Outside Fancheng, Guan Yu was sitting in the tent and reading. Sun Shao sent him Zhang Zhao's "Spring and Autumn Zuo's Biography", he liked it very much, one is that Zhang Zhao's annotated scriptures are what he did not understand before, and now there are great inventions, and there are gains from learning, and the second is that this book is Sun Shao copied with high-quality Zuo Bo paper, the calligraphy is very beautiful, the words are beady, meticulous, it seems that you can imagine the respect when Sun Shao copied at the beginning, and it is Sun Shao's hand-bound, the style is very different from the silk book and the booklet, convenient and strong. Guan Feng said in the book to him that Sun Shao put a lot of effort into copying this book, not so much that this is a book, but that it is Sun Shao's filial piety. Guan Yu likes this book very much, and it has become a habit to read a few pages a day, even in the army.

"Father." Guan Ping lifted the curtain door and walked in, seeing that Guan Yu was reading, his expression was a little hesitant.

"What's the matter?" Guan Yu didn't raise his eyelids, holding his beard with one hand, and gently putting the book on the desk with the other.

"Sun Wolf sent someone to send news that Yu Ban's 30,000 troops had arrived in Xinye, and it was only three or five days away from Fancheng." Guan Ping said softly: "We...... What to do? ”

"What should I do?" Guan Yu glanced at him, and the corners of his mouth crooked: "What do you say?" ”

Guan Ping didn't dare to say, the army had besieged Fancheng for more than a month, and there was no sign of conquering it at all, and now Yu Ban came with 30,000 horses, and the total strength had nearly doubled Guan Yu. But listening to Guan Yu's meaning, it seems that he doesn't want to leave, but is ready to fight with Yu Ban.

"Father, Pan Chengming sent someone to say that all the grain and grass in Jiangling and Jingling have been transferred, and now he is rushing to Jiangnan, but it may be delayed for a while." He swallowed a mouthful of saliva and carefully reminded: "There is only one month left in the army. ”

Guan Yu's face darkened, his biggest headache was this matter, the lack of troops can still rely on strategy, but if the food and salary are insufficient, the army will have no fighting spirit, and it is easy to shake the morale of the army, how can this battle be fought? He sighed, beckoned to Guan Ping, and motioned for him to sit down.

"Do you know why I didn't withdraw my troops?"

Guan Ping opened his mouth, but did not speak, just shook his head.

"The lord is in Yizhou, he was forced to retreat by Cao Ying, Yizhou's difficulties are even greater than mine, only Yizhou, the lord has been unable to resist Cao Ying's offensive, so the lord asked me to raise troops to attack Fancheng, the purpose is to force Cao Ying to withdraw from Hanzhong and reduce the pressure on Yizhou. Now if I retreat, Yizhou will inevitably be lost, so what's the use of me living alone? Guan Yu said calmly, as if he was talking about other people's business, not his own: "So I can't retreat, no matter how difficult it is." What if Yu Ban came? Puffel can be captured in one battle. ”

Guan Ping frowned, "What about the grain and grass?" ”

"Let Pan Chengming hurry up." Guan Yu raised his eyebrows, and a murderous aura burst out: "Order Elfang and Shiren, let them be careful, otherwise I want their heads." ”

Guan Ping sighed silently, no food is no food, what is the use of you asking for the heads of Elfang and Shiren at this time, and their heads cannot be turned into food. He didn't dare to persuade him again, so he had to get up and take his leave.

"Wait, there's any news from the silver screen?" Guan Yu stopped Guan Ping.

"The news that came from the merchant ship the day before yesterday said that Fengxian had arrived at Qiantangkou and was resting and would soon join the war. At that point, maybe we'll be a little less stressed. ”

"Well, it's useless." Guan Yu sighed: "I didn't expect Feng Xian to be a capable general, in just one year, he pacified the South China Sea and became a general, but unfortunately, he is a member of the Sun family." ”

Guan Ping didn't say anything, he knew what Guan Yu's subtext was, but unfortunately Sun Shao was just a son-in-law, not a son. He has been ignored by Guan Yu, and besides, he really can't compare with Sun Shao, so he doesn't react too violently.

"You send someone to deliver a message to Yinping." Guan Yu groaned: "Let's see if she can get me some food to solve my urgent need." ”

Guan Ping's eyes lit up, and he quickly nodded yes, turned around and went out. Guan Yu picked up the book again, but he didn't read it, he squinted his eyes and thought about it, the corners of his mouth twitched, and he snorted disdainfully: "Yu Ban? Hum! ”

…… Sword Pavilion.

