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

Chapter 67 Zhuge Liang's far-sighted planning, Liu Bei's feigned weakness against Yuan Shao
Instead of heading directly to Zhuojun, Zhuge Liang turned to Pingyuan, intending to wait and see who would win the Battle of Baima.

And now.

Yuan Shao led his troops two hundred li east of Liyang to welcome Liu Bei, allowing Zhuge Liang to foresee the outcome of the Battle of Baima.

If Yuan Shao had not failed in his attack on Baima, would he have had the leisure to personally lead his troops to welcome Liu Bei?

The great war has begun, and Yuan Shao will not be idle.

Yuan Shao's failed attack on Baima was advantageous to Liu Bei.

Cao Cao was already weaker than Yuan Shao, and if he suffered a defeat in the first battle, it would inevitably destabilize Cao Cao's rear.

Not only would Yuan's former subordinates in Runan take the opportunity to cause trouble, but even Zhang Xiu, who had just surrendered to Cao Cao, would have to wonder if he had made the wrong bet, and it was still possible that he would rebel against Cao Cao again.

Cao Cao won a brilliant first battle at Baima. Even though his overall strength was still inferior to Yuan Shao's, it boosted morale and stabilized the rear.

Only if Cao Cao withstood the pressure from Yuan Shao could Liu Bei mediate between Yuan and Cao, and use their strength to bolster his own position.

Just like now: Yuan Shao personally led his troops two hundred li east of Liyang to welcome Liu Bei, which was a good opportunity for Liu Bei to ask Yuan Shao for benefits.

Liu Bei also understood the underlying principles.

After being reminded by Zhuge Liang, Liu Bei immediately decided to lead his troops westward to meet Yuan Shao.

"I intend to bring the White Feather Army with me. What do you think, strategist?" Liu Bei's eyes were burning with determination. Since he was going to see Yuan Shao, he naturally had to show some strength.

Zhuge Liang shook his head slightly and gave a different opinion: "Recruiting and training the White Feather Soldiers is extremely difficult and should not be easily lost. General, you only need to select three hundred conscripted soldiers, all carrying wooden bows and spears, to go with you."

Liu Bei was stunned for a moment, and his tone became somewhat strange: "Strategist, if we go like this, we will inevitably be looked down upon by Yuan Shao."

Zhuge Liang chuckled: "Yuan Shao values ​​his reputation highly. Since he has personally led his troops to welcome the general, he will certainly not allow the civil and military officials of Liyang to underestimate the general. These three hundred corvée soldiers are actually accompanying the general to Liyang to transport grain."

"Furthermore, Yuan Shao has a large army and many generals, and he looks down on your eight hundred White Feather Soldiers. If you lead the White Feather Soldiers there, you will be more likely to be underestimated. It would be better to let Yuan Shao allocate troops and provisions to you."

After pondering it carefully for a while, Liu Bei understood Zhuge Liang's intention.

Zhuge Liang knew how to use others' resources to his advantage.

Liu Bei's current 800 White Feather Soldiers were painstakingly raised and trained by Zhuge Liang over the past six months, so naturally he was unwilling to give them up to serve Yuan Shao.

not to mention.

If Liu Bei were to actually lead his 800 White Feather Soldiers to meet Yuan Shao, Yuan Shao would become suspicious and might even deliberately send Liu Bei's 800 White Feather Soldiers into Cao Cao's ambush.

For Yuan Shao: Liu Bei, who has no troops, is easier to control!
"If I don't bring the White Feather Army, who will accompany me?" Liu Bei asked again.

Without hesitation, Zhuge Liang said, "General, taking Hansheng and Yuanzhi with you is enough. As for the affairs of Gaotang, you can leave them to me and the others."

Bringing Huang Zhong along would ensure Liu Bei's safety; bringing Xu Shu would give Liu Bei someone to consult with; and Zhuge Liang, along with Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Pang Tong, and others, would remain in Gaotang to provide timely support and deter villains from harming Liu Bei.

Liu Bei agreed with Zhuge Liang's suggestion and then summoned Guan Yu and others to discuss the matter.

Upon hearing that Liu Bei was only taking Huang Zhong, Xu Shu, and three hundred conscripted soldiers to meet Yuan Shao, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei were both surprised. Guan Yu cast a questioning glance at Zhuge Liang, while Zhang Fei directly advised, "Brother, your position is of paramount importance; how can you take such a risk? I will take five hundred soldiers to protect you!"

