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

Chapter 9: The Heavenly Emperor's Mandate, After the Events, Zhuge Liang Focuses on the Peak Match
Liu Bei's breath hitched.

Liu Bei was well aware of the current situation in Xuzhou.

In this devastated state, wise men either died in the war or fled to the Jianghuai and Jingchu regions, while the common people suffered even more, living a miserable and difficult life.

Take Liu Bei's retainers as an example.

A few years ago, Liu Bei could have easily raised a retinue of thousands from his humble beginnings.

Now, Liu Bei can barely muster three hundred men.

It wasn't that Liu Bei didn't want to, but that he couldn't: on the one hand, there was a shortage of food supplies, and on the other hand, there was a lack of able-bodied men.

"Xuzhou is desolate and ruined; it is my fault!"

Thinking back to when he first took control of Xuzhou, he not only failed to protect the people and their land, but also caused suffering to the soldiers and civilians who followed him. Liu Bei couldn't help but shed tears of sorrow.

Liu Bei's genuine emotions moved Zhuge Liang deeply.

"The desolation and ruin of Xuzhou are the fault of Cao Cao, Lü Bu, and Yuan Shu, not General Zuo! If it weren't for General Zuo's widespread benevolence, why would the vagrant households in the counties of Xiapi be vying to register their households?"

Zhuge Liang acknowledged Liu Bei's contributions in Xuzhou and blamed the desolation and ruin of Xuzhou on Cao Cao, Lü Bu, and Yuan Shu.

Then he changed the subject: "Although General Zuo could not achieve his ambitions in Xuzhou, he can seek another foundation."

Asking questions is not a real skill; asking questions and being able to solve them is.

Zhuge Liang's words, "You may seek another foundation," gave Liu Bei a jolt.

If one has a solid foundation, what is there to worry about among the mediocre people of the world?

Liu Bei, with a solemn expression, cupped his hands and pleaded again: "Please enlighten me, sir!"

Zhuge Liang gestured to Pang Tong to bring a scroll of simplified maps of the various states of the Han Dynasty and spread it out on the couch.

"General Zuo, please take a look."

"Since Dong Zhuo, heroes have risen up one after another. Those who control multiple provinces and counties are too numerous to count."

"Cao Cao was born into a eunuch family and had little fame or influence, yet he was able to defeat Yuan Shu and Lü Bu. This was not only due to favorable timing but also to his strategic thinking."

"now:"

"Cao Cao has already occupied the strategic locations of Xu, Yan and Yu provinces, and has also conquered Henan and pacified Guanzhong. Furthermore, he has held the emperor hostage to command the other lords. He is truly an enemy that cannot be contended with."

"Although Yuan Shu was defeated in the Jianghuai region, his former subordinate Sun Ce rose up in Jiangdong. With the help of the strategic terrain and the support of virtuous men, Sun Ce swept through Jiangdong and was invincible. He could be an ally but not a threat."

“Jingzhou is located north of the Han and Mian rivers, enjoys the benefits of the South China Sea, connects to Wu and Kuai in the east, and leads to Ba and Shu in the west. It is a country that can be used for military purposes. However, Liu Biao is in his prime and is also a relative of the Left General. He can be an ally but not a target.”

"Yuan Shao of Hebei, whose family had held high office for four generations, had disciples and former officials all over the country. He also destroyed Gongsun Zan and seized Youzhou. He was the strongest in Hebei and should have swept across the country. No one could stop him."

"However, Yuan Shao was outwardly lenient but inwardly suspicious, fond of scheming but indecisive, and he also allowed his sons to vie for power, which led to the fact that the civil and military officials in Hebei harbored different intentions. The situation seemed to be like a surging river, but in reality, it was stagnant and silted up."

"Liang predicted that he would surely be defeated by Cao Cao."

"The general is a descendant of the imperial family, renowned for his integrity throughout the land, commanding heroes and thirsting for talent."

"If we can seize the opportunity to rise up in Hebei, secure its strategic location, pacify the various Hu tribes, forge alliances with Liu Biao and Sun Ce externally, and improve governance and harmony internally; when the world changes, we can gather the forces of Hebei and march south to quell the rebellion."

"What common people would dare not welcome the general with food and drink? If this is done, then hegemony can be achieved and the Han dynasty can be restored!"

Liu Bei was horrified when he heard this.

Before leaving Xuchang, Liu Bei had heard Cao Cao and his advisors analyze the situation of the world on more than one occasion.

Although the details of the analysis by Cao Cao's advisors differed from those of Zhuge Liang, they were largely consistent, especially in their analysis of Yuan Shao, which was exactly the same as Zhuge Liang's.

Therefore.

