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

Chapter 36 Liu Bei, the strategist who plans for the world: Before him was Chen Deng, after him was Zhuge Liang
now.

Che Zhou died, and public opinion was outraged.

Tens of thousands of people gathered in Xiapi, all wanting to follow Liu Bei.

This was a golden opportunity for Liu Bei to head north.

At this point in time, it was actually not appropriate for Liu Bei to go to Kuangqi.

If unforeseen circumstances arise during the journey, it would add unpredictable risks to Liu Bei's northward expedition.

however.

Looking into Liu Bei's resolute eyes, Zhuge Liang knew very well: Kuang Qi, Liu Bei absolutely had to go!
Mind this.

Zhuge Liang did not try to dissuade him, but instead volunteered to accompany him: "I will go with you, General, to Kuangqi."

Liu Bei was taken aback: "The strategist is also coming along?"

Zhuge Liang nodded: "Chen Yuanlong is a hero of our time, and I have long admired him."

Liu Bei hesitated: "But if I and the strategist both leave, who will take charge of the affairs of Xiapi?"

Liu Bei decided to personally visit Kuang Qi to see Chen Deng, relying on Zhuge Liang's overall command in Xiapi, believing that even if he were to leave for a few days, nothing would happen.

But now that Zhuge Liang has also volunteered to go, Liu Bei has no choice but to weigh the pros and cons.

It was very important for Kuang Qi to personally meet Chen Deng.

It was equally important to bring relatives, friends, and subordinates safely north.

For a while.

Liu Bei was caught in a dilemma.

"It doesn't matter."

Zhuge Liang gave Liu Bei a reassuring look.

"Although Liang and the general have left, there are still Shi Yuan, Yuan Zhi, Xian He, Gong You, Zi Zhong and others in Xiapi who are making plans. In addition, Guan Sima and Zhang Zhubu are in charge of the troops, and Biejia Cao Xuan and others are helping them."

"There won't be any major problems in the short term."

"To ensure the general's safety, Hansheng can accompany him again."

Huang Zhong is now a guest general and does not directly participate in commanding troops, making him more flexible in terms of job assignments than Guan Yu and Zhang Fei.

If Huang Zhong were not present, and Liu Bei were to personally go to Kuangqi, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei would have to choose one of them to protect him.

Seeing that Zhuge Liang had arranged everything so clearly, Liu Bei's inner turmoil dissipated.

Hear the words.

Liu Bei no longer hesitated and said, "In that case, strategist, you may come with me."

To save time.

Liu Bei immediately summoned Zhuge Liang, Pang Tong, Xu Shu, Jian Yong, Sun Qian, the Mi brothers, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Cao Xuan, and others to make proper arrangements for the northward expedition.

That afternoon.

Liu Bei then took Zhuge Liang, Huang Zhong, and more than ten soldiers with white feathers and sailed south to Kuangqi.

Upon learning that Liu Bei had personally arrived.

Chen Deng, who was supervising the post-war resettlement of officials and civilians under Kuang Qi's supervision, was both surprised and delighted.

The dejected man, who was too ashamed to face Liu Bei, was immediately thrown into the Han Canal by Chen Deng upon learning of Liu Bei's arrival. Chen Deng even drove his boat into the river and went ten miles outside the city to welcome him.

"Mr. Xuande!"

"Yuanlong!"

When old friends meet, after a single call, the two stand at the bow of the boat, speechless and choked with emotion.

Much later.

Liu Bei only realized what was happening after Zhuge Liang's "cough" signal. He hurriedly called Chen Deng to come ashore together, set up a campfire on the shore, warmed wine and roasted meat while reminiscing about the past.

The aroma of wine and meat wafted from the campfire.

During the narration.

Chen Deng asked Liu Bei why he had executed Che Zhou. Liu Bei sighed and said, "Executing Che Zhou was not my wish. It was only because of the circumstances that I had no choice but to do it."

Finished.

Liu Bei then told Chen Deng about his involvement in the matter of the imperial edict hidden in the belt, Wu Shuo's arrival in Xiapi, the news of the list of those who had received the edict from Xuchang, Che Zhou's hosting of the Feast at Hongmen, and other related matters.

Knowing the inside story, Chen Deng couldn't help but sigh: "When Sun Ce sent troops to attack earlier, I asked the clerk Chen Jiao to ask Cao Sikong for help, hoping that Cao Sikong would send Xuande Gong to Guangling."

"Yuan and Cao are locked in a stalemate, with neither side gaining the upper hand; Sun Ce of Jiangdong is brave but unprepared. If Lord Xuande were to obey the imperial edict and march south to contend with Sun Ce, he might be able to seize the opportunity to rise up in Jiangdong and establish a new foundation."

