Silver Fox of the Three Kingdoms

Chapter 444 Willing to be the river and reunite with you.

Liu Bei entrusted himself to Gu, and handed over state affairs and military power to Zhuge Liang, Shen Chen and Guan Yu.

On the third front, Shen Chen and Guan Yu were still in charge of the upper and lower lanes.

Zhuge Liang was in charge of the Henan battlefield in the middle.

But he thought that if he took over the military affairs, he decided to withdraw the troops and go back.

Shen Chen agrees with this.

The great cause of unifying the world cannot be achieved overnight. Even in the new era, it will still take four years to regain the country with a bald head, let alone at this time.

Therefore, it is the best choice to accept as soon as it is good, nibble at every step, and then accumulate strength to defeat Cao Wei in one fell swoop.

In the next few days, except for Zhuge Liang who had to deal with government affairs, everyone stayed with Liu Bei every day, chatting with him, talking about major national affairs, and even family quarrels.

Liu Bei has no other relatives, only his wife and children, but Shen Chen is his son-in-law, and Zhang Fei is his in-laws, so there is always something to talk about between the children.

At the beginning of July, another piece of good news came. Although Shen Chen had left Guanzhong, the military operations in Guanzhong had never stopped.

Cao Zhen, Xu Huang, and Zhu Ling saw that Shen Chen transferred people to fill Guanzhong. The population in Guanzhong now has tens of thousands of households, and it is still increasing. They worried that he would have people to get food and grass, so they kept harassing the rear.

Shen Chen transferred the main force of the cavalry to Henan. Cao Jun had a lot of cavalry, and it was more troublesome to deal with Cao Jun who was coming and going like the wind, so he was quite passive for a while.

Although Cao Jun didn't take much advantage, he still frightened the people in the farmland. This matter has always made Shen Chen uncomfortable, and it was also the main reason why he planned to seize Hedong first and capture the land of Hedong.

Unexpectedly, Cao Wei heard that Shen Chen had left Guanzhong this time, and Chang'an had no commander, so he thought he could take the opportunity to do something, so he sent troops immediately, and it was a large-scale operation.

The [-] Cao army led by Cao Zhen, supported by Xu Huang and Zhu Ling, went straight to Huayin in a mighty manner.

Before Shen Chen left Chang'an, Zhao Yun was appointed as the leader and Pang De as the deputy.

Pang De thought that Cao Jun was attacking while Shen Chen was not there, and wanted to take the opportunity to take back Chang'an, so he urged the main force to launch a decisive battle with Cao Zhen in the south of the Weihe River.

However, after discussing with Deng Ai and Jiang Wei, they believed that Cao was really attacking east and west, and that Cao Jun was unable to attack Chang'an. The large-scale mobilization of troops at this time was likely to be a bluff, but it had other purposes.

After careful consideration, Zhao Yun adopted Deng Ai's and Jiang Wei's suggestions, and withdrew the troops from Huayin and stayed in the surrounding areas of Chang'an.

Anyway, Huayin, Zhengxian and other cities south of the Weihe River were already dilapidated, and there were no soldiers or civilians.Now the people recruited by the government are concentrated in You Fufeng, Cao Jun has to cross Chang'an and Zuo Fengyi to harass the people.

Therefore, it is nothing to give up Huayin and Zheng County. On the contrary, Cao Jun will go deep alone, and the army will have to travel a long distance to attack. This is a good thing for the Han army tactically.

The reaction of the Han army was within Cao Zhen's expectations.

He thought that without Shen Chen, the Han army must stick to the main position and dare not attack.

So he immediately crossed Zheng County and pretended to attack Chang'an.In fact, Xu Huang and Zhu Ling's partial masters went from Zuo Fengyi to kill You Fufeng.

But what Cao Zhen never expected was that the Han army did not stick to it, but waited for it.

Just as the newly trained more than 1 cavalry arrived a few days ago, Zhao Yun personally led 1 infantry, plus more than [-] cavalry, launched anti-encirclement tactics against the Wei army.

When Xu Huang and Zhu Ling were about to sneak attack on You Fufeng's people's village, they suddenly killed them and defeated them.

The Wei army suffered heavy casualties in this battle. The Han army beheaded more than [-] people and captured [-] people. The veteran Zhao Yun, who was over [-] years old, personally beheaded several Wei generals, beating Xu Huang and Zhu Ling. .

The news quickly spread to Xiangyang a few days later. Liu Bei was happy for a while, and his spirits improved a lot. In the first ten days of July, he was able to walk a few steps on the ground.

On this day, July [-]th, the seventh year of Zhang Wu, in the back garden of the Xiangyang Imperial Palace, Liu Bei came to the garden to enjoy the scenery accompanied by everyone.

It was already evening, and the cool breeze in early autumn dispelled the heat wave in late summer. Xiangyang is bordered by Hanshui River in the north and Xianshan Mountain in the south. There is a canal in the garden flowing in from the moat river. Bamboo forests and rockeries are on both sides of the canal, and flowers and plants are overgrown. , the scenery is as beautiful as a picture scroll.

