Xiao He’s thoughts raced, and after his eyes shifted a few times, a sharp light flashed through them.
He first put on a grateful expression.
“I have no family and no one to rely on.
Since Liu Bei has taken me in, I am naturally willing to follow Liu Bei to Jiangling.” Then his tone changed, and he asked in return, “But I want to ask Liu Bei one thing.
If refusing Raid on Xiangyang means that the hundred thousand people of Xiangyang will die beneath Cao Cao’s iron cavalry, will Liu Bei still remain so stubborn?” Liu Bei’s body stiffened, and his face changed at once.
“What do you mean by that, sir?” Just as Liu Bei had begun to relax, his nerves tightened again.
Zhuge Liang stopped waving his feather fan, and a trace of surprise flashed through his eyes.
Clearly, this time even he had not reached the same conclusion as Xiao He.
“Cao Cao has always been ruthless.
Back then, he slaughtered Xuzhou so thoroughly that the Si River was choked with the dead, and at Guandu he buried seventy thousand surrendered soldiers of the Yuan forces alive.” “Now that the people of Xiangfan know Jing Province has changed hands and that Cao Cao’s army is about to reach the Han River, how could they not be terrified?
They must all fear that Cao Cao will butcher all of Jingxiang.” “And Liu Bei is famed throughout the realm for benevolence and righteousness.
Once the people of Xiangfan hear that Liu Bei is crossing the river and heading south, they will surely bring their whole families and follow you south to seek refuge.” “After Cao Cao takes Xiangyang, he will never allow you to seize Jiangling.
Most likely, he will send his cavalry after you without pause.” “If Liu Bei is leading hundreds of thousands of old people, women, and children, the army will move slowly.
Once Cao Cao’s cavalry catches up, there will be no question what will happen.” “With what Liu Bei knows of Cao Cao, do you think he will show mercy then?
Do you think he will care about the lives of those hundreds of thousands of common people?” Xiao He did not need any elaborate strategy.
He only had to place the bloody truth of Changban Slope before Liu Bei.
As he listened, Liu Bei’s expression grew heavier and heavier, until at last he drew in a cold breath and shuddered.
That Cao Cao who had slaughtered Xuzhou would never show softness.
Once Cao Cao’s cavalry caught them, they would kill everyone in their path.
Commoners, soldiers, women, children, old and young alike.
Better to kill three thousand by mistake than let one slip away.
Liu Bei knew his old rival far too well, and he had no doubt that would be Cao Cao’s order.
“You are right to warn me, sir.
If I rashly retreat south, would I not be sending countless people of Xiangfan to die beneath Cao Cao’s cavalry?” “We truly cannot retreat south.
We cannot.” Liu Bei suddenly understood.
He rose at once and gave Xiao He a solemn bow.
“Thanks to your reminder, or I would have become a sinner of Jing Province.
Please accept this bow from me, sir.” Xiao He quietly let out a breath of relief.
The old saying was true: if you wanted to grasp someone firmly, the best way was to seize the weakness in his heart.
Liu Bei’s weakness was his benevolence and righteousness.
Xiao He hurried to rise and help him up, smiling as he said, “I cannot accept such a great courtesy from Liu Bei.” “I know Liu Bei values righteousness, but there is no need to be so harsh on yourself.
Even if what I said comes true, the guilt lies with Cao Cao, not with Liu Bei.” Then Xiao He changed his tone and pressed on.
“Even if the blame is not yours, I do not think Liu Bei could ever stand by and watch the people of Xiangfan die beneath Cao Cao’s cavalry.” “Leaving aside that Liu Cong betrayed his father and surrendered to Cao Cao, if Liu Bei takes Xiangyang, that would be entirely justified and not a violation of righteousness.
Even if someone insists on calling it such, it would only be a small righteousness.” “How can that compare with the great righteousness of saving a hundred thousand people of Xiangfan?
Which is lighter and which is heavier, I believe Liu Bei already knows in his heart.” Small righteousness.
Great righteousness.
Liu Bei’s eyes slowly changed, as though he had finally begun to see clearly.
Watching his shifting expression, Zhuge Liang could naturally tell that Liu Bei had been moved by Xiao He.
He looked at Xiao He in silence and thought, “He even foresaw that the people would fear Cao Cao and follow our lord south.
He also used that to persuade our lord.
This man sees farther than I do, and he seems to understand our lord even better than I do.” A moment later, Zhuge Liang cupped his hands and seized the chance to urge him on.
“lord, Xiao He is absolutely right.
How can you lose great righteousness for the sake of small righteousness?” “I ask lord to place the lives of the countless people of Xiangfan first and lead us in the Raid on Xiangyang.
We must block Cao Cao north of the Han River, save the million living people of Jing Province, and spare them from being trampled and slaughtered by Cao Cao’s cavalry.” Guan Yu and Zhang Fei exchanged a glance.
Then they stepped forward together, cupped their hands, and voiced the same plea.
Liu Bei strode to his feet and stood by the doorway with his hands behind his back, staring north.
His gaze shifted again and again, and only after a long while did the hesitation in his eyes harden into resolve.
“If Liu Cong truly offers Jing Province to Cao Cao, then he cannot blame me for ignoring the bond between uncle and nephew.
I will personally lead you across the Han River and carry out the Raid on Xiangyang to block Cao Cao north of the river.” Zhuge Liang let out a long breath.
Guan Yu looked as if a weight had been lifted from his heart.
Zhang Fei, on the other hand, was overjoyed.
He laughed loudly and slapped Xiao He on the shoulder.
“Master Xiao, you really are something.
We talked until our mouths went dry and still could not persuade big brother, but a few words from you were enough to change his mind.” “Tonight I’m bringing a jar of Dukang wine.
I am definitely going to drink you under the table and thank you properly.” Zhang Fei was so strong that the slap made Xiao He bare his teeth in pain.
It felt as though his shoulder were about to shatter.
“Third Uncle, be gentler.
He looks so weak.
How could he take a slap like that from you?” Seeing the pained look on Xiao He’s face, Guan Yinping could not help speaking up.
Zhang Fei froze for a moment, then finally came to his senses and quickly withdrew his hand.
“Master Xiao, I got too happy for a moment.
I did not hurt you, did I?
You’re my big brother’s treasure now.
If I broke you, that would be bad indeed.” He kept muttering apologies, guilt written all over his face as he patted and checked Xiao He’s shoulder up and down.
Xiao He gave an awkward smile and shifted his shoulder away.
“It’s fine, it’s fine.
Nothing serious.”