Han Xiang

Chapter 423

In the politician's world, truth matters less than actual interests.

Regardless of whether Guan Yu caused the trouble or not, the kings and ministers of Jingzhou did not want to solve the trouble, and both public and private affairs would fall on Liu Bei.

The days of living under the hedge of others cannot be free.

Liu Biao also showed due generosity. He not only asked Kuai Yue to prepare wine, meat and cloth, but also asked Liu Ye and Liu Bei to return to Wancheng together.

After all, with Liu Bei's current strength, it is necessary to prevent Cao Jun from going south to invade the border, and to deal with Zhang Lu's Hanzhong soldiers, just like carrying cotton wool on a rainy day.

With Liu Ye, a think tank, planning for him, he might be able to relieve Jingzhou's worries.

Liu Bei has been struggling for many years and has developed a strong political sensitivity.

At the beginning, when he was cooking wine and discussing heroes in Xudu, Liu Bei belonged to Cao Cao's guest general just like he is now.

When Cao Cao said the phrase "Heroes in the world, only the emperor and Cao's ears", Liu Bei immediately found an excuse to get away and leave. He heard that Cao Cao had murderous intentions towards him.

As the saying goes, one mountain cannot accommodate two tigers. Liu Bei was just a downcast and dependent person at the time, but Cao Cao raised him to the same hero status, which shows that he did not regard Liu Bei as a friend in his heart.

Facts have proved that Liu Bei's judgment was correct. A few months after he left, the "clothes belt edict" incident happened. If he stayed in Xudu, he would end up with Dong Cheng.

Similar to this kind of political sensitivity, Cao Cao's first conspirator Xun Yu also has it.

He resolutely committed suicide after receiving the empty food box. This is the dignity given to his subordinates by the superiors. If the subordinates pretend to be confused and do not choose to commit suicide, the final end will not only be undignified, but will also harm their descendants and family members.

The direction of Liu Biao's words is very clear, so Liu Bei got the hint from Liu Ye's eyes, and quickly responded vaguely.

In the twelfth lunar month of winter, there was heavy fog on the river, and it was inconvenient for Liu Bei to sail a boat, so he had to go north on horseback.

When Zhao Yun and others went out to the expedition, they all traveled by boat in the rivers and rivers. They all suffered from the wind and waves, and now they would rather ride on horseback by land.

The cold wind was like a knife cutting the face, and snowflakes fell from the sky from time to time.

Under the severe cold, the group of people just went on their way, until they stopped in a village in the evening, and Liu Bei and Liu Ye talked at night around the fire.

"Zi Yang, I've been thinking about Cao Cao's intentions on this journey today. He has put in so much effort to cause a war between Zhang Lu and Jingzhou. Is he planning to deal with Liu Jingsheng? Or is he plotting against our Wancheng?"

Liu Ye had to answer and said: "Cao Cao took Hebei first and then went south. This is the most obvious truth. However, this year's southward crusade against Sun Quan surprised me, so it is hard to say what his purpose is. After all, General Guan looted many people in Bowang and other counties. In addition, Cao Cao has always been jealous of Shijun, so he may take Nanyang first to solve his worries."

"Eh."

Liu Bei slapped his thigh fiercely, and said, "I'm worried about this. Liu Jingsheng wants me to retreat to Zhanglu, but how many troops are there in Wancheng? If you divide the troops into two places, you will fall into Cao Cao's plan. Can Ziyang have a good strategy to deal with it?"

"The road in the upper part of the Han River is dangerous. If we want to advance, we need the assistance of the Jingzhou navy. However, many warships were lost in the battle of Yuzhang. Cai Mao will not give us support, so there is only one way to defend."

Liu Ye paused, and added: "It's just that the troops are divided to defend Wudang, and the soldiers and horses in Wancheng will inevitably be separated. There is no guarantee that Cao Cao will not send troops to retaliate."

Liu Bei let out a sigh of relief, shook his head and sighed, "Dividing troops into Wudang will definitely hit the mark, and our true strength may also be exposed. At that time, I don't know how to face Liu Jingsheng."

