"Your Majesty, the Cao Thief holds Jiangdong and Jing-Chu in his grasp. His strength truly cannot be underestimated. Judging by the great army he has sent to attack Yi Province, I fear he has his sights on its population and grain and fodder."
"Yi Province is vast and fertile. Should the Cao Thief seize it, his strength will increase enormously."
"Yi Province must not be lost," Zhuge Liang said solemnly. He had seen through Cao Cao's intentions at a glance and guessed his purpose in attacking Yi Province.
Liu Xie's brow furrowed deeply after hearing this.
He had intended to put things in order after moving the capital to Chang'an, build up his strength, and then sweep south to defeat Cao Cao in one sustained push.
But plans could never keep pace with change. Cao Cao had no intention of giving him that time and had moved directly against Yi Province.
Yi Province occupied a crucial position. Of course he could not simply watch Cao Cao conquer it.
Liu Xie looked at everyone and asked, "My ministers, what are your thoughts?"
Sending troops was a matter in which tugging one hair could move the whole body. Sending reinforcements to Yi Province would mean going to war against Cao Cao on every front.
This was no small matter.
Guo Jia considered briefly before saying, "Your Majesty, although we have only just moved the capital to Chang'an and our foundations are not yet secure, it is time to begin preparing to march south against the traitor."
"I believe we should first dispatch a force to reinforce Yi Province while reorganizing the army and mustering troops to campaign against the Cao Thief, pursuing both measures at once."
Guo Jia's proposal won unanimous approval from the court officials.
Leaving aside Ma Chao, who had