Chapter 446

"Yuan Shu can't hold on anymore; Jiujiang simply can't support so many people. He has the idea of defecting to Yuan Shao."

"Unfortunately, he had just set out when he was raided by Lu Bu, and he was defeated and returned to Shouchun."

Liu Bei nodded.

"You send someone to wait for Yuan Shu's defeat and death, and secretly seize the Imperial Seal."

"Do you want me to go personally?"

Liu Bei shook his head.

"The Imperial Seal is just a dead object; you don't need to take that risk."

Bai Yuekui was moved.

"Captain, you are truly good to me."

Liu Bei lifted her chin.

"I'm so good to you; is there any feedback?"

Bai Yuekui naturally squatted down to repay him.

The General of Agile Cavalry's Mansion held a meeting.

This time, not only Guo Jia, Xun You, Fa Zheng, Ju Shou, and Pang Tong were present,

but Governor of Fufeng Zhuge Liang and Guan Yu, who was guarding Taiyuan, also rushed back.

Liu Bei first listened to the reports from Guan Yu and Zhuge Liang.

"Eldest Brother, after the bumper harvest in Taiyuan and Shangdang last year, the people live and work in peace, and some Black Mountain bandits have also come down from the mountains to live normal lives."

"Zilong and I also received one hundred thousand Youzhou people and annihilated over a dozen tribes of the Central Xianbei, gaining over two hundred thousand people."

Liu Bei nodded.

"Good, Yunchang has worked hard."

Zhang Fei laughed loudly.

"I'm afraid Second Brother will be even more tired; Eldest Brother just sent three Western Region beauties to Second Brother."

Everyone laughed.

Fortunately, Guan Yu's red face couldn't show anything!

Guan Yu cupped his hands.

"Eldest Brother, Gongsun Zan now only has a few cities. I fear he will be wiped out by Yuan Shao this year. Should our army compete with Yuan Shao for the land of Youzhou?"

Liu Bei looked at Zhuge Liang.

"Kongming, tell me your thoughts."

Guan Yu glanced at Zhuge Liang and thought to himself,

"Is this the village rustic who defeated Xia Hou Dun at Bowang Slope? He looks quite smart."

Zhuge Liang cupped his hands.

"My lord, Yuan Shao and Gongsun Zan have been fighting in Youzhou for years. Youzhou itself only had about 1.5 million people; now I fear there aren't even one million."

"Youzhou is too close to Yuan Shao. It's useless for our army to send few troops, and sending many troops will inevitably lead to a great war with Yuan Shao. Mobilizing a great army from Chang'an to Youzhou is a long and difficult road, and the supplies are huge."

Everyone nodded.

Pang Tong also said,

"My lord, a decisive battle with Yuan Shao in Youzhou is definitely not a wise move. Instead, it would allow Cao Cao to take advantage of the situation."

Others had the same opinion.

Liu Bei paused.

"Since everyone thinks so, Yunchang!"

"Present."

"You rendezvous with Zilong and must move the people of Shanggu and Dai commanderies in Youzhou to Bing Province."

"Understood!"

"Ju Shou, you go and be responsible for the resettlement work of the entire Bing Province."

"Understood!"

Liu Bei took out another letter.

"Everyone, this is a request for help from Liu Zhang of Xichuan."

He first handed it to Guo Jia and let him read it to everyone.

The general meaning was: Zhang Lu had great ambition and was plotting against the Shu land, and he had also allied with Yong Kai of Jianning and Meng Huo of Nanzhong, surrounding Liu Zhang. Liu Zhang couldn't hold on and requested an alliance with Lord Xuande.

At this time, Liu Zhang had internal and external troubles; he couldn't beat Zhang Lu, and Yong Kai and Meng Huo of Nanzhong were also exceptionally fierce.

Everyone's eyes lit up; the opportunity to seize Xichuan had arrived!

Xun You excitedly cupped his hands.

"My lord, the opportunity must not be lost. Ba-Shu has a population of nearly six million; gaining it will greatly increase our army's strength!"

"Taking its land is enough to expand the country; gaining its wealth is enough to enrich the people."

Guo Jia also bowed.

"My lord, now that Yuan Shao, Cao Cao, and even Sun Ce have united to blockade trade with our army, we can only do business in Jingzhou, and the business in Xichuan is also heavily extorted by Zhang Lu along the way."

"The Ba-Shu and Nanzhong regions have large populations and rich products, which will greatly enhance our army's strength."

Pang Tong also suggested,

"If our army takes Ba-Shu and occupies the upper reaches of the Yangtze River, once there is a change in Jingzhou, we can go down the river and take Jingzhou as easily as turning over a hand!"

"My lord, Liu Zhang governs the Shu land with no virtuous policies, loose laws, and lack of strict punishment. The gentry often use their wealth and power to bully the small people. Eight out of ten households in Shu are thinking of rebellion."

Everyone's eyes lit up; then they must go to save the people of Shu!

Gan Ning's eyes also brightened. The lord had snatched Liu Biao's wife to vent his anger for him, and now he was going to seize Xichuan to help him take revenge—he must go!

"My lord, I am willing to be the vanguard and take my hometown, Ba Commandery!"

Liu Bei laughed.

"Xingba, I'm afraid you've got it wrong. Liu Zhang is asking for an alliance to confront Zhang Lu, Yong Kai, and Meng Huo."

Liu Bei analyzed through intelligence that Meng Huo and the others all had the shadows of players.

Gan Ning was stunned and hurriedly cupped his hands.

"Subordinate was reckless. Hmm, we are going to help Liu Zhang."

Everyone laughed.

Zhang Fei said carelessly,

"Eldest Brother, I am willing to be the vanguard, kill into Hanzhong from Fufeng Commandery, and capture Zhang Lu!"

Ma Chao also stepped out.

"My lord, I haven't fought for a long time either; I must go this time."

0 ······Seeking flowers····· ·······

Liu Bei laughed.

"Since you all want to go fight Zhang Lu, I can only take Hansheng and Wei Yan to Ba-Shu."

Zhang Fei:?

"Kongming, explain it to the two of them."

Zhuge Liang laughed.

"Two generals, if you wipe out Zhang Lu, Liu Zhang will have lost his biggest threat. Will he still invite the lord to enter Shu to help him?"

Zhang Fei slapped his head.

"Aiya, look at my wooden head; I just don't have as many schemes as you people!"

Liu Bei stood up tall.

"Mengqi, you and Pang De garrison Tianshui, train the soldiers, and wait for the order to attack Hanzhong from Qishan."

"Understood!"

"Xu Huang, Ju Yi, Guo Huai, garrison Tianshui and listen to Zhuge Liang's command."

"Understood!"

"Huo Jun, Li Yan, you guard Wu Pass."

"Zhang Liao, Zhang He, you lead troops to Yanmen Commandery to assist Zilong."

"Lu Xun, Xu Sheng, you pay close attention to Cao Cao's movements. Once there is a change, lead the army and people to retreat into Tong Pass to defend."