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

Chapter 278 Inevitable Troubles, Xu Shu and Pang Tong Offer Good Strategies (5 Updates)
After the deployment was completed, Liu Bei kept Pang Tong and Xu Shu behind to discuss countermeasures.

Liu Bei frowned and revealed his thoughts: "Given the current situation, my ambitions can no longer be concealed, and I can no longer use Yuan Shao's name. Generals Yan Liang and Wen Chou have been deeply indebted to Yuan Shao and will certainly not betray him to join me. I intend to treat them with sincerity and have them lead their troops to Lu Nu to meet Yuan Shao. Shi Yuan and Yuan Zhi, what do you think?"

Pang Tong pondered for a moment and then advised, "Yan Liang and Wen Chou are far superior to Han Fan and Ma Yan. If they were to take control of the strategic pass of Lu Nu, not only would the You and Bing routes be severed, but they might also be used by Yuan Shang as vanguards. At that time, our army would be attacked from both sides, and it would be too late to regret it. My lord, please think it over carefully."

Xu Shu also advised, "Our lord is benevolent. Although he wants to recruit Yan Liang and Wen Chou to serve him, he must also be wary of Yuan Shao forcing them to serve Yuan Shang. If they disobey military orders, they will be disloyal to Yuan Shao; if they obey orders, they will be unjust to our lord. This would put them in a position of disloyalty and unjustness, which is truly undesirable."

Seeing Liu Bei's hesitation, Xu Shu proposed a compromise: "Why don't I first secretly contact Yan Liang and Wen Chou to probe their true intentions? Kongming is always meticulous in his actions; we can simultaneously send people to Changshan and Zhongshan to gather intelligence. Once the situation is clear, we can then decide whether to send the two generals to Lu Nu."

Liu Bei paced back and forth in his tent, finally suppressing his intention to send Yan Liang and Wen Chou with their troops to Lu Nu: "Since that's the case, Yuanzhi can go and meet with Yan Liang and Wen Chou first. If they have any concerns, don't force them. I live by integrity, and I absolutely cannot lose my integrity for this."

After Xu Shu left, Liu Bei remained troubled, and although he tried to speak several times, he swallowed his words.

After pondering for a moment, Pang Tong asked in a low voice, "Is my lord worried about Yuan Xi?"

Upon hearing this, Liu Bei sighed: "Ever since the rumors of Yuan Shao's intention to step down and relinquish his position spread, Yuan Xi has distanced himself from me. Although Yuan Xi and I have been using each other, I could not have achieved my current status without his help. Now that the news of my appointment of Zilong as the governor of Shangdang has spread, Yuan Xi may also develop a rift with me again. I really do not want to turn against him, hence my worry."

If Cao Cao or Yuan Shao were to encounter such a situation, they could simply send assassins or instruct Yuan Xi's enemies to eliminate this troublesome Yuan Xi. The victor is king, the loser is villain; whoever obstructs the great cause will be killed.

However, if one establishes oneself in the world based on benevolence, virtue, and integrity, one cannot violate benevolence, virtue, and integrity; otherwise, Liu Bei, whose background was inferior to that of Cao Cao and Yuan Shao, would not have been able to win the respect and reliance of the people.

Who would be willing to follow a powerful ruler who comes from humble origins and whose conduct lacks benevolence and integrity?
The reason why Liu Xiu was able to stand out from many members of the imperial clan was precisely because he won the widespread support of the people with his benevolence, virtue and integrity, and ultimately achieved great success.

The "Oath of Luoshui" became a model of oaths for scholars for more than two hundred years afterward. If Sima Yi had not broken his promise and undermined the authority of this oath, its influence might have continued into the Jin Dynasty and even the Tang Dynasty.

Pang Tong calmly advised, "My lord, you are overthinking this. Yuan Shao's desire to abdicate in your favor is Yuan Shao's, not yours. If you do not wish to turn against Yuan Xi, you can allow Yuan Xi to temporarily assume the position of Governor of Bing Province and jointly govern Bing Province to appease him. If Yuan Xi is unwilling to cooperate with you in governing Bing Province and harbors thoughts of rebellion, then you need not continue to uphold benevolence and trustworthiness with Yuan Xi."

Although Yuan Xi was temporarily appointed as the governor of Bing Province, Liu Bei was actually only in control of Shangdang County, and the governor of Shangdang was Zhao Yun.

