Chapter 51 Let Lao Cao shoot himself in the foot! Mrs. Su wants to be a matchmaker?
Zhuge Liang, in an excited tone, revealed Xiao Fang's deeper motives.

Everyone suddenly realized what was going on and looked at Xiao Fang for confirmation.

Xiao Fang smiled and nodded slightly to show his approval of Zhuge Liang.

Yes, that was his strategy.

Just like how Chen Gong, Zhang Miao and other Yanzhou scholars viewed Cao Cao in the past, in his view, in the eyes of the Cai and Kuai clans, Liu Biao was, to put it nicely, a governor of the state, but to put it bluntly, he was just a thug who guarded the house.

So when Chen Gong and his ilk found that Cao was not very obedient, they decisively stabbed him in the back and replaced him with Lu Bu as a new thug.

Fortunately, Cao Cao's base has always been the Cao and Xiahou clans, and he always has a loyal Cao family army under his command.

Therefore, Cao Cao was able to defeat Lu Bu, kill Zhang Miao, force Chen Gong away, and regain control of Yanzhou.

After experiencing blood and fire, Cao Cao eliminated the opposition forces in Yanzhou and finally took complete control of Yanzhou.

Liu Biao was not so lucky.

Riding alone into Xiangyang and taking control of Jingzhou without any effort may sound amazing on the surface.

In fact, it was just the Cai and Kuai clans who, relying on the title of Liu Biao, the governor of Jingzhou appointed by the court, and relying on the strength and influence of the two clans, legitimately suppressed all forces in Jingzhou.

Rather than saying that it was Liu Biao who pacified Jingzhou, it would be more accurate to say that it was the Cai and Kuai clans who pacified Jingzhou.

Therefore, Liu Biao was just a commander without any troops, he had neither clan power to rely on nor an army loyal to him.

The basis of Liu Biao's power was simply the support of the Cai and Kuai clans.

In history, the reason why Liu Biao was able to rule Jingzhou for more than ten years was not because of his extraordinary ability, but simply because the external pressure was not great enough.

If he were to switch positions with Liu Biao, and Liu Biao were to become the governor of Xuzhou, and he were to face the situation in Xuzhou where there were wolves all around and internal and external troubles, I'm afraid his fate would be even worse than Liu Biao's.

After all, no matter how bad the cards in Lao Liu's hand are, he still has two loyal brothers, Guan and Zhang, and an army of Youyan who are willing to follow him to the death.

Based on this judgment, Xiao Fang decided to start with the Cai and Kuai clans first, and use the influence of these two clans on Liu Biao to force Liu Biao to fire the first shot.

"The military advisor's plan can not only help the lord solve the food and grass problem, but also use the Cai and Kuai clans to force Liu Biao to take action first. It is really a brilliant plan that kills two birds with one stone!"

"The military advisor's tactics and strategies are beyond our reach."

As the former deputy governor of Xuzhou and a veteran in the officialdom and business world, Mi Zhu could not help but admire him at this moment.

"The lord has not yet established a firm foothold. He must win over the powerful families of Nanyang and establish his authority."

"So the policy of investigating abandoned land this time should not be too drastic. We should know when to stop investigating. Our main targets should be the Cai and Kuai clans."

"As far as I know, the abandoned lands occupied by these two tribes are mostly concentrated in southern counties such as Nieyang and Yuyang, close to Liu Biao's sphere of influence."

"Later I will recommend Wei Wenchang to concurrently serve as the Magistrate of Yuyang County and focus on taking care of the Cai and Kuai clans!"

Xiao Fang then added several specific strategies.

Because of his humble origins, Wei Yan was not valued by Liu Biao, so he naturally harbored resentment towards the Cai and Kuai clans.

It would be perfect for him to do the dirty work and deal with the Cai and Kuai clans.

Everyone agreed with this, so they discussed it and reached a consensus immediately. They decided to set a trap for Liu Biao and Kuai Mao and Kuai Yue without telling Liu Bei at the family dinner later.

"So that's how it is. Military Advisor, your plan is too complicated. I'm completely confused!"

It was not until this moment that Zhang Fei, whose thinking was a beat slow, finally came around.

I understand, but I still complained:

"You strategists are so cunning. In my opinion, there is no need to go through so much trouble."

"The emperor has issued an edict to appoint my second brother as the governor of Nanjun. Then my elder brother can lead the troops to attack under the pretext of escorting my second brother to Xiangyang to take up the post. Isn't that enough?"

