Chapter 40 The man behind Liu Bei is so powerful! Zhang Xiu was stunned: My son was saved by my mortal enemy?
Not just Liu Biao.

The chess piece that Kuai Yue had just picked up also fell into the chess basket.

Cai Mao, who was watching the fight, was shocked and suddenly jumped up.

The master and his two ministers looked at each other, expressions of surprise and shock appeared on their faces at the same time, as if they had heard something out of the Arabian Nights.

Kuai Yue looked particularly shocked.

You have to know that a moment ago, he was still confident that Liu Bei and Zhang Xiu would fight to a stalemate and both would suffer losses.

In the blink of an eye, Liu Bei actually defeated Zhang Xiu?
It was not just a simple defeat, but Zhang Xiu's entire army was almost wiped out!
At this moment, Kuai Yue had the illusion that he was slapped in the face unexpectedly.

"Second brother, what did you say?"

"Liu Bei defeated Zhang Xiu and reached Wancheng?"

"This is impossible! Absolutely not possible!"

Cai Mao jumped up first and shouted excitedly.

"It is absolutely true. Here is the military report. Please review it, my lord!"

General Cai presented the silk book with both hands.

Liu Biao recovered a little from his shock, snatched the military report from Cai Zhong's hand, and unfolded it impatiently.

After looking at it for a few times, Liu Biao took a deep breath, and a look of deep surprise gathered in his eyes.

"How could they defeat the 8,000-strong Xiliang Army so easily with this strategy?"

"I never expected that my fellow clansman would have such a wise plan."

Liu Biao was amazed and then showed the information to Kuai Yue and Cai Mao.

The two took it and looked through it eagerly together.

The two men's eyes gradually widened.

"With a few carts of food and a few cattle and sheep, you defeated Zhang Xiu's eight thousand elite troops?"

"This... can this be called a strategy?"

Cai Mao raised his head, with disbelief in his eyes.

Kuai Yue frowned deeply and sighed in admiration:
"Degui, don't underestimate this plan."

"Although Zhang Ji's army is fierce and Zhang Xiu is brave, their army's biggest weakness is the shortage of food and grass."

"Liu Bei used this strategy to attack the enemy's weak spot!"

"Although this plan may seem ordinary, the person who proposed it actually saw through the weak points of the Xiliang Army. His vision and wisdom are extraordinary!"

After some praise, Kuai Yue changed the subject:
"Liu Bei is just a military man, so he wouldn't have such a clever plan. It must have been the work of his advisers."

"Was this strategy proposed by Mi Zhu, Jian Yong, or Sun Qian?"

Kuai Yue shook his head slightly, clearly not believing that it was the work of those three people.

at this time.

The shock on Liu Biao's face was gradually replaced by suspicion and speculation.

"Yi Du, it seems that both you and I have underestimated this fellow clan member of mine."

"Liu Xuande was able to severely inflict heavy damage on Yuan Shu and Lu Bu in Chengfu, and now he has defeated Zhang Xiu. His ability to command troops is much stronger than I thought."

"Most of his subordinates may have other clever ideas. We need to send more spies to investigate in detail!"

Kuai Yue agreed with it deeply and immediately said yes.

"Whether Liu Bei is good at commanding troops or has other brilliant advisers, the fact is that Zhang Xiu has been defeated miserably and Liu Bei's troops are approaching Wancheng."

"My lord, we cannot sit back and allow Liu Bei to take Wancheng."

"Mao thinks that the lord should change his strategy immediately and lead his army north to Wancheng!"

Cai Mao's voice was stern, and his eyes and tone revealed murderous intent.

Liu Biao looked at Kuai Yue.

After Kuai Yue pondered for a moment, he sighed:

"Since Yue's plan of killing someone with a borrowed knife has failed, the only option is to use force."

Liu Biao then calmed down and immediately ordered all troops to prepare and set out north soon.

The nearly 30,000 Jingzhou troops stationed in Xinye were quickly mobilized and prepared to rush north.

Dusk.

Liu Biao, already wearing armor, appeared on the north gate tower.

"My lord, the soldiers of the three armies are ready to go, just waiting for your order!"

Cai Mao stepped forward to make his request.

Liu Biao took a deep breath, slowly raised his hand, and was about to give the order to set off.

"Report~~"

"Urgent news from Rangcheng!"

A messenger on horseback rushed into the city and climbed up to the city wall.

"My lord, General Wen has a report."

"Liu Bei suddenly sent his generals Xu Sheng and Liu Pi to the south. Two days ago, they drove out Zhang Ji's troops and captured the two cities of Nieyang and Yuyang!"

"General Wen asks the lord whether to send troops to retake the two cities!"

Liu Biao's suspended hand suddenly froze in mid-air, and his solemn expression suddenly turned into surprise.

Having just defeated Zhang Xiu and approached Wancheng, they immediately divided their forces to seize Nieyang and Yuyang!

The troops are used swiftly.

What does Liu Bei want to do?
Do you want to go to war with him directly?
"Liu Bei must be worried that the lord will go north to fight for Wancheng, so he divided his troops to seize the two cities of Nieyu first, so as to block the lord's way north in advance!"

Kuai Yue was the first to recover and immediately pointed out the mystery.

Liu Biao suddenly understood, and deep suspicion welled up in his eyes again.

"You can actually predict my every move. This wisdom is truly extraordinary."

"Who is the person who gave him advice?"

Liu Biao only felt a slight chill on his back.

at this time.

Another soldier came to report that Sun Qian, Liu Bei's envoy, had arrived in Xinye and wanted to see Liu Biao. Liu Biao was shocked and looked at Kuai Yue with suspicion.

