Three Kingdoms: My Strategy Simulator

Chapter 40: The Pact of Boluojin

Listening to Liu Bei's inquiry, Li Ji replied with a smile.

"What the North Zhonglang General spoke of was not inviting Brother Xuande to the Zhang River for a meeting, but rather informing us of his next plan and giving us a difficult problem."

Plan?

The expressions of everyone present couldn't help but be somewhat bewildered, and then they all looked at the simple sentence on the bamboo slip that Lu Zhi had replied with: [Zhang River, the fifth day of the fifth month, the Dragon Boat Festival, the teacher wishes to meet with his disciple.]

"How can this be seen as anything more than a simple time and place?"

Zhang Fei scratched his head, feeling as if his brain was itching, and said, "Mr. Zikun, stop being cryptic."

"Hahaha…"

Li Ji laughed loudly, reached out and picked up the bamboo slip, rolled it up, and said.

"Everyone, please look."

Immediately, Li Ji put the bamboo slip into the cloth bag and re-tied the two ends of the bag with a red rope.

In an instant, a thoughtful look appeared on the faces of both Liu Bei and Guan Yu.

Li Ji waited for a moment, giving Liu Bei and Guan Yu some time to think, before continuing to say.

"The content of the North Zhonglang General's reply is not only within the bamboo slip, but also outside the bamboo slip!"

"This cloth bag is not a cloth bag, but the Zhang River!"

Li Ji gently tapped the cloth bag with his finger, and then pointed to the red rope tied at the front and back, and said.

"The Han Dynasty belongs to the virtue of fire, and the Han army is red. It is tied to the front and back of the cloth bag, and the inside of the cloth bag is the time of the fifth day of the fifth month, coupled with the yellowed bamboo slips, do you all understand?"

Immediately, Liu Bei couldn't help but clap his hands and laugh, saying, "I understand! The mystery is here!"

Guan Yu also widened his danfeng eyes and murmured.

"The teacher wishes to meet with his disciple, the meeting he speaks of is not a reunion, but a meeting to encircle and hunt, intending to treat the Yellow Turbans as turtles in the Zhang River and capture them all at once!"

Only Zhang Fei was half a beat slower and didn't understand how it was interpreted.

As for Xiahou Bo, who was also in the big tent, he knew nothing about military strategy and tactics, and seemed to understand a little, but there were still many places he didn't understand.

Immediately, Liu Bei recalled what Li Ji had said at the beginning and asked, "Zikun, what is the difficult problem that Master Lu posed?"

"What Yunchang said about encircling and hunting is not bad. However, we are now in Gaoyi, which is quite a distance from the Zhang River, and we also need to pass through Julu…"

After a pause, Li Ji walked towards the map and said.

"More importantly, when we go to the Zhang River, we also need to consider whether we will be attacked from the front and back by Julu from behind after arriving at the Zhang River. At that time, we may become turtles in the Zhang River instead."

"Therefore, the difficult problem that the North Zhonglang General poses is to ask us: Can we go to the Zhang River?"

Hearing this, Liu Bei picked up the bamboo slip that Li Ji had just written and read.

"Boluojin, after Xu hour, the disciple waits quietly for the teacher to bring guests."

…

"Boluojin, after Xu hour, the disciple waits quietly for the teacher to bring guests."

In the Han army camp in Guangzong County, Lu Zhi read the contents of the bamboo slip, and his dignified and refined face showed some changes.

Immediately, Lu Zhi got up and walked to the terrain map behind him, squinted his eyes, and searched along the Zhang River with his finger, and then stopped at a ferry called: "Boluojin."

Lu Zhi pondered for a long time, and his already old face seemed to glow with vitality, and said.

"Wonderful! This is the place, this should be the place, it seems that Xuande already understands my intention, and is also very confident. In that case, I should not lag behind and accomplish it all in one battle!"

Hearing this, Zong Yuan, who was standing aside, couldn't help but show a look of shock in his eyes.

Surrounding Guangzong to wear down the morale of the Taiping Dao was a strategy previously set by Lu Zhi himself.

"Lord Lu, are you planning to fight a decisive battle?"

After a pause, Zong Yuan continued to say.

"However, didn't Lord Lu previously suppress the fighting spirit of the captains under his command, dig trenches, and surround Guangzong, intending to make the Yellow Turbans collapse on their own with the least amount of casualties."

"This is one time, that is another."

Facing the question from his deputy Zong Yuan, Lu Zhi patiently opened his mouth and said.

"Previously, we only surrounded Guangzong and did not attack because the price of taking Guangzong was too high, and the Yellow Turban bandits ultimately had far more troops than us. Even if we broke through Guangzong, the Yellow Turbans could easily retreat to Julu."

"Therefore, naturally, attacking the mind is the best, and attacking the city is the worst."

After a pause, a smile appeared on Lu Zhi's face, with a kind of old man talking about his youthful madness, and said.