Sitting in the pavilion on the side of the lake in the garden, Liu Bei looked at the carp swimming below, looked around, and said with emotion for a moment: "If I can turn into a fish after death, it would be great to swim freely."

"Brother, it's so boring to be a fish, and it will be roasted and eaten in the future. If you want me to say, brother will go to heaven to be a god in the future, how can he be a fish?"

Zhang Fei yelled.

"Haha."

Liu Bei was amused, and looked at Zhang Fei kindly, as if looking at a child who couldn't grow up.

Shen Chen said: "Uncle Yide, what your majesty means is the free and easy artistic conception, just like in the debate between Hao and Liang, how can you know the joy of fish if you are not a fish. What your majesty wants to experience is the joy of fish, like Zhuang Zhou Mengdie, all things are one, not really wanting to be a fish."

"Yes."

Liu Bei sighed: "I started my army in Zhuo County and spent most of my life in war. I don't know what happiness is without the company of my family. After working hard all my life, I didn't understand this truth until I was about to die. Maybe This is what Confucius meant when he said that at seventy, one should follow one's heart and not exceed the rules."

Zhang Fei scratched his head with a look of incomprehension.Let him experience these thoughts and artistic conceptions, which is tantamount to playing the piano against a cow.

Ma Liang said: "Your Majesty is blessed and united. Now that you have something in mind, the so-called open-minded and far-sighted, the condition will definitely improve. The prosperity of the Han Dynasty will have to wait for Your Majesty to cultivate and then calm down the world. It is more meritorious than the great ancestors."

These days Liu Bei has been saying that he is dying and he is arranging the affairs behind him. For a person like him who feels seriously ill, it is naturally his own feeling, so he speaks without any scruples.

But for others, it is still necessary to persuade Liu Bei, hoping that he can take good care of his body and continue to live happily ever after.

Liu Bei smiled and said, "I'm already in the year of my destiny, and there's really nothing to hate about it. If God wants me to die, I should die. Anyway, everything behind me has been properly arranged, and I have nothing to regret. I hope that if there is a spirit, I can see when you rule the world and restore the Han Dynasty."

The more he said this, the more distressed the ministers were.

Guan Yu mourned: "Brother, I will definitely live up to my brother's wishes, defeat Cao Wei, and revive the Han Dynasty."

"His Majesty."

Shen Chen also said: "I will never forget Your Majesty's entrustment when I die."

"Brother, just care about recuperating with peace of mind."

Zhang Fei also shouted: "I will capture Cao Pi alive, and send him to the elder brother to be disposed of by the elder brother."

"Ha ha ha ha."

Liu Bei laughed loudly, and finally coughed violently and said, "If Yide has this heart, I will be satisfied."

The hand that covered his mouth was removed, and there was another smear of blood, and the attendant next to him quickly wiped his hands and the corners of his mouth with a handkerchief.

The few people around him were distressed and mourning, but Liu Bei was used to it. He could feel the discomfort and weakness of his body.
He raised his head and looked into the distance, the sky and the earth were covered by the deep twilight, and the setting sun slanted in the evening, and the sunset was shining brightly.

Twilight crows swirled in groups in the sky, wild geese flew north, and white clouds floated in the blue sky.

It was the first time that he calmed down and observed the world. Liu Bei found that the sky and the scenery in the world were so beautiful.

At that moment, he suddenly remembered another beautiful place.

"Taoyuan."

He said.

Liu Bei looked at Guan Yu and Zhang Fei blankly, and said softly, "Second brother and third brother, I miss Taoyuan."

That spring was sunny and peach blossoms were in full bloom.

Under the pavilion, Zhang Zhuangli, Liu Guan and Zhang met, Taoyuan sworn, a lifelong friendship.

The three brothers raised troops in Zhuojun County, fought for the yellow scarves and conquered Dong Zhuo, defeated the bandits and fought against Cao Cao, traveled from south to north, and finally stood up in the south, accomplishing great things.

Time flies and the years change.

Before I knew it, it turned out that more than forty years had passed.

That year, that month, that day.

As if it was yesterday, it was so vivid in my memory that it made my eyes moist and my heart broken.

Guan Yu and Zhang Fei sat beside Liu Bei on one left and one on the right, holding his hand tightly, and said in the same way, "Brother, we also want to."

At that moment, Liu Bei's open-minded and cheerful mood instantly became sluggish, and he said sadly: "I once thought that if I could rule the world in the future, I would take my second and third brothers back to Taoyuan for a drink, and go back to see the peach blossoms with Mr. Xiao." Now it looks like it’s hopeless.”

Ma Liang pointed to a peach tree in the courtyard and said: "Your Majesty, the peach blossoms have faded now, but the tree is already full of peaches. In today's world, the north and the south are facing each other. Although Cao Wei is strong, he is no match for your majesty. Your majesty will eventually set foot on the Central Plains." , go back to the north to pick peach blossoms."

