Wei Xiaobao's Three Kingdoms Adventure

Chapter 125: Finally got two days of peace

"Yuan Shu has escaped from the city!"

Wei Xiaobao went to see Zhuge Liang with great joy, but just as he entered the military tent, he heard someone reporting.

"Chase them!" Wei Xiaobao urged the messenger impatiently without waiting for Zhuge Liang to give the order.

Zhuge Liang waved his feather fan and said, "Wait a minute! Don't pursue a desperate enemy! Yuan Shu fled Shouchun with a large group of soldiers, and they're probably already gathered. If we send troops to pursue them, firstly, we're outnumbered, and secondly, they're defeated and fleeing with nowhere to go. If they meet their pursuers, they'll probably fight for their lives. Bozhi, the purpose of this battle is to capture the city, not to annihilate the enemy. Since we've already succeeded, there's no need to waste more troops."

Yuan Shu is now a lost cause. I predict he will flee to Yuan Shao via Xuzhou. With Yunchang in Pengcheng, Yuan Shu won't be able to escape."

Wei Xiaobao was anxious to go to Pengcheng to block Yuan Shu, so he asked Zhuge Liang, "Military Advisor, when should we return to Xuzhou?"

"Why, are you in a hurry to go back and get married?"

Wei Xiaobao smiled awkwardly.

After Yuan Shu escaped Shouchun, he fled north with the remnants of his army, just as Zhuge Liang had predicted. However, Yuan Shu became so angry after his defeat that he fell ill and died on the road shortly after crossing the Huai River.

Seeing that the situation was hopeless, Yuan Huan and Yang Hong led their troops to Xia Pi to surrender to Liu Bei. Zhang Xun fled alone. Poor Yuan Gonglu, whose family had been officials for four generations, ended up with his body buried in the wilderness.

After Wei Xiaobao, Zhuge Liang and others returned to Xia Pi, they learned that the jade seal had already been taken to Yecheng by Yan Xiang.

Liu Bei held a celebration banquet, and even Guan Yu, who was stationed in Pengcheng, was recalled to attend.

The capture of Shouchun was Liu Bei's first external expansion since he took over Xuzhou. Everyone in the army was happy, except Wei Xiaobao, who was unhappy.

Zhao Yun noticed that Wei Xiaobao was in a bad mood and thought he was thinking about his marriage to Da Qiao and Xiao Qiao. He stepped forward to comfort him, "Second brother, you have made great contributions in the attack on Shouchun. The lord and the military advisor will certainly not break their promise. Why worry?"

Wei Xiaobao's efforts were in vain. When he heard Zhao Yun's advice, he thought it was about the imperial seal, so he replied, "We had to borrow food to fight Yuan Shu, so what about Yuan Shao? Even Cao Cao didn't dare to confront Yuan Shao head-on, let alone us."

Zhao Yun said, "Ah, brother, I thought you were worried about your romantic relationship, but I didn't expect you to have such far-sightedness. As soon as you took Yuzhou, you started planning to seize Jizhou and Youzhou."

Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang had already come up to the two of them with wine glasses in hand.

Zhao Yun hurriedly said to Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang, "My lord, military advisor, while we were still celebrating with wine, my second brother has already started plotting against Yuan Shao."

Zhuge Liang uttered an "oh" and asked Wei Xiaobao, "Why did Bozhi think of attacking Yuan Shao?"

Wei Xiaobao was put on the spot and could only bite the bullet and say, "When the jade seal was in Yuan Shu's hands, he wanted to become emperor. Unfortunately, we captured Shouchun before he could do so. Now that the jade seal is in Yuan Shao's hands, I'm worried that he will have the same idea as Yuan Shu."

Zhuge Liang said, "Even if Yuan Shao wanted to become emperor, he would not have done anything presumptuous. Moreover, he has Ju Su, Tian Feng, Guo Tu, Feng Ji and other counselors under his command. How could he have done something that would do more harm than good?

