Pang Tong leaned back slightly, fingers tapping the table as if sorting through old memories. At last, he spoke, tone measured, a hint of satisfaction slipping through now that even Zhuge Liang was listening properly.
"I know a bit about Cao Zihuan."
Zhuge Liang tilted his head, attentive.
"Before the old rogue Cao Cao set out to conquer Zhang Xiu, he frequently took his sons along on his expeditions. In the second year of Jian'an, after Zhang Xiu first surrendered and then revolted, that time Cao Zixiu lost his life in the chaos. Cao Zihuan only managed to survive by fleeing on horseback."
Zhang Fei snorted immediately, unable to resist.
Military Advisor, what do you mean 'first surrendered and then revolted'? Did that Cao Thief ever act like a decent human being? He brought that on himself!"
"Third Brother, enough," Liu Bei cut in, keeping the conversation from derailing. He gestured for Pang Tong to continue.
Pang Tong nodded.
"After Cao Zixiu died, Cao Zihuan was kept in Xuchang and raised there. From what Kongming told me earlier about his internal power struggles, this man has never truly seen battle. He does not understand warfare."
He paused, then lowered his voice slightly.
"Our lord marched alone to Yiling, but in the north there is no seasoned warlord like Cao Cao. Only a young emperor who lacks experience. If Sun Quan feigns submission and delays him, while court scholars flatter and confuse him, then this man will simply sit back and watch the fire burn across the river."
Zhang Fei blinked, then grinned.
So, what you're saying, Advisor, is that this Cao Pi is nothing but a 'homebody tyrant' who only knows how to act tough behind his own walls?"
The room fell silent for half a breath.
Then, one by one, heads nodded.
Yes. That was exactly it.
---
The light screen flickered again.
[Lightscreen]
[The brotherhood of Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei is known throughout the world.
In late October of 220, Cao Pi formally usurped the Han throne and proclaimed himself emperor. During a court assembly, a question was raised:
Would Liu Bei actually mobilize his entire nation to attack Wu simply to avenge the death of Guan Yu?
The ministers of Wei quickly reached a consensus:
Shu is but a small state. Their only general of renown was Guan Yu. With Guan Yu dead and his army shattered, the country is gripped by fear and sorrow. They have no reason to ever emerge again."]
Wei Yan's eyes filled with a trace of reverence. Though the servants of the Cao dog were insolent in their phrasing, they at least acknowledged the General's terrifying prowess. A "General of Renown" indeed!
Zhang Fei, on the other hand, let out a dry laugh.
Big Brother, it seems the treacherous ministers under that Cao Dog are quite full of themselves."
Liu Bei remained silent, his gaze fixed and dazed upon the words 'Usurped the Han.' In the eyes of future generations, was this truly the moment the Latter Han ceased to exist?
He let out a quiet scoff.
To commit such an act of treason and yet lack the courage to admit it? To refer to the Han as 'Shu' is nothing more than self-deception."
Guan Yu spoke calmly, voice steady as steel.
"When our brother leads troops to Xuchang, I will personally draw my blade and ask those officials. Are we Shu, or are we Han?"
---
[Lightscreen]
[Yet, in that court of unanimous voices, only Liu Ye stepped forward to disagree. This man understood Liu Bei's character very clearly.
First, he argued that Liu Bei was a man of iron will, stubborn, unyielding, and completely lacking in 'political flexibility.'
This assessment wasn't wrong. After all, Liu Ye was a direct descendant of Emperor Guangwu, a true legitimate of the imperial bloodline.
His internal logic was likely: 'I, a legitimate imperial prince, have already bowed to the Mandate of Heaven and the new order. You, a distant relative whose connection is so thin it's practically invisible, what on earth are you putting your life on the line for?']
Liu Bei merely smiled faintly, no longer clinging to the title of imperial uncle. There was no anger, only a trace of regret.
"Ziyang has courage and insight. It is a pity he serves Cao."
Jiang Wan could not hold back.
"A descendant of the founding emperor serves a usurper, while our Lord, who rose from nothing, performs the great works of Guangwu himself to restore the Han. Which side truly honors the dynasty?"
"Indeed, it does not compare," Zhuge Liang said calmly. "During the chaos in Yangzhou Province, Cao Cao did indeed rescue him from the midst of the warring armies, so there is a debt of gratitude.
He paused, then added with quiet firmness,
"However, as a member of the imperial clan,to abandon righteousness for personal debt is still unwise."
Zhang Fei waved his hand dismissively.
Hey! The Cao family literally dug up his ancestors' graves right in front of him, and he still plays the 'loyal minister. What a fine 'minister' indeed."
---
[Lightscreen]
[Liu Ye further analyzed Liu Bei's personality.
The more desperate Liu Bei's situation became, the more extreme his actions would be, in order to prove he still had control.
Second, the bond between Liu Bei and Guan Yu. Though nominally ruler and subject, their relationship was closer than father and son.
Now that Guan Yu had died, if Liu Bei did not take revenge, how could he face him?
