Three Kingdoms: Take care of Lady Gan on behalf of Liu Bei at the beginning

Chapter 46: Opportunity to defeat Cao Cao and become the most powerful lord in the world
"Haha, big brother, don't worry. Our tens of thousands of troops are equipped with sharp iron-cutting weapons. Even if we fight Cao's army head-on, we are not afraid at all."

In the ward, Zhang Fei couldn't help but smile when he saw Liu Bei giving instructions to Guan Yu with a worried look on his face.

When Liu Bei heard Zhang Fei say this, he became even more worried.

"Alas, second brother, third brother, you must not take it lightly. Apart from Nanyang County, if we lose again this time, we will have no way to retreat. No other lord like Liu Jingsheng will take us in."

Liu Bei sighed and said.

After lying down for such a long time, Liu Bei naturally considered and reflected on his past actions over and over again.

He now understood that they had been glorious in the past, but because of that glory, they reached unprecedented heights in life, became complacent, and ultimately ended up in complete failure.

Therefore, from the perspective of an observer, Liu Bei still felt that Guan Yu and Zhang Fei underestimated the enemy.

Facing Liu Bei's repeated reminders, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei looked serious and responded to Liu Bei solemnly, but they were still full of confidence in their hearts.

……

The north gate of Wancheng, outside the city gate.

Liu Wu, along with Mi Zhu, Xu Shu, Pang Tong, Gan Ning and a dozen others, saw Zhuge Liang off.

"Mr. Kong Ming, when you go to Bingzhou and Guanzhong, you should put your own safety first. Dingdian, did you hear me? If Mr. Kong Ming makes any mistake, you will be beheaded!"

Liu Wu was reluctant to hold Zhuge Liang's hand, so he kicked the leg of Ding Dian next to him and shouted.

According to Zhuge Liang's strategy, he should lead the senior officials of Bingzhou to attack Guanzhong in the south, and then mobilize the princes from all sides to jointly attack Cao.

However, the long journey to the various princes would inevitably make Liu Wu worried because of their different thoughts.

However, there was nothing Zhuge Liang could do unless he went.

On the one hand, this is a good opportunity to prove his talent and value and gain a foothold in Nanyang's civil and military circles. On the other hand, perhaps only Zhuge Liang can unite all parties.

Zhuge Liang's diplomatic skills were indeed outstanding.

Historically, Zhuge Liang, as an important politician and military strategist of Shu Han, not only demonstrated outstanding talents in internal governance, but also demonstrated his diplomatic wisdom in foreign relations.

First, Zhuge Liang played a key role in the strategy of uniting Wu to fight Cao. He made an alliance with Sun Quan through a diplomatic mission to Soochow to fight against the powerful Cao Cao. During the mission, Zhuge Liang successfully persuaded Sun Quan with his wisdom and eloquence, and Soochow and Shu Han formed a solid alliance. This alliance laid the foundation for the victory of the Battle of Chibi and also demonstrated Zhuge Liang's outstanding diplomatic ability.

Secondly, Zhuge Liang also demonstrated his diplomatic talent in dealing with the relations with the surrounding ethnic minorities. By implementing a policy of both kindness and severity, he successfully stabilized the rear of Shu Han and provided strong support for Shu Han's Northern Expedition. He was good at using various means to appease and conquer these ethnic minorities, making them willing to submit to Shu Han and contribute their own strength to the great cause of Shu Han's unification.

In addition, Zhuge Liang also conducted many diplomatic negotiations with the regimes of Cao Wei and Dongwu through letters and other means. He was good at analyzing the situation and understanding people's hearts, and was able to accurately grasp the other party's intentions and bottom line, so as to formulate effective diplomatic strategies. Zhuge Liang's letters were often sincere, logical, and persuasive, which could convince the other party and make them accept his views.

Undoubtedly, Zhuge Liang's diplomatic ability was very strong. With his wisdom and talents, he successfully handled various complex diplomatic relations and made important contributions to the survival and development of Shu Han. Under Liu Wu's command, there was probably no one who had stronger diplomatic ability than Zhuge Liang.

