Three Kingdoms: I, Yuan Shu, Loyal Officials of the Han Dynasty

Chapter 66 Liu Bei: We can temporarily borrow Yu Province, and return it after we take back Xu Province.
"To be honest, not long ago, Yuan Shu ordered his general Ji Ling to divide his troops into 30,000 to attack the counties of Yuzhou. In just a few days, they have captured seven counties in Pei and four counties in Chen, but they still have not finished."

After Lü Bu seized Xuzhou, his internal affairs were not yet stable and the people's hearts were not yet won over. He was afraid that Yuan Shu would see Ji Ling's unstoppable momentum and therefore would not march north to attack Xuxian. Instead, he led his troops eastward to easily take Yuzhou and take advantage of the situation to take Xuzhou again.

Therefore, I advised him to send the governor's family back and to have the governor temporarily stay in Xiaopei as a shield to resist Yuan Shu's military advance, so that he could calmly stabilize Xuzhou.

"I have come here as an envoy not only to return your family but also to deliver a considerable amount of provisions. I have already persuaded Lü Bu that from now on, when you garrison troops in Xiaopei, all provisions will be supplied by Xuzhou."

After Chen Deng finished speaking, he bowed to Liu Bei again and said:

"Your Excellency currently has no foundation to establish and your army is isolated among the feudal lords. This is not the time to act rashly or engage in military struggles with others."

We can temporarily submit to the rule in Xiaopei. If Yuan Shu attacks, we can join forces with Lü Bu, and then Shu will not dare to act rashly against you, my lord.

"Let us observe the times and wait for the future. When the warlords are in turmoil, it remains to be seen who will fall into the hands of Xuzhou."

Upon learning that Chen Deng had not only sent his family home, but also provided him with the food and shelter he desperately needed, Liu Bei was overjoyed.

“I am at my wit’s end, and Yuanlong’s arrival can save me from this crisis.”

"I knew that if Yuanlong were here, he would have some brilliant insights."

Zhang Fei quickly winked at Liu Bei, "Brother, today is a joyous occasion, and we are reunited with Yuanlong. Why not hold a banquet to entertain him, lift my ban on alcohol, and drink to our hearts' content with Yuanlong?"

Upon hearing this, everyone laughed, clearly indicating that they had lost Xuzhou and were now at their wits' end.

When old friends reunite, and with Xiaopei as a small place to settle down, everyone seems to be full of expectations for the future again, and the previous depressed atmosphere is swept away.

Unyielding spirit and unwavering hope—this is the unique romance of Liuying.

Liu Bei smiled and looked at him, saying, "A banquet is fine, but drinking is not! Cao Cao's army is still lurking outside, so Third Brother, you must not let drinking ruin your plans."

"Brother, I've really changed."

Amidst their laughter and conversation, a soldier came to report that an imperial edict had arrived at Cao Cao's camp.

Everyone was stunned upon hearing this. Liu Bei hurriedly went out to greet him, only to find that the person who came to deliver the imperial edict was none other than the eunuch who had delivered the emperor's edict last time. The eunuch gave Liu Bei a wry smile and a bow.

"My lord, Lord Cao has already welcomed the Emperor and has specially ordered me to deliver the imperial edict."

Liu Bei knew that he was being reminded of the origin of the imperial edict, so he quickly returned the greeting with a bow.

"Thank you."

The eunuch then announced the summons:

[I am of meager virtue and young and inexperienced. In times of crisis, I have been entrusted with the heavy responsibility of the nation. First, I was harmed by the traitor Dong Zhuo, and then I suffered from the chaos of Li and Guo's rule. My life and death were in danger every day and night, and I had no time to rest.]

Thanks to the protection of our ancestors and the support of our ministers, we managed to survive in this chaotic world and continue the dynasty's fate amidst its decline.

I have now heard that there is a man named Liu Bei, courtesy name Xuande, who is my imperial uncle of the same clan. He is always loyal and righteous and has the ambition to support the country.

The land of Yuzhou is a vital strategic point in the Central Plains. Now, the warlords are fighting each other, causing the people to suffer. Therefore, I hereby appoint Liu Bei, the Imperial Uncle, as the Governor of Yuzhou. He is authorized to govern the entire territory of Yuzhou, pacify the people, protect the borders and ensure their safety. If any local officials are disloyal, he shall personally punish them.

I hope that Your Majesty will prioritize the well-being of the Han Dynasty and not fail my expectations.

After the imperial edict was read, the eunuch hesitated, then said, "Uncle Liu, Cao Cao has one more thing to tell you."

Cao Cao has obeyed the Emperor's decree and handed over the three commanderies of Chen, Liang, and Pei in Yuzhou. Xuande can take them for himself.

Xuande, in governing the prefectures of Yuzhou on behalf of the Emperor, if you encounter any disloyal subjects, do not hesitate to personally punish them, and do not fail the Emperor's high expectations.

