Chapter 58 Breaking the shackles of Lao Liu! Liu Bei: If Liu Biao wants to fight, then let’s fight. I want to seize Jingzhou!
Zhang Fei's abnormal behavior confused Liu Bei.

Wei Yan captured Rang County and killed Cai He.

Who is Cai He? He is Liu Biao’s brother-in-law and the legitimate son of the Cai family!

Will Liu Biao be able to let this go?
Will Cai Mao be able to let this go?
I am afraid that in a moment, they will mobilize the troops of Jingzhou and rush to Nanyang to seek revenge.

The enemy army is approaching and the situation is so serious, why are you still so ecstatic?

It’s as if he’s looking forward to Liu Biao’s attack?

"Third brother!"

Guan Yu had to cough dryly a few times to remind Zhang Fei not to reveal the secret.

Zhang Fei came to his senses and quickly put away his ecstasy, so he was indignant:
"Brother, Liu Biao has finally lost his patience and attacked us."

"Fortunately, Wei Wenchang responded appropriately, defeated the invading enemy army, killed Cai He, and seized Rang County."

"Brother, Liu Biao turned against us first, why are you still worried about our kinship? Let's gather our troops and march south, cross the Han River in one go, and seize Xiangyang!"

As soon as Zhang Fei took the lead, the others immediately followed suit, and all of them were indignant and asked for a fight.

Liu Bei suppressed his shock and said with confusion:

"Since Liu Jingsheng had already withdrawn his troops to Xiangyang, he had tacitly acknowledged our possession of Nanyang."

"Why did he suddenly order Cai He to attack Yuyang for no apparent reason?"

Old Liu noticed something suspicious.

Guan Yu and the others looked at each other and suddenly became nervous, worried that Liu Bei would see through the trick.

Zhang Fei waved his hands anxiously and shouted:

"Brother, why do you think so much? It is a fact that Liu Biao attacked us first."

"No matter what his reason is, just send troops south and seize Jingzhou~~"

Everyone said yes.

However, Xiao Fang understood that as the lord, Old Liu would not be fooled so easily. Even if he wanted to declare war on Liu Biao, he had to do it clearly.

"In Fang's opinion, it is probably related to our investigation into occupied land."

"In the southern counties of Yuyang and Nieyang, most of the abandoned farmland is occupied by the Cai and Kuai families."

"Wen Changqing Tian will inevitably harm the interests of the Cai and Kuai clans."

"I guess this is most likely a trick by Kuai Yue, who ordered Cai He to send troops to attack Yuyang without authorization, in order to protect the land and property of the Cai and Kuai families in Yuyang, and to intimidate and warn the lord."

At this point, Xiao Fang no longer tried to fool Lao Liu and directly pointed out the reason.

After all, truth will come to light sooner or later, so it is better to confess in advance.

Anyway, Liu Biao had already fired the first shot and his goal had been achieved.

Liu Bei suddenly understood and couldn't help but sigh:

"I neglected this point. I didn't investigate carefully. The Cai and Kuai clans also occupied land in Nanyang. This land clearance policy inadvertently violated their interests."

Xiao Fang disagreed and said:

"The Cai and Kuai clans took advantage of the displacement of the people of Nanyang and took advantage of Liu Biao's protection to seize the abandoned land for their own use. This was injustice in the first place."

"My lord, when you cleared the land in Nanyang, even if you knew that the Cai and Kuai families also occupied land, would you be afraid and not dare to touch them?"

"If this is true, what will the other powerful families think? Will they be convinced by the lord?"

Xiao Fang's words and a series of rhetorical questions shocked Liu Bei and he seemed to understand something.

"Unless, my lord wants to be like Liu Biao, who has to look at the faces of Cai and Kuai in everything and rely on them!"

“So I think, whether the lord knows it or not, as long as the lord wants to gain a foothold in Nanyang, offending the Cai and Kuai clans is inevitable!”

Liu Bei's body was shocked, and he suddenly understood, with a look of heroism on his face.

"Military advisor, your words make sense. Although I am weak, I am also the lord of Nanyang. How can I rely on Cai and Kuai for support?"

"If I show leniency to the Cai and Kuai families and do not investigate their occupation of land, where is justice and how can I convince the people?"

At this moment, Liu Bei exuded a hint of tyranny.

Xiao Fang nodded secretly.

Old Liu is still the same Old Liu who dared to whip the capital postman in anger. How could he follow the example of Liu Biao and not hesitate to look at the face of a minister like Cai Kuai in order to secure his position as governor?

