After the discussion was over, everyone dispersed.
Xu Shu grabbed Zhuge Liang. He knew that it was precisely because Liu Biao did not adopt Zhuge Liang's countermeasures that Zhuge Liang finally gave up on Liu Biao. He did not want Liu Bei to lose this talented man.
"Kong Ming, my lord has such a temperament. I am definitely not looking down on your opinion. Don't take it to heart."
"You Xu Yuanzhi, you dare not take my lord's words at heart, you are really treasonous! If you don't treat me to a drink tonight, I will expose your face in front of my lord tomorrow."
Zhuge Liang looked amused, waving his feather fan and scolding him harshly.
Xu Shu was stunned for a moment, how could he not understand what Zhuge Liang meant.
"Kong Ming, aren't you angry?"
"Why am I angry? My lord values benevolence and righteousness. This is about adhering to principles, not being indecisive or capricious. It's too late for me to be happy, so why am I angry?"
The most beneficial thing is not necessarily the most correct thing. As a ruler, you must never be without principles.
Think about it this way, if someone else made a promise to you, he would easily break it without even thinking about it just because the other person offered you more benefits. Can you safely assist such a king?
Maybe he asked you to give your opinion, but when you pointed out his shortcomings, he slapped you to death. Maybe he greets you with a smile now, but when the world is pacified in the future, he will become "the cunning rabbit dies and the lackeys cook"?
This time's countermeasures are not only Zhuge Liang's reward for Liu Bei's important use, but also Zhuge Liang's test of Liu Bei. As for the result, it was a bit regretful, but it also made Zhuge Liang very satisfied. From now on, he could finally carry out his ambitions with confidence.
Sima Yi?
Zhuge Liang's eyes flashed slightly. He didn't believe that Wei would only lure him with benefits. He wanted to see what other tricks Sima Yi had, and he might even want to help him.
"Come on, Yuan Zhi, you have to invite me to this drink today."
Zhuge Liang took Xu Shu and walked out. Xu Shu had a helpless smile on his face.
······
Sima Yi sat in the window and looked at the cars and horses coming and going downstairs in a daze.
He did not expect that in the face of such a huge benefit from Wei, Liu Bei refused without hesitation for long.
"I don't believe that Liu Bei is really a humble gentleman and has no interest in the land of Chu."
Sima Yi smacked his lips.
Forget it, how can I show my ability if I can do it easily?
If inducements fail, he can also bribe Liu Bei's close ministers and wives, and encourage Xuzhou civil and military officials to influence Liu Bei's decision-making. He could also leak his whereabouts and false information to Chu's spies, and then kill half of them and release the other half, so that Sun Ce could find Liu Bei to investigate. He could also spread the rumor that Chu's alliance was actually intended to take the opportunity to attack Xuzhou, putting everyone in Xuzhou in danger.
He had many means, so Sima Yi stood up and smiled coldly. Just as he was about to go out for a walk to learn about Xiaopei's situation and formulate a plan, his subordinates reported to him.
"Lord Sima, Lord Jijiu is coming to Xiaopei soon."
"Mr. Xun Yu is coming to Xiaopei?"
Sima Yi was really surprised. Cao Cao paid more attention to the purpose of this trip than he imagined. He rolled his eyes and said hurriedly.
"Quick, quick, come with me to meet Mr. Xun Yu."
······
The next day, Liu Bei held a banquet to receive Xun Yu at the same place as yesterday. He was still accompanied by Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Zhuge Liang, Xu Shu and others, while Sima Yi sat next to Xun Yu with a solemn expression.
Xun Yu always advocated annihilating the Dong traitors, welcoming Emperor Xian, and supporting the Han Dynasty. I heard that even after Emperor Xian abdicated and disappeared, he was somewhat unhappy because Cao Cao became king. Liu Bei respected such people very much.