"Don't worry, my lord. If there is any mistake made by Mr. Kong Ming, Dingdian will bring his head to me!" Dingdian, who was standing aside and exuding a strong aura, loudly assured.

Not far away, a hundred loyal and brave guards dressed in coarse cloth and lined up neatly also bowed to Liu Wu and shouted in unison: "If there is any mistake, bring your heads to me!"

For Zhuge Liang's safety, Liu Wu was not stingy at all and directly equipped Zhuge Liang with a hundred loyal and brave guards.

Before Zhuge Liang goes anywhere, these people will provide him with all-round protection.

In Liu Wu's opinion, even if all these loyal and brave guards died in battle, it would be worth it as long as Zhuge Liang's safety could be guaranteed.

Zhuge Liang looked at the hundred elite loyal and brave guards and was also moved by Liu Wu's attention.

"Don't worry, lord. During this trip, I will do my best to push all parties to attack Cao together!" Zhuge Liang said solemnly to Liu Wu.

Liu Wu nodded to Zhuge Liang, then looked at Sun Qian and said:
"Gongyou, please come with me."

"Don't worry, sir. I will fully cooperate with Mr. Kong Ming." Sun Qian said hurriedly, bowing to Liu Wu.

However, after Sun Qian finished speaking, he couldn't help but look at Zhuge Liang with curiosity.

Liu Wu attached great importance to Zhuge Liang, and he had hundreds of loyal and brave guards and even a general, but Sun Qian was still shocked to learn that Zhuge Liang's trip was to meet high-ranking officials in Bingzhou and then go to Guanzhong.

Zhuge Liang and Liu Wu did not say much, and then they rode north with Sun Qian and Ding Dian.

In front of the city gate, Liu Wu looked at the gradually disappearing backs of Zhuge Liang and his group, and a hint of anticipation appeared in his eyes.

"Haha, my lord, since Kong Ming has already set out, then Tong should also set out for Xiangyang."

Pang Tong laughed, attracting everyone's attention.

When Liu Wu heard Pang Tong's words, he came up to Pang Tong and said:

"Shi Yuan went south to Xiangyang to persuade the noble families of Jingzhou to send troops to help. Wu is not worried. However, the only thing he needs to worry about is Liu Biao's mischief. Wu will arrange 20 loyal and brave guards to protect Shi Yuan. Wu is waiting for good news from Shi Yuan in Wancheng."

Unlike Zhuge Liang, who contacted high-ranking officials of Bingzhou to go south to Guanzhong to stir up the princes of Guanzhong to attack Cao, Pang Tong's strategic direction was Jingzhou.

The strict owner of Jingzhou was not Liu Biao, but the aristocratic families of Jingzhou.

Zhuge Liang and Pang Tong both represent some of the aristocratic families in Jingzhou. Therefore, strictly speaking, as long as they can win over other aristocratic families in Jingzhou and tie Liu Wu's interests to the Jingxiang aristocratic families, then there will be a chance that the aristocratic families in Jingzhou will send a large army to help Nanyang fight against Cao Cao.

The bargaining chips for winning over other Jingxiang families were the snow salt, rice paper, soap and other commodities that he had prepared long ago.

All aristocratic families put profit first. Faced with huge interests, Liu Biao, who is old and ugly with one foot in the coffin, will definitely not give the Cai family, the Kuai family, the Ma family and other Jingxiang aristocratic families any time to consider it.

Especially after Zhuge Liang and Pang Tong, both from Jingxiang families, joined Liu Wu's army.

Not only Liu Wu was confident, Pang Tong was also confident.

"My lord, don't worry. This time, Tong will let Liu Jingsheng see the true face of the Jingxiang family." Pang Tong's face was full of sneers, as if he had already seen the scene of Liu Biao being betrayed by the aristocratic families.

Pang Tong said no more, jumped on his horse, and immediately another group of twenty loyal and brave guards escorted a carriage full of goods and headed south to Xiangyang.

