Chapter 154: Sleeping Dragon And Phoenix Fledgling
Zhuge Liang indeed did not want to make Liu Bei run several more times; it was too dangerous. But he still needed to test Liu Bei’s sincerity, so he made Liu Bei wait at his doorstep for a full three and a half shichen, that is, seven hours, before he finally appeared.
Liu Bei’s legs were numb from standing, but he still respectfully saluted, “But Mr. Zhuge, Liu Bei has waited a long time.”
“Really sorry to keep Liu Huangshu waiting so long. Let’s go inside and sit. You gentlemen, please come in as well!”
Liu Bei entered the house. Guan Yu was filled with pent-up anger and refused to enter, continuing to wait outside.
Zhuge Liang invited Liu Bei to sit in the study and had his brothers serve tea.
“First, congratulations to Liu Huangshu on gaining the prosperous land of Nanyang Commandery. He finally has a foundation.”
Liu Bei gave a wry smile and said, “The foundation is only temporary. Once the Cao Army comes, Nanyang Commandery will be lost.”
Zhuge Liang nodded and said, “Has Imperial Uncle not considered launching the Northern Expedition again?”
“I have considered it, but I want to consult with you, sir: Will the Northern Expedition succeed?”
Zhuge Liang smiled faintly, “How much does Imperial Uncle know about Gan Ning?”
Liu Bei was stunned. Why bring up Gan Ning again?
He could only answer honestly, “I know some of his situation.”
“Does Imperial Uncle know why Gan Ning wants to form an alliance with Jiangdong?”
“Please explain, sir!”
Zhuge Liang said unhurriedly, “After Gan Ning captured Wan County, he did not advance eastward again. Taking Lujiang Commandery would likely lead to the two Suns joining forces, which is not what Gan Ning wants to face, so he timely held back and turned to Changsha Commandery instead, seizing food from Liu Biao’s mouth. But if Changsha Commandery cannot be captured for a long time, and Liu Biao forms an alliance with Jiangdong, even joining Huang Zu and Sun Ben to divide Yuzhang Commandery, how would Gan Ning respond?”
“I understand. So Gan Ning allied with Jiangdong to eliminate worries about an expedition to the west.”
Zhuge Liang nodded with a smile, “Actually, Imperial Uncle’s Northern Expedition to Xuchang and Gan Ning’s attack on Changsha Commandery are the same thing. Once Imperial Uncle’s army heads north, will Liu Biao seize the chance to take back Nanyang Commandery?”
Liu Bei suddenly realized and hurriedly clasped his fists, “I have not considered thoroughly enough. Thank you for the reminder, sir!”
Zhuge Liang smiled again, “Now Gan Ning wants to dissolve the alliance with Jiangdong, clearly intending to attack Lujiang Commandery. At this time, why is he no longer worried about Liu Biao and Sun Quan joining forces?”
“I wish to hear the details!”
“This is a matter of different times. Now with Imperial Uncle stationed in Nanyang Commandery, Gan Ning is no longer worried that Liu Biao will send troops. Once Liu Biao’s main force is entangled by Gan Ning, will Imperial Uncle pass through Xiangyang?”
Liu Bei did not expect Zhuge Liang to see through his intentions. He could only give a dry laugh to cover his guilty conscience.
Zhuge Liang continued, “Actually, whether in major campaigns or minor ones, preventing attacks from the rear is always a major problem. Cao Cao, to prevent being attacked from behind during his great war with Yuan Shao, racked his brains, even supporting Gan Ning and Sun Ben and inciting internal strife in Jiangdong to assassinate Sun Ce.”
“You see through everything, sir. So does that mean Liu Biao will not attack Jiangxia Commandery?”
“No! Liu Biao will definitely send troops to Jiangxia, but he will not go all out. He will just test the waters, but even so, he will lose at least thirty thousand troops.”
“How do you know, sir?”
“It’s just my inference; it may not be correct. Imperial Uncle, wait and see the result!”
Liu Bei nodded and asked again, “I now occupy Nanyang Commandery. What should I do next?”
