My father-in-law Guan Yu, I persuaded Liu Bei to launch a surprise attack on Xiangyang at the beginn

Chapter 6: You don't know strategy?
Xiao He was stunned and turned to look at Zhuge Liang.

There is Wolong but he doesn’t ask, why are you asking me?
"I really don't understand strategy, so I'm afraid I can't help Liu Yuzhou solve his problems..."

Xiao He could only spread his hands apologetically.

Liu Bei turned around and exchanged glances with Zhuge Liang and the others.

How could someone who could accurately predict Liu Biao's death and Liu Cong's surrender to Cao not be good at strategy?
Liu Bei recalled the scene of visiting Zhuge Liang three times.

Most hermits are reserved, but I visited Zhuge Liang's thatched cottage three times, showing my sincerity, before I finally invited him out.

Could it be that Xiao Bowen also felt that he was not sincere enough?

Well, that must be the case!

Thinking of this, Liu Bei immediately stood up and straightened his clothes.

"To the north, Cao Cao's army is pressing in, and to the south, Liu Cong is attempting to surrender Jingzhou to Cao Cao. I am caught in the middle, facing a life-or-death situation."

"I hope Mr. Bowen will remember my heartfelt desire to support the Han Dynasty. I earnestly ask for your guidance on how I can overcome this difficult time."

Liu Bei spoke sincerely and bowed solemnly.

"Liu Yuzhou, you..."

A look of helplessness passed across Xiao He's face.

It seems that it is not easy for Liu Bei to keep this job.

Although it is a stable job, people don't keep idlers. If you just want to eat but don't want to work, it obviously won't work.

"Liu Yuzhou, I am so embarrassed. I cannot accept such a generous gift."

Xiao He hurriedly helped Liu Bei up and could only force a smile:
"Liu Yuzhou saved Yu He's life and took him in. If I can help him solve his problems, it would be my duty."

"Although I don't know much about strategy, since Yuzhou has asked, let me consider it."

When it comes to practical operations such as deploying troops and leading the army into battle, Liu Bei would not dare to agree even if he knelt down and begged him.

It is not impossible to forcefully implement such "paper talk" as coming up with ideas.

After all, as a time traveler, his mind has a "database" that is more than a thousand years older than the current one, with countless case experiences for reference.

Combining the actual conditions and matching an optimal solution may produce unexpected results.

Xiao He rubbed his forehead lightly with his fingertips and fell into deep thought.

If we follow the original scenario, we will have to abandon Fancheng, cross Xiangyang and retreat south to Jiangling, and then be caught up by Cao Cao's Tiger and Leopard Cavalry on the way...

That's miserable!
If I'm unlucky, I might even be killed by Cao's army in the chaos...

Well, we definitely can’t go back to the old ways.

It is not impossible to retreat directly to Jiangxia to meet up with Liu Qi, but there is still the risk of being caught up by Cao Cao.

It seems that escape is the worst option. The best way is to defend Fancheng and block Cao Cao north of the Han River.

In later generations, there were many dynasties that were based in the south. They relied on holding on to Fancheng and taking advantage of the natural barrier of the Han River to block the Northern Dynasty's cavalry from advancing southward.

The most successful case was the Southern Song Dynasty, which relied on the Xiangfan Defense Line to withstand the Mongol army that swept across Europe and Asia for decades.

But if it comes to defending Fancheng alone, how can Liu Bei, with only tens of thousands of men, stop Cao Cao's army of one hundred thousand?
It’s difficult…

What's more, there is Liu Cong hiding in Xiangyang, who can stab Liu Bei in the back at any time.

"Wait... Xiangyang!"

Xiao He's eyes lit up.

Xiangfan Xiangfan, Xiangyang and Fancheng are separated by a river and have been one since ancient times.

If you want to take Fancheng, you must first take Xiangyang. Otherwise, if Xiangyang is lost, Fancheng will certainly be lost.

