My father-in-law Guan Yu, I persuaded Liu Bei to launch a surprise attack on Xiangyang at the beginn

Chapter 184: Old Liu is destined to succeed! My dear son-in-law, are you going to let an orphan and a widow lead the troops to attack Hefei?
Liu Bei was startled and turned back to look at Kong Rong with a look as if he had heard it wrong.

Xiao He was also full of surprise.

This Kong Wenju actually hid this oral instruction from me.

When they first met, Kong Rong only showed him the imperial edict, but he did not expect that the emperor had other oral instructions in addition to the imperial edict.

This oral order actually allowed Old Liu to be the emperor!

Xiao He was surprised, and then he understood why Kong Rong had hidden it from him before.

This oral order concerns the fate of the Han Dynasty's throne!

With this edict, Old Liu will be able to legitimately depose Emperor Liu Xi and take over the throne himself.

Moreover, this kind of replacement is completely different from the replacement between the Cao and Sima families.

The Cao family replaced the Han Dynasty in the name of abdication, which seemed legal, but in fact it was just an act of covering up the truth. Everyone in the world knew that the Cao family forced the Han emperor to give up the throne.

Liu Bei was different. Not only was his surname Liu, but he also succeeded the previous emperor in accordance with his will, and had the right to do so.

It is legal, reasonable and rational, and no one can find any fault with it or say a word of gossip about it.

More importantly, this oral will was relayed by Kong Rong.

Who is Kong Rong?
After Confucius, the great Confucian scholars of the time were known throughout the world for their uprightness and incorruptibility.

Who would question the authenticity of the emperor's oral instructions relayed by such a person?
"My Lord, your luck is truly great! Who would believe that this isn't destiny?"

Xiao He sighed inwardly.

After Liu Bei was surprised, he looked terrified:
"I am a descendant of the Liu family. Supporting the Han Dynasty and assisting the young lord is my unshirkable responsibility. How dare I..."

"Mr. Xuande!"

Kong Rong interrupted Liu Bei and said sternly:

"Rong is naturally very clear about Lord Xuande's ambitions and character."

"However, the emperor has said that as long as the throne belongs to the Liu family, anyone who can restore the Han Dynasty will be eligible to inherit the throne."

"Today, the only person capable of sweeping away the Han traitors and restoring the Han Dynasty is Lord Xuande."

"Rong believes that if the day truly comes when people's hearts are in your favor and destiny is yours, Lord Xuande must prioritize the country and the people and absolutely not refuse!"

After Kong Rong finished speaking these righteous and stern words, Liu Bei was speechless.

Xiao He couldn't help but secretly admire in his heart, a great scholar is a great scholar, and he can speak of these profound principles in a coherent manner.

And it is well-reasoned and well-founded, with words like "the country and the people" and "the revival of the Han Dynasty", every word is as heavy as Mount Tai.

After hearing this profound truth, not only Liu Bei but even he was speechless in rebuttal.

Besides, he didn't want to refute it at all. Kong Rong had just said what he wanted to say to Liu Bei.
"Mr. Kong, prepare..."

Liu Bei hesitated for a long time, but still didn't know how to respond.

Xiao He rolled his eyes and took the opportunity to say:

"Don't worry, Young Master Kong. Since there is the Emperor's will, if that day ever comes, my master will certainly not refuse for the sake of the country and the people."

Liu Bei was stunned.

I haven't even nodded yet, and you, Military Advisor, have agreed on my behalf?

Xiao He did not give Liu Bei a chance to consider, and changed the subject:
"My lord, according to our spies, Cao Cao has led his army back to Xudu. I predict he will mobilize his entire army to retake Wancheng within a few days."

"This is exactly the purpose of our attack on Wancheng. After we hold the funeral for the late emperor, there are three things we need to do."

Liu Bei's thoughts were immediately drawn back to the current situation, and he hurriedly asked Xiao He what three things he should do.

"The first thing you should do is to announce Cao Cao's crime of regicide to the world and call on all the loyal Han people to join you in defeating Cao Cao."

"Secondly, my lord, you must immediately order the construction of a palace in Moling and escort the empress and her son back to Moling. When the fighting subsides, you can, as the Grand General, go to Moling to help the Prince of Jiyin ascend the throne and inherit the throne."

"The third thing is also the most urgent. We must take advantage of the situation while Cao Cao's main force is in the north and seize Hefei. This will allow us to advance the battle line to Huainan and ensure the safety of Moling and even Jiangdong."

Xiao He spoke these three things slowly and calmly.

