Chapter 449

Lu Bu was furious. Although he did not like Liu Bei, Liu Bei had taken his daughter as a concubine and was stationed far away from him, so there was no conflict of interest; there was no need to stir up trouble.

"Chen Deng and his son? Very well. Gongtai, think of a way to lure them out!"

"Understood!" Chen Gong's spirits were greatly lifted!

Meanwhile, Yuan Shao personally led an expedition against Youzhou, only to learn that Guan Yu and Zhao Yun had led troops out of Yanmen to gather the common people in the Shanggu and Daijun regions.

Naturally, he was furious and sent Gao Lan and Wen Chou to attack, but they were instead defeated by Guan Yu and Zhao Yun.

He then had Gao Lan and Wen Chou hold the city while he focused on dealing with Gongsun Zan.

"Once I occupy Youzhou, you just wait, you eared thief!"

Bashu, Shu Commandery.

"My lord, Liu Bei is a tiger and a wolf. You must not let him enter Shu!"

Huang Quan spoke with earnest sincerity, trying his best to persuade him.

Yizhou Consultant Wang Lei also advised:

"My lord, Liu Bei's might shakes the nine provinces, and he occupies the land of three provinces. His next step will be to take our Bashu."

Liu Zhang felt somewhat irritable.

"Then what do you want me to do?"

"Zhang Lu, Yong Kai, and Meng Huo—which one of you can deal with them?!"

"Zhang Lu sends troops to attack Ba Commandery, Yong Kai is about to reach Yuexi Commandery, Pang Xi is too powerful to be controlled, and Li Yi bolsters his own power with his troops. What do you want me to do?"

Huang Quan and Wang Lei had no solution either.

Bieja Zhang Song shook his head inwardly. With the situation as it was, what else could be done? Just welcome a wise lord into Shu!

He had not yet gone on his mission to Cao Cao, but in his heart, he had already identified Liu Bei as the wise lord; only Liu Bei could stabilize the situation in Shu.

Zhang Song cupped his hands.

"My lord, Huang Quan and Wang Lei are both short-sighted and have the views of petty men. Last year, Lord Xuande helped Liu Biao pacify Zhang Xian's rebellion and also repelled Sun Ce. Has he replaced Liu Biao, or occupied even one of Liu Biao's cities?!"

Huang Quan could not say that Liu Zhang was inferior to Liu Biao; that would be slapping Liu Zhang in the face!

Liu Zhang's eyes brightened.

"What Zhang Song says is very true. Liu Bei's benevolence is known throughout the world, and he is my brother of the Liu clan. How could he covet my foundation!"

Huang Quan and Wang Lei cursed Zhang Song roundly.

"Selling out your lord for glory!"

Zhang Song naturally traded insults with the two of them!

Liu Zhang slammed the table.

"Enough! This time Liu Bei has only brought twelve thousand troops, and I have over a hundred thousand. Do you look down on me that much?!"

Liu Zhang was not a fool; he wanted Liu Bei to help him pacify the rebellions while also guarding against him. He wanted to be the one in control, yet he had a misunderstanding of his own abilities...

It could only be said that Liu Bei's reputation was too good; Xuzhou had refused him, Jingzhou had refused him, and Yizhou would surely be the same.

"My mind is made up. Zhang Song, you take three thousand troops to go and welcome Lord Xuande!"

"Understood!"

Liu Bei borrowed one hundred ships from Liu Biao and spent a large sum of money to collect dozens of cargo ships in Nan Commandery. He recruited sailors, had Gan Ning's three thousand naval troops control the ships, and sailed up the river toward Bashu.

After sailing for several days,

Gan Ning shouted from outside:

"My lord, we have reached Xiling Gorge."

Liu Bei led the others out of the cabin of the tower ship.

On both banks, cliffs stood a thousand fathoms high; shadows of mountains and the cries of apes filled the air, waves churned and water rushed, and mist swirled among the mountains. A feeling of refreshment and joy rushed to meet them.

Behind them, a hundred boats raced, piercing through the vast fog on the river; hundreds of ships moved in a grand procession.

It turned out that Jingzhou merchants had heard that Liu Bei was entering Shu and had hurriedly followed along with their own ships to do some business in Shu.

Pang Tong, Wei Yan, and Huang Zhong, being from Jingzhou, were fine.

Guo Jia, Sun Gan, and Jian Yong were all somewhat seasick, their faces pale.

Zhang Fei, Taishi Ci, and Fa Zheng, however, remained as usual; the few of them were quite accustomed to being on ships.

Gan Ning spoke as if counting his family treasures:

"My lord, after passing Xiling Gorge, there is Wu Gorge and Qutang Gorge. After that, we can dock at Yufu to rest..."

As he spoke, tears welled up in Gan Ning's eyes.

"Ever since we were defeated by Liu Zhang, we haven't returned home for several years. I don't know if my relatives in my hometown are still safe."

He cupped his hands fiercely.

"If not for you, my lord, I fear it would have been very difficult for me to return in this lifetime."

Liu Bei patted him on the shoulder.

"Xingba is now a General Who Sweeps the Wilds; you must return home in glory!"

Gan Ning was filled with hot tears.

"My greatest achievement is following you, my lord. Your name, my lord, shakes the nine provinces; everyone naturally envies me!"

After another difficult period of sailing,

the great army arrived at Yufu.

Liu Bei had the soldiers rest, but they were not allowed to disturb the people!

The people of Yufu had originally been frightened by the arriving army, but seeing that the soldiers did not commit the slightest offense, and upon asking, learned it was Lord Xuande's army, their hearts were immediately at ease.

"So it is Lord Xuande's army; no wonder the military discipline is so good!"

"Indeed, Lord Xuande's benevolence is known throughout the world!"

Liu Bei led Guo Jia and the others walking on the streets of Yufu.

Guo Jia's eyes brightened.

"My lord, the women here have fair skin and are very spirited; every one of them is beautiful, and they are bold too!"

Many had already been casting flirtatious glances at Liu Bei!

There was no other reason—Liu Bei was handsome!

Liu Bei laughed loudly.

"Fengxiao, it seems you don't understand the principle of 'the young should not enter Sichuan'!"

Pang Tong?

"My lord, isn't it because life in Sichuan is too leisurely, which erodes one's fighting spirit?"

Guo Jia waved his hand.

"Shiyuan is superficial. I think the lord's understanding is more correct: a bed of comfort is the grave of heroes!"

Pang Tong?? Could it be that he was truly superficial?