Chapter 12: Backup Plan—First, Trick Old Liu into Going to Jingzhou!

“Liu Xuande?”

Zhuge Liang, who was studying the bamboo slips containing the “Xiao Fang Aphorisms,” was the first to recognize Liu Bei. Suddenly, his eyes narrowed as he turned to look at his brother-in-law.

Just as he had expected, this Lord Liu had indeed arrived in Haixi!

This meant that Liu Bei, as Xiao Fang had predicted, had first been defeated by Lü Bu and then by Yuan Shu, and now, with nowhere else to turn, had come to rely on the Mi family for support.

“My brother-in-law truly is formidable…”

Zhuge Liang murmured in admiration.

Xiao Fang, who was sipping his tea, looked up and saw Liu Bei stumble. He quickly rose and went to steady him.

“How could Lord Liu come all the way to Haixi?”

Xiao Fang feigned surprise, though he already knew the answer.

Liu Bei calmed himself slightly, showing a trace of shame as he gave a wry smile and self-mocked:

“Young Master Jinglüe, please do not mock me.”

“You clearly foresaw that I would first lose to Lü Bu, then to Yuan Shu, and would ultimately wander here to Haixi to seek the support of Mi Zizhong.”

Xiao Fang glanced backward and noticed Sun Qian behind Liu Bei, understanding the situation instantly.

He laughed heartily, helped Liu Bei to sit, and had attendants bring tea to soothe his nerves and quench his thirst.

Liu Bei raised his cup, gratitude shining in his eyes as he spoke solemnly:

“I have heard from Gongyou that if not for your rescue, my dear wife would have met a tragic end.”

“For this life-saving grace, I have no way to repay you but to offer tea in place of wine, to toast Lord Xiao!”

Xiao Fang hastily raised his own cup, dismissing the thanks with modest words about a small favor.

They drank together.

After setting down the cup, Liu Bei stood and bowed deeply to Xiao Fang with great respect:

“Lord Xiao’s divine foresight is something I have never encountered in my life; I truly admire it with full sincerity.”

“I foolishly failed to heed your counsel earlier, suffering two crushing defeats and bringing shame upon myself, surely making you laugh at me!”

Liu Bei’s humility and willingness to admit mistakes were truly commendable.

Only, his constant bowing and formal gestures were a bit hard to bear.

Xiao Fang stood once more, steadied him, and comforted:

“Lord Liu is too kind. This is not foolishness but courage in the face of adversity.”

“If you had given up at my mere words, you wouldn’t be the unyielding Liu Xuande who grows stronger after every setback.”

Hearing this, Zhuge Liang nodded silently, thinking his brother-in-law had spoken brilliantly—offering Liu Bei a graceful way down while subtly flattering him.

That was the art of speech…

Liu Bei was indeed comforted by this, laughing heartily as he emerged from self-reproach.

“Lord Xiao, I have now completely lost Xuzhou. My forces number fewer than a thousand weary soldiers.”

“I hope Lord Xiao can advise me on a clear path forward.”

Liu Bei personally refilled Xiao Fang’s tea, humbly seeking guidance.

“The clear path was already spoken of, Lord Liu.”

“I repeat: if you wish to restore the Han dynasty, you must seize Jingzhou!”

Xiao Fang answered without hesitation.

Liu Bei’s expression flickered with surprise, falling silent for a moment.

In truth, he had anticipated that answer.

He asked again only out of a faint hope.

“Lord Xiao, is there truly no other way besides seizing Jingzhou?”

“Liu Jingsheng is my kin; how can I bear to seize his inheritance?”

Liu Bei’s face showed bitterness as he voiced this dilemma.

At once, Zhang Fei grew agitated, jumping up and shouting:

“Liu Biao and my lord merely share the surname Liu; they are in fact as distant as eight poles apart! What is there to worry about?”

“In my opinion, just listen to Lord Xiao and seize Jingzhou!”

