Three Kingdoms: My Strategy Simulator.

Not only is the high ground of public opinion a must to occupy, but the high ground of so-called "righteousness" is also quite crowded.

But as long as Liu Xie exists, under the banner of the "Han Dynasty", Liu Bei can only be subordinate to Liu Xie.

In Li Ji's original plan, he intended to let Liu Xie abdicate in a more dignified manner after unifying the world, completing the succession of the throne.

However, this "imperial edict in the belt" that fell into Li Ji's hands gave Li Ji an even better opportunity.

The throne obtained through abdication is ultimately far inferior to the founding monarch who conquered the world with his own hands and then ascended the throne.

Now Li Ji is only taking advantage of the general trend to force Lu Bu to reluctantly acknowledge Li Ji's reform of the tax system, and even let Lu Bu lavishly grant official titles to the Liu Bei group.

But when the two sides completely tear off their masks, Liu Xie, who is controlled by Lu Bu, will also become a major obstacle for Li Ji.

To say nothing else, Lu Bu only needs to bring Liu Xie to the top of Hulao Pass, and the righteousness will force Liu Bei to dare not take any measures to attack Hulao Pass.

'Is it benevolent to harm one person to benefit the world?'

Li Ji asked himself inwardly, but without the slightest hesitation, he made a decision, and then sent someone to secretly summon Sun Qian, who had been preparing to rest after many days of traveling.

This plan must require Sun Qian.

Sun Qian, who hurried over, was greatly shocked and puzzled after hearing Li Ji's instructions, but he still remembered them one by one.

The next day.

Li Ji hosted a reception banquet for Sun Qian in the name of the government office, inviting many guests.

Nowadays, there are not a few aristocratic families in Yu Province who secretly hate Li Ji, but after learning that Li Ji would also briefly appear at the banquet, a large number of aristocratic families almost begged for a place at the banquet, in order to take the opportunity to get closer to Li Ji.

When the banquet began, it was almost a sea of people.

Li Ji also briefly showed his face at the banquet, expressing his importance to Sun Qian's return from visiting the Emperor in Luoyang, raised his glass and said a few polite words symbolically, and then left the scene.

This disappointed many aristocratic families who had tried their best to successfully attend the banquet, but with the idea of killing two birds with one stone, they turned to warmly approach Sun Qian.

Sun Qian, who has repeatedly served as Liu Bei's envoy to various parties, is naturally a wonderful person who is good at socializing, and amidst the clinking of glasses, he became one with the representatives of the aristocratic families.

As the wine flowed and the crowd flattered him, Sun Qian, his face flushed with alcohol, naturally spoke with pride about his experience of visiting the Emperor in Luoyang.

In fact, the representatives of the aristocratic families did not find this very strange, but everyone was proficient in what is called human relationships, creating an exceptionally warm atmosphere.

It was not until Sun Qian took the opportunity to say that the Emperor directly took off a jade belt from his body and rewarded it to Liu Bei that some shrewd people noticed something unusual.

Nowadays, Liu Xie's situation in Luoyang is no secret to many well-informed aristocratic families.

"I wonder if Mr. Gongyou can let us open our eyes and see what the jade belt bestowed by His Majesty looks like?"

Someone suggested loudly, which immediately attracted a lot of agreement.

"Why not? Someone, bring up the jade belt bestowed by His Majesty."

Sun Qian waved his hand and agreed readily.

Soon, Sun Qian's servant carefully walked over holding a tray, on which was placed a fine jade belt of excellent quality.

Sun Qian continued to drink while saying.

"Come, take a walk in front of all the distinguished guests and let them appreciate what the jade belt bestowed by His Majesty looks like."

Immediately, the servant walked back and forth in the banquet hall holding the tray, and every time he passed someone, that person also made admiring remarks and observed the jade belt.

Until, the servant seemed to be tripped by someone, and the whole person staggered and fell to the ground, and the tray in his hand also fell to the ground.

