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

"Cao Cao has just pacified Yizhou, but the people's hearts are not yet with him. This time, he is in a hurry to attack Jingzhou, which may be for other purposes. Cao Cao's military tactics have always been known for their unpredictability and he also follows the principle that speed is of the essence in war, so he often achieves unexpected victories."

"If we really want to attack Jingzhou, we won't give Liu Zhennan a chance to prepare. Therefore, this time we send troops to Jingzhou, I think Cao Cao is just testing the reactions of all sides. If we can take Jingzhou, we will; if we can't, we will quell the internal strife."

Xu Shu calmly analyzed the situation in Yizhou and Cao Cao's military intentions. Although he could not make an accurate judgment due to a lack of intelligence, he found that there were too many irrationalities in Cao Cao's military campaign.

Liu Bei also calmed down from his anger.

What had just angered him was Sun Quan's attempt to use Cao Cao's power to destroy Liu Biao, but after calming down, he immediately realized something was amiss.

Cao Cao was able to go from being a vassal of Yuan Shao to defeating Yuan Shao in adversity, and even after the defeat in the battle of Hebei, he turned his attention to Yizhou. It is impossible that he did not understand that the people of Yizhou had not yet won his heart.

There must be a reason for anything unusual.

"If we follow Yuanzhi's advice, how should I respond?"

Despite his anger, Liu Bei also had to consider reality.

After several wars, Hebei had finally had a year to recuperate and rebuild its economy. The people were unwilling to serve in the military or perform corvée labor again. Liu Bei, who was known for his love for the people, naturally did not want to engage in further military campaigns.

The best course of action would be to provide assistance to Liu Biao in a non-military manner.

“Liu Zhennan has managed Jingzhou for many years, and even Cao Cao’s personal campaign could not easily take it. The fear is that Sun Quan will take the opportunity to tie down Liu Zhennan’s forces, preventing him from focusing on dealing with Cao Cao.” Xu Shu pointed out the key point, saying, “Therefore, I believe that you, my lord, can pretend to raise flags and gather troops at Yan Jin, Bai Ma Jin, and Meng Jin, claiming that you want to march south to stop the war, and ask Sun Quan to let you pass. Sun Quan is worried that you are using the strategy of ‘borrowing a path to conquer Guo’, and he will certainly not dare to let you march south. As long as you tie down Sun Quan’s troops, the disaster in Jingzhou can be avoided.”

Liu Bei understood and said, "In that case, we can raise the banners of Yun Chang, Yi De and others to make a show of force, and then send someone into Guanzhong to inform the military advisor."

Before the envoy even set off, Zhuge Liang's envoy had already arrived at Quliang City.

Even after Zhuge Liang took up his post in Guanzhong, he did not forget to maintain contact with Jingzhou.

Although the area east of Hangu Pass was controlled by Sun Quan, one could travel from Guanzhong to Jingzhou via Luoyang and Wuguan Pass to reach Nanyang directly.

Because Liu Qi, the governor of Nanyang, recruited soldiers under the banner of Liu Bei, Wei Yan and others under Liu Qi considered themselves generals of Liu Bei rather than generals of Liu Biao.

After learning of this situation, Zhuge Liang specially sent someone to Nanyang to inquire about Wei Yan and others.

Especially Wei Yan, who was Zhuge Liang's most capable assistant besides Zhao Yun during the Northern Expeditions.

Unlike the rebellious character portrayed in the novel, Wei Yan often clashed with his colleagues due to his personality. It was always Zhuge Liang who protected Wei Yan. Zhuge Liang also highly valued Wei Yan, a fierce general who dared to say, "If Cao Cao brings the whole world to attack, I will defend Your Majesty; if he leads an army of 100,000, I will devour him for Your Majesty."

Although Wei Yan is still relatively inexperienced, a person's potential and talent will not disappear because of the amount of experience they have. As long as the opportunity comes, he can soar to great heights.

Therefore, when Zhuge Liang greeted Wei Yan and others, he also specially presented Wei Yan with a set of military books and strategies, which were written specifically for Wei Yan's personality.

The military treatise and strategies were personally written by the General of the Left, the most trusted strategist. Moreover, the military theories in this treatise and strategies were in line with Wei Yan's personality. Even though Wei Yan was arrogant, he was convinced after seeing the gift from Zhuge Liang.

At the same time, Zhuge Liang sent Guan Yu to Wuguan to talk with Wei Yan for a few days.

