Wuhan, Da Sima Mansion.

In the backyard, Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang talked freely in the pond, and the fish in the pond swam and sometimes rippled on the surface of the water.

Liu Bei looked at the fish in the pond and asked casually, "How is Wu Chu recently?" ”

Zhuge Liang stroked the feather fan and said: "The lord forced Cao Cao to retreat, and Wu Chu's people were stable. It is expected that after this time, those who think about Cao should be less! ”

"It's good if people's hearts can be at peace!"

Liu Bei walked to the pavilion, beckoned Zhuge Liang to sit down, and said: "Cao Cao coerced the Son of Heaven to order the princes, unify China, and force Wu Chu." It is normal for southerners to be afraid. Although the two confrontations between Susukou and Xiakou did not defeat Cao Cao, they also had the purpose of raising the prestige of our troops and boosting morale. ”

It cannot be denied that judging from the current strength between Cao and Liu, Liu Bei is still weaker than Cao Cao. And not long after Liu Bei got Wu Chu, all aspects were being integrated.

Although Liu Bei did not win in the overall situation, he achieved the strategic goal of thwarting the enemy's edge in some parts. Since then, every time Cao Cao withdrew his troops, he was actually helping Liu Bei consolidate his foundation in Wu Chu.

Zhuge Liang sat on the couch and said with a smile: "People's hearts are attached, but people want more." At this time, some people say that the lord can take advantage of Cao Cao's troops to retreat and advance to the position of the prince. ”

"Guogong?"

Liu Bei's mind moved slightly, and he said: "Cao Cao is only the prime minister now, how can he become the prince of the country?" If you are alone and worship the country, I am afraid that there will be many criticisms from the corporal in the world. ”

"I don't know what Kong Ming thinks?"

Zhuge Liang poured tea for Liu Bei, and said with a smile: "Why does the lord need to be the same as the Han thief Cao Cao, Liang thinks that the lord is a nobleman of the imperial family, so why not take the throne of the princes and kings." ”

"Princes and kings?"

Liu Bei was stunned, shook his head and said: "Gu Jin is only in charge of Wu Chu, and he is the prince and king, and he lacks merit and prestige, so he will never succeed." And it will make Liu Zhang afraid. ”

Liu Bei, as a monarch, doesn't want to be the emperor. However, Liu Bei is not the brainless man of Yuan Shu, he knows that with his current situation, he is still lacking in merit and fame when he becomes the prince and king.

Zhuge Liang smiled lightly and said: "Liang didn't let the lord enter the princes and kings at this time, but thought that the lord could enter the princes and kings after attacking Yizhou." At that time, the lord held the four states of Yi, Yang, Jing, and Jiao, and if he still governed the government as a great Sima, how could he treat the generals under the account. ”

Liu Bei smiled and said, "Kong Ming's words are known alone. And after the capture of Yizhou, the matter will be discussed. ”

"My lord, what about General Guan's request for the Northern Expedition to Xiangyang?" Zhuge Liang asked.

Liu Bei pondered a little and said: "Now we should take Yizhou and Hefei as the top." The matter of Xiangyang is postponed for the time being. ”

Saying that, Liu Bei seemed to understand something, and said with a smile: "Kong Ming is afraid that Gu Yunyun will go north to Xiangfan, and he will talk about me as a prince." ”

"How dare Liang!" Zhuge Liang said with a smile: "Xiangfan is strong, and it is difficult to overcome non-soldiers." Wu Chu's troops are limited, how can he use troops in three places to defeat the enemy? ”

Guan Yu saw that Zhang Fei defeated Hanzhong, killed Han Sui, surrendered Zhang Lu, and became the general of Zhengdong. And Guan Yu heard that Liu Bei wanted Huo Jun to take Hefei in the north, so his mind was also active, and he asked for the Northern Expedition to Xiangfan.

