Second-hand time travel: Liu Bei, the big-eared bandit

Chapter 445 Break up the marriage by beating the matchmaker
In fact, Liu Bei originally had three choices.

First, they could march into Hebei and confront Cao Cao head-on, but this option could easily lead to Liu Xie's death.

Secondly, each side could fight their own battles: Cao Cao could take Hebei, Liu Bei could take Yan and Yu, and then they could find an opportunity to fight a decisive battle. However, this option would result in more deaths.

Third, rush to Chang'an, first let the "Son of Heaven" return to the old capital, and treat Cao Cao's headache, so that Cao Cao would have no choice but to take Liu Xie and rush to Chang'an.

Liu Bei chose the third option.

How much could Liu Bei guess about Cao Cao's thoughts?

It's simply a matter of wanting both things but being unable to make a decision on a single point of view. The more times you compromise, the more you feel trapped.

I feel like I'm missing out if I don't pick it up.

I picked it up, but I can't put it down.

Just like Lu Zhi back then, countless entanglements gradually turned Cao Cao into the image others wanted him to be, but made him drift further and further away from his own ideals.

Compared to Liu Bei, Cao Cao was more like Lu Zhi's student.

Liu Bei sent Li Zheng to say these words to Cao Cao so that Cao Cao would understand that since both sides were working to bring peace to the world, there was no need to destroy the already peaceful place; otherwise, he would be destined to have a lifelong inner demon.

They said Liu Bei was causing chaos in the court and was cruel and harmful to the people, and even sent a proclamation to Qingzhou, but Qingzhou was free from any natural or man-made disasters and remained peaceful and prosperous.

If we attack Qingzhou and disrupt the peaceful region, can that be considered bringing peace to the world?
What's the point of having the title of emperor?
Those fools who only know how to fight for territory always think that they can use the emperor's name to attack anywhere... If it were that easy, Emperor Ling would have sent troops to Yuzhou long ago.

With the emperor in hand, it is even less appropriate to attack a stable place like Qingzhou.

If they fought, Cao Cao would be the scapegoat and bear the blame, risking his life, only to let those snakes and insects behind the scenes benefit.

Will this bring peace or chaos to the world?

Li Zheng gave Cao Cao the Yellow Turbans so that Cao Cao would think about how the Way of Peace was being used and who the real traitors were who were causing chaos in the world.

Being used as a pawn, who wouldn't be in a bad mood?
This is also a clear statement.

Liu Bei didn't care at all about Liu Xie's status as emperor.

If Liu Bei had gone to Chang'an first and integrated Dong Zhuo's remaining forces, then whoever Liu Bei declared to be the emperor could be the emperor.

It was actually legal to make his own son Liu Shan the emperor, since Liu Shan was recorded in the family genealogy by Liu Hong.

If Cao Cao hadn't entered Chang'an first, then Liu Xie would have truly become a nobody.

In fact, the scholars of the Han Dynasty all knew that powerful ministers had been deposed and installed more than once or twice, and holding talent selection events was a normal phenomenon.

Liu Xie alone could not threaten Liu Bei.

With Liu Xie in Cao Cao's hands, Liu Bei could only try to avoid direct warfare with Cao Cao and refrain from dealing with the various powerful clans, lest Liu Xie be killed.

Of course, it could also be used to harm Liu Bei's subordinates—that was exactly what Sima Fang was planning.

The various factions in Yingchuan were well aware of this, and they did not want to directly confront Liu Bei's army. Cao Cao, on the other hand, did not want to either, which led to the current situation.

This strategy was itself for self-preservation, to buy Cao Cao time to develop, to prevent Liu Bei from growing too powerful quickly, and at the same time to contain Liu Bei's brave generals.

For Liu Bei, Liu Xie's status as emperor was not important; what mattered was his status as his junior brother.

Whether his junior brother was named Liu Xie or Jiang Ye made no difference to Liu Bei.

The same applies to Liu Xie—his status as the emperor was of no use; it only led to him being attacked and kidnapped, but his identity as a disciple of Yueyin had truly saved his life.

An emperor without an army is far worse off than someone who lives a life of leisure.

It was just a hardship for Zhuge Liang...

But since he was Liu Bei's disciple, and a disciple raised at home, he was practically a son to him, so it was only right that he help his master with some tasks.

Moreover, Zhuge Liang did learn a lot on the throne, and his previously impulsive nature has become much more stable.

Besides, Zhuge Liang, in his "previous life," had always longed to return to the old capital, so Liu Bei naturally wanted to fulfill his wish.

If Cao Cao wanted to stop Liu Bei, he couldn't afford to spend his time conquering Hebei.

Otherwise, everything gained through the title of emperor will eventually be lost because of that title. There is no point in trying to take over Ji and You provinces now—Hebei cannot provide Cao Cao with any immediate fighting force at present.

