Three Kingdoms: My Strategy Simulator.

"Conceding Nanyang?!"

Liu Bei stepped forward to the sand table and personally changed the flag of Nanyang Commandery to represent Lü Bu's territory.

Instantly, the situation in the Central Plains seemed to become clear, and an invisible net was formed with the two Yuan brothers at its center to restrict Liu Bei.

Once Lü Bu obtained Nanyang, it would restrict Liu Bei from advancing north to the Central Plains from Jingxiang, and even if Liu Bei showed weakness, Lü Bu could attack Jingbei to the south at any time.

Currently, those entrenched in Yanzhou are just small warlords with limited influence and strength.

If the two Yuan brothers join forces, without anyone competing for Yanzhou, those small warlords would not even have the qualifications to be fence-sitters; upon seeing the Yuan family's banners, they would probably surrender immediately.

In this way, Yuan Shu wouldn't need to expend much effort, and Yuzhou wouldn't reveal many weaknesses.

Finally, the only remaining route for the Northern Expedition to the Central Plains seemed to be through Xuzhou.

However, even if Liu Bei and Tao Qian had a good relationship, "borrowing a road" was a hundred or a thousand times more dangerous than "borrowing money."

Tao Qian needed to be wary of whether Liu Bei had the intention of conquering the state under the guise of borrowing passage, and Liu Bei also had to be constantly on guard against Tao Qian's betrayal, which could directly cut off Liu Bei's supply line.

"Once Yuan Gonglu seizes Yanzhou, the two Yuan brothers will be connected, occupying four provinces, which would be a big trouble."

Liu Bei said in a deep voice, frowning.

Li Ji lowered his eyes slightly, understanding that this was also a kind of butterfly effect.

Liu Bei's rise allowed Yuan Shu, who had originally dominated the four provinces of Yu, Xu, Jing, and Yang, to be suppressed to the point where he could only huddle in Yuzhou, and could even become the primary target of Liu Bei's Northern Expedition to the Central Plains.

No matter how deep the contradictions between the two Yuan brothers were, with Yuan Shu facing a fatal threat and Yuan Shao being in a wise and martial stage, it was not surprising that the two Yuan brothers would abandon their previous grievances and temporarily unite.

"And once the Jingzhou direction is restrained by Lü Bu, who occupies Nanyang, relying solely on Yangzhou to prevent Yuan Shu from taking Yanzhou with Yuan Shao's support…"

Liu Bei muttered, then subconsciously asked.

"Zikun, do you have any ideas? The two Yuan brothers can lure Lü Bu with benefits, I wonder if we can counter-lure him?"

Li Ji shook his head and said, "Temporary benefits can buy momentary peace with Lü Bu, but it is ultimately like raising a tiger to cause future trouble."

"Then, send Gongyou to Luoyang to explain the advantages and disadvantages to Lü Bu, so that he understands the hidden dangers of the two Yuan brothers joining forces, how about that?" Liu Bei asked again.

"Now, Yuan Shao is stationing troops in Liyang, which can threaten Dongjun. In addition, it is not difficult to go south to Luoyang from Bingzhou. Without a very good opportunity, Lü Bu will definitely not dare to easily start a war with Yuan Shao," Li Ji explained.

Perhaps Yuan Shao and Liu Bei are both formidable enemies in Lü Bu's mind.

However, after Yuan Shao occupies the area north of the Yellow River, he can not only threaten Yanzhou from Jizhou, but also directly attack Sili from Bingzhou.

In contrast, Liu Bei currently has no adjacent territories with Lü Bu, so he is out of reach.

When choosing between Yuan Shao and Liu Bei, Lü Bu would undoubtedly rather fight a big war with Liu Bei to seize benefits than easily break ties with Yuan Shao.

"Does that mean the opportunity for the Northern Expedition to the Central Plains is far away?"

At this moment, under Li Ji's explanation, Liu Bei had also understood the situation in the Central Plains.

With Liu Bei's growing power, the various warlords in the Central Plains would naturally unite to resist Liu Bei.

However, the situation would naturally not remain unchanged. Once Yuan Shu occupies Yanzhou, whether he maintains a harmonious alliance with Yuan Shao or the two turn against each other, opportunities favorable to Liu Bei would slowly emerge.

