In the eleventh year of Jian'an, spring.

"Drive!"

"Get out of the way, Jiangxia urgently."

The scout got down from the boat, carrying the crimson letter on his back, and walked all the way into Xiangyang, and let the idlers who stood in his way on the left and right avoid him. The people walking in the streets dodged away, and the sergeants guarding the gates did not dare to stop them.

The general of the chariot cavalry belonged to the ya, and the attendant held a simple document in his hand, hurriedly walked into the court, and shouted: "Cai Junshi, Jiangxia military situation, 100,000 urgent!" ”

Cai Mao, who was talking and laughing with the subordinates, her face changed slightly. Jiangdong has fallen into the hands of Liu Biao, and the status of Jiangxia, which was once a frontier, has declined, and it is far less important than it was at the beginning. The only remaining role is to garrison the three passes of Yiyang to guard against Cao Cao's forces in Yuzhou.

Today's document is urgent, could it be that Cao Jun is attacking?

But Cao Jun invaded Jingzhou, why didn't he get the news.

After thinking about it, Cai Mao checked the mud seal on the lower knot rope under the eyes of all the subordinates, tore off the mud seal, and spread out the documents to check it.

After a few glances, Cai Mao's face changed suddenly, and he said: "Cao's army attacked Jiangxia, Zhang Liao has broken Xiyang, and the overseer Su Fei was defeated and took Wusheng Pass. Now Zhang Liao's soldiers and horses have arrived at the three passes of Yiyang, and Huang Taishou urgently asked for help. ”

"What!"

The subordinates also exclaimed, and everyone exchanged heads and ears. Could it be that the days that have been peaceful for a long time are about to be broken.

The confluence of the two major mountain ranges of Dabie Mountain and Tongbai Mountain naturally forms three dangerous passes. In the Spring and Autumn Period, the state of Chu built three passes to resist the vassal states of the Central Plains, which could be attacked and defended.

During the battle of Baiju, in order to avoid being discovered by the Chu State by the Yangtze River, Wu Wang Lu, Sun Wu and Wu Zixu led the army from the three passes of Yiyang to attack the hinterland of the Chu State, and fought with the Chu army in Baiju, fought five times, defeated the Chu State, and invaded the Yingdu.

In addition to Nanyang in the north, the Central Plains can actually go to Yiyang Sanguan to enter Chu and drink the water of the Yangtze River.

Liu Biao, who was drinking the decoction, heard the news, accidentally choked the decoction, coughed again and again, and said in shock: "Cao Cao has invaded? ”

"Don't dare to hide Ming Gong!"

Liu Biao stabilized his mind and hurriedly said, "Quickly invite Xuande and Bo Wei to the conference hall to discuss military affairs." ”

"No!"

"Madame, change my clothes quickly!" Liu Biao greeted Cai and said.

Seeing that Liu Biao was thinking of Liu Qi, Cai said with displeasure: "It's not Cao Cao's personal arrival, why is my husband so anxious!" ”

Seeing Cai's words, Liu Biao scolded and said, "This is a woman's opinion! ”

"Zhang Liao is a general under Cao Cao's account, and Xuande once said that Zhang Liao's courage is not inferior to Guan Yunchang. Today's attack is violent, and it is no longer something that Huang Jie and Su Fei can resist. If Jiangxia is defeated, Cao Cao leads the army to attack from Sanguan and drink the water of the Ma River, and the connection between Wu and Chu will be cut off, and it will be difficult to resist Cao Cao at that time. Liu Biao explained.

The Yangtze River meanders, and the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River from Chongqing are like 'W', and the middle bulge is Xiakou (Wuhan). Jiangxia was occupied by Cao's army, and Cao's army easily cut off the Yangtze River, making it difficult for Jingchu and Wuyue to contact.

Listening to Liu Biao's explanation, Cai's did not dare to slack off, and hurriedly changed Liu Biao's clothes.

