Chapter 84 Want to use marriage to check me? Naive! Tonight, I will make you pay for your grievances! (First Order)
The generals were immediately energized and eager to fight.

After reorganization and digestion, some of the Jingzhou troops from Nanyang have now been incorporated into Liu's army.

Although Zhang Fei took away 5,000 soldiers and horses, Yuyang still had 20,000 soldiers available.

at dusk.

The south gate of Yuyang was wide open, and Liu Bei, commanding an army of 20,000, marched out of the city and headed south under the cover of night.

Mi Zhu and other civil servants were all present to see the army off as it marched south.

As a military advisor, Xiao Fang naturally could not stay behind and had to go with Liu Bei.

Under the protection of Xu Chu and other personal guards, he rode out of the city.

When they were about to leave the city gate, Xiao Fang suddenly spotted Mi Zhen among the crowd of people seeing him off.

Xiao Fang suddenly remembered something and rode his horse away to take Mi Zhen away.

"Miss Mi, you seemed to have said something to me yesterday, but you left after I returned home."

"You want to tell me something, it's not too late to tell me now."

Mi Zhen didn't want Xiao Fang to ask her in front of so many people. Her heart began to pound and her face turned slightly red.

"me…"

"It's nothing, actually. I'll tell you when we meet again after Advisor Xiao helps the Lord conquer Xinye."

Mi Zhen hesitated for a long time, but ultimately did not say anything.

Since she didn't want to talk, Xiao Fang stopped asking and waved goodbye:
"In that case, we'll see you in Xinye."

After saying this, Xiao Fang whipped his horse and rode out of the city.

Looking at Xiao Fang's receding back, Mi Zhen breathed a sigh of relief, but her eyes revealed a hint of regret.

This scene happened to be seen by Mi Zhu who was on the city wall.

"It seems that Zhen'er is really interested in this Military Advisor Xiao."

"If the lord achieves great things in the future, this military advisor Xiao will be second only to the emperor and above all others."

"It would be a blessing if my Mi family could marry into the Xiao family and receive their protection."

"It's a pity that Military Advisor Xiao already has a wife. If I marry him, I can only be a concubine like that Zou. I'm afraid it will be unfair to me..."

Mi Zhu's thoughts were in turmoil and he was confused.

Suddenly his eyes cleared up, as if he had figured it out.

"Since ancient times, it has been difficult to have both. Gains and losses always go hand in hand. How could it be possible that you could take all the benefits?"

"My Mi family is originally a merchant family. We are lucky to be able to climb up a towering tree like Military Advisor Xiao. Why should we care too much?"

"As long as my younger sister doesn't feel wronged, I will find an opportunity and ask Madam Su to act as a matchmaker to make this marriage happen..."

Mi Zhu's thoughts became clear, and a relieved smile gradually appeared on his face.

Turning around and looking outside the city, the huge army had disappeared into the night.

...

Xinye City, county seat.

Cai Mao was drinking with his second brother Cai Zhong.

"Brother, I heard from my sister that the master intends to marry the eldest son to the daughter of the Huang family."

"My lord, what do you think of this, brother?"

Cai Zhong asked as he filled Cai Mao's glass with wine.

Cai Mao took a sip of wine and snorted coldly:

"It was because my elder sister forced our brother-in-law to agree to the exchange terms of the big-eared thief in order to save you last time."

"Our brother-in-law gave in on the surface, but in his heart he was dissatisfied with our Cai family."

"He wants to marry the Huang family girl to Liu Qi, and he wants to form an alliance with the Huang family and support the Huang family to check and balance us."

Cai Mao exposed Liu Biao's intention with just a few words.

Cai Zhong looked somewhat ashamed and sighed self-reproachfully:

"It was all because of my incompetence that I was captured by that big-eared thief, forcing my elder sister to save me and anger the lord."

"The Huang family already has Huang Zu as the governor of Jiangxia. If they marry into Liu Qi's family, their power will surely increase greatly. I'm afraid it will really erode the power of my Cai family."

Cai Mao's wine glass moved slightly and hovered in mid-air, with a hint of fear in his eyes.

After a moment's silence, a sneer appeared on the corner of his mouth:
"Huang Chengyan is also a man who knows the current situation. In order not to offend the Cai and Kuai families, he refused the lord's invitation several times."

