As Cao Cao proclaimed himself king, the news spread throughout the world.

Liu Bei, the king of Hanzhong who was hailed as the emperor of the Han Dynasty in a corner of the southwest, naturally had the strongest reaction.

The basis for his ability to establish a country was to hold high the banner of "Reviving the Great Han" as a clan member, plus a blood edict privately issued by Emperor Liu Xie.

This is currently the only legal basis that can legitimately call on the public to fight against the thieves and act against the emperor.

But if the Cao family arrogates the throne now, it will be in vain for the Han Dynasty, and Liu Bei will turn a blind eye to this and stand on the sidelines.

Undoubtedly, people in the world will think that "restoring the Han Dynasty" is just an empty talk. In fact, it is just a careerist who has selfish interests with the Sun family in Jiangdong and the Cao family in the north!

That will inevitably destroy the remaining legitimacy.

Starting the Northern Expedition in the future will only become more difficult.

Therefore, at the court meeting, Liu Bei, the King of Hanzhong, publicly announced to his courtiers the countermeasures to Cao's move, and appointed the military advisor general to be fully responsible.

Zhuge Liang's efficiency is also extremely fast.

In a short period of time, the decree reached the government offices of various counties and counties.

All officials followed the instructions above.

Copy the documents and post them in the streets and alleys, and send people to preach.

In a short period of time, the sentiments of scholars and people across Yizhou were aroused.

Public dissatisfaction boils over!

"Yes, the King of Hanzhong is benevolent and righteous, and we are willing to support the Han Dynasty wholeheartedly."

"That's right. Before the king pacified Yizhou, bandits were everywhere in the territory. At that time, except for living a life of drunkenness and dreams in Chengdu, how could Liu Zhang ever pay attention to us?"

"But this phenomenon took on a new look after the king entered Yizhou!"

"Political clarity, crack down on local bullies, and distribute fields for cultivation."

"What's more, the king has traveled south and north throughout his life, covering half of the world. He always restrains himself and treats the people well."

"For this reason alone, I am willing to defend the Han Dynasty."

"I believe that as long as the King of Hanzhong can clear up the troubled times, he will be able to restore peace to the people of the world."

"Just like Guangwu two hundred years ago!"

In the following days, the words continued to spread in Yizhou, Jingzhou and other places.

The scholars and the people discussed each other endlessly,

In fact, many young people are extremely enthusiastic about joining the army.

We can hear the words of great ambition every day in the recruiting office.

"Please also ask the general to approve our joining the army to serve the country."

"We are willing to follow the king and jointly destroy the traitors who usurped the great Han."

And with the condemnation in letters after letters,

This public opinion is also gradually fermenting.

Liu Bei's public criticism of Cao's claim to the throne gradually spread to other states and counties.

Jiaozhou, the land of Jiangdong, the land of Liangzhou...

Almost everyone in the frontier areas had heard that the Cao family had proclaimed themselves king and established a feudal state. It seemed that they were breaking away from the Han Dynasty and reestablishing order.

However, except for the people in Jingzhou and Yizhou who are boiling with dissatisfaction, other places basically have a wait-and-see mentality.

All the scholars are looking forward to whether Shu will send out a large-scale army to attack them.

Simple public opinion tactics and denunciation will not fool others.

When Zhuge Liang took full power to coordinate the plan for the public opinion war,

As for the Cao family, they are also quietly paying attention to the impact after the King Ceremony.

King Cao Cao of Wei summoned Dong Zhao privately and ordered him to gather people to counter Liu Bei's public criticism in Shu.

To be called Duke, to be called King...

It was basically all driven by Dong Zhao’s efforts.

Now, he has naturally become a popular person in front of Cao Cao, and he also thinks highly of him.

There are vaguely important ministers who succeeded Xun Yu and Cheng Yu.

Of course, in Shuzhong, there will not be just a simple war of public opinion.

After the denunciation gradually grew louder...

Zhuge Liang also gradually handed over the matter to his subordinate officers Dong He and Yang Hong.

He himself also participated in important tasks such as raising military supplies, hoarding weapons and grain in Hanzhong, and selecting and gathering soldiers together with Huang Quan.

There is also the need to protect our own small-scale invasion of the logistics and food routes under Cao's rule...

In accordance with the policy of legal rectification, Liu Bei, the king of Hanzhong, established the Jingzhou Army led by Guan Yu of Jingzhou to continue to besiege Xiangfan City, putting pressure on the Central Plains states that were the core of the Cao family.

As for Hanzhong and Wudu, Wei Yan and Zhao Tong were also ordered to work together to launch an offensive against Guanlong and Liangzhou areas.

Buy time for our own party to gather for the Northern Expedition.

…

It is precisely because of the establishment of the policy.

As soon as the public denunciation plan was launched, Liu Bei, the king of Hanzhong, wrote a letter in person to Guan Yu, the former general who was the governor of Jingzhou.

It takes more than half a month for the Wang Ling sent from Chengdu to various places to reach its destination.

Late September.

The warm autumn weather in the south of the Yangtze River gradually recedes, and cold air gradually arrives.

Under Xiangfan City, Jingzhou Army Camp,

Originally, during the Northern Expedition, General Guan Yu wanted to take advantage of the autumn flood season to attack Xiangfan.

It's a pity that this year, after all, there is something unfavorable about the weather.

Although in July and August this year, the areas around Hanshui River are also experiencing rainy season.

But these are all normal autumn rains.

There is no such rare flood season, and the area where Fancheng on the north bank of the Han River is located is basically a low-lying land.

But without the outbreak of flash floods, it would be difficult to submerge the city.

If you want to attack Fancheng with force, it will be as difficult as climbing to the sky!

But regarding this matter, apart from being slightly disappointed, Guan Yu did not blame others.

At any rate, he had practiced naval warfare on the Han River in Fancheng and Xinye more than ten years ago, and he was well aware of the changeable weather in this area.

Not every year is accompanied by a flood season.

During Liu Biao's time, he had only encountered such a situation once or twice during the seven years he had been stationed in Fancheng.

Therefore, when the imagined flash floods from the rainy season this year flooded the city, Guan Yu could only think about it in his heart:

"If it doesn't happen this year, it can only mean that the time to attack Xiangfan has not come yet!"

"I have to continue to wait for the opportunity!"

Originally, he was planning to withdraw his troops and return south.

However, word spread that Cao Cao suddenly proclaimed himself king, which put Guan Yu's plan to retreat temporarily on hold.

While he continued to besiege Xiangyang City, he quickly sent people to Chengdu to ask for instructions on the next battle plan.

Is it to continue to exert pressure, or is it to return south as planned.

This day.

The messenger who was sent to Chengdu once again rushed back to the camp carrying a reply letter written by Liu Bei himself.

In the big tent.

At this moment, the commander-in-chief, Guan Yu, was wearing a navy blue robe and was sitting on the chairman's chair. There were documents neatly placed on the desk in front of him. He was looking through them slowly and approving the recent military affairs and the orders from Jiangling Pang Tong who stayed behind.

Important military information sent.

His son Guan Ping stood beside him, serving him.

As the messenger hurriedly asked to see him, Guan Yu felt happy and quickly waved his hand to order him in.

"The little man pays homage to the lord, the young general."

When the messenger entered the tent, he first bowed his head and bowed respectfully to Guan Yu and Guan Ping, who was protecting him next to him. After the ceremony, he took out the letter from his armor and presented it to him.

"This is a letter written by the king himself, a reply to you, the lord!"

When Guan Ping saw this, he also had quick eyesight and quick hands. He quickly stepped down and took the letter, turned around again and walked up to hand it to his father.
To be continued...