182. Chen Gong's Scheme Over Yan Province

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The man seeing Lu Bu cupped his hand toward him and introduced himself as Chen Gong. He said that he had long admired Lu Bu's name and that was grateful for Lu Bu allowing him to meet with him. He said to Lu Bu that he wanted to swear allegiance to him and that he had a gift that could help Lu Bu.

Zhang Liao left the tent after escorting Chen Gong, leaving Lu Bu and Chen Gong alone in the tent so that they could have a private conversation.

Lu Bu: "You wanted to serve me? I'm without a territory and money, you decided to follow me wandering the land even though you knew my condition?"

Chen Gong: "General Lu Bu has might that was unrivaled throughout the world, but might alone can't help you conquer the world. General Lu Bu's weakness is that you lack an advisor which I will fill in those roles, to help General Lu Bu."

Lu Bu: "Haha! I like your forthrightness, I have begun to realize that I lack someone with a strategic mind beside me with my loss against Li Ru. Fine since you want to serve me, I give you the chance but if you don't give me the result I want I will execute you!"

Chen Gong: "Chen Gong have seen the lord, don't worry My Lord with the gift I have prepared for My Lord, my promise will bore fruit sooner than you thought."

Lu Bu was intrigued by this gift Chen Gong was talking about, as he mentioned this more than one time. Lu Bu asked what gift Chen Gong prepared, and Chen Gong only said two words, Yan Province.

Lu Bu was surprised by what Chen Going said, as Yan Province was under Cao Cao's control, and if they went to war with Cao Cao, Lie Fan who was his ally would come to his aid as they had entered a military alliance.

Chen Gong could see that Lu Bu was confused, he explained to Lu Bu that he had served Cao Cao before but chose to leave due to their differences.

Lu Bu hearing this began to be more surprised, as he didn't expect Chen Gong to have such a past. He asked him if he regretted leaving Cao Cao, as right now Cao Cao was sitting in Yan Province and Half of Sili.

Chen Gong shook his head, he said that he rather lose his head or become poor, than betray his conviction and consciousness. Lu Bu nods his head, he likes Chen Gong's conviction which has the same code for for a martial artist and warrior.

Chen Gong then continued to explain his plan, he said that before leaving he gained the friendship of Zhang Miao, who was also Cao Cao's friend but began to be dissatisfied with the status quo.

He planned to lobby Zhang Miao who now oversees both Puyang and Jibei for Cao Cao, to join Lu Bu's side, and with that, they managed to take almost half of Yan Province without a fight.

Lu Bu became ecstatic hearing the plan that was proposed by Chen Gong. If this plan could be realized then he would have a territory to call for his own, and his family wouldn't need to continue living a wandering life with him.

Lu Bu asked Chen Gong when they implemented this plan. Chen Gong seeing that Lu Bu had been persuaded by his plan, told Lu Bu calmly that they needed to wait for a moment, for now, they needed to lobby Zhang Miao first.

Lu Bu asked Chen Gong when would be the best time for them to take Puyang and Jibei. Chen Gong responded that Cao Cao and Lie Fan's military alliance was still in effect, which meant they had a target either it's Yuan Shu or Liu Bei, when they attacked their target that was the best time for them.

Lu Bu nodded his head and then let out a loud laugh, he felt happy for the first time since his defeat at Chang'An.

He began to see the importance of having a good advisor on his side but still believed that might rule everything no matter how smart you are he could defeat them with his might.

Lu Bu then called for all of his generals to meet him, as he wanted to introduce Chen Gong to all of them as their Military Strategist which means Lu Bu's second in command.

Zhang Liao, Gao Shun, Hou Cheng, Cao Xing, and Ceng Lian were the top generals under Lu Bu, when Lu Bu introduced Chen Gong to them they were surprised, as they didn't expect someone like Lu Bu believed in something like a strategy as their strategy before was always made by Li Ru or other strategist.

Chen Gong said to them that from now on they should call Lu Bu their lord and not general, as Lu Bu had the ambition to have his own piece of territory which would be realized in a year or so.

Everyone was surprised at first but then they cheered and called Lu Bu their lord, Lu Bu is their spiritual leader and support so they were always loyal to him, and not the lord Lu Bu serve like Ding Yuan and Dong Zhuo.

Lu Bu then told everyone to listen and execute Chen Gon's order like it was his order, as the realization of their plan depended on Chen Gong.

Chen Gong then ordered everyone to begin training their soldiers, and they will raid Wang Kuang a small warlord up in the north of Luoyang, to gain some supplies and money for them to stay fed for a year.

With Chen Gong joining Lu Bu, it's like giving a tiger a wing as it can soar rapidly. Yuan Shu doesn't realize that Lie Fan and Cao Cao are stalking him, while Cao Cao doesn't realize that Lu Bu and Chen Gong are stalking him.

