Three Kingdoms: My Strategy Simulator

Many people could see this point.

But the strength of a conspiracy in the open lies in its difficulty to be countered.

More importantly…

‘How can Liu Da Er be so rich? Such generous gifts, given away so freely.’

This matter reached the ears of many lords, causing them to secretly curse Liu Bei for using money to buy fame, while also feeling envious and resentful.

In this time of great chaos, the lords who aspired to rule the land wished they could split a copper coin in half, trying to save every bit of military expenditure to build up their armies.

Even if they wanted to imitate Liu Bei's way of buying fame, the other lords simply didn't have the resources at the moment.

A gift list sufficient to support three thousand elite soldiers, not to mention Cao Cao who wished he could send troops to intercept it, even Yuan Shu, who had recently suffered losses in battle, was greatly tempted.

However, Yuan Shu, always mindful of his family's reputation as one of the Four Attendant Families of the Han dynasty, forcibly restrained himself and watched as cart after cart of gifts were sent to Sili.

Because of this, Lü Bu's little court was in constant turmoil, with minor quarrels every three days and major disputes every five.

In the end, Lü Bu disregarded the objections of Chen Gong and Chen Qun…

…

“It seems the security in Sili isn't very good. Even after passing Hulao Pass, there are still thousands of Xiliang bandits roaming around Luoyang…”

Looking at the news from Sili that the tribute gifts had been robbed by bandits, Li Ji couldn't help but chuckle mockingly.

Liu Bei, however, said with an angry expression.

“Who would believe this if it were said aloud? The Xiliang bandits robbed the tribute gifts one moment, and the next, Lü Bu sends troops to successfully eliminate the bandits. It's simply a case of burying one's head in the sand.”

This matter was already within Li Ji's expectations. Given Lü Bu's ruthless nature, compared to long-term political assets, Lü Bu undoubtedly valued immediate benefits more.

Intercepting the tribute gifts midway not only deprived Emperor Liu Xie of the resources to continue winning over various factions, but also used the money as military expenditure.

The wealth sufficient to support three thousand elite soldiers might not be valued by Liu Bei, but in Lü Bu's eyes, it was already a considerable fortune.

It was said that Lü Bu had more than twenty thousand Bing Province Wolf Cavalry under his command, not to mention the other soldiers.

The cost of feeding the men and horses meant that Sili alone couldn't maintain a balanced budget.

If it weren't for the assistance of various aristocratic families led by the Chen family of Yingchuan, Lü Bu, as a newly established ruler, simply couldn't afford such a large military expenditure.

Subsequently, Liu Bei, with his anger still unappeased, immediately followed Li Ji's advice, simultaneously submitting a memorial impeaching and rebuking Lü Bu, while also activating the many famous scholars under his command who were good at criticizing.

If you don't occupy the high ground of public opinion, someone else will.

With Liu Bei's reputation and the attraction of the RenDe Academy, Liu Bei never lacked the support of some famous scholars who were good at criticizing.

Now was the time to use these famous scholars, and the Brocade-Clad Guards could also secretly promote the matter.

From top to bottom, and from bottom to top, this two-pronged approach would be enough to make Lü Bu realize that his reputation was even more capable of further fermentation.

Reputation is a double-edged sword.

Perhaps Lü Bu didn't care, but the civil and military officials and the aristocratic families who joined Lü Bu had to consider whether they wanted to be associated with someone with such a foul reputation.

Imperceptibly, it would affect all aspects of Lü Bu's entire force.

However, making things difficult for Lü Bu was just a casual matter for Li Ji.

While Jing and Yang provinces were constantly preparing for the Northern Expedition to the Central Plains, as intelligence reports from the Central Plains piled up on Li Ji's desk, what concerned Li Ji the most was undoubtedly the movements of the two Yuans.

Yuan Shao and Gongsun Zan had been facing off for nearly a year. Based on Li Ji's judgment, the decisive battle of the Battle of Jieqiao might be imminent.

But Yuan Shu repeatedly and openly mobilized money, food, and troops to Nanyang, which made Li Ji feel very strange.

