Chapter 514

Liu Bei looked at Guo Jia.

"Fengxiao, what is your view?"

"My lord, I believe our army can send a valiant general to hold Tongguan firmly, while the main force establishes a continuous line of camps north of the Yellow River and south of Mount Zhongtiao to resist the coalition."

Everyone was greatly shocked.

"Military Advisor, are we to abandon city defense and engage the coalition in open field battle?"

One must know, the coalition has four hundred thousand troops. Liu Bei's Yizhou and Hanzhong troops cannot be mobilized. Excluding the city garrison troops and Zhao Zilong, who is guarding against the Western Xianbei, the total force that can be mobilized from Guanzhong, Bingzhou, and Liangzhou is at most around one hundred and eighty thousand.

Guo Jia laughed.

"As long as our army holds the camps firmly and maintains a stalemate with the coalition, they will face supply difficulties. With their grain routes raided, they will inevitably retreat."

Guo Jia pointed to the Yellow River again.

"If the coalition fails to take Tongguan from the south bank of the Yellow River and crosses to the north bank, their supplies will have to cross the river."

"The area from Pujin Ferry through Tongguan to Shanxian is navigable. If my lord has Gan Ning and Zhang Ren train twenty thousand naval troops, they will come in very handy right now."

Everyone's eyes lit up.

"So my lord had already made arrangements. Your subordinates are impressed!"

Liu Bei laughed.

"I didn't expect the naval troops to be used so soon either. It's just that Cao Cao is too wary of us, wishing he could band together to defeat us."

Everyone laughed.

Liu Bei stood up tall.

"All generals, hear my orders!"

Everyone became solemn and cupped their hands.

"Your subordinates are here!"

"Guo Fengxiao, Jia Xu, Pang Shiyuan, and Fa Fa Xiaozhi shall serve as military advisors accompanying the army."

"Zhang Fei, Gao Shun, Huang Zhong, Ma Chao, Zhang Wenyuan, Taishi Ziyi, Ju Yi, Gan Ning, Zhang Ren, Xu Huang, Pang De, E Huan, and Chen Dao shall lead their respective troops to follow me into battle!"

"Understood!"

"Tian Yu, Yan Gang, and Guan Hai, you three shall head to Yanmen Commandery to assist Zhao Zilong in crushing the Western Xianbei and Wuhuan coalition of Kebineng."

"Tell Zhao Zilong that whether our army can let the meritorious soldiers receive the Hu Ren women as rewards for this great victory depends on his performance!"

"Understood!"

"Order Lu Xun and Xu Sheng to lead fifteen thousand troops to hold Tongguan firmly."

"Order Guan Yu and Xu Shu to bring troops to rendezvous with me in Hedong!"

"Order Xu Rong, Zhang He, and Yu Du to hold the passes of Mount Zhongtiao firmly to prevent the coalition from sneaking into the Hedong Basin to cause trouble."

"Understood!"

Pang Shiyuan pointed toward Wuguan.

"My lord, although Liu Biao is not participating in the war, we must be careful of Cao Cao borrowing the path to attack Wuguan."

Liu Bei nodded.

"Pang Shiyuan is right. Reinforce Li Yan and Huo Jun with troops up to ten thousand to hold Wuguan firmly."

"Understood!"

"Ju Shou and Lu Zijing, you are responsible for the entire coordination of Guanzhong."

"Understood!"

"Du Ji and Jia Kui, you are responsible for the grain allocation and supply for this great army."

"Understood!"

The live broadcast room's chat also increased significantly.

"Damn, this makes my blood boil. I wish I could swap places with Liu Bei!"

"To the one above, I suspect you've set your sights on Liu Daer's backyard!"

"Speaking of which, Liu Bei's martial generals all feel so fierce."

"Liu Daer actually arranged for the unknown Lu Xun to guard Tongguan? He's gotten arrogant!"

"Indeed, Lu Xun doesn't look like a fierce general."

"The one above knows nothing. Generals are for strategy, not just bravery. Someone who can be valued so highly by Liu Daer might just be the next village rustic!"

All of Guanzhong and Bingzhou began to mobilize—grain, weapons, arrows, horses, and so on.

Soldiers also bid farewell to their families and rushed to the battlefield.

The mood of the common people was also relatively stable; after all, Brother Xuande is victorious in every battle. Although the number of opponents is double ours, so what!

Liu Bei also took advantage of this spare time to rest for a bit. The Two Qiaos also played pleasing music for Liu Bei together, making Liu Bei somewhat reluctant to leave...

After all, such sisters who look so alike and are both devastatingly beautiful are too rare. Listening to their melodious voices is also a kind of enjoyment.

The Two Qiaos also knew that Liu Bei was about to face his greatest challenge. In order to help him soothe his emotions, the two of them tried their best to satisfy Liu Bei's requests...

Little Qiao looked up.

"Husband, this great battle concerns the fate of the Great Han. We cannot help you much."

Big Qiao was burying her head in playing the instrument, making Liu Bei feel comfortable.

She pulled Little Qiao.

"Let's not disturb Husband; let him calm his mind to think about things."

"Oh."

Little Qiao nodded seriously. "Yes, I was negligent!"

Liu Bei really wasn't thinking about anything; his breathing was just a bit heavy, clearly seriously enjoying the music of strings and bamboo, using art to cultivate his character.

It's just that the live broadcast room was a black screen, so everyone couldn't appreciate it.

Before the army had even set out, Lu Zijing arrived leading Liu Ye.

Liu Bei was overjoyed and grabbed Liu Ye's hand.

"My army is about to set out; Ziyang can just happen to accompany me on the expedition!"

Liu Ye felt grateful for Liu Bei's high regard.

"Yes, my lord!"

Liu Bei then realized.

"Ziyang, you've had a long and tiring journey; you should still rest for a while."

Liu Ye quickly said.

"My lord, I am not tired. If I don't participate in this great battle, wouldn't I regret it for the rest of my life!"

Liu Bei and Lu Zijing both laughed heartily!

The army set out from Changancheng, crossed Pujin Ferry, and established continuous camps on the north bank of the Yellow River, opposite Tongguan.

All the people of Hedong south of Mount Zhongtiao were relocated to the Guanzhong area!

Not a single chicken or a single grain of rice was left for Yuan Shao and Cao Cao!

Liu Bei, meanwhile, took his personal guard cavalry to head to Tongguan first.

Upon arriving at Tongguan,

The soldiers were earnestly preparing rolling stones, giant logs, and other city-defense weapons.

Lu Xun and Xu Sheng came to welcome Liu Bei.

"Boyan, Wenxiang, how are the preparations?"

The two cupped their hands.

"My lord, rest assured. Your subordinates will definitely hold Tongguan firmly. Even if Yuan Shao and Cao Cao's two hundred thousand troops attack, we won't let them advance an inch!"

Lu Xun and Xu Sheng were moved by their lord's trust. Among so many famous generals, he chose the two of them to guard Tongguan, clearly valuing them highly.

The two were also very confident. Tongguan is a natural barrier; even with a million-strong army, they could only send a small number of people to attack because the road is too narrow!

Liu Bei inspected the city defenses and found that they were well-prepared. They had even set up twenty catapults modified by Ma Jun.

With these catapults, Lu Xun was even more confident.

Liu Ye, however, hurried up to inspect these catapults and sighed deeply.

"My lord, having such sharp weapons is excellent for city defense!"

Liu Bei laughed.

"These improved catapults are something Ma Jun and his hundreds of men spent over half a year researching." ===== CHAPTER 515 =====