Liu Bei pacified the Wuhuan, made the Xianbei submit, and restored the four Han commanderies in Korea. In the eyes of the northerners, who the emperor was really not that important.

In Youzhou right now, the names of Liu Bei, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Zhang Liao, Zhao Yun, and others are more effective than the emperor himself. Even if Cao Cao wanted to take over Hebei, he might not be able to.

Furthermore, since both Cao Cao and Liu Bei claimed that the emperor was in their respective armies, outsiders could not tell the difference, and Liu Bei's side was still more credible to most people.

After all, the emperor had always been on Liu Bei's side.

Cao Cao didn't even have an imperial seal.

In fact, the only way for Cao Cao to gain the upper hand at present is to take Liu Xie to Chang'an first to change the era name and assume the throne. If he can do this, then Liu Bei will also recognize Liu Xie as the emperor.

After all, Liu Bei wasn't the kind of person who insisted on waging a bad war. Unlike Yuan Shao, he wouldn't insist on establishing a new ruler and instead have everyone fight for power in the court again.

So Cao Cao and Cao Ang took Liu Xie and headed for Chang'an along the north bank of the Yellow River, with Dian Wei accompanying and protecting them.

On Liu Bei's side, Zhang Fei led the way, Guan Yu guarded the Baima area, and Liu Bei himself took Zhuge Liang along the south road of the Yellow River, with Zhao Yun accompanying and protecting them.

……

Hongnong, Huayin County, Tongting.

This area is located in a bend in the Yellow River where it makes a sharp turn from north to south. The Zhongtiao Mountains and the Qinling Mountains stand side by side, forcing the river to change course eastward. Silt has formed alluvial beaches at the bend in the river.

To the west of the riverbank lies a rugged and dangerous area, with only one road leading through it.

Currently, a strategic pass has been built along this mountain path, namely Tongguan.

The fortress was not yet completed because Guo Si, who was in charge of its construction, had gone to Chang'an.

The riverbank below the pass is a natural ferry crossing, connecting the east bank of the river. It has a well-known name – Fengling Ferry.

The name is very old; the bend of the Yellow River east of the river is where the tomb of Feng Hou, the prime minister of the Yellow Emperor, is located.

Cao Cao is currently at Fenglingdu.

He came from the north bank of the Yellow River, along the river inside and east of the river, at a very fast speed.

He had originally asked Cao Ang to have Yang Biao meet him at Tongting. Yang Biao was a local from Huayin, so things should have gone smoothly...

However, Yang Biao did not come.

Because Tongguan was occupied by Jia Xu, Guo Si's previous barracks were still there, so it wouldn't take too many people to defend the strategic pass.

Soldiers also guarded the shallows on the south bank of Fenglingdu, and there were no boats at the ferry crossing.

Cao Cao didn't bring many troops in order to speed up the process, so he couldn't cross the river in a short time.

Jia Xu's troops were acquired on the spot in Chang'an; they were remnants of Liu Ai's forces—taken from prison.

Jia Xu's decision to pardon these common soldiers was within the authority of the Minister of the Imperial Secretariat, and everyone in Chang'an naturally had to give him face.

The force was actually small, just over a thousand men, mostly from Hongnong. Their training was mediocre, and they had no equipment or supplies.

However, after Zhang Baiqi's soldiers took over these troops as squad leaders and other junior officers, their combat effectiveness was actually not bad.

These soldiers were originally guilty of treason and sentenced to death. Jia Xu saved their lives, which was a great favor. As long as they had food to eat, they could be ordered around.

The provisions and weapons were borrowed by Tang Ji from Dong Bai and Li Jue respectively... or rather, given away, since they didn't need to be returned.

Li Jue still harbored feelings for Tang Ji, and sending her some equipment would also help protect her safety.

It was thanks to Tang Ji that Jia Xu was able to stop Cao Cao.

In fact, Jia Xu did not originally intend to block Cao Cao when he led this army to Tongguan. He did not expect Cao Cao to arrive in Chang'an so quickly.

Jia Xu originally intended to use the names of Li Jue, Guo Si, and others to attack Zhong Yao's marriage proposal team.

If you want to ruin a marriage, beating up the matchmaker is definitely an effective way to do it...

However, before Zhong Yao and his group had left Chang'an, Jia Xu encountered Yang Biao's men on the way. Moreover, Yang Biao's family soldiers were carrying various ceremonial regalia, which looked like they were preparing for the emperor's procession.

Therefore, Jia Xu ordered Zhang Baiqi to use Li Jue's banner to directly attack Yang Biao's entourage transporting ceremonial guards.

The military equipment was all provided by Li Jue, so there was no need for any pretense.

(End of this chapter)