Chapter 39 Liu Bei went to Xiling to reward his troops!

Chapter 039: Liu Bei goes to Xiling to reward his troops!

"Cao Zixiao was defeated in Xiling? How is this possible?!"

"Cao Ren is Cao's trusted general. He followed Cao to fight in the Central Plains and conquer Hebei. He defeated Yuan Shu, attacked Tao Qian, captured Lu Bu, defeated Liu Bei, and defeated Yuan Benchu ​​in the Battle of Guandu! How could such a famous general be defeated by a small Xiling?!"

"Thirty thousand troops! That's the thirty thousand troops Cao Cao has stationed in Jiangling, while Xiling only has a few thousand men. Even if that thief general has the courage of Lu Bu, can he really defeat ten thousand people?"

Inside the main hall of Dongwu, all the civil and military officials of Jiangdong gathered together, arguing and making endless noise.

Cao Ren's 30,000-strong army attacked Xiling, but was defeated and fled!
The entire Jiangdong temple was instantly shaken, and the Jiangdong officials could hardly believe their ears.

They were Cao Ren and Cao Zixiao, famous generals who had followed Cao Cao in his campaigns to the east and west, defeated all the princes in the Central Plains and Hebei, and made many military achievements!
That was the "Heavenly General" who had burned 800,000 Cao troops and made even the famous Jiangdong Grand Commander Zhou Yu lose!
Now it has fallen so easily in Xiling, in that inconspicuous little town?
Fell into the hands of that unknown thief general?
"Jiangdong's spies in Xiling have sent back three batches of news..." The veteran Cheng Pu's low voice rang out, and in an instant, all the noise in the hall was suppressed.

"The news is true. Cao Ren's 30,000-man army was indeed defeated at the gates of Xiling City."

"Not only that, even Cao Ren himself was captured alive by that thief general in front of the battle line!"

Cheng Pu's voice was full of complexity...

A strong army of 30,000 versus several thousand weak soldiers was a dead end no matter how you looked at it. However, this old friend from Shentingling actually turned the tide of the battle and defeated an army of 30,000 with only a few thousand soldiers.

He even captured the famous Cao Ren alive on the battlefield. How heroic!
That year at Shenting Ridge, it was indeed deserved that his group was defeated.

The entire hall returned to its previous silence.

With the endorsement of veteran General Cheng Pu, everyone fell silent. That is to say, all the information about Xiling was true. Cao Ren's 30,000-strong army was really defeated at the gate of Xiling, and even Cao Ren himself did not escape.

That Xiling bandit general was not only so brave, but also well versed in military formations and skilled in leading troops in battle? Who on earth was he?!
Who is he? !
After the major case, Sun Quan was in a daze, and he was also thinking about this question.

"Lord!"

Just at this moment, a voice outside the hall interrupted Sun Quan's struggle.

An official hurried up to the palace and said, "My lord, there is a letter from Lu Xun from Xiling that has been delivered to you."

Lu Boyan’s letter?
Sun Quan was startled: "Show it up."

Immediately, a waiter took a brocade bag from the official and held it in front of Sun Quan.

Sun Quan took out a piece of silk and looked at it.

After a long while, Sun Quan put down the silk and said, "The letter said that Xiling wants to do another business with Jiangdong."

"They are willing to exchange the 5,000 Cao soldiers captured in the Battle of Xiling for 5,000 Shanyue soldiers from Jiangdong. What do you think?"

"My lord! You absolutely cannot do that!" Zhang Zhao, the chief historian of Jiangdong, stood up tremblingly. "The population of Jiangdong is insufficient, so since the time of General Bofu, we have decided to recruit Shanyue people to supplement the population of Jiangdong."

"In order to increase the population of Jiangdong, all the sons of Jiangdong noble families have sacrificed their lives and shed their blood to fight the Shanyue people to death. However, the number of Shanyue people we gain each year is only tens of thousands."

"Last time, Xiling claimed to exchange Gan Xingba for 5,000 Shanyue. However, the 5,000 Shanyue have been handed over to Xiling, and General Gan has not returned to Jiangdong. Now Xiling wants to exchange for 5,000 Shanyue again?"