Liu Bei thought about Bashu and was unwilling to go north to Xiangfan. But because of Guan Yu's request, it is not easy to refute and veto. And Zhuge Liang was worried that Liu Bei would be emotional, so he agreed to Guan Yu's northern expedition to Xiangfan, missing a good opportunity to enter Shu, so that the bamboo basket was empty.

Liu Bei took a sip of tea and said, "Don't allow Yunchang to go on a northern expedition, I'm afraid he will be dissatisfied; Yunyun's long northern expedition is afraid of delaying his entry into Shu. This loneliness is worrying! ”

Zhuge Liang stroked the feather fan and said with a smile: "Lord, Bashu is occluded, and it is not easy to get. Why not let General Guan lead the army to conquer Bashu, thinking that he would make a meritorious career. ”

Liu Bei nodded and said, "Let Yun Chang cut down Shu, or it may be feasible." However, the war in Jiangxia was at the beginning of the peace, and there was no way to take Shu. And let the sergeant rest, observe the changes in the situation, and then discuss Shu. ”

During the meeting, the attendant walked into the pavilion and said, "Lord, Ma Gongcao has arrived in the lobby, please see the lord, and return to the matter of Fei." ”

"Please!"

"No!"

Shaoqing, the gentle and elegant Ma Liang walked into the court, saluted and said: "Liang has worshiped the lord and seen the military advisor." ”

Liu Bei asked the attendant to add a mat and asked, "Ji Chang sent an envoy to Wancheng, can Zhong Miao respond?" ”

Ma Liang sat down on his knees and replied, "Enlighten the lord, General Huo's words can be taken from Hefei." However, he was worried that the number of soldiers and horses was insufficient, so he asked the lord to send troops to help. ”

Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang glanced at each other, showed a look of joy, and said, "Zhong Miao has a request, quick words?" ”

Ma Liang considered it for a while and said: "General Huo said that if the lord has many soldiers, please ask for 30,000 soldiers; If there are few soldiers, call for 25,000 soldiers. Don't send General Xingba and the generals of 10,000 enemies to help, this general will be brave and victorious General Wenchang. ”

As a bridge between Liu Bei and Huo Jun, Ma Liang is undoubtedly outstanding. Huo Jun invited 25,000 soldiers, and after Ma Liang's narration, he was able to win more soldiers and horses for Huo Jun, and did not change the meaning of Huo Jun's words.

Liu Bei pondered a little and said: "30,000 soldiers and horses can be given, but the general of the 10,000 enemies~"

Zhuge Liang stroked the feather fan and said: "Lord, this Zhong Miao is afraid of Zhang Liao's courage and asks the tiger and wolf to control him." ”

"Xingba is the general of the Lonely Water Division and the pioneer of Shu. If Zhong Miao is given today, will it not violate the words of Lone Ying Nuo Xingba. However, this is Zhong Miao's request, which is related to the war in Hefei. Liu Bei said hesitantly.

Zhuge Liang laughed a few times and said: "Xingba is good at water warfare, cutting Hefei, although Xingba is available, it is difficult to show its strengths." In order to look at it brightly, Zhong Miao thought that Hefei might be desirable and wanted to make Xingba go east. ”

Zhuge Liang has been with Huo Jun for a long time, and he can also guess a little bit of Huo Jun's thoughts. Huo Jun and Gan Ning are good friends, and now the generals are thinking about making contributions, and Huo Jun wants to help Gan Ning and let him make contributions.

Liu Bei was not angry at Huo Jun's thoughts. People are not plants and trees, who can be ruthless. What Huo Jun did, as long as it didn't ruin the great cause, everything could be endured.

"Then in Kong Ming's opinion, how should it be?" Liu Bei asked.

Zhuge Liang shook the feather fan lightly and said: "If the lord is willing, let General Zilong lead the army to the east to aid Zhong Miao and help him attack Hefei." He also said that General Xingba was responsible for taking Shu, and it was difficult to go to Hefei. ”

"How can you be reluctant to be lonely, it's all a matter of state!" Liu Bei said: "Who can replace Ran Xingba?" ”

"Nanyang Huang Hansheng can be replaced!"

