Reborn Liu Bei: I'll lead this Three Kingdoms to victory!

In the third month of the first year of Jian'an, Yuzhang.

Sun Ce stood at the bow of the ship, looking at the city opposite, his eyes burning with fighting spirit.

"Gongjin," he turned to Zhou Yu and asked, "what did Hua Xin say?"

"I'll say it again: Yuzhang is Han territory, not something General Sun can take." Zhou Yu smiled wryly, "This man is stubborn, I'm afraid we'll have to fight him head-on."

"Fine, let's fight head-on then." Sun Ce sneered. "When have I, Sun Bofu, ever been afraid of a tough battle when conquering cities and seizing territories?"

He drew his sword and pointed it at Yuzhang City: "Order the entire army to attack the city! I want to be on the city wall within three days!"

The war drums sounded, and the army marched forth in unison.

Sun Ce's troops were indeed formidable.

These were mostly veterans left behind by his father, Sun Jian, as well as elite troops "borrowed" from Yuan Shu. With Zhou Yu's rigorous training, they were extremely powerful in combat.

However, Yuzhang City was high and deeply fortified, and although Hua Xin was a scholar, he was skilled at defending the city.

On the first day, the siege failed, and three thousand were killed or wounded.

The next day, it was another failure, and another two thousand was lost.

Sun Ce panicked.

"My lord," Cheng Pu advised, "why not besiege the city without attacking, and wait until the city's food supplies run out..."

"Wait?" Sun Ce's eyes widened. "Lu Bu is eyeing Lujiang covetously. Can I wait? Tomorrow, I will personally attack the city!"

On the third day, Sun Ce personally donned his armor and went into battle.

He was indeed brave, being the first to scale the city wall and slaying three generals in succession.

But Hua Xin was ruthless; he ordered his men to set fire to the cloud ladder, which was then destroyed.

Sun Ce was trapped on the city wall with only a dozen or so personal guards by his side.

"My lord!" Cheng Pu shouted anxiously from below the city.

"What's the panic!" Sun Ce laughed. "It's perfect for me to have a good time killing!"

He led his personal guards, charging left and right on the city wall, and managed to fight his way out to the city gate tower.

At this moment, Zhou Yu came up with a plan.

"Release the message!" Zhou Yu ordered. "Tell the defenders inside the city: If they surrender, General Sun will not kill indiscriminately. If they resist to the bitter end, on the day the city falls, not a single chicken or dog will be spared!"

The arrow-shaped message was shot into the city.

The city's defenders wavered.

Sun Ce already had a fearsome reputation, and now he's so powerful...

"Let's... let's open the city gates..." a captain suggested.

"No!" Hua Xin roared. "I am a subject of the emperor's bounty, and I must serve him faithfully! I, Hua Xin, would rather die in battle than surrender!"

But morale had already collapsed.

That night, several captains opened the city gates and let Sun Ce's army into the city.

Upon hearing the news, Hua Xin sighed deeply, "It's fate...it's fate!"

He straightened his clothes, sat upright in the mansion, and waited for Sun Ce.

Lujiang, Shuxian.

When Lü Bu heard that Sun Ce was attacking Yuzhang, he was delighted.

"A golden opportunity!" he said to Chen Gong. "That brat Sun Ce has mobilized all his forces, leaving Wu Commandery vulnerable. Let's seize this chance to take Wu Commandery and cut off Sun Ce's retreat!"

Chen Gong frowned: "Lord Wen, what about Liu Bei..."

"Liu Bei?" Lü Bu waved his hand. "He promised not to interfere. And... he also promised to provide me with provisions."

"But..."

"No buts!" Lü Bu said impatiently. "This is a golden opportunity, one that won't come again. Order: Assemble the entire army and march on Wu Commandery!"

"That Lujiang..."

"Leave Gao Shun to guard the city," Lü Bu said. "With him here, there's no chance of failure."

Gao Shun, Lü Bu's top general, was a meticulous man and skilled in training troops. His "Trap Camp" consisted of only seven hundred men, but they were extremely powerful in battle.