"With his keen eyesight, how could he not see that the Lord's proposal of marriage was only to bring him into the game and to check and balance the Cai and Kuai families?"

"I think Huang Chengyan still knows the current situation and will definitely not agree to this marriage."

"Our brother-in-law can only be wishful thinking."

After listening to Cai Mao's analysis, Cai Zhong suddenly realized and couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

Cai Mao changed the subject and continued to comfort him:

"The fact that you were captured was ultimately due to the Lord's poor use of military power. You fell into the trap set by that country bumpkin Xiao Fang, so it's not your fault."

"I will return to Xiangyang in a few days. When I do, I will hand over all the military power in Xinye to you. You must guard this barrier of Xiangyang well. This will make up for your mistakes and restore some reputation."

"It won't be long before people forget that you were ever captured, and you'll have regained your dignity."

The clouds in Cai Zhong's eyes disappeared and he was immediately overjoyed.

Then he jumped up, bowed to Cai Mao, and said with emotion:

"Brother, rest assured. I will defend Xinye as solid as an iron wall. If that big-eared thief dares to attack, I will make him return in defeat!"

Cai Mao was very pleased with his brother's statement.

After drinking the whole glass of wine, Cai Mao's face lit up with pride.

"As long as we brothers work together, no one in Jingzhou can shake the status of our Cai family."

"Kuai Yidu said that Cao Cao would not allow Liu Bei to become too powerful. He would definitely take action himself and lead a large army to march south."

"With Cao Mengde's great talent and strategy, Liu Bei is definitely no match for him and will surely be defeated."

"Then we will march north again and beat the fallen dog. We will surely be able to recover the lost territory and wash away the shame!"

"Maybe, we can kill that big-eared thief ourselves and avenge our third brother!"

Cai Zhong was shocked, and the hatred for his brother's murder was instantly ignited by Cai Mao's words.

Then, with the flames of revenge burning in his eyes, he snorted sarcastically:
"Brother is right. Cao Mengde is far more talented than our lord. Liu Bei can defeat our lord, but he is definitely not Cao Mengde's opponent."

"We will use Cao Mengde to help our third brother get revenge—"

The word "hate" was not even uttered.

The guard rushed in and shouted:
"General Cai, a large group of troops have been spotted north of Xinye, under the banner of Liu Bei, and are approaching our Xinye city!"

The two Cais were startled and looked at each other fiercely.

As soon as you mention Liu Bei, he appears. He is coming back to attack Xinye again!
"Brother, the big...big-eared thief is coming again, what should we do?" Cai Zhong, who was originally full of heroic spirit and shouted for revenge, was now panicked.

Cai Mao quickly calmed down and rolled his eyes at him:
"Why are you panicking? Didn't you just say that if Liu Bei dared to attack, he would be defeated?"

Cai Zhong was speechless and looked embarrassed.

"With Brother Wei here, the sky won't fall!"

"Let's go through the north gate first to see the enemy situation!"

Cai Mao slowly stood up, drew his sword and left.

So the two brothers left the house and quickly arrived at the north gate of the city.

At this time, the sound of gongs could be heard everywhere. The Jingzhou defenders, who had been at ease for less than half a month, became nervous again and rushed to the four gates.

On the northern avenue, tens of thousands of Liu troops came rolling in.

At dusk, the army arrived at the city and set up camp in front of the north gate of Xinye, creating a threatening situation.

A mounted scout rushed into the city and brought back Liu's army's strengths and weaknesses.

Liu Bei personally led an army of 20,000 and attacked from Yuyang.

The situation was clear as day. This time Liu Bei had sent out all his troops with the intention of capturing Xinye.

Perhaps because of their several defeats to Liu Bei, the soldiers of Jingzhou along the city line all looked nervous.

Not to mention Cai Zhong, even veteran generals like Wang Wei showed some fear to some extent.

"The Art of War says, if there are five of them, fight them; if there are ten, surround them!"

"Liu Bei has only 20,000 soldiers, only twice as many as ours. We have the strong city of Xinye in our hands, so why should we fear the big-eared thief?"

Cai Mao swept through all the generals to boost their morale.

The spirits of the generals were slightly lifted.

