Tiger Guards

Chapter 326 Unavoidable
Liu Biao's envoy team's journey to Jinyang was an action that could not be concealed or hidden.

After some time, Lou Gui finally managed to find out about this news and immediately sent it to Xudu.

Over the course of two months, Lü Bu had gradually adapted to the change in his status.

Even though Lü Bu disliked growing a beard, he began to grow one in order to appear more dignified.

This made him appear more valiant and majestic. After getting used to the beard, Lü Bu quickly developed the personal habit of stroking and handling it.

In the west pavilion of the General's headquarters, Lü Bu sat at the head of the table, his right hand raised to gently cover his lips, and his thumb lightly stroking his beard repeatedly.

He held the secret report delivered by Lou Gui in his left hand. The report was written on silk and attached to bamboo slips, making it easy for Lü Bu to hold and read with one hand.

Such confidential information, when pasted on bamboo slips, is not easily lost or stolen.

Lu Bu felt betrayed, and his resentment was growing stronger and stronger.

The five-person think tank consisting of Chen Gong, Xun Yu, Yang Jun, Han Ji, and Huan Jie sat at the lower end, with Chen Gong, who held the highest position, sitting alone.

Xun Yu and the other three sat in the same row, opposite Chen Gong.

Lu Bu put down the bamboo slips and silk scrolls, his expression gloomy, his anger towards Zhao Ji reaching its peak.

In his mind, his son-in-law should listen to him!

Zhao Ji certainly knew the importance of Liu Biao and the grain from Jingzhou to the imperial court; that's why he even received Liu Biao's envoy!
In Lü Bu's mind, Zhao Ji should immediately arrest these people and send them to Xudu to maintain the stability of the alliance between the two sides and dispel any doubts from the outside world about the new court in Xudu.

He would also promote Zhao Ji's father and brothers to official positions and bestow titles, in order to express the harmonious and friendly relationship between the two sides.

As a result, Zhao Ji actually received Liu Biao's envoy in a very straightforward manner!
Even if Liu Biao gritted his teeth and killed this group of envoys, he would still send a second wave with even more generous gifts!
Therefore, Zhao Ji's impatience and lack of ambition made Lü Bu extremely angry.

Even if Zhao Ji had tried to cover it up or politely refuse, Lü Bu wouldn't have been so angry.

Zhao Ji directly received Liu Biao's envoy, doesn't that mean he had never paid any attention to him before?

What will the court, the powerful figures from all walks of life think of this!
What was shaken was no longer the alliance between the two sides, but the prestige and influence of the Xudu court were seriously affected.

Suppressing his anger, Lü Bu handed out the bamboo and silk scrolls: "Everyone, please take a look and see how to deal with this."

Chen Gong, already aware of the situation, picked it up and pretended to look at it before passing it to Xun Yu opposite him, saying, "General, Liu Zhennan is a high-ranking official of the imperial clan. Now he has sent an envoy to make connections with court officials, which is suspected of treason. I believe that we should send an envoy to Jinyang to urge the Grand Marshal to execute the envoy and to rebuke Liu Zhennan together with the Grand Marshal."

Lü Bu remained silent, his expression grim as he slightly turned his head to look at Xun Yu. Xun Yu handed the silk scroll to Yang Jun and replied, "General, this is Liu Zhennan's scheme to sow discord. Jingzhou is very far from Jinyang, and the transport of gold and silk is difficult. In my opinion, Liu Zhennan has no ability to invite or welcome the Grand Marshal. This move is to form an alliance with the Grand Marshal to enhance his own power and to counterbalance the General. Even if this plan fails, it will make the General and the Grand Marshal suspicious of each other, making it difficult for them to work together, which is not conducive to the restoration of the court."

Upon hearing this, Lü Bu slowly nodded. Even he couldn't control his anger. If he had truly wronged Zhao Ji, how could Zhao Ji possibly forgive him so easily?

Based on his understanding of Zhao Ji, he was arrogant even when he was in the wrong, but if he was in the right, he would never let him back down easily. He would definitely put him in a difficult position and make him feel embarrassed.

Lu Bu's anger subsided slightly, and he looked at Yang Jun again: "What does Ji Cai think?"

Yang Jun turned slightly to face Lü Bu and replied, "My lord, I believe that Liu Zhennan's dispatch of an envoy to Jinyang is indeed a good thing."

Lu Bu's eyes lit up, and his anger dissipated by most: "What makes you say that?"

"This shows that the general's divine might is unparalleled, and Liu Zhennan is not at ease internally and has no one to rely on externally."

Yang Jun's tone gradually shifted from gentle to fierce and resolute, his eyes widening: "What troubled me before was my lack of knowledge about Liu Zhennan and the true strength of Jingzhou. Now we know their strengths and weaknesses. If we can unite with the Grand Marshal, Jingzhou can be taken in one battle!"

Chen Gong, who was sitting opposite Yang Jun, was also observing Yang Jun's expression.

Lu Bu frowned: "If he refuses, what can we do?"

Yang Jun replied, "The matter concerns the General, not the Grand Marshal."

Upon hearing this, Lü Bu smiled and said, "Yes, the matter is with me, not with him."

If Liu Bei were to launch a military campaign against Liu Biao, and Cao Cao were to attack Zhang Yang, Liu Bei would certainly have to provide support and assistance to Zhang Yang; Zhao Ji and the King of Chen would also be unable to do so.

With Zhang Yang gone, the court fell into the hands of Cao Cao and Yuan Shao, and none of them would have a good ending!

After more than two months of selection and training, Lü Bu's Eagle Army has been formed and trained.

