The three countries are very nuclear

Guan Yu's army marched westward from the end of July, and it took half a month to cross the country of Xiao, and finally arrived in Peijun.

Although Yuan Shu was a bit arrogant, he was not stupid.

Since the beginning of claiming to be king, he has paid close attention to Liu Bei's news, and even deployed tens of thousands of troops at the border, just to prevent possible changes in Xuzhou.

Nearly two months later, the news of Liu Bei's mobilization of troops in Xuzhou had already spread. Yuan Shu also began to increase troops to Peijun, and even sent his general Ma Teng and his son there.

It's just a piece of news that he can't understand anyway.

"Liu Xuande actually dared to call himself a million soldiers. He is really shameless. Such an exaggerated statement is not afraid of ridicule by the world!"

In Wancheng Prince's Mansion, Yuan Shu pointed at the scout report from the front line with a disdainful expression on his face.

Even in the most powerful period of the Han Dynasty, there were only a million soldiers and horses in the whole country.

Liu Xuande ruled only four states, so he dared to brag like this, and he was not afraid that the wind would flash his tongue.

Speaking of millions of soldiers and horses is indeed a bit false, but it is not too exaggerated.

This time going south, Xuzhou dispatched a total of 60 troops, and directly mobilized 40 civilians to transport food, grass and luggage. It is not an exaggeration to say that it is a million.

At least compared to the Battle of Chibi in the original history, Cao Cao's so-called 80 is much more reliable.

The reason why Yuan Shu didn't believe it was because without comparison, there would be no harm.

Thinking of him, Yuan Gonglu, who was born in Runan Yuan family of the fourth generation and three fathers, has worked hard these years to occupy the entire Yuzhou and half of Yangzhou, and even the richest Nanyang in Jingzhou is also in his hands.

Even so, the number of soldiers and horses that can be mobilized under his command is only more than 20.

Why does Liu Bei have millions of soldiers!

Of course, with Yuan Shu's ability and policies in governing the region, it is already the limit to be able to gather 20 troops.

But his subordinates didn't see it that way.

Zhang Zhao stood up and cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, I thought that a million-strong army might be worthless, but Liu Xuande dispatched at least five or six million troops this time. Your Majesty must not underestimate the enemy."

Facing Zhang Zhao, who sang the opposite tune, Yuan Shu was displeased and said, "Of course I will not underestimate the enemy, but he, Liu Xuande, definitely does not have 60 or [-] troops!"

"Even so, I think we should go to Peijun to reinforce some troops."

"Liu Xuande sent troops in three directions, why did Zi Bu only talk about Pei County?" Yuan Shu was a little dissatisfied and also curious.

Zhang Zhao cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, according to the military report ahead, the enemy army in Pei County is led by Guan Yunchang, and all of them are elite soldiers from Xuzhou. Although General Shoucheng and his son are brave, they only have [-] troops under their command. How can they stop Guan Yunchang? "

Hearing the word 'Guan Yunchang', Yuan Shu's expression changed slightly.

Although there are many fierce generals in Xuzhou, Guan Yu's reputation has not been affected at all, and it is even better than the original reputation in history.

From Zhongshan's rise to prominence, to the allied forces fighting against Dong Shizhen to kill Niu Fu, and then in a series of battles, Guan Yu appeared as the main general of one side, and he was invincible. It is normal for Yuan Shu to be a little afraid.

After thinking for a while, Yuan Shu waved his sleeves and said, "Since Guan Yu is on the opposite side, then send another [-] troops to Peijun for reinforcements."

"As ordered!"

All the officials in the hall bowed their hands.

After finishing speaking, Yuan Shu suddenly remembered something again, and asked quickly, "Zibu, is there any mention in the spy report... Where is Lin Zichu now?"

Although Guan Yu had a reputation for viciousness, the person Yuan Shu feared the most was Lin Chao.

As long as this guy doesn't show up, he may become a bomb that will detonate at any time, and he may surprise you at any time.

"This..." Zhang Zhao hesitated, "It was not mentioned in the report."

Yuan Shu said decisively: "Then send someone to investigate again, we must find out which army Lin Zichu is leading, this person is our enemy!"

