The Three Kingdoms: Hindsight is 20/20, and the Three Revivals of the Han Dynasty

Chapter 15: Mediating between Yuan Shao and Cao Cao, using their strength to bolster one's own position.

"The conflict between Yuan Shao and Cao Cao cannot be resolved in a short time."

"Furthermore, Liu Biao, Zhang Xiu, Sun Ce, and others are eyeing the south with covetous intent, and the powerful families and clans in the various counties are not a united front. I predict that both Yuan Shao and Cao Cao will send more envoys to entice the counties."

"The general can take this opportunity to mediate between Yuan and Cao, and use their strength to strengthen himself."

Zhuge Liang clearly stated the solution.

Liu Bei was renowned in Xuzhou and was also appointed by the emperor as General of the Left, Marquis of Yicheng, and Governor of Yuzhou. With the outbreak of the war between Yuan Shao and Cao Cao, Liu Bei would inevitably be courted by both sides.

While in Xuchang, Cao Cao was wary of Liu Bei but did not kill him, partly because he wanted to win Liu Bei over to deal with Yuan Shao.

As the saying goes, "It's easy to find three armies, but hard to find a good general."

In terms of military command alone, Liu Bei was still a "rare general" in his time.

Later generations even jokingly said: After Lü Bu's death, Liu Bei was invincible, second only to ten thousand men, and his fate was to be exchanged for one or two hundred thousand men.

Furthermore, his subordinates Guan Yu and Zhang Fei are both formidable generals and should not be underestimated.

Cao Cao secretly ordered Zhu Ling and Lu Zhao to "invite" Liu Bei back to Xuchang, but he did not want Liu Bei to know about Yuan Shao's southward advance. In addition to being suspicious of Liu Bei, he also did not want Liu Bei to be won over by Yuan Shao.

Don't be fooled by the fact that Liu Bei is currently short of soldiers and generals and seems to pose no threat to Cao Cao.

But once Liu Bei raises an army, even if that army is just a bunch of Yellow Turban rebels, Cao Cao will have to send a general to conquer it or even conquer it himself.

And so it is.

Historical records state that Liu Bei merely raised a Yellow Turban army of several thousand men in Runan, yet he still managed to kill Cao Cao's general Cai Yang.

The Records of Huayang further records Liu Bei mocking Cai Yang: "Although my situation is not convenient, even if you come with a million men, you cannot do anything to me; if Cao Mengde comes alone, I will go."

It can be seen.

Liu Bei deeply agreed with Zhuge Liang's response.

Liu Bei was able to move among the various warlords and continuously strengthen himself by relying on their power.

He served as a separate commander under Gongsun Zan, where he gained over a thousand followers from various non-Han ethnic groups.

He was stationed in Pingyuan for Gongsun Zan and gained more than a thousand elite soldiers.

He was stationed in Xiaopei for Tao Qian and also gained 4,000 soldiers from Danyang.

After Tao Qian's death, he took over Xuzhou, and his army once reached more than 20,000 men.

Even when he was nearly killed by Lü Bu's betrayal, he was helped by the Mi brothers, who gave away all their family wealth.

Even when trapped in Xuchang, Liu Bei was able to rise to the rank of "General of the Left and Marquis of Yicheng" and still lead Cao Cao's troops to attack Yuan Shu.

Since ancient times.

To strengthen themselves, most people have to rely on external forces.

If we rely entirely on ourselves, how long will it take for us to grow and thrive?

Think about this.

Liu Bei made a decision: "I wish to have a talk with Che Zhou. Strategist, may you accompany me?"

Previously, Zhu Ling and Lu Zhao had not returned to Xuchang. Liu Bei was wary of Che Zhou joining forces with Zhu Ling and Lu Zhao, so he kept a low profile to lull Che Zhou into a false sense of security.

now.

Zhu Ling and Lu Zhao hurriedly returned to Xudu. Che Zhou felt as if he had lost his arms. In addition, Liu Bei's reputation in Xiapi was growing day by day, so Liu Bei had an opportunity to explain the advantages and disadvantages to Che Zhou.

Che Zhou was surprised and suspicious when Liu Bei suddenly visited him shortly after Zhu Ling and Lu Zhao left Xiapi. He immediately summoned his advisor Cao Xuan to discuss the matter.

Cao Xuan came from the powerful Cao family of Xiapi. He was quite wealthy and had a certain reputation in Xuzhou, so Che Zhou appointed him as his chief advisor.

Upon hearing the news, Cao Xuan analyzed, "Liu Bei goes out early and returns late every day, tending vegetables to avoid suspicion. His sudden visit today must have a reason. You should meet with Liu Bei first before making a decision."

Che Zhou nodded: "May I meet with Liu Bei together, so as to assist me?"

Not long after.

Liu Bei entered with Zhuge Liang.

Unaware of Liu Bei's purpose, Che Zhou probed, "General Zuo, instead of tending your vegetables today, what brings you here to seek me out?"

