First, why Guan Yu is the first general of the Three Kingdoms
Guan Yu lost Jingzhou as the dividing point between the rise and fall of the Shu Han Dynasty.
First, Shu Han lost his only famous general, and he was still an all-round famous general who could single-handedly, command troops, and fight water. If Liu Bei unified the three kingdoms, he would definitely have a water war with Eastern Wu. Then at this moment, Guan Yu's value can be fully exerted.
One important reason why Cao Cao was defeated at Chibi was that the northern soldiers would not fight water. This greatly restricted Cao Cao's use of troops. This is actually an important reason why Sun Quan would rather not talk about martial arts and must also kill Guan Yu - Guan Yu was too much of a threat to Eastern Wu.
Later, Liu Bei was also defeated in the Battle of Yiling because he gave up the simultaneous advance of land and water, and only used cavalry and infantry to push flat. This made Lu Xun overjoyed, and wrote to Sun Quan: The boss will continue to play music and dance with peace of mind, Liu Bei gave up the water army, and there is no doubt that he will be defeated.
Therefore, instead of Sun Quan (Eastern Wu) being so powerful, in the Three Great Battles of the Three Kingdoms, Chibi beat Cao Cao and Yiling abused Liu Bei, but if he wanted to take down Eastern Wu, his own water army must be strong!
Second, let Shu Han lose the forward position (base area), Zhuge Liang planned it in the "Longzhong Pair", Liu Bei wanted to unify the world, he must hold Jingzhou in his hands, seize Yizhou in the west, and when the sky changes, Jingzhou and Xichuan fly together, sweep through the Central Plains, and finally kill Cao Cao.
This was the key to the success of Shu Han, but it was a pity that Jingzhou was lost. Liu Bei's original intention in launching the Battle of Yiling was to retake Jingzhou, and to avenge Guan Yu was more like an excuse. Unfortunately, the elite Jingzhou water army was wiped out with Guan Yu's death. Liu Bei had to abandon the water attack, which led to his eventual defeat and his death in the White Emperor's City.
As a result, the Shu Han Dynasty completely lost hope of unifying the three kingdoms. Even the Northern Expedition during Zhuge Liang's period was only a "tactical attack and strategic continuation." Otherwise, with Cao Wei's big size and population base, both sides would be at ease to develop, and Shu Han would die faster.
Zhuge Liang's Northern Expedition was nothing more than taking the initiative to seek change and chaos, expecting that Cao Wei would make a huge mistake in his response, and mess up the situation, so that Shu Han could win in chaos and fish in muddy waters. Unfortunately, first Cao Zhen was infinitely domineering, and then a scheming Sima Yi jumped out, not only failed to achieve his goal, but died of exhaustion in Wuzhangyuan.
This is the impact of Guan Yu's death, only from the perspective of Shu Han, the impact is so great. What if this incident was placed within the grand pattern of the Three Kingdoms? Obviously, it can be said that it has been three days and three nights.
Therefore, why is it said that in the history of the Three Kingdoms, Guan Yu is the first general of the Three Kingdoms, and it has never been able to shake it? The reason is here, it is not that he cut off Yan Liang, drowned the Seventh Army, and Threatened Huaxia to scare Cao Cao into moving the capital, but Guan Yu alone, which affected the transformation of the entire "Three Kingdoms Pattern".
One is the power of Guan Yu himself, and the other is the importance of Jingzhou's position. So now let's open a brain hole, if Guan Yu lost Jingzhou after the defeat, but he fled back to Xichuan, what would be the impact? That is to say: Guan Yu is still alive, but Jingzhou is lost, so what kind of impact will occur?
Second, Liu Bei would never kill Guan Yu
I have read a lot of relevant analysis, and there is a kind of argument that if Guan Yu escapes back to Xichuan, Liu Bei will definitely kill him. Even if you don't kill in the open, you will play with your wrist. And the argument is: Liu Bei's hypocrisy, the inevitable result of false benevolence and false righteousness!
I am afraid that this argument is based on the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, but even if it is the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, how can Liu Bei kill Guan Yu? A "Taoyuan Three Knots" locks up this possibility. After Guan Yu's death, Liu Bei was persuaded by Zhuge Liang and others not to send troops to Eastern Wu, but Zhang Fei changed all this after coming, and yelled at Liu Bei: You have forgotten the righteousness of Taoyuan, just care about being your emperor. If you don't go to avenge the second brother, I will fly away, even if I die outside, I will never come back to see you.
All of a sudden, Liu Bei exploded. Therefore, Liu Bei killed Guan Yu? I was just afraid that Zhang Fei would not be able to pass this level.
As for the canonical history, it is even more unlikely. As analyzed earlier, Guan Yu is a master of water warfare, and it is this skill that causes Sun Quan to kill him at all costs and eliminate this fearful opponent. How stupid would Liu Bei have to be to do what his opponent expected him to do? Besides, didn't Liu Bei need Guan Yu's water warfare skills?
