Chapter 43: Conquer Jiangling and capture Liu Bei alive!!!
Chapter 043: Conquer Jiangling and capture Liu Bei alive!!!
Xiling City.

"The twelve generals of Jiangdong asked me to tell the lord that they said..." Lu Xun stood in front of Liu Wu and looked at his lord carefully: "The twelve old friends from Shentingling in the past have come to visit the lord."

Lu Xun originally thought that the twelve generals of Jiangdong came to Xiling because his uncle asked them to take him back. He did not expect that these old generals of Jiangdong actually came to see their lord.

Twelve old friends from Shentingling.

Lu Xun knew about Shenting Ridge. When Sun Bofu, the former ruler of Jiangdong, conquered Qu'a, he met Taishi Ci at Shenting Ridge in Qu'a.

But what about this old friend?

Could it be that my lord and the Twelve Generals of Jiangdong are old acquaintances?
Could it be that the lord has been to Jiangdong?
Lu Xun's heart was full of doubts...

Behind the main seat, Liu Wu said calmly: "The war is about to begin, how can I have the leisure to reminisce with them?"

"Tell them that Cao Cao's army is about to arrive at Xiling. If they are willing to help Xiling defend the city, I will meet them."

"If you don't want me to see you, I won't see you."

Let the twelve generals help Xiling defend the city?
How can this be?

Lawrence Lu was stunned when he heard this, but he still cupped his hands: “Lawson Lu understands.”

Outside Xiling City, the twelve generals of Jiangdong gathered with Lu Su.

Lu Su was still trying to persuade them: "General Cheng, General Huang... Generals, you are all great generals in the army. Now that you have all left the barracks without permission, I am afraid it will be difficult to explain to the Marquis of Wu."

"Su thinks it would be best for all the generals to return to Jiangdong first."

Although Lu Su was not clear about it, the twelve generals called the Xiling bandit general "old friend" and wondered what the relationship between the two sides was.

But there is one thing that Lu Su is very clear about, the relationship between this Xiling bandit general and Jiangdong is still unclear, whether they are enemies or friends.

As a result, the twelve generals of Jiangdong secretly met with the bandit general of Xiling without the knowledge of Marquis Wu. Once the news leaked out, it would be a huge taboo in Marquis Wu's heart. He was afraid that Lu Zijing would also be in trouble.

Huang Gai was about to say something when suddenly a figure came from the city gate. It was Lu Xun.

The twelve generals of Jiangdong were greatly encouraged and surrounded them in an instant.

Huang Gai grabbed Lu Xun's sleeve and said, "Bo Yan, what's the matter? Does the Xiling garrison commander want to see us, his old friend?"

Lu Xun sighed: "My lord, I have something to say..."

"Cao Cao's army is about to arrive at Xiling. If you are willing to help Xiling defend the city, my master will see you. If not, my master will not see you!"

"Now that the war is about to begin, my master really has no time to reminisce with you."

Help him defend the city against Cao Cao, and this person is willing to see us?
The twelve generals of Jiangdong present were all stunned.

No one in the crowd is a fool. Cao Cao's army is approaching. How could they not know what it means to help Xiling defend the city at this time?
However, after the battle at Shentingling that year, this brave young general had become a thorn in their side. Over the years, none of them had given up the idea of ​​seeing this old friend again.

If I don't meet him today, and if I offend him, I'm afraid he will be even more unwilling to meet me and others in the future.

"Haha, the defender in Xiling City is quite scheming." A burst of cold laughter interrupted everyone's thoughts.

The generals turned their heads to look. Lu Su came striding over and stared at Lu Xun. "If the twelve generals of Jiangdong defend the city and resist Cao, what is the difference between that and Jiangdong personally going out to fight Cao Cao?"

"Xi Ling first kidnapped my princess and the sons of noble families, and then took my Jiangdong generals hostage. Jiangdong, regardless of past grudges, handed over 10,000 Shanyue to Xi Ling to help Xi Ling defeat Cao! Now Xi Ling is plotting against my Jiangdong generals. This is too unkind."

Lu Su never expected that he was only escorting the Shanyue to Xiling this time, but the Twelve Generals of Jiangdong secretly left Jiangdong and followed him to Xiling.

Now, this damned Xiling thief was actually poaching Jiangdong's wall right in front of him. Lu Su simply couldn't imagine...

What if these twelve generals really agreed to the request of the Xiling bandit general and stayed in Xiling to defend the city, and if that really angered Cao Cao, and he abandoned Xiling and attacked Jiangdong at all costs, how would Jiangdong deal with it?

Thinking of this, Lu Su's back was already soaked.

"Mr. Zijing, you are overstating the matter." Lu Xun smiled faintly. At this moment, he was no longer the son of the Jiangdong family, but the first strategist under the Xiling garrison commander: "My master has never forced you generals to stay and defend the city. This is just a matter of mutual consent."

