The Three Kingdoms: Hindsight is 20/20, and the Three Revivals of the Han Dynasty

Chapter 19 The Imperial Edict in the Belt: A Fool Arrives in Xudu

Liu Bei did not immediately meet with Wu Shuo, but instead summoned Zhuge Liang first, and then told Zhuge Liang about his past secret plot with Dong Cheng.

He added, “Wu Shuo is a confidant of Dong Cheng. His visit to Xiapi must be on Dong Cheng’s secret orders. Strategist, you can hide behind the screen to assist me in making decisions.”

Zhuge Liang couldn't help but feel a chill.

Zhuge Liang was no stranger to Dong Cheng's secret edict.

in contrast.

Zhuge Liang still clearly remembered:
In the first month of spring in the fifth year of Jian'an, General of Chariots and Cavalry Dong Cheng, Lieutenant General Wang Fu, Colonel of Yue Cavalry Zhong Ji, and Consultant Wu Shuo received a secret edict to assassinate Cao Cao. The plot was exposed, and Cao Cao killed Dong Cheng and others, exterminating their three clans.

at first.

Zhuge Liang predicted that Liu Bei would find it difficult to achieve his goals in Xuzhou, so he considered the secret edict in the belt. Once Dong Cheng and others were killed, Liu Bei in Xiapi would have no choice but to raise an army against Cao Cao.

however.

The hasty rebellion against Cao Cao has made it difficult to boost morale.

How could a bunch of ragtag soldiers possibly withstand Cao Cao's elite Tiger Cavalry?
Establishing a foothold in Xuzhou is as difficult as climbing to the heavens!
Mind this.

Zhuge Liang advised, "Cao Cao is suspicious and cunning. I predict that Dong Cheng will have difficulty accomplishing anything in Xuchang. General, you should offer him some advice."

Liu Bei nodded: "I had the same thought."

moment.

Wu Shuo entered.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Wu Shuo stated his purpose directly: "General Zuo, I have come to Xiapi for two reasons. First, on Cao Cao's orders, I request that you return to Xuchang to discuss other matters. Second, on Dong Zhuo's orders, I request that you return to Xuchang to join me in eliminating Cao Cao."

After Zhu Ling and Lu Zhao returned to Xuchang, Cao Cao gave them a severe dressing-down. If Yuan Shao hadn't marched south and Cao Cao hadn't needed capable men, Zhu Ling and Lu Zhao would have certainly been severely punished by Cao Cao.

When General Dong Cheng learned that Liu Bei had not returned to Xuchang, he secretly ordered Wu Shuo, a court advisor, to request permission from Cao Cao to enter Xiapi and invite Liu Bei back to Xuchang.

Liu Bei was crucial in Dong Cheng's plan to eliminate Cao Cao.

This was because among those involved in the secret edict, Liu Bei was the most skilled in warfare and had two formidable generals, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, whom both civil and military officials under Cao Cao feared.

Liu Bei did not return to Xuchang, and Dong Cheng was forced to cut off both of his arms.

however.

Liu Bei had finally escaped the prison of Xudu, and was now at the perfect time to soar like a bird into the sky or swim like a fish into the sea. Why would he return to Xudu and throw himself into a trap?

moment.

Liu Bei considered the matter carefully and said, "Wu Yilang, I believe that now is not the right time to kill Cao Cao. Please report back to General of Chariots and Cavalry that we must not act rashly and should wait for the right opportunity."

Wu Shuo raised an eyebrow: "General Zuo, you are mistaken! Cao Cao has already stretched his troops thin by dividing his forces to guard strategic locations in order to block Yuan Shao. Xuchang is currently the enemy's weak point. If we don't take it now, when will we?"

Judging from Wu Shuo's tone and demeanor, he seemed to be confident in killing Cao Cao. This made Liu Bei frown secretly: Cao Cao was not Dong Zhuo and had the precedent of Dong Zhuo. How could he not be wary of the undercurrents within Xuchang?
“Yuan Shao is powerful and has always harbored rebellious intentions. If Cao Cao is killed now, who will defend Your Majesty against Yuan Shao? What if Cao Cao’s remaining forces defect to Yuan Shao? We must be wary of the example of Wang Yun’s execution of Dong Zhuo!” Liu Bei reminded him by citing Wang Yun’s execution of Dong Zhuo.

however.

Liu Bei's reminder did not attract Wu Shuo's attention. Instead, it made Wu Shuo even more arrogant: "How can Wang Situ compare to the General of Chariots and Cavalry in planning matters?"

“Wang Situ was a pedantic scholar who was ignorant of military affairs. After killing Dong Zhuo, he did not listen to Lü Bu’s good advice and refused to win over Dong Zhuo’s remaining forces with gold, silver and official titles. Instead, he wanted to exterminate Dong Zhuo’s remaining forces, which led to the trouble caused by Li and Guo.”

