"After Bowangpo, my troops lost more than 10,000 troops, and now there are only 20,000 elite soldiers left to defend the city, but these are the elite soldiers I have been training for many years, and they will definitely not be defeated at will.

Liu Bei is very sincere, and now he also understands that only by lowering his posture and seeking compromise can he have the opportunity to let Liu Biao send troops to help.

Moreover, the words were tactful enough, and the reason for his defeat was explained as much as possible, not because the soldiers and horses were weak, but because Xu Shu leaked a large number of military aircraft to Xu Zhen.

That's why the strategy was insightful, Xu Zhen definitely didn't have the ability to anticipate the enemy's opportunities, and he was not the kind of gossip that could calculate the number of yin and yang fates, he was not so godly.

Back then, Xu Du used a plan, and he could also trick him into going to Chenliujun, so Xu Zhen was only quite thoughtful when formulating a strategy.

And the military advisors under his command are enough, just enough to say all the hidden dangers for him, so that he can be as impeccable as possible.

Thinking of this, Liu Bei's eyes already had a look of hope and pleading, and now, the fate of his entire army and Xinye was in the hands of this Cai Zhong.

What he said determined how Liu Biaohui would decide.

Therefore, in this main hall to discuss and talk about the process of the war in detail, Liu Bei didn't even let Zhang Fei in, for fear that he would suddenly be angry, and if he scolded, of course he would cause trouble.

This Lieutenant General Cai has no friendship with him, and now he seems to be a little ghost blocking the way, and it is quite troublesome to block in front of him.

must not be offended, and this person is still Cai Mao's brother, maybe there will be a place to use it in the future, and he can repair the relationship with Cai Mao, so that he will not be like this, openly and secretly.

"Okay, the general situation, the last general has already understood," Cai Zhong nodded, showed a kind smile, and immediately hugged his fists and said: "Uncle Huang is really hard, under such an attack, he can still stabilize people's hearts and defend Xinye, he is really a model for my generation, which is admirable." ”

I want you to praise me?!

Liu Bei was stunned in place, worried in his heart.

This Cai Zhong, why don't you say a word in your heart, these words are not reassuring at all, I always feel that his words are exaggerated and false, not real enough.

Cai Zhong's smile was still undiminished, and he nodded and said: "When my scout comes back, we will go back immediately to resume our lives, and then ask Uncle Huang to wait patiently, and we will try our best to fight for food, grass and reinforcements." ”

"How many can there be?!"

Liu Bei asked sincerely, this is the most concerned issue he is now, if the number of people is too small to deter Cao Ren, he will still not retreat, and the sneak attack on the rear of Fancheng is also very dangerous.

If you don't give horses, you can give more food and grass.

Let Xinye be able to hold on longer.

To put it bluntly, if there is enough food, grass and armaments, Liu Bei is confident that he will immediately recruit thousands of recruits in the city, and even tens of thousands of villagers will join the army.

The biggest drawback now is that there is no money and no food, and I don't know how to recruit.

The soldiers and horses of the Southern Army are different from the current North, and the North may have reached the point of gradual disarmament.

Because the people's lives are richer, the purpose of joining the army is more to make a name for themselves, to promote their military achievements, and to glorify their ancestors in the future, and to become famous in troubled times.

In the south, because Jingzhou has never been separated from farming, although there is a hoarding of grain and grass, the people do not need to worry about food and clothing, but if they want to recruit soldiers and horses, they still have to eat enough and earn money.

This is the interior of the country has not yet been so rich.

"Hmm......" Cai Zhong thought for a moment, "It's hard to say." ”

"This may have to wait for Uncle Huang to wait for good news."

"Haha, but don't worry, the battle situation still has to be decided before acting, we can't take it lightly!"

"Oh, that's a good point, then thank you General."

Liu Bei bowed deeply, stood up and took Cai Zhong back to the city gate, waiting for an hour or so, all his scouts came back, and sent them back after saying goodbye.

From beginning to end, Liu Bei did not have any sense of relief, in his opinion, Cai Zhong came here but should have been ordered to come, although he was polite and kind, but how to think in his heart, it was impermeable, so that Liu Bei was a little aware.

It can be roughly observed, but it is a little unconcerned.

After the people left, Sun Qian and Jian Yong came close and asked with concern, "Lord, how is the situation?" Can troops be sent to support? Can there be grain and grass to be delivered? ”

Liu Bei lowered his head bitterly.

And before he could speak, Chen Zhi, who was standing behind him, had already shook his head, and he stood behind him and kept looking at Cai Zhong's expression.

He never asked many key questions, but after listening to them, he nodded and wrote them down, and then said some words of comfort to Liu Bei.

After Liu Bei finished talking about the situation, sure enough, Sun Qian and Jian Yong also kept silent.

Each other's hearts are naturally clear, and there is no need to ask more questions about self-deception.

