Chapter 273 – Liu Bei Gathers at Yangzhou (1/2)

Liu Bei Gathers at Yangzhou

Liu Bei had really gained a big advantage. He had a total of fifty thousand soldiers. Aside from five thousand navy, he had forty-five thousand soldiers. Ten thousand soldiers were left behind at Runan. He was afraid that Cao Ren who was left behind by Cao Cao would strike him from the back. The remaining thirty-five thousand people were all sent out. The warriors were Zhang Fei, Chen Dao and Liu Pi. Although Liu Pi was weak in comparison, he was still a second cla.s.s general. Zhang Fei and Chen Dao were both first cla.s.s generals.

All the advisors besides Sun Gan was also taken by Liu Bei. Jian Yong was responsible for the transport of provisions. Pang Tong was the military advisor. Both of them cooperated for a splendid formation.

“Liu Bei has dispatched his soldiers?” Xu Shu learned about this information and knitted his eyebrows. Not only did Zhang Xiu’s banner appeared around Guangzhou. Even Liu Bei’s soldiers have appeared. On top of that, the number of intelligence officers sacrificed for this information showed that Liu Bei brough several tens of thousands of soldiers this time.

This is terrible. At Shouchun, Xu Shu only has fifty thousand people. However, these fifty thousand people cannot do field operations. These are soldiers recruited after the 1.2 million people arrived. Defending the city was still possible but they were only recruits for field operations. On top of that, Shouchun does not have a lot of weapons or armor. It was already a lot for half of them to be wearing the navy soldier’s armor.

It would now be difficult as Liu Bei and Zhang Xiu has cooperated. Zhang Xiu has cavalries. Although he could wreak havoc for a while, he cannot siege if they simply closed the gates. However, it was different now that Liu Bei had brought foot soldiers. It was enough to plunder the city.

“Seems as though Marquis wen is requesting reinforcements.” Xu Shu commanded a soldier. Right now, he could only ask for reinforcements. However, he was not completely helpless. “Have Zhang Rui and Deng Yi take two twenty thousand soldiers each to guard Hefei and Lujiang. Tell them to focus on defense. They must not go out and fight!”

“Take twenty thousand soldiers each?” The general at the side could not understand. “Military advisor. What about you?” Shouchun only had fifty thousand soldiers. If they each took twenty thousand soldiers, Shouchun would only be left with ten thousand soldiers. How could Shouchun be protected?

“Haha. I do not need to worry!” Xu Shu smiled. If Lujiang and Hefei were captured, Shouchun would become exposed and dangerous to defend. A battle need not be fought. A direct siege would be enough to pin down and kill Xu Shu. After all, there is a shortage of forage in Shouchun. However, if Hefei and Lujiang was not captured, Liu Bei would not dare to enter Shouchun’s hinterland. This is because Liu Bei and Zhang Xiu’s supplies would be exposed to the Lu Bu’s Army. There are also no provisions at Shouchun to supplement Liu Bei and Zhang Xiu. If they wanted military rations, they would need to bring their own food. It would not be safe for the transport of supplies if they could not capture Lujiang and Hefei.

He believed that Marquis Wen would not be indifferent to Shouchun. Once there is a problem with Liu Bei and Zhang Xiu’s supplies, they would have no choice but to retreat.

Xu Shu had kept ten thousand soldiers as a precaution. Cavalries are very fast. If Zhang Xiu had really sent the cavalry to raid the city, Xu Shu would need some soldiers.

Ten thousand soldiers would not be enough to defend the city. However, there was a million of common people in it. It would be enough to use them to guard the city.

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Zhang Xiu’s Xiliang armored cavalry and Liu Mang’s forty thousand soldiers would meet at Guangzhou. Liu Bei would be delivering supplies from the back.

“Left General. Lord Xuande. What is the purpose of your arrival?” Although Zhang Xiu and Liu Bei had dealings with each other, it has only been through letters. They had never met face to face before. This time, both sides had personally took out their armies to do battle.

“General Zhang. I came here this time to help the general seek justice. Originally, that sixteen thousand gold was a gift for the general, in admiration of general fighting back against Traitor Cao. Who would have expected it to be stolen by that Slave of Three Surnames. General has sent a messenger to contact him but he insulted you and killed the messenger. This one is prepared to help general to seek justice.” Liu Bei spoke righteously as though he was a saint wanting to help Zhang Xiu obtain justice.

“Seek justice?” Zhang Xiu was not a fool. He secretly sneered when he heard Liu Bei’s words. “If this is the case, Left General, please go back! Although weak, I am able to obtain justice on my own. I will not bother the Left General!”

“This is…!” Liu Bei and Zhang Xiu acted politely. However, Zhang Xiu did not accept, causing Liu Bei’s expression to change, looking without appreciation.

“Zhang Xiu. How dare you speak to my brother like that!” Zhang Fei who was at the side looked dissatisfied. He took his Serpent Blade and pointed it at Zhang Xiu.

“Who dares to hurt Milord!” By Zhang Xiu’s side was a valiant general that looked as powerful as Zhang Fei. He held a pair of iron hammers with formidable strength. He knocked it together, giving out a buzzing sound. The sound proved that the hammers were not hollow but solid. Each hammer weigh no less than one hundred pounds.

“Hu Che Er. Move aside. Otherwise, don’t blame Zhang Fei’s Serpent Blade for being unable to recognize people!” The man Zhang Fei saw was Hu Che Er, one of Zhang Xiu’s subordinate that has accompanied him drinking. The people that would easily make friends are the people with a common interest. Both Zhang Fei and Hu Che Er loved drinking. When two drinkers meet, it would become difficult to separate.

“Black Face Zhang! You are the one that should step aside. If you disrespect Milord anymore, do not blame me for feeding you the hammer!” Hu Che Er was not Han. He was Qiang. He had followed Zhang Xiu from an early age. It could be said that Zhang Xiu was as much as his brother when compared to Zhang Fei and Liu Bei. He had good opinion of Zhang Fei and the two became friends after drinking. But friends are nothing in front of his lord. After all, he had already killed one of his old friend, Dian Wei.

As Zhang Fei and Hu Che Er confronted each other, Liu Bei and Zhang Xiu were also glaring at each other. The smell of hostility was strong.

“Milord. General Zhang. Allow this Pang Tong to say something!” Pang Tong interrupted.

“There is no harm for s.h.i.+ Yuan to speak.”

“There is no harm for you to speak.”

“General Zhang. Bright people do not speak secretive words. This time, our purpose here is the same as yours!” Pang Tong said.

“Oh? Is that so? Is the Left General also here to discuss about the sixteen thousand gold?” Zhang Xiu spoke with ridicule. It was understandable for Zhang Xiu. Before leaving for the expedition, he had spoken with Jia Xu. After killing Cao Cao’s son, Jia Xu does not speak unless asked by Zhang Xiu. Jia Xu was a lifesaver. He had also told Zhang Xiu that the sixteen thousand gold was taken by Liu Bei, not Lu Bu.

The gold was initially given to Zhang Xiu by Liu Bei. If Liu Bei took it back, it meant that Liu Bei did not give the gold at all. It is entirely an excuse to provoke a battle between Zhang Xiu and Lu Bu.