Han Xiang

Chapter 462

Wudang is [-] miles away from the West City, and it takes more than ten days to walk from the official road beside the Han River. In addition, the temperature in the valley drops sharply after autumn, and it is really hard for most of the female family members to drink the wind and sleep in the open by the river at night.

"It's a pity that Wen Zhongye was left in Xiangyang. If he had his navy and warships to help us, we wouldn't have to waste time on the road."

Looking at the vast Han River in front of him, Liu Bei sighed, turned around and said to Zhuge Liang seriously: "The military adviser's family and luggage are short, let Zilong escort you back to Xicheng by water first, and I will take the rest of the family by land."

"Since we go out together, we must return together. The boats we have raised are limited, so they are all used to pack our luggage. Liang and my lord will go on land together."

"But the eldest son was the county guard at the beginning, and there may be many places that rely on military advisors. You can go back first to share his worries."

"Haha, Eldest Young Master has Zi Yang as his assistant, why worry?"

"Can"

"My lord, you don't need to persuade me any more."

When Zhuge Liang and Liu Bei gave way, Zhao Yun galloped along the river on horseback.

"call"

Zhao Yun reined in his horse and saluted with his hands clasped on his back: "My lord, military advisor, the scouts have just reported that a small fleet of about fifty or sixty ships is approaching Wudang about five li downstream of the Han River."

Liu Bei couldn't help being startled: "Could it be that Wen Zhongye sent someone to see us off?"

"No." Zhuge Liang frowned and shook his head: "We didn't take the initiative to ask, and Wen Zhongye didn't say anything politely. He has no reason to help. Besides, I have been waiting in Wudang for several days, why did I come today?"

Liu Bei thought so, and turned to ask Zhao Yun: "Zilong, your people can see clearly, is it Wenpin's warship?"

Zhao Yun replied: "Because there is no flag flying, so I don't know if it is Wenpin, but it is definitely not a civilian fishing boat. I am worried that it is a water bandit wandering the river. It seems that the number is not small. Please leave the shore for now, my lord. , I will verify it before boarding the ship."

"Alright."

Liu Bei then led Zhuge Liang to retreat from the river, while Zhao Yun led his men on horseback, intending to stop the fleet downstream for questioning.

After waiting for a while, Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang had already seen the fleet on the river, and at the same time there was the sound of hurried and messy horseshoes not far away.

From a distance, there were seven or eight cavalrymen returning to Zhao Yunlai, but when they got closer, they realized that this was not the case.

A group of people stationed horses two zhang away, Zhao Yun led a general in brocade robes, and the two trotted forward.

Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang looked at the small eyes with big eyes, thinking that this man was tall and well-groomed, and he was not a general under his command at all, and they both showed puzzled expressions.

Zhao Yun stepped forward to salute with fists first, and then introduced the people around him: "My lord, military advisor, he is General Gan whom I have mentioned many times."

"Gan Ning met Uncle Huang and Mr. Kong Ming."

"Gan Xingba? Nice to meet you, nice to meet you"

Liu Bei fell in love with Gan Ning just by looking at his appearance, hurriedly stepped forward and clasped his fists in return, and asked, "I remember General Gan was working in Jiangxia, why did you come here today?"

"Forehead"

Gan Ning turned his head slightly in embarrassment, Zhao Yun quickly understood and spoke for him.

"My lord, General Gan has been unsuccessful in Jiangxia for a long time. I heard that the eldest son has pacified Handong, so he came to vote for him."

"Oh? This is a good thing." Liu Bei nodded with satisfaction.

Gan Ning shook his head and added: "Actually, it is false to vote for the eldest son. Last year, Mr. Zi Yang met me in Yuzhang. He once recommended me to work under the emperor's uncle. I wonder if the emperor dislikes Gan Ning?"

Liu Bei was almost knocked out by happiness. He held Gan Ning's fists with his big hands, and said enthusiastically, "How can Liu Bei have any reason to dislike him if he can win Xingba? It's because Huang Yuanyang doesn't know how to treasure."