"Yes, brother, cheer up."

Guan Yu held Liu Bei's hand, patted it gently, and comforted him: "The country needs a brother. If you can cheer up and live a few more years, why can't you personally lead the army to conquer Cao Wei in the north and take us back to Taoyuan?"

"Second brother and third brother."

Liu Bei looked around, then looked at Shen Chen, and said sadly, "Xiaoqing, how I want to take you back to Taoyuan."

Shen Chen comforted him, "Your Majesty's minister in Taoyuan also wants to go."

"Taoyuan.Taoyuan"

Liu Bei sat in the pavilion, looking towards the north, muttering to himself: "Northern Expedition, Northern Expedition. In this life, I'm afraid I won't be able to see Taoyuan."

"Father."

Liu Chan next to him said: "The boy will definitely fulfill his father's long-cherished wish and rule the world. Go back to Taoyuan to have a look."

"Good good."

Liu Bei suddenly became much happier.

Liu Chan can have such an idea, he has nothing to regret.

The sky was getting darker.

The sunset glow rose in the western sky, reflecting half of the sky.

In the eastern sky, half a round of the silver disk has not yet emerged, and the stars quietly climbed into the night sky.

The stars are dazzling, as bright as silver flowers.

Liu Bei looked into the distance with slightly cloudy eyes, feeling that his energy seemed to be getting worse and worse, so he narrowed his eyes slightly, trying to continue looking at the distant sky.

It's a pity that the scenery is so beautiful.

Maybe not for long.

he thought to himself.

I don't know when it was already dark.

An attendant nearby persuaded: "Your Majesty, go back to the palace and rest."

"I'll look again. Look again."

Liu Bei's weak voice was almost unrecognizable, and he was still gazing at the bright stars at night.

The largest one among them, the light seems to be in the bright moon competing for brilliance, shining with blazing starlight, shining brightly, and the silver glow is dazzling.

A row of black magpies slowly fell into the mountains and forests of Xianshan in the south, the sunset in the west finally faded, and night came.

Liu Bei stared at the shining star in a daze.

After a while he said softly: "I would like to be a star in the sky, I would like to be dust on the earth, and I would like to be a fish in the water for the next life. I don't want to live so tired."

After saying this, the emperor suddenly tilted his head and fell into a deep sleep.

For some reason, after he fell asleep, the biggest star seemed to have released all its own starlight, and became extremely dim, unable to radiate any more brilliance.

Discovering that the Son of Heaven had fallen asleep, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei initially thought that he was sitting and sitting unconsciously falling asleep as usual.

So Guan Yu put his arms around Liu Bei, wanting to pick him up and send him back to the palace to rest.

But suddenly realized something was wrong.

The elder brother's body seemed to be so limp that he had no strength at all. When he touched his nose again, Guan Yu immediately burst into tears, trembling and wailing, "Brother."

His wailing made the surrounding Shen Chen, Zhang Fei, Ma Liang, Yang Yi and others frightened.

"His Majesty!"

Shen Chen and the others also cried out.

Zhang Fei hugged Liu Bei in pain and cried loudly, "Brother!"

"Brother!"

The high-pitched voice almost penetrated the entire palace.

The Mingguang Hall Shangshutai in the palace is the place where the prime minister is in charge of government affairs.

At this time, Zhuge Liang was still crouching at the table to process state documents.

Now that Liu Bei is ill, Pang Tong, Xu Shufazheng and others are on the front line, and all major national affairs are tied to him.

Suddenly he didn't know why, he felt a little restless, the brush in his hand fell on the official document to be written, and he couldn't write it for a long time.

A drop of ink dripped from the tip of the pen, soaking the document.

"Prime Minister."

At this time, the attendant hurried in and said in grief and indignation: "Your Majesty, you are dead."

"what?"

Zhuge Liang raised his head blankly.

The pen in his hand fell down unconsciously, doodling the official document.

But he already ignored these things, threw down the pen and paper, almost ran out of the Mingguang Palace, and headed towards the back garden.

At this moment, the back garden has been crying into a ball.

Empress Wu, Mrs. Gan, Mrs. Mi, Adou, Liu Yong, Liu Li, Liu Ning and others rushed to Liu Bei after hearing the news and wept bitterly beside Liu Bei.

Guan Yu and Zhang Fei wailed endlessly, and everyone knelt down in front of Liu Bei, crying like rain.

Zhuge Liang came in a hurry, and what he saw was a scene of grief.

He walked to Liu Bei's side, held Liu Bei's hand, tears kept falling, and the pain in his heart was almost beyond words.

Shen Chen had already cried into tears at this time.

At the time of Xuzhou that year, the hometown was slaughtered, and a fool dared to rescue Xuzhou with thousands of mobs, regardless of the danger of his life.

That kindness will never be forgotten.

He said softly: "Your Majesty would like to be a star, dust, and fish, and I would also like to be the night sky, the loess, and the river, so that I can meet you again."

"Your Majesty, go all the way!"

(End of this chapter)