Once the bitter winter passed, the war that had never ceased quickened its pace again.
Qingzhou was the bridgehead for attacking the north from the south.
Holding Qingzhou and Xuzhou offered an unobstructed route into Henan Land. Crossing the Yellow River from Qingzhou to attack Bohai and southern Jizhou offered an equally unobstructed route.
Inside the King of Chu's Residence.
Liu Bei stood solemnly before the Geomancy Map of the Great Han's Thirteen Provinces. Coughing as he spoke, Luo Qi said, "Your Majesty.
"Our army should now attack Bohai, then turn west, join forces with Zhao State, and destroy the Wei Commandery that Cao Cao established in Hebei.
"Then we should push westward, conquering Henei and the other territories and forcing Cao Cao to withdraw entirely into Henan.
"Afterward, our army can march north again, subdue Zhao State, fight Yan State, and take all of Youzhou, Jizhou, Qingzhou, and Xuzhou. Then our great undertaking can succeed.
"The only thing we need now is to wait for the grain harvest. Qingzhou suffered a locust plague this year, and the harvest fell short of previous years, so we must wait. But the balance of power under heaven changes three times a day. Waiting easily invites trouble."
Liu Bei's brows knitted, then eased. His expression was deeply conflicted, and only after a long silence did he slowly say, "Grain is the foundation of soldiers and civilians alike.
"We cannot take every last grain stored in the common people's homes. If another natural disaster strikes, that would be the end of them. Let us wait until next year's harvest."
Luo Qi was not remotely surprised by Liu Bei's choice. The Queen of Chu entered from outside, holding Liu Bei's eldest legitimate son by the hand, and Liu Bei smiled and beckoned.
After bowing, Luo