Chapter 287

Liu Bei looked toward Guo Jia.

"Guo Fengxiao, what is your view?"

"My Lord, I believe our army should dispatch a brave general to hold Tong Pass firmly, while the main force establishes a continuous line of camps north of the Yellow River and south of Mount Mount Zhongtiao to resist the Allied forces."

Everyone was greatly alarmed.

"Military Advisor, are we to abandon the defense of the city and engage the Allied forces in open field battle?"

One must know, the Allied forces numbered four hundred thousand. Liu Bei's troops from Yizhou and Hanzhong could not be mobilized. Across the entire Guanzhong, Bingzhou, and Liangzhou regions, aside from the garrison soldiers and Zhao Yun's forces guarding against the Western Xianbei, the maximum number that could be mobilized was around one hundred and eighty thousand.

Guo Jia laughed.

"As long as we hold our camps firmly and maintain a stalemate with the Allied forces, they will face supply difficulties. Once their grain routes are raided, they will inevitably retreat."

Guo Jia pointed again toward the Yellow River.

"The Allied forces cannot take Tong Pass from the south bank of the Yellow River; if they cross to the north bank, their supplies must also cross the river."

"The area from Puzin Ferry through Tong Pass to Shan County is navigable. My Lord, you had Gan Ning and Zhang Ren train twenty thousand naval troops; now is the perfect time for them to be of great use."

Everyone's eyes lit up.

"So, My Lord had already made arrangements. Your subordinates are in awe!"

Liu Bei laughed.

"I didn't expect the naval troops to be used so soon either. It is only because Cao Cao is so wary of us that he is desperate to band together to defeat us."

Everyone laughed.

Liu Bei stood up tall.

"Generals, hear my orders!"

Everyone became solemn and cupped their fists.

"Your subordinates are here!"

"Guo Jia, Jia Xu, Pang Tong, and Fa Zheng shall serve as military advisors accompanying the army."

"Zhang Fei, Gao Shun, Huang Zhong, Ma Chao, Zhang Zhang Liao, Taishi Ci, Ju Yi, Gan Ning, Zhang Ren, Xu Huang, Pang De, E Huan, and Chen Dao shall lead their respective troops to join me in battle!"

"Understood!"

"Tian Yu, Yan Gang, and Guan Hai, you three shall proceed to Yanmen Commandery to assist Zhao Zilong in crushing the joint Western Xianbei and Wuhuan forces under Kebineng."

"Tell Zhao Zilong that whether our soldiers can receive the Hu Ren women as rewards for this great victory depends entirely on his performance!"

"Understood!"

"I order Lu Xun and Xu Sheng to lead fifteen thousand troops to hold Tong Pass firmly."

"I order Yunchang and Xu Shu to bring troops to rendezvous with me at Hedong!"

"I order Xu Rong, Zhang He, and Yu Du to hold the passes of Mount Mount Zhongtiao firmly to prevent the Allied forces from slipping into the Hedong Basin to cause chaos."

"Understood!"

Pang Tong pointed toward the direction of Wu Pass.

"My Lord, although Liu Biao is not participating in the war, we must still be wary of Cao Cao seeking passage to attack Wu Pass."

Liu Bei nodded.

"Pang Shiyuan is right. Reinforce Li Yan and Huo Jun with ten thousand troops to hold Wu Pass firmly."

"Understood!"

"Ju Shou and Lu Su, you are responsible for the entire coordination of Guanzhong."

"Understood!"

"Du Ji and Jia Kui, you are responsible for the allocation and supply of grain and fodder for this great army."

"Understood!"

The live stream chat was also becoming much more active.

"Damn, this is making my blood boil. I wish I could swap places with Liu Bei!"

"To the person above, I suspect you have your eyes on the Big-Eared Thief's backyard!"

"Must say, Liu Bei's martial generals all feel incredibly fierce."

"The Big-Eared Thief actually arranged for the unknown Lu Xun to guard Tong Pass? He's gotten arrogant!"

"Indeed, Lu Xun doesn't look like a fierce general."

"You know nothing. Generals are for strategy, not just bravery. If the Big-Eared Thief values him this much, he might just be the next Village Idiot!"

The entirety of Guanzhong and Bingzhou began to mobilize—grain, weapons, arrows, horses, and more.

Soldiers bid farewell to their families and rushed to the battlefield.

The mood of the common people remained relatively stable; after all, Lord Liu Xuande was victorious in every battle. Even though the enemy outnumbered them two to one, so what?

Liu Bei took advantage of this brief moment of leisure to rest. The two Qiao sisters played pleasant melodies for him, leaving Liu Bei somewhat reluctant to leave...

After all, such beautiful, peerless sisters who looked so alike were rare. Listening to their melodious voices was a pleasure in itself.

The two Qiao sisters also knew Liu Bei was about to face his greatest challenge, so to help him soothe his emotions, they did their best to satisfy his requests...

Xiao Qiao looked up.

"Husband, this great battle concerns the fate of the Great Han. We cannot help you much."

Da Qiao was focused on playing her instrument, keeping Liu Bei's mood pleasant.

She tugged at Xiao Qiao.

"Let us not disturb Husband; let him clear his mind to think about matters."

"Oh."

Xiao Qiao nodded earnestly. "Yes, I was negligent!"

Liu Bei wasn't actually thinking about anything; his breathing was just a bit heavy. Clearly, he was earnestly enjoying the music, using art to cultivate his character.

It was just that the live stream was blacked out, so everyone couldn't appreciate it.

Before the army had even set out, Lu Su arrived leading Liu Ye.

Liu Bei was overjoyed and grabbed Liu Ye's hand.

"My army is about to set out; Ziyang, you shall accompany me on this campaign!"

Liu Ye felt grateful for Liu Bei's regard.

"Yes, My Lord!"

Liu Bei then realized.

"Ziyang, you have traveled a long way; you should rest first."

Liu Ye quickly said.

"My Lord, I am not tired. If I do not participate in this great battle, would it not be a lifelong regret?"

Liu Bei and Lu Su both laughed heartily!

The army departed from Chang'an, crossed Puzin Ferry, and established continuous camps on the north bank of the Yellow River, opposite Tong Pass.

All the people of Hedong south of Mount Mount Zhongtiao were relocated to the Guanzhong area!

Not a single chicken or grain of rice was left for Ding Yuan Shao and Cao Cao!

Liu Bei, meanwhile, took his personal guard cavalry and headed toward Tong Pass first.

Upon arriving at Tong Pass,

Soldiers were earnestly preparing rolling stones, giant logs, and other defensive weapons.

Lu Xun and Xu Sheng came to welcome Liu Bei.

"Lu Boyan, Wenxiang, how are the preparations?"

The two cupped their fists.

"My Lord, rest assured. Your subordinates will definitely hold Tong Pass firmly. Even if Ding Yuan Shao and Cao Cao attack with two hundred thousand troops, we will not let them advance an inch!"

Lu Xun and Xu Sheng were moved by their Lord's trust. With so many famous generals, he had specifically ordered the two of them to guard Tong Pass, clearly valuing them highly.

The two were also very confident. Tong Pass was a natural barrier; even with a million troops, the enemy could only send a few to attack at a time—the road was too narrow!

Liu Bei inspected the city defenses and found them well-prepared, with twenty catapults modified by Ma Jun installed.

With these catapults, Lu Xun was even more confident.

Liu Ye, however, hurried up to inspect these catapults and sighed deeply.

"My Lord, with such powerful weapons, defending the city is a great advantage!"

Liu Bei laughed.

"These improved catapults took Ma Jun and his hundreds of men over half a year to research."