Liu Ye understood Liu Bei completely.
Later, the famous Western Jin minister Fu Xuan analyzed Liu Ye with equal precision:
'If a man of Liu Ye's brilliance and strategic wit possessed virtue and loyalty, he would be no different from the Great Sages'.
In other words, he was calling Liu Ye a man who possessed a sage's brain but lacked both a heart of virtue and the soul of loyalty.
Yet, from another perspective, even such a renowned minister had to admit: Liu Ye's intellect was truly formidable.]
Zhang Fei scratched his head, completely baffled.
"Wait, is this guy praising him or insulting him?"
Zhuge Liang chuckled softly, waving his feather fan.
"Since ancient times, death comes to all, but a people without trust cannot stand. Loyalty, trust, and virtue are the foundations of one's existence. If these are entirely absent, what use is mere talent?"
Ah, now that the Advisor explains it, I get it!" Zhang Fei punched his palm. "This person is basically saying that Liu Ye doesn't even count as a human being!"
Pang Tong, however, looked impressed.
"This Liu Ziyang truly has an eye for people. To predict our lord's move toward Yiling so accurately… But given the harshness of the historical judgment, I suspect Liu Ziyang did not meet a pleasant end."
---
[Lightscreen]
[Unlike strategists like Guo Jia or Kongming, who could secure a state with a single plan, Liu Ye is famous in history primarily because his 'Transcendent Strategies' were never actually adopted.
The first instance was after Cao Cao took Hanzhong. Liu Ye urged Cao Cao that having taken 'Long' (Gansu), he must look toward 'Shu' (Sichuan). He argued they should exploit the instability in Yi Province and use the momentum of their great victory; the people of Shu would surely surrender at the mere sight of their banners.
He warned that if they didn't strike now, Liu Bei, who had Zhuge Liang and Fa Zheng on the civil side, and Guan Yu and Zhang Fei on the military side would eventually stabilize the region. Once they secured the natural mountain defenses, there would be no way left to attack.
Cao Cao, however, made his famous decision: "Having taken Long, I cannot yet look toward Shu."]
Zhuge Liang shook his head slightly.
"One plan to secure the realm is an exaggeration. Without our lord's perseverance and the generals' sacrifices, even the Longzhong Plan would remain mere theory."
Zhang Fei suddenly remembered something.
"It was because our blue-eyed brother-in-law was busy trying to earn his title of 'Sun Shinwan,' wasn't it? If the Cao Cao had known about the 'Zhang Babai' legend, he probably would have forced the attack on Yi Province anyway."
Guan Yu considered carefully before speaking.
"This strategy also reeks of being a 'paper general' theory," Guan Yu remarked, carefully analyzing the terrain in his mind.
"Attacking Yi Province from the North allows one to use the Baoxie Road and waterways for supplies. However, entering the heart of Shu via the Jinniu Road is treacherous. Furthermore, Cao Cao had no surrendered Shu generals in his ranks and did not understand the geography. How could he possibly launch a lightning strike?"
Jiang Wan nodded decisively.
"His talent does not match the Military Advisor."
Both Kongming and Pang Tong nodded instinctively.
Then, they paused, looking at each other before turning back to Jiang Wan as if to ask: Which Military Advisor were you referring to?
---
[Lightscreen]
[The second instance was the Battle of Yiling. Seven months after Liu Ye predicted in the Wei court that Liu Bei would move, the invasion began exactly as he said.
Facing the Shu Han offensive, Sun Wu actively prepared for war on one hand, while on the other, they proactively sent envoys to surrender and declare themselves vassals to Wei.
Sun Quan actually folded.
This was a monumental event. The court officials all offered their congratulations, and Cao Pi was overjoyed, this was something even his father had failed to achieve in his entire life.
But right in the middle of this celebratory fervor, Liu Ye appeared again.
Seeing how happy Cao Pi was, Liu Ye was very careful with his advice. He spoke with painstaking patience, his voice soft and persuasive, laying it out piece by piece.
First, he argued that given Sun Quan's 'ugly rebel' nature, he would never surrender without a reason unless he was in a moment of extreme crisis. Now that Liu Bei was attacking Wu, Sun Quan feared that Wei would also strike the South, so he offered a fake surrender. This would keep Wei from attacking and allow Sun Quan to 'borrow the tiger's prestige' to intimidate Liu Bei.
Then Liu Ye presented his grand strategy.
Liu Ye argued that of the ten parts of the world, Cao Wei held eight, while Sun and Liu held only one each.
Previously, those two watched over each other, making them hard to topple. But now they were fighting like dogs in a kennel! This was a heaven-sent opportunity for the Emperor to unify the land!
There was no need for complex schemes. Simply muster the armies and strike straight into the heart of the Jiangnan region.
By attacking Sun Wu from the outside while Shu Han attacked from within, the state of Wu would vanish within ten days. And once Wu was gone, Shu Han would be left standing all alone. Wei could simply wear them down until they withered away!.]