Is Liu Bei's "Crossing the River with the People" in Jingzhou really a show? What's his purpose?

The story of "Crossing the River with the People" happened before Cao Cao went south to Battle of Red Cliffs, Jingzhou. From crossing the river with the people to the battle of Changbanpo, it can be regarded as the prelude of Battle of Red Cliffs. Some people say that crossing the river with the people is Liu Bei's show of benevolence and righteousness.

If you really think so, it is too simple to regard Liu Bei as a show of benevolence and righteousness. Nature is this consideration, but it is by no means Liu Bei's main consideration. Liu Bei can be the best in the world from selling straw sandals. It's not just crying in the romance of the Three Kingdoms. Crossing the river with the people is actually a concentrated expression of Liu Bei's ability. Carrying the people across the river can bring a series of benefits to Liu Bei, but only Cao has suffered.

Liu Bei did not have a fixed base area in the early period, and he was defeated repeatedly. Why didn't Liu Bei take people at other times? It happened that this time Cao Cao came, and Liu Bei brought people not only for benevolence and righteousness, but also for other purposes.

Liu Bei and his party crossed the river and went around Jingzhou, asking Cai Mao to open the gate and let people into the city. This is obviously a welcome move. At that time, Cao Cao's army went south, and Liu Bei's intention was unknown. Although Cai Taizu intends to surrender to Cao Cao, how dare Cai Taizu open the city gate and cheat the city among the people when he is not sure?

And Cao Cao's intention is to occupy Jingzhou, and all the people in Jingzhou, Cao Cao actually wants it.

Liu Bei was slow to lead the people, and Cao Cao finally caught up. Many people think that this is a problem caused by Liu Bei's leadership of the people. But it's not that simple. No matter whether Liu Bei leads the people in failure, he may not be able to escape. Although the people moved slowly, they all hung behind Liu Bei's army. In other words, this is the early warning system. When there is civil unrest, Cao Cao's army will come, and a large number of people will be washed away, which will also affect Cao Cao's formation. In fact, it is indeed true. If Cao Cao's formation is not scattered and there are a large number of refugees in the middle, how can he get in and out?

After World War I in Changbanpo, Liu Bei fled, and these refugees were left to Cao Cao. If Liu Bei didn't take the people, these refugees would be at home. Cao Cao sent two officials, posted some notices and released some food to settle the people. However, in the First World War in Nagano, thousands of refugees were dispersed. This is not something that a few people can do. It is difficult to gather these people and bring them back without sending thousands of people to gather slowly.

Moreover, tens of thousands of such refugees, no matter how they wander around, may trigger similar uprisings. In order to occupy Jingzhou, Cao Cao had to make great efforts to solve this matter. And Liu Bei was able to get away calmly after Nagsaka's war.

It can be said that Liu Bei was digging a hole for Cao Cao from beginning to end.