Chapter 36: Strategy for Xuzhou

"A formal inquiry?"

Liu Bei, who had just reached out to assist his son, froze. What was this sudden talk of a formal inquiry? After a moment of hesitation, he still stood up and took hold of Liu Feng, helping him to his feet.

"You foolish child, if you have something to say, just tell your father. What is the meaning of all this formality?"

Feeling the warmth of Liu Bei’s touch, Liu Feng felt his resolve strengthen even further. Once he had risen and taken his seat, he requested earnestly, "Father, please dismiss your attendants for a moment. I have a matter of great importance to report."

Liu Bei waved his hand without a second thought, shooing the nearby attendants away. "All of you, out! Close the door and stand five paces back. Without my summons, no one is to approach this bedchamber."

The attendants bowed respectfully and filed out one by one.

"Very well, Feng’er, what is it you wish to say?" Liu Bei, his demeanor relaxed, leaned back against a wooden armrest atop his bed. This armrest was a marvelous invention, the very thing that allowed men of the Eastern Han dynasty to lounge in perfect comfort. Seeing Liu Bei’s relaxed posture made Liu Feng itch to lean back himself, but remembering the gravity of his business, he forced himself to sit upright and spoke with a grave expression.

"Father, I have reached an agreement with the family of the Assistant Governor. This silk scroll is the draft of our accord."

Liu Feng retrieved the first scroll from a tray at his side, straightened his back, and handed it to Liu Bei. Liu Bei took the scroll and scanned it briefly, his expression shifting to one of pleasant surprise. "Mi Zizhong is truly a man of great generosity to be willing to lend such a vast amount of grain and supplies."

As he spoke, Liu Bei did some quick mental arithmetic and could not help but gasp. "This must be worth tens of millions of copper coins!"

Liu Bei was not exaggerating. The supplies Mi Zhu promised were worth three to four million, and the hundred thousand shi of grain, even at the lowest market price, were worth over twenty million. That Mi Zhu had agreed without batting an eye was a testament to the staggering wealth of the Mi family of Donghai, and it was no wonder Liu Bei was so moved.

"Father, the Assistant Governor is a man of profound righteousness. He is giving us his full support, and we must keep this kindness firmly in our hearts."

Liu Feng’s words made Liu Bei nod repeatedly. He, too, was stunned by Mi Zhu’s grand gesture. Kind-hearted by nature, while Liu Bei was capable of being cunning when necessary, he was, for the most part, a man who returned kindness with gratitude.

"Feng’er, your words are truly just," Liu Bei said, continuing to read the scroll while nodding. "Since Mi Zizhong has provided such timely help in our hour of need, we must never forget the grace he and the Mi family have shown us; we shall surely repay it handsomely in the future."

After finishing, Liu Bei looked up, his face full of smiles. "Feng’er, now that we have the full support of Mi Zizhong regarding the agricultural colonies you mentioned, I imagine we can finally put those plans into action."

Liu Feng nodded in agreement, but his tone suddenly shifted. "Father, it is often said that one who fails to plan for the future will find trouble at his doorstep. With the support of the Mi family, our resources are plentiful, yet there remains a grave matter left unresolved."

"What grave matter?" Liu Bei was startled, wondering if he was still dreaming. How had such a grave matter suddenly arisen?

Liu Feng replied sternly, "Father, sit comfortably. Allow me to analyze the current situation for you."

Liu Bei did not dare to underestimate his son. He immediately straightened his posture, as if facing a formidable enemy.

"Xu Province has always been a strategic battleground," Liu Feng began. "Yet, it lies on open plains, accessible from all directions, with no natural defenses. It has always been easy to attack but difficult to hold. As it stands, the province encompasses five commanderies. I have analyzed the situation for you before: the territory you truly control consists of only the Kingdom of Xiapi and a small portion of Donghai Commandery.

"What is even more terrifying to consider is that even in the Kingdom of Xiapi, you only maintain control through the influence of Chen Gongcao’s family. If the Chen family were to turn against you, I am deeply pessimistic about whether the Kingdom of Xiapi would continue to heed your orders."

