The pacification of the Central Plains greatly expanded the territory of Xuzhou Tao, and two-thirds of the entire world is now controlled by potters.

And for him at the moment, the thirteen states of Dahan are still related, Yizhou, and Jingzhou have not yet been subdued.

There is Cao Cao and the princes of Guanzhong.

Jingzhou has Liu Bei.

There is Liu Zhang in Yizhou.

As far as Tian Feng analyzed the situation for the pottery merchants, after Cao Cao returned to Guanzhong, he would not go out lightly for the time being, and there were huge passes such as Hangu and Bishui in the pass as barriers, which could allow Cao Cao to hide in them, and it was not too easy to overcome.

As for Yizhou, surrounded by mountains, it has been a battleground for soldiers since ancient times, but it is also recognized by the world as a land that is easy to defend and difficult to attack, and the territory of the potters is not bordering Yizhou at present, so it is tantamount to a fantasy to take Yizhou.

As far as the current situation is concerned, the next strategic target will naturally be placed in Jingzhou.

Pick left and right, the size is fat and thin, it is the most suitable.

……

The news of the pottery merchants' pacification of Jingzhou naturally spread to Jiangling very quickly.

In an instant, the entire Jingzhou Group began to panic.

The current comprehensive strength of the potters far exceeds that of Jingzhou, whether it is soldiers or horses, population, or grain, grass and economy, Jingzhou is currently incomparable with the potters.

And the original Jingzhou faced the pottery merchants, but with Jiangxia as the front line, the east to withstand the pressure of the pottery merchants, but now, Cao Cao was expelled to the northwest, the Central Plains for the pottery merchants to occupy, surnamed Tao gathered under the command of elite soldiers, sitting in Xuchang, began to vigorously develop the Central Plains, its strategic intentions are self-evident.

After the news reached Jingzhou, Liu Bei was on fire at that time, with a big bubble on his mouth and a little typhoid fever.

For several days in a row, Liu Bei did not go to court, and this time Liu Qi, Fu Wan and others couldn't hold back.

These interest groups in Jingzhou usually compete for power and profit, but when it comes to fighting, they all become laymen, and the only one who can give hope is Liu Bei.

So, just after the end of the court on this day, Liu Qi, on behalf of all the ministers in Jingzhou, came to Liu Bei's mansion to visit him.

Liu Bei was lying on the bed, saw Liu Qi, and said with a smile: "Why did the virtuous nephew come here for a special trip?" ”

Liu Qi sat on the edge of Liu Bei's bed, and saw that Liu Bei had not drunk the medicine next to him, so he immediately picked up the medicine bowl: "Uncle, I'll feed you the medicine." ”

Liu Bei hurriedly said: "Alas, how can this be made." ”

But Liu Qi had already picked up the medicine bowl and sent the medicine to Liu Bei's mouth with a spoon.

Liu Bei had no choice but to agree and eat one bite at a time.

Liu Qi is not too good at serving people, this is also the first time to feed people medicine, a good bowl of medicine, let him spill half of it, basically feed Liu Bei's clothes and quilts.

After taking the medicine, Liu Bei helplessly wiped the medicine stains on his chest, very helpless.

It's a mess......

Liu Qi put down the medicine bowl and said to Liu Bei: "Uncle, do you know about the Central Plains?" ”

Liu Bei sighed and said, "How can you not know? Isn't it because of this that I got my sickness? Cao Cao was now expelled to Guanzhong by the potters, the potters occupied the Central Plains, sitting in Xuchang, and Yangzhou's Lusu, Zhuge Liang, Sima Yi, Tao Ying and others echoed each other, looking at Jingzhou, in the north and the east on both sides, our Jingzhou can not compare with Guanzhong and Yizhou, if the potters want to drive troops to attack, the front vanguard will arrive in three days...... Alas, it's really sad. ”

Liu Qi smiled bitterly, also showing helplessness.

"Uncle, I can't hide it, the little nephew came to you today, and I also want to discuss this matter with you, I heard that the pottery merchant is sitting in Xuchang, personally commanding the appointment and dismissal of officials in Yanzhou and Yuzhou, and promulgating policies to recuperate for the Central Plains, but I don't understand, since he wants to recuperate, why should he set up a heavy army in Xuchang?"

