Chapter 354: Resisting the allied forces of Cao Cao and Yuan Shao head-on

After Liu Bei finished speaking, he drained the wine in his cup in one gulp.

Ma Teng was the first to respond to his son-in-law.

"The people of Liang have been poor for a long time. I am willing to follow Lord Xuande to revitalize Western Liang!"

"I am willing too!"

"I am willing!"

Everyone responded, draining the wine in their hands in one gulp!

Liu Bei nodded. Leading the people of Liangzhou toward a moderately prosperous life was, after all, better than fighting back and forth!

After drinking everyone under the table,

Liu Bei went to the backyard.

Ma Yunlu, who was usually in full military attire, was now wearing a wedding dress, dressed very exquisitely.

Her super fair skin, deep eyes, exotic charm, and waist without an ounce of fat from long-term exercise all bloomed with a charming elegance.

Liu Bei was very satisfied with this girl whose combat power exceeded many generals.

After all, like Bai Yuekui, there were too few girls who could be a match for him.

Who could refuse an exotic mixed-race girl with long legs?

Ma Yunlu, drenched in sweat, leaned her head on Liu Bei's shoulder.

"Husband, it's so good to be with you."

Liu Bei patted her beautiful back.

"Confess honestly, the first day I arrived at Didao City, did you come to peek at me?"

Ma Yunlu said shyly,

"What are you saying? I just wanted to see what the Lord Xuande who shakes the Nine Provinces looked like, whether he was handsome or not!"

Liu Bei...

"So, you are actually a face-connoisseur?"

Ma Yunlu was a bit confused. After Liu Bei explained, her face turned even redder.

"What are you saying? What I value is strength; it was your dominance that attracted me."

Liu Bei... So this girl had set her sights on him long ago; was she actually a high-end hunter?

He immediately became angry.

"Miss Ma, you actually had designs on me long ago? Face the wind!"

Ma Yunlu... "Even the horses in the tribe aren't this tired!"

Liu Bei began to lay out his plans in Liangzhou.

He appointed Du Ji as the Liangzhou Bieja, responsible for the recovery of production and life in Liangzhou, and dispatched talented people to implement effective rule over Jincheng Commandery, Longyou Commandery, Anding, and other commanderies near Jingzhao.

Under Liu Bei's mediation, the troops of Ma Teng, Yang Qiu, and Cheng Yin moved west out of Wu Wei, occupying Zhangye, Jiuquan, Xihai, and other commanderies, then continued westward!

Zhang Fei, Zhang Liao, and Ma Chao made a lightning raid of a thousand miles, wiping out the Xiongnu on the Silk Road.

A few months later, the Silk Road leading to the Western Regions was opened!

Liu Bei sent people to bring Zou Shi to Wu Wei as well, to reunite with her family.

The Zou clan was a great clan of Wu Wei and could be won over.

Liu Bei appointed several young talents of the Zou clan to positions such as County Magistrate, making the Zou clan deeply grateful!

"Husband, is this okay?"

Zou Shi buried her head in playing a musical instrument, thanking Liu Bei for his care for her family.

"Husband, I have a lot of face this time; my clansmen are all saying I married the right person!"

Zou Shi snorted.

"Back then I didn't want to marry Zhang Ji, but they insisted on forcing me! And now? They say I married too rightly; they are too realistic!"

Liu Bei closed his eyes to rest his mind and also snorted.

"Wife, please play the music seriously!"

Zou Shi felt embarrassed.

"Husband, I'm sorry. How about I teach Miss Ma tomorrow? She clearly has no musical talent at first glance; she must work hard."

Liu Bei nodded. Zou Shi was indeed a good teacher and a helpful friend. The girls of Liangzhou, Dong Bai and Ma Yunlu, were all taught well by her and often joined forces.

Liu Bei worked hard to manage Liangzhou.

In Bingzhou, Hedong, and Tongguan, wars were also breaking out.

In Shangdang and Huguan,

Gao Gan looked at the dangerous pass in front of him in despair.

"Is this Hao Zhao sick? Just how many rocks and logs has he stockpiled!"

Gao Gan, Zhu Ling, and others led 35,000 troops to attack Huguan, which was guarded by 3,000 men under Hao Zhao, but they couldn't even charge up to the top of the city wall.

When Gao Gan set up scaling ladders, Hao Zhao had the defenders shoot fire arrows at the ladders, igniting them, and all the soldiers on the ladders were burned to death.

When the battering rams came, Hao Zhao had people tie rocks with ropes and smash them down crazily!

Soldiers come, block with generals; water comes, cover with earth.

The Yuan army attacked for over a month, losing 8,000 troops without making a single inch of progress!

Gao Gan now had Huguan phobia!

Chunyu Qiong and Han Meng led 30,000 troops from Changshan Commandery to attack Yanmen Commandery, but were beaten black and blue by Zhao Yun, who brought Muqiu Jian, Liu Pi, Gong Du, and others, and they ran back, throwing away their helmets and armor.

The focus of the main efforts of both sides was still in Henei Commandery and Hedong Commandery.

Guan Yu, Gao Shun, Xu Rong, Xu Huang, Zhang He, Yu Du, and others gathered one after another in Henei Commandery.

Yuan Shao personally led a great army of 80,000, with Wen Chou, Gao Lan, Jiang Yiqu, and other battle generals setting out from Yecheng, passing Zhaoge, and besieging Bo County and Huai County, which were guarded by Guan Yu and Xu Rong.

However, after attacking for over a month, there was no progress, and Wen Chou was almost beheaded by Guan Yu!

Cao Cao personally led a great army of 80,000 across Hulao, intending to cross the Yellow River from Maojin Ferry to head to Liu Bei's most prosperous Hedong Commandery.

He was blocked by Gao Shun, Xu Huang, and Zhang He; the river crossing failed, and despite trying every possible method, there was still no progress.

Cao Cao then sent Xia Hou Dun, Cao Hong, and Li Dian to lead 30,000 troops to attack Tongguan, attempting to disperse the forces of Gao Shun and the others.

Taishi Ci held Tongguan firmly.

Xia Hou Dun drove the people of Hongnong to act as human shields to attack Tongguan.

Taishi Ci, in a fit of rage, shot an arrow that almost blinded Xia Hou Dun's only remaining eye, turning him into a truly blind Xia Hou!

Xia Hou Dun was left with lingering fears and dared not approach Tongguan; after more than a month of attacking, there were no results!

Upon learning that Liu Bei had crushed Han Sui and the Western Qiang and controlled Liangzhou, Yuan Shao and Cao Cao had thoughts of retreating.

Furthermore, Lu Bu and Gongsun Zan raided their rear, scaring the two into hurriedly withdrawing their troops.

Thus,

The alliance formed by Yuan Shao and Cao Cao, having mobilized over 200,000 troops, returned with nothing to show for it.

This result shocked the Nine Provinces.

Although Liu Bei was fighting a defensive war, being able to withstand the joint attack of the two had made him the strongest warlord.

This was also Liu Bei's strategy: using dangerous passes to defend was the method that consumed the least troops.

In Shouchun,