Liu Pan took a deep breath and said in a deep voice: "Zhu Biao of Tianlongling, there are two reasons why he didn't kill him. ”

Liu Xiu said: "Brother listens. ”

Liu Pan said: "The first reason is because the bandits under Zhu Biao's command are brave and fierce, all of them are very tough, and Zhu Biao occupies the favorable terrain of Tianlong Ridge, which is difficult to encircle and suppress. ”

"The second reason is that Zhu Biao will send a certain amount of grain every month. The army under my command is stationed in Youxian, and if I only rely on the food provided by Youxian County and the grain transported from Xiangyang, it will definitely not last long, and I need more food support. ”

Liu Pan said: "The two reasons are superimposed, and Zhu Biao's Tianlong Ridge has always existed. ”

In Liu Pan's heart, defending Youxian is the most important task.

It is true that because of Tianlongling, the people of Youxian County were in trouble, but at least Liu Pan's food was guaranteed, so that he could resist the attack of the Jiangdong Army with all his might. If the army is defeated and the Jiangdong army invades Changsha County, the consequences will be even more unimaginable.

The lesser of two evils, Liu Pan chose the result that was beneficial to Changsha County.

After Liu Xiu listened, he said: "I understand my brother's difficulties, but next, I will encircle and suppress Zhu Biao of Tianlongling, hoping that my brother will not interfere." ”

Liu Pan said: "I can leave it alone, but you need to make up for the shortage of food." ”

Liu Xiu smiled bitterly and said, "Brother, I am short of food now. The people are famine, and I am borrowing food from everywhere. Liu Pan put the responsibility of food on him, and Liu Xiu was naturally unwilling.

After all, he is also anxious. If it weren't for the grain given by the Ma family, Liu Xiu and the soldiers under his command would have to drink the northwest wind.

Liu Pan said: "I didn't say that you should hand over the grain now, and after you encircled and suppressed Zhu Biao, you stabilized the situation in Youxian County." Let's consider the issue of food. ”

Liu Xiu said with a smile: "As long as you can survive the suffering in front of you and provide food for your brother, it is not difficult." ”

Liu Pan thought for a while, and then said: "You want to encircle and suppress Zhu Biao, be careful of Huo Yun in the county." ”

Liu Xiu was grateful in his heart and said, "Thank you brother for reminding me." After a pause, Liu Xianse said: "With my brother, my heart will be steady." Brother, I still have important things to do, so I won't stay long. ”

Liu Pan said: "Since you are here, why do you have to leave so quickly." It's rare for you to come once, and tonight, I'll have a feast in the camp to catch you up and wash the dust. ”

Liu Xiu said: "Brother, when the famine is solved, I will drink with my brother again." The current Youxian County is really difficult to drink. There was a deep sense of concern in his words.

When Liu Xiu thought of the woman she met when she first arrived in Youxian County, she gave her daughter, and she only begged her daughter to survive, and her heart was worried. The situation had reached such a point that he had to solve the problem of famine as soon as possible.

Liu Pan knew that the situation in Youxian County was difficult, and he no longer forced him to stay, and said: "Even so, I won't keep you anymore." The situation in Youxian is quite complicated, you should be careful and not impulsive. ”

"Thank you brother for the reminder!"

Liu Xiu thanked him, got up and left.

After Liu Pan sent Liu Xiu away, he returned to the camp tent.

At this time, a tiger general strode in. He was like an iron tower, burly and powerful, and his eyes shone with a sharp light. His age is about fifty, but he does not look old at all, and he is full of energy.

The person who came was none other than the tiger general Huang Zhong.

Huang Zhong arched his hand and said, "General!"

Liu Pan waved his hand and said, "Old general, sit!"

After Huang Zhong sat down in the camp tent, he said, "The last general heard from the soldiers that Gongzi Xiu came to the camp. ”

Liu Pan said: "Just left!"

Huang Zhong's eyes flashed with a fine light, and he said: "The situation in Youxian County is a mess, and even the roots are rotten. Now, when Gongzi Xiu has just taken office, he will definitely come to the barracks for help. ”

Liu Pan nodded and said: "The old general's eyes are like a torch, the third brother came, on the one hand, he wanted to borrow troops, and on the other hand, he asked about Zhu Biao in Tianlongling, and hoped that I would not interfere in Zhu Biao's affairs." ”

Huang Zhong asked, "How did the general answer?"

