Chapter 363 Staying Behind to Deal with the Problem
Although Zhang Fei naturally respected famous and learned people, this behavior had a big premise.

That is, this scholar has positive significance to Liu Bei's career. Under this premise, Zhang Fei can give him enough face and it doesn't matter if he suffers a little grievance.

At this moment of life and death, how could Zhang Fei show mercy to Xi Zhen?

Not to mention this person, even if Pang Tong or Pang Degong came in person, Zhang Fei would still be severely beaten!
The more you offend the celebrities and big families in Xiangyang, the easier it will be to eliminate some negative impacts.

Before Liu Bei finished discussing things in the tent, Zhang Fei, who had left first, strode back with a small gold wire crown that had been squeezed and deformed, and a bunch of hair on it.

Zhang Fei threw the small crown hair bag in front of Liu Bei's desk and said, "Brother, Mr. Xi has left the camp."

Liu Bei just glared at Zhang Fei, ignoring the small ball of hair on the ground. Guan Yu on the side began to reprimand him, "We are discussing matters in the tent. Third brother, please do not be so rude again."

"Yes, I was rude."

Zhang Fei responded and bowed to Liu Bei: "Brother, Mr. Xi has left the camp."

"Well, Yide, take a seat and listen to the military advisor's words."

Zhang Fei bowed in response, then turned sideways and bowed to Xu Shu, who had interrupted the conversation. Xu Shu also responded with a forced smile.

Humiliating Xi Zhen in this way is no different from humiliating Pang Tong himself.

After all, Xu Shu and Xi Zhen were classmates and had known each other for nearly ten years. He never expected that Xi Zhen would suffer such humiliation.

Xu Shu was born a chivalrous man who attached great importance to honor and disgrace. At this moment, he felt that Zhang Fei had gone too far.

But from our own point of view, severing ties with the scholars in Xiangyang would naturally alleviate the suspicion in Guanzhong.

Xu Shu then collected his thoughts and continued, "We have already gained more than 90,000 men and women in Chenliu and Yingchuan. It is estimated that by winter, there will be about 120,000 or 130,000. Nanyang has a population of 23,000, and more than 40,000 new households have arrived by the end of this year. We are short of food for winter and spring. Now that we have offended the officials and people of Jingxiang, and our army is short of military funds, I am afraid it will be difficult to buy food to be self-sufficient."

Zhang Fei, who had just sat down, was about to speak, but his peripheral vision turned to observe Liu Bei. Seeing that Liu Bei kept his eyes downcast and remained silent, he seemed to be observing him as well.

So Zhang Fei held back and went to observe Guan Yu again.

Guan Yu and his men all looked at him, so he asked, "Military Advisor, do you want to ask the Grand Marshal for help to help me get out of trouble in Nanyang?"

"Exactly."

Xu Shu looked around at everyone and said, "One of us must go to Guanzhong to pay a visit to the Grand Marshal and explain our army's difficulties."

After hearing this, several people went to see Zhao Yun again. Zhao Yun made a lot of money during his trip to Guanzhong.

What is even more outrageous is that when the Wuhuan captives heard that Guanzhong had defeated the two Xianbei kings and annexed the Hexi tribes, they became loyal and their value increased greatly.

Even though they lost the battle of Xiangcheng, the scattered Wuhuan servant knights returned one after another, and their cohesion was fundamentally different from when they first came to Nanyang.

Zhao Yun was about to step out and offer to go, but Liu Bei said, "No one else is suitable now, so I have to go myself."

For a moment, the big tent fell into silence, and even the sound of breathing seemed to have disappeared.

Guan Yu wanted to say something but stopped himself.

At this time, Liu Bei can and should go to Guanzhong. Since he wants to join the group, he should make a good gesture.

In fact, in many respects, the positions of both sides are very close.

In terms of level, Guanzhong is more radical.

Many people are aware of this radical move, but are optimistic and only regard it as a temporary emergency measure.

However, Liu Bei and his group had traveled around for a long time and always suffered from the lack of a solid base.

Naturally, you can understand what the black bear is doing.

Seeing that no one objected, Liu Bei smiled and said, "Since you all agree, I will assign military duties." Upon hearing this, the officers straightened their backs. Liu Bei's eyes fell directly on Zhang Fei: "Yide will stay in Wankou and garrison Kunyang, Ye County, and Luyang. Zilong will be the deputy general. If the enemy army invades, we will fight if we can. If we cannot, we can retreat to Duyang or Bowang."

Zhang Fei glanced at Zhao Yun and couldn't help but smile: "Yes."

Zhao Yun also stood up and bowed: "Yes."

Liu Bei looked at Xu Shu again and said, "Military Advisor, stay in Wancheng and sort out military and civil affairs with Zi Zhong to ensure the safety of the people."

