Two days later, Liu Bei handed over the soldiers he brought to Guan Yu, and took Mi Zhu, Zhang Fei and Zhao Yun to Xinye with Ma Hong. Along the way, Ma Hong noticed that Liu Bei did not wear the clothes he gave Liu Bei, and Liu Bei was still wearing the original old clothes, but the horse that Liu Bei rode was much better than the horse under Ma Hong's crotch, and Liu Bei's saber was also a good sword. As a shuttle in the midst of war, you can not wear good clothes, but you must have a good horse, a good weapon at hand, a good horse can take you for your life, and a weapon in your hand can take away those who want to take your life.

Ma Hong has been with Liu Bei and others for as many as two days, and in the past two days, Ma Hong has carefully found that whenever Liu Bei speaks, Zhang Fei, Zhao Yun and others listen to Liu Bei's words carefully, for fear of missing a word. Even if Liu Bei chats about some gossip, they will listen carefully, a person can make all the people around him listen to him seriously, this is not something that an ordinary person can do, Liu Bei can do it, that is Liu Bei's charm. Ma Hong also found that Liu Bei can listen carefully to the words of the people around him, no matter who you are, as long as you talk to Liu Bei, he will watch you speak carefully and will never interrupt you. There are few masters who can make their subordinates listen carefully to their own speeches and listen carefully to their subordinates' speeches, Liu Bei can do it, which is why even if he is exhausted, there are still people who are willing to stay by his side.

Whenever Ma Hong made eye contact with Liu Bei, he felt that his eyes also became hot, and there seemed to be a force in Liu Bei's eyes, and that power was about to burst out. Staring at Liu Bei, Ma Hong secretly said: It is not difficult to make such a person fail, but it is difficult to let such a person fall.

Speaking of Zhao Yun, Ma Hong was a little surprised, Ma Hong still remembered that the description of Zhao Yun in the Romance of the Three Kingdoms was eight feet long, with thick eyebrows and big eyes, a broad face, and a majestic style. According to the description of the broad-faced and heavy-faced in the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, this Zhao Yun must have a round face, and he also has a double chin. But Zhao Yun in front of Ma Hong is seven feet seven inches long (about one meter seven or eight), with a well-proportioned and strong figure, a slightly yellow complexion, a square face with hanging eyes, a straight nose and thick lips, sharp eyes, and no trace of excess flesh on one face. Zhao Yun is a man of few words, always quietly listening to everyone's speeches, and never likes to interrupt people's speeches like Zhang Fei.

There are still more than 20 miles away from Xinye, and when I look at it from a distance, I see that on the low slope, a banner is particularly distinct, and it is Liu Qi who went out of the city for 20 miles to greet Liu Bei. As soon as Liu Qi saw Liu Bei, he hurriedly saluted Liu Bei, and then took Liu Bei's hand and said excitedly: "Uncle Liu Huang, I have been looking forward to it for a long time, and I finally hope for you." ”

"The son went out of the city to greet him, and I am very grateful."

Liu Bei was very happy when he saw Liu Qi welcoming him so much.

After Liu Qi greeted Liu Bei in Xinye, he just stopped in Xinye for a while, and then went to Xiangyang with Liu Bei, Ma Hong and others. Liu Biao personally led Jingzhou Wenwu to greet Liu Bei on the outskirts of Xiangyang.

Liu Bei was very excited when he saw Liu Biao, and said secretly: Then why did Yuan Benchu treat me like this, Liu Jingsheng is worthy of being the lord of Jingzhou.

After Liu Biao welcomed Liu Bei, he invited Liu Bei to a banquet that night, there was no one else at the banquet except Ma Hong and Liu Qi, everyone drank three rounds, Liu Biao let the subordinates retreat, and said to Liu Bei with a wine glass: "Wancheng is Nanyang's henchman, I hope that Xuande Xian Brother can be stationed in Wancheng to help my unsuccessful son govern Nanyang." ”

Liu Bei hurriedly stood up and said, "I can't help it! Ming Gong, Wancheng was fought down by General Ma Hong and General Gan Ning, how can you ...... at will"

Before Liu Bei finished speaking, he was interrupted by Liu Biao, and Liu Biao said with a serious face: "I sincerely hope that Xuande can garrison Wancheng, and I hope that Xuande will not shirk!" ”

Liu Bei saw that he couldn't refuse, so he responded: "Then thank Ming Gong, please rest assured, Ming Gong will definitely assist Gongzi in governing Nanyang." ”

Liu Biao stroked his beard and breathed a sigh of relief: "Xuande, you have just entered Jingzhou, you are sleepy, there is something I didn't want to tell you so quickly, but the foolish brother is shallow, if this matter is not without Xuande's help, I am afraid it will be difficult to succeed." ”

Liu Bei immediately said: "If the Ming Duke can take in Bei, he is the benefactor of Bei, if the Ming Duke has orders, he will not give up." ”

Liu Biao nodded and said, "Xuande, I am going to take Hanzhong in the near moon, and I need your help with Xuande." ”

Liu Bei immediately said: "Ming Gong has orders, prepare to die, but Hanzhong is easy to defend and difficult to attack, it is not easy to take, if Ming Gong wants to capture Hanzhong, I am afraid that he will have to send out 30,000 troops and prepare a large amount of grain and grass." ”

