The battle on the front line was in full swing, and there were remnants of defeated soldiers and horses returning to the direction of Jiangxia one after another. Zhao Shu looked at the flames in the distance, and felt a little ashamed in his heart, after all, it was the lives of tens of thousands of soldiers. Alas, if Liu Bei was sincere to himself, why would he be defeated today? Zhao Shu turned his head to look at Huan Yi standing behind him, and suddenly asked, "Am I going too far?" ”

Huan Yi also looked ahead, and said silently: "Mr. has been fighting for many years, can't you get used to this kind of scene?" Today's defeat, Mr. has made many admonitions to His Majesty, but he is not allowed to accept it. How can you blame Mr.? "Yes, I can only advise many times and talk about my own situation, but whether it is true or not, Zhao Shu and Huan Yi know it. At this moment, Liu Bei was fighting hard with Lu Xun's army, but Zhao Shu only stationed his soldiers and horses thirty miles east of Jiangxia City, what should Liu Bei think if he knew about this?

In ancient times, there were no planes or artillery, and the most powerful weapons used were nothing more than fire and water. I Zhao Shu is lucky, when I returned to the Three Kingdoms, I actually witnessed the two most important fire battles, the Battle of Chibi Zhao Shu still sat on the wall and watched, but now Liu Bei's Eastern Expedition, but he personally participated, or created this battle from a certain aspect. It's just that the location is not in Yiling, so how would later historians name this battle?

A hurried sound of horses' hooves interrupted my thoughts, and immediately the knight galloped up the earth mountain, and stepped forward to whisper a few words to Huan Yi. Huan Yi hurriedly rushed to Zhao Shu's side and said in a low voice, "Your Majesty has already sent you to ask for help for the third time." Zhao Shu asked casually, "What about people?" ”

"It's been disposed of." Huan Yi hesitated: "It seems that the situation ahead is very critical, if Mr. does not send troops again, I am afraid that His Majesty will not be able to hold on." "If Liu Bei really dies in battle, it will be extremely unfavorable to Zhao Shu, but there is no shortage of loyal and brave people around Liu Bei, how can he die so easily?

Zhao Shu shook his head slightly and asked, "Do you know where Your Majesty is now?" ”

Huan Yi said: "About forty miles away, it is retreating towards Jiangxia. ”

"Send out a scouting horse, and your majesty will return if it is within ten miles." It is possible to rescue Liu Bei, but it is no longer possible to lose Zhao Shu's existing soldiers and horses, Lin Yang only brought back more than 10,000 troops, and they are all loyal to Zhao Shu, how can Zhao Shu exchange their lives for Liu Bei's henchmen in the Imperial Forest?

Huan Yi received the order to go down to arrange, and Zhao Shu made people in the mountains and forests on the left and right, planting more flags, thinking that they were suspicious soldiers. Although he may not be able to hide from Lu Xun, he can slow down for a moment. Time passed slowly, and the scouts sent finally turned around, indicating that Liu Bei, under the protection of the generals, had retreated to only ten miles away from where Zhao Shu was stationed. Zhao Shu hurriedly turned over and got on his horse, and Huan Yi led the troops to kill, and King Qin took the driver.

Not long after the army and horses marched, they saw that the flags in front were scattered, the people and horses were noisy, and a large group of soldiers and horses were coming. Zhao Shu knew that it was Liu Bei's defeated army, but he pretended not to know, stepped forward and asked loudly: "Which general's subordinate is in front?" ”

When the other party's soldiers and horses saw that it was their own reinforcements, they all cheered, and a general came out of the crowd and shouted: "Mr. Zhao, Your Majesty is here, come and escort you." Zhao Shu hurriedly stepped forward with Huan Yi, only to see that the defeated army on the opposite side had spread out an avenue, and the Guan brothers escorted Liu Bei out on horseback. Zhao Shu hurriedly rolled the saddle and dismounted, knelt down to the side, and said: "Weichen is late to save the car, I hope Your Majesty will forgive you." ”

