Chapter 10: Regretting Not Heeding Xiao Jinglue’s Advice! Old Liu Felt Deep Remorse.

Night had fallen, and the city lights hung high and bright.

A grand banquet celebrating victory and welcoming returning comrades was underway within the walls of the Mi family estate.

"Young Master Xiao, so young yet possessing such wisdom and strategy—truly a promising talent," someone praised.

"Come, come, this cup I raise in your honor," Sun Qian said with a hearty smile, lifting his glass.

Mi Fang, Jian Yong, and others took turns toasting as well.

After this battle, over four hundred enemy soldiers were captured, and Wei Yan had even personally seized Xu Sheng alive.

Xiao Fang’s undeniable achievements earned the sincere admiration of Sun Qian and the others.

After several rounds of drinking, the mood shifted as the thought of the fall of Xiapi and Liu Bei’s precarious situation weighed heavily on their minds, prompting sighs of concern.

“Zifang, let the lady stay at your residence for now; please take good care of her.”

“I’ll set out for Xiapi at dawn to join the lord and help him reclaim the city!” Sun Qian drained his cup, his expression resolute.

Xiao Fang remained silent, letting them speak freely.

It was young Zhuge Liang who, weakened by the wine after a few drinks, spoke with a slight drunkenness.

Hearing Sun Qian’s plan to head to Xiapi to find Liu Bei, Zhuge Liang blurted out, “Mr. Sun, you need not make the trip all the way to Xiapi. Lord Liu will inevitably come to Haixi to join you.”

Sun Qian paused, his gaze turning confused toward Zhuge Liang.

Jian Yong and Mi Fang also set down their cups, intrigued.

“Why do you say that, Young Master Zhuge?” Sun Qian asked, puzzled.

“My brother-in-law said that most of Lord Liu’s troops are from Xuzhou, many even from Xiapi itself,” Zhuge Liang explained.

“If Lü Bu simply forces the families of these soldiers onto the city walls and has them call out to their husbands and sons inside, the morale will collapse without a fight.”

“This battle need not be fought; Lord Liu has already lost.”

Under the influence of wine, Zhuge Liang spoke freely, revealing all that Xiao Fang had confided to him about Liu Bei’s dire situation.

Sun Qian shuddered, drawing a sharp breath.

Mi Fang and Jian Yong’s expressions changed abruptly as they glanced sharply at Xiao Fang.

Xiao Fang cast a sidelong look at Zhuge Liang, thinking the boy’s tolerance for alcohol was too poor—just a few drinks and he was loose-lipped.

Yet, there was no harm in what was said.

So Xiao Fang said nothing, quietly savoring the fine wine in his cup.

“If what Young Master Xiao predicts is true, the lord’s chances in this battle are indeed slim, with little hope of victory,” Jian Yong said, his face darkening, his voice trembling slightly.

“Lord Liu’s defeat is not limited to this one battle,” Zhuge Liang added.

“My brother-in-law also said that after losing Xiapi, he will not be willing to give up Xuzhou and will cross the Huai River southward to seize Guangling Commandery.”

“At that time, he will likely suffer another crushing defeat at the hands of Yuan Shu.”

“Following these two devastating losses, Lord Liu’s forces will be decimated, supplies cut off, leaving him trapped in a desperate predicament.”

“At that moment, Mi Biejia will surely advise Lord Liu to relocate to Haixi, where your Mi family will provide funds and provisions to help him through the crisis.”

“Mr. Sun, you should wait in Haixi; sooner or later, your Lord Liu will arrive.”

Zhuge Liang spoke at length, laying bare Xiao Fang’s grim predictions concerning Liu Bei’s defeats at Guangling.

The group was stunned, breaking out in cold sweat.

“Young Master Xiao, have you truly calculated that our lord will suffer two great defeats and retreat eastward to Haixi?” Jian Yong asked, his face filled with emotion.

Xiao Fang, unwilling to confirm, feigned drunkenness.

“The Mi family’s wine is truly potent, its aftereffects strong—I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed.”

“A-Liang, help your brother-in-law back to rest.”

“Please, everyone, drink slowly~~”

Xiao Yuan covered his forehead, squinting as he stood and steadied the swaying Zhuge Liang, then staggered away.

