Chapter 754: Fa Zheng draws up a plan for Liu Bei! A replica of the Longzhong Plan!

What reward did Cao Cao give himself?

It’s actually very simple.

He was already the King of Wei, and had reached the end of his title. At this time, he was not prepared to let Liu Xie abdicate to him.

He planned to completely unify the north and then abdicate, after which he would go south to pacify the State of Wu and be crowned the Emperor of the Xia Dynasty. The procedure was legal and his achievements were sufficient, so he would take it step by step.

Now standing at the top of the Han Dynasty court is Cao Cao, the Prime Minister, the General, the Grand Marshal, the Minister of the Chancellery, the Commander-in-Chief of the Military and State Affairs, the Governor of Liang Province, and the King of Wei!

The Wei State basically occupied most of the territory of the Han court today. With the title of regent, he could bypass the emperor's seal and issue imperial edicts himself. The general, the grand marshal, and the prime minister were the highest officials in both civil and military aspects. The Shangshu Ling was the real power and would not be handed over to others. The Guanzhong that had just been conquered certainly could not be handed over to others, and the six counties of Liangzhou must also be held in their hands. Liu Xie could still be the master of the Xuchang Palace with peace of mind, and he should not even think about leaving the palace for the slightest bit of power.

In the 300-year history of the Han Dynasty, a powerful official of this level can be ranked alongside King Luo Wen.

However, Cao Cao and King Luo Wen are two completely different models.

King Luo Wen was a fake emperor, and the most important thing was that he had the legal power to depose the emperor with the endorsement of the previous emperor, which was quite terrifying.

Cao Cao can also be called a fake emperor, but he achieved this power because his own power was too great and he had completely undermined the emperor.

King Luo Wen was able to land safely, but Cao Cao could only go one step further. This is the biggest difference between the two.

At this point, it is completely self-evident what Cao Cao wants to do.

…

Everyone knows what Cao Cao is thinking!

Facing the angry and heartbroken Liu Bei, Luo Qi just said lightly.

Now it is almost the twentieth year of Jian'an. Time really flies like flowing water. It has been almost twenty years since Liu Xie ascended the throne.

More than twenty years have passed since the Taiping Rebellion.

The princes at that time had all passed away. When the previous Duke Zhao died, Luo Shu was not even given a title but inherited the position himself.

Luo Qi, who was a young man back then, is already a middle-aged man, and Liu Bei is even in his fifties.

Listening to Luo Qi's words, Liu Bei drank a glass of wine and sighed in confusion, "Zi Qi, I, Liu Bei, have been busy for decades, and now I have this foundation, I should be proud.

But watching the traitor Cao, who usurped the Han Dynasty, taking over the world step by step, watching Cao make Luoyang the capital of his Wei Kingdom, the pain in my heart is simply indescribable.

Looking at myself, I can only feel my thigh muscles growing back, feel powerless, and sigh in vain. I can't help but doubt myself. How can I say with a grand manner that I want to retrace the path of Emperor Guangwu?

Ziqi, do you think we can restore the Han Dynasty and return to the old capital?"

Luo Qi silently filled a glass of wine for Liu Bei. When life is always sad and at a low point, it is necessary to express those negative emotions. He first drank a glass of wine with Liu Bei, and then comforted him in a gentle voice: "My king, why not?

Cao Cao only controlled half of the world. Although he was strong, he made enemies everywhere.

Now he has become even more rampant. This is our chance. He has numerous internal problems. Guanzhong and other places are newly annexed. His administration is brutal. There is much dissatisfaction in the country. As long as he suffers a major defeat, he will spend the rest of his life in internal strife.

He may look strong, but he is actually weak. Your Majesty, you don't have to worry. There are as many people who support him as there are people who oppose him. As long as we can unite these people, Cao Cao's defeat will be in the process!"

Luo Qi's value in Liu Bei's camp cannot be fully reflected by his civil and military achievements alone, especially after Zhuge Liang began to take full control of the Chu State's political affairs. Because Zhuge Liang was too capable, Luo Qi began to be idle. However, Liu Bei still trusted Luo Qi the most, and even trusted Luo Qi more and more. He told Luo Qi everything, especially when he was depressed, only Luo Qi could soothe his soul and cheer him up again.

While the two were talking, Liu Ye ran in excitedly and said, "Your Majesty, there is a man outside the door who claims to be Guanzhong Fazheng Faxiaozhi and wants to see you."

Fazheng!

Fa Zheng's reputation can only be described as "everyone in the world knows him", especially after he betrayed Cao Cao in Yanzhou and assisted Ma Chao in almost taking over Guanzhong, he became one of the representatives of wise men in the world.

Didn’t Ma Chao surrender to Cao Cao?

Why is Fa Zheng here now?

Liu Bei and Luo Qi looked at each other and saw the surprise in each other's eyes. This matter could not be false. There was only one reason why Fa Zheng came to Qingzhou, and that was to surrender to Liu Bei!

The number of advisers under Liu Bei's command is far inferior to that of Cao Cao. The biggest problem is that there is no top strategist like Xun You.

