The Three Kingdoms: Hindsight is 20/20, and the Three Revivals of the Han Dynasty

Chapter 118 Zhuge Liang is showing his power again, this time against (4th update)
Wang Song frowned deeply.

Whether Liu Fang joined Cao Cao or Liu Bei, his resume of "managing the administration of prefectures and being recommended for his filial piety and integrity" would have allowed him to rise through the ranks based solely on his political achievements. If he were to add the merit of "persuading surrender," it would not have been difficult for him to become a prefectural or county governor.

But Wang Song was different. Whether he joined Cao Cao or Liu Bei, he could never hold a high position again: his rank would be no more than a marquis, his carriage no more than one, his horse no more than one, and his retinue no more than a few people.

At that time, not only will they be unable to do whatever they want, but they will also have difficulty controlling their words and actions!

Even Xianyu Yin may rise above Wang Song in the future!

With his former civil and military subordinates now his superiors, where would Wang Song put his face?
After a long silence, Wang Song offered his terms: "I am willing to serve Liu Bei, but I must be appointed as the commander-in-chief to guard Yuyang!"

Wang Song's words had a hint of cunning and deceit.

He verbally claimed to be loyal to Liu Bei, but in reality, he wanted both the position of prefect and military power, refusing to give up anything and only seeking to reap the benefits.

A more cunning person might think: Wang Song was merely giving Liu Bei a perfunctory reply so he could seize the opportunity to break camp and slip back to his old base in Yuyang. This clearly shows he was treating Liu Bei like the foolish Duke Xiang of Song.

Liu Fang understood the implied meaning but remained calm, saying only, "If that's the case, we need an eloquent person to persuade General Zuo."

A barely perceptible hint of disdain flashed across Wang Song's eyes: "Since this plan was proposed by Liu, I'll trouble you to make the trip."

Watching Liu Fang's departing figure, Wang Song's brows furrowed even more deeply. He thought to himself: "Liu Fang is a descendant of Liu Rong, the Marquis of Xixiang, and his family has lived in Fangcheng, Zhuojun for generations. He and Liu Bei are both members of the Han imperial family and fellow townsmen. He's going to see Liu Bei; he certainly won't be of one mind with me. I must be wary!"
Thinking of this, Wang Song hurriedly said to Xianyu Yin, "Nanlou and Xianyu Fu have probably already been defeated by Liu Bei's divided forces. Right now, Yan Rou is too busy to take care of himself, Tadun is too far away to arrive, and Liu Fang is even more eager to curry favor with Liu Bei... You and I must make plans as soon as possible, lest we end up living under someone else's roof, like stray dogs!"

Seeing Wang Song's distrust of Liu Fang, Xianyu Yin was startled: "Does the Prefect intend to take advantage of Liu Fang's visit to Liu Bei to withdraw from Yuyang?"

Wang Song nodded, a fierce glint flashing in his eyes: "Only this way can we escape this predicament in Ji County! As long as we return to Yuyang and rely on the terrain to defend the city, what do we have to fear from Liu Bei?"

Seeing that Xianyu Yin was still hesitant, Wang Song fanned the flames, saying, "Liu Fang was just a minor official under me, but he was promoted by Liu Bei just for his merit of 'persuading Yuyang to surrender'! You and I have become stepping stones for him to climb up! If I can't be the governor of Yuyang, you can forget about commanding troops again!"

These words were like needles piercing his heart, and Xianyu Yin's expression changed drastically.

Although Wang Song spoke bluntly, his reasoning was clear: Liu Fang had achieved great merit in persuading Liu Fang to surrender, and Wang Song and Xianyu Yin would inevitably have to relinquish their power.

Power is like fine wine; those who hold it for a long time are rarely willing to relinquish it. Who would willingly submit to another, dependent on others, when one can enjoy the company of a beautiful woman and wield the power of a prefecture?
Look at Chen Yu, the former Commandant of Gu'an who defected to Yuan Shao. He was once a powerful figure in Xuzhou, but now he is as frightened as a stray dog!
"I will do as the governor says!" His anger was stirred up, and Xianyu Yin immediately agreed.

A sneer crept across Wang Song's lips: What I, Wang Song, desire is certainly not something Liu Bei can provide.

at the same time.

After Liu Fang left the camp, he rode at full speed straight to Liu Bei's camp.

Upon reaching the camp gate, Liu Fang addressed the guards in a loud voice: "Please inform the Left General that Liu Fang, also known as Liu Ziqi, is a native of Fangcheng in Zhuojun, formerly the Right Beiping Clerk, the Shanggu Registrar, and now the Yuyang Attendant, a descendant of the Marquis of Xixiang."

