Big Uncle and Second Uncle Are Both Uncles

"Ziyu has thought this through very thoroughly." Liu Bei nodded in approval when he finished listening. In truth, with Shu's high mountains and long distances, he could claim he knew nothing and ascend the throne; once he did, it would be a fait accompli.

Becoming emperor was certainly Liu Bei's ideal, but the thought of the Fengshan sacrifice at Mount Tai, which Lan Tian had mentioned, was even more alluring. If there were any flaws in the process of his accession, he would leave behind an eternal infamy in the historians' records.

The historians' brush was too powerful; even emperors were helpless against it. Liu Bei did not want to content himself with a corner of the land. He aspired to advance into the Central Plains and restore the realm, so he was willing to wait a few more years.

After they reached an agreement about Emperor Xian of Han, Liu Bei discussed Lan Tian's "flowers blooming on a tree" strategy for leaving the Qin River Valley with him, seeking his advice on the details of its implementation. In the years Yi Province spent recuperating, they could make all their preparations around Lan Tian's strategy.

When the time came, Liu Bei would personally lead the troops out of the province, while Lan Tian would likely be stationed in Jiao Province. Asking the person who had first proposed the strategy about its plans would help him grasp its essence.

Lan Tian held nothing back as he explained his thoughts in detail. His "flowers blooming on a tree" strategy was primarily meant to wear down the enemy. By taking advantage of the extreme climate, they would cripple Cao Wei's supply lines, then catch them off guard and join forces with Guan Yu to seize Chang'an. They would block the Wei Army's escape