Zhuge Jin left Jiangling with disappointment. After detailed discussions with Xu Shu, Guan Yu sent someone to deliver a letter to Chengdu by waterway. Lu Su died of illness and Lü Meng took over as the governor. As everyone's style of doing things is different, there will be some differences in getting along with each other.

Different, Liu Bei and the remaining military advisors may have some new plans.

The governor of Jiangdong had just been replaced, and the rumors about Song Chen in the vicinity of Xudu caused panic. After Cao Cao withdrew his troops from Huainan, he went to Xudu to investigate in person. When he left, he left Chang Shi Wang Bi in charge of the military governor of Xudu.

The situation around Jingzhou became increasingly delicate. In order to seize the initiative in the war, Guan Yu began to recruit soldiers in Changsha and Wuling to prepare for the future Northern Expedition to conquer Xiangfan and invade the Central Plains.

At the end of August, news from Jingzhou reached Yizhou. Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang were shocked to learn that Lu Su had died. Zhuge Liang admired Lu Su's noble character and personally mourned his rival in Chengdu.

After more than half a year of preparation, Lantian has prepared all the ordnance and supplies needed in Shuzhong, and now he is waiting for Zitong County's autumn grain harvest to attack Hanzhong.

Liu Bei was feeling a little depressed during this period, mainly because the civil and military forces in Shu were ready to take action, especially when the emperor's rumor came from Xudu: Any capable descendant of the Liu family can be king.

People with surnames other than Cao Cao were already proclaimed King of Wei, and Liu Bei, who was of Han Dynasty blood, could naturally claim the title of King. In order to fight against the rebellious general Wu Yi, General Zuo's Chief of Staff Shi Xujing took the lead and respectfully invited Liu Bei to become the king.

Liu Bei kept in mind the words "slowly becoming king" in Lantian and came up with a set of principles to block the situation, but those who hoped that he would become king would not give up, because Liu Bei would inevitably entrust the heroes to each other, and everyone would be promoted and rich.

Therefore, this undercurrent in Shu has never stopped.

When news of Lu Su reached Chengdu, Liu Bei was worried that Jingzhou's diplomacy would change, so he summoned Zhuge Liang, Pang Tong, and Fazheng into the government for discussion.

Liu Bei looked at the crowd and sighed first: "Without Lu Zijing's matchmaking, Bei might not be in the situation it is today. This man cannot forget his roots. Now that Zijing has died of illness in Jiangxia, Lu Meng has taken over his duties. I'm worried that Jingzhou may not be able to do so."

It will be peaceful..."

"Lord, please relax. Lu Meng is no match for General Guan, not to mention that there is Lan Ziyu assisting him. If the military supplies for the attack on Hanzhong were not supported by Jiaozhou, Yizhou alone would have taken several more years of preparation, so Jingzhou should be intact."

Pang Tong analysis.

"What do you think of Kong Ming?" Liu Bei turned to ask Zhuge Liang.

Zhuge Liang straightened his sword eyebrows and shook his feather fan gently, "Lu Zijing respected a generation of Confucian generals. Jiangdong can now be compared with Liang, who would have never imagined. General Guan only needs to continue to insist on fighting Sun Quan in the east and resisting Cao Cao in the north. When the lord takes Hanzhong, he can unite the front line."

"

Fa Zheng added: "Now Yizhou's soldiers and horses are strong and well-equipped, but the food and grass are not enough. If we can win Hanzhong quickly, it will be okay. Once we are in a stalemate with Cao's army in the mountains, we will definitely not be able to use it up. We must take Hanzhong."

You have to use cunning tactics."

Zhuge Liang shook his head, "There are only Jinniu Road and Micang Road from Yizhou to Hanzhong. The trail on Micang Mountain is winding and winding, and the mountain is covered with cliffs. The plank road has been in disrepair for many years. Xiahou Yuan only needs to send a small number of troops to defend Jinniu.

At the end of the road is Xiongguan Yangping, Cao Cao's 100,000-strong army is blocked by Zhang Lu, and if the opponent insists on defending, we will lose even more."

