Liu Xie said that it would be bluffing to build 500 catapults, although with the current financial resources of the imperial court, 500 catapults could not be built, but the time required and craftsmen would not be able to make up for a while. But even if there are not five hundred, dozens are still no problem.

Cheng Yu knew that Chen could not hold on, and without Cao Cao's reinforcements, Chen left a lonely city, which was bound to be difficult to hold. He wanted to live and die with Chen Liu, but not everyone was willing to follow him to Cao Cao's funeral. Liu Xie is the son of heaven of the Han Dynasty, and his undisguised speech outside the city has made many people feel at ease, as long as he is willing to continue to be a Han people, the court will not be difficult for himself, since this is the case, why bother to work for Cao Cao.

If people do not do it for themselves, the heavens and the earth will be destroyed. How many people can really be selfless and selfless? After soliciting the opinions of Cao Ren, Chen Deng and others, Cheng Yu decided to accept Liu Xie's conditions. Instead of throwing his life here, it is better to take the opportunity to return to Cao Cao's side. Stay in the green mountains, don't worry about no firewood, now is when Cao Cao is facing a predicament, and it is much more useful to live than to die.

The army has no fighting spirit, and it is difficult for Chen to stay. Three days later, Cheng Yu, Cao Ren and others took Cao Jun and Cao Jun's family to rush to Ningling, where Cao Cao was at this time, through the road that Liu Xie's people had ordered to get out of the way.

"Lord, do you really not send someone to pursue?" Ma Chao couldn't help but ask Liu Xiedao.

"Meng Qi, you have to be trustworthy, since you have promised to let him go before, you can't be treacherous, otherwise how can you convince the public?" Liu Xie explained to Ma Chao when he heard this.

"Shall we go into the city now?" Ma Chao asked again.

"Don't worry, it's not too late to enter the city after Ziyi and Junming investigate."

"The lord is worried that there will be assassins in the city?"

"It's always necessary to be careful."

Half an hour later, Liu Xie led the army into the city, and there were not many destroyed places in the city, but after seeing the representatives of the people in the city, Liu Xie knew that he still let Cheng Yu give him a hand. It is no wonder that this immoral fellow had to think about it for two more days, and he ransacked the homes of the people in the city, who now had no overnight food in their homes, and he had to clean up the mess for him.

"It seems that Cheng Yu's guy also knows that it is not easy to regain Chen Liu, so he is so unscrupulous. You don't have to worry, I will notify you, and each family will send one person to the west gate with the household registration to prepare for the grain, and I will order someone to distribute a part of the grain in the army to you and others. ”

"Holy Wisdom." Many representatives of the people shouted in unison.

Buying people's hearts doesn't need to be taught Liu Xie, although he paid a part of the food, he could stabilize Chen Liu, and he could also use this to discredit Cao Cao, so as to shake Cao Cao's people's hearts, which was also a good opportunity for Liu Xie. It's just that the price is a bit big. There were more than 20,000 Cao Jun who left with Cheng Yu, and there was no problem at all for one person to carry one stone, and four for one stone, and 20,000 people carried 5,000 stone of grain, plus the gold, silver and jewelry looted from the people's homes, Chen Liuke could be said to have suffered heavy losses. And this is only the most conservative estimate, in fact, Cheng Yu stole more grain, anyway, when the Han army took over the Chen Liufu treasury, it was empty.

Cheng Yu's trick made him ruthless, Liu Xie couldn't ignore the life and death of the people who stayed in Chen, but he could take out the food in the army to help the people, and the Han army would not be able to continue to attack the east immediately. The army did not move, the grain and grass went first, and in the case that the supply of grain and grass in the army could not be guaranteed, Liu Xie could only wait for the subsequent grain and grass to arrive, which also gave Cao Cao time to stabilize his position and join the vertical and horizontal.

In the first battle of Yongqiu, Cao's army was defeated, which shocked Hebei and Jiangdong. Originally, Yuan Xi and Sun Ce still had the idea of sitting on the mountain and watching the tiger fight, but after seeing Cao Cao's fate, the two realized that Liu Xie was no longer what it used to be, and if they continued to stand by and watch, I am afraid that he would be the next Cao Cao one day.

Hebei and Jiangdong sent troops almost at the same time, not seeking any benefits in this battle, but only to ensure that the imperial army did not aim at themselves for the next attack. Keeping Cao Cao is equivalent to protecting himself, and in front of the alliance of the three families, Liu Xie has become a public enemy.

