Chapter 63 - Xu Province ownership change (2/2)
“Went to Hebei? To Yuan Shao's domain?!” Lu Bu slowly understood. After Cao Cao defeated Yuan Shu, Yu Province ownership change to Cao Cao and Yang Province also damaged beyond repair. So staying at both provinces only equal wait for death. Therefore Yuan Shu planning to sought refuge at his elder cousin Yuan Shao. Before Lu Bu arrived, Yuan Shu cannot do anything, because the deadlock caused by Chen Lan and Lei Bo!
Now, while Lu Bu dealt with Chen Lan and Lei Bo, Yuan Shu seized this opportunity to pack up and leave Shouchun.
“Does not Xu Province's master is Cao Mengde?!” The intel that Lu Bu obtained that Cao Cao and Yuan Shao have stationed troops in Guandu and will begin skirmish at any time. So, news of Yuan Shu's movement will compromise Xu Province and Cao Cao's battle. Do Cao Cao have good intention to let Yuan Shu arrive safely in Hebei?!
“Milord, ah Milord! This messenger beside noticing us that Yuan Gonglu have left Shouchun, he also bring us two other news!” Chen Gong continued his speech
“Two more?!”
“Hum! First, the master of Xu Province now is not Cao Mengde!” Said Chen Gong.
“Not Cao Mengde?!” Lu Bu stunned and then he said “Does Yuan Shao has attacked Xu Province from Qing Province?!” Now Xu Province is the place of four war because of its strategic position. It is located bordering four provinces at once, Yan Province, Yu Province, Yang Province and Qing Province. If Yuan Shao want to attack Cao Cao, he can just send troops to Xu Province and he will be right at Cao Cao's Yan Province front door.
Yu Province currently is in Old Cao's hand, Yang Province who are led by Yuan Shu currently dilapidated and unable to defend himself. The nearest threat to Cao Cao is Qing Province who is led by Yuan Tan, Yuan Shao's eldest son.
“It is also not Yuan Tan!!” Chen Gong shook his head “The current owner is someone who you least expect!”
“It is someone who I least expect?!” Lu Bu cannot think of someone in Old Cao's side seizing Xu Province now.
“It is Liu Bei! Liu Xuande, that is current owner of Xu Province now!” When Chen Gong said his name, Lu Bu really startled.
“Big-eared Liu?!” Lu Bu clearly remembered. This Xu Province initially was Tao Qian's but after Tao Qian died, Liu Bei seized Xu Province before it was seized by himself. So Liu Bei hatred to Lu Bu is very profound, he even allied himself with Cao Cao to attack Xu Province. But isn't those two relationship very well? Even Cao Mengde called Liu Bei “My worthy little brother”.
“Is not Liu Bei pledge allegiance with Cao Cao by being his swordn brother?!”
“He do not pledge allegiance to Cao Cao, that is only a cover up for himself!” Chen Gong looking at Lu Bu with complex emotion. Liu Bei and Lu Bu is very much similar. The only difference is that Lu Bu is given nickname slave of three surnames because he betray and kill his two foster father, Liu Bei do not have that kind of nickname. This Liu Bei is even more so! From Yellow Turban Rebellion, to seeking lesson from Lu Zhi. He wander everywhere and then he arrived at You Province Gongsun Zan, arrived at Tao Qian, pledge allegiance to Lu Bu. One can say, wherever Liu Bei goes, those who took him in will end up terrible death. When Liu Bei stayed at one's place, he will drain their resources slowly and without anyone noticing and left as early as possible after his shelter already sucked up dry to its foundation, just like a goddamn parasite.
The only difference between Liu Bei and Lu Bu is that Lu Bu kill their boss personally but Liu Bei killed his boss by draining all of his resources, slowly killing him
They later met up with each other at Xu Province, the one who first seeks refuge with Liu Bei is Lu Bu. Lu Bu almost killed Liu Bei to seize Xu Province foundation. Liu Bei understand this difficult situation then he sought refuge with Lu Bu while plotting with Old Cao to kill Lu Bu. And that resulted with Lu Bu almost fell to tragic death at white gate tower in Xiapi.
Now with Lu Bu gone, Liu Bei began plotting again, he killed Che Zhou using Guan Yu to sever Old Cao's ties with Xu Province in order to support himself.
TL: Che Zhou
“Liu Bei! Liu Xuande!” Lu Bu's face expression is also complex. He seized Liu Bei's Xu Province, and then driven out by Cao Cao. Finally this Xu Province unexpectedly returned into Liu Bei's hand. He really is a human with a good fortune
So, Xu Province is Liu Bei again. Liu Bei himself should be impossible to stop Yuan Shu's march.
“The second news!” This is an intel from Yuan Shu.
“The news is Liu Pi of Runan has surrenderd to Yuan Shao!” Said Chen Gong.
“Liu Pi of Runan surrendered to Yuan Shao?!” Lu Bu brow wrinkled. The news of Liu Bei recaptured Xu Province is not too big deal to Lu Bu, after all Xu Province is not his. Lu Bu used to snatch region from other people no matter who the people is. He also looked forward Liu Bei and Cao Cao's fight in Xu Province, and then he will emerge to gather the spoils for himself.
However this news now making Lu Bu headache, Runan was the only land way if they want to go to Xinye. Lu Bu and Yuan Shao relationship was over a long time ago. The only reason that Lu Bu can capture Yan Province from Puyang is because he and Yuan Shao was ally. But now, this news really making Lu Bu headache.
Now Runan was occupied by Yuan Shao! This trip will be harder than expected. So land route planning can be scrapped now. The other way is to travel using water, crossing Jiangxia to Xinye! However using water, the risk is too big, because Lu Bu army never had any experience in water battle and not familiar with water. If enemy appeared on water, then it is the end for his whole army.
“Milord, what about those 10,000-shi of grain and provisions?!” Chen Gong tried to intertwine a simple matter along with difficult matter that is now they are facing.
“Grain and provisions are to be capitulated into our army!” Said Lu Bu while waving his hand.
”Yes!”Obtained Lu Bu's answer, Chen Gong has complied with a smile, but 10,000 stone grain and fodder army one month of food, give up to Yuanlu. “Yes Sir!” Hearing Lu Bu reply, Cheng Gong complied with a big smile. These 10,000-shi of grain and provisions is for army's food for one month, how can he, Chen Gong, willing to give Yuan Gonglu?!