Although she and her brother Cai Mao opposed Liu Qi together, they didn't want Liu Qi to take the throne. But it doesn't mean that she, like Cai Mao, has collusion with Cao Cao. In general, she hoped that Liu Cong would protect Jing Chu and not submit to Cao Cao. Of course, Cai Mao knew this, but she didn't know that Cai Mao had a secret relationship with Cao Cao.

In the lobby, Liu Biao beat his spirit and convened everyone to discuss the matter. The people who heard the news also hurried over, sitting in two columns on the left and right.

In the middle of the ring, Liu Bei and Liu Qi finally arrived. Liu Biao saw that all the dignitaries had arrived, coughed, and said: "Today, Zhang Liao led his troops into Koujiangxia, and the overseer Su Fei was defeated in battle, and was defeated by Zhang Liao, and now he retreats to Wusheng Pass. Huang Jiangxia was afraid that he would not be able to resist and asked for reinforcements. What do you think Cao Cao meant? ”

The three passes of Yiyang are Wusheng Pass, Jiuli Pass, and Pingjing Pass, and the three passes need to be guarded. But if any of these levels are broken, you can enter Jiangxia, which also means that the remaining two levels are useless. Therefore, the three passes of Yiyang seem to be difficult and dangerous, but in fact, considering the distribution of troops, it is not so easy to defend.

Cai Mao's face was not red and his heart was not beating, and he said: "Qi Ming Gong, now Cao Cao has pacified Hebei, and he has the intention of killing me." Today, Jiangxia was attacked by Zhang Liao, and I am afraid that the strategy of attacking the east and the west will lure my Xiangyang soldiers and horses to rescue Jiangxia. Our army should be cautious in case Cao's army goes south to conquer Xiangfan. ”

Liu Biao frowned slightly, and said unhappily: "Could it be that the military advisor wants to let Cao Jun sit alone and watch Cao Jun enter Jiangxia?" ”

Cai Mao lowered his eyes and said: "This is not the intention, Xiangfan is close to the Central Plains, far away from Jiangbei, and it is the foundation of our army, so it cannot be moved lightly." If you want to save Jiang Xia today, you may be able to let Jiang Zuo send troops. Huo Poyang garrisoned Jiangbei, close to Jiangxia, and let him lead his army north, which could be easily saved. ”

"Huo Zhongmiao?"

Liu Biao said a few times.

"Exactly!"

Kuai Yue added: "Huo Poyang's soldiers are slightly superior, defeating Xiahou against the water, taking Jingkou for thousands of miles, defeating the enemy Kou, and the world praises Han Bai's ability. ”

Liu Bei secretly said that it was not good, and hurriedly said: "Ming Gong, Huo Poyang guards the north of the river, and he can't leave Anhui City lightly. ”

"Huh?" Liu Biao looked at Liu Bei and asked suspiciously, "Why did Xuande say this?" ”

After sorting out what Lu Su said before, Liu Bei opened his mouth to analyze and said: "The Ming Duke has the land on the left side of the river, and the land spans thousands of miles, and Cao Cao is afraid when he hears it. Now Cao Cao went south, and Bei Steal thought that his intention was Jiangzuo, not Jingxiang. ”

"Jiang Zuo was at the beginning of his life, the people's hearts were not attached, and the sergeants were not refined. Cao Cao is familiar with military strategy, how can he not know the disadvantages of Jiang Zuo. Today, Huo Poyang is stationed in the north of the Jiangbei, guarding the river, garrisoning the Xukou, and if he leads the army, he will leave easily. Jianghuai soldiers and horses can easily cross south, and Jiangzuo will be in danger at that time! ”

At present, Jiang Zuoquan is counting on Huo Jun's 10,000 sailors to guard Jiangbei and protect the Yangtze River waterway. Once Huo Jun led his troops to support, the Yangtze River defense line was full of loopholes. Counting on the sailors in the hands of the two generals Gan Ning and Lu Meng, it is really not enough to see. Kuai Yue and Cai Mao suggested that Huo Jun send troops, purely to sabotage the Jiangzuo defense line.

