Chapter 314

Liu Bei laughed,

“There is danger, but there is also opportunity. If we sit idly by and let Cao Cao or Sun Ce take Jingzhou, it will have a huge impact on our army, and Yizhou will also be in danger.”

“Don't go home today; discuss and come up with a concrete plan.”

“Understood!”

Liu Bei went to Bai Yuekui’s intelligence group himself.

Bai Yuekui, five months pregnant, was still working hard. Seeing Liu Bei come over, she hurriedly closed the door.

Liu Bei: “??”

“That’s not good, is it?”

Bai Yuekui rolled her eyes at him,

“What are you thinking? I have intelligence to report.”

Liu Bei had her sit on his lap,

“Speak.”

Bai Yuekui whispered,

“My spies in Xiangyang have news that Liu Biao is indeed ill, but perhaps not as seriously as he seems.”

Liu Bei frowned,

“Then he sent someone to ask for Hua Tuo, and even wanted me to make the trip personally? Faking illness? Faking illness reminds me of someone.”

Bai Yuekui was stunned, “Captain, didn't we agree to discuss business?”

Liu Bei laughed, “I can't help it; you’re just too beautiful.”

Bai Yuekui rolled her eyes at him, but her mouth was full of smiles. The two looked at each other, and both understood; the livestream naturally went to a black screen.

An hour later, Hua Hua Mulan also joined the group chat,

“Captain, could Liu Biao’s illness be a trap?”

“The intelligence Cai Mao gave me is that the entire Xiangyang, and even Jingzhou, is discussing who will inherit Liu Biao’s position—the eldest son, the second son, or me.”

Hua Hua Mulan frowned, “Ever since Lady Cai married you, Liu Biao began supporting Kuai Yue to oppose her, so his intelligence may not be accurate.”

Liu Bei laughed, “Whether Liu Biao is seriously ill or faking it, I must make this trip.”

Bai Yuekui and Hua Hua Mulan looked at each other, “You heartless man, we are worried about you.”

Liu Bei laughed, “No matter, there are many people in Jingzhou who support me, and Liu Biao cannot cover the sky with one hand.”

“Jingzhou belongs to everyone, not Liu Biao’s private property. The scholar-official families of Jingzhou want to protect their own interests.”

Bai Yuekui and Hua Hua Mulan both nodded; Liu Bei’s analysis was very correct, but they were still worried about him, after all, he was the father of their children.

Next, the three began to chat about other things.

Early the next morning, Liu Bei came to the council hall; the advisors had worked overtime all night,

And the health-preserving Jia Xu almost had dark circles under his eyes. Everyone had drunk some wine; if there were cigarettes in this era, the council hall would probably be filled with smoke.

Guo Jia cupped his hands, “My lord, we feel it is best for you not to go and to wait and see.”

Liu Bei laughed, “You discussed it all night and this is the result? Don't go home today either!”

Everyone laughed.

The livestream chat also had many more comments,

“The big-eared thief is lazy himself and makes his employees work overtime; it’s hateful.”

“Exactly, and there’s no overtime pay!”

“I suspect these people were discussing beauties; otherwise, why this result?”

“My Brother Bei is the executor; he’s comfortable now, but once he goes to Jingzhou, he’ll be the one worrying.”

Liu Bei sighed, “The trip to Jingzhou is imperative. If this is a trap, it means Liu Biao is likely leaning toward the allied forces. If all four lords target us, Bingzhou, Guanzhong, and Yizhou will all face danger, and our days will be difficult.”

Guo Jia sighed long and hard, “My lord has sacrificed too much.”

Everyone nodded, agreeing very much.

The livestream was naturally filled with complaints,

“Liu Bei had a happy night, and these advisors worked all night and still sigh that the boss is too tired? Incredible!”

“It’s just that Liu Bei has brainwashed them too well.”

