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Wu Yi dismissed his servants and took in the singing girls.

Only the two of them remained in the hall.

Wu Yi said, "As far as I know, our lord has started a war with Cao Cao in Xiangyang. Cao Cao secretly sent people into Yizhou to persuade those in command of troops to respond to Cao Cao and rebel against our lord, thus making our lord unable to attend to both sides."

Lu Congtian nodded solemnly. This tactic was not new; as long as warlords and feudal lords were fighting for power, they had always been plotting to subvert the enemy.

After all, it was just empty promises and sending out some retainers and envoys.

And you don't have to give anything else in return.

Once successful, everything else will be easy; all that's left is to turn the pie into a real one.

Just like in the Battle of Guandu, Yuan Shao sent envoys to persuade the heroes of Yuzhou, Yanzhou, and Jingzhou, and easily won over many of them.

Similarly, in recent years, after Cao Cao became the King of Wei, he granted a seal to the Yue people in Jiangdong, giving them a legitimate identity to attack Sun Quan.

Sun Quan surrendered to Cao Cao in 217 for two reasons: first, a major epidemic; and second, too many bandits in Jiangdong responded to Cao Cao's call, causing trouble in Sun Quan's rear and making it difficult for him to deal with the situation.

Now Cao Cao is resorting to his old tricks, sending people to Yizhou to persuade and instigate a rebellion.

Those in power in the prefectures and counties were definitely the first targets for defection, followed by unorganized barbarians.

Wu Yi, being a relative of the emperor, held a position highly intertwined with Liu Bei's success or failure.

It is safe to say that Wu Yi would not respond to Cao Cao.

Wu Yi had no idea who in Yizhou was secretly plotting against him.

As for Lu Congtian, he was newly transferred and his loyalty was beyond doubt. Wu Yi did not want Lu Congtian to be misled, so he hosted a banquet to discuss the matter.

"Now that you, Mr. Lu, are a clerk, you have the power to supervise. Do not go down a path of no return."

Lu Congtian's expression was firm. "General Ziyuan, do not worry. I will not be affected. In fact, I wish to work with you to relieve our lord's worries!"

Wu Yi was overjoyed, "I couldn't have asked for more! With Lord Lu's help, everything will be fine!"

The two reached a tacit agreement to safeguard Liu Bei's base in Yizhou.

"Right now, the ones I'm most worried about rebelling are Liu Ba and Liu Zichu."

Lu Congtian nodded. Liu Ba was a man with ulterior motives, and his allegiance to Liu Bei was out of sheer desperation.

"I will keep a close eye on Liu Zichu. If he does anything unusual, I will risk my life to stop him, even at the cost of my own!"

Lu Congtian's statement greatly pleased Wu Yi.

"Excellent! I predict that the surrender faction will soon be forming alliances. Since no one believes our lord can win in Nanyang, they will take advantage of our defeat there to support Cao Cao!"

Time is tight and tasks are heavy.

Although this rear area is not the front line, the intensity of the open and covert struggles is no less than that on the front line.

The strategist Fa Zheng was stationed in Chengdu today, along with Zhang Fei, who was stationed in Langzhong.

Wei Yan was stationed in Hanzhong, and Deng Fang was appointed as the governor of Yijiang.

Generals and strategists such as Ma Chao, Huang Zhong, and Pang Tong were all on the front lines in Jingzhou.

It can be said that since history has deviated from its course, this year's Battle of Jingzhou is the battle that will determine the fate of the Shu Han state!

The two were discussing the matter late into the night.

Suddenly a servant came to report that Liu Ba was requesting an audience.

Lu Congtian and Wu Yi were shocked. It was already late at night. Why would Liu Ba, who didn't have private relationships with people, come to visit so suddenly?

"Perhaps Liu Zichu overheard the general sending someone to invite me today."

"What is his purpose in coming here?"

But since they came in the middle of the night, they must have something important to do. So, it was only polite to refuse them entry. Wu Yi then sent a servant to invite them in.