Fa Zheng was yellow, coughing from time to time, his health was not good, the recent war was tense, Cao Ying personally sat in Hanzhong to deploy the war, the offensive was like a tide, Liu Bei's strength was not good, he lost consecutive battles, the rear was unstable, and there were a lot of troubles, which made Liu Bei anxious with a mouthful of blisters, and he was angry at every turn. In the entire camp, only he can speak in front of Liu Bei, so whether it is good news or bad news, Liu Bei must be turned around through him, and one thing after another makes him tired and sick. And this time is not the time to rest, he has to drag his sick body to assist Liu Bei in handling military affairs, and this body is not as good as day by day.

"Xiaozhi, are you better?" Liu Bei walked in and forced out a smile.

"Thank you for your concern, the minister is better." Fa Zhengyan couldn't help but say a lie, and he sat up on the couch. Liu Bei caught up and pressed his shoulder: "Filial piety, you and I know each other, so we don't need these false courtesies." You lie down well, let's talk. ”

Fa Zheng really couldn't get up, and just when he moved, he was covered in sweat. He had no choice but to lie down again, gasping for a while, and then he could barely squeeze out a smile: "Is the lord worried about the war?" ”

Liu Bei smiled bitterly and slapped his thigh: "Xiaozhi, how can I not worry?" Cao Ying went all out this time, it seems that he will not give up if he does not take Yizhou, although he maintains the battle line in the area of Sword Pavilion at the moment, but our strength is insufficient, and if he delays for a while, he is afraid that Yizhou will collapse without a fight, when the time comes, where can you monarchs and ministers settle down? You say, to the south or to the west? ”

Fa Zheng didn't answer immediately, he heard a deep frustration from Liu Bei's words, Liu Bei had no confidence in the future, and he was already thinking about the way back. He has fought with Cao Ying all his life, and he is afraid of Cao Ying from the heart, if Cao Ying does not come, just facing Xiahou Yuan, although the situation is still difficult, but Liu Bei has no psychological disadvantage, but in the face of Cao Ying, Liu Bei has no confidence at all.

He played against Cao Ying and never won. In fact, not only Liu Bei has no confidence, but Fa Zheng is also not confident now, but in the face of Liu Bei, who is even less confident, he has to find enough reasons to cheer him up, otherwise Liu Bei may collapse directly.

"My lord, now it is not only difficult for us, but also for Cao Ying." Fa Zheng coughed twice, trying his best to look confident: "Cao Ying fought on the third front, and he also went all out, he transferred all his troops, and the rear was empty. Haven't you forgotten that since Cao Ying became king, the rebellion of loyal and righteous people has been endless, and there was just a major incident in Xu County last year, and now Cao Ying has transferred all the troops, who knows that no one will take advantage of the situation? Once something happens to Xu County or Yecheng, then he will regret it. ”

Liu Bei smiled, of course he hoped that something would happen to Cao Ying's rear, but such a thing was inaccurate, who knew if it would happen? Since Cao Ying welcomed the Son of Heaven to Xu County, the rebellion against Cao Ying has not stopped, and he also participated in the edict of clothes and belts, but what was the result? Cao Ying was safe and sound, but took advantage of one opportunity after another to kill people, and in the past twenty years, the people who opposed him have died one by one, but he has become more and more nourishing, and I heard that he is not even guilty of head wind.

"Sun Shao, this shaft, what do you offer to chase the wind." Liu Bei sighed.

Fa Zheng is a little ridiculous, you can't beat Cao Ying, can't you just point to Cao Ying's head wind and die, right? That's a bit wishful thinking. However, when Liu Bei mentioned Sun Shao, he remembered: "Lord, is there any news of Sun Shao?" ”

"Him?" Liu Bei was angry with Sun Shao, and he was unhappy when he mentioned it: "It's still the news that Deng Zhi brought back a few months ago, saying that he killed the king of pirates in the South China Sea." Deng Zhi said that Sun Quan said that he had the merit of opening up the territory and expanding the territory, and he wanted to make him a general. This erector has only been fighting for a few years, and he is actually a general? Sun Quan is really too young, if Sun Shao makes another meritorious service, it depends on what he seals. ”

Fa Zheng is silent, what kind of credit can be greater than opening up the territory? He pondered for a moment, and said slowly: "In this way, Sun Shao should return to Jianye to participate in the war, he is a sailor, and it is suitable to deal with Qingxu sailor." Jiangdong has been suppressed by the Qingxu Naval Division recently, and it is difficult to do anything, once Sun Shao can participate in the war, then Jiangdong's offensive on the Eastern Front will become powerful, which should be a good thing for us. ”

Liu Bei, who was scratching his hair, thought about it and felt that it made sense. Since Sun Shao can defeat any pirate king, he should be sure to deal with Qingxu Shuishi, and Sun Shao's strength has grown so fast, Sun Quan should not let him develop freely in the South China Sea, and he will definitely retract it to the range that can be controlled. He suddenly remembered Guan Yu, he decided to marry Guan Feng to Sun Shao, because Sun Shao had no strength and would not join forces with Guan Yu to form a threat, but now Sun Shao has suddenly emerged, and his strength has grown a little frighteningly, and the original plan has all failed, and now the eastern front relies on Sun Shao to defeat the Qingxu Shui Division, and the middle line relies on Guan Yu to attack Cao Ren.