That’s right, the key lies in Xiangyang!
Xiao He's thoughts suddenly became clear, and a bold strategy quickly formed in his mind.

"If Liu Yuzhou wants to turn things around, according to He Zhi, there is only one way he can go."

Xiao He took a deep breath and slowly said four words:

"Surprise attack on Xiangyang!"

When these shocking four words came out, several people were shocked.

"Mr. Xiao, are you saying that we should let Bei attack Xiang...Xiangyang?"

Liu Bei was afraid that he had heard it wrong, so he asked again.

"If you do not want Jingzhou to fall into Cao Cao's hands, you must defend Fancheng to the death to prevent Cao Cao's army from crossing the river."

"With our current military strength, it would be like trying to stop a chariot by relying on our own strength to defend Fancheng."

"What's more, Liu Cong surrendered Jingzhou to Cao, and my lord is attacked from all sides, which means he is in a desperate situation."

"So, my lord, you must sneak across the Han River before Cao's army arrives, and take advantage of the instability of Liu Cong's newly established regime to capture Xiangyang in one fell swoop."

"Xiangyang is the capital of Jingzhou. Half of the troops, horses, money and food are concentrated here. Only if you can capture Xiangyang, my lord, will you have the confidence to resist Cao Cao in the north and take Jingzhou in the south!"

"Mr. Xiao, I wonder if the four words 'surprise attack on Xiangyang' are what Liang meant."

Without waiting for Xiao He to speak, Zhuge Liang pointed out the pros and cons of a surprise attack on Xiangyang.

Xiao He was still thinking about how to explain, but Zhuge Liang's quick answer saved him from having to rack his brains.

"Yes, yes, Mr. Kong Ming is right, that's exactly what I mean."

Xiao He went along with it and nodded in agreement.

Everyone's eyes widened.

Even Guan Yinping's lips parted, her bright eyes gazing at Xiao He in surprise. "This man's strategy aligns perfectly with mine. He truly possesses a hidden agenda. It seems his claim of not understanding strategy was merely self-deprecation..."

Zhuge Liang secretly looked at Xiao He and nodded slightly.

In fact, he had already thought of the plan of a surprise attack on Xiangyang before.

Firstly, he had not thought it through, and secondly, he wanted to take the opportunity to test Xiao He's strategy and wisdom, so he did not present it to Liu Bei.

Wise men think alike.

As expected, Xiao He also thought of this strategy.

If someone doesn't understand strategy, how could he come up with such a plan?
On the other side, the brothers Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, after their initial surprise, showed a look of joy as if they had been enlightened.

"Brother, what Mr. Xiao said is right!"

"Since Liu Cong has surrendered to Cao Cao, why should he be allowed to occupy Xiangyang without doing anything?"

"Let's launch a surprise attack on Xiangyang and kill the two traitors Liu Cong and Kuai Cai. Not only will we seize Xiangyang, but we'll also seize Jingzhou."

"Then that thief Cao will have nothing to fear. We will kill him without a fight and settle all the old and new scores with him!"

Zhang Fei slammed the table and shouted excitedly.

Guan Yu looked at Xiao He with admiration, stroked his beautiful beard and nodded slightly:

"Brother, in my humble opinion, Xiao Bowen's plan is indeed a brilliant plan that can turn the tide."

"Liu Jingsheng died of illness, the two thieves Cai and Kuai deposed the elder and enthroned the younger, and Liu Cong surrendered without a fight. The people of Xiangyang will surely be uneasy, and the army will be in chaos."

"Now is a golden opportunity to launch a surprise attack on Xiangyang. We must win the battle!"

It seemed that Guan and Zhang had wanted to seize Xiangyang for a long time, so they naturally praised Xiao He's strategy.

"Mr. Xiao's plan is indeed a brilliant strategy to turn the situation around!"

Liu Bei first saluted in approval, then sighed:
"But Liu Jingsheng treated me well. Now that his body is still warm, how can I be ungrateful and attack Xiangyang and seize his foundation?"

