Zhang Liao was a man of firm resolve, and when it came to important matters, he had his own ideas. If he didn't want to serve under Lü Bu, Lü Bu would certainly be aware of it. Some matters could be smoothed over with vague words, but others couldn't!
Lü Bu genuinely wanted to win Zhang Liao over, so he made this bet with him!
Indeed, seeing how confident Lü Bu was that Sun Ce would certainly die within two years, Zhang Liao furrowed his brow and asked, "General, are you planning to send someone to assassinate him? Once Sun Ce dies, the once unified region of Jiangdong will undoubtedly fall apart."
"And our army can take advantage of the chaos and move into Jingnan, right?"
Lü Bu shook his head. "Assassination is just a petty method. The reason I'm so confident that Sun Ce will die isn't because we're going to do it ourselves!"
Zhang Liao was confused. "You say Sun Ce will die within two years, yet you also say it won't be at our hands. Does this mean there's another power in the Jiangdong region that could destroy Sun Ce?"
Lü Bu spoke, "Jiangdong is filled with heroes, and Sun Ce is a ruthless general who does not hesitate to break armies and kill enemies. These things are nothing out of the ordinary."
"But I've heard that Sun Ce is overly confident in his martial prowess, and he often travels lightly, sometimes without even taking personal guards with him."
"He has many enemies in Jiangdong, and any faction that wants to target him, as long as they make the right moves, has a very high chance of success. Don't you agree, Wen Yuan?"
Sun Ce, as an important figure in Jiangdong, was well known to Lü Bu. If Lü Bu remembered correctly, Sun Ce eventually died when he was ambushed by a few of Xu Gong's subordinates during a hunting trip.
Zhang Liao was silent for a moment before speaking. "Let's assume Sun Ce will indeed be assassinated. What about Liu Biao?"
"Liu Biao is stationed in Jingzhou with tens of thousands of soldiers. He will never sit back and watch our army take control of Jingnan and then further conquer Shu!"
Sun Ce himself was brave and decisive, but the Sun family in Jiangdong was still relatively new. To unify Jiangdong, he would certainly offend many aristocratic families.
If these families sought revenge, Sun Ce could indeed be assassinated. However, Liu Biao was different. Liu Biao was firmly in control of Jingzhou, and it would be nearly impossible to assassinate him!
Lü Bu smiled. "Of course, Liu Biao will not let us take control of Jingnan and then march into Shu. If you ask me for a specific plan to deal with Liu Biao, I honestly can't answer."
"But though it's difficult, it can be done! As long as we stay focused on our goal and proceed steadily, one day we'll achieve our objectives!"
Zhang Liao sighed. "General, your strategic plan is indeed very convincing."
"But to achieve it, we would need top-tier strategists!"
Lü Bu nodded. "Gongtai is straightforward, and often unwilling to use schemes to achieve goals. With his abilities, success would indeed be difficult."
"But Wen Yuan, don't forget, there are top-tier strategists right here in Jingzhou!"
Zhuge Liang and Pang Tong were among the best strategists of the Three Kingdoms. But at this moment, Zhang Liao had yet to hear of them!
When Lü Bu mentioned top strategists in Jingzhou, Zhang Liao thought for a moment before asking, "General, are you talking about the Kuai brothers, Kuai Liang and Kuai Yue?"
Lü Bu shook his head. "Though the Kuai brothers have good strategies, they are only talents for a province. If the situation were bigger, they might have room for improvement."
"But when it comes to top-tier strategists in the world, they're still lacking a bit."
"The person I'm talking about, Wen Yuan, is someone you also know."
Zhang Liao immediately realized, "General, are you talking about Jia Xu, Jia Wenhe?"
Lü Bu nodded. "Yes, it's Jia Xu!"
Jia Xu, styled Wenhe, was from Wuwei Commandery in Liangzhou. He had entered the service early and became one of the strategists under Dong Zhuo, the warlord.
In the third year of the Initial Peace era (192), Dong Zhuo was killed by Lü Bu, and the Liangzhou army lost its leader. The court officials led by Wang Yun started to settle old scores with the Liangzhou army.
Li Jue and Guo Si, unable to keep the Liangzhou army united, fled back to their homeland, Liangzhou. However, Jia Xu stepped forward, dismissing their plans and urging the Liangzhou army to regroup and retake Chang'an.
Jia Xu's strategy was clear: after the chaos caused by Dong Zhuo's army, if they retreated, they would be disbanded and easily defeated by the imperial army. To survive, they must gather their forces and fight back.
Without a doubt, Jia Xu's strategy worked, and Li Jue and Guo Si managed to recapture Chang'an and control the court for the next three to four years.
However, Jia Xu's actions benefited the Liangzhou army, but they brought disaster to the people of Guanzhong and the imperial court!
Because of this, Jia Xu's name as a "poisonous strategist" began to spread.
Zhang Liao paused and said, "Jia Xu is currently serving under Zhang Xiu. When the Liangzhou army retook Chang'an, Zhang Ji and Zhang Xiu fought against us. I fear Jia Xu may not be willing to serve us."
"Moreover, Jia Xu's reputation as a 'poisonous strategist' is well known. If General wants to recruit him, it will likely bring criticism from heroes across the world!"
Lü Bu shook his head. "Whether Jia Xu wants to serve us or not, we will figure it out after we reach Jingzhou. As for the world's criticism, we don't need to care about that. Does Wen Yuan really think my reputation is any better than Jia Xu's right now?"
Zhang Liao smiled wryly. "Indeed, I've been overthinking it. In that case, I'll follow your orders, General!"
Just as the two were speaking, a soldier came to report.
"Report! A message from the strategist has arrived from Xiangyang!"
After quickly reading the letter, Lü Bu turned to Zhang Liao and ordered, "Prepare to move out. We are heading to Nanyang!"
Zhang Liao frowned. "Aren't we heading to Jiangxia or Changling? Why are we going to Nanyang?"
Lü Bu spoke in a low voice, "Although Liu Biao has agreed to accept us, he won't let us settle in the eastern part of Jingzhou. He only wants us to go to Nanyang!"
Zhang Liao was worried. "But Nanyang is most likely already under Zhang Xiu's control. If we go there, will we not conflict with him?"
Lü Bu smiled. "A wise man once said, 'Chaos is a ladder!'"
"What's there to fear from a conflict? We'll face it head-on when it comes!"
"And don't forget, Wen Yuan, the strategist I want to recruit, is precisely in Nanyang!"