"Zihao, can Pang Tong really make the Jingxiang families surrender to us? What if the Cai family, Kuai family and other families are tempted by the money and not only do they not help us send troops, but attack us in Nanyang?"

At this moment, Mi Zhu suddenly spoke to Liu Wu with concern.

Hearing Mi Zhu's worried questions, Liu Wu, Jian Yong, and Xu Shu all withdrew their gazes from the receding backs of Pang Tong and others, and then looked at Liu Wu in unison.

In fact, tempting products such as snow salt and rice paper were produced in Wancheng several months ago.

However, they had not let the Jingxiang family know, nor were they in a hurry to win over the Jingxiang family. This was because they were worried that the Jingxiang family would become jealous and directly attack Nanyang to seize it.

At that time, there was the threat of Cao Cao in the north and the coercion of the Jingxiang families in the south. Even if Nanyang had three heads and six arms, it might not be able to withstand it.

Therefore, even though they had such a powerful commodity in their hands, they did not show it to the Jingxiang family in order to win them over.

Because, that's seeking death.

But now, it is different. Liu Wu looked at Mi Zhu and shook his head with a smile, saying:

"Zi Zhong, don't worry. The Jingxiang family is not that stupid. It is impossible for them to send troops to Nanyang for snow salt, rice paper, soap and other things. Because when Zhuge Liang and Pang Tong recognized the military as their master, the Jingxiang family had a relationship with me."

"Mr. Yuanzhi, please talk to them." Liu Wu said to Xu Shu with a smile.

Hearing this, Xu Shu stroked his beard and said with a smile without hesitation:
"To be honest, Zizhong, Xianhe, Kongming, and Shiyuan are all sons of Jingxiang aristocratic families. They can be said to have inextricable ties with the major aristocratic families in Jingxiang."

"Kong Ming was born into an official family in Yangdu County, Langya Prefecture. His father Zhuge Gui was the prefect of Taishan Prefecture, and his uncle Zhuge Xuan was a close confidant of Liu Biao, the governor of Jingzhou in his early years. Kong Ming's two sisters were married to famous families in Jingzhou. The eldest sister married Kuai Qi, the son of Kuai Liang, and the second sister married Pang Shanmin, the cousin of Pang Tong and the son of Pang Degong."

"Kong Ming's wife is Huang Yueying, the daughter of Huang Chengyan, a famous scholar in Xiangyang. Huang Chengyan's family has a high reputation in the Jingxiang area and has deep ties with big families such as the Cai family."

"It can be said that Kong Ming himself has connections with the Cai family, the Kuai family, the Pang family, and the Zhuge family."

Mi Zhu and Jian Yong were stunned when they heard Xu Shu introduce Zhuge Liang's identity. They did not know the detailed background of Zhuge Liang and Pang Tong before. Now that they knew it, they did not expect Zhuge Liang to have such a background.

Xu Shu's voice continued to ring in their ears.

Xu Shu looked at the shocked Mi Zhu and Jian Yong, his expression becoming more serious, and continued:
"Shi Yuan is not bad either. He comes from the Pang family, one of the four major families in Jingzhou. They are a famous family in Jingxiang."

"This...this..." After Xu Shu finished speaking, Mi Zhu, Jian Yong and others were very shocked.

After being shocked, Jian Yong's face was filled with surprise, and he said to Liu Wu:

"So, if Zhuge Liang and Pang Tong acknowledge you as their lord, then several great families in Jingxiang are related to you."

"This young master is like a god helping me!"

Jian Yong was extremely surprised and kept saying to Liu Wu.

Liu Wu and Xu Shu naturally understood why Jian Yong was so surprised and excited.

Undoubtedly, before, they were not familiar with the Jingxiang family and did not have such a deep relationship.

But now that Zhuge Liang and Pang Tong have recognized each other as their master, the relationship has suddenly become deeper.

Although the relationship between us is a bit too much, but at least it is like that between cousins, right?

There is this relationship.

Then ask the Pang family and the Huang family to come forward and bring out high-profit commodities such as snow salt and rice paper.

