Chapter 14: Lu Bu wants to intercept? Then let's not take the usual route!

In front of so many people, Liu Bei finally expressed his wish to ask Xiao Fang to come out of retirement to assist him.

Be it Guan Yu or Zhang Fei.

Even counselors like Mi Zhu and Sun Qian were all shocked.

Who is Liu Bei?

No matter how poor he is, he is still a local lord.

He is a person who can compete with powerful men like Yuan and Cao for the world.

Now he has condescended to do such a great honor and wants to appoint such a young man as his military advisor!

It is probably unique in the world to be so respectful to the wise and humble to such an extent.

But no one questioned or opposed it.

Even Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, seeing their brother showing such great respect to such an unknown young man, did not say anything to stop him.

Because they understand too well why their brothers have fought hard all their lives but have been defeated over and over again.

Xuzhou, which was obtained with great difficulty, was lost again.

To this day, there is still no place to stand.

It is because he did not have a wise man like Xun Yu who could serve as Cao Cao's adviser and point him in the right direction.

Xiao Fang!

This extraordinary person, who seemed to have been sent from heaven and met by chance, was exactly the person Liu Bei needed most.

A man of great strategy who can give advice to Liu Bei and help him realize his ideal of reviving the Han Dynasty!

"What's the matter, Envoy Liu?"

"I am just a commoner in Jingxiang, with a mediocre talent and reputation."

"I'm afraid it's hard for Fang to shoulder such a heavy burden for Envoy Liu."

Xiao Fang pretended to be flattered and shook his head repeatedly to decline.

Lao Liu must take the meal ticket, but after going through the process of refusing and asking for leave three times, he has to leave.

"If Young Master Xiao is mediocre in intelligence, then I am extremely stupid!"

"Please, Mr. Xiao, think of the Han Dynasty and the people and come out to assist us!"

"Get ready to kneel and invite you, sir!"

Liu Bei was afraid that Xiao Fang would not agree, so in desperation he loosened his knees and was about to kneel down to beg.

Xiao Fang's heart skipped a beat.

The evasion and refusal were just routines, which were simply to let Lao Liu know that this strategist was hard to come by and he should cherish him and obey his advice.

If this really "forces" Old Liu to kneel, then it would be an overreaction.

"Your Excellency, you must not do that!"

Xiao Fang managed to catch Liu Bei before his knees hit the ground.

Then, with a look of emotion on his face, he immediately dusted off his clothes and bowed to Liu Bei with respect in his eyes:
"I am just a commoner, working as a farmer in Nanyang. I just want to survive in this chaotic world, not to be famous among the princes."

"I am truly flattered that you, Your Excellency, trust me so much."

"If you treat me as a national hero, I will treat you as a national hero in return. I will do my best to assist you in supporting the country and rebuilding the Han Dynasty!"

"My lord, please accept my greetings!"

Xiao Fang saw that the opportunity was favorable and immediately went with the flow, expressing his willingness to assist Lao Liu.

After hearing what Xiao Fang said, Zhuge Liang couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

Only then did he realize that his brother-in-law's previous act was a retreat in order to advance and establish his position and authority under Liu Xuande.

I worried for nothing and almost thought Xiao Fang was really going to refuse.

"But my brother-in-law's words, 'I only want to survive in this chaotic world, not to be famous among the princes', are well written, but they are a bit insincere."

"I remember that ever since I met my brother-in-law, he taught me that a man born in this world should not be content with poverty and loneliness, but must seek wealth and honor, and become a high-ranking official..."

Zhuge Liang muttered to himself.

While he was muttering to himself, Liu Bei was already smiling happily, as if a huge stone had fallen from his heart.

"I have found Jinglue, just like a fish in water!"

"Bring me some wine. I want to drink with my military advisor and discuss the world!"

"Hahaha--"

Xiao Fang also laughed.

