What Lin Zhe said was very realistic and he did not deliberately favor Liu Bei. Lu Bu could still see this.
And the most important thing is, in Lu Bu's opinion, Yuan Shu is very likely to do this!
"Then...what can be done?"
Lin Zhe seemed to have really become Lu Bu's adviser at this time, always thinking about him, and then he clasped his fists and said: "So it is definitely not a wise move to enter into a marriage with Yuan Shu at this time. Zhe doesn't understand why Marquis Wen insists on doing this?!"
"Well..."
It could be seen that Lu Bu was obviously hesitant, and there was a trace of confusion on his face. He didn't know whether he could tell Lin Zhe about this.
After thinking about it, Lu Bu felt that this matter was not a secret, so he softly uttered a few words.
"Because...food!"
"forage?"
"forage?!"
"It's actually food!"
Lin Zhe's expression suddenly changed, and he couldn't help but feel a thump in his heart.
He really didn't expect that the reason why Lu Bu always insisted on forming an alliance with Yuan Shu was actually - lack of food!
After thinking about it carefully, Lin Zhe felt relieved. This matter was indeed reasonable.
Although Xuzhou was once a major grain-producing state and had a certain amount of grain taxes, thanks to Cao Cao's massacre of the city, most of the land now is concentrated in the hands of local aristocratic families.
At that time, Cao Cao didn't kill everyone when he massacred the city, at least the aristocratic families were not allowed to touch him.
But if there are no soldiers and the fields are not taken care of, there will definitely be a famine the next year. The rich households can still support it, but the small households will definitely starve to death. In order to survive, the people of Xuzhou have to rely on these powerful nobles.
Once the people sell their fields, their wealth and life will be handed over to those wealthy households, and naturally it will not be the government's turn to collect taxes.
So the final result is that there is basically no money in the hands of ordinary people, and most of it is in the hands of wealthy families.
As for Lu Bu, as an outsider, he might not be able to extract some money and food from these wealthy families.
In addition, after Yanzhou and Cao Cao were defeated in the battle before, Lu Bu fled to Xuzhou in a hurry. He didn't bring much food and grass with him. Now that he couldn't collect food, couldn't he find a way to get some food and grass?
No wonder we want to form an alliance with Yuan Shu...
It turns out that this is what Chen Gong had in mind!
Knowing this, the stone in Lin Zhe's heart couldn't help but fall to the ground. Sure enough, he had to talk to people like Lu Bu more so that he could know Chen Gong's weaknesses.
Thinking of this, Lin Zhe clasped his fists and said, "How dare I ask Marquis Wen, has Yuan Shu sent the food and grass?"
Lu Bu shook his head and said: "Yuan Gongdao promised me 50,000 hu of grain and grass, 500 horses, 10,000 taels of gold and silver, and 1,000 forged horses as a betrothal gift for marrying my daughter. I only need her to be sent to Shouchun.
, Yuan Gongli sent these to Xiapi!"
hehe...
No wonder Chen Gong is so anxious...
Lin Zhe's eyes flashed, knowing that he had the chance to break the game. He clasped his fists and continued to analyze to Lu Bu:
"Gongtai's plan is really good, but just by sending a daughter out, you can get so much food and grass. This transaction is a sure profit!"
When he heard Lin Zhe say that marrying his daughter was just a business deal, Lu Bu couldn't help but frown. He didn't like what Lin Zhe said.
However, Lin Zhe did not see the impatience on Lu Bu's face and continued: "Let's not talk about whether Yuan Shu will deliver the food and grass to Xiapi on time as agreed. He has delivered the food and grass in time, and the general has a chance to breathe for the time being.
, so what’s next?”
"What will Marquis Wen do next?"
Before Lu Bu could speak, Lin Zhe said to himself, "Can I let Zhe take a guess?"
"Gongtai's plan is nothing more than exchanging in-laws for time so that Marquis Wen can have a chance to develop..."
"Of course, maybe he also has the idea of using Xuande Gong to deal with Yuan Jiujiu. The longer the battle between the two drags on, the more beneficial it will be to Wen Hou!"
"As long as a stalemate can be reached, Marquis Wen can play both sides between Yuan Shu and Xuande Gong, and both sides can gain benefits at the same time."
