He originally intended to surrender to Wei, so why did he end up restoring Han?

Chapter 63 Luxia Mutual Protection

"Life or death? That little madman Sun Ce is jumping around again?" Huang Zu did not drink the fine wine that Liu Xun's servant had poured for him. Instead, he took a water bag from his own bag and gulped it down.

"No." Liu Hua glanced at the soldiers behind Huang Zu, indicating that Huang Zu was about to speak about classified information and that these people should be removed.

Huang Zu didn't even glance behind him and said directly, "These are all my trusted confidants. Mr. Ziyang, please speak frankly."

Helpless, Liu Ye had no choice but to continue: "General, are you aware that Liu Jing has already sent an envoy to Xuzhou, intending to share Jiangdong with Liu Bei?"

Huang Zu's brows furrowed suddenly. He had also heard the news, but hadn't thought about it deeply. Now that Liu Hua had pointed it out, countless thoughts flashed through his mind.

Seeing Huang Zu's expression, Liu Ye knew he already knew the news, so he continued his analysis: "If Liu Biao allies with Liu Bei to jointly attack Sun Ce, the land of Jiangdong will naturally be within their grasp. But what then? Like the rabbit being killed after the hunt, or the bow being put away after the birds are all gone. Does the general think that Jingzhou's next target will be Cao Cao in the north? Or us, those who are 'dependent' on him, yet not his direct subordinates, and who control the vital points of the Yangtze River?"

Huang Zu's expression worsened after hearing his words. His relationship with Liu Biao was very delicate, a mixture of mutual dependence and mutual distrust. If Liu Biao were given a button that had even a one in ten thousand chance of killing Huang Zu, he could be pressing it all day long.

"Liu Ziyang, you can't speak of a governor who has made outstanding contributions and is skilled in both literature and military affairs like that!" Although Huang Zu said this, he already believed it to a large extent in his heart.

"Whether I'm talking nonsense or not, the general will know the truth in his heart." Liu Ye revealed a confident smile, and Huang Zu's expression showed that he had taken his words to heart.

At this moment, Liu Xun finally spoke up: "General Huang, we are all striving for our own future. Now that we have finally made it through the hard times, how can we be expected to bow down to others? Who would be willing to do that? We invited you here today to work together to find a way to survive."

Huang Zu remained silent for a long time, his sharp eyes scanning back and forth between Liu Xun and Liu Hua's faces.

Finally, Huang Zu spoke up and asked, "What do you intend to do?"

Liu Hua knew that the most crucial moment had arrived.

"The most urgent task for both of us now is to avoid mutual suspicion, lest we end up like Li Jue and Guo Si, fighting amongst ourselves and ultimately benefiting outsiders. Then there's the issue of Sun Ce. I reckon he's received this news as well, and Sun Ce must give his response."

In Liu Hua's view, Sun Ce's only option was to return to Jiangdong and hold onto it. If he didn't go back, he wouldn't even be able to hold onto his base in Jiangdong. Even if the veteran generals left behind by his father were capable and loyal, they wouldn't be able to suppress the entire three commanderies of Jiangdong. (Yuzhang Commandery wasn't yet in Sun Ce's hands; he only occupied it in 199 after defeating Hua Xin.)

The rest was simple: advance steadily towards Sun Ce's army, but without directly engaging them in battle, and send them back to Jiangdong.

"Send him back? All this effort just to send him back?" Huang Zu exclaimed. He was the most confused among the many people in the tent. Sun Ce was his greatest enemy; Sun Jian had died at his hands. According to the values ​​of the Han Dynasty, such deep-seated hatred must be avenged; otherwise, everyone would look down on you.

This means that Sun Ce and he have an irreconcilable and huge conflict, so Huang Zu can't accept this idea. Now is the best time to get rid of his enemy. You want me to let him go? Do you think I'm mentally unstable?

"Wouldn't it be better to form an alliance with Liu Bei directly? Let Liu Bei enter Huainan, and the three of us can divide Jiangdong. Wouldn't that be better than letting a tiger return to the mountains?"

Liu Hua didn't comment on this clumsy method. Liu Biao was difficult to deal with, but would Liu Bei be any easier to handle? Right now, Yuan Shu's top general is still in prison!

"No, judging from the current situation, letting Sun Ce return to Jiangdong is the best outcome. General, please look, these are letters from the powerful families of Jiangdong." Liu Hua said, while showing the documents exchanged between the various powerful families of Jiangdong.

It turns out that even when the Huainan battlefield was still deadlocked, the Jiangdong aristocratic families had already begun to seek allies everywhere in an attempt to rebel against Sun Ce again, and they had contacted almost all the surrounding warlords.

Even the weakest among them, Liu Xun and Huang Zu, received these requests, hoping they would intensify their efforts against Sun Ce, ideally killing him on the spot. The powerful families of Jiangdong even secretly declared that whoever killed Sun Ce would become their lord.

Huang Zu also received similar letters, so he thought he was also cooperating with the powerful families of Jiangdong: "These powerful families have made it very clear, so we should fight even harder to kill Sun Ce."

"General Huang, that's precisely why we can't let Sun Ce die here!" Liu Hua's voice suddenly rose. He pointed to the pile of silk scrolls and said, "These people can promise us they'll serve us as their masters today if we eliminate Sun Ce, and they can say the same thing to Liu Biao and Liu Bei tomorrow! We can't let our lives be in the hands of others!"

He stepped forward, almost staring intently at Huang Zu: "General, please consider this: why are these powerful families not afraid of Liu Biao or Cao Cao, but so eager to use us to eliminate Sun Ce?"

Huang Zu was taken aback by the question, and subconsciously replied, "Naturally, it's because that brat Sun Ce is tyrannical and oppressive to the gentry—"

"General Huang, you are both right and wrong. It is indeed related to Sun Ce's swift and ruthless actions. The powerful families of Jiangdong already wielded immense influence due to their remoteness and distance from the emperor. It was only after Sun Ce arrived in Jiangdong that these powerful families were either stripped of their property or exterminated, showing no fear of resistance."

Liu Ye suddenly smiled and continued, "In that case, let's send Sun Ce back to continue fighting against the Jiangdong aristocratic families. At this time, Sun Ce will also be tied up with the affairs of Jiangdong and unable to go north. Liu Biao will not dare to rush into battle because Sun Ce's main force has not suffered major losses, nor will he dare to harm either of us. In this way, the dilemma will be resolved."

"What about Liu Bei? What should he do?"

"General, there is no need to worry. Liu Bei has not shown any signs of sending troops yet, which means that Liu Biao and Liu Bei have not reached an agreement. If Liu Bei goes south now, Liu Biao will definitely think that Liu Bei wants to seize Jiujiang County before Liu Biao. Once the trust between the two sides is lost, there is no need to worry about them uniting."

Huang Zu then realized that Liu Hua's words were like pouring water from a pot, dispelling all his doubts.

"Since we're both here, why don't we form an alliance? If one of us is attacked, the other will have to send troops to support us." Liu Hua then proposed a plan to further deepen the relationship between the two sides.

"I have no objection." "I have no objection either."