Three Kingdoms: My Strategy Simulator

Cao Cao undoubtedly recognized Xun Yu's talent, even seeing a few shadows of Li Ji in him.

Presumably, when Li Ji advised Liu Bei to establish himself in Wu Commandery, it was similar to what Xun Yu was saying.

Moreover, after several days of communication with Xun Yu, Cao Cao also believed that as long as he could capture the Yellow Turbans of Qing Province, Xun Yu's ability would definitely be able to restore a certain degree of prosperity to Qing Province, which had been devastated by war, in a very short period of time.

‘Unfortunately, in the end, our ambitions and paths are different...’

Cao Cao said to himself, understanding that Xun Yu might be used by him in the short term.

However, unless Cao Cao could change Xun Yu's mind, the vastly different ambitions of the lord and his subject would inevitably lead to great conflicts sooner or later.

Immediately, a helpless smile appeared on Cao Cao's face, and he mocked himself, “Right now, I don’t even have a place to stand, so why should I consider such long-term matters?”

However, even as Cao Cao comforted himself in this way, Li Ji couldn't help but appear in his mind...

Especially after recently learning that Li Ji, from thousands of miles away, devised a plan to annihilate over a hundred thousand troops of the Anti-Wu Coalition, capturing countless aristocratic families and soldiers.

Cao Cao understood that there were no more obstacles for Liu Bei to control Yang Province, how could this not make Cao Cao feel complicated about Liu Da Er, who was once just a weaver and sandal seller?

“Liu Da Er, victory or defeat is still unknown. One day, I will definitely defeat you, and bring Li Zikun, Guan Yunchang, and Zhao Zilong into my command for my use!”

Cao Cao muttered to himself, feeling a surge of energy, and refocused his attention on the large number of documents placed on the desk.

This time, Cao Cao knew that this might be his only and best opportunity.

Therefore, Cao Cao not only planned to go all out and throw everything he had into it, but also constantly contacted friends and relatives from all sides, widely recruiting talented individuals, brave warriors, and soldiers with money and grain.

Now, Cao Cao's army had rapidly expanded to over ten thousand, but this had almost exhausted all of Cao Cao's connections and the family's resources that he could use.

Of course, this did not represent the entire foundation of the Cao and Xiahou families.

The head of the Cao family, Cao Song, did not only have Cao Cao as a son, and the Xiahou family was only very close to Cao Cao.

But if Cao Cao failed, then Cao Cao's only remaining path would be to go home and become a mediocre aristocratic son, with no real opportunity to wield power again.

Moreover, there were not a few within the Cao and Xiahou families who were not optimistic about Cao Cao, believing that Cao Cao's desire to pacify the millions of Yellow Turbans in Qing Province with a mere ten thousand soldiers, and to swallow the entire Qing Province, was just wishful thinking.

In fact, many people felt that Cao Cao's actions were just wasting the family's strength, expending effort to eliminate the Yellow Turbans of Qing Province without any benefit, simply benefiting the people of Qing Province.

Cao Cao did not argue about this. After the friends and relatives who supported him arrived, either leading troops or bringing money and grain.

Cao Cao chose an auspicious day that was closest to him, and led his troops eastward, heading straight for Qing Province.

Perhaps, in the eyes of others, Cao Cao's expedition to conquer Qing Province would be fruitless, but there was still a way out.

But Cao Cao had already made a determined plan in his heart...

Rather die than fail!

What the court won't give me, then I, Cao, will take it myself!!!

......

Also, as Cao Cao led his troops towards Qing Province, after a very long march.

Liu Bei finally led his army back to Yang Province, entering the territory of Lujiang.

And when Liu Bei led his army to Lujiang, Sun Ce, who had already sent people to inform him of the news in advance, naturally came to greet him in person.

In addition to the navy led by Sun Ce, a large number of aristocratic families also came to greet him, some even traveling day and night from the neighboring Jiujiang, Danyang, and Yuzhang to Lujiang.

Looking at the aristocratic families getting out of their carriages early and standing to greet him, Liu Bei couldn't help but think of the time when he first entered Wu Commandery.

At that time, bandits were rampant in Wu Commandery, and the aristocratic families of Wu Commandery were unable to resist. When the aristocratic families of Wu Commandery needed to beg Liu Bei to suppress the bandits and protect their safety, they only greeted him at the city gate.

Now, with the power of life and death entirely in his hands, the attitude of these aristocratic families in Yang Province was extremely humble. Some even traveled a hundred or two hundred miles to come over.

This made Liu Bei couldn't help but glance at Li Ji beside him, revealing a helpless smile.

Before Liu Bei could even get close, those aristocratic families took the initiative to greet Liu Bei from afar, and their enthusiastic and humble posture made Liu Bei feel very uncomfortable.

To be honest, the more Liu Bei came into contact with the deeply rooted aristocratic families of Yang Province, the more he could discover the arrogance and self-righteousness in the bones of these aristocratic families.

In the eyes of the aristocratic families of Yang Province, the commandery administrator or the inspector, they came and went, one after another. Unless they integrated into the local area and became a member of the aristocratic family, they would ultimately just be passers-by.

In fact, if they angered a large number of aristocratic families in Yang Province, with the connections that the aristocratic families of Yang Province had united, they could easily get rid of a small commandery administrator or inspector.

Therefore, in the bones of the aristocratic families of Yang Province, it was as if they were the true masters of Yang Province.

Even if Liu Bei's control over Wu Commandery was so stable in the past, after contact with the aristocratic families, he also felt this way.

