Three Kingdoms: I switched to Liu Bei, why are you crying, Cao Cao?

Chapter 22 Liu Bei's Ambition, the Foundation

When Qin Zhen asked about his ambitions, Liu Bei fell silent.

Xu Shu watched from the side without saying a word.

Actually, he had never heard of Liu Bei's ambitions.

It is very important what the monarch’s ambition is.

If one's ambition is not ambitious enough, it is easy to give up halfway and fail to be a wise leader.

In the sight of the two, Liu Bei pondered for a long time and said:

"Now the Han Dynasty is in decline, and treacherous ministers are rising up."

"Bei did not know his own strength, and also wanted to restore justice to the world, so he raised an army in Zhuo County, first to defeat the Yellow Turbans, and then to attack Dong Zhuo. However, his wisdom was short-sighted, and he achieved nothing."

"As of today, we have no soldiers, no money, no food, and we are just in name only."

"However, Yuan Shu has risen again recently and is plotting to usurp the throne. Although I am not talented, I am willing to raise an army to fight against all those who are plotting rebellion and restore peace and prosperity to the Han Dynasty!"

After hearing Liu Bei's words, Qin Zhen turned around and said with a smile:

"If you want to do this, now is a good time!"

Without waiting for Liu Bei to ask, he stepped forward and said:

"Since Dong Zhuo, the imperial court moved westward, and many heroes in Guandong rose up, and there were countless heroes who crossed states and counties."

"They keep retainers and followers, and attack each other privately in an attempt to increase their own strength."

"If the general wants to spread justice throughout the world, he must have a place to base himself on."

Listening to what Qin Zhen said, Liu Bei became more alert and said hurriedly:
"Sir, your words hit the nail on the head. I have been wandering for more than ten years. Every time I think about it, it's because I have no place to rest!"

"But I don't know where in this world I can find my base?"

Qin Zhen heard this but did not speak. Instead, he looked at Xu Shu and said:

"I wonder where Yuanzhi thinks the world today can be based?"

Seeing this, Xu Shu hesitated for a long time before saying:
“Anyone who has a foundation must either have a legitimate name or the support of the people.”

"Looking at the princes of the world, all of them started their armies in their hometowns."

"My lord is from Youzhou, a thousand miles away from here, and Yuan Shao is too powerful to be targeted."

"Although I am the governor of Yuzhou, most of Yuzhou is occupied by Yuan Shu!"

"It seems that the only place that can be used is Xuzhou."

"Nominally, you, my lord, were entrusted by Envoy Tao to be the governor of Xuzhou."

"From the perspective of public opinion, Lu Bu is now quite unpopular. The public opinion is in favor of Liu, not Lu."

"Or we can use Xiaopei as a base, follow the example of Emperor Gaozu, defeat Lu Bu, and retake Xuzhou!"

Upon hearing this, Liu Bei stroked his beard and nodded repeatedly.

In fact, he thought so too.

Pei County is the place where Emperor Gaozu Liu Bang started his career. Taking this place as a base, he would gradually plan to take over Xuzhou and then raise an army again. Perhaps this was his destiny.

Qin Zhen looked at this pair of monarch and minister, shook his head and smiled:

"If you think this way, even if you take Xuzhou, it will be difficult for you to stay there!"

"The best time to take Xuzhou was when Tao Qian gave up Xuzhou. At that time, Xuzhou had not yet experienced war, and Cao and Yuan's foundations were not stable."

"If you accept Xuzhou, you can achieve hegemony here."

"But now, Xuzhou has been through wars for a long time and has long been in ruins."

"If you want to take Xuzhou now, you must first defeat Lu Bu. Seeing this, Cao Gong is worried that you will become too powerful, so he will definitely attack."

"There are no strong passes or strategic points to defend here. How can you fight against the enemy?"

"Furthermore, Lord Cao is now serving the emperor. If the emperor launches an attack on you, will you resist or not?"

"If you resist, your actions will be no different from treason!"

"If we don't resist, Xuzhou will become someone else's in an instant!"

"In this case, how can we occupy Xuzhou?"

Having said this, Qin Zhen couldn't help but sigh that Liu Bei's obsession with Xuzhou was really strong. Every time he wanted to do something big, he would want to seize Xuzhou.

But now is not the Guandu period. At that time, Liu Bei killed Che Zhou and took Xuzhou, which was endorsed by the Secret Edict.

Even if Che Zhou was killed and Cao's troops were fought against, it would be justified.

At this time, if Liu Bei destroyed Lu Bu, he would be making things difficult for Cao Cao!
Therefore, no matter what, Xuzhou cannot be taken! When Liu Bei heard Qin Zhen's words, he immediately broke out in a cold sweat. Fortunately, he came to see Qin Zhen today, otherwise he would have used Xu Shu and was really going to take back Xuzhou again.