In the face of a common enemy, Cao Cao, Sun Ce, and Yuan Xi put aside the grudges they had formed in the past and worked together to make enemies of the imperial court. Yuan Xi let go of Yuan Tan, who was not satisfied with the dispatch, and made Yan Liang and Wen Chou the vanguard, leading an army of 50,000 troops to Puyang, and himself personally led an army of 200,000 to set off. Jiangdong Sun Ce temporarily gave up the attack on Jingzhou, and after taking over Shouchun of Lusu, he marched westward to attack Runan. As for Cao Cao, he continued to garrison Ningling after converging the soldiers and horses brought by Lu Su from Shouchun, only waiting for the formation of the three families to encircle, and then fighting Yongqiu with Liu Association.

Originally, Cao Cao wanted to directly attack Yongqiu, but was dissuaded by Guo Jia. The Cao army was defeated in Yongqiu before, and Yongqiu was in no danger to defend, the Han army was unparalleled in the field, and the reassembled Cao army was also difficult to stop the troops, so it was better to rely on Ningling to hold on, wait for the Han army to divide the troops, and then send troops.

Did Liu Xie divide his troops? No. Don't look at Yuan Xi and Sun Ce, but long before Cao Cao's defeat, the two armies of Xie Fu and Tabai were stationed in Puyang and Runan respectively. And the choice that Liu Xie needs to make is actually the question of which way to break first.

Chen left Zhang Liao's Youyi army here, and Cao Cao could not easily attack it, not to mention that Cao Cao was still standing still, and Liu Xie's soldiers and horses that could be mobilized, nearly 100,000 Son of Heaven's pro-army were not vegetarians.

In order to ensure that there would be no mistakes in all walks of life, Liu Xie sent Gan Ning and Tai Shici to Runan, Dian Wei and Pang De stayed in Chenliu, and the rest of Ma Chao and Zhao Yun went to Puyang with him. However, the generals are good scored, and this strategist is a little difficult to do. Puyang and Chen Liu are easy to handle, a Sima Yi and a Pang Tong can reassure Liu Xie, but on the Runan side, Sun Ce has a Zhou Yu by his side, and Liu Xie is worried that Fa Zheng or Xun You are not opponents. It would be nice if Li Ru was still around, because he was worried that something would happen in Jingzhou, Liu Xie had already let Li Ru go to Jingzhou, and in order to prevent accidents, he ordered Gao Shun to return to Wuguan and Ju Yi to sit in Xudu, in order to prevent an accident in Wancheng. And just when Liu Xie was about to wait for Jia Xu to come before leaving, a person appeared in front of Liu Xie.

Lu Xun, a person who surprised Liu Xie, appeared, and also brought a gift to Liu Xie, Cao Ang, Cao Zhen, and Xu Yi, the three second-generation officials of the Cao Group. For Cao Ang and others, Liu Xie is not interested. These three people were of little use to Liu Xie, it was unrealistic to threaten Cao Cao to give up resistance, and killing them would not have any beneficial impact on the war situation, Liu Xie simply escorted these three people to Chang'an together with the captured Xiahou Yuan and others, anyway, they couldn't stay here to give Cao Cao a chance to send someone to rescue him.

After sending away Cao Ang and the others, Liu Xie looked at Lu Xun with great interest. Liu Xie's understanding of Lu Xun is more from the impression of later generations. The fourth generation of Jiangdong's naval army governor, the maker of the idiom fire company camp, and the terminator of Shu Han Daxing, burned Liu Bei's 700,000 army to ashes, and even Liu Bei himself was hit by this blow and died of illness in the White Emperor City. However, Lu Xun's luck was not good, he didn't know anyone, he voted for a suspicious and suspicious lord, and finally ended up with hatred.

Originally, when he heard that Lu Xun had voted for Liu Bei, Liu Xie thought that the butterfly effect caused by himself had changed Lu Xun's fate, but he didn't want Liu Bei to be defeated, and Lu Xun had no news. At that time, many people had the same idea as Liu Xie, thinking that Lu Xun might have died in the chaos, but they didn't want Lu Xun to appear alive in front of him today.

"Lu Xun Lu Boyan?" Liu Xie asked tentatively.

"Exactly down there."

"Huh...... Tell me why you came to see me, I don't have much time, just listen to the truth, you don't need to say those polite words. Liu Xie asked with a smile.

"Lu Xun is only twenty years old now, and he doesn't want to end up in the mountains and wilderness, and he heard that the saint is thirsty for talent, so he specially came to recommend himself." Lu Xun heard the truth and preached the truth.