"If you are willing, my lord can come and see me. If not, please do as you please."

Lu Su was really afraid that these veterans would make mistakes: "Generals, if you help Xiling defend the city, it means that Jiangdong will personally fight against Cao Cao. I am afraid that Jiangdong will have to go through another war!"

"Gentlemen, how can you sacrifice the public interest for the sake of personal interests?"

The twelve generals shook their heads helplessly. Cheng Pu sighed to Lu Xun, "How could we not understand your master's intention?"

"But as Lu Zijing said, we have received great favors from three generations of Jiangdong and have enjoyed official positions in Jiangdong. How can we sacrifice public interests for personal gain? Bo Yan, we will take our leave now."

After saying that, the group of twelve people actually turned around and left.

Although the Twelve Generals of Jiangdong wanted to see their old friend from Shentingling, they were unwilling to exchange Jiangdong's interests for their own.

In their hearts, the interests of Jiangdong always come first.

pity……

Veteran generals such as Huang Gai, Cheng Pu, and Han Dang could not help but stop and turn around to look towards Xiling City again.

They have been searching for this old friend from Shenting Ridge for years but to no avail. Today they finally arrived outside the city where this old friend was, but still could not meet him.

I'm afraid that the regret that happened at Shentingling back then will become a lifelong regret.

Everyone turned around silently, and eventually left Xiling City...

Seeing that the twelve generals had finally woken up, Lu Su breathed a sigh of relief, glanced at Lu Xun coldly, and turned away.

Lu Xun flicked his sleeves meaninglessly and turned to go into the city. The reaction of the Twelve Generals of Jiangdong did not exceed his expectations. He even felt that the conditions proposed by his lord were simply to make the other party retreat.

As long as these veterans are not completely confused, they will never agree to this condition.

While Lu Xun was thinking, he had already entered Xiling City, passed through the military camp and arrived at the central army tent.

"kill!"

"kill!"

"kill!!"

The sound of shouting and killing was deafening on the parade ground. Among the densely packed Shanyue recruits, some of them could now be said to be in neat formation and obeying orders.

Of the first batch of 5,000 Shanyue sent from Jiangdong, 2,000 died while resisting Cao Ren, and the remaining 3,000 were organized into the Shan Camp.

After all, the Shanzi Camp had been to the battlefield and seen blood, so they were the ones who had neat formations and followed orders during training.

The five thousand Shan Yue people who had just arrived not long ago were organized into the Yue Camp. After all, these people had never been trained and had violent tempers. If they were to be trained, they could only use whips to clear the way.

Snapped! ~
Snapped! ~
Gan Ning whipped the new recruits from the Yue Camp with his whip: "Obey orders! Obey orders! How many times have I told you?"

"Stab! It's a stab! Not a chop!"

"Harder, stab harder!"

"Did I tell you to stab me? Military order, remember the military order!"

Gan Ning's voice had become hoarse from shouting. These newly arrived Shanyue people were all stone-brainsed and completely useless, but even so he had to bite the bullet and continue training them.

He could not leave Xiling City at the moment, so once Xiling City was captured, Gan Ning would either die at the hands of Cao's bandits or become a prisoner of Cao's army. He did not like either of these two results.

Therefore, he could only train the Shanyue desperately, hoping that these barbarians could defend Xiling.

Gan Ning looked towards the central army tent in the distance and wiped the sweat off his forehead. After stopping Cao's army this time, he would definitely find a way to return to Jiangdong...

……

On the tower of Gong'an City, Zhuge Liang held a feather fan with a frown on his face.

His gaze pierced through the misty river fog and fell on the faint outline of the river city on the other side of the river.

According to information from scouts, if nothing unexpected happens, Xiahou Yuan's 50,000 troops will arrive at the city of Jiangling today.

The lord was determined not to give up Jiangling and insisted on defending it to the death. For this reason, he even transferred all the soldiers and food in Gong'an City to Jiangling.

Only after my earnest persuasion did the lord leave behind two thousand troops and more than ten days' worth of food and fodder.

Thinking of this, Zhuge Liang couldn't help but sigh: "My lord, my lord, don't you see that Jiangling City is now like a sweet bait, trapping you in the city."

"Although Jiangling City is great, we must be able to defend it."

Can my lord defend Jiangling?
Maybe it can be held.

But no matter whether he can hold it or not, after this fierce battle, at least half of all the accumulation of the lord in Jingzhou during this period will be wasted!
Is it really worth it?
"Jiangling, Jiangling..." Zhuge Liang muttered to himself.

Was it true that the city of Jiangling was completely undefended that day because Cao Ren transferred all his soldiers to Xiling?
Who was that voice that called out the master's name on the river that day? !
……

Jiangling City, North City, the whole city is filled with murderous atmosphere at this moment.