Liu Bei stroked his thin beard and nodded repeatedly, agreeing deeply with it.

No matter who shot the emperor, as long as he was Cao Cao's subordinate, the blame would naturally be put on Cao Cao.

Announcing Cao Cao's crime of regicide was tantamount to launching a public opinion war, causing Cao Cao to lose the support of the people.

As for supporting the Prince of Jiyin to succeed to the throne and continue the Han Dynasty, telling the people of the world that I, Liu Bei, hold the banner of justice, is naturally the top priority.

However, Cao Cao's army is now approaching, and all priorities should be given to resisting Cao. The issue of Prince Jiyin's succession to the throne can only be put aside for the time being.

When Jiangdong was pacified earlier, Xiao He had mentioned to him that Moling was a strategically located place with strategic advantages, and that he should move his capital to Moling.

Now that a new monarch was to be established, Moling naturally became the only choice for the capital.

"As for the first two matters, Bowen is absolutely right. I will do it immediately. As for the third matter..."

Liu Bei changed the subject and asked again:

"Although Cao Cao's main force has returned north, he still has nearly 30,000 troops stationed in Hefei, including formidable generals like Xiahou Yuan and Zhang Liao."

"This time I returned to Jingzhou, taking with me over 30,000 men. The troops left for Yunchang and his men to use in the attack on Hefei amounted to only about 50,000 at most."

"Does Bowen have any brilliant plan that could have allowed him to defeat Cao Cao's 30,000-man garrison at Hefei with 50,000 men?"

What Liu Bei meant was that his own army did not have much of an advantage in Hefei's military strength, and it was obviously unrealistic to attack it head-on.

Based on his understanding of Xiao He, since Xiao He mentioned Hefei, he must have a plan in mind.

"As for this strategy, He originally intended to take it one step at a time. However, the unexpected incident of the emperor being assassinated and the queen and her son seeking refuge with the lord has led He to come up with a plan."

Xiao He's mouth corners slightly raised, and there was a hint of ulterior motive in his eyes.

Liu Bei was cheered up and knew that he was right, so he asked Xiao He what brilliant plan he had.

"According to the original plan, my lord was to personally command Wancheng and hold Cao Cao's main force in Nanyang. He then returned to Ruxu Fort to assist my father-in-law in seizing Hefei."

"This plan can be slightly modified. I can escort the Queen and the Prince of Jiyin back to Jiangdong with great fanfare. When we pass through Ruxu Fort, I can invite the Queen and the Prince of Jiyin to come and comfort the soldiers on the front lines..."

Xiao He then lowered his voice and told Liu Bei the whole plan. Liu Bei suddenly understood, his eyes flashed with joy, and he praised:
"When it comes to adapting to changing circumstances and understanding people's hearts, no one in the world can compare to you, Xiao Bowen!"

"This is a very good plan. Let's do it according to your plan, Bowen."

When Kong Rong heard Xiao He's plan, the sadness and solemnity on his face were replaced by respect.

"When I was in Xudu, I had long heard of your brilliant strategies, Advisor Xiao, which helped Lord Xuande defeat Cao Cao time and again. Now, after witnessing your methods with my own eyes, I finally understand that Cao Cao's defeat was truly deserved."

Kong Rong was sincerely impressed, then smiled and bowed to Liu Bei:

"Lord Xuande, you are blessed by heaven to have such a remarkable person as Military Advisor Xiao as your assistant. This is truly a blessing for the Han Dynasty!"

Liu Bei stroked his beard and spoke.

So Liu Bei and Xiao He made a grand plan in this mourning hall.

Two days later, the worship ended.

Xiao He led thousands of soldiers and horses from Wancheng to the south, escorting the queen and her two children to Moling.

When the carriages and horses came out of the south gate, the Liangzhou Legion led by Ma Chao was about to leave Wancheng and return to Guanzhong.

According to the strategy agreed upon with Liu Bei in advance, Liu Bei gave Ma Chao nearly 100,000 hu of grain to thank Ma Chao for sending troops to help him capture Wancheng.

Ma Chao returned to Guanzhong and called on all the generals in Guanzhong to contact him. In the name of avenging the emperor, he once again assembled the Western Liang Army to march eastward through Tongguan in order to divide Cao Cao's forces and relieve the pressure on the Wancheng front.

Outside the South Gate, Xiao He met the Ma brothers and sisters.

Ma Chao rode up to meet him and said with a proud smile:
"Military Advisor Xiao, I had a great time fighting in Nanyang. Thanks to your brilliant strategy, I was able to vent my anger."