"General Gao Shun's defense of the city is indeed secure," Chen Gong nodded. "But Marquis Wen, Wu Commandery is defended by Cheng Pu, a veteran general. We must not underestimate him."

"Cheng Pu?" Lü Bu scoffed. "Just an old scoundrel. Who can stand against my halberd, Lü Bu?"

Chen Gong tried to persuade him further, but Lü Bu wouldn't listen and led his army away.

Lu Bu's troops were mostly Bingzhou cavalry, skilled in field battles but not in siege warfare.

But Lü Bu had a solution.

"Wu Commandery is wealthy, and the garrison is mostly composed of locals," Lü Bu said to his generals. "Pass down the order: After the city falls, swords will not be sheathed for three days! Take all the wealth, and plunder all the women!"

These words greatly boosted morale.

Why do soldiers fight? Isn't it just for money and women?

The army was in high spirits and marched straight towards Wu County.

Shouchun, the prefectural governor's residence.

Liu Bei received battle reports from both sides simultaneously.

"Sun Ce conquered Yuzhang, and Hua Xin surrendered," Jian Yong read aloud. "Sun Ce treated Hua Xin with the courtesy due to a guest and did not kill a single person. The people of Yuzhang all praised General Sun for his benevolence and righteousness."

"Benevolence and righteousness?" Liu Bei laughed. "That kid Sun Ce has learned how to win people's hearts."

"When Lü Bu marched into Wu Commandery, he claimed to have 50,000 troops, but in reality, he only had 30,000," Jian Yong continued. "Cheng Pu only has 8,000 troops defending Wu Commandery, which I fear will be insufficient to withstand him."

"Thirty thousand against eight thousand..." Liu Bei pondered. "Lu Bu should be able to win. But... we can't let him win too easily."

"Does my lord mean..."

"Send someone to Wu Commandery and tell Cheng Pu: We can provide reinforcements, but... it will cost money," Liu Bei said. "Sun Ce has acquired a lot of wealth in Yuzhang; let him pay for peace."

Will Cheng Pu agree?

"He will," Liu Bei said confidently, "because he has no choice. However... our reinforcements should arrive a little later."

"slow?"

"That's right." Liu Bei's eyes gleamed with cunning. "Once Lü Bu and Cheng Pu are both severely injured, we'll clean up the mess. Remember, when the reinforcements are halfway there, they must 'encounter a flash flood' and 'the roads will be impassable,' causing a delay of a few days."

Jian Yong understood: "Understood!"

"Furthermore," Liu Bei added, "send someone to Lujiang to tell Gao Shun that Lü Bu is in danger in Wu Commandery and urgently needs reinforcements. Ask him to send troops to his aid."

"Is this... a ploy to lure the tiger away from the mountain?"

"Yes." Liu Bei nodded. "If Gao Shun leaves Lujiang, we'll 'help' him defend the city. When Lü Bu returns... Lujiang will belong to the Liu family."

"Brilliant plan!" everyone exclaimed.

Zhuge Liang, who was listening nearby, suddenly asked, "Teacher, what if Gao Shun doesn't send troops?"

"Then he will be disloyal," Liu Bei said. "Lü Bu will surely suspect him. If we send troops... Lujiang will be undefended, and we can take it. In any case, we will not lose out."

"The student understands." Zhuge Liang nodded. "This is called... an open strategy."

"That's right," Liu Bei said with a smile. "Kongming, you're becoming more and more insightful."

Wu County, the Prefectural Governor's Office.

Cheng Pu was in a real bind when he received news of Lü Bu's impending attack.

How can you win with 8,000 against 30,000?

"General," said Vice General Han Dangdao, "why don't we ask our lord for help?"

"Our lord is in Yuzhang, and distant water cannot quench immediate thirst." Cheng Pu shook his head. "Moreover... our lord has just conquered Yuzhang and needs troops to garrison it, so we cannot spare any soldiers."

"What should we do then?"

