Chapter 182

Zhao Zilong rode back, dismounted, and knelt on one knee,

"My lord, I let Zhang Xiu go; please punish me!"

Liu Bei helped him up and sighed,

"Zilong has always been loyal and righteous, and Zhang Xiu is your senior fellow apprentice; it is understandable."

"In this case, I will fine you three months' salary and cancel your reward for killing the enemy this time! Let this be a warning!"

Zhao Zilong's eyes were filled with tears,

"Thank you, my lord!"

Liu Bei patted Zhao Zilong's shoulder and looked around,

"Gentlemen, there are still over one hundred thousand commoners who have not crossed the river; let us continue to protect the commoners!"

"Understood!"

Over the next few hours, Niu Fu sent people to raid several times, all of which were defeated by Liu Bei's troops.

The two sides remained in a stalemate.

When all the commoners had crossed the Yellow River,

Liu Bei began to arrange the evacuation.

"Xu Rong, Gao Shun, you have mostly infantry; withdraw first."

Everyone looked over, and Gao Shun cupped his hands,

"My lord, my Trap-Breaking Battalion is good at defense; let us be the rearguard. My lord, cross the river first."

Guan Yu also said,

"Big Brother, Dong Zhuo hates you the most; you should cross the river first."

Zhang Fei also shouted,

"Big Brother, I'll stay behind to cover the retreat. Don't worry, if Niu Fu dares to send troops, I'll pierce him through!"

Other generals also requested to be the rearguard.

Everyone knew that the rearguard was the most dangerous; at that time, there would be few troops, and if Niu Fu launched an all-out attack, it would be dangerous!

Liu Bei smiled,

"Everyone knows that Dong Zhuo hates me the most. As long as I don't cross the river, Niu Fu will definitely not send his entire army to attack."

Guan Yu wanted to say something else, but Liu Bei patted him,

"Yunchang, it's fine."

"Why is everyone in such a hurry? I just want to go to Alliance Leader Yuan's side and drink a few more cups of wine; why is everyone so anxious!"

Everyone was stunned, and a flash of inspiration hit them; they couldn't help but applaud!

That's right, the person staying behind to cover the retreat doesn't necessarily have to cross the river.

They could completely lead the troops and march toward Luoyang; would Niu Fu and the others dare to chase them to the Alliance camp?

Zhang Liao cupped his hands,

"My lord is quick-witted and full of brilliant plans; I am truly impressed!"

Xu Rong secretly praised; the lord is too strong, my defeat was not unjust!

Liu Bei added,

"You are all just flattering me. We saved seven hundred thousand Luoyang commoners, and we also have seven hundred thousand more mouths to feed. I must make those warlords contribute some effort; they have to help out!"

Zhang Fei's eyes lit up,

"Big Brother, I must go; if that guy Yuan Shu doesn't give grain, I'll give him two more punches!"

Liu Bei nodded; this was a good idea!

"Yunchang, you return first to guard Taiyuan Commandery and be ready to support Gao Shun who is guarding Hedong at any time."

"Understood!"

"Xu Rong, you station your troops near Huo County, close to Shangdang Commandery. I will have Guo Jia send people to deliver armor and weapons to you."

"Understood!"

"Gongming, you lead troops to station at Fengling Ferry in Hedong to guard against Dong Zhuo's army."

"Understood!"

Liu Bei arranged everything and drove his horse to the ferry, where Diao Chan was still waiting there, looking forward to his arrival.

Seeing Liu Bei approach, a smile instantly appeared on her face,

"Lord Liu, it's so good to see you."

Liu Bei was moved; Diao Chan hadn't crossed the river because she was waiting for him,

"Diao Chan, follow Gao Shun's army later and stay temporarily at my residence in Anyi. I still have to stay behind to cover the retreat."

Diao Chan was anxious and grabbed Liu Bei's hand,

"You will be in danger. What if the Xiliang soldiers attack while you are halfway across! I'll stay..."

Diao Chan thought about it; it seemed that if she stayed, she would only be a burden to Liu Bei. Her eyes were already red, her expression was very helpless, and tears were already streaming down her cheeks.

Liu Bei sighed inwardly; the kindness of a beauty is the hardest to bear. He had to explain it again and wiped the tears from Diao Chan's face.

Diao Chan's little face was full of admiration, and she broke into a smile through her tears,

"You are really so smart; no wonder the talented woman Cai Yan admires you so much."

Liu Bei held her jade hand,

"You behave yourself and wait for me to return to Anyi to get married. Or, why don't you go to Taiyuan first?"

Diao Chan hurriedly said,

"I'd better wait for you in Anyi."

Letting her face Cai Yan and the others alone, Diao Chan still felt a bit guilty.

Liu Bei nodded,

"That's fine, you'll also be able to see me sooner."

Diao Chan's face was already flushed red,

"What are you saying, when did I want to see you sooner..."

Liu Bei laughed heartily and had someone send Diao Chan across the river.

The livestream chat had many more comments,

"That eared thief is truly too cunning."

"I never expected that the eared thief doesn't want to go home yet and still wants to roam outside!"

"Niu Fu's side are all iron-headed fools, being played around by Liu Bei!"

"Yuan Shao's side is still drinking, not knowing that the eared thief has already set his sights on their grain and fodder!"

"Miss Diao Chan is truly too beautiful; she often blushes when talking to the eared thief; she's stunning!"

"Lu Bu is probably about to be pissed to death!"

The Xiliang army,

Niu Fu observed the situation over there,

"Gentlemen, Liu Bei's army has begun to cross the river; everyone, perk up your spirits."

"Be ready to launch a surprise attack at any time!"

"Understood!"

A scout came to report,

"Report~!"

"General Niu, Liu Bei's Gao Shun unit and Xu Rong unit have all crossed the river."

"Now it's Xu Huang, who carries the mountain-opening axe, and Guan Yu, who rides the Red Hare horse."

Hearing about the Red Hare horse, everyone looked at Lu Bu and found that the veins on his forehead were bulging, yet he still didn't say a word!

"Lu Bu is about to be driven to autism by these three brothers."

Lu Bu was actually filled with raging fire in his heart; he was just waiting to deliver a fatal blow to Liu Bei later!

Niu Fu said loudly,

"Good, you all reorganize your troops and prepare to launch a surprise attack on Liu Bei immediately!"

Forty thousand against ten thousand, and attacking while they were halfway across the river; Niu Fu still had confidence in defeating Liu Bei!

"Report! ~"

A scout whipped his horse and charged over, ===== CHAPTER 183 =====