Zhuge Liang gave Guan Yu a reassuring look, and then said to Zhang Fei, "With General Zuo's current reputation, how could Yuan Shao dare to harm you? If Chief Clerk Zhang leads troops there, it will only increase Yuan Shao's suspicion of General Zuo, which would be counterproductive."

Zhang Fei tilted his head, unconvinced: "Strategist, I definitely can't win an argument with you when it comes to reasoning. Anyway, I don't want my brother to take any risks!"

See this.

Liu Bei couldn't help but lightly scold, "Yide, you mustn't be rude! The strategist made this arrangement for the sake of the overall situation."

“Ju Shou, the military supervisor under Yuan Shao, already suspected that my entry into Hebei was a trick by Cao Cao. If I were to lead troops there again, wouldn’t that just give Ju Shou an opportunity to slander me?”

"Moreover, with Hansheng and Yuanzhi here, they are more than enough to keep me safe!"

At this time.

Guan Yu then suggested, "I understand the strategist's intention to show weakness. However, using only three hundred conscripted soldiers would be presumptuous. How about I lead three hundred swordsmen to protect you, my lord?"

Zhuge Liang shook his head: "If General Zuo meets Yuan Shao, he will definitely go to Liyang with Yuan Shao. If Commander Guan goes with General Zuo, not only will three hundred swordsmen be unable to deal with any unforeseen circumstances, but it will also hinder General Zuo."

"If Yuan Shao were to order Guan Yu to lead troops across the river to attack Yan Jin, and Guan Yu disobeyed the order, the Left General would be suspected; if Guan Yu obeyed the order, he would be unable to protect the Left General."

Guan Yu remained silent.

Guan Yu understood what Zhuge Liang meant.

Yuan Shao was no pushover.

Guan Yu was not unknown in Hebei, and Yuan Shao would not leave Guan Yu, a warrior capable of defeating ten thousand men, unused.

If Guan Yu obeys orders to cross the river to attack Yan Jin, he will be unable to protect Liu Bei. If Guan Yu disobeys orders, Yuan Shao will think: "You are leading a warrior capable of defeating ten thousand men around my camp every day. Are you trying to kill me?"
If you bring Huang Zhong, you won't have this concern.

Among the people of Hebei, does anyone know Huang Zhong?
Just like when Che Zhou set up the Feast at Hongmen for Liu Bei, he was careless when he saw that Liu Bei had brought a strong man he didn't recognize. He never expected that Huang Zhong was also a warrior who could defeat ten thousand men, no less than Guan Yu and Zhang Fei.

"Yun Chang, there's no need to argue any further." Liu Bei decisively ended the debate and chose to trust Zhuge Liang: "I was able to remain unscathed even in the tiger's den of Xuchang, so why should I fear Yuan Shao? Let's listen to the strategist's arrangements and not ruin important matters due to momentary impulse."

At Liu Bei's insistence, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei exchanged a glance and stopped offering advice.

Liu Bei then handed the sword and seal to Zhuge Liang and instructed everyone: "While I am away from Gaotang, all military and political affairs will be decided by Military Advisor Zhuge. Everyone here is someone I trust. You must not be like the civil and military officials under Yuan Shao, who fight amongst themselves because of personal interests."

Zhuge Liang solemnly accepted the sword and seal, deeply moved, and said with a stern expression, "With Liang and the others in Gaotang, General, you can proceed with confidence!"

After Liu Bei led Huang Zhong, Xu Shu, and three hundred laborers away, Guan Yu went to Zhuge Liang again and expressed his concern: "Although I understand the strategist's intention, my brother's life is also related to our lives, and I am really at ease."

Zhuge Liang made a gesture of counting on his fingers and said with a smile, "Minister Guan, please rest assured. I know a little about divination, and I predict that General Zuo will not only be safe on his way to Liyang, but will also meet some old friends in Hebei."

An old friend from Hebei?
Guan Yu was filled with doubts.

Seeing Zhuge Liang's calm and composed demeanor, Guan Yu could only temporarily suppress his worries and instead asked, "Brother, now that you've gone to see Yuan Shao, we don't know when you'll return. What should we do here in Gaotang?"

　Asking for monthly ticket
　　
　
(End of this chapter)