Cheng Pu pondered for a moment and said, "Ask Liu Bei."

"Liu Bei?"

"That's right," Cheng Pu said. "Liu Bei is in Xuzhou, which is close by. Moreover... he promised our lord that he would restrain Lü Bu. Now that Lü Bu has attacked, he should send troops."

"But if he doesn't come out..."

"Then let's spend the money." Cheng Pu gritted his teeth. "Our lord has acquired a lot of wealth in Yuzhang. Give some to Liu Bei and buy him to send troops."

"this..."

"This is the only way," Cheng Pu said. "Write a letter, quickly!"

The letter was written, and someone was dispatched by fast horse to deliver it to Shouchun.

Three days later, a reply arrived.

It wasn't written by Liu Bei, but by Jian Yong.

"General Cheng: Governor Liu is very concerned about the trouble in Wu Commandery. He has already ordered General Guan Yu to lead 10,000 troops to provide assistance, which will arrive in three days. However, the military expenses are enormous, requiring 5,000 catties of gold and 50,000 shi of grain. If General Cheng can raise the funds, the reinforcements will surely arrive. If not... the Governor will be powerless to help."

Five thousand catties of gold and fifty thousand shi of grain.

They're asking for an exorbitant amount.

But Cheng Pu had no choice.

"Give it to me!" Cheng Pu gritted his teeth. "Tell Jian Yong that as long as the siege of Wu County can be lifted, money and provisions will not be a problem!"

"General, so much money and grain..."

"Money and provisions can be earned back, but once the city is gone, everything is lost," Cheng Pu said. "Go quickly!"

Lujiang, Shuxian.

Gao Shun also received news that "Lu Bu is in danger".

"Impossible." Gao Shun's first reaction was disbelief. "Lord Wen is brave; how could his 30,000-strong army be in danger?"

But the messenger's account was incredibly detailed: "General Lü Bu has been ambushed by Cheng Pu at the foot of Wu Commandery, suffering heavy losses. He is now besieged at Niuzhu Mountain and urgently needs rescue!"

They even produced "evidence": a jade pendant belonging to Lü Bu.

Gao Shun recognized the jade pendant; it was indeed one of Lü Bu's personal belongings.

"General," said Vice General Cao Xing, "it's better to believe it's true than not. If Marquis Wen is truly in danger, it would be a capital offense if we didn't go to his rescue."

"But Lujiang..." Gao Shun hesitated.

"Lujiang has city walls and garrison troops; it should hold out for a few days without any problem," Cao Xing said. "We can return after we rescue Marquis Wen."

Gao Shun was deep in thought.

He was a loyal and righteous man, and Lü Bu had treated him well; he could not stand by and watch him die.

"Alright." Gao Shun finally nodded. "I'll lead the Trapped Camp to rescue Marquis Wen. Cao Xing, you guard the city. Remember: no matter what happens, you are not allowed to leave the city. Hold the city for three days, and wait for my return."

"This subordinate obeys!"

Gao Shun's vanguard has set off.

No sooner had he left than Liu Bei's men arrived.

They were not soldiers, but messengers.

"General Cao," the messenger said with a smile, "Lord Liu heard that General Gao Shun went to rescue Lü Bu and feared that Lujiang would be left undefended, so he specially dispatched General Zhang Yide with 5,000 troops to 'assist' in defending the city."

Cao Xing warned, "No need. Lujiang has its own garrison."

"General Cao, please don't misunderstand," the messenger said. "General Zhang is merely stationed outside the city and will never enter. In case of an enemy attack, there will be someone to help him."

"this..."

"This is a kind gesture from Prefect Liu," the envoy said in a low voice. "Moreover... Prefect Liu said that if General Cao is willing to 'do a favor,' he will be richly rewarded afterward."

"What's convenient?"

"Let General Zhang come into the city for a 'visit'," the envoy said with a smile. "Just for an hour, to see the defenses of Lujiang and learn something. Nothing else."

Cao Xing was tempted.

