Chapter 231

Liu Bei waved his hand.

"Don't be anxious; this time everyone has a battle to fight!"

"Fengxiao, introduce it to everyone."

Guo Jia already had a draft in mind and walked to the sand table that included the entire Bingzhou and Hedong.

"Everyone, Dong Zhuo is attacking now; there are actually five great armies, including the Xiongnu..."

After hearing Guo Jia's introduction, everyone was shocked; they hadn't expected Dong Zhuo to have such a grand plan!

Liu Bei looked around the circle.

"Generals, what do you think?"

"Big Brother, naturally we fight back!" Zhang Fei was very straightforward.

Ju Shou cupped his hands.

"Lord, Yuan Shao is currently in a great battle with Gongsun Zan; even if he wants to take Huguan, he won't be able to send many troops, and it might even be a feint, waiting for the result of the battle between the Lord and Dong Zhuo."

"The Heishan Army's combat power is not strong and is not worth fearing."

"The Western Xianbei and Xiongnu have been beaten into fear by us; they are all light cavalry and are not good at sieges. They just want to plunder, so the main focus is still dealing with Dong Zhuo's attack."

Liu Bei nodded.

"Gongyu is right."

"Zhang Liao, take orders!"

Zhang Liao was happy; he hadn't expected the Lord to name him first.

"I order you to be the main general, Liu Pi as the deputy general, and Jia Kui as the Marching Sima. Lead seven thousand troops to Wuyuan Commandery to defeat the Xiongnu's Huchuquan!"

Zhang Liao knelt on one knee. "Subordinate will definitely defeat the Xiongnu!"

Zhang Liao's family had always been invaded by the Xiongnu; this time he could wash away the shame, and his heart was stirred!

Liu Bei nodded.

"Zhao Yun, take orders!"

"Subordinate is here!"

"I order you to be the main general, with deputy general Gong Du, lead eight thousand troops to Yanmen to defeat the Western Xianbei's Kebineng!"

"Understood!"

"Xu Rong, take orders!"

"Subordinate is here!"

"I order you to be the main general, head to the border of Hedong Commandery and Henei Commandery to defeat the Heishan bandits who dare to invade! And keep an eye on the situation at Maojin Ferry."

"Understood!"

Liu Bei looked at the young Hao Zhao.

"Hao Zhao, you lead two thousand troops to garrison Huguan; do you have the confidence to hold it?"

Hao Zhao was moved inside; the Lord's trust in him made his blood boil. He cupped his hands tightly.

"Lord, rest assured; subordinate will definitely hold Huguan well and not let Yuan Shao's army advance a single step!"

"Good!"

"Ju Shou, Hua Mulan, stay behind to guard Taiyuan!"

"Understood!"

"The rest of the generals follow me to Hedong to defend against the enemy!"

"Understood!"

"Fengxiao, tell us about the layout of Hedong."

Guo Jia pointed at the map of Hedong.

"Everyone, although Sili and Hedong are only separated by the Yellow River, there are not many points suitable for a large army to cross."

"In the north, around the Pishi Longmen area, the current is rapid; one can cross the river, but it is not suitable for a large army."

"In the south, at Maojin Ferry, where the Lord led the commoners to retreat, it is far from Changancheng, and supplies are inconvenient."

"Dong Zhuo's main attack point will be at Pujin Ferry, at the bend of the Yellow River. The current here is slow, suitable for crossing."

"As long as the Xiliang soldiers break through Pujin Ferry, their iron cavalry can strike directly at Anyi, and the entire Hedong plain will be under their ravaging!"

"The Lord has already ordered people to build a fortress called Pujin Pass at Pujin Ferry; currently, Xu Huang is leading troops to garrison it."

Liu Bei rose to his full height.

"Our army this time will not only defeat the enemy but also defend against them from the outside and protect the commoners' spring plowing."

"We set out in three days!"

"Understood!"

Outside Changancheng, there were thousands of banners, and the sound of hooves was constant. Dong Zhuo's great army set out for Feng Yi Commandery.

Dong Zhuo stood on the war chariot, full of spirit.

He was finally going to get his revenge. Before, he was facing the eighteen warlords; this time, dealing with Liu Bei alone, how could he not win!

"The whole army, set out! Swear to kill Liu Bei!"

"Swear to kill Liu Bei!"

"Mighty!"

Wang Yun stood on the city wall and secretly thought,

"Dong the Thief is powerful; how can we break him! We cannot fight him head-on; we can only take him with wisdom!"

Yecheng,

Yuan Shao looked around the circle.

"Dong Zhuo has asked me to attack Shangdang Commandery; what do you all think?"

Xu You stepped out.

"Lord, Liu Bei's benevolence and righteousness are known throughout the world, and he is an ally of our army; attacking him rashly, I fear, is not appropriate."

Guo Tu observed the expressions of Yuan Shao, Gao Gan, and others.

"Lord, Huguan is an important pass between Jizhou and Bingzhou; once you pass the pass and head toward our Yecheng, it is flat as a plain, with no danger to defend, which poses a great threat to our army."

Everyone nodded; the geographical location of Huguan is too important.

Yuan Shao was somewhat indecisive.

"However, Liu Bei is still my ally; Dong Zhuo is attacking him, and I am also attacking him—this doesn't make sense."

Guo Tu cupped his hands.

"Lord, we can observe the result of the battle between Dong Zhuo and Liu Bei. If Liu Bei is crushed, our army can use the name of assisting in the defense against Dong Zhuo to control Shangdang, or even Taiyuan Commandery!"

Yuan Shao's eyes lit up; this could work!

"Yan Liang, Gao Gan, I order you two to lead twenty thousand troops to garrison Linxian, which is close to Huguan, and wait for the opportunity to act!"

"Understood!"

Youzhou,

Gongsun Zan looked at the bamboo slips in his hand.

"Everyone, Xuande has asked me to attack the Central Western Xianbei's Kebineng tribe; what do you think?"

Yan Gang cupped his hands.

"Lord, Liu Bei has always been on good terms with you, and now that he occupies Bingzhou, he forms a pincer movement against Yuan Shao; if he is in trouble now, our army should help."

"Moreover, Kebineng's tribe has recently annexed several tribes and has the momentum to unify the Central Western Xianbei; we must contain them!"

Gongsun Zan nodded.

"Good! Yan Gang, you lead five thousand cavalry, and while Kebineng is attacking Yanmen Commandery, raid his rear!" ===== CHAPTER 232 =====