"As ordered!"

While all the people were discussing, a soldier rushed in outside the door, knelt down on one knee and reported: "Your Majesty, Cao Mengde begs to see you!"

"Cao Mengde is here?"

Hearing this, Yuan Shu said happily.

When Cao Cao left the city, he wrote a letter to Yuan Shu, asking him to take him in and fight against Xuzhou's army.

Although Yuan Shu was a bit stupid, he still understood the reason why his lips were dead and his teeth were cold, so he agreed immediately.

But now that Cao Cao has arrived, Yuan Shu still sits quietly, not intending to come out to greet him, but just waved his sleeves and said with a smile: "Meng De is an old friend who is lonely, and now he has come to seek refuge, why don't you bring him in quickly."

Probably because these years have been too smooth, or it may be that he looks down on Cao Cao from the bottom of his heart, and it is more likely that he will become king and be complacent.

In short, facing Cao Cao, who was very likely to be his arm, Yuan Shu put his posture high, even looked at Cao Cao with the eyes of a superior, and refused to leave the throne for half a step.

……

Yuzhou battlefield, Xiangxian County.

At the same time that Yuan Shu and Cao Cao were meeting, the battle on the front line was already in full swing.

After learning that the enemy on the opposite side was Guan Yu, all the soldiers in the army were afraid, but Ma Chao was not afraid at all, and even asked Ma Teng for orders to attack.

Another seven years passed, and Ma Teng was getting old, while his son Ma Chao was in his prime.

Ma Chao's invitation to fight quickly won Ma Teng's approval.

It wasn't that Ma Teng was not cautious enough, but that he thought that even if he wanted to defend the city in the end, he had to find out what the enemy's strength was.

You can't start being a turtle without firing a shot and an arrow.

Therefore, Ma Teng allocated 3 people to Ma Chao, and at the same time appointed his nephew Ma Dai as his lieutenant general to accompany him to test the combat power of Guan Yu's troops.

Faced with Ma Chao's free behavior, Guan Yu became angry on the spot.

"Every man, how dare you treat someone as nothing!"

I brought 30 troops here, but you only sent [-] troops to fight, who do you look down on?

Xin Ping, who was next to him, shook his folding fan lightly and said with a smile: "Your Majesty calm down, it's not that the enemy army despised us, but in fact the enemy army didn't know the majesty Huwei, and tried to hit the stone with an egg, how stupid it is!"

After hearing Xin Ping's flattering words, Guan Yu suppressed the anger in his chest and said, "Alright, let's wipe out all the enemy troops to show our military might!"

"No, no!"

Xun You, who was silent at the side, suddenly spoke.

"Why?"

Guan Yu was puzzled.

Xin Ping immediately understood Xun You's meaning, and continued to speak: "Since the enemy army does not know whether to live or die, why don't you show your weakness to the enemy. There is a way to play a long line and catch big fish. After all, the enemy army can never have only 3 people! "

"That's right, that's what I mean." Xun You also nodded and said.

Hearing this, Guan Yu also laughed: "Okay, then, according to what you two said, let's put a long line and catch big fish!"

Under Guan Yu's instruction, Tai Shici led [-] troops to meet Ma Chao's troops.

Originally Zhang Fei was clamoring to be a pioneer, but when he heard that he was going to feign defeat, he immediately lost interest.

On the field outside Xiangxian County, Ma Chao was leading his army forward, and Tai Shici's army appeared not long ago.

Ma Chao looked at the army led by Tai Shici, and it seemed that there were more people than himself, but he was still fearless, so he rushed over and killed them.

After some confrontation, Ma Chao was surprised to find that although the opponent had many soldiers and horses, his combat strength was really average, and he was easily defeated by himself.

After Tai Shici's defeat, Ma Chao wanted to lead his army to pursue, but suddenly remembered his father Ma Teng's explanation, so he stopped immediately, left Ma Dai to lead the army, and returned to Xiang County alone to report the battle situation to Ma Teng.

After listening to his son's report, Ma Teng said decisively: "This is Guan Yu's trick to lure the enemy. You are right not to pursue it. After the enemy general Tai Shici is behind, there must be Guan Yu's army!"

