Chapter 124: A Major Turning Point

Liu Xie’s words effectively poured cold water on Sun Ce’s previous fantasies of a surprise attack on Jingzhou. If they continued to use the Jiangdong forces as a pretext to attack Liu Bei, Liu Biao would inevitably grow wary of Jingzhou’s defenses, making a surprise attack impossible.

"Your Majesty’s reasoning is sound. In that case, are you suggesting we abandon the idea of engaging Jingzhou in battle?"

Sun Ce was somewhat bewildered at this moment. He thought to himself that it was the Emperor who previously claimed that conquering the Central Plains required taking down Jingzhou, yet now it was the same person telling him it was impossible. He wondered how Liu Xie intended to reconcile these contradictory stances.

Liu Xie, sensing the sentiment, shook his head; inconsistency was not his style.

"War with Jingzhou is inevitable, sooner or later. However, the current situation presents a unique opportunity. If I were Liu Biao, even if I had no initial desire to fight, having such a chance laid before me—compounded by the instigation of Cai Mao and his cronies—I would be forced to strike. If they do not strike now, Jiangdong’s strength will only grow day by day. Attacking now will always be the simplest path for Jingzhou."

Zhou Yu frowned upon hearing this. This conclusion did not align with the confidence Liu Xie had projected earlier. He felt that since Liu Xie had never fought a war, he did not understand the true nature of combat. Comparing the current naval strength of Jiangdong and Jingzhou, he knew that if a real conflict erupted, it was highly probable that they in Jiangdong would suffer, and even if they emerged victorious, they would be left severely crippled.

"Your Majesty! Are you suggesting that by training our navy now, we are merely preparing to endure a war with Jingzhou once this situation escalates? And that in this war, they would most likely be the ones attempting to conquer our Jiangdong?"

As Zhou Yu spoke, Sun Ce and Zhang Hong also furrowed their brows, looking toward Liu Xie.

"What they think is their own business; our task is to realize our own objectives. There is no contradiction there, is there?"

Liu Xie stared at the three of them. They exchanged helpless glances and could only nod in agreement for the time being. However, Sun Ce had already decided that if Liu Xie could not provide constructive advice on warfare, he would resort to his own methods. After all, he was an expert in battle, and no one could deceive him in that regard.

"Then, in Your Majesty's view, can our navy gain the upper hand in a contest with Jingzhou’s naval forces?"

"Whether we can gain the upper hand is something I cannot know, as I am not the one training the navy. However, what I can guarantee you today is that everything I have done thus far has been sufficient to greatly weaken the naval forces of Jingzhou, and perhaps even their entire military. If, under such circumstances, our Jiangdong still cannot take Jingzhou with ease, then you may consider that I have said nothing at all!"

The words "greatly weaken" suddenly filled Sun Ce with anticipation. He understood his own troops well, and he believed that through the development of the past few years, his forces were rapidly closing the gap with Jingzhou’s. While he could not yet claim victory in direct combat, if the enemy’s strength were significantly diminished, the situation would be entirely different.

"Your Majesty, please explain in detail!"

Liu Xie knew the time had come to showcase his strategy. This was his second meticulously laid plan since arriving in the Han territories, the first being his escape from Xuchang. Although every step seemed mundane, he had already factored in the personalities and even the intelligence of the key players. While it was impossible for the outcome to be 100% certain, he had significant confidence in the final result.

This plan would not only yield gains for Jiangdong but would also mark a major turning point for himself. Liu Xie realized that because his base of power was so low, he needed several major turning points in this era, and this was the first one since he had attained a semblance of freedom. Of course, while success would bring great rewards, failure could easily lead to his downfall as Emperor.

"After Guan Yu arrives, Cai Mao will likely report to Liu Biao, claiming that Liu Bei is in collusion with Jiangdong, and urge Liu Biao to eliminate Liu Bei. Liu Bei has only a few thousand men; if Liu Biao tries to destroy him, the most Liu Bei can do is flee. Once he is gone, the conflict remains between us and Jingzhou. However, there is a variable here that will make it far from easy for Liu Biao to finish off Liu Bei."

"Oh? What variable?" The three of them remained focused. Men like Zhang Hong and Zhou Yu were certainly not slow-witted; as Liu Xie laid out these points, a vague outline had already formed in their minds. Yet, they remained silent, knowing that it was nearly impossible for them to have grasped all of this so early on their own.

"Liu Qi. Gongjin once mentioned to me in passing that during the days Liu Bei spent in Xiangyang, Liu Qi visited his residence almost daily, staying for the entire day. What is Liu Qi’s status? He is currently the son Liu Biao values most. Regardless of what others think, in Liu Biao’s heart, Liu Qi is the one to inherit his legacy. But Liu Qi himself likely understands that once Liu Biao dies, he will not survive long. Therefore, what he needs most are allies—especially allies like Liu Bei, who is also a member of the Han Imperial Clan."

Liu Qi as the variable was not difficult to guess. Even Sun Ce nodded upon hearing this; it was exactly the kind of thing Liu Qi would and needed to do. No one would simply wait for death, and everyone in the world knew how advanced Liu Biao’s age was.

Liu Xie took a sip of tea and continued his exposition.

"Grand Marshal, what you must do is quite simple. After leaving me, send word of Cai Mao’s impending move against Liu Bei to Liu Qi as quickly as possible. After that, we can simply sit back and watch the show. Whether it is Liu Qi, Liu Bei, or Cai Mao, they all wish to achieve their goals in one stroke through this event, but it will not be easy for any of them!"

"Using the combined strength of Liu Bei and Liu Qi to fight Cai Mao directly—brilliant! Absolutely brilliant!"

Liu Xie’s maneuver drew an exclamation of admiration from Zhang Hong. He even mused that if Liu Xie were a strategist under Sun Ce’s command, his status might even surpass that of Zhou Yu.

"Indeed. Liu Bei is not a man content to live under others. He came to Jingzhou with his own agenda and a guilty conscience. Therefore, it would be impossible for Cai Mao to swallow his few thousand men without committing at least thirty thousand troops of his own!"

"We just send this message and then watch the show?" Sun Ce still found it hard to believe it was that simple.

"There is one more thing that must be done!"

"What is it?"

"Liu Bei must die!"

Liu Xie uttered these words with more decisiveness than any he had spoken before, as if Liu Bei’s death were his ultimate goal all along.