Three Kingdoms: My Strategy Simulator

Compared with Liu Bei, the quality of the civil and military officials under Cao Cao was no worse.

In addition, Cao Cao carried out a large-scale purge in Donghai County by means of massacre in the city, and many members of the Jinyi Division could not escape the disaster. The intelligence obtained was not much, otherwise Li Ji would not have to send a large number of scouts and spies to Donghai County.

Who leads the 30,000 Cao troops?

Li Ji did not realize that Liu Bei fell flat on his face due to his carelessness, which meant that he would die before he could accomplish his mission, which would make the hero shed tears.

"My lord, you must not underestimate the heroes of the world..."

After a pause, Li Ji said in a deep voice, "My lord, if you want me to stay here to cover your retreat, please agree to one condition."

Liu Bei turned back suddenly, with a delighted smile on his face, and said, "Not to mention one condition, even eight or ten would be no problem."

"That is, no matter what decision you make, please consult the advisory committee first and do not act on your own."

After a pause, Li Ji added earnestly.

"Zhou Gongjin's ability is not inferior to mine. Xu Shu, Zhuge Liang, and Sima Yi are also gifted with natural talents. Please make good use of them, my lord."

Liu Bei nodded and answered solemnly.

"it is good."

Li Ji continued, "Besides that, please leave me 20,000 soldiers."

This made Liu Bei seem extremely embarrassed. After hesitating for a while, he said.

"There are only 30,000 Cao troops in front, but Zikun needs to stop 60,000 troops in the back..."

"How about this, Zikun, there is no need to say more. How about we split the 90,000 troops into two halves each?"

……

Li Ji.

Li Ji really never expected that one day he would have to bargain with Liu Bei over the division of troops just like buying vegetables in the market.

"If the lord doubts Ji's ability so much, Ji should just step down and live in seclusion in the mountains..."

"Stop, stop, stop!"

Liu Bei couldn't stand hearing such talk and interrupted him quickly.

"Thirty thousand. Zikun must lead at least thirty thousand soldiers and horses, and that must include the seven thousand cavalry led by Yide. This is the bottom line."

Li Ji opened his mouth weakly, and the words of rebuttal came to his throat but he had to swallow them back.

However, at this moment, Li Ji couldn't help but make up his mind.

After the Battle of Xuzhou, Liu Zhibing must be placed in the rear area no matter what, and he must never be allowed to command troops again.

"Yes."

Li Ji reluctantly bowed and agreed.

Liu Bei walked up to Li Ji and lifted him up with his own hands as he had done in the past. After a slight hesitation, he patted Li Ji on the shoulder and whispered.

"I wonder how the plague will be when we go to Yishui? If the destiny is not with Liu, and he wants me to die on the way to help the people, then maybe it is God's will."

"By then, please ask Zikun to appease Yunchang and Yide and not to act impulsively. I will also leave Adou to Zikun..."

After a pause, Liu Bei looked at Li Ji's dazed expression and added carefully.

"It's just that Adou is naturally dull. If he really can't be helped, you can do it yourself. I just hope Zikun will not forget that you and I, the master and subject, have a common goal of supporting the Han Dynasty."

"Lord!!"

Listening to Liu Bei's words that seemed like he was entrusting his son to the care of others, Li Ji felt both moved and angry at the same time, and was about to say something.

Liu Bei jumped onto his horse and shouted.

"The whole army obeys the order!"

Immediately, the soldiers who had retreated 150 steps away under Li Ji's order quickly gathered together, which forced Li Ji to swallow the words that were about to come out of his throat. Immediately, Liu Bei split up the troops again in a swift and decisive manner, leaving 30,000 elite soldiers to Li Ji, and then led the army to continue northward along the Yishui River.

After Liu Bei rode his horse for more than a hundred steps, he could not help but look back and deeply at Li Ji and Zhang Fei who were watching him leave, revealing a hint of reluctance, and then said loudly.

"Zikun, don't forget our agreement. If there is no military order in ten days, withdraw to Xiapi State immediately."

"I am waiting here for my lord's triumphant return."

Listening to Li Ji's voice, which was no longer as calm and indifferent as usual, Liu Bei couldn't help but laugh out loud...

But this laughter made Li Ji feel heartbroken, but it seemed a little confusing to others.

Zhang Fei also came over and asked, "Zikun, why are you smiling so happily?"

"Have you forgotten what the Lord said? You must call your position during the war."

Li Ji reminded him unhappily.

Zhang Fei answered subconsciously. "Brother is not here again..."

But after feeling the look in Li Ji's eyes, Zhang Fei immediately changed his expression and said.

"Commander-in-chief, my great commander-in-chief, that's enough."

Li Ji shook his head helplessly, then ordered additional scouts to pay attention to the movements of Cao's army in the rear. The entire army continued to rest on the spot, and then summoned all the generals to discuss matters.

Li Ji naturally had a map of Donghai County, and the mountains, rivers and streams in the territory were all clearly marked.

How to stop Cao Cao and buy enough time for Liu Bei.

This is the key point that Li Ji needs to consider right now.

Donghai County has many plains. It can even be said that the whole way Cao Cao went in pursuit of Liu Bei was flat. Even if there were some undulating terrain, it could hardly be used as a barrier to stop Cao Cao.

Finally, Li Ji set his sights on a small river not far from here. There was a Liyang Bridge on the river connecting the north and south banks.

Of course, this is just a small river less than ten feet wide, not enough to defend.

Li Ji's eyes unconsciously swept across the generals and then stopped on Zhang Fei.

Zhang Fei asked with his eyes wide open.

"Zi... Governor?"

"I have a plan..."

……

And on the other side in Cao’s army camp.

While Cao Cao carefully sent scouts to inquire about the movements of Liu Bei's army, he was anxiously waiting for the army to rest.

Once Liu Bei cleared out Yishui, it would not only be a matter of losing the initiative in Donghai County, but also a complete failure at the strategic level.

However, Cao Cao now lacks cavalry, and each scout is very valuable, so he dare not let the scouts get too close. He can only observe the traces left by the marching from a distance to confirm the movements.

Cao Cao could no longer hold on and dozed off for a while. When he woke up, he found it was already noon. He could not wait to quickly organize his army, and then joined forces with the troops led by Zhu Ling and chased northward.

There were no obstacles along the way...

It was not until Cao Cao led his army unimpeded and reached Liyang Bridge near dusk that a thunder-like laughter came from afar.

"Hahahaha, Yanren Zhang Yide has been waiting here for a long time!"

The sudden sound aroused Cao Cao's vigilance, and he subconsciously ordered the entire army not to move for the time being.

Soon, Cao Cao personally led a group of generals to the front army. Looking forward, he saw Zhang Fei standing alone on the Liyang Bridge.

"Where is Cao? Come and fight me to the death!" (End of this chapter)