Lu Ming was somewhat surprised, so he asked Xu Shu.
Xu Shu then explained the situation on Zhuge Liang's side. Compared to Pang Tong, he was facing considerable pressure.
Beihai was temporarily controlled by bandits from Mount Tai, and a portion of Yuan Shikai's loyalists were also holding out there, forming a pincer movement with Mount Tai. Attacking either side would mean facing a two-pronged attack.
Zhuge Liang chose to first capture the major city of Linchao, using a ruse to open the city gates. After taking it, he feigned a lack of discipline in his troops and transported gold out, which was spotted by Zang Ba, a rebel leader from Mount Tai.
Zang Ba then joined the attack and was subsequently captured alive by Zhuge Liang.
Zhuge Liang personally untied him and, after much persuasion, successfully convinced Zang Ba to join his cause.
Afterwards, he invited Hua Tuo's eldest disciple to Beihai to help the valiant general Taishi Ci treat his mother's chronic illness and transport her to Zhengcheng for treatment.
Only Hua Tuo could handle this condition, as it required unique acupuncture and surgical techniques.
With the addition of Taishi Ci and the two fierce generals Zhao Yun, they directly captured Beihai.
It is said that Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Zhao Yun, and Taishi Ci fought to a standstill, but after losing their own soldiers, both could only flee on horseback.
The ability to lure Liu Bei's army out of the city for a decisive battle was largely thanks to Chen Deng in Xiapi. The Chen family, a powerful local clan, were focused solely on their family interests.
Therefore, seeing the overwhelming force of the Qin army, they had no choice but to abandon Liu Bei.
Chen Deng and his son advised Liu Bei to engage in battle outside the city, hoping that Guan Yu and Zhang Fei's formidable fighting prowess would deliver a decisive blow to Zhuge Liang and appease the restless forces within Xiapi.
Liu Bei was well aware of the difficulty of fighting in the open field outside the city, but he had no other choice.
Because Chen Deng and his son told him that Zhuge Liang's army had already reinforced the riverbanks.
Clearly, the river was rising, and if the dikes were breached, Xiapi would be flooded!
Then death would be inevitable.
Since death was the only outcome, it was better to seize the opportunity to assassinate Zhuge Liang and have a chance of survival.
Liu Bei, Cao Cao, and Liu Biao faced the same problem: some within their ranks were already showing favor to the Qin state.
During the Battle of Guandu, many within Cao Cao's ranks wrote letters to Yuan Shao, clearly indicating their lack of confidence in Cao Cao.
But Cao Cao actually won!
This finally quelled these treacherous elements; these so-called families and powerful clans were primarily concerned with their own lives and fortunes.
If betraying the ruler could bring preferential treatment, they would not hesitate to become traitors. Thus, Liu Bei's tragedy struck; in the battle outside the city, his army was utterly defeated.
His military talent paled in comparison to Zhuge Liang's; one was worlds apart.
In terms of individual combat ability, he was ten times better than Zhuge Liang!
However, when it came to commanding troops, Zhuge Liang was a hundred times better!
The most crucial point is that after Liu Bei's defeat, he wanted to return to Xiapi for a final, desperate endeavor.
But upon returning, he discovered that Xiapi had been taken over by the Chen family.
They couldn't get back! No matter how much Zhang Fei cursed, they wouldn't open the gates.
Poor Liu Bei, after initially lying low, and even after gaining some territory in the middle stages, he still had to fight Cao Cao to the death.
Now, he went all in, and lost everything.
Sun Tzu's Art of War already stated that only the weak need to go all in to turn the tide.
The strong, on the other hand, only need to orchestrate events, slowly chipping away at the weak's strength with a dull knife; why go all in?
Even if Zhuge Liang's 30,000 troops, after incorporating Zang Ba, were wiped out, Lu Ming could quickly organize 100,000 to continue the attack.
But Liu Bei couldn't!
If those 50,000 men were all dead, then there would truly be nothing left!
After listening to Xu Shu's account, Lu Ming stroked his chin, recalling what Wang Chen of the Langya Wang clan had said: Zhuge Liang's birth mother wanted to remarry and had even invited him to her residence, presumably to offer her women.
An idea immediately formed in his mind, "As expected of the Crouching Dragon, you've done very well. Merit must be rewarded, and transgressions must be punished. Your Military Affairs Office should discuss this and submit it."
"Now there's also war in Xiliang, so Prime Minister, you will need to supervise production and get it running at full capacity."
"Your subject obeys."
Jia Xu clasped his hands in greeting, it seemed things were about to begin.
"Your Majesty, it's not advisable to launch a large-scale attack at this time. Small skirmishes are fine, just enough to buy time."
"Wait two more years. These two years will be needed for recuperation and rebuilding. After that, the army's equipment will be replaced. At that time, we will unify the world, and no one will be able to stop us!"
Lu Ming nodded. Fighting now might result in a Pyrrhic victory, as it would involve local governance, the incorporation of displaced people, and other troublesome matters.
Delaying it a little wouldn't take that long; two years would be enough!
"Very well, then let's do as the Prime Minister wishes. But we can't let Xiliang disgrace us. Send elite troops there. Try to recruit Lü Bu. Send him; the Flying General is still best suited for dealing with foreign tribes. Now, letting him return to his old profession is the perfect opportunity to put his skills to use."
Lu Ming harbored no ill will towards Lü Bu. Lü Bu was indeed a skilled warrior, so let him continue to shine!
He himself would shine through Lü Bu's wife and daughter; everyone would have a bright future!
Xu Shu clasped his hands in greeting and recorded the information.
Next, it was time to adjust the strategy. He needed to discuss with Jia Xu what to do after accepting control of the Central Plains.
After discussing matters at the Grand Council until evening, Lu Ming returned to the palace.
He had summoned the He sisters to serve him in bed. For a time, he had enjoyed toying with women of similar age to Empress Dowager Dong, his maternal grandmother, his maternal grandmother, and even Grandmother Jia; after impregnating them, that restlessness had finally subsided.
Lately, however, he preferred to toy with women between thirty and forty years old. The harem was filled with women of all shapes and sizes, allowing him to play with them as he pleased.
Xiapi City.
Jiang Wei excitedly held the newly arrived letter. "Teacher, a secret letter from the Grand Council! It's a commendation for you!"
Zhuge Liang was still working, personally taking over the administration of Xiapi City and personally selecting a group of people to handle Xiapi's affairs.
Upon hearing Jiang Wei's words, Zhuge Liang, without even looking up, said, "Be wary of arrogance and impetuosity, Boyue. Sit down, take a look at these matters, and come up with a solution for me.
Our task is arduous. Before reinforcements arrive, we must find a way to capture Xiaopei and open up the passage to the Central Plains."
Jiang Wei composed himself. His teacher, Zhuge Liang, though young, was very mature in his actions.
Although sometimes a little naive, everyone was learning and improving themselves. Remembering their lord's words, there is no best, only better; learning is endless, one should learn until old age!