If the two Yuan brothers maintain their alliance, their combined strength will truly surpass Liu Bei, thereby prompting the other warlords to join forces to deal with them, which would be of great help to Liu Bei.

If the two Yuan brothers turn against each other, then the various warlords will not let go of the opportunity to dismember the two Yuan brothers.

It's just that asking Liu Bei to choose to watch the chaotic world continue and remain aloof, waiting for the opportune time, inevitably makes him feel unwilling.

As a member of the Han Dynasty's imperial clan, he should draw his three-foot sword and pacify the chaotic world as soon as possible, to restore the great Han Dynasty.

And Li Ji's expression now revealed a bit of hesitation.

The situation has changed to this point, which is also in line with the saying "Either the east wind prevails over the west wind, or the west wind prevails over the east wind."

At present, the two Yuan brothers are showing a united front, fully demonstrating the heritage and influence of the Yuan family, who have served as high officials for four generations, inevitably suppressing Liu Bei's momentum for a time.

Waiting for the opportune moment will undoubtedly be a good strategy.

Currently, Liu Bei has both Jing and Yang provinces, and it is somewhat difficult to force a Northern Expedition to the Central Plains for the time being, but it is more than enough to defend his territory.

Only when the heroes of the Central Plains start fighting among themselves, taking advantage of the situation, will there be a good opportunity for the Northern Expedition.

However, Li Ji knew that Liu Bei would not be willing, and even Li Ji himself was equally unwilling.

Every year that the war continues, the losses caused by the internal friction of the Han Dynasty will increase steadily, and the people affected by the war will only increase.

And in this moment, Li Ji had a clever plan in his mind, but…

Liu Bei and Li Ji had known each other for many years. Seeing the change in Li Ji's expression, he immediately understood something and asked.

"Zikun, do you have a clever plan to teach me how to solve this dilemma, but it is inconvenient to say it directly?"

"Ji, indeed has some humble opinions," Li Ji replied.

Liu Bei pretended to be annoyed and said, "Zikun, it's not like you don't know Bei's character, just say it, no matter what you say, I will definitely not blame Zikun in the slightest."

Li Ji sighed inwardly.

It was precisely because he knew Liu Bei's character that Li Ji felt particularly embarrassed about whether to speak out this plan.

However, there were no outsiders around at the moment, and there was nothing that could not be said between Liu Bei and Li Ji, so Li Ji opened his mouth and said.

"If the two Yuan brothers unite, if the lord wants to launch a Northern Expedition to the Central Plains, it is better to change a route."

Upon hearing this, Liu Bei glanced at the sand table, looked at the prefectures and counties adjacent to Jing and Yang provinces, and asked in confusion, "Zikun's intention, could it be to advance into Shu?"

At present, Liu Zhang's brothers in Sichuan and Shu are still fighting internally, which to some extent is a land without an owner.

If Liu Bei leads troops into Shu at this moment, there would be no major problem in terms of righteousness.

However, for a hero who wants to unify the world, the greatest significance of Sichuan and Shu lies in accumulating money and food through the Land of Abundance.

But now Jing and Yang provinces are not short of money and food, and it is far better to put these efforts into directly going north to the Central Plains than to painstakingly attack Sichuan and Shu.

Therefore, Li Ji shook his head and said in a deep voice.

"Lord, now that the two Yuan brothers are taking Yanzhou and Lü Bu is occupying Nanyang, it is actually a great opportunity for the lord to take Xuzhou."

"You must know that Xuzhou borders the three provinces of Yu, Yan, and Qing. By obtaining Xuzhou, you will completely open up the passage to occupy the Central Plains."

"Whether the lord advances north into Qingzhou, or takes Yanzhou to the west, or even attacks Yuzhou from both sides, he needs to hold Xuzhou in his hands."

"He who obtains Xuzhou can obtain the Central Plains."

"And now that Yuan Shu wants to take Yanzhou, let him go. The lord only needs to leave a force in Shouchun to threaten Runan Commandery to contain Yuan Shu's forces, and then lead troops directly to Xuzhou, and no one will be able to stop the lord."

(End of this chapter)