"The best way right now is to send people to Hanzhong to explain. It may take Yun Chang to go to the front line to defend himself, or he can turn the fight into a treasure. But since Cao Cao has a plan ahead, he might also use it for Zhang Lu. This matter is more difficult."

When Liu Ye frowned and shook his head, he just met Liu Bei's expectant eyes, so he quickly comforted him: "Since Yuan Zhi is a military advisor, he is also better at using troops than me. Maybe there is a better way."

"Yes, the military division may have a good idea."

Liu Bei comforted himself by rubbing his chest. Now that there are many military divisions, there are many hopes, and it is far from the embarrassment of discussing with Guan Yu in the past.

However, Xu Shuzhi was not far from Liu Ye, and Liu Bei didn't get a better solution when he returned to Wancheng, so he fell into a dilemma.

If you don't divide your troops, Liu Biao will have a hard time; if you divide your troops to block Zhang Lu, you will worry about Cao Cao's invasion.

The Wancheng lobby was silent, so quiet that the sound of snow falling in the courtyard could be heard.

Liu Bei, Xu Shu, Liu Ye, Guan Yu and others were all thinking, but they sat there for an hour without any clue.

Zhang Fei, who had been drinking to keep warm, suddenly stood up and yelled: "I don't think it's necessary to be so troublesome. As the saying goes, soldiers come to cover up water and earth. Zhang Lu is just a guy who pretends to be a ghost. What fighting power does the soldier he trains have? I would like to bring two thousand soldiers to Wudang, and it is no problem to block the soldiers of Hanzhong."

Liu Bei frowned and reminded: "Third Brother, don't underestimate the enemy."

"It doesn't take many soldiers to defend. Long Yunqi started with a few hundred people, so he can securely occupy Hefei? I think I can keep Wudang safe."

When Zhang Fei was talking, he looked at Liu Ye intentionally or unintentionally, as if he was saying that you have stayed in Hefei, and you should know that defending the city is easy, so come and testify for me.

Unexpectedly, Liu Ye shook his head: "I believe in the abilities of the three generals, but the situation in Wudang and Hefei is different. There is no need for Zhang Lu to insist on Wudang County. At present, Jingzhou warships need to be replenished, and the strength of the navy is greatly limited. Hanzhong soldiers and horses can completely bypass Wudang, and then attack Fengxian, Yinxian, Zhuyang and other places, and then downstream is Xiangyang."

"Ok?"

Zhang Fei scratched his head and thought, Liu Bei added: "Liu Jingsheng asked us to solve Zhang Lu's troubles. If Hanzhong soldiers and horses are sent to the vicinity of Xiangyang, I'm afraid I won't be able to explain it to my brother."

Zhang Fei frowned and asked, "Then what should we do?"

"Aren't we discussing?" Liu Bei looked at the crowd and signaled to Zhang Fei.

"Then why do you keep silent? No one said a word for a long time. It's not as good as when I was in Hefei and had a lively discussion with Yun Qi and Lu Zijing."

After Zhang Fei finished speaking, he stretched out his sleeves, turned around and was about to walk out the door.

Seeing this, Liu Bei quickly stretched out his hand and asked, "Where is the third brother?"

Zhang Fei stopped and turned around, explaining: "I'm dumb and can't talk, and I'm freezing cold inside the house, so I might as well take the soldiers out for a run, which can not only train soldiers but also warm up the body."

Liu Bei reminded: "Are you going to run now? It's snowing outside, aren't you afraid you'll ruin the soldiers?"

"It doesn't matter, Long Yunqi loves training soldiers in winter the most, and I have never heard that training soldiers is bad." Zhang Feiyan clasped his fists at the crowd and bowed, then turned around and walked away into the wind and snow.

Liu Bei looked at Zhang Fei's back and shook his head. Seeing this, Xu Shu stroked his beard and asked, "Master, what kind of person is Long Yunqi? I think the three generals respect him very much."

"Is the cloud rising?"

Liu Bei half-closed his eyes, and that immature face appeared in his mind. He dreamed back countless times in the middle of the night, remembering the scene of Xiao Pei's parting.

"I can't understand him, but it is definitely a big help from us. Yuan Zhi can ask Zi Yang for details. He spends more time with Yun Qi."

(End of this chapter)