gnovel Chapter 5: Will Cao Cao withdraw his troops? Are you crazy, or do I look like someone who's eas
Chapter 5: Will Cao Cao withdraw his troops? Are you crazy, or do I look like someone who's eas
Lu Yong quickly got up.
After a quick wash, he followed Liu Bei toward the state government office.
Inside the government office,
Almost all the high-ranking officials in Xuzhou were present.
As soon as Liu Bei entered, Tao Qian had someone lead him to sit down in the first seat on his left.
The meaning is quite clear: Liu Bei is now the second-in-command of Xuzhou.
Chen Deng, Mi Zhu, Sun Qian, Cao Bao, and other elderly men from Xuzhou saw this and couldn't help but start making their own plans.
Tao Qian glanced at the various expressions on the faces of the people in the hall. He had already made up his mind that Xuzhou had to be given to Liu Bei!
Neither of his two sons was capable of defending Xuzhou.
At this time, only Liu Bei can withstand Cao Cao.
But if you want Liu Bei to fight Cao Cao with all his might, you have to offer enough bait.
"Cough cough cough!" Tao Qian couldn't help but cough a few times, which also attracted everyone's attention.
He took two deep breaths, and only spoke after his breathing had calmed down:
"Xuande, the world is in turmoil, wars are frequent, and the laws of the court are practically meaningless."
As a member of the Han imperial family, the responsibility of upholding the nation will ultimately fall on your shoulders.
I am old and frail, and no longer able to support the situation in Xuzhou.
Today, in front of all my colleagues, I intend to entrust Xuzhou to you.
I only hope that you will resist Cao Cao and treat the people of Xuzhou kindly.
I will soon write a memorial and submit it to the court, recommending you for the position of Governor of Xuzhou.
Xuande, what do you think?
After listening to Tao Qian's heartfelt words,
Liu Bei and Guan Yu, however, turned to look at Lu Yong at the same time.
Their eyes were filled with astonishment, because everything Tao Qian had done and said had been predicted by Lu Yong!
Their actions naturally did not escape the eyes of everyone present.
While everyone was shocked that Tao Qian was willing to hand over Xuzhou to someone else,
They all began to wonder about the origins of the young man sitting behind Liu Bei.
Seeing that Liu Bei did not respond for a long time, Tao Qian assumed that he was hesitant and even felt a little afraid.
He couldn't help but feel anxious, thinking to himself, "Xuande, brother! You can't back down now!"
Tao Qian then urged again, "Xuande, this matter concerns the life and death of Xuzhou and its people. I can write the memorial now, so please do not refuse."
Cao Bao was already very unhappy when he heard last night that his four thousand elite soldiers from Danyang were to be transferred to Liu Bei.
At this moment, upon hearing that Tao Qian was even going to give Xuzhou to Liu Bei, his resentment was beyond measure.
But Mi Zhu, the Prefectural Governor, was secretly delighted.
He had long seen that the elderly Tao Qian intended to find a successor, but he never expected that this huge windfall would eventually fall into Liu Bei's lap.
What pleased Mi Zhu even more was that Liu Bei was an outsider, weak and unknown, but he was benevolent and righteous.
If he could lend a helping hand to Liu Bei when he was still in a humble position, he would certainly not mistreat the Mi family when Liu Bei rose to prominence.
The Mi family may be able to seize this opportunity to completely shed the label of "merchant family" and truly enter the ranks of aristocratic families!
the other side,
Chen Gui and his son Chen Deng exchanged a glance.
They both saw the surprise in each other's eyes.
But both of them were deep thinkers, and at this moment they did not show any objection.
Liu Bei naturally desired Xuzhou.
However, Lu Yong also analyzed for him the reasons and intentions behind Tao Qian's concession of Xuzhou, as well as the current situation surrounding Xuzhou.
Xuzhou is a hot potato; one wrong step and you're doomed.
Liu Bei was unsure whether Tao Qian was truly entrusting him with his trust or was merely testing him.
Moreover, whether out of caution or courtesy, he couldn't simply agree.
That would make one's behavior seem too unseemly and would lower one's status.
Liu Bei then looked alarmed, rose from his seat, bowed deeply, and said:
"Liu Bei's achievements are meager and his virtue is lacking; how can he shoulder such a heavy responsibility?"
The reason I came here is because I admire Tao Yuanming's benevolence and righteousness and despise Cao Cao's actions, which is why I sent troops to rescue him.
