Three Kingdoms: My Strategy Simulator

After this somewhat rushed meeting concluded, Chen Gui and his son Chen Deng boarded their carriage to return to their residence.

Chen Deng couldn't help but speak.

"Father, with Lord Tao arranging the troops in this manner, only sending 60,000 soldiers north to Langya, and with Cao Bao as the main general, I fear we cannot withstand Cao Cao."

"Hmm."

Chen Gui's reaction was unusually calm.

"Cao Cao's momentum is fierce this time, and he has the assistance of Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu. Does Father not worry?" Chen Deng asked again.

"What is there to worry about?"

Chen Gui raised his eyelids, then said to himself.

"Our lord has transferred Zang Ba to Pengcheng, both to guard against Yuan Shu and to show goodwill to Zang Ba, in order to restrain us, the Xu province gentry."

"Our lord is expressing his dissatisfaction with the Xu province gentry. In this situation, what use is it for us, father and son, to say more or worry more?"

Upon hearing this, Chen Deng couldn't help but sigh.

Compared to Chen Gui's seemingly all-knowing nature, Chen Deng inevitably still had some youthful spirit, making him subconsciously want to find a way to reverse the situation in Xu province.

But Chen Gui knew that in the current Xu province, what is correct is not necessarily correct, and what is wrong is not necessarily wrong.

Cao Song's death not only attracted foreign enemies but also further provoked conflicts between different factions within Xu province.

For example, Tao Qian was from Danyang, and his true direct lineage was the Danyang soldiers;

Zang Ba was from Mount Tai in兖 province, leading generals such as Sun Guan and Yin Li, and also had 20,000 private troops stationed in a city, showing a tendency towards independence, listening to orders but not proclamations;

Cao Bao, although lacking in ability, was a trusted confidant that Tao Qian supported after taking control of Xu province;

And there were more like Chen Gui and his son Chen Deng, who, because Tao Qian could not satisfy the interests of the gentry and instead intentionally suppressed them, gradually began to drift apart from the Xu province gentry faction.

The long-peaceful Xu province could mobilize more than just 60,000 troops, but dispatching 60,000 troops to Cao Bao was Tao Qian's bottom line.

Any more, and Tao Qian would have to worry whether the direct troops in his hands could suppress the different factions under his rule.

Then, Chen Gui softly instructed Chen Deng.

"Deng'er can advise our lord, but next time, do not proactively mention Duke Xuande's name."

"Why?" Chen Deng asked.

Chen Gui lowered his gaze slightly and said, "The southern towns of Guangling and Huailing in Xu province have heavy troops stationed there year-round. Who does Deng'er think our lord is guarding against?"

Chen Deng's expression stiffened, and in an instant, he understood.

Liu Bei's reputation for benevolence initially came from settling a large number of refugees fleeing south from the Central Plains, and he also arranged porridge stands and other forms of charity for the refugees within Xu province year-round.

This also made Xu province, in addition to Yang province, the most widely circulated place for Liu Bei's reputation for benevolence.

The people of Xu province may not know the governor, Tao Qian, but few do not know Duke Xuande.

Even when Tao Qian first took control of Xu province, why did he intentionally befriend Liu Bei, who was only a commandery administrator?

Tao Qian valued Liu Bei's great reputation and wanted to use Liu Bei's fame to elevate himself, thereby consolidating his control over Xu province.

Now, Liu Bei has become a hegemon, annexing Jing and Yang provinces, and his momentum for the Northern Expedition to the Central Plains is taking shape. How can Tao Qian not be surprised and fearful?

Once Liu Bei sends troops to Xu province for assistance, what Tao Qian needs to worry about is whether he can sit firmly in his position and whether there is a possibility of being hollowed out by Liu Bei.

"Perhaps, the biggest target in our lord's heart for the true culprit who killed Cao Taiwei is Duke Xuande."

Chen Gui said quietly, taking the opportunity to give Chen Deng guidance.

Chen Deng widened his eyes and blurted out in rebuttal, "Duke Xuande is known throughout the world for his benevolence. How could he do such a despicable thing?"

Chen Gui was not surprised by Chen Deng's reaction.

No one knows a son better than his father.

Liu Bei's reputation for benevolence was evident when Chen Deng had just come of age and began traveling and studying everywhere.

Chen Deng had also gone to the Ren De Academy to learn and seek advice.

This made Chen Deng privately admire Liu Bei.

"Duke Xuande may be benevolent, but Marquis Guoshi is not a kind person. What's so strange about secretly plotting against Xu province?"

Chen Gui slowly stroked his white beard and explained, leaving Chen Deng somewhat speechless.

"Of course, it is highly unlikely that this matter was done by Duke Xuande and Marquis Guoshi."

Chen Gui refuted himself and explained in a low voice.

"If Duke Xuande could arrange for a troop of soldiers to appear silently in Langya and slaughter a thousand people without anyone noticing, then Xu province would have changed hands to Duke Xuande long ago."

"Then who does Father think did it?" Chen Deng asked softly.

Chen Gui pondered for a while, then shook his head and said.

"It is meaningless to investigate who the real culprit is. The focus is on the fact that the current battle seems to be a war between Qing and Xu provinces, but in reality, it is likely a contest between Duke Xuande and the Yuan family. Deng'er, watch and think."

"Yes, Father."

Chen Deng replied thoughtfully.

… …

Within Shouchun, Liu Bei also gathered a group of civil and military officials to discuss the changes in Qing province.

Regarding Cao Song's death, there were also many opinions, but Li Ji remained silent from beginning to end.

Even when Liu Bei asked, Li Ji replied that it was difficult to draw a conclusion.

It's not that there were no objects of speculation, but the key was that Li Ji had no evidence.

As for who was responsible, Li Ji consistently adhered to the basic logic, which is that whoever benefits is the mastermind behind the scenes.

Who benefits now?

Undoubtedly, it is Cao Cao.

Cao Song's death was truly wonderful for Cao Cao.

It not only solved Cao Cao's predicament of being trapped in Qing province and having to watch兖 province being seized by the two Yuans, but also forced the two Yuans to assist Cao Cao in attacking Xu province.

Using the power of the Yuan family to attack his own territory is truly wonderful.

And with Cao Song's death, Cao Cao was able to actively integrate all of Cao's connections, resources, and talents for his own use.

Just like Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu in the previous campaign against Dong Zhuo.

Were the two Yuans unaware that under Dong Zhuo's nose were also his uncle Yuan Wei, his elder brother Yuan Ji, and other relatives?

Of course, they were aware.

But Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu almost unhesitatingly raised troops to attack Dong Zhuo. What's the difference between handing their necks and knives to Dong Zhuo and forcing Dong Zhuo to act?

If Yuan Wei did not die, if Yuan Ji did not die, how could Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu truly inherit a large amount of the Yuan family's heritage?

Cao Cao was undoubtedly the same.

Throughout Cao Cao's uprising to this day, there were times when he was so poor that he was almost eating dirt, but Cao Song still held a large amount of money and grain in his hands, which shows that there were also internal conflicts within the Cao family, and perhaps Cao Song and Cao Cao were at odds.

Now, with Cao Song's death, everything of the Cao family naturally fell into Cao Cao's hands.

But Li Ji also knew that there was no point in delving into the true culprit. The key now was that Cao Cao, with the support of the two Yuans, had entered the scene and began attacking Xu province.

Xu province must not fall into the hands of Cao Cao or the Yuan family.

Otherwise, the passage for the Northern Expedition to the Central Plains from Jing and Yang provinces will be completely blocked by the princes of the Yuan family faction.

(End of this chapter)