How can Liu Bei still have the spirit to punish the crime at this moment? Hurriedly said: "Aiqing is flat, and the Wu army is in a hurry to catch up later, and retreat to Jiangxia first." He looked behind Zhao Shu and asked, "Why is Mr. commanding the army?" Where is Huang Gongheng? ”

Zhao Shu got up and said: "Your Majesty has asked for help several times, Huang Quan supports the army and respects himself, and does not send rescuers, Weichen thinks that His Majesty is safe, so he kills Huang Quan, seizes the military talisman, and comes to meet Your Majesty." ”

When Liu Bei heard this, his face changed suddenly, and he said angrily: "Huang Quan has a heavy responsibility, but he is far less loyal than Aiqing, and he is also killed." ”

Now Liu Bei has regarded Zhao Shu as a life-saving straw, even if he has some doubts in his heart, he does not dare to rashly open his face. Zhao Shu secretly rejoiced in his heart, and said loudly: "Please Your Majesty first, and Weichen will break behind." ”

Liu Bei glanced at Zhao Shu gratefully, said two more decent words, and under the support of the Guan brothers, he hurriedly looked at Jiangxia City and left. Zhao Shu looked coldly at Liu Bei's thin back, this person was already sixty-two years old, and since the Fazheng incident, his health has not been good, how can he withstand such a blow? Liu Bei's departure is not far off, and Zhao Shu deserves to become a retainer who left his life with Kong Ming, hehe......

"Congratulations, sir." A small congratulatory voice interrupted Zhao Shu's infinite reverie. Zhao Shu looked at it in a blink of an eye, but it was Yan Peng who didn't know when he came to Zhao Shu's side, smiled meaningfully at Zhao Shu, and then beat his horse and followed Liu Bei. Huan Yi was not far behind Zhao Shu, and when he heard Yan Peng's words, his face couldn't help but change greatly, and he whispered to Zhao Shu: "Sir, has this person seen through what Mr. is planning?" Zhao Shu nodded, but he didn't think he had any malicious intent, otherwise he would have told Liu Bei and would have gotten rid of Zhao Shu.

The chasing soldiers of Eastern Wu came in a blink of an eye, and Pan Zhang, the general at the head, stepped forward with great might. Huan Yi hugged his fist to Zhao Shu, and then led his troops to rush forward, Pan Zhang chased the dead all the way to the north, and was not prepared, and was rushed and killed by Huan Yi's new force for a while, and immediately routed and left. Zhao Shu saw that the Wu army was retreating, and he hurriedly ordered the troops to be collected, and after Huan Yi led the people to break off, he led the troops back to Jiangxia.

Soon after Zhao Shu and Huan Yi retreated into the city, they saw a steady stream of Wu soldiers arriving in the distance, and set up camp outside the city, surrounding Jiangxia City on all sides. At this moment, Liu Bei has temporarily settled down in the Taishou Mansion, and Guan Ping will be patrolling the city with Zhao Shu, the situation is critical, and there is no time to meet and talk. The generals saw that there were many Wu troops, and there was a big banner with the word "Sun" hidden in the army, and they couldn't help but worry secretly when they knew that Sun Quan was bringing Chaisang soldiers and horses to come.

Zhao Shu looked at the handsome flag of "Lu" fluttering in the wind in the distance, he had been fighting with Kong Ming Ming in Shu Han for so many years, it can be said that he had more losses and fewer victories, and now he could personally compete with the famous Lu Xun in the battle array, and he was inevitably uneasy in his heart. Guan Xingxing walked to Zhao's side and said in a low voice: "Sir, do you have a good plan to save Your Majesty from this city?" ”

Guan Xing and Brother Nai worked together to protect Liu Bei to break through, covered in bloodstains and suffering multiple injuries on his body, although it was not a fatal injury, it looked very terrifying. Zhao didn't answer his question, just patted his shoulder and asked, "How are your injuries?" ”

Guan Xing looked at Zhao Shu gratefully, tears flashed in his eyes, and he said in a low voice: "Mr. should have been idle in the White Emperor City, but he ....." Guan Xing looked outside the city, sighed, and said, "If Mr. has strengths and weaknesses, sister ......."

