Chapter 243: This is the price for bullying me for so many years! Instead of waiting for the imperial seal, I got Lao Liu's knife!

Liu Bei's eyes moved, and he seemed to understand Xiao Fang's proposal.

"Cao Cao ordered Ma Teng to send troops to help in the war, and he must have used the emperor's name. After all, Ma Teng nominally submitted to the court and the emperor, not Cao Cao."

"Ma Teng sent out his troops this time because, firstly, he obeyed the emperor's order, and secondly, he did not want to offend Cao Cao, so he only sent more than 3,000 soldiers and horses, and did not send a large number of troops."

"Such a person who is not a die-hard fan of Cao Cao should be someone that the lord should try to win over. Why did the lord kill his nephew and create a blood feud with him?"

Xiao Fang slowly and calmly expressed the first meaning.

Liu Bei suddenly came to his senses.

Xiao Fang wanted to show his appeasement to Ma Teng by not killing Ma Dai, and in a sense win him over.

Although Ma Teng is far away in Guanzhong and has nothing to do with him for the time being, from a long-term perspective, it is a prudent strategy to win him over if there is a chance.

"The military advisor is right. It is always better to have one more friend than one more enemy."

Liu Bei nodded repeatedly in agreement.

"Since you moved to Nanyang, you have never used your troops against Cao Cao. It was Cao Cao who wanted to kill you that repeatedly sent troops to attack you."

"Whether it's the siege of Ye County or the current surprise attack on Yangquan, it's all Cao Cao trying to provoke the lord."

"My lord, as the overlord of the south, sitting on the two states of Jing and Yang, how can you tolerate Cao Cao's repeated attacks without responding?"

"Now my lord has executed his son Cao Ang, and ordered Ma Dai to bring Cao Ang's head back to Cao Cao. This is to intimidate Cao Cao and make him pay the price for sending troops to attack my lord several times."

"My lord, you can also use Ma Dai to warn Cao Cao that if he does not intervene in the battle in Huainan, my lord will immediately send troops north to attack Xudu and make him unable to take care of both ends!"

Xiao Fang spoke in a cold tone, revealing his second motive.

Liu Bei's brows gradually furrowed, and the anger in his heart was ignited by Xiao Fang's words.

Looking back over the years, I have never taken the initiative to attack Cao Cao. It was always Cao Cao who attacked me.

It's time to vent this anger and humiliation.

"Okay, let's do as Jinglue said and order Ma Dai to take Cao Ang's head to Guandu to intimidate Cao thief!"

Liu Bei did not hesitate and immediately adopted Xiao Fang's suggestion.

The corners of Xiao Fang's mouth rose slightly, but there was a third reason, which he did not tell Lao Liu.

Cao Cao was suspicious by nature.

Now he failed to steal the chicken and his son was killed, but Ma Dai was still alive. Lao Liu treated him with courtesy and released him safely.

What will happen to Cao Cao?
Given his suspicious personality, he might be thinking that it was you, Ma Dai, who secretly communicated with Liu Bei and leaked my plan to Liu Bei, which led to Liu Bei setting an ambush in advance and killing my son?

From this we can further infer that it is possible that you, Ma Teng, nominally submitted to the court and obeyed me, Cao Cao, but secretly flirted with Old Liu?

Isn't this chain of suspicion emerging?

Given Cao Cao's suspicious nature, once suspicion arises, he will feel like there is a thorn in his heart and will try every means to get rid of Ma Teng, this "traitor".

Ma Teng and his son were suspected by Cao Cao and could not be used by Cao Cao. Isn't this exactly what Lao Liu would like to see?

However, given Lao Liu's character, since he sincerely wanted to win over Ma Teng, he naturally did not want to use such means and make Ma Dai suspicious of Cao Cao.

Therefore, Xiao Fangbian swallowed the third motive and did not tell it to Lao Liu.

The matter of dealing with Ma Dai was decided, and Lao Liu issued an order to invite Ma Dai to meet him in the big tent.

