As Wang Kai's army occupied Liguo, Xixian, Danshui, Nanxiang, Shunyang, Wudang, Yuxian, Yinxian, and Zhuyang, Jingzhou officials who had fled from these cities rushed south to Xiangyang by boat.

On the third day after Ma Teng captured Zhuyang, Liu Biao in Xiangyang City also received the news that Zhuyang had been lost.

After learning the news, Liu Biao urgently summoned his ministers.

Then, Liu Biao said to the ministers: "Everyone, the big thing is not good, Wang Zhenxi's soldiers and horses have captured Zhuyang County. ”

Suddenly hearing this news, the ministers of Jingzhou were also frightened, because Zhuyang was not far from Xiangyang, and if Wang Kai's soldiers and horses went down the river, then Xiangyang City would be completely exposed to Wang Kai's iron hooves.

Immediately after, the ministers of Jingzhou suggested to Liu Biao that he should send troops and horses to Shandu County for defense.

Seeing this situation, Liu Biao said to Kuai Liang: "Zirou, what do you think? ”

"Lord, Wang Zhenxi's capture of Zhuyang must be to show his authority to the lord, now the lord has been on Cao Sikong's thief ship, and now we only have one way to go to the dark, when Cao Sikong exterminates Zhang Xiu, we will send a messenger to let Wang Zhenxi return to Zhuyang County."

After Liu Biao listened to Kuai Liang's suggestion, he finally agreed.

Subsequently, Liu Biao immediately sent 10,000 soldiers and horses from Xiangyang City to Shandu County.

At the same time, Liu Biao also transferred Cai Mao and Zhang Yun from Chaoyang County to Shandu.

Just after Liu Biao sent 10,000 soldiers and horses, the news of the loss of Yuxian, Yin County, Wudang County, Shunyang County, Nanxiang County, Danshui County, Xixian County, Liguo and other places was also sent to Liu Biao's hands one after another.

When Liu Biao learned that several more counties in Nanyang County had fallen, he was already a little numb, and now he just wanted to keep the Xiangyang Gateway.

Then turn to Cao Cao in Wancheng.

After Cao Cao took Wancheng, although he and Liu Panjun were stationed in Wancheng together, he already regarded Wancheng as his own bag, so he was buying the hearts of Wancheng's people in a roundabout way.

After Liu Pan and Kuai Yue saw this, they discussed it for a while and immediately sent someone south to report the matter to Liu Biao.

When Liu Biao learned that Cao Cao was buying the hearts of Wancheng's people, he immediately scolded Cao Cao angrily, but he didn't dare to turn his face with Cao Cao, because Cao Cao held the Son of Heaven hostage, and if he acted rashly, he would not only not get benefits, but also get into trouble.

After sighing helplessly, Liu Biao replied to Liu Pan and Kuai Yue not to act rashly.

At this point, the situation in Nanyang County has calmed down temporarily, but the calm at this time is brewing a bigger storm.

A month after Cao's army captured Wancheng, Cao Cao also basically calmed down the people of Wancheng.

Then, Cao Cao immediately found Liu Pan, Huang Zhong and Kuai Yue and discussed with them the matter of sending troops to attack Nieyang and Zhang Xiu.

Liu Pan and others saw that Cao Cao finally mentioned the crusade against Zhang Xiu, and they were also mixed, happy that Cao Cao's army was finally about to dispatch, and worried that Cao Cao had basically taken Wancheng as his own.

After Cao Cao discussed with Liu Pan and the others, Kuai Yue said to Cao Cao: "Cao Sikong, it is difficult for us to make decisions about your request, and I will wait for the Lord to give you an answer." ”

"It's okay, Zhang Xiu's 20,000 soldiers and horses are no longer afraid, we are waiting for your news."

Subsequently, Liu Pan and others immediately sent people to send a letter to Xiangyang by water.

Three days later.

When Liu Biao received the news of Liu Pan and the others, he almost had a crooked nose, because Cao Cao asked him to send all of Liu Pan's 30,000 soldiers and horses out to attack Zhang Xiu in Nieyang.

Although Cao Cao will also send 30,000 soldiers and horses, Cao Cao still has 30,000 soldiers and horses to garrison Wancheng, so in this way, Liu Biao will give Wancheng to Cao Cao.