Liu Biao coughed a few times, his heart was upset, and said: "Jingxiang soldiers and horses are unavailable, and Jiangzuo's soldiers and horses are unavailable, so who can save Jiang Xia?" Jingnan soldiers and horses have few wars, and they are afraid that they will not be able to defeat Zhang Liao, so why not send Guoan north to defend against the enemy? ”

"When it's possible!" Zhang Yun nodded and said, "Liu Yuzhang fought bravely, or he could lead his troops north to support." ”

Liu Bei frowned, arched his hand and said: "Bei once fought with Zhang Liao, his brave champion of the three armies, good at riding and fighting, and the military strategy is also expert. Although General Guoan is brave, he has experienced the war in Jiangnan for a long time, and it may be difficult to fight Zhang Liao. ”

Liu Biao's brows furrowed, and he said dissatisfiedly: "Xuande said that who can lead the army to the enemy? ”

After a little silence, Liu Bei arched his hand and said, "I thought that General Guan Yu was an enemy of Zhang Liao." ”

Interestingly, when Zhang Liao went south, Cao Cao also named Zhang Liao as the general of Dangkou. If Guan Yu goes to Jiangxia today, it will be a duel between the two Dangkou generals.

"Guan Yunchang?"

Liu Biao was moved in his heart and said: "Yun Chang is in Huiji, thousands of miles away from Jiangxiadang, can An save it?" ”

Liu Bei straightened his waist and said proudly: "Since Qiantang divided the troops, Yun Chang led the troops to recover the northern counties of Huiji, transferred to Shangrao, and entered the mountains and mountains, and the soldiers went to the Hou Guan, and the southern governor was re-established in Qishan. After several battles, the three thieves of Hongming, Hongjin and Yuanyu were defeated, and the people of Shanyue were subdued, and the three counties of Yongning, Songyang and Zhangping were placed. ”

"And in winter, Yun Chang went deep into Fujian, defeated Wu Fu, Huadang two thieves, Shanyue leader and more barbarian head to surrender, and got 20,000 households, set up Nanping, Jian'an, Hanxing, Dangkou four counties, now to Luling County to rest. If the Duke of Ming thinks it is feasible, he can let his troops temporarily support Jiangxia, so as to wait for Yun Chang's troops to arrive and resist Zhang Liao. ”

Standing on the basis of He Qi's three years of Pingshan Yue, Guan Yu spent a year leading his troops to penetrate Zhejiang and Fujian, and from Nanping down the river to Luling County (Jiangxi) to get in touch with the outside world.

Guan Yu fought this battle against Shanyue, almost invincible, invincible, and the number of soldiers and horses swelled from 5,000 to 20,000. In order to protect the seven counties he newly established, only the elite 10,000 people were retained, and the remaining more than 10,000 people were stationed in the seven counties, and the administrative office of the southern governor of Huiji was located in Houguan (Fuzhou).

Liu Biao laughed a few times and said: "Yun Chang is powerful and powerful, and he is brave and good at fighting. Now it is very feasible to let him go north to help Jiangxia. ”

As he spoke, Liu Biao's eyes fell on Liu Bei and said with a smile: "In this case, there is Lao Yunchang running to Jiangxia." Now Cao Bing is going south, Xuande Yanjiang is in danger, I don't know if I want to go back to Jingkou to sit down? ”

Liu Bei bowed his head slightly, and said: "Today, Jiangzuo Chuke, Bei and Liu Yangzhou have been away from the town for a long time, I am afraid that Cao Cao will go south to Jianghuai, please return for the time being." ”

"Gui Jiang Zuo?"

Liu Biao sighed, looked at Liu Qi again, and hesitated in his heart. Then he glanced at the faces of Kuai Yue, Cai Mao, Zhang Yun and other Jingzhou civil and military officials, and sighed in his heart.

"Bo Wei needs to be encouraged to return to Jiangzuo, and he must protect Jiangzuo."

Liu Biao said: "From now on, the soldiers and horses of the four counties of Jingnan such as Changsha and Wuling will be assembled in preparation for Cao's army to go south to Jingxiang. The six counties of Jiangzuo reorganized their armies and fought and listened to the orders of the lonely army. ”

"No!"

(End of chapter)