Zhuge Liang was moved by Liu Bei's humility and sincerity, and took out the map of the Han Dynasty that he had drawn to analyze the situation in the world for Liu Bei. Zhuge Liang first pointed to Hebei and said: "The fourth and third princes of the Yuan family, the subordinates are everywhere, Yuan Shao and Yuan Xi father and son have been running Hebei for many years, the rear is stable, and the power is firmly at the head of the princes." However, Hebei is far away from Jingzhou and will not become a threat to the emperor for the time being. ”

Liu Bei thought it was true, and he also wanted to take advantage of the battle of Guandu to make a comeback, but unfortunately he still couldn't escape Yuan Xi's plan, and even had to leave Zhao Yun behind, so he could escape with his life. Liu Bei also affirmed Zhuge Liang's statement and said: "As Kong Ming said, Yuan Xi is unfathomable, and sooner or later he will go south and fight with Cao Cao again, and Cao Cao may not be able to stop the edge of Hebei!" ”

Zhuge Liang pointed to Cao Cao's forces in the Central Plains and continued: "My lord, look at it, Cao Cao's territory is vast, from Shouchun in Yangzhou in the east, to the mighty in Xiliang in the west, from Chenliu in Yanzhou in the north, and Wancheng in Jingzhou in the south, occupying Yanzhou, Yangzhou, Yuzhou, Guanzhong, and Xiliang, even if it is not as good as Hebei, the two of them are difficult to distinguish between victory and defeat for a while, and we can take the opportunity to seize Jingzhou." Jingzhou is one of the largest states in the Han Dynasty, and then it can capture Yizhou with the ability of the lord. With the power of the two states, it is enough to divide the world with Yuan Xi, Cao Cao, and Sun Quan. ”

Liu Bei listened to Zhuge Liang's idea, and suddenly a new hope ignited in his heart, maybe Zhuge Liang is the person who can help him realize his ideals. However, Liu Bei remembered that his power was no more than Ono Town, how could he realize his great ambitions? Liu Bei didn't want to splash Zhuge Liang's cold water, and hesitated: "What the military advisor said is very good, but Jingzhou Liu Biao and Yizhou Liu Zhang are both relatives of the Han family, and Bei really doesn't want to take away his brother's inheritance, and Jingzhou Liu Biao took me in when he was in danger, how can I take revenge?" ”

Seeing Liu Bei's hesitation, Zhuge Liang earnestly persuaded: "The lord's mansion is kind-hearted, and the blessing of the world is also." It's just that Liu Biao died soon, if the lord didn't take it, Jingzhou would become Cao Cao's bag, and the lord regretted it later. ”

Liu Bei resolutely disagreed: "I understand Kong Ming's intentions, if Liu Biao is here, I will try my best to protect the people of Jingzhou." If Cao Cao captures Jingzhou, I will do my best to drive Cao Cao out of Jingzhou. ”

If Liu Biao captures Jingzhou as soon as he dies, it will indeed make people unconvinced, it is better to send it to Cao Cao first, and then take it back from Cao Cao's hands, the people of Jingzhou will definitely regard Liu Bei as a hero, and they will be grateful to Dade, and the Jingzhou army will also surrender to themselves with all their hearts.

Zhuge Liang did not persuade again, but changed the topic and said to Liu Bei: "Lord, in Liang's opinion, Cao Cao will go south soon, so it is better to prepare early." Liu Bei listened to Zhuge Liang's advice and rushed back to Xinye with Zhuge Liang, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei.

Liu Bei appointed Zhuge Liang as a military advisor in public, with the command of the Xinye army, although Guan Yu and Zhang Fei were not convinced by Zhuge Liang, but for the sake of the eldest brother Liu Bei, it was not easy to attack, and reluctantly acquiesced to this young military advisor.

In recent years, Cao Cao has actively reformed in the Central Plains, recruited troops, and developed rapidly. Cao Cao naturally would not let go of the opportunity of Yuan Xi's expedition to Sanhan, and convened his advisers to discuss the military. Cao Cao directly and clearly announced the purpose of his meeting: "Sanhan is in turmoil, Yuan Xi is on an expedition, this opportunity is rare, I don't know what you think, let's talk about your opinions!" ”

His adviser Xun You offered a plan: "Although Yuan Xi went on an expedition, he left a heavy army in Jizhou, and the capture of Yecheng was not an overnight thing, once Hebei supported from all sides, I am afraid that it would be in vain." Our army was invincible before, all because of its support for the Son of Heaven. Now that Luoyang is negligent in taking precautions, why doesn't the lord attack Luoyang and re-support the Son of Heaven? ”

Cao Cao was very tempted by Xun You's strategy, and with Emperor Han Xian, he had the initiative, and since Emperor Han Xian was in hand, he was invincible and invincible. Conquer Yuan Shu, capture Lu Bu, chase Liu Bei, and defeat Yuan Shao, until Yuan Xi robbed Emperor Xian of Han, and the victory was far away from him. On the other hand, Yuan Xi, since he supported the Han Dynasty and offered the emperor, he has not encountered a defeat, and in the dark, he is destined to have unfinished luck in the Han family.

