Three Kingdoms: I help Liu Bei grow thousands of miles

Chapter 614

The rain seemed to be crying for Yang Xiu. After a while, the thick clouds dispersed and the warm sun reappeared.

In the afternoon, Cao Cao mobilized tens of thousands of soldiers and horses, braved the cold wind and headed south to Deng County to find a battle. Guan Yu had already been ready for battle.

Lan Tian has a great advantage in strategy because of his vision of the pattern, but he is very awkward in actual battle. All the battles he participated in were commanded by Gao Shun, so after Xu Shu replaced him, he cooperated seamlessly with Guan Yu.

Because of the occasional rain disturbance, Cao Cao and Guan Yu basically fought for a day and rested for a day. Although Cao Jun was superior in numbers, he was suppressed by Guan Yu's side in terms of individual soldier quality, tactics, and formation.

After several bitter battles, both sides suffered a lot of damage, but the balance of victory gradually tilted in favor of Guan Yu, and it gradually became a luxury to capture Guan Yu back to Lantian to ask the prophecy.

At this time, Cao Cao remembered Yang Xiu's dying words. He found that the situation in front of him was like chicken ribs. There was no meat to eat, but it was delicious to throw away. The people of the big county moved north to fill the depression of Cao Rentu Wancheng, and ordered Sima Yi to be responsible for the supply of the relocated people.

Cao Cao adopted the same method as Huainan. When he finally had to withdraw his troops, leaving a large number of empty cities and land with solid walls and clearing the fields, and then using Wancheng as a base to help defend Guan Yu, this was the most helpless compromise.

As for Sima Yi in the Lantian prophecy, Cao Cao is confident that he can restrain the civil servants who have no military power, and he will make detailed arrangements when he returns to the rear.

At the beginning of the first month of the 25th year of Jian'an, Guan Yu was still working with Cao Cao in Deng County, while Lan Tian, ​​accompanied by Gao Yuan, returned to Jiangling by boat to meet Liu Bei.

The transport ship in Yangshui shuttled back and forth. After inquiring, they found out that they were captured Jiangdong captives. Their destination was Jiangxia. It seemed that Liu Bei was preparing for negotiations.

The two of them had just stepped off the boat, and found that the young general riding a red horse on the pier was very eye-catching. When they got closer, they found that it was indeed Lan Ji.

"Father, are you here?" Lan Ji happily rolled over from the little red rabbit, and the Canglong Pojun halberd was kicked on the ground, making a crisp sound.

"If you're not training in the camp, what's the point of wearing your armor on the pier?" Lan Tian asked suspiciously.

Lan Ji smiled and replied: "Uncle is transferring prisoners to Jiangxia for the past two days. He heard that I have some tricks to deal with the prisoners, so he asked the boy to be awe-inspiring at the pier, so that the prisoners who were transferred to the ship would not dare to make mistakes."

"It's a bit capable, remember not to be complacent, then you should perform your duties well now, and I will go to the city first." Lan Tian nodded and instructed, at this time Gao Yuan had brought the horses from the pier.

"My son is leading the way for father. This is the last batch today." Lan Ji showed his white teeth.

"Okay." Lan Tian waved his hand.

After Xu Shu's return, Jiangling quickly returned to its former state, but patrols and vigilance were strengthened, and the common people took it for granted for safety.

Originally, Liu Bei was discussing with city officials in the state capital, but when he suddenly heard the news that Lantian had arrived in Jiangling, he hurriedly ended the conversation and went to greet him outside the mansion gate.

"Ziyu." Liu Bei waved with a smile on his face.

Lan Tian got off his horse a few feet away, then trotted towards Liu Bei's direction, followed by Gao Yuan and Lan Ji, who dismounted and walked.

Walking outside the gate of the mansion, Lan Tian cupped his hands in salute: "Your majesty is a respected king, how dare my servants greet you at your door, it's true"

Liu Bei grabbed Lan Tian's left hand with a smile, and said, "Ziyu is my brother, let alone a brother's identity?"