"Well, I like to hear the truth. Since Bo Yan is honest with each other, then I will not be separated from you. I can give you whatever you want, it depends on whether you have the ability to get it. Now that Jiangdong soldiers are committing Runan, only Zhou Yu worries me, I don't know if Boyan may solve my problems? ”

"Therefore, I dare not ask you." When Lu Xun heard that he was an enemy of Jiangdong Sun Ce, he immediately replied without hesitation. The reason why he voted for Liu Bei was to oppose Sun Ce, in order to avenge the destruction of the Lujiang River and the slaughter of the children of the Lu family by Sun Ce. It's just a pity that Liu Bei was unlucky, and even Lu Xun was unlucky, and he ended up with a homeless family. Now there is another opportunity to seek revenge on Sun Ce, but Lu Xun can't ask for it.

"Bo Yan, I believe in your talent, but after all, you are new to the city, so I can't immediately entrust you with important tasks, please understand this."

"The lord's words are serious, and he can be taken in by the lord, Lu Xun is already grateful, and he is willing to be a pawn and serve the lord." Lu Xun hurriedly said when he heard this.

"Hehe, if I use you as a pawn, then wouldn't I know anyone? Bo Yan, after you go to Runan, you will serve as a staff member of Zhang Ren, the chief general of the White Army. Zhang Ren is my senior brother, who used to be in charge of the beggar army and sat in the Western Regions for me, and there are many things worth learning from him. In addition, I will transfer Xun You and Fa Zheng away, and your task is to assist Zhang Ren in holding Runan, and when I break through the people and horses in Hebei, I will wave my army to destroy Jiangdong. ”

"Don't worry, Lu Xun won't forget his business for personal revenge."

"That's good, you go down and rest, and when it dawns tomorrow, you will set off for Runan."

"Yes, Weichen retired."

Without waiting for Lu Xun to leave, Zhou Cang, who came with Lu Xun, was in a hurry, stopped Lu Xun and shouted: "Hey, the second master, you just left?" ”

Lu Xun glared at Zhou Cang, and said angrily: "What are you anxious about?" Didn't you see that the lord was waiting for you to visit? Zhou Cang looked at Liu Xie when he heard this, and found that the other party was indeed looking at him with a smile, so he couldn't help but let go of Lu Xun with a smile, and explained: "Don't blame the second master, I'm not worried that you don't care about us." ”

"How could I leave you ......?"

"Bo Yan, you go down to rest, and someone will send it after a while." Liu Xie said.

"Yes, Weichen retired." Lu Xun agreed, threw down Zhou Cang and retreated.

Liu Xie stepped forward to look at Zhou Cang in front of him, this big black man has a good body, and at first glance, he is powerful, no wonder he can carry the moving knife.

"Zhou Cang?"

"It's the villain, the villain who meets the saint." Zhou Cang was about to make a big bow to pay homage as he spoke, but was stopped by Liu Xie, "Don't be formal, I don't like that." Zhou Cang, what are your plans for the future? ”

"The villain obeys the arrangement of the Holy One."

"Huh...... You're pretty smart. Rest assured, those old and weak women and children brought with me will arrange for them to re-enter the household registration and distribute land, and those who do not want to continue to serve in the army can also be resettled on the spot. As for you...... It seems a pity to let you go back to farming, how about taking charge of the flag for me in the future? ”

Zhou Cang was stunned when he heard this, before coming here with Lu Xun, the best arrangement Zhou Cang thought of was that everyone would be arranged to re-enter the household registration, and he would be arranged to join the army nine times out of ten, but he didn't expect that the current saint would intentionally order him to hold the flag for him. The banner of the commander-in-chief of the three armed forces is not qualified for everyone to be in charge. And the banner that represents the saint today will be handed over to himself, a new voter.

Zhou Cang was a little excited, his breathing became a little short, and he assured Liu Xie: "Rest assured, the saint is there, the people are in the flag, and the people are also in the flag." ”

"Okay, then you're the flag bearer by my side. Go back and talk to Lu Xun, and he will tell you what you need to pay attention to as a flag officer. Also, you should call me the Lord instead of the Holy One. Go ahead. ”

"Yes, the subordinates retired."

Zhou Cang found Lu Xun in a hurry, and Lu Xun didn't expect that Liu Association would appoint Zhou Cang as the head of the flag, thinking that Liu Association would send Zhou Cang to the army as a general, but he didn't want to let Zhou Cang hold a key position in the army. Lu Xun didn't understand why Liu Xie favored Zhou Cang, but this matter was a good thing for Zhou Cang. is responsible for holding the flag for today's son, which means that Zhou Cang will become a close minister of the Son of Heaven, and his official position in the future may not be as prominent as himself, but the degree of trust of the Son of Heaven is probably not comparable to himself.

Zhou Cang was not as long-term as Lu Xun thought, he knew that when today's son trusted him, he did not alienate himself because he was born as a yellow turban thief, especially after listening to Lu Xun say the importance of holding the flag, he was even more moved by the death of a soldier as a confidant, and made up his mind that the Son of Heaven must not be disappointed in himself no matter what.

