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

Chapter 8 The surprise attack plan is stuck at the most critical step!
"Why do you say that, Miss Guan?"

Xiao He wiped the wine stains from the corner of his mouth and looked back at her.

"If you weren't a disciple of the Immortal Family, how could you have known before my uncle and military advisor Kong Ming that Liu Biao would die of illness, that Kuai Yue and Cai Mao would depose the eldest son and enthronize the youngest, and that Liu Cong would surrender to that thief Cao?"

"How could you have known that your uncle's retreat south to Jiangling would implicate the people of Xiangfan and lead to their slaughter by Cao Cao's cavalry?"

"You're like a prophet. If you haven't learned the skills of an immortal, what else could it be?"

Guan Yinping's mouth was chattering with questions like a machine gun.

Xiao He understood.

This young lady from the Guan family actually thinks she is a disciple of a god who has opened her third eye and can predict the past and the future.

However, in this era where Zhang Jiao can fool millions of believers with just a few pieces of talismans, it is understandable that they believe in ghosts and gods.

"I am just an ordinary person."

"As for how I was able to deduce those things, I can only say that I learned something different from that military advisor Kong Ming."

Xiao He disdained to play tricks, but it was difficult for him to explain too much.

I can't tell her that I'm a time traveler from the future.

I don't believe it...

So they had no choice but to neither admit nor deny, and remain ambiguous.

Guan Yinping's eyes were half believing and half doubting, and she kept looking him up and down with her bright eyes.

Just as they were about to question them again, the female soldiers came back and put the heated food back on the table.

"I seem to be a little hungry again, Miss Guan. I won't be polite then."

Xiao He rolled up his sleeves and picked up the bowl and chopsticks again.

Guan Yinping didn't dare to ask any more questions, so she could only watch him eat with relish.

"You say he's just an ordinary person, but he has the ability to predict the future. You say he's a disciple of an immortal, but the way he eats doesn't look like an immortal at all. Who the hell is he..."

Guan Yinping held her cheek with her hand, staring at Xiao He in a daze, her eyes gradually becoming dazed.

...

"Military Advisor Kong Ming, do you think this Mr. Xiao is truly a disciple of an immortal from another world, and has the ability to predict the future?"

Inside the palace, Liu Bei also asked Zhuge Liang the same question
Zhuge Liang gently waved his feather fan and said:
"I still say the same thing. It's hard to say for sure about ghosts and gods, and I don't dare to speculate."

"But what I can be sure of is that although Xiao Bowen claims to be ignorant of strategy, he actually has a lot of tricks up his sleeve."

"This surprise attack on Xiangyang alone is a brilliant strategy that can turn the tide!"

"My lord, it is a blessing for the Han Dynasty that you have the chance to meet such a remarkable person!"

Liu Bei was shocked.

The four words "blessing of the Han Dynasty" suddenly gave him an idea.

"Could it be that a strange man has truly been sent down from the heavens to help Liu Bei support the country and revive the Han Dynasty?"

Liu Bei looked up at the sky and muttered to himself.

...

In the following days, Liu Bei began to secretly prepare for a surprise attack on Xiangyang.

Three days later, Guan Yu was patrolling outside the city and intercepted the famous scholar Song Zhong who was returning from Wancheng.

After Liu Bei's questioning, Song Zhong had to confess the truth. He said that he was following Liu Cong's orders and secretly went north to Wancheng to present a letter of surrender to Cao Cao.

Cao Cao was overjoyed and promised on the spot that Liu Cong would be the permanent ruler of Jingzhou, and promoted him to the title of county marquis with a fief of 10,000 households.

In addition, Cao Cao also secretly ordered Liu Cong to strictly guard Xiangyang and wait for his army to arrive so that he could encircle and annihilate Liu Bei in Fancheng.

Xiao He's prediction was thus confirmed.

Although Liu Bei was furious, he did not take his anger out on Song Zhong. After reprimanding him, he let him cross the river and return to Xiangyang.

"This Xiao Bowen is truly a prophet. Sure enough, his prediction came true again!"

Guan Yu sighed in admiration, then cupped his hands and said angrily:

"The evidence that Liu Cong and Kuai Cai surrendered to Cao Cao is irrefutable. Yet this thief still wants to collude with Cao Cao and put his brother to death. How despicable!"

"He is unkind and I am unjust, brother, what else do you have to worry about? Let's do it!"

Zhang Fei was so angry that he jumped up and shouted:
"Brother, just give the order! Just say the word and I'll charge into Xiangyang and kill those three bastards!"