If Cao Bao had been present, he would surely have shouted that this was happening again. Liu Feng was once again employing his tactic of making bold, intimidating claims to seize the initiative and force his opponent into his own rhythm. Cao Bao had been the first victim of this approach.

However, Liu Bei was unaware of this. As he thought it over, he realized his son’s assessment was precisely accurate. The fact that Xiapi currently obeyed his orders and transported grain to the provincial capital was entirely due to Chen Yuanlong’s influence. Conversely, if Chen Yuanlong were to rebel, given the influence he and the Chen family held in Xiapi, would it not result in a situation like the rebellion against Cao Cao in Yan Province?

At this thought, despite lying in his warm and comfortable bedroom, Liu Bei felt a chill run down his spine. According to Liu Feng’s logic, even the Donghai Commandery, where Liu Bei resided, was only stable because of the collaboration between Chen Yuanlong and Mi Zhu. Furthermore, the twenty thousand Danyang troops under Cao Bao were not his own loyalists; they were merely feigning submission, and he had no way to truly integrate them for the time being.

The more Liu Bei thought about it, the more bewildered he became. How had he, the governor of Xu Province, suddenly found himself with no solid ground to stand on after just a few words from his son?

Liu Feng continued, "Since Chen Gongcao and Assistant Governor Mi are loyal to you, Father, the commanderies of Donghai and Xiapi are not our most pressing concerns."

Liu Bei nodded slowly, exhaling in relief. *That is true,* he thought. *Yuanlong and Zizhong are men of integrity. As long as I treat them with sincerity, I trust they will not abandon me, and I shall not suffer the fate of seeing my followers desert me as happened in Yan Province.*

"Father, where do you think the most urgent priority for Xu Province lies at this moment?"

Liu Feng’s sudden question plunged Liu Bei into deep thought. After a long while, Liu Bei replied, "Could it be Guangling Commandery? Guangling is vast and populous, and having been spared the fires of war, it is rich in both men and grain. Currently, Yuan Sui is managing the commandery's affairs on behalf of Zhang Menggao. This man is close to the Yuan family; I fear he may collude with Yuan Shu and invite the wolf into the house to strike at our Xu Province. Is this not our most urgent priority?"

Although Brother Big-Ears’ capabilities were not top-tier, they were well above average among the various warlords. Thus, he was able to see that the Guangling Commandery under Yuan Sui was a major trouble—a malignant tumor, yet one that could not be easily lanced.

Zhang Chao, also known as Zhang Menggao, was currently in Yan Province helping Zhang Miao and Lü Bu fight against Cao Cao. It was precisely because of this rebellion in Yan Province that Cao Cao had withdrawn his troops from Xu Province. If one were to move against Guangling Commandery now, setting aside the fact that Zhang Menggao still held great prestige there, such an act would be tantamount to returning evil for good. It would be viewed with contempt by all, and would surely be opposed by local scholars like Chen Deng and Mi Zhu.

What was even more frightening was that during his bitter struggle in Yan Province, Cao Cao had been so plagued by the war that he had actually entertained the idea of turning back to strike at Xu Province. This was simply because the fighting forces of Lü Bu and Zhang Miao were formidable, and the two sides were locked in a stalemate, unlike the seemingly easier target of Xu Province.

Cao Cao must have thought that rather than fighting to the death against Lü Bu and Zhang Miao in Yan Province, it would be better to pick the soft persimmon first, occupy Xu Province, and then return to deal with Lü and Zhang. But such thinking was utterly foolish; he failed to consider the blood feud the local gentry of Xu Province held against him.

Even when Cao Cao had mobilized the full strength of Yan Province to attack Xu twice before, he had failed to conquer it. How could he possibly succeed now, with only a few commanderies left in his hands and powerful enemies like Lü Bu and Zhang Miao at his flank?

Furthermore, even if he were lucky enough to capture it, the Xu Province gentry needed only to engage in passive resistance, withholding grain and funds, to cause Cao Cao’s forces to collapse completely under the pressure of Lü Bu’s offensive. Fortunately, Xun Yu, Cheng Yu, and others had strongly advised against it, dissuading Cao Cao from his foolish plan of fighting on two fronts.