"Alas," Liu Bei sighed deeply, "In this way, Xiangyang is only afraid that he can no longer be relied on, and if he wants to retreat from the enemy, he has to wait for the opportunity to change." ”

"But now, the strangest thing is that Cao Ren is just stockpiling grain for the army, so why not attack?"

Jian Yong pondered for a long time, but still didn't know Cao Ren's intentions.

At this time, no one could guess why, even Liu Bei felt strange, even the most cautious person should not hesitate like this, the troops are many times larger, and they should be surrounded.

But he was fine, but he was thirty miles away and did not move.

It's like waiting for something.

The question now is that I really don't know what Cao Ren is waiting for.

"Wait," Liu Bei said with relief: "For today's plan, we can only wait, no matter what happens to Cai Zhong this time, we have to wait for a result." ”

……

Xiangyang.

Within one day and night, Cai Zhong returned from Xinye.

Before entering Xiangyang City, he also went to the military camp first, informed Cai Mao, Kuai Yue and others of the matter, and after some discussion, he came to Xiangyang to meet Liu Biao.

"Lord, the general situation has been understood, and as expected, Liu Bei's battle situation is actually not tense."

Liu Biao was stunned when he heard this, and immediately half got up and asked strangely: "Why do you say this?" Coming in detail?! ”

"Although Cao Ren has a large number of troops, but the consumption of grain and grass is huge, it should be thirty miles away from Xinye, near the river, camped and stationed, waiting for the grain and grass to be delivered, and his camp layout is solid and stable, stretching for dozens of miles."

"If you want to raid and burn the grain and grass, it is quite difficult, so what Liu Bei said that the war is urgent, and the lord should immediately send troops to send food, which should be untrue."

"Xuande, why are you lying to me?"

Liu Biao was suddenly at a loss at this moment.

He has known Liu Bei for a long time, and has discussed many times over the years, and when he didn't go to Xinye at the beginning, he was always by his side, talking about the general trend in the north, and it was convenient for him to consult many soldiers and military advisors of the Cao family.

At that time, listening to his conversation and looking at his demeanor, you can know that Liu Bei must be an extremely good person in using soldiers, although he does not have much literary talent, but he can seek truth from facts and analyze the battlefield situation in depth.

He also knows the generals of the Cao family very well, and he is not like a person who can make mistakes and omissions.

Now that there is an urgent report, let me immediately send troops to rescue, it must be in a predicament, but Cao Ren did not attack.

"My lord, if you don't believe what the last general said, let the fifty scouts who went with you ask each other separately, and you can know the general situation.

Cai Zhong still said with a smile, coupled with his cute and cute actions, it is difficult to dislike him, and although he is sleek, he has always been pragmatic in his work for so many years, and he is rarely perfunctory.

Liu Biao waved his hand and sighed: "If I can't trust you, I won't send you." ”

"Liu Xuande will not be a person who is not familiar with the war situation, otherwise how could he survive to this day? When he didn't get the name of the emperor's uncle, he should have been the same as a reckless man, or because of his clan connections, he had some reputation in the local area. ”

"But that's not it, so becoming famous is not only the identity of the emperor's uncle, it shows that his talent is definitely outstanding, and he has his own charm and style, so he can attract so many civil and military people to follow, and I have also seen Sun Qianling, and he is not an extraordinary man."

Kuai Yue nodded immediately when he heard this, indeed, in terms of eloquence, he knew that Sun Qian was enough to move many people, and his talent was indeed good.

"Therefore, this time Liu Bei said that there was an urgent report, and I immediately sent troops to rescue me, alas...... Maybe they really want to cheat me out of money and food, and cheat me out of my soldiers...... so that he may gain something. ”

"What he thinks is that he can engage Cao Ren and defeat his attack, and then he will not only not need to kill or wound the soldiers, but also continue to defend the land of Nanyang."

"Neither can his heart be said to be ungood, nor is it good...... This royal family member is not so simple. ”

"That's it!"

Cai Mao's eyes widened, and he immediately clapped his hands and said, "Lord, I said a long time ago, he is definitely not a good type!" I must have a plan to come to Jingzhou, and now when the mountains and rivers are exhausted, do you see if you have revealed your true face!? ”

"Shut up!" Liu Biao was angry, coughed a few more times, and felt a dull pain in his chest, "Cai Mao, the matter you concealed from me has not passed, at this time, you are not allowed to say another bad word about Liu Xuande!" ”

"Lord, I, I'm also thinking about Jingzhou......" Cai Mao bowed her head and walked to the side slowly.

At this moment, Kuai Yue arched his hand and said with a wry smile: "The lord wants the name of the benevolent and virtuous monarch, and he must not neglect the clan, but this clan is not really helpful, but the wolf is ambitious, even so, it is not good to refuse and let him die." ”

"In this way, give him 40,000 stones of grain and grass, plus some military rewards, and publicize it to the people, it will be regarded as a matter of affection, as for the dispatch of troops and horses, there is no need for this, I dare to conclude that if he sends troops to fight with Cao's army, Liu Bei will definitely not give up his life to attack."