When the lights were high, a banquet was held in Haixi City. Having Xiao Fang as his military advisor and knowing the direction of the road ahead, Liu Bei was happiest in his life, so he naturally drank to his heart's content.

Guan Yu, Zhang Mi, Sun and others were naturally also very excited. They took turns congratulating Liu Bei and toasting Xiao Fang.

"Military Advisor Xiao just mentioned that after you leave Xuzhou, you should go to Runan first to gather the local Yellow Turbans."

"But has the military advisor ever considered that going from Haixi to Runan would require crossing Xuzhou?"

"That is to say, we have to pass right under Lu Bu's nose."

"If Lu Bu learns of the news and leads his army south to intercept us, how can we resist?"

After three rounds of drinking, Guan Yu's words broke the joyful atmosphere of the banquet.

The hall immediately became quiet.

"Jinglue, Yunchang reminded me."

"Lü Bu's current military strength is far greater than mine, and he has hundreds of Bingzhou Wolf Riders under his command, coming and going like the wind."

"If he really decides to intercept us, it will not be easy for us to evacuate Xuzhou smoothly."

Liu Bei's face was clouded again and he looked at Xiao Fang anxiously.

"If we take the land route, we will inevitably be intercepted by Lu Bu."

"But why do we have to go by land?"

Xiao Fang looked meaningful and asked back with a smile.

Liu Bei was stunned.

Guan Yu and his men all looked confused.

If we don’t take the land route, how else can we get there? Can we fly to Runan?

Xiao Fang slowly stood up, walked to the map hanging on the wall, and pointed at the wine glass.

"My lord, don't forget that Haixi is close to the sea."

"We can board a ship from Haixi, go south by sea to the Huai River, then go west up the river, turn into the Wo River and enter Runan."

"Although Yuan Shu had already taken over Guangling County, the Chen family still controlled the cities along the Huai River. Yuan Shu's forces did not cross the Huai River in large numbers and only occupied the city of Xutai."

"Yuan Shu has no navy. We will be able to sail smoothly under the banner of merchant ships."

"In this way, by the time Yuan Shu and Lu Bu find out, our army will have already left Xuzhou and entered Runan. What can the two thieves do to us?"

Xiao Fang planned a route to Runan for Lao Liu with great enthusiasm.

Everyone was excited and started discussing it heatedly.

Liu Bei jumped up, came to the map, looked around, and thought about what Xiao Fang said with excitement in his eyes.

"Why didn't I think of this? Haixi is close to the sea, and we can enter Huaihai by sea!"

"Jinglue, you have a broad vision. You can think of this route."

"Okay, okay, this plan works!"

Liu Bei slammed the map with his fist and agreed readily.

Guan Yu's worries were dispelled. He stroked his beautiful beard, nodded slightly, and cast an approving look at Xiao Fang.

At this time.

Zhang Fei came to the map, touched his head and said:

"Let me say a few words. It's not impossible for us to go this way."

"But no matter whether we go by sea or water, we need a boat, a sailor commander, and a group of sailors who know how to sail."

"Where can we find these people at this moment?"

Zhang Fei's shouting was like a heavy blow to Liu Bei, waking him up suddenly.

Liu Bei's expression suddenly changed and he looked towards Xiao Fang anxiously.

Before he could speak, Xiao Fang smiled faintly:
"My lord, don't panic. The things that General Yide mentioned have already been prepared by you for many days."

Liu Bei was stunned, failing to understand the implication of Xiao Fang's words.

Mi Zhu stepped forward and said:
"Haixi is close to the sea, there are many fishing boats nearby, and my Mi family also has several merchant ships, so boats are not a problem."

"But where can I get such a skilled water general and water soldier in such a short time?"

"And these people are willing to follow us to Runan!"

Xiao Fang drank the remaining wine in the cup, then pointed outside the hall:
"Zi Zhong, the water generals and water soldiers you asked for are now imprisoned in the prison cell in your Mi family's Wubi."

Mi Zhu was stunned and completely confused.

(End of this chapter)