Yuan Shu was defeated by Li Ji in the Battle of Jing Province, fleeing in a chariot for hundreds of miles, and winning the reputation of "Jingxiang Chariot God" less than a year ago.

Could it be that the spring breeze is blowing, the war drums are beating, and Yuan Shu thinks he's capable again?

With most of Yu Province and one Nanyang commandery, he is actively challenging Liu Bei, who occupies Jing and Yang provinces.

Even if Yuan Shu is arrogant, he shouldn't be so foolish and stubborn.

And even if Yuan Shu is arrogant, the strategists under Yuan Shu would not fail to dissuade him.

Troops are stationed in Nanyang, what is the intention?

Li Ji got up and stood in front of the huge state and county map hanging behind him, carefully pondering the deep meaning behind it.

Now, Liu Bei, who ostensibly occupies Jing and Yang provinces, is bordered by Zhang Zhao of Jiao Province, Tao Qian of Xu Province, Yuan Shu of Yu Province, and Yi Province, which is in the midst of internal strife.

Zhang Zhao of Jiao Province is actually one of his own, and Yuan Shu has never contacted Jiao Province to try to attack Jing and Yang provinces from both sides.

As for Yi Province, not to mention that the plank road to Ba Commandery has not been repaired yet.

More importantly, Liu Yan, who had been in a coma for a long time, unfortunately succumbed to illness last winter and died in bed, without even having time to designate an heir.

Regarding Liu Yan's unfortunate death, not only did Liu Bei send envoys to offer condolences, but Li Ji personally sent some wreaths to Yi Province.

Only in this way, Yi Province will inevitably fall into internal strife.

While Liu Yan's bones were not yet cold, Liu Zhang and his three elder brothers fought fiercely, vowing to send each other down to accompany Liu Yan to fulfill their filial piety, and it was impossible to cooperate with Yuan Shu to send troops to attack Jing Province.

And excluding Jiao Province and Yi Province, then the only potential ally that Yuan Shu can unite with to attack Jing Province is Tao Qian of Xu Province.

‘Tao Qian…rebellion?’

Li Ji thought about this guess, and the possibility can only be said to be minimal.

Liu Bei and Tao Qian have been friends for many years, and more importantly, Tao Qian is old and lacks ambition to dominate.

Under such circumstances, Li Ji found it difficult to imagine what promises Yuan Shu would have to make to persuade Tao Qian to betray Liu Bei.

It's not that Li Ji trusts the friendship between Liu Bei and Tao Qian, but that Li Ji believes that Yuan Shu can't give enough benefits to persuade Tao Qian.

‘In this case, it seems that there is only one possibility left, that is, stationing troops in Nanyang is a false pretense, wanting to attract me to transfer troops to Jing Province for defense?’

Li Ji squinted his eyes, his gaze constantly wandering around Yuan Shu.

‘Openly attacking Jing Province, secretly attacking Runan or Shouchun?’

‘Or take Yan Province? But in this way, aren't you afraid that our army will react and attack Runan Commandery?’

Previously, Yuan Shu had suffered a series of losses, and with Xinye City and Runan City in Liu Bei's hands, the two sides had long since changed their offensive and defensive positions.

Now, Liu Bei is the one occupying the initiative to attack.

Under such circumstances, Yuan Shu must have grown bold to dare to disregard the threat from Liu Bei in the rear and directly mobilize a large number of troops to go north to capture Yan Province.

As long as Yu Province is empty of troops, Li Ji will immediately advise Liu Bei to send troops north to take Runan Commandery and seize the Yuan family's old home.

‘Strange…’

Li Ji pondered for a while, and he really couldn't figure out Yuan Shu's plan for this move.

However, now the one who holds the initiative is Liu Bei.

Therefore, Li Ji simply made a small adjustment to the troop deployment in Jing and Yang provinces to avoid being caught off guard by any unexpected schemes.

Then, he sent many scouts, sentries, and Brocade-Clad Guards members to Xu Province and Yu Province to investigate.