Guan Yu's half-closed phoenix eyes suddenly opened and he snorted coldly:
"Yide, you are confused. The emperor is held hostage by Cao Cao, so the emperor's edict is naturally from Cao Cao's instruction."

"Cao Cao also forced the emperor to issue an edict appointing Cai Mao as the governor of Nanyang."

"His move is nothing more than trying to use the emperor's name to instigate a war between us and Liu Biao so that he can profit from it!"

After hearing this, Xiao Fang couldn't help but look at Guan Yu with new eyes. Being able to see through Cao Cao's scheme, Guan Yu's political ability was still online. No wonder Liu Bei would keep him in Jingzhou.

As for the later loss of Jingzhou, it was not because Guan Yu was incapable. It was because Liu Bei entered Shu and took away Jingzhou. Guan Yu had to march north to Xiangfan to deal with Cao Cao, and also had to guard against backstabs from his ally Sun Quan. It was really difficult for him to be attacked from both sides.

"General Yunchang is absolutely right."

Xiao Fang nodded and sneered:

"If I'm right, this is either Xun Yu's or Guo Jia's plan."

"It's nothing more than another tactic of two tigers competing for food. He wants to imitate the old trick he used in Xuzhou and lure the lord and Liu Biao into fighting each other, so that Cao Cao can sit on the mountain and watch the fight."

Zhang Fei suddenly realized what was going on and couldn't help but slam his hands on the table and curse:
"Cao Cao is a traitor, he is really full of evil intentions. He harmed my brother once in Xuzhou, and now he is in Jingzhou and wants to harm my brother again!"

"Sooner or later, I will rush to Xudu and tear his head off with my own hands!"

Zhang Fei was cursing and swearing at Cao Cao.

Xiao Fang took a sip of tea, with a hint of sarcasm on his face:

"Although Cao Cao's plan is cunning, it is a pity that he is just trying to find a sword by carving a mark on the boat. He thought that the Lord would be like he was in the beginning and only care about keeping Xuzhou."

"Little do you know that the lord is no longer the same as before. His goal is not only to occupy Nanyang, but also to take over Jingzhou."

"Cao Cao's plan of two tigers competing for food is exactly what we want. It just gives our lord a banner of righteousness."

"When he breaks off relations with Liu Biao someday, my lord will be able to march into Xiangyang in the name of following the imperial edict!"

After hearing what Xiao Fang said, Zhang Fei's mind turned for a few seconds and the anger on his face immediately turned into joy.

"Yes, what the military advisor said makes sense. If you look at it this way, isn't Cao the thief just shooting himself in the foot?"

"Okay, very good, I like it, hahaha~~"

Zhang Fei's mood changed quickly. In a blink of an eye, he was clapping and cheering, and laughing like a child.

Seeing this, Guan Yu took the opportunity to appease him:

"So, Yide, we must listen to the military advisor and not be too impatient."

"I also know my brother's character. Let's not force him anymore."

"Just wait for the military advisor's plan to succeed, and Liu Biao will turn hostile and take action first, then brother will naturally change his mind."

Zhang Fei was now obedient, so he put away his impulse and muttered, "Okay, okay, I'll just listen to the military advisor..."

While they were discussing, Liu Bei walked into the main hall with his wife Su, who was about to give birth.

Xiao Fang and others stood up to greet them.

As a woman, Mrs. Su was not qualified to attend military meetings, but today's banquet was a family banquet, so Mrs. Su was naturally qualified to attend.

During the banquet, Xiao Fang presented two strategies to Liu Bei according to the original plan.

Old Liu's eyes naturally lit up, and with the approval of Mi Zhu and others, Old Liu naturally did not think too much and gladly accepted Xiao Fang's advice.

Xiao Fang looked at everyone secretly and smiled knowingly.

"Jinglue, we have finished this official business. Madam has something about your family that she wants to talk to you about."

Liu Bei suddenly changed the subject and looked back at Madam Su meaningfully.

There was a hint of surprise in Xiao Fang's eyes.

Why is Mrs. Su concerned about her own family affairs out of the blue?
Xiao Fang suppressed his doubts and hurriedly bowed, "What instructions does Madam have?"

Madam Su coughed a few times and said with a smile:

"Jinglue, I want to be a matchmaker and marry the daughter of Wancheng Zou family to you as a concubine. What do you think?"

Xiao Fang was stunned.

(End of this chapter)