The Jingzhou water army was completely destroyed, nothing, you Guan Yu came back, you can conjure up more elite water troops. In the same way, Sun Quan sat restlessly.
In addition, those who are familiar with the history of the Three Kingdoms probably know that during the period of Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang, the Shu Han Dynasty did not have the highest military position of "Great General". There are two highest military ranks: Ma Chao is a hussar general, and Zhang Fei is a cheri general, so who is the general? Naturally, it was Guan Yu. The reason why Liu Bei did not set it up was to commemorate Guan Yu.
Although history cannot be assumed, it can be reversed! By Guan Yu's skills, especially the status of the water warfare master, and Liu Bei's lack of "great general", it can be easily pushed back, and Liu Bei will never kill Guan Yu. The only thing worth scrutinizing is Guan Yu's own personality.
After this great defeat, with Guan Yu's arrogant personality, will he get depressed and die? This possibility is quite high!
Speaking of which, even if Guan Yu fled back to Nishikawa and then died, it was actually due to his own personality. It has little to do with Liu Bei and others. The so-called personality determines fate, as long as Guan Yu is still "Guan Yu personality", he cannot get rid of this fate.
Third, the reaction of the other bigwigs of the three countries
If Guan Yu could escape back to Xichuan, it can be seen from the above analysis that Liu Bei would be happy, which can now be confirmed. So in addition to Liu Bei, what would be the reaction of the other big men in the Three Kingdoms period?
The first is Cao Cao. He will definitely commend Zhao Yu and steal the fun. Because according to the Chronicle of the Three Kingdoms, when Guan Yu's army defeated Jingzhou, Cao Ren also wanted to take advantage of Guan Yu's illness and wanted him to die, and wanted to hunt down and kill Guan Yu.
Zhao Yu hurriedly stopped it, broke it and crushed it before analyzing Cao Ren: Guan Yu's defeat is a foregone conclusion, and it is really unwise for you to kill him now. What would Sun Quan think? We will surely think that we also have intentions against his Jiangdong, so it will cause us greater losses. Besides, wouldn't it be better to keep Guan Yu? Now that he hates Sun Quan, what a great opportunity for Sun Liu to continue to fight, and we will reap the benefits of the fisherman. If you don't believe it, let's make a bet, with the foresight of our great king, there will soon be an order to forbid Guan Yu and let him have a way to live.
Sure enough, cao cao's military order came: strictly order Cao Ren to be a quiet and beautiful man, and not to pursue Guan Yu. This was thanks to Cao Ren being stopped by Zhao Yu, otherwise things would be in trouble.
From the above historical data, it can be seen that Cao Cao originally wanted to let Guan Yu go, if Guan Yu could escape back to Xichuan, he would not be surprised if he did not steal the music, maybe once he was happy, Boss Cao could live for a few more years.
The second is Sun Quan. If some rejoice, there will be some sorrow! If Guan Yu can escape back to Xichuan, it will become Sun Quan's nightmare! In the Battle of Hefei, Sun Quan was frightened and timid when he heard Zhang Liao's name, and now there is a more ruthless Guan Yu.
Do you say that Sun Quan can be comfortable? I don't know how to scold Lü Meng - it is estimated that it will not be able to scold, because Lü Meng will soon die, but after death, there will never be any special honor!
The third is Zhuge Liang, compared with Cao Cao and Sun Quan, if Guan Yu escapes back to Xichuan, Zhuge Liang is more nervous than anyone. On one side was Cao Cao, who wanted to reap the benefits of the fisherman, and on the other hand, Liu Guanzhang, who was screaming in a group: Seize Jingzhou, kill Lü Meng, go down to Jiangnan, and capture Sun Quan!
Zhuge Liang was not nervous, because Sun Liu's alliance had to continue, which was not something that Guan Yu could solve with his life or death, but the result of the comparison of the strengths of the three parties. But can Zhuge Liang persuade Liu Bei, and how will Guan Yu react?
It should be known that Guan Yu was an absolute big man in the Shu Han Dynasty, and his status was no less than zhuge Liang.
In the main history, Guan Yu has always been the military deputy commander of the Shu Han. Once Liu Bei divided his troops, he always went all the way by himself, and the other way was handed over to Guan Yu to command. Therefore, Zhuge Liang will definitely do everything he can to appease Liu Bei and Guan Yu, so as not to let the Sun and Liu families fight again!
But the question is, what if Guan Yu dies of illness during this period? Look at it, there will be a rumor that Zhuge Liang killed Guan Yu.
Because many people have accused that in the Battle of Xiangfan, why did Zhuge Liang not rescue Guan Yu?
This phenomenon is not caused by how much contradiction Zhuge Liang and Guan Yu have, but the status decision of the two - Zhuge Liang and Guan Yu, who is the real second-in-command?
This is the root of why Zhuge Liang is nervous. At the same time, it is also the reason why Zhuge Liang always carries the black cauldron for Guan Yu's death!