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

Chapter 295 Liu Bei Wants to Win Over Ju Shou, Zhuge Liang and Three Others Assist Him (2nd Update)
Now, Liu Bei's forces are brimming with talent, with capable ministers and generals stationed in various regions:

The commandery of Shangdang included Zhao Yun, Mi Zhu, Xun Chen, Jiao Chu, Zhang Nan, Yuan Chen, Xiahou Bo, Jia Kui, and Wang Xiang.

Changshan Kingdom has Guan Yu, Yan Liang, Wen Chou, Gao Rou, Guan Yi, Guan Ping, Zhang Yan, Lei Gong, Fu Yun, Da Mu, Bai Que, and Wu Lu.

The states of Zhongshan included Zhang Fei, Pang Tong, Tao Sheng, Qian Zhao, Zhang Sheng, and Zhu Ao.

Zhuojun had Zhuge Liang, Xu Shu, Huang Zhong, Xiahou Lan, Tian Feng, Chen Zhen, Cao Xuan, Jian Yong, Sun Qian, Huang Xu, Chen Dao, Xin Zhe, Liu Su, Liu Shi, Liu Deran, Lu Yu, and Wang Ji.

Qi Zhou was from Guangyang Commandery; Liu Fang was from Shanggu Commandery; Tian Yu was from Dai Commandery; Xianyu Fu and Xianyu Yin were from Yuyang Commandery; and Tian Chou was from Youbeiping Commandery and Liaoxi Commandery.

Those who were away and had not yet returned included Sun Zi, Su Shuang, and Zhang Shiping; those who, though not formally serving Liu Bei, were actually working for him included Zheng Xuan, Ju Shou, Xu You, Guo Tu, Xin Ping, and Cai Wenji.

In addition, many lower-level officials and opposition figures who came to him by reputation attached themselves to him.

Although the Guangyang, Shanggu, Dai, Yuyang, Youbeiping, and Liaoxi commanderies of Youzhou have few renowned civil and military officials, these six commanderies are currently free from external threats and have Qi Zhou, Liu Fang, Tian Yu, Xianyu Fu, Xianyu Yin, and Tian Chou, which is sufficient to handle the situation.

Liu Bei's core power remained concentrated in Zhuojun, Shangdangjun, Changshan, and Zhongshan.

If it weren't for the fact that the territory they occupied was harsh, sparsely populated, and lacked resources, the sheer number of civil and military officials they possessed would have been enough to rival Cao Cao.

Before long, Zhuge Liang, Xu Shu, Tian Feng, and Ju Shou arrived in succession as summoned.

"Zhongzhi has come from Ye City," Liu Bei succinctly informed everyone of the battle situation in Ye City, the current state of Yuan Shao and Cao Cao, and the possible future crises. He then added, "Whether or not to provide aid is a matter for discussion among you gentlemen."

In fact, as early as when he returned to Zhuo County, Liu Bei had discussed with Zhuge Liang how to deal with Cao Cao's annexation of the Yuan family's territory.

Zhuge Liang clearly pointed out at the time: those who contend for the world do not contend for an inch of land, but for the number of people; it is not about the size of the territory, but about the fullness of the granaries. The most urgent task is to quickly gather the population and consolidate the foundation.

Liu Bei agreed wholeheartedly and consistently implemented the policy of accumulating and nurturing the people's strength.

Although the upheaval in Ye City was sudden, it was within Liu Bei's expectations, and Liu Bei naturally had no intention of shaking his established strategy.

Rather than discussing whether to rescue Ye City, the real intention was to discuss how to profit from the situation.

However, upon hearing about the situation in Ye City, Ju Shou's expression changed. He hesitated for a moment, then lowered his head and stared silently at the book in his hand.

Xu Shu noticed Ju Shou's unusual behavior and, after a moment's thought, understood Liu Bei's intention: Liu Bei wanted to win over Ju Shou, and summoning Ju Shou to discuss matters today was also a hint to Ju Shou that if Ju Shou proposed to rescue Ye City, Liu Bei might abandon the proposed plan and send troops.

Thinking of this, Xu Shu bowed and said, "Cao Cao's ambition to seize Hebei is clear. Once he gains control of Wei Commandery, he will surely set his sights on Bohai. My lord, we must be on guard! Therefore, I believe that Ye City must be saved." Ju Shou looked at Xu Shu in surprise, thinking to himself: With Yuanzhi's wisdom, how could he not understand the Left General's current predicament? Cao Cao's army is well-trained and well-supplied. Our army is already struggling to hold its ground, let alone launch a long-distance expedition hundreds of miles away to contend with Cao Cao. Yuanzhi is clearly only giving this advice against his will because he is worried about my son being trapped in Ye City!
Ju Shou also saw through Liu Bei's thoughts: this was an implication that as long as he asked for help, Liu Bei would send troops even if it went against the policy of accumulating manpower.

