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

Chapter 131 Using an opponent's strength against them, Liu Bei once again tricked Yuan Xi into a state of utter weakness (2nd update)
Zhuge Liang was busy, and Liu Bei was not idle either.

The promotion of civil and military officials who have made meritorious contributions is of paramount importance.

Half a day of reflection.

Liu Bei drafted a preliminary list of promotions:

Zhuojun

Zhuge Liang served as Military Advisor General, concurrently managing the affairs of the Left General's Office and overseeing both internal and external affairs.

Xu Shu served as the Chief Clerk of the Left General, assisting in military secrets.

Chen Zhen served as the magistrate of Zhuo County, in charge of the people's livelihood.

Mi Zhu served as the Agricultural Commandant and was in charge of military farms.

Cao Xuan was appointed as the Commandant of the Revenue Department, in charge of money and grain.

Jian Yong served as the border official, in charge of negotiations between the Han and non-Han peoples.

Sun Qian served as the Director of the Bureau of Guests, and was in charge of dealing with Yuan.

Chen Dao was appointed as the Commandant of the Imperial Guard, in charge of the personal guard.

Xin Zhe was appointed as the Protector-General and served by his side.

Guan Yu was appointed as a subordinate general and stationed troops in Zhuo County.

The four western prefectures of Youzhou

Pang Tong was appointed General of the Army, overseeing military affairs in the four western commanderies of Youzhou, and governing Ji County.

Qi Zhou served as the governor of Guangyang Commandery, with its capital at Ji County.

Zhang Fei was appointed as a subordinate general and stationed troops in Ji County.

Liu Fang served as the governor of Shanggu Commandery, and his capital was Juyang.

Zhao Yun was appointed as a subordinate general and stationed his troops at Juyang.

Tian Yu served as the governor of Dai Commandery, and his administrative office was located at Gaoliu.

Huang Zhong was appointed as a subordinate general and stationed his troops at Gaoliu.

Xianyu Fu was appointed Prefect of Yuyang and governed Yuyang.

Xianyu Yin was appointed Cavalry Commandant and stationed troops in Yuyang.

【The two eastern prefectures of Youzhou】

Tian Chou served as the Prefect of Youbeiping and concurrently as the Prefect of Liaoxi Commandery. He was in charge of military affairs in the two eastern commanderies of Youzhou, governed Wuzhong City, and commanded the Wuhuan cavalry.

Other civil and military officials who made contributions were also listed.

However, Liu Bei himself was only a Left General. He could recruit officials for his staff at his own discretion, but he needed to use Yuan Shao's name to apply for high-ranking official positions in the court.

Mind this.

Liu Bei then put the draft memorial into his bosom and instructed Chen Dao to arrange for guards and carriages to escort him to the governor's mansion for the banquet.

Yuan Xi had already prepared a banquet at the governor's mansion, and arranged for Han Heng, Jiao Chu, Zhang Nan, and other civil and military officials of the governor's mansion to accompany him.

"General Zuo has worked hard in battle, so we have prepared a small banquet to celebrate his victory."

With a broad smile, Yuan Xi warmly invited Liu Bei to sit in the seat of honor closest to the host, and then praised Liu Bei's achievements to the civil and military officials of the governor's office at the banquet.

The sincerity of his attitude surprised both Jiao Chu and Zhang Nan, who were at the table.

The two generals were unaware that Liu Bei had shared the credit for pacifying the six counties with Yuan Xi, and they were only wondering when Yuan Xi and Liu Bei had become so close.

Yuan Xi, unaware of the two generals' intentions, focused on engaging Liu Bei in enthusiastic conversation.

As the music and dance began, the melodious sounds of string and wind instruments were like celestial music. The zither and lute were gently plucked, like the sound of a flowing spring; the sheng and xiao played softly, accompanying the dancing girls.

Her skirts fluttered like a startled swan, and the dancers moved with elegant grace.

It exudes the elegance and nobility of a prestigious family.

Liu Bei frequently raised his cup to drink with Yuan Xi, and in their conversation, he would often praise Yuan Xi's distinguished family background and refined taste.

The wine is half full.

Liu Bei feigned drunkenness and sighed.

Upon seeing this, Yuan Xi inquired, "General Zuo, were you not satisfied with today's banquet? Zhuo County is bitterly cold and cannot compare to Ye City. When we return to Ye City in the future, I will certainly host another grand banquet to entertain General Zuo."

Liu Bei shook his head: "Governor Yuan has misunderstood. I was just thinking about a difficult decision, which is why I sighed."

Yuan Xi asked curiously, "What is it that General Zuo is struggling with? If you don't mind, you might as well tell me. Perhaps I can help you."