Upon hearing this, everyone knew what Cao Cao was thinking. After all, Chen Deng had just sent news that Yuan Shu was sending Ji Ling to attack Yu Province.

If Liu Bei were to accept the order and take up the post at this time, he would clearly be shielding Cao Cao from disaster.

Why Liang, Chen, and Pei, and not Lu, where he is currently located? It's because these three commanderies are indefensible and form the buffer zone of Yan Province. If Liu Bei were to take over now, Cao Cao would be free from most of the pressure from Yuan Shu and would only need to defend Yingchuan and Xu County.

Sun Qian immediately advised, "My lord, you must not!"

Cao Mengde's intentions are obvious to everyone. The emperor is manipulated by others, and this edict is by no means his true intention.

If what Yuanlong said earlier is true, and we are only temporarily residing in Xiaopei, with Lü Bu as our ally, then Yuan Shu will not dare to make a move against you, and we can still have some peace and stability for a while.

Once the governor accepts this edict and goes to Yuzhou to take up his post, it will seem as if he has gained three prefectures for nothing, lost Xuzhou, and regained Yuzhou.

However, Yuan Gonglu was a vengeful man, and to compete with him for Yuzhou was like snatching food from a tiger's mouth.

If he were to withdraw his troops from Xu County and cease his offensive against Cao Cao, and instead use the pretext of breaking the alliance to attack the governor, mobilizing tens of thousands of troops to launch a full-scale attack, how could the governor possibly withstand it?

Cao Cao will surely sit on the mountain and watch the tigers fight, hoping to gain an advantage. At that time, your troops will suffer losses in the battle with Yuan Gonglu, and Yuzhou will be lost due to defeat.

This is truly a case of having neither soldiers nor a foundation; the great cause to be built will be destroyed in an instant.

On the other hand, Cao Cao took advantage of our exhaustion and the fatigue of Yuan Shu's forces, and when Yuan Shu's strength was depleted by our army, he led his troops out again to fight in shifts, which may have given us the opportunity to defeat Yuan Shu and recover the lost territory.

Therefore, although your journey to take up your post may bring immediate benefits of three commanderies, in the long run, it is like a castle in the air, merely a wedding dress for Cao Cao.

“What you say, sir, I am well aware of.”

Liu Bei wholeheartedly agreed, but what should they do now? Don't just say this won't work, Mr. Sun Qian, give us a suggestion!

Without saying another word to him, Liu Bei, with tears in his eyes, respectfully accepted the imperial edict.

"I never imagined that the Emperor would also know of me, Liu Xuande. I truly dare not accept the title of Imperial Uncle."

As he spoke, he looked expectantly at Chen Deng beside him, his meaning quite clear.

This imperial edict puts me in a difficult position, because the emperor calls me his imperial uncle!
Yuanlong, do you have a plan to help me accept this imperial edict without falling into Cao Cao's trap?

"Even the Emperor praises the Imperial Uncle as virtuous, so how could Lord Xuande dare not accept this edict?"

Chen Deng understood his deeper meaning and chuckled, saying to him:

"I have observed Yuan Shu's recent changes. Although he is not a wise ruler, he seems to have virtuous ministers assisting him, and he will surely be able to see through Cao Cao's plans."

After the Imperial Uncle took up his post in Yuzhou, he only took charge of the three counties and commanderies ceded by Cao Cao. As for Jiling, which had already been occupied by Yuan Shu, he should not fight against him.

If Ji Ling were to attack, we would only need to lead our troops to confront him, claiming that we were acting on the emperor's orders and had no choice but to comply, rather than being enemies with Yuan Gong.

Then send another eloquent and persuasive person to Yuan Shu to explain the dangers of this two tigers fighting for food, and to explain the great righteousness of the two sides' alliance to attack Cao Cao and save the emperor.

"Now, Imperial Uncle, in responding to the Grand General's call, has lost Xuzhou and has no base to stand on. Therefore, he has temporarily borrowed the three commanderies of Yuzhou as a foothold. When we conquer Cao and gain Yanzhou, or perhaps defeat Lü Bu and reclaim Xuzhou, we will surely return the three commanderies in full."

Liu Bei's expression turned strange. Temporarily borrowing three counties to establish a foothold, then returning them after taking back Xuzhou? Is that even possible?

"Yuanlong, Yuan Gonglu has always been arrogant and disregards everyone. Can he really agree to this?"

"It seems that Lord Yuan now has wise ministers to advise him, and so far he has listened to their advice and followed their suggestions."

I believe he will now fully understand the great righteousness of rescuing the emperor and prioritize the alliance against Cao Cao. Imperial Uncle, do not worry.

If that doesn't work, we can retreat to Xiaopei to clear the way and watch Cao Cao and Yuan Shao fight it out.

　Thank you to "I am Yang Haokan" for the 10 monthly tickets, "Xi Huang V" for the 6 monthly tickets, "Starry Sky and Human World" for the 8 monthly tickets, and many other people for their monthly ticket support. Thank you all for your support! Also, PY recommends a friend's book.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)