Chapter 1451

"Duan Yu sent troops from Chang'an at the beginning of March; it's only been a month!"

That's right.

Liu Bei thought so too.

It's only been a month, and Bingzhou is about to be gone.

Yizhou is also dangerous.

Liangzhou only has so many troops; how did they achieve such results in such a short time?

Liu Bei couldn't figure it out either.

"Alright, no matter how Duan Yu did it, these have nothing to do with us now; the Grand Tutor suggested that the Empress Dowager send troops from Xin'an Hangu Pass, and the Empress Dowager has decided to let me lead one hundred thousand troops, and Huangfu Song lead fifty thousand troops, totaling one hundred and fifty thousand troops to send troops from Xin'an Hangu Pass in ten days."

"I have decided to let Yunchang and Yide lead the remaining Xuzhou troops after I leave, with Yunchang defending Hangu Pass and Yide defending Mengjin Pass."

"Gongyou, you immediately set off for Mengjin Pass, call Yunchang back, and then stay in Mengjin Pass to assist Yide."

"You must warn Yide to drink less, scold soldiers less, strictly organize the army, and not be careless," Liu Bei said, looking at Sun Qian.

Sun Qian immediately cupped his hands and nodded: "Subordinate understands."

"Xianhe, you immediately send someone to notify Zhang Rao, let him immediately organize the army for battle, be ready to set off at any time, and after Yunchang returns, assist Yunchang in defending Hangu Pass."

"Gong, you will be the military advisor accompanying the army, and go on the expedition with me."

Liu Bei issued several orders in one breath.

Sun Qian, Jian Yong, and Zhuge Gui took orders and acted separately.

After everyone left, Liu Bei, who was sitting in the study, did not get up immediately.

Instead, he sat in the study and thought for a long time.

Just now in the palace, it was Yuan Kui who suggested sending troops to attack Duan Yu.

Why did Yuan Kui do this?

At first, when he was in Langya Kingdom, he listened to the suggestions of Jian Yong and others and visited Yuan Kui, which gained Yuan Kui's support, allowing the gathered Qingzhou Yellow Turbans to settle down in Langya Kingdom.

If it were a normal situation, if Yuan Kui wanted him to send troops to cooperate with Yuan Ji's strategy, he should have discussed it with him in advance, at least giving him some preparation.

But now Yuan Kui suddenly made this suggestion, making him unable to react at all.

It was also fortunate that he prioritized the safety of Luoyang and left most of the troops to defend the eight passes of Luoyang.

Otherwise, if three hundred thousand troops exited Hangu Pass and were really defeated, he would have nothing left.

Was Yuan Kui doing this to intentionally weaken his power?

Now it seems that this possibility is very high.

Since leading the troops into Luoyang, Empress Dowager Dong summoned him to the palace every few days, granting him titles and recognizing his ancestry.

Although this series of rewards seemed extremely glorious, behind this splendor, it might also have made Yuan Kui feel threatened.

Just look at the fate of the three Ming of Liangzhou in those years.

These gentry absolutely do not allow anyone other than them to hold power and seize influence.

Liu Bei took a deep breath.

"Shuzhi."

Chen Dao outside the study was called into the study.

"Lord."

"Shuzhi, you take my name card and go to Cai's mansion, saying that I want to pay a visit," Liu Bei said to Chen Dao.

"Understood." Chen Dao agreed and then turned and left the study.

Cai clan.

A flash of light appeared in the corner of Liu Bei's eyes.

Having military power in his hands was not enough.

He also needed the support of the gentry.

This was also an important reason why he took the initiative to seek Cai Yan.

Cai Yan's father was the great Confucian Cai Yong at the time.

Although the Cai clan's status was not comparable to the Hongnong Yang clan, the Runan Yuan clan, and the four major gentry of Yingchuan.

But Cai Yong's connections and his school were the stepping stones to enter the gentry class.

If he could marry Cai Yan, it would be equivalent to possessing Cai Yong's connections.

Cai Yong's teacher was Grand Tutor Hu Guang, and he had served as an official under Qiao Xuan, and his close friends like Ma Ridi were all great Confucians of the time.

If he had this connection of Cai Yong, it would be much more convenient to do anything in the future.

"Cai Yan..."