Sun Qian and the others were left alone in the main hall.

“Xianhe, do you believe Young Master Xiao’s calculations or not?” Sun Qian looked back at Jian Yong, half in doubt.

Jian Yong pondered briefly, then nodded firmly.

“The lord himself said this Young Master Xiao is a prodigy, unmatched in strategy.”

“He accurately predicted Lü Bu’s surprise attack on Xiapi and General Yi’s chastisement of Cao Bao—both came true.”

“His current deductions are logical and well-founded; I have no doubt they are correct!”

Having witnessed many things on the journey to Haixi, Jian Yong’s understanding of Xiao Fang was even deeper than Liu Bei’s.

At this moment, he fully trusted and respected Xiao Fang.

Sun Qian fell silent, lost in thought.

After a moment, he suddenly stood, his expression grave and urgent.

“In that case, I must set out tonight to warn the lord immediately.”

“You all stay here to care for the lady and watch over Young Master Xiao carefully—do not let him leave without notice.”

Having agreed among themselves, Sun Qian wasted no time and departed that very night.

...

The sunset slanted westward over the Huai River’s banks.

Numerous bamboo rafts ferried over a thousand shattered soldiers across the river.

The “Liu” banner hung askew, a clear sign of defeat.

This was unmistakably a shattered force.

Liu Bei stood on the northern shore, gazing at his disheveled army, unable to suppress a long, helpless sigh.

First, after retreating to Xiapi, Chen Gong’s stratagem had effortlessly shattered morale.

Then Lü Bu led his troops out, with wolf cavalry clearing the way, delivering a heavy blow.

Of the twenty thousand soldiers, more than half were lost.

Still unwilling to accept defeat, the three sworn brothers conspired once more, crossing the Huai River southward to strike Yuan Shu with a counterattack and reclaim Guangling Commandery.

But the soldiers’ morale was low, supplies cut off—the counterattack struck a steel wall and snapped.

Another crushing defeat followed; soldiers were killed, wounded, or scattered.

Now, having barely escaped across the Huai River and evaded Yuan Shu’s pursuit, only a core force of just over a thousand remained.

“Everything unfolded as Xiao Jinglue predicted—we have indeed been defeated,” Liu Bei lamented.

“Knowing his foresight yet refusing to heed advice has brought us to this sorry state; as your brother, I take responsibility,” he sighed deeply, filled with regret.

Guan Yu wished to comfort him but found no words.

Xiapi was lost, Guangling unrecovered, the twenty thousand-strong army reduced to a thousand with supplies cut off.

In such dire straits, he was truly at a loss.

“Lord, why don’t we go to Haixi?” Mi Zhu respectfully offered at a critical moment.

“The Mi family has some roots there. I am willing to dedicate all we have to help you regroup.”

“Once you have regained strength, we can plan our next move. What do you think, my lord?”

Liu Bei’s spirit lifted, a glimmer of dawn kindling in his dark eyes.

“Zizhong, though I am defeated and destitute, are you truly willing to stand by me without abandoning me?”

Tears welled in Liu Bei’s eyes as he looked gratefully at Mi Zhu.

Mi Zhu’s expression was resolute as he bowed solemnly.

“The world is in chaos; warlords pursue fame and power with ruthless means.”

“But my lord takes the righteous path, treating others with benevolence—the way of the king.”

“I firmly believe you, my lord, are the wise ruler who will bring peace and restore the Han.”

“My family and I pledge never to abandon you, to follow you unto death!”

Moved to the core by Mi Zhu’s declaration, Liu Bei clasped his shoulder, speechless for a long time.

Guan Yu sighed deeply and then reminded him gently.

“Brother, Zizhong’s loyalty is truly rare.”

“Going to Haixi is indeed a way forward; there’s no time to hesitate—let us depart quickly.”

Liu Bei soon set aside his feelings and ordered the army to march eastward.

No sooner had the order been given than several riders came galloping swiftly forward.

“My lord! My lord!” Sun Qian leapt down from his horse, rushing to Liu Bei with a bow of self-reproach.

“Despite hurrying, I still arrived too late!”