Allowing Yuan Xi to co-govern Bingzhou would both give Yuan Xi a way out and ensure that Liu Bei does not lose actual control of Bingzhou.

Even if Yuan Xi was unwilling to be a puppet, he had no better choice. Yuan Shao favored Yuan Shang and neglected Yuan Xi, while Liu Bei could at least give Yuan Xi nominal benefits.

Pang Tong's advice also carried a ruthless and decisive tone. Compared to Yuan Shang and Yuan Tan, Yuan Xi was the least qualified to be Yuan Shao's heir and the one who needed external help the most.

If Yuan Xi can understand his own position, he may be able to win a title in the future; if he cannot, then he is like a mantis trying to stop a chariot, overestimating his own strength.

After careful consideration, Liu Bei agreed to Pang Tong's suggestion and sent someone to invite Yuan Xi.

But in another tent.

Xu Shu found Yan Liang and Wen Chou drinking to relieve their boredom. Observing their expressions and behavior, Xu Shu already had a rough idea of ​​what was going on. He then approached them and asked for some wine: "It's cold now, and it's really uncomfortable if we don't drink. I wonder if you two generals would like to drink with me?"

The Left General's Chief Clerk came specifically to ask for wine, and Yan Liang and Wen Chou naturally did not hesitate to give him a clean wine cup and hand it to Xu Shu, inviting him to sit down and drink together.

Xu Shu then warmly chatted with Yan Liang and Wen Chou about the battles in Hedong, trying to build rapport. When the conversation reached its peak, Xu Shu suddenly changed the subject, sighing, "It's a pity that it will be difficult to drink with you two generals again in the future."

Yan Liang and Wen Chou were both startled and asked in unison, "Why do you say that, Chief Secretary?"

Xu Shu sighed again: "Do you two generals know that the Left General is troubled?"

The two generals shook their heads, cupped their hands, and said in unison, "We would like to hear the details."

Xu Shu took a deep breath and said, "When General Zuo first arrived in Hebei, he intended to join the Grand General in a righteous cause, to punish the traitors and restore the Han Dynasty. However, after the Battle of Guandu, the Grand General gradually became decadent, and entrusted all military and political affairs to his young son, Yuan Shang. If Yuan Shang had the Grand General's qualities, it wouldn't have been a problem. But unexpectedly, Yuan Shang is narrow-minded. Taking advantage of General Zuo's trip to Hedong, he secretly sent Su You and Guo Yuan to attack Huguan City, attempting to cut off General Zuo's return route! It is truly despicable!"

At this point, Xu Shu gripped the wine cup tightly, his knuckles turning white.

Yan Liang and Wen Chou also recalled their past discord with Yuan Shang, and both of them were indignant. They cursed one after another: "Even the Grand General respects the Left General, but Yuan Shang wants to be an enemy of the Left General. It is truly hateful." "Yuan Shang himself cannot defeat Cao Cao, but he wants to block the Left General's way back. He is extremely foolish."

Seeing that both of them were indignant, Xu Shu sighed again: "Now General Zuo is in a dilemma. If we send troops to attack Yuan Shang, it may hurt the feelings of the Grand General, and put the two of you in a dilemma between loyalty and righteousness. If we keep quiet, it will be difficult to quell your anger. General Zuo originally intended to ask the two of you to lead your troops to Lu Nu to see the Grand General and ask him what his thoughts are. However, Shi Yuan and I both feel that this is inappropriate."

Xu Shu looked directly at the two generals and spoke earnestly: "I do not harbor any ill intentions, but I fear that if the Grand General sees you two return, he will order you to serve Yuan Shang. Yuan Shang will then seize the opportunity to have you guard Lu Nu, cutting off General Zuo's return route. If you obey, you will betray General Zuo's loyalty; if you disobey, you will betray the Grand General's kindness. General Zuo cannot bear to force you, nor does he wish for you two to be caught in a situation of disloyalty and injustice, hence his worries. I wish to alleviate General Zuo's concerns, and thus I have taken the liberty of coming here, hoping to discuss a mutually beneficial solution with you two."

　My sleep schedule is back to normal. This is my first update of the month, and also my fifth update since yesterday. Please vote with your monthly tickets!
　　
　
(End of this chapter)