They had just captured the two cities of Nieyu, and then the envoy arrived. What was going on?
"My lord, please meet Sun Qian first and see what Liu Bei is planning."

Liu Biao had no choice but to listen to Kuai Yue's advice. He immediately ordered a halt to the military campaign and returned to the palace.

So half an hour later, Liu Biao met with Sun Qian, who was on his second diplomatic mission, again in the hall of Xinye Prefecture.

Sun Qian served as a diplomatic envoy under Liu Bei and was considered a veteran actor.

As soon as he saw Liu Biao, his face was full of joy and he presented Liu Biao with the good news that Liu Bei had defeated Zhang Xiu.

Since the two families nominally joined forces to deal with Zhang Ji, Liu Bei's victory was naturally also considered a victory for Liu Biao.

So the governor of Jingzhou had to put on a forced smile and was forced to cooperate with Sun Qian in acting out a surprising rivalry.

After some preparation, Sun Qian presented Liu Bei's handwritten letter, saying that Liu Biao did not need to waste money and food to mobilize troops, and that with Liu Bei's current strength, he was able to take Wancheng alone.

After the show was over, Sun Qian was finally sent away.

Liu Biao held the handwritten letter from Liu Bei, but his brows were furrowed and his face was gloomy.

"First, divide our forces to seize the two cities of Nieyu and block our army's way north to Wancheng."

"Then send an envoy to tell the lord the good news. In the name of helping the lord save money and food, we can legitimately prevent the lord from going north so that he can take Wancheng alone."

"Liu Bei's series of arrangements are truly flawless."

"If you force your way north, you will have to use your troops against Liu Bei first, and be branded as a traitor."

"I have to say, the person behind Liu Bei's plan is really a powerful figure!"

After all, Kuai Yue was the best strategist in Jingxiang. At this moment, he finally saw through the intention of Liu Bei's series of arrangements, and his tone revealed a hint of admiration.

Liu Biao's face became increasingly gloomy, and he held Liu Bei's letter even tighter.

"No matter who is behind this plan for Liu Bei, my lord, how can you let him lead you by the nose and watch Wancheng fall into the hands of that mat weaver and shoe seller?"

"Mao thought that we should still send troops north, storm and capture the two cities of Nieyu, and fight our way to Wancheng to see how he can resist!"

Cai Mao stood up in anger and advocated war with Liu Bei.

However, Liu Biao's eyes changed constantly. He stood up and walked around, feeling hesitant and indecisive.

Kuai Yue could tell from Liu Biao's expression that he was concerned about his reputation.

After all, Liu Bei was of the same clan, and the two families agreed to send troops together to defeat Zhang Ji.

You just sit back and do nothing, hoping to reap the benefits.

Now Liu Bei has defeated Zhang Ji alone and has made it clear that there is no need for you to take any action, but you are turning against him and sending troops to attack Liu Bei.

If this isn’t betrayal, what is?
After all, Liu Biao is not Lu Bu. He is a famous figure of the time. He still has some dignity and is concerned about the opinions of people all over the world.

"Although Liu Bei defeated Zhang Xiu, Wancheng is the seat of Nanyang and the city is strong."

"Even if Zhang Ji loses some soldiers and generals, he should still have at least 3,000 to 5,000 soldiers."

"Liu Bei wants to capture Wancheng in a short period of time with more than 10,000 soldiers and horses, but I don't think he has the strength to do so."

"According to Yue's opinion, my lord, you might as well go with the flow and continue to keep your troops in place."

"When Liu Bei's siege has been unsuccessful for a long time and his soldiers are exhausted, it will not be too late to make a decision."

Kuai Yue followed Liu Biao's thoughts, compromised and offered another plan.

Still keeping the troops on hold!
But this time, he just watched Liu Bei attack Zhang Ji.

This plan was exactly what Liu Biao wanted.

The gloom on Liu Biao's face disappeared and he nodded repeatedly:
"How can I be a treacherous person? Unless it is absolutely necessary, I will not fight with my fellow clan members."

"This plan of yours is very much in line with what I want. I will follow your plan."

The plan was thus finalized.

The 30,000 Jingzhou troops that had already left the camp therefore retreated again.

...

Wancheng, Zhang Xiu’s main camp.

"General, I have confirmed this repeatedly from the defeated soldiers."

"The young general was seriously injured and fell off his horse. He was unable to retreat to Wancheng and was captured by Liu Bei's army. Most likely..."

Hu Che'er didn't finish his words and lowered his head and sighed helplessly.

Zhang Xiu felt a pain in his heart.

How could he not understand what Hu Che'er said?

He was seriously injured and his life was in danger. Even if he was not dead, would he still have a chance to survive if he fell into Liu Bei's hands?
Most of his beloved sons are dead.

"Liu Bei, Liu Bei, if my son dies, the blame will be on you."

"I, Zhang Xiu, swear here that if I don't avenge my son—"

The word "revenge" was not even uttered.

The guards rushed in and shouted excitedly:

"Reporting to the young general, the general's personal soldiers have returned, and they have brought back a handwritten letter from the young general!"

This statement came out.

The anger on Zhang Xiu's face turned into surprise in an instant.

My son is not dead?

"Quick, send him in!"

Zhang Xiu jumped up excitedly and waved his hands to urge him.

A moment.

The personal soldier entered the tent and knelt before Zhang Xiu in tears.

"Is Quan'er really not dead?"

"Where is he? Tell me now!"

Zhang Xiu grabbed the soldier and shouted at him almost in a roar.

"Reporting to the Major General, the young general was seriously injured and captured. He was originally doomed to die, but he was unexpectedly saved by Liu Xuande's military advisor Xiao Fang!"

Zhang Xiu was stunned.

(End of this chapter)