My Father in Law is Lu Bu

Using Tian Feng’s intellect, Yuan Shao defeated Gongsun Zan and surpressed Hebei. He then held absolute power over 4 provinces. He then advised Yuan Shao to become emperor and take political initiative but Yuan Shao refused.

About 4 years later, during the battle between Yuan and Cao, Tian Feng also proposed a firm and decisive strategy but Yuan Shao refused to expand anymore to the south. He then proposed another time. At that time Cao Cao is fighting with Liu Bei but once again Yuan Shao refused, this time because his son was ill. Yuan Shao missed a lot of opportunities. During the Battle of Guandu, Tian Feng proposed to build up defenses and strip away their food supplies while conserving their own. As a result, Yuan Shao locked him up in prison because he thinks Tian Feng is afraid of death. After 5 years of reign, Yuan Shao is defeated in Guandu. Feeling shameful, he executed Tian Feng.

Yuan Shao’s other advisor, Ju Shou, came from Guangping during the Three Kingdoms Era. From a young age, he is ambitious and likes strategy. At first Jushou was just a scholar and applied to become county magistrate at Jizhou. The ruler of Jizhou, Han Fu, gave him a military post. Soon, Yuan Shao captured Jizhou and Ju Shou defected to Yuan Shao.

When the Battle of Guandu began, Ju Shou proposed a certain victory strategy. His strategy was a war of attrition. Yuan Shao’s supply of food and soldiers were much more than Cao Cao. Just by holding on to their position, Cao Cao’s Army would eventually be in chaos. After that, Yuan Shao can effortlessly defeat Cao Cao.

From a certain point of view, Sima Yi used a similar method to defeat Zhuge Liang . But at that time, Yuan Shao is snobbish. How can he listen to this rubbish advice? At last, Ju Shou was also locked in prison.

Eventually, Yuan Shao is defeated and Ju Shou was arrested by Cao Cao. Cao Cao admired the merits of Ju Shou and treated him with respect but Ju Shou vowed to fight to the death.

Until the time Yuan Shao who controlled the 4 provinces of Hebei was defeated by Cao Cao, Guo Jia has never once considered him an obstacle to Cao Cao. He is just another dead person that is now in the grave.

Sun Ce is also not Gongsun Zan. Gongsun Zan was a sore loser that competed with Yuan Shao for Youzhou only to be defeated. He did not rise back up until they started to siege Yijing. He attempted to resist Yuan Shao using a highly defensive strategy.

But in this universe do you win by going on the defensive? No! Gongsun Zan can only burn to death in Yijing.

(TN: Some history said Gongsun Zan DID try to go on the offensive by laying an ambush and then charging out when they spring the ambush. Yuan Shao spotted the ambush and it failed.)

Sun Ce is also not Liu Biao, Tao Qian, Kong Rong, Zhang Lu and Liu Zhang. Liu Zhang is like a guard dog for his province. He has strong soldiers and plenty of land but he lacks ambition. On the other hand, Tao Qian is too old and lack the energy to go to war. His two sons are also ‘good-for-nothing’ (A/N: Not referring to their characters but ‘good-for-nothing’ as a leader. Just like Li Yu of Southern Tang who is not emperor material but a good scholar.) This is why Tao Qian only asked his two sons to continue the family name.

Zhang Lu and Kong Rong are both righteous but are ultimately using Taoist beliefs. They would be great teachers but terrible rulers. They are suitable for teaching but not suitable for war. Kong Rong is Confucius’ 20th generation son. From young he was ‘filial’ and honorable in the eyes of the world. (TN: Raw used KongRong Rangli, a phrase for the moral story of Kong Rong giving up bigger pears to his elder brothers while he took the smaller pears.)

Zhang Lu founded The Way of Five Pecks of Rice. It urges people to bring themselves up by being kind and gentle. In times of peace it would be admired by everyone and have disciples everywhere. However in times of chaos, people of pay attention to the one with has the biggest fist as the boss. (TN: Wiki said Zhang Lu’s grandfather founded it.)

Liu Biao and Liu Zhang never intended to conquer the land. On the surface, Liu Biao places priority in Jingzhou. However, Liu Biao did not have the final say in military affairs. That right belongs in the Cai, Jia, and Huang family. Liu Zhang also have a similar situation.