Three Kingdoms: My Strategy Simulator

With the beginning of the troubled times, not only did many wise counselors and brave generals begin to emerge, but also countless noble families who knew that they had no hope of winning the battle for hegemony began to place their bets.

Yuan Shao was undoubtedly the most dazzling prince at the end of the Han Dynasty.

Origin, prestige, ability...

As long as it is an advantage that can be mentioned as a leader, Yuan Shao has an absolute advantage.

Even though Liu Bei emerged as a rising star and dominated the Jiangdong region, Yuan Shao was still considered a potential stock that was no less powerful than Liu Bei in the eyes of the world.

It should be noted that after Yuan Shao came to full power, he claimed to have thousands of generals and countless counselors. It is conceivable how many talents he gathered.

Therefore, the fact that Yuan Shao broke the predicament and occupied half of Jizhou in this battle was secondary. The important thing was that his prestige would attract talents from all over the world to help him, and countless noble families would inevitably rush to bet on Yuan Shao.

The wealth of the Yangzhou family always made Li Ji amazed.

The aristocratic families in the Central Plains undoubtedly have a much deeper foundation.

In this case, it is conceivable that Yuan Shao's strength will inevitably expand rapidly.

Han Fu was no match for Yuan Shao. Even Gongsun Zan, who was in control of the border, would be defeated by Yuan Shao sooner or later if he was dragged into a protracted war.

Liu Bei has always trusted Li Ji's conclusions, which made Liu Bei frown and ask.

"Zikun, the stability of Youzhou not only affects the trade of war horses and oxen from Jinmen Port, but Bogui and Bei have a close personal relationship and have repeatedly supported and helped me in the past. Is there any way to help Bogui now?"

After hearing this, Li Ji fell into a moment of contemplation and said.

"I have three strategies available."

"Please tell me." Liu Bei was shocked and asked quickly.

Li Ji raised a finger and said.

"The best strategy is for the lord to advise Gongsun Bogui to abandon Han Fu and retreat to Youzhou, and then build fortifications and clear the fields for 50 miles along the border between Youzhou and Jizhou. This will be enough to prevent Yuan Benchu ​​from looking north to Youzhou for ten years."

Liu Bei, who was originally from Youzhou, pondered for a moment and understood the meaning.

There are large plains on the border of Youzhou and Jizhou. Considering the vast land and sparse population of Youzhou, it would not be difficult to relocate and settle the rest of the people even if the city was built with fortified walls and cleared the land.

The area is located on a plain and is a large uninhabited area. Unless Yuan Shao chooses to build forts at certain intervals when attacking Youzhou to ensure the safety of the grain route, Yuan Shao's grain route will inevitably be harassed by countless cavalrymen who come and go like the wind.

In a sense, this would maximize the Youzhou cavalry's ability to come and go like the wind.

If Liu Bei controlled Jizhou, would he have to consider whether it was worthwhile to spend countless manpower and resources to take Youzhou? Or would it be safer to cross the Yellow River and attack the fertile Central Plains?

However, Liu Bei sighed and said.

"Back in Luoyang, when Bogui was appointed as the governor of Bohai County, I reminded him not to interfere too much in Jizhou's affairs, but Bogui didn't listen at the time."

"Now that Yuan Benchu ​​has forged a blood feud with Bogui, he has also occupied Bohai County, which is Bogui's legal right. Based on my understanding of Bogui, I'm afraid he would rather die than withdraw his troops and return to Youzhou to defend one place."

Li Ji was not surprised by this result.

Everyone knows that the best policy is good, but people have their own personality tendencies and are destined to be unable to make absolutely rational decisions.

From Liu Bei's point of view, since it was impossible to restrict Yuan Shao, the best outcome was undoubtedly to keep Youzhou in the hands of Liu Yu and Gongsun Zan, who were on good terms with Liu Bei.