Liu Ye is a man of many plans but no decision-making. He has many problems to solve, but he easily falls into internal conflicts.

Compared with these top strategists, Luo Qi is still a little behind. His situation is similar to that of Chen Gong. He is good at making overall plans, but lacks quick wit.

Zhuge Liang was too upright, not the kind of counselor who could cause chaos in the country with a single word. Moreover, Luo Qi thought it was a pity to use Zhuge Liang as just a counselor, since his ability in governing was not inferior to that of Duke Wen and Guan Zhong.

Liu Bei had no time to feel sad about the passing of time, and hurried out of the mansion. When he got outside, he saw a scholar who looked rather down and out, but his eyes were still proud, and he held his head high, with an extraordinary aura.

Fa Zheng was naturally filled with anxiety. Although he had Ma Chao's help and time delay, it was still quite difficult for him to travel from Guanzhong to Qingzhou. There was no danger, but he had to avoid many passes. Fortunately, the result was gratifying.

As for why he did not follow Ma Chao to surrender to Cao Cao, the reason was very simple. Ma Chao was a local lord and would be reused by Cao Cao if he surrendered. So why would a counselor like him surrender to Cao Cao?

How large was Cao Cao’s group of advisers?

Xun You, Cheng Yu, Guo Jia, Chen Gong, Xi Zhong, Dong Zhao, Jiang Ji, Zhong Yao, Sima Yi, and Sima Lang are all from the first echelon.

With so many talented people, would he just go and serve Xun You and the others and be subservient to them?

He is a man of great integrity, Fa Xiaozhi, who considers himself to be a man of brilliant ideas and ranks among the top three in the world. Naturally, he does not want to be inferior to so many people.

Moreover, he was one of the main reasons for Cao Pi's death. If he stayed in Cao's camp, even if Cao Cao didn't kill him, the new king would definitely not have a good death.

As for the reason for not going to Dongwu, it is even simpler. That place is now occupied by all the families. If an outsider goes there, he must first form an alliance through marriage before he can be valued.

Only Liu Bei has both strength and lacks a strategist, and in Fa Zheng's view, he is the only prince who has a chance to overthrow Cao Cao.

Since he has offended the Cao family, let Cao die. This is Fa Zheng’s truest thought.

Seeing Liu Bei coming out to see him so anxiously, Fa Zheng knew that this wave was set. Beside Liu Bei was Prince Qi, the second most important person in Chu. Although Liu Bei was a noble prince, he saluted Fa Zheng and said, "Is it really Fa Xiaozhi who is coming to my face?

I am so lucky to meet Xiaozhi in person!"

Fa Zheng was born into a noble family in Guanzhong and had a knight-errant spirit. He helped Ma Chao to unify Guanzhong because of his friendship with him. But because he had a grudge with the Cao family, he wanted to destroy the Cao family. He believed in repaying kindness and avenging grudges.

Even though he knew that Liu Bei was trying to win people's hearts, Fa Zheng was still deeply moved. He bowed deeply and said, "It is Fa Zheng who does not deserve such kindness from the king. Cao Cao is now powerful and ruthless, trampling on the Han Dynasty. Fa Zheng does not want to serve the king. The king is known for his benevolence and justice. Fa Zheng admires you and has traveled two thousand miles to come here. I only hope that the king will not regard me as a mean person and accept me into his court. Fa Zheng will do his best to help the king achieve his great cause."

Liu Bei felt relieved when he heard this. He didn't care that Fa Zheng was dirty, and he grabbed Fa Zheng's arm and laughed loudly, "The world-famous Fa Xiaozhi is coming here, what should I be afraid of?

Xiaozhi, please come to the palace quickly and take a bath first. I will introduce you to the heroes of our Chu State. In the future, you will be the leader of our Chu State."

Fa Zheng was not an unknown person, but a well-known person. In this era, reputation can be regarded as a qualification for becoming an official.

For a person like Fa Zheng, even if he suddenly became a prime minister, no one would doubt his ability. At most, they would doubt his loyalty.

Fa Zheng walked beside Liu Bei, and he could clearly feel Liu Bei's heartfelt welcome and joy for him.

This is a very sincere person!

As a top strategist, Fa Zheng had some basic judgments about Liu Bei after only a short period of contact with him.

No wonder Yinghou chose Liu Bei to revive the Han Dynasty, no wonder Guan Yu gave up everything to follow Liu Bei, and no wonder everyone who has met Liu Bei says he is a hero.

This is a person who is the opposite of Cao Cao.

This is a man who can accomplish great things.

It’s a good decision to come to Qingzhou this time.

After Fazheng had washed up with the help of the maid in the palace, he changed into a silk dress and appeared in front of Liu Bei, looking quite elegant and having restored his demeanor as a nobleman from Guanzhong.

Liu Bei invited Fa Zheng to sit down in the room, put down the wine jar in front of him, and laughed loudly: "Today Xiao Zhi came to our Chu State, which is a blessing for the Han Dynasty. Let us drink this cup of wine together to congratulate Xiao Zhi."