"However, now Xuande has stationed troops in Gaoyi, and he is confident that he can cross Julu County to reach the Zhang River to intercept the Yellow Turban bandits and attack their rear. I should try it."

In fact, Lu Zhi had not considered dividing a troop to bypass Guangzong and cut off its connection with Julu.

However, the area from Guangzong City to Julu City is a truly controlled area of the Taiping Dao, and there are also countless Yellow Turban spies scattered around Guangzong.

Therefore, even if Lu Zhi intends to divide his troops, he cannot hide it from the Yellow Turban spies.

Furthermore, Lu Zhi only has less than 20,000 troops under his command now, so naturally he would not easily make such a dangerous move to continue dividing his weak forces, otherwise, he might be broken by the Yellow Turbans.

And the six thousand or so soldiers led by Liu Bei are undoubtedly a surprise soldier beyond the expectations of both sides in Lu Zhi's view!

More importantly, the location of the army led by Liu Bei is too important.

Moreover, after this exchange of letters, Liu Bei has proven to Lu Zhi that he has the possibility of blocking the retreat of the Yellow Turban bandits.

Zong Yuan hesitated for a moment, but still couldn't help but open his mouth and said, "Lord Lu, if this plan fails, if Liu Bei disappoints Lord Lu and cannot block the retreat of the Yellow Turbans in time…"

Hearing this, Lu Zhi couldn't help but smile, patted the simple robe he was wearing, and asked.

"General Zong is overthinking. Even if Xuande's troops cannot reach Boluojin, what subsequent losses will our army suffer? How should our army deal with it next?"

Immediately, Zong Yuan was a little stunned and replied after a long while.

"If the loss of soldiers is not large, they will cross the Zhang River and attack and besiege Julu; if the loss of soldiers is large, they will confront the Yellow Turbans across the Zhang River, reorganize the army, and wait for reinforcements."

"That's right."

Lu Zhi nodded, obviously having already considered the worst situation, and said.

"Although I didn't like taking Guangzong County at all costs before, I also heard that there are many rumors in the court about me attacking Guangzong for a long time without success, and that I have other intentions."

"Therefore, even the worst of this move can be considered an explanation to the court."

Zong Yuan said with sincere conviction.

"Lord Lu uses his troops in an invincible position, Zong Yuan admires him."

To this, Lu Zhi waved his hand and ordered.

"Pass down the order, the captains of each department will come to discuss matters immediately, and we need to start preparing in advance on how to invite our guests from Guangzong to Boluojin."

After saying that, Lu Zhi's face also froze, and after Zong Yuan personally went down to pass the order, the whole person also fell into deep thought.

This plan is simple to say, but it is just inviting the king into the urn and cutting off his retreat.

However, if you want this plan to succeed, whether it is Lu Zhi's troops or Liu Bei's troops, the difficulties they need to face can be said to be extremely many.

The inconvenience of communication…

The lag of information…

So that Lu Zhi and Liu Bei can only agree on a time and place in advance, and then both sides act on their own. A slight deviation will lead to failure!

Therefore, during the reign of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, "Li Guang was difficult to be ennobled" was not that Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty deliberately targeted Li Guang.

But Li Guang, again and again, got lost in marching, and every time he failed to arrive at the planned location in time. Anyone would not be able to hold back and scold him for being a pig teammate several times.

That is, the "Han Dynasty Double Walls" were so fierce that they slaughtered the Xiongnu every time. Otherwise, once they were defeated, Li Guang would definitely be responsible for carrying the blame, and it would not be impossible to be beheaded directly in the name of "delaying the opportunity."

And at this moment, what Liu Bei's troops need to do is undoubtedly how to pass through Julu to reach Boluojin, one of the Zhang River ferries, and not be attacked from front and back by the Yellow Turbans in Julu, and also need to block the Yellow Turbans coming from the direction of Guangzong, which can be called dangerous!

As for Lu Zhi, what he needs to do is how to accurately "invite" the Guangzong Yellow Turbans to the direction of Boluojin, and the difficulties he needs to face are no less than those of Liu Bei's troops.

It's just that, just as Liu Bei and Li Ji trust that Lu Zhi can do this, Lu Zhi also believes that Liu Bei and that mysterious gentry will also arrive at Boluojin, so as not to waste their efforts.

…

As Xiahou Bo once again brought back the bamboo slips written by Lu Zhi, there were only two words on it—"Great Good."

At this moment, even Liu Bei, who usually didn't show his emotions, had a bit of excitement on his face.

Is there anything in life more worthwhile than pretending to be a master in front of his teacher?

Of course, Liu Bei was not excited for such superficial thoughts, but it cannot be denied that Liu Bei also had this part of human nature.

Moreover, this is also an opportunity to prove his growth in front of his teacher!

Liu Bei felt his change for the first time. He could only kneel in a corner like a lackey when listening to lectures in front of Master Lu. Now he will hunt with Master Lu in Zhang River.