"Ah, here." Lan Tian saw the surprise on the faces of others, and didn't know what words to respond to.

"Let's go into the mansion, Ziyu has worked hard all the way, prepare some drinks to relieve fatigue first." Liu Bei pulled Lan Tian and walked in, and those Jingzhou officials followed behind with their own concerns.

Pan Jun was sensible and gave Lan Tian the top position. Seeing everyone sitting down, Liu Bei kindly asked, "How is the battle in Fancheng going? If I replace you with Yuan Zhi, it won't be a big deal, right?"

Lan Tian shook his head, "It was originally Yun Chang who was in charge. Now the time, place and people are in harmony. I think Cao Cao can be repelled in a few days. Yuan Zhi is good at mobilizing troops, and he complements General Guan even more."

Liu Bei affirmed: "Ziyu's talents are different from Yuanzhi and Xiaozhi's. They are very proficient in tactics, while Ziyu is good at the overall strategy. When he was transferred back, he mainly dealt with Jiangxia affairs. Among the generals, only Ziyu is the most suitable."

"It's my duty as a subject." Lan Tian answered with hands clasped.

"Sun Quan has repeatedly tried to plot against me in Jingzhou, and he wanted to attack Jingzhou many times. However, all the officials in Shuzhong opposed it. Now that Kongming's Longzhong confrontation is at a critical moment, how to deal with Jiangdong in the future, I really want to hear Your opinion." Liu Bei asked expectantly.

Lan Tian didn't answer directly, but instead asked, "What's Zhuge's plan?"

"Kong Ming still insists on uniting with Sun to fight against Cao. Gu just communicated with Chengming (Pan Jun) and others. Everyone thinks that we should continue to form an alliance with Jiangdong to fight against Cao. After all, Cao Cao's strength is still not to be underestimated, but the two sides are now in conflict. The alliance is also a dream in the same bed, if you want to reconcile, you may have to make concessions on the prisoners." Liu Bei frowned.

"Concession on the captives? Is it Pan Zhizhong's best idea?" Lan Tian turned his head and asked curiously.

Pan Jun nodded slightly: "This time Sun Quan suffered a disastrous defeat in Jingzhou. He captured more than a dozen generals and tens of thousands of soldiers. If we want to resolve the hatred between the two families, we must make a bigger concession. Otherwise, the two families may not die. Sun and Cao join forces to attack, and Jingzhou will never have peace."

Liu Bei nodded affirmatively after listening, "Cheng Ming's worry is also Bei's worry. Ziyu's insight has always been from a strategic position, so what's the best way?"

Lan Tian sneered and said, "The Five Hegemons of the Spring and Autumn Period and the Seven Heroes of the Warring States Period. How can there be eternal friends in politics? I don't suggest going to war with Sun Cao at the same time, nor do I suggest giving up my own interests to seek peace from Sun Quan. Don't forget that we are the victors." .”

"But General Lan's request is really. If Sun Quan wants to redeem all the captives, he needs Jiangdong's output for five years without food or drink. This is simply impossible." Pan Jun shook his head.

"Negotiation is business. Asking prices and paying back the money. If you pay the money and deliver the goods, why do you still need to negotiate? We can make a little concession. I didn't let them cede the land. It is always necessary to pay some war losses. One year It can be two years if they can’t get it out, and ten years if they can’t get it out after two years, but those captives must be returned in proportion.” Lan Tian smiled slightly.

Pan Jun was dumbfounded when he heard it. According to Lan Tian's current intention, it seems that the concession is just to allow time, and the compensation that should be paid does not seem to be reduced much, wondering if this is too cruel.

"Will it be too tight? If Sun Quan is to die with us, wouldn't the gain outweigh the loss?" Pan Jun asked.

Lan Tian snorted coldly: "The fish is dead and the net is broken? General Guan fought fiercely in Fancheng, didn't they also take action? It's just a bluff. Now Jiangxia is under our control. As long as we guard the mouth of the Yangtze River, it is a joke for Sun Quan to want to go west easily. If it is from Jianchang, Luling and other places invaded, and they never came back."

(End of this chapter)