My father Liu Xuande

Chapter 81 Recruiting Liu Ye
Liu Feng readily agreed: "Yes, Father."

Then, Liu Feng continued tapping his shoulder and asked, "Father, I think Changxi is located in a remote area, surrounded by barren land, so it shouldn't be long before we receive news of Kaiyang's attack. Can we use this as an opportunity to make a move?"

"Your idea is indeed quite good."

Liu Bei closed his eyes, enjoying his son's filial piety, and nodded in agreement.

Liu Feng actually wanted to implement a staff system, designing plans according to a predetermined schedule and then providing them to the generals who would execute them for reference.

For example, what mature response methods can be used immediately in emergency situations such as a bridge being washed away by a river, a wildfire during a march, or a night attack on troops?

In the past, when faced with such special circumstances, we could only rely on the personal abilities of the team leader. However, with the help of advisory plans, the solutions we have are much more reliable than before, both in terms of quantity and quality.

However, he was unsure whether the staff system was effective in classical military times, or whether it would be unsuitable for the local conditions.

So now he only dares to secretly slip in some personal tasks to see Liu Bei's reaction.

At this time, Liu Bei was quite satisfied with Liu Feng's military talent.

Big Ears has been fighting for half his life. Before each battle, he did indeed conduct various intelligence reconnaissance and plan the battle process.

But this was the first time Liu Bei had ever seen a battle plan as detailed, comprehensive, and framework-like as Liu Feng's.

When Liu Bei first saw it, he was even captivated by the plan.

The entire campaign was dissected like a skilled butcher dissecting an ox, breaking it down into individual battles, and then, within each battle, developing solutions for various scenarios.

Although this was just a battle to suppress the bandits of Mount Tai, it almost inspired Liu Feng to write a military treatise.

Although the initial draft of the plan contained many errors, and even fatal flaws.

However, the flaws do not overshadow the merits. Those mistakes and loopholes will be made up for with experience in the future, but this kind of brilliant thinking is a precious thing that cannot be obtained no matter how many battles are fought.

A sudden flash of inspiration struck Liu Bei: Could this be the difference between the Marquis of Huaiyin and other generals?

Liu Bei became more and more excited as he thought about it, and the more he thought it made sense.

Wasn't the Marquis of Huaiyin also a newcomer who achieved great success early in his career?

While secretly gloating over his son's talent, Liu Bei maintained a calm and composed demeanor.

Of course, you can't say what's on your mind, otherwise this kid would be jumping around like crazy.
Even if I'm right, this kid is just a young Marquis of Huaiyin; he's far from being a good fighter.

Moreover, talent alone is not enough. Little did people know that Zhao Kuo was a strategist who only talked about war on paper, and in one battle he lost 400,000 elite troops of the Zhao state.
Of course, Liu Bei did not know that Zhao Kuo was not incapable of fighting, but was not as good as Bai Qi, and that there were many reasons for his defeat. However, this did not prevent Sima Qian from nailing Zhao Kuo to the pillar of shame.

Thinking about this, Liu Bei began to care about some details he hadn't understood earlier. As for why he hadn't asked about these details earlier since he didn't understand them, Liu Bei, who was busy educating his son, felt that these things were not important.

What is the reason for your cautious advance?

"I'm not sure how fast my second and third uncles are marching. I only made a rough estimate. We might run into the Taishan bandits' reinforcements from Kaiyang at this point. So I marked this time. We could encounter the enemy at any time. We must be on guard while continuing to advance."

"Then why would a caravan be stationed here at this time?" "The caravan is just a pretense. In reality, elite troops are disguised and sent here to collect ferries, ensuring that when Cao Jianwei reaches the Yi River, he can quickly cross the river, completely surround Kaiyang, and cut off its connection with other places."

"Then why is some grain stockpiled here?"

"This is the last batch of grain that came out of Kaiyang. Instead of going through the trouble of transporting it back, we might as well leave it here. My army can arrive in three days and use it as military rations. It will save time and effort."

"Why is this place..."

All afternoon, Liu Bei did not go out to handle affairs, but stayed in the back hall to discuss the war plan with Liu Feng and improve the battle strategy.

The entire operation was also named Operation Weeding by Liu Feng, which was explained as eliminating bandits, while also being deceptive and covert.

Liu Bei didn't particularly like the name, but several other names he suggested were even worse, so he eventually compromised.

While Liu Feng continued to massage Liu Bei's back and legs, showing great attentiveness and displaying a picture of filial piety and harmony, there was another person in the Huai-Si region doing similar ingratiating things.

However, his target was not his own father, but Huang Li, the chief official of Xuzhou Prefecture.

Huang Li was a veteran clerk in the Xuzhou prefecture. This time, Liu Bei sent him to Huainan Chengde in the Huai-Si region to recruit a scholar named Liu Ye.

Huang Li originally thought this would be an easy job, since this area was relatively stable, without major wars, and the roads were relatively clear.

When the time comes, as long as the recruitment document is given to the other party, he can return to Xuzhou to report back, regardless of whether the other party accepts the recruitment.

The calm and tranquility on the road seemed to confirm Huang Li's judgment.

Huang Li arrived in Huainan Chengde smoothly and met Liu Ye, as well as his father and brothers.

To Huang Li's utter surprise, after he read the recruitment document aloud and handed it to Liu Ye, the other party's expression changed instantly. He loudly accused Huang Li of impersonating an envoy and then ordered his servants to rush forward and tie him and his entourage up.

Huang Li was completely stunned at the time, and all he remembered was desperately trying to explain to his entourage.

But Liu Ye wouldn't listen. He ordered his men to tie them up and take them to a secluded courtyard, where they were imprisoned.

Huang Li had never seen such an audacious scholar before. This was not his first time doing recruitment work. In the past, when the world was better, this was a very desirable job, one that officials like him would fight tooth and nail for.

But the world is different now. There are wars, locust plagues, mutinous soldiers, refugees, and bandits everywhere, more dangerous than wild beasts.

But once they arrived at their destination, regardless of whether the other party accepted the offer, they were always treated to good food and drink, and gifts were given upon their departure.

These are all benefits that can go into one's own pocket, and the state government won't care.

Who would have thought I'd meet someone like Liu Ye?
Liu Ye's actions shocked not only the envoy Huang Li, but also his father and brothers Liu Pu and Liu Huan.

Before the two could react, they came to their senses after Huang Li was tied up and taken away, and grabbed Liu Ye to ask him why he did this.

Unexpectedly, Liu Ye did not seem to have made any mistake. Instead, he said to his father and elder brother, "Father, elder brother, Liu Bei is a warlord from the north. He does not think about defending the border for the country. Instead, he first helped Gongsun Zan attack Yuan Shao, then he followed Tian Kai to rescue Tao Qian, and then he entered Yuzhou and occupied Pei State. It can be seen that he has no loyalty or righteousness at all."

(End of this chapter)