Lu Congtian cupped his hands and said, "General, I will go and take refuge."

Wu Yi raised his hand, "Since he came after hearing about it, he must be after Lu Jun."

not long

Liu Ba was invited into the main hall.

Seeing the two chatting happily, he cupped his hands and said, "I apologize for disturbing you today, Ziyuan."

"What brings you here, Zichu?"

Liu Ba got straight to the point, "To be honest, Cao Cao sent someone to lure me into surrendering, but to avoid alerting him, I let the envoy go. I'm here tonight to ask you to be careful about the defenses of Chengdu and to prevent others from joining Cao Cao and causing trouble."

Wu Yi stared intently at Liu Ba, as if trying to see through the truth.

I was just wondering if Liu Ba might defect to the enemy, but Liu Ba admitted it himself?

Something is wrong!

Wu Yi had every reason; Liu Ba was doing this on purpose.

On the surface, Wu Yi and Lu Congtian are the least likely to rebel. If Liu Ba intends to approach Wu Yi and gain his trust, wouldn't that clear his name of suspicion?

Whether it's true or false, no one can tell.

Lu Congtian covered for Wu Yi, saying, "The Minister's loyalty is as clear as day. Why not use this as a pretext to lure out other disloyal individuals?"

Wu Yi's eyes lit up instantly.

This is a good method.

Firstly, it would allow them to turn the tables and expose the traitor; secondly, it would allow Liu Ba to prove his innocence.

Seeing that Liu Ba showed no hesitation, as if he had already considered this method, he said, "We have the same idea! That's exactly what I was thinking!"

"Zichu, who do you think is most likely to be the target of defection?" Wu Yi probed.

Liu Ba said, "It should belong to those who have military power."

None of the three had any doubt that Cao Cao's biggest target for defection was someone who held military power.

"Southern barbarians? Prefecture governors?"

"Any of these are possible!"

It can be said that, apart from a very few generals who were absolutely loyal to Liu Bei, all the local forces in Yizhou were capable of rebelling.

After all, Liu Bei was currently fighting Cao Cao and Sun Quan single-handedly. Surrendering meant certain death, while surrendering meant no harm. The considerations were completely different.

For the latter, the worst that can happen is simply finding a different boss to work for.

Seeing their boss making irrational moves to fight two countries, his subordinates were pessimistic and did not believe that their boss would win.

Therefore, it is human nature to be cunning and plan ahead, seeking a way out. Just like those in Cao Cao's camp who secretly colluded with Yuan Shao during the Battle of Guandu.

Then, the three of them began a discussion, covering all the prefectures and counties of Yizhou.

As the conversation deepened, Wu Yi gradually began to believe that Liu Ba was genuinely here to take sides.

"Have you two overlooked something?" Lu Congtian suddenly asked.

Wu Yi and Liu Ba were puzzled. "Please enlighten us, Mr. Lu."

Lu Congtian said, "Cao Cao's envoys were able to openly and honestly persuade people in Yizhou without being exposed. Therefore, the persuaders must have convenient access to the target, be able to easily meet the target, and have sufficient ability to persuade the target."

After listening to Lu Congtian's analysis, Wu Yi and Liu Ba nodded in agreement.

For a minister like Liu Ba, who has no military power, it would be very difficult to expose a rebellion. This is because they could use their position to secretly cause sabotage.

For example, damaging the relationship between the ruler and his subjects, proposing surrender and submission, or slandering someone for having ulterior motives, etc.

If there are many rebels, along with those who remain loyal but are considering their own future, they will cooperate with each other even more.

It is not impossible for everyone except the lord to rebel.

"What Mr. Lu said is absolutely right. I will do my best to investigate it!" Liu Ba fully agreed with Lu Congtian's words.

He could use his position as Minister to monitor the movement and travel of officials, as well as sudden promotions and appointments to power, and trace the source of information to find out who was a spy in a high position.