This change caused the banquet to suddenly become silent, and Sun Qian was also furious, while hurriedly checking whether the jade belt was damaged, he scolded the servant repeatedly, and even asked people to drag the servant down for punishment.

"I have failed to manage my household strictly, making you all laugh."

Sun Qian, walking with a slight sway, apologized, and then carefully put the jade belt back on the tray and placed it on the table on the side.

Sun Qian also seemed to feel that this matter was quite embarrassing, and intentionally changed the subject, and soon the banquet resumed the clinking of glasses as before, as if it was just a trivial episode.

However, Deng Jie, the representative of the Yingchuan Deng family, who had just witnessed the servant falling up close, took the opportunity to offer a toast and approached Chen Zhong, the representative of the Yingchuan Chen family, and said in a low voice.

"Brother, that jade belt is not quite right."

"What?"

Chen Zhong's face was calm, but his tone was somewhat surprised.

The Yingchuan Chen family has devoted its efforts to betting on Lu Bu, but they have not put all their eggs in one basket.

Therefore, Chen Qun, the main line, took most of the Chen clan to Sili, and also left Chen Zhong of the collateral line in Yingchuan to maintain the family business.

Although the Yingchuan Deng family is not eye-catching, Deng Jie's elder sister married Chen Zhong as his wife, and the Deng family naturally became one of the aristocratic families closely related to the Chen family.

"Just now when the servant fell, the jade belt turned over, and I saw it clearly. There was a gap on the inside of the jade belt, and I vaguely saw blood writing." Deng Jie said in a low and hurried voice.

Chen Zhong's face could not help but change slightly, and his thoughts quickly turned.

As Chen Qun's cousin, Chen Zhong is not as good as Chen Qun, but his ability is also good, otherwise he would not have been left in Yingchuan to preside over the overall situation.

Therefore, Chen Zhong, recalling the content of Sun Qian's narration just now, could easily guess that there might be a secret edict hidden in the jade belt, and a secret edict passed out at this juncture would undoubtedly be greatly unfavorable to Lu Bu, who was bet on by the Yingchuan Chen family.

It must be known that Lu Bu's biggest bargaining chip is that he controls the Emperor and the righteousness of the court. Once the secret edict affects this righteousness, the bet that the Yingchuan Chen family has placed on Lu Bu may turn into nothing.

More importantly, Sun Qian can show the jade belt so carelessly and openly, undoubtedly because he has not yet discovered the secret hidden in the jade belt.

But when the jade belt is taken back to Liu Bei, Liu Bei, who personally handles it, will definitely notice it.

Once the edict hidden in the jade belt is greatly unfavorable to Lu Bu, the ultimate damage will still be to the interests of the Yingchuan Chen family.

Subconsciously, Chen Zhong's gaze fell on Sun Qian, who was drinking with everyone at the banquet, and then looked at the jade belt placed by Sun Qian on the table on the other side of the main seat.

'This seems to be a great opportunity…'

As this thought sprouted, Chen Zhong's forehead almost involuntarily began to sweat, and he understood even more that different choices would bring completely different impacts to the Yingchuan Chen family.

Between personal life and death and family interests, Chen Zhong gradually made a choice, turned to look at Deng Jie, and said.

"The jade belt may be related to the interests of you and me in Sili. For the sake of the family, we must not shrink back."

Deng Jie hesitated for a moment and responded in a low voice. "I understand."

Chen Zhong patted Deng Jie on the shoulder, and then, seeing that no one around him was paying attention to him, he said in a low voice.

"Okay, come closer, I have a plan…"

After hearing this, Deng Jie nodded slightly, and then returned to his seat, and after looking for an opportunity, he excused himself to go to the toilet.

Watching Deng Jie leave, Chen Zhong could not help but feel a bit of sadness in his heart, understanding that this might be the last time he saw Deng Jie.

Soon, Chen Zhong, maintaining a calm demeanor, waited for the opportunity brought by Deng Jie.

"Fire! Fire! Come quickly!!!"

In a place not far from the banquet hall, shouts suddenly rang out, causing a great chaos among the people at the banquet.

(End of chapter)