By now, Guan Yu had humility and gentleness ingrained in his very being. Witnessing Guan Yu's unparalleled bravery and military prowess while maintaining his humility and gentleness was a profound and transformative experience for Wei Yan. In both character and ability, Wei Yan resembled a weaker version of Guan Yu.

However, under Zhuge Liang's tutelage, Guan Yu became humble and gentle, making Wei Yan, a weaker version of Guan Yu, appear even weaker.

Wei Yan was also someone who refused to admit defeat.

Especially after learning that Guan Yu was originally just an ordinary son from a respectable family in Hedong, whose family background was not much better than his own, yet he was able to rise to a level of fame throughout the land, Wei Yan had a goal to emulate.

Therefore, when news spread that Cao Cao had stationed troops in Baidi City to attack Jingzhou, Wei Yan sent someone to deliver the intelligence to Guanzhong, and naturally received the news earlier than Liu Bei.

Even when Liu Biao sent Wen Ping to escort the families of Zhuge Liang and others to Xuzhou, it was Wei Yan who preemptively sent the message to Guanzhong.

After learning the details, Liu Bei also began to appreciate Wei Yan, this rising star from Nanyang.

"Nanyang has many heroes, and I should encourage them."

Liu Bei was amazed, so he took a helmet with a white cow feather stuck in it and sent it back to Guanzhong with a messenger, asking Zhuge Liang to give the helmet to Wei Yan.

In dealing with Cao Cao's attempt to seize Jingzhou, Zhuge Liang and Xu Shu shared similar views: both advised Liu Bei to feign a southward campaign to mediate between the two sides of the Yellow River, creating the illusion of a pretext to conquer Guo and thus diverting Sun Quan's forces.

As for other matters, Liu Bei need not worry about them.

There was a direct passage from Guanzhong to Nanyang, and Nanyang had Wei Yan and others to support him. This was Zhuge Liang's natural advantage.

If Guanzhong's primary task at the moment wasn't recuperation and not to easily launch a military campaign, and if Cao Cao weren't still in Yizhou, Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang would have been able to encircle Sun Quan from both the north and south.

Unlike Luoyang, Xudu was not protected by any fortified passes, so a large army could easily block Sun Quan in Xudu.

With the advice of Xu Shu and Zhuge Liang, Liu Bei no longer hesitated. He immediately ordered Yan Liang and Wen Chou to make a show of force at Baima Ford and Yan Ford respectively, under the banners of Guan Yu and Zhang Fei. He also sent Qian Zhao to make a show of force at Cangting Ford under the banners of Yan Liang and Wen Chou.

At the same time, someone was sent to Zhou Yu in Chenliu with a letter, the gist of which was: I have heard that Cao Cao is going to attack Liu Biao. As a member of the imperial clan, how can I not go south to stop the war? Therefore, I ask Zhou Yu to let me pass.

As expected, upon receiving the letter, Zhou Yu not only refused to allow passage but also strengthened the defenses on the south bank of the three ferry crossings: Yanjin, Baimajin, and Cangtingjin.

At the same time, a messenger was sent to Xuchang, saying that Liu Bei intended to take the opportunity to move south, and that Sun Quan should also strengthen the defenses in the direction of Xuzhou to prevent Chen Deng, Zang Ba and others from attacking Yuzhou in the west or Yangzhou in the south. Sun Quan was so angry that he couldn't help but curse Liu Bei for being shameless.

Sun Quan dared not be careless and hurriedly sent Han Dang, Taishi Ci and others to guard various places to prevent Liu Bei from taking any action.

At the same time, he sent a message to Cao Cao in Baidi City, claiming that Liu Bei intended to move south and urging Cao Cao to act quickly and destroy Liu Biao as soon as possible.

When the news reached Baidi City, Cao Cao couldn't help but sneer at Sun Quan's urgent letter, which showed he was even more anxious than Cao Cao himself: "Sun Quan, you little brat, really thinks he's a great general. If you really want to destroy Liu Biao, you should personally lead your elite troops to help me, instead of using your forces to guard against Liu Bei. You don't even understand what kind of person Liu Bei is, yet you want to emulate me by holding the emperor hostage to command the disobedient?"

Compared to Cao Cao's campaign against Xuzhou when Yuan Shao had gathered his troops in Liyang, Sun Quan's military courage and insight were far inferior. Even if Liu Bei truly wanted to march south to stop the war, there was enough time for Sun Quan to join forces with Cao Cao to destroy Liu Biao. (End of Chapter)