Liu Bei was suddenly shocked, he looked at Fa Zheng, Fa Zheng's eyes flickered, and his face was a little ugly, obviously he also thought of the same problem.

"General Guan's strength is insufficient, and it may not be easy to defeat Cao Ren." Fa Zheng suddenly gasped and said.

Liu Bei nodded, now counting on Guan Yu to save his life, it is not time to prevent him, even if he knows that there is such a danger, he has no other better way. Besides, after all, Guan Yu has been his cronie for many years, so he shouldn't have come to that point, right? He looked at Fa Zheng, who was sweating profusely, and felt distressed. is still Fa Zheng is empathetic, and I thought of going with him all of a sudden.

"Filial piety, recuperate with peace of mind, and work hard to add food." Liu Bei was a little excited for a while, and took Fa Zheng's hand and said. After so many years, except for Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, two cronies, he is the most compatible with Fazheng. On the one hand, Fa Zheng was resourceful and helped him solve a lot of problems, if it weren't for Fa Zheng, he wouldn't have been able to take Yizhou at all, on the other hand, Fa Zheng's surname is very similar to him, there is kindness to repay kindness, there is revenge and revenge, there are not too many scruples, and there is no turban, unlike those sour and rotten readers, who think that they are superior to others after reading some books.

"Thank you, Lord." Fa Zheng laughed miserably: "Lord, the morale of the army is very important at this time, you are the heart of the army, and you must go out and walk around often." Back then, Emperor Gao was shot and wounded by Xiang Yu, and he had to go out on patrol to boost morale, and now the lord should follow suit. ”

Liu Bei's face flushed and nodded again and again. He is in a bad mood these days, and it is difficult to go out to patrol the camp, and most of the time he hides in the big tent to drink and play with women, which is indeed a bit of an escape. "Don't worry, I'll go."

Fa Zheng nodded, closed his eyes tiredly, and his chest, which was so thin that his ribs were clearly visible, rose and fell violently. Liu Bei's nose was sore, he secretly wept, took a hand towel to wipe away the cold sweat on Fa Zheng's forehead, and covered Fa Zheng with a thin quilt, and then quietly walked out. Wei Yan, the Yamen general, was waiting outside, and when he saw him come out, he hurriedly followed.

"Wen Chang, let's go to patrol the camp." Liu Bei said as he walked.

Wei Yan glanced at Liu Bei in some surprise, then perked up, straightened his chest and shouted, "Oh." ”

Liu Bei lifted his spirits and walked around the camp, inspected the city defense, talked to the soldiers, cheered them up, and seemed full of confidence. The morale that was originally a little sluggish was made by him, and it did improve a lot, and one by one he regained some of his spirit. Liu Bei was secretly ashamed, more and more cheered up, and his voice became louder, he said loudly to the soldiers, Guan Yu was storming Fancheng, Cao Ren was about to be awarded, Jiangdong Sun Quan was fighting with Xiahou Dan, and it was going well, and finally in order to increase the persuasiveness, he also said that Sun Shao, who had just defeated the pirates in the South China Sea, had now rushed to Jianye with a powerful sailor, and the Qingxu sailor was beaten to the ground, and the army was defeated, and Jiangdong would soon turn to the initiative to attack, and Cao Ying would soon be unable to support it. Please wait patiently for a few days, and when the time comes, Cao Ying will be driven out of Hanzhong, and he will be rewarded for his meritorious deeds.