Life is like this, how happy!

Liu Bei, who was less than twenty-four years old, suddenly felt heroic. Sitting on the main seat of the camp tent, he looked at Li Ji, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and Xiahou Bo sitting in turn below, and said.

"Everyone, I will say a few words here. This time, we will hunt with Master Lu in Zhang River, intending to cut off the retreat of the Yellow Turbans in Guangzong and capture the demonic Taoist Zhang Jiao in one fell swoop."

"If it succeeds, the Yellow Turban Rebellion will be quelled! Report to the country above, and secure the common people below, it is this moment!"

These words, full of infectiousness and righteousness, immediately made the atmosphere in the camp tent heated up!

Guan Yu's face, the color of a dark red date, seemed to glow, while Zhang Fei's eyes were wide with fury, snorting air from his nose. Even Xiahou Bo seemed infected by the righteousness of the Peach Garden Oath, wishing he could bang his head on the ground to show his loyalty.

Only Li Ji maintained his calm, refined expression.

What a joke!

Although Liu Bei was later praised by many as the "Great Han Charmer," possessing an indescribable charisma in his words and actions, these slogans and rhetoric clearly couldn't sway Li Ji's heart.

Ultimately, in Li Ji's view, Liu Bei was still too young. His beliefs were too broad and vague, far from forming a complete system with a specific spiritual core.

This was especially important!

Like the Comrades, or making America great again…

And a slogan similar to further elevating Liu Bei, this "Great Han Charmer"—"Revive the Han Dynasty"—naturally endowed Liu Bei with a sense of righteousness, glory, and justice in the eyes of others.

It's just a pity that at this moment, the Han Dynasty hasn't truly declined. The current emperor is still alive and holds power, so Liu Bei hasn't yet conceived the idea of "Reviving the Han Dynasty" and shouldering the responsibility of continuing the Han Dynasty for hundreds of years.

Shouting "Revive the Han Dynasty" at this time is probably not much different from the slogan "Cleanse the Emperor's Entourage."

Of course, don't think that after the decline of the Han Dynasty, any Han Dynasty clan member could casually shout the slogan "Revive the Han Dynasty."

Liu Yan, Liu Biao, Liu Yu, Liu Zhang…

There were many Han Dynasty clan members who occupied territories during the late Han Dynasty. They were also qualified to shout it, but they didn't have the courage to do so.

Because they hadn't genuinely conceived such great ambition and knew that their actions couldn't match "Reviving the Han Dynasty." Even if they used the banner of "Reviving the Han Dynasty," they would only be a laughingstock.

Therefore, in Li Ji's eyes, Liu Bei was still too green, too green to subjectively sway Li Ji's heart.

Ji prefers maturity!

Liu Bei's gaze obviously always intentionally or unintentionally focused on Li Ji. Seeing that Li Ji still had that calm and indifferent expression, he felt a sense of powerlessness.

Liu Bei, who often "displayed his feathers" in front of Li Ji, always found it difficult to move Li Ji's heart.

If Liu Bei hadn't practiced on Xiahou Bo after leaving Zhuo County, making Xiahou Bo admire him and willing to die for him, Liu Bei would have begun to doubt his own abilities again.

Then, Liu Bei steadied his mind, his expression turned solemn, and he spoke.

"Next, the deployment of our army…"

Speaking of this, Liu Bei suddenly stalled, only then realizing that he really didn't know anything about the deployment arrangements needed to go to Boluojin.

However, Liu Bei only pondered for a moment before very naturally and smoothly continuing.

"Will be entrusted to Zikun for arrangement. Everyone in the army, including myself, must not violate Zikun's orders!"

"Those who disobey will be executed!"

Liu Bei said in a deep voice, even placing the sword at his waist directly on the table.

Regarding this, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and Xiahou Bo naturally had no objections. Instead, Li Ji inexplicably felt a bit strange and inappropriate.

Wait, I don't seem to have formally agreed to join Liu Bei's command yet, right?

So what's with this feeling of moving in together before getting a marriage certificate and handing over the family's financial power as a matter of course?

Li Ji took a deep look at Liu Bei, and Liu Bei responded with a smile full of trust.

…

Li Ji.

Fortunately, my name isn't Sima Ji, otherwise Brother Xuande might find out what it means to assassinate the emperor in the street.

Then, Li Ji collected his scattered thoughts, pondered slightly, and explained.

"Everyone must be aware that the goal of our army's journey to Boluojin is to block the Yellow Turbans retreating from Guangzong."

"To achieve this goal, what our army needs to do is not only to pass through the vicinity of Julu City, but the most important point is undoubtedly how to avoid being pursued all the way by the Julu City Yellow Turbans and being caught in a pincer attack at Boluojin."

"At that time, not to mention blocking a part of the Guangzong Yellow Turbans, the predicament faced by us caught in the pincer attack is that we will be facing the Zhang River in front and Julu behind. Even with wings, it will be difficult to escape."