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

Chapter 32 A Hidden History of the Imperial Edict in a Belt: Pang Tong's Scheme Was Too Dirty
Sun Qian's rebuttal amplified Chang Xi's resentment towards Cao Cao.

Chang Xi, who was already unwilling to remain subservient to others, became even more enthusiastic about "becoming friends" with Liu Bei.

"Lord Xuande is a heroic figure. It is a great pleasure for me to become friends with him. I have some treasured wine, and I would like to share it with you all."

From Liu Bei to Left General, and then from Left General to Duke Xuande.

Chang Xi profoundly demonstrated to Sun Qian and the other two what it means to be arrogant at first and then obsequious.

Sun Qian had only been pretending to decline, but now that Chang Xi was inviting him, he readily agreed, saying, "Since you have so kindly invited me, it would be very impolite of me to refuse again. I would like to drink with you, Sisi."

Xu Shu and Huang Zhong also expressed their desire to drink freely.

Changxi was overjoyed.

He ordered people to bring in fine wine and delicacies, and summoned singing girls and dancing girls to play music and dance.

It makes it even more solemn.

During the banquet.

Xu Shu then deliberately mentioned that "Zang Ba demanded five thousand sets of thick linen clothes and five thousand pairs of thick linen shoes."

When he learned that Liu Bei refused to transport winter supplies for Zang Ba on the grounds that "winter is approaching and the conscripted soldiers need to return to their hometowns to visit their families," and further asserted that "Zang Ba's attack on Yuan Tan was unsuccessful, and he was afraid that the Minister of Works would blame him, so he was making things difficult for Governor Che in order to shirk responsibility for the unsuccessful attack,"

Chang Xi felt even more pleased: "Zang Ba has always been greedy but cowardly. His demand for clothes and shoes is definitely an attempt to shirk responsibility. Che Zhou is lucky to have met Lord Xuande who can guide him. Otherwise, Che Zhou would have been deceived by Zang Ba."

the end.

Changxi then asked Liu Bei if he would make any moves in the near future.

What seemed like an ordinary question was actually another test by Chang Xi.

Sun Qian remained calm and said, "Currently, Cao Sikong is busy vying with Yuan Shao. Neither the Left General nor Chang Xiang will be in trouble for the time being. It is best to keep a low profile and wait for the right time."

After repeated probing, Changxi's doubts finally dissipated.

If Liu Bei wanted to stir up trouble, no matter how eloquently Sun Qian spoke, Chang Xi would not respond to Liu Bei.

Chang Xi was no saint; he rose from a thief to become the Chancellor of the Eastern Sea.

If Liu Bei only wanted to protect himself, Chang Xi would be willing to offer support to Liu Bei within a certain scope.

Helping Liu Bei is helping yourself. In chaotic times, survival depends on adapting to circumstances. The means are not important; the result is more important.

Sun Qian and the other two did not stay in Tancheng.

After receiving Chang Xi's promise, the three of them quickly rode back to Xiapi to report back to Liu Bei.

"Judging from Chang Xi's appearance, he is a man of deep cunning. Although he promised to support him, if it doesn't involve his own interests, he is more likely to sit back and watch the fight unfold," Xu Shu said, expressing his feelings after meeting Chang Xi.

For this.

Liu Bei had anticipated this.

Liu Bei's relationship with Chang Xi was already superficial. If they had no common interests, why would Chang Xi risk his life for Liu Bei?
but.

Liu Bei was not worried that Chang Xi would sit idly by and watch the fight.

Because while Xu Shu and his two companions were on their way to Tancheng, news also came back from Xudu.

The message roughly states that Dong Cheng's servant, Qin Qingtong, was punished by Dong Cheng with forty strokes of the cane and locked in a cold room for having an affair with Dong Cheng's concubine, Yunying. Qin Qingtong harbored resentment and secretly reported Dong Cheng's plot to rebel to Cao Cao, and also leaked the list of participants in the imperial edict.

"How could it be so detailed?" Xu Shu was taken aback when he heard the specifics.

Liu Bei scoffed, "It's just a trick Cao Cao always uses, a mix of deception and reality."

"The key point is the 'list of participants in the secret edict.' Wu Shuo once volunteered to come to Xiapi to see me. Given Cao Cao's personality of 'better to be wrong than let go,' he would definitely suspect me."

"The news was probably deliberately released by Cao Cao in order to trick him into revealing who was conspiring with Dong Cheng."

Xu Shu couldn't help but feel a chill.

Although Liu Bei's tone remained normal, his words subtly revealed Cao Cao's treachery and cunning. He deliberately released a half-truth, half-false message to instill fear and doubt in those involved in the secret edict.