The soldiers didn't know whether it was true or not, but when they saw that Liu Bei was swearing, they believed it one by one, cheered each other up, and imagined a better future. Liu Bei walked around and returned to the camp, then he took off the smile on his face, sat on the marching couch, picked up a glass of water, drank it to the bottom, put the cup on the table, looked at Wei Yan, and rolled his eyes: "Wen Chang, do you believe that we can win?" ”

Wei Yan thought for a moment and nodded heavily: "I can win." ”

"Are you so confident?" Liu Bei's somewhat excited mood had not completely dissipated, and he looked at Wei Yan with a little smile. Wei Yan puffed up his chest and said loudly: "Cao Ying's strongest men and horses are cavalry, but when he arrived in Ba County, his cavalry lost its effect. When he got Hanzhong from Zhang Lu, it was because of Zhang Lu's negligence that he took advantage of the loophole. The reason why he was able to hit the Sword Pavilion this time was that on the one hand, he had a lot of troops, and on the other hand, we underestimated Cao Zhi and was successfully attacked by him. ”

Liu Bei's eyes flashed and nodded, he also thought about the gains and losses between himself and Cao Ying, but he always felt unnaturally that it was because his level of military use was not as good as Cao Ying, and he rarely analyzed it like Wei Yan. Now it seems that what Wei Yan said does have some truth. When Cao Ying attacked Hanzhong, it is said that he hit by mistake. And the reason why he was passive this time was, in the final analysis, because Zhang Fei was intercepted by Cao Zhi. Who would have thought that Cao Zhi, a scholar, would be so desperate and dare to sneak attack in the mountains with more than 300 people? As soon as he thought of this, Liu Bei was in a cold sweat, if it wasn't for Cao Zhi who was not familiar with the terrain, it wouldn't be a problem if Zhang Fei's grain road was intercepted, maybe the Sword Pavilion was attacked by him.

This shaft, like Cao Ying, is too insidious in using soldiers. Thinking of his son, Liu Bei felt a little unhappy. Cao Ying is stronger than himself, why are his sons also stronger than his own sons? As soon as he thought of Liu Chan's appearance, Liu Bei had a black line in his head.

"Lord ......" Wei Yan saw that Liu Bei was silent in thought, so he reminded him softly.

"Ah, you go on." Liu Bei let out a dry laugh and raised his hand to signal Wei Yan to sit down. Wei Yan arched his hand, didn't dare to sit down, looked at Liu Bei's eyes, and continued: "Lord, I thought that if I wanted to break the deadlock in front of me, I would have to make a surprise attack. ”

"Odd soldiers?" Liu Bei raised his eyelids and looked at Wei Yan: "How can you surprise the soldiers?" ”

Wei Yan strode over to the map behind Liu Bei: "Cao Zhi can come and attack us, why can't we attack them?" Xiahou Yuan's lone army went deep, and the rear and Cao Ying refused for hundreds of miles, why don't we come up with a surprise soldier, go around Xiahou Yuan's back, and also cut off his grain route, the army will be chaotic without food, and then he will be defeated without a fight, can't we turn defeat and win? ”

Liu Bei's eyes lit up and he nodded again and again. He touched his bare chin and thought for a moment, then turned around and took Wei Yan to Fa Zheng's big tent, and told Fa Zheng about Wei Yan's suggestion, and Fa Zheng also felt that it was feasible. After discussion, he ordered the general Huang Zhong to lead the headquarters of 2,000 people out of the Sword Pavilion to attack, Wei Yan was the one who made the suggestion, and also asked him to bring three hundred white-eared soldiers to accompany the attack, the white-eared soldiers are the most elite personal guard battalion under Liu Bei, first led by Zhao Yun, later led by Chen Zhi, and now commanded by Liu Bei personally, Wei Yan is the Yamen general, and his men and horses are subordinate to the white-eared soldiers.

Huang Zhong and Wei Yan received the order, prepared food and ordnance, and immediately left the camp, and the news was in the mountains.

…… Langzhong, the Cao army camp outside the city.

The new Pingnan Zhonglang Cao Zhi and Yang Xiu, the prime minister's chief bookkeeper, sat opposite each other and were playing chess. Cao Zhi pressed forward step by step, and strange soldiers came out one after another, while Yang Xiu was in the camp step by step, both offensive and defensive. Cao Zhi couldn't find a way to defeat the enemy for a while, and stopped in mid-air with the chess pieces in his hand, thinking about it, when he suddenly felt a palpitation, his fingers trembled, and the chess pieces fell on the chessboard with a "dang" sound, making the chess game a little chaotic.

"General?" Yang Xiu was about to laugh, but he found that Cao Zhi's face was wrong, and he hurriedly asked with concern, "What's wrong with you?" Is it a re-injury? ”

Cao Zhi was injured in the battle of the sneak attack on the Sword Pavilion a month ago, and he has not fully recovered yet, and his face is pale and sweaty when he gets hurt. But this time it wasn't, he just felt a little dazed and a strong uneasiness.

"I felt like something was going to happen." Cao Zhi took a deep breath and looked at Yang Xiu worriedly. Yang Xiu frowned and thought for a moment: "Could it be that there is something wrong with General Zhengxi?" ”

"Why General Zhengxi?" Cao Zhi was a little puzzled, "Why not us?" ”

(To be continued)