"Cai Zhong, listen to my orders. I order you to lead two thousand soldiers and guard the east gate."

"Wang Wei, listen to my order. I will give you two thousand soldiers and horses. Guard the west gate!"

"Kuai Qi, listen to my orders. I order you to lead two thousand troops and defend the South Gate to the death."

"I will personally lead 4,000 soldiers and guard the north gate!"

Cai Mao issued orders one after another, and then said proudly:

"The big-eared thief relied on the schemes and tricks of the country bumpkin Xiao Fang and managed to defeat our army several times. He became arrogant and conceited, and regarded our Jingzhou soldiers as nothing. Now he is even trying to seize Xinye and invade Xiangyang!"

"This time, I want you all to be fully alert and give that big-eared thief a head-on blow!"

"In this battle, we must show the might of the people of Jingzhou!"

These inspiring words of encouragement actually aroused the fighting spirit of the generals.

Generals such as Cai Zhong responded enthusiastically.

The generals then received the military order and led their troops to the respective gates.

Cai Mao turned around, stood proudly on the top of the city wall with his sword in hand, and cast a contemptuous look at Liu Jun’s camp.

"Liu Bei, no matter how cunning your country boy military advisor is, I will remain unchanged in the face of all changes."

"I want to see how your lord and his subjects will destroy my Xinye!"

...

Liu Jun’s main camp, the central military tent.

Liu Bei sat high on the throne, holding a secret letter in his hand.

"Military Advisor, Deng Ji's secret letter said that he has been assigned to Cai Zhong's command and is guarding the East Gate."

"You can lead your troops tonight and cooperate with our army to seize the east gate."

"Let the military advisor decide how to fight this battle."

Liu Bei looked at Xiao Fang with expectation and trust.

This battle was planned by Xiao Fang from beginning to end. At this moment, he would rather be an executor, so he handed the decision-making power to Xiao Fang.

Xiao Fang did not refuse and said without hesitation:
"This battle is also simple. My lord, you can lead the main force tonight and launch a feint attack on the north gate to attract Cai Mao's main force."

"At the same time, select another general to lead a group of elite troops to the east gate, and together with Deng Ji, light a fire as a signal, and seize the east gate in one fell swoop."

"Once the East Gate is breached, Xinye can be conquered!"

As soon as Xiao Fang announced his deployment, all the generals were immediately inspired and eager to fight.

"Lord!"

Wen Pin stepped out first and said angrily:
"The Cai brothers have been dominating Jingzhou, and they have been suppressed and endured for many years!"

"And Deng Ji was an old subordinate of Pin, so he personally persuaded him to surrender."

"Both in public and in private, the important task of breaking down the East Gate should be undertaken by Pin Lai."

"Please grant my permission, my lord!"

Liu Bei could understand Wen Pin's mood at the moment.

As the most famous general in northern Jing, his martial arts and military talent were far superior to those of the Cai brothers.

However, just because he was not of the Cai or Kuai surname, he was never valued by Liu Biao and was suppressed by the mediocre Cai brothers for many years.

He had suffered injustice in the previous time, was suspected by Liu Biao, and was attacked by Cai Mao and Kuai Yue, and suffered all kinds of humiliation.

In this battle, Wen Pin not only wanted to prove his worth by conquering the city, but also his determination to submit to Liu Bei.

He also wanted to use the blood of the Cai brothers to personally wash away the grievances he had suffered over the years.

"Okay, the important task of breaking through the East Gate will be shouldered by you, Zhongye!"

Liu Bei did not hesitate and gladly accepted Wen Ping's invitation to fight.

Wen Pin was secretly delighted and accepted the order generously.

Liu Bei glanced at his generals, a fierce look on his face.

His eyes passed through the tent door and shot towards the towering Xinye City in front of him.

"I am ready to fight alongside you tonight!"

"We will use the military strategist's strategy, cooperate with the outside forces, and capture this only remaining important town north of the Han River!"

"Whether you can drink from the Han River or not depends on this battle."

"I'm counting on you all!"

Liu Bei straightened his armor and bowed solemnly to his generals.

The generals were flattered and quickly stood up and bowed.

"We are willing to fight to the death for our lord and conquer Xinye!"

"We are willing to fight to the death for our lord and conquer Xinye!"

(End of this chapter)