I did it all for the Han Dynasty!

Chapter 158 Who do you think I, Liu Miao, am?

Just as Zhou Yu had predicted.

As soon as Liu Bei led his army to the walls of Xiapi, his soldiers completely collapsed.

Helpless, they could only gather their remaining troops and flee eastward in haste to the west of the sea.

"I regret not heeding Zhou Gongjin's advice!"

Originally full of confidence, Liu Bei was now trapped in Haixi and almost had no way out, spending his days in tears.

The last remaining fortune was completely squandered. Apart from some veterans who had followed him since the Youzhou period, only Jian Yong, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Mi Zhu, and Mi Fang remained by his side.

A month ago, Liu Bei was a warlord who stood alongside the heroes of the land; now, he has become a homeless dog, his wife and children captured by the enemy and trapped in the remote Haixi region.

Such a stark contrast was so extreme that even Liu Bei was somewhat depressed and lost all hope.

"Why did Liu Xuzhou come to this?"

It was still Prefect Mi Zhu who stepped forward—

"Liu Xuzhou is a hero destined to restore the Han Dynasty and achieve great things! Should he wallow in self-pity because of such a setback?"

"Before the New Year, Cao Cao also lost Yan Province to Lü Bu, but after a hundred days of fierce fighting, he still managed to regain Yan Province. Not to mention that when Liu Miao's subordinates suddenly rebelled, he blocked them north of the Yangtze River, and the rebellion was quickly quelled, wasn't it?"

With red eyes, Liu Bei asked Mi Zhu, "Has Zizhong not lost hope in me yet?"

"never!"

At this time, Mi Zhu's younger brother, Mi Fang, also offered Liu Bei a plan: "Liu Miao of Jiangdong has always been friendly to us. Why don't you send someone to Jiangdong to ask Liu Miao for help?"

Liu Bei was initially elated, but then became disheartened: "Zhongshan sending Zhou Yu to help me resist Yuan Shu and protect Xuzhou is already a great favor. How can I ask him to help me take back Xuzhou?"

"Besides, Yuan Shu is still watching us closely, so where in Jiangdong would we find any extra troops to send to fight in Xiapi?"

Unless Liu Miao was insane, how could he abandon his own hometown and send a large army to fight in Xiapi?

If Yuan Shu were to launch a surprise attack on Jiangdong or cut off Liu Miao's army's main road at Guangling, it would be a complete handover of Jiangdong to Yuan Shu.

Moreover, Zhou Yu had previously warned Liu Bei that this battle was unwinnable... Now, asking Liu Bei to seek Liu Miao's help again would be too embarrassing for Liu Miao to bear.

"My lord, at this point, what need is there for saving face?"

Compared to others in Liu Bei's camp, Mi Fang's moral bottom line was undoubtedly more flexible and changeable.

"Our lord and Liu Miao are as close as lips and teeth; if we explain the situation to him, we will naturally gain his help!"

"and……"

Mi Fang glanced at Mi Zhu, unsure of how to begin.

"Zifang, at this point, what is there that can't be said? As long as it's a plan that helps our lord, speak up as soon as possible!"

Mi Fang hesitated, "I've heard that Liu Miao is ultimately a lecherous man... My younger sister is beautiful; if we could send her to marry Liu Miao..."

Liu Bei quickly rebuked Mi Fang: "How could you do such a thing?"

If it were his own woman, he wouldn't mind giving her away.

But now Mi Fang wants to send his younger sister to Liu Miao. If this gets out, won't the whole world laugh at him?

After Liu Bei finished reprimanding Mi Fang, he noticed that Mi Zhu, who was standing to the side, seemed to be deep in thought.

"Zizhong, even you..."

"Ugh."

Mi Zhu sighed, "If we can really get Liu Miao to send troops to help, what difference would it make if we sent my younger sister there?"

"After all, Liu Miao is the only one who can help our lord right now!"

Looking at the remnants of his defeated army around him, Liu Bei finally sighed helplessly.

------

"Who's coming?"

"Reporting to my lord, it is Jian Yong and Mi Fang, both envoys of Liu Bei."

Liu Miao was discussing the specific details of the Fubing system with Lu Su in the room when he was somewhat bewildered to hear that Liu Bei had actually sent an envoy.

Why did Liu Bei send an envoy at this time?

Lu Su, however, saw through the situation immediately: "They must be asking our lord to send troops to help them reclaim Xuzhou."

"How can it be!"

To help Liu Bei resist Yuan Shu, Liu Miao mobilized almost all of Jiangdong's troops, but internal strife still occurred, allowing Lü Bu to seize Xuzhou for free.

Sending soldiers to Guangling was already the limit for Liu Miao, and also the limit for Jiangdong.

With the ancient Grand Canal and the Huai River system, this is the furthest distance Liu Miao can assist... Any further, and he really thinks Yuan Shu's elite troops are easy targets?

It's impossible that they would give up Jiangdong just to help Liu Bei reclaim Xuzhou.

So Liu Miao shook his head directly: "I can't help with this!"