Just when Cao Cao was about to make a decision, Guo Jia, who was terminally ill, endured a serious cough and said weakly: "Duke Ming, what Gongda said is extremely true, Yecheng cannot be attacked, and Emperor Han Xian's army can no longer welcome it." This time is different from the past, Yuan Xi is more difficult to deal with than Yuan Shao, Hebei's strength is already above our Central Plains, once our army captures Luoyang, it will be used by Yuan Xi to lead the princes of the world to attack the Central Plains. It is already very difficult for our army to fight against a Yuan Xi, Sun Quan of Jiangdong and Liu Bei of Jingzhou will definitely not let go of the opportunity to take advantage of the fire to rob! ”

Cao Cao looked at Guo Jia, who was pale and seriously ill but still insisted on coming to discuss important matters, his heart ached, and he apologized: "Fengxiao is so tired for me, I feel uneasy, you have to take care of yourself, I will count on you for my great cause in the future!" ”

Guo Jia was also unable to thank Cao Cao, he only wanted to finish the matter, and he was afraid that if he didn't talk about it again, he would have no chance in the future, so he said weakly: "Ming Gong, now there is a better choice in front of you, Jingzhou Liu Biao will die soon, and it is the best time for our army to seize Jingzhou." Xu Shu and Pang Tong under Yuan Xi are both from the Jingzhou hermit Shuijingmen, and there must be virtuous people in Jingzhou who are familiar with the strategies of the two, know themselves and know each other, and the chances of winning the Ming Gong have greatly increased! ”

Judging from Guo Jia's situation, this may be Guo Jia's last plan for himself, Cao Cao let him rest well and decided to conquer Jingzhou in person. Cao Cao, with Xiahoudun as the vanguard and Li Dian and Li Tong as the deputy generals, raised 50,000 troops from Runan, attacked Xinye, and led 100,000 troops himself, starting from Xudu to prepare to capture Jingzhou.

Liu Bei heard that Xiahoudun led 50,000 troops to attack Xinye, and hurriedly consulted Zhuge Liang. Zhuge Liang shook the feather fan, although he looked full of confidence, he hesitated: "Don't worry, my lord, Xiahou is brave and strategic, and he is not an opponent of our army, but I am afraid that General Guan and General Zhang may not obey my arrangement." So, Liu Bei untied his sword, handed it to Zhuge Liang, and said in public that from now on in Xinye, everyone will obey Zhuge Liang's orders, including himself.

Zhuge Liang began to give orders, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei each led a group of men and horses to ambush in Yushan and Anlin, and let Xiahoudun pass. The lord can lead the army with Liu Fenggongzi to fight against Xiahoudun, and lure him to Bowangpo, where the road is narrow and the woods are dense, and Guan Ping ambushes here, just set fire. The two generals, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, saw the fire and took advantage of the situation to fight and win a big victory.

Although Guan Yu was forced to obey Zhuge Liang's command because of Liu Bei's face, he still questioned it and snorted coldly: "Military advisor, Xiahoudun has been on the battlefield for a long time, how can he easily fall for the scheme?" What if he retreats halfway? ”

Zhuge Liang was also accustomed to Guan Yu's disobedience, and said confidently: "Liang is willing to set up a military order, if Xiahou is not successful, he will be dealt with by military law!" Liu Bei was in a hurry, and looked at Guan Yu, wanting Guan Yu not to be embarrassed. It's a pity that Guan Yu pretended not to know, but responded to Zhuge Liang: "There is no joke in the army, and I hope that the military division will not forget his military order, of course, if everything is as the military adviser said, Guan Yu will question the military advisor and be willing to be dealt with by military law!" After speaking, he didn't look back, and went with Zhang Fei to take the order.

After Guan Yu and Zhang Fei left, Liu Bei reluctantly said to Zhuge Liang: "Yun Chang is arrogant, and I hope that the military advisor will forgive me if he offends." Zhuge Liang replied with a smile: "The lord is too worried, General Guan is upright by nature, and his worries are not unreasonable, Liang naturally understands, I believe that General Guan and I will not misunderstand soon." Liu Bei saw that Zhuge Liang was so confident, and he acted according to Zhuge Liang's arrangement.