The Rebellious Officials and Traitors of the Late Han Dynasty

Chapter 337: Liu Bei Borrows Yuzhang but Never Returns

In Xinye City, Zhuge Liang, dressed in white, stood quietly under the eaves, looking towards the north with a lonely expression.

"military adviser."

Liu Bei led his two brothers and Zhao Yun and walked over with a serious look on his face.

"Lord."

Zhuge Liang forced a smile on his handsome face. He had received military reports from the front line that his plan had failed, and his wife and father-in-law had been taken to the north.

"Bei was incompetent and let Madam and Mr. Huang be taken away by Sima Yi."

Liu Bei choked up, as if he was too embarrassed to see Liu Bei.

"Sima Yi is insidious and cunning, and his wisdom is no less than mine. Since he has come to Nanyang, he must be able to guess my whereabouts. It's because we lack intelligence," Zhuge Liang comforted.

If it was just Wen Pin, Zhuge Liang would definitely be able to defeat him and bring Huang Chengyan and others back to Jingzhou, but the same would be true with the addition of Sima Yi, Huang Zhong and others.

The troops from Nanyang marched southward, and Xinye was unable to resist at all.

"Oh! Qin Shou, the traitor, I will make him pay sooner or later." Zhang Fei said viciously.

It was so abominable that Zhang Fei felt uncomfortable just standing there.

"We'll talk about this later." Zhuge Liang quickly put the matter aside and said solemnly: "My lord, we don't have much time. Qin Shou will definitely go south within two years. My lord not only wants to get Yuzhang County, but also the four counties in southern Jing. Liang must quickly move east to meet Cao Cao in Moling and borrow Yuzhang temporarily."

"Borrow Yuzhang temporarily? Why do we need to borrow it temporarily?" Zhang Fei was suddenly dissatisfied.

This was a gift from the Emperor, so it was Liu Bei's territory. How could it be said that it was a temporary loan of Yuzhang?
"We need an alliance with Cao Cao. Yuzhang was originally the territory of Yangzhou. How could Cao Cao give it to us? Let's lend it to him first!" Liu Bei knew the importance of the matter.

"Borrow it first, and we'll decide when to return it when the time comes."

Zhuge Liang chuckled.

Liu Bei opened his mouth wide when he heard this. He understood what Zhuge Liang meant. It was clear that he didn't want to return the money after borrowing it. How could things be done this way?

He glanced at Zhuge Liang and saw that he looked calm. He immediately shook his head. Things had come to this point and there was nothing he could do. Xinye was too small and had even fewer troops. If they encountered Qin Shou, they would surely be defeated.

As long as he could survive, it was not shameful. What was face? Look at what Qin Shou did. Did he have any face? He treated the imperial edict as a joke.

"Zilong, you must protect the military advisor's safety."

What else could Liu Bei say? He could only hope that Zhao Yun would protect Zhuge Liang.

"Don't worry, my lord. Zhao Yun will definitely protect the military advisor."

Zhao Yun said seriously.

Zhuge Liang also bowed to Liu Bei and led Zhao Yun towards Jiangdong.

"Qin Shou, you traitor, sooner or later, I, Liu Bei, will take your head."

Liu Bei looked at Zhuge Liang's back and immediately clenched his fists, with murderous intent flashing in his eyes.

"Brother." Guan Yu said solemnly, "The most important thing right now is to quickly prepare for the migration. Once the military advisor's message arrives, we should act immediately. I don't think Cai Mao and others will allow us to leave with the people."

"Hmph, if he doesn't agree, we will cooperate with the Kuai family. I believe they will agree." Liu Bei said coldly.

At this point, Liu Bei no longer wanted to talk about benevolence and righteousness, and everything was based on his own interests. In Moling, Cao Cao also began to reorganize his troops and prepare to launch a final attack on Sun Quan. He couldn't wait to unify Jiangdong.

He has decided to completely control Jiangdong this year, then recuperate for a year, immediately organize his troops and march north, not giving Qin Shou any chance to seize Jianghuai or Xuzhou.

"My lord, Liu Bei sent Zhuge Liang to attack Moling."

Guo Jia came in and reported: "I think it's about Yuzhang."

Cao Cao also nodded. He had only learned about the changes in Jingzhou three days ago. Qin Shou's imperial edict had ruined the affairs of Jingzhou and caused a dramatic change in the situation.

Cao Cao was very regretful at that time. He once again lamented the benefits of using the emperor to control the princes. As long as he had no shame, why bother worrying about what others said?

"Liu Bei came here for Yuzhang, fearing that I will refuse him the right to occupy Yuzhang." After a little thought, Cao Cao knew Liu Bei's plan and felt a little proud.

Liu Bei was a man of courtesy, and knew what he should and should not do. Although he had not occupied Yuzhang yet, Yuzhang was his territory.

"My lord, it seems that we should give up Yuzhang now." Guo Jia advised, "But I am worried that Liu Bei will not return Yuzhang after borrowing it."

"Oh, Liu Bei has lost his shame so much?" Cao Cao opened his eyes wide, somewhat unconvinced by what Guo Jia said.

"My lord, Liu Bei is a very shameless man. In order to marry Cai Mao, he even sent his own son to live in a separate courtyard. If he can do such a thing, what else can't he do?" Guo Jia said disdainfully.

Although he was a prodigal son, he could not do such a thing as abandoning his wife.

After hearing this, Cao Cao nodded immediately. He also knew that Liu Bei was a hypocritical person. It was possible that he would borrow Yuzhang and not return it.

But if he doesn't borrow it, it will obviously not work. Now the opportunity has been lost. He can only unite with Liu Bei to resist Qin Shou's attack.

"We have to borrow it. Besides, how can we not lend it the emperor's edict? Qin Shou is probably hoping that there will be a conflict between us, and it would be best if we go to war!" Cao Cao said in a deep voice.

Cao Cao knew that Liu Bei might become his rival if he borrowed Yuzhang, but he had no way to change it because he needed Liu Bei. So even though he knew there were risks and that it would cultivate a powerful opponent, Cao Cao had no way to change it.

"My lord, don't worry. It's just Jingzhou. I think we can only get half of it. Qin Shou asked Cai Mao and Kuai to jointly manage Jingzhou. It will be very difficult for Liu Bei to integrate the power of Jingzhou within one or two years. I dare to guess that Liu Bei can only get the four counties in southern Jingzhou."

There was a gleam of wisdom in Guo Jia's eyes, and he had arranged the affairs of Jingzhou very clearly.

"Strength!"

Cao Cao sighed softly.

If he had strong power, why would he be afraid of Qin Shou? He could solve everything by himself. Why would he cooperate with Liu Bei now? You know, the two are still enemies!
But now, facing a strong enemy, we have no choice but to join forces.

"Wen Ruo has already started building ships and recruiting generals who are good at naval warfare. My lord, don't worry, we still have enough time." Guo Jia comforted.

"It would be great if I could get Zhou Lang's assistance."

Cao Cao sighed and regretted.

If you want to defend Jiangdong, you need a navy. If you want a navy, you need a general to lead the navy. But Cao Cao and his subordinates were from the north and knew little about naval warfare.

"It won't be too late to recruit Zhou Yu after you defeat Sun Quan."

Guo Jia could only persuade him.

(End of this chapter)