What's more, Xun Yu had outstanding talents in politics and military affairs. He presides over political affairs, which can keep the huge Wei State in order and prosperous; he presides over military affairs, which can block the tiger and wolf divisions led by Lu Bu himself, allowing Cao Cao to safely leave the rear to him every time he goes on an expedition. It is not without reason that he is praised as "the talented king" by people all over the world. After Guo Jia's death, Cao Cao appointed him as his chief adviser even though he had some disagreements with Xun Yu.
Liu Bei claimed to be a descendant of the Han Dynasty, and when he was called queen, he used the title of the Han Dynasty. Looking at Xun Yu sitting in front of him, Liu Bei's eyes shone and he almost stopped salivating. He hoped from the bottom of his heart that Xun Yu would give up Cao Cao and come to him.
After toasting Liu Bei with a glass of wine, Xun Yu raised his hands and said.
"I have long heard of the virtuous name of the King of Han. Why does your Majesty value small righteousness more than great righteousness now?"
Zhuge Liang and Xu Shu immediately became interested and stared at them with narrowed eyes.
Liu Bei seemed to be panicking and hurriedly put down the wine baron and said.
"Liu Bei is stupid, I don't know what Mr. Wen Ruo means?"
Xun Yu stood up slowly and watched Liu Bei raise his right hand.
"The conflict between Wei and Xu Han was about fighting for land and people. In the end, it was nothing more than self-interest."
With that said, Xun Yu walked to the middle of the hall, looked at Zhuge Liang and Xu Shu, raised his left hand and continued.
"The conflict between Qin and Xu Han is a traitor to usurp the Han, bullying the emperor, and bringing trouble to the world. This is a deep hatred between the two countries, and they are irreconcilable!"
With both hands raised, Xun Yu looked at Liu Bei with burning eyes.
"Why did the King of Han abandon his country's hatred for personal gain and join forces with Dong's thieves?"
"Bold! How dare you slander big brother here? See if I don't..."
Zhang Fei was furious when he heard this, and he was going to grab Xun Yu and give him a beating. Guan Yu saw that something was wrong and quickly held him down.
"Don't be impulsive!"
"Second brother, but he..."
Zhang Fei was furious. In his eyes, Liu Bei is the representative of righteousness and benevolence, and is the most intolerable existence. Slandering Liu Bei for colluding with Han traitors is even more irritating than slandering Zhang Fei himself.
Guan Yu also did not tolerate others slandering Liu Bei, but he was much calmer than Zhang Fei. He knew that Xun Yu must have something to say in his words, and he had to listen to it before deciding how to deal with it.
If he really slanders Liu Bei for no reason, it doesn’t matter if he is an envoy of Wei or not, he will be killed first!
At this time, Zhuge Liang took over and said.
"Mr. Wen Ruo's words are wrong. Cao Cao is ambitious and raises a large army to attack Xuzhou for his own selfish reasons. As a result, the defense in the west is weak, which makes Dong Zhuo want to take advantage of the opportunity. What does this have to do with my lord? Does it have anything to do with my lord? Karasuma in the north wants to take the opportunity to plunder the Wei State, and my lord has become a spy for the Hu people again?"
Xun Yu turned to look at Zhuge Liang.
He knew Zhuge Liang's intelligence. This man almost caused Ji Shu to suffer a big defeat in the battle of Jiangxia. If Liu Biao could reuse this man's words, he might be able to slow down Sun Ce's offensive until Cao Cao and Liu Bei broke through Shouchun and threatened Sun Ce to withdraw. . Then Chu State no longer has such a strong national power.
Now that this person had become Liu Bei's right-hand man, Xun Yu did not dare to be careless, so he bowed his hands and asked.
"I would like to ask Mr. Zhuge, has Xu Han concluded an alliance with Chu?"
"good!"
Zhuge Liang answered Xun Yu loudly without even thinking about it.
Xun Yu glanced at Zhuge Liang thoughtfully, then turned to Liu Bei.
"The State of Qin has made an alliance with the State of Chu, and Xu Han has entered into an alliance with the State of Chu. Isn't it true that he is collaborating with Han thieves and collaborating with Han traitors? Isn't the King of Han afraid of the ridicule of the people in the world?"