Liu Bei said: "This is the treachery of the pottery merchant, it seems to be recuperating, but in fact he is waiting for the opportunity, going south at any time, I am afraid that Jingzhou has become his target, if he does not take action, I am afraid that it will not work." ”

Speaking of this, Liu Bei paused and said, "But in this situation, Bei is also thinking about how to act. ”

Just when Liu Bei sighed for a long time and didn't know what to do, he heard the next person say at the door: "General, Pang Situ asks to see." ”

Liu Bei perked up when he heard this, and hurriedly said, "Please." ”

When he was young, Pang Tong walked in, and when he saw that Liu Qi was also there, he immediately smiled and said, "Da Sima is also there?" ”

Da Sima refers to Liu Qi, who inherited Liu Biao's position and is now the head of the military attachés in the court.

"Pang Situ, didn't you go to the four southern counties to inspect? Coming back so soon? Liu Qi asked curiously.

Pang Tong said helplessly: "There was such a big incident in the Central Plains, and I had no intention of inspecting, so I had to hurry back." ”

Speaking of this, Pang Tong looked at Liu Bei and said, "Hussar General, the current situation is urgent, but there is no longer room for delay." ”

Liu Bei lifted the quilt and said, "What does Shiyuan mean?" ”

"Now the potters are sitting in Xuchang, called governing Zhongzhou, but in fact, they want to Jingxiang, and our army can't sit back and wait, and must take action."

Liu Bei said: "How to act? ”

Pang Tong stretched out his finger and said, "According to the current situation, I probably have two moves, the first is to take the lead." ”

"Rise first?" Liu Bei looked at him puzzled: "How to start the army first?" ”

"The potters have just laid down the Central Plains not long ago, it can be regarded as a foothold is not stable, when Cao Cao and our army confronted in the Central Plains, had occupied Fancheng for its throat, now we should take advantage of the potters are not ready, lead the troops to fight Fancheng first, in order to gain a foothold in the North Plains, so that the attack and defense are transposed, so as to alleviate the urgency of Jingzhou."

Liu Bei breathed a long sigh of relief and said, "What you say is reasonable, but even if you defeat Fancheng for a while, so that the offense and defense are transposed, how can you hold it for a long time?" ”

Pang Tong said: "Therefore, there is a second step plan, that is, to rebuild Gangneung to consolidate it." ”

"How do you rebuild it?"

Pang Tong took out the drawings he had with him from his sleeve, handed them to Liu Bei, and said, "General, look at this." ”

……

A few days later, the potters had just finished drawing up the official changes in the counties of Yanzhou in Xuchang when they received a military report from the front.

Liu Bei raised troops in Jingzhou, used Xiangyang as a springboard, and marched into Fancheng.

"Smack!" The potter folded the slip in his hand heavily: "Liu Bei, is this looking for death?" ”

Guo Jia smiled and said, "No, on the contrary, he is trying to survive, in order to be able to attack and defend and take the initiative." ”

The potter frowned and said, "Who is the front vanguard?" ”

"The front pioneer is Guan Yu, and the deputy pioneer Chen Dao."

The potter turned his head to look at Guo Jia and said, "Is Fancheng in our territory?" ”

Guo Jia said: "Yes, Fancheng was originally Cao Cao's city, and now it can be said to belong to us, but we are not familiar with what kind of character the city guard is, so we need to quickly send a capable person to replace the town guard." ”

"Find Xu Rong and Xu Huang." The potter immediately commanded.

When he was young, two generals surnamed Xu came to the potter.

"Liu Bei raised troops to attack Fancheng, plotting against him, my side has just stabilized, I can't pack up the troops immediately, you each lead the troops of the headquarters to defend Fancheng for me, no more, you can hold on for 20 days, and after 20 days, my side will complete the arrangement, and naturally lead the troops to clean up Liu Bei."

Xu Huang glanced at Xu Rong, hesitated, and said, "Dare to ask the prime minister, the two of us will go together, who will be the main general and who will be the deputy general?" ”