Chapter 18

“Oh, there are two things, you say?”

Liu Bei, who had been listening quietly, spoke with a slightly exaggerated tone. His beaming smile seemed to show joy at his nephew’s growth, but there was also a hint of mischief mixed in.

Well, I could understand why Liu Bei was so intrigued.

In fact, Liu Bei’s declaration in this meeting was a kind of showmanship. By showing his unwavering determination to his generals, he aimed to build justification and boost morale.

So, he must have already devised a plan to capture Yi Province with Pang Tong and Fa Zheng. Through Pang Tong’s famous three-tiered strategy, no less.

What I was about to say was essentially a copy of Pang Tong’s words, but I added Liu Bei’s tendencies to it.

“I’d like to hear the superior strategy first.”

“Use the pretext of returning to Jing Province to lure Liu Zhang’s generals nearby, capture them, and then reprimand Liu Zhang for his lack of virtue. Later, if you gather their troops and advance to Chengdu, the generals under Liu Zhang will not resist.”

“Indeed, a good strategy. Then, what is the inferior strategy?”

I took a deep breath and answered.

“The inferior strategy is to form a small special force and raid Chengdu.”

“Huh? That’s the inferior strategy?”

Liu Bei tilted his head, unable to hide his confusion. Yet, his gaze at Pang Tong showed that my words and Pang Tong’s strategy contradicted each other.

In fact, what I called the inferior strategy was what Pang Tong had proposed as the superior strategy. But Liu Bei had rejected the superior strategy and chosen the middle one.

Knowing why Liu Bei chose the middle strategy over the superior one, I presented Pang Tong’s superior strategy as the inferior one.

Pang Tong, also puzzled by my answer, asked.

“Can you explain why that is the inferior strategy?”

“Because it’s like tripping over your own feet while rushing to arrive quickly.”

“I’d like to hear more.”

The uncle who seemed to be enjoying his nephew’s bragging was gone, and a cold, calculating ruler was now demanding my answer. I also responded seriously, using formal titles.

“Currently, the greatest strength in achieving your great undertaking, my lord, lies in none other than your virtue. Despite always being at a disadvantage compared to Cao Cao, the world sees you as his rival because you have consistently walked a path opposite to his.”

“…Indeed.”

“If you, my lord, were to raid Chengdu with a special force and capture it, you might quickly gain Yi Province and expand your power. However, it would tarnish the virtuous reputation you’ve built over decades. This would be no different from committing the folly of losing more than you gain.”

After hearing my answer, Liu Bei let out a sigh of admiration.

“Amazing. Your insight is truly remarkable. What do you think, strategist? Isn’t our niece’s talent truly outstanding?”

“Yes, my lord. She has the foresight to gauge a century-long plan, something I hadn’t considered.”

“Hahaha! Indeed. With such outstanding nephews, I’ve always envied my brothers’ military and martial talents, but now I envy my children’s excellence even more.”

“Your two sons, my lord, also possess remarkable talents. Not only is Yu Feng skilled in martial arts, but Yu Xian has also shown the courage befitting your bloodline. Truly, ‘a good tree is known by its leaves.'”

Though I felt sorry for Liu Bei, Yu Xian couldn’t match his father’s greatness. The same went for Yu Feng.

But that doesn’t mean Yu Feng or Yu Xian are lacking.

Individually, they are far above average. Even Yu Xian had the scholarly knowledge that Zhuge Liang acknowledged.

However, the shadow of their parents was too large and dark.

Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei. Being the children of heroes whose legends would last for millennia, their abilities were inevitably underestimated.

If I do well, perhaps in this world, Zhang Fei won’t be an exception.

Even now, I’m occasionally called “the tiger father’s tiger daughter.” If I truly utilize my future knowledge and this body’s abilities to unify the land, a new idiom might be coined to describe a daughter surpassing her father.

With some flattery based on objective grounds, I praised Liu Bei’s sons. Yu Feng and Yu Xian hadn’t yet shown their flaws, so this assessment wasn’t entirely wrong.

“Strategist, Fa Zheng. Though my niece is young, with such outstanding talent, wouldn’t it be good to grant her an official position?”