"Unfortunately, things change, and with the interference of Dong Cheng, Wu Shuo and others, my plans for Lord Xuande have become useless."

Liu Bei was moved.

Although Chen Deng's plan could not be implemented due to the leak of the imperial edict, Liu Bei was still moved by Chen Deng's sincerity.

Liu Bei was filled with emotion: How fortunate I am to be friends with Yuanlong!

Chen Deng was an open-minded person, and after a short while he was overcome with worry and asked Liu Bei about his true intentions in going north.

Liu Bei turned his head to look at Zhuge Liang and Huang Zhong standing behind him and introduced them, saying, "Yuanlong, this is Zhuge Liang, Zhuge Kongming, the second son of Zhuge Gui, the former Prefect of Taishan Commandery, from Yangdu, Langya Commandery. He is my newly appointed Military Advisor and General."

"This is Huang Zhong, Huang Hansheng, a native of Nanyang and a general of Jingzhou. He is temporarily serving under me as a guest general under the orders of the General Who Guards the South of Jingzhou."

"Another military advisor, Pang Tong (Pang Shiyuan), from Xiangyang, and another military advisor, Xu Shu (Xu Yuanzhi), from Yingchuan, both came from Xiangyang to join Kongming, a thousand miles away."

Chen Deng bowed respectfully.

When Liu Bei first landed, Chen Deng noticed the extraordinary demeanor of Zhuge Liang and Huang Zhong, but since he was catching up with Liu Bei and Liu Bei did not introduce them, Chen Deng did not ask any further questions.

Upon learning the identities of the two individuals, Chen Deng was also surprised.

Judging from Zhuge Liang's appearance, he was at most twenty years old.

However, Liu Bei appointed Zhuge Liang as Military Advisor General, which shows how much Liu Bei valued Zhuge Liang.

If it weren't for someone with great talent and strategy, Liu Bei wouldn't have appointed a Military Advisor General on his own.

The fact that Liu Biao sent General Huang Zhong to serve as a guest general for Liu Bei also made Chen Deng sense something unusual.

Considering the imperial edict in the belt and the executions, Chen Deng made a guess: Liu Bei had formed an alliance with Liu Biao!

After Chen Deng greeted Zhuge Liang and Huang Zhong.

Liu Bei then said, "Kongming predicted that Yuan Shao would be defeated by Cao Cao, so he advised me to take advantage of the situation and rise up in Hebei, secure its strategic location, pacify the various Hu tribes, form alliances with Liu Biao and Sun Ce externally, and improve governance and harmony internally; when the world changes, we can gather the forces of Hebei and march south to quell the rebellion."

"After killing Che Zhou, Kongming advised me to issue a proclamation to all the counties, explaining the reasons and first gaining moral support; then I should claim that I would return to Zhuojun to teach and no longer concern myself with the affairs of the court, and take this opportunity to cultivate my reputation and make friends with heroes."

As soon as these words came out.

Chen Deng was even more amazed by Zhuge Liang's talent and strategy.

How could someone so young have such insightful analysis of the world situation?
Although the confrontation between Yuan Shao and Cao Cao seemed evenly matched, most officials and commoners believed that Cao Cao was no match for Yuan Shao.

Only a few brilliant minds, after a thorough analysis of the situation, asserted that Cao Cao also had a chance of winning.

But Zhuge Liang was the first person Chen Deng had ever heard of or seen who could directly predict that Yuan Shao would be defeated by Cao Cao and even offer a strategy for Liu Bei to take advantage of the situation and rise up in Hebei!
The way he handled the situation after killing Che Zhou impressed Chen Deng even more.

This strategy was adopted.

Even if Cao Cao could see through the truth, he could not stop the people of various prefectures and counties from sympathizing with Liu Bei.

Yuan Shao, eager to gain moral support, would further fuel the flames, even exaggerating Liu Bei's "not betraying Cao Cao but being suspected by petty people," in order to belittle Cao Cao's reputation among the people of various prefectures and counties.

When Liu Bei led tens of thousands of men to Hebei, Yuan Shao, in order to show his respect for the people of the various prefectures and counties, might even go 200 li outside Ye City to welcome Liu Bei.

What outsiders see is often not the truth, but more likely the result of competitors buying traffic.

With Zhuge Liang's assistance, Lord Xuande will surely be able to establish a foothold in the north; I have nothing to worry about.

Chen Deng was genuinely happy for Liu Bei.

A false friend: someone who is afraid of their friend suffering hardship, yet also afraid of their friend driving a Land Rover.

True friends are not afraid to put themselves in danger, but are more willing to help each other soar to great heights.

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　　Since the chapter titles are all similar, I'll recommend one of my older books instead. (Link below)

　　
　
(End of this chapter)