Chapter 387 (1/2)

“Liu Mang Liu Hanyang!” Lu Bu was about to go crazy. His daughter had caused him no end of worries when she pulled her stunt during the Shouchun Campaign. She dared to rush to the battlefield. Fortunately she had no sense of direction or the consequences would be worse.

Yet, she was not as worrying as his son-in-law who had prepared to go to Jingzhou. Did Liu Mang not know that going to Jingzhou was turning himself into a hostage? Once he is there, his safety could no longer be guaranteed. “How was I so blind to choose such a son-in-law?” Lu Bu said in a moment of anger. The more he treasured his son, the stronger the hate.

“Milord, there is no need to be so worried. As long as our army still exists, Liu Biao would not dare to touch a single hair on Hanyang!” Although Chen Gong placated Lu Bu, his worry was actually greater. Yet, he could not do anything as the lack of provisions in Yangzhou would not only be the end of Yangzhou but Lujiang would also eventually follow. Although Liu Mang had placed himself in danger, it was also the only route left for survival. The only ones left that could sell provisions were Cao Cao and Liu Biao. Even if Cao Cao were to sell provisions, they would need a long time to transport the provisions due to the long distance between Hebei and Yangzhou. As for Jingzhou, they would only need two days.

Lu Bu sighed. He definitely understood Liu Mang’s thoughts. Although all of this happened because of the recruitment order, Lu Bu was also responsible. As a Lord, not only was he unable to solve this problem but his own son-in-law even needed to take such risks. This made Lu Bu feel extremely frustrated. Although Lu Bu was worried about Liu Mang, he knew that his army needed to be more powerful to ensure Liu Mang’s safety.

“Where are Hanyang’s White Horses?” Lu Bu asked after reaching the halls.

“Based on the time, they should already be at Guangzhou!” Chen Gong replied. Liu Mang’s White Horses had three thousand men and six thousand horses. That was why they could travel so quickly. They had also already set off by the time Chen Gong received the message.

“Gongtai. Help me count the remaining Wolf Cavalry and see who wants to go to Guangzhou!”

“Milord?” Chen Gong looked at Lu Bu suspiciously.

Lu BU then laughed as he faced Chen Gong. “I cannot accompany him to Jingzhou but how can the Wolf Cavalry be missing when cleaning up Liu Bei?” Liu Bei and Lu Bu had been enemies from the start. They had fought at Hulao Xuzhou and then Yangzhou. Liu Bei’s alliance with Cao Cao had almost killed Lu Bu. Lu Bu then finally struck back by killing Liu Bei’s White Eared Soldiers and Chen Dao. Liu Bei had also killed an envoy of the Lu Bu’s Army. War was about to begin again.

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“Ge Jun, Zhang Hu! What do you think of this?” Zhang Liao’s Army received this news after leaving for Linhuai. Zhang Liao and the others had stopped advancing for a while as they, the soldiers on the frontlines would need provisions. However, the White Horses which were supposed to transport their provisions had now gone to Nanyang, slowing down the transportation of provisions.

Zhang Liao, Ge Jun and Zhang Hu had received this news from a messenger from Shouchun, who informed them of the circ.u.mstances.

“General!” Zhang Hu and Ge Jun shared a glance and saw amazement in the other’s eyes. This is because Liu Mang had personally gone on a diplomatic mission to buy provision. They also heard about the envoy being killed by Liu Bei and Liu Mang taking the three thousand White Horses with him to Jingzhou.

These were important matters. Besides the obvious danger to Liu Mang, the White Horses were just being established.

They of the Xiliang Cavalry clearly knew the strength of the other Xiliang Cavalry left behind at Nanyang. Although Hu Che Er was strong, he was more skilled at leading the cavalry. Three thousand light cavalry fighting against eight thousand heavy cavalry was definitely suicidal.

“General, let us go back and regroup!” Zhang Hu suggested. Ge Jun had the same opinion. The two of them had worked together long enough for them to know each other’s thoughts. “Without troops, Milord’s expedition would not go well. Although the three thousand White Horses may be elites, they would not be a match for Hu Che Er. Even if they were to add in the Urban Army, they would only be evenly matched. At Nanyang, aside from the eight thousand Xiliang Cavalry, they also have thirty thousand men. Milord would only be able to take Nanyang if we and the Black Flag Army were to join up with him.” Zhang Hu wanted to say that Liu Mang did not have many troops and they should all join up with him to allow Liu Mang to capture Nanyang.

“Turn back and regroup?” Zhang Liao looked at the two with disdain. The Xiliang Cavalry have truly declined which was not surprising considering their short sighted leaders. Zhang Hu and Ge Jun were just common generals. Although they could execute their orders, they cannot think of strategies. However, these has its benefits. At the very least, the two would be obedient. Although Zhang Liao had disdain for them, he kept those feelings in his heart. He merely asked them to collect opinions.

“We cannot regroup and must quickly take Linhuai!” Zhang Liao declared to the two generals without hesitation.

“What?” Ge Jun and Zhang Hu were shocked. “But at that rate Milord will be defeated!”