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

Chapter 50: Mediocre people deal with tasks, wise people plan strategies, and only those who plan strategies achieve great things.
Night fills the air.

The cavalry and pawns move slowly.

With a sigh and a lingering thought: "Liu Bei is truly fortunate to have met Zhuge Liang. His talent and wisdom are no less than Wenruo or Fengxiao. If he could be employed by me, what would I have to fear in the world?"

Cao Cao's interest in "wise men" was rekindled.

of course.

In Cao Ren's eyes, Cao Cao was once again "cherishing talent".

Cao Ren rode his horse behind Cao Cao, trailing by half a horse's head.

"The dense forests on the left and right should only be Zhuge Liang's feint. If we had just rushed in, we could have captured Zhuge Liang and Guan Yu."

Why did Sikong change his mind again?

Cao Ren was puzzled.

Having missed this opportunity, it would be difficult for Guan Yu, with his martial prowess, and Zhuge Liang, with his strategic brilliance, to capture them alive again.

Cao Cao's narrow eyes gleamed, and his tone revealed his admiration for Zhuge Liang: "How could Zixiao know that Zhuge Liang wasn't deliberately letting you guess?"

deliberately?

Cao Ren was stunned.

Looking back on what he had just witnessed, Zhuge Liang showed no sign of panic whatsoever, which was incongruous with his nineteen years of age. He seemed more like a seasoned general who had experienced the vicissitudes of life and had reached the age of knowing one's destiny.

"That may be true, but Liu Bei's trip to Hebei will not only bring Guan Yu and Zhang Fei as his henchmen, but also Zhuge Liang as his strategist. In the long run, this will surely become a great threat," Cao Ren said with concern.

Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, both warriors capable of defeating ten thousand men, were already difficult to deal with. Now, with the addition of Zhuge Liang, it's as if a tiger has grown wings after developing claws and fangs, making it even more difficult to handle.

If Cao Ren knew that Liu Bei's trip to Hebei included not only Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and Zhuge Liang, but also Pang Tong, Xu Shu, and Huang Zhong—three men of first-rate intelligence and courage—and that Zhao Yun, no less capable than Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and Huang Zhong, was accumulating anger, he would probably do everything in his power to persuade Cao Cao to keep Liu Bei to prevent future troubles.

However, there is no if in reality.

Cao Ren had no idea that Liu Bei, besides lacking a foundation, now had a UR card with no prior experience and a bunch of SSR and SR cards by his side.

Liu Bei's drunken remark, "If I had a foundation, the mediocre people of the world would be nothing to worry about," was not just empty talk.

Upon hearing Cao Ren's concerns, Cao Cao laughed again: "Zixiao is overthinking it."

"Although Wenruo, Fengxiao and others all say that I can defeat Benchu, Benchu's military strength is far superior to mine, and there are countless civil and military officials who want to join Benchu."

"Zhuge Liang is exceptionally intelligent and can foresee the overall situation. He spared Liu Dai and Wang Zhong, and secretly informed Yuan Shao that he intended to attack Baima. Judging from his intentions, he did not want me to be defeated by Yuan Shao."

"Only if I defeat Yuan Shao will Liu Bei have the opportunity to rise in Hebei and become my great threat; conversely, if I am defeated by Yuan Shao, Liu Bei will be unable to protect himself in Hebei, so how can he become my great threat?"

"If I and Liu Bei are united, we will both benefit; if we are separated, we will both suffer."

Putting aside his personal morality, Cao Cao's military talent was first-rate in the late Han Dynasty and the Three Kingdoms period.

In terms of military talent alone, only Zhuge Liang could rival Cao Cao.

The saying that "half of the Romance of the Three Kingdoms is about Cao Cao and half about Zhuge Liang" is not an exaggeration.

Cao Cao was a very shrewd man.

In their brief encounter with Zhuge Liang, they did not remain complacent but adapted to the changing times, increasing their gains and reducing their risks.

Cao Ren didn't ask any more questions, but instead lowered his head to ponder Cao Cao's words.

To become a general who can stand alone, one cannot only have courage and strategy, but also needs a higher level of ability: a strategic vision!
Mediocre people deal with tasks, wise people plan strategies, and only those who plan strategies can achieve great things.

the other side.