"Hansheng?"

Liu Bei chattered a few times and said: "When he went down to the left of the river alone, Han Sheng bravely led the three armies, but now seven or eight years have passed. Hansheng is getting old, I don't know if there is still a war? ”

Zhuge Liang stroked his fan and smiled, and said: "The lord doesn't know that although Han Sheng has gray hair, his courage has not diminished back then. Available now, but when? Rong Liang was agitated and asked General Hansheng to ask for his life to fight. ”

"Yes!" Liu Bei stroked his beard and smiled.

"My lord, the envoy of Yizhou, Wang Ti, came to visit and discuss the belonging of Hanzhong." The squire said.

Zhuge Liang stopped the feather fan in his hand and said in a deep voice: "Wang is tired of being a person who is agitated by words, and he should be treated with care." ”

Liu Bei's face was constricted, and he said: "Tomorrow will convene a civil and military meeting, and at that time I will meet with the envoy of Yizhou." ”

"No!"

——

The next day, the Chamber.

Liu Bei sat on the couch, Wenwu sat left and right, Wu was headed by Zhao Yun, Huang Zhong, and Chen Zhi, and Wen was headed by Zhang Zhao, Mi Zhu, Zhuge Liang, and Wang Cang.

Wang Lei entered the hall in Confucian clothes, saw Liu Bei sitting high, saluted and said: "Yizhou envoy Wang Ti, meet Da Sima." ”

"Excuse me!"

Liu Bei's expression was as usual, and he said: "Gong Cao traveled thousands of miles to Wuhan, I don't know what happened? ”

Wang Lei presented the document and said: "Qiqi Da Sima, my lord thanks General Zhang for our army's attack on Hanzhong, and now I am ordered to send an envoy to Wuhan to give a generous gift to thank Da Sima for sending troops." ”

Both the left and right civil and military forces heard the deep meaning of Wang Lei's words, and if Liu Bei accepted Liu Zhang's remuneration at this time, it would mean that the Hanzhong generals conquered by Zhang Fei would be owned by Liu Zhang.

Liu Bei flipped through the documents and said, "Liu Yizhou gave a heavy gift in return, and he was very grateful. ”

"I wonder when Da Sima wants to order General Zhang to withdraw his troops from Hanzhong?" Wang Ti interrupted.

Liu Bei was slightly annoyed in his heart, and said: "Yide is a conquest for Yizhou, and at the beginning of this year, when he went to Hanzhong, did Yizhou mean to cross the river and demolish the bridge?" ”

"Don't dare!"

Wang Ti was neither humble nor arrogant, and said: "My lord has ordered the second prince to rush to Hanzhong to reward the Hanzhong sergeant. In the absence of a military order from the Great Sima, General Zhang can hand over Hanzhong, so he asks this question. ”

"I don't know when Da Sima will hand over Hanzhong with me Yizhou?" Wang asked tiredly.

"Bold!"

Wei Yan got up angrily and said, "Confucianism, Hanzhong was broken by our army, so how can it be owned by you Yizhou?" And dare to persecute my lord now, how dare you not fight with Zhang Lu at that time. ”

Wang Lei stretched out his neck, made a fearless look, and said, "The tired neck is here, please behead the general." ”

"You!"

When Wei Yan saw Wang Ti behaving like this, he was so angry that he couldn't speak, his hand was already on the hilt of the sword, and he wanted to chop Wang Ti with a knife.

Zhuge Liang saw that Wei Yan was moved by murderous intent, and scolded: "Wen Chang retreat!" ”

"Hey!"

Wei Yan's face was indignant, but he let out a long breath.

Wang Lei glanced at Liu Bei and said with a sneer: "The husband is unkind and greedy!" ”

"You~"

Wei Yan's hand rested on the hilt of the sword again.

