Three Kingdoms: My Strategy Simulator

“It's still Zikun who understands me. Alas, I'm parched from talking so much and really need something to quench my thirst.”

After Liu Bei put down his teacup, he revealed a look of pleasure and ease.

Li Ji smiled helplessly at this and proceeded to brew a second pot of tea.

Now that Liu Bei was the Governor of Yang Province, he naturally needed to maintain his dignity and status when facing outsiders.

When receiving representatives from various lords and aristocratic families, every word Liu Bei spoke had to be carefully considered before he opened his mouth. Naturally, he wouldn't easily make any unnecessary gestures to avoid being misinterpreted.

Therefore, even if Liu Bei was already parched from chatting with guests, he still wouldn't easily lower his head to drink tea, lest he be misunderstood as being impatient to see them off.

Especially with Yang Province newly established, and the matter of how Yang Province should interact with the aristocratic families being a focal point, Liu Bei needed to be extra cautious.

“It's been hard on you, my lord,”

Li Ji sighed and then said.

“In a few more years, when my lord has displayed the bearing of one who will dominate the world, you won't need to be so cautious and have so many concerns.”

“It's nothing, it's nothing, these are but trifles.”

Even though he had been so busy for a week, Liu Bei didn't really find it annoying.

After all, Liu Bei was a skilled socializer and possessed extraordinary charm when dealing with people.

Therefore, taking the opportunity to interact with many aristocratic families, Liu Bei not only negotiated many important matters with them, but even charmed several families to the point where they were preparing to move their entire households to rely on Liu Bei.

This greatly satisfied Liu Bei, and it could be said that it completely swept away the frustration he had previously suffered from the cold treatment in Yingchuan.

It's not that I, Liu Xuande, am incompetent, but that there's a problem with you, the aristocratic families of Yingchuan!

Going out of his way to visit the aristocratic families of Yingchuan, only to be looked down upon by them.

Liu Bei will remember this for the rest of his life!

Immediately afterward, seeing Liu Bei's obvious high spirits after meeting Li Ji, he took the initiative to talk about the talented individuals among the representatives of the various lords and aristocratic families.

For example, Cao Cao's eldest son, Cao Ang, had just come of age, but he possessed both military and strategic talent, and an excellent temperament, which made Liu Bei greatly lament that Mengde had a worthy successor, and could be considered the best of the second generation of lords.

In comparison, Yuan Tan, who represented Yuan Shao, was, in Liu Bei's opinion, far inferior to Cao Ang.

“I heard Cao Zixiu say that his younger brother, Cao Pi, is about the same age as A Dou, but he has also read many classics, only being slightly inferior to Xiang'er.”

For some reason, the more Liu Bei spoke, the more annoyed he became, as if he was about to take some time to encourage A Dou with a stick.

Seeing this, Li Ji quickly persuaded Liu Bei to change the subject and talk about Liu Yan.

“Uncle?! A stroke?!”

Liu Bei also looked shocked, his lips twitching slightly, and said. “I didn't expect that Uncle, nearly fifty years old, would suffer such a great misfortune because of beauty.”

After a pause, Liu Bei, who had gradually calmed down, said.

“In any case, Uncle once helped us pacify the Yellow Turbans, and this matter is not very glorious to tell, Zikun, do not publicize it excessively, lest it be recorded in the history books and ruin Uncle's reputation.”

Li Ji nodded and said. “My lord, the reason for Liu Yizhou's death is not important. In Yu Ji's view, Liu Qi's actions are worth considering.”

Liu Bei asked somewhat puzzledly. “Hmm? How so? Even if Liu Qi and Liu Zhang are a little playful, it seems…”

“If I'm not mistaken, the seemingly honest and low-key Liu Qi is now befriending Liu Zhang, perhaps preparing to invite Liu Zhang to Jing Province as a guest,” Li Ji said with a frown.

“Go to Jing Province as a guest?”

Liu Bei didn't react at first, but then his expression became a little more solemn, and he said.