Guo Jia explained to Liu Bei the results of everyone’s overnight discussion,

“My lord, going to Jingzhou is also an opportunity. We suggest taking six thousand elite troops, each equipped with three-shot repeating crossbows, and bringing fierce generals like Zhang Fei, Ma Chao, Gan Ning, Taishi Ci, Zhang Ren, Zhang Zhang Liao, Xu Sheng, and others. Additionally, have Zhuge Zhang Liang in Shangyong and Wei Yan in Badong be ready at any time.”

Liu Bei nodded; he would likely face threats from Liu Biao, Cao Cao, and Sun Ce this time.

“Pass my order: have Xu Rong and Zhang He lead troops to Luoyang to replace Lu Xun and Xu Sheng, and be ready to support Huo Jun at any time, with Liu Ye as the military advisor.”

“Gao Shun, Ju Yi, Huang Zhong, Pang De, and Gao Lan are to lead troops to garrison Wuguan and be ready to enter Nanyang from Wuguan at any time, with Jia Xu as the military advisor for the march.”

“Understood!”

“Xu Huang is to lead troops to Henei Commandery to assist Guan Yu.”

“Understood.”

Three days later,

Liu Bei led six thousand cavalry, Guo Jia, Pang Tong, Lu Xun, Lu Su, several fierce generals, as well as Hua Tuo, Lady Cai, and others, heading out of Chang'an in a grand procession, walking toward Luoyang, and out of Wuguan.

“Why are you here?”

Liu Bei stared at the three heroic female generals before him: Miss Zhu Rong, Ma Ma Yunlu, and Lü Lu Lingqi.

Ma Ma Yunlu said ingratiatingly, “Husband, everyone is worried about you. Our martial arts are not bad, and we can protect you.”

Miss Zhu Rong snorted and said stubbornly, “I am a female general who has led troops in battle in Nanzhong; am I not stronger than the soft-skinned Lu Xun? I must protect you this time.”

Lu Xun in the distance felt he had been implied...

Liu Bei laughed, “Alright, I’m just afraid you’ll exhaust my stamina.”

All three were numb and cupped their hands, saying in unison,

“My lord, just treat us as generals on this trip to Jingzhou!”

Liu Bei: “That can't be!”

The netizens in the livestream were all jealous,

“One heroic young lady would be enough, but the big-eared thief has three.”

“And that doesn't include Bai Yuekui and Hua Hua Mulan!”

“It’s a pity Lady Cai’s plan to monopolize the big-eared thief has failed again.”

“Not to mention, Lady Cai is becoming more and more womanly.”

[...]

Xu County,

Cao Cao looked at the intelligence on the desk,

“Everyone, Liu Bei has already set off for Xiangyang, bringing six thousand elite troops, six or seven fierce generals, and four concubines.”

“Military Sima Zhongda, your strategy is good; Liu Bei has already entered the trap.”

Military Sima Yi cupped his hands,

“My lord, Liu Bei has fierce generals like clouds and his troops are strong; this trap may not be effective.”

Cao Cao waved his hand, “As long as there is a chance of success, it’s fine. Even if we do nothing, Liu Bei’s power is growing rapidly.”

[...]

Yuzhang, Nanchang City,

Sun Ce had already secretly led elite troops and fierce generals to arrive.

Zhou Yu cupped his hands, “My lord, Huang Zu learned that Liu Biao is seriously ill and has no heart for river defense; his mind is now entirely on Xiangyang.”

Sun Ce snorted,

“This time, I will not only kill Huang Zu but also defeat Liu Bei!”

The fierce generals under his command, Cheng Pu, Huang Gai, Lü Meng, Zhou Tai, Ling Tong, Chen Wu, and others, all brought elite troops.

Sun Ce looked around, “Everyone, our northern army failed in the battle in the north last year. This time, we must use naval warfare to defeat Liu Bei!”

[...]

Liu Bei led the cavalry with great speed, walking for only one day after leaving Wuguan, and arrived at Xiangyang City at noon the next day.

Liu Biao sent Cai Mao, Yi Ji, Liu Qi, and others out of the city to welcome him.