Yuan Shao now occupies You, Bing, Ji, and Qing provinces, and commands eight great counselors, four great pillars of the court, three sons and a nephew, four great generals, and four capable ministers. He possesses a vast army, numerous generals, and abundant food and fodder. Even Cao Cao couldn't contend with him, let alone us.
Bo Zhineng has a desire for development, which is commendable. However, at present, seeking to expand northward is not a viable option."

Wei Xiaobao knew that with Liu Bei's current strength, it was simply a dream to take back the jade seal from Yuan Shao. He could only nod and say, "I'll remember what the military advisor said."

Zhang Fei ran over, holding a jar of wine, and laughed heartily at Zhuge Liang. "Military Advisor, your plan was truly brilliant! Not only did it satisfy me, killing Ji Ling, but it also allowed us to capture Shouchun effortlessly. I truly admire you, and I've come here to toast you!"

Zhuge Liang also smiled and said, "General Zhang is extremely brave. He killed Ji Ling in two rounds. He must be the greatest hero of this battle!" "I dare not take credit for it. The military advisor's strategy was good, and Bo Zhi also made contributions. I just took advantage of it."

Liu Bei said, "Don't be so modest, Third Brother. We can't take Shouchun without any of you. But I have a word of advice for you. Don't be so reckless and issue military orders at every turn."

"I am completely convinced by the military advisor this time. From now on, I will obey the orders of Big Brother and the military advisor."

Everyone smiled at each other and drank happily.

After the celebration banquet, Wei Xiaobao returned home drunk and told his three wives about the jade seal.

Although everyone feels regretful, things have already happened and they can only find another way.

Wei Xiaobao had no choice but to wait until Cao Cao defeated Yuan Shao.

Liu Bei followed Zhuge Liang's advice and dispatched Zhang Fei to lead Yuan Huan and Sun Qian to govern Shouchun, while guarding against Sun Ce's attack.

Liu Bei thus controlled Xiapi, Pengcheng, Xiaoguan, Xiaopei, and Shouchun, encompassing the entirety of Xuzhou and most of Yuzhou. Chen Deng of Guangling was also tricked by Wei Xiaobao, ostensibly supporting Cao Cao but actually providing support to Liu Bei.

Cao Cao and Yuan Shao each gathered their forces in preparation for a decisive battle. Sun Ce, upon learning that Shouchun had been captured by Liu Bei, shifted his focus to Yangzhou. Liu Biao of Jingzhou maintained a perpetually "don't attack me unless I'm attacked." Xiliang and Yizhou, far from the heartland of the Central Plains, saw minor conflicts, but they were irrelevant to the overall situation.

Liu Bei finally entered a rare period of development.

It was for this reason that Zhuge Liang and Liu Bei decided to hold a wedding ceremony for Wei Xiaobao. After all, marrying two women at once, especially Qiao Rui's daughters, had to be a decent ceremony.

The city of Xia Pi was decorated with lights and people from all over the city were enjoying the celebration, which was rare in the war-torn era.

Qiao Rui also gained enough face and no longer treated Wei Xiaobao coldly.

After this major event, everyone lived a peaceful life until news came that Yuan Shao had led his troops south.

While discussing military affairs in Liu Bei's tent, Wei Xiaobao met Guan Yu and Zhang Fei whom he had not seen for a long time.

Zhuge Liang immediately threw out a bombshell at the beginning, "A war between Yuan Shao and Cao Cao is imminent, and now is the best time for us to capture Jiangdong.

The key to this battle is speed. If we fail to capture Jiangdong before Yuan Shao and Cao Cao decide the outcome, the Qingzhou and Yanzhou garrisons will attack Xuzhou, and we will be in great danger."

Liu Bei expressed his concerns: "Military Advisor, isn't this move of ours a bit too dangerous?"

Guan Yu replied, "I have already made the walls of Pengcheng higher and thicker. As long as we have sufficient food and supplies, we are not afraid of Yuan Shao or Cao Cao. If we divert our forces to attack Jiangdong, I'm afraid it will not work."

Zhang Fei said, "The people of Shouchun have finally enjoyed a few days of peace. Now, if we go to war with Sun Ce, Shouchun will be the front line. Won't they be in constant fear again?"

Others also echoed this, and none of them agreed with the strategy proposed by Zhuge Liang.

(End of this chapter)