In 215 AD, the wars of the Three Kingdoms period were endless, and this year was a year of both opportunities and challenges for Liu Bei. Having just seized Yizhou, he faced the strong demand of Sun Quan of Eastern Wu to return the three counties of Changsha, Lingling and Guiyang. These areas, due to the secession after the Battle of Chibi, are no longer in Sun Quan's sphere of influence. Sun Quan's request was resolutely rejected by Liu Bei, which directly led to Sun Quan's military action. In this year, Lü Meng, the general of Eastern Wu, led an army of 30,000 and launched a swift attack on these counties. This sudden military action was not only a severe test of the southern frontier under Liu Bei's rule, but also a major consideration for the future relationship between the two sides.
In Changsha County at night, the guard Li Yan stood on the city wall, looking out at the direction of the dust in the north. His heart was full of apprehension, because the news from the scouts was not optimistic—Lü Meng's elite of Eastern Wu had crossed the Boundary River and were rapidly approaching them.
"Report! Lü Meng's army is approaching, and Changsha is in danger! A hurried voice interrupted Li Yan's thoughts.
Li Yan turned around and faced his lieutenant: "Where are our reinforcements?" What's going on over there in Guan Yu? ”
The adjutant general said in a trembling voice: "General Hui, General Guan's forces are mainly concentrated in the north to fight against Cao Wei, and I am afraid that it will be difficult to divide his troops to the south in a short time." ”
Li Yan frowned, he knew that once Lü Meng's army broke through Changsha, the entire defense line in Jingnan would collapse. He had to make a choice, and that choice could be the difference between life and death for the entire county.
The guards of Gyeyang County faced a similar dilemma. When he learned that the offensive of the Eastern Wu army was so rapid, he realized that the defenders of the county alone could not resist Lü Meng's attack.
"General, should we ask Lord Liu Bei for help?" A staff member cautiously proposed.
The guard sighed, "Even if the signal for help is issued, I'm afraid the reinforcements won't be able to catch up." Lümont's march was far faster than we expected, and we had to make a decision immediately. ”
The development of events far exceeded Liu Bei's expectations. When he received the news of the fall of Changsha and Guiyang, anger and helplessness filled his heart. He couldn't understand why these generals, whom he believed in, would choose to surrender without a fight.
The loss of the three counties of Jingnan was not only a loss of territory, but also a major blow to Liu Bei's regime. He knew that this would be a huge weakness for him in future battles.
With the fall of the three counties of Jingnan one after another, Guan Yu also felt a lot of pressure. His main force was still pinned down in the north, unable to divide his forces south. In the face of Sun Quan's offensive, he could only hope that the situation in the north would stabilize as soon as possible, so that he could fully respond to the crisis in the south.
But the wheel of history does not stop turning at the will of individuals. The loss of the three counties of Jingnan became an irreparable rift in the relationship between Liu Bei and Sun Quan. This incident not only showed Liu Bei's short-sightedness in military layout, but also exposed his mistakes in employing people. Lü Meng's military talent and swift offensive made Liu Bei feel a deep threat.
The fall of the three counties of Jingnan is like a stone that has been thrown, stirring up a pool of spring water. This is not only a matter of victory or defeat in war, but also a profound reflection on human nature, trust and strategic choices. In a war-torn land, every decision can be the key to changing the course of history. Liu Bei's hesitation and indecision, Guan Yu's inadequacy, and Sun Quan's decisiveness and astuteness together weave one heart-wrenching chapter after another in the Romance of the Three Kingdoms.
History is sometimes cruel, it does not change its pace because of the tears of heroes, nor does it stop because of the regret of the loser. Here, what we see is not only a contest of strategy and courage, but also a confrontation between human nature and fate. Every choice is a bet on the future, and history is the recorder of these countless bets. When we look back at the past, we are not only looking at the glory and shadow of the past, but also comparing ourselves with today's self, thinking about how to make wiser choices on the road in the future.