As this long list of names was recited, the White Feather soldier on duty at the camp gate scratched his head and said, "I can't remember many of the names."

Liu Fang was taken aback, then said helplessly, "Just say that Liu Fang of Zhuojun requests an audience." Only then did the white-feathered soldiers turn around and enter the central command tent to report.

"Liu Fang of Zhuojun?" Zhuge Liang gently waved his feather fan, thinking, "Could it be Liu Fang, also known as Liu Ziqi, who once served as the Right Beiping Clerk and later became the Chief Clerk of Shanggu?"

Bai Zibing hurriedly added, "That person seemed to have mentioned a bunch of official titles, and something about Yuyang official... I really can't remember them clearly."

Zhuge Liang nodded, turned to Liu Bei, and congratulated him with delight: "Congratulations, General, Wang Song can be defeated!"

Liu Bei asked in surprise, "How can you be so certain, strategist?"

Zhuge Liang laughed and said, "Wang Song has always been arrogant and conceited, occupying Yuyang. When he heard that you were punishing the six disobedient commanderies, he not only did not lead his people to surrender, but instead drove his troops to Ji County to fight against you. This shows that he is treacherous. Now that Xianyu Fu has led his officers and soldiers to surrender, and Nanlou has been defeated by Commander Zhao and General Huang, Wang Song is trapped in Ji County and has no chance of winning. I am sure that Liu Fang was sent here at this time to delay and find an opportunity to withdraw to Yuyang."

Pang Tong interjected, "Kongming's judgment coincides with my own. Wang Song has stationed troops in Ji County but refuses to enter the city to join forces with Yan Rou, which means he has long harbored the intention to retreat to Yuyang if the situation turns unfavorable. The current situation is unfavorable to Wang Song. He also controls nine cities in Yuyang and has Tadun in Youbeiping as an external ally. If Wang Song is determined not to surrender, the best strategy is to retreat to Yuyang and defend it to the death."

Liu Bei stroked his short beard and pondered, "It's already September, the water and grass have withered, and the weather is getting colder. If we allow Wang Song to retreat to Yuyang and hold the city to the death, it will be even more difficult to launch another attack. In the opinion of the strategist and chief clerk, how should we defeat the enemy?"

Zhuge Liang and Pang Tong exchanged a glance, smiled at each other, and surprisingly spoke in unison:

"Raid the camp!"

"Raid the camp!"

Seeing that both Zhuge Liang and Pang Tong suggested a raid on the camp, Liu Bei clapped his hands and laughed, "Then let's follow the strategist and chief clerk's plan. Should I see Liu Fang or not?"

Zhuge Liang gently waved his feather fan: "Liu Fang was once the Right Beiping Chief Clerk and the Shanggu Registrar, and he is also an Attendant of Yuyang and a candidate for the civil service recommended by the people of Zhuojun. He is quite famous among the scholars and people of Youzhou. If he can sincerely submit to you, he will definitely help you pacify Youzhou. You can hold a banquet with Liu Fang, but you must not let him return to camp today. Just send someone to tell Wang Song that 'General Zuo has kept Attendant Liu in the camp for drinks, and he may return tomorrow.'"

Pang Tong laughed heartily: "Kongming, you're afraid Wang Song will withdraw his troops too late. If Wang Song receives this news, he'll probably have to break camp and set up camp tonight."

Zhuge Liang smiled and said, "The key to raiding a camp lies in surprise. Only by anticipating what Wang Song cannot anticipate can we succeed."

Liu Bei smiled and handed the sword and seal to Zhuge Liang: "The deployment of troops is now in the hands of the strategist. The chief clerk can stay and keep you company, and help me persuade Liu Fang to surrender."

Subsequently.

Liu Bei then sent people to prepare a banquet in the main tent, and brought Pang Tong into the camp gate to welcome Liu Fang.

Zhuge Liang then summoned his civil and military officials in a separate tent to arrange the raid on the camp.

Upon hearing about the planned raid, Zhang Fei instantly became excited and surrounded Zhuge Liang, saying, "Strategist, you're so biased! I shouldn't have taken this vanguard position! Second Brother got so many troops from Xianyu Fu, and Zilong and Hansheng even defeated over ten thousand infantry and cavalry from Nanlou. I heard Zilong even single-handedly killed four of Nanlou's sons! As for me, the vanguard, besides yelling a captain to death, I only managed to smash a few spears belonging to Xianyu. This time, you have to let me get the greatest credit for the raid."

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(End of this chapter)