A generous reward? How generous?

"How much is Lord Liu prepared to thank me for?"

"A thousand catties of gold and a hundred bolts of brocade," the envoy said. "In addition, I hereby recommend General Cao to be appointed as the Commandant of Lujiang, with a salary of two thousand shi."

Cao Xing's eyes lit up.

Captain, with a salary of two thousand shi (a unit of grain), this is a promotion.

"Just...just one hour?"

"Just one hour," the envoy assured him, "and I'll only bring one hundred men into the city; there will be absolutely no trouble."

After hesitating for a long time, Cao Xing finally nodded: "Okay...but it's agreed, one hour, not a moment more!"

"General Cao, rest assured."

The next day, Zhang Fei led a hundred personal guards to "visit" Lujiang City.

Cao Xing personally accompanied him.

"General Cao, how high is this city wall?" Zhang Fei asked.

"Three zhang and five chi."

"How thick?"

"Two zhang (approximately 6.6 meters)."

How many troops are garrisoned?

"Five thousand..." Cao Xing suddenly became alert. "Why is General Zhang asking about this?"

"Let's learn from each other," Zhang Fei said with a smile. "Our Xuzhou city walls are short; we'd like to take a look and learn from them."

Cao Xing was skeptical.

After visiting the city walls, Zhang Fei wanted to visit the military camp, the granary, and the armory...

An hour passed quickly.

"General Zhang," Cao Xing reminded him, "the time has come."

"So soon?" Zhang Fei feigned surprise. "I haven't had enough yet. General Cao, let's have a drink, just one. I'll leave after that."

Cao Xing wanted to refuse, but Zhang Fei had already pulled him toward the restaurant.

"Don't worry, just one cup."

Upon arriving at the restaurant, Zhang Fei indeed only drank one cup.

But this cup... is "Youzhou Chun," and it's very strong.

After drinking one cup, Cao Xing's face turned red.

"Good wine!" Cao Xing exclaimed.

"Another cup?" Zhang Fei poured another one.

"No, no... we agreed on one drink..."

Just one more, the last one.

Cao Xing drank again.

Then... the third cup, the fourth cup...

When Cao Xing woke up, it was already noon the next day.

He lay on his bed, feeling dizzy and lightheaded.

"General! General!" A guard rushed in. "It's terrible! Zhang Fei... Zhang Fei has captured the city!"

"What?!" Cao Xing sat up in shock. "How is that possible! He only brought a hundred men!"

"More than a hundred people..." the guard said with a mournful face. "After he entered the city yesterday, another five thousand men came at night and opened the city gates under cover of darkness... Now all four gates of Lujiang are under the control of the Xuzhou soldiers..."

Cao Xing was struck dumb.

It’s over.

We've been outmaneuvered.

"Where is General Gao Shun?!" he asked urgently.

"General Gao Shun... couldn't find Marquis Wen at Niuzhu Mountain. He's heading back now..."

"Quickly...open the city gates!"

"We can't open it..." the guard said. "Zhang Fei said that if the general resists, he will be killed without mercy. If he surrenders... the general's wealth and honor will be guaranteed."

Cao Xing collapsed to the ground.

Niuzhu Mountain.

Gao Shun circled around three times, but couldn't even find a trace of Lü Bu.

"We've been tricked!" Gao Shun realized, "Quick, back to Lujiang!"

But it's too late.

By the time he returned to Lujiang, the city walls had been replaced with banners bearing the character "Liu".

"General Gao Shun!" Zhang Fei shouted from the city wall, "Lujiang has fallen to Lord Liu. If you are willing to surrender, Lord Liu will surely reward you handsomely. If not... then please return!"

Gao Shun was so angry that he trembled all over.

But he had no choice.

Although the Trapped Battalion was elite, it only had seven hundred men, and attacking the city would be suicide.

"Retreat..." Gao Shun gritted his teeth, "Go find Marquis Wen!"

At this moment, Lü Bu was cursing under the walls of Wu County.