"But..." Ma Chao said, "Now that the first battle has been won, and the morale of the soldiers under his command is high, should the army be turned back to defend?"

Ma Teng sneered and said, "No, you can challenge again tomorrow. If you lose, you will retreat, and if you win, you will not pursue. Let's see how Guan Yu will use his tricks to lure the enemy!"

"Greetings, Father!"

Ma Chao was overjoyed when he heard that, and nodded repeatedly.

So for several days in a row, Tai Shici led his troops to challenge, but they were all defeated by Ma Chao in the end without exception.

But Ma Chao kept Ma Teng's order in mind, and had no intention of pursuing him at all.

After five or six days, Guan Yu couldn't sit still.

"Two military advisers, the trick to lure the enemy is not only ineffective, but our soldiers have actually injured thousands of people. If this continues, the morale will soon be overwhelmed."

Xin Ping still waved his folding fan lightly and said with a smile: "Your Majesty, don't worry, this so-called tactic of luring the enemy is also a tactic of arrogant soldiers. The enemy army won several times and did not order to pursue them. If things go on like this, even if the enemy generals can bear it, Enemy soldiers can't help it either.

What's more... we can add more fire. "

Therefore, when he was defeated again on the second day, Tai Shici retreated as usual, but he left a lot of luggage on the ground, and threw it away as he ran, which seemed to have a tendency to drop thousands of miles.

Ma Chao still strictly ordered not to pursue, but this time his order was not so effective.

After winning for nearly ten days in a row, the soldiers under Ma Chao's command have already been dazzled by this moment.But Ma Chao was not allowed to pursue each time, which kept the fire in their hearts simmering.

To this day, seeing the luggage, armor, equipment, and even gold and silver property scattered on the ground, these soldiers couldn't bear it anymore, and rushed forward screaming to grab the property.

After robbing the property on the ground, they continued to chase in an attempt to obtain more gold and silver treasures.

When Ma Chao saw that the soldiers couldn't stop drinking, and that Tai Shici had thrown out all his belongings and treasures, it was probably not a fraud, so he gritted his teeth and shouted:

"The whole army is in pursuit!"

Take the bait, fish.

After chasing for more than ten miles in a row, when Ma Chao reacted, he was greeted with a counterattack from Tai Shici.

And... the siege of Guan Yu's army.

Not good, someone got caught!
Ma Chao suddenly woke up, but it was too late.

Guan Yu held a broadsword and stood under the banner, ready to order Ma Chao to be wiped out in the encirclement.

Xun You, who was standing next to him, persuaded, "Such an excellent strategy, if we only eliminate the soldiers and horses in front of us, it would be a bit of a waste."

"Gongda's intention is to bring out Ma Shoucheng in Xiangxian County ahead?" Guan Yu asked.

"good."

Xun You nodded.

On the battlefield, Ma Chao has already begun to break through.

However, facing the siege of Guan Yu's army, no matter how brave he was, it was impossible for him to escape.

After fighting hard for most of the day, only a dozen soldiers escaped in the end.

And the dozen or so soldiers who escaped immediately rushed to Xiangxian County and informed Ma Teng of the news of Ma Chao's siege.

Ma Teng was shocked when he heard the news, and he couldn't care less about blaming his son for chasing him.

After thinking for a while, Ma Teng decided to lead his army to attack to rescue his trapped son.

Then, unexpectedly, he himself was also surrounded.

So far, Xin Ping and Xun You's joint plan to lure the enemy has been a complete success.

"The whole army obeys the order, attack!"

Under the banner, Guan Yu was finally able to happily issue military orders.

However, this attack was only a tentative attack.

In fact, Guan Yu was not prepared to wipe out these enemy troops at all. Such a large-scale killing violated his principles, and the enemy's desperate counterattack would also cause heavy losses to his side.

Guan Yu decisively imitated Bai Qi's style of play in the Battle of Changping during the Warring States Period, dividing and encircling Ma Teng's [-] army, making them cut off water and food before attacking every day.

The siege lasted for more than ten days, and the desperate Ma Teng soldiers began to surrender one after another.

Seeing that the general situation was over, Ma Teng and his son led the crowd to break through.