"I, Ma Chao, have only a few people I admire. Lord Xuande is one, and you are the second. Please accept my respect!"

As he said this, Ma Chao bowed.

Xiao He smiled and immediately bowed in return. When he was about to give Ma Chao some instructions, the lion of Xiliang turned his horse around and rode away laughing.

"Miss Ma, when you return to Xiliang, please remember to remind your brother to maintain a good relationship with Han Sui and not to be suspicious of each other."

"Cao Cao has a history with Han Sui. I suspect he will use this relationship to sow discord and undermine the alliance between the Ma and Han families."

"Remember, remember."

Xiao He had no choice but to remind Ma Yunlu.

Ma Yunlu's eyes flickered, and she was obviously suspicious, but she still nodded:

"Military Advisor Xiao, please rest assured. Yunlu will remember your instructions and will definitely remind you, brother."

Xiao He was relieved, and then he smiled and bowed:

"In that case, let's say goodbye. Take care on your journey, Miss Ma."

After saying that, Xiao He was about to turn around.

Ma Yunlu bit her red lips with her pearly teeth, and after hesitating for a moment, she couldn't help but ask:
"Military Advisor Xiao, after today's separation, will we ever meet again?"

Xiao He didn't even look back, but waved his whip and smiled:
"The green mountains remain unchanged, the clear waters endure forever, and if we meet again, the future is bright and promising..."

Ma Yunlu stopped his horse and watched Xiao He go his separate ways, with a subtle look gradually appearing in his bright eyes.

“When mountains and rivers meet, we can look forward to the future, we can look forward to the future…”

"Little sister, what are you still standing there for? Let's go."

Ma Chao's urging voice sounded behind him, interrupting Ma Yunlu's trance.

After looking at Xiao He again, Ma Yunlu raised the corners of his lips slightly, then turned his horse around, whipped it and rode away.

Ma Chao and his sister returned west, Xiao He went south, and Liu Bei personally led more than 40,000 troops and stayed in Wancheng to fight against Cao.

A few days later, Cao Cao personally led an army of more than 100,000 and reached Wancheng.

Liu Bei held the city as planned and refused to fight.

The main forces of the Cao and Liu armies formed a standoff at Wancheng.

Xiao He escorted the queen and her son from Fancheng into the Han River, south into the Yangtze River, then east along the river, straight to Jiangdong.

Ten days later, the fleet arrived at Ruxuwu.

Guan Yu, who was stationed there at the time, had already learned that the emperor had been assassinated and that the queen and the Prince of Jiyin were coming, so he led the remaining generals to welcome them in the fortress.

At Xiao He's suggestion, Empress Fu took Prince Jiyin and Princess Changle and temporarily stayed in Wubi in the name of comforting the soldiers of the three armies.

At nightfall, the queen and her son had been settled in, so Guan Yu held a banquet in the central military tent to welcome Xiao He.

During this trip to Nanyang, Xiao He not only helped Liu Bei capture Wancheng, but also broke Cao Cao's trick of using the emperor to control the princes. His contribution can be said to be indispensable.

Guan Yu naturally admired and was grateful to his son-in-law. He was smiling all the time during the meal and praised him in various ways.

"Bo Wen, if my guess is correct, you have returned not only to escort the Queen and her son back to Moling, but also to assist me in capturing Hefei at your brother's command."

"I'm sure you're already aware of the current situation in Hefei. Xiahou Yuanshui commands 30,000 elite troops, and Zhang Wenyuan is his deputy general. While our army has an advantage in manpower, it's not significant."

"Do you have a foolproof plan for capturing Hefei this time?"

After a few rounds of drinks, Guan Yu put away the smile on his face and turned the topic back to the main topic of capturing Hefei.

The tent immediately became quiet, and all the generals' eyes turned to Xiao He.

Fa Zheng was transferred to Wancheng to assist Liu Bei, and Lu Xun, under Liu Bei's order, led thousands of troops to take over Jiaozhou. Naturally, the plan to capture Ruxukou could only come from their military advisor Xiao.

Xiao He finished the wine in his cup, and a meaningful smile appeared on the corner of his mouth:

"Father-in-law, the Queen, her mother, and her son have come to Ruxuwu not only to comfort the soldiers, but also to help us capture Hefei."

This statement came out.

Guan Yu was stunned.

Guan Ping, Gan Ning, Wen Pin, Zhu Huan and other generals all looked bewildered.

The queen, her mother and her two children are powerless, how can they help them take Hefei?
Could they really let the three of them, an orphan and a widow, lead the troops into battle?

(End of this chapter)