However, this would inevitably harm the military and civilians of Youzhou, Zhongshan, Changshan, and Shangdang, and could damage the overall strategic situation.

Ju Shou truly did not want Liu Bei to compromise his principles for personal reasons.

Mind this.

Thinking of this, Ju Shou put away his book and resolutely bowed, advising, "General Zuo! I believe Chief Clerk Xu's words are inappropriate! Spring plowing is imminent, and we should do our utmost to implement the policy of pacifying the people and encouraging farming! If we divide our troops for a distant expedition at this time, our provisions will surely run out, the policy of pacifying the people will be abandoned halfway, and our foundation will be shaken! At that time, let alone rescue, we may even have difficulty protecting ourselves! Moreover, our army has marched a long way to the city of Ye and is exhausted. If we encounter Cao Cao's army waiting for us in a well-rested state, our chances of survival will be slim. I earnestly hope that General Zuo will reconsider!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Xu Shu looked at Ju Shou with feigned surprise, his eyes clearly asking: I spoke up for you, and you contradict me?

Everyone present was shrewd and capable of understanding Liu Bei's thoughts, and Xu Shu and Ju Shou's answers confirmed this conjecture.

Liu Bei sat upright in the main seat, his expression deep and serious. His face showed no emotion, but he was secretly delighted: Ju Gong was finally willing to offer his advice.

Suppressing his inner joy, Liu Bei did not immediately respond to Ju Shou, but slowly turned his gaze to Zhuge Liang and Tian Feng, who had not yet spoken: "Strategist, Yuan Hao, what are your thoughts?"

Zhuge Liang gently waved his feather fan, his clear eyes looking at Ju Shou, his tone calm yet profound: "What you and the gentleman have said is invaluable, hitting the nail on the head. I also discussed this with the lord the other day: those who contend for the world should contend for the people, not cities; they should focus on granaries, not battlefields. Although Ye City is important, it is far less important than nurturing the people's strength. If we launch a long expedition now, with supplies carried over a thousand miles, our army will be exhausted and lose its edge, and we will fall into Cao Cao's 'waiting for the enemy to tire themselves out' trap. Moreover, our You and Bing regions have just begun to recover, and spring planting is the foundation of the people's livelihood; it must not be neglected. I agree with you and the gentleman that it is not advisable to send troops now."

Although Tian Feng was straightforward, he wasn't stupid. Seeing Xu Shu and Zhuge Liang speaking in unison, he understood their intentions and echoed, "My lord! It is perfectly reasonable for Military Advisor Zhuge to meet with you! Although Chief Clerk Xu's suggestion is reasonable, rashly resorting to force will ruin the fundamental plan! In the past, Yuan Shao was no match for Cao Cao precisely because he repeatedly let personal feelings ruin the overall strategy! How can my lord repeat the same mistake?"

Xin Ping's gaze first moved from Xu Shu to Ju Shou, then from Ju Shou to Zhuge Liang, then from Zhuge Liang to Tian Feng, and finally landed on the slight smile on Liu Bei's lips. He also keenly noticed the differences in how the four addressed each other.

Xu Shu, Zhuge Liang, and Tian Feng all addressed him as "Lord," while Ju Shou addressed him as "General of the Left." Although it is common to use titles in work settings, this was a private discussion, so Ju Shou's address was somewhat unfamiliar.

Xin Ping secretly made a guess: Ju Shou had been in Zhuo County for a long time, but he was still just a literary official and was unfamiliar with General Zuo; moreover, according to common sense, Ju Shou was not qualified to participate in the discussion with his current status. If I were to serve General Zuo, I should first share his burdens and solve his problems.

Thinking of this, Xin Ping feigned agreement with Xu Shu and bowed, saying, "Ju Congshi's son is trapped in Ye City. If General Zuo does not come to his aid, I fear that when Shen Pei makes a desperate gamble, Ju Congshi's son will also perish."

Ju Shou's expression changed, his eyes becoming complicated. Finally, he said with a heavy heart, "I am very grateful for Xin's intention to protect me, but in this chaotic world, everyone has their own destiny, and we cannot force things. How can we disrupt General Zuo's plans because of me?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Zhuge Liang laughed and praised, "You and the gentleman are both devoted to the foundation of our lord's cause and are willing to put aside personal feelings. Such public spirit is admirable! I have a plan that may satisfy both of you. I ask that you consider it, my lord."

　I had some errands to run today and just got back a short while ago. I'll try my best to update; if I can't finish today, I'll make it up tomorrow.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)