When Yuan Xi heard this, Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei all showed clear surprise. This journey had been filled with uncertainty from the very beginning.
Liu Bei composed himself and said solemnly, "I would like to hear your plan in detail."
Yuan Xi then carefully explained the strategy he had previously discussed with Ju Shou, Lu Xun, and the others.
Liu Bei still commanded more than ten thousand troops. Although they lacked proper equipment, Yuan Xi had seized a large number of weapons after defeating Cao Cao's forces. These could be supplied to Liu Bei, allowing him to march west along the Yangtze River, penetrate into Yuzhou and Yangzhou, and strike directly at the regions south of Shouchun.
At the same time, Yuan Xi had learned that Guan Yu had already trained a capable naval force at Qu City. This fleet could now enter the Yangtze and coordinate with Taishi Ci's navy.
With the combined strength of these two fleets, they could sweep aside Yuan Shu's river forces and push westward, capturing key river ports such as Liyang, Hengjiang, and Ruxu. From there, they would advance toward Wuwei and Wancheng, securing the docks along the river.
Next, they would move through the waterways into Chaohu, transport troops across, and strike Fei from the rear—just dozens of miles behind it. If successful, this would sever Shouchun's southern supply route.
Once that happened, Shouchun—located two hundred li north of Hefei—would be completely cut off from support from Jiujiang and Lujiang. All supply and troop movement would be forced onto land routes, a crippling disadvantage.
In warfare, transporting supplies by water is far more efficient than by land. Over long distances, water transport might lose only a small portion of resources, but land transport could lose more than half—sometimes even most—of what was sent.
With Yuan Shu's forces already suffering from famine due to the locust plague, relying on land supply lines would quickly exhaust them. This was Yuan Xi's decisive strategy: to destroy the enemy not by direct battle, but by cutting off their lifeline.
The success of the plan relied heavily on the naval strength of Taishi Ci and Guan Yu. Under their leadership, the fleet had grown into a force comparable to that of Sun Ce. If they cooperated effectively, Yuan Shu's navy would stand no chance.
After hearing this, Liu Bei exchanged a few quiet words with Guan Yu and Zhang Fei. All three showed clear excitement.
"This plan is feasible," Liu Bei finally said.
However, he raised one concern:
"This strategy is brilliant. If we can cut off Yuan Shu's retreat, his army will collapse on its own. General Zhao can then reclaim lost territory. But what if Sun Bofu of Jiangdong intervenes?"
"If Sun Ce attacks us from behind while Yuan Shu presses from the front, our army will be trapped with no escape. How do you plan to deal with that?"
Yuan Xi paused before answering honestly.
"Sun Bofu is currently focused on campaigns in Jiangdong and Jiangxia. It is unlikely he will cross the river to intervene. Moreover, he has already broken ties with Yuan Shu."
"However… I cannot guarantee he won't change his mind."
His frankness surprised Liu Bei and his brothers.
Yuan Xi continued, "If the worst happens, I will personally lead my forces to support you. If defeat comes, I will face it alongside you."
Deeply moved, Liu Bei immediately replied, "Good!"
"We have nowhere else to turn. Since you have given us a chance to rebuild, we will follow you to the end!"
Guan Yu and Zhang Fei also bowed in agreement.
Yuan Xi returned the gesture. "Then let us not dwell on defeat. Let us speak of victory."
"The only promise I can make is this: if we succeed, I will ensure that your title as Governor of Yuzhou becomes reality."
Liu Bei was shaken. He understood the implication—though he had lost Xuzhou, Yuan Xi was offering him a future in Yuzhou instead.
But he also knew the cost: defeating not only Yuan Shu, but eventually facing Cao Cao as well.
Still, he had no other path.
Clenching his resolve, Liu Bei declared, "I will lead the vanguard and march straight for Shouchun!"
Yuan Xi grasped his hand firmly. "Then everything depends on you."
The two forces soon parted.
Yuan Xi led his fleet down to Guangling to join Taishi Ci before advancing west along the river.
Meanwhile, Liu Bei reorganized his troops at Ling County. He and Zhang Fei led the main force by land toward the Yangtze's northern bank, while Guan Yu commanded the navy to link up with Yuan Xi.
The fleets would move ahead, clearing Yuan Shu's naval forces and securing the river. The decisive factor, however, would be Liu Bei's land army, since cities could only be taken by infantry.
Fortunately, the river towns depended heavily on water supply. Once their supply lines were cut, morale would collapse quickly—especially under famine conditions. With food shortages worsening, even strong cities would soon fall.
Standing at the bow of his ship, feeling the hot summer wind, Yuan Xi turned to Lu Xun.
"Although Taishi Ci commands in name, he himself said that in naval warfare, you surpass him. The success of this campaign depends on you."
Lu Xun felt the weight of those words and replied solemnly, "I will give it everything I have."
Yuan Xi smiled. "No need to be so tense. Our ships are strong. Even if we cannot win, we can still retreat safely."
"Stay calm, and you will succeed."
Lu Xun hesitated. "There are still two things I cannot understand."
"First—why did Cao Cao break with Liu Bei so quickly?"
Yuan Xi thought for a moment. "Perhaps he believed Liu Bei was unreliable and chose to act first."
Lu Xun nodded. "That may be so. But such decisiveness suggests he holds some crucial leverage over Liu Bei."
Yuan Xi frowned. A traitor? Or something connected to the Emperor?
The thought troubled him.
He sighed. Matters in the Central Plains were beyond his reach for now.
Refocusing, he asked, "And the second concern?"
Lu Xun looked south.
"I am worried about Sun Bofu."
"Even if he personally means no harm, his advisors may think otherwise."
"If he truly understands the situation, he may actually try to stop us—because once you take Hefei, Jiangdong will face constant pressure from the north."
After a pause, he added quietly:
"If it were me… I might cut your supply lines on the river the moment you advance."
Yuan Xi was startled. "Would he really do that?"
Lu Xun replied, "I cannot be certain. But I understand the Jiangdong elites."
"They do not always keep their word."
After a long silence, Yuan Xi asked, "Then what should we do?"
Lu Xun answered simply:
"We must advance by both land and water—together."
Far away in Moling, Sun Ce was also gathering his advisors.
As discussions unfolded, opinions split sharply over how to deal with Yuan Xi.
Finally, Sun Ce turned to his younger brother.
"What do you think?"
Without hesitation, Sun Quan replied:
"I agree—we should take this chance to attack him."