Liu Bei hesitated for a moment, then said, “General, your advance at Guandu is unstoppable, and the Yuan family’s great cause is about to be completed. I have heard that you have appointed Yuan’s three sons to each govern a province to observe their abilities. I do not know who will be able to inherit your legacy in the future. The world is in chaos, and heroes are rising up. The strong become rulers, and the weak choose their masters. I do not know how you will choose your successor, nor do I know what the future holds. I feel that this is a difficult decision.”

Yuan Xi's mind stirred, and seeing that Liu Bei's eyes were glazed with drunkenness as if he were "speaking the truth after drinking," he probed further: "General Zuo is drunk. Although the General has appointed my brothers to govern a province, the one heir you favor is your youngest son, Yuan Shang."

"Haha—" Liu Bei shook his head and laughed: "Governor Yuan, please don't joke. When I was in Liyang, Xu You advised the General to make Yuan Tan his heir, and Guo Tu, Xin Ping, and others also supported Yuan Tan as his heir. Generals such as Zhang He, Gao Lan, and Meng Dai all believed that Yuan Tan was the most virtuous. Even if the General favors Yuan Shang, he cannot force Xu You and others to support Yuan Shang. Since ancient times, a monarch has no family affairs. Just because the General favors Yuan Shang does not mean that Yuan Shang can become the heir."

Before he could finish speaking, Liu Bei sighed again, "It's a pity, Governor Yuan, that you have no ambition to compete for the throne."

Yuan Xi was initially pondering Liu Bei's intentions, but upon hearing Liu Bei's last words, he instantly sobered up considerably.

After careful consideration, Yuan Xi ended the banquet early, allowing Han Heng, Jiao Chu, Zhang Nan, and other civil and military officials to leave first, leaving only Liu Bei alone.

"What General Zuo said just now makes a lot of sense." Yuan Xi asked cautiously, "If I have ambitions to claim the throne, would General Zuo be willing to help me?"

After staring at Yuan Xi with his drunken eyes for a moment, Liu Bei laughed heartily: "Governor Yuan, I was just talking nonsense while I was drunk, don't take it seriously! Don't take it seriously!"

Yuan Xi suddenly felt anxious.

What does it mean to talk nonsense while drunk?

General Zuo, do you not trust me?

Thinking of this, Yuan Xi quickly poured Liu Bei another cup of wine and said respectfully, "General Zuo and I have always been on good terms. When General Zuo pacified the six commanderies, I also gave him my full support. But today, General Zuo refuses to show me his true feelings. Do you think I, Yuan Xi, am a faithless villain?"

Liu Bei feigned surprise and quickly stood up to apologize: "Governor Yuan, you have misunderstood. Instigating brothers to fight is against morality and reason. I spoke carelessly just now. Please do not take offense, Governor Yuan."

Yuan Xi suddenly said indignantly, "Brother? Humph! Yuan Shang takes pride in being favored by the Grand General, but he has never regarded me as an elder brother. Even though I serve Yuan Shang faithfully, in his eyes I am just a lowly illegitimate son. Does being born of a maidservant disgrace the Yuan family?"

“Governor Yuan, be careful what you say!” Liu Bei said solemnly.

Yuan Xi slammed his wine cup onto the table, then rose and bowed to Liu Bei: "I know my talents are shallow. I am neither as brave and valiant as Yuan Tan, who is favored by all the civil and military officials, nor as handsome as Yuan Shang, who is loved by the General. But it is not that I have no ambition to succeed him; rather, I lack the strength to do so. I have great ambitions but no way to realize them. I know that the Left General is a hero of our time. If you can help me seize the Yuan family's legacy, I am willing to share it with you! From now on, we will assist the Emperor together, sharing the civil and military affairs. I will be the Minister of Works, and the Left General can be the General-in-Chief!"

Yuan Xi thought he had spoken eloquently and passionately.

Seeing Liu Bei's expression shift from "calm" to "shock," and then from "shock" to "admiration," Yuan Xi felt a surge of pride.

a long time.

Liu Bei then rose and returned the greeting, saying, "I deeply admire Governor Yuan's ambition to assist the Emperor in stabilizing the people. I also wish to assist Governor Yuan, but I am hesitant because I fear that Governor Yuan may not be willing."

Yuan Xi was overjoyed and hurriedly asked, "I wonder what brilliant strategy General Zuo has to offer me?"

Liu Bei remained calm and said, "Youzhou is barren, with few soldiers and a small population. Governor Yuan's current strength is no match for Yuan Tan and Yuan Shang. The only way to have a chance is to use their strength against them."

Moved, Yuan Xi asked again, "How can we use someone else's strength against them?"

Liu Bei lowered his voice: "Use Yuan Shang to get rid of Xu You first!"

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(End of this chapter)