This perfect description of A mantis stalking a cicada is unaware of an oriole behind, in this case, there are two mantis, but the other one is bigger than the other, so the Oriole is stalking the smaller one.

Also at this time in Qing Province, Liu Bei who has become the Governor of Qing Province received a guest at his court.

Liu Bei: "Master Ju Shou what a surprise! The last time we met each other was during the Alliance against Dong Zhuo."

Ju Shou: "Governor Liu Bei has become an important man since the last time we met, I was saddened by the passing of Lord Kong Rong, he was a true pillar of the Han dynasty."

Liu Bei: "Hah... Master Kong Rong's death is an honorable one, fighting to defend Qing Province from rebels. His dream for Qing Province is not my responsibility and burden to realize."

Ju Shou: "Governor Liu Bei hasn't changed for one bit, I came here today in the hope that my talent can be a service to you."

Liu Bei: "What? Master Ju Shou came here to serve me? But aren't you under Lord Han Fu well I mean Lord Yuan Shao right now?"

Ju Shou: "I was exiled by Lord Han Fu, at first I thought that Lord Han Fu didn't believe me anymore, but now I think he knew that I would not be appreciated and chose to exile me rather than serving Yuan Shao."

Liu Bei: "I see, then I gladly accepted Master Ju Shou! Please treat Beihai and Qing Province as if it were your own home!"

Ju Shou cupped his hand to Liu Bei, declaring his loyalty to him. Ju Shou after being exiled by Han Fu, brought his family wandering the land and decided to try to serve Liu Bei, as he had the best character of all the Warlords he had met before.

He was certain that if he chose Cao Cao, he would betray his conviction with the ideology that Cao Cao had, while Lie Fan already had numerous advisors under him and he felt that Lie Fan hid his real personality after meeting him.

Liu Bei was happy to have a man of such caliber as Ju Shou to serve him, he then called for all of his retainers, and he introduced Ju Shou to all of them. Guan Yu and Zhang Fei have met him before,

Sun Guan and Wang Xiu meet Ju Shou for the first time, seeing the respect Liu Bei shows to Ju Shou makes them greet him with the level of respect they thought Ju Shou deserves.

Jian Yong Liu Bei's first advisor accepted Ju Shou with open arms and ignored the proper etiquette as such was his personality. Liu Bei and the others knew Jian Yong's personality, while Ju Shou who respected etiquette was baffled at first.

After the introduction, Liu Bei asked Ju Shou if he had any advice for his future steps and policies to take. Ju Shou analyzed Liu Bei and Qing Province's situation before a meeting with Liu Bei.

Ju Shou suggested that Liu Bei increase the number of his army, to at least between 50,000 and 80,000 men so they could put up a decent fight against anyone who wanted to attack him.

He also suggested that Liu Bei relinquish Pingyuan to Yuan Shao, making it a gift from him to Yuan Shao that they could make as a starter for a good relationship with him.

Wang Xiu and Jian Yong objected to Ju Shou's suggestion, saying that Pingyuan is Liu Bei's foundation lies. Ju Shou countered them, saying that Yuan Shal will surely win the war against Gongsun Zan and they could be his next target.

Pingyuan is an important location, one of the harbors connecting the north and central plains, if Liu Bei controls it Yuan Shao sees that as a threat in his rear.

Liu Bei hearing this stayed silent at first, then agreed to Ju Shou's suggestion as he knew that fighting against Yuan Shao was suicide, he already controlled most of You Procince and Ji Province.

Gongsun Zan's territory is much smaller than Yuan Shao's, and with the talents serving him, Yuan Shao has a much better chance than Gongsun Zan in winning the battle for the hegemony of the north.

Ju Shou thanked Liu Bei for agreeing to his suggestion, he implored Liu Bei that he could take the most of Pingyuan population to follow him and leave Yuan Shao with the rest, as with the reputation Liu Bei had the people would certainly choose him over Yuan Shao.

Liu Bei showed a smile after Ju Shou finished saying that, He appointed Ju Shou and Wang Xiu to handle the people of Pingyuan, while Jian Yong will act as his ambassador and go to Yuan Shao to 'gift' Pingyuan and maybe make an alliance with him if it can be done.

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Name: Lie Fan

Title: Three Heroes Who Defeat Lu Bu

Age: 24 (191 AD)

Level: 15

Next Level: 1.588.000

Renown:  605

Cultivation: Yin Yang Separation (level 8)

SP: 371.700

ATTRIBUTE POINTS

STR: 884 (+20)

VIT: 440 (+20)

AGI: 428 (+10)

INT: 435

CHR: 93

WIS: 359

WILL: 257

ATR Points: 0