"Cheng Pu, you old coward! You coward! Do you dare to come out and fight?!"

Cheng Pu sneered from the city wall: "Lu Bu, you've lost Lujiang, and you're still swaggering around here?"

"Nonsense!" Lu Bu scoffed. "With Gao Shun guarding the city, it's foolproof!"

"Really?" Cheng Pu ordered someone to be brought in. "Do you know him?"

Lu Bu took one look and saw that it was Cao Xing's personal guard.

"General...General..." the guard cried, "Lujiang...is lost...Zhang Fei has captured the city...General Cao...has surrendered..."

"What?!" Lu Bu's eyes widened in horror. "Impossible! Absolutely impossible!"

But the facts speak for themselves.

At this moment, Gao Shun also arrived.

"Lord Wen..." Gao Shun knelt on the ground, "This humble general has fallen into a trap... Lujiang... is lost..."

Lu Bu looked at Gao Shun, then at Wu County, and suddenly burst into laughter.

His laughter was very forlorn.

"Liu Bei... Liu Bei! I swear I will never let you go!"

"Lord Wen," Chen Gong advised, "the most urgent task is to retake Lujiang. Wu Commandery... cannot be taken."

Lu Bu gritted his teeth: "Retreat!"

8. Liu Bei's "mediation" was somewhat fake.

The news of Lujiang changing hands quickly spread throughout the land.

Shouchun, the prefectural governor's residence.

Liu Bei was "heartbroken and indignant": "How could this happen? I only sent Yide to assist in defending the city, how did he end up capturing it? Yide! Explain yourself!"

Zhang Fei, feigning grievance, said, "Brother, I didn't want to either. But General Cao Xing insisted I enter the city, and he was drunk... I saw that Lujiang was without a leader and feared chaos, so I temporarily took over. I was thinking of returning it to Lü Bu when he came back..."

"Nonsense!" Liu Bei roared. "That's Lü Bu's city! How dare you occupy it? Return it immediately!"

"Brother, it's too late to repay him now," Zhang Fei said helplessly. "The people of Lujiang are terrified when they hear that Lü Bu is coming. They've begged me to protect them. If I leave, they'll surely suffer."

"This..." Liu Bei hesitated, "What should we do?"

At this moment, Jian Yong "opportunely" suggested: "My lord, why don't we... invite Lü Bu to talk? We can return Lujiang to him, but... he must guarantee that he will not invade Wu Commandery again."

"Would Lü Bu agree?"

"He has no choice but to agree," Xu Shu said. "He has lost Lujiang and has nowhere to go. If our lord gives him a way out, he should accept it."

"Then... let's invite Lü Bu," Liu Bei said, "reluctantly."

Five days later, Lü Bu arrived.

He didn't come with troops; he came alone on horseback.

He dared not lead troops—fearing Liu Bei would turn against him.

"Xuande..." Lü Bu's face turned ashen. "What do you mean by this?"

"Brother Fengxian, it's a misunderstanding, all a misunderstanding." Liu Bei said sincerely. "Yide was reckless, and I have already reprimanded him. Here's what we'll do: Lujiang is yours again, but you have to promise me one thing."

"What is it?"

"Make peace with Sun Ce," Liu Bei said. "You two should stop fighting. If you continue, you'll both be severely weakened, allowing Cao Cao and Yuan Shao to reap the benefits."

Lu Bu remained silent.

He really doesn't have the resources to fight anymore.

Although Lujiang said he would return the money, who knows if Liu Bei would really do it?

"How can we reconcile?" Lu Bu asked.

"I'll act as a peacemaker," Liu Bei said. "Invite Sun Ce here, and you two can talk face-to-face. As for the terms... Wu Commandery belongs to Sun Ce, Lujiang belongs to you, and neither side will invade the other. How about it?"

Lu Bu thought for a moment and nodded: "Okay."

"That Lujiang..."

"Let my men enter the city first," Lü Bu said.

"Alright," Liu Bei readily agreed. "However... the city's defenses will remain under my command for now. I'll withdraw my troops once you've reached an agreement with Sun Ce."

