Three Kingdoms: My Strategy Simulator

The current situation in Youzhou is complex and urgent.

After a moment, Jia Xu slowly opened his mouth and said, "Where does Zikun plan to move the grain storage location to?"

Li Ji moved the folding fan in his hand slightly, fanning away some of the heat, whether from his mood or the temperature, and said.

"Apart from the port protected by General Gongsun, there is no second suitable location for storing grain."

Qingzhou?

This choice seems like a feasible option, but besides Gongsun Zan, which other chief officials of You and Qing provinces would turn a blind eye to such a large amount of grain?

Which chief official could withstand such a test when faced with such a large piece of fat?

Therefore, even if Li Ji moved the grain storage location to Qingzhou, I am afraid he would not be able to find a second Gongsun Zan for a while.

Sun Ce on the side suddenly thought of something, his eyes lit up and he said. "Teacher, how about capturing a region in Goguryeo, Silla, or Baekje as a grain storage point?"

… …

Li Ji.

The term 'war profiteer' definitely refers to someone like Sun Ce, without a doubt.

Youzhou is already in a chaotic mess, and Sun Ce wants to stir up the peninsula as well?

Liu Bei's little fortune really can't withstand this level of tossing around.

It should be known that compared to Yingzhou, the forces on the peninsula in this era are more difficult to deal with. They are more connected to the Han Dynasty, more influenced by Central Plains culture, and more advanced in terms of economy, politics, and military.

By the time of the Sui and Tang Dynasties, the peninsula forces single-handedly dragged down most of the Sui Dynasty, and even dared to boast that they had blinded one of Li Shimin's eyes.

Therefore, at least with the current 40,000 troops of Wu Commandery, it is not certain that they have the hard power to overwhelm the peninsula, not to mention that righteousness is not on their side.

Moreover, the barbarians have wild ambitions. Even if a grain storage location is exchanged through negotiation and trade, they might go back on their word and attack the grain storage location at any time.

And feeling the strange gazes cast by Li Ji and Jia Xu, which were almost identical, Sun Ce lowered his head unconsciously, realizing that he might have made a bad suggestion.

Although Sun Ce didn't quite feel that there was a problem, Sun Ce was very aware that Li Ji and Jia Xu were above him in terms of brains.

And Zhao Yun, who was usually taciturn and did not speak easily, suddenly opened his mouth and said.

"Mr. Zikun, Mr. Wenhe, Yun has something to say."

"Zilong, feel free to speak," Li Ji replied.

Zhao Yun said in a deep voice. "If the lord were here, he would definitely not turn a blind eye to the elders and folks of Youzhou being subjected to barbarian soldiers and disasters, and even if the Third General knew about this after waking up from his drunkenness, he would definitely make a fuss about resisting the Wuhuan bandits."

How could Li Ji not know this?

What kind of person is Liu Bei?

He is the one who would rather slow down the retreat speed than take the people across the river with him;

He is the one who went to help Beihai County of Qingzhou with thousands of soldiers just because he knew that the Yellow Turbans were besieging it;

When Cao Cao slaughtered Xuzhou, he relied on the word "benevolence" to support Xuzhou even if it meant trying to stop a chariot with a mantis's arm.

Throughout Liu Bei's life, he has done too many stupid things of fighting the strong with the weak for the sake of the people.

If Liu Bei knew the situation in Youzhou, he would definitely not sit idly by.

Noticing the change in Li Ji's expression, Jia Xu's eyes moved slightly, and he said to Zhao Yun and Sun Ce.

"It is late at night, and there are still many unclear aspects of the situation in Youzhou. We still need to discuss it tomorrow. You should go back and rest first."

Zhao Yun and Sun Ce glanced at Li Ji, who did not express his position, and then bowed their hands and retreated.

After Zhao Yun and Sun Ce left, Jia Xu continued, "Now that there is no one else here, I have something to tell Zikun."

"Wenhe, feel free to speak," Li Ji replied.

Jia Xu narrowed his eyes and said slowly.

"If these 40,000 troops are buried here, the foundation that Zikun has accumulated for the lord over the years will vanish in an instant, and even if you finally resist the Wuhuan, it will not be of any benefit to the lord."

"Do not let a momentary impulse cause the great cause that is about to be accomplished to be abandoned. The best option now is to aid General Gongsun with some grain to fulfill the lord's reputation for benevolence, and then continue to conquer Yingzhou."

"And I believe that with Zikun's style, it is impossible to have prepared only one grain storage location."

It must be said that if we talk about who knows Li Ji best in this world, Jia Xu is the only choice.

Even Liu Bei would have to be ranked after Jia Xu.

Li Ji naturally knows how the Battle of Guandu was defeated in the original trajectory, and he attaches great importance to the grain storage point that is related to success or failure.

Therefore, in addition to Youzhou, Li Ji has indeed prepared other grain storage points.

Neither on the peninsula nor in Qingzhou, but on a deserted island outside Qingzhou, where a certain amount of grain is stored as a backup in case of emergency.

It's just that the temporarily opened deserted island is far from being comparable to this port in Youzhou, and the environment for storing grain is much harsher.

If Li Ji wants to transport all the grain stored in the port of Youzhou to the alternative deserted island, Li Ji will also need to spend a lot of manpower and material resources to repair the grain storage point on the deserted island.

Of course, in essence, this is just an excuse.