Zhao waved his hand to interrupt him and said, "Things are not as bad as you say, there are still 20,000 soldiers and horses in the city. Xiakou has a naval army stationed again, not far from here, as long as it can break through to Xiakou, crossing the river is the boundary of Jingzhou, there are soldiers and horses to respond. It's just that His Majesty doesn't listen to the advice, which really makes me feel cold. ”

Guan Xing was overjoyed when he heard this, and said, "Could it be that Mr. Fei has a good plan to break through?" ”

Zhao Shu nodded, pointed to the Dongwu military camp, and said: "Lu Boyan is also a hero for a while, and it is a blessing to be able to fight with him." However, at this moment, I didn't fight and took a seven-point defeat. ”

Guan Xing was relieved: "Why is Mr. so humble? Wasn't Lu Xun's plan expected by Mr.? ”

Zhao Shu smiled faintly, and said no more, and said behind him, "Mr. saw through Lu Xun's plan, but he was still defeated. This is exactly the disadvantage that Mr. is in, a certain Sun Quan gave Lu Xun with the army of the country, but Mr. did not trust His Majesty at all. Even if you talk about clever tricks, it seems to be the same, hehe. ”

These words were extremely disrespectful, but Liu Bei's failure to listen to Zhao Shu's advice led to the defeat of the army, which has spread throughout the army. What Huan Yi said, every sentence is true, how can Guan Xing refute it? Zhao Shu's face sank, and he shouted: "Huan Yi, don't say such disrespectful words." I have received great gratitude from Your Majesty, and even if I don't want my life, I must be extremely loyal to Your Majesty. A moment of frustration, personal honor and disgrace, what is it? ”

Huan Yi lowered his head and said, "Yes, a certain gaffe." ”

Guan Xing was greatly moved when he heard this, and Lang said: "Don't worry, sir, I will discuss with my brother and reinstate Mr. Baoju to His Majesty." ”

"No." Zhao Shu hurriedly stopped: "In this way, it makes Your Majesty feel that I am taking advantage of the fire to rob, won't it make Your Majesty even more suspicious?" ”

Guan Xing nodded, and replied: "This is just the intention of our military generals, and it has nothing to do with Mr., please rest assured, Sir." After speaking, without waiting for Zhao Shu to dissuade him, he walked towards Guan Ping. After a few arguments between the two, they went down to the city together and left, followed by Wu Yi and other Sichuan generals. Zhao Shu looked at the direction in which they were going was Liu Bei's temporary residence, and couldn't help but smile and nodded to Huan Yi in thanks.

Seeing Huang Hao coming with the edict with a flattering smile on his face, Zhao Shu's heart was suddenly empty, since Liu Bei cut Zhao Shu's military power in the White Emperor City in July last year, it has been nearly a year. During this year, Zhao Shu only wanted to get back the military power, and it seemed that that Zhao Shu deserved it. But now that Liu Bei's edict has come down, Zhao Shu should have been proud of the spring breeze, but he felt faintly uneasy in his heart. Is it because there are too many dead people in this battle, or do you feel that the road ahead is more difficult to walk?

Although Liu Bei agreed with Guan Xing's admonitions, he did not summon Zhao Shu to go and appoint him personally, but asked Huang Hao to pass on the decree, could he not let go of the dignity of His Majesty the Emperor, or did he have scruples about Zhao Shu after all? The polite nonsense in front of the edict is nothing more than how Zhao Shu is loyal to the country, how he knows the military aircraft, and how he is the official to restore the position of general of Zhendong to control all the soldiers and generals in Jiangxia City.

After Huang Hao finished reading the edict, he stepped forward with a smile and helped Zhao Shu up. Although Zhao Shu hated this villain in his heart, he had a brighter smile on his face than him. Huang Hao also seemed to know that he was a little cold to Zhao Shu at the beginning, and he couldn't stop pleading himself. Zhao Shu had no choice but to say that he didn't dare to speak out of his conscience, and he would have to rely on his father-in-law's words like vigorously in the future. After Huang Hao was sent away satisfied, a group of generals in the city stepped forward to congratulate him. Zhao Shunai ordered Huan Yi to inspect the city, and he returned to the Chinese army tent left by Huang Quan, promoted the tent to gather generals, and discussed the plan to break through.

