Three Kingdoms: Mistakenly Becoming Liu Bei's Adoptive Father at the Start

Liu Liang naturally knew Feng Ji.

He offered a plan to seize Ji Province and coerce Han Fu, enabling Yuan Shao to control four provinces. This man's contribution is paramount.

Later, at Guandu, this person was no longer there.

Later, Yuan Shao was defeated and killed, and Feng Ji was killed by Shen Pei.

Feng Ji nodded slightly to Liu Liang, but addressed the crowd: "It is indeed the vanguard's duty to inquire about provisions and reinforcements. However, what you just asked, 'May I ask the Alliance Leader, is this a sign of high regard, or is there another consideration?'"

Feng Ji presented the question verbatim, as if displaying an object in the light: "Is this question about whether or not the leader is valued, or about his intentions?"

Feng Ji didn't look at Yuan Shao or Liu Liang, but simply lowered his eyes: "The eighteen warlords have formed an alliance, and the leader has assigned troops to each. Sun Wentai attacked Sishui, and Liu Xuande attacked Hulao Pass; both were fortified positions. What do you mean by 'Why is this my lord?' Sishui hasn't been breached, and Hulao Pass hasn't been touched. If you don't send Xuande, are you going to send a warlord eight hundred li away from Luoyang, or even a general like Wentai who has just suffered heavy losses?"

"If you had only mentioned supplies and logistical support, that would have been official business. The Alliance Leader has already had it recorded and will discuss it later. But after asking about the official business, you added that other question."

Feng Ji raised his eyes and looked Liu Liang in the eye for the first time: "That sentence was not official business."

Liu Liang looked at Feng Ji.

This person is indeed very eloquent.

Whether or not I should argue with you about food supplies is a question I can't win.

He directly shifted the focus to "your questioning of the alliance's motives," turning you from "duty-bound" to "subject to superiors."

Liu Liang replied, "I am honored by your instruction, Master Yuan Tu. I would like to ask you a question."

Feng Ji said, "Please."

Liu Liang said, "Just now, Master Yuan Tu said that since Sishui Pass has not been breached and Hulao Pass has not been touched, if we don't send our lord, who should we send? What I want to ask is, who attacked Sishui Pass?"

He did not answer when Ji was asked.

Liu Liang continued, "It's General Sun Wentai. General Wentai has lost nearly half his troops and is currently resting and recovering in his camp. Our lord has just arrived, and his troops are undamaged, making him indeed suitable for an attack. But should a suitable person be someone who doesn't even ask when the supplies will arrive, where the retreat route is, or which town will provide support, and just charges forward without asking any questions?"

"Sir!" Feng Ji was about to speak.

"Mr. Yuan Tu, please finish speaking." Liu Liang didn't give him a chance to interrupt. "You just said that the supply of provisions and reinforcements is a matter of public concern, and we'll discuss it later. When is 'later'? Do you mean we'll send someone to inquire after my main force arrives at the pass, or do we wait until the supply lines are cut off and our retreat is blocked before discussing 'who made the mistake in the first place'? Mr. Yuan Tu, I am a country bumpkin who hasn't had much formal education. But I know one thing: when Yuan Shao first entered Ji Province, he relied on Han Fu's influence, and his supplies were insufficient, and his army numbered less than ten thousand. At that time, you offered Yuan Shao a plan."

Feng Ji's expression turned slightly tense.

Liu Liang pressed his advantage, saying, "That plan was called 'luring Gongsun Zan south to coerce Han Fu into ceding Ji Province.' You are a wise man, sir, knowing that before going to war, you must calculate everything clearly—supplies, reinforcements, retreat routes, and the hearts of the people—to have a chance of victory. How come asking about supplies and reinforcements is considered 'questioning the alliance leader'?"

No one answered from inside the tent.

Feng Ji looked at Liu Liang, and after a moment, smiled.

"Mr. Zishan is quite eloquent. He has even investigated Yuan Gong's past affairs clearly. However, you have made one mistake. Back then, when you offered the strategy to capture Ji, it was to secure a foothold for Yuan Gong, which was an act of advancement. Today, what you are asking about, ostensibly about supplies, is actually about preparing for the future. Before the battle has even begun, you have already calculated exactly how to escape if you are defeated. This is the difference between you and the other gentlemen under Yuan Gong."

Having said that, Feng Ji turned to Yuan Shao, cupped his hands, and said, "Alliance Leader, Liu Bei's generals are brave and his strategists are eloquent; they are indeed a capable army. Now that he has been ordered to lead the vanguard, I request that the Alliance Leader quickly devise a plan for the supply of provisions so that he can advance with peace of mind."

He pronounced the phrase "a usable force" very clearly.

It is "usable", not "trustworthy".

Yuan Shao nodded and said, "Yuan Tu is quite right. The rear army will decide on the provisions and supplies today and send them to Lord Xuande's camp tomorrow morning."

Given this, what reason would Liu Bei have not to advance his troops?

Knowing there was no way out, Liu Bei stepped forward and said, "Since receiving this command, I have only sought to punish traitors to the state, and have never considered the risks or ease of the journey. I am willing to go to Hulao Pass."