Not to mention, it was Lü Bu who occupied Xuzhou.

Xuzhou is mostly plains, which are naturally suitable for cavalry warfare. When Lü Bu, Zhang Liao, and Gao Shun charge in with their cavalry, what will Liu Miao use to fight them?

Although he deeply sympathized with Liu Bei's current predicament, Liu Miao couldn't possibly drag the entire Jiangdong region into utter ruin because of his momentary feelings, could he?

"Zijing, these two are yours."

"The lord doesn't even want to see him?"

"I'm afraid of hurting the harmony."

If Jian Yong and Mi Fang insisted on shamelessly begging Liu Miao to risk their lives to help Liu Bei, Liu Miao would definitely curse them!

"Zijing told them that if Liu Bei were willing to come to Jiangdong, I would treat him with the courtesy due to a guest minister. But if I were asked to send troops now, I would not go under any circumstances! Especially since the trial implementation of the Fubing system is about to begin, how could I send troops at this time?"

Upon hearing this, Lu Su's voice held a slight hint of surprise: "Is our lord willing to accept Liu Bei to Jiangdong?"

"Can't you?"

Liu Miao had a very good impression of Liu Bei.

Not to mention Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, two warriors capable of defeating ten thousand men, under Liu Bei's command.

Whether from an emotional or power-building perspective, Liu Miao was very willing to accept Liu Bei.

"What? Does Zijing think it's not going to work?"

Lu Su frowned slightly, and instead of answering directly, he asked Liu Miao a question: "What kind of person does my lord think Liu Bei is?"

Liu Miao discarded some of the biases surrounding Shu Han and Emperor Zhaolie of Han, and offered his evaluation of Liu Bei—

"He is able to treat the virtuous with respect and is good at using people... but sometimes he makes a fuss, always acts on impulse, or cannot distinguish between what is important and what is not, and acts only according to his own preferences."

Liu Miao looked at Lu Su and saw that Lu Su's expression was strange: "What? Does Zijing think I'm wrong?" "Not at all."

Lu Su simply remarked, "I never imagined that you, my lord, could understand Liu Bei so well, even though you've never met him before."

"And what I'm talking about isn't like that at all."

Lu Su: "In the past, Gongsun Zan and Liu Bei were classmates and friends, studying together under the great Confucian scholar Lu Zhi. Later, Gongsun Zan started a rebellion, which quickly became unstoppable, shaking Hebei and spreading his influence throughout the three provinces of You, Ji, and Qing, making him a powerful figure."

"At that time, Liu Bei sought refuge with Gongsun Zan and joined forces with him to fight against Yuan Shao."

"But when he came to support Xuzhou on the orders of Gongsun Zan, he rose to prominence and became a warlord who controlled a region... This may be partly due to luck, but doesn't it also prove that Liu Bei was not a hero who was willing to be subordinate to others?"

Lu Su analyzed carefully: "Liu Bei's appointment as governor of Xu Province can certainly not be considered a betrayal of Gongsun Zan. However, it does show that Liu Bei is not a general who is willing to be subordinate to others and obey their orders."

"Having such a person at home could easily lead to mistakes if we're not careful. Does our lord really intend to bring Liu Bei into our home?"

To evaluate a person, you should never judge them by what they say, but by what they do.

The things Liu Bei did, including the fact that he actually dared to take on the hot potato of being the governor of Xu Province, fully demonstrate Liu Bei's ambition!
How could an ambitious person be content to be subservient to others?

Bringing such a person into your home would be asking for trouble, wouldn't it?

At that moment, Liu Miao suddenly became alert!
Gone!

I've really gotten too cocky!

Relying on the slight improvement in his career, he actually forgot that Liu Bei was the real super succubus!

If Liu Bei were to come to Jiangdong and take away half of his civil and military officials, Liu Miao would have nowhere to turn and would be left to cry!

"Zijing is right!"

Liu Miao completely abandoned the idea of ​​accepting Liu Bei into Jiangdong.

Liu Bei's personal charisma was simply too terrifying; he couldn't handle it!
People like Lu Yi, Lü Meng, and Sun Ce, who married their mothers, are unlikely to be abducted by Liu Bei.

But there are always some people in this world who don't have mothers...

As long as this problem is not solved, Liu Miao will never be able to be absolutely sure of success!
Bringing Liu Bei to Jiangdong now is no different from putting a rat in a granary!
"But... are we really going to let Liu Bei fend for himself?"

Liu Miao stroked his chin.

Although he didn't want Liu Bei to come to Jiangdong, Liu Miao also didn't want to watch Liu Bei perish.

If Liu Bei's name were not among the warlords of the land, it would be too lonely.

“My lord, I have served as an envoy to Liu Bei and Lü Bu, and I know their temperaments well… Therefore, I have a good plan to resolve this predicament.”

Liu Miao's eyes lit up: "What brilliant plan does Zijing have?"

"Although Lü Bu was arrogant, he was not cunning."

"His capture of Xuzhou from Liu Bei was due to the circumstances, not something he actively plotted."

Liu Miao nodded.