Liu Bei was shocked and defended.
"As far as I know, Qin Gongzi Dong Shang's mission to Chu State did not reach an alliance with Chu State."
Unexpectedly, Xun Yu burst out laughing.
"Why should the King of Han deceive himself?"
"After Dong Shang left Chu, the King of Chu immediately wanted to attack Wei, and sent envoys to Xiapi to secretly discuss an alliance with the King of Han. A few days after Qin sent troops, Chu immediately contacted the King of Han to jointly attack Wei. Your Majesty, do you really believe that there is no contact between the two families?"
"this······"
Liu Bei hesitated. He came to a crossroads and he was about to make a choice.
Xu Shu looked at Liu Bei, then at Zhuge Liang, with a bitter look on his face, and finally fell silent.
It’s right to believe it, and it’s right not to believe it. In this troubled world, no one knows what is right and what is wrong.
"I have a copy of the Qin-Chu Covenant copied from Wei Guo. I would like the King of Han to have a look at it."
Everyone couldn't help but look at Xun Yu with wide eyes, and saw him take out a piece of brocade from his arms, hand it to the guards and present it to Liu Bei.
Liu Bei hurriedly took it and read it quickly. His face was solemn, he grabbed the brocade and stared at Xun Yu and asked.
"Mr. Wen Ruo, is this covenant true?"
Xun Yu bowed his hands and stared at Liu Bei without giving in.
"If the alliance between Qin and Chu is false, Xun Yu's head is willing to be presented to the king of Han."
There was silence in the hall for a long time, only listening to the master's words.
"I believe Mr. Wen Ruo."
······
A carriage galloped towards Wei State.
Outside the carriage were accompanied by more than a dozen disguised guards. There were only two people sitting in the carriage, none other than Xun Yu and Sima Yi.
"Your Excellency is still wise. Liu Bei agreed to the alliance between Han and Wei in person. Zhongda felt inferior."
"Those who have the same name will be burdened by their reputation. Liu Bei allied with Chu for the sake of profit; Liu Bei betrayed Chu and allied with Wei for the sake of profit. I just provided him with the honor of righteousness."
If one breaks a covenant for profit, it is an act of a villain and will be a shame to the world. If you break an alliance for the sake of national hatred, you are sacrificing small righteousness for the greater righteousness. Who in the world can say anything?
Xun Yu's plan was upright and open-minded.
Xun Yu succeeded, but he sighed deeply as he looked at the scenery passing by outside the window.
Sima Yi was puzzled and asked.
"Do you really have any expectations for Liu Bei, a member of the Han clan?"
Hearing this, Xun Yu chuckled.
"Zhongda, you also have brothers, and you also have confidants around you. Let me ask you, your confidants will be loyal to you, your son, and your grandson, but will he be loyal to your brothers?"
Sima Yi was stunned for a moment, but quickly answered.
"Of course not."
Having said this, Xun Yu straightened his posture and said seriously.
"The Zong branch is the Zong branch, and the side branch is the side branch. Now that he has been separated, if he makes a name for himself, I would rather think highly of him. Now that the Zong branch is in decline, it would be ridiculous to reach out and snatch the family property. ?”
"Liu Bei has an adopted son named 'Liu Feng'; Liu Bei also gave birth to a son last year, named 'Liu Chan'. After being granted the title of Zen, Emperor Xian disappeared, the national traitors were not eliminated, and the world was in war, but what Liu Bei was thinking about was already Feng Chan is proclaimed emperor. Wild ambition!"
In Xun Yu's eyes, Liu Bei, Liu Zhang, and Liu Biao were all in the same group, and they were all to blame for the decline of the Han Dynasty. As a minister of the Han Dynasty, Xun Yu only felt resentful towards them.
In addition, Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty has been missing for a long time and there is no news about him.
"Maybe the Han Dynasty is really over."
Xun Yu closed his eyes and opened them again. Perhaps he should really be loyal to King Wei and let him create a new era.