Upon hearing this, Yuan Shao seemed reassured, his expression softening somewhat, though it remained cold.

"Lord Xuande is loyal and brave, as our leader has always known. In that case, we will send out troops in three days. The rear guard will provide provisions and weapons as scheduled."

Cao Cao frowned slightly, about to speak, when Yuan Shao turned to the crowd: "The rest of the troops, prepare your forces and wait for the vanguard to break through the pass before following up."

The words have been spoken, and the military orders have been given.

Liu Bei accepted the order.

As he left the tent, Zhang Fei muttered something under his breath.

Guan Yu pressed his hand to his sword and remained silent.

Liu Liang walked last.

Glancing inside the tent, Yuan Shao was talking quietly with Yuan Shu, and Gongsun Zan was also among them.

This time, it wasn't a direct assault on Hulao Pass.

They're coming for them.

We won, but it was a Pyrrhic victory.

If we lose, it's a matter of military law.

Regardless of the outcome, the feudal lords were all sharpening their knives, waiting in the wings.

Liu Liang mentally went over the whole situation, and in the end, only one sentence remained:

This wave of hatred has really taken hold.

What to do next?

Of course, it's a matter of killing anyone who gets in the way, and killing even the Buddha if he gets in the way.

It wasn't for Liu Bei, nor for Cao Cao, but for his own survival.

Playing with fire among a group of shrewd people is truly like licking blood off a knife's edge; you might just end up ruining yourself!

......

Inside Liu Bei's central command tent.

When the candles were lit, everyone sat around the map.

"Xuande, this battle isn't about whether we can win or not. It's about..."

Everyone looked up.

Liu Liang asked, "How did you manage to walk out of Hulao Pass alive after winning?"

Zhang Fei was about to speak when Guan Yu stopped him with a look.

Silence reigned within the tent.

Liu Liang bent down and pointed to the open area in front of Hulao Pass.

"Lu Bu's iron cavalry excels in open field battles. Red Hare is fast, and his halberd is sharp. In one-on-one combat, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and Zhao Yun can all hold their own against him, but no one can be sure of victory."

Upon hearing this, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and Zhao Yun did not refute it.

Liu Liang continued, "However, Lü Bu has a fatal flaw. This man relies on his bravery and cares nothing for his troops. In every battle, he always charges into the fray first, and his Bingzhou cavalry can only follow behind. When they win, they are utterly crushed; when they lose, they are..."

Liu Liang then pointed to the other side of the map, landing on the mountain road winding along the flank of Hulao Pass: "If we are defeated, we will have no reinforcements. There is not a single person by Lü Bu's side to watch over his retreat."

Zhao Yun said in a deep voice, "Are you saying that defeating Lü Bu depends not on fighting generals, but on covering the rear?"

Liu Liang said, "It's not just about covering the rear. It's about making him afraid to go too far."

Liu Liang took a few chess pieces and placed them on the map.

"In tomorrow's battle, Guan Yu will be on the left, Zhang Fei on the right, and Zhao Yun in the center."

The three generals all looked at the map.

Liu Liang's fingertip landed on the chess piece representing Liu Bei's central army, and he said, "Xuande is personally leading the charge."

Liu Bei did not hesitate: "Yes."

Zhang Fei said urgently, "Sir! What if my brother..."

"Lu Bu won't attack Xuande," Liu Liang interrupted. "He'll attack the three of you first. Because you are the ones he fears."

Guan Yu said, "Sir, your strategy is to use my elder brother as bait to force Lü Bu to choose his opponent first."

"Yes," Liu Liang did not deny it. "And no matter who he chooses first, the other two can take advantage of the situation to attack his flanks. Lü Bu has never encountered this kind of formation in his life. He is used to killing generals in one move and crushing the enemy's sharp edge. If someone can withstand him for ten moves, he will hesitate for a moment. After twenty moves, he will begin to have doubts. After thirty moves..."

Liu Liang did not continue.

Zhang Fei grinned and said, "In thirty rounds, I've already cursed his ancestors for eighteen generations."

The atmosphere inside the tent eased slightly.

Liu Liang did not laugh. Instead, he turned to Liu Bei and said seriously, "There is one condition for this plan to succeed."

Liu Bei said, "Father, please speak."

Liu Liang said, "Xuande must trust me. General Zilong can protect the central army and will not let Lü Bu get a step closer to you."

Liu Bei remained silent for a moment, then looked at the three valiant generals.

Guan Yu pressed his hand on his sword and nodded slightly.

Zhang Fei held his spear high, his chest heaving.

Zhao Yun clasped his hands in a fist salute and uttered only four words: "I swear to protect you to the death!"

Liu Bei nodded emphatically, then turned to Liu Liang and asked, "There is something that has been troubling me for a long time. Please enlighten me, my godfather."

Liu Liang remained silent, waiting for him to speak.

Liu Bei said, "Yuan Shao sent me to Hulao Pass, a place of certain death. My adoptive father questioned me in his tent about provisions, reinforcements, and escape routes, leaving Yuan Shao speechless. Yet, from beginning to end, he never said he wouldn't go... My adoptive father knew it was a trap, yet he still went. I want to know, adoptive father... just how many steps ahead did you plan?"