What really makes Li Ji hesitate is Li Ji's slightly similar mentality to Liu Bei, unable to turn a blind eye to the Han people being trampled by the barbarian iron hooves.

But what Jia Xu said is not without reason. Getting involved in the Wuhuan Rebellion is not beneficial to Wu Commandery at all. On the contrary, it is very likely to offend Liu Yu, the governor of Youzhou, who is also a member of the Han Dynasty, by openly supporting Gongsun Zan.

Moreover, once the army is trapped in the quagmire of the Youzhou war, it may not have the spare strength to take care of Yingzhou.

Jia Xu's judgment is that getting involved in Youzhou is harmful and not beneficial, so he rarely takes the initiative to persuade Li Ji.

And Li Ji was silent for a moment, and then said.

"Wenhe, you should go down and rest first."

"Zikun, you... alas..."

Seeing this, Jia Xu showed a bit of helplessness on his face, cupped his hands, and then retreated.

Watching Jia Xu leave, Li Ji, who was in a dilemma, slowly lowered his eyes.

A dilemma!

This is not a choice between right and wrong, but a choice between righteousness and benefit.

"If the lord were here, how would he choose?"

This question appeared in Li Ji's mind, and then he immediately got the answer.

Liu Bei would definitely do his best to help Gongsun Zan resist the Wuhuan and protect the people.

'And what about myself? Would I stop the lord?'

Li Ji hesitated for a moment, then suddenly smiled.

Because Li Ji knew that he would never stop him.

Li Ji knows that he has great righteousness in his heart, but he will unconsciously weigh the gains and losses, and hesitate in the face of such a situation.

But after Liu Bei made a choice, Li Ji knew that he would never object, but would have a feeling of relief.

"No!"

Li Ji's eyes, which had been somewhat hesitant and drunk, gradually became clear and sharp, and he said in a low voice.

"Ji will not stop the lord from doing the right thing, but will definitely seek a win-win solution. This is my responsibility."

The next morning.

Li Ji summoned the generals early in the morning to explain the known situation in Youzhou, which made Jia Xu sigh secretly.

When Li Ji publicly stated this matter, Jia Xu knew what choice Li Ji would make.

The barbarians looting the Han land almost instantly aroused the anger of the generals.

For the generals, the attitude towards the barbarians can be roughly divided into two categories: the radicals, and the conservatives who dislike the radicals for being too conservative.

Especially Zhang Fei, who was already full of evil spirit just after hearing about this.

"Mr. Zikun, since we are Han officials, and we happen to encounter this matter, we cannot allow the Wuhuan bandits to trample on our Han people."

"Mr. Zikun, as long as you give an order, I am willing to break the Wuhuan."

"Teacher, Ce'er can also be the vanguard!"

… …

For a time, not to mention Zhang Fei and Sun Ce, even Jiang Qin, as a water general, was eager to try, wishing to fight the Wuhuan bandits on the northern land.

At this point, Jia Xu had completely no intention of making a sound to sing the opposite tune, and even occasionally echoed a sentence of approval.

And after the generals had all expressed their opinions, Li Ji slammed the table and stood up, and said loudly.

"The morale of the generals is commendable, and Ji also has this intention. How can my magnificent Han Dynasty allow the reckless barbarians to be presumptuous? Since they dare to loot the Han land, since we have encountered them, then we will cut off their heads!"

"It's just that this matter still needs to be reported to the lord. I have already sent a fast boat to report to the lord, so as to obtain the lord's permission to help the Han army break the bandits in the land of Youyan."

Although Li Ji knew that this was just going through a process, Liu Bei's reaction to hearing about this was probably to wish he could carry his double-edged sword and rush to Youzhou to help in the battle himself, but it is the duty of a minister to take the initiative to express his request for the lord's permission.

Immediately, Li Ji changed his tone and said.

"It's just that the affairs of Yingzhou are the main business, and they can't be ignored. What should we do?"

Immediately, Li Ji looked towards Jia Xu, which made Jia Xu tense up, and an ominous premonition arose.

Just as the generals were lost in thought, Jia Xu unconsciously began to have the idea of ​​slipping away on purpose.

Just at this time, under Jia Xu's gaze, Sun Ce seemed to have opened his mind and said.

"Teacher, the Wuhuan have many cavalry. Even if the navy lands ashore, it may be difficult to exert its great use. It is better to temporarily divide the troops into two groups. One group of navy continues to go to Yingzhou, and the other group is cavalry and infantry to assist Youzhou in resisting the Wuhuan."

"Ce'er's words are very agreeable to me!"

Jia Xu looked at Li Ji nodding his head pretentiously, and then asked.

"But if the troops are divided into two groups, the situation in Youzhou is now more serious and urgent. Ji will inevitably only be able to stay in Youzhou to sit in command, so who can lead the way to Yingzhou?"

Jia Xu was willing to bet his head that Sun Ce would never have thought of dividing the troops on his own; it must be Li Zikun using him as a mouthpiece, playing along and subtly pointing it out to him.

Leading the navy to Yingzhou ahead of time?

The navy only numbered ten thousand, and more than half of them would have to stay on the ships at all times, leaving only a handful of soldiers truly available.

Furthermore, the situation in Yingzhou was unclear, and Jia Xu was unwilling to take such a high risk.

Therefore, Jia Xu kept his eyes down, as if he couldn't hear or understand anything.