Even if Lü Bu were to plot against it, he wouldn't understand how it was done!

Therefore, Lü Bu should not have harbored any hatred towards Liu Bei. On the contrary, after Lü Bu was defeated by Cao Cao in Yanzhou, it was Liu Bei who took the initiative to accept him and was kind to him.

"As I have said, although Lü Bu is arrogant, he is not cunning. In fact, he can sometimes be considered loyal."

Lu Su stroked his thin beard: "Therefore, if our lord were to step in and mediate, and have Lü Bu return Liu Bei's family and hand over Xiaopei, where troops were once stationed to defend against Cao Cao, to Liu Bei so that he could have a place to stay, this matter could naturally be resolved."

"Ok?"

Upon hearing this, Liu Miao thought it was truly feasible!

Let Liu Bei and Lü Bu switch places!

This is not fair to Liu Bei, but he has already reached a dead end, so what else can he choose?

"Alright! We'll follow Zijing's plan!"

Liu Miao finally finalized Liu Bei's arrangements and met with Jian Yong and Mi Fang openly and legitimately.

Jian Yong was indeed a man of leisurely tastes and the demeanor of a renowned scholar and persuader. He used the analogy of "if the lips are gone, the teeth will be cold" to persuade Liu Miao to send troops to help Liu Bei reclaim Xuzhou.

Mi Fang was a little clumsy with words, but he was passionate and impassioned! It was as if he would rather die than let Liu Miao not send troops to help him!
The two, one skilled in literature and the other in martial arts, complemented each other perfectly... However, the more Liu Miao looked at Mi Fang's unwavering loyalty to Liu Bei, the more amused he found it, so he never got into the mood and followed the two into that emotional state.

Although Liu Miao had already discussed a solution with Lu Su, he still declined the offer to avoid appearing too deliberate.

So Liu Miao immediately made excuses to decline, saying, "Sun Ben and Sun Fu just launched a rebellion in Jiangdong not long ago. I still need to adjust the military system and appease the people. How can I send troops to Xuzhou?"

Jian Yong: "I heard that the rebellions of Sun Ben and Sun Fu were resolved without you even having to personally lead troops to suppress them, which shows that Liu Yangzhou has a deep foundation in Jiangdong. They are both veteran generals, and you were able to easily quell them. Why are you still worried about other disturbances now?"

Liu Miao declined for a second reason: "Yuan Shu is eyeing us covetously in Huainan. If I lead troops to Xuzhou, what will happen to Jiangdong?"

Jian Yong: "Jiangdong has the natural barrier of the Yangtze River. Liu Yangzhou, the heroes under your command, skilled in both literature and military strategy, are as numerous as carp crossing the river. With these people assisting you, how can you be afraid of not being able to resist Yuan Shu?"

The foreplay is over, it's time to get down to business.

Just as Liu Miao was about to reveal Lu Su's plan, Mi Fang, who was standing nearby, thought that Liu Miao really had no intention of helping Liu Bei, and hurriedly said, "If Governor Liu is willing to help our lord, I am willing to offer my younger sister to Governor Liu in marriage!"

"..."

Liu Miao's eyelids twitched!

Mi Fang, what's wrong with you!

I was about to agree to your request, and then you pulled this trick on me?
If I agree now, won't everyone in the world think that I, Liu Miao, am only helping Liu Bei because of your sister Mi Fang?
Liu Miao's eyes immediately turned resentful.

Now, agreeing is wrong, and not agreeing is also wrong. How should I respond?
If I agree, wouldn't that be telling the world that I, Liu Miao, am a lecherous man, and that all you need to do for me in the future is to offer me a woman?

hateful!

Mi Fang is no good person! Should I kill him for Liu Bei right now?
Seeing Liu Miao's unfriendly gaze, Jian Yong quickly stepped in to mediate: "Zifang, what nonsense are you spouting? Is Liu Yangzhou really that kind of person?"

"Do you really think that if you give your sister to Liu Yangzhou, he will agree to help you?"

"Get back now! Don't think you can act so recklessly just because you've had a few drinks!"

Jian Yong then apologized to Liu Miao.

"Zifang was merely drunk; I hope Governor Liu will not take offense."

After giving the two a helpless look, Liu Miao suddenly changed the subject.

"If that's the case, I do have a way to help Xuande..."

Now it was Jian Yong and Mi Fang's turn to be stunned on the spot.

It actually happened?
A powerful warlord who controls Jiangdong would actually send troops to help Liu Bei just because of a woman.
Is this... really not a dream?
------

Note 1:

According to the Records of the Three Kingdoms, Shu Shu: In the first year of Jian'an, Lü Bu took advantage of Liu Bei's absence while he was resisting Yuan Shu, attacked Xiapi, and captured Liu Bei's wife and children. Liu Bei then moved his army to Guangling and Haixi. Zhu then presented his sister to Liu Bei as his wife, along with two thousand slaves and servants, and gold, silver and other currency to help with military supplies; at that time, the country was in dire need, and this helped them recover.

(End of this chapter)