During the process, Ma Teng was beheaded by Zhang Fei, and Ma Dai was beheaded by Tai Shici. Only Ma Chao broke through the encirclement with his extraordinary bravery and escaped with his own body.

The Xiangxian battle, which lasted nearly 20 days, finally ended with Guan Yu's complete victory.

Peijun and Liangjun surrendered one after another. Guan Yu captured the two counties in the first battle, and the soldiers pointed at Runan!
……

Luoyang.

"Zi Chu, didn't you say that the thief Li Ru had died in the rebellious army, why did he suddenly appear again, and actually killed the emperor!"

After learning of Liu Xie's death, Liu Bei was immediately furious, and rarely fired at Lin Chao.

Regarding this, Lin Chao had no choice but to smile wryly: "Your Majesty, calm down, when Luoyang was controlled by Dong Bandit, I did not have much hope in planning to assassinate Dong Bandit. As for Dong Bandit's subordinate Li Ru, I was even more powerless to take care of him.

After Dong thief's death, there was great chaos in Luoyang. At that time, the army had not yet entered the city, and it was still difficult for the ministers to protect themselves. It was only heard that Li Ru died in the chaos.

Speaking of it, this matter is all the fault of the minister, and I ask the king to punish him. "

Liu Bei agreed with Lin Chao's explanation.

After all, under the circumstances back then, it was not easy to assassinate Dong Zhuo, so how could it be possible to take such a small role as Li Ru into consideration.

At that time, most of the generals of the Xiliang Army under Dong Zhuo's command were killed, and who would have thought that Li Ru would survive.

"Ugh!"

Liu Bei sighed, and said with a distressed expression, "I can't blame you if I know this, it's just...the two mighty emperors of the Han Dynasty both died at the hands of one person, Li Ru is a thief that cannot be punished!"

"My lord, after Li Ru poisoned the emperor, he committed suicide in fear of crime. The most urgent thing now is..."

Lin Chao's words went to the end, but Liu Bei didn't understand, and said with a face of course: "Yes, the most urgent thing is to mourn for the emperor. Pass down the order, and the whole army will stay in peace."

Lin Chao: ...

"Your Majesty, I don't mean that."

"Then what do you mean..."

Halfway through Liu Bei's words, he suddenly understood, and his expression changed immediately.

"Zi Chu means... about the succession to the throne?"

"That's right, even though the Son of Heaven has collapsed and has no sons under his knees, the imperial family will surely inherit the Han Kingdom. The king is benevolent and righteous, and his reputation spreads far and wide. It is really what everyone expects. Why don't you practice Zuo Deng..."

"Zichu be careful!"

Liu Bei hastily interrupted.

"My lord, this is what I say from the bottom of my heart."

Liu Bei looked at Lin Chao, and said sincerely: "Why don't you understand, it's just that the emperor has just died, and now is not the time to talk about these things... You stand back and let Gu Haosheng think about it."

"As ordered!"

Lin Chao had no choice but to leave.

After coming out, Jia Xu, Lin Xi and the others hurried up to greet her.

"How about it, the king is willing to practice Zuo as the throne?"

Lin Chao shook his head slowly, but there was no hint of disappointment on his face.

"This kind of thing, how can it be successful at the first time, today a certain one just planted a seed in the king's heart. If you really want to persuade him, you have to look at the officials in Chang'an City."

Jia Xu immediately understood Lin Chao's meaning, nodded immediately and said, "That's right, that's exactly what it should be."

The reason why Jia Xu did not block the news of Liu Xie's death was to give the officials of the Chang'an court time to react.

If Liu Xie had just died, and Liu Bei hurriedly led his army to Chang'an, the world would inevitably have some speculation about Liu Xie's death.

But Liu Xie is dead, and the country cannot live without a king.

According to the etiquette, all the officials in Chang'an must choose a successor, and then send people to greet him.

Lin Chao is now waiting for someone from Chang'an to come, and then follow the trend to push Liu Bei to the throne.

Look, it's not that King Xiao insists on being emperor, it's really because of the support of the ministers and the expectations of everyone.

Fighting for world hegemony is about winning and losing, but you also have to take care of your face.