Three Kingdoms: My Strategy Simulator

As Liu Bei's furious words echoed in the council hall, the assembled civil and military officials were all taken aback.

Many who had intended to object, seeing Liu Bei's frightening appearance, didn't dare to speak, and subconsciously turned their gaze towards Li Ji.

Whether from the perspective of timing or benefits, it was clearly not advisable to launch an army into Xu Province in anger.

From a timing perspective, Tao Qian had not yet actively sought help from Liu Bei, and Liu Bei taking the initiative to send troops would undoubtedly be inappropriate.

From a benefits perspective, allowing the Qing and Xu provinces to wear each other down would also be advantageous to Liu Bei.

At least, Jia Xu, who was sitting in the crowd seemingly focused on his own thoughts, did not agree with Liu Bei's dispatch of troops.

Sending troops at this moment, after spending a large amount of money, food, and manpower,

even if Cao Cao were defeated, would only result in some gratitude and fame, unless Liu Bei was willing to sacrifice his reputation to seize Xu Province, it would most likely be a loss.

But if they delayed a little longer, the more fierce Cao Cao's offensive became, the more Tao Qian's prestige and military strength in Xu Province would decline, and it would be best if Tao Qian died at Cao Cao's hands.

In that case, relying on Liu Bei's prestige and reputation in Xu Province, the gentry and common people would truly welcome the King's army with food and drink to take over Xu Province.

It was just that under Liu Bei's agitated state, not to mention whether civil officials such as Jia Xu could persuade Liu Bei, even Zhang Fei was awed by his elder brother's power and dared not speak.

Only Li Ji, who was sitting in his seat, could change Liu Bei's decision.

In Jia Xu's view, this was like the period when the Han Dynasty still had the position of Chancellor; if the Emperor insisted on his own way, but the Chancellor resolutely opposed and refused to do his job, the Emperor would also be helpless.

Jia Xu knew that in the current power structure of the Liu Bei group, Liu Bei and Li Ji were in a state of mutual understanding and trust between ruler and minister, but at the same time, Li Ji also possessed the position and power to check and balance Liu Bei's decisions.

'But, how will Zikun react?'

Jia Xu also cast his sidelong glance in Li Ji's direction.

Judging rationally, Jia Xu knew that Li Ji could not be unaware of the pros and cons and should object.

But on the other hand, Jia Xu also knew that Li Ji had substantive differences from himself in some respects.

Under the gaze of the civil and military officials who had not followed up with their statements, Li Ji put down the folding fan in his hand, slowly got up, and bowed to Liu Bei, saying.

"Lord's move is aimed at maintaining the people of the Great Han, which is called benevolence and virtue. Using the army of benevolence and virtue to conquer Cao's bandits will surely be victorious."

The other civil and military officials who had originally intended to object could only remain silent.

Immediately, under Liu Bei's order, Li Ji was stationed to command the officials and generals to dispatch the troops stationed in Shouchun to prepare for the expedition.

With this busywork, the entire State Shepherd's mansion was almost bustling from noon to the deep night, with a large number of officials constantly entering and leaving to ensure all aspects of the army.

The movement of the army is by no means just a matter of gathering a certain number of people to announce the departure, and then everyone going to war shoulder to shoulder.

How many soldiers are there in the army, how many divisions are there, which general is responsible for what and how many soldiers he leads, and what and how many supplies and military equipment need to be carried, all the soldiers' armor, weapons, tents, shoes, etc. all need to be uniformly dispatched and arranged properly.

Before the army moves, food and grass go first is by no means a joke.

Especially when launching a hasty expedition to Xu Province, how to ensure the safety and operation of the grain route.

It can be said that the more hasty it is, the more it tests the ability of the ruler.

Li Ji was busy in the State Shepherd's mansion until midnight when Li Xiang brought a food box and delivered it to Li Ji, saying.

"Father, this was made by mother herself."

Seeing this, Li Ji asked Gu Yong, Mi Zhu, and others in the hall who were also assisting him in various dispatches to continue their work, while he took the food box and walked to the side hall with Li Xiang.

Opening the food box, it was filled with Li Ji's favorite home-cooked dishes.

Li Ji picked up the bamboo chopsticks and tasted them carefully, and asked.

"Has the news spread back to the mansion?"

"Yes."

Li Xiang nodded.

The army was about to set out, and the large-scale emergency dispatch and preparation in all aspects made the entire Shouchun City afraid that they were aware that the army was about to go on an expedition.

Even without deliberately inquiring, half a day's work was enough for the news to reach the Marquis of the State mansion.

"Is father leading the troops this time too?" Li Xiang hesitated for a moment and asked.

"No, the lord is leading the troops personally…"

After a pause, Li Ji added. "However, Father will accompany him as a military advisor."

Li Xiang opened his mouth, wanting to say something but didn't open his mouth, but his eyes revealed a trace of reluctance and sadness.

Li Ji, whose eyes were on the side dishes made by Cai Zhaoji, didn't look at Li Xiang, but while chewing slowly and tasting them, he began to tell Li Xiang some serious matters.

During the period when Liu Bei and Li Ji were away from Shouchun, Shouchun naturally needed someone to be stationed, and the candidate for the station had also been initially decided.

Generals Xu Sheng and Gan Ning were in charge of military affairs, while Gu Yong and Jia Xu were in charge of political affairs.

During this period, A Dou, as the young master, was also quite important.

A Dou's age may not have reached the age to be in charge, but he was an important mascot, so Li Xiang's task was naturally to assist and supervise A Dou in being a good mascot.

In this special period, something happened to the mascot who stabilized people's hearts in the rear, which may trigger a series of chain reactions.

Li Xiang, who was gradually changing from precocious to early maturity, wrote down Li Ji's instructions one by one in his heart.

Until Li Ji swept away all the dishes made by Zhaoji, put the food box back on, turned to look at Li Xiang, reached out and touched Li Xiang's head, his tone softened a bit, and said.

"When Father returns from Xu Province, I'll take you to ride horses in the suburbs, how about that?"

Li Xiang pursed his lips hard, pretending not to care, and replied.

"It's all up to father's arrangement."

Li Ji smiled, then handed the food box to Li Xiang, and said.

"Go back and tell your mother that this expedition is in a hurry, and Father will not return home, and I'm afraid she will have to work hard again to manage the affairs of the mansion."

"Yes." Li Xiang replied.

"Go ahead, read more books in your spare time, and Father will personally examine your knowledge when you come back." Li Ji said gently.

Li Xiang bowed to Li Ji before turning around and running towards the door, his footsteps slightly brisk.

This also caused Li Xiang to run into Liu Bei, who happened to be walking to the door with a food box, just as he was about to go out.

Looking at Li Xiang, Liu Bei's originally tense expression subconsciously showed a smile.

"Xiang'er doesn't forget to send food to his father late at night, which can be called filial piety, great kindness!"

"Uncle."

Li Xiang hurriedly saluted.

Immediately, Liu Bei also cared about Li Xiang a few words, and seeing that the night was deep and he was not at ease, he specially arranged a few more Tiger Guards to send him back to the mansion before walking into the side hall.

Liu Bei raised the food box in his hand and said with some envy.

"Bei thought that Zikun had been busy in the mansion for more than a day and hadn't eaten, so I specially sent a copy to Zikun, but I didn't want to be one step behind Xiang'er."

(End of this chapter)