The more Zhang Zhao spoke, the more angry he became: "We conquered Shanyue in order to consolidate the foundation of Jiangdong! Xiling wanted Jiangdong as a means of expending its resources to resist Cao Cao!"

"How can we use the foundation of Jiangdong to serve as Xiling's human shield?!"

Zhang Zhao spoke passionately and with a heart full of indignation.

Sun Quan, sitting on the throne, was watching coldly. Taking Shanyue to enrich Jiangdong was indeed the fundamental strategy for Jiangdong set by his brother. Every time Shanyue was conquered, these Jiangdong aristocratic children would indeed rush to the front.

However, every time these Jiangdong nobles captured Shanyue, they only handed over 30% out of 10 to the Jiangdong government, and kept the remaining 70% for themselves.

The Shanyue people in Jiangdong, the noble families took 70% and gave 30% to Jiangdong, do I, the Marquis of Jiangdong Wu, need to thank them? !
Now a large number of Shanyue were exchanged for Xiling. Even though Xiling also exchanged 5,000 Cao army prisoners, the Jiangdong nobles had no reason to take possession of these prisoners. This was clearly an infringement of the interests of the Jiangdong nobles.

As the leader of the Jiangdong aristocratic family, Zhang Zhao was naturally unwilling.

"Otherwise, Mr. Zibu's words are absurd!" Lu Su refuted Zhang Zhao without hesitation, and stood up and bowed to Sun Quan: "My lord, I think Jiangdong should be replaced!"

"The Shanyue people are violent and extremely difficult to control, but Cao's captives are different. They are originally from the Central Plains, and they understand farming and warfare, so they can be of great use."

"This matter is beneficial to us and has no harm, so why can't we change it?"

"Lu Zijing is short-sighted!" Gu Yong, the left Sima of Wu Hou and the head of Jiangdong Gu family, said gloomily, "The Xiling bandit defeated Cao Ren's 30,000 troops and captured Cao Ren alive."

"That Cao Zixiao is Prime Minister Cao's cousin, and also Prime Minister Cao's trusted and beloved general. How could Prime Minister Cao forgive the Xiling thief who caused such a horrible disaster?"

"If Jiangdong dares to exchange Shanyue for Cao's prisoners again, it will surely provoke Prime Minister Cao's wrath."

"Lu Zijing! Are you really willing to lead Prime Minister Cao to a second southern expedition?!"

Gu Yong saluted to Sun Quan with great sorrow and anguish: "My lord, who can guarantee that Jiangdong can win the Battle of Red Cliffs again? Jiangdong's three generations of foundation must not be neglected!"

Just as Lu Su was about to retort, he saw a man slowly stand up and said, "How could Jiangdong have offended Cao Cao just today?"

Everyone looked over and saw that it was Zhuge Kongming's brother who was speaking. Zhuge Jin said in a gentle voice, "At the Red Cliff, we in Jiangdong burned Cao Cao's army of 800,000 men. We are not afraid of offending him."

"Outside Jiangling City, Grand Commander Zhou Yu fiercely attacked and fought Cao Ren, not afraid of offending him."

"Now Jiangdong is just exchanging Cao Jun prisoners with Shanyue and Xiling, why are they afraid of Cao?"

"The deal with Xiling can benefit Jiangdong while hurting Cao Cao. Gentlemen, why not do it?!"

Just to exchange five thousand Shanyue with Liu Wu, the huge Jiangdong government was now clearly divided into two factions.

Sitting on the throne, Sun Quan had already seen everything.

In a trance, the scene before my eyes returned to the scene before the Battle of Red Cliff, when there was fighting and disputes in the Jiangdong court.

As the lord of Jiangdong, don't you know which side is more in line with the interests of the lord of Jiangdong?

"As the old saying goes: If the lips are gone, the teeth will be cold." Sun Quan's eyes were cold: "Zi Jing..."

Lu Su: "I am here!"