Guan Yu remained silent but stroked his beard, nodding slightly.

Though unspoken, his attitude clearly agreed with Zhang Fei.

Zhuge Liang’s gaze turned to Xiao Fang.

This was one of the concerns he had pondered earlier.

He was curious how his brother-in-law could persuade Liu Bei to seize the inheritance of Liu Biao, a kin.

“Lord Liu values trust and righteousness deeply; urging you to seize the lands of your kin is indeed asking too much.”

Xiao Fang sighed, then shifted his suggestion:

“In that case, why not settle for second best and seize Nanyang instead?”

Nanyang?

This sudden change stunned everyone, even Zhuge Liang.

Hadn’t the plan been to coax Liu Bei into taking Jingzhou?

Why now reduce the ambition from a whole province to just a commandery?

“Nanyang Commandery belongs to Jingzhou but is currently occupied by the Xiliang troops under Zhang Ji and Zhang Xiu, uncle and nephew.”

“Long ago, when Wang Yun executed Dong Zhuo and sought to restore the Han, there was hope for the dynasty’s revival.”

“But Guo Si, Li Jue, Fan Chou, and Zhang Ji, four generals incited by Jia Xu, rebelled and retook Chang’an, seizing power again, shattering any hope for the emperor’s restoration.”

“Zhang Ji can rightly be called a rebel who betrayed Han.”

“If you seize Nanyang, you not only eliminate a Han traitor but also gain a foothold for survival—a perfect twofold gain.”

Xiao Fang patiently laid out a new prospect for Liu Bei.

This was also his contingency plan.

Zhuge Liang’s eyes suddenly gleamed with understanding.

If Liu Bei was asked to seize Jingzhou outright, he would never consent.

So his brother-in-law lowered the stakes, persuading him to take Nanyang first, using it as a stepping stone to eventually seize Jingzhou.

Nanyang is part of Jingzhou and serves as a barrier to Xiangyang; Liu Biao would never allow an outsider to control it.

Zhang Ji and his nephew are unacceptable, but so is Liu Bei, a kin.

This contradiction breeds conflict.

Conflict leads to opportunity, and when the time is right, they can maneuver Liu Bei toward taking Jingzhou—making the ultimate goal much easier to achieve.

“My brother-in-law’s strategy is truly brilliant…”

Zhuge Liang nodded quietly in enlightenment.

Zhang Fei was overjoyed, shouting excitedly:

“Brother, Lord Xiao is right! If you won’t seize Liu Biao’s lands, why not take Zhang Ji’s?”

“The Xiliang troops have wreaked havoc on the Han; wouldn’t it be right for you to settle the score?”

Guan Yu also nodded slightly in agreement:

“Brother, I think Yide’s words make sense.”

“Though Nanyang was once ravaged by Yuan Shu, it remains the largest commandery in the realm. If you can take it, it will serve as a solid base.”

“Zhang Ji is a Han traitor; it is only just for you to vanquish him!”

Soon, Sun Qian, Jian Yong, and others voiced their agreement.

The worry on Liu Bei’s face gradually cleared, replaced by a resolute clarity.

“In that case, I will follow Lord Xiao’s plan—abandon Xuzhou and advance westward to seize Nanyang!”

After weighing all factors, Liu Bei made his decisive choice.

Everyone rejoiced and was inspired.

The shadows of losing Xuzhou and suffering two crushing defeats seemed to vanish entirely.

Xiao Fang’s “scheme” succeeded, and he could not help but smile quietly.

“Brother-in-law, I still have a concern.”

“Zhang Ji and his nephew are fierce warriors commanding several thousand Xiliang troops; even Liu Biao fears them.”

“With my current handful of weary soldiers, how can I hope to wrest Nanyang from the Zhangs?”

Zhuge Liang’s sudden words shattered the room’s euphoric atmosphere.

Silence fell like a shroud.