Zhuge Liang frowned.

This was the third thing he was worried about. Liu Bei was burdened by benevolence and righteousness and was unwilling to use force against Liu Cong.

"My lord, you are wrong. Jingzhou belongs to the Han Dynasty, not to Liu Jingsheng."

"What's more, Liu Jingsheng has fought against Cao Cao his entire life, but now Liu Cong has surrendered Jingzhou to Cao. This is such an unfilial and unrighteous act that he is no longer worthy of being Liu Jingsheng's son, let alone the lord of Jingzhou."

"My lord, as a member of the same clan as Liu Jingsheng and the emperor's appointed uncle, it is perfectly legitimate for you to step forward and take over Xiangyang and even Jingzhou. How can you be ungrateful?"

Zhuge Liang immediately "refuted" Liu Bei in righteous and stern words.

"Yes, brother, the military advisor is right. Liu Cong is disloyal and unfilial. He doesn't deserve to occupy Jingzhou. We should take him away!"

Zhang Fei naturally agreed with both hands.

"Brother, if you don't use Xiao Bowen's strategy, it would be like watching Jingzhou fall into the hands of Cao Cao. Do you think you can do justice to Liu Jingsheng's spirit in heaven by doing this?"

Guan Yu asked back solemnly.

After listening to several people's persuasion and guidance, Liu Bei was silent and thoughtful.

After weighing the pros and cons for a moment, he said with a firm expression:

"What you said is not without reason, but Liu Jingsheng has previously entrusted his son to me. Please take care of him."

"Liu Cong's surrender to Cao was indeed wrong, but if I were to use military force against him and seize his legacy, I would ultimately be failing Liu Jingsheng's trust and would be unjust."

"No matter what, I will never do such an unjust act!"

Seeing that their brother was now determined, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei looked at each other and could only sigh secretly, unable to persuade him any further.

Zhuge Liang sighed softly and said helplessly:
"If that's the case, then we can only go south, pass Xiangyang, and retreat to Jiangling."

"After Liu Cong surrenders to Cao, my lord, use Jiangling as your base and join forces with Liu Qi to fight against Cao Cao, and then try to recapture Xiangyang."

Liu Bei's face cleared up and he said happily:

"This plan, Military Advisor Kong Ming, is the safest. If we then capture Xiangyang, we will be taking it back from Cao Cao. It will be legitimate and aboveboard!"

Say it.

Liu Bei turned his apologetic gaze towards Xiao He and said with a cupped hand:

"Sir, you are truly exceptionally resourceful. Your plan for a surprise attack on Xiangyang is indeed a brilliant one. However, I have my reasons and cannot adopt your plan."

"If Mr. Xiao has no other place to go, would you be willing to join us as we cross the river and retreat to Jiangling?"

Xiao He was mixed with joy and sorrow.

The subtext of Liu Bei's words was naturally that he wanted to invite himself to join him, and it would be a pleasure to get a meal ticket.

After a long time of argument, Liu Bei finally decided to follow the original script.

It is true that character determines destiny...

Of course he had to join the gang, but he really didn't want to experience the thrilling one-day trip to Changbanpo that came with it.

We have to find a way to make Liu Bei change his mind!
Xiao He's thoughts raced, and after his eyes rolled a few times, a gleam of light flashed quietly.

"I have no relatives or friends, but I am grateful to Liu Yuzhou for taking me in. Naturally, I am willing to follow him to Jiangling."

After pretending to be grateful, Xiao He changed the subject and asked:
"I just want to ask Liu Yuzhou, if one hundred thousand people in Xiangyang were to die under Cao Cao's cavalry because of Liu Yuzhou's refusal to launch a surprise attack on Xiangyang, would Liu Yuzhou still be so stubborn?"

Liu Bei's body was startled and his expression changed drastically.

(End of this chapter)