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

A secret edict from the Emperor?

Everyone was taken aback.

How did you, who came here to issue a challenge, suddenly bring up the emperor's secret edict?
Before Liu Bei could ask any questions, Xun You had already begun reading the secret edict.

"I have heard that among the great human relationships, the father and son are the most important; among the distinctions of rank, the ruler and the subject are the most important. Recently, the treacherous Sun Quan has been deceiving the emperor, abusing his power, and corrupting the court by forming cliques. He has also been issuing decrees of reward and punishment without my consent. I am deeply worried about this day and night, fearing that the empire is in danger. You, Grand Commandant Liu Bei, are a meritorious official of the state and my closest relative. You should remember the hardships of Emperor Taizu and Emperor Shizu in establishing the dynasty, gather loyal and righteous heroes, enter Xuchang to punish the traitor, annihilate the treacherous party, and restore peace to the state. This would be a great blessing for our ancestors! This edict is entrusted to you. Do not fail my expectations! Edict issued in the fifth month of summer, the twelfth year of Jian'an."

It really was a secret edict?
Liu Bei was even more astonished. He hurriedly took the imperial edict, examined it carefully, and then showed it to Xu Shu.

Then, with a stern look, he stared at Xun You: "Minister Xun, if you want to punish the rebels, you should issue an edict to Cao Cao. Instead, you summoned me to Xuchang. What is your intention?"

Liu Bei wasn't stupid.

Xun You's secret edict directly gave Liu Bei a legitimate reason to march south to defend the emperor.

The reason Liu Bei stationed his troops in Liyang was not because he couldn't go south, but because he was waiting for a suitable opportunity to do so.

Liu Bei, after all, was surnamed Liu.

If the reasons for heading south are not sufficient, one is easily branded as a traitor or rebel.

Even when Pang Tong, the governor of Bingzhou, went south to Luoyang, he only used the pretext that "bandits on the road to Luoyang are robbing Shu brocade merchants."

Even if we take a broader view, it was merely the unauthorized act of Pang Tong, the governor of Bingzhou, and cannot be blamed on Liu Bei.

However, Liu Bei could not use such a reason if he wanted to cross the river from Liyang.

now.

Xun You, however, delivered the secret edict that Liu Bei needed most. With this edict, Liu Bei had a legitimate reason to march south to defend the emperor.

However, Xun You had always served Cao Cao, so it seemed illogical for him to summon Liu Bei to come to the aid of the emperor instead of Cao Cao.

Xu Shu checked the secret edict himself, confirmed its authenticity, and then gestured to Liu Bei.

Xun You remained calm and said, "It's very simple. The Grand Commandant ordered General Zhuge Liang to garrison troops and cultivate land in Fancheng to block Cao Cao's northward advance, making it impossible for Cao Cao to enter Xuchang. Furthermore, I do not wish for Sun Quan to take control of the Xuchang government, nor do I wish to serve him. Cao Cao once said that among all the heroes in the world today, only the Grand Commandant can be considered his equal. Therefore, I have decided to settle for second best and wish to assist the Grand Commandant in entering Xuchang to stabilize the court."

Liu Bei was even more surprised and suspicious. He carefully examined Xun You and said, "Minister Xun is indeed frank. But why should I believe him?"

Xun You smiled confidently: "If the Grand Commandant does not believe me, he can only watch helplessly as Cao Cao and Sun Quan completely control the five provinces of Yan, Yu, Yang, Jing, and Yi, and the strategist general Zhuge Liang will also face a pincer attack from Cao Cao and Sun Quan in Nanyang, and will eventually have to retreat to Chang'an; if the Grand Commandant believes me, the situation of the world can be settled by the end of the year!"

There were no empty pleasantries, only the most genuine weighing of interests.

If you have faith, you will have control over the world; if you don't, it will take countless years to establish your dominance.

Liu Bei turned to Xu Shu: "What does Yuanzhi think?"

Xu Shu pondered for a moment, then said in a deep voice, "This is an opportunity not to be missed. We can summon Chen Yuanlong of Xuzhou to take Wu County to the south, while you, my lord, personally lead the troops of Liyang across the Yellow River to fight Zhou Yu. As long as we defeat Zhou Yu, Sun Quan will surely flee in disarray!"

Xun You clapped his hands and praised: "First, Zhuge Liang occupied Fancheng to block Cao Cao's northward advance, then Pang Tong attacked Luoyang to divide Sun Quan's forces. Now, Chen Deng has taken Wu Commandery to disrupt Sun Quan's mind, and the Grand Commandant has gone south from Liyang to fight Zhou Yu. Xu Yuanzhi of Yingchuan is indeed a man of extraordinary strategy."