"One more thing, my lord, you can relax the siege on Shouchun City and leave a few openings to allow Lü Bu's spies to enter and exit."

"By doing this, Lu Bu will know that Cao Cao's sneak attack on Yangquan failed and he lost his son."

"This will undermine the confidence of the city guards and make them fall into despair."

Xiao Fang added another sentence.

Liu Bei's eyes lit up and he nodded happily:
"What the military advisor said is absolutely right. We will do as the military advisor said and immediately open up a few holes in our encirclement."

Xiao Fang turned his gaze and looked towards the east again, with a hint of expectation in his eyes.

"Next, it depends on Ziyi and Shiyuan."

"As long as they defeat Yuan Shao's army, they can completely cut off Lu Bu's thoughts of seeking help, leaving him in despair, waiting for death in peace..."

...

On the east bank of the Si River is Xiaxiang City.

It is only fifty miles away from Xuyi.

On the top of the South Gate Tower, a young nobleman with an imposing manner was standing on the top of the city wall with a sword in his hand, looking in the direction of Xuyi.

The young nobleman was named Gao Gan, and he was Yuan Shao’s nephew.

According to Yuan Shao's original plan, he was to be appointed as the Governor of Bingzhou to guard the western border for the Yuan family.

Gao Gan thought about the barren land of Bingzhou. The Yuan family nominally occupied only several eastern counties such as Shangdang, while the rest of the counties such as Yanmen, Daijun, Xihe, etc. were mostly occupied by the Southern Xiongnu.

In addition to the Huns, there were also Zhang Yan's Black Mountain Army of more than 100,000 soldiers entrenched in the Taihang Mountains.

In such a complicated situation, the post of Bingzhou Governor is a useless job with little pay and much work for a senior official.

So when Gao Gan learned that Yuan Shao had decided to march south in two directions, he decisively asked Yuan Shao to assist his brother Yuan Tan in attacking Xu and Yan.

After much consideration, Yuan Shao agreed to Gao Gan's request and promised that after Yuan Tan took over Xu and Yan, he would make Yuan Tan the commander-in-chief of the military affairs of the three states of Qing, Xu and Yan, and Gao Gan would serve as the governor of Xuzhou.

Although Xuzhou was far less wealthy than Jizhou, it was still a hundred times better than the barren land of Bingzhou. Gao Gan naturally accepted the order happily and followed Yuan Tan all the way from Qingzhou to Xuzhou. Now Yuan Shao wanted Yuan Tan to divide his troops and march south, bypass Xiapi to seize Xuyi, and take Guangling in the south to threaten Jiangdong. Gao Gan was extremely active and volunteered.

After all, both Xuyi and Guangling County belonged to Xuzhou and were previously snatched away by Yuan Shu.

As the future governor of Xuzhou, retaking Guangling County would mean gaining more territory for himself. How could he not be proactive?

"Zhongzhi, do you think that Lu Bu can really send us the imperial seal and his family?"

Gao Gan looked at Xin Ping, the counselor beside him.

Yuan Shao had given an order in advance that Lu Bu had to send the imperial seal and his family first to show his sincerity in surrendering. Only then was Gao Gan able to go south to capture Xuyi as promised and then take over Guangling.

This was also the reason why Gao Gan, who led an army of 10,000 to station in Xiaxiang, did not attack even though he knew that Liu's army in Xuyi had only more than 4,000 people.

Now that Lu Bu had not yet delivered the imperial seal, he could not help but become a little anxious.

"Although Lu Bu is known as the best general in the world, he is also the one who can endure humiliation and bear heavy burdens."

"In order to survive, he would not hesitate to offer the imperial seal and his family as hostages, or even acknowledge Yuan Gong as his adoptive father."

"He is now under siege in Shouchun. The situation is critical. Cao Cao has no troops to rescue him. The only ones who can save him are us."

"I expect that he will agree to the conditions of the lord and send the imperial seal and his family. He may already be on his way to Xiaxiang City."

"Master Zizhu, please be patient and wait for a few more days."