Wow! ~
The whole city was filled with the sound of weapons clashing, and soldiers were crowded back and forth between the city walls and outside.

A large number of carved feather arrows, rolling logs and stones were sent to the top of the city.

On the top of the north wall of Jiangling, Liu Bei leaned against the parapet and stared at the vast land in the north. Zhang Fei stood behind him and reported: "Brother, now the 30,000 troops of Gong'an, except for the 2,000 soldiers detained by the military advisor to guard Gong'an, the rest have been divided into the north gate, west gate, and east gate."

"Zilong leads his troops to guard the west gate, and General Huang Zhong guards the north gate."

"The entire Jiangling City is already as strong as an iron plate. If Xiahou Yuan dares to come, he will definitely hit his head on this iron plate and bleed!"

Guan Yu stroked his beard and nodded gently, "Yide is right. Jiangling City has become a piece of iron. If Cao Jun comes, he will definitely suffer a great loss. It's just..."

"But after this battle, I'm afraid that the foundation of our forces in the four counties of southern Jing will be shaken to some extent."

Guan Yu said it in a tactful way, but Liu Bei knew it very well...

After this battle, it was unknown how many of the 30,000 soldiers would survive. How could his foundation in the four counties of southern Jing be shaken? It was an understatement to say that his vitality was seriously damaged.

But it's all worth it.

Liu Bei took a deep breath and said, "As long as we hold Jiangling, there is hope for Bashu, and we can control Jing and Yi."

"As long as we hold Jiangling, we will have a gateway to the north in the future."

"If we hold on to Jiangling, our great cause will be within reach!"

At this moment, Zhang Fei's face suddenly changed and he pointed forward: "Brother, look, Cao's army is here!"

To the north of Jiangling City, a dark tide suddenly appeared on the vast land.

The tide rushed towards Jiangling City madly, as if it was going to submerge the entire Jiangling and wash it into the river behind it.

The black tide was getting closer and closer, and finally the defenders of Jiangling City saw the true face of the tide...

Soldiers, countless soldiers!
Boundless, surging, and rushing yellow dust had no time to float away before it was trampled away by this army!
Xiahou Dun's 50,000 troops arrived.

In the center of the army, there was a large banner with the words "Xiahou" written on it.

The man under the banner was fully armored and looked extremely powerful. He was the commander-in-chief of an army of 30,000, known as Xiahou Yuan, the "Tiger Stepping to the Right of the Guanzhong Pass, Invincible"!

Behind him, Zhang Liao, Xu Huang, Zhang He, Le Jin and Yu Jin, the five best generals under Cao Cao gathered!

Xiahou Yuan looked up and the outline of the towering Jiangling City came into his sight.

Xiahou Yuan pointed forward with his whip: "Pass on my military order..."

"Destroy Jiangling and capture Liu Bei alive!!"

……

……

The sun set in the west, and the embers floated on the surface of the river, rippling golden waves, all flowing eastward with the Chu River.

A horseman came from the north and headed straight for Xiling.

The drawbridge was lowered, and the scout rode into the city.
"Report!~"

"Cao's army is less than a hundred miles away!"

"Tomorrow the army will be at the gates of the city, tomorrow the army will be at the gates of the city!!~"

Countless eyes in Xiling City saw it, and countless ears heard it.

Xiling City, which was already extremely tense, began to fall into a state of solemnity that would last for who knows how long...

Go up to the tent to discuss matters!

brush! ~
The curtain was suddenly opened.

Liu Wu strode into the central army tent. He said solemnly, "Everyone!"

"The Cao Mengde who defeated the Yellow Turbans, fought against Dong Zhuo, captured Lu Bu, destroyed Yuan Shu, defeated Yuan Shao, penetrated deep into the northern border to conquer the Wuhuan, reached Liaodong, fought for supremacy in the Central Plains, and attacked all directions has arrived!"

Wei Yan, Gao Shun, Lu Xun and Gan Ning had been waiting in the military tent for a long time.

"My lord!" The four of them bowed in unison.

Even Gan Ning, although he didn't open his mouth, bowed his hands in a proper manner.

Gan Xingba was wild and had a fierce temper, but he had to bow his head under the eaves. Firstly, he was really afraid of Liu Wu, and secondly, that little bastard Lu Xun was really not a human being!
Liu Wu quickly stepped forward to take down the map, threw it away, then drew his sword and began to circle the map: "According to the previous scouts' report, Cao Mengde should have divided his troops in Xiangyang."

"Liu Bei has a large number of soldiers, as many as 80,000. Although it is impossible to transfer all of them to garrison Jiangling, he and Cao Cao are old rivals after all. Cao Cao will not take it lightly, and he hates Liu Bei deeply. Therefore, Cao Cao sent at least 40,000 troops to attack Jiangling."