"Lord Tao, please do not speak further."
Tao Qian became increasingly anxious when he saw that Liu Bei indeed declined.
Cao Cao has almost conquered Langya Commandery and is about to reach the walls of Tancheng.
If you don't take on this mess, how can I possibly go back to my hometown to enjoy my retirement?
He was about to offer further advice when Liu Bei spoke first:
"Master Tao, I know you mean well, but this move was indeed a bit hasty."
With Cao Cao's army imminent at the city gates, our primary task should be to defeat the enemy.
Other matters can be discussed at a later time.
Sitting to the side, Cao Bao, who had been anxiously waiting, finally seized the opportunity and quickly echoed:
"My lord, Xuande is right. We should first discuss how to repel the enemy."
As for other matters, it's best to consider them carefully.
Mi Zhu didn't speak, but in his heart, he looked at Liu Bei with even greater respect.
Chen Deng and his son couldn't help but nod slightly, quite approving of Liu Bei's decision not to take advantage of the situation.
However, other officials in Xuzhou were extremely anxious.
Seeing that the situation had a chance to turn around, everyone began to speak out in support of Cao Bao.
Tao Qian knew perfectly well why these people were so agitated.
To put it bluntly, Xuzhou is a community of shared interests.
Through his years of efforts, he finally managed to achieve a delicate balance among the various forces.
However, once Liu Bei becomes the ruler of Xuzhou, the power structure of Xuzhou will inevitably be re-divided.
The cake is only so big.
For every bit more others gain, you lose a bit.
They were naturally unwilling to agree easily.
Tao Qian glanced around at everyone in the hall, inwardly cursing them as "foolish!"
With Cao Cao's army pressing in, if we don't find someone capable of handling things soon, Xuzhou will be lost.
If Cao Cao were to take over Xuzhou, all the land and property there would surely be distributed to his people.
You'll be left with nothing, and you'll still be here worrying about your own petty gains and losses...
Seeing the endless commotion in the hall, Lu Yong knew it was time to collect his daily "settlement achievements" again.
He stood up, walked behind Liu Bei, and said loudly, "Gentlemen, please hear me out!"
Tao Qian also looked at him and asked, "What insightful opinion does the Army Division have?"
Lu Yong bowed respectfully and said unhurriedly, "Regarding the matter of Xuzhou, my lord, there is no need to rush to a conclusion. It will not be too late to discuss it after my lord has repelled Cao Cao's army."
These words stunned the entire audience.
Even Mi Zhu, Chen Gui, and Chen Deng, father and sons who had originally been optimistic about Liu Bei, showed surprise on their faces.
Who do you think you are?
Could a single, casual remark have repelled Cao Cao's army of 100,000?
Many Xuzhou officials secretly sneered, thinking that this young man was loose-lipped and full of boasting.
Liu Bei could only use someone like this as a strategist during midday; otherwise, trouble was bound to happen sooner or later...
Cao Bao went even further, openly mocking, "Perhaps Cao Mengde would be so terrified of Lu Junyi that he'd wet himself and turn tail and run away?"
These words immediately drew laughter from many officials in the hall.
Liu Bei's face darkened.
He was already used to other people's sarcasm and ridicule, and he could endure it no matter how others humiliated him.
But Lu Yong was his most valued strategist, and he couldn't bear to see Lu Yong being humiliated in public!
Just as Liu Bei was about to stand up for Lu Yong,
Standing behind him, Lu Yong gently tugged at Liu Bei's sleeve.
Liu Bei turned his head and saw that Lu Yong had a calm expression and even a faint smile on his lips.
Seeing Lu Yong's expression, Liu Bei suddenly calmed down and couldn't help but secretly praise him: "He is calm in the face of adversity and has a clear vision. He is indeed worthy of being my strategist!"
Tao Qian, who was in the main seat, couldn't help but turn his head slightly, a hint of disappointment flashing across his face.
Repel Cao Cao's army?
Has Lu Yong gone mad?
Or was Liu Bei simply a boastful person?
If that's the case, wouldn't entrusting Xuzhou to him be entrusting the wrong person?
Thinking of this, Tao Qian stopped insisting on giving up Xuzhou on the spot.
But a new layer of worry crept into his heart:
"What if Cao Cao's army marches south, and Liu Bei recklessly engages them and suffers a defeat? How will I handle the situation then?"