On top of that, Cao Cao had secretly ordered Liu Cong to hold fast to Xiangyang and wait for his main army to arrive, so they could trap Liu Bei between them and wipe him out at Fancheng.
Xiao He’s prediction was proven true once again.
Although Liu Bei was furious, he did not take it out on Song Zhong.
After rebuking him, he let him cross back over the river and return to Xiangyang.
“That Xiao He truly sees matters like a god.
He was right again,” Guan Yu said with a click of his tongue.
Then he cupped his hands and said angrily, “There is now solid proof that Liu Cong and those traitors of the Cai and Kuai clans have surrendered to Cao Cao.
That villain even wants to join hands with Cao Cao to put elder brother to death.
It is hateful beyond words.” “He was heartless first, so we owe him nothing.
Brother, what is there left to hesitate over?
Let us move.” Zhang Fei was even angrier.
He jumped to his feet and shouted, “Brother, just give the word.
One sentence from you, and I’ll charge into Xiangyang right now and butcher those three dogs!” The last bit of hope left in Liu Bei’s heart vanished completely.
He drew a deep breath, and his eyes turned hard as iron.
“For Liu Cong to abandon Liu Biao’s dying wish to resist Cao Cao is unfilial.
For the Cai and Kuai traitors to betray Liu Biao’s trust is disloyal.
For those three villains to work with Cao Cao and try to murder me is unrighteous.” “Men who are disloyal, unfilial, and unrighteous like that do not deserve any talk of duty or friendship from me.
My mind is made up.
In the Raid on Xiangyang, we will remove the traitors within and block Cao Cao’s forces outside.” Guan Yu and Zhang Fei both let out long breaths of relief, and their spirits immediately rose.
The other generals in the hall also grew eager for battle, each hoping to cross the river and seize Xiangyang.
But at that moment, one broad-faced and imposing general spoke with calm caution.
It was Zhao Yun.
“It is true that Raid on Xiangyang must be carried out, but there are still more than thirty thousand troops inside Xiangyang.
The two traitors of the Cai and Kuai clans have been building their power there for a long time, and their followers are everywhere.
In recent years, because of Liu Biao’s restraints, Liu Bei has had only a little over ten thousand troops in hand.” “The enemy is strong and we are weak.
As for how to seize Xiangyang in a surprise attack, I believe it still requires careful discussion,” Zhao Yun said.
Liu Bei agreed deeply and turned his eyes toward Zhuge Liang.
“Strategist, do you have a good plan?” Everyone’s eyes gathered on Zhuge Liang.
He lightly waved his feather fan and had a page bring over the map of Xiangfan, which was spread out before them.
Then he began to explain his idea in an even voice.
“Since Xiao He’s strategy is called the Raid on Xiangyang, the key is surprise and swift victory.
Fancheng and Xiangyang are separated by only one river, so the first step in taking Xiangyang is crossing that river.
My plan is for Liu Bei to launch a night attack on the naval camp at Fancheng, seize the warships in one stroke, and then cross the river by boat at top speed before Liu Cong and the Cai and Kuai traitors hear the news, appearing without warning beneath the walls of Xiangyang.” “Although the Cai and Kuai clans control the military and civil power of Xiangyang, the city is not of one mind.
Many are dissatisfied with them, and many do not want to follow Liu Cong in surrendering to Cao Cao.
At this moment, rumors must already be spreading inside the city, the people are frightened, and the army is unsettled.” “As long as we can break through the gate by surprise and rush in, then even though there are thirty thousand troops in the city, they will surely collapse without a fight.
There will also be no small number of soldiers and officials who turn to lord on the spot.
If we can do that, Xiangyang will fall in an instant.” As Zhuge Liang pointed at the map with his feather fan, he spoke with complete composure.
Liu Bei felt his spirits rise and stepped forward to study the map closely, turning the plan over in his mind.
But after only a moment, a shadow passed through his eyes.
“Zhuge Liang, the first few steps of this plan are fine.
It is only this final step…” Liu Bei said, pointing at Xiangyang on the map.
“No matter how fast we move, the defenders of Xiangyang will still have enough time to shut the gates.
How are we supposed to break in then?” Guan Yu and Zhang Fei both nodded again and again.
They had clearly seen the same flaw in Zhuge Liang’s plan.
Zhuge Liang’s face also turned serious.
“That is exactly why the key to the Raid on Xiangyang lies in how we break through the gate,” he said.
“With the strength of Xiangyang’s walls, there is no way we can force our way in quickly.
Our only chance is to have someone inside act as our ally, working together from within and without to seize the gate and let us into the city.” “What Liu Bei must do now is find, among the defenders of Xiangyang, a general who is unwilling to surrender to Cao Cao and willing to submit to Liu Bei, and have him secretly help us take the gate.” Liu Bei suddenly understood and hurriedly asked, “Then in the Zhuge Liang’s opinion, who is the best choice?” Zhuge Liang frowned slightly and let out a soft sigh.
“That is the difficult part.
Cai Mao has controlled the military power of Xiangyang for many years, and the entire defending army is filled with his trusted followers.
If we choose the wrong person by even a little, and he reports us to the Cai and Kuai clans, then our surprise plan will fail at the final moment.” After laying out his concern, Zhuge Liang cupped his hands toward Liu Bei.
“For that reason, I ask Liu Bei to grant me a few more days, so I can think it over carefully.” Liu Bei naturally understood how serious the matter was and could only agree to Zhuge Liang’s request.
And so this war council stalled at the very last step.
Just as the generals were taking their leave to make their own preparations, Zhang Fei suddenly remembered something and slapped the table as he jumped up.
“Brother, isn’t there still that master with godlike skill hidden in the residence?
Why not go ask that master about the choice of the inside man?” “Xiao He, Xiao He!” At once, Liu Bei saw that youthful face in his mind.
He was right.
This was the man who had foreseen Liu Biao’s death from illness, Liu Cong’s surrender to Cao Cao, and had even offered the crucial plan to break the deadlock in the Raid on Xiangyang.