Chapter 448

Liu Bei exited Wu Pass, went south along the Dan River, crossed the Han River, and arrived near Xiangyang again.

Liu Biao didn't expect Liu Bei to come to Xiangyang again!

Last year he had just taken away sixty thousand people from Nanyang Commandery, and this year only a few tens of thousands of people returned home.

However, his subordinate Zhang Xiu had raided Liu Bei, and he was in the wrong first; he really couldn't argue about this matter anymore.

"Xuande, you are truly unparalleled in benevolence and righteousness. If all my Liu family members were like you, why worry about the Han not flourishing!"

Liu Bei raised his cup and laughed.

"Brother Jingsheng, you are now the model for my Liu family descendants. Seven million people in Jingzhou live and work in peace; in this chaotic world, it is truly too rare."

The two complimented each other.

Liu Biao said in a low voice,

"Xuande, actually Liu Yan and his son are not good people. Liu Yan manufactured a large number of artifacts that only an emperor could use, including over a thousand vehicles. His ambition is clear to see!"

Liu Bei knew that Liu Biao had also reported Liu Yan's small secret.

Liu Bei nodded.

"Brother Jingsheng is right. However, Liu Zhang is different from his father and has a virtuous style."

Liu Biao smiled; Liu Zhang was even worse than his father!

Now the local Shu faction "593", the Dongzhou official Pang Xi occupied Baxi Commandery, the Nanzhong warlords, and Zhang Lu's forces were in chaotic disarray!

The two couldn't say it clearly, of course. Liu Biao naturally didn't want Liu Bei to occupy Ba-Shu; that was too big a threat to him.

However,

he didn't think Liu Bei could take Ba-Shu with these twelve thousand people; at most, he would help Ba-Shu quell the chaos like in Jingzhou last time, gaining popular support or population.

Liu Bei naturally also caught up with Cai Mao and the others.

Returning to the camp at night,

Fa Zheng presented the recent intelligence.

"My lord, Yuan Shao is using troops against Gongsun Zan. The scale this time is very large; clearly, he wants to swallow Youzhou in one breath."

"Cao Cao is also assembling a great army, with his target pointing directly at Lu Bu in Xuzhou."

"Sun Ce has quelled the rebellion and is now starting to campaign against the Shanyue people. Zhou Yu is also going up the Gan River to campaign against various places in Yuzhang."

Liu Bei nodded; everyone seemed to have a tacit understanding to start bullying the weak and strengthening themselves.

Guo Jia cupped his hands.

"My lord, we must take Ba-Shu this time; otherwise, once Yuan Shao and Cao Cao resolve their worries, they won't sit by and watch our army take Ba-Shu!"

Pang Tong also bowed.

"My lord, gaining the land of Ba-Shu will open up our army's situation, and we won't fear Yuan and Cao joining forces."

Liu Bei also knew that this trip to Ba-Shu was very critical; success would double his strength, while failure would make the road ahead difficult.

"Good. This time our soldiers must follow orders and must succeed!"

"Understood!"

Xu County,

Cao Cao was discussing matters with everyone.

"This time our army must break Lu Bu and occupy the land of Xuzhou!"

Everyone looked at each other, somewhat puzzled. Lu Bu was brave, and in the last few attacks on Xuzhou, the Cao army had returned without success.

Cao Cao laughed.

"No matter. I already have an inside contact; I will surely make Lu Bu unable to escape this disaster this time!"

Xun Yu cupped his hands.

"My lord, Yuan Shao is campaigning against Youzhou, and Liu Bei is leading troops into Shu. This is the best opportunity to take Xuzhou."

Cao Cao stood up tall.

"Good. Try to break the enemy in one battle this time!"

He frowned.

"Liu Bei's entry into Shu this time must be plotting for Ba-Shu. I will send a letter to Liu Zhang, telling him not to let his guard down, and it would be best to take the opportunity to capture Liu Bei and share Guan-Zhong with me!"

"My lord is wise!"

Cao Cao put eye drops on Liu Bei,

and Liu Bei also stabbed Cao Cao in the back.

Xuzhou,

Lu Bu held the secret letter sent by Liu Bei.

"Gongtai, Liu Bei says Chen Deng and his son have rebellious intentions. What do you think? I think Chen Deng and his son are quite good."

Chen Gong almost cried.

"My lord, Chen Deng and his son are treacherous; they are deliberately pleasing you, but in reality, they have already secretly defected to Cao Cao, just waiting for you to lead troops to battle to offer the city to Cao Cao."