in their hearts.

Cao Cao could even imagine that many of the ministers present were already planning their escape routes, and some had even secretly submitted surrender documents to Liu Bei.

"Xun Yu, you disloyal and shameless scoundrel! I only regret that I was too soft-hearted back then and didn't kill you!"

Cao Cao tore the proclamation to pieces and threw it on the ground, shouting sternly:
"By my decree, all proclamations shall be immediately confiscated. Anyone who dares to keep them, whether a commoner or a high-ranking official, shall be punished for treason!"

The discussions in the hall suddenly ceased, and all the ministers felt a chill run down their spines.

Cao Cao was using a high-pressure policy to counter Liu Bei's propaganda offensive and suppress the wild thoughts of the people of Wei.

Sima Yi, Yang Fu, and the other strategists all frowned slightly.

They certainly knew that in such turbulent times, it was even more important to use appeasement to win over the hearts of the people.

Cao Cao, however, went against the grain, insisting on using oppressive and bloody policies to intimidate and suppress the people. This only backfired, causing the people and soldiers of the two provinces to become increasingly alienated from the court.

That was the reasoning, but faced with Cao Cao's wrath, Yang Fu and the others dared not question it and could only silently accept their orders.

"First they post proclamations to sow discord among our people, and then they launch a large-scale attack. This is a tactic that big-eared thief usually uses."

"I foresee that after this autumn, the traitor Liu Bei will surely raise the entire nation's army again to attack my Guanzhong!"

Cao Cao's gaze swept across the assembled officials, his expression grave.

"Our Great Wei only has Yong and Liang provinces left. We have reached a point where we have nowhere left to retreat. We must defend Guanzhong at all costs!"

"My lords, this is a battle of life and death, a battle for survival. We have no way out!"

"What good strategies do you have for defending the country? Now there's no room for reservations, so speak them all freely!"

After venting his anger, Cao Cao had no choice but to seek advice from his ministers.

Whispers broke out again in the hall, and the ministers looked at each other, their eyes filled with helplessness and despair.

With two provinces against ten, the disparity in national strength was so great that even if Sun Tzu were reborn, what could he do?

For a moment, the courtiers fell silent, and apart from sighing inwardly, no one uttered a word.

Faced with his helpless ministers, Cao Cao was furious. He pointed his cane at them and shouted:

"The nation is on the verge of collapse, yet you all stand idly by. Are you all determined to betray me and the Great Wei, intending to wait for the Han army to reach Chang'an, capture me, and surrender to that big-eared traitor to claim credit?" (End of Chapter)