After Cao Cao defeated Lü Bu, in addition to dividing the various forces in Xuzhou, he also carried out a large-scale campaign of "holding the emperor hostage to command the princes": using Sun Ce to attack Yuan Shu, using Zhang Xian to attack Liu Biao, ordering Wei Kai to be stationed in Guanzhong, and ordering Wei Zhong to be stationed in Hanoi, etc. All of these were preparations for the war against Yuan Shao.

The reason Liu Bei left Xuchang was not only because he felt threatened by Xuchang, but also because he wanted to take advantage of the battle between Yuan Shao and Cao Cao to make a comeback.

only.

Liu Bei planned to seize the opportunity to rise in Xuzhou and gradually realize his great ambitions.

Zhuge Liang, however, envisioned Liu Bei seizing the opportunity to rise up in Hebei and replace Yuan Shao. This was the difference in strategy!

Liu Bei believed that Cao Cao and Yuan Shao were both ruthless tigers who would devour people without spitting out the bones. He thought that it was already quite remarkable that he could snatch food from the jaws of two tigers and establish himself in Xuzhou when they were fighting each other.

Zhuge Liang told Liu Bei: "When two tigers fight, one will surely be injured. If you eat the tiger that is most likely to be injured, you will become the tiger."

To devour a fierce tiger, especially Yuan Shao, is something Liu Bei would never have dared to even dream of!
Ironically, Zhuge Liang not only dared to think about it, but also wanted Liu Bei to carry it out.

"Boom boom boom——"

The inn became quiet, and Liu Bei could even hear his own heartbeat!

Xu Shu and Pang Tong remained calm.

Zhuge Liang's strategic plan to "conquer Hebei" had been analyzed and discussed with Xu Shu and Pang Tong ever since he left Xiangyang, and the two of them were equally familiar with it.

Although "Map Hebei" is difficult, all three are outstanding talents of their time.

Especially Zhuge Liang!

Before returning from Wuzhangyuan, Zhuge Liang had already played two peak battles: the "Three Kingdoms" and the "Entrustment of the Orphan at Baidi City," which were no less difficult than the "Map of Hebei."

now.

Zhuge Liang returns from Wuzhang Plains in his strongest form: Hindsight is 20/20. This Zhuge Liang is a military and political genius among the Ten Philosophers of the Martial Temple!
After returning from Wuzhang Plains, Zhuge Liang had only one wish: to recover the Central Plains!

Should we merely hold out in Xuzhou?

A precarious existence in Jiangdong?

Xu Tu Yizhou?

If Zhuge Liang had not returned from Wuzhang Plains, things might have turned out this way.

Zhuge Liang, who returned from Wuzhang Plains, possessed great strategic acumen and the ability to predict the future.

If you're going to compete, compete to be the strongest!
If we're going to fight, let's fight in the peak tournament!

now.

Liu Bei was in his prime, and:
Among the scholars were Xu Shu, Jian Yong, Sun Qian, and the Mi brothers.

The martial arts figures include Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Chen Dao, and Xiahou Bo.

The substitutes are Zhuge Liang and Pang Tong.

Other characters available for recruitment include Zhao Yun, Huang Zhong, Qian Zhao, and Tian Yu.

With this lineup:
Hebei is a promising area!
The Central Plains are worth fighting for!
Doorway.

Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, who were standing by, were equally astonished.

Guan Yu and Zhang Fei were well aware of just how powerful the Yuan family of Hebei, who had held high office for four generations, were.

Back when Liu Bei was under Gongsun Zan's command, he had clashed with Yuan Shao many times. Now, even Gongsun Zan, who had been rampant in Youzhou, has been destroyed by Yuan Shao!

Facing Yuan Shao, a fierce tiger from Hebei, Zhuge Liang not only did not avoid his sharp edge, but also wanted Liu Bei to devour him!

If Zhuge Liang hadn't been recommended by Xu Shu and if they hadn't known that Zhuge Liang revered Liu Bei, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei would have jumped out to rebuke Zhuge Liang for his "shameless boasting" and "how dare this pedantic scholar harm my elder brother."

Liu Bei's breathing was accompanied by the thumping of his heart, sometimes rapid, sometimes long.

Zhuge Liang did not urge Liu Bei, but quietly waited for Liu Bei's decision.

To conquer Hebei, one needs not only brilliant strategists like Zhuge Liang and Guan Yu, but also the unwavering will of Liu Bei.

Among these factors, Liu Bei's unwavering will was the most crucial!
The willpower required to overcome difficulties is far beyond that of ordinary people, and only those with great perseverance can achieve great things!

a long time.

Liu Bei's breathing returned to normal, and the shock in his eyes disappeared, replaced by determination.

　Please add this to your favorites, follow this story, vote for it, donate, and leave a comment.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)