"Lord, what are you thinking about?" Fa Zheng asked curiously when he saw Liu Bei was lost in thought.

Liu Bei nodded and replied: "What the military advisors said makes sense. There is not much food and grass in Shuzhong now. If you are not sure of victory, it is not advisable to fight head-on. However, Ziyuan (Wu Yi) offered some advice a few days ago. He said that the Golden Ox Road

There is a dangerous mountain road on the left leading to Wudu. If we send a partial army to take the small road to capture Wudu, it will inevitably scatter the defenders of Hanzhong. At that time, it will be more advantageous to attack Yangping Pass head-on."

Zhuge Liang frowned: "Recently, because of that rumor, the generals in each battalion have become restless. It seems that they all want to earn more military merits so that they can be granted titles when the Lord becomes king..."

"It is strange but dangerous to take the small road to Wudu. However, once the army is defeated and the return route is blocked, no one can return..." Pang Tong also showed concern.

Liu Bei smiled bitterly and said: "Kong Ming knows me best. How can he dare to overstep his authority and become king if he has any virtue? Lan Ziyu has a nine-character mantra of 'Build walls high, accumulate food widely, and become king slowly'. I will not covet fame."

"

Zhuge Liang shook his fan and said with a smile: "My lord, just because I don't want fame does not mean that others are not pursuing me. If the time comes, I may not be able to become a king. I think we can take Hanzhong as our goal."

"But Ziyu asked..." Liu Bei hesitated very much.

"My Lord, where do you think the rumors about the Emperor came from? It was Ziyu who sent people to Xudu to spread them. He should have expected that there would be a day when he would be crowned king, so he used the Emperor's mouth to help you build momentum in advance, and then use it again

The Yangtze River Newspaper, the Shu Newspaper, and the Lingnan Newspaper convey public opinion, and the lord's ascension to the throne will become a popular choice." Zhuge Liang analyzed.

Pang Tong echoed: "What a great Mr. Xuan Owl. He has thought of everything in advance. No wonder he can do everything with ease."

Liu Bei frowned and said to himself: "Ziyu thinks the time is ripe now? Can he really be able to count?"

Zhuge Liang shook his head, "It's not that Ziyu can do calculations, it should be that he has advanced reasoning ability. My lord has previously settled General Pang in Jiaozhou. Ziyu should have understood your difficulties. General Zuo's mansion cannot accommodate those arrogant and powerful soldiers."

The ambition of the general is not what Wu Ziyuan (Wu Yi) represents himself."

Liu Bei's head was now in a mess. He asked solemnly: "Should Wudu make this move or not? Ask a few military advisers to discuss and come up with an idea. Otherwise, we will wait until the food and grass are ready before heading north."

"That area is inhabited by Qiang, Hu and Di people. Even if we can successfully pass through, we will lose the supply line. If General Wu is not sure of victory, Liang does not recommend taking this risky move." Zhuge Liang said firmly.

Liu Bei explained: "Zi Yuan has a tribe named Lei Tong, which is from the Lei clan of the Di tribe over there. General Lei is confident that more than 10,000 people from the seven tribes of Lei will submit, so the supply of military supplies may be guaranteed.

"

Pang Tong nodded in affirmation, "If there are Di generals to lead the way, the surprise troops along the way may not be useless. It just so happens that the autumn harvest in Zitong County has not yet happened, so the lord sent a partial army to take the mountain road and bypass Wudu. After the lord has all the food and grass, he will command the army to go north, and then two routes

If you attack from both sides, you will definitely win a big victory."

"General Wu cannot take on this important task without a battle. The lord must choose a reliable general as the main general." Fazheng reminded quickly. He knew that Wu Yi was coerced by his subordinates and had no choice but to stand up and earn military merit. However, commanding the battle was child's play.

No.

Liu Bei nodded and said: "I want to make Yide the chief general and Ziyuan (Wu Yi) as the deputy general. I will lead 20,000 troops to attack Wudu from a small road. However, although Yide is brave, his nature is like a fiery fire. He needs someone to persuade him.

Worry, originally Gongheng (Huang Quan) was the best candidate, but he needs to stay in the important place of Langzhong..."
Chapter completed!