Chapter 359

"And this time, you, my lord, must also achieve a certain victory!"

Everyone nodded. If the lord and Cao Cao led an expedition against Yuan Shu together and failed to defeat him, that would truly be a loss of face and would even help Yuan Shu gain prestige!

Jia Xu, however, had already thought of what would come next.

"My lord, Yuan Shu has the Imperial Seal in his hands. In this expedition, the ownership of this Imperial Seal is a major issue."

Liu Bei had also thought of this. If Cao Cao gets the Imperial Seal, he can support an Emperor and use the Emperor to command the warlords!

Give it to Yuan Shao? Wouldn't that be admitting that the Prince of Hejian whom Yuan Shao is currently supporting is the legitimate one?

Keep it himself?

He would inevitably be blasted by Cao Cao and Yuan Shao, who would say he was harboring the Imperial Seal with ulterior motives, and they would find another reason to attack him together, and his reputation would be tarnished.

Publicly taking the Imperial Seal now would do more harm than good!

Although he is an Imperial Uncle, proclaiming himself Emperor at this time would be no better than Yuan Shu!

The live broadcast room's chat had many more comments.

"Cao Cao is using an overt strategy; Liu Bei is in such a difficult spot!"

"The big-eared thief gained the dividends of his reputation, and now he is being burdened by his reputation!"

"Xi Zhicai's dying strategy is powerful!"

"The big-eared thief has to go this time even if he doesn't want to."

"Miss Zhen Mi is newly married; can you bear to leave her, big-eared thief!"

"This Imperial Seal is a sharp weapon in others' hands, but a hot potato in the big-eared thief's hands; how miserable!"

Liu Bei thought for a moment and suddenly smiled faintly.

"There is no need to worry about the Imperial Seal. Yuan Shu is like a centipede that doesn't die easily; fleeing south to Shouchun this time, he might not necessarily be completely defeated."

Jia Xu, Guo Jia, Fa Zheng, and the others all had their eyes light up and cupped their hands one after another.

"My lord is wise!"

Zhang Fei?? He truly couldn't understand.

However, since several strategists were all giving their approval, it must be correct.

Liu Bei thought for a moment.

"Xun You, Guo Jia, Zhang Fei, Taishi Ci, Ma Chao, and Pang De will follow me on the expedition against Yuan Shu!"

"Understood!"

"Jia Xu, Fa Zheng, you two will hold down Chang'an."

"Understood!"

"Also, transfer Guo Huai and Guanqiu Jian to Liangzhou to replace Zhang Liao and Xu Sheng, and have them garrison Shangluo and Wuguan!"

"We depart in five days!"

"Understood!"

In the backyard.

Zhen Mi, covered in sweat, huddled in Liu Bei's arms.

"Husband, I can't bear to let you go, wuwuwu."

Before Liu Bei could speak,

Zhen Mi pouted and said again,

"But I know you are the Lord Xuande of the whole world, and I cannot hold you back."

Liu Bei laughed.

"My little Zhen Mi is indeed sensible."

Zhen Mi pinched Liu Bei.

"Where am I little!"

"Lord Xuande, you actually dare to slander a young lady; face the wind!"

Liu Bei?? The young lady actually dared to steal his lines!

The next morning.

Cai Yan, Mi Zhen, and Zhen Jiang found Liu Bei.

"Husband, we sisters have pooled our money to import red wine from the Western Regions. Help us think of a way to make it popular quickly."

Liu Bei looked at the red wine in the bottle.

"How about this: I will give you a poem and tell a story, and I guarantee your Western Regions red wine will sell like hotcakes."

Mi Zhen's eyes smiled.

"Husband is indeed talented! Wine paired with a story will surely spread far and wide."

The story was roughly about a Western Regions woman who fell into a cellar where grapes were stored; with no one to rescue her, she survived by drinking red wine, became beautiful, and eventually married the King.

Cai Yan, however, said,

"I am looking forward more to Husband's poem."

Liu Bei stood up, walked a few circles, finally remembered Wang Han's "Liangzhou Ci," and slowly recited it.

"Grape wine in luminous cups, wanting to drink, the pipa on horseback urges."

Cai Yan's eyes lit up.

"What a poetic atmosphere!"

Mi Zhen and Zhen Jiang looked at each other.

"Grape wine in luminous cups? This Western Regions wine will be hard not to be popular!"

Liu Bei paused, thought of the soldiers who died on the battlefield, and said slowly,

"Drunkenly lying on the battlefield, don't laugh, since ancient times, how many return from war?"

Cai Yan took a deep breath, carefully savored the last two lines, and said excitedly,

"Husband, it turns out your talent is so good, and you kept lying to me that you couldn't write poetry; that's too much!"

Cai Yan excitedly threw herself into Liu Bei's arms and was instantly conquered by Liu Bei!

Liu Bei... he was just reciting a bit of the Three Hundred Tang Poems! Look at how excited the lady is!

That day, the entire General of the Gentlemen of the Household's mansion was in an uproar, and everyone was fighting to have Liu Bei give them a poem!

Liu Bei?? What is going on!

Five days later, Liu Bei's expedition was imminent.

Ma Yunlu was a bit moody.

"If I weren't pregnant, I could have followed Husband on the expedition this time."

Liu Bei pulled her into his arms.

"Alright, just stay home and nurture the baby with peace of mind."

Diao Chan was a bit strange.

"Eh, where is Sister Bai? Why didn't she come to see us off?"

Liu Bei naturally knew that Bai Yuekui was too tired last night and couldn't get up today.

Outside Changancheng.

Ten thousand elite cavalry were lined up neatly.

The melodious sound of horns rang out.

The great army set off! Target: Huainan!

Xuxian.

Cao Cao looked at the intelligence from all over sent by the Eagle Eyes.

"Haha, Liu Bei still led his troops out."

Cheng Yu cupped his hands.

"My lord, Liu Bei is burdened by his reputation and has no choice but to set out."

Cao Cao was somewhat smug.

"I have already coordinated with Yuan Shao; this time we must stop him. If he doesn't take the Imperial Seal, I will. If he takes the Imperial Seal, I will lead an expedition against him on the charge of him privately harboring the Imperial Seal!"

Cao Cao picked up a glass of red wine and poured himself a drink.