Xin Ping analyzed the situation incessantly with a smile on his face, as if he was in control of the situation.

The anxiety in Gao Gan's heart faded a little, but he still worried:
"Shouchun City should be surrounded by water now. Even if the four servants want to deliver the imperial seal, I'm afraid they won't have a chance."

Xin Ping smiled again and said disapprovingly:
"Although Lu Bu is a treacherous villain, his martial arts are truly the best in the world."

"With Lu Bu's martial arts, if he is willing, he is fully capable of escorting the imperial seal out of the siege. Order your generals to escort it to Xiaxiang."

The last trace of worry in the senior official's eyes disappeared like smoke.

"George is right. It seems that I was really worrying for no reason."

"Then I will be patient and wait for the four servants to deliver the imperial seal."

Gao Gan smiled with ease and immediately turned around to go down the city.

Just as he turned around, his general Lu Kuangfeng rushed up to the city wall in a hurry.

"Sir Zizhu, the scouts have reported that a group of people were spotted five miles to the south, carrying a banner with the word 'Lü' on it, heading towards Xiaxiang City.

Lu Kuang reported while panting.

Gao Gan was suddenly overjoyed, turned around quickly, and looked at Xin Ping excitedly.

Xin Ping laughed and bowed, saying:
"Master Zizhu, these must be the troops that Lu Bu has brought with him to deliver the Imperial Seal."

"You have successfully brought back the imperial seal for the lord, which is a great achievement for the lord. Congratulations, Master Zizhu."

Gao Gan laughed and praised:
"Xin Zuozhi is indeed a master of foresight. He knows all about the four servants. He really dares not refuse to deliver the imperial seal!"

"I will share this credit with you."

Gao Gan immediately gave the order to open the city gates and lower the drawbridge in preparation for welcoming Lu Bu's troops and the imperial seal into the city.

at dusk.

On the west bank of Si Shui Avenue, a cloud of dust came from the south.

Soon, a group of people appeared in the south of Xiaxiang City and came into view.

The senior official waiting in front of the city gate looked intently and recognized that it was indeed the flag with the word "Lu" on it.

There were about a thousand people, and among them were several horse-drawn carriages, which should be carrying Lu Bu's family members.

I think the imperial seal must be on those carriages.

"It is said that this imperial seal was made by the First Emperor, and it is engraved with the words 'Mandate from Heaven, May You Live Long and Prosper'."

"I can't wait to see this national treasure..."

The senior officials were rubbing their hands in anticipation, with uncontrollable excitement on their faces.

"It is a foregone conclusion that we have taken Xuzhou. It is only a matter of time before our lord defeats Cao Cao at Guandu. The unification of the two rivers is unstoppable."

"If we get the imperial seal now, the Liu family will be doomed, and the Yuan family will take their place. That would be in accordance with the will of heaven and the will of the people."

Xin Zuo's face was also filled with anticipation. He had already begun to imagine the beautiful blueprint of Yuan Shao establishing the Yuan Dynasty and himself becoming a loyal minister.

While the two were looking forward to their own dreams, Lu Jun on the other side was approaching and began to slow down.

A leading general, holding a painted halberd, led dozens of soldiers and horses, and guarded several carriages and moved forward first.

Gao Gan couldn't wait to ride forward and shouted loudly:
"I am Gao Gan. Who are the Lü Bu generals who are here? Where is the imperial seal?"

When the general holding the painted halberd heard the name "Gao Gan", a gleam of excitement flashed in his eyes.

Then he stepped forward alone, looked at Gao Gan coldly and said:
"So you are Yuan Shao's nephew. I am Taishi Ci. Nice to meet you."

Tai Shi Ci?
Gao Gan's eyes were blank, his thoughts racing, and he couldn't remember for a moment that there was such a general in Lu Bu's army.

Behind him, Xin Ping's face changed drastically, and he screamed:

"He is Liu Bei's general. Master Zizhu, please withdraw quickly. We have fallen into a trap!"

(End of this chapter)