Lu Bu gritted his teeth: "Fine!"

Three days later, Sun Ce arrived.

He brought Zhou Yu, and... 30,000 soldiers.

"Lord Liu," Sun Ce questioned as soon as they met, "what do you have to say about Lü Bu's sneak attack on my Wu Commandery?"

"Bo Fu, please calm down," Liu Bei said with a smile. "Brother Fengxian has already realized his mistake. That's why I invited you here—to resolve this grudge."

"Resolve it?" Sun Ce sneered. "He almost conquered my Wu Commandery, and you think a simple 'I admit my mistake' is enough?"

"What does Bo Fu want?"

"Pay me money!" Sun Ce said. "Ten thousand catties of gold, one hundred thousand shi of grain. And... Lü Bu must apologize to me!"

Lü Bu slammed his fist on the table and stood up: "Sun Ce, you brat! Don't push your luck!"

"What? You want to fight?" Sun Ce drew his sword. "I'm ready!"

Seeing that a fight was about to break out, Liu Bei quickly tried to smooth things over: "Gentlemen, gentlemen, calm down. Let me say something."

The two looked at Liu Bei.

"It's reasonable for Bo Fu to demand compensation," Liu Bei said. "Brother Fengxian's attack on Wu Commandery was indeed wrong. But... ten thousand catties of gold and one hundred thousand shi of grain are too much. Brother Fengxian is also in a difficult situation now..."

"Then how much do you want?" Sun Ce asked.

"Five thousand catties of gold, fifty thousand shi of grain," Liu Bei said. "In addition, Brother Fengxian should apologize to Bofu. What do you say?"

Sun Ce looked at Zhou Yu.

Zhou Yu nodded slightly.

"Alright," Sun Ce said, "For Lord Liu's sake, this is the price."

Lu Bu wanted to argue, but Chen Gong stopped him.

"Lord Wen, we're under someone else's roof..." Chen Gong whispered.

Lu Bu took a deep breath and finally nodded: "...Okay."

"Then Lujiang..." Liu Bei looked at Sun Ce.

"Lujiang belongs to Lü Bu, I don't want it," Sun Ce said. "But if he invades my territory again, I will surely destroy him!"

"Brother Fengxian?" Liu Bei looked at Lü Bu.

Lü Bu gritted his teeth: "...I will no longer invade Wu Commandery."

"Good!" Liu Bei clapped his hands. "Then it's settled. Come, let's drink! To celebrate the reconciliation between our two families!"

The atmosphere at the banquet was strange.

Sun Ce and Lü Bu glared at each other, neither willing to yield to the other.

Liu Bei smoothed things over, but he was secretly overjoyed.

Go ahead and fight.

I'll deal with you when you're tired of fighting.

After the banquet, Liu Bei returned to his study.

Zhuge Liang was waiting for him.

"Teacher," Zhuge Liang asked, "I have a question."

"explain."

"Teacher, you could have easily taken Lujiang, so why did you return it to Lü Bu?"

"Because now is not the time," Liu Bei said. "Although Lü Bu has lost Lujiang, he still has soldiers and generals. If we try to take it all back, we'll break our teeth. It's better to give it back to him and let him continue fighting Sun Ce."

"But Lü Bu and Sun Ce have already reconciled..."

"Reconciliation?" Liu Bei laughed. "Kongming, remember this: the hatred of killing one's father, the resentment of having one's wife stolen, and... the grudge over territory are all intractable knots. Today's reconciliation is only because I'm mediating. Once I leave, they'll start fighting again immediately."

"Then why did the teacher have to pressure me?"

"Because I want them to... fight at my pace," Liu Bei said. "It's too early to fight now. Let them fight when we're ready. Then we can take Jiangdong in one fell swoop."

Zhuge Liang pondered for a moment, then nodded: "I understand, teacher. You are... treating war like a business, controlling supply and demand."

