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

Chapter 20 Xiangyang Yi Ji, Liu Bei Borrows Huang Zhong

Only now did Liu Bei truly understand Zhuge Liang's far-sightedness in "planning to conquer Hebei".

If Zhuge Liang's initial strategic intention for Liu Bei was to merely defend Xuzhou...

Then.

If the plot to seize the imperial edict fails and Liu Bei is unable to establish himself in Xuzhou, he will once again become a homeless dog wandering aimlessly.

And now.

Zhuge Liang's strategic intention was to "conquer Hebei," which meant: Xuzhou could be abandoned!

When Liu Bei left Xuzhou, he was not a homeless dog, but rather making a strategic retreat.

a long time.

Liu Bei's eyes showed more determination.

there is always a solution to a problem.

They come, the security.

Whether it was participating in Dong Cheng's secret plot or temporarily siding with Cao Cao, it was merely a way for Liu Bei to leverage power and maneuver.

The task of restoring the Han dynasty is arduous and the road ahead is long.

"As the strategist wishes!"

Liu Bei's tone was firm and powerful.

Looking at Liu Bei's resolute eyes, Zhuge Liang thought to himself: With me here, I will never again let the general lose his wife and soldiers because of the failure of the secret edict.

Zhuge Liang acted swiftly.

Taking advantage of the information gap, Zhuge Liang deliberately guided public opinion in Xiapi City by acting in a seemingly arrogant manner.

Cao Cao once famously discussed heroes over green plums and wine, declaring, "The only heroes in the world are you, my lord, and I."

Liu Bei led troops on behalf of Cao Cao to block Yuan Shu's northward advance.

Zhu Ling and Lu Zhao politely invited Liu Bei to return to Xuchang.

Cao Cao sent Wu Shuo, an advisor, to Xiapi to invite Liu Bei back to Xuchang.

All these events led Che Zhou to the misconception that "Cao Cao highly values ​​Liu Bei."

Che Zhou originally wanted to discuss the treatment of conscripted soldiers with Liu Bei regarding the second batch of grain and supplies, hoping to persuade Liu Bei not to use the hard-earned grain and supplies to relieve the families of conscripted soldiers who were actually starving.

However, after Zhuge Liang deliberately guided public opinion, Che Zhou abandoned the idea.

Che Zhou was a seasoned veteran of officialdom.

To paraphrase Che Zhou: I can't prove that Cao Cao valued Liu Bei, but I also can't prove that Cao Cao didn't. The provisions and supplies were gathered by the powerful families of Xiapi; why not use their resources and leverage our own connections?

It's just a pity about the Prefect Cao Xuan.

Under Che Zhou's combined pressure and persuasion, Cao Xuan had no choice but to provide a large amount of grain for military use.

Whenever Cao Xuan thought that half of Liu Bei's conscripted soldiers were the elderly, weak, women and children, he felt aggrieved: I, Cao Xuan, have finally become a great philanthropist who provides relief to starving people!

Under Zhuge Liang's meticulous calculations, Liu Bei took a portion of the grain and secretly ordered Guan Yu to recruit several hundred strong soldiers, who were all referred to as the Left General's troops.

Despite Cao Xuan's repeated accusations that Liu Bei was embezzling public funds, Che Zhou chose to turn a blind eye and ignore them.

General Zuo's recruitment of troops is reasonable and in accordance with regulations.

As for the source of provisions for recruiting troops, who dares to ask?
Anyway, Che Zhou dared not ask!
Cao Cao had invited Liu Bei back to Xuchang twice, and Che Zhou did not want to clash with Liu Bei at this critical juncture.

If I anger Liu Bei, and he goes back to Xuchang to report me, wouldn't I be unjustly killed?
Liu Bei was naturally pleased that Che Zhou did not cause any trouble.

Besides "borrowing strength to strengthen himself," Liu Bei also did not delay sending grain and fodder to Langya.

The two sides have temporarily reached a peaceful agreement.

November.

Yi Ji, an official from Jingzhou, came from Xiangyang and brought news that Liu Biao and Yuan Shao had formed an alliance for mutual support.

Since the break between Yuan Shao and Cao Cao, both sides have been sending more envoys to win over the forces of various counties.

After forming an alliance with Yuan Shao, Liu Biao also frequently sent envoys to win over the forces of various counties.

Yi Ji was just one of the branches. Originally, Yi Ji would not have come to Xiapi.

This was all because Kuai Qi, the magistrate of Xiangyang, received news that General Liu Bei had recently recruited a new military advisor, whose surname was Zhuge and given name was Liang.

Kuai Qi then advised Liu Biao to send someone to Xiapi to win over Liu Bei, and to investigate whether Liu Bei's military advisor was his brother-in-law, Zhuge Liang.