“If Liu Jingsheng also knows Uncle's current state, and then tries to deceive Liu Zhang and trap him in Jing Province, then Yi Province will surely be in chaos, and Uncle's life is not long…”

“Liu Jingsheng… wants to take Yi Province?!”

At the end, Liu Bei's expression changed greatly.

The reason why Liu Yan let Liu Zhang come to Wu Commandery with peace of mind was because Liu Bei had always cherished his reputation, and because Yang Province and Yi Province were not adjacent, so Liu Bei would never do anything unfavorable to Liu Zhang in terms of reason or emotion.

But if Liu Biao really knew about Liu Yan's current situation, took the opportunity to trick Liu Zhang into Jing Province, and then raised troops to attack Yi Province.

Liu Yan, whose life was not long, Yi Province without a leader, and the current situation of internal and external troubles, might not be able to resist the attack of Jing Province.

Li Ji's thoughts were similar to Liu Bei's, and he said word by word.

“Liu Jingsheng is by no means an easy person to deal with. In addition, he has the imperial jade seal in his hands, but he has not returned it to the Emperor. Perhaps he has already developed rebellious intentions.”

At this moment, Liu Biao was listed as one of the “Eight Jun” in the world. Then, he seized the opportunity to be promoted to the Governor of Jing Province, and then entered Jing Province alone, using clever means to restrain all parties and firmly grasp most of the power in Jing Province.

Liu Biao was not lacking in ability and courage.

Therefore, Li Ji not only did not underestimate Liu Biao, who sat in Jing Province and enjoyed his life in the original trajectory, but became more and more vigilant about him.

Especially since Liu Biao obtained the jade seal, this “ambition amplifier”, it seemed that even Liu Biao was invigorated, with a bit of the meaning of emulating Emperor Gaozu of Han, who was in his forties and fifties when he was struggling.

Liu Bei fell into thought, got up and paced back and forth for a while, and then asked Li Ji with a solemn expression.

“Zikun, what should we do about this?”

“If Yi Province is taken by Liu Jingsheng, Jing and Yi will become one, which is greatly unfavorable to the world, and should be stopped,” Li Ji replied.

“I also mean this.”

Liu Bei nodded in agreement.

Of course, if you zoom out the big picture, it would be greatly unfavorable to the world.

To put it bluntly, it would be greatly unfavorable to Liu Bei.

How can others be allowed to snore on the side of one's bed?

Liu Biao, who sits in Jing Province, is in line with Liu Bei's interests.

If Liu Biao becomes bigger, then Liu Bei will not be able to sleep peacefully, and he needs to be on guard against Liu Biao sneaking down the Yangtze River to attack Yang Province at all times.

Immediately afterward, Liu Bei continued to ask.

“But… how to stop it?”

Li Ji said with a smile. “This matter is easy. Just have the Lord summon Liu Jiyu and give Liu Jiyu a few pointers.”

“So simple?” Liu Bei couldn't believe it.

“Liu Jiyu is greedy for pleasure, but he is by no means a fool. As long as the Lord explains the stakes, Liu Jiyu will naturally be estranged and careful.”

“And as long as Liu Jiyu is not deceived into Jing Province, Liu Jingsheng will not be able to enter Yi Province even if he exhausts the troops of Jing Province,” Li Ji replied.

“It's that simple. I'll send someone to find Liu Zhang now.”

Liu Bei said, and then sent someone to find Liu Zhang.

Immediately afterward, Liu Bei thought of the affairs of Jiao Province and asked.

“Zikun, recently there have been many aristocratic people acting as lobbyists to intercede for Zhang Zibu. It seems that the matter of Zhang Zibu being at odds with me and being placed under house arrest has spread all over the world, but can this really allow Zhang Zibu to be appointed as the Governor of Jiao Province by the imperial court?”

“That's enough.”

Li Ji tasted the newly brewed fragrant tea and said.

“The imperial court doesn't care who the Governor of Jiao Province is, only whether that person is at odds with the Lord.”

(End of this chapter)