"In the battle of Yuyang, Liu Biao was the first to offend the lord. The so-called kinship was torn apart by Liu Biao."

"In that case, my lord, why should you worry about it?"

"I think that the lord should immediately gather troops and march south to capture Jingzhou in one fell swoop."

"Only with Jingzhou in hand can the lord have hope of restoring the Han Dynasty and rebuilding the country!"

Xiao Fang took advantage of the situation and immediately asked for a fight.

Zhuge Liang, who was listening quietly, also stood up and reminded loudly:

"My lord, don't forget that the emperor has issued an imperial decree, appointing General Yunchang as the governor of Nanjun."

"My lord, you have obeyed the imperial order to send troops to drive Liu Biao out of Xiangyang. This is a legitimate reason!"

Xiao Fang's words of advice, coupled with Zhuge Liang's additional reminders, gradually broke down Liu Bei's hesitation.

ponder for a moment.

Liu Bei's body shook, and he stood up suddenly, clenching his fists, with fighting spirit burning in his eyes.

It is true that he was kind-hearted and that he did take the friendship of his fellow clan into consideration.

But this does not mean that he is weak and can be bullied, or that he is pedantic and inflexible.

The fact that Liu Biao turned hostile and started the fight first had already broken the shackles on him.

What reason does he have to be stubborn and refuse everyone's request?
at this time.

The guards rushed in and said loudly:
"My lord, General Wei Wenchang has another urgent report."

"Liu Biao has led nearly 30,000 Jingzhou soldiers across the Han River, heading north from Fancheng, and is now approaching Xinye."

"General Wei, please send troops to reinforce Rangcheng as soon as possible!"

Liu Bei's eyes focused, and the last trace of worry disappeared.

Originally, I thought that Liu Biao knew that Cai He was destroying himself by using military force for the private interests of the Cai family, and he would not openly mobilize troops to protect the private interests of the Cai family.

The result was just as Xiao Fang had expected. Liu Biao was still held hostage by the Cai family and still sent a large number of troops north.

"Jingsheng, since you are determined to go to war with me, a fellow clan member, for the Cai and Kuai families, then I, Liu Bei, will accompany you!"

Liu Bei had made up his mind. He took a deep breath and said sternly:

"Pass the order down, gather troops immediately and rush to Rang County."

"In this battle, I will fight alongside you, defeat Liu Biao, and capture Jingzhou!"

Xiao Fang, Guan Yu and others looked at each other, all smiled and breathed a sigh of relief.

...

Newfield.

Tens of thousands of Jingzhou soldiers marched north along the highway and entered this important town in northern Jingzhou.

The team stretched for miles, with no end in sight.

Liu Biao stood on the top of the city wall, overlooking the mighty army, his brows filled with a look of determination to win.

Footsteps were heard and Cai Zhong climbed up the city wall.

"My lord, the spy has sent back a secret report."

"Liu Bei left Guan Yu to guard Wancheng, and has led more than 15,000 soldiers south to Yuyang, clearly intending to reinforce Rang County and engage in a head-on battle with our army."

Liu Biao frowned and his face turned gloomy.

He originally thought that since he had led an army of 40,000, Liu Bei would be afraid of the disparity in military strength between the two sides and would most likely give in and ask for peace.

Unexpectedly, Liu Bei not only had no intention of seeking peace, but instead came in full force, obviously determined to fight him to the end.

"The big-eared thief is really rampant!"

"He is showing contempt for the lord and treating our 40,000 brave soldiers in Jingzhou as nothing!"

Cai Mao gritted his teeth and immediately started to fan the flames.

Liu Biao's self-esteem was deeply hurt, anger flared up on his face, and he said coldly:

"At this point, this mat weaver and shoe seller still has no regrets. Don't blame me for not considering our kinship!"

"Pass the order down. The army will march north day and night. I must seize Rang County before Liu Bei does, and kill Wei Yan to avenge De Shun!"

Seeing that Liu Biao was determined to fight, Cai Mao secretly breathed a sigh of relief and the corners of his mouth curled up.

At this time.

Kuai Yue's eyes rolled slightly, and he immediately bowed:

"In this battle, our army must fight quickly and decisively, so as not to waste time and give Cao Cao a chance to intervene."

"If you take back Rang County first, I'm afraid Liu Bei will be afraid of your military might and lead his army back to Wancheng."

"If he holds on and doesn't come out, it will be difficult for us to quickly capture Wancheng."

Changing the subject, Kuai Yue raised a strange expression on his face:
"Yue has a plan. Maybe he can use Rang County as bait to wipe out Liu Bei in one fell swoop!"

(End of this chapter)