Immediately, Liu Biao immediately summoned Kuai Liang and said to him: "Zirou, I received a letter from Pan'er, you can read it and talk about your opinion." ”

With a promise, Kuai Liang stepped forward to take the letter in Liu Biao's hand and opened it to read it.

After Kuai Liang finished reading it, he also said angrily: "Lord, this Cao Cao is too deceitful!" ”

"Zirou, I also know that Cao Cao is hateful, but in your opinion, what should I do?"

Kuai Liang thought for a while and then replied: "Lord, now that Zhang Xiu has been driven out of Wancheng, the content of the edict of the Son of Heaven is no longer restrained, and the minister proposes to let General Liu Pan lead the troops to withdraw to Xinye to garrison, and this Wancheng will be given to Cao Cao to toss!" Now Zhang Xiu is based on Nieyang, Wang Zhenxi is based on Liguo, and Ji Ling is based on Wuyin, and we are not the only ones targeting Wancheng. ”

Liu Biao thought about it, and finally understood Kuai Liang's proposal and adopted his opinion.

Subsequently, Liu Biao immediately replied with a letter.

After Liu Pan received Liu Biao's reply, he immediately opened it and looked at it.

After Liu Pan read it, he hurriedly summoned Huang Zhong and Kuai Yue and conveyed Liu Biao's meaning to them.

After hearing this, Huang Zhong said suspiciously: "The lord is planning to give up Wancheng?" ”

At this time, Kuai Yue figured out the joints and answered: "General Hansheng, the lord did not give up Wancheng, but used Wancheng as bait to induce all forces to fight, and this plan must have been made by my brother Kuai Liang." ”

After hearing this, Liu Pan immediately said: "Since this is the case, then let's ask Cao Sikong for resignation!" ”

After Huang Zhong and Kuai Yue agreed, the three of them immediately met with Cao Cao and asked Cao Cao to resign.

When Cao Cao saw Liu Pan and their resignation, he immediately thought to himself: 'Liu Jingsheng is so calculating! He must have a master to guide him, but it's a pity that it is not appropriate to force Liu Jingsheng too tightly now, so let them go! ’

Immediately, Cao Cao also agreed to Liu Pan's resignation.

Liu Pan, Huang Zhong and Kuai Yue were not afraid to change later, and they immediately rushed to the east gate and sailed south.

Besides, when Xun You and Cheng Yu saw the Jingzhou Navy leave, they immediately confronted Cao Cao and inquired.

After Cao Cao's explanation, Xun You and Cheng Yu were also quite helpless, because Liu Biao was famous in Jingzhou after all, Cao Cao had killed famous people in Yanzhou before, and later slaughtered the people of Xuzhou, which caused his reputation to be extremely poor.

After Liu Pan led an army of 30,000 to leave Wancheng, they quickly rushed to Xinye County.

When Liu Pan led the army into Xinye, Cai Mao and Zhang Yun also entered Shandu County.

At the same time, the 30,000 Jingnan soldiers and horses mobilized by Liu Biaozheng also rushed to Xiangyang County.

After that, Liu Biao sent 20,000 people to Shandu to garrison, and the remaining 10,000 people stayed in Xiangyang.

Since then, Liu Biao's troop deployment is roughly as follows:

Liu Biao led 20,000 soldiers and horses to garrison Xiangyang.

Cai Mao and Zhang Yun led 30,000 troops to garrison Shandu County to defend against Wang Kaijun.

Wen hired 20,000 troops to garrison Chaoyang County to prevent the Ji Ling Army.

Liu Pan, Huang Zhong and Kuai Yue led 30,000 troops to garrison Xinye and wait for the opportunity.

Let's talk about Cao Cao's side.

After Cao Cao let Liu Panjun leave Wancheng, he immediately gathered his ministers because he had no scruples.

Immediately after, Cao Cao said: "Everyone, now that the Jingzhou army has left Wancheng, it is time for us to completely defeat Zhang Xiu's army." ”

After hearing this, everyone was also deeply impressed.

When Cao Cao saw this, he immediately arranged: "Zhongde, you, Wen Qian, and Yu Xiao led 20,000 troops to garrison Wancheng, and I personally led 40,000 troops to kill Nieyang." ”

Hearing Cao Cao's roll call, Cheng Yu, Le Jin and Yue Xi immediately received the order.

Then, Cao Cao rectified 40,000 soldiers and horses and marched towards Nieyang with Xun You, Dian Wei, Xu Zhu, and Cao Chun.