After Cao Cao led his cavalry away, Zhuge Liang quickly withdrew the White Feather Soldiers deployed in the Maolin Forest on the left and right.

After joining up with the White Feather Army at the other end of the narrow passage, he ordered the movement of rubble to create obstacles at the entrance of the passage, in order to prevent Cao Cao from returning during the night's encampment.

Liu Bei didn't have much wealth, so caution was paramount. Zhuge Liang couldn't afford to be careless just to appear brilliant in front of others.

Outside the tent, the night was dark.

Inside the tent, the candlelight was bright.

Zhuge Liang picked up his brush and ground ink, recording the process and outcome of his confrontation with Cao Cao.

This was the first time they had faced Cao Cao head-on, and it was a very valuable experience.

Recording these details and analyzing them in his spare time helped Zhuge Liang refine his strategies for dealing with Cao Cao.

Knowing yourself and knowing your enemy can help you win a hundred battles.

The bright candlelight caught Guan Yu's attention.

"Strategist, you must not overwork yourself."

Guan Yu spoke with respect, his words conveying concern and reluctance.

Zhuge Liang was too diligent!
He was so diligent that even Guan Yu couldn't stand it anymore.

Guan Yu had always had a question: why was Zhuge Liang so diligent for his elder brother that he forgot to eat and sleep?
Guan Yu also consulted Zhuge Liang.

But each time, Zhuge Liang would just smile and remain silent.

Returning to the age of eighteen is too mystical.

Sometimes even Zhuge Liang himself wondered: was he returning to the age of eighteen, or was he living a life of unfulfilled dreams?
Hearing Guan Yu's concerned words, Zhuge Liang continued writing without looking up and said, "Commander Guan still needs to command troops during the day, so you should rest early and not overwork yourself. I will rest after I finish my work."

Seeing Zhuge Liang's focused gaze, Guan Yu sighed inwardly and retreated outside the tent.

But Guan Yu did not leave; instead, he stood outside the tent with his sword, guarding Zhuge Liang.

It wasn't until the candlelight in the tent went out at the fourth watch that Guan Yu returned to a nearby tent to rest, entrusting his military duties of guarding the palace to others.

Early the next morning.

Guan Yu woke up from his nap and was about to make his routine camp inspection when he was surprised to find that Zhuge Liang had already inspected half of the camp.

"Strategist, you didn't go to sleep until four in the morning last night. Why are you up so early today? If you don't get enough sleep, you're more likely to fall ill," Guan Yu said with concern.

Zhuge Liang was surprised: "How did Commander Guan know that I only went to sleep at four in the morning?"

Guan Yu was speechless.

You can't exactly tell Zhuge Liang: "I waited until Zhuge Liang turned off the lights and went to sleep last night before I left."

"I heard it from the guards," Guan Yu made up a reason to cover it up.

Zhuge Liang didn't think much of it and said, "As the commander, the lives of two hundred soldiers are all in my hands. I must be careful. Commander Guan, don't worry. I am still young. It's no big deal if I sleep a little less sometimes."

"When I inspected the camp just now, I saw that the soldiers looked exhausted. This must be due to the fatigue from marching for several days. In addition, they did not get enough rest after fighting Cao Cao last night. We can postpone our departure for another hour."

Seeing that Zhuge Liang wanted to postpone his departure by an hour, Guan Yu hurriedly said, "In that case, the strategist may return to his tent to rest first. I will come to request permission when the time comes."

Before Zhuge Liang could speak, Guan Yu ordered the White Feather Soldiers following him: "You two quickly escort the strategist back to his tent to rest, and do not let anyone disturb him!"

Zhuge Liang did not refuse Guan Yu's kindness, and said with his fan, "Thank you for your trouble, Commander Guan."

Fearing that Zhuge Liang would return to his tent to handle military affairs, Guan Yu secretly ran back after Zhuge Liang left, quietly lifted the curtain, and only breathed a sigh of relief after seeing Zhuge Liang fast asleep on the bed.

"The strategist is too diligent."

"When I see my elder brother, I will definitely ask him to persuade me a few more times."

"Although the strategist is young, he will also have his lifespan shortened if he often sleeps too little."

　Asking for monthly ticket
　　
　
(End of this chapter)