Then he looked at Guan Yu and said, "Yun Chang will stay in Xinye and be alert to the south bank of the Han River as well as the direction of Zhangling and Jiangxia. If there is an attack, there is no need to retreat."

"Yes, I understand."

Guan Yu stood up and bowed. He was badly injured in the battle, and they left him to guard Xinye so that he could train his troops there with peace of mind.

Liu Bei added: "If I can persuade Wen Zhongye, I will ask him to be Yunchang's deputy general."

At this time, Lu Zhao and Lou Gui stood up. Lou Gui, who had a higher overall status, was the first to speak: "If the envoy withdraws his troops from Wankou, what should we do?"

Lou Gui is still serving as a reinforcement from Guanzhong. The 3,000 armed servants and newly recruited soldiers in his own army lack war experience and testing. The other 2,000 Nanxiang soldiers are on temporary loan and will be returned to Yi Ji soon. The 2,000 temporary auxiliary soldiers will also be disbanded.

It’s similar here for Lu Zhao. You have to ask for a job or a mission so that you can have a decent place to station.

Even if Lu Zhao had ten times the courage, he would not dare to stay in Luyang and farm.

In the north, Xiahou Dun did not dare to fight with Gan Ning, but he would definitely wait for an opportunity to invade Luyang and use him to train his troops.

Without waiting for Liu Bei's reply, Xu Huang also stood up, bowed and kowtowed, as if asking for orders.

Liu Bei said: "General Lu will remain in Luyang. If there is any change, you can cooperate with Yide and Zilong and withdraw from Jackdaw Road to Zhi County and Xi'e County."

"The last general takes orders."

Lu Zhaochangbai said that he really didn't want to stay in Wankou because the risk was too great.

Liu Bei looked at Lou Gui again and said: "Zi Bo's troops can be stationed in Yin County. If there is a change in Jingxiang, we can seize the opportunity to occupy Shandu and Zhuyang counties. If we can occupy the upper reaches of the Han River, the benefits of the Han River will be ours, and Liu Jingsheng will be controlled by me."

"Yes, I will do as Envoy Liu said."

Lou Gui also bowed his head. He did not have the legal identity to command troops. He originally wanted to make a name for himself on the battlefield in the Central Plains and solidify his status as a reinforcement from Guanzhong. But now it seemed that he could only find a way to slap Liu Biao in the face a few times. The louder the slaps, the faster he could establish his position.

In terms of identity and resume, Lou Gui was a famous scholar in Nanyang. Previously, he was a general of miscellaneous rank serving as the military advisor to the Sikong.

At this time, Liu Bei looked at Xu Huang and said, "General Gongming, you can send someone you can trust to lead the troops, and your people can move to Rang County and Nieyang to plant crops. I hope that General Gongming can go with me to Guanzhong to pay homage to the Grand Marshal. It is better to be valued by the Grand Marshal than to waste time in Nanyang."

Xu Huang showed gratitude and said, "Yes, I will do as you say."

After dealing with these, Liu Bei felt relieved and smiled: "Who can invite Wen Zhongye to the banquet?"

While the officers were thinking, a grain officer who was listening at the edge of the tent stepped forward, bowed and lowered his head, and said, "I am Wang Lian, a minor official from Nanyang. I am from the same hometown as Wen Zhongye and Li Yan and Li Zhengfang, the grain supervisors under Wen Zhongye. I would like to invite Wen Zhongye and Li Zhengfang to a banquet."

Wang Lian raised his head and saw that Liu Bei did not show any signs of difficulty, and no one was refuting him. So Wang Lian boldly said, "I think Wen Zhongye and Li Zhengfang also doubt the righteousness of the world. I only need a few words to make them surrender."

Naturally, Liu Bei would be happy to see the issue of Wen Pin's 15,000 men resolved peacefully.

Otherwise, if there is real threat of force or even a fight during the banquet, how can he hold banquets and entertain guests in the future?
At this time, Zhao Yun stepped forward to vouch for Wang Lian: "My lord, Wen Zhongye knows the power of the Grand Marshal. With a little persuasion, he will obey the righteousness. As for Li Zhengfang, I am not familiar with him, so you can be on guard against him."

What to guard against?
Of course, if Li Yan refused and then fled, either Li Yan agreed to Wang Lian, or he refused and was captured and kidnapped by Zhao Yun.

Liu Bei nodded and said, "Just follow Zilong. I'll leave this matter to you two. If Wen Zhongye can wake up, you can come with me to Guanzhong to pay a visit to the Grand Marshal. His subordinates and the other 10,000 Jingzhou soldiers should be treated well if they are willing to stay, and those who insist on returning to Hannan should not be made difficult."

"Yes, I, your humble servant, will obey your orders."

(End of this chapter)