Facing the fact that Liu Bei's army had already taken Xiang County, Lu Bu was furious, yet helpless.
He could only station himself at the border of Pei Commandery and send men to scout out the true state of Liu Bei's forces.
Likewise, news of Lu Bu's arrival was discovered by scouts and delivered to Liu Bei.
Hearing that Lu Bu had actually led his troops all the way to the border of Pei Commandery, Liu Bei laughed himself silly.
Before, he might still have feared Lu Bu somewhat. But now, he truly had no fear of Lu Bu.
Xiang County was not Xiaopei. As the administrative seat of Pei Commandery, its city walls were high and stout.
Moreover, there were more than thirty thousand troops within the city, with ample money and provisions. Though their combat strength was not high, it was basically impossible for Lu Bu to take the city by assault.
Thus, Liu Bei summoned Qin Tian again and, holding the military report sent by the scouts, smiled.
"Strategist, now that Lu Bu has come again, how should our army respond?"
This response was unlike before, when he had merely wanted to resist. He was asking whether there was a way to give Lu Bu a good thrashing!
But Qin Tian had no such intention. He said to Liu Bei:
"As the saying goes, men die for wealth, birds perish for food!"
"Lu Bu's arrival here is hardly unexpected!"
"If my lord wishes to defeat him, it is not impossible. But defeating Lu Bu now is inferior to using Lu Bu!"
"Does my lord still remember the strategy our army first decided upon?"
Liu Bei's eyes immediately lit up as he listened.
"Could the strategist mean the strategy of snatching chestnuts from the fire?"
"Precisely!"
Qin Tian