"If possible, Gongtai would probably ask Marquis Wen to take advantage of Yuan Shu. After all, Marquis Wen and Yuan Shu are still nominally related by marriage. It is reasonable to eat more and take more..."
Upon hearing Lin Zhe's analysis, Lu Bu couldn't help but widen his eyes.
Exactly the same!
What Lin Zhe is saying now is exactly the same as what Chen Gong planned for him!
Chen Gong's overall plan can be deduced just by the word "food shortage" he said.
Is this kid...really such a monster?
The way Lu Bu looked at Lin Zhe became more and more strange. Now he wanted to keep Lin Zhe by his side even more.
Even if this son is unwilling to surrender to him, he will never allow Liu Bei to have such a great talent!
Otherwise... I'm afraid Gongtai's plan will be ruined at the hands of this young man!
Lin Zhe seemed to see Lu Bu's shock. He chuckled, looked up at Lu Bu, and said jokingly: "Marquis Wen, I wonder if Zhe's analysis makes sense?!"
Makes sense!
It makes so much sense!
"Regardless of whether the guess is correct or not, as you said, is there anything wrong with Gongtai's plan?"
Lu Bu tried to keep his tone normal, but the tightly clenched fists under the desk showed that Lu Bu was quite nervous at this time.
I thought Lin Zhe would oppose Chen Gong's plan, but to Lu Bu's surprise, Lin Zhe shook his head and said, "There is no big problem, or... at least there is no big problem right now!"
"Huh? What does this mean?"
"Xian Yun, just say it straight away!"
Lin Zhe couldn't help but ask: "This strategy is enough to deal with the crisis at hand. Even if Zhe personally planned it for Marquis Wen, I'm afraid it would be difficult to do better than this."
"However, Zhe still has that question. Has Marquis Wen ever thought about it in the future?"
Lu Bu was a little confused. Lin Zhe had mentioned the future to him no less than three times today. What does this matter have to do with the future?
Lin Zhe did not explain. Instead, he changed the topic and asked Lu Bu an irrelevant question.
"According to Marquis Wen, what is domineering? What is the kingly way?"
Lu Bu snorted coldly.
"Domineering? Kingly?"
"I am domineering!"
"I am the king!"
Feeling Lu Bu's arrogant aura, Lin Zhe was stunned for a moment, but he quickly recovered, shook his head, and then corrected: "No!"
"Marquis Wen is here!"
"No matter what Marquis Wen thinks, at least what Gongtai has planned for Marquis Wen is a real path of domination!"
In order to get Lu Bu's attention, Lin Zhe specially emphasized the words "Gongtai plans for Lu Bu".
Seeing Lu Bu's silence, Lin Zhe continued: "Mencius said: Those who use force and pretend to be benevolent dominate, and hegemony will lead to a big country."
“Those who convince others with strength are not convinced by their hearts, nor by their strength.”
To put it simply, the translation of Mencius' words is - relying on the actual force of force, under the guise of benevolence and righteousness, to achieve one's own selfish interests, this is hegemony.
If you want to dominate, you must have the backing of a relatively large country, so that you can have the power to subdue other countries and achieve hegemony. If a country is small, it will not be able to achieve hegemony.
Domineering means making people surrender with false benevolence and righteousness. Although people appear to be obedient on the outside, they are dissatisfied on the inside. They do not really love you, but they surrender because they have no choice but because they lack strength and cannot defeat the strong.
Hearing this, Lu Bu seemed a little angry, and shouted at Lin Zhe: "Xian Yun's words, are you mocking someone?"
Knowing that Lu Bu didn't understand, Lin Zhe gave a simpler explanation.
"To put it simply..."
"What is the royal way?"
"Those who disobey will be killed!"
"What is domineering?"
"Whether you are obedient or disobedient, as long as it is not in my interests, I will kill them all!"
With this explanation, Lu Bu understood it instantly, and then asked: "I just want to be domineering, so what?"
Finally took the bait...
A triumphant smile emerged from the corner of Lin Zhe's mouth, and he began his next performance.
Of course there is nothing wrong with taking the domineering path, but...