Chapter 311

“Big Brother, there is one thing I don't understand. Why, after such a great victory, did we not take Ye City directly and occupy the land of Hebei?”

Liu Bei looked at Guan Yu,

“Yunchang, tell Third Brother.”

Guan Yu stroked his long beard,

“Third Brother, although Ding Yuan Shao was defeated, he still has one hundred thousand troops and strong cities to defend. Our army has no siege equipment; how could we take Ye City?”

“Moreover, with snow flying, the difficulty of a siege is extreme. Our army is currently victorious, but if a siege of Ye City were to go poorly, wouldn't that just let the Ding Yuan army regain their confidence?”

Zhang Fei pondered it and finally understood.

Guan Yu added,

“Besides, this battle has lasted for months, and the soldiers are exhausted; it is time for them to rest and reorganize.”

Liu Bei and Guo Jia looked at each other and nodded.

Liu Bei laughed,

“Good, Second Brother’s insight is extraordinary. With you in charge of the Henei frontline, I can sleep soundly!”

Guan Yu cupped his hands,

“Big Brother, rest assured, I will surely act according to the situation.”

Liu Bei nodded,

“Spies report that Ding Yuan Shao has fallen seriously ill and is now bedridden. Once Ding Yuan Shao passes, his two sons will inevitably fight, and that will be the time for us to strike.”

Everyone’s eyes lit up; occupying Hebei would mean more than half of the world would be in my lord’s hands!

Early the next morning, the entire camp was in motion.

Liu Bei and a few others stood on a high platform,

Below were over one hundred thousand soldiers, and in the distance were the watching surrendered soldiers and laborers.

Liu Bei said loudly,

“In this great victory, all soldiers have made contributions. I won't say much more; it is now time to award the military merits for this battle!”

The soldiers shouted,

“Mighty!”

“Mighty!”

The collective shout of over one hundred thousand people shook the heavens and the earth, leaving a deep impression on the watching laborers,

“Xu Hu, killed two enemies, captured five, promoted to Squad Leader, awarded eighty mu of fertile land, twenty head of cattle and sheep, and three female slaves!”

The honest-looking Xu Hu went up to the platform, and Liu Bei personally presented him with the award, patting him on the shoulder,

“Well done!”

Xu Long was moved to tears,

“My lord, I will surely fight bravely to kill the enemy and repay you in the future!”

“Good, I look forward to your future performance.”

Next were hundreds of others who had made significant contributions, all awarded personally by Liu Bei,

While the others were left to Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Zhao Yun, Huang Zhong, and the others.

The watching allied soldiers and laborers were stunned, their eyes turning red,

“No wonder Lord Liu Xuande’s soldiers are so elite; their rewards are truly good!”

“Can that Xu Hu even manage all that? I’m talking about the fertile land!”

“If Lord Liu Xuande gives out land and women, I could also fight hard to kill the enemy!”

Some captives inquired about the rations of Liu Bei’s army, and their eyes turned even redder—it was more than double theirs!

The award ceremony lasted all day, and the allied soldiers were envious all day.

That afternoon, Liu Bei ordered chickens and sheep to be slaughtered, letting everyone have a good meal; even the captives were given a few pieces of meat, a bowl of hot meat soup, and flatbread.

Early the next morning,

Liu Bei announced that soldiers willing to join them could be selected based on merit,

And those who were unwilling would be given ten days of rations to return home.

Everyone shouted that Lord Liu Xuande was benevolent and righteous.

Tens of thousands of bachelors eagerly signed up; Liu Bei took fifteen thousand of them, and the rest were made garrison farmers to see how they performed later.

The remaining one hundred and eighty thousand walked home through the wind and snow,

And Liu Bei had Guan Yu lead troops to escort them, both to protect them and to prevent them from disturbing the people.

The famous Hebei general Gao Lan surrendered to Liu Bei and was appointed as a Colonel.

Liu Bei specifically sent a letter asking Ding Yuan Shao not to make things difficult for Gao Lan’s family, as he had released his son and over two hundred thousand able-bodied men; Ding Yuan Shao would still give him that much face.

Gao Lan was indeed extremely moved.

Thus, of the Four Pillars of Hebei, Liu Bei had gained two, killed one, and only Wen Chou remained.

Liu Bei also healed Chen Wu’s injuries and had him lead the Lujiang soldiers who were willing to go home back to Lujiang.

Chen Wu was grateful,

“Lord Liu Xuande is benevolent and righteous; I, Chen Wu, will keep it in my heart.”

Having settled these matters, Liu Bei led his army back to Chang'an. The great battle was over, the soldiers were all well-rewarded, and it was time to go home for a good New Year. Liu Bei also hadn't heard the Two Qiaos play music for a long time.

Ye City,

Ding Yuan Shao’s condition fluctuated between good and bad,

“My Shang’er...”

Ding Yuan Shao’s second wife, Lady Liu, comforted him from the side.

She was the biological mother of Ding Yuan Tan and Ding Yuan Shang and was extremely jealous. As soon as Ding Yuan Shao died, she killed five of Ding Yuan Shao’s concubines and their families.

She also favored her youngest son and wanted Ding Yuan Shao to make Ding Yuan Shang his heir.

Historically, she even grabbed Zhen Mi’s face to lift it and offered her to Cao Pi to save her own life.

“Report!~”

Xu You ran in,

“My lord, they have returned!”

“Young Master Ding Yuan Shang and tens of thousands of soldiers have returned.”

Ding Yuan Shang ran in quickly,

“Father, Mother, I have returned.”

Ding Yuan Shao’s heart shook,

“Shang’er has returned?!”

Ding Yuan Shang explained the situation, and Ding Yuan Shao sighed long and hard,

“Liu Bei is a kind-hearted man!”

Xu You sighed inwardly,

“If my lord thinks so, how could the nearly ten million people of Hebei not think the same!”

Xu County,

Military Sima Yi was appointed as the Literary Clerk of the Chariot and Cavalry General’s Office, staying by Cao Cao’s side, and also became good friends with the Second Young Master, Cao Pi.

Cao Cao looked at the report on the desk,

“Hmph, Liu Bei not only released Ding Yuan Shang but also released over two hundred thousand able-bodied men of Hebei.”

Military Sima Yi cupped his hands,

“My lord, this Liu Bei is buying the hearts of the people of Hebei. Releasing Ding Yuan Shang back is to make him fight with Ding Yuan Tan so he can reap the benefits.”

Cao Cao nodded and looked at Military Sima Yi with meaningful eyes,

“Liu Bei snatched your wife; what do you think of that?”

Military Sima Yi said hatefully,

“Liu Bei is shameless; I have an irreconcilable hatred for him!”

As for what he was really thinking, no one knew.

Cao Cao was noncommittal,

“I heard you and Cao Pi are close friends.”