"Stand down!"

Liu Bei's face turned completely cold, where was Wang Lei scolding Wei Yan, but referring to Sang scolding Huai.

"No!"

Wei Yan saw Liu Bei speak, and sat down with his head sullen.

Zhuge Liang saw that the atmosphere was solemn, eased the atmosphere, and said: "Wang Gongcao, the matter of Hanzhong delivery is not hasty. Cao Cao turned the road into Guanzhong, if he knew that our army was withdrawing from Hanzhong, Cao Cao would send an army south. If Hanzhong is captured by Cao Cao, it will be difficult to regain it. Why don't you wait for Cao Cao to evacuate Guanzhong and then discuss the affairs of Hanzhong. ”

Hearing this, Wang Lei arched his hand and said: "Thank you Mr. Kong Ming for considering my Yizhou, but Hanzhong was attacked by soldiers at the beginning, and the people had nothing to do." My lord has sent the second son to serve as the Taishou of Hanzhong, and I hope that the great Sima will agree. ”

Liu Bei held back his anger and said: "Since Qing said such words, how can Gu disagree, this matter will be discussed by Yide and you in detail." ”

Saying that, Liu Bei returned the generous gift to Wang Lei and said, "Qing can be returned to Chengdu!" ”

"Da Sima?"

In the king's exhaustion and confusion, the left and right attendants led him down the hall.

After Wang Ti left, Zhang Zhao stepped forward to attend and said: "Lord, Hanzhong cannot be abandoned, when Cao Cao is traveling west, send troops to attack Shu, and become a confrontation between the north and the south." ”

Liu Bei, who was very angry by the king, saw Zhang Zhao invite to cut down Bashu, and said in surprise: "Can Qing agree to cut down Shu?" ”

Zhang Zhao's face remained unchanged, and he said: "In the past, Zhao didn't agree to cut down Shu, and he mostly thought about the prestige of the lord. Now Yizhou has been put on guard, and if the handover between Hanzhong is not smooth, Liu Zhang is afraid that he will send troops to expel General Zhang. If you can't get down to Yizhou quickly, you may be taken by Cao Cao. ”

Zhang Zhao is not a corrupt Confucian, and he will also judge the situation. Bashu is the key to Wu Chu, and if Cao Cao is allowed to take it, it will endanger Wu Chu. If you don't take advantage of Cao Cao's westward visit to seize Bashu today, and wait for Cao Cao to calm down Guanxi and seize Shu, it will not be easy to seize Shu at that time.

"Qing's heart, I know it alone!" Liu Bei said with emotion.

Yin Guan pondered for a while and said: "My lord, or it is possible to use the false way to cut down the enemy, and return to Chu in batches to Liu Zhangyan, some of the soldiers and horses will stay in Hanzhong, and one of the soldiers and horses will capture Jiangzhou when they return." When I sent troops to Jingchu, I went up the river, broke the Three Gorges, and joined Jiangzhou. ”

Liu Bei's eyes flickered, and he said: "Send a message to Hanzhong, let General Zhang delay time, and be wary of the Bashu sergeants." When the time comes, discuss Kong Xiu's plan with Bo Yan. ”

"No!"

Seeing the opportunity, Ma Liang stepped forward to attend, and arched his hand and said: "Lord, General Huo said that Cao Cao went away to Guanxi, Jianghuai is empty, Hefei is desirable, today please ask 30,000 soldiers and horses to help, and send two generals to help, in order to Yu Zhang Liao, Li Dian two generals." ”

Zhuge Liang stroked the feather fan and said: "There are 20,000 soldiers and horses in Yide, and there should be no less than 30,000 in the old department of Hehanzhong; Jing Chu sent 30,000 or 40,000 troops, and if the war in Yizhou started, 70,000 soldiers and horses would be enough! ”

"Hefei is the throat of enterprising longevity, and it is necessary to take it. Cao Cao left Guanxi, General Huo wanted to take it, and the lord should be helped, and 30,000 soldiers and horses could be given. Ran Xiao will be two~"