Liu Biao had long heard of Liu Bei's reputation.

Initially, Liu Biao did not send anyone to win over Liu Bei because of their friendly relationship.

Upon learning that Kuai Qi's brother-in-law, Zhuge Liang, was suspected to be under Liu Bei's command, Liu Biao, adhering to the principle of "better to gain an ally than to lose one," sent his fellow townsman, Yi Ji, to Xiapi.

Because the alliance with Liu Biao in the south was crucial in Zhuge Liang's strategy of conquering Hebei, and Zhuge Liang and Liu Biao were also relatives.

Therefore, Liu Bei treated Yi Ji very politely, not only hosting a banquet but also having Zhuge Liang attend and accompany him.

During the banquet.

The Iranian asked about forming an alliance for assistance.

Liu Bei put down his wine cup and sighed, drinking without saying a word.

Taking advantage of the situation, Zhuge Liang said, "Brother Ji, please don't be offended. Although General Zuo has the intention to kill Cao Cao, he is controlled by Che Zhou, the governor of Xuzhou, and dares not act rashly, so he can hardly provide assistance."

Yi Ji was a quick-witted man; upon observing Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang's cooperation, he understood seven or eight parts of the situation and laughed:

"Kongming, you are mistaken! Che Zhou is a pedantic scholar with neither talent nor reputation. He only became the governor of Xuzhou by flattering Cao Cao, and many of the people of Xuzhou are dissatisfied with him."

"General Zuo is renowned throughout the land and once held power in Xuzhou. He is both famous and popular. He only needs to host a private banquet to kill Che Zhou and wipe out his followers."

"Then he raised his arm and called out, what scholar or commoner in Xuzhou would dare disobey?"

In the past, in order to control Jingzhou, Liu Biao ordered Kuai Yue to send people to lure more than fifty bandits to a banquet. During the banquet, he killed all fifty bandits, wiped out their followers, and annexed their forces.

He also witnessed it firsthand.

No matter the time, holding a banquet to kill traitors is always the most direct and effective way to seize power.

Zhuge Liang feigned concern: "That is true, but General Zuo has no brave warriors to assist him. If we fail to kill him, we will suffer the consequences instead."

Seeing this, Yi Ji immediately understood. He bowed to Liu Bei and said with a smile, "General Zuo, if you have any requests, please speak freely. I will do my best to fulfill them for you and will never let you suffer any loss."

Seeing that Yi Ji had spoken so frankly, Liu Bei stopped pretending and said directly, "I wish to borrow General Huang Zhonglang for a while, and return him after I kill Cao Cao."

Yi Ji was taken aback.

Yi Ji had expected Liu Bei to impose harsh conditions and was prepared to bargain, but to his surprise, Liu Bei only wanted to borrow Huang Zhong.

“If General Huang is willing, I can report back to General Zhennan and have General Huang temporarily remain in Xiapi to serve under General Zuo,” Yi Ji said readily.

Liu Bei was equally surprised.

Liu Bei had expected Yi Ji to politely decline, and he was prepared to reason with him. However, Yi Ji's request was simply that Huang Zhong volunteer.

"With General Huang's assistance, we will surely be able to kill Che Zhou!" Liu Bei raised his cup in a toast, his tone filled with joy.

When Yi Ji saw that Liu Bei had agreed, he secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

If Liu Bei agrees to form an alliance and Huang Zhong is willing to stay in Xiapi, the matter will be settled.

After discussing official business, Liu Bei then chatted with Yi Ji about personal matters.

Yi Ji was learned and eloquent, and during their conversation, Liu Bei felt an instant connection with him.

As the banquet was drawing to a close, Liu Bei held Yi Ji's hand tightly, reluctant to part: "I regret that I could have met Ji Bo sooner. If I have the time in the future, I will definitely sit and talk with Ji Bo day and night."

Yi Ji was also moved by Liu Bei's sincerity and said, "The Left General and the General Who Guards the South are brothers of the same clan. If I have the leisure, I would also like to sit and talk with the Left General day and night."

the end.

Yi Ji then looked at Zhuge Liang: "Now that Kongming has joined the Left General's command, you can write a letter to report your safety. I am willing to do it for you."

Zhuge Liang hurriedly thanked him, saying, "It is my great honor that you have done this for me, Brother Ji."

Looking at Yi Ji, whose demeanor was refined and scholarly.

Liu Bei couldn't help but sigh inwardly: How many virtuous men are under Liu Zhennan's command!
　Please add this to your favorites, follow my reading, vote with your monthly tickets, give me a reward, and leave a comment. Thank you, brothers, for helping me improve my ranking on the new book chart. The higher the ranking, the more exposure I'll get.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)