"Well said," Liu Bei praised. "War is business. We are the merchants, and they are the customers. We provide weapons, and they pay for them. When they can no longer afford to pay... we acquire their assets."

Zhuge Liang's eyes lit up: "I understand."

"And another thing," Liu Bei said, "did you notice that Zhou Yu didn't say a word at the banquet today?"

"I've noticed."

"Zhou Yu is a smart man," Liu Bei said. "He must have seen through my scheme, but he didn't point it out. Because... he also needs time. Sun Ce conquered Jiangdong too quickly, his foundation is unstable, and he needs time to consolidate it. I'm giving him time, and he'd be more than happy to do so."

"Then let's..."

"Whether they are friend or foe, we'll see in the future," Liu Bei said. "Right now, we share a common interest: to prevent Lü Bu from becoming too powerful. Therefore, we can cooperate."

"The students have learned a lot."

A few days later, Cao Cao's letter arrived.

It wasn't a congratulatory message, it was a cry for help.

"My dear brother Xuande: Yuan Shao is going too far! He used my appointment as Grand Marshal as a pretext to accuse me of overstepping my bounds and has led an army of 100,000 to attack! I am currently at Guandu, confronting him, but our supplies are insufficient and our forces are far outnumbered. I hope you will remember our alliance and send troops to help me. If you can lift the siege, I will reward you handsomely!"

After Liu Bei finished reading it, he handed it to everyone.

"Yuan Shao...made his move?" Xu Shu asked in surprise. "So quickly?"

"He's been outmaneuvered by Cao Cao, so naturally he's unhappy," Liu Bei said. "But... 100,000 troops? Does Yuan Shao still have that many soldiers?"

"Even a starved camel is bigger than a horse," Jian Yong said. "Although Yuan Shao has been defeated twice, Hebei is a vast and populous region, and it is not difficult for him to raise 100,000 soldiers."

"So, should we..." Guan Yu asked, "should we save her or not?"

"Save them," Liu Bei said, "but not truly save them."

"What do you mean?"

"Send troops, but only five thousand," Liu Bei said. "Just to make a show of it. As for provisions... give them a little, but not more. Let Cao Cao and Yuan Shao fight it out slowly, and we'll watch from the sidelines."

"But what if Cao Cao is defeated..."

"Cao Cao will not be defeated," Liu Bei said confidently. "Guandu is a place that is easy to defend and difficult to attack. Although Cao Cao has fewer soldiers, he has many strategists and brave generals. Yuan Shao has more soldiers, but he is internally divided. This battle... will be a tough one."

"Then let's..."

"Let's take this opportunity to do three things," Liu Bei said, holding up three fingers. "First, thoroughly conquer the three provinces. Second, stockpile provisions and train elite troops. Third... keep an eye on Jiangdong, and wait for Sun Ce and Lü Bu to fight again."

"Our lord is a man of great foresight."

"By the way," Liu Bei suddenly remembered something, "Kongming, who do you think will win this battle?"

Zhuge Liang thought for a moment and said, "I believe Cao Cao will win."

"Oh? Why?"

"Because Cao Cao can use people effectively, while Yuan Shao cannot," Zhuge Liang said. "Under Cao Cao, Xun Yu, Guo Jia, and Cheng Yu are all strategists. Xiahou Dun, Cao Ren, and Xiahou Yuan are all brave generals. Under Yuan Shao, Tian Feng is imprisoned for his uprightness, Ju Shou's loyal advice is ignored, and Shen Pei and Feng Ji are vying for power. Yan Liang and Wen Chou are dead, and Zhang He and Gao Lan are not valued. With this shift in power, Cao Cao will surely win."

"Well said," Liu Bei nodded. "However... even if Cao Cao wins, it won't be good for us."

"Therefore, the teacher must control the battle," Zhuge Liang said. "Let Cao Cao win, but not too easily. It's best if both sides suffer heavy losses."

"Yes," Liu Bei laughed. "Kongming, you are truly my kindred spirit."

Zhuge Liang blushed: "This student dares not."

