The Three Kingdoms: Zhaolie, the strategist, and the rise of the Han Dynasty

Chapter 27: The Scholars and Aristocrats Are Not as Terrible as Imagined (Please Read!)

Jiujiang is adjacent to Xuzhou and borders Xia Pi and Guangling.

If Yuan Shu had any ill intentions, it would directly threaten the security of southern Xuzhou.

This is also why Liu Bei in history chose to strike hard against Yuan Shu.

"What the military advisor said makes sense. Yuan Shu has evil ambitions. Xuzhou's control over Guangling is weak now."

"If Guangling sides with Yuan Shu, Xia Pi will be in danger. I must raise an army as soon as possible to eliminate this threat!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Zhang Fei folded his arms and said:

"I am willing to be the pioneer and relieve my brother's worries!"

Li Yi took a sip of tea and said with a smile:
"Xuzhou has just completed the transfer of power, and all parties are in a panic. My lord, if you raise an army at this time, aren't you afraid that Xuzhou will fall into the hands of others?"

This……

Liu Bei frowned. Now the various forces in Xuzhou did not trust each other, so internal stability was indeed the first choice.

But the external hidden dangers are real. I had just taken over Xuzhou, but I didn’t expect to encounter such a big problem.

"My lord, there is no need to worry."

Li Yi comforted him, "I don't think Yuan Shu would dare to attack Xuzhou at this time. We just need to rectify the situation internally during this period of time."

"When the time is right, it won't be too late to attack Yuan Shu."

Oh?
Liu Bei raised his eyebrows and said curiously:

"How did the military advisor determine that Yuan Shu would not dare to attack Xuzhou at this time?"

Li Yi analyzed for Liu Bei slowly:
"Yuan Shu is a man of arrogance, extravagance and debauchery, petty and eccentric, and not a leader who can bring order to chaos."

"He has too many enemies: Cao Cao in the north, Liu Biao in the west, and Liu Yao in the east."

"Although he is called the governor of a state, the area he controls is only a small corner of Huainan."

After all, although Yuan Shu claimed to be in charge of Yangzhou affairs, most of the land in Yangzhou was controlled by local scholars and nobles.

The only area truly in Yuan Shu's hands was the Huainan area. He was able to show off his power simply by relying on his family background and the foundation of the Yuan family.

Li Yi continued speaking.

"As far as I know, the imperial court appointed Liu Yao, a member of the Donglai royal family, as governor of Yangzhou a few months ago. This move was clearly intended to check and balance Yuan Shu."

"Yuan Shu had fought against him before, but Liu Yao had the support of the local nobles in Jiangdong, so Yuan Shu could not win after several battles."

"Liu Biao of Jingzhou also saw an opportunity and was ready to attack Yuan Shu's rear wing."

"Yuan Shu is in a state of war right now, how dare he really mobilize his troops to threaten Xuzhou?"

After a slight pause, he added:
"Besides, Yuan Shu's subordinate Sun Ce had also started to raise an army. Although he was nominally fighting for Yuan Shu, the two of them had already become estranged in spirit."

"Sun Ce has long had the ambition to dominate Jiangdong. This time, he will definitely be out of Yuan Shu's control."

"How can Yuan Gonglu raise an army to threaten our lord Xuzhou?"

After some analysis, Liu Bei nodded repeatedly.

As long as Yuan Shu could not threaten Xuzhou for the time being, he would be able to free up his hands to rectify internal conflicts.

Li Yi tapped the teacup gently on the desk chair and continued to offer advice:
"The Xia Pi Chen family is a century-old family in Xuzhou with a profound heritage."

"This Chen Gui was originally the governor of Pei, but was repeatedly attacked by Yuan Shu, so he had no choice but to resign and return home."

"The Chen family and Yuan Shu have long been at odds with each other."

"If we can use Chen's power to fight against Yuan Shu, we can prevent him from looking north, and my lord will no longer have to worry about the south."

Hearing this, Liu Bei frowned slightly.