Besides, if we really launch a war to punish Liu Biao, we will follow Zhao Ji's example and lead the emperor and his ministers south!
Do you think the people of Jingzhou would dare to follow Liu Biao and shoot arrows at the emperor's carriage?

Thinking of this, Lü Bu looked at Huan Jie and Han Ji, who were seated next to Yang Jun: "What do you two think?"

Huan Jie cupped his hands and replied, "My lord, it is advisable to send an envoy to inquire about the matter and see how Liu Zhennan responds. At the same time, we should negotiate with the Marquis of Jinyang. If the Marquis of Jinyang makes a decision, the Grand Marshal will naturally comply."

Bypass Zhao Ji and communicate with Zhao Yan to avoid potential direct conflict. Who knows, you might even be able to appease the old man.

Huan Jie had been in Jingzhou for a long time and, through a series of stories, he understood Zhao Ji's character. He killed high-ranking officials as if they were dogs. The people who dared to do this before him were Dong Zhuo and Li Jue, and before that, Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu, and before that, the Ten Attendants.

Zhao Ji's behavior was no different from that of a powerful minister; he disregarded the law and the dignity of the court.

If they could deceive Zhao Yan, they could temporarily shift the conflict between themselves and Zhao Ji to a conflict between Zhao Yan and Zhao Ji, thus buying time to attack Jingzhou.

"feasible."

Lü Bu commented that Huan Jie was, after all, a prominent family in Changsha, and the safety of his clan should be considered.

Currently, the process is just to appoint Zhang Xian as the Prefect of Guiyang; he has not yet been transferred to the crucial position of Prefect of Changsha.

Changsha Commandery had the confidence to compete with Nan Commandery, as it was no less than Nan Commandery in terms of population, culture, or resources.

Only when Zhang Xian became the governor of Changsha could he effectively unite the various counties in Jingnan and formally break with Liu Bei.

Before that, Huan Jie should be careful about his words and actions.

Therefore, at present, the only suggestion is to send an envoy to inquire about the matter first, and then decide on the next step based on Liu Biao's response.

When Lü Bu's gaze finally landed on Han Ji, the representative of Nanyang, Han Ji cupped his hands and said, "Spring comes early to Jingzhou, and it is not advisable to wage war so close to the spring planting season. When the Central Plains are in full bloom and the soldiers are of one mind, General, you can lead the royal army and we will surely win in one battle!"

The officials appointed by Liu Biao deliberately seized on incriminating evidence to indirectly and directly kill Han Ji's father and brothers, a feud that was irreconcilable.

Liu Biao had been doing this kind of thing—eliminating local destabilizing factors—and Han Ji's father and brothers weren't exactly clean either.

But the question is, apart from families like the Taishan clan, how many clean families are there?
Liu Biao's selective enforcement of the law, killing those he disliked, was a way of making an example of them and cleaning up the area.

Han Ji had no choice before, but now he does.

All five of Chen Gong's men have expressed their opinions, and their general sentiment is inclined towards war.

Each person gave different detailed instructions... Lu Bu really likes this feeling now.

Objectively speaking, the people of Jingzhou also need to carry out spring plowing. At the time when the Central Plains are in a period of food shortage, it happens to be the dry season of the Han River.

Therefore, in March and April of this year, as well as in early May, the Ruying area will be plunged into a state of famine for the entire army.

This is not something that Liu Biao can save or change by selling his blood; the transportation capacity is difficult, and there's nothing Liu Biao can do.

In terms of regional material reserves, military action must be taken in March and April.

Cao Cao is currently penniless, so he is too embarrassed to make a move against Liu Bei, nor can he make a move against the Prince of Chen.

Yuan Shu has made a mess of his territory. If you attack now, those suddenly powerful local lords will fight to the death.

It is possible that Liu Biao and the Jingzhou authorities realized that war was inevitable, which is why they sent envoys to Jinyang to seek help from Zhao Ji.

If Zhao Ji were to intervene, it would greatly bolster Liu Biao's resolve to resist.

It could also shake the stance of the people of Jingnan and Nanyang... Without a sure chance of victory, many people would tend to remain neutral.

This would also reduce the morale and deterrent power of Lü Bu's army. Overall, Zhao Ji, though far away in Jinyang, directly determined the balance of power in the battle for Jingzhou.

The difference between the increase and the decrease is not just two.

If the alliance between Lü and Zhao remains stable, the outcome of the battle for Jingzhou will be 30/70. This 30/70 split will cause many on Liu Biao's side to waver, while the people of Jingnan will actively flatter and support the court, causing the odds of victory to fluctuate until they finally crush Liu Biao's will.

When the odds of victory were overwhelmingly against him, even Liu Biao himself would make peace or surrender under certain conditions, let alone others.

If the alliance between Lü Bu and Zhao Zhao breaks down, even if the odds of victory become 50/50, it will still be a tough battle for Lü Bu, who is short of supplies.

The logistics of a massive army can overwhelm and change many things; the people of Jingzhou resisted resolutely, and Lü Bu, unable to obtain food, could only let his troops plunder.

The more they plundered, the more people resisted Lü Bu, and the more determined they became to resist.

When the looted supplies are insufficient, it is time for the army to disintegrate.

Therefore, Zhao Ji's attitude directly determined the ownership of Jingzhou in the second year of Jian'an.

If Huan Jie had followed his plan and talked to Zhao Yan first, fooling the old man, he might have been able to maintain the Lü-Zhao alliance and launch a military campaign against Jingzhou.

They really swallowed Liu Biao whole... But looking back, what is the Lü-Zhao alliance?
Can I eat it?
(End of this chapter)