Will Dong Cheng, Wu Shuo, and others not betray us?
It's ok!
Dong Cheng's servants were not as discreet as Dong Cheng and Wu Shuo.

Is the story of a servant having an affair with a concubine fictional?

It's ok!
It's all about deception and manipulation.

Anyone hiding in the shadows who can't resist showing themselves is definitely Dong Cheng's accomplice.

Xu Shu pondered for a moment: "That is true, but General, you must be on guard."

"If Cao Cao really obtained the list of the secret edict, and your name is on it, then you are in danger."

Liu Bei nodded, a smile playing on his lips: "Our predecessors had the ambition to seize the initiative, which is a testament to the army's strategic brilliance. If we harbor any illusions, we will surely lose the initiative."

"Kongming and Shiyuan also advised each other in the same way."

"Therefore, after receiving the news, I adopted Shi Yuan's plan: I sent Yuan Chen, a man from Yingchuan under my command, to secretly deliver a secret order to Che Zhou, pretending to be an envoy of Cao Cao."

Pang Tong's plan was quite dirty.

If Liu Bei were to raise an army against Cao Cao out of fear and doubt, Cao Cao would be in the moral high ground, and might even feel aggrieved.

I regarded Liu Bei as a brother and even called him a "hero". I asked the emperor to enfeoff Liu Bei as a marquis and to appoint Liu Bei as a general. In the end, Liu Bei wanted to rebel against me?

But things would be different if Pang Tong's strategy were used.

It wasn't that Liu Bei wanted to rebel against Cao Cao, but rather that Che Zhou wanted to eliminate Liu Bei. Liu Bei was the one who had the moral high ground and was the one who was wronged.
I diligently recruited laborers to transport grain and supplies for Che Zhou, but Che Zhou wanted to kill me?
Mengde, tell me the truth, was Che Zhou secretly instigated by you?

Even if Cao Cao could see through the truth, to outsiders it was just that Che Zhou had "forced" Liu Bei to rebel.

Liu Bei could have written another "Memorial of Resignation from the Ministry of Works," accusing Cao Cao of favoring sycophants and alienating virtuous ministers, and of believing rumors and distrusting loyal and righteous officials.

Pang Tong was quite adept at finding reasons to support Liu Bei.

Historical records state that Liu Bei was unwilling to break his promise and seize Liu Zhang's territory, so Pang Tong advised Liu Bei with the words, "If you take it by force and then keep it by virtue, repay him with righteousness. After the matter is settled, you will be granted a large state. How can you break your promise?"

The gist is: the practice of keeping one's word should be adapted to the specific circumstances; first, seize power by extraordinary means, and then maintain rule by morality; after the situation stabilizes, enfeoff the meritorious as princes of powerful states, and doing so will not be considered a breach of keeping one's word.

It can be seen.

Upon learning that Pang Tong had already devised a strategy for Liu Bei, Xu Shu secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

The thought of Liu Bei's impending formal falling out with Cao Cao filled Xu Shu with a hidden excitement.

A true man should wield his sword, contend with the wisest men of the world, and establish unparalleled fame!
The governor's residence, Che Zhou's separate residence.

Yuan Lin of Yingchuan, who was impersonating Cao Cao's envoy, urged Che Zhou: "Governor Che, if you hesitate, you will only cause trouble. If you wait until Liu Bei learns of the changes in Xuchang, Governor Che will have no chance to fight back."

Che Zhou frowned, his face showing hesitation: "General Zuo has always been highly regarded by the Minister of Works. Perhaps there is some misunderstanding."

Yuan Chen sneered: "Governor Che, don't forget! It was the Minister of Works who appreciated your talent and strategy and overcame all opposition to make you the governor of Xuzhou. You must not forget the Minister of Works' past kindness just because of Liu Bei's temporary favor."

Hear the words.

Che Zhou's face grew even more bitter.

After struggling for a long time, Che Zhou finally spoke with difficulty: "To be honest, Xiapi has long been secretly controlled by General Zuo. It's not that I don't want to, but that I can't."

Yuan Chen feigned great surprise, drew his sword and pointed it at Che Zhou: "Che Zhou, how dare you betray the Minister of Works?"

　Hey everyone, if you have monthly tickets, please support me with a monthly ticket ticket; if you don't have monthly tickets, please support me with a follow-up reading.

　　The ranking of new book popularity is determined by: [Number of readers following the book] > [Number of monthly votes] > [Reading time] > [Number of readers] > [Number of comments]

　　thank.

　　thank
　　
　
(End of this chapter)