Fa Zheng raised his cup and drank the wine. After wiping the wine stains on his lips with a handkerchief, he bowed and said in a deep voice: "Your Majesty, since I am now under your command, I cannot eat for free. I came from Guanzhong and have been thinking about how to break the impasse for the State of Chu. Would your Majesty be willing to listen?"

Liu Bei didn't expect Fa Zheng to show his worth so soon. His eyes lit up and he waved his hand, saying, "Xiao Zhi's thoughts, I would like to hear more about them!"

Fa Zheng immediately said in a loud voice: "Your Majesty, Cao Wei is now so powerful that it is difficult to stop it. However, in my opinion, although its power is strong, it is also weak.

I believe that the counselors under your command have already made a plan for you to unite the princes and fight against Cao Cao."

Liu Bei nodded. In the current situation, the only correct thing to do was for all the princes to unite and attack Cao Cao together. Otherwise, they would be defeated one by one.

I believe the princes are all very clear about this situation where both the lips and the teeth are interdependent.

Fa Zheng shook his head and said, "Your Majesty, please forgive me for speaking frankly. It is difficult to defeat Cao Cao by simply uniting the princes. During the Zhou Dynasty, many countries united together, but when did they accomplish anything great except for self-preservation?

Even the alliance led by Ziqigong's ancestor Luo State could only prevent Qin and Chu from invading, but could not attack Qin and Chu in turn.

In Zheng's opinion, among all the princes in the world, the only one that can truly ally with the king is Wu.

Luo Zichu, Duke of Yuzhang, the ruler of Wu State, had the ability to see the world and would certainly not sit idly by and watch Cao Wei grow stronger.

But Cao Wei now occupied Nanyang, and Jingzhou's escape route was cut off. Wu wanted to attack Shu and Hanzhong, but Cao Wei occupied Guanzhong. Compared with Wu's counter-attack, it was easier for Cao Wei to take Shu.

Under such circumstances, the officials of Wu State would most likely focus on defending the Yangtze River passes such as Yiling, and then turn their attention to the Huai and Si areas that they had always wanted to seize.

Runan is the target of Wu State, and it is the basis for the union between Chu State and Wu State.

But Xuzhou was also something that Wu wanted to seize. If we were not careful, Wu would attack Xuzhou of our Chu State. It should be said that Wu would inevitably attack Xuzhou, and the war between Wu and Chu was inevitable.

Wu and Chu can only unite briefly to seize Yuzhou, and will inevitably go to war in the end. Such an ally is not important and cannot even be considered an ally!

Don't even think about relying on the relationship between Prince Qi and Prince Chu to maintain the relationship between the two countries. Your Majesty, I'm sure you know very well that national interests and personal preferences are different."

good!

Luo Qi and Liu Bei could hardly help but applaud Fa Zheng for his clear analysis. He was indeed a world-renowned strategist who explained the relationship between the two countries clearly in just a few words.

Seeing that Luo Qi and Liu Bei were listening to him attentively, Fa Zheng said excitedly: "Your Majesty, which piece of land does Chu need to acquire the most now?

It’s Jizhou!

It’s Yanzhou!

In other words, what Chu had to do was to first drive Wei's forces out from the east of Xingyang, and then drive them out of the three states of Jizhou, Yanzhou, and Yuzhou.

Then the second stage is to completely drive Cao Wei's forces out of Shandong.

This requires you to have a great victory in Jizhou, defeat Cao Cao's forces in Jizhou, and then use the power of the great victory to conquer Yanzhou and join forces with Wu to conquer Yuzhou.

Only in this way can Cao Cao's trend of conquering the world be reversed!"

A great victory over Cao Cao in Jizhou?

How easy is that!

Fa Zheng's eyes were full of brilliance as he said, "Your Majesty, only in Jizhou can you have a chance to defeat Cao Cao. If you were in Yanzhou, it would be too difficult to win!

The key to defeating Cao Cao is naturally to obtain the alliance of Yan State, but this is not the key. The key is King Lu Bu of Jin.

Only by obtaining the full support of Jin Wang Lu Bu, if he could at the critical moment, descend from the Eight Paths of Taihang Mountain and directly strike Cao Cao's rear wing.

Cao Cao was very proud at the moment, and he would certainly send out a large army. The army of dozens or hundreds of miles would be hit by a sudden attack from Lu Bu's cavalry and would suffer unimaginable terror.

A large but poorly trained army is never a good thing!

The three generals Guan, Zhang and Zhao under the king's command are all unrivaled in the world and are best at destroying the enemy's formations. They were simply born for such a big battle.

How can we not win if we are like this? "

Luo Qi and Liu Bei looked at each other, and Luo Qi said slowly: "It is difficult to gain the support of Jin Wang Lu Bu, but it is not difficult. I can give it a try."

Fa Zheng looked at Luo Qi with shining eyes. This plan could only be used with Luo Qi around.

————

The emperor said: "When Cao was the hegemon, I was in a difficult situation. I had Xiaozhi as my assistant, which made me soar. Without Xiaozhi, I would not be where I am today." - "Book of the Later Han Dynasty: Biographies of Zhuge Liang and Fa Zheng"

(End of this chapter)