Sun Quan said in a low voice: "I have said before that the affairs of Jiangdong and Xiling are all under your disposal!"

"I want you to take another 5,000 Shanyue to Xiling to exchange for Cao's prisoners."

"That Xiling thief is not afraid of Cao Cao, how can I, the dignified Marquis of Wu, be less courageous than a thief?!"

...After a dispute in the Wu Hou Mansion, Sun Quan finally made the final decision.

The civil and military officials dispersed one after another. Zhuge Jin said goodbye to his colleagues and drove back to his palace.

In the study room of Zhuge's residence, Zhuge Jin paced with his hands behind his back, still thinking about the scenes that happened in the main hall of Wu Hou Mansion.

It seems that the civil and military officials of Jiangdong were arguing over whether to exchange Shanyue with Xiling. In fact, it was another clash between the Jiangdong family and the Wuhou family!

Just like the dispute between the surrender and war factions before the Battle of Chibi.

I thought the dispute between the two factions had long since died out with the fire at Red Cliff, but I never thought it would revive today?!
The one who caused this fight was actually the Xiling bandit general.

Thinking of this, even Zhuge Jin couldn't help but be amazed at Liu Wu, whom he had never met before.

First he captured the princess, plundered Lu Xun, and arrested Gan Ning!
Later, he even dared to negotiate with the Marquis of Wu, and forced the Marquis of Wu to willingly take away a large number of Shanyue for him.

Now, with only a few thousand weak troops, they defeated Cao Ren's army of 30,000 and even captured the main general Cao Ren alive on the battlefield!
Even so, he was able to use the name of exchanging Shanyue across the Yangtze River to almost cause the Jiangdong nobles and the Wu Hou to have another fight for power.
Although this person's origins are unknown, looking at his actions, he is extremely daring and unconventional!
But he managed to accomplish everything.

It is said that this Xiling bandit general is a brave and valiant general. Judging from this, he is by no means a reckless warrior, but a man full of talents. He is truly a rare hero in the world!
Wow~
Zhuge Jin turned around abruptly and grabbed a piece of snow-white silk. He wanted to write a letter.

He wanted to write a letter to his second brother, Zhuge Liang!

In these years, although the two brothers were in Jingxiang and Jiangdong respectively, they kept exchanging letters, commenting on the heroes and celebrities of the world, which was very enjoyable for them.

Now that Zhuge Jin had discovered that he had found another hero, he subconsciously wanted to write a letter to Zhuge Liang, wanting to inform his brother of the specific circumstances of the Battle of Xiling.

"My dear brother Kong Ming, as you say..."

Zhuge Jin just raised his hand and wrote a line, then suddenly stopped writing.

The matter of this Xiling bandit general involves Jiangdong's secrets. If I reveal it to my second brother, wouldn't I be suspected of betraying my master?
Zhuge Jin thought for a long time, and finally picked up the silk cloth and handed it under the candle to burn it to ashes.

He sighed softly: "Each of them serves his own master..."

……

Jiangling, the lobby of the county magistrate's office.

"Absolutely impossible! That's Cao Ren. Even though I, Zhang Fei, look down on this thief Cao's cousin, this guy is indeed quite capable." Zhang Fei's rough voice echoed in the hall.

"Besides, he has 30,000 soldiers under his command! Wouldn't it be easy for him to capture a small Xiling?"

When Liu Bei captured Xuzhou for the second time, Zhang Fei suffered a great loss at the hands of Cao Ren, which was still fresh in his memory. Now he suddenly learned that the small Xiling had caused Cao Ren to suffer a bloody defeat. Naturally, Zhang Yide refused to believe it no matter what.

"What my third brother said is very true. Jiangdong has only recently captured Xiling City, and there may not be too many soldiers stationed there. No matter what, they cannot stop Cao Ren's 30,000-strong army." Guan Yu also nodded, agreeing with Zhang Fei's statement.

"As for Cao Ren being captured in front of the battlefield... even if Lü Fengxian were still alive, I don't believe he could capture the commander alive among an army of 30,000!"