"However, if you don't fight with the Cao army, but pay tribute to Xu Du, then the Cao army will take Nanyang, and there must be room for turnaround, after all, now Cao Cao is still holding high the banner of the Son of Heaven, and he will not really go against the grain, so that the lord can truly protect the millions of people in Jingzhou from the suffering of war."

At this time, Liu Biao also had anger in his heart, and he hadn't figured out that Liu Bei had respected and admired him so much over the past few years, and even admired him so much that he was treating him sincerely, whether he was trying to plot the land of Jingzhou, or whether he was pretending to do it, and the purpose was to Jingzhou.

But in a hurry, he understood that Kuai Yue's words were a delaying tactic, so that the Cao army could be temporarily determined, if Cao Ren wanted to continue to advance after capturing Xinye, he would use Jingzhou's heavy troops to prevent it, and then counterattack.

To be honest, there is only one Xinye City left in Nanyang County now, and the rest are almost all small towns, so it is not an exaggeration to say that the entire county has been lost.

It's not a few days.

Liu Biao was helpless, closed his eyes and nodded.

The heart is tired.

So be it.

"Okay, let's do it next."

Cai Mao immediately nodded, and hurriedly wanted to slip away, "I'll go too, my lord, you have a good rest, rest at ease, and I'll also help." ”

"Don't go," Liu Biao said in a deep voice, "You go back with me, I have something to ask your brother and sister." ”

"I ......"

Cai Mao's face changed and asked me?

I really can't run away now, and I don't know what to ask.

……

Thirty miles outside Xinye, Cao Ying.

Under the starry night, Cao Ren was in the big tent of the Chinese army, sitting domineering and mighty with a golden sword and a broad horse, holding a praise watch sent by Cao Cao in his hand, and he was already smiling at the moment before he finished reading it.

"Hahaha!!"

After reading it, he laughed even more, looked left and right, and said at the same time: "The prime minister praises, we have a certain march, advance and retreat like a mountain, a wave, the army is powerful, victory does not need to be expected, the sun and the moon are coming!" ”

"This statement shows that the new field is just around the corner, and all the monarchs have their own merits, and we can already obey the order!"

"Xinye hasn't gone down yet," Xu Huang asked with squinted eyes, he couldn't see the current situation clearly for the time being.

"After the general arrived here, he marched quickly after crossing the Bowangpo, but for twenty-eight days in a row, he did not have the slightest intention of marching, and was always stationed outside, patrolling the camp day and night to guard against surprise attacks, but it was solid, but ...... Why can Shinno take it off? ”

The corners of Cao Ren's mouth rose, quite arrogant, "Hmph...... Can't you see this? I dare to predict that within a month, Xinye City will definitely belong to me, and as for Nanyang, it is naturally not a problem. ”

"Liu Bei will definitely not defend the city, he will abandon the city and leave to save the army."

Xu Huang and Yu Ban glanced at each other, still not understanding, but both of them turned their heads and asked in unison, "Is this what the rider said?" ”

"Whatever you say!" Cao Ren's eyes suddenly widened, but the old face still couldn't help but turn red, "Can't I say it?" Ride at every turn! ”

"Yes, he said something, but, I think so too! There is no need to ask why, in short, Liu Bei and Liu Biao are at odds, and they will inevitably withdraw their troops! ”

"Why did you withdraw? If you don't give food to Liu Bei to defend the city like Liu Biao, Liu Bei will abandon the city and be hunted down in the plains and mountains. ”

"He has been fighting for more than ten years before, but he was in the north."

Yu Ban's words really asked Cao Ren.

Why was it withdrawn?

Bowen didn't say it......

According to Cao Ren's thoughts, it is almost the same as Yu Ban, what did Liu Bei do when he ran away, it is more dangerous for him to abandon the city and leave, and he can still survive by relying on the city, maybe 20,000 guards for a few months is not a problem.

What does he run?

"Unless Liu Bei has a place to go in Jingzhou, he can abandon the city and flee, with this judgment, the general still said it clearly, let us understand it thoroughly."

Xu Huang and Yu Ban definitely don't have as much information in their hands as Cao Ren, and Xu Zhen has been giving him advice, which is a sincere intention to give this credit to Cao Ren.

So curious.

Cao Ren cleared his throat, hesitated for a moment, and said in a deep voice: "Tsk, why are you asking so much?" I'll just make this judgment, don't ask, just wait and see!! ”

Write quickly, and ask Bowen to go, according to the time...... Bowen is about to come in person, and he said that he has already set off with his troops and is heading south......

After saying that after the autumn harvest, he personally went back to Shucheng to station soldiers and horses in the south, which was his fiefdom, and he was invited to Xinye first.

(End of chapter)