Yuan Shao's army came to Nanyang City and immediately sent generals to challenge. The war drums sounded on the tower of the city gate, Guan Yu rode out alone, and the three-way drum was not stopped, so he beheaded Yuan Shao's three generals. Yuan Shao was frightened and frightened, and ordered a large army to attack the city. However, it was met by the defenders who had been prepared for a long time, and suffered heavy losses. Xu You saw that it was impossible to capture Nanyang City in a short period of time, and there was little grain and grass left on his side, so he persuaded Yuan Shao to withdraw his troops, but Yuan Shao did not stop and insisted on attacking the city.

At the end of the day, the corpses under Nanyang City were piled up, and Yuan Shaojun's elite suffered heavy losses. Yuan Shao woke up suddenly when he saw this scene and ordered to return to Luoyang bypassing Nanjun. When leaving, Yuan Shao pointed to the entire Jingzhou with a horsewhip and swore to the sky: "One day, I will set foot in Jingzhou and crush Liu Biao's bones and ashes!" ”

Changan.

Zhang Lang received the latest report from Jingzhou in his study, and Yuan Shao was defeated and returned home. Zhang Lang touched his chin and thought, "What will happen next?" Will Liu Bei gain a foothold in Jingzhou? ”

Jia Xu smiled: "It is inevitable that Liu Bei will stand firm!" For today's Liu Biao, Liu Bei and Guan Zhang Zhao San under his command will be God's help! Liu Biao will definitely rely on them! However, with the use of return, the defense will still be prevented! Although Liu Biao's courage is not very good, his ability to defend against people is still very good! ”

Zhang Lang laughed. Thinking of Sun Jian, he pondered and asked, "What should Sun Jian do in such a situation now?" ”

Jia Xu said: "The situation of the competition between the snipe and the clam has appeared, but the loss of the clam is not very large. I estimate that Sun Jian will immediately attack Xiangyang! Now is a lazy opportunity! ”

Zhang Lang smiled: "Then let's continue to watch." ”

Jia Xu's speculation soon became a reality, Sun Jian's army, which had been silent for a while, suddenly went out of Nanjun, but did not attack Xiangyang, but went south into Wuling, and defeated the 30,000 Jingzhou army led by Han Xuan and Huang Zhong in one go, Han Xuan surrendered, Huang Zhong led the remnants to flee to Xiangyang, and Wuling fell into the hands of Sun Jian, so that Lingling, Guiyang and other counties in the south were completely cut off from Xiangyang.

Under Zhou Yu's planning, Sun Jian's army continued to press south, and at the same time, Sun Jian's envoys were now in charge of several southern counties.

When the news of the fall of Wuling and Han Xuan's surrender reached Xiangyang, Jingzhou was shocked and overwhelmed, and everyone was terrified.

Liu Bei hurriedly said: "Brother, we should take advantage of the time when Sun Jian's army is all going south, and the whole army will attack Nanjun!" As long as Nanjun is recovered, our army will be able to get better! ”

However, as soon as he said this, Cai Mao jumped out to object, "No! Although the main force of Sun Jian's army goes, the city of Nanjun is high and the river is wide, and it is difficult for our army to capture! Besides, Sun Jian's army is in the Xiangjiang River, and it can cut off the back road of our army at any time and attack Xiangyang! Lord, you must not listen to Liu Bei's words and rashly send troops! Otherwise, you will regret it! ”

Liu Bei said urgently: "Although Sun Jian's naval army is here, its strength is limited, and how can the naval army and land battle be the opponent of our army?" Glancing at Cai Mao, "There is no need to worry about the water army cutting off the back road of our army!" If Sun Jian's water army really dares to go ashore! That's just right! Our army can take the opportunity to destroy them on land! As for the question of whether the Nanjun city can be captured, according to the detailed report, the defenders of the Nanjun County are less than 20,000 horses, and our army is exhausted, so how can there be a reason why it cannot be captured? Take 10,000 steps back and say, even if it can't be captured, at least force Sun Jian's army that is going south to return, so as not to fall into the hands of Sun Jian in the southern counties! ”

Liu Biao felt that what Liu Bei said was extremely true, and he couldn't help but be moved. However, at this moment, Cai Mao suddenly pointed at Liu Bei's nose and asked, "Liu Bei, what is your intention in sending the main force out so much?" ”

Liu Bei frowned, "What can I do?" ”

Cai Mao snorted coldly, "Others can't see you Liu Bei, but I can see it." You Liu Bei has ill intentions, and after you have a clear mind to break up the lord's army, you will take the opportunity to seize Jingzhou! This is actually very ridiculous, people with a little bit of brains can know that this is nonsense at all, it can't be said that Liu Bei doesn't have the heart to seize Jingzhou, but at least Liu Bei will not go down to seize Jingzhou at this time, first, there are no conditions, and second, the gains outweigh the losses.

However, I don't know if Liu Biao is old and confused, but he actually believes Cai Mao's words a little bit in his heart, and looks at Liu Bei's eyes with doubt.

Liu Bei hugged his fists at Liu Biao and said: "Brother, my brother's loyalty to my brother can be seen every day, I hope my brother will learn from it!" ”

At this time, Liu Biao's correct approach should be to immediately say good words to appease, but Liu Biao was silent, and this kind of expression made Liu Bei's heart burst out.

Cai Mao sneered: "I'm afraid that you have said this in Yuan Shao, but what is the result?" Twist your head and bite the master! ”

Liu Bei Zhengse said: "Yuan Shao openly attacked the Han clan, how can I, Liu Bei, as a Han clan relative, be enough to abuse?" Liu Bei dared to say this to the sky, rightly, to the ancestors! Liu Bei has a clear conscience! ”

Liu Biao said: "Okay, okay! Don't even say it! It's all your own people, so why be suspicious of each other! Liu Bei and Cai Mao didn't speak anymore.

Liu Biao looked at Liu Bei, "Well, I think we should be cautious about attacking Nanjun!" Of course, Brother Xuande's words are not unreasonable! I'll think about it again! Then he stood up and left through the side door.

Everyone hugged their fists and sent each other, Liu Bei was very depressed, and Cai Mao looked a little proud.

Liu Biao paced back and forth in the bedroom, looking hesitant. Mrs. Cai saw it and asked, "Why are you so preoccupied?" Liu Biao said what everyone was arguing about in the hall just now, and said with a look of embarrassment: "I think what he said makes sense, I don't know what to do!" ”

Mrs. Cai said: "If the southern counties are lost, our pig demon strength is still there, but if Liu Bei really takes the opportunity to make trouble in Xiangyang, it will be unimaginable!" ”

Liu Biao frowned and nodded, but he still couldn't let go of the southern counties in his heart.

Precious time passed rapidly in Liu Biao's hesitation.

Changan.

Zhang Lang received the latest report from Jingzhou, and immediately summoned Jia Xu, Cai Yong, Huang Yueying and others, and said to them: "The situation in Jingzhou has reached the point of great change, and I must rush to Hanzhong immediately so that I can deal with it at any time!" Wen He, Daxueshi, Yueying, when I am away, the three of you are solely responsible for everything in the territory, if the three of them disagree, the majority opinion shall prevail, if the three of them have different opinions, then the opinion of Wen He shall prevail. ”

"No."

Zhang Lang explained the matter, and then went back to say goodbye to his wife and concubines, and lingered for a while. Later that day, Zhang Lang rushed to Hanzhong with his personal guards.