"I know Cao Cao and Liu Bei's temperaments and their likes and dislikes in using troops. I guess Cao Cao will send 50,000 troops to attack Jiangling..."

"Although Liu Bei has many soldiers, the four counties of Jingnan are so vast that it is difficult to gather them all at once. The only soldiers he can use are 30,000 soldiers from the Public Security Bureau."

"So, of the 30,000 troops stationed in Gong'an, Liu Bei will leave only 1,000 or 2,000 men to guard Gong'an, and the rest of the army will certainly be stationed in Jiangling."

Liu Wu spoke clearly and with great confidence.

Gao Shun had no reaction to this. In some ways, Liu Wu could be said to have grown up under his care.

Needless to say, Liu Bei and Liu Wu have been secretly studying their number one enemy Cao Mengde for many years.

Wei Yan looked at Liu Wu with admiration. If it weren't for Liu Wu, he would never have risked his life to open the city gate for Liu Bei, let alone offer Changsha.

Lu Xun was calm, because he had a rough idea of ​​Liu Wu's identity after some time...

Only Gan Ning was incredulous. He didn't understand why Liu Wu was so confident? !

Does he know what he is talking about?
What made Gan Ning even more incredible was that the other three people in the field, Gao Shun, Wei Yan, and Lu Xun, all of whom were people who followed Liu Wu without hesitation, did not raise any questions.

Liu Wu glanced at Gan Ning, then pointed his sword at Jiangxia and said, "After Liu Qi dies, the soldiers in Jiangxia will also belong to Liu Bei."

"In theory, Jiangdong is an ally, so we don't need to be on guard. But General Gao went to rob the princess first, and Wen Chang instigated the Shanyue soldiers to rob Liu Bei. So now Liu Bei is unpredictable about Jiangdong, so Jiangxia's 20,000 troops will not be mobilized."

Sun Shangxiang was kidnapped by Gao Shun, and Liu Bei was robbed by Wei Yan.

In short, as the lord, Liu Wu must be great and bright.

Gao Shun had no expression on his face, Wei Yan even looked a little proud, Gan Ning's eyes looked vague, anyway, he didn't really believe it...

"So, Liu Bei's military force in Jiangling is only 30,000 elite soldiers."

"In order to defend Jiangling City, Liu Bei will definitely transfer Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and Zhao Yun to Jiangling City. It is even possible that Huang Zhong from Jingnan will be transferred here to help defend the city."

"This will be a fierce battle. Whether we can defend Jiangling City, which is isolated in the north of the Yangtze River, depends on how long Liu Bei can hold on."

Lu Xun said: "Of course, the longer you can hold on, the better."

"My lord, the pressure on our side in Xiling is probably no less than that on Liu Bei's side."

Liu Wu sighed and said, "Of course, after all, it was Cao Mengde who led the expedition personally."

"Cao Cao is a man of high status, with tight guards, and many generals under his command. If we want to imitate the way we captured Cao Ren last time and behead him, the hope is slim."

Personal bravery may sometimes have the effect of surprising the enemy, but it is difficult to influence the overall situation!

Otherwise, Liu Wu would not have struggled in Xiling, trying to open up the gap between the three families of Sun, Liu and Cao...

"Everyone, if we in Xiling can hold out against Cao Mengde's personal expedition, we can gain a firm foothold on both sides of the river."

"From now on, I will become a true lord!"

"But if we lose, Cao Cao's army will surround the city, and I'm afraid none of us will survive. We will be suffocated to death by Cao Mengde in Xiling."

"Cao's army will arrive tomorrow. Anyone who wants to leave can do so tonight."

"After tonight, I'm afraid I won't be able to leave Xiling City..."

Gao Shun stood still.

Wei Yan seemed to have heard nothing. He lowered his head and poured himself a bowl of tea and also poured a bowl for Liu Wu.

Liu Wu took a sip of tea and looked at Lu Xun: "Bo Yan, can you really bear to abandon your two concubines?"

"My lord! Lu Boyan will naturally stay in Xiling City. I will advance and retreat with you!" Lu Xun bowed and generously expressed his newly born loyalty.

Gan Ning also bowed and said, "Everyone, Gan Ning will go back to Jiangdong first."

After saying this, Gan Ning turned around and left.

After taking three or five steps out of the tent, Gan Ning felt a lot more relaxed and hurried back to Jiangdong!
Snapped! ~
Just as Gan Ning was about to take another step, he heard a crisp sound behind him. He couldn't help but shiver. He was stunned and didn't even dare to look back.

The tea bowl in his hand was smashed to pieces by Liu Wu.

A cold and irresistible voice sounded behind Gan Ning: "Gan Xingba, you are not among the people I mentioned just now."

Gan Ning swallowed his saliva.
Then he heard Lu Xun yelling like a vicious servant: "Come here! Tie him up for me!"

(End of this chapter)