Faced with Xun You's praise, Xu Shu merely bowed slightly and said, "I have long heard that Minister Xun is skilled in chess. Before entering Xuchang, I will seek his guidance every day." While ostensibly seeking guidance, Xu Shu was actually telling Xun You: Don't even think about leaving before Xuchang is captured.

Xu Shu's words were exactly what Xun You wanted to say. Without hesitation, Xun You cupped his hands and said, "Then I'll have to trouble you."

Seeing Xun You's straightforwardness, Xu Shu became even more suspicious and whispered to Liu Bei, "Xun You has always been cunning. Although there is a secret edict here, we must still be wary. To avoid any unforeseen circumstances, we should quickly inform Shi Yuan, Kong Ming, and Yuan Long about the secret edict."

Liu Bei nodded in agreement, saying, "Yuanzhi's words make sense. Xun You is an outstanding member of the Xun family, always resourceful and decisive, and Cao Cao has shown him great favor. Just now, Xun You repeatedly addressed Cao Cao, so he may not be truly loyal to me. If something unexpected happens, he may still help Cao Cao."

After reaching an agreement, Liu Bei warmly invited Xun You to his tent in Liyang, and inquired along the way about the recent situation in Xuchang, the size and appearance of Sun Quan's army, and so on.

Xun You answered Liu Bei's questions without reservation, even recounting the secret story of Sun Quan abducting a young lady from a noble family in Xuchang.

However, the more Xun You spoke freely, the more suspicious Liu Bei became of Xun You's intentions. When asked, Xun You would only give platitudes like "It is everyone's responsibility to restore the Han Dynasty."

Although he couldn't fathom Xun You's intentions, Liu Bei didn't give up on this opportunity.

But soon, Liu Bei's doubts about Xun You disappeared.

This was because Liu Bei adopted Xu Shu's plan and sent someone to impersonate Xun You to return to Baimajin to report back, intending to take the opportunity to launch a surprise attack on Baimajin.

Unexpectedly, the minor official who was impersonating Xun You was shot and killed before he even reached the shore.

The Wu general who shot the minor official shouted, "Xun You has been in cahoots with Liu Bei. The evidence is conclusive, and he should be executed according to the law. Xun You attempted to escape, but I have already shot him dead!"

Liu Bei was both shocked and furious. Thinking of the official's fearless act when he pleaded for his life, Liu Bei felt both regret and heartache.

Xun You was equally astonished. Although he had guessed that Zhou Yu would kill him, he did not expect Zhou Yu to be so decisive, not even giving Xun You a chance to return to the camp to save himself. If Xun You had not been forcibly detained in Liyang, he would have been the one to die.

"Send orders to Yan Liang and Wen Chou to quickly break through Baima Ford!" Liu Bei suppressed his anger.

The defeat was not due to tactical errors, but rather to unforeseen circumstances, which caused Liu Bei to lose face.

Han Dang, who had arranged for his subordinate general to shoot and kill "Xun You," was still unaware of the crisis. He neither knew that the person who died on the Yellow River was Xun You, nor that Liu Bei's army was going to launch a surprise attack on Baima Ford that night.

People often become careless when they are successful.

Han Dang was the same.

Han Dang never expected that Xun You would actually go to Liyang to deliver a secret edict to Liu Bei.

Therefore, when Yan Liang and Wen Chou suddenly attacked Baimajin, Han Dang and most of the Wu soldiers at Baimajin did not have time to put on their armor.

Looking at the overwhelming number of warships on the Yellow River and the fierce landing of the Hebei soldiers, Han Dang was dumbfounded: "Xun You, did you really have an affair with Liu Bei?"

Originally, Han Dang only intended to frame Xun You and then shoot him dead on the Yellow River. However, he did not expect that Xun You would actually be secretly colluding with Liu Bei today. This unexpected turn of events caught Han Dang completely off guard.

Seeing the perilous situation at Baima Ferry, Han Dang dared not delay and immediately ordered his generals to request reinforcements from Zhou Yu in Chenliu. He then withdrew all his troops to Baima City behind Baima Ferry and held out for reinforcements.

"I never thought I'd get to fight Baima again in my lifetime! This time, I won't lose!" Surrounding Baima City, Yan Liang's ferocious expression was fully revealed as he glared menacingly at Han Dang atop the city walls. (End of Chapter)