Zhuge Liang said unhurriedly, “Nanyang Commandery is a land of four battlefronts, hard to develop steadily or hold long-term. Once Cao Cao defeats Yuan Shao and unifies the North, he will have absolute strength, impossible to contend with. The South has room for development, but with Gan Ning and Sun Wu as two major strong enemies, and Imperial Uncle lacking enough warships and navy, it will be hard to resist them. Especially if the Cao Army comes south in force, Imperial Uncle will be the first to bear the brunt. Therefore, if Imperial Uncle wants to establish his own foundation, he must look west.”
“You mean Bashu?”
Zhuge Liang nodded, “Liu Zhang is mediocre and incompetent, not a lord who can hold the foundation. This is Imperial Uncle’s opportunity. Capture Bashu, use Bashu as the foundation, seize Hanzhong and Guangzhong to the north, take Jingzhou and Jiaozhou to the east, and the world will be divided into three parts—Imperial Uncle will obtain one. Then diligently govern, use Jingzhou as a springboard to seize Jiangnan next, unify the South, then gradually take the Central Plains, vie in Hebei, and in twenty years, Imperial Uncle can unify the world.”
Liu Bei felt as if a bucket of cold water had awakened him. He had drifted in Hebei and the Central Plains for decades, and only now did he understand what path he should take.
Liu Bei was silently speechless; he actually felt like crying.
Zhuge Liang said again, “The direction is set, but realizing it is not easy. The key is the first step: Imperial Uncle must take Nan Commandery to open the door to Bashu.”
Liu Bei nodded, “I dream of taking Nan Commandery, but where should I start?”
Zhuge Liang picked up his brush and wrote a name on the paper: Liu Qi.
Liu Bei slowly nodded, “I understand!”
Liu Bei stood and saluted, “I have muddle-headedly lived half my life. Today, sir’s words are like a bright lamp illuminating my future. I beg sir to come out of seclusion and lend me a hand.”
Zhuge Liang sighed and said, “My lifelong wish is to restore the Great Han world, but the Cao thief has usurped the state, and the Great Han is about to fall. Looking at the world, only Imperial Uncle can revive the Great Han. Since Imperial Uncle does not disdain me, Kong Ming is willing to exert his meager strength for Imperial Uncle’s great cause.”
Zhuge Liang brought his wife and brothers to Nanyang Commandery, was appointed by Liu Bei as strategist, and began his career of devising strategies.
And that morning, the young Pang Tong arrived by boat at Chaisang.
The Jingxiang Noble Families would never bet their family fate on one person. Gan Ning’s capture of Jiangxia Commandery and occupation of Changsha Commandery was a huge blow to the Jingxiang Noble Families.
Previously, many had discriminated against Gan Ning for his poor background and looked down on him, but once Gan Ning’s strength reached a certain level, such discrimination lessened, and the noble families’ eyes became clearer.
In the face of powerful strength, things like background and bloodline were all irrelevant.
Some quick-reacting prominent families immediately took action, such as the Ma family of Yicheng County, which led to Ma Liang coming to Chaisang to seek employment.
The Pang family was the same. Pang Shanmin was an official in Xiangyang, and Pang Degong was also considering placing a bet on Liu Bei or Gan Ning.
Since Huang Chengyan had already recommended his son-in-law Zhuge Liang to Liu Bei, Pang Degong turned to considering Gan Ning.
But in the end, Pang Tong himself made the decision, chosen by Pang Tong himself.
Pang Tong had a close private friendship with Xu Shu. This time coming to Chaisang, he naturally sought Xu Shu to learn about the situation from him.
Pang Tong entered the city, inquired along the way, and arrived at Deputy Strategist Xu Shu’s mansion. Xu Shu was home, and upon hearing his good friend Pang Tong had come, Xu Shu hurried out to greet him.
“Younger Brother Shiyuan, long time no see!”
Pang Tong clasped his fists, saluted with a smile, “I come uninvited; please do not blame me, Brother Yuanzhi!”
“Not at all! Not at all! Please come in quickly.”
Xu Shu warmly welcomed Pang Tong into the manor. Xu Shu secretly rejoiced; the lord had asked him several times about Pang Tong’s situation, and unexpectedly, Pang Tong had come of his own accord.