In Buguangli, at an edge mansion, a plaque engraved with 'Feibai' script hung on the porch of the steps, with the words 'Cai Mansion' written on it.

Cai Yan, who returned from outside the city, slowly got off the carriage and entered through the open mansion gate.

The maid Lan'er, who followed behind, held Cai Yong's favorite zither, Jiaowei, and followed closely.

Behind the moss-spotted moon gate, a winding path led to the depths of the bamboo forest, and the gravel path was made shiny by the drizzle of last night.

Cai Yan's white shoes on her jade feet stepped on the rounded stones, passing through the corridor paved with stones and crossing the pond.

When the cross-hall wind swept across the water, a red carp suddenly jumped up from the pond.

A young girl who looked to be about the same age as Cai Yan was holding her skirt and running rapidly toward Cai Yan.

"Sister..."

The girl called Cai Yan sister as soon as she opened her mouth.

The light steps under her feet startled the carp hiding under the arch bridge of the pond, causing them to flee in all directions.

"Zhenji, slow down," Cai Yan looked at the girl running over and showed a gentle smile, which instantly made the flowers lose their color.

"Sister, just now the Marquis of Linxiang sent someone to deliver a name card, saying he wanted to come and visit," Cai Zhenji ran to Cai Yan and pointed to the library on the west side behind her: "I just heard it from Father."

When she heard the words Marquis of Linxiang, Cai Yan's eyebrows wrinkled imperceptibly.

Liu Bei?

"Sister... what's wrong with you?"

Cai Zhenji looked at Cai Yan, who was frowning, and tilted her head in confusion. The black hair braided into a ponytail rested on one side of her shoulder, and her appearance was pretty and spirited.

"Nothing, just a little tired," Cai Yan said, shaking her head: "If Father asks later, just say I'm tired and have gone to rest."

"Oh."

Cai Zhenji, who didn't understand, nodded.

Night fell.

Liu Bei, dressed in brocade, arrived as promised by carriage with Chen Dao and four guards.

Under the guidance of the gatekeeper steward, Liu Bei passed through the ceremonial gate and entered Cai Yong's mansion with his guards.

In front of the main hall, Cai Yong, dressed simply but appropriately, stood in front of the hall door.

The years of exile seemed to have smoothed out the edges of the once stubborn Cai Yong, and there were a few more strands of white hair on his forehead.

"Lord Xuande."

Seeing Liu Bei walking through the corridor in the twilight, Cai Yong smiled and cupped his hands in response.

"I dare not, I dare not; how can I deserve Master Cai to welcome me outside the door? Liu Bei is flattered, flattered."

Liu Bei quickly stepped forward two steps to Cai Yong.

Inside the hall behind Cai Yong, bronze crane lamps had already been lit to illuminate the hall, and delicacies and ingredients had already been placed on the tables.

Cai Yong led Liu Bei into the hall together.

After sitting down, Liu Bei's back was straight.

The brocade clothes reflected the bright light of the lamps, and he held a bronze goblet in his hand. If it weren't for the leather cover on his ears covering his hairline, which looked a bit abrupt, Liu Bei at this moment, if not handsome, could be considered a talent.

"Lord Xuande, please drink; this wine is called 'Three Wonders' and is rare in the world. Knowing that Lord Xuande was coming today, I prepared it specially," Cai Yong said, looking at Liu Bei and raising his cup.

"Oh?" Liu Bei looked at the fine wine in the cup and asked: "I wonder what the saying is about these Three Wonders?"

Cai Yong held the bronze goblet in one hand and stroked his chin with the other, smiling and saying: "The brewing method of this wine is taken from Ba Jun, the koji material is collected from Yingchuan, and the cellar storage uses Beihai ice blocks."

"Just like the heroes of the world, they must experience wind, frost, cold, and heat to get these three wonders."

"Bravo!" Liu Bei clapped and praised: "Master Cai is truly unparalleled in talent, but compared to Master Cai's Three Wonders, this wine is slightly inferior."

"That day in the palace, I heard Master Cai play the Keting flute and Miss Cai play the Jiaowei zither; the zither sound lingered around the beams, and the flute sound was winding; it was truly unforgettable."

"By the way, today I met Master Cai's daughter playing the zither by the Luo River outside the city by chance, and I was deeply shocked."

Liu Bei brought the topic from Cai Yong to Cai Yan in a few sentences.