As he spoke, Zhuge Liang paused and said, "General Zilong is powerful in Jiangdong and can be one of the candidates. However, Zhang Liao has always had the courage of ten thousand people, and he is a famous general in China, and the two generals Guan and Zhang cannot be defeated? ”

"General Guan sits in Jiangling and cannot be moved lightly; General Zhang was far away in Hanzhong, and he couldn't move in order to think about Shu. Or choose another general from the Chinese army, and follow General Zilong to benefit Jianghuai. Wang Cang said: "General Zilong can stop Zhang Liao, why not send another fierce general to resist Li Dian." ”

"No!"

Zhuge Liang's face was serious, and he said: "How can you be so light on the enemy, Zhang Liao, Li Dian, and Zhu Guang are all people under Cao Cao's account who can fight well." Now Cao Cao is unprepared, if he can't break through Hefei. When Cao Cao comes back to help, it will be difficult to break Hefei again! ”

Huang Zhong, who was brushing his beard, said dissatisfiedly: "Military advisor, why do you despise us so much? ”

As he spoke, he saw Huang Zhong standing up, he was more than eight feet tall and had a burly physique, which should be the physique of a fierce general. However, it is a pity that the sideburns are slightly gray, and it is not difficult to question whether it can still fight!

"Although I am not talented, I am willing to work with General Zilong, benefit the Jianghuai, and help General Huo break the enemy."

Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang smiled when they saw Huang Zhong taking the initiative to ask for battle.

Liu Bei shook his head and said: "When the soldiers went down to Jiangdong, Han Sheng bravely crowned the three armies, beheaded the generals and captured the flag, showing the majesty of the tiger generals. However, it has been seven or eight years, the lonely white hair, and Qing is nearly sixty years old, how can he talk about breaking the enemy? ”

"I'm afraid it's not Zhang Liao and Li Dian's opponents!" Zhuge Liang added.

Huang Zhong was angry, and arched his hand and said: "Please take two heavy bows to the lord!" ”

"Accurate!"

After a while, the attendant went to the hall with two heavy bows, and Huang Zhong took the heavy bow and bowed it to Liu Bei.

Then, Huang Zhong merged the two heavy bows, pulling the string with his right hand and opening the bow with his left hand. Taking a deep breath, Huang Zhong exerted his strength violently, pulling the two bows apart at the same time, and the bowstrings tightened.

"Broken!"

Huang Zhong's arms muscles bulged, his temples bulged, and his face turned red. With two clicks, under the huge force, the bowstring of the heavy bow was completely broken by Huang Zhong's bare hands.

Seeing Huang Zhong so brave, everyone present gasped.

"Lord, do you think Hansheng can be used?" Zhuge Liang asked.

Liu Bei grabbed his scarce beard and said with a smile: "The courage is not reduced back then, and the loneliness is worry-free!" ”

Huang Zhong wiped his sweat and arched his hand and said: "Lord and military advisor, if you still don't believe it, Zhong can get on the horse and let Wen Chang fight with me." ”

Liu Bei looked at Wei Yan, but saw Wei Yan sighing sideways, and was very ashamed. Obviously, Wei Yan, a young man, was also defeated by Huang Zhong.

"Haha!"

Liu Bei got up from the couch and said with a smile: "Hansheng is a lonely and honest man, how can you not believe it now!" ”

"Someone!"

Liu Bei said in a deep voice: "Where are Zhao Yun, Huang Zhong, Hao Pu, and He Qi?" ”

"The last general!"

The four generals marched in unison and obeyed orders.

"The four of you alone led 30,000 troops, benefited the Jiangbei, and were controlled by the general of the expedition."

"Come on, give Huo Zheng the Northern Holiday Festival, and supervise the Jianghuai military."

"No!"

There is one more chapter in the evening

(End of chapter)