Liu Bei sighed softly, "Yuan Shao has marched south, and the emperor has been humiliated. How can I possibly settle down and grow vegetables?"

"Where did General Zuo get this information from?" Che Zhou asked in surprise. Liu Bei looked at Che Zhou and replied fabricatedly, "Naturally, it was Generals Zhu Ling and Lu Zhao who told me."

Che Zhou was even more surprised.

Did Zhu Ling and Lu Zhao actually leak secrets to Liu Bei?

Che Zhou also received Cao Cao's secret order.

In order to relieve the pressure on Xuchang from Yuan Shao's southward advance, Cao Cao secretly ordered Zang Ba and others to attack Qingzhou, and also secretly ordered Che Zhou to procure provisions to aid Zang Ba.

All of a sudden.

It is difficult to distinguish the genuine from the fake chariot helmet.

Che Zhou's reaction confirmed Zhuge Liang's prediction.

See this.

Liu Bei then said, “I originally intended to return to Xuchang to help Sikong resist Yuan Shao, but I feared that I was too weak and powerless. Therefore, after careful consideration, I decided to stay in Pi for the time being to help Governor Che gather the righteous people and civilians to assist Sikong.”

At first glance.

Liu Bei spoke sincerely and always considered Cao Cao's interests.

However, Che Zhou was wary of Liu Bei and dared not fully believe what Liu Bei said. He politely declined, saying, "General Zuo, I admire your noble character. However, I have long served as the governor of Xuzhou, and all the counties trust me. There is no need for you to trouble yourself, General Zuo."

Although he did not know Liu Bei's true purpose, Che Zhou believed that as long as he did not let Liu Bei get involved in things, he would not be deceived.

Che Zhou's idea was correct.

But since Liu Bei had come, he naturally wouldn't leave empty-handed.

As soon as Che Zhou finished speaking, he was mocked by Zhuge Liang: "I thought Governor Che was a hero, a man of great magnanimity, and capable of accommodating all men. I never expected him to be such a pedantic Confucian scholar who is jealous of talent and ability."

Che Zhou's expression changed drastically.

When a governor governs a prefecture, the most taboo thing is to be seen as jealous of the virtuous and capable.

Without the assistance of local scholars, a governor cannot govern effectively.

Therefore, when a governor governs a prefecture, regardless of whether he is truly jealous of talent or not, he must project an image of a kind and benevolent person who appoints people based on merit.

Zhuge Liang directly mocked Che Zhou for being jealous of talent and ability, which Che Zhou could not tolerate.
Che Zhou raised his eyes and gestured to the other officer, Cao Xuan.

Cao Xuan understood and roared angrily, "Who are you to dare insult Lord Che?"

Zhuge Liang glanced at Cao Xuan, lightly waved his feather fan, and revealed his "arrogance": "I am Zhuge Kongming, the military advisor and general under the Left General!"

Cao Xuan sneered: "So it's the arrogant Zhuge Liang who compares himself to Guan Zhong and Yue Yi, and calls himself the Crouching Dragon. What is the General of the Left trying to achieve by allowing this arrogant fellow to humiliate Lord Che?"

Liu Bei smiled faintly and remained silent.

Although Cao Xuan was the Prefect of Xuzhou, he was not yet qualified to answer every question Liu Bei asked.

Zhuge Liang followed up by saying, "That is not true! In the past, when Guan Zhong was imprisoned in a cage, Duke Huan of Qi released him from his shackles and appointed him prime minister; when Yue Yi was trapped in the Yan market, King Zhao of Zhou took up his horsewhip and dismissed his troops. Both of them were wise rulers who treated the virtuous with respect."

"Now, General Zuo does not mind my humble origins and entrusts me with important responsibilities. We eat at the same table and sleep in the same bed. His respect for the virtuous and talented surpasses that of Duke Huan and King Zhao. I wonder, how does Governor Che treat Cao Biejia, and how does General Zuo treat me? Which is better?"

Cao Xuan felt a tightness in his chest.

I asked General Zuo why he tolerated the arrogant scholar's humiliation of Magistrate Che, since this arrogant scholar wanted to compare his treatment with mine.

however.

Cao Xuan had to admit that Zhuge Liang's underhanded tactics were extremely effective.

Do we eat at the same table?

Do you sleep in the same bed?

I've been a driver for more than half a year now, and I've never even sat at the same table as the Chief of the Car Service!
Envy breeds jealousy.

Jealousy can breed hatred.

Cao Xuan's composure crumbled, and his tone became extremely unfriendly: "I am the Prefect of Xuzhou, and I will not engage in verbal sparring with you. You have committed insubordination and humiliated Governor Che. If you are not punished, what face will Governor Che have left?"

Zhuge Liang laughed loudly: "General Zuo came for matters of national importance, but Governor Che listened to slander and drove him away, which was already impolite; I, Liang, am indignant in protecting my lord, so how can this be considered shameful?"

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(End of this chapter)