After the generals saluted, they sat down. Zhao Shu roughly counted the defeated troops in Jiangxia, only a little more than 20,000, and except for the few garrison troops in Jiangxia under Lin Yang's department, the rest were wounded and had low combat effectiveness. Among the generals, Zhao Shu can only name Guan Ping, Guan Xing brothers, Wu Yi, Wu Ban and others. Feng Xi, Zhang Nan and other generals all died in battle and died in the king's affairs.

After the order, Guan Xing couldn't bear it anymore and asked about the plan to break through. I smiled faintly and said, "Actually, it's not a clever plan, so it's better for me to tell you an allusion first." After a slight pause, Zhao Shu continued: "In the past, Emperor Gao and Xiang Yu, the overlord of Chu, competed for hegemony in the world, and was besieged in Xingyang after a defeat, with no grain and grass inside, and no reinforcements outside, the situation is quite similar to today. A group of strategists were helpless, but the general Ji Xin stepped forward, willing to wear Emperor Gao's clothes, armor, chariots and horses, and go out of the city at the east gate to attract Xiang Yu's army, and die on behalf of Emperor Gao. Only then did Emperor Gao break through from the West Gate and create the Han family. After finishing speaking, Zhao Shu glanced at the generals in the account and said, "My strategy is similar to this, but who is playing this General Ji Xin?" ”

As soon as Zhao Shu's words fell, Guan Xing was about to step forward, but was gently pulled by Brother Nai. As for Wu Yi and other generals, they didn't dare to look at Zhao Shu, for fear of being named by Zhao Shu. It seems that Liu Bei's subordinates may not be very loyal, and at this life-and-death juncture, no one wants to exchange their lives for Liu Bei's life.

Zhao Shu smiled slightly, suddenly slapped his palm on the wooden case in front of him, and said sharply: "Could it be that there is no one who is as loyal as General Ji among the monarchs?" All the generals raised their heads together and looked at Zhao Shu, but no one made a sound to take over the errand.

"Since they don't want to, then General Ben will name him." Zhao Shu regained his smile again, the Guan brothers have a good relationship with Zhao Shu, and after all, they are Zhao Shu's brother-in-law, so they naturally won't worry about Zhao Shu ordering them. And Wu Yi and the other generals were all in a cold sweat, and every time Zhao Shu's gaze swept over, his body trembled involuntarily.

Just as Zhao Shu was thinking about whose name to order, a person suddenly broke into the tent, strode up to me and said, "The last general is willing to go." Zhao Shu turned his eyes to see it, but he was an acquaintance, Fu Tong, the captain of Wuling, who didn't know when he was transferred to serve in the Eastern Expeditionary Army. Fu Tong's words made all the people in the tent breathe a sigh of relief, and Zhao Shu was unwilling to force others to die.

Zhao Shu raised his eyes and looked at Fu Tong, since someone was willing to be the head of this wrong, Zhao Shu had no reason to refuse. Immediately got up and stepped forward, and said to Fu Tong: "The general is loyal, I will show Your Majesty and be sympathetic to the general's family." Fu Tong looked around at the generals in the tent and said: "The last general heard that 'the father is in trouble, the son should die, the king is in trouble, and the minister should die'." When Your Majesty is in danger, the last general is willing to die on Your Majesty's behalf. It's just that the princes in the tent, who are in a high position, have received the great favor of His Majesty, but they are afraid of death, which really makes the last general feel cold. When the generals heard this, their faces were ashamed.

Fu Tong said to Zhao Shu again: "The last general has a young son in the family, who is not yet an adult, and Mr. Wang will take care of him sooner or later." ”

Zhao Shu nodded and said, "The son of the general, that is, Shu Ziye, will definitely raise a talent to comfort the general." ”

Fu Tong smiled indifferently and said, "Thank you, sir, please use the trick like this." Zhao Shu nodded, then put out all the thoughts in his heart, and finally said: "The survival of Sheji is only in a battle tonight, and I hope that all the monarchs will work hard to repay Your Majesty's kindness." ”