"Gan Ning traveled all over the world, and today he finally met the Ming Lord."

Gan Ning planned to bow down to make a big salute, but Liu Bei held his hands firmly, and he couldn't get rid of the force.

Just when Gan Ning was surprised, Liu Bei loosened his grip again, and said with a smile: "Xingba doesn't need to be polite, with your joining, the Kuangfu Han family has another hope."

"Lord."

Gan Ning was so moved that he almost wanted to cry, but he couldn't hide his true feelings.

Compared with Liu Biao and Huang Zu's indifference, Liu Bei's enthusiasm is like the winter sun, making people feel warmth and hope.

And the grip strength felt by the fist just now, the calluses and roughness on the palm of the hand, shows that Liu Bei is a veteran of the battlefield, a hero who can climb up again and again after failure.

Such a person has no hypocrisy.

Gan Ning shot and wounded Xu Kun in Haihun last year, but his credit was completely wiped out by Huang Zu. He planned to leave Jiangxia to find another way out, but was delayed because of the preparation of the ship, and then encountered Sun Quan's westward expedition this year.

In order to thank Su Fei for helping to find a boat, Gan Ning led his trilogy to defend Sha Xian, and shot and killed Jiangdong general Ling Cao again, while Huang Zu only gave him a meal of wine and meat after the war.

After Gan Ning drank the jar of sad wine, he no longer had any illusions about Huang Zu.

Huang Zu blocked the way to go east, so Gan Ning could only go west aimlessly. He stopped in Jiangling and heard the news of Handong. He remembered Liu Ye's seemingly joking proposal last year, and then decisively turned to Hanshui to go to Xicheng.

Originally planning to ask Liu Ye for introduction, but unexpectedly met the rightful owner halfway.

Gan Ning not only has martial arts, but also has a good strategic vision.

On the way back to Xicheng together, Gan Ning offered Liu Bei the strategic concept of taking Hanzhong first and then Yizhou.

Gan Ning said that Liu Zhang was fatuous and incompetent, and there were many people who wanted to change in Yizhou.

Zhuge Liang nodded in relief: "General Gan's words are perfect, my lord can get such a good general today, so why worry about the uncertainty of the world?"

"But the original meaning of the military division." Liu Bei hesitated to speak.

Except for Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and Liu Ye, Liu Bei's strategic intention to go to Guanzhong is known only to Long Xiang and Lu Su in Hefei, so it is inconvenient to tell Gan Ning.

Zhuge Liang said with a smile: "The plan can be adjusted at any time, and some ideas must be changed according to the situation. If the eastward advance is hindered in the future, the lord can make the easy work first and then the difficult one. Just like General Gan said, take down Yizhou, which is rich in resources, and fight for the world. It will be beneficial and it will be more robust.”

Liu Bei frowned and nodded: "That Zhang Lu?"

Zhuge Liang shook his feather fan lightly, and said calmly, "My lord lacks a navy now, and General Gan happens to be familiar with water warfare. He can slowly build warships and train a navy in the west city, so as to prepare for the future westward expedition."

"The last general is not weak in land warfare. General Zilong should know that, and the last general has a history in Shu. In the future, taking Yizhou can be the vanguard." Gan Ning has just joined and is very motivated to make contributions.

Zhuge Liang nodded to reassure him: "General Gan, don't worry, my lord's ambition is to help the Han family, and there will be battles you can't finish fighting in the future."

"That's fine, that's fine"

Gan Ning smiled and nodded, then asked Liu Bei again: "My lord, I think it will be dark soon, will you let the fleet rest at the shore?"

"Go." Liu Bei nodded slightly, then turned around and told Zhao Yun: "Zilong is going too, you and Xingba get to know each other well."

"only."

Watching the two generals Gan and Zhao leave side by side, Zhuge Liang covered his mouth with a feather fan and asked Liu Bei in a low voice, "My lord deliberately dismissed them. Do you have anything to say to me?"

"Those who know me are military advisors."

(End of this chapter)