Facing the doubts of Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, Zhao Yun smiled helplessly: "This news does sound incredible, but I got it personally, so it should be true."

Zhang Fei was about to say something, but Liu Bei interrupted him: "Zilong is an honest gentleman. I believe what Zilong says."

"My lord, you have occupied Jiangling for a day and a night, but you still haven't seen Cao Ren lead his troops back." Zhuge Liang waved his feather fan and said, "I'm afraid that the Xiling army defeated Cao's 30,000 troops, and the Xiling commander captured Cao Ren alive. This may not be a rumor!

After getting the recognition from Kong Ming, Liu Bei became more and more curious about the commander of Xiling.

He stood up and muttered to himself, "He defeated the 30,000-man army in Jiangling and captured Cao Ren alive on the battlefield. When did Jiangdong produce such a powerful general?"

"If it weren't for this person, we don't know when we can get Jiangling... I really hate that I can't meet this person!"

This kind of powerful general is even better than the former Wenhou Lu Bu.

The only generals I have available now are Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Zhao Yun, and Huang Zhong. If I can get this guy's help...

Liu Bei's lips suddenly felt dry, and he stood up abruptly: "Zilong, prepare pigs, sheep and fine wine, and follow me across the river!"

Pig, sheep and wine?

Cross the river?

Guan, Zhang, Zhao Yun and Zhuge Liang looked at Liu Bei with confusion on their faces.

Liu Bei said confidently: "Jiangdong and I are allies. Now that Jiangdong has defeated Cao's army in Xiling and captured Cao Ren alive, how can I not reward the three armies?"

……

On the river, dozens of boats loaded with wine and meat to reward the soldiers formed a fleet and sailed downstream towards Xiling.

This time, Liu Bei spent a lot of money to reward the troops with wine and meat.

But it's worth it just to meet the Xiling garrison commander!

Liu Xuande was known throughout the world as a virtuous and righteous man, and his reputation spread throughout the thirteen states of the Han Dynasty. Even in Jiangdong, there were countless people who admired his name.

Presumably, the Jiangling defender must have heard of Liu Xuande's great name before, and it must have been so well-known that it was almost a household name!

Liu Xuande was confident that as long as he met the Xiling garrison commander, he would be able to make him fall in love with him at first sight and feel that they had met too late!
Jiangling and Xiling are not far from each other, so you can go there more often in the future.

Maybe he would have another helper around him, just like Kong Ming who was loyal to him, and just like Guan Yu and Zhang Fei who were loyal to him, but the one who felt the greatest sense of accomplishment was still Zhao Zilong.

Zhao Zilong was the one Liu Bei borrowed from Gongsun Zan. It might be possible for him to use the same trick on the commander of Xiling!
Liu Bei looked at Zhao Zilong, who was holding a sword and a gun beside him, and he breathed a sigh of relief. He recalled the old things before the Battle of Chibi...

At that time, Kong Ming was in Jiangdong, acting as the middleman for the alliance between Sun and Liu to defeat Cao. He had been gone for several days without any news. He was worried about Kong Ming's safety, and had no idea how the defeat of Cao was going.

In a hurry, he was escorted by Yunchang and crossed the river to entertain the troops with wine and meat as usual. Unexpectedly, Zhou Yu wanted to kill him during the banquet. Fortunately, he was protected by Yunchang and returned to Jingzhou safely.

This time, I had already found out clearly that Zhou Gongjin was still in Jianye, and the one guarding Xiling was definitely not Zhou Gongjin.

With Zhao Yun's protection, there is nothing to worry about!
If I could make peace with the Xiling garrison commander this time...

Cao Cao has five outstanding generals under his command. If he can get the commander of Xiling, he can form a "Five Tiger Generals" with Yunchang, Yide, Zilong and Hansheng.

We will definitely be able to defeat Cao Cao's five best generals!
The more Liu Bei thought about it, the more excited he became. He couldn't help but shout, "Zilong, make the boat go faster!"

"Don't delay my visit to the wise general!"

(End of this chapter)