Liu Pan said: "The general told the third brother that between Cai Mao and him, I will not help Cai Mao deal with him, but I will not send troops to help him stabilize the situation in Youxian." Everything, by his own efforts. ”

When Huang Zhong heard this, he couldn't help but sigh lightly.

Liu Pan said: "Why does the old general sigh?"

Huang Zhong glanced at Liu Pan and said: "The reason why the general chose not to help each other is at least to prove that the general is also optimistic about Gongzi Xiu, and also thinks that Gongzi Xiu has outstanding ability and can make a career, otherwise, the general will not risk offending Cai Mao, yes or no?"

Liu Pan nodded and said: "The third brother is quite outstanding in terms of literary talent, martial arts, and even strategy. Among Liu Qi, Liu Cong and the third brother, the third brother's ability is undoubtedly the most outstanding. ”

"Now that General Pan understands, why don't you go further?" Huang Zhong sighed and said, "Even the general thinks that Master Xiu is outstanding, and helping at this time is undoubtedly a send-off. ”

After a pause, Huang Zhong said again: "After Gongzi Xiu has gained a firm foothold in Youxian, it will be the icing on the cake to send troops to help him." The generals don't help each other, and they seem to be neutral, but in fact, they have offended Cai Mao. At the same time, Master Xiu has your help, but if you do this, he may not admit it, after all, you have the ability to minimize the difficulties, but you have not done so. ”

Liu Pan shook his head and said, "Old general, it is not appropriate to openly offend Cai Mao now. ”

Seeing this, Huang Zhong stopped persuading. Although Liu Pan is Liu Biao's nephew, he is not too important, and compared to Cai Mao, it is too far behind. Liu Pan is unwilling to completely offend Cai Mao, which is also reasonable.

It's just that Huang Zhong knows very well that Liu Pan will help Liu Xiu with a clear banner, and the result will not be too bad. On the one hand, the Pang family, the Huang family and the Kuai family will not sit idly by; on the other hand, Liu Pan is in charge of the military camp and also has a certain right to speak, and at the border of Taishi Citun soldiers, Liu Biao also needs Liu Pan to resist the invasion of Jiangdong.

For two reasons, Liu Biao may not suppress Liu Pan.

It's just that Liu Pan can't see through it. Or Liu Pan saw through the situation, but he was afraid in his heart and didn't dare to help Liu Xiu.

......

After Liu Xiu and Ma Liang left the barracks, they returned in a carriage.

In the carriage, Ma Liang sighed lightly: "Childe, it's a pity that I couldn't get Liu Pan's help this time." If Liu Pan is willing to send troops to help, everything will be easier. The crusade against Zhu Biao can be easily completed. ”

Liu Xiu had a relaxed look on his face and said, "Actually, Liu Pan didn't help Zhu Biao, which is already a good result. First of all, we don't have to worry that Liu Pan will hinder the administrative affairs of Youxian County; second, Liu Pan will not interfere in dealing with Zhu Biao, isn't this a very good result?"

Ma Liang said: "Childe is really open. ”

Liu Xiu said: "It's because I had already considered the worst outcome before I came. If Liu Pan stands on the opposite side of us, the result will be even worse. Now it's just Zhu Biao and Huo Yun, which is already very good. ”

Ma Liang asked, "Childe, what should we do next?"

Liu Xiu said: "Without Liu Pan's constraints, next, you can make plans." After returning to the city, ask Kuai Qi about their situation, and then start moving. ”

Ma Liang's eyes also showed excitement.

The carriage drove quickly all the way, and after returning to the county seat, it went straight to the county office. As soon as he arrived in the hall, the soldier said that Pang Tong Kuaiqi had returned and was waiting in the study.

Liu Xiu and Ma Liang went straight to the study.

In the study, the guest and the host are seated.

Pang Tong took the lead in asking, "Childe, how is the situation with Liu Pan?"

Liu Xiu said: "Liu Pan chose neutrality and did not help Zhu Biao. Now, Liu Pan's problem can no longer be considered. You went to find out the news, how is the situation?"