The existence or non-existence of Youzhou can not only limit the rapid expansion of Yuan Shao's power, but also always guarantee a piece of land for Liu Bei to raise horses.

Although in this stage when there were no horseshoes and stirrups, the cavalry were almost all light cavalry and their power was far less terrifying than in later generations, but the cavalry also had many advantages that the infantry could hardly match.

"Zikun, what about the middle and lower strategies?" Liu Bei asked again.

"The middle strategy is for the lord to send a man with good strategies to lead a small army to Youzhou in the name of learning."

"This can not only make up for the lack of strategists under Gongsun Bogui to a certain extent and avoid him from falling into a trap, but also provide a detachment to protect Gongsun Bogui when necessary." Li Ji replied. After hearing this, Liu Bei thought for a while and asked again. "What is the next best option?"

Li Ji said slowly.

"The worst plan is to use the middle plan as a basis. The lord will mobilize ships to transport elite soldiers, land in Bohai County after finding a good opportunity, and attack the rear of Jizhou, making it difficult for Yuan Benchu ​​to take care of both ends."

"But an undeclared war like this will not only be detrimental to the reputation of the lord, but will also put Yangzhou in a position to fight on both ends."

"Even if we win a great victory in Jizhou, it will only mean that we have gained an enclave surrounded by wolves. Please proceed with caution."

Liu Bei couldn't help but smile bitterly, realizing that Li Ji had seen through his hesitation in advance.

This is where Liu Bei, out of consideration for friendship, has been hesitating.

In public, Liu Bei wanted to keep Youzhou's warhorse and oxen trade;

Personally, Liu Bei was even more concerned about his long-term friendship with Gongsun Zan.

More importantly, Yangzhou undoubtedly has the spare capacity and conditions to participate in the war. As long as Liu Bei finds an opportunity to launch a surprise attack on Bohai County, the threat to Yuan Shao will be almost fatal.

But, fighting without declaration is a bad reputation.

Moreover, who are the wolves that Li Ji implicitly referred to when he said “surrounded by a pack of wolves”?

Han Fu and Gongsun Zan are probably among them.

After Gongsun Zan defeats Yuan Shao, he may develop great ambitions. After defeating Yuan Shao, Liu Bei, who is divided into three parts, will also block Gongsun Zan's way to the south.

Gongsun Zan might also be a man of loyalty and righteousness, but Li Ji was also not sure whether people's hearts would change.

Therefore, Li Ji listed this as the worst option, which was almost a direct opposition to Liu Bei joining the Jizhou battlefield at this moment.

It would be enough to send a small force to assist Gongsun Zan's army in the name of learning and exchange.

Li Ji even thought that Gongsun Zan's defeat completely extinguished his idea of ​​competing for hegemony in the Central Plains, which might not be a bad thing.

If such a straightforward and strong-willed man from the northern frontier really came to the Central Plains, he would be no match for a group of cunning villains.

"Only the middle strategy is the safest and most feasible."

Liu Bei heaved a sigh of relief and made the final decision. "I'm just wondering who should I send to Bogui. Does Zikun have any recommendations?"

"Zilong and Gongsun Bogui have a very good personal relationship and get along well with each other, so Zilong should go."

After a pause, Li Ji stroked the fan ribs and said.

"As for the selection of military advisor, Guo Fengxiao is already capable of taking charge."

"Guo Fengxiao?"

Liu Bei thought for a while, looking a little hesitant.

Since Guo Jia officially took office, he may have assisted Li Ji in handling military affairs quite well, but for now he has not shown anything that can compare to Li Ji's outstanding performance.

The most important person to be sent is none other than a wise and resourceful person, who will have to face the group of advisers under Yuan Shao whose reputation is gradually gaining popularity.

However, considering that Guo Jia was nominally also Li Ji's disciple, Li Ji probably knew his abilities best.

Thinking of this, Liu Bei nodded and said.

"In that case, then let's follow Zikun's advice." (End of this chapter)