Liu Biao smiled slightly and said: "Xuande is worthy of being battle-hardened for a long time, and what he said is very right, but right now, Liu Zhang and Zhang Lu are fighting in the area of Jiameng Pass, and I took advantage of the situation to unite with Liu Zhang and invite him to enter Hanzhong together, and share the land of Hanzhong, Liu Zhang has agreed." ”

Liu Bei said with a smile: "If Zhang Lu starts a war on both sides, he must be too busy to take care of it, and it must be much easier for Ming Gong to send troops to capture Hanzhong, but this Zhang Lu will definitely not sit still, I am afraid that Zhang Lu will send a lot of money and grain to invite the Xiliang warlord to help in the war, and if the Xiliang army joins at that time, I am afraid it will be more difficult." Although there are mountains and mountains between Xiliang and Hanzhong, if Zhang Lu is forced to be in a hurry, he can only ask for help and Xiliang. ”

Liu Biao smiled slightly and said: "Xuande, what you said is right, but all this is under control, I am about to send an envoy to Xiliang to unite with Ma Teng, Han Sui and others, and persuade Ma Teng and Han Sui." And promised a large amount of money and grain after the matter was completed, and I would also play the official positions of Ma Teng, Han Sui and others in the imperial court after the extermination of Zhang Lu. The Xiliang army openly received Zhang Lu's money and food to assist Zhang Lu, but secretly it was helping us, if the Xiliang army entered Hanzhong, then Hanzhong would definitely be able to take it. ”

Liu Bei was taken aback, and hurriedly got up and said: "Duke Ming, this skill is very good, if this plan can be successful, Hanzhong will definitely be able to be included in Duke Ming's pocket." ”

Liu Biao said with a smile: "This plan was made by Ma Hong, and he also recommended himself to go to Xiliang to persuade Han Sui and Ma Teng." ”

Liu Bei sighed: "It's really a hero from ancient times. ”

Ma Hong said: "Uncle Huang praised it falsely, if Uncle Huang can help us, he will definitely succeed." ”

Liu Bei got up and saluted Liu Biao and said, "Duke Ming, be willing to be a pioneer and capture Hanzhong for Duke Ming." ”

Liu Biao hurriedly got up and hugged Liu Bei and said, "Okay, Xuande!" My name is the lord of Jingzhou, but most of this military power is in the hands of the Cai family, and I will ask Xuande to take care of my unsuccessful son in the future. ”

Liu Bei said: "Bei will definitely try his best to assist Gongzi, Gongzi has the assistance of a great talent like Ma Juncheng, and he will become a great weapon in the future." ”

Liu Biao said: "Brother Xuandexian, this time to capture Hanzhong, I originally intended to make you the commander this time, but you have just entered Jingzhou, and I am afraid that the civil and military will not be convinced." Therefore, let Liu Qi be the coach this time, so that you can deign to be the vanguard and let Ma Hong be his military advisor, what do you think? ”

Liu Bei nodded and said: "Ming Gong is wise, and he will definitely take Hanzhong for Ming Gong." ”

Ma Hong silently observed Liu Bei's reaction, Liu Biao tried several times intentionally or unintentionally, Liu Bei was able to answer calmly, he really deserved to be a hero. Liu Bei privately invited Liu Biao to be a pioneer before he could speak, this is his wisdom, he knew that Liu Biao was using him as a gunman, but he did not hesitate to speak his heart for Liu Biao first. After Liu Biao asked him to garrison Wancheng, he only postponed it slightly, Wancheng is a strategic place, but it borders Cao Cao, Cao Cao is coming, and Wancheng must be the first to bear it. Liu Biao asked Liu Bei to garrison Wancheng, which was to use Liu Bei as a shield. Whether Liu Biao used it as a shield or a gun, Liu Bei didn't care about it on the surface, and also showed his determination to help Liu Qi, which made Ma Hong sigh to himself.

At the end of February of the sixth year of Jian'an, Gan Ning led the army to withdraw from Wancheng, Liu Bei soldiers were stationed in Wancheng, and all supplies were provided by Liu Qi.

Xiangyang, Liu Qi's house.

In order to avoid suspicion, Liu Bei was arranged by Liu Qi in the post house, Ma Hong and Liu Qi have been better since childhood, so they have no scruples.

Back at Liu Qi's house, Liu Qi took out the rice wine that had been stored in the cellar for more than ten years and enjoyed it with Ma Hong. Ma Hong drank a few glasses of wine and motioned to Liu Qi to take his subordinates away, and Liu Qi took his subordinates away after the meeting and closed the door.

At this time, Ma Hongcai said softly: "Brother, the younger brother has a question for you." ”

Liu Qi smiled: "But it doesn't hurt to say it, the relationship between you and me doesn't need to be hidden." ”

Ma Hong asked with a serious face: "Okay, then I'll say it directly, when I saw your stepmother in your father's mansion today, why do I think there is something wrong with her eyes looking at you." ”

Liu Qi was holding the wine glass, and when he saw Ma Hong suddenly asking such a question, the smile on his face instantly froze, his hand trembled, and the wine in the cup spilled.

Ma Hong hurriedly said: "Why is my brother so flustered. ”

Liu Qi hurriedly wiped the wine on the table with his hand and said, "It's okay, let's continue drinking." ”

When Ma Hong saw Liu Qi's appearance, although he was a little suspicious in his heart, he didn't continue to ask, but just picked up his wine glass and drank with Liu Qi.