“Confucius sought teachings from a seven-year-old. How could age be an obstacle to granting an official position?”

Pang Tong, with his straightforward personality, readily agreed to my appointment, even pointing out my superior qualities.

If the strategist I had countered face-to-face had been Fa Zheng, he might have held a grudge. Of course, I wouldn’t have brought it up then.

Those who wish to be respected must first know how to respect others. Pang Tong, who practiced this, clearly had a different caliber from ordinary people.

Fa Zheng, still lower in rank than Pang Tong, merely supported Pang Tong’s argument.

The moment my appointment was confirmed, I made a second request.

“Uncle, please assign me under Strategist Pang Tong.”

“Under Pang Tong?”

“As the Huainanzi says, ‘The dragon gives birth to the phoenix, and the phoenix gives birth to the luan.’ The world calls Strategist Pang Tong a phoenix, and I use the character ‘luan’ in my name. Isn’t this also a kind of connection? I wish to broaden my perspective under the strategist’s guidance.”

“You’re not only skilled in military strategy and martial arts but also well-versed in scholarship. Since it’s come to this, Pang Tong, how about you personally teach our Ran?”

“Are you suggesting, my lord? With General Zhang Fei present, how could I step forward?”

“I’ll speak to Yi De. And Yi De would gladly welcome you with both hands. Why be modest?”

After a moment of thought, Pang Tong readily accepted Liu Bei’s proposal.

“Very well. I, too, felt my shortcomings in Lady Zhang’s words. Let us teach each other and grow together.”

“Good. Very good! Then, Ran, I appoint you as Pang Tong’s marching strategist.”

A marching strategist is a kind of staff officer assisting a general. It was an appointment with Liu Bei’s intention for me to learn under Pang Tong, who held the same position as Zhuge Liang, the Middle Cavalry Commander.

I deliberately repeated Pang Tong’s strategy and mixed in counterarguments to draw his attention.

I hoped that if he found me interesting, he might keep me close. I was worried it might backfire, but fortunately, it worked out well.

“Thank you, my lord!”

“Good. Ah, Ran, what do you think about retreating to Jing Province and slowly capturing Yi Province from there?”

This was what Pang Tong had proposed as the inferior strategy.

“There’s no need to hesitate. The Yi Province I saw on my way here is a natural fortress. If we retreat to Jing Province and give Liu Zhang time to prepare, it would take too long to capture Yi Province. Cao Cao won’t wait for us.”

“Hahaha, a wise answer.”

Liu Bei laughed heartily and pondered my last words. Cao Cao won’t wait. This must have resonated deeply with Liu Bei, who had always been pursued by Cao Cao.

Whether those words influenced Liu Bei or not, he took action the very next day.

Following Pang Tong’s strategy, he announced that Jing Province was in urgent need and prepared to leave as if he truly intended to go.

Well, Liu Bei did prepare to leave the garrison. It just wasn’t for Jing Province.

Unaware of this, Yang Huai and Gao Pei, overjoyed that the thorn in their side was leaving of his own accord, came out to see Liu Bei off.

Pang Tong had called them Liu Zhang’s famous generals, but they were surprisingly simple-minded.

Naturally, they met their end at Liu Bei’s hands, who had ambitions to take Yi Province. Liu Bei’s actions were swift as lightning.

After killing Yang Huai and Gao Pei and absorbing their troops, Liu Bei stationed soldiers at the garrison and Baishui to secure the rear. With nothing left to hold him back, he began his advance toward Chengdu.

But gaining one thing often means losing another.

Zhang Song, unable to read the true intent behind Liu Bei’s false pretext of returning to Jing Province and acting hastily out of anxiety, was executed by Liu Zhang after being reported by his own brother, Zhang Su.

Finally realizing Liu Bei’s true intentions, Liu Zhang belatedly blocked the path of Liu Bei’s advance and gathered his troops.

It was a necessary measure to avoid being blindsided, but even this served as justification for Liu Bei.

Liu Bei framed Liu Zhang as the betrayer who had first abandoned righteousness by providing insufficient support and now blocking his return. Liu Zhang, in turn, argued his case and prepared for war with Liu Bei.

The two forces had crossed an irreversible river. The war for Yi Province had begun.