Three Kingdoms: My Strategy Simulator

As soon as Liu Bei made this decision, quite a few people harbored dissenting opinions.

However, with the support of both Liu Bei and Li Ji, it was enough to suppress all dissenting and opposing voices.

Immediately afterward, the army finished their meal and set off at once, bypassing Cao Cao's camp without the slightest attempt at concealment, continuing north along the Yi River.

Or rather, such a hasty and massive military movement had no chance of escaping Cao Cao's notice.

The scouts of Cao's army quickly reported this news to Cao Cao.

Upon learning of this, Cao Cao personally ascended the watchtower on the east side of the camp, and indeed, it was exactly as the scouts had reported.

Liu Bei's army not only made no attempt to conceal their movements, but brazenly chose a route that passed not far from Cao Cao's camp.

'Too much! This is too much! They simply don't take me seriously!!!'

Anger flashed in Cao Cao's eyes.

Such a blatant route was no different than barging into Cao Cao's house through the front door, defecating, and then leaving through the back gate.

It was nothing short of humiliation.

At that moment, Cao Cao felt as if he saw Liu Bei openly revealing his weaknesses in the distance, constantly taunting: 'Come and get me, if you're a real man!'

By marching in this way, Cao Cao, positioned on the flank, could easily see the weaknesses in Liu Bei's army, and even easily locate the rear guard and supplies.

Cao Cao clenched his fists, an impulse rising in his heart to organize a trusted force to strike a blow.

To directly attack Liu Bei's supply train; even if that trusted force was completely annihilated, it would be a worthwhile exchange if they could burn and destroy Liu Bei's supplies.

However, when Cao Cao noticed the tens of thousands of cavalry constantly patrolling the flanks, the heat in his heart felt as if it had been suddenly doused with a bucket of cold water.

With these tens of thousands of cavalry providing cover, sending too few troops would only turn them into mincemeat under iron hooves.

Sending too many troops, not to mention whether Cao Cao could accept the losses.

More importantly, Liu Bei, who was originally preparing to bypass them, might turn around and focus his attention on Cao Cao, whose forces had been severely weakened.

Moreover, Cao's army was exhausted and had just begun to rest; even if Cao Cao forcibly ordered the soldiers to assemble, it would likely lead to complaints and a further decline in morale.

Watching Liu Bei's army leave seemed to be Cao Cao's only option at the moment.

… …

In reality, Li Ji was quite a distance away from Cao's camp and could not clearly see the figures of Cao's soldiers.

However, Li Ji knew that Cao Cao was definitely watching.

Unfortunately, this was a calculated move, and Cao Cao had no ability to stop it at the moment.

Like a butterfly unable to fly across the ocean, this was a difference in strength.

Unless Cao Cao truly had the conviction to commit his entire army and make a desperate gamble.

However, if Cao Cao made that choice, it would only further Li Ji's plans.

First annihilate the main force of Cao's army, eliminating any worries, and then head north to the Yi River.

It was a pity that even as Li Ji remotely watched Cao's camp disappear behind him, the numerous scattered scouts did not report any unusual movements from Cao's camp.

"It seems that Cao Cao is indeed as Zikun predicted; by bypassing Cao's camp at this time, Cao's army truly dares not send troops to stop us."

Liu Bei also finally felt relieved at this point.

After all, bypassing the enemy's camp so blatantly was undoubtedly a major taboo in military strategy.

If the enemy took the opportunity to directly attack the rear guard and supply weaknesses, it could easily lead to chaos.

"Cao's army is exhausted, their combat strength is less than thirty percent, and they have no usable cavalry, limiting their mobility; it is only reasonable that Cao Cao dares not make a desperate gamble," Li Ji replied.

"However, in this way, our supply line will also be completely cut off; even if we reduce consumption, the supplies will probably only last for fifteen to twenty days."

Liu Bei couldn't help but take a deep breath; making this decision clearly carried a considerable amount of pressure.

It was common practice to send elite troops deep behind enemy lines to seize food from the enemy; this was a very common military strategy.

The Champion Marquis of the past fought thousands of miles across the desert, sealing wolves and residing in the Xushan Mountains, and that was exactly how he did it.

But no army had ever cut off its own supply line and gone deep behind enemy lines; this was completely contrary to common sense and unheard of.

If Li Ji hadn't proposed this unconventional suggestion, Liu Bei would never have made such an assumption.

However, concerning the safety of millions of people in Xu Province, Liu Bei still made this choice, even though he knew it was a risk.

Perhaps if they waited another ten or fifteen days, the plague would not form.

But what if the plague broke out along the Yi River just ten or fifteen days later?

At that time, hundreds of thousands of people in the Xia Pi State might contract the plague, and millions of people would have to leave their homeland to avoid the plague, which would be extremely destructive to Xu Province.

"Zikun, was my choice a bit reckless? Putting a hundred thousand soldiers in danger, and even requiring you to take risks with them, is really not right."

Liu Bei frowned slightly, speaking in a low voice.

Listening to this, Li Ji revealed a smile on his face and said.

"Actually, from the beginning, I knew that you would make this choice, so I took the initiative to propose this strategy."

Liu Bei was slightly stunned.

"Back then, you couldn't bear to see your fellow villagers suffer from the Yellow Turban looting, so you drew your sword and gathered righteous people from all directions, defeating enemies dozens of times stronger with weaker forces."

"Then as now, what is the difference? Nearly ten years have passed, and you still haven't changed at all."

Speaking of the end, Li Ji's tone unconsciously carried a bit of sigh.

Liu Bei had always been a man of benevolence and righteousness.

The so-called chaotic times, heroes drawing their swords, wanting to support the Han Dynasty above and protect the people below, refers to Liu Xuande.

Not to mention Liu Xuande, who had encountered few setbacks since starting his career with Li Ji's assistance.

Even Liu Xuande, who had spent half his life wandering in the original timeline, did not hesitate to take risks and lead the people across the river to seek refuge in the face of Cao's army's pursuit, which shows the steadfastness of his lifelong belief.

"Actually also… also, not as good as Zikun said…"

Faced with Li Ji's praise, Liu Bei's voice unconsciously stuttered a bit, not daring to admit it directly.

It would be fine if others praised him; Liu Bei's heart would not produce a trace of ripple.

But the praise and recognition from Li Ji was truly infinitely beneficial to Liu Bei; he was clearly riding a horse, but he felt as if his whole person was about to float up.

And seeing this in Li Ji's eyes, the originally somewhat sighing state could not help but turn into an inner complaint: You middle-aged old man, why is your face as red as a teapot?

This made Li Ji unable to help but support his forehead…

Zhang Fei was one thing; he had always been frank and straightforward, and whether it was instigation or encouragement and praise, Zhang Fei accepted and benefited from it all.

But what Li Ji had not expected for a moment was that even Liu Bei, whose prestige had been growing day by day, could be connected to child psychology upon closer examination.

Praising and flattering is indeed the ultimate mystery of officialdom? (End of this chapter)