With Lu Xun, Liu Xie is not very worried about Runan's side, Runan Wu has Tai Shici and Gan Ning, Wen has Lu Xun, and the commander of the army has Zhang Ren, who has rich experience, just relying on Jiangdong's Sun Ce and Zhou Yu, if it is a water war, Liu Xie may still need to worry, but in the land war, Jiangdong is far from being the opponent of the White Army.

After solving the problem of Runan, Liu Xie set off for Puyang, preparing to meet with the Xie Fu army to first solve Yuan Xi in Hebei, then turn around and clean up Sun Ce, and finally solve Cao Cao, who has become weak again. Chen Liu, Zhang Liao, Dian Wei, and Pang De are three fierce generals, and Pang Tong is responsible for dealing with Guo Jia, and Jia Xu will arrive in Chen Liu, Liu Xie does not believe that Cao Cao will still have a chance to turn around.

……

Jingzhou

With the obituary of Liu Biao's death spreading, the whole of Jingzhou no longer cared about what was happening in the outside world, except for a limited number of people who were secretly plotting, the rest of the people were busy mourning Liu Biao and thinking about their future way out. And these limited people include Cai Mao, Kuai Liang, Liu Bei, Zhuge Liang and others.

Cai Mao and Kuai Liang knew the truth, Liu Biao was not dead now, and he cheated his death just to trick Liu Qi into returning to Xiangyang, so as not to continue to call Liu Bei bewitched. Although Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang didn't know the truth of Liu Biao's death, Zhuge Liang's wisdom was close to a demon, and before he got the exact news, he always thought that Liu Biao's death at this time was strange.

"Strategist, do you think I want to go to Xiangyang for the funeral this time?" Liu Bei asked Zhuge Liang impatiently.

"Lord, you must go. In any case, Liu Biao was once kind to the lord, but now that he is dead, if the lord does not go, it is easy to teach the truth. But how to go, this needs to be considered more carefully, and the lord can't be allowed to go without returning, right? Zhuge Liang replied when he heard this.

Liu Bei is worried about this, although he has not officially torn his face with Jingbei at the moment, the tense attitude of the two sides is already obvious. At this time, Xiangyang is the Longtan Tiger's Den to Liu Bei, and it is very likely that Cai Mao, Kuai Liang and others will find excuses to detain them. But if you don't go, just like Zhuge Liang said, it is easy to teach the truth and affect your reputation.

In good conscience, Liu Bei himself doesn't want to go, but if he doesn't go, he must have a reasonable reason. Originally, Liu Bei also wanted to use Jiangdong to cooperate with him to act in a play, but the war was urgent, and he had an excuse not to go. But at this time, Sun Ce ran to help Cao Cao deal with the imperial court and took a defensive position against Jingzhou.

"Brother don't worry, just let me lead three thousand soldiers to keep my brother coming and going freely in Xiangyang." Zhang Fei assured Liu Bei in a loud voice.

"The third brother is calm and don't be impatient, and listen to the advice of the military advisor." Liu Bei casually gave Zhang Fei a perfunctory sound, waiting for Zhuge Liang to find a way.

Zhuge Liang coughed lightly and said to Liu Bei: "Lord, Xiangyang must go, but you can't bring too many soldiers and horses over as the three generals said, and Liang has always had a question, so Liu Biao is really dead now?" Or in the name of cheating death, deceive the lord and throw himself into the net? ”

"Strategist, do you suspect that Liu Biao is not dead?" Liu Bei asked with some surprise.

"Well, Ryo is worried. First, Liu Biao's death was too sudden, and there was no warning in advance, and secondly, Liang's brother-in-law once wrote to say that Liu Biao's death was really strange, and after seeing Cai Mao and Kuai Liang, he announced his death that night......"

"Military advisor, if Liu Biao is not dead, then wouldn't my eldest brother go to Xiangyang to be more auspicious?" Zhang Fei said anxiously when he heard this.

"The three generals are not in a hurry, although it is dangerous to go to Xiangyang, it is not unprofitable, if it can be done, maybe Jingbei can be decided without a fight."

"Strategist, will Ji An come out?" Liu Bei hurriedly asked.

"Lord, Liu Biao's death is just your guess, but most people have already decided that Liu Biao is dead. If the lord can arrange a team of people to infiltrate Xiangyang in advance, and take advantage of the opportunity of the Jingzhou family to come to worship and control Xiangyang, it will not be difficult to capture Jingzhou. At present, Jiangdong and the imperial court outside Jingzhou have no time to take care of anything else, and the lord wants to seize Jingzhou, which is indeed a golden opportunity. ”

“…… Want to gamble? Liu Bei asked in a deep voice.