Chapter 20: Benevolent Governance Is Not Enough; One Must Also Command with Might! This Is a Battle to Establish Authority!

Zhuge Liang hurriedly brought over the map and spread it out on the table.

Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and the others all rose and gathered around.

“A Liang, you tell us first—why must we fight this battle?”

Xiao Fang seized the opportunity to test Zhuge Liang. After all, this was the future Crouching Dragon. Though it was unwise to rush progress, nurturing him early could help share some of the burden sooner.

Zhuge Liang remained unflustered. After a brief pause, he spoke calmly:

“Your Lordship’s reputation for benevolence certainly holds appeal among the Yellow Turban forces in Runan. Yet, relying solely on a name of righteousness can at best only attract the Yellow Turbans to join us.”

“If we were to abandon our provisions and supplies and venture empty-handed into Runan, it would be difficult to gather enough grain quickly. We would be unable to sustain the large number of Yellow Turban soldiers who flock to us overnight.”

“Without sufficient provisions, these Yellow Turbans will abandon Your Lordship within days.”

“Your plan to recruit the Yellow Turbans and reorganize your forces would be rendered futile.”

“And with only three thousand troops, how could we possibly defeat the Zhang family uncle and nephew duo and secure Nanyang?”

“Therefore, these hundred or so carts of grain, money, and silk cannot be forsaken.”

“Our only choice is to repel the pursuing forces.”

Zhuge Liang laid out his reasoning steadily and clearly.

Liu Bei’s eyes brightened with newfound understanding, looking at Zhuge Liang with deep respect.

In his heart, he thought, the men around Commander Xiao were certainly not ordinary. That Wei Yan who slew Xu Dan and captured Xu Sheng was truly formidable in combat. And this young brother-in-law, Zhuge Liang, so young yet able to possess such profound foresight.

Could this be a case of birds of a feather flocking together?

As Liu Bei marveled, Xiao Fang nodded slightly, pleased with Zhuge Liang’s response.

After all, the Yellow Turbans need to eat. Old Liu’s reputation for benevolence, while admirable, cannot fill their stomachs.

They will only choose to follow a lord who, though relatively unblemished, can provide them with food.

“A Liang’s words are true. This is also why I previously urged Your Lordship to strike Xutai and seize Yuan Shu’s provisions,” Xiao Fang nodded in agreement, then shifted his tone.

“But what A Liang said is not entirely complete. Another reason is that I want Your Lordship to establish a reputation through this battle.”

“Establish a reputation?”

Liu Bei’s expression stiffened slightly, his eyes clouded with confusion, unable to grasp the meaning immediately.

“In this era of great strife, achieving greatness requires more than just ruling with benevolence; one must also wield power decisively!”

“Cao Cao subdued the Qingzhou forces precisely because he was ruthless enough to crush the Yellow Turbans there, instilling fear and respect.”

“Your Lordship, arriving in Runan after the loss of Xuzhou and a hasty retreat, though gathering the Yellow Turbans with a name of benevolence, is insufficient to command their fear and respect.”

“You must win this battle, and win it resoundingly, wielding the might of a great victory over Lü and Yuan’s coalition to straighten your posture as you advance into Runan.”

“Only then will the Yellow Turbans of Runan both admire Your Lordship’s righteous rule and fear your military prowess.”

“Only then will they genuinely respect you from the heart and follow you steadfastly, allowing you to command them without question!”

Xiao Fang revealed the deeper implication.

He also spared Liu Bei’s pride, not making him feel too ashamed.

To put it bluntly, if Liu Bei were like a lost dog slinking into Runan, why would the Yellow Turbans dare to follow him?

They might think, “Liu Bei is kind, but just too weak. Following such a weak lord—what future could there be?”

Zhuge Liang listened intently, his eyes gradually brightening with sudden comprehension.

“In this great age of contention, benevolence alone is not enough—it must be combined with decisive power.”

“Indeed, brother-in-law’s words are profound truths. I must record them…”

Eager for knowledge, Zhuge Liang quickly took out his bamboo slips and began carefully inscribing notes.

Liu Bei seemed enlightened, his eyes clearing as if a cloud had lifted.

He straightened his posture and bowed respectfully to Xiao Fang:

“Hearing the strategist’s words, I am truly instructed.”

It was not only Liu Bei; everyone present understood clearly.

“I get it now. Strategist, your lengthy explanation boils down to one thing—we must fight!”

“Fight we shall! I’ve yet to satisfy my thirst for battle at Xutai!”

Zhang Fei, fearless of heaven or earth, immediately rolled up his sleeves, eager to charge.

“Yi De, cease your shouting!” Guan Yu shot him a warning glare, then turned to Xiao Fang:

“The enemy outnumbers us. The strategist surely has a sound plan. Let us hear it fully first.”

All eyes turned again to Xiao Fang, wondering what clever stratagem this young tactician had to enable three thousand to defeat six thousand.

“Your Lordship, please look.”

“Twenty li west of Chengfu lies a narrow valley, flanked by dense forests on both sides.”

“Your Lordship, well-versed in the Art of War, should know such terrain is ideal for ambushes.”

“You may lead two thousand elite soldiers ahead to set the trap there, while a general commands a rear guard of over a thousand troops as bait.”

“We can deliberately abandon some supplies along the way to create the illusion of a panicked retreat, causing Cao Bao and Li Feng to mistake us for cowards and recklessly pursue.”

“The rear guard can feign defeat, luring the enemy into the valley, where Your Lordship’s hidden troops will spring the ambush!”

“Though outnumbered, the enemy is doomed.”

Xiao Fang calmly pointed on the map, laying out his plan with composure.

Liu Bei’s frown relaxed, confidence swelling in his eyes. He struck the map with his palm:

“A fine ambush! Strategist, this is a brilliant plan for victory against superior numbers!”

Xiao Fang coughed lightly, smiling wryly:

“Your Lordship overpraises me. This is hardly a masterpiece.”

“If Chen Gong were here, he’d likely see through this plan.”

“But it suffices to deal with the likes of Cao Bao and Li Feng.”

“The two are reckless: one anxious to eliminate Your Lordship quickly, the other desperate to avenge Yuan Yao to gain favor with Yuan Shu. Both underestimate Your Lordship, thinking your forces are just ragged remnants.”

“Impatience is the greatest sin in warfare, and they possess it in full measure. How could they not fall into this trap?”

Xiao Fang’s dry tone laid bare the psychology of Cao Bao and Li Feng.

Liu Bei nodded repeatedly, admiration shining on his face:

“The essence of warfare lies in knowing oneself and the enemy.”

“Jinglue, you understand the enemy’s strengths and weaknesses perfectly. How could you not triumph?”

Confidence surged through Liu Bei, dispelling all doubts. He resolved to act on the plan.

The arrangements for the ambush and bait were set.

Suddenly, Liu Bei’s eyes flashed with surprise as he looked sharply at Xiao Fang:

“Strategist, you chose to disembark at Chengfu, avoiding the water route and taking the land path to Luxi. And west of Chengfu lies this narrow valley—an ideal place for an ambush.”

“Could it be that, before setting out from Haixi, you already anticipated that Lü Bu and Yuan Shu would send troops in pursuit?”

“Therefore, you deliberately selected Chengfu as the landing point, so you could design this trap to ambush the pursuers?”