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

"The strategists and generals selected by His Highness the Crown Prince may not be considered top-tier talents of our time, but they should be more than capable of dealing with the likes of Zhang Lu."

After a moment of contemplation, Zhang Fei nodded slightly.

"Hmm... Alright, in my opinion, it's feasible."

Zhang Fei was clearly unaware that behind Liu Shan's seemingly ordinary selection of generals lay many suspicious aspects.

Without much thought, he nodded readily, a look of agreement on his face.

Liu Shan sat upright in the main seat, his gaze sweeping over everyone. Seeing that no one dared to raise any objections, a subtle, sly smile, as if a conspiracy had succeeded, unconsciously crept onto his lips.

That hint of smugness might escape the eyes of others, but it couldn't escape Xiao He's eyes.

Then, with a haughty wave of his hand, he said confidently:

"Since everyone has no objections, then it's settled!"

"I will personally lead an army of 100,000 south in the coming days to annihilate Zhang Lu and recover Hanzhong!"

"As for you, Grand Marshal, you will remain at the main camp and continue to attack Chang'an with all your might."

Liu Shan paused, then his eyes gleamed with renewed confidence:

"I assure you all that within a month, I will lead my army back north to join you, and together we will conquer Chang'an and achieve this great feat!"

Once the decision was made, everyone agreed without objection and went to carry out the order.

Three days later, 100,000 Han soldiers filed out and marched south in a mighty procession.

Banners blotted out the sun, war drums thundered, and the sounds of horses' hooves and footsteps shook the heavens, making the earth tremble.

Xiao He, Zhao Yun, Zhang Fei, Gan Ning, and other ministers all personally came to the camp gate to bid farewell to Liu Shan.

Their expressions varied; some were filled with worry, while others held hope.

The army gradually moved away until it disappeared from everyone's sight, and only then did the ministers turn around and slowly return to their camps.

Xiao He did not leave immediately like the others. He stood at the camp gate, his eyes deep and solemn, and remained motionless for a long time.

It was as if an invisible force had pinned him there.

"Grand Marshal, why is His Highness the Crown Prince so adamant about leading the army alone to attack Zhang Lu?"

Zhao Yun, who was also left behind, looked at Xiao He's thoughtful expression and couldn't help but ask in a low voice.

His voice carried a hint of doubt and unease.

Xiao He gave a cold laugh, a hint of sarcasm in his smile, and retorted:

"Zilong, don't tell me you still haven't figured out our Crown Prince's motives?"

Zhao Yun paused slightly, a thoughtful look flashing in his eyes, before letting out a helpless sigh:

"To be honest, I guessed it too. His Highness the Crown Prince is greedy for merit and wants to take all the credit for the great achievements of destroying the false Wei and recovering Hanzhong for himself."

"His insistence on attacking Hanzhong and his firm opposition to the few of us accompanying him are simply to demonstrate his military prowess to the world, so that the soldiers of the three armies will be convinced of his abilities and truly establish his prestige."

Ultimately, he still wanted to establish his authority.

Zhao Yun shook his head, his tone tinged with helplessness and worry.

Changing the subject, Zhao Yun's expression became even more indignant, and he continued:

"However, matters of state are no child's play. They concern the unification of the nation and the lives of countless soldiers." "Your Highness only thinks about making a name for yourself and establishing your authority, but you disregard your lack of experience in commanding troops and insist on risking your life to personally lead the army into battle. Isn't this putting your personal interests above the affairs of the state?"

"He's still treating the lives of 100,000 soldiers like a game!"

Zhao Yun's words couldn't be clearer.

Your desire to make a contribution is not wrong in itself, and I can understand that.

But how can your selfish desire to gain merit be placed before matters of state?

If someone disregards national interests for personal gain, I cannot tolerate that.

"Although the Crown Prince's actions may have been driven by personal motives, if he can truly recover Hanzhong, it will at least benefit the country and be considered a great contribution to the court."

Xiao He sighed softly, his tone grave and meaningful:
"But Zilong, have you considered that his list of generals is tantamount to plunging our Han Dynasty into utter ruin, causing even greater harm?"

Zhao Yun was taken aback, a look of confusion appearing in his eyes, as he looked at Xiao He:

"What do you mean by this, Grand Marshal? Forgive my ignorance, but please enlighten me."

He clearly couldn't understand why a mere list of selected officers would have such serious consequences.

Xiao Hehuan glanced around and, seeing that no one else was nearby, said in a deep voice:
"Zilong, haven't you noticed that all the people the Crown Prince has chosen, whether strategists or generals, are from the north, and there isn't a single one from Jingyang?"

"This is an extremely dangerous sign."

Zhao Yun's eyes darted around, his brain working at lightning speed. Suddenly, he grasped the deeper meaning behind Xiao He's words and shivered instantly, a chill running from his feet to his head.

Back in the day, the emperor rose to power in Jingzhou, and the most meritorious group in the court was the Jingxiang Group.

The land of Jingxiang is rich in natural resources and talented people, who have made great contributions to the emperor's hegemony.

Xiao He, the first meritorious official, came from Jingxiang.

As for Zhao Yun, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Mi Zhu, and other original followers, although they were originally from the north, they had lived in Jingzhou for a long time, intermarried with the locals, and had long since integrated into the Jingzhou group, becoming members of it.

As for Lu Xun and other surrendered officials from Jiangdong, although their status in the court was not as high as that of the people from Jingzhou, given that they were all from the south and considering the strategic consideration of the unity of Jingzhou and Yangzhou, they could be roughly classified into the same camp.

Throughout the Han Dynasty, the Jingyang Group consistently held a dominant position, possessing undisputed power and influence.

Theoretically speaking, if Liu Shan, the crown prince, were to succeed to the throne, he should rely most on the noble families of Jing and Yang.

After all, they had contributed the most to the Liu family's rule and had the deepest ties of interest.

However, Liu Shan did not bring a single person from Jing or Yang provinces on this southern expedition; all the strategists and generals he appointed were from the north.

Moreover, these people were basically all surrendered officials of Cao Wei!

These people's status and influence in the court were far inferior to those of the meritorious officials from Jing and Yang.

Does Liu Shan's move mean that he intends to distance himself from the Jing-Yang group and instead unite the surrendered officials of Cao Wei in the north, making them his own loyal forces?
Thinking of this, Zhao Yun couldn't help but gasp.

Based on this calculation, it is inevitable that Liu Shan, upon succeeding to the throne, will heavily rely on people from the north.

And wouldn't their dominant position in the Han Dynasty be replaced by the surrendered officials of Cao Wei?

Given Liu Shan's ruthlessness, in order to consolidate his throne, he would most likely purge the Jingyang Group!

The officials who surrendered to Cao Wei were originally their enemies, and most of them were their defeated generals.

But these people from Jingyang, who helped Liu Bei conquer the world, went through countless life-and-death situations and made countless sacrifices, ended up benefiting those Cao Wei officials who surrendered!
This is outrageous! (End of Chapter)