If you ask which family is the most influential in Xia Pi, it must be the Chen family.

Even after Lu Bu took control of Xuzhou, the Chen family did not take Lu Bu, the "new master", seriously.

The history books say that he "played with him like a baby" and made Lu Bu run around in circles.

In fact, Chen Deng’s influence can be seen from his promise to help Liu Bei get 100,000 infantry and cavalry.

Although Chen Deng was indeed bragging, he dared to make such a big statement and even used it as a bargaining chip.

This is enough to prove the strength of his family.

Such a powerful family was someone Liu Bei had to rely on.

But it is also an object that must be guarded against.

Liu Bei was very worried that the father and son were too powerful. If he was not careful, his position as governor of Xuzhou would be sidelined. "What do you think of Chen Deng, sir?"

Li Yi was not in a hurry to express his opinion, but asked Liu Bei for his opinion first.

Liu Bei's eyes narrowed and he said in deep thought:

"Chen Yuanlong is a man of both civil and military talents, with extraordinary courage and determination, a rare example in ancient and modern times."

"Among the masses today, few can compare with him."

Liu Bei was wary of the Chen family, but he admired Chen Deng from the bottom of his heart.

Chen Deng was indeed a young and promising man, an all-round genius in military affairs, internal affairs, and diplomacy.

During Tao Qian's tenure, there was no famine in Xuzhou, thanks to the development of Chen Deng, the Minister of Agriculture.

"Since the Lord also recognizes Chen Deng's ability, why not recommend him to be the governor of Guangling?"

"Order him to attack Jiujiang from the east and threaten Yuan Shu's flank."

Li Yi put forward his suggestions to Liu Bei.

Guangling is now an ownerless land. Before it is completely swallowed up by Yuan Shu, let Chen Deng, a versatile person, develop it.

With the influence of their century-old family, they will surely be able to easily win the hearts of the locals.

This will not only provide a strong barrier in the south, but also strengthen the cohesion of Xuzhou.

Why not?
"But Chen's family business is in Xiapi. How can he abandon his family business and go to Guangling to fight Yuan Shu?"

"Chen Gui is a man of great foresight, how could he be used by me just for a momentary impulse?"

Liu Bei expressed his concerns.

"Even if the Chens really went, how could they obey my orders?"

"I am afraid that he will become too powerful in Guangling and eventually hinder me."

Liu Bei's worries were not without reason, as it was not uncommon for local tyrants to rebel against their superiors.

Especially since Liu Bei had no foundation in Xuzhou, he really didn't dare to give up his power and gamble on Chen's loyalty.

"My Lord, are you sincere in your comments about Chen Deng?"

Li Yi asked.

Liu Bei's eyes narrowed and he said seriously:
"Every word I say is from the bottom of my heart. How can there be any falsehood?"

The admiration for Chen Deng is real, and the concern for the Chen family is also real.

There is no contradiction between the two.

"That's good..."

Li Yi smiled softly and said with curved lips:
"My lord, would you like to know how Chen Yuanlong evaluates you?"

“…Unknown.”

Liu Bei shook his head.

Li Yi replied:

"Chen Yuanlong described the lord as 'an outstanding hero with the strategy of a king and a hegemon.'"

Well……

This is a high praise.

Chen Deng had previously said that he wanted to assist Liu Bei in achieving one of the Five Hegemons in Xuzhou like Duke Huan of Qi, which is consistent with what he said before.

"According to the military advisor, is Chen Yuanlong trustworthy?"

"……Um."

Li Yi nodded. "My lord, you may have some misunderstandings about the Chen family, or the scholars and nobles. I thought they were trustworthy and cooperative."

"My lord, you may as well boldly delegate power to Chen Deng and his son. If Guangling can be handed over to the Chen family, it will surely threaten Yuan Shu's flank."

"As long as the lord holds Xuzhou firmly in his hands, Chen and his son will never betray the lord!"

Li Yi directly put forward a point of view, allowing Liu Bei to boldly and confidently employ Chen.

……

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(End of this chapter)