But now it seems that the situation in Xuzhou is completely dead end!

Immediately, Liu Bei stepped forward and bowed again, saying:
"I am a dull person, but meeting you today is like seeing the moon after the clouds have parted. I hope you will not despise me and give me your guidance."

"What should we base ourselves on to achieve great things?"

Xu Shu also looked at Qin Zhen with curiosity and said:
"Zixuan, where do you think we can base ourselves?"

When the two asked, Qin Zhen said without thinking:

"The land of Huainan can be used as a foundation!"

Huainan refers to the northern part of Anhui in later generations. In the late Eastern Han Dynasty, it specifically referred to cities such as Jiujiang, northern Lujiang, and southern Runan.

Coincidentally, Huainan is Yuan Shu’s hometown today.

So when Liu Bei heard this, he was puzzled:

"Huainan is Yuan Shu's base, how can it be the base of our army?"

Xu Shu thought for a while, then said with a gleam in his eyes:

"Zixuan, is it possible that he wants to take advantage of this opportunity to destroy Yuan Shu and replace him?"

Qin Zhen looked at Xu Shu with admiration and said with a smile:
"That's right. In the Central Plains today, you are in Pei County. Cao Cao is too powerful to be targeted."

"Lü Bu already has a stronghold, so we can't attack him."

"As for other places, they are all out of reach. Only Huainan can be targeted!"

"Although Huainan is Yuan Shu's territory, now is the opportunity to take Huainan!"

"Because in today's world, although the imperial court is in decline, its power is still there. Although the Yuan family has the reputation of having three officials in four generations, they have committed such a treasonous act, which shows that they have reached the end of their road."

"This can be seen from the breakup between Sun Ce, Lu Bu and Yuan Shu!"

"Cao Gong supports the imperial court, and he cannot sit idly by and watch Yuan Shu proclaim himself emperor, so he will attack him sooner or later."

"Plus, with the envoy heading south, Yuan Shu, although strong, will have difficulty resisting the combined attack of four factions."

"Once Yuan Shu is defeated, his subordinates will scatter, and Huainan, Lujiang, Runan, Guangling and other places will become ownerless in an instant."

"The general is now the governor of Yuzhou. It is his duty to take Yuzhou and attack Yuan Shu. People in the world cannot blame him."

"The land of Huainan is well connected in all directions. It is connected to Xuzhou, Yanzhou, and Yuzhou in the north, and to Jiangdong in the south. It is a place that military strategists must fight for."

"General, if you can take this place as your base, you can wipe out Yuzhou and bring the land of Yuzhou back under your command."

"These two places are rich and densely populated. If we can take them all, we can hire more than 100,000 soldiers. If we attack Xuzhou at that time, how will Lu Bu resist?"

"Besides, there will be a war between Cao and Yuan in the north sooner or later. When there is a change in the south, you can take advantage of the situation and head south to Jiangdong."

"If Jiangdong succeeds, then your foundation will be complete, and you can attack when you advance or defend when you retreat."

"If you advance, you can go directly north to welcome the emperor and seize the Central Plains."

"If we retreat, we can hold on to Xu and Yu, send a general westward to seize Jing and Yi states, and divide the world with the northern princes!"

"Use Shuzhong as the base, the Yangtze River as the lifeline, use the waterway to supply food and grass, use Jingzhou and Yuzhou as outposts, and wait for the situation to change before marching into the Central Plains."

"At that time, no matter whether Cao Cao or Yuan Shao occupies the north, we can conquer them both. In this way, we can achieve hegemony and revive the Han Dynasty!"

After saying this, Qin Zhen stopped and looked at Liu Bei and Xu Shu.

Liu Bei's body was trembling and his face was flushed.

What is a top strategist? This is a top strategist!
Without going far away, he had the whole situation in the world in his mind. The Central Plains, which originally seemed to have no chance, actually gave him a way to dominate.

At that moment, Liu Bei said excitedly:

"The master's words suddenly opened my eyes, and made me see the blue sky as if the clouds and mist had been cleared away."

"Sir, you are truly a national talent. Please accept my respect."

After saying this, he bowed his head.

Hearing this, Xu Shu also nodded and smiled:
"Zixuan's words are indeed far-sighted. If this strategy can be implemented, great things can be expected for our army!"

This is why he insisted on dragging Qin Zhen out of the mountain!
He could help Liu Bei lead his troops to fight, but he could not give Liu Bei a clear path forward.

Only Qin Zhen's vision can help Liu Bei grasp the overall situation!

It can be said that Qin Zhen is the only one who can be qualified for the position of military advisor to Liu Bei.

(End of this chapter)