The Cai family and the Kuai family are also likely to join the Huang family and the Pang family to share the benefits, and their relationship with Nanyang will be greatly improved.

It is absolutely impossible to send troops to attack them. After all, if Nanyang is broken, the more terrifying Cao Cao in the north will directly face the Jingxiang family.

This is definitely not what the Jingxiang family wants to see.

Even the Jingxiang families were worried that Nanyang could not defeat Cao Cao and sent troops to support them.

This is very possible!

"It's still Shi Yuan's credit." Liu Wu listened to Jian Yong's words, smiled, and pushed the credit to Pang Tong.

Jian Yong became excited.

Mi Zhu, on the other hand, frowned and looked at Liu Wu, seeming to want to say something but stopping himself.

Liu Wu naturally saw Mi Zhu's expression, the corners of his mouth slightly raised, and he smiled:

"Although the Jingxiang family is important, we need to win them over. However, the Jingxiang family is not our family after all. Zi Zhong, I am afraid that the Mi family will have a heavy task by then. We should take this opportunity to strengthen the Mi family and suppress these Jingxiang families. Of course, in the future, our business will not only be in Jingzhou. If we can defeat Cao Cao, Cao Cao's Yuzhou, Yanzhou, Xuzhou, and even Guanzhong will all be our territories. The Mi family must speed up the training of personnel."

Liu Wu smiled and comforted Mi Zhu.

In order to win over the noble families of Jingxiang, they naturally had to promise them benefits. Even if the Cai family, the Kuai family and other big families of Jingxiang came to join them, it would inevitably have an impact on the status of the Mi family.

This made Mi Zhu worried.

Liu Wu revealed his attitude to Mi Zhu at this time in order to appease the Mi family.

Liu Wu had no choice but to appease the Mi family. Not to mention that Mrs. Mi was now one of his wives and concubines, and he already had an eldest son, Liu Mu, and Mi Zhu was his elder brother-in-law.

The money, food, supplies, etc. of Nanyang were all in the charge of the Mi family.

The Mi family is undoubtedly the real family. That is the basic base and must not be messed up.

When Mi Zhu heard Liu Wu's attitude, the hesitation and worry on his face disappeared and a look of joy appeared on his face.

"Don't worry, Zihao. I will do my best to help you defeat Cao Cao and become the most powerful prince in the world." Mi Zhu's voice was not loud, but his tone and fighting spirit were very high.

As soon as the words of helping Liu Wu defeat Cao Cao and become the most powerful prince in the world came out, Xu Shu, Jian Yong and others looked at each other, shook their heads and laughed.

However, Xu Shu, Jian Yong, Mi Zhu and others looked at Liu Wu with shining eyes, and their hearts were filled with anticipation.

If it were a year ago, they would never have dared to make such outrageous remarks.

But now, think about the Nanyang army's re-equipment, the Jingxiang families may help, Jiangdong will help, and there is also Zhuge Liang's diplomatic mission to the north.

It seems that even if they face the powerful Cao Cao, they may still have hope of winning!

"Go back quickly. If you want to defeat Cao Cao and become the most powerful lord in the world, the most urgent thing is to build the Loyal and Brave Iron Cavalry as soon as possible. We don't have much time left to build the equipment for the Loyal and Brave Iron Cavalry. Zi Zhong, please take care of it."

Liu Wu also smiled, having a clear understanding of his own power.

It is possible to defeat Cao Cao.

However, if you want to become the most powerful prince in the world, you need to have strong power.

Although the strength of Nanyang County has changed now.

However, if the princes surrounded and beat Cao Cao this time, a fight would follow among the princes to seize territory.

The top priority for Nanyang County is to strengthen its own strength.

The powerful Mongolian cavalry, renamed the Loyal and Brave Cavalry, was one of Liu Wu's trump cards.

When Mi Zhu heard Liu Wu mention the loyal and brave cavalry, his face suddenly became serious and his face flushed with excitement.

The equipment of the Loyal and Brave Cavalry has now been made into a real thing.

And if they were to equip themselves with an army, the whole world would be shocked at the strength of Nanyang.

(End of this chapter)