The remaining hope in Liu Bei's heart was now gone. He took a deep breath, his eyes hard as steel:
"Liu Cong betrayed Jingsheng's will to fight against Cao, which is unfilial. Cai and Kuai betrayed Jingsheng's trust, which is disloyal. The three thieves wanted to collude with Cao to harm me, which is unrighteous!"

"Why should we talk about morality and affection with such disloyal, unfilial and unrighteous people?"

"I have made up my mind to launch a surprise attack on Xiangyang, eliminate the treacherous officials at home, and defend against Cao Cao's thieves abroad!"

Guan Yu and Zhang Fei breathed a sigh of relief and felt refreshed.

The generals in the hall were also eager to fight, all looking forward to crossing the river and capturing Xiangyang.

"My lord, a surprise attack on Xiangyang is imperative. However, there are still over 30,000 soldiers and horses in Xiangyang City. The two thieves Cai and Kuai have been operating for a long time, and their followers are everywhere."

"My lord, you have been restricted by Liu Biao in recent years, and you only have a little over 10,000 soldiers and horses at your disposal."

"The enemy is strong and we are weak. How to capture Xiangyang? Yun believes that we need to discuss it in detail."

A military commander with a broad face, heavy chin and majestic appearance gave a calm reminder.

The person who made the suggestion was Zhao Yun.

"Zilong's words make sense. Xiangyang is the strongest city in Jingzhou. We need to carefully discuss how to capture it."

Liu Bei agreed and looked at Zhuge Liang:

"Does the military advisor have any good ideas?"

Everyone's eyes were focused on Zhuge Liang.

Zhuge Liang waved his feather fan lightly and ordered his servant to bring the map of Xiangfan and spread it out on it.

"Since Xiao Bowen's strategy is to launch a surprise attack on Xiangyang, the key is to achieve a victory by surprise."

"Fancheng and Xiangyang are separated by only a river. The first step to capture Xiangyang is to cross the river."

"Liang's plan is for the lord to launch a surprise attack on the Fancheng water camp at night, seize the navy's warships in one swoop, and then cross the river at lightning speed, arriving unexpectedly at the gates of Xiangyang before Liu Cong and Cai Kuai hear the news."

"Although Cai Kuai held sole control of Xiangyang's military and political power, the city was not a monolithic entity. Many people were dissatisfied with Cai Kuai, and many were unwilling to follow Liu Cong in surrendering to Cao."

"Rumours are spreading all over Xiangyang City right now, people are in a state of panic, and the military's morale is wavering."

"As long as we can break in unexpectedly, even if there are 30,000 soldiers and horses in the city, they will surely collapse without a fight, and many soldiers and officials will defect to our lord in the middle of the battle."

"In this way, Xiangyang can be conquered in a snap!"

Zhuge Liang pointed at the map with his feather fan and calmly offered a plan.

Liu Bei was cheered up, stood up and walked to the map, carefully pondering Zhuge Liang's strategy.

Soon, a hint of gloom appeared in Liu Bei's eyes.

"Military Advisor Kong Ming's plan has no problems with the first few steps, but this last step..."

Liu Bei pointed his finger at Xiangyang City:
"Even if we act quickly, the Xiangyang defenders will have enough time to close the city gates. How can we break in?"

Guan Yu and Zhang Fei also nodded repeatedly, obviously seeing the loophole in Zhuge Liang's plan.

Zhuge Liang's expression also became serious.

"So the key to the surprise attack on Xiangyang lies in how to break in!"

"Given the fortifications of Xiangyang City, it's impossible for us to break through quickly by brute force. Our only chance is to have someone inside to help us break through the gate and let us in."

"My lord, what you need to do now is to find a general among the Xiangyang defenders who is unwilling to surrender to Cao and is willing to serve you, so that he can secretly help us enter the city."

Liu Bei suddenly understood and asked:

"Then according to the military advisor, who is the most suitable candidate?"

"Well..."

Zhuge Liang frowned slightly and sighed softly:
"Cai Mao has controlled the military power of Xiangyang for many years, and his trusted confidants are scattered throughout the garrison. If we are not careful and choose the wrong person, and this person informs Cai Kuai, our plan to capture Xiangyang will fail!"

After explaining his concerns, Zhuge Liang bowed to Liu Bei:

"So, regarding the selection of this internal supporter, my lord, please give me a few more days to carefully consider it."

Liu Bei naturally understood the pros and cons of the matter, so he had no choice but to agree to Zhuge Liang's request.

This military meeting was stuck at this last step.

Just as the generals were taking their leave and were about to make their own preparations.

Zhang Fei suddenly remembered something and stood up:

"Brother, isn't there a master hidden in the mansion who can make ingenious predictions? Why don't you ask that master about the choice of the insider?"

(End of this chapter)