April of the first year of Jian'an.

Cao Cao and Yuan Shao faced off at Guandu.

Sun Ce and Lü Bu were locked in a standoff in Jiangdong.

Liu Bei was farming in Xuzhou.

That's right, farming.

"My lord," Tian Yu reported, "spring planting in the three prefectures is complete, and 500,000 mu of new wasteland has been reclaimed. It is estimated that the autumn harvest will increase grain production by one million shi."

"Alright." Liu Bei nodded. "What about the water conservancy project?"

"The Huai River dike in Qingzhou has been completed, the Sishui Canal in Xuzhou has been opened, and the Liao River management in Youzhou is 70% complete," Tian Yu said. "If there are no major disasters this year, it will surely be a bumper harvest."

"What about the military equipment?"

"Thirty thousand new soldiers have been recruited and are currently training," Zhao Yun said. "Adding to the original sixty thousand, the total is ninety thousand. Among them, there are twenty thousand cavalry, fifty thousand infantry, and twenty thousand naval troops."

"Food reserves?"

"We currently have four million shi of grain in reserve, and after the autumn harvest, this will reach six million shi," Xu Shu said. "This can supply an army of ninety thousand men for two years of campaigning."

"Alright." Liu Bei was satisfied. "Then... let's wait."

"Waiting for what?" Zhang Fei asked.

"Let's wait until Cao Cao and Yuan Shao have settled their differences," Liu Bei said. "And let's wait until Sun Ce and Lü Bu start fighting again. Then we... will have well-trained troops and sufficient supplies, and we can conquer the world in one fell swoop."

Everyone was filled with excitement.

"My lord," Guan Yu asked, "what should we do now?"

"Train the troops, cultivate the land, and establish schools," Liu Bei said. "By the way, how's the construction of the Imperial Academy going?"

"It's completed," Jian Yong said. "Lord Zheng personally inscribed the plaque, naming it 'Xuzhou Imperial Academy.' It has now enrolled three hundred students, one hundred of whom are from impoverished families."

"Alright," Liu Bei said with a smile. "Education is fundamental. Tell Zheng Gong that if he needs anything, just ask. I have plenty of money."

Just then, Zhuge Liang came in carrying a stack of bamboo slips.

"Teacher, I have compiled the 'Records of the New Policies of the Three States,' please take a look."

Liu Bei took it, flipped through it, and his eyes lit up.

"Kongming, did you write all of this?"

"Yes." Zhuge Liang nodded. "I have summarized the teacher's various new policies, categorized them, and compiled them into this book. It can serve as a reference when they are implemented in other places in the future."

"Good, good!" Liu Bei was overjoyed. "Print it out and distribute it to officials in all counties so they can study it."

"Printing?" Zhuge Liang was taken aback.

"Oh, it's just... making multiple copies." Liu Bei changed his mind—he almost let slip that printing didn't exist in this era.

But...maybe it's possible to invent one?

Liu Bei's heart stirred.

"Kongming, come with me."

He led Zhuge Liang to his study and took out paper and pen—yes, paper. He had the craftsmen improve the papermaking technique, and now the paper produced in Xuzhou was of good quality.

"Look, if we make a template, carve the words on it, then apply ink, and print it on paper... wouldn't that be much faster than copying?"

Zhuge Liang's eyes lit up: "Teacher, you mean...like a seal, but with many characters engraved on it?"

"Yes." Liu Bei nodded. "This is called...printing. You take a look and see if you can figure it out."

"The students are willing!" Zhuge Liang exclaimed excitedly.

Seeing Zhuge Liang's eager expression, Liu Bei smiled.

In chaotic times, technology is also a fighting force.

Papermaking, printing, and... gunpowder?

Hmm, I can try it when I have time.

But for now... let Cao Cao and Yuan Shao fight it out.

Let Sun Ce and Lü Bu fight it out.

I, Liu Bei, farm, train soldiers, run schools, and invent things.

I'll come out when you're all tired of fighting.

Then... the world will be mine.

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