“The General of Chariots and Cavalry is different! After killing Cao Cao, the General of Chariots and Cavalry will petition His Majesty to win over Cao Cao’s remaining forces with gold, silver and official titles. As long as they are willing to serve His Majesty, Cao Cao’s remaining forces can be promoted and given titles!”

"A generous reward will surely attract brave men. Besides, Yuan Shao originally came to serve the emperor and eliminate Cao Cao. If Cao Cao is dead, why worry about not being able to repel Yuan Shao's troops?"

Liu Bei frowned even more upon hearing this.

How dare someone who only knows how to talk about war on paper mock Wang Yun?

Although Wang Yun was defeated and killed, his timing in killing Dong Zhuo was impeccable. At that time, the warlords in Guandong were busy fighting for power and had no energy to deal with the changes in Chang'an.

And now.

Yuan Shao led his troops south, ostensibly to serve the emperor, but in reality to vie for power. Liu Bei only dared to mediate between Yuan Shao and Cao Cao, relying on their strength to bolster his own position.

Dong Cheng's decision to kill Cao Cao at this time was not much different from simultaneously waging war against both Cao Cao and Yuan Shao.

Look at Dong Chengneng!

“What Wu Yilang said makes sense.”

Liu Bei no longer wanted to talk to Wu Shuo, and his tone became polite.

Talking to a clueless madman only adds to your frustration.

Changing the subject, Liu Bei added:

"However, I am at the request of Governor Che to be in charge of conscripting laborers to transport grain and supplies into Langya. If I were to return to Xuchang now, it would certainly arouse Cao Cao's suspicion."

"Wu Yilang can report back to the General of Chariots and Cavalry that he must not make any rash moves before I return to Xuchang; if Cao Cao knows that I am the Governor of Chariots and that I am conscripting laborers to transport grain and supplies, he will not suspect me."

"After Wu Yilang returns to Xuchang, he will be able to give an explanation to Cao Cao and the General of Chariots and Cavalry."

Wu Shuo frowned.

Wu Shuo wanted Liu Bei to accompany him back to Xuchang when he came to Xiapi.

In this way, he could gain Cao Cao's trust without failing Dong Cheng's expectations.

However, Liu Bei's reason was reasonable: it wasn't that Liu Bei didn't want to return to Xuchang, but that he still had the heavy responsibility of conscripting laborers to transport grain and supplies, and he couldn't just go back whenever he wanted.

If we urge them too hastily, it might annoy Liu Bei, which would be counterproductive. It would be better to agree for now.

After considering it for a moment, Wu Shuo stopped pressuring and said:
"Therefore, I reply to Cao Cao and the General of Chariots and Cavalry, conveying the Left General's message! I urge the Left General not to forget our past promise; I await the Left General in Xuchang. Farewell!"

Watching Wu Shuo's hurried departure, Liu Bei's brows furrowed deeply.

"Dong Cheng, Wu Shuo, and others are arrogant and underestimate Cao Cao. How could they possibly kill Cao Cao?"

Zhuge Liang emerged from behind the screen, gently waving his feather fan, and said calmly, "Dong Cheng was originally a subordinate of Niu Fu, Dong Zhuo's son-in-law. He, along with Dong Min and Dong Huang, were called 'Hawks' by Huangfu Li."

"Later, he had a falling out with Li and Guo, so he turned to escorting the emperor back east. On the way back, he ordered Sun Yan to kill Empress Fu with a knife, intending to offer his daughter as empress and thus establish himself as a maternal relative."

"Dong Cheng is no different from Cao Cao; neither is loyal, righteous, or virtuous. Whether he succeeds or fails, General, you need not worry about it."

"The general should prepare a response as soon as possible."

Liu Bei stood tall and imposing.

As Zhuge Liang said, Dong Cheng was not a loyal and virtuous person. Even if Dong Cheng were to kill Cao Cao by chance, he would become a second Cao Cao.

Mind this.

Liu Bei asked in a deep voice, "Strategist, what do you think I should do?"

Without hesitation, Zhuge Liang said, "If Dong Cheng fails, Cao Cao will surely find out that you, General, were involved in the secret plot involving the imperial edict. You should send trusted men to closely monitor the movements in Xuchang, and at the same time keep an eye on Che Zhou and Cao Xuan. If either of them makes any unusual moves, kill them immediately!"

Liu Bei was silent.

Time is too tight.

If only I could have another year.

Liu Bei clenched his fist secretly.

at the moment.

Liu Bei's penetration into Xiapi was not strong enough, Chen Deng of Guangling was preoccupied with dealing with Sun Ce and could not spare any attention, and Zang Ba of Langya and Chang Xi of Donghai had not aligned their interests with Liu Bei.

If Liu Bei were to raise an army against Cao Cao, very few in Xuzhou would be willing to support him.

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(End of this chapter)