But now the enthusiasm and humility revealed by the aristocratic families made Liu Bei, who was already accustomed to how to deal with the aristocratic families of Yang Province on weekdays, feel a little overwhelmed for a while, and even hoped that they could restore their original posture.

However, Liu Bei always treated people with benevolence and righteousness. Even if he did not like the aristocratic families of Jiangdong very much, he would not give people a handle.

Facing the aristocratic families who took the initiative to come to greet him from hundreds of miles away, with words of flattery that were almost blatant, Liu Bei on the surface was still dealing with them kindly.

However, this scene, in the eyes of Zhou Yu, who was following behind Sun Ce, felt ridiculous.

Doing some things early, and how to do them, can make a difference of a thousand miles.

Immediately, Zhou Yu's gaze turned and looked in the direction of Li Ji, and he suddenly found that Li Ji's gaze was also falling on him, which made Zhou Yu subconsciously look away slightly.

‘That is the handsome Zhou Lang? His person is as his name.’

Although Li Ji had already seen the portrait of Zhou Yu depicted by the Embroidered Uniform Guard, but after truly coming into contact with him, he found that Zhou Yu was indeed fully worthy of the title of “Handsome Zhou Lang”.

However, Li Ji's gaze only lingered on Zhou Yu for a few breaths, and then fell on Huang Gai, Zu Mao, Cheng Pu, and Han Dang, who were following behind Sun Ce, causing a trace of understanding to flash in Li Ji's eyes.

Huang Gai and others found Sun Ce, which also meant that Sun Ce had learned about Sun Jian's matter.

Moreover, Sun Ce's appearance was no longer as high-spirited as before. His eyes appeared somewhat sunken, his eyes were covered with bloodshot eyes, and he looked like he was barely holding up his spirits to come and greet him.

After Li Ji observed for a while, he then walked to Liu Bei's side.

Li Ji's appearance gave Liu Bei a feeling of seeing a savior, and he quickly signaled Li Ji with his eyes, otherwise, facing these aristocratic families who were somewhat like brown sugar and showed a humble posture, Liu Bei really felt a sense of difficulty in dealing with them.

More importantly, Liu Bei knew that he had captured a large number of aristocratic families in Yang Province, but when it came to how to deal with these aristocratic families, Liu Bei really did not have time to discuss with Li Ji.

Therefore, in order to avoid conflicts and impacts with Li Ji's strategy, Liu Bei, who valued his promises very much, did not dare to easily make any promises.

Since Liu Bei needed to maintain a benevolent posture to the outside world, Li Ji could only choose to play the role of the black face, changing his usual calm and indifferent tone, and said coldly.

“Everyone is blocking my lord's path, could it be that you are planning to complete the great cause that has not yet been fully accomplished?”

As soon as these words came out, it was like a cold wind in the twelfth lunar month, instantly blowing into the hearts of the aristocratic families of Yang Province who had come from thousands of miles away to beg for mercy, causing them to swallow back their flattering words.

What is the “great cause that has not yet been fully accomplished”?

What it implies is naturally the so-called “Anti-Wu Coalition”.

And as soon as Li Ji said this, the guards who were originally guarding on the left and right revealed a murderous intent, especially Xu Chu, who directly took a step forward, and subconsciously raised his saber.

This scene almost made the people of these aristocratic families in Yang Province take a step back in fear.

However, before these aristocratic families could open their mouths to explain in a chaotic manner again.

Li Ji gently knocked the folding fan against his palm, and said.

“My lord is a benevolent lord, but everyone should not deceive people too much, otherwise, even if my lord does not mind, the ten thousand armored soldiers of Wu Commandery may not be willing to agree.”

As Li Ji's voice fell, Guo Jia waved the flag towards a messenger and issued an order.

Immediately, thousands of soldiers almost took a step in unison, making a neat and huge sound.

Such a neat and mighty military force almost instantly seized the little bit of confidence that the aristocratic families of Yang Province had left.

Under the backdrop of such momentum, even if Li Ji's voice was light and fluttering, it fell into the ears of these aristocratic families of Yang Province like Mount Tai.

“And what everyone has done, I believe you also know it clearly, but just putting on a welcoming posture, casually saying a few flattering words and wanting to gloss over it, don't you think it's too ridiculous?”

At this moment, there were not a few aristocratic families whose foreheads and even their entire bodies were sweating.

Even Zhou Yu, who was following behind Sun Ce, also felt a heavy pressure, let alone the other panicked aristocratic families of Yang Province.

After a full few breaths, a rather intelligent member of the aristocratic family asked in a low voice.

“Also... also please, Marquis Guoshi, give instructions?”

As the Battle of the Campaign Against Dong Zhuo ended nearly two months ago, even if the information channels of the Jiangdong aristocratic families were delayed, they naturally learned about the various major events that had occurred in Sili.

Similarly, they also knew about Liu Bei's promotion to General Annan and Governor of Yang Province, and Li Ji's even being granted the title of “Marquis Guoshi”.

And this matter was precisely the main reason that prompted the aristocratic families of Yang Province to panic and welcome him here.

If Liu Bei had only been the Governor of Wu Commandery before, he wouldn't have been qualified to directly deal with the affairs of the aristocratic families outside of Wu Commandery in name.

Therefore, even if Liu Bei had justification, he might not necessarily be able to gain any advantage in terms of reputation once he really started killing. This was also one of the few remaining advantages and confidence that the aristocratic families of Yang Province had.

However, Liu Bei happened to be promoted to "Governor of Yang Province"…

That could be regarded as fixing the last loophole that prevented him from reasonably dealing with them. How could they not be humble? (End of this chapter)