Chapter 11: My Son Is Truly Remarkable

Although Yuan Shu, south of Xuzhou, was deeply displeased, he was currently mired in difficulties, burdened with far more pressing matters and unable to spare any attention for Liu Bei.

This created a vacuum, leaving Liu Bei with no worthy adversaries around him.

Yet now, Liu Feng informed Liu Bei that not only did he have enemies, but some in Danyang were conspiring against him. Naturally, Liu Bei was both startled and suspicious.

Had it not been for Liu Feng’s previous exemplary conduct, Liu Bei would have lost patience long ago.

Without hesitation, Liu Feng replied, “The Honorable Marquis Lü Bu.”

Before coming, Liu Feng had already resolved to demonstrate his insight before his father. His youth was both an advantage and a drawback. If he failed to convince Liu Bei of his strategic acumen and foresight, disaster could strike at a critical moment.

To increase his weight in Liu Bei’s eyes, Liu Feng had to play the seer.

“Lü Bu?” Liu Bei was instantly bewildered. He had expected Liu Feng to name the two Yuans, Cao Cao, or Gongsun Zan, even Zang Ba, the Xia Pi Emperor’s army, or the Yellow Turbans—but never did he imagine Lü Bu, who was fiercely battling Cao Cao in Yanzhou.

“Exactly, Lü Bu!” Liu Feng repeated with resolute certainty. “Father, in my humble opinion, though Lü Bu is a hero of this age—having slain the Dong bandits, upheld the Han dynasty, and made a name for himself—his troops are indeed formidable and courageous, but he is no match for Cao Cao of Yanzhou. Within half a year, he will surely be defeated by Cao Cao. If Lü Bu dies in battle, so be it; but if he escapes, he will inevitably seek refuge with you.”

“Oh? Is that really so?” Liu Bei was both surprised and pleased. According to his intelligence, Lü Bu was then pressing Cao Cao hard, holding most of Yanzhou’s commanderies, and enjoying the full support of Chenliu’s Prefect Zhang Miao, Guangling’s Prefect Zhang Chao, and the renowned scholar of Yanzhou, Chen Gong. Cao Cao, by contrast, controlled only Juancheng, Fan County, and Dong’e, a dire situation indeed.

Yet why was his beloved son so confident in Cao Cao’s impending turnaround, and so swiftly?

Noticing Liu Bei’s puzzled expression, Liu Feng continued, “Father, although Cao Cao retreated from Xuzhou, his main force remains intact. More importantly, Xun Yu, Cheng Li, and others have preserved several footholds for him.”

“The core of Cao Cao’s army is the Qingzhou troops—valiant, battle-hardened, and unwaveringly loyal. This forms the foundation for Cao Cao’s revival.”

“Lü Bu is fierce and brave, with skilled and courageous soldiers adept at cavalry warfare, but he is ultimately isolated. None of the surrounding powers in Yanzhou are on friendly terms with him.”

“The Yuan brothers are entrenched north and south, yet both harbor a burning desire to eliminate Lü Bu. Cao Cao’s strongholds were seized from him, so naturally, he will fight to the death. The armies in Guanzhong, still seething over Dong Zhuo’s death, long to tear Lü Bu limb from limb. Even you, Father, have made peace with Yuan Ji due to the Xuzhou governorship issue. Yuan Ji is an ally of Cao Cao in Yanzhou. At most, you might remain neutral, but you cannot send troops to help Lü Bu attack Cao Cao.”

“Though Lü Bu seems powerful, having seized Yanzhou overnight, he is but a castle in the air, a bright moon reflected in a well—fragile and without allies or reinforcements. Meanwhile, Cao Cao’s main force remains unscathed and has the full support of Yuan Shao. The outcome is already clear.”

Liu Bei listened enraptured. This was the first time someone had explained the situation with such meticulous detail.

“But even so, why do you insist that Cao Cao will prevail? Battlefields are perilous and outcomes uncertain...” Liu Bei asked.

“Father, Yanzhou... is short of provisions,” Liu Feng replied. “Though a famous province, Yanzhou has been a battleground since the Yellow Turban Rebellion. Since Cao Cao took control, years of warfare have drained its resources, and taxes were harshly exacted. The people and soldiers there are exhausted. Otherwise, how could such a vast province abandon Cao Cao overnight for Lü Bu?”

“Therefore, I am certain that neither Lü Bu nor Cao Cao’s forces have much food left. But Cao Cao has Yuan Shao’s assistance, ensuring steady supplies. Where else could Lü Bu procure provisions beyond plundering Yanzhou itself?”

“Over time, the local gentry, already discontented with Cao Cao’s exactions, have become disillusioned. Now that Lü Bu is oppressing them anew, what good is this new ruler?”

“Lü Bu, a stranger to the region, has lost local support and must hasten to battle. This conflict will be a matter of life and death—victory will crown the ruler of Yanzhou; defeat means death or flight.”

“Then why must the victor be Cao Cao?”

Liu Bei recalled Liu Feng’s earlier words.

“Cao Cao’s Qingzhou troops were selected from among the captured Yellow Turbans after he decisively defeated a million of them in Qingzhou.”

“You may not know, Father, but after subduing the Yellow Turbans, Cao Cao was appointed magistrate of Jinan. Qingzhou and Xuzhou have long suffered from rampant cults, especially in Qingzhou, where these cults burdened the people more than taxes.”

“As magistrate, Cao Cao swiftly demolished these cult shrines, earning the deep gratitude of the populace. His fame spread throughout Qingzhou.”

“Thus, the millions of Yellow Turbans entrenched in Qingzhou for years were defeated in a single battle and absorbed into his forces.”

Liu Feng continued, “The Qingzhou troops, picked from these former Yellow Turbans, are deeply loyal to Cao Cao and eager to serve.”

“In contrast, Lü Bu’s forces were first routed by Liangzhou troops in Chang’an, then scattered and hunted by Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu’s armies. Only a thousand or so steadfast warriors remain.”

“Even if he replenishes his ranks after taking Yanzhou, Cao Cao will immediately withdraw from Xuzhou and strike back. Besides, with Yanzhou’s shortage of provisions, how much can Lü Bu realistically expand his army?”

“Under these circumstances, how can Lü Bu stand against Cao Cao? Cao Cao may lose ten battles, but Lü Bu cannot afford a single loss. One defeat would mean total ruin.”

Liu Bei pondered deeply, fully convinced.

Especially the easy absorption of Qingzhou’s million Yellow Turbans by Cao Cao had previously baffled him. When he asked Chen Deng, he only received vague platitudes.

But his dear son spoke with reason and evidence. Whether true or not, it was at least ten times more convincing than empty words.

He glanced at Liu Feng, suppressing his jealousy and admiration of Cao Cao, hesitating momentarily before asking, “Were these insights also revealed to you in a dream?”

Liu Feng smiled calmly. “Just as you suspect, Father, they were granted to me by an immortal in a dream.”

Liu Feng had too many shortcomings and many plans that might seem outrageous.

After much thought, he decided to attribute everything to divine inspiration and indulge in superstition.

Upon meeting Liu Bei, he recounted his dream of the white-bearded elder, deliberately guiding his elder brother’s thoughts toward celestial beings and ancestors.

One can imagine how expressive the elder brother’s face must have been.

Liu Bei silently nodded, not pressing further.

“True, Cao Cao’s lineage is superior to mine, but I have a son who surpasses them all!”